Coldsnap Returns to Thaw the Northern British Columbia Winter with a Hot Music Lineup

The Coldsnap Winter Music Festival draws emerging talents to Northern BC every year.

The 2013 Coldsnap Winter Music Festival will be held from January 18-26 and will feature dozens of performers at three venues around Prince George in Northern British Columbia.

Coldsnap has earned a reputation of promoting up and coming local, national, and international artists from genres ranging from rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop to country, folk and blues. This is your chance to see these talented bands and performers work their way toward reaching wider audiences over the nine nights of the festival.

The volunteers of the summertime Prince George Folkfest organized the first Coldsnap festival in 2008. Each year the festival has grown and it is now getting major media attention, including:

A Globe and Mail Top 5 Cultural Events pick
Westworld Magazine Best Winter Events pick
Up! (Westjet flight magazine) Best Canadian Music Festivals pick

Now’s the time to secure your tickets for this event. We recommend you choose the unique Northern British Columbia Lodging of our member bed & breakfast inns to make the most of your festival-going experience.

Coldsnap Festival Lineup Highlights Emerging Talent in Themed Concerts

The Coldsnap Winter Music Festival groups performers into themed concerts and this year’s lineup promises to give audiences a ride through many genres. Organizers are still looking to fill spots if you’re interested.

Friday, January 18th – Ramada Ballroom

Dance the Night Away (featuring Canadian Indie)

Shred Kelly

Hailing from Fernie in the East Kootenays of British Columbia, Shred Kelly serves “Stoke Folk,” a mix of clawhammer banjo, ambient synthesizer, rockin’ guitar & drums and lush vocals.

Chazz Amos

Rising BC star Chazz Amos is the winner of Prince George Idol, a performer at the 100th Anniversary of the Prince George Exhibition, and a beloved local singer and songwriter.

Current Swell

The casual guitar blues of Current Swell has earned the band a formidable underground following and show slots with the Beach Boys, Bedouin Soundclash, K’Naan, K-OS, Ron Sexsmith, and Xavier Rudd.

Friday, January 19th – Ramada Ballroom

Hang on to Yer Kilts! (Eclectic & Funky Celtic)

King Crow and the Ladies From Hell

Northwestern BC’s King Crow and the Ladies From Hell combines guitars, mandolins, penny whistles, drums, fiddles, banjos, accordions, bagpipes and more to create a little celtic/gypsy/folk/rock musical chaos.

Troy MacGillivray and Friends

Born and raised in Lanark, Nova Scotia, Troy MacGillivray is a 2008 ECMA Instrumental Recording of the Year award winner and is a masterful performer of jigs, polkas, reels, trathespeys, and more.

Andrew McFayden

A love of the Scottish Gaelic language of his ancestors led Andrew McFayden to take up the cause of keeping the music and song tradition of the Gael alive and well with his vocal, piano, recorder and tin whistle talents.

Saturday, January 20th – Prince George Ballroom

Celebrate Northern Spirit (Aboriginal Music)

Diyet

Hailing from Kluane country, Diyet is an Aboriginal singer/songwriter who is also classically trained, giving her songs a danceable, soulful and rootsy edge.

Don Amero

Winnipeg, Canada’s Don Amero brings robust vocals, rhythmic guitar play, and engaging storytelling together in his outstanding performances.

Wednesday, January 23rd – ArtSpace

Strings and Things (Masterful Vocals & Guitar)

Dala

Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine make up the award winning duo Dala, whose angelic harmonies and acoustic virtuosity have gathered a huge following.

Ewan Dobson

Ewan Dobson has won nearly every Classical Guitar competition across Canada with his shining and exciting talents, which have led to four smash CD releases.

Thursday, January 24th – ArtSpace

Beards and Bards (Singer-Songwriters)

Jake Morley

UK phenom Jake Morley is a talented singer-songwriter who will soon break into the national and world music scene due to his masterful writing and powerful performances.

Matt Epp

One of the finest songwriters in Canada, Matt Epp writes and masterfully performs what he calls “soulful folk” – his CD collects these unforgettable stories.

Friday, January 25th – Prince George Playhouse

Folk Fusion (Traditional & Jazzy Celtic Folk)

Pharis and Jason Romero

Hailing from Horsefly, BC, Pharis and Jason Romero build fine banjos and as a duo delight in playing their passions: bluegrass, blues, early country, and old time music.

Daniel Lapp Trio

Daniel Lapp is famous for his 2010 Olympics appearance, but it is with this trio that the world is coming to appreciate jazz-influenced and electronically-powered folk music.

Saturday, January 26th – ArtSpace

Danse, Danse, Danse (French-Canadian Folk)

Vazzy

Vazzy has toured Canada and the U.S., playing inviting and energetic traditional French-Canadian songs and Canadian and Metis influenced dance songs.

Yves Lambert Trio

The Yves Lambert Trio straddles the energy of youth and attention to tradition of maturity in their French-Canadian folk music, which delivers passion, color and multicultural flair.

In addition to the performances, Coldsnap will also feature music workshops at several locations throughout the city of Prince George. Full event information, including ticket purchases, is available on the Coldsnap Winter Music Festival website.

Choose Northern BC Lodging as Distinct as Your Coldsnap Music Experience

Northern BC b&b inns provide a delicious breakfast to start your day right.

Our Northern BC Bed and Breakfast inns offer uniquely designed accommodations to pair with your experience of fine performances at Coldsnap and all the events and activities in the region of Northern British Columbia.

Enjoy the varied breakfast options, cozy guest rooms and the personalized service & area knowledge of the innkeepers at locations all across Northern BC.

What’s Your Coldsnap Winter Music Festival Expectation or Experience?

The Coldsnap Festival has been held in Prince George since 2008 and has, in short order, become the major winter music festival in the region.

Please share your plans for this 2013 event and memories of past Coldsnap events.