SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The third annual Ts'eko Celebration of Women in Music hits two venues this weekend. The Ts'eko Acoustic Review runs from 7 until 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC). The Ts'eko concert begins at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Top Knight.

Toronto-based rocker Veronica Johnny leads workshops for women in music tonight and Thursday at the Yellowknife Public Library. She and her husband, drummer Dave Johnny, perform at the Ts'eko concert at the Top Knight on Saturday evening, as well. - photo courtesy of David Pritchard

"We're really excited to rock out with lots of cool ladies from the North and have a lot of fun," said co-ordinator Mary Caroline.

The program also features workshops for women in the library meeting room at 6 p.m. tonight and at 6 p.m. tomorrow. Both workshops are led by Toronto-based rocker Veronica Johnny. Originally from Fort Smith, Johnny began her music career in Yellowknife.

Tomorrow's workshop offers basic guitar skills for beginners. Tonight's workshop is about building self-esteem among female musicians.

"Self esteem is something we've all wrestled with and that we continue to wrestle with throughout our life," Johnny said. "I use what I'm teaching to help me do what I'm doing in my life. I'm greatful to be able to do these kind of workshops. It's rewarding to see the big difference in the people who participate."

Johnny recently led similar workshops for youth at the Taiga Camp hosted by the YWCA in Fort Smith and for Camp Connections, organized through the Foster Families Coalition of the NWT.

"I'm so happy that the Ts'eko Celebration is happening again this year and I'm really excited to hear about the lineup of performers," Johnny said.

Along with Johnny and her husband, drummer Dave Johnny, this year's list of artists includes Dana Sipos and the Side Folk, Carmen Braden, Fish Be?, New With Tags, The Breakup, Flaherty's Wake and Laura Jane Beach.

This year the festival received a grant from the NWT Arts Council to bring a young female performer to Yellowknife to play during the event. Christina MacDonald of Fort Smith is on the lineup for the Ts'eko acoustic review on Friday night.

"She has a beautiful voice," Johnny said. "She plays folky, beautiful heartfelt music on a lovely 12-string guitar."

Another new artist on the bill is Julia McIntyre, who is filling in this summer for New With Tags drummer Walter Girrior.

"This is my first time playing drums in a band," she said. "I'm really looking forward to it. It's been one of my goals for a while so it's going to be pretty cool. I think this event is a great push to get people out there and get their voices heard."