Local singer-songwriter Inez has one last blockbuster performance left on her summer calendar this weekend on Harrison beach.
She and blues-folk guitarist Jason Burnstick will be doing acoustic sets on Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. at the 34th annual Harrison Festival of the Arts' second weekend of diverse Beach Stage acts.
"I'm so excited to play Harrison," said Inez from her home in Chilliwack.
"It's a great opportunity to connect with locals."
It's been a while since she played on home turf.
"But I think this might be my last gig before I give birth."
She has another eight weeks before her and son, Zane and husband, Otis welcome another addition to the family.
Inez is still floating off the huge energy gained from playing Aboriginal Day Live before 40,000 people in Winnipeg.
"It's one of the biggest events of the year in Indian Country."
The show aired on APTN on June 23 and a whopping 300,000 viewers tuned in.
"I think that was my biggest show," she enthused.
She had to disclose she was pregnant before APTN hired her because she knew she'd be six and a half months along. They asked her if she thought she could do it.
"I told them, 'I'm not handicapped, I'm just pregnant!' Fact is I started my career a few years ago when I was seven months pregnant, so I thought, what's stopping me now?"
Actually it all fits in with her day job which encourages young mothers to concentrate on fitness and nutrition and self-care. When she's not a busy community health nurse for Sto:lo Nation, she's jet-setting around the continent performing music inspired by her culture, or giving motivational talks.
"I travel by plane everywhere else, it's nice to perform in B.C.," she says.
She's working on her next album, which she says will be "geared to the direction I really want to go in."
It will be happy, upbeat and dance-oriented — and as usual it will reflect her pride in her aboriginal cultural traditions.
"I write who I am," says Inez. "One of my upcoming singles is, Electric 49.
"So it's about a party but 49er means a powwow party. It's who I am and who I come from."
The 34th Harrison Festival of the Arts closes this weekend with some amazing acts featuring Blues, Gospel, First Nations, African and more culture.
Cellist Kevin Fox has keen ability as an instrumentalist, singer, composer/arranger, performer and songwriter. These chops offered him passage to work with the likes of Justin Bieber and Kathleen Edwards, recording with artists as diverse as Raine Maida and Celine Dion, and touring extensively with musicians ranging from Chantal Kreviazuk and Steven Page to Tom Cochrane and Olivia Newton-John.
Pura Fé has sung for The Mercer Ellington Orchestra, countless blues, jazz, R&B, rock bands and has stamped her distinct vocals on many recordings, demos, jingles, music videos and movie sound tracks/trailers throughout her career.
Battle of Santiago combine bass, saxophone, flute and percussion, the band’s philosophy is to capture each musicians own personal sound and style.
Nelson Lepine Quintet features bluesy roots music from this Bowen Island singer/songwriter.
Maria in the Shower is Vancouver's legendary folk cabaret band - wandering minstrels, entertainers cut from old cloth, storytellers traveling often and gathering tales as they go. Enjoy the Beach Stage for only a daily $2 Button.
The Evening Concert Series continues on July 13 with the award-winning gospel act Mike Farris & the Cumberland Saints.
On July 14, Irelands’ Niamh Ni Charra Band will bring some award winning traditional music to the Hall.
To close the festival on July 15, legendary African vocalist Wazimbo and his band will get the Hall rocking.
Evening Concerts are the only ticketed event at the Harrison Festival. More at www.harrisonfestival.com or call the Festival Office at 604-796-3664.