One of Saskatchewan’s most anticipated summer music events is set to return next month as the Salt Shaker Music Festival brings artists from across Western Canada to Manitou Beach from July 10 to 12.
The festival, known for its intimate venues and eclectic lineup, has built a reputation for showcasing emerging and established artists while embracing the unique atmosphere of the resort community.
“It’s really exciting to get to talk about one of my favourite festivals of summer,” said Erica Maier of The Garrys, one of the festival’s organizers.
Friday night showcase at Danceland
The festival’s marquee event takes place Friday night at Danceland, featuring acclaimed Toronto-based band The Sadies.
Maier described the group as “rock royalty,” noting the band’s long history of collaborating with influential artists in Canada and internationally.
Joining The Sadies on the bill are Saskatoon’s The Salt Licks, a collective of well-known Saskatchewan musicians, and Calgary’s Rifle County Players, whose sound blends country, western and psychedelic influences.
The evening will conclude with an after-party at Mike’s Beach Bar featuring a DJ set.
While weekend wristbands have already sold out, tickets remain available for the Friday night Danceland performance.
“If you’ve ever been curious about coming out to Danceland or maybe you’ve been before and you want to see some slightly different music, I think that’s definitely the show to go to,” Maier said.
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Prairie talent takes centre stage
A hallmark of Salt Shaker is its focus on showcasing artists from Saskatchewan and across the Prairies.
Maier said the festival provides an opportunity for audiences to discover talented performers they might not otherwise have the chance to see.
“There’s a lot of distance between cities here in Canada, but there’s so many amazing musicians,” she said. “One of my favourite things about the festival is that we get to bring people together from all over the Prairies.”
Saturday’s programming at Mike’s Beach Bar will feature a diverse range of acts, including experimental electronic artists Respectful Child and Open Window, Winnipeg-based bilingual alternative pop artist Flora Luna, Saskatoon and Regina psych-rock group Blue Fantasy, and Regina indie surf-rock band The Wonts.
Festival-goers can enjoy live music while taking in the beach atmosphere that has become a defining feature of the event.
“It’s pretty fun to go swimming and hear some amazing bands. You can’t really do that every day,” Maier said.
A year off for The Garrys
One notable absence from this year’s lineup is Saskatchewan surf-rock favourites The Garrys, who helped launch the festival alongside Maier and her sisters, Juliette and Lenore.
The band is taking a break from performing at this year’s event as family responsibilities have grown.
Both Juliette Maier and brother Matthew Maier recently became parents, prompting the group to step back from the stage while continuing to help organize the festival.
“We won’t be playing out at the festival this year, but it’s going to be super fun, and I think everyone who’s going to be there is going to have a great time,” Maier said.
Growth without losing its identity
Since its inception, Salt Shaker has steadily grown in popularity while maintaining its small-town charm.
Maier said musician applications have increased significantly over the years, even though the festival remains intentionally limited by the size of Manitou Beach and its venues.
Rather than viewing those limitations as a drawback, organizers see them as part of what makes the festival special.
The smaller venues create an intimate setting where artists and audiences interact throughout the weekend, whether attending shows, relaxing at the beach, or visiting local businesses.
“It makes the shows feel really intimate,” Maier said. “You get to see the musicians hanging around the beach, going to Burger Buoy, or just doing fun things throughout the weekend.”
She added that the festival’s growing reputation has helped tickets sell out quickly each year.
“People know it’s going to be a good time,” she said. “That’s a great honour to know that we’ve created something people really want to come down and celebrate.”
Bluegrass brunch returns
The weekend will also feature the return of the popular Bluegrass Brunch on Saturday morning at Danceland.
Presented in partnership with the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Festival, the event includes a pancake breakfast and an open bluegrass jam session.
Musicians of all skill levels are encouraged to bring instruments and join in, while spectators can simply enjoy the music and atmosphere.
Music books will be available for beginners wishing to follow along.
The brunch runs from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with admission free aside from the cost of breakfast.
For Maier, the community-focused event perfectly captures the spirit of the festival.
“I love playing along with some of those jams,” she said.
The Salt Shaker Music Festival runs July 10 to 12 in Manitou Beach. Tickets for the Friday night Danceland concert remain available through the Broadway Theatre.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.discoverhumboldt.com ’
