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There are seven DJs on Streetz Fm 24/7, all of them Aboriginal youth.

It’s by and for Aboriginal youth living in Peg City, “Winnipeg’s Illest Urban” is the latest radio station to hit the airwaves in Manitoba’s capitol. Streetz 104.7 FM plays the best in hip hop music, both mainstream and from North America’s fast growing Aboriginal hip hop community.

Streetz is the sister station to Manitoba’s first province-wide Aboriginal music sation — Native Communications Inc. FM — which has been the place for Aboriginal music since 1971. It was the vision of NCI to have a station that would showcase the talent of Indigenous youth from around the world, and to have that young talent as the voice behind the mic and the music — the station was approved by the CRTC in 2008. Melissa Spence, Streetz’ music director and Morning Show host, said “Streetz is getting tons of love from its Winnipeg listeners.”

According to its website, Streetz’ creators saw a market that needed to be tapped. “Winnipeg’s Aboriginal population is estimated to be near 90,000 and growing quickly. This is the youngest and fastest growing segment of the city and it is not being served directly by any media”.

There are seven DJs you can hear on Streetz FM 24/7, all of them Aboriginal youth and even the website is designed by a young Aboriginal woman. Staff and listeners say the station will instill pride in the young people who listen and are hopeful Streetz FM will also attract listeners of other backgrounds to promote positive relationships built on understanding.

The station officially launched at the beginning of December and Spence says Streetz is here to stay. “Since we’re Winnipeg’s only hip hop station, we’re not going anywhere anytime soon.” From Tupac to Fresh IE to Joey Stylez, you can find it all on Streetz. Check it out for yourself at www.streetzfm.ca, or on your FM dial at 104.7 in Winnipeg.

Gift of the gab?

Do you think you have the gift of the gab, or the way of the word? If so, you may be the next hit at Winnipeg’s upcoming Slam Poetry contest. On their facebook page, organizers call Slam Poetry “the competitive art of performance poetry.” Contestants are given three minutes to do an original spoken word piece that will be judged by audiencemembers. It could be funny, sad, angry or thoughtful, as long as it’s spoken word. This free event happens on Thursday, January 28th, at Winnipeg’s Kings Head Pub, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Skywalk Concerts

Don’t forget to checkout Skywalk Concerts courtesy of the City of Winnipeg. Free shows take place in the Millennium Library-Carol Shields Auditorium during the lunch hour from 12:10 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. Bring your lunch and watch tons of talent in the new year including: The Praetorius Mandolin Ensemble Jan. 7th, Bach to Beatles and the Rembrandt String Quartet Jan. 14th, as well as Red, White and Blues—Billy Joe Green, and Sister Dorothy. Jan. 28th. For a full listing. check out http://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/eventsall.asp

Burton Cummings Events

Canadian Indie pop/rock sensations Tegan and Sara will hit the stage at Winnipeg’s Burton Cummings Theatre January 14th and 15th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and run between $20 and $32.50.

The one and only Steve Earle will also play The Burt on January 29th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at Ticketmaster; $25-$39.50.

If you want your concert or fun event to be featured in First Nations Voice, email me at shaneen.the.scene@gmail.com