Welcome to 2012, the year the Mayans gave up on calendars, life, the universe, and everything.  Well, not til December at least...which means we have 11 more issues of Northern Groove mag to go until, much like Y2K, nothing exciting happens and we sit around and wait for the next bit of nonsense about the end of everything to come around.

Happy Holidays from Northern Groove!

We've got tons of great stuff for you this month like interviews with Fay ... and Faye! They talk about their passions and the creative things they do. There's thoughts while travelling from Tony Warriner, a backstage peek at the cast of Charlie Brown, tales of multi-cultural Christmases, cartoons from Tyson Mowatt and Rainbow Owl...

And of course the always spetacular Gift Guide! Full of local artists and artisans sharing their great and unique gift ideas - from pottery to seatbelt purses and handknitted touques to paintings. And speaking of paintings, our awesome cover girl is Sarah DeMaid, a local painter and contributer to the Gift Guide and she makes a great coffee at Patch Java!

We've got Music to Move You and getting cool with tattoos as well as eco-friendly gift options. There's tons more but you'll have to check it out for yourself...

Northern Groove December 2011 Issue

Happy Holidays from Northern Groove! We've got tons of great stuff for you this month like interviews with Fay ... and Faye! They talk about their passions and the creative things they do. There's thoughts while travelling, a backstage peek at the cast of Charlie Brown, tales of multi-cultural Christmases, cartoons from Tyson Mowatt and Rainbow Owl... And of course the always spetacular Gift Guide! Full of local artists and artisans sharing their great and unique gift ideas - from pottery to seatbelt purses and handknitted touques to paintings. And speaking of paintings, our awesome cover girl is Sarah DeMaid, a local painter and contributer to the Gift Guide! There's tons more but you'll have to check it out for yourself...

Read previous mags here!

...Why Fort St. John Continues to Amaze

Fort St. John is home to world class musicians and artists, and it is our mission to let the world know.

…. in a few words that’s what Spotlight 2011 was all about.

This year we built upon last year’s sold out event by showcasing more than just musicians -- we included all kind of arts ‘n stuff.

The event itself was a partnership between Northern Groove and the North Peace Cultural Centre -- but nothing would have happened were it not for the good folks at the North Peace Savings and Credit Union for coming on board as a community sponsor.

The guys and gals at the Credit Union are huge community advocates, not just for the arts, but for pretty much everything community. If you get a chance, talk with them about some of the things they’ve been able to support and it will amaze you.

We live in a pretty special place to have just the right mix of hard working and talented artists, a community minded bunch of people who are willing to give up their Saturday night to come cheer on their friends and family, and sponsors who see the value in supporting the things that people here love to do.

I am thankful for everyone who was a part of the event and I can’t wait to see what happens next year!

If you have your own thoughts and opinions on spotlight -- we’ve set up a special page on our website for people to give comments.  We’d love to hear your testimonials about why events like this are important and how we can tell the world!

Visit http://www.northerngroove.com/spotlight-2011/give-feedback to see what others have said, and to leave a thought of your own!

Northern Groove for Movember (er... November) features moustaches, welding adventures with Rain'mo Owl, Home Routes with Marianne Girard, spectacular Spotlight photos, meeting FSJ and the mooses, integral arts in FSJ, funny times with Spontaneous Combustion, what's up at the Rising Spirit, living the good yogi life, facing the music and degrees of musical separation, Cuban beats with Alex Cuba, giving local AWEsome gifts these holidays, the home stretch for the new hospital, and more mustaches!

Check out the November issue of Northern Groove online now and get connected with the Gift Guide!

Northern Groove for Movember (er... November) features moustaches, welding Rain'mo Owl, Home Routes with Marianne Girard, spectacular Spotlight, meeting FSJ and the mooses, funny times with Spontaneous Combustion, what's up with Rising Spirit, facing the music, Cuban beats and much much more!

Read previous mags here!

For those who attended Spotlight 2011 -- Asia White was on the scene offering the opportunity of a lifetime:  The opportunity to get your picture on the cover of the Northern Groove.  (It's actually kinda hard to say without starting to hum the Dr. Hook song).  The pictures are provided below... (they're not actually going to be on the cover of the next magazine, but if you send the picture to your family and say that it was... we'll do what we can to keep the secret).

The event was graciously sponsored by the good folks at the North Peace Savings and Credit Union, so we thought we'd say thanks to both them and to you (the folks who came to the show and were brave enough to get their picture taken), by offering these photos!

Thanks!

... little known fact... Dr. Hook never actually have been featured on the cover of the Rolling Stone.  I understand a cartoon version of them has been featured in jest... but the band themselves?  Not once.

If a band wants to write and record a hit song about Northern Groove -- we will at least have the decency to put you on the cover.  Just sayin'.

Northern Groove for October 2011 features this year's Spotlight 2011 performers on the cover. Articles this month include a profile of Naomi Shore, info on this year's Home Routes Concerts, a recap of NENAS First Annual Gala Awards Celebration, Tony Warriner's thoughts on writing, Fort St. John Loves Families Week, more on Stage North's production of Cabaret, this year's Movmember fundraising, Fairy Wings and halloween, the Abrams Brothers, Willms Sisters, and new technologies at the Fort St. John Hospital.

All that and more....

Read previous mags here!