A series of concerts will use YAC’s mobile stage in Whitehorse and Dawson this summer
“Now we have a professional, turn-key stage that’s easy to transport, quick to set up, and available for communities across the territory. It’s a game-changer for local festivals, non-profits, and artists.”
The Yukon Arts Centre (YAC) first unveiled its new mobile stage at Whitehorse’s Takhini Arena in April, when Tom Cochrane headlined a Ride for Dad benefit concert with support from local acts Bria Rose N’ Thorns and Cows Go Moo.
“The experience was surreal — seeing the transformation of the arena and the open stage at last, after many, many hours of preparation, felt like stepping into a new Whitehorse,” says Rose, who fronts and leads her eponymous group. “Everyone was buzzing and the intense pressure and exhilaration set in.”
Yukoners will see the stage in use several more times this summer, as the YAC will host an outdoor concert series in Whitehorse and Dawson City. The concert series is presented in collaboration with Lotteries Yukon, to celebrate the commission’s 50th anniversary.
“The mobile stage came about when Lotteries Yukon, in anticipation of its 50th anniversary contacted the Yukon Arts Centre as they wanted to host a party like we did in Shipyards Park in September 2022 with our Birthday Bash, which saw the largest crowd gather in Shipyards Park ever — to see local talent as well as Serena Ryder and The Strumbellas,” explains YAC Community Programming Director Michele Emslie of the idea’s origins.
“They also wanted to throw some other events around the Yukon too, and it was then we suggested that instead of renting the required staging from down south, and for what that would cost — we could buy one as a legacy piece for the whole Yukon.”
Lotteries Yukon provided the funding for the YAC to purchase the SL100 Mobile Stage, knowing it would benefit the Yukon’s artistic communities and be able to facilitate larger events with fewer overhead equipment rental costs.
“I think the versatility of the staging and how beautiful it looked when it’s all set up was a nice surprise for audiences and organizers alike,” says Emslie.
This summer, the YAC and Lotteries Yukon’s concert series kicks off June 28 with a performance from Our Lady Peace, the Toronto alternative rock band known for hits like “Innocent” and “Superman’s Dead” at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse.
Later in the summer, London, ON rapper Shad and BC rock veterans 54-40 will also each grace the stage.
“This concert series is going to be something really special for Yukoners,” says Sara Skelton, chair and CEO for Lotteries Yukon. “We’re bringing world-class acts to perform here for the first time —free, family-friendly, and accessible to everyone.”
Skelton goes on to say that she hopes to see these shows inspire people of all ages and to bring the community together, which music has the power to do.
“Whether it’s creating a core memory for a teenager seeing their first live show or offering an uplifting experience to someone who’s had a tough year, this is about joy and connection,” she says. “We hope this becomes an annual celebration. With the new mobile stage, there’s no reason we can’t keep this momentum going and continue creating opportunities for Yukon communities and artists year after year.
“A lot of people aren’t aware that the funding for Lotteries Yukon comes from lottery and scratch and win ticket sales. Hopefully people keep buying lottery tickets so we can continue to fund future legacy projects and events.”
According to Skelton, the concert series will be the perfect way to celebrate Lotteries Yukon’s 50th anniversary, as it reflects exactly what the commission’s mandate has always been about — “supporting projects that enrich the lives of Yukoners.”
“When we started thinking about a legacy project, we wanted something that would benefit as many people as possible, long-term,” she says. “That’s how the idea of purchasing a mobile stage came to be. It solves a major challenge: renting stages from down south was incredibly expensive and a logistical nightmare.
“Now we have a professional, turn-key stage that’s easy to transport, quick to set up, and available for communities across the territory. It’s a game-changer for local festivals, non-profits, and artists.”
Emslie echoes Skelton’s notion that the stage will eliminate logistical financial strains for events in the territory, saying it can go beyond concerts and be used for outdoor events of any kind.
“This type of equipment was not available in the Yukon before — it had to be trucked up from outside at significant cost, often putting larger outdoor events out of reach for many,” she says. “This is now a new venue, readily available within easy reach and at reasonable cost. It will mean that festivals and outdoor events can put more money towards programming instead of infrastructure.”
Having been among the first artists to perform on the stage, Rose calls it a “beautiful contraption,” noting that it has space enough for two full drum kits and a seven-piece band to perform comfortably.
“I hope and believe Yukoners will continue to show up for shows playing on this great stage more than ever, and help keep entertainment and art a thriving part of our ecosystem,” she says. “The first of a new, shared, portable venue — I think that’s a really cool thing that fosters another form of connection with our other communities.”
On June 28, the Lotteries Yukon 50th anniversary celebrations will kick off with a full day of community and family programming. There will be a small stage during the day at Shipyards Park at the Frank Slims building with local talent performing. In the late afternoon, Our Lady Peace will take to the mobile stage for the main event.
“Any time local artists can play for community in a larger outdoor setting it’s always of benefit to the artists themselves, but also for audiences to hear new Yukon talent they might not have seen before,” says Emslie.
“I think the presence of the mobile stage in Yukon communities will provide many more opportunities for artists and the community to come together for various celebrations and community events — where there weren’t these opportunities before. And I’m sure there will be more exciting artists from outside as well.”
The stage can also be seen at the Dawson City Music Festival (DCMF) this year, as well as a few other community events that Emslie says will be announced soon.
For Skelton, seeing 54-40 in particular will bring a full-circle moment.
“Music has always been a huge part of my life,” she says. “I taught myself how to play drums in my parents’ basement in Watson Lake when I was about 12 — listening to 54-40 songs, no less!”
