The MacBride Museum of Yukon History has been hosting Music@MacBride, a series of evening shows by local musicians, for 12 years, and will continue this winter in the newly renovated MacBride Museum Aurora Hall.

“I started Music@MacBride about 12 years ago because I wanted to share Yukon’s stories through songs and music, with the audience, and also to showcase local talent to visitors,” said Patricia Cunningham, director of MacBride Museum. “The program has grown from four one-hour programs, in the afternoon, to 21 shows, this summer, with over 2,200 people attending. The program is loved.”

Throughout 2018’s weekly summer performances, Music@MacBride hosted a number of local acts, including the famous Hank Karr. “This summer, one night, five young German tourists were walking by, right near the end of a Hank Karr show,” said Cunningham. “They looked in the windows and I went out and invited them to come in. They were kind of wondering what was going on. By the end of the show, they were dancing in the back row, and they all went up later and met the band and took selfies.

Music is a powerful way to communicate.”

People can expect a two-hour concert format, with two sets, and the focus of the evening is on the music. “The focus on bands that you grew up with (like the Canucks and Hank Karr), that are just part of your whole life and are now crossing multiple generations, is one unique feature,” said Cunningham. “The mix of Yukoners and visitors sharing the Yukon’s stories is really warm and engaging.”

It’s also a prime opportunity to explore the renovations and changes to the museum, itself, while still enjoying and learning about Yukon history. “Music is an important part of our culture, and identity and sharing the Yukon through songs and music is really powerful,” said Cunningham.

Music@MacBride is weekly in the summer, with bands and occasional solo artists who write and perform songs about the Yukon or who have been part of people’s stories in the Yukon for decades. “The summer series this year drew raves for the line-up, which included Hank Karr and Friends, the Canucks, the Swinging Pines, Diyet and the Love Soldiers, and many others,” said Cunningham.

This winter we will be hosting Music@MacBride once a month, starting in November. For more information, visit www.MacbrideMuseum.com.


Winter Schedule (as of printing)

Dec 12th @ 7 p.m.

Christmas with the Canucks

Feb 27th @ 7 p.m.

Canucks Book Launch

2019 Dates TBC

The Swinging Pines Country Dance Party

Canyon Mountain


Dec 12

Light Up the Season Event

SS Klondike National Historic Site

5:30 p.m. Hot Drinks with Parks

6:00 p.m. Lighting up the SS Klondike

6:15 p.m. Carolling with Whitehorse Community Choir

6:40 p.m. To MacBride Museum

7:00 p.m. Lighting up of Engine 51 by the Roundhouse (MacBride)


Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top