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WSSF music series heating up

String Cheese, Hot Hot Heat, Toots, Franti and Tuned Women on the roster while rumours swirl around new all-night party

The 10 th annual Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, which takes over Whistler April 8-17, is bringing back both free concert series: the DKNY//Jeans outdoor shows on the main stage in Skiers Plaza and the Kokanee Freeride afterdark shows in various Whistler club venues.

The outdoor DKNY//Jeans series presents weekly afternoon lineups as well as two evening shows on Saturday, April 9 and Saturday, April 16.

Last year has left some big shoes to fill after a spectacular climax performance on the festival’s final Friday afternoon by hip-hop superstars the Black Eyed Peas. Crowds packed the expansive Skiers Plaza to hear the funky foursome, who topped off their energetic set of mega-hits from their album Elephunk by bringing pop star Justin Timberlake out of the wings for an encore performance of their collaboration Where Is The Love?

Outdoor shows confirmed for this year so far include Colorado ski-bum bluegrass jam band The String Cheese Incident, kicking things into high gear on Friday, April 8.

Sunday April 10 marks the return to Whistler of Victoria new-wave alt-rockers Hot Hot Heat, a mere five days after the release of their much anticipated major label debut album Elevator .

Thursday, April 14 legendary dancehall reggae originators Toots and the Maytals take to the outdoor stage, followed by fiery activist hip-hop/groove collective Michael Franti and Spearhead on Friday, April 15.

Festival organizers have also confirmed that they will be adding performers from February’s Tuned Women III – a showcase of original content by local female musicians – to the WSSF music roster.

The Kokanee Freeride afterdark club series has so far confirmed Toronto-based African hip-hop artist K’naan, rock band Pacer and Bob Schneider – a roots/rock singer-songwriter from Austin, Tex. Perennial performers Sweatshop Union are returning for both outdoor and afterdark shows.

This year’s festival is introducing a new all-night party event at the Telus Conference Centre on Saturday, April 16.

The Smirnoff Experience is set to rage until the following Sunday morning and will feature a world-renowned club act, unconfirmed at this time, although rumour has it superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold and organic house music troupe Groove Armada are both real possibilities.

For a complete schedule of concert and other WSSF events go to www.whistler2005.com.