Announcement

Northern Lights College, along with the City of Dawson Creek and the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre have joined forces to make June 8-9 an unforgettable weekend tribute for acclaimed singer/songwriter Roy Forbes.

The festivities kicked off with Forbes receiving an Honourary Arts Degree from Northern Lights College. The degree was conferred on Friday, June 8 during the Convocation ceremonies at the North Peace Cultural Centre in Fort St. John.

Then, on Saturday, June 9, the City of Dawson Creek recognized Forbes with a street-naming ceremony. Mayor Calvin Kruk officially unveiled “Roy Forbes Drive” - 11th Street from 96th Avenue to 97th Avenue.

The weekend was capped off on Saturday evening with a fundraising concert that took place at the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre, with half of the proceeds going to the KPAC fundraising initiative.

Forbes grew up in the Dawson Creek area, graduating from South Peace Secondary School in 1971. At the age of 18, he moved to Vancouver to begin his musical career, and by the end of that year his songwriting, singing and guitar playing were already making headlines.

In the three and a half decades since, Forbes has developed into one of Canada’s most original, dynamic, and exciting performers. He has produced many solo albums and garnered numerous awards, including two Juno Award nominations and a West Coast Music Award.

Forbes is also known for his impressive record collection, which he showcases on CBC’s Snap Crackle Pop and on his weekly CKUA program, Roy's Record Room. Forbes has also participated as a resource leader/mentor at songwriting workshops and panel discussions across Canada, and work that he and Bill Henderson have done at the Ryga Centre in Summerland for the past 11 years has evolved into the creation of an accredited songwriting program through Okanagan College.