The Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival held just outside Portage la Prairie each year is in the midst of some re-organization.

Co-founder Linda Omichinski says after five years, they want to raise their presence in the region, year-round. She outlines what's happening.

"We have let go of the Hot Blizzard Folk Festival (held in February)," she says, "And we have let go of the Portage la Prairie Folk Festival Association umbrella, and we've branded as the Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival. So everything is under that banner -- whatever we do, year-round -- will be under the banner of Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival."

Linda Omichinski

Omichinski says one way increase their presence will be through an open mic event the last Friday of each month at the Portage Legion branch.

"And the Legion is ecstatic about it," she says, "Because after their meat draw, people will perhaps stay, and hang out, and bring new people into the Legion. It's a four-way partnership with Visions of Independence, Sawmill Cafe, the Legion, and Badlands Promotion, who will be hosting the event."

Bob OldfordLegion President Bob Oldford tells us how their participation came about.

"We were approached by the Whoop and Hollar," he says, "And also Visions of Independence, who's involved with it, about using our venue for doing the open mic. And we looked at it, and we said this will be something good. It'll bring in some more traffic on Friday nights into the Legion, and maybe showcase some new and upcoming talents."

There's more on the Whoop and Hollar here.