Winnipeg-born singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk cancelled a concert appearance with The Barenaked Ladies Monday night in Kelowna due to the unexpected death of her cousin in Winnipeg.

"She's spending time with her family right now," said Coleen Novak, of Kreviazuk's management company Nettwerk Management in Toronto. "It's an upsetting and emotional time for her right now."

In a press release issued on Kreviazuk's behalf, Nettwerk chief Terry McBride said, "Chantal's cousin was like a sister to her. She was an incredible influence in all aspects of her life, especially her music."

The family wished the name of the cousin to be withheld from the press.

Novak said Kreviazuk will resume her concert schedule tonight in Vancouver.

Kreviazuk and The Barenaked Ladies cancelled a scheduled concert appearance in Winnipeg last Monday Feb. 26 due to a snowstorm which delayed five truckloads of equipment in Ontario.

The Winnipeg Sun Staff