Alianait brings fiddler April Verch back to Iqaluit

April Verch of the April Verch Band will play alongside local favorites Errol Fletcher and Jamal Shirley, and the Iqaluit Fiddlers May 26 at Nakasuk School. (PHOTO COURTESY OF A. VERCH)

April Verch, an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and fiddler will play a concert May 26 in Iqaluit, for the third concert in the Alianait Arts Festival’s 2012 concert series.

Verch, who was recently nominated for an Independent Music Award, performed at Alianait in 2011 where she was well-received,the festival’s executive director Heather Daley said.

“She was such a hit that we kept her for the concert series,” Daley said, praising Verch’s fiddle style that’s unique to the Ottawa valley.

The choice to bring Verch back was natural, Daley said, because “first of all, this community loves fiddles music.”

In Iqaluit, Verch will play with the Iqaluit Fiddlers, while local musicians Errol Fletcher and Jamal Shirley will open for her.

Verch also plans to offer a musical workshop for the Iqaluit Fiddlers, before they perform with her on stage. She’s also scheduled to participate in a few other workshops including working with high school students.

Verch will play also a show in Rankin Inlet before leaving Nunavut.

The Iqaluit concert takes place on May 26 at 7:30pm at the Nakasuk School.

Tickets are concert, $22 in advance for adults and $12 for youth, are available from Arctic Ventures.

Tickets will also be available at the door and, as is the case for all Alianait shows, the concert is free for elders and kids under 12, when accompanied by an adult.