Alianait lists this year’s Iqaluit concert series

Igloolik artist Lazarus (Mister) Qattalik, seen here on the left, is one of many Nunavut musicians who will perform both covers and originals at an Inuktitut music tribute concert Jan. 20. (FILE PHOTO)

The Norwegian percussionist Terje Isungset’s show, Ice Music, is coming back to Iqaluit in March thanks to Alianait. (FILE PHOTO)

It’s that time of the year again for Alianait concert goers.

The annual Nunavut concert series is kicking off Jan. 20 with an Inuktitut music tribute concert.

“Igloolik musicians Lazarus (Mister) Qattalik and Allan Kangok will join Mason Angnakak from Pangnirtung and local artists Daniel Kolola and Charlie Panipak to perform many favourite Inuktitut tunes,” Alianait’s executive director, Heather Daley, said in a Jan. 11 release.

The artists will also share new and original music, along with those crowd favourites.

The show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at Inuksuk High School, marks the first of seven Alianait shows slotted for 2018.

Those shows will bring:

• Two shows March 17 and 18 of Norwegian percussionist Terje Isungset’s show Ice Music—a work composed for trumpet, vocals, nature percussion and ice that has become an internationally touring performance. Ice Music came to Iqaluit in 2013 and 2015.

• A May 5 performance by Juno Award winning alternative-country singer Justin Rutledge. The Torontonian has seven albums, the latest of which, titled East, was recorded in Nova Scotia with producer Daniel Ledwell, who visited Iqaluit in October with artist Jenn Grant.

• Quaqtaq singer, songwriter and seamstress Beatrice Deer will bring a jazzy show on Sept. 8. The Nunavik artist, who is an advocate for healthy living and food security in the North, is releasing her fifth album in the spring.

• An Oct. 13 show by Iqaluit Inuktitut blues-rock band The Tradeoffs, will bring “the deep brooding voice of Josh Qaumariaq and soulful bass of Jeff Maurice” to the Inuksuk High School stage.

• A show by folk duo The Small Glories, Nov. 24, where the Winnipeg artists Cara Luft and JD Edwards will bring a taste of the prairies to the northern capital. Critics in Europe and across North America have praised their 2016 album Wonderous Traveler.

Alianait subscription passes and tickets for the coming weekend concert are on sale at Arctic Ventures, or online at alianait.ca.

Elders and children under 12 who come with an adult can see the show for free.

A series pass gets you six concerts at 20 per cent off advance tickets.

But, if you’re looking for larger savings, you can sign up to be an Alianait member for just $30 a year. Members get 20 per cent off all tickets and merchandise.