Alianait to host community square dance with performers from across the North

Zebedee and Jeannie Nungak of Kangirsuk will play accordion at the community square dance in Iqaluit June 21. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ALIANAIT)

Kugluktuk fiddler Colin Adjun and his son Gustin will perform June 21. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ALIANAIT)

Put on your dancing shoes, Iqalummiut.

To celebrate National Aboriginal Day and its 10th year anniversary, Alianait is hosting a community square dance June 21 in Iqaluit.

Alianait is bringing together 10 musicians from across Nunavut and Nunavik to form a square dance band.

On accordion, well-known Pangnirtung musician Simeonie Keenainak and his grandson Ben Qaqqasiq will perform at the dance alongside Kangirsuk accordion players Zebedee and Jeannie Nunagak.

Kugluktuk’s “fiddler of the Arctic” Colin Adjun will join the band with his son Gustin, also on fiddle.

And Igloolik’s Joey Ammaq and Gordon and Joshua Qaunaq, along with George Qaqqasiq from Pangnirtung, will play backup to the band June 21.

The square dancing will be led by three generations of the Ishulutak family: Lazarusie, his grandson Danny, and his daughter Myna.

Other dancers include Colleen Nakashuk from Pangnirtung, AnnaBella Piugattuk from Igloolik, Jutai Jr. Toonoo from Cape Dorset and Jeannie and Kevin Kullualik from Iqaluit.

To open the show, Ottawa-based performer David Serkoak will lead a special drum dance with a group of ten-year-olds from Nakasuk School.

The community square dance will be held at Nakasuk school June 21. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and entry is free.

The following week, the 10th edition of Alianait’s annual arts festival kicks off in Iqaluit, and will include Inuit storytelling, swing dance and musical performers from around the world.