Send an Iqaluit teen to see Tumivut: Alianait

Tumivut, which translates into “our footsteps” is a four-piece group that blends traditional Inuit throat singing with hip hop and other contemporary music. (PHOTO COURTESY)

Next week Iqaluit’s Alianait Arts Festival will present a back-to-school concert featuring award-winning throat singing and hip hop quartet Tumivut.

Their Sept. 9 show at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit marks the first Nunavut show for Tumivut, whose name means “our footsteps” in Inuktitut.

And it should be a “youth-focused” event, said Alianait’s executive director Heather Daley.

So, Alianait is asking show-goers to make sure youth can go, by contributing to its “Tickets for Teens” campaign by the purchase of $12 tickets that will be given to Iqaluit youth.

“We want to be able to present healthy, alcohol-free events, but we can’t do it for free,” Daley said. “We thought we’d see if community members are willing to buy tickets so young people can enjoy the show.”

Any tickets bought for teens will be given over to Inuksuk high school, where two of the group’s performers, Cynthia Pitsiulak and Charlott Qamaniq-Mason, first met before they moved to Ottawa — and distributed to students there.

Alianait shows are always free for elders and children 12 years and under who are accompanied by an adult.

And all proceeds help support Alianait’s mission of helping to build a healthier Nunavut through the arts, Daley said.

The Tumivut show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Inuksukl.

Tumivut also features Montreal hip hop artists Orick Terry and Daybi who complete the four-member group.

Iqaluit rocker Joshua Qaumariaq is slated to open the show.

Advance tickets are available at Arctic Ventures for $22 ($12 for youth) and $25 at the door ($15 for youth).

Next in Alianait’s concert series: Nova Scotia folk singer/banjo player Old Man Luedecke will play at Nakasuk school on Nov. 25.

Iqaluit performer Joshua Qaumariaq will open the Sept. 9 concert. (PHOTO COURTESY)