Alianait launches Iqaluit concert series

The throat singing and hip hop combo Tumivut, which Nunavut-born performers Cynthia Pitsiulak and Charlotte Qamaniq-Mason and Montrealers Terry Orick and Daybi, are one of four groups scheduled to perform in Alianait’s new concert series in Iqaluit.

Although Iqaluit’s Alianait arts festival is set to shrink this summer to a four-day event, its organizers now plan to offer year-round entertainment in Iqaluit, with the launch of a series of four concerts spread out during 2011.

Alianait’s concert series starts on March 19 with award-winning Dene singer and songwriter Leela Gilday from Yellowknife. Gilday has won many awards including Best Female Artist at the 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for her album “Calling All Warriors.”

Fred Penner— a well-known entertainer, thanks to his hit television show for kids— will perform on May 7. For 12 seasons, Penner starred on the television show “Fred Penner’s Place.” Penner also produced 12 albums, which have sold more than a million units, and picked up numerous awards, including a Juno for his television show.

The throat singing and hip hop combo Tumivut, which includes Nunavut-born performers Cynthia Pitsiulak and Charlotte Qamaniq-Mason and Montrealers Terry Orick and Daybi, performs Sept. 9.

And Old Man Luedecke, a singer and songwriter from Nova Scotia, a 2011 Juno nominee for his latest album “My Hands Are on Fire” and 2009 Juno winner for “Proof of Love,” performs Nov. 26.

Subscription series and individual show tickets go on sale Feb. 11 at Arctic Ventures.

Concerts will take place either at Inuksuk High or Nakasuk School. Elders and children 12, who are accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free-of-change, on a first-come basis, say a Feb. 7 news release.