Blue skies, Twin Flames highlights of 1st day of 20th Alianait festival
Slideshow: Iqaluit arts festival runs until July 9
Twin Flames closes out the first night of the Alianait Arts Festival in Iqaluit, Saturday night on the event’s main stage. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Under blue skies, hundreds of people in Iqaluit flocked to the purple and yellow tent in Nakasuk Elementary School’s parking lot for the beginning of the 20th anniversary edition of the Alianait Arts Festival.
Saturday saw a full afternoon and evening of performances on the main stage, as well as other activities throughout the community.
In the afternoon, performers included Igloolik singer-songwriter Terry Uyarak, Baker Lake rapper Shauna Seeteenak and several others.
Throughout the day, some of the off-site events included an acoustic pop-up show by Nuuk band Nanook.
At the Elders Qammaq, artistic workshops took place, including a throat singing class led by Ivaluarjuk Kathleen Merritt and Charlotte Qamaniq, who perform together as the duo Iva and Angu.
Saturday concluded with a prime time concert.
Nuuk singer Zika kicked things off with an ambient performance.
That was followed by a rousing show by Kizaba, a Congolese performer based in Montreal.
Twin Flames, a husband-and-wife folk duo from Ottawa, closed out the night with a performance, during which they shared their love for the North.
One half of Twin Flames — Jaaji, who is the husband of Chelsey June — is from Nunavik.
Alianait continues through Tuesday, with more events and performances taking place at the main stage and across Iqaluit.
Terry Uyarak performs Saturday night on the Alianait Arts Festival's main stage in Iqaluit. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
you know what keeps festivals interesting? , new performances . i think its time that this festival opens up to more musicians / bands. like yes its a northern festival , but there is plenty of musicians that can fill spots that arnt technically northern artist , but for the sake of being interesting and drawing in people… you might get more of a rise .
That s true , when its the old performers , it gets boring.
Why don’t you contact the managers for Ozzy Osbourne, Deep Purple, Guns and Roses, Metallica, Kiss for starters. Justin Beiber and Drake for the younger generation.
If your going to dream, dream big.
All the old bands , but please , no Justin and no Drake.
The Kitikmeot Trade Show is able to pull bigger names then this festival. Crash Test Dummies, Johnny Reid, Tom Cochrane, Chantal Kreviazuk, 54-40, and Jim Cuddy just to name a few.
Big, 30 years ago…