Kugluktuk fiddler headlines Nunavut-heavy Aqpik Jam night 3
Gustin Adjun ‘honoured’ to return to festival; performers from Arviat, Iqaluit also in lineup
Kugluktuk’s Gustin Adjun rocks out on his fiddle Thursday to close out the third night of Aqpik Jam. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
It was a long trip to Aqpik Jam this year for Gustin Adjun.
The Kugluktuk fiddler spent a night in Yellowknife, then Iqaluit, before arriving to Kuujjuaq by a charter flight Thursday ahead of the music festival’s third night of festivities.
“Such an honour playing here,” Adjun said in an interview before his set, adding that he was “pretty nervous” and “pretty excited” to be the third evening’s closing act.
Adjun’s music continues a family legacy — in particular that of his father, the late Colin Adjun, known to many as “the fiddler of the North.”
“I sure miss my dad a lot, and I wish we could be jamming a lot more together today, but I’m happy to be playing,” Adjun said.
“He’s probably happy up there right now.”
Adjun headlined a Nunavut-heavy night at Aqpik Jam. Others from the territory included Iqaluit band Not Even, Pangnirtung’s Tim Evic, and Arviat’s Abraham Eetak.
It was another night of toe tapping and conga lines at the Kuujjuaq Forum Thursday.
But the toes were significantly louder this night as some attendees brought tap shoes for a lengthy and enjoyable celebration of nothern music.
After this festival, Adjun plans to perform in other parts of Nunavut and Canada, and spend some time hunting back home.
Aqpik Jam closes Friday.
Rosie Callahan opens the third night of Aqpik Jam in November at the Kuujjuaq Forum. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
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