Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Arviat (Oct 25/00) - The annual Arviat Music Festival was a resounding success.

Artists from across Nunavut and Nunavik joined those from the Kivalliq in delivering a toe-tapping good time for the large crowds that attended the event earlier this month.

Arviat recreation co-ordinator Paul Anowtalik says in his opinion, this year's event was one of the best music festivals Arviat's ever hosted.

"Our community hall was just packed all three nights and we had fairly good crowds in the afternoons, even though with the good weather a lot of people were out on the land," says Anowtalik.

In addition to the many Kivalliq musicians to take to the stage, festival goers were treated to the talents of Iqaluit's Jacop and Jeannie Tiklik and annual favourites Johnny, Rhoda and Lizzie from Northern Quebec.

Anowtalik says while all the performers were well-received by the large crowds, Broughton Island's (Qikiqtarjuaq) Gamailee and Meleah Nookiguak stole the show.

"All the performers were really great and the crowds really seemed to enjoy themselves.

"But, it was the first time people in Arviat got to see the Nookiguaks, and they just went nuts.

"People were shouting as loud as they could, cheering, whistling and singing along. It was really something."

The out-of-town performers took to the stage the first evening of the Inummariit (real Inuit-style) Music Festival, before regional musicians took over centre stage.

Although there was always time for dancing, Anowtalik says the traditional community feasts had to be overlooked so all the musicians could perform.

"We just didn't have the time for a feast. It was mainly all music.

"The crowds speak for themselves as far as how much everyone enjoyed the festival," he said.

"The turnout was even great for the closing ceremonies.

"This will be a tough act to beat next year."