Yellowknife (Feb 15/06) - Jazz fills the schedule for the 2006 Yellowknife Aurora Festival schedule of events.

With the theme Jazzin' Up the Lights, the festival features bands from Edmonton, Inuvik and Yellowknife.

"There aren't too many places where you can catch live jazz underneath the Northern Lights in the middle of winter," said festival general manager James Pugsley.

The festival, which involves indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city from Feb. 17-26, is peppered with jazz.

Inuvik's classic jazz combo Razzamajazz!, Edmonton's jazz trio Alterations and Yellowknife's own Celtic jazz ensemble Northern Skies all perform on multiple dates.

Other music acts on the schedule include Brodie Dawson, Transience, Azure DeGrow and Laurie Sarkadi.

The festival also includes special menu items at restaurants around town, museum and art gallery exhibits and plenty of outdoor walks under the Northern Lights.

It's your winter. Enjoy it all.

Schedule

Feb. 17 - Noon: Opening ceremonies. Kick off the 2006 Yellowknife Aurora Festival at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre with the new Northern Skies exhibit, accompanied by Northern Skies.

Feb. 18 - 11:30 a.m.: Jazzin' Up the Lights. Edmonton jazz trio Alterations brings a sweet sound to Sunday brunch at the Explorer Hotel.
10:30 p.m.: Alterations performs live under the Northern Lights at Aurora World on Prelude Lake. Reservations are required; contact Aurora World.

Feb. 20 - Noon: The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre hosts a lunch-hour jazz performance featuring Alterations.

7 p.m.: Edmonton's Thom Golub, Brett Miles and Thom Bennett (Alterations) close their Yellowknife performance schedule at Le Frolic.

Feb. 21 - 8 p.m.: Northern Skies performs during Aurora Night at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

Feb. 24 - 8 p.m.: Inuvik's Razzamajazz! performs live at the Top Knight with special guests Northern Skies, hosted by Rick Poltaruk.

Feb. 25 - 6 p.m.: Aurora Arts Gala is a full evening of entertainment featuring a live performance by Razzamajazz!, a Northern fashion show, art auction, dancing and more at the Top Knight. Tickets are available at Birchwood Gallery.

10:30 p.m.: Razzamajazz! performs an intimate concert live at Aurora World on Prelude Lake. Contact Aurora World for ticket and transportation info.