Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 17, 2007

INUVIK - There's been some buzz about Rick Mercer's plan to visit Inuvik this summer.

His two public performances will take place during the petroleum show on June 11 and 12.

Comedian Rick Mercer will be headlining the eighth annual Inuvik Petroleum Show on June 11 and 12. His appearance was made possible by an increased entertainment budget for the show, which coincides with Inuvik's 50th anniversary. - photo courtesy of the Town of Inuvik

Town of Inuvik tourism and convention manager Dave Rogers said the show was made possible through the petroleum show committee.

"When choosing the entertainment for the event, we looked at a list of performers. Rick Mercer was at the top of our list," said Rogers.

"We looked into it and he does appearances like this, so we called him up."

The money for Mercer's $50,000 performance fee will be coming from the petroleum show budget.

Rogers said the entertainment budget was increased in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Inuvik.

Town of Inuvik Senior Administrative officer Sara Brown said the increased budget allowance will be recouped through sponsors and ticket sales.

Rogers said Mercer will perform his one-man comedy act "Adventures in Television."

"He'll have a screen up, with clips and anecdotes about his experiences in television," he said.

"We think the show will be interesting for our event."

In the past, Rogers said comedians had been hired from Alberta to come and entertain.

"We get the comedians from the circuit in Alberta, like the Yuk Yuk's crew," he said.

"We haven't changed the formula, just upped the ante in the entertainment."

Rogers said Mercer will be on stage for both Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Because of the scheduling, there will be more public tickets for the second performance.

"The layout of the event will allow for more seating on the second night," said Rogers. "It has to do with the capacity of the room."

Brown said ticket prices have not been decided yet.

After talking with Mercer, Brown said the two groups have reached an agreement where half of Mercer's fee will be donated to NWT literacy programs.