Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jan 05/00) - Squeals of delight erupted from the large crowd as jolly old Santa Claus bounded across the stage in hot pursuit of his reindeer.

Sighs of longing hung over the Maani Ulujuk gym like a warm Pacific breeze as images of a Hawaiian Christmas lit up under the soft stage lights.

And hundreds of voices belted out the familiar refrains of the Village People's YMCA as swirling disco lights bathed the scene in patterns of nostalgia.

Nope, it wasn't a travelling music show come to visit Rankin Inlet during the holiday season. It was the first Christmas concert to be staged by Maani Ulujuk students in many years and it was a resounding success.

Maani Ulujuk principal Margo Aksalnik said school staff have received plenty of positive remarks from the community about the concert.

She said hopes are high the successful event will help pave the way for the Christmas concert to once again become an annual event.

"I can't remember the exact year when Maani Ulujuk last held a Christmas concert, but this was the first one in quite awhile," said Aksalnik.

"It hard to say with students that age just how much they like the idea of it being an annual thing, but most of the teachers planned something the kids really enjoyed."

The concert truly offered a little something for everyone.

There were moments of comic excellence (intended or otherwise), contemporary tunes, standard Christmas fare and tradition a plenty.

The crowd was dazzled by the group's grand finale of traditional drum dancers backed by a youthful choir with angelic voices.

The endless stream of dancing presents, reindeer, sheep, shepherds and wise men on the stage created an endless stream of happy faces leaving the gym.

"Every class and teacher did their own thing and it all seemed to come together really well," said Aksalnik.

"For our first one in a while, it seems to have been well received."