Yellowknife (Sep 08/06) - The cat's out of the bag. This week, the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre unveiled the list of performers for their 2006-2007 season.

The venue, one the primary strongholds for art and culture in the North, released the schedule to some fanfare during an open house Wednesday night.

Northern Arts and Cultural Centre director Ben Nind poses with a sign touting the theatre's 2006-2007 lineup. Season tickets for the upcoming shows will be available only from Sept. 7- 29. - Adam Johnson/NNSL

The event also saw organizers announce a very special performance - the arrival of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in Yellowknife in April.

"This is a special one-stop to open up their national tour," said NACC executive director Ben Nind. "We are very, very, very fortunate to have them come."

"It won't be held at the NACC," he said of the logistical concerns in hosting the 90-plus-member orchestra.

Instead, the event would be held in the gyms at St. Patrick high school.

"I think (audience members) will be surprised at the atmosphere we'll create for them."

The season also includes six months of music, comedy, dance, storytelling and clowning. The first show comes Sept. 29-30, with veteran Newfoundland comedian and storyteller Andy Jones in "To the Wall," which is being billed as a night of deep (though humorous) philosophy with a dose of Newfoundland logic.

Vancouver bluesman and veteran actor Jim Byrnes will perform Oct. 20-21 in "A Blue, Blues Night." While some might recognize him from his roles in TV's Highlander, the Juno-award winner has been plying his trade as a blues man for over 25 years.

November 3-4, John Nolan will star in "Arrows of Desire," a one-actor show about the life of Tommy Douglas.

While keeping in touch with the season, Calgary's Foothills Brass Quintet will perform "It's Christmas" Dec. 1-2.

"Certified lunatic" Tomas Kubinek returns to Yellowknife Feb. 16 and 17, following his performances and work as main stage host at Folk on the Rocks.

Following the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's April performance, NACC will close its season May 18-19 with Vancouver's Dancers Dancing in "Mixed Highlights."

The theme of this year's program is "A Season to Live." Before the event, Nind said the theme plays off the double-entendre of live.

"It's also about the getting people off the couch away from their TVs and videos," he said. "It makes you feel alive."

Season tickets for the upcoming season will be available only from Sept. 7-Sept. 29, while tickets for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (not a part of NACC's regular season) go on sale Nov. 1.