Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 28, 2008

YELLOWKNIFE - Daniel Bolshoy has been in the NWT before, but he's about to see a lot more of it.

At the end of this month, the young classical guitarist will zig-zag across the territory, touring from Wrigley to Fort Smith. It's a co-presentation by Northern Arts and Cultural Centre and the Music Performance Fund.

Daniel Bolshoy is a classical guitarist who will be performing several times this month in communities around the NWT. - photo courtesy of NACC

"We brought him last year to give school workshops and performances in Fort Simpson and Yellowknife," said Ozgur Culha of NACC. "So this is his second year in the North, and we are hoping to bring him again next year to work with the same group of people and young people especially in the communities."

Culha said NACC is trying to build long-term relationships between visiting artists and the communities as part of their community outreach program. Bolshoy will have plenty of chances to acquaint himself with Northern audiences, performing several times in 12 communities.

"He will be giving over 50 performances in a month," she said. "The first one is Jan. 30 and the last one is Feb. 26."

Along with several public performances, he will play at schools for children and have special workshops with music students.

"He is known ... as a most engaging young guitarist," said Culha. "He has a great relationship on the stage with the kids and with the audience."

She said along with being a great musician, he is a good storyteller.

"He's quite charming on the stage," she said.

Bolshoy's tour will begin in Behchoko this week, where he will give a public performance at Elizabeth Mackenzie elementary school starting at 7 p.m. In February, he will continue on to communities such as Fort Simpson, Whati and Fort Resolution.

His tour will end in Yellowknife on Feb. 26, where he is playing the only performance at which he will charge admission. All the public performances in the communities will be admission by donation.