SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - You might not hear April Wine, Loverboy or Trooper blaring from the concourse anymore, but these are part of Sir John Franklin 1981 graduate Wayne Overbo's high school memories. He will cherish them when he celebrates the school's 50th anniversary Aug 1 to 3.

Wayne Overbo was a graduate of Sir John Franklin's 1981 class and plans to attend the 50th anniversary of the school Aug. 1-3. - Natalie Dunleavy/NNSL photo A Look Back 1958 - School and residence officially open in Yellowknife. 1962-63 - Both buildings are expanded to accommodate unexpectedly high demand. 1968 - Former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau enjoyed Sunday breakfast with students at Akaitcho Hall. 1970 - The second major expansion of the school occurs and the building creeps to its present location up the hill. 1981 - The 313-seat Northern Arts and Cultural Centre takes over the original gym. 1987 - As a result of overcrowding, Akaitcho Hall students begin living with community members and in "clusters" at Northern United Place. 1994 - Akaitcho Hall closes its doors. 1999 - Sir John is completely renovated following the student-selected theme, A River Runs Through It. 2006 - Akaitcho Hall is demolished.

Overbo fondly remembers rocking to the music during lunch hour in the concourse from 1978 to 1981. "One of the student council people would bring a huge set of speakers and blast tunes all lunch hour," he said.

But Overbo's memories of the school stretch back even further than that.

Having seen the school as a child when his father Ed was a teacher, Overbo was glad to see the school retain some of the original brick structure despite several renovations carried out over the years.

"I can remember as a six- year-old going to see my dad after school and hanging out. And I remember that brick wall," he said.

"I was really pleased they kept that piece of history alive." Overbo's father also plans to attend the celebrations this summer.

Among other graduates with an ear for music are Akaitcho alumni, most notably Juno Award-winner Susan Aglukark.

Her sister Lillian, who was one of the first made-in-Nunavut law grads to participate in the Akitsiraq Law Program, is also planning a return.

But the party would not be complete without past and present staff, teachers, parents and well-wishers - all invited to celebrate the school's historic event.

It's music to Cheryl Dies' ears, too. Dies, who attended the school from 1977 to 1981, is the chair of the Homecoming '08 organizing committee. She urges all who plan on coming to buy their tickets well in advance.

"We're hoping to have 500 people take part," she said, adding the early bird rate of $100 has extended past July's long weekend.

"Northerners are often last-minute ticket buyers, but it would be easier on the planners if people bought earlier this time."

Organizers are planning a full slate of activities for the golden anniversary, but they are still going to leave folks with a little time to themselves.

"We want to leave some time open so that former classmates can reconnect," Dies said.

"A homecoming café will be set up in the gymnasium at Sir John. We will have message boards set up to assist in making connections."

Some of anniversary highlights will include: an opening meet and greet at 7 p.m. on the Friday, a jam session featuring some of the school's musical talent from the past and present for Saturday afternoon, and a family picnic on Sunday at Fred Henne Park, complete with water sports, campfires and plenty of great stories.

Notable names committed to attending include the musical Milligen family, with sax-playing James, drummer Scott and sister Nancy.

"I think they'll be part of the jam session on Saturday," Dies said. "I also heard a rumour both Bendiksens - mom and dad, who taught at the school at one time - will be attending from Norway."

Their daughter Janette is unfortunately another matter.

"I'm still working on her," said Dies, adding they attended Sir John for four years together and graduated in 1981. "We were close friends."

When she left school, Dies went to work as an administrative support worker with the RCMP.

"Today I work with Justice Canada, but I'm still in administration," she said, adding Yellowknife has really come of age since Sir John and Akaitcho Hall first opened.

"One of our board members was telling me, back in 1958 the city more resembled what life is like now for residents at Prelude Lake," she said.

"Everyone had a pipe coming from their home that just dumped their grey water into the ditch.

"The streets weren't paved - They weren't even gravel. They were mainly all sand. One woman told me you didn't so much push a baby carriage as you really just dragged it due to all of the sand."

The committee is looking for volunteers through its website, www.SirJohn50.com, which also provides detailed ticket information.