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MITTIMATALIK/POND INLET - The people of Pond Inlet are preparing for a very big week. The annual Peter Gzowski Invitational golf tournament in support of literacy will be held later this week.

"Everyone is very excited about all the events and the celebrities coming," said Ainsley Hunt, North Baffin representative for the Nunavut Literacy Council board.

Musician Mike Stevens performs on stage with students in Rankin Inlet during a past Peter Gzowski Invitational golf tournament. - photo courtesy of the Nunavut Literacy Council

The event features a long line of performers from the south, including Juno award-winning country songwriter Connie Kaldor, Barney Bentall of the Legendary Hearts, Russell DeCarle of Prairie Oyster and bluegrass musician Mike Stevens. National CBC radio host Shelagh Rogers will also be in town for the event.

"They are a great bunch of musicians and they're eager to perform and they're also looking forward to working with the students," said Kim Crockat, Nunavut Literacy Council president.

Participants in the Nunavut Quest dog team race between Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet will be in town. The acrobats from Art Cirque are also in town this week as part of their Arctic sled tour from Iglulik to Clyde River. They plan to make an appearance at the high school today.

Literacy events

The excitement begins on April 30 with a series of workshops at Nasivvik High School, Ulaajuk Elementary School and Arctic College.

The southern celebrities will instruct students in fiddle, guitar, harmonica and songwriting. Adults in the community are invited to a guitar workshop led by Iqaluit musician Ellen Hamilton at 1 p.m. on April 30 at the college.

The golf tournament will take place that afternoon as well, with 45 sponsors joining the celebrities on the ice behind the airport to shoot nine holes.

"The public is welcome to come out to watch," Hunt said.

The highlight event is the community feast, which begins at 7 p.m. in the community hall. Everyone is invited to enjoy country food, including caribou, muktuk, char and igunak.

The visiting musicians will reunite with the students on stage to collaborate and jam. Cultural performances include local throat singers, ajaja singers, drum dancers and a demonstration of Inuit games. The evening ends with an all-ages dance.

Folks in Iqaluit will have a chance to experience a bit of the excitement, as well. The musicians will stay overnight in the capital before flying to Pond Inlet.

"We thought, well, they'll be here in Iqaluit so why not do something here, too," said retired teacher, John Maurice.

Maurice and Nunavut Literacy Council vice-president Rhoda Ungalaq have coordinated a concert for 7 p.m. tomorrow night in the Arctic Winter Games Arena. Michael Doyle, Ellen Hamilton and other local musicians and throat singers Celina Kalluk and Naomie Pudluq will join the visiting musicians on stage.

"It's going to be a variety show," Maurice said. "It's going to be a good family experience."

Shelagh Rogers and Karliin Aariak will emcee the evening in English and Inuktitut.

It is Rogers tenth Northern visit with the literacy fundraiser, which was started by Gzowski in 1996.

"I wouldn't want to miss it," Rogers said. "What's always incredible is we're thanked so heartily for coming and it's us that should be doing all the thanking. It's a real gift to be able experience the hospitality in the North. It's a rich experience."