Big names on new schedule
Northern Arts and Cultural Centre bringing well-known performers to Inuvik shows
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, August 20, 2015
INUVIK
The lineup for the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) has been announced, with four shows set for Inuvik.
Willie Thrasher, shown in 2008, is featured on the Native North America album and is set to perform in Inuvik when the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre brings the touring show to the community. - NNSL file photo
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"I'm really happy to have released the new program," said NACC director Marie Coderre, adding that the scope of the shows coming to the community is wide ranging.
"I'm really proud of having the ability to get big acts like this here now. The theatre has gained a good reputation, people want to come up."
The season will kick off with the Ko K'e Storytelling Festival Sept. 16, featuring artists including Reneltta Arluk and Quantum Tangle.
"It's not confirmed yet, but there might be a feast beforehand, like before," said Coderre.
Guy Davis, legendary blues man, will touch down Oct. 12, followed by the stage play Da Kink In My Hair Nov. 18, which has been adapted for television and beloved by Canadian audiences.
"It's a huge show," said Coderre.
"I'm really excited to go to Inuvik with that show. It's very deep, but at the same time, they've been able to bring some humour to it."
The last show of the season will feature selections from Native North America, an anthology album of country, folk, and rock music by First Nations, Metis, and Inuit artists from the 1960s, '70s, and '80s performed by Willie Thrasher, originally from Aklavik.
Coderre said the album was ranked the 12th best country album by Rolling Stone magazine for a time and is an important tribute to artists who have slipped off the mainstream radar.
"It's really a beautiful tribute to these artists," she said.
As pleased as she is to announce well known acts coming to the Northwest Territories, Coderre credited the audiences with the success of the theatre.
In 2012, she said, ticket sales across the territory totalled $268,000. Last year, that figure had grown to $347,000.
"There are more people coming out in the communities," she said.
"It's great to see. It seems we're at the turning point."
Coderre said she remembers the first show she put on in Fort Simpson where a grand sum of eight people turned out. Now, she said, shows regularly attract about 80 attendees.
"That's a lot for a community of 1,000," she said.
The director said she also hopes to see the upwards trend continue.
"There is no better place than the North to get that communication between artists and performers and the audience," she said.
"It's really something special to have these acts here."
