INUVIK
Theatre-goers are getting ready for one of the biggest shows of the year and it's happening right here in Inuvik.

'da Kink In My Hair has spent 15 years on stage as an acclaimed production across Canada and is now coming to Inuvik for the first -- and likely last -- time. - photo courtesy of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre

The famous 'da Kink In My Hair, a play about the lives of Caribbean-Canadian women told through their experiences at a hair salon, is coming to town - though with some modifications from its usual format.

It will be presented at the Midnight Sun Complex Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

"We needed to adapt it to fit where there is no stage," said Marie Coderre, the executive and creative director at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) in Yellowknife. "We will make it work."

The show itself, Coderre said, is one of the more ambitious productions she has organized.

With five actors and playwright Trey Anthony touring several Northern communities, the proposition is expensive.

"It's a mega-production," Coderre said.

"It's not going to happen often - it costs a fortune."

But for all that, Coderre said she is honoured to have the play tour the NWT.

There has even been interest from her counterparts in the Yukon to have 'da Kink In My Hair make an appearance there.

"It's full of strong topics," she said.

"It's about black women, life, immigration; it shows the challenges and triumphs of contemporary black women."

While on the surface there doesn't seem to be much overlap between the lives of black women in southern urban centres and the lives of most Northerners, Coderre said she chose the play as part of this year's lineup because of its universal themes.

"There are challenges in the North," she said.

"To bring up a strong group of women to talk about their experiences and their art and to hopefully inspire others is a powerful thing. It's a very relevant play for 2015."

Personally, Coderre added she loves putting strong women in the spotlight.

Spin, a show in which the bicycle and the women's suffrage movement intersect, toured the territory last year and was followed this year by a storytelling festival dedicated to strong, indigenous women and their voices.

"I like to showcase women's talents," Coderre said.

"This show has been presented all across Canada. This is very powerful."

'da Kink In My Hair was first shown at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2001 and has been loved ever since, even garnering enough support to merit a television show that ran on CBC for many years.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the production and the production company is touring it to mark the occasion.

"It's a real honour to have it here," said Coderre.

"This is something really special."

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