Olympic performances

Vancouver

Feb. 19 has been designated NWT Day at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Performers from around the territory are scheduled to present a concert at that evening's nightly Victory Ceremony in B.C. Place Stadium.

Among the 14 musicians and singers on stage will be Dene drummer Gerry Antoine of Fort Simpson, Inuvik recording artist Leanne Goose, Fort Simpson fiddler Wesley Hardisty, Hay River fiddler Richard Lafferty, and singer and keyboardist Karen Zaidan of Fort Smith.

New creative horizons

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

An open house held by the Open Sky Creative Society on Jan. 22 is just the beginning of a consultation process the arts organization is launching.

Seventeen people visited Open Sky's office and gallery in Fort Simpson to participate in the event. Visitors were asked for their input on a variety of topics, including how Open Sky can raise its profile and increase its involvement with other communities. The open house is part of a process the organization is undertaking to consult the wider community on how it can serve them better, said Tracy Kovalench, the society's programming co-ordinator.

The society wants to increase communication with other organizations and reconnect with the other communities in the Deh Cho. As part of this initiative the society is looking to revive regional representation.

Moving forward from the open house the society plans to hold a more formal community consultation session to expand on some of the ideas.

- Roxanna Thompson

Square dancers wanted

Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven

Communities in the Kivalliq and Baffin regions are encouraged to begin fundraising immediately for a special event being hosted by the Gjoa Haven recreation department this spring. From April 1 to 4, the community will stage a big Square Dance Showdown. Dancers from throughout the territory are encouraged to attend.

"We want to bring together different communities from across Nunavut," said recreation co-ordinator Charlotte Jacklein. The event will feature three nights of dancing and more than $2,000 in prize money.

Communities are responsible for organizing their own transportation, food and billets, but if groups need help pulling the trip together or finding accommodation that can contact the Gjoa Haven recreation department.

Valentine's Day fun

Iqaluit

Children aged five to nine are encouraged to come out to the Iqaluit Centennial Library to celebrate Valentine's Day a day early. On Saturday, Feb. 13 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. volunteers will present stories, songs and crafts in honour of the heart-filled holiday. No registration is required.

Olympic entertainment

Vancouver

A variety of performance artists are representing Nunavut in front of an international audience at Canada's Northern House in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games this month.

Lois Uyaupiq Suluk-Locke and Maria Illungiayok from Arviat are throat singing from Feb. 16 to 26. On Feb. 15, Kitikmeot drummers Dettrick Hala and Attima Hadlar and the Kaiva dance crew are on stage. Rankin Inlet author Michael Kusugak will share stories on Feb. 16, and performances by Pond Inlet drummers Carson Sangoya and Lamech Kadloo, as well as by members of ArtCirq are scheduled.