Iqaluit's Alianait Arts Festival magic

While attending Alianait I was generously hosted by Heather Daley, the festival's director. It was a pleasure to experience the magic of this festival that focuses on bringing circumpolar, Inuit and other indigenous artists together with select Southern Canadian musicians. The festival includes professionally produced shows at the Nakasuk school auditorium's stage, musical jams, theatre, and workshops. Many musical genres are represented from fiddles and accordion, to throat singing, blues, rock and more.

It runs over Canada Day so that its big top becomes a focal point for this community celebration.

I was invited to post-show artist get-togethers and experienced joyous musical collaborations. Artists coming from Nunavut, Greenland, Northwest Territories, Mongolia, Iran, southern Canada mingled together at parties and invariably music ensued, with a great deal of curiosity and exchange about each others styles and vibes.

This video of Simon Lynge jamming with the assembled crew shows merely one of many highlights.

REND from Edmonton played two great shows, including
Canada Day show in the big top. Representing alternative rock.

Members of Sedaa share their music mixing Inuit drums and
their style of throat signing to great delight of party-goers.

World fusion jam made a truly magic soundscape.
Sedaa, Barrule (Isle of Man), Sylvia Cloutier (Nunavut),
Tiffany Ayalik (Yellowknife)

Mongolian musician explains their style of throat signing
to Inuit and southern Canadian musicians.

Blues jam on stage: The Tradeoffs (Iqaluit),
Quantum Tangle (Grey Gritt and Tiffany Ayalik, Yellowknife),
The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer (Vancouver)