Yellowknife Online

Music has played an intrinsic role throughout the human journey. It serves many purposes in our lives, and perhaps the most important purpose of music is its therapeutic and healing power. Artists often credit the therapeutic benefits experienced through the creative process, as have the beneficiaries.

Since music does charm us, penetrate deeply into our soul, and express that which cannot be said, “Let Your Spirit Fly” attempts to provide the insight and experience of the therapeutic healing power that music can provide for individuals of all ages. The music of this presentation features the individual talents of northern performers and composers…. continue reading

This promises to be a charming performance, with the project based on the song “Let You Spirit Fly” by William S. Greenland. Tickets can be purchased ONLINE or at the NACC Box Office.

Before I sat down to write my thoughts on the play Annie, I tried coming up with a good title. I thought of “Annie, the Adopted Girl”, “Spectacular Annie”, “Annie the play”, but none of them seemed right, so I’m going to go with “Simply Annie”. Why “Simply Annie”, because the version Ptarmigan Ptheatrics is putting on is Simply Amazing.

Going into the show I had an open mind, because I thought it must be tough for all those kids to memorize so many lines and songs. Boy! Was I ever wrong. It seemed like second nature for those kids to get up on stage in front of a full audience and perform. Other than being genuinely cute and talented, these kids were hilarious. You can tell when a performer is just spouting out lines and when they actually mean them, these kids and all the actors and actresses, for that matter, truly were in the zone and were spectacular.

We all know the story of Annie, I’m sure most of us have seen the movie as well. Little orphan girl is optimistic that she will one day find her real parents and live happily ever after, one Christmas is brought into the home of a wealthy millionaire billionaire, who takes a liking to her. He wants to adopt her, but she wants to find her parents, so they search and find some unfortunate news. Then finally both Mr. Warbucks and Annie have a happy ever after. Simple enough, but ever to captivating.

Words can not describe the talent this town possesses, probably because I’ve written them already, but I digress. Something that I still can’t get over is how well, young, Jessica Blake does as Annie. It is unbelievable to think of all the lines she has had to memorize and then have the ability to recreate a character with such joy and dazzle. Watching her sing reminded me of Miley Cyrus, I know weird but stick with me for a second. When you hear Jessica’s voice and associate it with a slower Miley Cyrus song, you will start to hear the similarities. Then when you see Jessica you will notice that this up and coming star also has big bright eyes and wide grinning smile, very similar to Miley. Please take this as a compliment, Miley is a very talented person, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I have a feeling this is only the begin for Jessica.

Part of what makes a local play, like this one, all that more wonderful, is the fact you are guaranteed to know some of the cast. Whether it is a past Middle School teacher who is acting like a swindler, a high school student who was prancing in short shorts on the same stage only a month earlier to the Choral Societies rendition of It’s Rainin Men, or a City Councilor who is being told to sing, you’re always bound to see someone you know and that is what makes it that much more enjoyable.

I could go one about how great it was to feel as though you were right in the story with Annie, and how Roy Williams does it again and directs a great play, and how by the end of the play all I wanted to do was get up and sing with them, but I am far to tired and need to get up early.

Everyone from the performers to the backstage crew to the tech crew to the ticket takers did a magnificent show. If you did not have plans to see the play already, I’m telling you need to make them. There might still be time to catch a show.

Did you go? What’d ya think?

“Annie”–the original Broadway version, presented by Ptarmigan Ptheatrics.

Leapin’ Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals.

“Annie” is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home… continue reading

Read our review of Opening Nights show.

“Annie”–the original Broadway version, presented by Ptarmigan Ptheatrics.

Leapin’ Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals.

“Annie” is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home… continue reading

Come out and have fun at the Peter Gzowski Concert and Fundraiser for Literacy! This year’s concert stars:

Shelagh Rogers (host of CBC’s The Next Chapter)

Connie Kaldor (versatile prairie singer-songwriter)

Mike “Caribou” Stevens (multi-talented harmonica player who, since November 2000, has been traveling to isolated communities to share his love for music with kids)

Jonathon Torrens (J-Roc of Trailer Park Boys)

Russell De Carle (singer of Prairie Oyster fame)

Barney Bentall (Singer, songwriter of Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts)

Local performers

Twenty-five years ago, Peter Gzowski, well-known CBC personality, started the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournaments for Literacy to show his support for literacy and to raise funds for literacy projects across Canada. To date, the PGIs have raised almost $10 million for literacy. The PGI in the Northwest Territories is the NWT Literacy Council’s major fundraising event: the first northern PGI was held in Yellowknife in 1990. The concert will have lots of music and fun, fun, fun! All the money raised goes towards community literacy projects.

This is also the NWT Literacy Council’s 20^th year of supporting literacy development in the NWT, so come and help us celebrate that too!

Dates:

• 7:00PM – Monday March 22, 2010
• 7:00PM – Tuesday March 23, 2010
• Tickets Available Here or at the NACC Box office

The NWT Literacy Council is a territorial non-government organization with a mandate to promote and support literacy development in all the official languages of the NWT.

The Gumboots will be performing their 20th annual concert Friday and Saturday night. The Gumboots are a folk band like no other, they are one of the most well-known band in the north. They tell northern tales in their music like no other. The band is based right here in Yellowknife and record and produce original folk music documenting northern history locally.

Back in 2006 the band celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2004, making this their 26th year together and this their 20th annual concert. The Gumboots are made up of Ray Bethke, Bill Gilday and Steve Lacey.

But wait there is more, they wont be performing alone. This year special guests Valdy and Gary Fjellgaard. The two are experienced entertainers who know how to please and deliver to their audience. The knowledge they have combined is something special and heartwarming.

FROM NACC: Together, Valdy and Gary Fjellgaard are a near-perfect team. Their songs touch a common ground with the affection and warmth only old friends can share. Two memorable and endearing guys, two guitars, and two dozen songs or more to tell you where they’ve been, where they’re at, and where they’re heading.

Having seen The Gumboots perform at school events and throughout Yellowknife, I want to encourage everyone to try to take in one of the performances. The band is unique in the sense that it has been around for so long and continues to come back year after year with the same energy and passion.

• Date: February 19 & 20
• Time: 8:00pm
• Where: NACC
• Tickets: $25 NACC Box office or Online HERE

Leela Gilday will be returning to Yellowknife for the official launch of her new album “Calling All Warriors”.  It wasn’t to long ago she was up for Babes for Breasts Concert and a performance of her own. She is from Yellowknife and is known for her original, Juno Award winning, music. Her powerful and passionate performances have made her one of the north’s most valuable artistes.

Like I have said before if you have never seen Leela live, you definitely should. She is a the definition is true northern talent.

Leela has been recognized at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards as Best Female Artist and Best Songwriter and her CD ‘Spirit World, Solid Wood’ was recognized as Best Folk Album. Up Here Magazine named Leela as Northerner of the Year in 2007.

• WHERE: NACC
• WHEN: February 16, 2010 – 7pm
• PRICE: Free!

Although free, Leela will be selling her new Album for $20 after the show.

So we have arrived at the end of the work week once again, isn’t it great! It is the end of the month too and I can’t believe how fast January has gone buy, seems like only yesterday I was writing about fireworks and the holiday season.

Anyways that is not what you came here to read. You want the “Whats going on this weekend” info. So here it is.

Starting the weekend off Friday evening is the fourth night of the Northern Performers Festival at NACC. The evening starts at 7:30pm but arrive early to get a seat. The night will be featuring two of Yellowknife best Dawgwoods and Priscilla’s Revenge. Tickets are $15 and available at the NACC box office or online.

On Saturday afternoon the Family Literacy Day Fun Fair will be taking place at the Northern United Place. Children ages 3 to 7 years can enjoy songs, stories and crafts. Families from Dettah, Yellowknife and Ndilo are invited. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Fair will take place between 2 – 3:30pm.

Saturday evening is when you can get your Scottish on, is that even a saying. Anyways the NWT Pipe Band’s annual dinner and dance in celebration of the birth date of Scotland’s famous poet, Robert Burns. Evening includes a traditional haggis dinner, Highland dancing, Scottish Country Dancing, traditional Burns’ night activities (toasts and an address to Burns) and, of course, performances by the pipes and drums of the NWT Pipe Band. The dinner and dance will take place at the Elks Hall and start at 6pm. The festivities will go until the “wee” hours of the night or at least 12am.

Saturday evening is also the final night of the Northern Performers Festival and will feature Leanne Goose. Leanne Goose, is a country/rock singer and budding song writer originally from Inuvik. She made her debut on the North American music scene with her 2008 release of her album “Anywhere”. Her powerhouse voice delivers a unique mix of Classic Country with Elvis-styled Rock n’ Roll. This is a North Star on the rise. The show, again, starts at 7:30 at NACC and tickets can be bought at their box office or online.

James Boraski and the Momentary Evolution will also be playing at Twist both Friday and Saturday night starting at 8:30pm. Ron Kent will be playing at Fuego starting at 8:30pm on Friday night and Ed Dizon on Saturday at the same time.

There you have it, or at least these are all the events I know of. If you know of more make sure you post them below in the comments.