Iqaluit’s Alainait Arts Festival Call for Performers

George Lessard [mediamentor@gmail.com] has distributed the following item of interest:

Iqaluit’s Alianait arts festival puts call out for performers from the circumpolar regions

“Arctic connections have been and continue to be the main focus of the festival”
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674alianait_puts_call_out_for_circumpolar_performers/

Eager to perform at Iqaluit’s Alianait arts festival?

Its organizers are seeking applications from performers who want to be part of next summer’s musical line-up.

And they’re hoping to hear from interested musicians who live aroun d the circumpolar world

That’s because the Iqaluit arts festival, now in its eighth year, has chosen “Arctic Connections” as the theme for its 2012 edition, which will run from June 29 to July 2.

“We just wanted to highlight that Arctic connections have been and continue to be the main focus of the festival,” said Heather Daley, Alianait’s executive director. “In 2011, 75 per cent of our perfo rmers were from Nunavut and the surrounding region.”

Southern applicants should applyby Jan. 6 for southern performers and northern performers from Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Greenland by Feb. 6.

A selection committee chosen from a cross-section of people in Iqaluit will again select the line-up for next year’s festival.

“I want this to be a community festival and have it representative of what the community wants,” Daley said.

Alianait is looking mainly for musicians to fill out this year’s ro ster — it’s already booked performance artists such as Igloolik’
s circus group Artcirq. http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674photo_artcirq_jugglers_entertain_at_alianait

Organizers are asking applicants submit electronic copies of their wo rk along with links to their websites.

While the strength of performance style and material are key for inclusion in the festival, special consideration will also be given to participants who are willing to give workshops.

“A big part of what the festival wants to promote is the interactio n between artists and the audience,” Daley said. “One of the most direct ways in which we do that is through the various workshops that we offer.”

Last year the Alianait festival offered workshops on harmonica playing, throat-singing and hip hop.

Before 2010, the festival ran from June 21 to July 1 to take advantage of the many holidays that fall within that period, including Aboriginal Day, the summer solstice, and Canada Day.

Bur the festival’s revamped, four-day format announced for 2011, flowed from a community survey circulated in 2010, in which respondents said they wanted a shorter, more intensified format with more Inuit and world music performances.

All performers who are chosen for the festival are offered round-trip travel to Iqaluit, accommodation, per diems and performance fees.

To learn more about how to apply, visit the Alianait website.
http://www.alianait.ca/Apply