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North Slave Region
This centrally located region encompasses both boreal and tundra terrain, stretching between the Territory’s’ two biggest lakes. This is home to the Tłı̨chǫ, Akaitcho and Yellowknives Dene, along with a diverse group of residents from across the country and the globe, that together weave a rich cultural tapestry in the territory’s capital city.
This land is a bountiful resource for local harvesters and artists who use raw materials from the land. Traditional arts and fine crafts preserve the region’s unique style and pass traditional knowledge onto future generations. Clothing and accessories are made from locally tanned moose or caribou hides and adorned with intricate designs of beadwork or quillwork. The centuries-old tradition of drum making is a vital part of this area’s history and is being preserved through workshops and documentary films.
The capital city of Yellowknife is an eclectic, multi-cultural mix of artists and art forms. Storytellers, authors and musicians preserve oral history from the region in literary and performance arts. Contemporary artists draw inspiration from the land to create inspiring works of art. Filmmakers and photographers capture and share the spirit of living in the NWT with the world. Yellowknife’s vibrant arts scene continues to grow in diversity and frequency, with arts events happening weekly, if not nightly.
Use our online tool to learn Where to Buy NWT Art in the North Slave Region.
Or download printable, translated documents (PDFs):
Where to Buy NWT Art in Yellowknife: English, French (français), German (Deutsch), Japanese (日本語)
Events
Yellowknife
January
Date: January 6th, 2020 to January 9th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: MusicSpace - 5016 50th Ave - Lower Level
Choose one of 3 class times:
Mondays 4:00-4:45 (ages 4-5)
Mondays 5:00-5:45 (ages 5-7)
Thursdays 5:30-6:15 (ages 5-7)
Classes run for 10 weeks.
In the WINTER 2020 semester, we’ll explore the Tiger Rhythm with drumming patterns from Mali and India. Children will discover the enchantment of Indian music through the song “Chandamaame Raave” and even learn to sing a verse in Telugu! We’ll explore body percussion, scatting, and part-singing with “Singing in Harmony.” “Tiger, Tigress in the Night” will delight children with imaginative play, drumming, and dancing...
Date: January 9th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: MusicSpace - 5016 50th Ave - Lower Level
Songwriting Workshops throughout January. $25/workshop Songwriters of all abilities will expand their craft and build community. Discuss your songs and experience others'. Develop your familiarity in song forms, melodies, lyric writing, and more. Preregister by email: weadick.b@gmail.com
Date: January 11th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Have you ever been to a movie musical and had the uncontrollable urge to burst into song?
Now's your chance! So get your friends together to watch a classic and come sing your heart out.
Your emcee will lead you through vocal warmups and pump up the energy for the evening. Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be given out!
Those of age can enjoy a draught pint of Kicksled Cream Ale or glass of wine during the show in our reusable cups.
The Sound of Music
Wave your Edelweiss and get ready to yodel at your chance to sing along to the...
Date: January 13th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: 205 Grace Lake Blvd
Hello Yellowknifers! Caitlin Cleveland (One of YK’s amazing photographers) will be hosting a CforC pop up in her beautiful home on Jan.13th, 2020 (address provided below.) Feel free to stop by, shop or just say hello as there will be complimentary drinks and food provided. (Shout out to April Lau for her delicious home-cooked snacks!)
RSVP here.
Date: January 16th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Cash bar, and 'bush snacks' by Flavour Trader.
7-9 pm.
Date: January 17th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: The Raven Pub
In the dead of winter a raven still flies and so Yellowknife must still rock and roll. The Ditch Hearts are the last line of defence in the war on winter boredom. Soul shaking, earthquaking, good old hard rock music.
Date: January 17th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Yellowknife Multiplex
Free Activities hosted by the Aboriginal Sports Circle and the City of Yellowknife. There will be stations of different aboriginal sports from across the north, with instructors at each post. Explore the gym and find an activity that you'd like to try out. We'll have colouring and a small amount of other activities as well.
Please note that this months Family Fun night will be more of a drop in and explore the stations evening rather than a free time on the field like previous events.
Please bring indoor shoes or remove your outdoor shoes before entering the gym to preserve...
Date: January 19th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Short workshops and demonstrations with local artists including Alison McCreesh, Tracey Byrant, Sarah Swan and Janet Pacey. Guided tours of Walt’s exhibit. Free drop-in event for all ages.
2-4 pm.
Date: January 25th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northstar Bldg (4910 53rd St.)
Learn how to write creative non-fiction with award-winning writer Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair.
This workshop is for writers of all abilities and experience, whether you write as a hobby, have published several works, or haven’t picked up a pencil in years.
Or if you are interested in Indigenous Studies and reconciliation, and want to hear a passionate and entertaining speaker, you don't want to miss this!
Dr. Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and an Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba. He is an award-winning writer, editor and...
Date: January 25th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Vous cherchez une activité pour divertir les enfants et toute la famille? Ne cherchez plus! Isabelle La Wonderful sera de passage pour un spectacle où magie, ballons et comédie seront à l'honneur!
Quand? Samedi le 25 janvier à 16h
Où? Northern arts and Cultural Centre
Le spectacle d'une heure sera précédé par diverses activités dans le Lobby (Château gonflable, maquillage, animation, etc.) de 14h à 16h et un spectacle en anglais de 13h à 14h.
Qui est Isabelle La Wonderful?
Ce n’est pas d’hier qu’Isabelle coure les occasions pour développer et mettre en...
Date: January 25th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Children's Festival of Silliness is a celebration of all things kids.
Move aside grownups, this show is for kids! With two fantastic shows and fun activities in between, NACC becomes a place where a kid can be a kid. In between both shows, (2-4pm), kids can take part in all activities: a big bouncy castle, face painting, clowns, games and fun snacks and more!
Date: January 31st, 2020 to February 1st, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Top Knight
Craig is returning to Yellowknife for a performance at the Top Knight Pub
Doors 7:30 pm
Show 8:00 pm
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door
*All ticket sales are final, no refunds or exchanges
February
Date: February 1st, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Join us for a documentary screening and reception.
The screening will feature eight short video stories co-created with local storytellers, journalists and researchers. These short films explore alcohol use, addiction, resilience and healing in the North.
Storytellers will then share reflections on their experiences and the collaborative approach used to film their stories.
Stories by:
William Greenland
Chief Ernest Betsina
Donald Prince
Catherine Lafferty
Louise Beaulieu
Devin Hinchey
Eric Wardell
Refreshments will be...
Date: February 2nd, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Inspired by Inuit founding myths, this unprecedented creation will celebrate Inuit culture, its traditions and vision for the future, through a hybrid, collaborative and mutually respectful creative process. In an atmoshphere shaped by video projections and a world of shadows, actors, live musicians and acrobats will transport the audience to an ancient world when life had not known death, days had not seen light, and where Inuit had not met white people. Until…
Unikkaaqtuat is set to highlight the talents of Inuit artists at a national and international scale, and foster a unique...
Date: February 4th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Top Knight
There are so many arts-based organizations working to make Yellowknife a dynamic and creative community. For the first time ever, we'd like to get everyone from the community in the same room to share information and experiences.
Curious about the hopes and dreams of other arts organizations? Or maybe about what funding bodies they've found success in? But really, the struggles we all share as arts community organizers - and how we overcome them?
Networking is a bit of a dirty word. It conjures up images of people standing around awkwardly, thrusting a business card at each...
Date: February 5th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Ron MacLean will host The Music Of Hockey Day as a celebration of music and the game of hockey. Dave Bidini produces the evening as his Bidiniband backs up artists from across the music and hockey world. This night features local artists Wesley Hardisty, Digawolf and Karen Novak, from Welder’s Daughter, as they all perform a song about hockey written specifically for this one night.
Joining them on stage will be The Yellowknives Dene Drummers as well as Tara Slone from Rogers Hometown Hockey and Seven Time Stanley Cup Winner Bryan Trottier. This will be a night to remember as we...
Date: February 7th, 2020 to February 8th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern United Place
Orchestra! Performance! Live Painting!
BAM's local musicians, artists and actors are at it again - this time we bring to life the music of composer John Williams. With an original script by Chris Gamble, this performance provides a witty twist to the story of this well-known movie composer.
Music you'll know, characters you'll love, and paintings that happen as you watch - This is an evening not to miss!
Friday, February 7 &
Saturday, February 8
Tickets $20
at Roy's AudioVideo or at the door
Date: February 8th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Top Knight
**TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BLACK KNIGHT PUB - $45/ea Cash Only**
Doors @ 6pm, show 7-9pm
It’s Canada’s favourite medium!
Described online as a cross between Theresa Caputo and Ellen Degeneres, Jennie Ogilvie’s sold out shows have always been followed by comments of praise by those who attend.
Since the age of 6, Jennie has known there was a whole other “world” out there. Not until her early thirties was she ready to embrace and share with others the connection she has. As a student of Arthur Findlay College in England, she has spent time working and studying with...
Date: February 8th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Top Knight
**TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BLACK KNIGHT PUB - $45/ea Cash Only**
Doors @ 6pm, show 7-9pm
It’s Canada’s favourite medium!
Described online as a cross between Theresa Caputo and Ellen Degeneres, Jennie Ogilvie’s sold out shows have always been followed by comments of praise by those who attend.
Since the age of 6, Jennie has known there was a whole other “world” out there. Not until her early thirties was she ready to embrace and share with others the connection she has. As a student of Arthur Findlay College in England, she has spent time working and studying with...
Date: February 8th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Range Lake North School
Vendors Sale - Art, crafts, and home based businesses
Date: February 8th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Children’s entertainer Miranda Currie, released her latest album Bouncing in the Boreal in November of 2018! Currie writes fun, catchy, and original kid friendly songs with a northern indigenous flair!
As singer-songwriter, fiddle and guitar player, Miranda uses these instruments to convey the beauty and adventure she finds near her Yellowknife home, where she lives with her two sled dogs! Her show includes references to the indigenous Dene language of Tlicho, as well as songs about her favourite animal - the busy beaver! Miranda is an outdoor educator and author of 3 children's...
Date: February 8th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
In this session, a professional photographer will provide tips and techniques for improving the quality of the photos you take of your work. Whether submitting for magazines, art shows or just your portfolio, quality photos make a difference – you’ll learn tips and techniques for each of these purposes. Come back for a special 1-hour supplemental session focused specifically on your medium. Please bring your own camera.
Date : February 8, 2020 (tentative)
General session: 9am-12noon
Fibre Art – 1-2pm
Pottery 2:15-3:15 pm
Glass and other mediums – 3:30-4:...
Date: February 14th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
An audiovisual electro-acoustic duo of Harrison Roberts (DJ Flora) and Sami Blanco (Temple Volant). Miraj blends shape-shifting colours synchronized to electronic soundscapes of dub, techno, and ambient house. Music and visuals are recorded live using analog sequencers, synthesizers and drum machines mixed in a DJ hybrid format. Visual footage is then edited into a form of collage inspired by the surroundings and the moment.
Date: February 15th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Dylan Jones is a hip-hop artist who grew up in the Sahtu community of Fort Good Hope. Under the stage name Crook The Kid, he uses his own life experience and gritty sound to tell a tale of hardship and overcoming one’s obstacles in the face of adversity.
He recently performed at Ottawa Bluesfest 2019 and has a European tour booked.
Date: February 22nd, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: The Raven Pub
Snak The Ripper
Live In YELLOWKNIFE, NT
FEB 22nd @ The Raven Pub
Additional Performers: TBA
DOORS @ 9PM
Hardcopy Tickets: Available Soon @ Raven's Pub
Online / VIP: ONLINE NOW!
Date: February 22nd, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
One enters into Flamenco as one enters into religion.
RITE exposes the relationship between body, rhythm, voice and guitar. At the heart of this artistic proposition lies an intimate conversation where each element reveals itself while defining the other. La Otra Orilla’s new traditional format is thus an initiatory journey that will engage both the aficionado and the newcomer to the art of flamenco. An energetic, poetic and powerful show.
Works by acclaimed La Otra Orilla ( the other shore ) are recognizable for their unique and radical approach to flamenco, reflecting an...
Date: February 27th, 2020 to March 1st, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Capitol Theatre Yellowknife
DEAD NORTH is a short genre film-making festival that is open to all the good people freezing their faces off North of 60. Over the course of two months, filmmakers from the circumpolar world produce original films in some of the world’s coldest climates.
Established in 2012, over 170 short films have been produced and many of these films have gone on to screen at major festivals around the world, including Cannes, imagineNATIVE, Blood in the Snow, Fantasia, BFI, NYC Horror Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival and many more. Welcome to the world of Circumpolar genre...
Date: February 29th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Join the Bella Beats for their Winter Showcase! This one day event will showcase the Bella Beats teams as they perform pieces from their repertoire.
February 29th Matinee @ 1:00
February 29th Evening Show @ 7:00
Ticket prices are $15 for students & seniors, and $25 for adults - General Seating
Date: February 29th, 2020 to March 29th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Back Bay
Come visit the snow castle on Yellowknife’s Back Bay and stay for art exhibits, live music, a film festival, family events, a hockey tournament and great hot chocolate throughout the month. Open noon-5 p.m. daily except Mondays, with evening events on the weekend. Check the website for schedule details.
March
Date: March 2nd, 2020 to March 7th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: TBD
The City of Yellowknife, together with Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the North Slave Metis Alliance, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and Northwest Territories Tourism are pleased to announce the second annual Naka Festival – a celebration of the aurora borealis and northern culture, from March 2-7, 2020.
Naka, Willideh for “Northern Lights”, will feature the sharing of Dene astronomy, drum dances, art displays, photography workshops, film screenings, and the first ever “Taste the North” night, to name a few; The event wraps up with an elegant affair at the second...
Date: March 4th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Stories of Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein, and his Monster expose how the forces of family, community, and education shape personhood—or destroy it by their absence.
In a special world premiere presentation, internationally-renowned multimedia company Manual Cinema stitches together the classic story of Frankenstein with Mary Shelley’s own biography to create an unexpected story about the beauty and horror of creation. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive visual stories for stage and screen....
Date: March 6th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: TBD
Come visit Yellowknife, home of the Aurora, Canada's wildest lightshow, and capture beautiful imagery on your camera at select locations in and around the Yellowknife Area.
When – 6th to 7th March (afternoons and evenings).
Where – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
What – Two-night aurora workshop exploring the area around Yellowknife.
Numbers – Availability is 6 spots (lots of one on one guidance).
Cost - $750.
(Note: Early bird discount 15% off before 31st September 2019)
Includes – two afternoon instruction sessions on night photography...
Date: March 6th, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Calvary Community Church
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 31
ykmusicfestival.com/register/
Program available late February
Our Festival celebrates the journey of learning through music performance. For everyone the journey is different and will start at any age or level. It celebrates the talents of the musicians who work hard to perform at a superior level, the teachers who guide the musicians on their path of learning, the parents and friends who support the performers every day along the way, the colleagues who will be looking to join them in music endeavors in the future and the community who...
Date: March 21st, 2020
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Bella Dance Academy
In this class you will learn how to dye wool fibres.
Instructor Erin Suliak will take you through the science and art of dying wool. A materials fee is payable to the instructor.
