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Aqpik Jam Music Festival

HISTORY
Since its conception in the winter of 1995, the Aqpik Jam Music Festival has been the most popular annual summer event in Nunavik. The original intention and objective to create such an event was to encourage summer time activities in Kuujjuaq which at the time was lacking anywhere else in Nunavik. After months of planning and organizing, the first Aqpik Jam Music Festival was held in August 1996.

The venue was at the newly built Recreation Center later named the Kuujjuaq Forum where there was an arena and a gymnasium. All the concerts were held in the gymnasium of the Kuujjuaq Forum each year until 2002. The venue changed locations to the new Convention Center/Municipal office (later called the Katittavik Town Hall) since the newly constructed building had a capacity to seat up to 500 people in a theatre style setting which provided a better atmosphere and sound acoustics to hold concerts and it had a proper setup of lighting and audio equipment.

It was decided that the Music Festival would also always be scheduled during the second week of August, coinciding with the harvest season of the berry called “Aqpik” which the festival was named after, hence the name Aqpik Jam Music Festival.  Since the beginning the concerts have been performed only in the evenings with doors opening at 6:30 pm and the performances starting at 7:00 pm for as long as 4 to 5 days.

ARTISTS…PERFORMERS…MUSICIANS
The Aqpik Jam Music Festival is an occasion to expose many northern musicians to the public and have their talents discovered and showcased whether it is traditional, contemporary, gospel, country or rock music. It has also become an opportunity for families who haven’t seen each other in a long time to reunite and bond again.

Many performers have had their start at this festival, including the Kuujjuaq Youth Group, a group of young people that range in age from four to seventeen years old, but since 1996 the numbers of musicians, artists, and tourists that have come to Kuujjuaq have steadily increased.

Although the Aqpik Jam Music Festival was created to celebrate and acknowledge the growing musicians in the north who have roots in the Inuit culture it has recently begun to capture Canadian pop bands from the 1980’s as well as many tribute bands.

FUN AND GAMES
In addition to the nightly concerts, there are other activities that are organized during the day. Each year there is an Aqpik berry picking contest that everyone looks forward to. It is a friendly competition to see who can pick the most berries within a predetermined time frame. The winner is awarded the “Aqpik Picking Contest” trophy and holds the bragging rights for the year. Other activities include canoe racing, golf, dart, cribbage and poker tournaments. There is also a community feast that’s held before the end of the festival.

Each year the event is recorded both by audio and television. The television portion is taped and aired later by the Taqramiut Nipingat Incorporated (TNI) on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).

Every concert from every year is recorded live, produced, and prepped for duplication by Qimuk Music Inc. If you’re interested in obtaining copies please contact us.Aalong with music CD’s there are other Aqpik Jam paraphernalia available, such as caps, t-shirts, and key chains. Please contact us for more information.

Please send us your demos or submit your name if you are interested in performing at the Aqpik Jam Music Festival.

The contact people for the festival are:
Sammy Koneak
KRG Recreation Advisor
Kuujjuaq, Que.  JOM 1CO
Box 9
Ph# 819-964-2961  ext. 2251
Fx# 819-964-2956
Email:  sakoneak@krg.ca

Vicki Gordon, Secretary
Municipality of Kuujjuaq
Kuujjuaq, Que.  JOM 1CO
Box 210
Ph# 819-964-2944
Fx# 819-964-2980
Email: vicki_g@tamaani.ca

Larry Watt, Mayor
Municipality of Kuujjuaq
Kuujjuaq, Que.  JOM 1CO
Box 210
Ph# 819-964-2944
Fx# 819-964-2980
Email:  mayor@nvkuujjuaq.qc.ca

This year's Aqpik Jam Music Festival will be held from August 12 - 15. Please keep checking back for a list of performers that are invited to the 2008 Aqpik Jam Music Festival.

Download PDF of scheduled activities

2008 Performers List