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Your guide to Yukon arts and culture this weekend

Heed the call of the wild and head to Dawson City's Jack London Festival, or see some original dance theatre in Whitehorse.

The dance of Greek goddesses, and the call of Jack London

Jack London's great granddaughter Tarnel Abbott (centre) with staff of the Klondike Visitors Association in Dawson City. (Paul Robitaille)

Here's a look at what's happening in Yukon this weekend:

Jack London Festival

What: The Jack London Festival celebrates the life and adventures of the author of The Call of the Wild and White Fang. It marks the 100th anniversary of Jack London's passing.

"He remains a classic for a number of different reasons," says London's great granddaughter Tarnel Abbott, who is in Dawson City for the festival. "He frequentlywrotedouble meanings in his stories and that is partly why they're relevant today."

Abbott will be talking at the festival about their family and London's political bent. There will be film screenings of White Fang, The Call of the Wild and To Build a Fire. There will be talks and discussions about his work, as well as a Stampeder Dinner, where period costumes are recommended. It wrapsSundayafternoon with a reading relay of The Call of the Wild. Volunteers and guests will take turns reading the entire Jack London classic.

When:FridaytoSaturday
Where: various locations in Dawson City, including the Jack London and Dawson City museums

Kill Shakespeare

See "Kill Shakespeare" at the Guild Hall in Whitehorse, Friday and Saturday nights. (Kill Shakespeare Entertainment)

What: The Yukon Comic Culture Society presents a dramatic reading of Kill Shakespeare: Live Graphic Novel, by Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery. It's the amalgamation of many of Shakespeare's characters, from Hamlet and Othello, to Romeo and Juliet, as they battle evil forces. Seven local actors, one musician and one live sound guy bring the novel to life in this performance. It's described as part radio play, part live comic book with images from the graphic novel as well as live sound effects. This is a fundraiser for Yukomicon 2017.

When:FridayandSaturday,8 p.m.
Where: Guild Hall, Whitehorse

Original dance

The Extremely Moving Youth Society in Whitehorse present "The Wise, the Winsome and The Warrior", at the Yukon Arts Centre. (Sarah Lewis)

What: Extremely Moving Youth Society presents The Wise, The Winsome, and The Warrior. It's an original dance theatre piece created by Yukoners. The production features three dancersTori Beemer, Grace Simpson-Fowler and Karyin Quiwho are graduating this year. They play Greek goddessesAthena, Aphrodite and Artemis, who are entrusted with protecting Pandora's Box. Alumni of Breakdancing Yukon Society, Extremely Moving Youth Society and Leaping Feats Creative Danceworks created the piece. It features a soundtrack produced by local composer Kelvin Smoler.

As well, Featers Repertory Dancers present Free To Be You And Me during this weekend's dance shows. There's also Breakdown from the Borealis Soul Training Company, plus the recreational dances too. All in all, 47 dancers, between the ages of 11 and 18are involved, plus three vocalists.


When:Friday,7 p.m.,Saturday,1 p.m.,Sunday,5 p.m.

Where: Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse

Visual art

What: Two new art exhibitions openin the Arts Underground. Heather Von Steinhagen presents a series of oil paintings in a show called The Things You Know, in the Focus Gallery. The artist encourages the viewer to challenge their assumptions and decode the image for themselves.

"Leaps and Bounds" by Ferryn Nowatzki opens at the Arts Underground's Edge gallery on Friday evening. (Arts Underground)

In the Edge Gallery, there's Leaps and Bounds by Ferryn Nowatzki. It features bright acrylic paintings of northern animals and landscapes. This is also the last month to see the MacBride Museum of Yukon History's exhibition Fire and Flood: Disaster and Perseverance in Yukon History.

When: Opening reception,Friday,5 to 7 p.m., exhibits on display untilJune 25
Where: Arts Underground, Whitehorse

Other events

See Kate Weekes at the Village Bakery in Haines Junction on Friday. (Christian Kuntz)
  • Soul Migration plays the Jarvis Street Saloon in Whitehorseon Fridaynight, Blackberry Wood is thereSaturday.
  • Kate Weekesand Kieran Poileplaythe Village Bakery in Haines Junction Friday.
  • "Cover Me Badd 8" at Dawson City's KIACBallroom on Friday nightfeatures local musicians performing cover songs of their choice, and one chosen by a cloaked jury.
  • It's a classic rock extravaganza at The Westminster Hotel in Dawson (a.k.a The Pit) onSaturday, featuring A Bunch of B.S. A Tribute to Black Sabbath, with special guestsThe Doorknobs A Tribute to The Doors as the opening act
  • Arts in the Park next week features visual artist Helen O'Connor. Musical acts are Two Piano Tornadoon Monday, Calla Kingliton Tuesday, The Big Bandon Wednesdayatnoon, Roxx HunterWednesdayat7 p.m., Anacrouseon Thursday,and The River Bendson Friday. Concerts are held12 to 1 p.m.at LePage Park in Whitehorse.

Know of an arts or cultural event coming up in the Yukon? Call(867) 668-8460, emailanewday@cbc.caor message CBC Yukon's Facebook page.