A weekend of music, Indigenous arts and Sir John A. Macdonald

A vibrant showcase of artists from Canada's North, a requiem of warmth, beauty and solace,and a musical look at Canada's first prime minister, warts and all.

From the North

A vibrant, richcultural scene is alive and thrivingacross the vast Canadian north, and young Indigenous artists are eager toshow it off to the rest of thecountry. Ottawa is the first stop forFrom the North,a travelling showcase forthe talents of Indigenous singers, dancers and artisans from Yellowknife, Whitehorse and Iqaluit.It encompassesa wide range of expression, including theJuno Award-winning duoQuantum Tangle, who blendcontemporary blues and roots with throat singing, andBorealis Soul dancers who deliverhip hop woven with traditional dance styles.

In the run-up toa gala performance at La Nouvelle Scne Gilles Desjardins on Saturday night, the performerswill take part in a family-friendly festival at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Artisans and sculptors will create new works on site, whileInuit andDeneathletes will demo northern sports and games, such as the one-foot kick, the arm Pull, the stick twist, and the knuckle hop, challenging the public chance to give it try.

WHERE: Canada Goose Arctic Gallery, Canadian Museum of Nature,240 McLeod St.

WHEN:Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COST: Includedwith purchase of admission to the Canadian Museum of Nature. Tickets are $10 for children, $12 students,$14 for adults and free for tiny tots (0-2), and can be purchased here.

Note: The gala performance at the La Nouvelle Scne Gilles Desjardins on Saturday night is sold out.

Beautiful consolation

A requiem is a mass for the dead, originally composed to be part of religious ceremony usheringthe deceased into the next world.

It might sound bleak, but not in the hands ofFrench composerGabrielFaur(1845-1924). Faur'sRequiem is soaring work of transcendent music and voices raised in moments ofjoy.TheCantata Singers of Ottawa will perform the music in a candle-lit concert,along with orchestra and featured soloists, baritone Ryan Hoffman and sopranoJeanineWilliams, at St. Joseph's Church on Saturday night.

"It evokes great feelings of sadness, but also hope," said musical director AndrewMcAnerney.

"This piece is just so beautiful, it's so uplifting and full of magical moments. Every time I listen to it, I get shivers."

Also on the bill: music by Mozart and Bach.

WHERE: St. Joseph's Church,174 Wilbrod St.

WHEN: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

COST: Adults $25, seniors $20 and students $8 and they can be purchased onlinehere.Prices increase at the door.

Note:On Sundayat 4:30 p.m.the Requiem will performed at Christ Church Cathedral on Sparks Street, aliturgical performance as part of a Solemn Eucharist. Admission is free.

A musical history lesson

Canada's first prime minister is the star of a brand new musical that follows his life of politics and personal struggles. Sir John A. Macdonald The Musical, written by GordCarruth, promises to explore the good, the bad and the ugly of the man and his legacy.

"We're addressing the positives, his role in forging the nation," said Andrew Galligan, who plays Macdonald.

"We've addressed other issues as well, for example, the Canadian Pacific Railway scandal and the starvation of First Nations People in the Northwest Territories and the trial of Louis Riel."

WHERE: CentrepointeTheatre,101 Centrepointe Dr.

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday,1:30 p.m.

COST: Tickets range from $25 to $45, and can be purchased here.