Singer and pianist Gina Williams received a positive reception, including rousing ovations, for her performance at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre last week.

Williams praised the audience for their enthusiasm during her performance.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat made this night special for me is that I think the Yellowknife crowd is the most cool, mixed, real, authentic crowd. They were a delight, for real. I could bare my soul and it was OK,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淣obody looked at me like, SA国际影视传媒楽heSA国际影视传媒檚 crazy. Somebody go get the doctor.SA国际影视传媒� It wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 like that.SA国际影视传媒�

Throughout her Saturday evening performance, people were singing along and dancing. At one point during the show, members of the audience all around the auditorium joined hands, creating a human chain. Together they walked around the auditorium while Williams sang. She said it was one of the highlights of the evening.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone was just like, weSA国际影视传媒檙e going. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e out of here. No more Covid-19. That was truly gold.SA国际影视传媒�

Also leaving an impression on her was the crowdSA国际影视传媒檚 reaction to her performance of a heartfelt song about mental illness that she released in 2021 called Angry Bird.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was thinking about my family when I was singing that but I could feel the audience get into it and it got really quietSA国际影视传媒� it was almost like a reverent moment,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know exactly what they felt but I felt them with me. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 really important when people are with you that so you can go to that place. That was special. Scary, but it was special.SA国际影视传媒�

She elaborated on why it was a frightening experience for her.

SA国际影视传媒�(I have sung) Angry Bird before, many times, and it was great but this was like a fightSA国际影视传媒� it was more raw than ISA国际影视传媒檝e ever done it. I was allowing myself to go there.SA国际影视传媒�

Williams was visibly distressed just before singing Angry Bird. She threw off her scarf and began to sing impassionately. After she finished, the audience began to shout, SA国际影视传媒淭hank you.SA国际影视传媒�

Feeling warm from the positive experience of the evening, the talented pianist and singer said she wants to return.

SA国际影视传媒淚 would love to come back to Yellowknife, if Yellowknife will have meSA国际影视传媒� and to do all the songs that I ended up having to cut out,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t was surprisingly warm. I am so touched that so many people from so many backgrounds and age ranges came out. It really touched my heart that people came prepared to have a good timeSA国际影视传媒� it was it was an absolute honour. Yellowknife rocks.SA国际影视传媒�

Although the auditorium was only about half full, this has become the norm, according to Marie Coderre, executive and artistic director for the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre. Since the pandemic, ticket sales are down close to 60 per cent, she said.