'For northerners, the solstice is an important event,' says Brian Fiddler, artistic director of Longest Night, an annual event of music, film, art and theatre.

This year's Longest Night was held Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Yukon Arts Centre. Fiddler spoke following the opening performance.

'The solstice marks the return of the light,' he said. 'It's a very visceral holiday and it's worth celebrating.'

The focus of Longest Night is storytelling as a means to get through the long nights, he said.

'Telling stories is a part of being a northerner,' he added. 'It becomes our own history.'

Fiddler has been directing, teaching and performing professionally in the Yukon for the past seven years. This is his third year at the Longest Night helm.

'Longest Night is purposeful people need a break from Christmas,' he said.

Stories told ranged from a tale about a cruise ship musical director getting stranded in Alaska to a slideshow of babies bathing in a wheelbarrow to technology-driven sound art.

More than the standard variety show, there was song, dance and film, much of which consisted of original compositions specifically for this show.

All in all, the show consisted of 19 segments and provided a delightful evening of entertainment to all who attended.

Both shows were nearly sold out.

In addition to Fiddler, this year's Longest Night contributors consisted of 12 other members: Jon Gelinas, Janelle Hardy, Charles Hegsted, Daniel Janke, Heather Jones, Celia McBride, Alexis O'Hara, Moira Sauer, Fiona Solon, Claire Strauss, Jay White and Jude Wong.

Music for the show was played by the Longest Night Ensemble. Led by Dave Haddock, the ensemble consisted of Birch Kuch on clarinet, Colleen McCarthy on trombone, Andrea McColeman on marimba and percussion, Graeme Peters on piano and percussion, Lonnie Powell on percussion and Emily Tredger on cello.

An outdoor multimedia art installation entitled Unsilent Night by Christine Spinder also accompanied the show.

This year's lineup included a new musical director, Dave Haddock. Previously, Vede Hill served in this role.

'Vede Hill had an amazing aesthetic, a specific style,' said Fiddler.

'Dave is more trained in composition. He brings an amazing knowledge which speaks for itself.'

As a local theatrical performer and musician, Haddock has been on the scene for nearly 30 years.

'Longest Night's a matter of creating and working with the other side theatrical and weaving it all together into an evening that flows well,' he said.

'We seem to have created something which works really well,' he confessed.

'We asked the ensemble to contribute pieces. Some are stand alone, some are collaborations.

'I created some of the compositions myself.

'My approach is to allow the ensemble to play what they know how to play and let the rhythm fend for itself.'

The resulting music added much depth to the show.

'I think there's some great stuff coming out of our community,' added Haddock.

'It's great to have Daniel Janke back in the picture he's such a strong composer, he really deepens the quality.'

Fiddler said he's extremely pleased with the work that was produced.

'I try to keep in touch with each of the pieces,' he said. 'I work with them a little bit each piece is different.

'I gauge it according to what the group wants.'

Fiddler had strong words of praise for all his performers.

'With Graeme, I wanted something that was all about his personality,' he said. 'He's a really outgoing person.'

Haddock echoed this sentiment.

'Graeme's brilliant,' he said. 'He's really turning out to be a fine young musician.'

Described as brilliant', Graeme Peters welcomed the opportunity to return to the Longest Night group. Following an absence last year, this was his third time participating.

'I had a deep desire to return to the Longest Night group,' he said.

'Everyone gets so gloomy around December,' he added. 'This is a way to have fun.'

Peters, home for Christmas, has been away studying music at the University of Toronto.

Known for his involvement with the Frantic Follies, Peters' contribution added a heightened element of zesty appeal to the show.

Fiddler also spoke warmly of McColeman, who wrote the music for the dance pieces.

'Her timing was spot-on; amazing,' he said.

'The way the music responded to their actions was really an accomplishment.'

Dancing to McColeman's music was Heather Jones.

'The audience was incredible and extremely giving,' she said. 'I was really interested in working with Janelle (Hardy) again.'

This was Jones' second year participating in Longest Night.

'I had a great experience last year,' she said. 'Brian is so cool to work with; I was happy to be part of the show again.'

Long-time board member Moira Sauer said she was asked by Fiddler to participate this year.

'For me, the attraction has always been the musical element,' she said.

In addition to all the aforementioned contributors, the show would not have been possible without the help of a range of other people, said Fiddler, from stage hands to ushers to arts centre staff.

For instance, lighting for the show was done by Patrick Matheson, the centre's stage manager.

'With this show, he got to help build the show through the month leading up to it,' said Fiddler.

'Lighting is such an important thing; so many people comment on it.'