'There'll never be another': Friends remember life and legacy of Alex Czarnecki

There will be a celebration of life in Yellowknife Thursday night to rememberthe late Alex Czarnecki.

Czarneckiwas well-known in the northern arts community as a musician, director and teacher in Yellowknife. He served as the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre's first executive director, contributing to more than 40 theatre productions in the capital.

He moved to Yellowknife in 1972, according to local musician Pat Bradenwhoproduced a spotlight on him for a regular music column, which aired on CBC in October.

Czarnecki formed a trio with two other local musicians, performing at the local legion, the Elks Lodge, and otherevents.

"The crowd was very forgiving, which was wonderful," he chuckledwith Bradenin an interview. "No one really criticized what you were doing. People just enjoyed having a live band, dancing."

Czarneckisaid they performed several nights a week.

"We were busy. Here I was teaching, I was doing theatre at nights, rehearsing, plus music sometimes three nights a week. So I was a real night owl."

Czarnecki's resumalso included work on popular children's program Sesame Street and playing saxophone in a Montreal band called The Inner City 7.

Hedied in January at the age of 72 in Edmonton.

Talented director with heart of gold

Merlyn Williams first met Czarnecki in the early 1970s, after being involved in a school play production of Charles Dickens'Oliver Twist.He saysCzarnecki's passion and talent struck him right away, and the two became long-time friends.

"Alex was one of the most talented, gifted, artistic directors I've ever met," said Williams."I never saw Alex angry, or annoyed. He was always happy."

Williams reminisced about Czarnecki's filmHearts of Gold, a documentary produced for the 50th anniversary of Yellowknife in 1984.

Czarnecki made the film with "a pile of black and white movies" that had been passed down through old-timeYellowknifers, including Norm Byrne Sr., said Williams.

"It received many awards, and Alex was responsible for that. He did a tremendous job of it," Williams said.

'They should have cloned you'

Williams also highlighted Czarnecki's direction on the made-in-the-North playTwo Hands and Forever,a 1978 play about old-town Yellowknife that began as a school play but evolved to include dozens of community residents, a full soundtrack released on vinyl, and a travelling company that presented the play in Whitehorse.

"There was over 100 people on stage," Williams remembered. "One hundred people! And they had to do this military manoeuvre, a pincer movement ... And Alex knew everybody by name."

Ted Wesley, a Northern musician and long-time friend of Czarnecki, worked with him until "he couldn't work anymore," he said. Wesley and Czarnecki collaboratedon creating videos for some of Wesley's songs about the North, which gained national prominence in the 1970s.

"It was a passion that he just wouldn't quit," said Wesley."He'd basically lock himself in his room and work, and work, and work and work. Unbelievable.

"He always had a grin on his face, and just give him a challenge. And that's what he was all about."

Wesley saidCzarnecki's passing "created a hole in [his] heart."

"He will always be there, we just don't forget about things like that. Always hold him dear, and remember what he taught. By smiling, and just take on a challenge, and do it. You know, you're only a failure if you don't try, right?"

"There'll never be another Alex Czarnecki," said Williams. "Alex, before you went, they should have cloned you."

Czarnecki's celebration of life will take place at theNorthern Arts and Cultural Centreat 7:30 p.m. Thursday. All are welcome.