#Yeg Swap is on the air
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(Media box above should be streaming you all the #Yeg Swap fun. If not, try refreshing your browser.)
It’s too bad you haven’t made your way down to The ARTery for #Yeg Swap yet. We’re going until about 11 tonight.
We’ve got lots of swapping going on.
Not that kind of swapping.
And as you should be able to see above (it might just need a refresh of your browser) we’re showing you what you’re missing.
It’s also a chance for us to test live streaming. Because we never know when we might need it.
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#Yeg Swap
@ The ARTery (9535 Jasper Avenue)
7 – 11 pm
Bring your swappable items. Books, CDs, shoes, bomber jackets, Simon and Garfunkel albums, snowboards, whatever.
Music by Lyra Brown, The Mystery Ponies and The Joe.
Yeg Swap and other events
Here's how the swap meet portion of #Yeg Swap will go down. The music and fun will just happen naturally.
If you didn’t know what I was going to open this week’s events listing with, you just haven’t been paying attention.
March 20 means #YegSwap over at The ARTery. 7pm. Until the fun ends.
We’ve got you bringing some cool stuff, that for some reason you just don’t want anymore (don’t tell me who did what on top of it). You’ll be trading that with other people in our super-efficient swap dome* and all the while you will be entertained by amazing Edmonton musicians Lyra Brown, The Mystery Ponies and The Joe.
And all for $2.
We’re basically paying you to come and have a great Saturday night.
One other thing worth mentioning, those musical acts are from three different genres. You don’t see a lot of that, outside of your iPod, so that could be worth the price of admission right there.
Alright, self-promotion aside, I’ll head over to ShareEdmonton and see if there’s anything else going on. But it probably won’t be as good as #Yeg Swap.
A neat event happening Saturday night (See, I’m not so biased I won’t mention other Saturday events.) is also a fundraiser. Out of Sight: A Sensory Experience is a “dining in the dark” meal, where a mask or sunglasses will limit your vision during the meal.
The Bounce is having a birthday party, their 5th.
Tonight (Friday) there’s an “Eeeeeeee…” inducing event at Best Buy Edmonton South, it’s a Twilight New Moon Launch Party.
It’s Randy Couture night at the Edmonton Rush game.
Here’s an interesting one from the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues; Green Projects to Empower your Community. It comes with wine and cheese.
The Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show is a sign of spring, right?
There’s a rally for public services at the Alberta Legislature Saturday. After that, you should come to #YegSwap.
Naked on Jasper (it’s a cybercafe you pervs) is hosting the Busker’s Ball tonight. It’s got a great lineup of people you’ve probably seen at other venues and actually busking.
There’s some Postdata happening at Brixx Friday night.
The Pawn Shop has a great show Sunday, with Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash, Kinnie Starr and Michael Rault.
I mentioned the coming latin passion in my review of an Edmonton Symphony Orchestra show back here, but this weekend is “Musica Latina.” Which is sure to set your hips a-swaying.
Oh, and The Fashion Event is back, for your spring shopping needs, over at the Mayfield Inn & Suites.
And tickets are now on sale for St. Albert’s International Children’s Festival.
Whew!
p.s. #Yeg Swap is being put on by The League of Extraordinary Media, which is our new group of Edmonton super-hero bloggers and podcasters. In the battle between good and evil, choose local.
*There’s no swap dome. I only said that to increase your interest.
Weekend Fun
Rocket sleds eh?
Looks like WinterLight is going out with a bang. It’s been a fun way to embrace our long, dark season.
Actually, looking at this weekend there are quite a few fun things happening. And you know I’m turning to ShareEdmonton to load us up with the good stuff.
Ooh, there’s the Grilled Cheese Olympics! That’s happening Sunday.
If you’ve got kids you might be checking out the Mom, Pop & Tots Fair, over at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
The circus is in Edmonton.
Edmonton gets to shine on the TED stage this Saturday, with TEDxEdmonton. It’s happening over at the TransAlta Arts Barns. Tickets were highly sought-after and are likely out of your hands, but there is an after-party. Plus, you can watch all the TEDx action online.
The 2010 Edmonton Golf Show clearly has to mean it’s almost, really spring.
If you’ve got the spirit why not check out the Alberta Cheerleading Association’s Total Spirit Championship over at West Edmonton Mall.
That dog is a better painter than me.
Our friends over at Tailz passed along an interesting event; HART’s “Pawsitively Painted,” which is a dog art auction. That’s art BY the dogs. Really.
And you’d be helping out other dogs in need. Aww…
Over at our new favourite venue, The ARTery, you’ve got Kate Maki playing Sunday.
Gee…I wonder why The ARTery would be our new favourite…could it be because we’ll be part of #yegswap next weekend? Probably.
Actually, it’s shaping up to be quite a fun night.
You will bring some cool stuff that you just got bored with, or don’t have space for, and I will do the same. We will throw it all onto a giant table and pick up some new things. So, not only are you going to get some of your spring cleaning done, you’re going to get sweet new stuff to play with, and for almost free.
Oh, and next Saturday, while you’re hanging out with some of your favourite Edmonton bloggers and podcasters, you can listen to great local music from Lyra Brown, The Mystery Ponies and The Joe.
Have a great weekend.
See you next weekend. (Wow, I’m getting pushy.)
It’s the weekend so let your hair down
Oh, and I don't want to brag or anything, but you should probably put this little baby in your calendar right now. I'll see you there in 2 weeks.
Let your hair down? What?! Who event talks like that?
I’ll try and up my hipster-era lingo throughout the rest of this post.
You can haz events.
Actually there are a few cool things going down this weekend in the Y-E-G.
First things first, let’s dig into the ShareEdmonton goody bag and see what we pull out.
Ooh…an Oilers game. Do people still go to those? For fun?
ShareEdmonton’s got a lot of Edmonton Public Library events, and I keep seeing this one, about gaming for teens. It’s cool that the library isn’t just about books anymore, and kids have a place to go do something fun instead of joining a gang.
You don’t hve much time left to RSVP for the Open City Workshop, but it’s a neat idea bringing developers, city staff and other people together to talk about what kinds of government information should be open and available, and what could be done with it (like build an iPhone app, or write an in-depth news story).
MacEwan University is hosting an open house, Saturday. Just don’t ask them about the pool.
If you want to drive out to Elk Island National Park there’s a Star Party. Take in the night sky without all of the city’s light pollution.
Then, you’ve got Pre/Post, The Consonance and The Madhatters playing Saturday night at the Pawnshop.
A band you might have heard of is playing the Shaw Conference Centre Sunday.
Or perhaps you want to check out the Newfoundland Screech Comedy from the Rock Tour, at the Kingsway Ramada? Yeah, I thought you might.
Let’s do it
Actually, there’s a lot of “it” we could do.
This is Hale Hale. They are good.
It will all depend on what we define as the it thing to do.
Wow, I’m getting confused.
Onto weekend fun!
The Wheat Pool is returning to the Pawnshop, as Sonic’s band of the month. That will make tonight special.
Also, a win by Team Canada would make tonight special. Where are you watching the game? I’ve got to get home and find something red to wear.
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Yes, of course, I’ve been checking ShareEdmonton for event ideas. Why wouldn’t I?
They’ve reminded me that Winefest Edmonton is this weekend.
And WinterLight continues (what a great weekend of weather we’ll have for getting outside) with The Big Winter. Sounds fun. And big.
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Now, back to my rambling selections.
Nobody leaves this place without singing the blues.
Over at the Haven Social Club (A place which I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing.) Hale Hale is going to melt some faces with rock.
I will never get tired of mentioning the babysitter blues.
Go Canada!
Some stuff going on in some places
I really thought my photo was going to make the poster.
And a good day to you, fair Edmonton.
All excited for the weekend, are we? Well, other than sleeping in, perhaps you’d like to try one of these out…
Again, I’m peering into the goody bag of ShareEdmonton this week. They’ve got one of the biggies of winter; The Silver Skate Festival goes this weekend in Hawrelak Park. And it’s not even freezing cold.
Speaking of skating, the revamped Bill Hunter arena opens this weekend and the city is offering some free (free!) skating.
Carey Hart is signing autographs at the West49 in WEM. That’s pretty cool.
Also cool is the Royal Winnipeg Ballet doing “Moulin Rouge,” at the Jube.
Seeing that The Hat has a brunch on Saturdays. Anyone been? Is it just breakfast burgers?
The Fray could show you how to save a life (*groan*) at the Winspear Centre on Sunday.
I’m out.
Happy LunarNewYearValentine’sFamily Day
Before we go any further (do you love me, will you love me forever…) I just wanted to use this events-related moment to show you a couple of pictures of an event I saw at West Edmonton Mall last weekend. The Edmonton Table Hockey League was battling it out.
Let the tournament begin!
More difficult to score on than the Oilers.
Wow, this is looking to be one busy long weekend.
Sure, you’ve got all that stuff happening over in Vancouver, which will likely occupy some of your TV time but, hey, the weather isn’t the worst its been, it’s a long weekend and there’s lots happening in good old Edmonton.
In other good news, I’m getting some of these fun ideas from ShareEdmonton. You’ll especially want to hit up that website for all kinds of neighbourhood Family Day events happening all over Edmonton.
Let’s start with the most obvious, it’s Family Day on Monday. Not only does that mean an extra day to sleep in, it means more going on.
City Hall (and Churchill Square) and the Alberta Legislature will be open for events. City Hall’s event is part of the ongoing WinterLight festival. WinterLight is also doing something Saturday in Boyle Street Park.
As Sally wrote about earlier today, there’s a kid-friendly play at the Stanley Milner Library. You can catch it tonight, and there are two showings Saturday.
Maybe you want Family Day to be about looking into your family’s past. You can do that over at the Provincial Archives.
As for the Lunar New Year, you can check out the Year of the Tiger’s entrance at the Valley Zoo, Sunday, or in Chinatown. Firecrackers go off at 95 Street and 105 Avenue, Sunday afternoon. I’m sure there are smaller events around too, so check your local listings.
The Uptown Folk Club’s having a WinterFest of their own. I bet there’ll be music.
Oh, if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day dinner, Mack and Sharon have some ideas. They’ve even peered into the menus and prices. Yes, things do get more expensive for this night out.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day, the Valley Zoo is also offering same-sex speed dating. I don’t know how else you could blow away Edmonton stereotypes than with the civic government hosting this. Bang.
There’s also two nights of “Animal Attractions” for any couple looking to take in the zoo at night.
Whatever you do, if you’re thinking about taking the LRT, remember that there are some service disruptions this weekend.
See you Tuesday, but I’ll bet we’ll all be tired from this exciting weekend!
Some stuff to do
Taking a look around Edmonton this weekend, here are a few items that caught my eye…
There are monster trucks at Rexall Place this weekend!!!!!!!
Nearby, and slightly quieter, is the Edmonton Renovation Show, at Northlands’ Expo Centre.
It’s almost Chinese New Year’s, so kick things off with a bang over at the big celebration at West Edmonton Mall. Plus, you get an excuse to go to that giant emporium of shopping goodness.
German Mardi Gras is this weekend. I hadn’t heard of this but before but it sounds like a good time.
The Art Gallery of Alberta’s got a party Saturday. Tickets at the door only. This place is popular.
Susan Aglukark is playing the Myer Horowitz tonight. Neat.
Let’s end January with a bang
Still safer than a Toyota. It's also my way of mentioning the Edmonton Motorshow is this weekend.
Let’s see…what can we do this weekend to make this first month of 2010 worth it?
O.M.G. It’s already the end of January.
This really makes the weekend feel needed.
As you probably already know, I’m going to be a little fancier than normal and partake in some higher art. I’ll try not to embarrass you.
If you’ve got your ticket you can go to the grand opening of the Art Gallery of Alberta. I wish I’d heard about this more, so I could have known it was this weekend.
Maybe you want a little music this weekend. Our old friends The Omega Theory are playing the Starlite Room, with nice little Winnipeg band Inward Eye.
If you’re feeling jazzy, check out Karl Schwonik at the Yardbird. He’s a (just about) local drummer who’s been bouncing all around the world.
And the Respectfully Elvis Fan Club is putting on a 75th birthday party of sorts at the Kingsway Legion tonight at 8pm.
It’s a post-Conan world
I know that Conan O’Brien is a smart cookie and he’ll land on his feet. I also know he’ll be missed on The Tonight Show, around these parts. It’s back to Letterman/Kimmel/Lopez for the first round of late night TV.
I think my love of Carson Daly has also been noted.
For these reasons I may bounce over to Original Joe’s-Varisty Row (109 Street, north of Whyte Avenue) for the last Coco-Tonight Show. They’ll be showing it at the restaurant/bar and they’ve got specials on Red Ale and Coco Martinis (clever). Maybe I’ll see you there.
On a more serious note, there will be a march and rally in Old Strathcona tomorrow (when isn’t there?) as Canadians against Proroguing Parliament hit the streets. Let’s see if the Facebook protest transitions to the real world.
I bet this show won't be a "big wreck." (It's Monday at Union Hall.)
Edmonton’s Winter Light festival continues this weekend, with the Baba Yaga Trail Adventure.
Ice on Whyte also continues.
There are zombie-literary discussions happening Saturday afternoon (2-4pm, in the Edmonton Room) at the Stanley Milner Library. It’s about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
There are also ways to enjoy the party-scene of the weekend and help Haiti. Check this Metro-Edmonton story for details.
Dave Attell is at The Comic Strip this weekend.
You can take your tummy out to the second round of Fork Fest.
Maybe you’d rather try not to get trampled by brides looking for deals and other items for THEIR SPECIAL DAY. There’s an event for that.
Or you can attempt to keep your head from exploding due to an abundance of cuteness at the Edmonton Pet Expo. Aww…
The Edmonton Rush have their home opener Saturday, against the Buffalo Bandits. Hey, they’ve got more of a chance of winning than the Oilers. (Thanks for the reminder, Derjs.)
Whatever it is you do to make it to Monday, have fun.
Edmonton Events – January 15-17
It’s the weekend and that means fun.
Unless you have to work. Then it’s just another two weekdays.
But for me (and probably you) it’s actually a weekend.
I’ll probably take a wander by Ice on Whyte and peek at the ice sculptures.
This one was a freebie. They keep the good stuff behind a $2 pay wall.
Eventually I will pay admission to get a better look at all of the fine ice art.
If motorcycles are more your thing (or the idea of motorcycles anyway) then you’re going to want to head over to Northlands.
“Thunderstick” is playing over at the Roxy and I hear it’s good.
If eating is more your winter activity then you are going to excited to learn that Fork Fest starts Sunday. Original Fare restaurants will be offering menus of $25 or $45 full of their awesome food.
Lyle Lovett is plaing the Jube this weekend.
Colin James is playing the Winspear Centre with Suzie McNeil. I need to pay more attention, this is one I should have budgeted for.
How could I go without mentioning the Guns N’ Roses concert Sunday? I couldn’t.
Torch Fever
WHO HAS TWO THUMBS AND A RAGING CASE OF OLYMPIC FEVER?! Ugh. Not this guy (sorry, olympics). I know everybody’s been all abuzz about the torch’s trip through our fair city this week, but I see it the same way I see the actual Olympics: a serious invasion on my routine. The g.d. torch got in my way as I headed to school yesterday, in exactly the same way it shows up every two years and c-blocks me from watching regular TV at it’s normally scheduled time.
To recap: the Olympics are to Sally as the future is to Tony Caterina(Caterina zing!); inevitable and unchangeable – but nevertheless, I will always vote to stop it from happening (“You Olympics get off my lawn!”).
And so, I did my best to avoid the whole spectacle completely. I dodged the news media, I intended to say off of transit until well after 8 p.m. and I made plans to meet my dear friend Sarah for drinks downtown at Pub 1905. When I arrived at about 4:30, I noticed that it was far busier than normal. Also, lots of the patrons had those little paper Canadian flags. But I had this profound insight: “There must be a soccer game going on.” Because people in bars with flags = soccer. It’s just basic math.
But I digress. About two hours after our arrival, Sarah and I were minding our affairs when we were surprised by a sudden mass exodus of bar patrons. Everybody except the two of us leapt to their feet and ran out the door.
That’s when I noticed the police lights and the silhouettes of people lining up on the sidewalk.
“What’s going on?” I asked Sarah. “Are we in some kind of danger?”
And THAT would be the moment that I looked up at the TV and noticed Darryl McIntyre describing video of the Olympic torch convoy on Jasper Avenue. AHHH, it all made sense. And knowing that Sammy’s always on the lookout for news stories, Sarah and I snapped a picture of the Olympic torch from our vantage point (my thanks to Sarah for use of her mitten).
In closing, I suppose the lesson in this story is that some things are going to happen, no matter how hard you try to fight it (I’m looking at you, Toncat).
Torch time in Edmonton
It was a grand evening for a flaming stick to be passed around the city.
Lucky for you, we actually captured this moment with photographs, and a video from our fine friend, Colin, at Makin’ Whoopee.
This is good since I don’t know if you’ll see much on the Olympic torch run from the real news today.
I was (pleasantly) surprised by the number of people out waiting for the torch at 6pm on a random weeknight.
I suppose that goes to show community spirit.
Although, not everyone had to wait out in the cold for a glimpse of Olympic fire.
Some people got to watch the whole thing from the, warm, comfort of home because the torch relay ran through a number of neighbourhoods.
Lucky.
There were a couple of things to keep everyone’s energy up while waiting for the actual flaming stick. Torch relay sponsors RBC and Coca-Cola had party trucks that rolled by with lots of noise and bright lights.
The police cars kept the revelers in check.
Then, it was here. The torch was held aloft, in all it’s fiery glory, by a white-clad runner.
I tried to take the best photos I could, but it was night and everything was happening so fast, and the parade was moving so quickly.
This guy really was running.
All that remains now is the memory of an evening of fire and running, and the discarded remains of our excitement.
Like Canada Day and New Year’s Eve, the party has its leftovers, as we wake the next morning to our Olympic Torch Relay hangover.
We'll always have 2010.
Edmonton’s coldest events
Whatever fun you get up to this weekend, Edmonton, remember to stay bundled up if you head outside. It’s going to be a cold one.
If you do nothing else, bundle up. Or buy some warm clothes. You'll catch your death out there.
Maybe the best idea is to put on your warmest sweater, curl up with a book you’ve been meaning to read, (or a book you’ve been meaning to download) put on the Bing Crosby and relax in your warm home. Bah. We’re a winter city, let’s go do stuff!
The Edmonton Journal is hosting a book fair and has plenty of authors abounding this Saturday.
A few months ago we mentioned the Gas Pump was holding a fundraiser for the Edmonton Food Bank. Well, they’re doing it again, Saturday, 3-8 is the Rock Fest East Coast Party for the food bank. There’s even a maritime buffet.
Sloan is playing the Starlite Room with Magneta Lane. Oh yes they are.
The McDades are doing a Christmas show at The Arden, Friday and Saturday.
You could always Make It! This is handmade goods that will make your head spin. 115 urban artisans and designers take over the Alberta Aviation Museum, December 11-13. They also have the best tag line: Make It is like a mullet; craft show in the front, party in the back. It’s $5.
More Christmas with the Edmonton Columbian Choirs, at McDougall United Church, Sunday.
You can laugh at global warming for the next week-and-a-half.
Stay toasty!
Get some weekend
Hello there, Edmonton.
Yes, it’s the weekend. You’ve earned a little rest and relaxation.
You know, there’s going to be some mighty fine football on television if you just want to watch that.
Oh, you’d like something a little more? How about this then…
The Royal Bison Craft Fair takes over your life Saturday and Sunday. And David Berry and Josh Holinaty will be selling chapter 1 of their serialized graphic novel too.
Don’t forget to get your pre-craft fair party on.
Oh, and if that’s not enough to keep you from handing over your Christmas present money to giant corporations (who are welcome to advertise here, a lot) there’s a fair trade fair as well.
If you’ve got some non-perishable foods just sitting around your house, how about dragging that stuff down to a Save-On Foods location Saturday and helping the ETS “Stuff-a-Bus,” for the Edmonton Food Bank. Money is good too.
You can always check out the Festival of Trees. That’s a good time.
The Hidden Cameras and Gentleman Reg are playing the Avenue Theatre, Friday.
There’s a “Save Alberta Hospital” concert Saturday, at the Edmonton Events Centre.
It’s Band of the Month time at the Pawn Shop. Thanks, Sonic!
And The Artery has a couple of cool shows. There’s blues tonight with Bombchan’s CD release and Kinnie Starr Saturday.
Bombchan is also playing the 2nd anniversary party of The Empress Ale House next Tuesday.
Plus, New City has You say party! We say die!, with Christian Hansen & The Autistics and Little Girls.
And ZZ Top is playing the Jube Saturday night to top off a weekend of great music.
Christmas is a time for fashion
“Hi ladies,”
I love that the update e-mail I get from the lovelies at The Fashion Event opens with “Hi Ladies,” as if no guy wants to know about sweet fashion deals.
Umm.
Christmas is coming and it would at least behoove us to know what our women want (without the help of Mel Gibson).
Yes, The Fashion Event is back, and for one whole month this time.
Things opened up today at 14238-85 Avenue (south of the 87 Avenue traffic circle, across from Laurier Heights School). Things will remain fashiony until December 24.
This is when you can get your fashion on:
Monday: 10-6
Tuesday: 10-6
Wenesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-9
Friday: 10-6
Saturday: 10-5
Sunday: Take a break from shopping already.
The key to the event (outside of neat clothes you might not find anywhere else) is that you can register what you want for Christmas. Then, people like me will know what people like you* want to wear, and I can head down and buy it for you.
* “you” being people like my wife
Kevin Smith @ Myer Horowitz (links NSFW)
A focus on local content is all well and good, but what I really dig is when one of my favorite non-local things surfaces in Edmonton so I can justify telling everybody about it.
Film director Kevin Smith did a Q & A at the Myer Horowitz last night (which ruled because I got to both laugh at Kevin Smith AND earn extra foursquare points for my first visit to the theatre, BOOYAH). And while I love Kevin Smith’s movies, I love the man himself even more.
I’m going to spare you a review, because there’s never much to say about a Kevin Smith Q & A except that there are usually a few good questions, a few dumb questions, and a few questions from emotionally needy people wanting attention that make the audience so uncomfortable they shift in their seats.
But for the record, can I ask you guys wtf is up with the lone staircase out of the Myer Horowitz? I went with my brother Paul, and it took us like 11 minutes to exit the building. Is that normal? Is that place a Great White scene waiting to happen?
But I digress. Kevin Smith’s arrival in Edmonton (and his now famous Oilers Contest) DOES give me the excuse to tell you guys about SModcast, or what Kevin referred to last night as his career’s “greatest work.”
It’s an ongoing series of podcasts he does with producer and friend Scott Mosier, that are available on the Quick Stop Entertainment website or on iTunes. They’re fantastic, and funny, and typically incredibly offensive, and even document the beginning of Kevin Smith’s love affair with the story of Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers.
Busy, busy, busy
Let’s all peel our eyes from the clock for a just a few minutes. 5pm will be here soon enough.
This is going to be one busy weekend, Edmonton.
There is, of course, the opening of the all new Kingsway Mall. Sunday at that mall and others heralds the arrival of Santa.
Speaking of holiday cheer, the City of Edmonton will light up its giant Christmas tree at Churchill square Saturday.
There are a couple of new venues opening so you can get your drink-on. There’s a new club, called Plush, opening in the old piano bar on south Calgary Trail. Hmm, that’s on the way to South Edmonton Common where another new bar is opening.
If you’re looking for music, this is a good weekend for it. The Arkells are playing here Saturday night, while Dinosaur Jr. does the Starlite thing tonight, and, also Saturday, there’s a one-day music festival happening.
Wyrd Fest is coming to you from the weird mind of Aaron Levin, a former CJSR music director. Wyrd Fest will see 18 bands (a lot of them local) play on two stages at the Cosmopolitan Music Society, 8624 Gateway Boulevard. Levin says the idea is inspired by other indie music festival, like Calgary’s Sled Island or Pop Montreal.
You’ll want to hit up Blackbird Myoozik on Whyte Avenue for tickets.
If that’s not your speed, maybe watching ladies on wheels smack each other around is your thing. The E-Ville Roller Derby girls will be taking on Vancouver’s Terminal City Roller Girls at the Kingsway Hangar, 11410 Kingsway Avenue. It’s also E-Ville’s 3rd birthday!
The Canadian Finals Rodeo are on. That means Rexall smells like poop.
Let’s contrast that with Exposure: Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.
And, while it’s not happening in Edmonton, the Prairie Football Conference champs are looking for a national title. Yes, the Edmonton Wildcats are looking to make us all even prouder, Saturday.
The ‘cats finished the season with a record of 6-2, beat the Calgary Colts and Saskatoon Hilltops for the Prairie title, then beat the Ottawa Sooners to move onto the Canadian Junior Football League championship.
The Wildcats put on offensive clinics throughout the season, and will probably find themselves in a shootout against the Vancouver Island Raiders.
The Raiders outscored their opponents 5-1 this year so they’ve got the weapons to go up against the ‘cats.
Edmonton is not only looking for a 4th national title, they’re looking for a little revenge. The Raiders beat the Wildcats for the Canadian championship back in 2006.
Whew. That’ll do.
Goodbye Garden
We first started to feel like people knew we existed when we went on and on about a little-known mall opening back in August. We were just hoping Aug 5 wasn’t going to go unnoticed. Thankfully the good people of Edmonton had some awareness of the event that forever changed our city.
(We also gained a Mall Opening Bureau Chief that day.)
We’re back on the mall bandwagon (although this time it is actually a little under the radar) with Kingsway’s big reveal.
First, it’s no longer called Kingsway Garden Mall, just Kingsway Mall.
I’ll let that sink in. This is big stuff.
More natural light! (Image: Kingsway Mall)
The mall itself is big stuff. The addition and beautification ramps it up to 190 shops and services in 960,000 square feet of commercial goodness. They say it makes them second only to West Edmonton Mall in size. I’m not breaking out the measuring tape to challenge.
I guess the interesting stuff in the $70-million revamp is the fancier mall stores like H&M and Aritzia opening. Ooh, they also added some washrooms, which is always a good idea.
While the “garden” is gone, the mall’s a little greener with more natural lighting, higher-efficiency light bulbs, low-flow toilets and more recycling.
There may not be pretty ladies in tiny hats at Kingsway but they do have some events planned for this weekend:
- The first 500 people through the door today were to receive a gift bag from Bath & Body Works (also a new store)
- 7pm Friday is the Luminescence Fashion Show (following that, local designers show off their commissioned wears)
- Saturday has more fashion at 2pm and 8pm
- Saturday night, at 7pm, there’s supposed to be a huge light show, featuring 100,000 LED lights blinking to seasonal songs
- Sunday, just like at other malls, Santa (or, one of his helpers) shows up to ask kids what they want for Christmas
‘Tis the season to shop.
You must remember this
This will just be a short and simple post to remind you that Wednesday is Remembrance Day.
I’ll be one of the few, the proud, the working like it’s a regular day.
It’s not just a day to sleep in anymore. Pay your respects to Canada’s war and peacekeeping dead all over the place:
- The Butterdome usually has the largest of all Edmonton ceremonies. It begins at 10:30am, but you’ll want to get there before that.
- City Hall has a ceremony at 10am.
- The Alberta Aviation Museum on Kingsway has a parade beginning at 10am.
- There’s an event at Shaw Conference Centre Cenotaph, 99th Street and Jasper Avenue, 11 a.m.
- The Beverly Cenotaph is usually a good spot too, 118 Avenue and 40 Street, just before 11am.
- Norwood Legion, 11150 82 Street, 11 a.m.
- Jasper Place Legion is doing their ceremony inside West Edmonton Mall at the Ice Palace, 10 a.m.
- Kingsway Legion, 10425 Kingsway, 10:15 a.m.
- Calder Seniors Centre, 12963 120 Street, 11 a.m.
- And the Edmonton International Airport is going to have a temporary cenotaph in Central Hall of the departures level, 11 a.m.
What a busy weekend you have
There will be martinis.
Ah, the weekend. Our brief taste of freedom each week. Let’s enjoy it, Edmonton.
How about you get your thoughts provoked over at the Global Visions Film Festival? I believe it’s Canada’s longest-running documentary film festival.
The first Saturday of the month means time for the Handmade Mafia to provide you with awesome goods.
The Yardbird Jazz Festival kicks off tonight. Sweet.
Over at the TransAlta Arts Barns, the Night of Artists takes over for the weekend.
The Barns close out the weekend with a Yogathon for Charity.
Perhaps you’re feeling a bit peckish. Well, you can head over to the Shaw Conference Centre for the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival.
The Likwid Lounge is hosting a veritable smorgasbord of aweseome Saturday, with a fundraiser show for a new independent record label. The lineup includes The Joe, A.O.K., Zebra Pulse and Audio/Rocketry.
As mentioned in the headlines this morning, Farmfair International IS ON.
The Alberta Ballet kicks off its Edmonton season with Romeo and Juliet.
The Edmonton Classical Guitar Society has “Between Two Continents on Eight Guitars,” or G8.
Maybe you’d like to see what Grant MacEwan University has to offer. There’s an app for that.
You can always see what Edmonton’s ChangeCampers are doing to change things around here.
If you’re a fabulous lady 50 or older there’s the “Fabulous at 50 Experience and Martini Party” (as noted in the sign above).
Perhaps you want to get rocked gently, by Andy Kim at the Century Casino?
With Remembrance Day coming up the Cosmopolitan Music Society presents “Lest We Forget: A Musical Tribute” at the Winspear Centre.
Finally, Said the Whale plays Brixx tonight.
And while it’s not exactly a weekend event, in the new week you’ll be able to listen to/download the new podcast from The Unknown Studio, with guests me and Sally. I shower the Unknown Studio boys with love until they blindside us with their 60 Minutes-style questioning.
What did you guys do for Halloween?
AHHHHHHH. Welcome to the post-Halloween but pre-Christmas time of year, where stores want to go balls out with their Santa paraphernalia, but tend to reign it in until the 12th, mostly out of respect for Remembrance Day.
Anyway, if there are two things that can be counting on at this time of year they are 1) the annual fistfight between Jeff and I over when I get to put up the Christmas tree (I always lobby for November 1, he wants to wait until mid-December), and 2) the surfacing of endless hilarious photos, videos and stories of clever-clever Halloween costumes, parties and general debauchery.
So what did you guys do? We went to see Metric at the Jube (hence the video above). It was pretty sweet. I didn’t get dressed up, or wasted, or dry hump pumpkins, or any of the things traditionally associated with a very Happy Halloween, so let’s hear your tales of debauchery so I can live through you vicariously, mmkay?
I will also accept hearing about the best costume you saw. My favorite was slutty Mario & Luigi, though this was also a big year for people in banana costumes, which never stops being funny.
Candy-fuelled events
Always trick or treat in groups.
It turns out there’s a lot more to do this weekend than asking strangers for candy. But I also endorse you dressing like a weirdo and asking random people for candy. I think you should go right up to their door and demand it.
Or do one of these things instead.
Outside of trick or treating there is a lot of Hallowe’en themed stuff going on in Edmonton.
There are also loads of concerts, with Metric, Puddle of Mudd, Marianas Trench, Dan Mangan, and Paper Lions all playing in the next few days.
On the topic of music, Homefest is this Sunday at the TransAlta Arts Barns. That’s a concert fundraiser for homelessness initiatives.
If you like covers, and who doesn’t, then you’ve got some options Saturday. The Pawn Shop has “Tribute Central” with bands and artists playing lots of favouites. The Starlite Room has a similar event, but with Hallowe’en dress-up.
New City has plenty, and I mean plenty, of Hallowe’en antics. Tonight there’s a big rock show with The Get Down, Let’s Dance, The Mitts, No Problem and Geister…while in other parts of New City you’ll find Capital City Burlesque at the I Love 80s danceparty. Tomorrow night there’s The Creepshow. That’s a lot of rock and a lot of ‘ween.
Over at the Varscona Theatre they’ve got a pair of Hallowe’en themed comedy events with Rapid Fire Theatre Friday and Oh Susanna! on All Hallows Eve.
