What to do, what to do…
After what felt like an exceptionally busy weekend, seven days ago, this weekend appears a little tamer.
There's going to be so much art here.
But there’s still plenty of good stuff around. And don’t you even think this signals a slowdown. The Capital Ex, Indy, Heritage Days, Taste of Edmonton, Fringe run is going to test your festival abilities.
As Sally brought to our attention earlier today, ArtWalk takes over Whyte Avenue this weekend. And a little rain isn’t going to stop the art.
Rain also hasn’t stopped the Street Performers Festival, wrapping up this weekend.
Angela reminded us that FAVA is partying today.
In music…Lily Fawn and her Lullaby band are at at The ARTery.
SOS Fest participants Wool on Wolves are playing Brixx, Saturday night. Jazz is at Wunderbar. It’ll be like you didn’t even miss them last weekend.
Blue Oyster Cult‘s at the Century Casino, Saturday night. Peter Frampton is tenting it up at River Cree.
The Pawn Shop is holding an undiscovered singing competition. Don’t forget about the Party Tent. (How could you though?) And Edmonton has a new blues bar. Rusty Reed’s opens with Big Dave McLean.
Gregg will probably be seeing Inception this weekend. It’s one of this month’s more anticipated films.
In sports…the Capitals play ball. (That means fireworks Friday night.)
Artists tell rain to suck it; we’re not going anywhere
Now, I don’t want to be the one to SAY IT, because if I’m wrong I’ll get blamed – but it seems like the rain is finally starting to ease off. This is good news for lots of people, particularly Edmonton artisans who are lining the sidewalks down on Whyte Avenue for this weekend’s ArtWalk.
I must confess, I didn’t know you creative folks were so hearty. As I wandered around in the rain like a drowned rat, I was surprised/impressed to see how hardcore the people selling their wares were. Two ladies I met were stoically battling the elements, and were still in surprisingly good spirits.
This is Mandy Hauer and this is her first ArtWalk (are you kidding, Mother Nature? C’MON!). She specializes in oil paintings, particularly scenes of Africa - she says she was really inspired by a recent trip there.
You don’t see her artwork in this picture, because what are you crazy?! It was like the rainpocalypse out there! But she graciously uncovered some of the pieces she had for sale and they were really remarkable; you can see her portfolio online here, be her facebook fan, or find her sitting (hopefully in the sun by the time you get there) on the North side of Whyte, in front of MODEcor.
Mandy’s neighbour just to the East is Karen Loranger of Loranger Originals - who is also enjoying her first ArtWalk, despite the terrible weather.
Karen is a dental hygienist who describes painting as her passion. She paints mostly from her own photos, and many of her works are portraits and landscapes. She was prepared for both the elements (she has set up a sweet and surprisingly effective makeshift plastic tent around her work, which she graciously let me hang out in) and the ArtWalk.
“I brought like 35 paintings,” she laughed.
She also brought a very cool set of business cards featuring her work on the back – be sure to ask her for one if you stop by. And if you like the work you see here – in my stunning cellphone photograph – you can talk to Karen about her work via email.
See, Edmonton? I know the weather sucks, but Mandy and Karen are still out there having a good time – and we should too! Now I’m putting on my umbrella hat, garbage bag poncho and my duckies. I’ll see you guys out there.
