Are you man enough to Walk a Mile?
By Kristi Coleman, Fund Development & Communications Assistant, YWCA Edmonton
Violence against women is something we’e all heard about, but it’s usually regarded as a “Women’s issue.” The struggle to end violence against women and protect and support its victims has typically been a movement headed, and made up of, dedicated women. For the average guy, it can be hard to know how to get involved in this struggle, or even if you’re welcome at all. But men have a crucial role to play in the fight against gender violence. (more…)
August 30 Edmonton Headlines
I stumbled upon this dance floor at Churchill Square last night. Downtown is not dead!
Good morning Edmonton. I’ve got to say, I’m totally into this summer weather we’ve been having lately. It feels so good.
You know, you’d think people creating ads would take some time to think about what they were doing. But, I guess, some businesses still have to learn about social media the hard way. And by “hard way” I mean doing something that’s not all that thought out and being lambasted by people far and wide.
Hey, advertising doesn’t always work. Sometimes things get lost in translation or execution; that’s totally fair. And if something falls flat, or offends, you can apologize and explain that it wasn’t your intention. Then everyone can move on.
But then, you get businesses like Fluid Salon, which doesn’t really apologize, blames the rest of us for not “getting” their “art” and not doing enough to end domestic violence (again, you and me, not them) and you can’t help but wonder what is going on…
Also, I don’t think I saw the “media” talking about boycotting your salon so much as regular people.
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Sidenote: This is a good example of news and objectivity. Newsrooms are covering the story, but their headlines offer items like “a campaign for a local hair salon is raising eyebrows” and “ad being called ‘disgusting.’” That leaves a lot of room to say glorifying domestic violence might not offend everyone, or shouldn’t. By way of clarifying that point I offer a fake headline of ”Certain neighbours don’t like new condo plan” which is a totally acceptable place for objectivity because it’s going to be a subjective decision-making process.
If newsrooms, and the humans working in them, expressed that this was unacceptable (which I think they’re doing by non-objectively choosing to cover the story) they’d be saying to the audience that they are a part of the community and want the best for Edmonton. That’s not to say you can’t get the salon owner’s take on the ads and issue.
A couple of journalists did express actual human emotions about the ads on Twitter (and in opiniony places like blogs), but we need to see that become part of news coverage. Your audience knows you’re humans, knows you have reactions and emotions, and it’s ok to show that. It might even make stories better. Leaving room for people who might welcome domestic violence in ads, or who don’t think the moon landing happened, doesn’t make you fair and balanced, it lets down your audience.
Balancing that journalism criticism, is this story from Fish Griwkowsky in the Journal. He’s writing about local filmmaker Trevor Anderson and it says at the end of the story that the two know each other and work together. That doesn’t make the story about Anderson’s new movie any less interesting. More of this please!
I promise to keep the journalism discussions at a minimum in the rest of today’s Headlines. (more…)
EPL Squared
This post is a combination of “downtown is where it’s at” and “Edmonton’s library is cool.”
Tomorrow – Friday, August 26 – the Edmonton Public Library is flipping all of its best parts inside out and taking the Stanley A. Milner branch across the street, and outside, to Churchill Square. It’s an event called EPL Squared.
There will be a book sale (with the profits going to help fire-ravaged Slave Lake’s library), a human library (where you borrow a person instead of a book), lots of games, stories, music, an e-reader kiosk, and Marty Chan’s Secrets of the Square.
Make the jump to find out what that’s about. (more…)
Shut Your Mouth, It’s Art Crawl
While Whyte Avenue’s Art Walk has nothing to do with the TV comedy Bob’s Burgers, they do have streets of art in common.
Yes, today through Sunday you can find artist after artist all around Whyte Avenue and Old Strathcona. More than 200 artists will be selling their paintings, drawings, photos, sketches, and anything else they can fit onto the sidewalk. It’s always a busy weekend, and remember to bring cash.
It’s a Handmade Mafia weekend, so get yourself over to the Strathcona Baptist Church for plenty o’ fun. (It ties into the Art Walk too.)
If you’re into rabbits you’re going to want to check out the Year of the Rabbit and Hare Band Cabaret at the Catalyst Theatre. Even if you’re not a fan of rabbits, the stone and canvas art from Jason Carter and a play by Bridget Ryan may be just the ticket.
In other festival news…
The Freewill Shakespeare Festival continues in Hawrelak Park, with Othello and Twelfth Night. The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival is in Churchill Square, with some late night madness this weekend to close things out. The Edmonton and Northern Alberta Historical Festival wraps up this weekend too. That seems so timely with all the history and heritage in the news this week.
Race Week Edmonton officially begins on Monday, but the annual Soap Box Derby is Sunday on Victoria Park Hill. Also in racing this weekend, the Sourdough River Festival (and raft race), in Terwillegar Park.
In live music…
The Grapes of Wrath play two shows at the Haven Social Club tonight…Samantha Schultz will wow you with her guitar skills at the Blue Chair Cafe tomorrow evening…Ghost Cousin releases a new album Saturday night at Wunderbar…and our old pals Boy and Gurl come up from Calgary for a show at On The Rocks Sunday…
On Sunday, a new Fork Fest begins. Get your eat on!
The Eskimos, FC Edmonton, and Capitals are all home for games this weekend.
It’s Sunny…go, go, go!
Yes, that blue stuff is called sky. It’s been a week or so since we saw it and it’s glorious.
Nobody will be happier to see thesun return than those who have been out in the rain (and mosquitoes) at the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. It’s been going all week at Churchill Square, rain or shine. Now is the time for those of us fairweather festival goers to head on down and catch musicians, face painters, actors, magicians, human knots, comedians, jugglers and acrobats.
The Street Performers Festival runs through Sunday. And Friday and Saturday nights have special “late night madness” shows at the Stanley A. Milner Library.
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You know, speaking of sunny skies and things to do, it is Thursday. And Thursdays in the summer mean Latitude 53′s Summer Rooftop Patio Series. Tonight is a partnership with M.A.D.E and food from Elm Cafe. Thursday night hasn’t had it so good.
The Jazz Works: Perfect Time(s) to Explore
Two of Edmonton’s larger, and more familiar, arts festivals are on right now.
The Works has takeover Churchill Square with art, music, and right-brain thinking (which is the creative, more intuitive side of the brain).
You’ll also find plenty of art installations and showcases throughout the downtown, everywhere from building lobbies, to hotels and restaurants.
The Works is Edmonton’s annual summer arts festival. It’s a great way to explore some art, maybe dipping your toe into things before you make the leap to galleries. (Latitude 53 also has the Visualeyez festival in September which is more experimental, edgy, and performance art.)
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The Edmonton International Jazz Festival is Edmonton’s yearly celebration of jazz. Obviously.
Every summer, jazz musicians from around the world will come and play the Yardbird Suite (Edmonton’s historic jazz club), the Winspear Centre, bars, clubs, and parks. You’d be hard-pressed to make it through the end of June without bumping into some jazz.
Like The Works being an easy way to explore art, the Jazz Festival is a simple way to listen to music you may not normally jump at. Festival passes, and show tickets, aren’t all that expensive and a festival provides a more relaxed atmosphere where newbies can mix with the longtime afficionados.
Food-Filled Events
It's gonna be like this, times 100.
Today you can eat some BBQ and chat with local producers and farmers at Wild Earth Foods’ Open Air Market, 2-8pm. You can also get some street food at What the Truck?!, 4-8pm. I hope to see you at one, or both, of these.
I am going to eat so much today…
Sticking with food…Saturday is market day! There’s the City Market (downtown), Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market (Whyte Avenue area), and St. Albert Farmers’ Market. On Sunday it’s the Callingwood Farmers’ Market (southwest Edmonton).
More food!!
To the festivals! Opera Nuova’s Vocal Arts Festival wraps up this weekend. Alberta Dance Alliance’s feats Festival of Dance has begun! The Works is on, in Churchill Square and around downtown Edmonton. The Edmonton International Jazz Festival is also on now. Improvaganza is still making with the funny. June isn’t done yet, so Bike Month continues too.
Holy cow we have a lot of festivals!
Fans of the TV show Firefly (and the movie Serenity, I presume) are fundraising at Can’t Stop the Serenity.
Perhaps a movie is in order this weekend? I hear there are plenty of great sci-fi options.
For the family…the John Janzen Nature Centre is open again. I guess this could also be for nature-lovers. Saturday, you can head on down to Rundle Park for Paddlefest.
It’s a great music weekend in Edmonton. The Works is packing Churchill Square with fantastic acts like Doug Hoyer, The Fight, and The Joe. The Edmonton Jazz Festival is, of course, all about music, from homegrown talent like Krystle Dos Santos to International artists like Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews). The Apresnos are at Haven Social Club tonight…
(Totally forgot to try and embed an Apresnos song, so check them out completely here.)
Saturday’s Hair of the Dog (at The Black Dog) features Jessica Jalbert. Get on board with Jessica Jalbert now, Edmonton. Edmonton music blogger New Music Michael is having a birthday party with with One Way State, kickupafuss, and Honheehonhee, at New City.
Sunday, The Sadies and The Sheepdogs play the Pawn Shop.
It’s a good sports weekend in Edmonton too. The Edmonton Eskimos are home to the Calgary Stampeders in pre-season action. FC Edmonton hosts the Montreal Impact. The Edmonton Capitals are home to the Yuma Scoropians. And the Edmonton Energy have the Albany Legends in town. That’s a lot of guys giving 110% and leaving it all out on the floor/field/diamond.
Lunch Gets the Square
Photo: Paul Poulsen
(I already apologize for my weak Hollywood Squares attempt in the headline.)
We’re coming up on lunchtime here in Edmonton, so I think it’s the perfect time to mention that Churchill Square will be “Live at Lunch” this week. (Which will be lots of fun when it’s sunny.)
Today, there are supposed to be puppets and plays (for the kids).
Wednesday you can learn about sustainable food options and solar power, while listening to Canadian Idol finalist (and Edmontonian) Martin Kerr.
Thursday is when it gets crazy, with Zumba, storytime for grown-ups, stand-up paddleboarding in the City Hall fountain, and chess. Friday will be mix of activities for all ages, with more puppets, Snakes’n'Ladders in the Square.
There’s also wifi in Churchill Square, and should be food trucks (plus Three Bananas has great pizzas and coffee). Get out there and enjoy your public square, Edmonton!
A Smashing Weekend
This weekend in Edmonton will be punctuated by a federal election and Earth Hour.
While you may start seeing election signs popping up, if the Conservative minority is brought down by the opposition parties, you will get at least a one-hour reprieve from attack ads during Saturday’s Earth Hour. The City of Edmonton will get into the darkness of things with a power-saving party at Churchill Square.
It’s a big roller derby Saturday in Edmonton (fitting, since the federal election could get ugly). You’ve got the E-Ville Roller Derby in Xanaduel and the Oil City Derby Girls All Stars taking on All Stars from Saskatoon. E-Ville plays at the Hangar on Kingsway and Oil City is at the Grindhouse.
The big Edmonton music event this weekend is the 2011 Edmonton Music Awards, at Haven Social Club. It’s a two night affair, Sunday and Monday, with plenty of live performances from plenty of local musicians and bands.
Also in music…Tonight, Sonic Band of the Month, The Red Threat, is playing at the Pawn Shop…You can also saunter over to Metro Cinema for “Edmonton Tonight,” a live talk show of sorts…Tonight and tomorrow, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (fresh off announcing their 60th season performances) and messzo-soprano Anita Krause, and Da Camera Singers, present Durufle’s Requiem…Tomorrow, why not head over to Wunderbar for B.A. Johnson (and The Moby Dicks and The Mitts) at Wunderbar? Why not indeed.
Western Canada Fashion Week continues over on Whyte Fashion Avenue.
Maybe you want to check out a movie. Good idea. (I hear Hobo with a Shotgun comes out this weekend…)
The Edmonton Rush and Edmonton Oilers are both at Rexall Place this weekend.
Family Day Weekend
We’ll kick things off for this holiday weekend with a look at some live music in Edmonton.
Tonight the Uptown Folk Club kicks off Winterfest 2011, which means a busy weekend for folkies…There’s the Rogers Media Battle of the Bands at NAIT. I fear N.N. may destroy The Nest with rock…The Joe (THE JOE!) is holding an all-ages show for his newest release, Float or Flail. He’s gonna have a lot of performing friends along for the evening (Speaking of all-ages, the Jubilee is hosting Art Music Play tonight.)…Cygnets is at the new New City…KeysNKrates at the Pawn Shop…The Haven Social Club is hosting another Friday The Sound of Edmonton…
When’s the last time you put on your skinny jeans and hung out at the Hydeaway? This Saturday Xplosionation is there, releasing their new EP, and they’ve been kind enough to give us a track for your listening pleasure. Says bassist Nathan Woodward: “This EP is the culmination of 4 years of jamming and writing from three guys who love to have fun and rock out. It is our second release, but our first set of professional, sellable music.” Doors at 7, tickets 8$, EP can be purchased on iTunes. Also, there’s even more Xplosionation over at @mikeatqazam‘s excellent blog, New-Music-Michael.com .
We are Xplosionation – Xplosionation
If that’s not enough for your Saturday, The James T Kirks and Manraygun should blow it up real good. Boogie Patrol’s at Blues on Whyte too.
Heart and Melissa Etheridge are also in Edmonton this weekend.
Rexall Place will be bouncing with sportiness, as the Oil Kings, Oilers, and Rush all play at home. In other sports, the Oil City Derby Girls are hosing a rookie smackdown of Alberta proportions.
WinterLight don’t stop until, well, until spring is just about here. This weekend you get a double-dose with the Silver Skate Festival in Hawrelak Park and Family Day fun in Churchill Square. You can also Skate, Rattle & Roll Saturday at City Hall. To coincide with the holiday weekend and the NHL’s Heritage Classic, between Calgary and Montreal, the Glenora Community League’s got Family Fun Day and outdoor hockey at 10426-136 Street, 2-7pm.
Until the 26th Fringe Theatre Adventures and Edmonton Opera present The Barber of Barrhead. It’s the Barber of Seville in Barrhead, Alberta.
I totally forget to mention this (but am now including it by way of some Internet magic), but the Edmonton Symphony is getting all Bugs Bunny with great music from Warner Brothers and Hanna Barbera that subtly made us all listen to the classics.
And, my favourite, the World’s Hottest Commercials are back at the Empire City Centre Monday-Thursday, with a couple of lunchtime 45-minute runs for the downtown work crowd. It’s also a fundraiser for the Edmonton International Film Festival.
Oh, and watch out for LRT disruptions. Why they schedule this stuff for long weekends is beyond me. Except when you consider my conspiracy theory that the Edmonton Transit Service is actually run by the city’s top car dealers.
Hug an Artist
The Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton (PACE) is holding a flash mob in Churchill Square at lunch today. (Though, is it a flash mob if everyone knows about it? Points to ponder…)
The event is about showing some love for Alberta artists. Oh, and it’s a protest to kick off a campaign to ask for more arts funding from the provincial government. The campaign is going to be called “I Love Alberta Art.”
So, if you want to check out a flash mob you should be at Churchill Square at 12:30.
Update: I hit up Wikipedia and, no, this isn’t technically a flash mob. I’m such a nerd.
New Year’s Eve events, parties, and jager bombs
If you can’t find something to do on Friday night (this Friday specifically, not just any old Friday) I don’t think you’re trying. New Year’s Eve is pretty much the party night of the year. Try not to throw up on anybody, and don’t drink and drive.
The City of Edmonton’s big show is at Churchill Square (and at City Hall, CBC Centre Stage, and the Stanley A. Milner Library).
It’s also family friendly at McDougall Church. And Haddow Park. The Haddow party even has fireworks.
And, if you’re looking for live music this is probably the biggest night of the year. Check out YEGLive.ca for a giant list of all the shows happening.
Some of them: The ARTery’s party, Raygun Cowboys, The Get Down and Fire Next Time, Stan the Man is part of the Tailgate Party at Sherlock Holmes (downtown), Dreamface, Mass Choir, and Sister Gray are at Pawn Shop, Deadmau5 is at the Shaw Conference Centre, jazz, latin, blues and rock (with buffet), Honeymoon Suite, and there’s The Party Martyrs are with Zero Cool and the Kroovy Rockers at Dv8.
Wunderbar’s not jacking up the prices, and they have Sherry-Lee Wisor. That’s a great New Year’s Eve. (She rocked our socks back at SOS Fest.)
SEE also has a list of places to party.
Casino Edmonton’s got The Rum Bros. Vegas Cabaret.
Actually, all of the casinos seems to be doing a little something.
Jekyll & Hyde’s celebrations benefit Santas Anonymous.
The Comic Strip’s got a buffet package with its comedy. You can get medieval at the Muttart.
And there will be approximately 3,218 house parties. I may be rounding up.
Don’t forget there will be free transit (FREE!) tonight. It even runs until 3:30am.
Happy New Year!
Feel free to drop New Year’s Eve events and ideas into the comments for people like me who still don’t know what they’ll do.
That’s a lot of Christmas
Since it’s the last weekend before Christmas you know there’s a crap-load of holiday cheer over the next few days. Let’s get all those Christmasy things listed first. I bet, even with the extensive list that’s to follow, there are going to be 27+ things I miss.
You can always head up to Candy Cane Lane to take in the lights and displays of Edmonton’s own Christmas street. The ETS also does Christmas light tours if you don’t want to drive. We also got a hot tip on a house at 136 Street and 106 Avenue with a classy lights set-up.
The Alberta Legislature is all lit up for the holidays, and has plenty of music, hot chocolate and Christmas goodness through next week.
Now…there’s also a singing Christmas tree…Candlelight Christmas with the McDades…a winter market at Churchill Square…the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (who just happens to be collecting for the Edmonton Food Bank during the season) has Christmas Pops and A Family Christmas Concert this weekend…
Speaking of the food bank, you can drop off donations (food or money) at a tweetup tonight, at Original Joe’s Varsity Row. That would be the perfect chance to send us a photo of your goodwill.
You can also save a couple of dollars at Hip-Hop for Hunger if you bring a non-perishable food item to the show. Since we’re talking about donations at music shows it probably fits to mention The Bissell Centre’s charity event at On the Rocks.
Mostly Water Theatre is back with their Christmas comedy showstravangaza, at the Roxy. That runs tonight and tomorrow night.
In music…The Provincial Archive are the latest to play Teddy’s. Freakin’ Teddy’s. Hot Panda is at the Pawn Shop…Carrie Underwood is at Rexall…Warning to Avoid plays the Haven Social Club…and there’s an Annual Holiday Party with The McGowan Family Band, which you might say should have been back with those Christmas events, but I’m including here because it’s at the Hilltop Pub and the Dawson Bridge is about to re-open…and I’m adding one more, since I popped into Wunderbar and was told about the show…Saturday night, Freshman Years, Micelli, Brash Tax and Jay Myatt…bang.
And the Oil Kings are home tonight.
Oh, and watch for LRT delays.
Mostly Christmas Stuff
Another week has wrapped and it’s time enjoy a few days off. Likely that is the scenario for you. So, here’s some stuff that I know about that’s going on.
This is happening too.
That snow and cold may be putting you off the idea of even leaving the comfort of your home. You can also avoid the outdoors at the movies.
With Christmas approaching, gifts can be a priority. So, why not hit up the Butterdome Craft Sale or the Handmade Mafia? Or both.
If you’re in that gift-giving frame of mind, remember to send us photos of you donating to a charity.
This will be the last Christmas you can shop at Nokomis. So, enjoy it while it’s still here to spread clothing love.
On Christmas…Candlelight Christmas a the John Walter Museum…Candy Cane Lane opens…The Salvation Army’s Festival of Carols is over at the Winspear – the ESO is also collecting for the Edmonton Food Bank at all events right now…It’s Christmas music to the max in Edmonton: Check out YEG Live for all your options. (And there are a lot.)…A Christmas Carol continues at the Citadel…ETS is back with Christmas light tours.
The City Market is back at Churchill Square this Saturday. If you’re into slow food, or want to be, check out Slow Food Edmonton’s Terre Madre Day (and holiday brunch on Sunday).
The Fringe, yes that Fringe, is finishing up a family-friendly run of Jack and the Beanstalk.
And the Oilers and Oil Kings are both at home (not at the same time of course).
Hot to huddle with Earl
(Hmm…when you say it that way, it gets a little awkward. Earl is the Grey Cup mascot, by the way.)
If you haven’t heard, the Grey Cup is being played in Edmonton this weekend.
Churchill Square is “Huddle Town,” complete with a dome to keep you toasty.There’s a zip line you can ride into the square (it’s getting warmer, so this won’t freeze you), fun, games, merriment, etc…
That’s because it’s not just the Grey Cup. No! It’s the Grey Cup Festival. (Because everything in Edmonton must be a festival.) You’ll also find plenty of parties the next five days. Some are official “Hot to Huddle” events and some just being thrown for the big weekend.
Oh, and if you’ve got a ticket to the game, you can ride ETS for free on Sunday.
I should also say something about Saskatchewan counting to 12…but I’m sure it’s already all been said.
No, Sally, that dome is not for the homeless.
Election events
Alright, so the election itself isn’t until Monday, and you’ve got no excuse not to vote so I’m hammering on the election.
Advance polls are open at City Hall today and tomorrow. You can also vote at polling stations in your actual ward Saturday. Find out where.
To celebrate all of this democracy you can Rock the Vote, Sunday, at the Pawn Shop. Sunday night’s lineup of local talent should show that Edmonton’s younger voters can get energized.
The Taboo Sex Show…naughty but nice…is back at Northlands. If you’re going, stop by The Traveling Tickle Trunk booth and say “Hi” to that great crew.
LitFest is here! That’s Edmonton’s non-fiction festival.
Saturday is the second annual Timeraiser. That’s where you bid on auction items with your volunteer hours.
If you like beer, and your kidneys, you should check out Sha-Bam, which is an event of beer, arts, and The Kidney Foundation of Canada – Northern Alberta chapter.
Wunderbar’s got a couple of good shows this weekend. Tonight it’s Warning to Avoid and The Mystery Ponies. Tomorrow night it’s The Party Martyrs. All good times.
If you’re in the mood for something bluesier, try Bombchan at The Common. That’s not to be confused with The Edmonton Commons. The Journal really hates it when you try to play shows in their lobby.
October is the scariest of months…as detailed in Gregg’s latest movie previews…But it also means Scarecrow Festivals, Howl-O-Wiener Roasts and the Boo at the Zoo. And it’s not even Hallowe’en weekend yet.
There’s also an Olde Time Fair at Churchill Square and Handmade Mafia at the Orange Hall.
And, since I really want to annoy you with talk of the election (Monday, October 18, vote, vote, vote) we’ll be doing a live show once the polls close.
So, at 8pm, curl up with your laptop, throw the Macbook on the bar for all to see, and let us entertain you for an hour or so, with one of Edmonton’s few live election night shows. More details to come…I’m just lazy…
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
I mentioned this event back on Friday, but it’s worth another note.
Tomorrow, about lunchtime, you’re going to see a bunch of guys walking around Churchill Square in heels.
Sexy? Yes.
Different? Yes.
Important? Yes.
The first go-round for the event, it’s a fundraiser for the YWCA and their Family Violence Prevention programs.
All the men walking in high heels have been raising money, with tomorrow’s event the culmination of the campaign.
And now you know why all those guys will be wearing women’s shoes.
Enjoy it
Last weekend I got rocked by Edmonton bands N.N. (pictured), The Mystery Ponies, and touchitandyouwillsayow. The first two are playing again this Sunday, at Brixx, with a couple of local rappers.
We hinted, in today’s symphony post, and movie previews, that summer is ending. So we might as well enjoy the unofficial end of summer with a long weekend full of good times.
It will be even better if the weather cooperates.
As mentioned, this weekend heralds new movies, and is the annual Symphony Under the Sky at Hawrelak Park.
There are more movies, on the square, with How to Train Your Dragon tonight and Toy Story 3 tomorrow night.
There’s more music festival, Saturday, with Sonic Boom back at Northlands.
Also at Northlands, all weekend, is the WPCA Dodge World Chuckwagon Championships.
One event I hadn’t heard of, before checking ShareEdmonton, is the Raas Garba Festival, which looks to be colourful, and features events with people from Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Vancouver. The festival is a celebration of the culture of people from the west Indian province of Gujurat.
Almost ABBA is at the Century Casino. Bobby Curtola is playing the Arden Theatre, in St. Alberta.
Alright, now back to young, hip kid stuff. (With some help from YEGLive.ca.)
Like Cam Penner, playing the Blue Chair Cafe tonight.
This weekend is also the Beaumont Blue Fest. That will see bands such as Jimmy and the Sleepers, Boogie Patrol, Gordie Johnson (from Big Sugar) and Amos Garrett bring down the party, rock things out, and and spill their souls, just southeast of Edmonton.
There’s even more great blues music all week at Blues on Whyte, with Winnipeg’s Big Dave McLean.
Bluebird North is showcasing songwriters this long weekend too.
You could always get lost.
Don’t forget:
The LRT will not be going beyond Churchill Station. That starts Friday night and continues through all of Monday.
You probably don’t have to work Monday.
The Fringiest Events
Of course it’s the Fringe!
The 29th annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival is all the arts pages will be talking about for the next week. There’s also lots of stuff happening around Old Strathcona that doesn’t take place in a theatre or on a stage. This is the big one, Edmonton.
Morgan had a good point, don’t just try to see the 5-star shows. Ask people what’s good, what’s interesting, what they think you might like. You can always poke around Twitter, and try #yegfringe, for just such questions and inquiries.
Hawrelak Park is busy again this weekend, with the Celtic Festival. BluesFest is next weekend (in Hawrelak Park)…so get warmed up at Rusty Reed’s with Dave Babcock and the Night Keepers
EastwoodFest is Saturday, in the Eastwood neighbourhood. (118 Avenue, 85-87 Streets.)
Churchill Square, which the City has been trying to fill with more events and happenings, in between festivals, has the Latin Festival this weekend. Cha-cha-cha.
There’s Tomoto Fare too. That’s about tomatoes.
West of the city, it’s the Stony Plain Cowboy Gathering Society get-together. You can expect cowboy art, culture, poetry, and music.
Lots of new movies are out this weekend, like Eat, Pray, Love and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Gregg’s got your lowdown.
In music…N.N. plays an EP release show at the Starlite Room tonight, with Van Gohost and I.E.D. Sunday night at the Starlite Room it’s Fran Healy from Travis.
Falklands are at Wunderbar Friday night.
The Black Dog has some Hair of the Dog Saturday afternoon.
Over at Lyve on Whyte, Friday is Soul Train (with Crowded City Skyline and Hot Hand Phenomenon), Saturday it’s Rocky Mountain Rebel Music (with Brash Tax and The Party Martyrs).
Eddie Shorts has The Frolics Friday and Gaye Delorme Saturday.
Cirque du Soleil is in Edmonton, with Alegria.
In sports…The Prairie Football Conference (PFC) kicks off this weekend. 
Edmonton’s got two teams in that league. The Edmonton Wildcats are coming off a season in which they were western champs, and fell in the Canadian junior football championship. The Edmonton Huskies stunk it up last year, winning no games, and are looking for redemption in 2010. Those games are Saturday and Sunday, at Clarke Park.
From ShareEdmonton: FC Edmonton is hosting the Spokane Spiders (that means we could see Edmonton on all the Spokane affiliates! I hope Ana Cabrera talks about Edmonton.)
Whew!
Long weekend = One more day of fun
It’s the Heritage Day long weekend, Edmonton, so get out there and soak in all that summer.
Over the next four days (counting Friday night) there’s a lot to do in Edmonton.
Capital Ex continues at Northlands. A Taste of Edmonton is still at Churchill Square. (Both run until Sunday.)
And, of course, Heritage Day means Hawrelak Park becomes the Heritage Festival. It’s the 35th go-round for Heritage Fest, with more than 60 countries and ethnicities represented. There will be culture and food, all three days of the weekend, in the park. Plan your adventures with the map.
The winless Eskimos play tonight. Meh.
Friday night is a really good music night. Juliette Lewis is playing the Starlite Room, Metric (and Hot Hot Heat) are at Capital Ex, Fred Eaglesmith is in Stony Plain at the Blueberry Bluegrass and Country Music Festival, and there’s that little thing called the Big Valley Jamboree over in Camrose.
On Sunday, The Old Wives are playing at Lyve on Whyte and Audio/Rocketry is at the PawnShop.
And Capital Ex has more music at the Telus Stage Saturday and Sunday. Plus, The Be Arthurs can be found at Centre Stage.
There are dinosaurs!!
ShareEdmonton had an event that really caught my eye. (What can I say, I have a soft spot for chess.) This weekend is the Edmonton Chess Festival. Checkmate.
I also keep forgetting to mention Saturday as a great farmers’ market day. You’ve got the year-round Old Strathcona version, or summer’s City Market Downtown.
It’s the end of the month, so you can check Gregg’s July movie preview and his new look at the August releases, if you’re hitting the movie theatre.
Don’t tire yourself out this weekend, since Folk Fest starts Wednesday night, and the Fringe is on the horizon.
And, because I’m going to mention it all of the time, the edmontonian and Unknown Studio will be celebrating their first birthday(s) Monday, August 23.
A Taste of Lunch
Yes, we finally made our way down to Churchill Square for the 
2010 version of A Taste of Edmonton.
Thanks to Mari and Ryan for recommendations.
The pupusa from El Rancho and dry spicy chicken from Lingnan were great.
Sally went for the pineapple sunset chicken from Blue Willow, and calabrese potatoes with aioli from Zuccharo Cappuccino Bar. Both of those were also good choices.
We got out of there just about noon, so it was getting really busy with the downtown working crowd making their way to the square for lunch.
Our lunch for two was about $20 (with drinks). Thanks, Taste of Edmonton!
(Hover your mouse over the photos to find out which food is which.)
Tasty
Fitting, that after talking about the Samsonowich, we’re going to choose A Taste of Edmonton for our event selection today.
I already feel full just talking about all of this food.
Yes, A Taste of Edmonton has 40 restaurants ready to serve a pair of their menu offerings. For $10-20 you’ll probably get a nice selection of items from a couple of your favourites, or some new winners.
If you’re not heading down during your work day (or perhaps, even if you are) they’ve also got a nice selection of beer and wine to try.
I haven’t been down this summer, yet, so let me know what I should be eating, and what I shouldn’t waste precious food tickets on.
Sally is likely just going to use all of her tickets on deep-fried Mars bars.
Set your phasers to Festival
(As always, this isn’t a definitive list of what’s going on in Edmonton. Just stuff I know about or want to check out. ShareEdmonton and YEGLive are way more definitive.)
This is where your mettle for festival season begins to be tested, Edmonton.
We’ve had great festivals this summer, like the Jazz Fest, SOS Fest, Doors Open Edmonton and the Street Performers Festival. But now, now, is when you need to hydrate and find sleep when you can.
Now is when Edmonton becomes an endless string of carnival rides, mini donuts, race cars, deep-fried food, arts, music, theatre and parties.
This weekend we’ve got the Honda Indy Edmonton. That’s three days of race action at the City Centre Airport. There will be spin-off parties, including the tent on Jasper and the Race Week Music Festival at the Sutton Place hotel. (Side note: Drake is playing the Edmonton Event Centre, Saturday, with an after-party at the tent.)
Capital Ex kicks off its ten day run today. The only way you’ll be slowed down here is if you eat that giant hamburger they’re calling The Monster.
The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is into its final days of Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing.
Churchill Square is full of food. That’s because Taste of Edmonton is back to fill your stomach with a selection of tasty treats from city restaurants.
You can draw at Draw. The annual arts event that includes, umm, drawing, DJs, food, dancing, and who knows what other kinds of fun. It’s at more than one location this year. Find yourself some space to express yourself visually at Latitude 53, Harcourt House, and SNAP. Things finish off at FAVA.
And that’s just the festivals.
We’ve got live music all over the place, including some Old Ugly action at Axis Cafe, featuring Kumon Plaza, Jessica Jalbert, and Jaded Hipster Choir. Wolf Parade is at the Starlite Room. A guy you’ve probably heard of, Neil Young, is at the Jubilee tonight.
You can refuse to believe the rumors, but SkeptiCamp Alberta is happening Saturday, at the U of A.
For the family, Sesame Street Live is at Rexall for shows throughout the weekend.
The Edmonton Prospects are home to Medicine Hat at John Fry Park.
Don’t forget you can seek air-conditioned refuge in a movie theatre.
Remember to pace yourself. Right after Capital Ex and Taste of Edmonton we’ve got the Heritage Festival, Folk Fest, the Fringe (and the edmontonian and Unknown Studio birthday party). It’s going to be September before we know it. (And once it is September we’ve got Symphony Under the Sky.)
p.s. If you’re by a computer Saturday night, at 9pm, why not come right back here and catch our attempt at a TV talk show: “Saturday with Samsonow.” It’ll be something. It might even be good.
Take it to the street (or Churchill Square)
It seems I keep trying to mention the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, and it keeps clouding over or raining.
So, screw it, I’m going to talk about this festival and the rain can shut-up. (In the case of weather, and summer storms, you can follow the festival’s Twitter account for updated changes and schedule alterations.)
This is the festival where the world’s best buskers take over Churchill Square and show off many more talents than I have.
There are musicians (I can’t sing), jugglers (I can do three items, but nothing on fire), hooping, comedy (I think I’m hilarious), circus stuff, dance (not this guy), clowns, kids performers, and more! Don’t forget to pay the performers after their show.
They’re also doing Late Night Madness, Friday and Saturday, at the Stanley A. Milner Library. (Pretty sure this is for a more mature audience.)
The festival runs through this weekend.
