Weekend Stuff
Weather aside, this looks to be a great weekend in Edmonton. Of course, a big part of that is made up by how much fun you have. So have some fun, would you.
Let’s start with some musical options.
Saturday is Record Store Day! You music lovers can snag some records (actual vinyl records) hear live bands, and more at shops around Edmonton. Let’s see if I can name them all…there’s Listen on 124 Street…Sound Connection, Permanent Records, and Blackbird Myoozik all on Whyte…Freecloud on 101 Street (by 107 Avenue)…and The Gramophone…did I miss any?
Then, on Sunday, it’s the Edmonton Music Collectors Show. So, you’ve got no shortage of vinyl this weekend.
Around bars, clubs, and venues… Tonight: You’ve got Carrie Day at the Fresh Start Cafe…Destroyer at the Starlite Room…The Sorels are releasing an album at The ARTery. The Sorels are good. Whitey Houston, The Vicious Cycles, and The Mitts are at the Pawn Shop…and DUZHEKNEW is at Wunderbar…
Saturday: You’ve got a great local show at Idylwylde Hall with Falklands, Ben Disaster & The Cosmonauts, The Group Sound, and The Dizzies…54-40 is at Festival Place…and Sound Factor is at bohemia, but I mostly included this for the photo…and Classified and Said the Whale will be at the Starlite Room. (Said the Whale was actually here for the Tokyo Police Club the next Monday.)
Sunday: Tommy Hunter’s farewell tour takes him to the Jubilee Auditorium.
Around the theatre scene… The Three Musketeers continues at the Citadel Theatre (MacLab theatre), while Rick: The Rick Hansen Story wraps its run this weekend (also at the Citadel’s Shoctor Theatre). Theatresports runs tonight, and every Friday night, at the Varscona Theatre.
National Volunteer Week ends in a great way here in Edmonton with a volunteer fair at West Edmonton Mall.
Saturday is the last home game of the year for the Edmonton Rush. There’s also double-header action with E-Ville Roller Derby down at the Edmonton Sports Dome.
While Edmonton’s official Earth Day celebrations are cancelled, the Beacon Heights Community League is picking up some of the slack with Living Green 101, a few small changes you can make to your lifestyle to green it up.
You can stick it to Mother Nature by heading over toe 124 Street for the Spring Gallery Walk.
Or hide from the snow and see a movie.
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.
Weekend
Let’s begin this look at the weekend with theatre, shall we?
Just a heads up, though, LRT service will be disrupted north of Churchill on Saturday and Sunday.
The Citadel Theatre’s got Hunchback on now. It’s a new imagining of the Victor Hugo novel, not the Disney movie, from the minds of Catalyst Theatre. Speaking of Catalyst…over at the actual theatre, until March 19, is “Shatter,” about the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion.
Also until March 19, MacEwan’s Theatre Arts and Theatre Production programs present “Company,” their final performance of the school year.
The Brian Webb Dance Company presents Toronto Dance Theatre’s Pteros Tactics this weekend.
The E-Ville Roller Derby and Northern Lights Theatre are teaming up for an exhibition match/fundraiser.
There are a few shows around town…Kieran’s Art Trading Post is at Bohemia tonight…tomorrow is the Edmonton’s coin show and sale…and It’s Mom, Pop & Tots Fair weekend.
It’s another great live music weekend in Edmonton…
The Edmonton Show IV goes at Avenue Theatre tonight. It’s got music, dance, arts, and more.
Also tonight…Mark Berbue is at the Pawn Shop, with Ayla Brook and Old Ugly’s Doug Hoyer. (Speaking of Old Ugly…Jessica Jalbert is at Wunderbar Saturday night)… The Accident Will releases a CD at DV8, with DeSousa Drive and Bad Acid…The ARTery’s got Prairie Nights…Haven Social Club’s got a CD release from Christine Fellows, who will play with Shotgun Jimmie…and the Jimmy Swift Band is at the Starlite Room…
Saturday afternoon, Hair of the Dog has Samara Von Rad, which is a rad name. Saturday night Weird Canada (Canada’s best music website) presents a show at The ARTery that will likely blow your mind.
Gregg’s got the lowdown on movies actually worth seeing.
The City Market begins its run of Saturdays at City Hall, as preparation for it usual summer selling on 104 Street.
Oh, and Sunday night, Lucky 13 is hosting Carlton himself, Alfonso Ribeiro.
Have a lovely weekend, Edmonton.
Of Edmonton Events
We have come upon our first weekend in the post-2010 election era. I expect candidates and councillors to be sleeping in the next couple of days.
There are a number of things happening if you’re not napping.
On your way home tonight you could stop in at The ARTery and raise money for HIV Edmonton while enjoying the end of the work week. Friday night, Dan Hill plays the Shaw Conference Centre for a Canadian Diabetes Association fundraiser. Justin Rutledge is at the Haven Social Club. Library Voices swing into the Avenue Theatre.
Still Friday, there’s a Bicycle-powered party at the U of A.
Saturday night, Falklands returns home from a cross-country tour to play Teddy’s. Yes, Teddy’s. This should be a good one.
M.A.D.E. In Edmonton closes out “Edmonton Design Exposed” with a party at Bohemia. It’s a little spot that’s out of the way but worth trekking to.
We are starting to see all of the Hallowe’en movies now. Watching movies is still a viable pastime.
The Oil Kings, Eskimos, and Oilers are all home this weekend. There’s roller derby at the Edmonton Sportsdome (and it’s even got a nice Hallowe’en theme to it, with Regina’s Pile O’ Bones in town).
The City of Edmonton continues its series of Hallowe’en events with Pumpkins & Pirates at the Muttart Conservatory.
By the way, it’s Friday, which means it’s Free Cookie Friday over at Luzarra. Head down to Whyte Avenue for a coffee and mention Luzarra’s free cookie tweeting. Then you’ll get a free cookie.
And, as always, the geniuses at ShareEdmonton.ca and YEGLive.ca helped me fill out your social calendars. Those guys are awesome.
This is also happening all weekend long. Pure Spec is at the Radisson south.
Double Derby
We’ve been somewhat lacking in the events department this week, so we’ll make up for it with a double-whammy today, and something extra tomorrow. There. We cool?
Alright. Let’s talk roller derby.
This long weekend, the Oil City Derby Girls are sending their All-Stars to picturesque Boise, Idaho for the Spudtown Knockdown. One of two Canadian teams in mix, they’re sure to do Edmonton proud.
If you’re not headed to Idaho for the Labour Day weekend, you can catch the Spudtown action online, at the Derby News Network.
Oil City is back in Edmonton action on September 18. They’ll be taking on Calgary’s Hellion Rebellions in the WildRose Challenge at Northlands. The Edmonton EXPO Centre is a bigger venue, so be sure to head out and support the locals.
Now, while that’s two events, it’s not the double-whammy I promised.
No, the second half of this roller derby smackdown concerns the E-Ville Roller Derby. Their new season begins this month.
These ladies will get their new season rolling (see what I did there?) with a double-bill on September 25, at the Kingsway Hangar.
E-Ville also has a junior league (where teens can learn the basics of the game), and they’ve got a fundraiser coming up at the start of October.
Edmonton, get out there and support your very active roller derby scene.
What’s your name?
It’s contest time!
We’ve got four E-Ville Roller Derby tickets to this Saturday’s “Declaration of Derby” between our own E-Ville Dead and the Rat City Rollergirls.
It’s Edmonton vs. Seattle, and will be a great way to celebrate the births of both countries.
So, to win these bad boys, how about you give me a good Edmonton-related roller derby name.
Check the roster of the E-Ville Dead for some great examples of the play on words. I’ll get the ball rolling…thinking about the Muttart Conservatory and City Hall I came up with “Pam Pyramids.”
If we get more than two entries I’ll draw for the tickets. And there will be two sets of tickets, we won’t make four of you go by yourself.
What to do, what to do
Yes indeed, we’ve made it through another week.
Martin Kerr was out at the Beverley Farmers' Market. Maybe you'll see him at the first Downtown market of the summer, this Saturday.
So, let’s find you something fun to do.
Not to brag, but I bet, maybe even as you’re reading this, I’m having the most weekend fun of all. The dentist is yanking one of my wisdom teeth out.
Have fun with your non-pain pill related events, suckers.
If you’re an Edmonton politics fan you may already know the Alberta Liberal Party is holding their convention and AGM this weekend.
The Tallest Man on Earth is playing a sold out show at Brixx. He’s not actually that tall.
Everybody’s favourite band (to say) is playing the Avenue Theatre tonight. It’s Fucked Up.
More local, Saturday will see the first Joe Bird Award. It’s a bit of a celebration over at the Empress Ale House.
#YegHelp is this Saturday night. That’s a big fundraiser for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. There’s a fashion show too. Plus, I’ll link to most anything with a #Yeg in it.
Almost a #Yeg, the public teachers are hosting a tweetup tonight.
Maybe this will be the weekend you finally check out lawn bowling. Maybe.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the E-Ville Roller Derby girls are having a championship this weekend. Have you seen roller derby in E-town yet?
Of course, the summer blockbuster movies just keep on coming!
There’s a 2010 Alberta Comedy Spectacular being recorded for the CBC in St. Albert.
Ooh, and the Found Footage Festival is on tonight!
Meanwhile…over at Share Edmonton…
The Edmonton Energy return to the basketball floor!
There will be plenty of running and walking this weekend with the Community Action Dash and Enerflex MS Walk.
Don’t forget, the ESO is always a good choice. This weekend, they’ve got a wonderful soprano in, to sing Schubert.
And, I don’t normally look beyond the weekend, but I fear I’ll forget to mention A Night of Highwire Films, which is happening Wednesday. There!
An Edmonton Weekend
There's also some big-time roller derby action this weekend. It's Edmonton vs. Calgary, baby.
Whatever you do this weekend, Edmonton, if the weather pans out as predicted you’re going to want to get outside. Especially if you’ve been running from your car to various buildings for the last four months.
Mayhaps you’ll be swinging over to the Shaw Conference Centre for the Edmonton Collectible Toy and Comic Show?
This weekend also sees a movie we’ve been waiting for to open; Hot Tub Time Machine. We really, really like it already.
The Get Down and The Old Wives are going to blow the roof off The Pawn Shop tonight, for the Sonic Band of the Month show. Now THAT’S Edmonton rock. The Old Wives are the BOTM.
Let’s go see what ShareEdmonton has to say about this weekend:
The Home and Garden show is on. That’s timely.
Maybe you want to talk about what Canada will look like at 150 years old.
Moms can Shop the Block, Sunday.
The Rush and Oilers are also playing here in Edmonton this weekend.
And don’t forget that Saturday night, at 8:30, it’s Earth Hour. So turn off stuff that’s sucking precious power.
Enjoy the weekend, my little peahens.
Weekend Party Time
Bye, summer.
Just because the sun is setting on the week, Edmonton, doesn’t mean the fun is over. Heck, the weekend is the fun part.
I’ve said it before but this weekend looks super-busy and jammed with goodness.
As usual, there’s no preference or order to this stuff. It’s just stuff that’s going on. You can always let me know if there’s something cool happening and I can include it.
Campus chaos is probably going to rock some student faces off tonight. There’s a high probability, anyway.
Edmonton Chante is all about francophone music and artists. It’s mostly in Whyte Avenue venues, but pops downtown too. Check it out already.
The Edmonton International Film Festival begins this fair evening with opening night movies and a gala.
Metro Cinema is also showing local filmmakers this weekend.
Art by Chris Reid
Manitoba artist Chris Reid is rocking Latitude 53 with angry toast (right). And other wonders.
Sunday is the City of Edmonton’s free admission day. Free. ‘Nuff said.
Do you like potatoes? There’s this little thing called The Great Potato Giveaway. I hope you can lift 50 pounds of potatoes.
You what is pretty fun, and will probably be the big deal of late ’09 and 2010? Roller derby. Get on that bandwagon tonight with the E-Ville girls.
The revitalization of 118th Avenue continues with a weekend of family arts fun, between 92 and 94 Streets.
Hot Girls on Rollerskates want your Recyclables.
That’s right. The luscious ladies of E-ville Roller Derby are having a bottle drive this weekend, to help fund a trip to VEGAS, BABY, VEGAS!
They’ve been chosen to be a part of Sin City’s mammoth Rollercon convention, and they need to raise some scratch, stat. So if you have a big pile of empties you’d like to get rid of (I say “if” knowing full well that you obviously do, because it had to be said, because frankly your house is starting to look disgusting, you filthy pig), help them out!
The Derby girls will pick up your bottles (including milk jugs and tetra packs) from noon until 5 on Saturday. To arrange for pick up, send them an email here or check out their facebook page here.
