Searching for sunshine
365 Days of Sunshine, by Angela Ostafichuk
Hello Edmontonians, and welcome to summer.
In between teaching, hosting, hula-hooping and watching football it seems like the summer is melting quicker then the popsicle I forgot in the sun. As we all know, summer is truly the best time to be in Edmonton. The weather is good, the days are long and we have a million things to do in July and August.
Here is what’s cheap (or free) in this city this week.
Until July 18, the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival is running in Churchill square. Come on down and see some wonderful entertainment from around the world. Although the cost is free, donations are more then accepted as nobody *really* wants to be a starving artist.
Tuesday night check out “Much Ado About Nothing” in Hawrelak park, part of the Freewill Shakespeare Festival. As it is pay-what-you-will night, it makes for an entertaining, low cost evening. The festival runs until the end of the month and tickets usually are priced from $15 to $22.50.
For those women who are interested in spicing it up a bit (and I always say, an educated woman is not only smart, she’s happy) there is the “Orgasams 101″ workshop running out of the Traveling Tickle Trunk. Although people may complain that $25 is a bit much for a few hours, I say it is not. This workshop is priceless. It’s for women only, and you can check out their website for more education opportunities. (July 25 offers a Penis Pleasing workshop….These classes fill up fast though so make sure you register ahead of time.)
Thursday, July 15 gives a few opportunities to work on your inner artist. The AGA is back with their summer adult art classes. This week focuses on the Group of Seven and how to do acrylic landscape painting. At $12 a class these aren’t free, however, they are a wonderful way to try something new. A few blocks away, at Latitude 53, the rooftop patio series is still running, with the 15th featuring JCI.
Friday, the Fava summer party is at the Ortona armory and, being a potluck, means plenty of food and fun. Kick it back here, or enjoy one of Edmonton’s many patios with a walk, after, through the valley, while the sun sets.
And as for Saturday and Sunday… I’ll leave that up to you. For me it means farmers market, hooping at the Leg grounds and coffee at Credo! But who am I to tell you what to do?
Any ideas for what other Edmontonians do? Please leave a comment, or Twitter me at artstylelove.
Cheap Thrills
Continuing our new love of talking about Edmonton events beyond the weekend, we offer you Angela’s look at how you can have fun without spending a lot of money.
365 Days of Sunshine, by Angela Ostafichuk
Summer’s almost here and it’s time to celebrate.
Turn off your TV and get going!
After reading “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin, I’ve decided to follow the golden path of having a more fulfilling life. In my quest for happiness this year I want to do as much as I can to see what makes me tick.
So turn off your TV, and feel free to join my 365 days towards a
better life.
Little or no money you say? No worries. Edmonton is one of the best places to be in the summertime with multiple outdoor festivals, events and concerts. There are literally hundreds of things to do here, some better then others.
From sex workshops to looking at the stars to eating popsicles while dancing in the street, the key is to think outside the box this summer. So whether you have 10 cents, 10 dollars or a 50 (call me!) in your pocket there’s something for everyone.
Last week saw Nextfest start around the city. The Enterprise Square Gallery features works from new artists and is worth a stroll through, at no cost. The rest of the festival is still amazingly priced with $5 for the nightclubs and $10 for a show.
Think outside the box for summer 2010.
Tuesday June 8, the Creative Age Festival kicks off. Although deemed as a festival for the 65+ crowds, there is lots to do even if you’re not loud, proud and retired. Grab gramps and head down.
Both Wednesday and Thursday (June 9 and 10) feature free movies at
the EPL. Wednesday is The Girlfriend Experience and Thursday features It
Might Get Loud. Both FREE, they start at 6:30 in the Milner Library.
Thursday also kicks off Pride week with a show at The ARTery titled “Peculiar Peckers: Drag Kings & Other Phallic Things” which will be worth checking out. Tickets are $5 and the entertainment is priceless.
Friday is a day to work out, so come join my friend Elly and I on what we like to call “walk and watch” on the stairs by Victoria Trail. If you have no clue what I’m referencing to, join us and you’ll see.
Friday is also a great time to just chill on one of Edmonton’s lovely patios, enjoy a walk through the river valley or read a book.
Saturday is jam-packed with events.
Of course everyone knows it’s the Pride Parade, that kicks off on Jasper at 1pm.
Before that, though, there are many events downtown including a pancake breakfast before, and a block party after on 104th, which goes until 10 pm. Add the Nextfest wrap-ups to Pride and downtown is the place to be.
Stay tuned for more cheap thrills as I figure out how to go big without going broke.
Where is the best place for cupcakes? Bubble tea? People watching? This summer I plan on solving these mysteries so keep reading Edmonton and keep it fresh.
More from Angela at her blog, or on Twitter.
Extra events
Normally I talk about stuff happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. But, of course, this is a long weekend and we get one more day to do stuff that isn’t work.
We are so lucky.
I believe I may have hinted in the Headlines this morning that I will be watching the Lost series finale this Sunday. Hey, even if you haven’t been a Lostie, there’s still enough time to grab the DVDs and watch enough key episodes to get in on the fun. Otherwise, good luck avoiding everything about the show while you spend weeks trying to catch up after the show ends.
I wonder if its DVD sales will be awful for a few years, until it’s been wiped pretty clear of pop culture?
Anyway…
You have to ride the streetcar at least once each summer.
It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a great weekend, weather-wise, so maybe you’ll ust hit the movie theatre. It’s totally a good couch weekend too.
If you are looking for some of your first taste of BBQ, maybe hit school board candidate Michael Janz’s campaign kick-off party, Saturday afternoon. It’s right by the McKernan-Belgravia LRT station.
Henry Rollins is at the Winspear tonight. Let Sally know how that goes.
Fort Edmonton Park opens its 2010 season this long weekend. Too bad they didn’t have time to put in the log flumes and historically accurate laser tag.
I’ve learned, through the power of the Internet, that Saturday is the International Day of Biodiversity. So, head on over to the courtyard behind the Stanley A. Milner library and learn about plants, bugs and stuff.
Victoria Day weekend means the High Level Bridge streetcar starts running!
Public Enemy playing the Edmonton Event Centre Sunday night. We should have ordered an edmontonian clock for Flavor. It really is a weekend of hip hop, since you’ve also got Hip Hop in the Park (Louise McKinney, that is) Saturday afternoon. Hip Hop in the Dark goes tonight.
The Uncas rock the Pawn Shop Saturday.
And thanks to our good friends at ShareEdmonton I can remember to mention that the Edmonton Energy are home tonight for IBL action.
No matter what you’re getting up to, if you’re leaving the house remember that there are LRT closures this weekend. The train won’t be running between Churchill and Clareview stations.
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!
What the bleep is going on?
I’ll tell you what’s going on!
Right after I tell you what I’ll be up to this weekend.
I’ll be at MediaCamp Edmonton tomorrow. It should be a good time.
Being a “camp” it’s going to be one of those un-conference thingys. That’s where the participants (me and 200 of my friends) pitch OUR ideas. There are no set sessions, no planned speakers. We will dictate what the day is about.
So, if the day is terrible it’s our own fault.
It’s about collaboration, basically. The room will be full of traditional media (newspaper, radio and TV folks, my old peeps), new media (bloggers, podcasters, online journalists, my new peeps) public and media relations (the corporate, organizational, and government “spin-doctors” and storytellers) and developers (people who know what the heck is actually inside our computers and how to use that to create new software, new forms of storytelling, new things).
It’s a free event, so if you fall into any of those categories you can come on down to the Shaw Conference Centre tomorrow.
By working together, for at least one day, we should be able to figure out some new ways to tell stories, new ways to use the Internet, mobile technologies, emerging tech, new software, and each other, to build better communities. My definition of a better community, here, is one that knows more about itself, more about what’s going on and how it all works
I’m also hoping to talk my way into some of that sweet Journal moola The Unknown Studio guys are always flashing around town.
You can follow our shenanigans through the Twitter hashtag #yegmediacamp. You should also be able to search”yegmediacamp” after Saturday, to find blog posts, photos and videos of what we talked about.
The Edmonton Journal will also be streaming the opening panel, live at 10am.
But, enough about me. Let’s talk about what you could get up to this weekend. (Unless you’re also going to MediaCamp. Then, you should come over and say “Hi.”)
Tanner Gordon is playing, and releasing a CD, tonight at NAIT’s Shaw Theatre.
You could always see a movie.
The Edmonton Symphony for kids has “Mozart, Boy Genius.”
The City of Edmonton has a couple of events. The Muttart Conservatory is holding its annual bedding plant sale. That should get you in the spring mood. And the Valley Zoo is celebrating mothers.
By the way, it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday.
The Edmonton Rush continue their first-ever playoff run. They’re in Washington for the National Lacrosse League Western Final. Follow the action at the Rush or NLL website.
Now, this feels a little light. Let’s see if ShareEdmonton can’t help us out.
Ah yes, before the big event next week you can help #YegHelp with a few bucks tonight. CityTV’s Ryan Jespersen (ask him about fantasy hockey) and his wife, Capital FM’s Kari Skelton will be doing the guest bartender thing over at Lux. Drop some money into the tip jar to help Royal Le Page’s Shelter Foundation. I went last year, but tonight I’ll be hanging with newsy and PR friends.
There’s the Women + Health Conference at the Radisson south.
The Twitter crowd will be singing Saturday night. Singing!
Sunday sees an important, and kind of cool, event at the Shaw. It’s Homeless Connect 4. This is when homeless people can get connected (see what I did there?) to services available. Plus, they can get a haircut and really simple stuff we would take for granted.
See ya!
Bring on May!
This is going to be one hell of a weekend, Edmonton.
Just you wait until you see all the goodness I have found. There’s so much stuff happening this weekend, and so much fun stuff, that if you go back to work on Monday and don’t have an awesome story to tell, well… I don’t know… it would mean you didn’t partake in any of the following amazingness.
Should be a good fantastic show over at the Starlite Room tonight, with Said the Whale opening for Plants and Animals. If you haven’t got tickets you’re out of luck, since it’s sold out.
Since it’s the end of the month that means Sonic 102.9 will be rolling out their Band of the Month (BOTM) at the Pawn Shop. April’s BOTM is the Michael James Band. Sticking with the Pawn Shop, tomorrow night is The Besnard Lakes.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast starts its run at the Citadel, Saturday. I wish Linda Hamilton was playing Belle.
Saturday is Free Comic Book Day. So hit up any of the number of comic shops in Edmonton for fun and shenanigans. And free stuff, obviously.
And now, as always, we see what ShareEdmonton has to say about this thing we’ve been calling a weekend. Or, “weekend,” I don’t know, the j may be silent.
You have all kinds of chances to get your arts and crafts on. The Butterdome Spring Craft Sale is happening at, well, the Butterdome. And this weekend is also the Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair. You know they’re for different audiences because one of them highlights arts in their name.
The Royal Bison after-party is going to be kickin’, brought to you by our friends at Weird Canada, and Sled Island and Mammoth Cave, over at The ARTery. The first 99 people with advanced tickets are also landing themselves a sweet 7″. That means vinyl. Then, the Wyrd crew heads out on the road.
Chefs in the City sounds like a cross between Iron Chef and those competition shows on the Food Network where chefs have just a few hours to create something crazy and amazing. Yum.
Edmonton Youth Week starts Saturday. One event that caught my eye was the Grafitti Wall.
You can also give back to your community this weekend (Don’t groan, it’snice to do such things.) because Capital City Clean Up is back and the River Valley is the first big target. I’m actually considering getting out of bed early on Sunday for this.
Thanks, ShareEdmonton. Now back to me…
Could these two be those kids that are always playing on Whyte in the summer, over by Fat Franks and at the Farmerss Market?!?!?!?!
p.s. Don’t forget to see how the Rush do against the Roughnecks. It’s NLL playoffs!
Do it
Although the “it” in my headline is really left up to you. But whatever “it” is that you choose for this weekend, make it fun.
Of course, some of you may be heading down the highway to the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo. Say “Hi” to Spock for us.
It’s cool and rainy, so maybe something inside is just right for this weekend. How about something with lots of beer?
Also inside is the Edmonton Opera’s season-ending show, “Otelleo.” It’s Shakespeare’s Othello, but Opera-style.
Los Lonely Boys are over at the Winspear. But if that’s not your speed, how about a DJ set from TV’s Degrassi’s Caitlin and Spike?!
Now, let’s see what ShareEdmonton has to say about this weekend.
Of course, the Edmonton Poetry Festival is on. Poetry doesn’t have to be boring, check out some of the events they’ve got going. (I’m a terrible poet.)
Over at the Edmonton Expo Centre (at Northlands) you’ve got the Edmonton Ink Festival: The Tattoo & Body Modification Show.
I was talking about this in the Headlines this morning; the Edmonton Public Library is trying out an MP3 Experiment at Churchill Square. You download the audio file, head to the square, then everyone starts listening at the same time. I bet it tells you to do some wacky stuff that will appear odd to passersby. The EPL follows that up with an audience participation viewing of The Princess Bride.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Now prepare to die. (That I typed this from memory is impressive. Or the opposite of that.)
Saturday is Astronomy Day! Celebrate at the Telus World of Science with, uh, astronomy.
And if you like transit (And who doesn’t?) then you’ll already know the Edmonton Transit Service is hosting a Community Fair at Southgate and Century Park LRT stations. Those stations also officially open to the public. Finally, I have a reason (and a way) to get down to Century Park.
Transit nerds unite!
What a weekend
This is going to be a good one, Edmonton.
Just worry about the weekend. Don't look at Tuesday.
The weather is hot and sunny, Conan O’Brien is here, NHL playoffs are on TV, and the Edmonton Rush are home tonight (7pm) and trying to secure some Rexall Place playoff action for the spring.
I’m always a sucker to mention Winnipeg bands coming through town. Nathan is one such band that is worthy of your ears.
Buddy Guy, the dude who calls Eric Clapton in that cell phone commercial, is playing the Jubilee.
I’m grooving to some We Are Wolves as I tell you they’re playing the Pawn Shop. What did we do before YouTube?
Ghostkeeper is at Brixx. The Old Wives are at New City.
And there’s more!
You won’t believe all the good stuff ShareEdmonton has for you.
It’s time for the Edmonton Women’s Show. Which I predict will, predictably, have some soap opera star in attendance. Yup.
Saturday offers the rare treat of seeing inside the Edmonton Law Courts, cells, courtrooms, and more. Without a summons to appear.
The Winspear Centre will be pop-y with A Chorus of Hits.
And Edmonton celebrates Earth Day this Sunday, April 18. It’s not in Hawrelak this year, it’s at the City Centre Airport. Fort Edmonton Park. (I have no idea why I thought this was at City Centre Airport. This is my bad, not ShareEdmonton’s.)
I’m already tired.
p.s. If you didn’t see it already, Nikki “I Believe” Yanofsky is returning to the Edmonton International Jazz Festival this June.
Edmonton Events
Yes, Edmonton, we’ve made it through that short week. Well, shorter for some. If this was a 5-day week for you, you’ve really earned a weekend.
So…here you go.
I don’t know if you know this, but Edmonton has a good sports team playing right now. I know, the Oilers still grab a lot of newspaper ink, but let’s forget about drafting 1st or 2nd for a minute and focus on the Edmonton Rush. They could be the best team in their conference, maybe the entire National Lacrosse League, when the season ends. They’re home to the Colorado Mammoth tonight. Boo-ya.
Hey, some of our YegSwap music buddies are playing tonight. Lyra Brown is at a songwriter’s showcase over at The Hydeaway. The Joe is part of a big show happening at the Avenue Theatre.
Some new friends, The Party Martyrs, are playing DV8 Tavern over on 99 Street. They will punk you. Tonight.
Also tonight, Matthew Barber is at the Haven Social Club.
Sally’s already been over the Spring Fling. That’s happening Saturday.
Now…for the best part, I head over to ShareEdmonton and raid their events listings, because I am lazy. And not too proud to hide that.
It’s the Northlands Farm & Ranch Show. Which is not news to you if you’re connected to the farm and/or ranch scene. Northlands also has the Canadian National College Finals Rodeo. Yee-haw!
What about the Edmonton Mini World Cup. Maybe you’re into that?
Oh, and the Century Grill is turning 10-years-old. I bet they’ll celebrate with food.
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 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.
-
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.
-
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
