With the kind of temperatures we’re expecting this weekend there are no excuses not to get out and enjoy some Edmonton.

The Winter Light Festival continues with Ice on Whyte’s final weekend and Flashpoint event at the Edmonton Ski Club. There’s even music for Ice on Whyte, at the nearby Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park. Also, Ice on Whyte might melt, so check it out now!

I’ll be trying to keep Sally away from the Pet Expo, so we don’t end up with an office full of animals. On Sunday, Northlands turns things around for a bridal show.

The Edmonton Oil Kings are at home this weekend, to Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. The Oilers are home too, hosting the Predators.

It’s a great weekend for music in Edmonton. The Sound and YEG Live have another local showcase at The Haven Social Club, with The Wheat Pool and Trent Buhler & The Lucky Pennies. Gregg Beever wouldn’t let me forget if I fail to mention our late-night pizza friend, Carrie Day, is at the Blue Chair Cafe, with David Shepherd. The ARTery has The Jon Cohen Experimental, with Smokey. Pawn Shop’s got Owls by Nature, Fire Next Time, and The Weekend Kids.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is staying up late this Friday, with percussionist Colin Currie for one of their Late Nights with Bill Eddins. This is a great way to check out the ESO in a more relaxed environment.

On Saturday…you can catch one of the final shows at Axis Cafe (yes, they’re closing) with Lisa Nicole Grace. There’s nothing like a hall show, and Big Hank & Friends will be at Queen Alexandra Hall. (Side note: Big Hank designed the ad you now see in the sidebar for S.I.R.E.N.S.) Wunderbar’s got Jessica Jalbert. And Great Big Sea is at the Jube.

If you’re up for some dance, Brian Webb’s got relay, at the Timms Centre for the Arts.

The Fringe isn’t waiting for summer. Mozart: Ze Komplete Hystery is at the TransAlta’s Westbury Theatre all weekend.

Braving the first taste of our recent snowstorm, the Mostly Water Theatre crew took refuge in the empty Roxy Theatre on Tuesday night. The venue served two purposes that cold evening; the first, to get in from the damn snow. The second – and some would argue more important – reason, was a rehearsal for the comedy group’s annual Christmas show.

Who ate Brad's lunch?

As veterans of Edmonton’s sketch comedy scene (and a holiday favourite), the group’s actors seem ready, and eager, for new ideas from show director, Bradley Moss (himself a fixture on Edmonton’s theatre scene and Artistic Director at the Theatre Network).

Even on The Jane Austen Drinking Game (a sketch heard on CBC’s the Irrelevant Show that has garnered national notice for MWT), the actors on stage are taking fresh direction from Moss, continually looking for ways to make themselves funnier. Perhaps the prima donna attitudes kick in when nobody is watching – but it’s more likely memberss of this troupe are genuinely having lots of fun, and are open to fresh perspective and jokes.

Always the jokes.

This year, those familiar with the Christmas antics of Mostly Water can expect both “more of the same” and “something completely different.” If that makes any sense.

We caught Craig giving Trent some gum in the back of the theatre.

“All the scenes aren’t directly tied into Christmas,” says Craig Buchert, chatting alongside fellow MWT-er Trent Wilkie, in a darkened corner of the theatre.

“(But) Brad Moss has 12 Christmas demands. He will sprinkle Christmas on the crowd.”

Wilkie explains about cutting some Christmas from the Christmas show.

“We always used to write all Christmas sketches. But if you have on Christmas sweaters, it’s Christmas.”

“Our first show was very Christmas,” Buchert adds. “People opening gifts on Christmas morning, a French Rudolph. After doing three or four of those…”

“We broke the Christmas bank,” Wilkie concludes.

So the showstravaganza will have Christmas spirit, but not exclusively Christmas sketches. I guess that explains why nobody was wearing elf ears during the practice runs of Jane Austen.

*****

The new approach to the sketches isn’t the only thing that’s changing for the group.

“We were here last year (at the Roxy), before that the Varscona,” says Buchert. “We’ve always had pretty good support for the Christmas show. But the crowd changes. Here, subscribers get a first chance at tickets.”

“It’s more of a professional theatre-going audience now,” Wilkie chimes in. “But it’s changing for the better, and that makes us do our job better.”

The Mostly Waterers are also changing their lineup. “Sam is moving back to Ontario, so it’s also a new experience not working with him,” Buchert says. Sam Varteniuk won’t be with the troupe anymore.

“People get Christmas gifts, we’re losing a gift. But it’s not a sad show, it’s a heartfelt show,” Wilkie says.

Buchert continues the up-note, “With Brad Moss directing, Chris Craddock in the show, both are tremendously talented people.”

And there will be music from The Wheat Pool’s Robb and Mike Angus.

“This year’s more Saturday Night Live,” Wikie says of the hosting from Craddock, the musical guest, and ever-present sketches.

Rehearsing the Jane Austen Drinking Game.

But it’s cold. It’s snowy. And there are probably wolves after you. Why trek across the tundra that is Edmonton on Friday or Saturday to take in Mostly Water Theatre?

“It’s a place to get together,” Wilkie says. “But it’s not just a bar to go to and get hosed.” He pauses. “You can do that after the show.”

“Or in the middle of the show,” Buchert adds.

But Buchert’s serious about this annual tradition too. “It’s a good way to celebrate the holidays. There’s music, the stage show, even a dance number. During the holidays people are forced into so many lame things, hopefully this will cleanse them of the lameness.”

*****

You can share in the Christmas hilarity this Friday and Saturday at the Roxy Theatre (124 Street and 107 Avenue). Tickets to A Mostly Water Christmas are $21.

Actually, there’s a lot of “it” we could do.

This is Hale Hale. They are good.

It will all depend on what we define as the it thing to do.

Wow, I’m getting confused.

Onto weekend fun!

The Wheat Pool is returning to the Pawnshop, as Sonic’s band of the month. That will make tonight special.

Also, a win by Team Canada would make tonight special. Where are you watching the game? I’ve got to get home and find something red to wear.

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Yes, of course, I’ve been checking ShareEdmonton for event ideas. Why wouldn’t I?

They’ve reminded me that Winefest Edmonton is this weekend.

And WinterLight continues (what a great weekend of weather we’ll have for getting outside) with The Big Winter. Sounds fun. And big.

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Now, back to my rambling selections.

Nobody leaves this place without singing the blues.

Over at the Haven Social Club (A place which I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing.) Hale Hale is going to melt some faces with rock.

I will never get tired of mentioning the babysitter blues.

Go Canada!

This weekend, I tried to catch a few events and take in some Edmonton fun.

Friday night, I waited in this line to see the Edmonton International Film Festival’s 24/One selections. This was a choice selection of short films made in 24 hours.

Anticipation!

Saturday saw the monthly Handmade Mafia show at Orange Hall and Savoy Lounge, in Old Strathcona.

Crafts!

Saturday night was all about the music. First, Van Funk & The Lebarons at Wunderbar. Then, The Wheat Pool at the Pawnshop. I even had the will power to avoid eating 12 hot dogs at Fat Franks.

It's The Wheat Pool!

And if you didn’t notice all those pink shirts Sunday, it was the Run for the Cure. Lots of money was raised for breast cancer research in Edmonton.

Sally caught these runners post-race.

See you next weekend, fun.