Local Entertainment

The old green-and-yellow tractor wheezes like an asthmatic locomotive as Ray Schmidt struggles to start it. "I've got something wrong with the starter on this guy," he says, as it belches yet another cloud of grey smoke.

If you've ever watched dogs weave in and out poles during agility time trials, you'd be amazed at the speed those four furry legs go.

When artistic director Darcia Prada had the fortitude to launch Edmonton's Mercury Opera in 2008 with Pagliacci, onlookers wondered if there was room for two companies to thrive.

St. Albert has never seen the likes of the scale and magnitude of the Rendezvous 2011 Picnic, perhaps because the whirlwind threesome of organizers, Kent La Rose, Celine Leonard and Cheryl Mackenzie never put their minds together before.

Come 'Rendezvous' on Sunday, Aug. 28, from Riel Park to Kingswood at 10 different picnic locations along the Sturgeon River and as far out as the Grain Elevator Park and River Lot 56.

St. Albert’s Rendezvous 2011 Picnic is set to become the mother of all picnics. In fact, the 16-member Strathcona Mounted Troop Musical Ride was just confirmed as the feature performance at the Kinsmen grounds.

There's a sort of Viking-esque air to the North Saskatchewan as the Breast Friends charge down the river in their dragon boat. "Come on, ladies!" roars the drummer, audible from about 200 metres away.

30 Minutes or Less (18A) In this action-comedy, the mundane life of a small town pizza delivery guy collides with the big plans of two wannabe criminal masterminds. The volatile duo kidnaps Nick and forces him to rob a bank.

This year, the 30th Edmonton International Fringe Festival in Old Strathcona has been packed with enthralling and inspired theatre.

The fight is on. A man in a black flame-wrapped bodysuit steps into the ring to lay the smackdown on Slammer, an orange-suited convict from Arkham Asylum. "I'll break you in half!" snarls Slammer.