Grey Cup entertainment
As the Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa Redblacks prepare for the 106th Grey Cup showdown Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium, fans are livin’ it up.The Grey Cup festivities is the party to end all parties. It’s impossible to be bored this weekend with a makeshift zipline, street skiing, bungee jump and pop-up stages around Edmonton’s downtown core.
Dash Riprock, St. Albert’s own classic rock band, is pulling all the stops at the sold-out Spirit of Edmonton Breakfast. While fans are downing “sluice juice,” that magical elixir whose recipe is closely guarded, the eight-piece band revisits yesterday’s favourite hits.
“For a band like ours, it’s really an honour to be playing at Spirit of Edmonton,” said Dash Riprock spokesperson Michael Cearns.
One of the weekend’s most colourful events is Saturday’s Grey Cup Parade featuring hundreds of participants, colourful floats, marching bands, mascots and cheer teams. The parade runs 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jasper Avenue from 108 to 103 streets.
Later in the afternoon, CFL Cheer Teams from across the country display their gravity-defying acrobatics and stunts from 3 p.m. to 5 pm. at Shaw Conference Centre.
In the evening, the Shaw also plays host to a classic rock concert showcasing Loverboy, Trooper and Kim Mitchell.
Sunday welcomes assorted street parties. The Trews, Toque, Platinum Blonde, Guns 4 Roses, Aaron Pritchett and Lindsay Ell are just a few entertainers putting the pedal to the metal both in the downtown core and at Commonwealth Stadium.
For a complete festival guide, visit www.greycupfestival.ca
Submissions for winter films
In its second incarnation, the International Festival of Winter Cinema is partnering with the Silver Skate Festival to showcase both feature films and shorts at Hawrelak Park from Feb. 8 to 19, 2019.The film festival highlights themes around winter, mountains, polar regions or any style featuring Indigenous people, immigrants, winter life or climate change.
This year, the festival is expanding and encourages emerging and experienced filmmakers to screen their works. The films will be screened on a massive white screen built from snow.
There are a series of awards and prizes. Submissions are now open in several categories. Regular deadline is Dec. 31. Late deadline is Jan. 25, 2019. For additional information, visit www.filmfreeway.com/IFWinterCinema.
Iron Maiden tour
Iron Maiden is one of the last pioneers of 1980s British heavy metal movement to continue reinventing their brand. After nearly 40 years they’ve come to symbolize creative independence and a ferocious dedication to fans and music.Just two years ago, these international road warriors launched a mobile game, Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast. Inspired by its success, they have launched The Legacy of the Beast Tour.
After returning from a triumphant European junket, they announced a North American arena tour this month. They will play Rogers Place on Aug. 30, 2019.
Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ca.
