St. Albert’s Amplify Youth Festival is at the northern edge of the region. But it’s also directly at the centre of the province, the perfect port of call to youth who want to get together for a weekend of learning and fun.
Happening on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 at the Enjoy Centre, the youth festival is packed with virtually non-stop entertainment. In addition, this event is an opportunity for youth of different cultures and family lifestyles to discover or express their creativity and interests.
The Amplify youth committee has assembled a variety of hands-on workshops that range from exploring the challenges of social media, photography and super-8 film to hammering metal, barbecuing ribs or experimenting with improv.
For the innately artistic, organizers are also introducing a tape art project, henna body art designs and composing a song under the mentorship of Kat Danser, Queen of the Swamp Blues.
And for anyone wanting to get away from the hubbub, the Wellness Within Yoga Studios on the lower level of the Enjoy Centre is offering free lessons in yoga groove.
“You really don’t have to consider yourself an artist to come. Most workshops are for beginners and up. You can start at your level and pick it up from there,” said Kathleen Bell, youth festival associate.
The Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta is trucking its Super8 cameras to the centre and will teach participants to use them. Youth then receive a three and one-half minute roll of film.
“They are then sent out into the world to make a film. FAVA will send the film to Toronto for editing and they will be screened at Progress Hall on Monday, Nov. 17,” Bell said.
Jason Dabbagh from Bellerose High School will turn his culinary talents into teaching youth how to bone, smoke and barbecue ribs. Because of the brining and cooking times, the workshop will be split into three sessions with breaks in between.
“He’s also going to teach how to barbecue a Cuban-style street corn and of course you get to eat it afterwards.”
Youth with a passion for music may want to challenge themselves to crafting a song. Songwriters have six hours to take a blank page and fill in the lyrics and musical notes.
“They’ll be put in bands and at the end of the day they will perform their song on the Loft Stage.”
In metalworks, the young artisans learn to hammer names on a dog tag or rivet embellishments onto an arm cuff.
The tape art project instead uses electrical tape to create 3-D shapes.
“It’s like an installation. You can tape the tape to a wall and create a concrete pattern or geometric patterns or any image you want.”
Bell believes that it is important for youth to find something they are good at.
“Amplify gives you the opportunity to try different things. Trying something new is challenging, but it can also be rewarding. Teens who participate in Amplify will be able to walk away proud and confidant that they are good at creating something.”
Workshop prices range from $22 to $38. The cost also includes access to the two-day event. For complete information visit www.stalbert.ca/experience/amplify-festival/.
