When the Arctic High hits Alberta and nights are longer than days, most artists cocoon indoors. Spring seems so far away. But it's June and in these parts that means festival season is about to burst through the gate.
When the Arctic High hits Alberta and nights are longer than days, most artists cocoon indoors. Spring seems so far away.
But it's June and in these parts that means festival season is about to burst through the gate. The chill of coats and boots is giving way to flip flops, shorts and folding chairs.
In the last 30 years Edmonton has blossomed as the centre, the heartbeat of the province's arts and cultural scene. This coming weekend, four festivals shift into high gear – NextFest, Creative Age Festival, Open Sky Music Festival and Edmonton Pride Festival.
And if the temperatures play along, organizers expect the four combined festivals to draw a turnout in excess of 75,000 visitors.
Each festival represents a special facet of what makes the greater Edmonton area so unique. Music is always a big draw, but there's everything from theatre, comedy, improv, art exhibits, a film fest, cabaret nights, a parade and diva nights.
And don't forget the vibrant restaurant scene with its fusion of world cuisine. Yes, Edmonton is percolating with talent so get out there and join the fun.
NextFest
June 7 to 17
15 Venues
Single tickets: $10; day passes $18; festival pass $40
Call 780-453-2440 or go online to: www.nextfest.org
Now in its 17th year, NextFest celebrates the artistic voice of the next generation. These gifted up-and-comers, the new voices of today, are keen risk-takers showcasing edgy new works in theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film and multi-disciplinary collaborations.
The CBC Music Series features a smorg from rap and soul to folk and melodic power metal. The eight concerts with Jeni Thai and The Noble Thiefs to Liam Trimble and Alex Vissia paint a broad portrait of young musicians on the way up.
St. Albert's own White Lightning, a former 102.9 Sonic Band of the Month, is gearing up for a rock-out concert at The ARTery on Saturday, June 16.
A crowd fave since 2008, it's their first appearance at NextFest and they've regrouped, learning new covers and adding a beatbox, kazoo and tambourine.
"We want to make music that is engaging and keeps people coming back for more. We're focusing on the upbeat and fun side of rock," says vocalist Steve Bosch.
DanceCo instructor Cheryl Fontaine has curated the dance component, selecting various contemporary dances that explore how choreography, the spoken word, live music and improvisation blend.
For movie buffs, the annual FilmFest at Metro Cinema tackles everything from the food industry and a dystopian future to camping trip gone wrong. Check out St. Albert's Jenna Dykes in The People Who Touch Your Food, a look at a little restaurant threatened by a chain.
And Legal's Joëlle Préfontaine is racking up two credits as director for Pigeon L'Avenir, an improvisational collaboration between école Maurice Lavallee and école publique Gabrielle-Roy students, and as a thespian in Afterlives, a Surreal SoReal Production.
A four-time veteran of NextFest, Préfontaine says, "NextFest gives our generation a chance to showcase our own work. There's lots of young artists' work out there and that's one of the goals – to create a network of support."
For complete schedule information visit www.nextfest.org.
Creative Age Festival
June 8 to 10
Timms Centre for the Arts
87 Ave. and 112 St.
Tickets: $10. Call 780-420-1757 or go online to: www.tixonthesquare.ca
The Creative Age Festival gives a voice to silver-haired artists. Too often anyone 55 plus is relegated to the back stage of life, but this three-day fest gives seniors a platform to express their identity, concerns and aspirations. And it's all done through drama, music, visual arts and dance.
No one is more passionate about the festival than artistic director David Barnet, a drama professor from the University of Alberta, who jumped on board to helm the project six years ago.
"I think it's become well-known that anyone involved in the arts finds benefits to their health and it's proven to be socially engaging and it's an enormous amount of fun. I believe all seniors can participate in the arts and what this festival does is advocate for that. What comes out of it is a joyfulness, a playfulness, a mischievousness.
Organizers have slotted three fun workshops – acting, rock and roll, and comedy improv. The heavy hitters take to the stage on Friday night with A Bit of This and A Bit of That Variety Show showcasing choirs, magicians, storytellers, poets and writers.
On Saturday night Barnet has slotted Plays, Plays and More Plays spotlighting a variety of seniors' troupes such as Rural Route Actors Troupe and the Rapid Fire Geri-Improv Troupe. Barnet's own Geri-Actors are showcasing three new plays, each about 10 minutes in length, with St. Albert's John Grootelar stepping into the limelight.
Closing the event is Timms' Art Café on Sunday afternoon with an eclectic lineup of belly dancing, stand-up comedy, storytelling, short scenes and singing.
"It's very much like a kitchen party – low profile, easy going, convivial and low stress."
For a complete festival program check out www.cafestival.ca.
Open Sky Music Festival
June 8 to 10
Hawrelak Park Amphitheatre
Tickets: One day pass $10 to $30; weekend pass $25 to $90
Billed as Canada's premier surf rock, reggae and roots music extravaganza, Open Sky Music Festival imports the sounds of the Caribbean to Hawrelak Park.
A relatively new event, it is the brainchild of Nathan Richards of Seven Strings Music Entertainment. Now celebrating its third anniversary, the festival launched in 2010 with 1,100 music lovers attending. Last year visitors peaked at 4,000 and this year organizers hope to double the numbers.
"We're bringing in much bigger names. We're trying to complement international acts with local performers," says festival publicist Natalie Harper adding that 21 bands are booked.
At the top end is The Wailers of Bob Marley fame, headlining Saturday night.
"We're really excited about them. It was a real cause for celebration when we heard they were coming."
And then there is American rock group Tribal Seeds with over 100,000 Facebook followers.
"They have an incredible fan following and they're definitely at the top end."
Australian Kim Churchill, presently on a Canadian tour, has a reputation that precedes him with a slick surfer rock/blues/folk act and bleached blonde good looks.
"He's one of those artists you may not have seen, but once you've seen him you won't forget him."
Former St. Albert band Current Swell, now a Victoria music staple, is also opening for The Wailers.
"Current Swell has a huge local fan following. They have a comprehensive discography and their music fits the theme."
And the good-bye, goodnight band on Sunday is Five Alarm Funk, an 11-piece from Vancouver that brought the house down last year.
"People were jumping and dancing and the vibe was something I'd never seen before."
For more information visit www.openskymusicfestival.com.
Edmonton Pride Festival 2012
June 8 to 17
Various venues
Free and ticketed events
Visit www.edmontonpride.ca
This year the Edmonton Pride Festival 2012 celebrates a historic and important step towards equality and human rights. On Saturday, Alison Redford will become the first Alberta premier to offer greetings after the pride parade on Saturday.
"It's a huge recognition from the PC government that we are fully represented as a people," says Pride Festival Society co-chair Warren Becker.
It's a far cry from 1980 when 20 to 25 people, wearing paper bags over their heads to protect their identity, formed a small demonstration to focus on gay rights.
This year organizers expect 25,000 visitors to celebrate Edmonton's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer (LGBTQ) festivities.
Last year the festival society adopted a three-year theme – Stand Up! Stand Out! Stand Proud! At this year's Stand Out parade, the Edmonton Public School Board, which approved a new groundbreaking sexual orientation policy, will be the grand parade marshal.
In addition to the flamboyant and vibrant Saturday parade, organizers have packed the 10-day festival with dances, burlesque shows and a Diva Las Vegas show packed with flash, glam and bling.
Just as important are family events that run the gamut from a pancake breakfast, a family picnic, a barbecue, a sports day at Kinsmen and a concert featuring Edmonton Vocal Minority.
While fun is a big focus, education still plays a large part. Bully, a must-see documentary will be held at the Empire Theatre on Thursday, June 14.
"It's a hard-hitting documentary that follows five kids and their families in the course of a year."
For complete details visit www.edmontonpride.ca
