Capital Ex is about to swing open its gates from July 22 to July 31, a 10-day extravaganza that definitely has something for everybody.
There's a boisterous midway, a laser spectacular, monster truck shows, a chuckwagon derby, horse racing, a First Nations showcase and spectacular fireworks.
And at Northlands Telus Stage there is a schedule of talent stretching from rock and country to reggae and soul.
Check out Doc Walker, Big Sugar, Terri Clark, The Trews, Finger Eleven, Marianas Trench, Blue Oyster Cult and Ace of Base to name a few.
Opening for Natasha Bedingfield this coming Friday night is Ontario transplant Alyssa Reid. A former St. Albert resident, Reid became an Internet phenomenon after she posted a YouTube video of Justin Bieber's cover song One Less Lonely Girl, cleverly rewritten from her own perspective as One More Lonely Boy.
Signing on with Wax Records, she's been hot since her smash single Alone Again hit the radio earlier this year. Now CRIA certified platinum, it perched on Billboard Magazine's Canadian Emerging Artist chart for 17 straight weeks.
Tickets are available at www.capitalex.ca.
Wicked, the much-anticipated Broadway blockbuster, parks its props and costumes at the Northern Alberta Jubilee stage until Sunday, Aug. 7.
It is the never-before-told story of two magical witches from the land Oz long before Dorothy was flung in their midst by a tornado.
One of them is fiery, smart, misunderstood and was born with emerald green skin. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good have nothing in common, but in the script by Winnie Holzman the duo forges a path towards friendship.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Pocahontas and Prince of Egypt), it is based on George Maguire's 1995 best-selling novel.
Directed by Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, The Vagina Monologues, Love! Valour! Compassion!), it is a cultural phenomenon that has already won over 35 awards. Wicked is setting the bar for musicals of this decade and has spawned seven productions in major centres worldwide.
In an unusual move, Wicked just announced day-of-performance lotteries for a limited number of orchestra seats. The draws will be held daily. Each day two hours prior to show times, theatregoers are asked to present themselves at the Jubilee where their names will be placed in a lottery drum.
Thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for the $25 cash-only seats. The lottery is available in-person only with a limit of two tickets per person. Winners must present valid photo ID.
Tickets are available at 780-451-8000 or at www.ticketmaster.ca.
Whether you are a gourmet or a gourmand, the 27th annual Taste of Edmonton kicking off on Thursday is the Capital Region's most popular food festival.
There are 42 restaurants, partnered with beer gardens, plying their savoury mini-dishes from temporary booths set up at Sir Winston Churchill Square from July 21 to July 30. It's a food lover's delight.
There's everything from grilled quail with pomegranate sauce and beef lemongrass to cheese empanadas and tempura shrimp. Finish the meal off with tiramisu or Jack Daniels apple crumble. Down these desserts with wine and beer or the lighter non-alcoholic lemonade, bubble drinks and coconut drinks.
In fact, the Art Gallery of Alberta is hosting A Taste of Desserts and Liqueurs throughout the 10-day event. Visitors can sample and fill out a punch card for reduced admission
Tickets are $1 each. Advance ticket purchases of $27 for 30 tickets, a 10 per cent discount, are available until Wednesday, July 20. Purchases can be made through the Alberta Art Gallery and Tix on the Square.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking is limited and visitors are encouraged to use transit. For more information visit www.eventsedmonton.ca.
