The Edmonton International Fringe Festival is just around the corner and one St. Albert actress is trying to raise money for the play she’s in.
Liz Allchin, a thespian under the wings of Anything But Orange, has landed one of the ensemble roles in the musical Searching for Normal opening Friday, Aug. 16 at Westbury Theatre.
Penned by playwright-director Alison Neuman, it’s her story of a disabling condition and struggle with dermatomyositis, a connective tissue disease characterized by inflamed muscles, skin, joints, esophagus, lungs and heart.
Among the cast of 11, Allchin plays the role of a very unpleasant doctor.
“She’s a consultant with a very vicious personality,” laughs Allchin.
As Allchin explains it, the production needs $3,000 upfront money to cover basic costs.
“Hopefully we get it back in ticket sales. But you can’t live on hope. So we have to fundraise as much as possible.”
The players are hosting a fundraiser on Thursday, Aug. 8 where they present a production preview paired with a dinner, silent auction and entertainment. Blues-guitarist Wayne Allchin will also be on hand to play a set and magician Robbie Woodward pulls out his deck of magic cards.
The fundraiser takes place at Wellington Park Community League on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The address is 13440 – 132 St. Tickets are $20. More information is available at info@alisonneuman or at 780-460-6678.
Just a reminder that this weekend the Heritage Days celebration of our incredible cultural mosaic takes over Hawrelak Park for three days of feasting and fun.
Sixty nations from across the world are lavishly spread across the grassy park – countries from Borneo and Wales to Ecuador and Kurdistan.
Nosh on traditional Aboriginal bison burgers or graze with more far ranging Jamaican curried goat, Polish bigos, Tanzanian barbecued chicken and Zimbabwean kuzuma doughnut.
Alternatively, there are dancing, music and trade shows interspersed with a Verdi Festival. On Monday, Aug. 5, a citizenship ceremony swears in over 100 new Canadians.
There is no admission charge, however donations for the Edmonton Food Bank are appreciated. Tickets will be sold throughout the park in varying amounts from $1 for 1 ticket to $25 for 30 tickets. No parking is available, but a list of ETS Park and Ride locations is available on their website at www.heritage-festival.com.
