Local Entertainment

St. Albert has never seen the likes of the scale and magnitude of the Rendezvous 2011 Picnic, perhaps because the whirlwind threesome of organizers, Kent La Rose, Celine Leonard and Cheryl Mackenzie never put their minds together before.

Come 'Rendezvous' on Sunday, Aug. 28, from Riel Park to Kingswood at 10 different picnic locations along the Sturgeon River and as far out as the Grain Elevator Park and River Lot 56.

St. Albert’s Rendezvous 2011 Picnic is set to become the mother of all picnics. In fact, the 16-member Strathcona Mounted Troop Musical Ride was just confirmed as the feature performance at the Kinsmen grounds.

There's a sort of Viking-esque air to the North Saskatchewan as the Breast Friends charge down the river in their dragon boat. "Come on, ladies!" roars the drummer, audible from about 200 metres away.

30 Minutes or Less (18A) In this action-comedy, the mundane life of a small town pizza delivery guy collides with the big plans of two wannabe criminal masterminds. The volatile duo kidnaps Nick and forces him to rob a bank.

This year, the 30th Edmonton International Fringe Festival in Old Strathcona has been packed with enthralling and inspired theatre.

The fight is on. A man in a black flame-wrapped bodysuit steps into the ring to lay the smackdown on Slammer, an orange-suited convict from Arkham Asylum. "I'll break you in half!" snarls Slammer.

Every year during the summer, Mason Rack and his band of merry men fly up from Australia to tour Canada. And Canadians have embraced this fiery singer/songwriter/musician, in large part because of his gusto for life and brassy showmanship.

This year's Edmonton International Fringe Festival is a madcap romp of moving statues, tottering acrobats, devilish clowns and busking musicians. There's even a grand Ferris wheel heightening the carnivalesque ambience.

The Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Gala nominees were announced this week and one St. Albert visual artist is leading the race with two nods.