Festival City has a variety of artistic opportunities to keep the creativity alive
Danika McDonald
arts editor
There’s more to developing your skills in the arts than simply sitting in your drafty basement stumbling through guitar tabs.
Practicing your craft alone does build technique, but during the summer when you’re itching for entertainment, it’s hard to sit at home and sketch.
This spring and summer, take advantage of the conventional and somewhat unconventional arts programs going on in Edmonton.
There’s a lot to be said for keeping your mind sharp while interacting with the community. Education can be found in some surprising places if you approach it with the right attitude.
Poetry Slam
Every Tuesday, join the Breath In Poetry Collective (BIP Collective) at Rouge Lounge for an old-school poetry slam, like the beat poets of Ginsberg’s time.
Poets are reviewed and offered advice and the best poets are often given prizes for participating. This is a great way for writers and poets alike to work on their poetry and creativity skills.
It’s also great practice for songwriters looking to develop writing abilities for lyrics. The slams kick off around 9 p.m. weekly.
DZANC Day Creative Writing Workshop
The Edmonton Public library (ELP) confirms that learning continues even after the semester has come to a close, but to kick things off this spring, they are hosting a creative writing workshop on April 9.
The goal of the workshop is to create the perfect short story, a feat that is both challenging and rewarding.
From 3 to 5 p.m. at the Stanley Milner branch of the EPL, join Jason Lee Norman for tips on perfecting your short story.
Shakespeare in the Park
If you’ve only experienced Shakespeare in dumpy old high school books and BBC specials, this is your chance to experience Elizabethan theatre live.
Sticking with tradition, the River City Shakespeare festival will alternate between a drama and a comedy, for the evenings of June 30 to July 24.
This year, they will be presenting Othello and Twelfth Night, a perfect opportunity if you missed the Grant MacEwan University presentation this spring, in Hawrelak Park.
The Works Art and Design Festival
Any art teacher will tell you the best way to become an artist is to learn the technique of others.
The Works Art and Design Festival allows for that opportunity in a fun exciting way. The 13-day event, running from June 23 to July 5, brings artists from all mediums together in Churchill Square.
From stain glass to sidewalk chalk learning art is as simple as checking it out.
Want to perform at the works? If your band is interested in being involved first hand in supporting visual artists in Edmonton, deliver your CD to The Works office downtown before June 8.
For more details visit http://www.theworks.ab.ca. Compensation is offered for playing a 45-minute set during festival hours.
Stand-up comedy
Take your pick: The Druid on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. or Celli’s Irish Pub on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m.
Both venues offer an array of amateur stand-up comedians and also regularly let newbies up to perform.
Practicing stand-up comedy is a great way to develop quick wit and charisma. It may be a crash-course in embarrassment for some, but for others it’s a way to keep the mind sharp while getting a few laughs out of the deal.
Call Jordan Chtzowksi for more details at 780-940-6238 as he searches for the world’s funniest human being this summer.
The Heritage Festival
Edmonton is known as being Festival City for a reason with a major crowd-pleasing favourite being the Heritage Festival.
From July 30 to Aug. 4, Hawrelak Park undergoes an exotic transformation with colourful tents representing nearly every culture imaginable. Is there education to be gained in this? Sure! There are dance showcases and workshops, crafts and general knowledge to be gained at each stop.
Bus down and donate to Edmonton’s Food Bank to reduce your environmental footprint and give back to the community.
Or. perhaps bring a racist grandparent down and either shock the hell out of them or ease them into a new understanding.
