Rat Creek Press Article: ArtsAlive! Kaleido 2007 Festival kicks off the fall with colour and style

ArtsAlive! Kaleido 2007 Festival kicks off the fall with colour and style

DAWN FREEMAN

It’s a little earlier this year, but no less big and bold. The second annual ArtsAlive! Kaleido 2007 festival is happening on Saturday, September 29 from noon to 11pm, come rain or shine – although organizers are crossing fingers that it will be a beautiful day.

“Last year the weather was not our friend,” says Scott Peters, vice-president of Arts on the Avenue (AOTA), the group that is producing the festival. “So we moved it back a few weeks in hopes of warmer temperatures.”

This year’s theme – Kaleido – is an analogy for bringing together the different colours and shapes of the community into new and wonderful configurations, and the planned Lantern creation and parade is the physical representation of bringing new light and life to the Ave.

Lanterns will be created in two Saturday workshops prior to the festival. Made of various materials, the idea is to decorate them with people’s ideas of community, the Avenue, art and family.

“We want people to meet and share in the active creation of the lanterns. When we walk with them, we will be basking in our own illumination; the lights will represent the re-awakening that is happening in our community,” says Marc Piquette, who along with Rebecca Pickard will be helping facilitate the lantern making.

The festival features music, theatre, dance and art and crafts in various locations all within a four-block radius on 118 Ave. Entry to all events is free, although donations would be gratefully accepted and very, very welcome. Just like last year, many of the performers and artists are local residents.

“We have such a deep well of talent living in the communities surrounding the Avenue,” says Christy Morin, president of AOTA. “So many musicians, actors and artists all call this neighbourhood home. We want to share their talent with the whole community and the rest of the city as well.”

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With performers such as Captain Tractor, Le Fuzz and Terry Morrison, and actors and dancers such as Kenneth Brown and Gerri Morita appearing, this is no amateur lightweight event. Organizers have pulled together a first-class line-up – an impressive feat for only their second year out.

The Main Stage, located in the parking lot of the Alberta Avenue Community League, will have music running from noon to 11 pm, with the Lantern Parade, Le Fuzz and Captain Tractor rounding out the evening.

The Alberta Avenue Community League will be the stage for a wide range of workshops including mask making, yo-yo tricks and hand-to-hand stage fighting techniques, as well as stories and puppet theatre for the kids.

The old Alberta Cycle building will be transformed into several venues, hosting the Theater Stage, the Gallery Stage, the Artisan Market and Gallery and the Van Gogh Cafe.

The Theatre Stage will be the site for the multi-award winning Kenneth Brown’s new work, Water, and widely acclaimed Fringe show, Homeless, by Jeremy Baumung. As well, find your rhythm with dance shows by Raq-A-Belly dance troupe, accompanied by the Global Hand Drummers and Assante African dance.

The Artisan Market and Gallery welcome browsers and buyers. Artists and artisans will be offering up their wares for sale throughout the day as well as opening for a pre-festival shindig on Friday, September 28, the night before the big day.

The “No-Tie” Gala and Sale, from 7pm to 10:30pm, is a chance to get dressed up, taste some wine and cheese, listen to the smooth styling of the White Cat Trio jazz band, and make some early Christmas purchases.

“We all know you never have time at a festival to shop,” laughs Morin. “So this is an opportunity to buy some of the fantastic creations our artists have to offer, while having a lovely night out as well.”

The event also boasts a poetry reading from Edmonton author Jannie Edwards (www.artsci.gmcc.ab.ca/people/edwardsj) new book ‘Blood Opera: The Raven Tango Poems’. Ms Edwards, as well as the illustrator of her book, will be available for book signings on the night.

For a closer look at what’s going to be happening at the festival, check out the centre pages of this month’s issue of the Rat Creek. For the official program of performers and times go to the AOTA website at www.artsontheave.org, or pop into the Carrot Arts Coffeehouse (9351 118 Ave) to pick up your paper copy.

INFO FOR THE CALENDAR

“No-Tie” Gala and Sale
WHEN: Friday, September 28 from 7pm to 10:30pm
WHERE: Alberta Cycle Building (9115 118 Ave)
COST: Free, save your dollars for spending!
WHY: Listen to poetry and meet the writer. Buy paintings, prints, cards, jewelry and more!

ArtsAlive! Kaleido 2007 festival
WHEN: Saturday September 29 from noon to 11pm
WHERE: Alberta Ave. Community League, Alberta Cycle building, The Carrot coffeehouse, Avenue Skatepark
COST: Free! But please, donations are very welcome!
WHY: It’s the best fall festival in town, and it’s in YOUR neighbourhood!