Downtown Edmonton could soon see another new project in a growing area should the Edmonton Galleria Project gain enough support.

The project, guided by The Edmonton Downtown Academic and Cultural Foundation (EDACC), would create four performing arts theatres and a campus for the University of Alberta’s School of Music and Department of Art and Design. The result would be located in the heart of Downtown Edmonton, next to such established cultural centres such as the Winspear and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

“The Galleria will serve to enhance the cultural landscape of Edmonton. We are building for what is already here,” said Dr. Dianne Kipnes, chair of EDACC.

The Galleria will provide rehearsal and performance space for dancers, studios for artists, a recital hall for concerts held by the U of A. ”It will provide a home for our artists who would otherwise be moving to other cities,” Dr. Kipnes said, noting that there is currently a shortage of rehearsal and performance space for those wanting to develop their talents.

Dr. Kipnes explained that more campus space would lead to more faculty members for the Fine Arts departments, which in turn would lead to more students participating in this field. At the same time, the civic conversation of the past few years has centered around downtown revitalization, and how to get people and businesses to stay and to thrive in our urban centre. EDACC believes the Galleria would be a big part of achieving both of those goals.

The  key to the sustainability of this initiative is the Galleria Cultural Trust, which will be overseen by a community-based Board of Directors. The Trust aims to permanently support the arts, using private enterprise for the benefit of the community. The philanthropic trust will own, manage and operate the Galleria facilities and excess funds will be reinvested back into the arts community of Edmonton.  The Galleria is seeking to provide an alternate opportunity to educate and provide public access to the arts, while establishing some independence from government funding.

Dr. Kipnes states, “This is not about city funding. The responsibility is on the private sector.”

Photo credit: Edmonton Galleria Project

Providing space, freeing the arts community from perpetual fundraising, creating public access to art, and expanding Edmonton’s fields of artistic study are all topics that EDACC wants to address in an ongoing dialogue.

As the Galleria moves forward, public consultations will be held, and you will have opportunity to find out more. Please contact your City Councillor, your MLA or the Premier’s office to express your opinions about the project. You can also have a conversation with ECACC representatives during the day on August 21-22, as their Edmonton Galleria Project awareness event wraps up in Churchill Square. And as always, let us know what you think! @EdmNextGen on Twitter, or in the comments below.

Maybe you are like me and every year it takes you until halfway through the Fringe Festival to realize that you haven’t seen a single play. And then even more valuable time is wasted trying to pick from a list which is seemingly interminable, and has seemingly equally fascinating subjects. Well, put down the list. Here are two you cannot miss.

Enid and the Death Wish:

This multimedia production follows the post-funerary musings of four individuals who are reeling in the loss of Enid, their respective friend, lover, rival. A true tragicomedy, this show goes by shockingly fast and for the most part, has a light touch.  The standout performance comes from Philip Geller as the boyfriend in mourning. You’ll be surprised how much you laugh.

Location:  

BYOV 42, Planet Ze Design Centre

Performances:   

Wednesday, August 20  - 8:00 PM
Thursday, August 21 – 9:30 PM
Friday, August 22 – 5:15 PM
Saturday, August 23 – 8:15 PM
Sunday, August 24 – 5:15 PM

All in the Timing:

Don’t pass this title over! This series of vignettes is one of the most delightful performances I have ever experienced at the Fringe.  Comic and human, the skits are filled with a edge-of-your-seat, perma-laugh energy.  One skit prominently features a pick-axe sticking out of the head of a prominent Marxist historical figure, as his wife reveals an affair with the gardener. The third act has a tire swing. Need I say more?

Location:

BYOV 46: La Cite Francophone – L’Uni Theatre

Performances:

Wednesday, August 20 – 6:15 PM
Thursday, August 21 – 9:45 PM
Friday, August 22 – 6:45 PM
Saturday, August 23 – 6:00 PM

So don’t wait, you still have time! Get out there to search for seemingly impossible-to-find venues, delicious street food and memorable performances in one of the best festivals Edmonton has to offer. You won’t regret it.

Ellen Chorley

Premiering at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival this year, The Hollywoodland Burlesques has had a great response from audiences so far. Ellen Chorley wrote the script and stars in the lead role as Gossip Queen Louella Parsons. Here’s what she had to say about the show:

1)  What inspired the idea for The Hollywoodland Burlesques?

As a theatre company, Send in the Girls has looked for historical stories to present as burlesque. We like that the vintage feel really lends itself to the format we work with (a traditional play with burlesque storytelling).  We look for historical characters who bring dramatic or scandalous stories to the stage, and then use our imaginations to fill in the blanks when the history books don’t give enough details.  We were attracted to the idea of the feud of Hollywood reporters Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons—and so I started researching into the era and the big stories of the period—which is where I stumbled upon the tragic tales of Jean Harlow and Peg Entwhistle.  I think, ultimately, we wanted to show the dark side of Tinseltown—a theme that is just as prevalent in 1932 as it is today.

 2)  Give us three reasons why audiences can’t miss this show at the Fringe.

• #1: I think the story is very compelling, the show looks beautiful— the costumes, wigs, tuxedos and corsets are divine (there is nothing like Old Hollywood glamour), and the performances are both flashy and extremely  real.
• #2: I think Send in the Girls’ work is hugely based on experimentation and collaboration, which makes our company quite unique in Western Canada— especially since we work with burlesque.
• #3: Coming to the see the show supports us creators and independent artists!

3)  Why did you decide to use 1930s Hollywood as a backdrop?

We picked the characters first and then placed the show in the time period these characters existed.

4)  What about the The Hollywoodland Burlesques are you most proud of?

As well as serving as Co-Artistic Director/ Playwright in Residence for Send in the Girls Burlesque, I am also the Artistic Director of a children’s theatre company, so a lot of the work I do is quite light and playful.  I think the writing of The Hollywoodland Burlesques really captures a darker feel and I love that.

5)  What did you find most challenging?

This is so silly, but honestly the most challenging thing about performing the show is smoking and drinking on stage.  It’s been really hard to handle my cigarettes, lighters, matches and champagne glasses all while keeping up with the scene.  I poured ‘champagne’ (sparkling apple juice) down the front of my dress last night.

6)  Are there any lessons or takeaways you want audiences of the show to walk out of the theatre with?

I just think that society has a huge obsession with celebrity and fame, and I guess it’s just interesting to think that celebrities are humans too—and that fame doesn’t get you everything that you want.

7)  How is the show being received by audiences so far?

We have had great houses and very enthusiastic audiences so far, which is very exciting because we are performing off of the main site this year in the French Quarter (which is about a 10 minute drive from the main Fringe site).

8) Why do you think theatre in Edmonton is important?

Theatre itself is important because creating it allows us to share our stories, practice empathy and have conversations.  Theatre in Edmonton is important because supports our community.

9)  Do you have any other recommendations for shows at the Fringe this year?

Tons:

• Ligature Marks
• Flora and Fawna’s Field Trip
• It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman
• John Cusack
• Zanna Don’t
• 3…2…1
• Trickstars
• Letters to Laura
• Tree Hugger
• Love and Death (or If We are Treading on Thin Ice, We Might As Well Dance)
• All in the Timing
• Sweet Lies

… and I make a cameo appearance in a play called Kurt Mann:  Buyer and Seller of Souls. 

10)  Is there an opportunity to see The Hollywood Burlesques after the Fringe?  What are some other projects we can look forward to seeing from you?

We don’t have plans to remount The Hollywoodland Burleques quite yet, but we have had the awesome opportunities to remount our other two burlesque plays (Tudor Queens: A Burlesque and A Bronte Burlesque) within the main theatre season, so hopefully we will be able to find another opportunity like that for The Hollywoodland Burlesques. This next year, I’ll be performing in a cabaret in November and then mounting my children’s play Birdie on the Wrong Bus in January 2015.

Tickets for The Hollywoodland Burlesques can be purchased online or at a Fringe box office.

Louella Parsons. Photo credit: DB Photographics.

Playwright Mac Rogers and director Taylor Chadwick bring Fringe theatregoers into a twisted world of unrequited love, real-life video games, and murder. Ligature Marks explores how far two individuals, in the throes of their own personal desperation, are willing to go to achieve what they frantically desire. Terry, played by Christopher Schulz, has reluctantly agreed to live with his ex-girlfriend Jill after being released from a minimum security prison. Jill, played by Morgan Smith, is obsessed with Terry and wants to do whatever she can to make him stay with her. To appease them both, they decide to enact a multi-player computer game, titled ‘Noir’.  A dark plotline follows, filled with intrigue, morally depraved decisions, and eventually — murder.

Morgan and Schulz’s performances were compelling — displaying both of their versatility and range. Despite the inherently dark theme of the play, the writing was witty and laced (thankfully) with moments of humour. At times, it was difficult to know when the play was within a fantasy and when it was ‘real-life’, but perhaps this was intentional. Ultimately, Ligature Marks challenges the audience to question their standards within relationships: how far are you willing to go in order to get what you want?

Location: Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Ave)

Performances:

Tuesday August 19: 9:30pm
Thursday August 21: 11:15pm
Friday August 22: 2:45pm
Saturday August 23: 6:45pm

More Information:

• https://www.facebook.com/events/803212269710857/?source=1
• http://www.fringetheatre.ca/

     Photo credit: DB Photographics.

The creators of Tudor Queens and A Bronte Burlesque bring us into the world of Hollywood glamour, where ethics are questioned and underlying motives exposed.

If you’re looking for a carefree, feel-good show, this isn’t it. Although the production is punctuated with a few fun dance performances, cast members Delia Barnett, Ellen Chorley, Chris W. Cook, Madelaine Knight and Elena Porter deliver on a raw and gritty performance. Questioning the allure of Hollywood, the audience is catapulted into the underpinnings and sacrifices of fame. Secrets, gossip, murder, and top 40 music—The Hollywoodland Burlesques really has it all. Buy a ticket if you would like to see a solid story and powerful performance.

Location: BYOV #46 La Cite Francophone (8627 91 Street)

Performances:

Monday, August 18 at 9:45 pm
Tuesday, August 19 at 3:30 pm
Wednesday, August 20 at 9:30 pm
Thursday, August 21 at 3:45 pm
Sunday, August 24 at 2:00 pm

More Information:

• http://www.sendinthegirlsburlesque.com/
• http://www.fringetheatre.ca/

By: Breanne Fisher

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend PARK’s first one-day conference in Edmonton. PARK, which stands for “Promoting Artists, Redefining Kulture”, works to support and mentor emerging artists within the community.  The conference was a means to bring these creative minds together for a day of discussion, collaboration, and exploration. The topic of entrepreneurship was particularly focused on throughout the day; providing all attendees with information on successfully launching and growing a creative business.

If you missed it, you missed out. I can only imagine what a foreigner — who knew nothing about Edmonton and just wandered into the conference — would have thought of the day. He or she probably would have blown away by how much talent this City encompasses; as well the humility and unpretentiousness of our incredible artists. Everyone there, no matter what stage they were in their career, really just had the desire to learn and grow—which was met, wholeheartedly, by all of the speakers.

Just getting started

The Highlights

Justine Barber, Co-founder of Poppy Barley started the show with her insights on Designing a Creative Business. She shared that “the reality of starting a creative business is that it requires a lot of non-creative work.” Coming from a business background, her advice for participants focused on first building a foundation, finding your brand’s creative niche, and fully analyzing your business’ viability.

Malorie Urbanovitch and Michael Meneghetti, Founders of Malorie Urbanovitch Ready to Wear presented next on the topic Cultivating Your Aesthetic: Defining Your Mission and Brand. Their talk was sincere and humble— conveying what lessons they have learned along the way from launching and nurturing their own brand. Tips, including, “take what others have to say, but trust your instincts”, and “create an aesthetic that is discernible and has a clear voice”, resonated well with the audience.

Kari Haddad, Co-founder of Workhall Boutique took to the stage to present on Creating a Successful Sales Model. She emphasized the importance on building an image that people will trust and relate to. The importance of embodying your brand was also articulated well in her presentation, as well as clearly defining why people will want to purchase your product.

Caroline Gault, Alberta Editor of FASHION Magazine delivered an entertaining talk on How to Pitch your Brand to Media. Her wealth of experience shone through and her guidance appeared to be exactly what the audience was looking for. Caroline looks for a few key things when deciding whether or not to write about someone, including: whether they have a website, a look book or quality photos, and if they are prompt and professional.

Caroline Gault: “How to Pitch Your Brand to Media”

Josh Holinaty, Designer, Illustrator and Instructor at Guru Digital Arts College, burst into the room with heaps of energy. His presentation on Making it as an Illustrator was filled with his incredible illustrations and nuggets of wisdom. Josh stressed why it’s important to take risks and get out of your comfort zone.

Josh Holinaty: “Making it as an Illustrator”

Nicole Campre, Founder and Designer at Campre Clothing and Workhall Boutique, was next and skillfully presented on her own journey: Two Years In —The Journey of an Emerging Clothing Designer. She shared how important connecting with the community was in her own career, as well as building a team of supporters.

Nicole Campre: “The Journey of an Emerging Clothing Designer”

The last presentation of the day was from Ken Bautista, Founder of Startup Edmonton. As a successful entrepreneur himself, his delivery of The Artist as an Entrepreneur was well-received and greatly appreciated by the room of aspiring business professionals. Ken feels that there are a lot of similarities between being an artist and being an entrepreneur, some of which are: creativity, passion and vision. He also shared how important it is to continually focus on your brand’s overall value: “Get people talking about the value, not the cost.”

The Startup Edmonton studio was abuzz with the energy of new ideas throughout the day. The breaks and lunch also provided all participants with the opportunity to mingle with the presenters and other artists. The overall length of the day could have been shortened, but it was a fantastic conference, full of inspiration and creativity. Thanks to PARK for providing a great resource for Edmonton’s emerging talent. Hope you come back to Edmonton again soon.

(Special mention to sponsors Startup Edmonton, Poppy Barley, and Mercer Tavern.)

As summer winds down, we’re turning our attention to the dreaded F word…Fall. But this year there’s nothing to be afraid of because we’ve already got something for you to look forward to: the next Pecha Kucha Night!

Edmonton’s NextGen is currently accepting presentation submissions for Pecha Kucha Night 20 to be held on October 2, 2014 at the Royal Alberta Museum.

What are you passionate about?  Share your thoughts and ideas with us – and 500 others – at the next Pecha Kucha! Now is your opportunity to present to some of Edmonton’s most engaged and creative young people.  More than 200 presentations have been given at Edmonton Pecha Kucha Nights, and most recently some of the topics ranged from urban beekeeping to electric-powered cars, and everything in between.

If you’re interested, you can submit your presentation using our online form!. Deadline for submissions is September 5 and will be reviewed the following week.

While you’re waiting to hear from us, you can prepare yourself by checking out our 10 steps to a great Pecha Kucha presentation.

What is Pecha Kucha?

Drawing its name from the Japanese term for “the sound of chit chat”, Pecha Kucha Night was devised by Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture in February 2003 as a venue for young designers to meet, network, exchange ideas and discuss their work in public. It rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, for a total presentation length of six minutes and 40 seconds. Why this format you ask? It keeps presentations concise, fast-paced and entertaining.
For more information, visit pechakucha.org

Our  2013 Annual Report  captures all the great work, projects and events that our volunteers worked on last year.

2013 NextGen Annual Report

Some of our project highlights include: Ideas for Edmonton, Pecha Kucha Night 17 featuring Designing Downtown, NextGen’s Engagement Strategy: Connect, Care, Contribute and Candi{date}.

Thanks to our volunteers and Committee members who helped make 2013 a great year.