Ever since Icelandair started providing direct flights from Edmonton to Reykjavik, Iceland, everyone has been excited to see what this new friendship will bring. With great publicity and buzz, the destination seems to be on every bucket list.

Icelandair had many Edmontonians, myself included, running around the City several weeks ago continuously refreshing their twitter feeds in the hopes of winning free airline tickets to Reykjavik. When Iceland Naturally announced A Taste of Iceland, a festival celebrating Iceland’s food and music, I also came running. The event ran from March 5 – 8, with Icelandic cuisine showcased at Characters Fine Dining and two free Reykjavik Calling concerts at Brixx Bar and Grill, featuring emerging musical talents from both Iceland and Edmonton.

The Brixx Bar and Grill certainly got cozy and intimate with a very diverse crowd of age, background, and style eager to enjoy the anticipated cadence. I Am Machi took centre stage March 7, starting the evening off on a good note. Icelandic Lay Low, with a voice that sends chills down your spine, was next, performing alone as well as in collaboration with Edmonton’s Kaley Bird. Sin Fang of Iceland and Cygnets of Edmonton ended the night, playing separately as well as joining forces. March 8’s concert consisted of Hermigervill of Iceland along with local acts DJ Ten-O, The Specialist, and DJ Degree.

It was very cool to see Edmonton so excited about their newfound connection with Iceland, and coming together to celebrate it through the arts; listening to the dialogue that everyone understands: music.

-Written by Morgan Messelink




TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 

Edmonton’s NextGen presents Pecha Kucha Night 15 on March 7, 2013 at Northlands’ Edmonton EXPO Centre in the Alberta Ballroom. PKN 15 features presentations on local ideas, projects and musings in the 20 slides x 20 second per slide format made popular world-wide by Klein Dytham Architecture. Tickets are on-sale now via TIX on the Square, charge by phone at 780-420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca. Tickets are $10 for students (with I.D.) and $12 for adults. Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m., with presentations beginning at 7:30 p.m.

More than 150 presentations have been given at Edmonton Pecha Kucha Nights to-date on wide ranging topics, from Showing nature’s naughty bits to Light it up, #yeg! and everything in between. New for PKN 15, Edmonton’s NextGen welcomes Firefly Theatre & Circus for a special aerial performance and music provided by Girls Club. Famoso Neapolitan Pizza returns with gift cards for all ticket holders.

Pecha Kucha Night 15 presentations include:

• Jason Lee Norman | Writer, Dreamer | The 40 Below Project
• Jonathan Christenson and Bretta Gerecke | Artistic Director & Resident Designer, Catalyst Theatre | Creative Catalysts
• Stuart Cullum | Vice President, Agriculture, Northlands | Debunking Myths
• Caylie Gnyra | Language Ally | Little Cree Books
• Greg Whistance-Smith  | Architecture Student | Changing the Game
• Steven Hodges | Full Frontal Nerd | Full Frontal NERDity 101
• Owen Brierley | Executive Director, Guru Digital Arts College | Cross-disciplinary Arts
• Michael Carlos | Physiotherapist | Braving Alberta’s Winter Roads
• Neil Burkard | Public Education Specialist, City of Edmonton | Waste to Energy in Edmonton
• Gilman Cardinal and Tashina Makokis | Elder & Youth, Wicihitowin: Circle of Shared Responsibility and Stewardship | Merging of Generations
• Brian Webb | Artistic Director, Brian Webb Dance Company | Dance: A Life of Discipline for Hedonists
• Michelle Lam | Student | Project Three Six Five

*Presenters appear in the order they will present

Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture first devised Pecha Kucha, the Japanese phrase for “the sound of chitchat” in 2003, as a night for young designers to meet, network, and discuss their projects. The catch: each designer gives a presentation containing only 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, for a total presentation length of six minutes 40 seconds. Conceived as a venue through which young designers could meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network, the format keeps presentations concise, fast-paced and entertaining.

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #yegpkn.

PKN 15 is sponsored by: Capital Power Corporation, City of Edmonton, Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria, Graphos, and Klein Dytham.

Who is Lars Callieou? The little fat headed kid with the annoying voice from the children’s cartoon? No, but you’re close. The fat headed adult comedian from Edmonton, with the slightly less than annoying voice.

When I received an email from Edmonton’s NextGen blog I was intrigued. They said, “We like to have guest bloggers from ‘authorities’ on Edmonton’s entertainment scene”. I’ll start by saying I’m proud of comedy in Edmonton. From The Comic Strip, an A room in North America, to Yuk Yuk’s to the Comedy Factory (over a decade in the business), we have more comedy clubs than Toronto and as many as Vancouver.

Edmonton has a legit comedy scene, which I just made less legit by using the word legit.

Jay Leno has been to Edmonton. Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Joan Rivers, Dane Cook, Russell Peters – they all put us on their tour schedule. If Edmonton were a city in the United States, we’d be the 9th biggest city in the country. With 1.2 million people, we’re a REAL city. We often think of ourselves as ‘small time’ but we have a lot to be proud of. The second largest Fringe Festival in the world, more theatre seats per capita than anywhere in Canada and a comedy festival that hit the ground running last year (ATB Edmonton Comedy Festival). Our comedy scene should be proud of itself (not too proud because everyone hates a braggart comedian).

What makes me an authority on comedy in Edmonton? I’ve stuck around longer than most of my generation. Guys who started 9 years ago, they’re in Toronto, LA, Vancouver or England. I like to think of myself as the Bull Durham of Edmonton. I’m close to the record for home runs in the minor leagues (that’s a reference to the Kevin Costner movie and not a review of my shows). It’s not really a record you want, but I too, have been to the show.

I’m going to assume you’ve been to a comedy show in Edmonton in the last decade. When you were at said comedy show, whether in a club or a theatre or at an amateur night, you were pleasantly surprised. The comedians were funny. You might have been surprised to learn most were homegrown. There are GREAT comics in our city. Sean Lecomber, Sterling Scott, Kathleen McGee (off to LA soon), Kenny Valgardson… great comics. Names you might not recognize but people who have had you in stitches if you stumbled upon a comedy night they were on.

I was going to use this opportunity on Edmonton’s Next Gen to talk about how

stand up comedy is the bastard stepchild of the entertainment world.

I’d put us ahead of mimes and clowns, unless you’re a mime clown, then you’re above a comic on the proverbial entertainment ladder. They gave us an opportunity at The Works Festival this year, between bands, while equipment was being set up. It’s a start.

Want to find out what the arts world thinks about stand up comedy, put a straight stand up show in a Fringe Festival. You’ll get panned in reviews worse than Michael Richards at the Apollo Theatre. They don’t think we ‘belong’. After 4 straight years in the Fringe, they gave us a little love, we found a little acceptance. For that, I’m grateful.

Sam Kinison said, “If you want to be a success in comedy, don’t go away.” Our city supports the arts. Folk, Blues, theatre, Jazz, comedy, they love it. I believe Edmonton to be an oasis, like Austin or Minneapolis. It’s surprising how great the crowds can be. So Instead of complaining, I want to say, give stand up a try.

With all the great options for entertainment, give comedy a chance.

There are comedy open mics every night:

• The Druid Pub – Sunday
• O2 156 ST – Monday
• Overtime – Tuesday
• Rouge Lounge and/or Hydeaway Pub – Wednesday
• Yuk Yuk’s – Thursday

Those are just the open mics. Amateur nights so to speak. Want to see a pro show, go to a club on the weekend. You’ll see your own comics opening for the likes of Nikki Payne, Brad Garrett, Damon Wayans or Rob Schneider. You’ll leave saying, “That was great! Why don’t we do that more often?”

Live comedy, when done correctly, is the BEST form of entertainment (in my VERY biased opinion). Laugh yourself silly for 90 minutes, then tell me that wasn’t the best experience you’ve had in a long time. You’ll laugh more than any movie, play or concert. To quote Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, “If you’ve made it this far, perhaps you’re willing to come a little farther.”

Check out a comedy night, give them your attention, don’t text or talk.

Most comedians have poured their heart and soul into each word, into crafting each joke, we just want to make you laugh.

Why you ask? So you’ll leave and say, “The fourth comedian was my favorite.” We’re just trying to be a random number in your program, but number one in your hearts. Until then, we’re happy to be on the edge of the arts, looking in, wondering if they’ll ever ask us to be with the musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, writers or poets.

An unknown Jazz musician quote was once told to me third person, Mike Wilmont told Dan Brodribb who told it to me, I wish I could attribute it to an author but I haven’t been able to. Here it is: “There are day people and there are night people. Day people work all day just so they can give their money to night people.”

I’ll see you at a show sometime, you’ll recognize me as comic number 3, your second favorite.

Bio:
Lars Callieou
Lars has been a stand up comic in Edmonton for 9 years. He’s been to the Just for Laughs Festival and has a comedy special on the Comedy Network. He hosts The Druid Comedy Night every Sunday and DJs a comedy radio show Wednesdays at midnight on CJSR 88.5 FM. He loves his Mom and is on Twitter. @extralars

www.extralars.com

Disclaimer
NextGen Speaks Out, our guest blogging series, is envisioned as a hub for information and discussion. NextGen is a non-political, non-denominational organization focused on giving all nextgeners a voice. NextGen does not represent the opinions expressed by the individual columnists.

I’m very fortunate to work alongside artists; helping share their work with audiences. Art, specifically dance, is such an influential force in my life and the idea of bringing artists & audiences together is still a constant thrill.

Just like birthdays, family reunions and Christmas mornings, there are dance moments that measure milestones in my life, evoke memories and shape the way I navigate the world:

• Standing in a dance studio, geared up head-to-toe in ballet gear, and having no clue what was going to happen next
• The waltz scene by the river in An American in Paris
• Seeing La La La Human Steps at the Jubilee for my big 15th birthday
• Finding out the hanging meat & underpants performance I convinced myself I made up was in fact a reality, courtesy of Brian Webb

These dance moments reflected the experiences of others, the possibilities of the moving body* and the courage to express opinions and feelings in a way nothing else has or likely will for me.

Ben Cameron, Program Director, Arts, at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, when he was in town as part of the Percolate Speaker Series spoke about the importance of arts participation. He shared an insight that Americans were, in part, so invested in sport because they saw many images of J.F.K. participating in sporting activities and mirrored that in their own lives. This notion really struck a chord with me: one of the reasons I was so drawn to dance was that it was easy for me to transport the dancers’ experience to my own.

It got me thinking that the opportunity to experience dance from a young age, both as a student and an audience member, also gave me the confidence to participate in other types of art, whether it was going to an opera or a gallery.

Having a connection to one art form made it easy to put my trust in all artists that their work would inspire, challenge and entertain.

Just as we trust dentists to keep our teeth healthy, police officers to keep us safe and teachers to educate us – I trust artists to share their stories, to find the amazing connections that bring us all together and archive the human experience in all its permutations. It’s an incredible calling that takes sacrifice, bravery and dedication.

The third item on my list of memorable dance moments, La La La Human Steps, came full circle this year when Louise Lacavalier returned to Edmonton to perform new work as part of the BWDC season.

 

Image reprinted with the Author’s Permission by Brian Webb Dance Company on August 8, 2012

As a teenager I was amazed by her strength, precision and sexuality on stage. Frankly, I was shocked that my parents would send me off to see the show. As an adult, watching her perform was equally awe inspiring. Rather than being moved by the sheer physicality of her performance, it was the incredible ability to reign in her body that gave power to the emotional elements of the work. On the way home from the theatre and the days that followed, I thought often of how fortunate I was that someone was willing to share that kind of honesty and commitment with roomfuls of strangers.

As we move closer to the 2012-2013 arts season,

I encourage you to put your trust in artists and try something new.

Dance might not be your cup of tea but in Edmonton’s thriving cultural communities there’s a bounty of options to choose from!

*The moving body is a favourite phrase of Brian Webb, Artistic Director of the Brian Webb Dance Company.

Bio:
Stephanie Enders
Stephanie is ecstatic about promoting the arts in Canada and is currently a Project Manager at Bottom Line Productions, a marketing and communications agency with a focus on arts and not-for-profit clients. Stephanie is passionate about the arts and thrilled to be working in an industry where the main focus is on supporting creativity. A long-time Next Gen volunteer, Stephanie values the opportunity to shape the city she chooses to live, learn and work in.

Disclaimer
NextGen Speaks Out, our guest blogging series, is envisioned as a hub for information and discussion. NextGen is a non-political, non-denominational organization focused on giving all nextgeners a voice. NextGen does not represent the opinions expressed by the individual columnists.

August’s NextGen Speaks Out! theme will be the Arts

 
The Arts are in the air during the summer and most of us have caught the bug. Whether you are headed out to a festival or block party, are hitting up an improv show, going out to a see a band play, or watching a street performer on the street you are bound to come up against Edmonton’s arts scence.

This month we will be bringing you posts on and about Edmonton’s arts scene in Edmonton. Edmonton artists and supporters will be sharing their perspectives about Edmonton art scene in all shapes and forms. An artist thrives on expression and needs your help to support their art.

We also want you to engage in discussion. Come on nextgener’s we know you have opinions and thoughts on these themes too. We’d love for you to comment, start a discussion, and share these posts with your networks.

Check back weekly as we will be adding new NextGen Speaks Out! posts regularly. We’re looking forward to it and hope you do too!

Disclaimer
NextGen Speaks Out, our guest blogging series, is envisioned as a hub for information and discussion. NextGen is a non-political, non-denominational organization focused on giving all nextgeners a voice. NextGen does not represent the opinions expressed by the individual columnists.

Why wait for the weekend? The hottest patio party of the summer kicks off courtesy of Latitude 53 and interVivos, in partnership with Edmonton’s NextGen and Canadian International Council-Edmonton. Make your way down to the Latitude 53 Art Gallery (10248 106th Street) after work on Thursday, August 9^th, 5pm – 10pm, and join us on downtown’s favourite roof top patio to savour the summer in style.

There’s so much on the table for you and friends to enjoy:

• Celebrate Edmonton’s festival season with an array of entertainment, featuring DJs, belly dancers, a special Fringe Festival preview performance and more;
• Indulge in the diverse art and installations courtesy of Latitude 53, featuring this week’s entry in the Summer Incubator Series, Daniel Chmieleski;
•  Sip on drinks from the gallery bar and enjoy hors d’oeuvres provided by  Suede Lounge;
• Strike a pose at Latitude’s photo wall;
• Win door prizes;
• Find out more about engaging your city with interVivos, Edmonton’s NextGen and Canadian International Council-Edmonton.

Admission to the August 9^th Latitude 53 Patio Party is by donation; your generosity helps support contemporary visual culture in Edmonton. In addition, donations of new toiletries for YESS – Youth Empowerment & Support Services – will also be accepted.

For more information, visit www.latitude53.org. Join the conversation on Twitter, hashtag #yegrooftop

Edmonton’s NextGen hosts its second monthly social on April 5, 2012, at The Artery (9535 Jasper Ave). Presented by Jam Union, the Art House Party and NextGen Social features collaborative performances by F&M, Mae Anderson, and Martin Johann Kloppers a.k.a “The Cellotaur”.

In addition to musical performances, the Art House Party and NextGen Social includes a silent art auction to benefit the Youth Emergency Shelter Society, featuring art from Randee Armstrong, Kevin Green, Malorie Shmyr, Darren Bolz, and Chantel Fortin. These artists will also be performing interactive art installations throughout the evening.

Since 2007, Edmonton’s Jam Union podcast has connected people to some of the best local music, arts and current events in the City of Champions. Through blogging and social media, Jam Union is a creative community of artists, performers and activists. For more information, visit www.jamunion.net

Doors for the April Art House Party and NextGen Social open at 7:00 p.m., with performances beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door / $8 in advance from YEG Live and Blackbyrd Myoosic (10442-82 Avenue.) This is an 18+ event, no minors.

Purchase your tickets on-line at http://yeglive.ca/events/f-m/apr-5-2012/artery.

On Thursday March 1st, NextGen hosts our first monthly social event at the Artery on Jasper Avenue featuring Mitchmatic, Sugar Glider, and Jill Pollock.  Tickets are $20 at the door, 9535 Jasper Avenue.

At 7pm the night starts off with a silent art auction to benefit the Youth Emergency Shelter Society and 25% of all ticket proceeds will be donated as well.  Show starts at 8pm and the midnight dance party will be curated by DJ Owl and Jenny Grey.  Stay tuned to Jam Union for more information.

Advance tickets available: http://yeglive.ca/events/mitchmatic/mar-1-2012/artery

Dear Edmonton,

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…”

We’re proud to present the Love Letters to Edmonton writing contest.

Click here or on the image above to share your love letter to #yeg with us!

Contest is open now to March 14^th and multiple entries per person are encouraged.

Click here for official contest rules and regulations: Rules and regs – love letters

Prizes:

1^st: City of Edmonton attraction passes and  a copy of the book “For the Love of Cities” by Peter Kageyama (value over $100)

2^nd: Chocolates from Kerstin’s Chocolates (value of $50)

3^rd: Three runner-up prizes of cool NextGen Swag

We look forward to reading your love letters & sharing the winning entries with all of our readers!

6:30 PM Doors, 7:30 PM Presentations | January 26 | PECHA KUCHA: METROPOLIS

Pecha Kucha Nights have become one of Edmonton’s NextGen’s most popular and enduring public events. Japanese for the phrase “the sound of chitchat”, Pecha Kucha Nights feature presentations on local ideas, projects and musings in the 20 slides x 20 second per slide format made popular world-wide by Klein Dytham Architecture.  At METROPOLIS, the public is invited to attend Pecha Kucha: Metropolis featuring “best of” presentations from the past 11 installments of the event plus fresh ideas.

Featuring Presentations from:

8:30 AM | January 27 | SOCIAL MEDIA BREAKFAST #13 

Edmonton’s NextGen is pleased to partner with SMBYEG as Food Sponsor of Social Media Breakfast #13, taking place right next door to METROPOLIS at the CBC Centre Stage, 10062-102 Avenue.  The Edmonton Social Media Breakfast (SMBYEG) is pleased to announce Walter Schwabe (@fusedlogic) as this month’s guest speaker.

The Awesomeness of SocialTV

Understanding the digital behaviors of today’s online audiences can help businesses accomplish their objectives far better today than in the original static Web eco-system.  Walter Schwabe, Chief Evolution Officer of fusedlogic inc., and Executive Producer of fusedlogicTV will define and discuss the impact of digital behaviors such as, “social viewing” now associated with traditional television programming and how it’s changing the industry as a whole.  Further, he’ll demonstrate how the entertainment industry has effectively integrated into the social eco-system, while discussing the impact of social viewing data which is affecting entertainment expenditures.

Overall, Walter’s talk on SocialTV will look to reveal interesting behavioral patterns associated with this evolving space for your viewing, tweeting and blogging pleasure. Register for Social Media Breakfast #13 at http://www.amiando.com/smbyeg13.html

6:30 PM| January 27 | MEÆT 1.5

A project of Edmonton’s NextGen ENGAGE, producers of the popular DIYalouge forums, MEÆT1.5 brings local creatives and new philanthropists together for an evening of short proposals followed by a shared meal. At the end of the meal, all diners vote on which proposal receives the pot of funds to move forward with their project: immediate funding for awesome ideas! Presenters and diners are encouraged to register in advance at www.meaet.com; a minimum donation of $10 for dinners is suggested.

MEÆT1.5 is supported by JCI Edmonton. JCI Edmonton is dedicated to the development of opportunities that empower young Edmontonians to create positive change. Founded in 1929, JCI Edmonton encourages young professionals to Be Better and is part of a global movement with more than 200,000 members, creating positive change in the communities they call home.

January 28 | WINTER WONDERS

Visitors are encouraged to explore their creative sides with a number of interactive activities, events include:

• interVivos presents A Minute to Win It | Ongoing
• Break dance jam | 1 PM – 4 PM
• Open hoop / spinning jam | 4 PM – 6 PM
• artsScene presents an evening of creativity | 6 PM – 10 PM
  • Modern dance, improv and comedy performances
• Fire spinning performance | 10 PM – 10:30 PM

Winter Wonders is made possible through the support of artsScene Edmonton and interVivos. artsScene Edmonton is a volunteer-driven non-profit initiative that brings together young creative and business professionals (ages 18 – 40) through the arts to grow Edmonton’s creative community. artsScene is a national initiative from Business for the Arts. The interVivos Mentorship Society of Alberta (interVivos) provides a welcoming, respectful forum to openly discuss issues that affect our community, province and country’s current and future social, political and economic well-being.

11 AM – 4 PM | January 28 | SNOW SCULPTURE COMPETITION

M.A.D.E, Media Art and Design Edmonton hosts a Snow Sculpture competition in the East Gardens of Sir Winston Churchill Square. Teams can register at www.madeinedmonton.org.

A maximum of 8 teams of 2-3 people will compete to create snow furniture. Each team is provided 4 blocks of snow, sized at 0.5 cubic meters. Teams are required to bring their own hand tools and water to shape and fasten snow furniture. Powered tools are not allowed for this competition.

M.A.D.E , Media, Art, Design Exposed in Edmonton, is a young, volunteer driven, not-for-profit organization that is actively working to bring out the best in Edmonton’s design community, with a focus on the fields of architecture, graphic design, industrial design, landscape architecture, interior design, fine art, and film. The Snow Sculpture Competition is a natural extension of M.A.D.E’s popular street furniture collaboration with the Works Art & Design Festival which recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary!

12 PM – 9 PM | January 29 | THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

Old Ugly curates The Tip Of The Iceberg: featuring half hour sets from twelve of Edmonton’s most sought after independent music acts! Acts include: Jom Comyn, Camembert, Krang, Viking Fell, Brazilian Money, Jessica Jalbert, Field & Stream, Mitchmatic, Scenic Route To Alaska, Jeff Stuart & The Hearts, Liam Trimble, and 100 Mile House.

Old Ugly Recording Company is a collective of artists dedicated to creating and preserving an Edmonton musical aesthetic for audiences of all ages.

METROPOLIS is a celebration if Edmonton’s dynamic winter culture, featuring four pavilions designed by an international roster of architects and programming from a variety of community and corporate partners. Tents are fully heated. For more information, visit www.metropolisedmonton.ca.

Edmonton’s NextGen presents Pecha Kucha Night 12, February 2, 2012, at Metro Cinema at The Garneau (8712 – 109 Street). PKN12 features presentations on local ideas, projects and musings in the 20 slides x 20 second per slide format made popular world-wide by Klein Dytham Architecture. Tickets go on sale on Monday, January 9, at 10:00 a.m. via TIX on the Square; charge by phone at 780.420.1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.

More than 125 presentations have been given at Edmonton Pecha Kucha Nights to-date on wide ranging topics, from professional online gaming to in vitro meat and everything in between. In 2011, Pecha Kucha Global recognized the poster design and accompanying production video from PKNX as one of the Top 20 Pecha Kucha Moments of 2011, thanks in large part to the talented creative efforts of Graphos, a PKN corporate sponsor and Capital Power Corporation, our ongoing sponsor for PKNs.

Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture first devised Pecha Kucha, the Japanese phrase for “the sound of chitchat” in 2003, as a night for young designers to meet, network, and discuss their projects. The catch: each designer gives a presentation containing only 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, for a total presentation length of six minutes 40 seconds. Conceived as a venue through which young designers could meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network, the format keeps presentations concise, fast-paced and entertaining.

A first for Pecha Kucha Nights in Edmonton, PKN12 features live music from Kevin Marsh and Jill Roszell.

Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m.; with presentations beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 for students and $11 for adults, plus services charges, and go on sale January 9, 2012, at TIX on the Square.

Our spiffy Pecha Kucha Night 12 poster, designed by the team at Graphos, is available as a FREE download for your desktop, iPad, and iPhone: http://graphos.ca/pechakucha-wallpapers.asp. Thanks for helping us spread the word about PKN12!

Edmonton’s NextGen presents MEÆT – MICRO-FUNDING TOGETHER, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2011. A project of ENGAGE, producers of the popular Candi{date} forums, MEÆT brings local creatives and new philanthropists together for an evening of short proposal presentations followed by a shared meal. At the end of the meal, all diners vote for their favourite proposal. The winning presenter receives the pot of funds donated by the diners to move forward with their project – immediate funding for awesome ideas! For more information on MEÆT and to register, visit . Once you register, you’ll be notified about the location.

“MEÆT 0.5 is a pilot event designed to bring us together for a meal and together fund homegrown projects. By getting together and pooling our wealth, we can avoid bureaucracy, get right down to the meat of an idea and make it happen,” says Carol Neuman, Engage Working Group Co-Chair.

Edmonton NextGen is looking for MEÆTing participants. Limited space is available:

1. Presenters: Apply to have a project funded, present your project and come enjoy dinner.

2. Diners: Come enjoy dinner, experience the presentations, vote for your favourite, and donate $10 to fund something awesome.

3. 50 spots are available; register as a Presenter or Diner at www.meaet.com

Ever dream about…

Starting a gallery?

Launching a magazine?

Turning your sketches into a fashion line?

Landing your own TV show?

Getting your favorite musicians to play your festival?

Let’s talk.

Edmonton’s NextGen presents DIYalogue, a cultural mix-and-mingle in the style of NextGen’s popular Candi{date} series, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at The ARTery, 9535 Jasper Avenue.

Looking for a collaborative space to share ideas and gain advice on launching them into action? DIYalogue connects Edmonton’s established cultural entrepreneurs with emerging young creatives in 20 minute one-on-one mentorship mini-dates. DIYalogue explores the potential for individual success in the creative industries through unique partnerships and community support.

Participating speed mentors include:

• The Royal Bison

• The ARTery

• Solidaritees

• dEdmonton

• The Edmontonian

• Parlour Magazine

• City and Dale

• Fridget Apparel

• SOS Fest

To register for DIYalogue, click on the image to visit our Eventbrite page.