Alberta Destinations

Edmonton boasts dazzling array of summer festivals

By Irene Adderley

Photo by Ellis Brothers

Edmonton has been declared the Cultural Capital of Canada for 2007, and when you look at the lineup of festivals and cultural events taking place this summer, it’s apparent how entirely appropriate that is. Here are the events taking place over the next several months, but we have probably missed a few.

2007 Visualeyez....a Festival Of Performance Art
May 18-28 An interdisciplinary, trans-media, paradigm-busting event that focuses upon performance and time-based art, VisualEyez is the only annual festival of performance art in Canada. It brings together over 15 artists from Canada and the world to Edmonton for 10 days of cutting edge and innovative programming. Information: 423-5353; www.latitude53.org/visualeyez.

Opera Nuova Presents - Vocal Arts Festival
May 24-July 2
Passion felt between young lovers is the central theme of Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, Weill’s Street Scene, operas being presented in the Opera Nuova Vocal Arts Festival. The festival also features performances of Coplands’s Tenderland, the Ambassador Concert, song soirées, cabarets and master classes. Information: 487-4844; www.operanuova.ca/vocalarts.

Edmonton Chante
June 22-24
Edmonton Chante, the fourth annual French Song Festival, celebrates the richness of the francophone culture and the talents of its artistic community with main stage performances by local, national and international Canadian francophone artists, music workshops, jam sessions, late-night dancing, street performers, exhibits and activities and shows for children. Maurice Lavallée School, 95 Street and 88 Avenue, in the heart of the francophone district, is the venue. Information: 469-4401; www.edmontonchante.ab.ca.

Edmonton International Jazz Festival
June 22-July 1
The Madelaine Peyroux Quartet will be performing in the city June 26 as part of the Edmonton International Jazz Festival. A great lineup of other jazz performers will be playing in venues throughout the city. Information: 990-0222; www.edmontonjazz.com.

The Works Art and Design Festival 2007
June 22-July 4
The Works Art and Design Festival will animate Sir Winston Churchill Square as the centre of all programs including exhibitions, lectures and activities for all ages. The square festival site will also include The Works Street Market, The Works Street Stage and The Works Street Cafe. Information: 426-2122; www.theworks.ab.ca.

River City Shakespeare Festival 2007
June 26-July 22
The Free Will Theatre Players will do performances of two Shakespeare plays in the 1,100-seat Heritage Amphitheatre in William Hawrelak Park. Information: 425-8086; www.rivercityshakespeare.com.

Feats Festival Of Dance
June 29-July 8
The Alberta Dance Alliance is once again presenting an array of dance performances in various city locations. Information: 422-8107; www.abdancealliance.ab.ca.

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
July 6-15
Street performance has come a long way in Canada over the last few years, and the festival highlights some of the best examples. For 10 fun-filled days, Sir Winston Churchill Square is alive with free performances by street entertainers including magicians, clowns, jugglers, mime artists, musicians and comics, both international and local. Information: 425-5162; www.edmontonstreetfest.com.

Capital Ex Festival 2007
July 19-28
Each year more that 800,000 guests attend what is one of Canada's largest exhibitions. Capital Ex offers something for everyone, including more the midway and feature shows such as Global Connections and Northwest Originals. Information: 471-7210; www.capitalex.ca.

A Taste of Edmonton Festival 2007
July 19-28
In Sir Winston Churchill Square some 40 restaurants set up and offer one savoury and one sweet dish from their menu. More than 50 musical acts will perform on the large stage in the square and a smaller stage will feature food preparation demonstrations. A large licensed area is also available for the public to consume an alcoholic beverage with their food sample. Information: 423-2822; www.eventsedmonton.ca.

Edmonton and Athabasca District Historic Festival 2007
July 21-29
This festival presented by the Edmonton and District Historical Society showcases the stories of our history and cultural heritage in urban and rural settings. The family-oriented festival features tours, workshops and activities at museums, historic sites and at community events. Information: 439-2797; www.historicedmonton.ca.

Edmonton Heritage Festival 2007
August 4-6
Come to Edmonton for a celebration of the cultural diversity that makes up Canada. Sixty cultures at more than 50 outdoor pavilions feature non-stop international music, dancing, food, arts and crafts, costumes and more. Enjoy everything that Canadians have to offer by seeing where they came from. Admission is free, but remember to bring a non-perishable item for the Edmonton Food Bank. Information: 488-3378; www.heritage-festival.com.

Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2007
August 9-12
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival offers an eclectic mix of music for all tastes. It takes place in Gallagher Park in Edmonton's scenic river valley. The park's natural amphitheatre is ideal for the mainstage show, and smaller day stages offer musical samplings from around the world. In addition to hours of music, the festival offers a wide range of food concessions, a family area, general store, crafts, record tent and beer gardens. Information: 429-1899; www.edmontonfolkfest.org.

Cariwest – Edmonton Caribbean Arts Festival
August 10-12
Cariwest – Edmonton Caribbean Arts Festival will feature an array of colourful performers, musicians and vendors. Friday kicks off with the Costume Extravaganza. On Saturday, there is a downtown parade and a party in Sir Winston Churchill Square with Caribbean cuisine, music, dancing and costumes; these festivities continue into the night. Sunday wraps up the festival with the Steel Pan Competition and all-day entertainment and cuisine. Information: 421-7800; www.cariwestfestival.com.

Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival 2007
August 16-26
For 11 crazy days in August, life is truly a stage in Old Strathcona when the curtain lifts on the 26th annual Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. The largest fringe festival on the continent, it will feature more than 130 unjuried and uncensored shows from around the world, with more than 1,000 performances on the indoor and outdoor stages, from noon to midnight, during the festival. There is also an entertaining street scene, a plethora of food vendors and craftwork by local artisans. Information: 448-9000; www.fringetheatreadventures.ca.

Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival 2007
August 17-19
Groups of six dragon boats, each with 22 paddlers, race on the North Saskatchewan River to the sound of drums. This event, which follows a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition, takes place at Louise McKinney Park. Information: 493-8158; www.edbfa.com.

9th Annual Labatt Blues Festival
August 24-26
Los Lobos, Elvin Bishop and 11 other top blues acts will appear at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park during the three-day festival. There are also a dance floor, beer gardens and food. Information: 708-7230; www.BluesInternationalLtd.com.

Symphony Under The Sky 2007
August 31-September 3
Robert Bernhardt conducts the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for Sobey’s Symphony Under the Sky 2007 at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park. This year’s concerts include Classical Treasures, Musical Delights, Hurray for Hollywood, and Autumn Colours and Cannonades. The Arrogant Worms and Les Bûcherons are special guests. Information: 428-1108; www.edmontonsymphony.com.

North of Nowhere Expo
September 16-30
The 2007 North of Nowhere Expo: A Multidisciplinary Festival of Independent Media and Underground Art is presented by the Edmonton Small Press Association. The event will feature international visual arts installations at a variety of venues, along with more than 15 film screenings, live performance cabarets and a social justice fair. Admission to all events is by suggested donation and free for low-income people. Information: 780-424-2787; www.edmontonsmallpress.org.

The Edmonton Poetry Festival
September 17-23
This year will see the second edition of the Edmonton Poetry Festival, with poetry-related events taking place at a number of downtown venues. Information: www.edmontonpoetryfestival.com.