Hooray for you, Mari Sasano.

So you know I love food, right? Well, a year ago I did an article for Legacy magazine about Slow Food in Alberta and I’ve been getting involved with the Edmonton convivium over the last while. I’m volunteering, for example, at the Beer and Boar event happening next Sunday. It sounds like it’s gonna be a blast. And, of course, boar-y goodness!

Here’s the details:

A new baby red panda was born at the Valley Zoo! Here is the press release:

Edmonton welcomes new baby red panda

Edmonton, June 29, 2009 – The Valley Zoo is a leader in breeding and raising red panda cubs as a member of the Species Survival Program. The newest addition, Sha-lei, was born on Saturday, June 13 and, having passed through the two most critical weeks in excellent health, is ready to make her début.

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Valley Zoo Saito Centre

Super-hooray! Red pandas are endangered, so every time one is born it’s a reason to celebrate. The Edmonton pair seem to be getting it on quite regularly, since they’ve already had twins a couple years ago. And I know that some of you think that zoos are sad places where animals don’t have the freedom they do in the wild, but in the case of endangered species like the red panda, it’s more like a refugee camp: sad, yes. But also the only safe place they have, until we can get our act together and stop destroying their habitat. The fact that red pandas are doing so well in captivity is definitely encouraging, though. Animals don’t make babies if they’re not comfortable.

Also tomorrow, and also red: my schoolmate Shawna Lemay (she has one blue eye and one green one!) is launching another book of poetry, Red Velvet Forest. One of my favourite books in the last while is a volume of essays called Calm Things, so I’m interested in reading more of her poems. Audreys Books, June 30, 7:30. There will be cupcakes!

Wednesday is Canada Day. They will be launching Canada’s largest firework shell that night, and they’ll be running the waterfall as usual. Did you read my thing about the waterfall? It is my new favourite thing. But before then, there’s going to be a party at Borden Park from 1pm to early evening, I think. Remember Borden Park? It’s so beautiful there. Anyhow, here’s a link to all the other Canada Day events.

I went to North Country Fair only once, and it was enough. The only good things were: Tom’s soft sweater and running faster than anyone through the fields and the pretty lights (ahem), and someone screaming, “No folk music! I can’t take the folk music!” Actually, that was my friend. And me. Anyhow, it was a valuable experience, but there are some things you can never (and shouldn’t) go back to, you know? It’s this weekend, and hope you have a good time.

I’m going to the Metro tonight to see Who Does She Think She Is, a documentary about women artists at the Metro. I’m always curious about the whole women-finding-their-work-life thing. There’s a panel discussion tomorrow at 1pm, but hey. It’s Friday and I want to go out NOW.

AMAAS is having their conference in Edmonton this year, and that means a media arts party! I’m volunteering in some capacity on FAVA’s behalf, seeing as I’m a committee member now and I want to build up my volunteer hours to upgrade my membership someday. BEAMS is providing music, there will always be video. Next Friday, at the Hydeaway.

I also vaguely have a plan to see Up! in 3D. I still have my glasses from Coraline, but Up! has dogs, and apparently will make me cry in public again. My favourite!

Tonight, Trevor Anderson will be presenting at Pecha Kucha Night at the Shaw from about 7:30, along with other presenters. This event is something like the fourth, in which people are allowed a crazy short period of time to discuss their relevant project. This one is on sustainability, to go with the ICLEI conference going on in town.

Trevor’s presentation will be on That’s Edmonton For You!, which was a crazy-successful day. I forgot to take pictures, sorry, but here’s what it was like:  Sunday. It was slightly drizzly rain. People milling around, booths with info on environmental things, rock things, and Eatery at the Artery trying to get their panini press working– everything was solar-powered, of course. Then! The brilliant sun breaks out, thousands of people show up, and the show is on. I get a grilled cheese.

Alexis and I settle in near the front to watch Andrea House. She has just about the loveliest voice around. It almost always makes me cry, it is so beautiful. 

Then a cute young band called Yes Nice. They are seriously cute, with two-boy harmonies and a bag of  instruments including a violin, a keytar, a loopy pedal, and a fake children’s choir. Or at least that’s what it sounded like. 

Everyone was there. Walk over to the food or water stations, it was like a wedding, having to run the gauntlet greeting everyone in line.  It was like Folk Fest, except I wanted to be there. Peter Brown said it will be a day to remember, like Woodstock, where only 2000 people actually were there, but in the future everyone will claim to have been. Maybe so. 

TEFY stepped on stage and played their songs. They translate just as well to a live performance! But better, ’cause this time you’re not dancing in your socks in the kitchen. Little kids dancing nearly on stage in bare feet, hipsters dancing in sneakers at the side, certainly. Seeing, like, three amazing musicians bashing cowbells and tambourines while one of their cohorts sang– we talk about Superbands all the time, and here is yet another. Because, really, Edmonton creates superbands all the time. One could argue that Shout Out Out Out Out is a superband. As is The Wet Secrets. As is the Whitsundays. Old Reliable was kind of a superband in its days, culling members of The Naked and the Dead, Pal Joey, and Minstrels on Speed. Smashula has been called a superband, but that’s only because of Paul and Stew. And so on.

We should do this again and again. That is all.

I mean, it’s really gonna rule so hard:

My friend and neighbour James Murdoch is releasing a new CD on Friday at the Haar Theatre.

It’s Avenue Goes to the Dogs on Saturday at the Alberta Ave community hall. Henry, Edith and I will be making an early appearance at the info booth!

Saturday is  also the Pride Parade! If we can haul ass fast enough, the dogs and I will join Mile Zero along the parade route. Once we get to Churchill Square, The Wet Secrets are playing.

And the Sunday, of course, is That’s Edmonton For You!

I try to go out at least twice a week. Working at home can be isolating, and even though I really need to spend time alone to be OK, it can start to make you a little, you know, strange. All my sister freelancers seem to have heard this, for a week of commiserating and gossip: Thursday, Caitlin is hosting a potluck at her place, then my publicist pal is having a party at her house on Friday, and then Jay is having a backyard fire next week. Thank frickin’ god. 

And I’ve agreed to see Il Divo on Monday with the Journal’s classical music writer. Though I think it’s a real stretch to call this opera-ish boy band classical music, I am willing to do anything to hang out with Tom. THAT is how good of a friend I am. Also, I am curious. I interviewed one of them a few years ago, and I want to see– with my own eyes– their apparent handsomeness. I hope they sing Unbreak My Heart!

Also, on Saturday, Dance-a-thon!  Mile Zero’s fundraiser party! I’m not doing the -a-thon part, but I’ll certainly do a sprint or two on the floor. YESSSS.

On Sunday, I rest.

Office show! Featuring awesome artist friends! Haven’t seen Blair Brennan and Tim Rechner in ages!

Edmonton “Office show” art exhibition brings new life to office space

Edmonton, AB – Ever feel like playing games in the office? Or turning your cubicle into an are exhibit? From Thursday, May 21 – Monday, May 25, 2009, Edmontonians can explore office space in a creative new way, through art, video, dance and performance by artists from across Canada. “The Office Show” explores many themes common within office space, like emphasis on order and efficiency and the absence of privacy.

Popular television show like “The Office” and the movie “Office Space” have drawn attention to the daily routines of office workers. “The Office Show” takes the ideas further, exploring both the architecture of office spaces, such as cubicles and corner offices, and the habits of workers who live in the spaces. This exhibition includes the work of installation artists like Blair Brennan, David Janzen and Royden Mills, as well as video work by Halifax artist Jan Peacock, light and sound work by Guelph artist Kenneth Doren and performance by Gerry Morita.

“The Office Show” exhibition is curated by Tiffany Shaw-Collinge and generously supported by Melcor Developments, Latitude 53, MADE in Edmonton, Art Gallery of Alberta Art Rental and Sales, Douglas Printing and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Artists: Blair Brennan (Edmonton), Kenneth Doren (Guelph), Robert Harpin (Edmonton), David Janzen (Edmonton), Jon Lawson (Calgary), Lindsay MacDonald (Calgary), Royden Mills (Edmonton), Gerry Morita (Edmonton), aAron munson (Edmonton), Christopher Payne (Edmonton), Jan Peacock (Halifax), Amie Rangel (Edmonton-California), Tim Rechner (Edmonton), Patrick J. Reed (Edmonton – Iowa), Craig Talbot (Edmonton)

WHEN:
Thursday, May 21 – Saturday, May 23, 2009: noon till 9 pm
Sunday, May 24 – Monday, May 25, 2009: noon till 6 pm

WHERE: 10341 – 124 street

I’m actually going to lay low next week. It’s coming up to deadline and I have been lazy about my own writing. I have catching up to do! However, may I recommend:

Assassins! Clinton’s MFA show opens at the Timms Centre on May 14.

On Saturday, it’s Misty Harris’ birthday, but I’m going to be rude and run off early to see Patrick Watson at the McDougall church. That’s where I saw Philip Glass. Uncomfortable seating, but a gorgeous space.

Then, on Sunday, it’s Show for Joe, an all-day festival at the Black Dog in honour of our dearly departed Joe Bird. Smashula will be playing a short set. Then again, all our sets are short. So. Yay Joe!

That’s what I know for now. I figure going out three times a week is a good schedule anyways.

Happy Mental Health Week! On Monday, there should be an article I wrote on living with depression running in the Journal. Look for it! See accompanying pic with me and the dogs!

The Reel Femme Film Festival runs this week. Jennifer Fox’s Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman is screening at FAVA for free on Monday and Wednesday evening. It’s an incredible series, which I interviewed her last week. There’s a Journal article that’s running soon.

Darrin Hagen’s new play, Buddy, opens at The Roxy on Thursday. It’s a couple of dudes in rural Alberta (Jesse Gervais and Mark Jenkins), a topic at which Darrin excels. Ian Jackson is doing the multimedia for it– I can’t wait!

Friday night, I’m going to try and meet Jennifer Fox at the Metro, after her film screens.

Saturday is a work day for me, sort of! There’s the Bloomin’ Garden Show at the Alberta Avenue Community Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. , and the Pride Centre open house from 2 to 5 p.m.