Red Deer will come alive with art, literature, theatre and dance as the city celebrates Alberta Culture Days this weekend.
A packed three days of creative activities are planned for Friday to Sunday, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
The Red Deer Arts Council and partners are thrilled to have been selected as a Host Celebration Site for the 2016 Alberta Culture Days, said the council’s executive-director Diana Anderson, who hopes residents enjoy the activities.
Here are highlights of the mostly free events:
On Friday:
l A Red Deer Reads reception at the Timberlands public library celebrates The Outside Circle, a graphic novel by Patti LaBoucane-Benson.
l Open house arts and cultural displays are offered by the Central Alberta Refugee Effort (at 5000 Gaetz Ave.)
l The Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery hosts an opening reception for the new Prairie Contemporary exhibit.
l Artribute Art School in the Old Court House has an open house exhibit (continuing through Sunday).
l Films and art can be seen at the Red Deer College’s Welikoklad Event Centre through Saturday. A celebration of dance starts at RDC’s Cenovus Centre by Red Deer’s Country Pride Dance Club and 15 other local studios and clubs. It runs through to Sunday. (Please see www.countrypridedanceclub.ca for more information).
On Saturday:
l Chalk art and music by local jazz saxophonist Claude Godin are happening on the Ross Street Patio.
l A pop-up gallery is at The Hub on Ross. Artist Robin Byrnes will demonstrate sun-exposure printmaking and help make cyanotype prints.
l Cultural displays, music and dancing can be experienced at the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association (110, 5017-49th St.)
l “Klimt yourself” at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery’s MAGnificent Saturdays art-making afternoon session.
l See local play and music/dance collaboration Journeys of Hope, based on five real-life immigrant experiences, at 7 p.m. at the Welikoklad Event Centre. Meet the storytellers, writers, actors, musicians and visual artists involved after the show, presented by the Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE). Admission by donation.
On Sunday:
l The Norwegian Laft Hus is open with snacks, craft sales and cultural displays.
l Drop in to the Scott Block’s Volunteer Central for a walking tour map to downtown landmarks.
For more information, please visit reddeerartscouncil.wordpress.com.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com