WHO NAMED THE BAND: Living with Anthrax
Posted on September 19, 2012 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Music
The metal band Anthrax only had one problem with its name – in the tense few weeks following Sept. 11, 2001, when packets of deadly bacillus anthracis spores were mailed to several media outlets and politicians around North America. Seventeen people were infected, five died. The Edmonton Sun newsroom even got a delivery of suspicious […]
Can Christ forgive anything? Disturbing documentary begs the question
Posted on September 19, 2012 By Barry Hammond Film, Front Slider
Some films hang uneasily in the mind long after you watch them, tugging at your preconceptions and knee-jerk reactions and forcing you to re-evaluate them for months or even years afterwards. “The Redemption of General Butt Naked” is such a film. It opens Friday at Metro Cinema at the Garneau. As the title suggests, this […]
ART: Abstract metal sculpture shines in Isla Burns exhibit
Posted on September 18, 2012 By Stuart Adams Front Slider, Visual Arts
“Organic” is an odd word to describe abstract metal sculpture, but the term was overheard several times at the opening of “Samskara” by Isla Burns, at the Peter Robertson Gallery until October 2. There was another popular description among first night viewers – “tactile.” The sculptures almost invite you to touch them, the smaller ones […]
Corb Lund returns to play Edmonton in December
Posted on September 17, 2012 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Music
If you missed Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans at their first mainstage appearance at the 2012 Edmonton Folk Music Festival, you’ll get another chance this winter. The Albertan country hero will perform at Northlands Expo Centre on Friday, Dec. 7. Tickets go on sale Friday. The show is part of a world tour behind […]
REVIEW: Four Lads Part 2 hampered by music never meant to be played live
Posted on September 15, 2012 By Maurice Tougas Culture, Front Slider, Theatre
The Mayfield Dinner Theatre had great success with “The Buddy Holly Story” back in 2010 – it was a corker, despite the fact you knew going in that it wasn’t going to have a happy ending. So there are high hopes for “Four Lads Who Shook the World, The Beatles Story: Part 2,” the current […]
Edmonton Eskimos reality series to premiere on Citytv Sept. 15
Posted on September 13, 2012 By Maurice Tougas Front Slider, TV and Radio
“Hail Mary” is a new reality series following a group of football players trying out for the Edmonton Eskimos – but even if you think a convert is someone who changes religions, the producer says no prior knowledge of football is required. “One of the key things the broadcaster, Citytv, wanted us to do was […]
REVIEW: Horses upstaged by amazing humans in Cavalia
Posted on September 12, 2012 By Maurice Tougas Culture, Front Slider, Theatre
Funny thing about Cavalia, the equine-themed extravaganza now playing under the very big top at the City Centre Airport – it could do with a little less horse play. “It’s ABOUT horses, idiot!” I hear you saying. “Why would you want fewer horses in a show about horses?” First, there are no two ways about […]
WCFW: How to build a fashion industry in Edmonton
Posted on September 11, 2012 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Theatre, Visual Arts
For fashionistas pondering the impending autumn installment of Western Canada Fashion Week, the answer to the question of “Why Edmonton, of all places?” is simple – why not? No other city in the West has managed to mount a fashion festival that covers Western Canada and survive for eight years. Not Calgary. Not Winnipeg. Edmonton’s […]
MAJOR HISTORY: Paul McCartney to play Rexall Place in November
Posted on September 7, 2012 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Music
Edmonton never got the Beatles – but at least we can get the cutest Beatle 50 years later. He’s still cute, too. As many had already guessed, Paul McCartney is the “major historical concert event” that was announced on Friday. For his first-ever appearance in Edmonton, he’ll perform on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Rexall Place. […]
Magazine on mission to mount monument to Melonville
Posted on September 4, 2012 By Mike Ross Comedy, Front Slider, TV and Radio, Visual Arts
We may drive down Mark Messier Trail, meet at the Wayne Gretzky statue and pause beside the Rollie Miles mural – so maybe it’s time we erected a Monument to Melonville. That’s what Avenue magazine is after in its determined campaign to pay sculptural tribute to the great Canadian comedy series SCTV, which has its […]
ART: Nothing happens by accident in Catherine Burgess sculptures
Posted on September 4, 2012 By Stuart Adams Culture, Front Slider, Visual Arts
Abstract metal sculpture leaves a lot of people cold – pun intended. But there’s a lot to be discovered and enjoyed if you don’t have to ask the classic “But what does it mean?” question, or need to identify a recognizable object in the work. Catherine Burgess’s “Absence|Presence” installation is up at the Art Gallery […]
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Bob the Angry Flower reflects on 20 years
Posted on September 1, 2012 By Mike Ross Culture, Front Slider, Lit, TV and Radio
It’s no secret: To know Bob the Angry Flower is to know his creator, cartoonist Stephen Notley – son of the late Grant Notley, brother of Rachel Notley, and longtime Edmonton native since relocated to Seattle, where he writes and designs video games. For 20 years now, in the back of whatever the local weekly […]
