Doug Jenson one of the good ones
Doug Jenson: To know him was to love him – unequivocally. The longtime Edmonton singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer and frontman of local rock legends Jenson Interceptor died on Aug. 6 after a battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 59 years old. Doug touched a lot of people in his time, not just with his […]
(RERUN): What do homeless people think of public art?
Homeless people might have more important things to worry about than what they think of public art in Edmonton, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have opinions about it, or that their opinions aren’t as valid someone who isn’t homeless. Besides, they see it every day. They live here. During three days in the summer […]
Horns for Hope offers addicts musical salvation
It started as a joke about music education, whose context has since been forgotten: “Why don’t we just give musical instruments to homeless people and see what they can do?” Don Berner thought that was actually a pretty good idea, so the community-minded Edmonton saxophonist created Horns for Hope, a program where men in drug […]
Hip hop knowledge is power
The meeting attracts about 20 young men and women from all races and walks of life. They take turns telling stories, asking questions, airing complaints. Some get emotional. I keep expecting a guy to stand up and say, “Hi, my name is Dave and I’m addicted to hip hop!” Because this is not a support […]
Is EPS domestic violence ad too shocking?
There’s a disturbing television commercial you may have seen over the holidays: Close-ups of weeping women whose faces are covered in cuts and bruises, their mouths sealed with duct tape. Sinister music and panicked voices on the telephone are heard in the background. The women are actors. The message is real: “Speak out. They need […]
INTERVIEW: No. 1 Edmontonian of the Year!
Mr. Mayor, how do you feel about being chosen Edmontonian of the Year? MAYOR: I would like to share the credit with the voters of Edmonton for making it possible. Q: Were you surprised at the level of love? MAYOR: It exceeded our expectations. Q: How’s the learning curve been so far? MAYOR: It’s vertical. […]
THEATRE: A joyful surprise that shouldn’t be a surprise
Developmentally disabled people are usually defined by what they can’t do – so it sure is nice when someone comes along who focuses on what they CAN do. Turns out they can act. They put on a show. They can be entertainers. That’s the word from veteran local theatre impresario Gerry Potter, artistic producer of […]
Musicians rally for Edmonton Food Bank
It’s funny how so many local musicians are drawn to donate their time to the Edmonton Food Bank at this time of year. It must be an easy one to get behind because there are least five charity gigs worthy of mention. Almost all genres are accounted for: COUNTRY: Once again donating all net proceeds […]
Wat’s up! Friendship bonds through food at Abyssinia
From the outside, Abyssinia looks like a charming family home. Of course, it is a family restaurant. Owners Zafu Gessessew and Wond Assefa came from Ethiopia to Canada separately 22 years ago, married in Edmonton and eventually decided to take the risk to start their own place, with their families in mind. The couple offers […]
LITERATURE: 40 Below an Edmonton winter experience
Edmonton has to be the only city in the English-speaking world where residents complain about the weather ALL YEAR LONG. In most social circles in other places, weather talk is small talk. Here, it’s a passion up there with politics. Oh, sure, it’s nice here in the fall, according to Ian Tyson, but the only […]
Trusting the School Trustee: A chat with Orville Chubb
It is neither the most glamorous civic office nor the highest paid – just over 30 grand a year – but Edmonton School Trustee may be a more important job than ever at a time when the public is crying bloody murder over education cutbacks and school closures. Now there’s fresh board of scapegoats. Who […]
Grim cities vie for horror film infamy
The organizers of Edmonton’s horror film festival, DEDfest, never pass up an opportunity to promote the city to its visiting VIPs as an ideal place to shoot their next slash-fest or zombie-romp. But like the horny camp counsellors at Camp Crystal Lake in Friday the 13th, Edmonton isn’t alone. There are other cities lurking out […]
