EDMONTON RADIO: Are we losing our voices?
The sudden departure of Melissa Wright from K-97 after 20 years of service is not going to be another one of these Disgruntled Former Employee stories. “I don’t want to trash anybody,” she says. “I’m going to have to start looking for a job.” People in Edmonton radio get fired all the time – but […]
Does Edmonton need The Station?
Earlier this week it was announced that live music would finally be back on stage at the location of the former Needle Vinyl Tavern on Jasper Avenue, but under new owners – led by Greg Scott – and under a new brand – The Station on Jasper. Given the catastrophic and rapid demise of the […]
So a Geologist Walks Into a Creationist Museum …
Alberta is a land of opposites: Wide-open prairies set against foreboding mountains, liberal city centres and conservative countryside. Hell, even our winters and summers are like Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley. For me, as a geologist who’s worked for 10 years in Canada, the Middle East and the UK, the biggest contrast this province has […]
Edmonton Pride challenges police inclusion
The Edmonton Pride Parade on Saturday did not run without protest. The festivities on Whyte Avenue were halted for an hour due to anti-police protests – from demonstrators representing themselves as a “coalition of queer and trans people of colour.” The protesters handed out leaflets calling for the parade’s organizers to un-invite city police, RCMP […]
Cannabis Expo lights up the unenlightened
The stigma around marijuana is changing. Sure, some politicians still have no functional grasp of the subject of pot. Before voting on Canada’s Cannabis Act last week, Senator Nicole Eaton said that “five grams is about four tokes.” But the marijuana community isn’t allowing ignorance to stop them. In fact, it is emboldening them to […]
EPS poet promotes positive proactive policing
The discovery of a Twitter poet at the Edmonton Police Service opens a fascinating window into the way police can engage with the community in these modern times. Recently tweets include this ode to home security: “Cold temps got you down, heading out of town? Take proactive steps to ensure your return doesn’t leave you […]
Edmonton trans singer to perform at anti Jordan Peterson rally
It started with a quibble about pronouns that escalated into a hill to die on – a bitter partisan war over free speech and gender politics that shows no signs of a ceasefire. University of Toronto psychology professor Jordan Peterson started it with his outspoken criticism of Bill C-16, which is meant to protect a […]
Epic song battle erupts in House of Commons
Let’s take a closer look at Kerry Diotte’s Christmas song – for when Honorable Members start singing in the House of Commons, it behooves the nation to take heed. It doesn’t happen every day. Diotte (MP for Edmonton-Griesbach) wrote a version of Jingle Bells he sang on Dec. 13 during the last House sitting before […]
6 Edmonton arts scandals of 2017
There hasn’t been a year like this for controversy in the Edmonton arts and entertainment scene since, well … ever. Here are six unpleasant stories that riled people up in 2017: 1. The Needle and the Damage Done One of Edmonton’s premiere live music venues came crashing down barely 24 hours after an employee accused […]
The Needle and the Damage Done
“I want them to fail.” These were the bold words from Brittany Lyne Rudyck, who made a huge impact when she recently came forward with accusations of sexual harassment against one of her employers at the Needle Vinyl Tavern. She got her wish. The club is shut down as of Tuesday afternoon. There’s a sign […]
Halsey cancels Edmonton, cut short Calgary
New Americana singer Halsey has canceled Wednesday night’s show in Edmonton at Rogers Place, following a performance that was cut short Tuesday in Calgary, citing a “personal emergency.” No other details were available Wednesday morning, and her social media accounts have been silent. Ticket refunds were offered in Calgary, as they will in Edmonton, at […]