MAJOR HISTORY: Paul McCartney to play Rexall Place in November

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. […]

CONCERTS: Rihanna returns to Rexall Place this spring

What a big day for concert announcements. On top of the “major historical concert event” revealed at a Mayor’s press conference on Friday, Rihanna is coming back to town this spring. She’ll perform at Rexall Place on Wednesday, March 27. Tickets go on sale Saturday, Sept. 15. Known for sexy pop-dance songs like S&M – […]

COMMENT: Booking fiction star at nonfiction festival is hypocritical opportunism

For the first time since it changed its focus to non-fiction in 2006, Litfest has opened the door to fiction – big-time fiction. The 2012 version of the event – Oct. 17-28 at venues around town – will feature Alexander McCall-Smith, the author of over 50 novels, including the highly successful “No. 1 Ladies Detective […]

RUMOUR MILL: Paul McCartney to play Edmonton this fall

The last time they made such a big deal about a simple concert announcement, it was the Rolling Stones. This time, it’s probably Paul McCartney. Anticipation is high for the announcement of a “major historical concert event” this Friday at 11 a.m. – by the Mayor Himself, no less. It’s “scheduled for Rexall Place this […]

Funny business afoot as Rapid Fire Theatre moves to the Citadel

The old idea that the Citadel Theatre is the Edmonton version of Broadway, this ivory tower that’s both artistically and financially above all other local theatre companies is about to get turned on its head. Rapid Fire Theatre is moving in. These guys are loud, known to cuss, usually hilarious, and they don’t even know […]

Magazine on mission to mount monument to Melonville

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 […]

Steelers anthem rapper Wiz Khalifa hits town in November

Wiz Khalifa is getting a little ahead of himself – the up-and-coming rap star coming to Edmonton as part of what he’s calling “The 2050 Tour.” The Pittsburgh, PA star may be more famous a lot sooner than that – even sooner than when Pittsburgh Steelers win another Super Bowl. Performing at the Shaw Conference […]

ART: Nothing happens by accident in Catherine Burgess sculptures

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 […]

Kaleido festival to transform Alberta Avenue into Fringe of the North

Look up. Look wa-a-a-ay up. Just try not to walk into a lamppost as you are serenaded by live music being played from the rooftops along Alberta Avenue during the Kaleido Family Arts Festival. And that’s just one treat in a cornucopia of artistic endeavours for both enjoyment and participation, running all weekend in and […]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Bob the Angry Flower reflects on 20 years

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 […]

WEEKEND MUSIC PREVIEW: Beyond the Boom

This weekend’s musical calendar is of course dominated by the 2012 version of Sonic Boom on Sunday. So far it’s looking like the weather will cooperate for the event, which will feature Linkin Park and Silversun Pickups at Northlands. There are also some great local bands playing around town on Friday and Saturday. Friday Joe […]

FILM REVIEW: Martial arts doc a powerful Edmonton family story

Legend of a Warrior, a new National Film Board-supported documentary that premieres Friday at Metro Cinema, is ostensibly about a son trying to learn more about his father, a world-famous Martial Arts instructor based in Edmonton. But it goes beyond any preconceptions its viewers might have about a stereotypical tale of a driven father neglecting […]