Looking to escape STAR WARS this weekend? It may be tough, but this hand points in five directions that have absolutely nothing to do with using the Force, and everythign to do with art, faith, hope and love.
INDEX: The Leader
Yule Ave
This little holiday festival has become a highlight on my annual Christmas calendar. Get ready for three days of unpretentious, good ol’ down to earth Christmas fun on the Avenue. There are workshops in ornament making, a snow village, visits with Santa, sleigh rides and the Yule Ave Giving Tree, which creates a space for exchange of warm clothing during these cold days and nights.
The crowing glory? YULE AVE A BLAST – a variety show that is seriously unlike anything you’ve seen. Expect crazy antics, heartwarming storytelling and familiar carols. And then throw out your expectations.
Bleeding Heart Art Space will be contributing once again to this year’s YULE AVE A BLAST programming with performances by Cynthia Hamar and Von Bieker and a reading from Stephen T. Berg. The show (and a free chili dinner) kicks off at 7 tonight.
Get the Yule Ave deets at yuleave.com.
MIDDLE: The Attitude
David Sedaris’ Santaland Diaries
Frank Zotter is the man (or elf?) behind Yule Ave, and this year he’s bringing us a one man show based on an early David Sedaris essay. Meet Crumpet, the disgruntled mall elf, in this head on clash between Christmas and retail. Mr. Zotter would like to remind you that this is ADULT theatre, so leave the kiddies tucked in with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, and head down to the Nina Haggerty Centre’s Stollery Gallery for a FREE performance!
Runs tonight and tomorrow - details online here.
RING: The Faithful
Blue Christmas
Join us for a reprise of last year’s Blue Christmas. For one night only, we are creating a space for grief in this time of joy. For many people, this is not the most wonderful time of the year. Loved ones are gone. Nests are empty. Bitterness is simmering, unresolved. Loneliness is biting like the frost.
For one hour, in community, experience a safe place to be sad at Christmas. Our journey begins at St.Faith’s Anglican Church at 5:30 PM with some music and guided reflections. We will then partake in a shared ritual around blown glass teardrops crafted by Keith Walker, leading us towards our ending at Bleeding Heart Art Space across the street. There, you’ll be free to spend time with Alysha Creighton’s WAITING ROOM for as long as you like, as we perpare to project the rushing river out onto 118th Avenue.
Get the details and RSVP on Facebook here.
PINKY: The Outlier
MARY POPPINS: The Broadway Musical
Looking for something that is not so Santa focussed? Or not even baby Jesus focussed? I had a chance to see Mary Poppins a few years back on Broadway, and let me tell you it is genuinely awesome. Who can resist a gang of toe-taping chimeny sweeps on a stage transformed into the rooftops of London?
Catch this show for the next week and a half at Festival Place in Sherwood Park. Get showtimes and details here.
THUMB: The Unsung Hero
Stock Up on Design Goodies
It’s the holidays. You may have some down time. You may get a good idea or two. If you are graphic designer, take a moment to explore this extensive and excellent list that includes a ton of free resources like fonts, textures and tutorials.
http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/articles/spoon-graphics-greatest-hits-most-popular-posts-of-2015
