The Past is Unwritten

dry dusty books aren't the only way to learn about history: www.thepastisunwritten.com

[thepastisunwritten]

The Past is Unwritten was given a very kind review by Dr. Paula Guerra, the founder of Portugal’s Punk Archive, Keep it Simple, Make it Fast, or KISMIF.

The review is published online in OpenEdition‘s Revisita Critica de Ciências Sociais.

Read “Título da página eletrónica: The Past is Unwritten” here: https://rccs.revues.org/6335

[thepastisunwritten]

Every year, stations in communities across Canada share local homelessness issues for the rest of the country to hear. Edmonton’s CJSR 88.5FM broadcast the entire marathon over February 22rd and 23th 2017 from 4PM-5:30AM, with our local stories running from 6-8PM MST.

This year, Edmonton’s stories include interviews with Colin Mulholland and Les Danyluk, who talk about homelessness, education, and activism.

Homeward Trust’s Cindi Cunningham discusses the 2016 point in time Homeless Count.

The three other interviews focus on different communities in Edmonton. Kristy Lee talks about creating grassroots recreation and wellness activities for families in Central McDougall. Focusing on the McCauley community, Paula E. Kirman speaks about her new short film McCauley: A Caring Community examining affordable housing in Edmonton. Jan and Harry Kuperus, longtime residents of the Highlands, discuss the formation, goals, and accomplishments of the Highlands Homelessness Committee, also known as YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard).

Thanks to all the volunteers who worked on Edmonton’s contribution to the 15th NCRA Homelessness Marathon, including Joe Hartfeil, Chris Chang-Yen Phillips, Maigan van der Giessen, and Rylan Kafara.

[yegarts]

New Community Arts Projects to Invest in Inclusiveness, Diversity, and Mentorship

More often than not, when people are asked to think of arts and culture in Edmonton, it’s the big public art pieces, our many exciting festivals, or our cornerstone organizations like the Citadel Theatre or the Winspear Centre that come to mind. Although these are all essential elements to Edmonton’s artistic fabric, one small program with a big community impact often remains under the radar.

Community Art projects allow professional artists to lend their knowledge and expertise to communities with fewer resources and options. These projects are valued for their ability to bring people together in shared, collaborative, creative experiences to express the things that have meaning to diverse communities: where we’ve come from, where we’re going, our world, our fears, our dreams, our aspirations. These projects strengthen our community, develop creativity and increase awareness of the arts in our lives. With every Community Arts project that receives funding through the EAC’s Community Arts grant, there is a common thread of artistic exploration, active participation, and intentional inclusiveness, allowing communities to tell their own stories in their own way.

With the 11 Community Arts Grant projects that were approved by City Council to receive funding from the Edmonton Arts Council, the City of Edmonton, and the Edmonton Community Foundation, Edmonton is sure to be filled with inclusive community art projects over the next year.

Participants from FAVA’s 2015 Future Visions workshop. 

Speaking to the value of Community Arts, KazMega posits that “through community art we are able to inspire, educate, heal, entertain and express love in ways that are dampened by the commercial world.”

Through the Kulture Hubs Pilot Project with the Hip Hop in the Park Foundation, KazMega welcomes the opportunity to work alongside youth to re-imagine Edmonton’s Hip Hop community as self-sustaining, youth led, service driven, cultural group. By placing an emphasis on mentorship, the project aims to instill a sense ownership in the young participants, as they are afforded the opportunity to connect with community leaders and build relationships through art. “Empowering [those who are afforded less voice and thus less attention from society] empowers us all.”

All of the selected community arts projects range in discipline, including visual art, music, theatre, storytelling, photography, and film, and afford opportunities for collaboration with diverse Edmonton communities, such as new immigrants to Canada, at-risk and barriered youth, and adults living with developmental disabilities. Through these projects, professional artists collaborate with Edmontonians who may not regularly engage in the arts, be it due to a lack of available resources or opportunities.  

Michelle Lavoie, an artist, curator, and LGBTQ activist, hopes to empower LGBTQ youth through her project that partners with SNAP Gallery and Camp fYrefly. “This project will provide art-based mentorship to LGBTQ youth in order to support their artistic skill development and encourage their use of art for self-expression. Additionally, this project will introduce LGBTQ youth to the experience of working in a professional printmaking studio and to members of the arts community,” says Lavoie. “By developing a resiliency network of friends, trusted adults, community resources, and leadership strategies, we believe that youth will be able to thrive and become leaders who advocate for social justice and inclusion in their schools, families, and communities. The project demonstrates the commitment of all involved, to strengthen the vitality of the arts and the powerful role of the arts can play in public education and the pursuit of human rights and social justice for all youth.”

Rising Sun Theatre’s 2015 production of Sparks: an original play about friendship and connection. 

Over the course of the next year we hope to follow the progress of these exciting Community Arts projects. Here’s a brief recap of the 11 projects that will be receiving funding through the 2016 Community Arts grant:

A collaborative project between visual artists Brittney Roy and Leanne Olson and the Bissell Centre will provide print-making sessions to inner city artists who attend the Bissell Centre drop-in programs, followed by a showcase of their works.

Boyle Street Community Services will work with inner city youth to produce an album called Underground City, encouraging youth to express themselves through music in weekly songwriting sessions and facilitated workshops.

Working with artists Tim Folkmann and Matthew Wood, the students at the Boyle Street Education Centre will create a series of short videos that will commemorate both past and present stories of the Boyle Street Education Centre, to be featured at a “homecoming” street party with the community.

Over the course of FAVA’s 3-week Future Visions workshop, “at-risk and barriered youth” are guided through the creation of their own individual artistic videos.

Hip Hop in the Park’s Kulture Hubs Pilot Project will connect youth and professional artists to collaborate in art workshops on recording, social entrepreneurship, community organizing, leadership, and project development. The group of young people will then demonstrate their leadership skills by planning a youth-led workshop for approximately 20 of their peers.

Camp fYrefly and SNAP Gallery will provide profession art-based mentorship to LGBTQ youth in order to support their artistic skill development and encourage their use of art for self-expression. The workshops will guide the participants through inspiration and idea generation, hands-on practice, and the public presentation of artwork through curation to exhibition.

Mile Zero Dance will provide free contemporary dance education to over 2,000 members of the neighbourhoods of McCauley and Boyle Street, and host four free dance days.

In collaboration with SKILLS, a local non-profit society committed to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, Rising Sun Theatre and artists with developmental disabilities will script, rehearse, produce, and perform Sparks, a theatre piece utilizing physical movement, dance, and improvisation.

The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers’ project “My Journey” explores the stories of newcomer youth transplanting roots in Edmonton, by engaging youth from ethno-cultural communities to come together and express their individual stories through acrylic painting, collage, clock printing, journaling, spoken word, and movement.

Arts on the Ave’s “Avenue of Champions” will provide a celebration of the stories of some of the business people of Alberta Avenue through film, photography and writing, culminating in a video and photographic exhibit.

A theatre project facilitated by theatre artists Dhana Cartmell will engage older adults affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia at the Glenrose Rehabiliation Hospital.

[facesofcsl]

Patti H., Humanities 101 Learner

“Learning is an awesome adventure, but truly the ability to be with people who accept me and who demonstrate honestly and often boldly who they are assures me, on some very deep level, that good conquers and the world truly is better than my hidden negativity may allow.”

Patti is a Humanities 101 Learner who brings insightful knowledge and lived experience to the classroom. She is “a mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a daughter” who has “an experiential understanding of … family violence, poverty, homelessness, teenage pregnancy, addiction and mental health dynamics.” She actively pursues education and recovery on many levels and considers herself “a work in progress on a journey of self discovery” while “having the best time of [her] life, literally.”

She describes her experience with Humanities 101 with the words “growth, enlightenment, epiphany producing, and life-altering.” She appreciates the role of Humanities 101 in providing some structure and accountability in her life and how it has encouraged her to become more “open and tolerant of the differences in people.”

“Humanities 101 imbued in me the courage and the self esteem to go back to school to get my upgrading, to complete my social work diploma, and to push through my limitations to redefine my own identity. I am a learner. I got this!”

[thepastisunwritten]

Tune in to the 2016 Homelessness Marathon today from 3PM to 5AM MST! Every year, stations in cities across Canada take turns sharing local homelessness issues for the rest of the country to hear. E...

[thepastisunwritten]

The History of Punk Wednesday 24 February 2016 6:30PM Location: Humanities Centre 2-42, The University of Alberta All-Ages & All-Welcome “Back in Class!” The History of Punk is kicking off a ne...

[thepastisunwritten]

Sure, it’s been written for a long time, but my thesis is finally in print and on the bookshelf!

[shewritesaboutmusic]

This Week in #yegmusic

It’s a fairly packed week for the Edmonton music community, which is rather exciting for a number of reasons. Said reasons will unravel themselves as you read on, but one of the most notable being the grand opening of The Almanac on Whyte Ave. As the Wunderbar and Pawn Shop closed down last year, the Whyte Ave scene has died in some ways, saved in others by the Buckingham, Black Dog and Empress. While these are arguably (or obviously, depending on your perspective) the best pubs on the Ave, it’s exciting to see a new venue open and take a shot at revitalizing a once thriving area in Edmonton to see live music. 

Plus, needless to say, the legendary David Bowie has left Earth to live amongst the stars from which he came, and so the Metro will be honouring him this Saturday with a midnight screening of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. One of the more chill ways to spend your Saturday evening. 

So, sure it’s cold, but get out and see some live music and see something new. Even if you end up hating it, you stepped up and changed your routine. Bravo!

Wednesday, January 13th

The Lion The Bear The Fox

with guests Altameda

The Almanac

7pm. Advance tickets $15 on yeglive.ca or Blackbyrd Myoozik. 

Grand opening of the live music portion of this new venue. Seating is limited and we get a chance to see BC’s The Lion The Bear The Fox, so if you really wanna check it out, this is your warning to get tickets now. The menu looks tasty and the space looks inviting. Let’s help make this place a success!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1038896662818506/

Thursday, January 14th

Lucette with Marial Buckley and El Niven of Stone Iris

Mercury Room

Doors at 7pm. $10 at the door

Conceivably the perfect kind of winter music, this line up provides a delightful, yet gritty local music experience. Also, if you haven’t eaten at the Mercury Room before, their vegan fare is incredible. Mariel Buckley will be joining in from Calgary with El Niven opening the night. He’s one of the most charismatic people I’ve ever had the joy of meeting, and so you’ll likely be moved and entertained as soon as he hits the stage.

https://www.facebook.com/events/911935122227069/

Swear By the Moon // Luke Thompson

Bohemia

9pm. $10 at the door

This venue is quickly becoming one of the city’s go-to’s for live music. With Wunderbar’s Craig Martell at the helm booking shows, this promising and intimate venue is just heating up. Go check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1519999808300200/

Pigeon Breeders // Little League // Space Classic

Accent Lounge

9pm. $10 at the door.

An instrumental, jazzy dream. A stone’s throw from the heart of Whyte Ave, an easy Thursday evening if you’re feeling ambient, creative vibes that day. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1663358930576480/

Friday, January 15th

Fred Penner with the Willy Nillys and Rusty

The Buckingham

7pm. $30 at the door

The legendary Fred Penner! At our legendary (or, at least on the way to being legendary) Buckingham! Advance tickets are sold out, but if you show up right at seven, chances are you might just get in. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/964299983609490/

Crystal Eyes // Gender Poutine // Strange Fires // Shukov

9910

9pm. $10 at the door.

Calgary’s dreamboats, Crystal Eyes join the playful and fun Gender Poutine and the raw and spunky Strange Fires on stage for what is sure to be the most hipster crowd ever. I may be saying that phrase every week, but it’s totally okay. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Shukov yet, but if it’s anything like their recordings, grab someone’s hand and sway smiling. Not to mention, the talented eye of Evan Pearce will be providing wicked projections and visual art to feast your eyes on!

https://www.facebook.com/events/149309982100223/

The James Beaudry Band // the Drop Outs // Three Corners

Bohemia 

9pm. $10 at the door

Rock and/or roll! The Drop Outs are a bratty blend of NOFX and the more mature incarnation of Blink 182′s later years. A great line up with some of Edmonton’s most talented and raw up and comers!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1097818993570875/

Saturday, January 16th

N3K Album Release

with guests the Will Scott Band + Fauxfoe

The Almanac

8pm. $10 at the door

Another instrumental, noisy extravaganza. The new album, Lucky, Extra, will get live exposure and you will get another chance to check out the Almanac as a live venue. The last time I saw N3K was at the Farrow Customer Appreciation Show, and while I can’t remember a lot of it, they were frenetic, fun and captivating. Go help revitalize the Whyte Ave music scene!

https://www.facebook.com/events/197656053913104/

Midnight Screening of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Metro Cinema

11:59pm. $12 at the door

On July 3, 1973, David Bowie played at London’s Hammersmith Odeon Theatre. Director D.A. Pennebaker, best known for the earlier rock films Don’t Look Back and Monterey Pop, was on hand to document this legendary concert.

Sunday, January 17th

Not Enough Fest Mixer

Hartcourt House

2pm. FREE.

The Not Enough Fest has been such an incredible initiative since before the inaugural event last February. In anticipation of their second event come the spring, this event has been created to support those who may have always wanted to make music and/or play in a band, but have potentially felt excluded or unable to do so.  This is a free, all ages mixer exclusively for women, trans and queer communities to gather, mingle and take a look at potential involvement in the festival as musicians. Snacks and activities to complement the mingling process will be provided. According to the event page listed below, there will be a few surprises that may or may not involve making some noise! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1720145718222887/

RAMPAGE ft. Randy Rampage of DOA

with Zero Cool and Rhubarbs

DV8

8pm. $12 at the door

Randy Rampage of DOA fame (did you catch them at Up + Downtown Fest a few months ago?!?!?!) is popping back into town for a visit with his latest project, Rampage. He’s sung for thrash legends, Annihilator, as well as played in the metal project Stress Eater 9. Even though it’s Sunday, we don’t get chances like this very often. I know I’ll be there.

https://www.facebook.com/events/783980211710689/

With this eclectic myriad of events happening this week, there are ample opportunities to go check out something new. Go do something, break out of any potential winter funks and have a great time! At the very least, go check out that badass winter ice castle in Hawrelak park. 

[yegarts]

ASSIST’s first artist in residence

ASSIST Community Services Centre welcomes Jessie Beier as artist in residence

Working with ASSIST Community Services Centre, the Edmonton Arts Council placed a call out to the community for an artist residency at the ASISST Head Office. The project is guided by The Art of Living, the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Arts Council’s joint cultural plan, one of its major recommendations was the establishment of expanded artist in residence projects.

ASSIST is excited to welcome Jessie Beier as their first artist in residence. Executive Director Fion Lee says, “we feel this is a golden opportunity for the community, staff and clients to be involved in arts and culture as this is an area we don’t have specific programming in.” Beier impressed the ASSIST staff with her knowledge and experience as well as the different modes of communication she utilizes to share and discuss art. Lee hopes Beier’s work will “bring excitement and the unexpected into their offices.”

Beier with her piece “Patapreface: How Sound Works” (2014) a Drawing & Sound Installation at the Art Gallery of Alberta.

Beier is an artist, educator, and program developer whose decade long career has been filled with experiences in various disciplines and fields. She has just finished her semester teaching at the University of Alberta’s Department of Secondary Education and will be pursuing her PhD in Education in the Fall of 2016… Beier is delighted to have to time to develop her artistic practice during this residency.

Beier is interested in bridging her pedagogical philosophy and research in education with her artistic production. “I want to break from artistic traditions, like the role of artist as master, and bring a more collaborative approach to creating and learning,” says Beier. “I want to avoid the idea of teaching art and instead engage in dialogue through artistic practices.” She explains that within many contemporary art and education institutions art remains tied to particular political and social ideologies that often go unquestioned. “I want to create access points and allow those who want to engage with diverse ideas to feel free to do so.”

Beier’s tongue-in-cheek view of art education can be seen in her found footage film “Art Undermine/d: How To Be An Artist” (2015), watch the full video here.

During her term as artist in residence Beier hopes to continue her exploration of fabulations – the creation of alternative worlds that become a reality. “I want to find out what we desire our future to be; how a future might go as opposed to how it should go” says Beier. She hopes to engage with the staff and clients of ASSIST in discussions about some of the pressing issues facing all people today, including ecological and climate change, political anxieties, and social structuring in order to see “what new worlds and new futures we might create.”

While in her studio at the ASSIST offices, Beier plans to push her use of technology in art making through digital sound, film and creative programming platforms. She has recently been experimenting with creating interactive objects using Arduino and hopes to connect her technological investigations with her broader questions about pedagogy, politics and “the future”. Learn more about Beier on her website here.

[facesofedmonton]

“A lot of people say, ‘I don’t have time to volunteer.’ People ask me, ‘How do you have time to get involved in so many projects?’ It’s because I’m not volunteering. It’s my way to live. And that is what’s different. And that’s what makes me be able to engage with community the way I do. I’m not there to donate my time. It’s the way that I want to teach my daughter to live. It’s the right thing to do because I am collecting those moments for my life and that makes me happy … I came here as an immigrant. I was not allowed to work. I was sponsored by my wife for two years. Then I started busking at the LRT stations and I was a busker for two years to try to bring money home … singing, playing my guitar. I’m a musician.”

[thepastisunwritten]

My friend Sebastian!

[thepastisunwritten]

D.O.A. is currently on tour in Alberta and BC! While driving through the mountains to Red Deer (but not at the wheel) Joe Keithley spoke to me about important punk related issues.

[edmontonmusiccommunity]

[innercityrec]

Natalie is facing eviction, cancer as well as PTSD, and potentially losing her cats in the process. We hear what is being done by the Boyle Street Community Services' Pet Food Bank, the newly established Alberta Helping Animals Society and similar organizations elsewhere, to help Natalie and others like her, keep their companion animals fed, healthy and home. Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS

[thepastisunwritten]

The 2015 Homelessness Marathon aired across Canada on February 25 & February 26. Hosted by CRFC 101.9FM in Kingston, 14 community and campus radio stations produced 15 straight hours of programming tackling homelessness issues.

CJSR contributed Edmonton’s hour, with hosts Daniel Johnson and Rylan Kafara focusing on two major issues – the impact of gentrification in the downtown area on the inner-city community, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Edmonton and Canada. It included interviews with the University of Alberta’s Jay Scherer, MacEwan University’s Michael B. MacDonald, as well as cultural support worker Gary Moostoos, and a number of inner-city community members.

[edmontonmusiccommunity]

The Edmonton Music Community has great awareness FUNdraisers!

[thepastisunwritten]

Sneak peak of the History of Punk Fanzine #1, available tonight at the Edmonton Zine Fair at DV8!  https://www.facebook.com/events/767230443312374/

[thepastisunwritten]