Arts Events

SOAR EMERGING ARTIST FESTIVAL - MAY 30 & 31, 2018

The Soar Emerging Artist Festival, launched in 2015 to create opportunities for young and emerging artists to showcase new works, continued in 2018. Five unique performances in dance, music and magic were enjoyed by supportive and enthusiastic audiences. Wednesday's show attracted 55+ attendees and Thursday night saw 45+ people in the audience. Local ringmaster extraordinaire Michael Bartz hosted both nights and Jason Eveleigh from Sonic Sound provided technical equipment and support.

WE ARE ALL TREATY PEOPLE – JUNE 1, 2018

The Allied Arts Council received a Canada 150 Grant from the Community Initiatives Program Grant in 2017. Much work was done during the latter part of 2017 and early 2018 to bring We Are All Treaty People to Lethbridge. On June 1, 2018 the Allied Arts Council presented We Are All Treaty People at Southminster United Church. We Are All Treaty People is a children focused reconciliation project that was created by the Making Treaty 7 Artist Collective and presented by Quest Theatre. Two performances were presented by the company. A matinee performance which was attended by over 950 students from Lethbridge and surrounding areas and an evening performance which was attended by 200 people. The evening included a very special blessing by Alvine Blood, wife of Nacisse Blood, founding artist and cocreator of Making Treaty 7 who was killed in a tragic car accident in February 2015.

ARTS DAYS - SEPTEMBER 22 – 30, 2018

Arts Days is a weeklong celebration of the arts in Lethbridge, held in conjunction with the provincial and national Culture Days. Allied Arts Council coordinated or produced events during Arts Days 2018 included Mimosas, Muffins and Movies (September 23), a Historic Theatre Walking Tour (September 24), ArtWalk (September 28 – 29), On the Streets performances (September 28 - 29), an Artisan Market (September 28 -29), a Gallery Stroll (September 29) and Family Affair on the Square (September 30). Other events programmed by members and member organizations included Word on the Street, Lethbridge Drink & Draw with Slaughterhouse Slough, film screenings at the Lethbridge Public Library, events at The Owl Acoustic Lounge and New West Theatre’s Million Dollar Quartet.

The 15 th annual Art Walk was produced by the AAC and featured more than 100 artists (individuals and collectives) placed in forty-one supportive businesses in the downtown core, the University of Lethbridge, La Cite des Prairies and McNally Studios. An ArtWalk feature is Stamp ‘n Stomp, an interactive activity which encourages participants to have their program book stamped at participating ArtWalk venues. Individuals gathering nine stamps were able to win an original artwork by Michelle Côté. While on the ArtWalk, participants were entertained by buskers in nine different locations. New venues for ArtWalk and buskers were added this year as a result of various changes in downtown businesses. During ArtWalk, an Artisan Market is hosted at Casa. Fifteen artisans from Lethbridge and region sold their wares during the weekend.

Arts Days wraps up with Family Affair on the Square, an AAC festival for the whole family which is held at Casa. The festival included live performances by local artists, a community painting, art activities led by local artists including button making and live drawing, face painting, airbrush tattoos and information tables featuring various AAC members.

Unfortunately, Arts Days attendance was down in 2018 due to unseasonably cold weather. Outdoor events during ArtWalk and Family Affair on the Square were either brought indoors or cancelled if the ensemble was too large for the space.

Arts Days is funded by grants received from Alberta Culture Days, Canadian Heritage and Heart of our City, in addition to private and corporate sponsors including: Deltec Power & Control Systems, Val Matteotti Ranches Ltd and Precon Precast Products.

CHRISTMAS AT CASA - NOVEMBER 16 & 17, 2018

Christmas at Casa continues to be a successful event for the AAC, Casa, artist vendors and shoppers. This year the sale showcased more than fourty six vendors in a festive and fun atmosphere. Musicians and living statues were hired to add to the festive atmosphere. Red Engine Coffee and Macs and Custard were on site to serve customers beverages and treats.

In 2018, partnerships with Christmas Hope (Lethbridge Food Bank, Interfaith Food Bank, My City Care, Angel Tree and the Salvation Army) and Green Christmas (Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Environment Lethbridge and the City of Lethbridge Waste and Recycling) created great opportunities to educate and connect the community.

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CHRISTMAS at Casa WORK BY OVER 100 LOCAL ARTISTS!