accent | Spring 2011

Spring 2011

w w w . A c c e n t G P. c a

TA K I N G I T T O THE STREETS

11th Annual GP Street Performers Festival

HONOURING DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES:

Styles & Smiles Hair Design & Concetto Interior Design

6 PAGES OF SHOPPING F E AT U R E S !

Lifestyle in Grande Prairie's Downtown

DOWNTOWN

GRANDE PRAIRIE

TrollbeadsUniverse.com

10024B 100 Ave. Grande Prairie

cobi style

(780) 513-4433

The Heart of the City!

We believe Downtown Grande Prairie offers something for everyone. Customer service and a strong sense of community are the values that we reflect.

welcome

The over 400 stores and services are committed to Downtown playing its role in making Grande Prairie “the Greatest Place to be”.

Harold Friesen, Chair Grande Prairie Downtown Association

Urban Energy | 4 Downtown Events | 6 Taking it to the Streets | 8 Art Ouellette Memorial Award | 15 Downtown Grande Prairie | 16 Shops of Downtown | 18 2010 Downtowner of the Year Award | 24 The Whole World Loves Outdoor Entertainment | 30

. w eb gr ap hi c . pr in t

Publishers and designers of 780.532.6353

Advertising Inquiries: imageDESIGN ph. 780.532.6353 info@imagedesignpros.com

Contributors: Karen Bass, Jody Farrell, Mary Nutting - South Peace Regional Archives

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www.imagedesignpros.com

10017 100 Avenue, Grande Prairie

Cover photo: Sean Dwen, performs as Basketball Jones at the 2010 Street Performers Festival. Photo by Wayne Ayling.

© All rights reserved Accent 2011 - Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. imageDESIGN makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

Photography: Cleo Hope Photography, Wayne Ayling, Debbie Courvoisier, imageDESIGN, South Peace Regional Archives, istockphoto.com

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URBANENERGY

What’s new, happening, interesting and exciting in Grande Prairie’s Dowtown!

By Jody Farrell

PUREHOME DESIGN: OF SOFAS AND SILVER, BEADS AND BEDREST Shirley Hanson and husband Ralph are celebrating their first anniversary as co-owners of downtown’s Purehome Design.

Their biggest surprise as they look back over their venture into home decor and jewellery retail?

“I didn’t know I’d sell so many Trollbeads” laughs Shirley, still amazed at the popularity of the Denmark-based glass bead and silver bracelets on display in an attractive countertop case at the back of the store.

Ashley Lett. Photo by Lord Morpheous, Toronto.

PROVOCOUTURE: FASHION HAPPENS HERE Ashley Lett has not slowed down since she returned to Grande Prairie a year ago. The young designer, whose high fashion shop Provocouture is located on the second floor of the old post office downtown, is busy pulling together a party to celebrate her label’s seventh anniversary. And she’s bent on doing it in a style most often found in trendsetting Toronto, her home of eight years.

“We used to get all kinds of crazy people together and have wild, theme parties that included fashion, and artists and dancing,” Lett says. “Here, I don’t know anyone, so I just decided to throw a party!”

Looking around her studio, you begin to understand the logic behind her cheeky label, Provocouture. It’s not just about fresh and one-of-a-kind styles. It’s about provoking; being provocative; evoking some kind of reaction.

Lett pulls out a ho-hum tie, explaining how she tore it apart and sewed wild lines both inside and out before putting it back together. It even includes the guy’s name. It’s for his grad, and she’s made a vest to match.

“I’d better not find this in Value Village one day,” she declares. It’s evident that each of her pieces is a painstaking work of art, one that she’s put herself into.

And, as if clients and new creations aren’t enough to keep her hopping, Lett has just spent the afternoon overseeing a professional shoot of her first-ever magazine, which is set to come out on the same day as her fashion event.

The fashion show, cocktail party and arts extravaganza takes place at the Montrose Cultural Centre on July 16. Tickets are $25. accent | 4

The biggest highlight though, has been the excitement around Purehome’s Canadian-made furniture lines, including Toronto-based cobistyle, its partner Deco-Rest, and Surrey, BC-based Vangogh Designs. Customers can pore over the store’s own extensive gallery of large, vibrant, fabric swatches for both their furniture and accessory choices, instead of consulting photos or too-small samples of material. In-country shipping makes for faster delivery and more affordable prices as well, Hanson notes.

With numerous television shows persuading people to beautify their surroundings, and a growing desire to support both local and national products, Purehome expects a bright and busy future.

And, with their first year surprises out of the way, Shirley ventures to guess, “a little more sleep.’’

STYLE HOT-SPOT IN DOWNTOWN A character home in Downtown Grande Prairie gets a stylish renovation, inside and out. Formerly the antique store Calico Cat Curios, the space has been transformed into Art & Soul Hair Studio.

CLEO HOPE PHOTOGRAPHY: ALL THAT IS YOUTHFUL AND EDGY

CONTRIBUTORS

A large photograph of a child and adult sits in the front window of Cleo Hope’s downtown photography studio. A father and toddler – Hope’s husband and son – are boyishly comparing tattoos. The tyke’s marks are wash-off, and the expressions are lighthearted, but it evokes that tiny bit of a shock. And therein lies much of what inspires Cleo Hope.

There’s something both artistic and energetic in these photographs. Their energy speaks more of fun and creation than of things dark and foreboding. Inside, a black and white photograph of a newborn nestled into a crocheted “cocoon” magnificently captures both the baby’s contentedness and the photographer’s knack for recognizing and immortalizing it.

Lots of people take pictures, but it takes a special eye to look beyond the shoot to find what will eventually, with some tweaking, produce a vivid and eye-catching shot.

The self-taught 20-year-old opened Cleo Hope Photography in February 2011. Most of her bookings happen online on her Facebook page, where she began posting her first pictures two and a half years ago. An early shot of her son’s foot in a fountain won accolades and requests for photoshoots from friends and fans. “Mostly, I just want to keep progressing,” Hope says today. Her online dialogues and her new Downtown studio will allow her to do just that.

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Karen Bass

has always been an avid reader. Her list of books to read grows ever longer as she juggles managing the Hythe Library with writing stories for teens. Coteau Books has published two of her novels: Run Like Jäger (2008) and Summer of Fire (2009).

Jody Farrell

has 25 years experience as an editor and writer. She's written about politics, the arts, and social justice, and has worked on bids, bylaws, and grant proposals. A native of Edmonton, she has lived in Grande Prairie for nearly 20 years and loves its optimism, its bold pioneer spirit, and its pride.

Mary Nutting

has been the Archivist at South Peace Regional Archives since it opened in 2000. She enjoys writing local history articles which reveal the times, the personalities and the character of the people who came before us in the South Peace.

Cleo Hope Photography

is a refreshing new perspective for Grande Prairie photography. They offer modern with a vintage twist and always try to create that 'WOW' effect! Make sure to check out their new studio on main street.

Debbie Courvoisier

is inspired by the technical and aesthetic aspects of photography and is rarely without her camera.

BE PART OF THE ACTION!

DOWNTOWN EVENTS

MAY 4-8 6 - 27 20 - 21 25 25 - 27 27 - 28 28

The Reel Shorts Film Festival Natalie Green and Irvin Leopold: Walk on the Wild Side St. Joseph's Catholic High School Grad Foreign Movie Autumn Spring Stompede Days Composite High School Grad Daily Herald Tribune Press Run

er Sizzling Summ Sidewalk Sale Downtown

June 18

, Street displays and ns tio ra st on m de make ll wi es bl sales ta g, or sin ow shopping, br delight. a g in er nd wa just ll be 100 Avenue wi Street 99 m fro d se clo . et re St to 101

GP Live Theatre Centre for Creative Arts Crystal Centre Grande Prairie Public Library Downtown Crystal Centre Muskoseepi Park

JUNE 3 - 24 7 15 18 29 30 30 30

Skateboard Show & Auction Centre for Creative Arts Seniors Tea GP Pioneer Museum Municipal Government Day Muskoseepi Park Sizzling Summer Sidewalk Sale Downtown Foreign Movie Wonderful Town Grande Prairie Public Library Canada Day Fireworks Muskoseepi Park Reservoir Midnight Swim Bear Creek Outdoor Pool Peace Starts at Home Concert Muskoseepi Park Amphitheatre

JULY 1

Canada Day Parade Downtown 1 Canada Day Celebrations GP Pioneer Museum 1 Family Fun Day Muskoseepi Park 4 - 29 Kiren Niki Sangra Show Centre for Creative Arts 12, 14 Heritage Family Interpretive Days GP Pioneer Museum 16 Provocouture Fashion Show Montrose Cultural Centre 19, 21 Heritage Family Interpretive Days GP Pioneer Museum 26, 28 Heritage Family Interpretive Days GP Pioneer Museum 22 - 24 2011 Street Performers Festival Downtown 23 Aykroyd Family & Friends Dinosaur Ball Crystal Centre 30 Heritage Day Celebrations GP Pioneer Museum

AUGUST 1

2, 4 5 - 26 9, 11 16, 18

Heritage Day Celebrations Muskoseepi Park Heritage Family Interpretive Days GP Pioneer Museum Blue Centre for Creative Arts Heritage Family Interpretive Days GP Pioneer Museum Heritage Family Interpretive Days GP Pioneer Museum accent | 6

Canada Day C elebrations at Muskoseep i Park

June 31, 6pm - Midnigh

t

• Peace Star ts at Home Stage • Amphitheatre stage live ente rtainment • Food vendor s • Kids activiti es • Mid-Night Sw im at Bear Cree k outdoor pool • Fire Works ov er the Reservoi r at midnight • Food Vendor s July 1, 1 • 3 stages of pm - 6p m entertainment • Children’s ac tivities, face pa inting & clown • Community s booths • Canada Day Cake

ys & Thursda Tuesdays 18 2 - August from July 1 0pm 1:30 - 3:3 m irie Museu Grande Prage Village Herita

Heritage Family Interpretive Days History Comes to Life in the Grande

the way life used to be from Experience our rich regional heritage preters share the stories of inter med 1895 - 1930 as heritage costu l household and farming skills in our ancestors to portray traditiona heritage gardens. Every week tiful beau and our historical buildings interactive experiences suitable features a variety of theme based for all ages.

SEPTEMBER 2 - 30 18 28 30

East vs. West Photography Competition Country Fair & Penny Carnival Foreign Movie Lemon Tree Wearable Art Show

OCTOBER 7 - 28 14 - 16 21 - 22 22 26 29

Peace Watercolour Society Grande Prairie Women's Show Lantern Tours GPRC President's Ball Foreign Movie Everlasting Moments Halloween Foot Parade

Centre for Creative Arts GP Pioneer Museum Grande Prairie Public Library Centre for Creative Arts

Centre for Creative Arts Crystal Centre GP Pioneer Museum Crystal Centre Grande Prairie Public Library Downtown

NOVEMBER 11 18 24 - 26 30

Prairie Museum Historical Village!

Remembrance Day Services Vegas Night Grande Prairie Farmer's Market Christmas Show & Sale Foreign Movie Antonia's

Wearable Art Show

September 30 Centre for Creative Arts

Alberta Ar ts Da ys in Grande Prairie will kickoff with a Wea rable Ar t Show on Friday at the Centre for Crea tive Ar ts.

The weekend festivities will include all sorts of visual, drama, music and literary ar ts throughout the city.

Crystal Centre Downtown Crystal Centre Grande Prairie Public Library

Street Performers Fest

ival Downtown

100th Ave. between 99 Street and 101 Street will come alive with street per world, food and craft ven formers from around the dors, sidewalk sales and children's activities like chalk drawing and more! fun castles, face paintin g,

Friday, July 22 - 4pm - 9pm • Saturday, July 23 - Noon - 9pm • Sunday, July 24 - Noon - 4pm Street Fest Frolic - July 20 • For tickets and more information visit gpstreetfest.com

YEAR ROUND 50th Anniversary Exhibit Karaoke Open Mike Comedy Hour & Karaoke Farmers' Market

April 2 - December 31 Every Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Every Wednesday Every Thursday Fri. 4 - 8 pm, Sat. 10 am - 2 pm

GP Pioneer Museum BJ’s Q Club BJ’s Q Club BJ’s Q Club Corner of 101st & 101st

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Photo by Wayne Ayling

TA K I N G E H T O T IT S T E E R T S en Written By Kar

Rudi Macaggi & Lea McGowan appeared at the 2010 Festival between America's Got Talent appearances. Photo by Wayne Ayling

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Bass

Photo by Debbie Courvoisier

Photo by Wayne Ayling

he small unicycle wheel moved back and forth with rhythmic surety. At the top of the cycle’s unique zigzag design, the performer’s white baseball shirt and bald head stood out against a clear blue sky. His affected nervous giggle made the circle of onlookers laugh, but then a gust of Grande Prairie wind slapped him hard and the affectation was replaced by a tremor of real fear. The crowd held its collective breath while the busker known as Mr. Spin managed to ride out the gust and reposition himself to better withstand the next assault.

The impressive display of skill served to underline the truth of what he had been telling the audience, that his profession was perilous.

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Not only that, all of the circle performers, like Mr. Spin, who come to the Grande Prairie Street Performers Festival are only paid by busking (passing the hat for donations). Crowds can be fickle.

Given the potential dangers and other challenges of performing outdoors, why would anyone choose street performing as a career? Let’s look at four performers who have attended the local festival (and likely will return at some point) and discover what motivates them.

Grande Prairie’s affiliation with the Edmonton Street Fest has enabled the organizers to bring in performers from around the world.

Fully halfway around, in Kim Potter’s case.

In the industry since 1995, Kim bills himself as a comedian, entertainer and emcee. He started as a musician before moving into comedy and circus work. When he was starting out he was inspired by the film, “Funny Bones,” in which the main character courts disaster in a slapstick scene by balancing on a high pole. Kim strives for that heady mix of pulling off the trick and making the audience laugh.

Zany New Zealander Kim Potter

Kim carries the laughter into the wacky personas he inhabits on stage. The effect is reminiscent of Jerry Lewis, and audiences respond well to that goofy clumsiness. He will admit there are a few downsides to his profession: working while everyone else is on holidays, and never really switching off. The kind of crazy energy needed to keep on the move from venue to venue is a common denominator among festival performers.

Kim continues to work street festivals because of the chance to mingle with performer friends from around the world and because festivals “are a nice balance between the raw excitement and unpredictability of street performing, and the energy of a festival atmosphere.” accent | 9

Photo by Wayne Ayling

Peter Jarvis hales from Toronto and has been to the Grande Prairie Street Performers Festival at least three times. A partial list of his talents includes mime artist, dancer, actor, clown, sculptor, mask maker, drum teacher and composer.

This kind of diversity, he says, is what it takes to make a living as a performer in Canada. Whatever he’s doing, his quest is to be as creative as possible each day.

He is best known for “Silver Elvis”, which he calls a money-activated robotic Elvis simulator, and of his sixty different characters it is this persona he most often brings to street performing.

Busking as Silver Elvis has opened the world to Peter and he has travelled extensively with it, though he hasn’t yet been to Graceland.

Peter started as a dancer, winning numerous disco championships, and found he had a particular talent for robotic dancing.

That, with his unusual double major (theatre & business) led to a gig in television, and later to a scholarship to study street performance in New York. He did some more work in television but found performing to the cameras to be a flat, unrewarding experience.

In 1999, some unique holographic vinyl material, a talented tailor, and a robotic Elvis dance returned sier Photo by Debbie Courvoi Peter to the streets where his audience bestowed his Silver Elvis moniker. He developed the performance using audience feedback. Like the guards at Buckingham Palace, Peter never changes his expression while he’s on his octagonal pedestal - a challenge when people try to get a reaction, to the point of having had a few women expose their breasts

- but he mentally takes notes, and if five people make negative comments about an aspect of his performance he looks for ways to improve it. This honesty is one of the things he enjoys about working on the streets.

Peter has been performing as Silver Elvis for eleven years, and the continual refinement of his act helps to keep it fresh, such as when he invented a circular moonwalk that makes it appear as if he is rotating on a turntable. A combination of Mime training, Tai Chi, yoga, and even shamanistic breathing techniques, helps him to be able to perform upwards of five hours on his pedestal.

Eclectic & Electric Peter Jarvis as Silver Elvis

In a closed venue such as a theatre, Peter points out that you only reach a certain type of audience, but on the street everyone from the rich to the homeless can enjoy Silver Elvis.

While people expect to see entertainers when they attend a street performer festival, so are more polite than with buskers on the street, in both cases you are a discovery to the passerby and you create “an oasis for a moment.”

Audience feedback energizes Peter and he finds joy in seeing a face transition to happiness.

(He also enjoys it when people argue over whether or not he’s real. Someone once lost a $100 bet with a friend when he insisted Peter was a robot.)

When it all comes together - good weather, a receptive audience and achieving total focus - it’s magic. That happens, Peter estimates, perhaps 10 times in a year where he does 300 performances. The knowledge that he is only the catalyst for that magic is humbling, and he savours each moment.

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Michael Trautman will tell you that he is the “eighth best clown in the world.” Or the town. Or the state. (Whatever fits.) Back in the 1970s, he started studying to be a lawyer, but quickly concluded that the legal profession seemed boring. His search for a more enjoyable profession led him to study Mime, then to join with a few others to start Mimewock in Kansas City. Street performing was the easiest route to getting in front of an audience and using trial and error to figure out what worked. To this day, his training in Mime underlies his whole routine.

From impromptu street shows, Michael graduated to paid roving performances in a variety of settings. Eventually he developed enough material to move to stages, but he never stopped working on the street. His move to Boston in 1982 resulted in what he calls “a profound discovery.” As Michael explains, “Rather than working all day on a Saturday and making about $25 on a good day, I could actually make several hundred dollars a day, sometimes even in a single performance!”

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Michael Trautman

His involvement in the lively Boston street performing scene brought him to the attention of Dick Finkel of the Edmonton Street Performers Festival, and they worked together several times over the years. From there, Grande Prairie organizers learned of Michael, bringing him to the Peace Country for the first time in 2010.

Michael no longer does many performances that culminate with passing the hat, but continues to work outdoors. He notes that on the street, the audience is always on the move and you have to be able to draw them in and give them a reason to stay. You also have to expect that someone is going to get up and leave at some point in the show. He tries to not take it personally and realizes not everyone will enjoy his sense of humour.

“Besides,” he says, “maybe they have to catch the bus, or perform brain surgery…”

Many aspects of street performing appeal to Michael. He loves the immediacy and intimacy of the show, and the challenge of pulling off a difficult trick in an unpredictable environment where weather or even wandering children can add an element of danger. But most of all, he says, “I am bringing a moment of joy and laughter to people who might never step inside a theatre or a circus tent, but who happen upon a truly public event that contains surprise, amazement, and escape.”

Street Per formers’ Term

Busking is the practice of pe

Buskers do just about

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rforming in public pla ces for tips and gratui anything that people fi ties. nd entertaining.

rcles are like mainstage acts gests, the audience sta where, as the name nds/sits in a circle aro sugund the performer. Ge performances have se nerally, circle t times (weather perm itting).

Roving Performers wander up and down the streets out the festival. Altern and can be seen throu atively: rovers, cullers. gh-

Photo by Wayne Ayling

Street performers don’t just come from far away, as Albertan Linda Karenko will attest. Born in Tofield, into a home filled with fun and laughter, she grew up singing and was even in a rock band after school. But a holiday in the Bahamas changed her trajectory when the Club Med management noted her rapport with all the other guests and asked her to work for them.

Dean the Wiener Queen”, and she laughingly tells how a visit to an Edmonton television talk show, where she did a comedic cooking segment on how to cook wieners and beans, led to the tag of “Wiener Queen.” When she’s in costume she loves to deputize willing people by smacking bright red lip prints on their cheeks. Seniors, she notes, are particularly tickled by this.

She worked for four years as an “icebreaker,” making sure people were enjoying themselves, and sometimes as a tour guide where she would crack a joke any time she didn’t know an answer. Her stint with Club Med took her to various exotic locales, including the Caribbean and Africa. When she returned to Alberta she wondered how she could do the same kind of work locally. That led her to acting, and eventually to a gig as a roving entertainer at the Edmonton Street Fest.

As a rover, Linda works on contract so doesn’t have to worry about the chanciness of passing the hat. She doesn’t see a downside to her job at all; the worst thing she has to suffer are a few weird looks. Her favourite part of performing is changing the mood of people who are most likely to beam their joy: seniors, young children, and handicapped individuals. To that end, she also works with “Comedy Cares,” visiting hospitals such as the Glenrose in Edmonton to emcee for other street performers who give mini-performances for the patients.

Roving performers are also known as “cullers” because they single people out of the crowd the way a ranch hand might cull a calf from the herd. Linda explains that it demands you be good at reading people and knowing what their boundaries are. If you cross a person’s boundaries, your goal of making him feel comfortable will backfire.

Grande Prairie audiences, Linda notes, are a wonderful mix of small town and city and are particularly welcoming. Even her walking into a downtown pub in costume didn’t phase the customers who readily joined in the fun and danced with her.

In her quest to entertain, Linda has given life to a cast of wacky characters. One of her favourites is “Sheriff Winnie

Lively Local Lass Linda Karenko n a riff Winnie De as

She een the Weiner Qu

Photo by Wayne Ayling

Wayne Ayling, festival founder and current co-chair of the organizing committee, notes that the Grande Prairie Street Performers Festival has always striven to give its performers star treatment. And Grande Prairie audiences have always responded to the performers with generous tips. This is part of the reason why world-class acts continue to want to come to the Peace Country.

As for Mr. Spin, he also revels in the immediacy of street performing. He sums it up for all the performers profiled here when he says, “The better the crowd, the more fun I have. And the more fun I have, the better the show.” Hurrah to that. accent | 12

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STYLES & SMILES HAIR DESIGN

Brenda Pickard Personifies Her Live, Love and Laugh Motto

By Jody Farrell

B

renda Pickard’s Styles & Smiles Salon is an unassuming little shop you might even miss walking down mainstreet Grande Prairie. But step inside, and you’re likely to feel you have happened upon something quite special.

“You’ve got to laugh with your clients,” she advises the students. “And cry with them too. Besides really listening to them, you’ve got to enjoy what you’re doing.”

Family and friends are also invaluable, she adds. “Learn to accept the help you are offered... And yes, I’m big on angels.”

On this day, Pickard is giving free advice to a trio of students from a local hair design school. She’s alternatively addressing every single question they have, and working on a client, a longtime one as it turns out, who gamely plays model for Brenda’s demonstration on how to dye eyelashes.

Pickard is involved in the community as well. For nine years, she has set up a three-day booth at the Grande Prairie World of Women trade show at Crystal Centre, and did 50 “up-dos’’ as a charity Brenda Pickard of Styles & Smiles Hair Design. fundraiser for women and families struggling with cancer. She takes part in downKelly Smith, the model/customer whose hair Pickard has also town parades, and has volunteered for such sporting events spent three hours cutting, foiling, and conditioning, says she’s as curling and golf, a sport she adores. Her storefront window, been following her stylist for 15 years. Later, Pickard herself always dressed to suit the season, currently features Easter goes out to plug Smith’s parking meter, and returns with a tickbunnies and eggs. At Christmas, she hangs over 300 balls. et that she insists on keeping, saying she’s “in good” with the attendant, and that they’ll “work something out.”

She encourages the young women to continue their learning experiences once they’ve finished school.

“She’s awesome,” says Smith, adding, “she even keeps recipe cards on all her clients!”

“Take it all in girls,” Pickard tells them. “I’ve been going to hair shows for over 20 years, doing colour classes, trying out techSmith recalls when Pickard finally opened her own downtown niques on mannequins, learning whatever is new is another shop a dozen years ago. This year marks the stylist’s 26th ankey to success.” niversary. “I just wish I could take her home with me to keep my hair looking as good.”

“I’m so honoured to have received this,” Pickard says of the Art Ouellette Award. “It came as a total surprise.”

Pickard’s warm manner undoubtedly helped win her the Downtown Business Association’s award named for the former CurShe had told the salon students she’d worked very hard to ry’s Jewellers owner, Art Ouellette. prove herself worthy of the term professional hair designer, or “PHD” as she only half-jokingly put it. “I feel I do not have to All around the salon are hints at what inspires and guides Pickvalidate what, or who, I am anymore,” she said. Certainly, the ard in her admittedly tough profession. Decorative angels hang award is one more testament to both Pickard’s contribution along the ceiling from the front of the narrow building to the and success. But her steadfast personality is undeniably part back. Everywhere, there are signs encouraging you to “Live, of it all too.

Love and Laugh.’ Pickard stresses the importance of these qualities in a stylist.

The Art Ouellette Memorial Award is given to a business owner who reflects the most pride of ownership and location. accent | 15

102 Avenue 16

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DOWNTOWN

STREET MAP & DIRECTORY OF DOWNTOWN GRANDE PRAIRIE ADVERTISERS

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98 Avenue

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97 Avenue

1. Amari Spa Boutique

Suite 211, 10001 101 Avenue

FEATURE

8. Forbes & Friends

9918A 100 Avenue

2. Avenue Crafts & Gifts

10012 100 Avenue

PAGE 28

9. Four Corners Tea

9927B 100 Avenue

PAGE 29

96 Avenue FEATURE

16. Love Life Hot Yoga

10004 102 Avenue

PAGE 27

17. Midwest On Main

10012 100 Avenue

PAGE 25

3. Bama Furniture/The Bed Shoppe PAGE 13

9917 100 Avenue/10102 100 Avenue

10. Grande Prairie Farmers Market

10032 101 Street

PAGE 26

l. Muskoseepi Park

10236 103 Avenue

PAGE 14

4. Braids & Beauty Salon

10109B 100 Avenue

FEATURE

11. GP Promotional Products

10109A 100 Avenue

PAGE 29

18. NNTK No Need To Knock

10026 100 Avenue

FEATURE

5. Clique Interiors

10017 101 Avenue

PAGE 14

12. Homes & Land Magazine Locations throughout Downtown

PAGE 28

19. Picture Perfect

9934 100 Avenue

PAGE 26

6. Crouses Cleaners

10007 98 Avenue

PAGE 26

13. Homesteader Health 10012 99 Avenue

PAGE 27

20. Pink Rain

#6 9907 100 Avenue

FEATURE

7. Curry’s Jewellers

10019 100 Avenue

PAGE 32

14. imageDESIGN 10017A 100 Avenue

a. Downtown Association

#201, 10135 101 Avenue

PAGE 27

15. Laurel's Peace Country Preserves FEATURE

10023 100 Avenue

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21. Podiflex Foot Massage

#101B 10001 101 Avenue 22. Pure Home Design

10024B 100 Avenue

FEATURE PAGE 2

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100 Street

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23. Roots #3 9907 100 Avenue

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24. Skyloft Integrated Wellness Studio PAGE 25 214 Place, 9909 102 Street

a. Downtown Association

h. Grande Prairie Museum

b. Curling Rink

i.

The Prairie Art Gallery

25. Snapshot Studio & Photo 9924 100 Avenue

c. GP Live Theatre

j.

Towne Centre Mall

d. Bowes Family Gardens (Crystal Centre)

k. Golden Age Centre

e. Canada Games Arena (Crystal Centre)

m. Centre for Creative Arts

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26. South Peace Regional Archives PAGE 25 102 Avenue & 102 Street, Muskoseepi Park 27. Sportswear Plus 9912 100 Avenue

PAGE 26

28. Wonderland Toy & Hobby 10032 100 Avenue

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f.

Grande Prairie Public Library

g. Royal Canadian Legion

All advertisers have a shopping feature in the SHOPS of DOWNTOWN, pages 18 - 23

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l. Muskoseepi Park n. Montrose Cultural Centre

SHOPS OF DOWNTOWN A GUIDE TO DOWNTOWN SHOPPING

Umbra Huge selection of Umbra accessories from coasters to frames, wall dĂŠcor and furniture. Starting at $5.95 Available exclusively at Pure Home

Mark Schneider's Amore, Beloved & Laurel Designs Expertly crafted and handmade in the USA, Mark Schneider's unique and timeless bridal collection has designs for every bride. Each design is fully customizable and features an exclusive 'Secret Heart' with an engravable diamond.

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Love This Life Ghost Rider T Timeless, trendless, global designs. Worn by celebrities, appreciated by all who celebrate the magnificence of human vulnerability. $51.75 Available at Love Life Hot Yoga

Eminence Tropical Vanilla Sunscreen Natural SPF protection for all skin types. Moisturizes, protects and repairs skin.

A full line of Eminence Organic Skin Care is available at Skyloft Integrated Wellness

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Canadian Berries Loose Leaf Tea & Accessories Fruit tisane naturally caffine-free, naturally sweetened tea is a great alternative to juice or pop. The Tetsbutin cast iron tea pot and traditional Japanese tea caddy complete the set.

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Style for the Bedroom The rich espresso finish flows smoothly over the stacked design while beautifully accenting the button tufted faux leather upholstery and stylish nail head accents to make the 'Diana' bedroom collection an exceptional example of exciting contemporary design.

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Frames For All Occasions Unique frames and trinket boxes start at $9.95.

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Messenger Bag

By Montreal-based designer Sue-Ann Pham. $64 4 Available at Forbes & Friends

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Vangogh Furniture The only exclusive Vangogh Canadian furniture gallery in Northern Alberta. Large selection of fabric choices, lots of styles and colors.

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GNLD Vitamins and Supplements Take the guesswork out of nutrition with GNLD vitamins and supplements, a product of both nature and science. These products give you more energy and vitality than you could ever imagine.

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Playmobile 'Of froad' and Lego 'StarWar s'

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Lego themes range from StarWars to Knights to Modern Construction. Starting at $6.99

This modern white vase creates a bold yet elegant statement in your home. Also available in red and black. $225

Available at Wonderland Toy & Hobby

Available at Clique Interiors

Dish Jeans Hot New Denim Jacket Make a fashion statement with this stylish denim jacket. Top off your look with layered jewellery.

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Per fect Companion The Mantra Pant is perfect for any yoga class. With a snug and supportive fit and chafe free seams, they are a great balance of style and comfort while holding it all in tight! Won’t pill or fade!

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Let It Shine It's been a long cold winter, it feels like years since it's been here... Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright 'cause Pink Rain has 'Let It Shine', the latest Bumble & Bumble product.

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Mark Schneider's Bedazzle & Enchantment Designs Expertly crafted and handmade in the USA, Mark Schneider's unique and timeless bridal collection has designs for every bride. Each design is fully customizable and features an exclusive 'Secret Heart' with an engravable diamond.

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Grad Gif ts Gra Special occasion gifts with he ability to be personalized. the A Available at Sportswear Plus

Revelle Home Fashions Stylish, quality linens for bed and bath, Revelle Bedding as seen on Cityline. In stock or custom orders, priced for every budget.

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San Marco - Chocolate Upholster y Collection With an unlimited amount of design variations, the plush comfort and stylish contemporary design of this collection offers you a variety of options for the dĂŠcor of your living area.

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lululemon athletica In Stride Jacket Keep warm and look great in this breathable, four-way stretch jacket. Contrast logo and thumb holes add style and performance to your workout. $108 Available exclusively at Love Life Hot Yoga

Best Yarn Selection in GP Homemade Soups & Biscuits Come in and try our famous daily special soups and fresh biscuits.

Available at Laurel's Peace Country Preserves

Print Your Own Wall Ar t Wide format printing on archival quality canvas, watercolour paper or photo paper. Bring in your favorite photo or reproduce your artwork.

Prices start at $6 sq.ft. - Available at imageDESIGN

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Specialty wools such as pure wool, bamboo, alpaca and brand new scarf yarn from Katia and Rozetti, all available in many colours.

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Comfor ter and Duvet Cleaning It's time to freshen up. Have your duvets and comforters cleaned by the professionals.

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Advanced Electro Reflex f Energizer Helps reconnect broken or damaged electrical circuits within the body by stimulating it with the correct wave form, current and frequency while warming and massaging the feet. An easy way to promote healing at home in just a few minutes per day.

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Bright Oranges, Pinks and Reds to Brighten Up Your Day Each bag is made from 100% premium Italian leather and handcrafted by a team dedicated to creating you the perfect bag. Every cut and stitch incorporates four generations of craftsmanship. How's that for Made in Canada?

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Weaves, Extensions, Wigs, Colour s, Cuts, Perms and Relaxer Available at Braids & Beauty Salon

Sealy, Ser ta, Simmons, Spring- Air, Kingsdown and Ashley Build the bedroom of your dreams! Featuring the Peace Country's largest mattress selection, bedroom furniture for the whole family, beautiful accent bedding, coordinating accessories and sleep sets from these top brands and several more. Queen beds start at $299.

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2 010

DOW NTOW NE R

O F

THE

Y EAR

AWAR D

W I N N E R

CONCETTO INTERIOR DESIGN

Downtown Tells Us A Lot About Community

By Jody Farrell

P

am Chislett, Deputy Director of the Grande Prairie Public Library, is returning a treasured document to its place inside the Director’s office when the boss, Laurie Harrison, walks in. Chislett explains that we’ve been discussing Concetto Interior Design’s Adele Bonetti, who coordinated and oversaw the furnishing of the new library space, and has been named 2010 Downtowner of the Year.

Around the corner from the library, the halls, walls and linoleum of the Centre for Creative Arts have clearly been coordinated professionally. Materials are at once aesthetically pleasing and respectful of the historical property and former courthouse’s austerity.

Bonetti was surprised to be rewarded for helping achieve the visions people have for their particular space. First established in 1980 and relocated downtown in 1998, Concetto Interior Design sees the city centre as a reflection of the larger community. “Our downtown is very eclectic,” she notes, adding that Grande Prairie’s openness to different tastes allows for a downtown that “doesn’t necessarily dictate your sense of design.”

“You showed her The Binder,” Harrison guesses, referring to Bonetti’s highlyrevered Furniture Standards Manual, a massive tome that includes information on every single countertop, table, chair and accessory she chose to complement the modern, airy, library portion Adele Bonetti of Concetto Interior Design of the Montrose Cultural Centre. Each item’s exact location in the multi-secThe Farmers’ Market building, which tion library, its design label, material, colour, manufacturer, in a record-breaking four months’ time-frame was transformed matching swatch and contact information is recorded in this from its car dealership origins into a big red barn housing a invaluable, go-to consult book. food court and homegrown goods, is a fine example of how a structure can reflect the area’s nearby rural lifestyle, while fit“And we had thought we could do it alone,” Harrison chortles. ting nicely into its more urban core.

“We were insane.” They exchange a look that betrays a newfound appreciation for the interior designer’s complex and Budget, time limitations, and the existing building were all facmasterful work in choosing just the right piece and material tors in determining The Farmers’ Market’s new look. Board for the entire library, which on any single day welcomes several members agreed that an old-fashion barn “was synonymous hundred visitors while creating an ambiance of comfort and with the farm fresh, handmade goods the people bring into calm. “Adele was a joy to work with,” Chislett says. “I was so town to sell,” Bonetti says. “It worked well and quickly for them.” impressed.”

Bonetti’s design abilities are a gift she feels she was meant Concetto Interior Design has overseen several projects in the to share. “We want to help people be their best, and help area over the years. The Farmers’ Market, the newly-opened shape individual spaces that respond to human needs,” she Child and Family Services department at 214 South Tower, and explains, adding, “we also want to be good shepherds of the the Centre for Creative Arts, are just a few. environment, by being both responsible and accountable for our choices. I am honoured that doing what I love has been seen to have value.”

Jamie &has Grantenhanced Menizes Downtowner of the Year is given to someone who's work Downtown.

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The

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May 25-27

Downtown celebrates the Stompede with Western dress and bargains to make you go “yahoo!�

June 18

Sizzling Summer Sidewalk Sale - street displays, demonstrations and sales tables will make shopping, browsing, or just wandering a delight. 100 Avenue will be closed from 99 Street to 101 Street.

July 1

Canada Day Parade Proud to be Canadian - red & white abound Downtown.

July 22 - 24

Street Performers Festival Professional entertainers make the street a wonderland of awe inspiring activity.

October 29

Bring your “little monsters� downtown for the Foot Parade and Halloween Party

November 18

Vegas Night - cut the cards, spin the wheel, roll the dice for discounts. It’s no gamble at all.

(Open until 11:00pm)

December 4

Santa Parade - Experience the wonder & joy of Christmas

Over 400 Stores and Services accent | 27

Whether you're a first time home buyer, looking to upgrade, or planning to buy or build the home of your dreams, you can find it all in

HOMES & LAND. Pick up your FREE copy at these Downtown locations: 214 Place Al's News Big Country Radio Clique Interiors Co-operators Square Curry's Jewellers Grande Prairie & Area Association of REALTORS® Hi-Tech Business Systems Image Design Lewis & Chrenek New Horizon Co-op

Pure Home Quiznos Downtown Re/Max Resources Road Shell Royal Bank Royal LePage Subway Downtown Stefura, Greber & Beal Shelkor Mortgage Epic Mortgage Towne Centre Furniture & Appliances Trend Home Improvements

Avenue Crafts and Gifts 10012 - 100 Avenue r 780-532-8480 Wedding Bouquets r Supplies and Rentals Craft Supplies r Unique Gifts r Specialty Yarns Gift Baskets and much more

View even more properties from Grande Prairie’s top REALTORS® online at: HomesandLandofGrandePrairie.com

toys games hobbies 10032 100 Ave accent | 28

Ph: 780-532-1963

SNAPSHOT studio & photo Personal, family, maternity, baby, engagement, wedding, pets, sports and corporate photography, and old west parlour portraits.

School and graduation portrait packages available.

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Frames and albums, original artwork, passport photos, trinket boxes and piggy banks.

Spring 2011

ca . p g t n acce

w w w . A c c e n t G P. c a

TA K I N G I T T O THE STREETS

11th Annual GP Street Performers Festival

HONOURING DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES:

Styles & Smiles Hair Design & Concetto Interior Design

6 PAGES OF SHOPPING F E AT U R E S !

L i fe s t y l e i n G r a n d e P r a i r i e ' s D o w n To w n

> Online Magazine & Past issues > Event & Activity Listings > Interactive Downtown Map > Business Profiles

DOWNTOWN

GRANDE PRAIRIE

Lifestyle in Grande Prairie’s Downtown accent | 29

Come See What’s New In Snapshot!

9924 100 Avenue Ph: 780-532-5051 Fax: 780-538-4060 snapshotstudio_gp@yahoo.ca www.snapshotstudio.ca

THE WHOLE WORLD LOVES OUTDOOR E N T E R TA I N M E N T !

By Mary Nutting, South Peace Regional Archives

A horse-drawn parade float carries actors in costume, holding musical instruments 1930 c. South Peace Regional Archives 1969.59.615

Summer parade on Richmond Ave. with a clown on a unicycle. 1952 c. South Peace Regional Archives 2003.31.01

A

t least they used to. Whether it was a parade down main street (summer or winter), a sidewalk band, or Shakespeare in the Park, the residents of Grande Prairie and area would gather to listen and watch the antics of the entertainers. If a nearby building offered roof-top seating, so much the better.

First developed in an era when the Peace Country was isolated from the rest of Alberta, outdoor entertainers were part of a variety of community groups and dramatic societies which provided a good deal of fun and a place to gather with your friends and neighbours.

A man with a top hat rides a unicycle in a parade down Richmond Avenue with a crowd lined along the street. 1968 c. South Peace Regional Archives 2006.11.08

Grande Prairie Majorettes marching in the summer parade on Richmond Avenue. The Royal Bank, Roy Wright's Store, the Jade CafĂŠ and a Flower Shop are in the background 1957 c. South Peace Regional Archives 2002.19.05

Kirstien's Orchestra: Ernest Kirstien with son Terry, Gus Kirstien on drums and Jack Geeson on banjo. 1935 ca. South Peace Regional 2009.40.09

Outdoors theatre with medieval props and costumes, played out on Grande Prairie Regional College grounds and near-by reservoir. 1983 c.

Archives

South Peace Regional Archives 002.01.02.149

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