It’s no secret that the area in and around the Drumheller Valley is home to a great many talented artists, musicians, dancers, and artisans, and September 30 to October 2 this community will be celebrating Alberta Art Days in Drumheller.
With funding from the Government of Alberta, the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Downtown Drumheller, East Coulee School Museum, and the Canadian Badlands Artists Association have come together to host a weekend of events to showcase our local talent.
“It’s exciting to be able to partner with other arts and culture groups in the valley to host an event like this in Drumheller. We have so much talent locally, it’s always great to be able to show it off,” says Mike Todor, member of the Canadian Badlands Artists Association.
All events are completely free to take in. The weekend kicks off Friday night at the East Coulee School Museum with doors opening at 6:30 pm. Crowd favorites, The Fire Coulee Bandits are set to take the stage at 7 pm followed by another local group, Roadside Attraction.
A roving living statue will be making appearances throughout the night. Refreshments and snacks will be available in support of the East Coulee School Museum.
The festivities continue on Saturday afternoon in downtown Drumheller from noon to 6 pm. The Hoodoo Voodoos and the Lannigan Band will take the stage throughout the afternoon. Cameo appearances will also be made by students from Carol Todor dance school as well as by members of Kaleidoscope Theatre.
The Canadian Badlands Artists Association will be on site displaying some of their work, operating a photo booth, and will have a space for kids to create their own works of art with sidewalk chalk. They will also be hosting photography and painting demonstrations accompanied by Question and answer sessions throughout the day; so be sure to bring your camera or paintbrush down for some helpful hints.
The Farmer’s Market will also move downtown from its usual location from 1 to 4 pm to help promote the ‘art’ of buying locally. Other local artisans will also be on hand displaying their work. Equinox Arts and Culture Society, a new local group dedicated to supporting and strengthening non-profit organizations in building and sustaining healthy communities, will be offering up some delicious BBQ meals for a small fee.
Saturday evening come see the badlands of the Drumheller Valley on the silver screen. The Napier Theatre will be screening Warner Brothers Picture’s Academy Award winning film Unforgiven starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman at 7:30 pm. Space will be limited so be sure to arrive early.
The weekend finishes off with the opening reception of the new exhibit in the gallery at the Drumheller Public Library from 1-3 pm on Sunday, October 2.
Art Days in Drumheller is part of the celebrations occurring throughout the province during Alberta Arts Days 2011. Alberta Arts Days, which is part of National Culture Days and runs from September 30 to October 2, is all about discovering, experiencing and celebrating our unique blend of peoples and passions, and the importance of arts and culture to a healthy and vibrant Alberta. To learn more, visit www.AlbertaArtsDays.ca.
