Calgary, I’d like you to meet winter. Winter, Calgary. Yes, the snow and negative temperatures are upon us. I don’t know about you, but they certainly snuck up on me this year. My garden is in shambles, my snow scraper is MIA and I’m just not ready for it yet. But there is a light at the end of the snow bank. The colder weather gives us all an opportunity to create, take in and enjoy all things artistic. Here’s your Arts Round Up this week Calgary.

HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG AND OLD: (Top) Local author Carolyn Pogue reads from her new children’s novel Gwen in West Wind Calling – the sequel to the W.O. Mitchell Award-nominated Gwen – last Saturday at Owl’s Nest Books in Calgary. The story takes place in 1898 and features Calgary’s history as seen through the eyes of the young heroine, Gwen, a British Home Child. Carolyn said that the Gwen stories are inspired by the life of her own grandmother, who came over to Canada as a Barnardo home child to work as a servant. The reading was part of a launch of the new book and included an awesome skit by Allison Leam (bottom right) who played Gwen and the amazingly talented Bo Dewsnap (bottom left) who played traditional songs from the period.
Photos by Amy Jo Espetveidt, Quadrophonic Image

CLOUD Continues to Make the Rounds Online
Remember that awesome interactive cloud of glowing lights at this year’s Nuit Blanche?
Well, it’s been getting some great traction on the internet including being listed on My Life Scoop this week as one of 10 Awesome Outdoor Installations That Will Inspire You and has been featured with pictures and video on Colossal, an internationally recognized arts blog.
Created for Nuit Blanche by Calgary’s very own Caitlind r.c. Brown, the 18-foot interactive electrical CLOUD used over 5000 light bulbs.
“CLOUD is an experiment in community collaboration and collective re-imagination,” Caitlind explained to us back in August. “When objects are as familiar to us as light bulbs are, we forget that they continue to exist beyond their dedicated function. Yes, light bulbs brighten our homes and workplaces, but they’re also incredibly beautiful blown-glass forms with dreamy and poetic connotations.”
Congrats Caitlind and keep up the good work!

Halloween Family Art Fun
Looking for some awesome Halloween fun for the family?
Well 4Cats Arts Studio in Edgemont (8B 34 Edgedale Drive NW) is inviting everyone down to their professional art studio for kid for Spooktacular this Sunday, October 28.
“It’s Halloween fun without the scariness, for little kiddos who want to celebrate Halloween without the horror and gore,” explained Annette Kwan-Terry, owner, artist and curator. “There will be unique art activities that they will get to do and bring home, all free! Plus, a cool treat bag to top it off! How can you not come?”
The free drop-in family event runs 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Wear your costumes, decorate clay ghosts and create watercolour pumpkins. Go, get your spook on!

Don’t Forget: Theatre and Gala for the United Way
Looking for a good cause that brings together art and a purpose?
Head out to the University of Calgary this Friday, October 26 for their inaugural Performing Change Gala featuring the Department of Drama’s The Love of the Nightingale (read our preview here).
Preceding the performance, Gayla Rogers, Provost Fellow, Alyssa Bradac and Louise Gallagher will speak to the dilemmas women face today. There will also be a silent auction and all proceeds from the gala will be donated to the United Way Calgary and area.
The Performing Change Gala starts at 6pm with the performance at 7:30pm at the University Theatre (210 University Cr. NW).
For more information visit their website here.

Garden Variety Kicks Off With Freaks and Geeks
The Garden Variety Show wants you all to come down to the Loose Moose Theatre this week for some spooky fun in their Halloween special, Freaks and Geeks.
The monthly recurring vaudeville variety review is entering its fourth season this Thursday, October 25 and runs on the last Thursday of every month.
This month’s show features sideshow performers from all over Alberta that will make people squirm, squeal and scream including a human block head act by the Amusionists, contortionist Schuyler Snowdon, a trained zombie choir and psychic surgery.
For more information head over to their website here.

Ever Wanted to Model?
But never thought of yourself as one?
Hero Images, a Calgary-based stock photography company, needs some fresh faces and is holding an open casting call next week. They’re looking for regular people – all ages, races and shapes – for Calgary based shoots. The company is a creative resource for advertising, marketing and media professionals and needs casual and natural people for their upcoming paid photo shoots.
If you’re interested, drop by the Banff Trail Community Centre (2115 20 Ave NW) on Tuesday, October 30 between 2:30pm and 6:30pm and if you have any questions fire off an email to Kathleen.

Devised Theatre Intensive
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about devised theatre methodologies and ramp up your creativity, Ghost River Theatre has a four-day intensive for you.
The Devised Theatre Intensive runs November 9 to 12 and is being led by the company’s co-artistic directors Eric Rose and David van Belle.
“Why should people attend? To learn a new theatre creation process from devised theatre experts Eric and David,” explained Andraea Sartison from Ghost River Theatre. “[Participants will] be introduced to methods of generating text and image. What makes it different? It’s fast paced, image focused, ensemble building, work with a story for four days and see what can be made of it.”
Andraea said the workshop is open to professionals, emerging or established, who are new to collaborative creation or want to add new techniques to their repertoire.
“They will get an intro to the theatre’s artistic directors and their practice, a heightened glimpse into how Ghost River creates their work and inspiration to carry this work out in their own careers,” she explained.
A second intensive – this one Ghost River Theatre’s first national Devised Production Intensive – is slated for May 5 through 25 at the Pumphouse Theatre and registration is now open. For more information email Andraea at registrar@ghostrivertheatre.com.

Tune in to Artslink’s Funding Drive Show on CJSW
I’m sure by now you’ve heard that our good pals over at CJSW are raising funds for their Tower Project – a new transmitter to improve their FM signal.
And this Tuesday, October 23, those amazing ladies over at Artslink will be on the air from 8pm to 9pm and they’d love your support!
So tune in to DJ Remote Control and DJ Foxxy Sparkle as they heat up the airwaves and put your money where your mouth is by calling 403-220-5000 or heading online to make a donation.
Funds from the funding drive will also go to support the maintenance and improvement to the radio production facilities.

Do you have something cool and great coming up and want to be part of the Calgary Arts Round Up? Drop me a line at amy@calgaryisawesome.com!