Kevin Martin Wins Gold for Edmonton

Local curling superstar and co. sweep the Norwegians to take the gold at the Vancouver Olympics

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

PRIOR to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Canada had never won a gold medal on home turf. Last night (Feb. 27) Edmonton curler Kevin Martin led his team to our nation's 13th gold medal of these Games! This was also Martin's first trip to the top of the podium, previously taking silver in 2002.

The 43-year-old Martin and his hand-picked team of Canucks' John Morris, Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert beat Norway's Thomas Ulsrud et al 6-3 on Saturday to give Canada its 25th medal for 2010.

"We put this team together with the idea to get to Vancouver and we did it," Martin said. "It was a lot of hard work to try and get back in the Olympic Games and with all the hard work, we made it to the finish line."

Ironically, it was Team Norway who kept Martin from taking gold at the '02 Games in Salt Lake City, though neither team made it to the podium at the last Winter Olympics, in 2006.

Martin remained humble over his victory, and quickly recognized that the win couldn't have happened without his teammates.

"John was the MVP today," he proclaimed. "If you get bonus points for all the doubles he would have been over 100%. What an amazing game. That's why in the end it wasn't close."

31-year-old Morris (pictured with Martin), who has been nicknamed during these Games as "the Brad Pitt of curling," first started playing alongside Martin four years ago. The Winnipeg-born, Alberta-based gold medalist also happens to be the son of Earle Morris, who invented the "stabilizer" curling broom and authored the Fit to Curl book.

Marc Kennedy, 28, hails from St. Albert, and 26-year-old Ben Hebert was born in Regina. Both are now based out of the Saville Sports Centre right here in Edmonton.

Canada's women's team, led by Calgary's Cheryl Bernard, won silver in their division, and most were present--as was Prime Minister Stephen Harper--during Martin's sweep at the Vancouver Olympic Centre.

"It's an amazing feeling and you just hold the game," said Martin, who also won the Tim Horton's Roar of the Rings in Edmonton last December. "You hold and stop the game and you enjoy it."

Today is the final day of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Edmontonian Shannon Szabados Shares Gold

Grant MacEwan goaltender shut out the U.S. to win gold in women's hockey

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

"SHE was like a rock," admitted defenseman Colleen Sostorics, referring to Edmonton-born goalie Shannon Szabados' shutout to win gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The team beat the U.S. 2-0 last Thursday (Feb. 25), and Szabados made an impressive 28 saves.

"I was standing there on the blue-line after and I thought to myself, 'I can't believe I got a shutout'," remembered Szabados, 23, who is of Hungarian descent. "But I would have been satisfied with a 9-8 score, as long as we won."

St. Albert's Meaghan Mikkelson, 25, is also part of the world's best female hockey team, which also won gold medals at the Winter Olympics of 2002 and 2006, in Salt Lake City and Torino, respectively. They won silver during the 1998 games in Nagano.

Szabados' goaltending career began long ago, when her father Gary brought home a set of goalie equipment when she was about seven.

"She was so delighted she was walking around the house wearing the pads all evening," recalled Shannon's mother Sharyl. "After a while I peeked into her bedroom and there she was...sleeping with her pads on."

Shannon's idol growing up was former Oilers' netminder Bill Ranford, and so it seemed fitting that she was enrolled at a school run by the Manitoba native. Fast forward to today and Szabados is running her own schools, with Stanley Cup champ and Sherwood Park native Cam Ward.

When she was just 15, Szabados became the first female to play in Calgary Mac's AAA midget hockey tournament, and the following year, in '02, was the first female to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL). On September 22nd of that year Szabados played just 20 seconds of a regular season WHL game, making her the first woman to do so.

Not surprisingly, Szabados was criticized and even tormented at times for playing with the boys, and it "got to the point where she almost quit," Gary said. There were accusations that that groundbreaking WHL game was simply a publicity stunt, but the team's general manager Bob Tory took the bulk of the public flak.

Szabados prospered when she joined the AJHL (Alberta Junior Hockey League), predominantly with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders. She was named the league's Top Goaltender in 2007.

She currently plays with the men at Grant MacEwan University. This was Szabados' first time competing in the Olympics.

18-year-old Marie-Philip Poulin, of Beauceville, Quebec, scored both goals for Canada in the gold medal game.

Silver Medal for Jessica Gregg of Edmonton

Local speed skater makes family of Olympians proud with a silver medal win in Vancouver

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

EDMONTON'S own Jessica Gregg--who happens to be my boss' niece!--shared in Team Canada's silver medal victory in women's 3,000-metre short track relay last Wednesday (Feb. 24). At her side during podium ceremonies in Vancouver were Tania Vicent, Kalyna Roberge and Marianne St-Gelais, all of Quebec.

Initially Canada had finished the race in third place, but the 2nd place South Koreans were disqualified after it was discovered that team member Min-Jung Kim bumped rival China's Linlin Sun near the end of the 27-lap run. Thus, Canada took silver, the U.S. snatched bronze, and gold went to the Chinese.

"The spirit was so good, we worked so hard for this," commented Vicent, 34, who became the first woman in Canada to win a medal in four straight Olympic Games.

Gregg, who turns 22 on March 16, comes from a family of Olympians. Her father Dr. Randy Gregg won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, and represented Canada during the 1980 and 1988 Winter Olympics.

Jessica's mother Kathy Vogt-Gregg was a speed skater herself, competing in the 1976 and 1980 Winter Games as part of Team Canada. Her brother, speed skater Jamie Gregg, 24, also competed at Vancouver 2010, and younger sister Sarah, 19, is hoping to make the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

"We weren't pushed into sports," insists Jessica, who also finished fourth during the 500-metre race last week. "We all loved sports of course, and we tended to take up the sports our parents loved as well."

Gregg was only five when she first tried on a pair of her mother's speed skates in their own backyard rink in Edmonton. By the time Gregg was 16 she tried out for the World Junior short track team and made the squad, much to her surprise. "I didn't expect to make the team, but I did, and I did pretty well. I just loved it, and I stuck with it."

The following year Gregg moved to Calgary to study and train, and won a silver medal at the 2008 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in South Korea. The medal was for women's relay and was shared with both Vicent and Roberge.

During last year's Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Vienna, Gregg took home two more medals, a bronze in women's 3,000-metre relay and a bronze in the women's 500-metre race.

This was Jessica Gregg's first trip to the Olympics.

Because CTV (Canada) and NBC (U.S.) own the rights to any and all footage of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, we've posted a video from YouTube instead, featuring Jessica Gregg participating in a quick 20-part Q&A

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PHOTO BY JENELLE SCHNEIDER
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Local Art Showcase #5/ Justina Smith

Red Deer barista transcends various mediums in her spare time, and now calls Edmonton home

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

"AS a little kid, I loved to draw and write," said the multifaceted Justina Smith, who has called Edmonton home for about three intermittent years now (I'll explain later!). "As I got older, I began writing poetry, drawing with pastels, ink, ball-point pen...whatever was handy and good for making marks."

Today, the 29-year-old Smith is leaving a mark, transforming canvases, theater sets, and even sheets of scrap paper into works of art.

The proof's in the pudding, or in this case, in the tapestries, murals, portraits, and illustrations Smith has been honing since she was just two-years-old! That also happens to be the age Smith was uprooted from her hometown Edmonton to Red Deer, where she remained up until last spring.

In high school, Smith began to paint using watercolours, and it wasn't long before she sold her first piece, to her grade nine teacher for $40. But by the time she enrolled into Red Deer College (1998-2000), Smith had shifted her pursuit to designing and painting theater sets. But that, too, was a temporary form of expression, as Smith continued to evolve.

"After the program, I thought about trying painting on a smaller scale," Smith remembered. "Canvases measured in inches, as opposed to sets and tapestries measured in feet."

To pay the bills, Smith worked at a coffee shop in downtown Red Deer, but as it turned out, the cafè would moonlight as her own private art gallery. At a co-worker's suggestion, Smith began displaying her acrylic paintings and mixed media pieces at the coffee shop. "The work started selling, so I kept painting."


Smith's resumè would soon flourish with highlights that included instructing her own art classes for both children and adults, running her own website, and even having a pair of her murals exhibited in Red Deer's downtown.

After learning this, I had to ask Smith who she credited as influences in the upbringing of her craft, and she began listing off the likes of Emily Carr, Tom Thomson, and early Lawren Harris, as well as others associated with the legendary Group of Seven. But much to my surprise, Smith also acknowledged Red Deer locals like Jeri Lynn Ing, Vivian Bennett, Erin Boake, and Lisa Munroe as artistic guides.

But Smith continues to split her time between painting and other interests, from cooking to learning the guitar, from blogging to taking photos of everything "from old cars...to cutlery," and from running half marathons to participating in an archeological dig this summer in southern Alberta! Somehow she finds the time to maintain a day job, too.

In fact, that's how I first heard about Justina Smith. You see, a mutual friend of ours--artist Darlene Adams--had her work exhibited at the coffee shop-slash-book store known casually as the Mandolin. But by the time I made it out to the popular Northside hybrid, Adams' work had come down, and in it's place was...you guessed it: Justina Smith!

Little did I know that the girl who served me at the Mandolin was Smith herself(!), a fact I hadn't discovered until I got home and emailed the versatile artist, who's stunning paintings were sharing the walls of the Mandolin with shelving units brimming with countless used books.

And now, I Heart Edmonton is proud to display some of Smith's pieces on a more permanent basis. We can't help but recommend that you dig deeper into Smith's repertoire by scrolling through the pages of her personal website or perhaps by heading down to Beck's Design (6510-112 Ave.), where some of her work is currently on display.

Come join I Heart and jump on the Justina Smith bandwagon now, before its inevitable acceleration.

There will be a reprise of Smith's show 'Due South' this March, in the new Prairie Institute space of the University of Alberta's Hub Mall. Check out justlittleart.com for TBA dates, further show updates, Smith's daily blog, and to view or purchase her art. Art shown: (1) 'Untitled' (top center) (2) 'Gastown, Vancouver' (above center), (3) 'According, to' (above left), (4) ' Self Portrait' (below).

Some Good News For Once...

Five local stories from February 23, 2010

I HEART Edmonton is fully aware that there's A LOT of bad things going on all over the world, and right here in our own backyard, too. But your days are over-satuated with these steady updates of car accidents, homicides, natural disasters, war, etc., so let I Heart bring you some good news for once...


-CTV Edmonton
MacEwan announces new four-year music program

-Edmonton Journal
New radio station at 102.3 FM launches in Edmonton (pictured)

-SEE Magazine
Citadel's 'Sweeney Todd' is razor sharp

-Edmonton Sun
Hockey gals on big roll

-Metro Edmonton
Author delights students on Literacy Day

PHOTO BY ED KAISER (EDMONTON JOURNAL)
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CEYC Presents 'Streets Speak' Exhibit

City Hall mural display lacks the glitz, but it's the thought that counts!

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

THERE'S no denying that Edmonton is a city that encourages and supports its local artists. We've become well-known nationwide for our warm reception towards prominent and emerging painters, writers, photographers, musicians, dancers, poets, sculptors and sketchers who spend the seasons honing their respective crafts, some through our countless arts programs and at our various venues strewn throughout town.

In fact, every weekend, year-round there's something going on in Edmonton that engages our local artists and their admirers. But that's not to say that on occasion we miss the mark, for lack of a better term.

Case in point...the "Streets Speak" mural series that is currently taking up space at City Hall until the end of the month.

But before I go any further let me assure you that this exhibit, organized by the City of Edmonton Youth Council (CEYC), is a welcoming effort, the art is more than worthy, and it's objective--to raise awareness of poverty and homelessness--is honourable.

With that said though, I was a bit dissatisfied when I drove downtown last Saturday (Feb. 20) afternoon to check out the "Streets Speak" exhibit. I was looking forward to what the iPulse youth group came up with when they asked the impoverished and homeless to contribute images and words that would accentuate their murals.

"Edmonton's young people are so thoughtful and conscientious about the issues in our community," commented Mayor Stephen Mandel, clearly impressed with the ongoing artistic exertions from our city's youth. "I'm so proud of our Youth Council for their commitment to some of our most marginalized citizens through iniatives like 'Streets Speak,' and I know these murals will help shed light on the lives of those affected by poverty and homelessness."

I agree 100%! But when I got to City Hall that afternoon there was no one in sight, with the exception of a roaming security guard and a young gentleman playing a grand piano next to a modest display of about eight or nine canvas'.

The murals were alluring and charming, unique and thought-provoking, but the Hall was deader than a Creed concert, and I was expecting more! More art, more visitors, more available information on what I came down here for in the first place. Maybe I just came on a slow day?

Whatever the case and despite my unmet expectations, I can't help but appreciate what these young Edmontonians (the Council are made up of youths aged 13-23) have accomplished here, and that the group even exists. The Youth Council is "organized in a way that aims to appropriately and effectively represent the youth in Edmonton, and make it easy for members to be involved and pick the area of work in the city that they want to be involved in."

According to the CEYC's official website, they have two main goals, in providing "feedback and input to City Council, municipal government and other various civic committees on issues affecting youth," and to work on its "own projects it thinks deal with issues important to youth around the city."

This latest project is a continuation of the Council's award-winning "Heart 2 Art" awareness campaign of 2008, which raised $110,000 for Boyle Street Community Services. Not bad!

But the "Streets Speak" display is free to anyone and everyone, and is situated on the main floor of City Hall. The art is definitely worth the trip, but don't head downtown expecting anything more than just that. But perhaps that was the point all along, to keep the exhibit as simple as possible, skipping out on the bells & whistles of what these showcases can sometimes offer. Maybe that's a good thing?!

"The murals speak for themselves," said Kirsten Poon, Chair of the Youth Council's homelessness subcommittee. "We're giving voice to stories that need to be told. We are honouring the mural painters who had the courage to let us help raise their voices."

The "Streets Speak" exhibit runs until Saturday, February 27th. For more information call 780-496-4938.
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'Catalyst Cafe' Makes Its Debut

The People's Church will host this music & food affair that will go to support earthquake victims

What: Catalyst Cafe
When: Thursday, February 25, 2010 (8PM)
Where: People's Church (15641-96 Ave.)

THE first-ever "Catalyst Cafe" invites anyone and everyone to come check out some free live entertainment and enjoy appetizers and fresh signature plates from chef Phil Borer at the West end's People's Church. All proceeds from the dinner & drinks will go to benefit the Kingdom Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Organizers have booked the 43-year-old church's foyer and cafeteria to host performances by local rock musician J.D.M.L. and the premiere of newcomer Charity Hunstad. In addition to the music, the evening will also include a poetry reading and a makeshift art gallery of the work of local artist Courtney Larson.

"Catalyst Cafe" is sponsored by Transcend Coffee, which will also be serving up their popular specialty gourmet coffee brews for the showcase.

So if you're looking for an excuse to get out of the house and help those who need it the most at the same time, then head down to the People's Church this Thursday night for some great food, fresh coffee and live music. Bring your friends, too!
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A-U-R-I-C-U-L-A-R, Auricular

Edmonton teen spells his way to nationals at today's regional spelling bee

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

He's only 13-years-old, but Jared Barron of Edmonton's Ottewell Junior High School could easily kick my ass! At spelling, that is. You see, the 8th grader won today's (February 20) 2010 Canwest Canspell Northern Alberta Spelling Bee, presented by the Edmonton Journal.

His winning word was auricular, which--according to Wiktionary--means "of or pertaining to the ear." Don't ask me to use it in a sentence though.

"I was mostly thinking just that I want somebody to get a word right so that we could get on with it," Barron said after he beat out runner-up Allison Probst, an 11-year-old who attends Grade 6 at Calmar Elementary School.

Barron won himself a trophy, $5,000, and a trip to Ottawa to compete in the National Spelling Bee from March 24th to the 29th. And we can't forget about bragging rights!

There was a total of 68 students (Grades 4-8) from across northern Alberta who took part in the spelling bee at the U of A's Myer Horowitz Theatre. It was hosted by Global TV's Mike Sobel.

Now, to make myself feel better, I'm gonna go study the dictionary. Happy spelling!

PHOTO BY RYAN JACKSON (EDMONTON JOURNAL)
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Some Good News For Once...

Five local stories from February 18, 2010

I HEART Edmonton is fully aware that there's A LOT of bad things going on all over the globe, and in our own backyard, too. But our days are over-saturated with these steady updates of car accidents, homicides, natural disasters, war, etc., so let I Heart bring you some good news for once...


Edmonton Journal
-United Way raised $20.6M in Edmonton area

Edmonton Sun
-Edmonton prima ballerina in 'Moulin Rouge' (pictured)

Global Edmonton
-Olympic men's curling: Canada defeats Sweden 7-3

Edmonton Examiner
-Edmontonians put their hearts into Mazankowski fundraiser

Metro Edmonton
-Edmonton doctor to lend helping hand in Haiti
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Edmonton-Born Snowboarder Wins Silver

Mike Robertson of Canmore became the fourth Canadian to reach the podium in Vancouver

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

"It was kind of bittersweet," said Mike Robertson of his second place finish in men's snowboard cross on Monday (Feb. 15). "Obviously I wanted to win for sure, but I'm so happy to be second. It's amazing."

Robertson, who turns 25 next week (Feb. 26), barely lost to American boarder Seth Wescott, 33, who took gold on Cypress Mountain at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. France's Tony Ramoin, 21, finished with a bronze medal, ahead of American Nate Holland.

"I definitely made a mistake at the bottom, and [Wescott] capitalized and he's the winner now, and I'm second," continued Robertson. "But I can't complain. Second's amazing."

Although Robertson--who happens to be the youngest member on Canada's snowboarding team--was born in Edmonton, he moved to Canmore, Alberta when he was just six.

Although he'd been snowboarding for years, it wasn't until 2006's Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy that Robertson seriously thought about pursuing a professional career in the sport.

"Four years ago--when I was screaming at my television at home, cheering on the Canadian team--was definitely when I realized that I wanted to be here," Robertson said shortly after accepting his silver medal at BC Place yesterday (Feb. 16).

Robertson was the fourth Canadian to win a medal at the Vancouver Olympics, and the second from the Edmonton area, behind Spruce Grove's Jennifer Heil.
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Family Day Photo Album

It couldn't have been a more beautiful winter day to celebrate family life, but I took a photogenic detour of local events...

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

YESTERDAY marked the 20th anniversary of Family Day in Alberta...either a special Monday for family-oriented fun or another day off. Depends on who you ask, I guess.

For me it was a little bit of both, though I spent much of the +4 (temp.) afternoon snapping photos in the vicinity of downtown, where most of the city's Family Day events and activities were held.

Churchill Square was packed with kids and their parents, using the day off to skate at City Hall or have their faces painted nearby, while the new Art Gallery of Alberta offered free admission for the Monday. There were also things to do at the Muttart Conservatory, Winspear Centre, the Stanley A. Milner Library, and other local venues.

But instead of showing you what was going on at these various locations (with the exception of the photo above), I decided to share with you some of the pictures I took during my day off instead.

I would love to see more "graffiti" art like this throughout the city, on mail boxes, lamp posts, bus shelters, garbage bins, and on the sides & backs of buildings, such as this Japanese-inspired mural in downtown Edmonton.


There are hundreds of churchs and cathedrals throughout the city of Edmonton, but one of the most photogenic houses of worship is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Barbara (10105-96 St.) in the Northwest outskirts of downtown.


One of the downtown area's most unique structures has to be the flat iron-styled Gibson Block, which currently houses the Women's Emergency Accomodation Centre (WEAC) (9608-Jasper Ave.). Designed by architect A.W. Cowley, the building was completed in 1913 at a cost of only $40,000.


While strolling down the snowy river valley I noticed some guy filmming his buddy borrowing the railing of this wooden staircase as his personal snowboard hill. I asked him if I could take a few shots and...


Further down the valley was the Millennium Plaza/Shumka Stage in the area's Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. In the summer season it serves as a meeting place for live music and dance.


I hope you had a fantastico Family Day, Edmonton! Photos by Emil Tiedemann.
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Happy Flag Day Edmonton!

That's right, move over Valentine's Day, Family Day & Chinese New Year's, it's also 'Flag Day' this long weekend!

I HEART Edmonton just wanted to take a moment to point out that today, also Alberta's 20th annual Family Day, marks the 45th anniversary of the iconic red 'n' white Canadian flag. You know the one...it has that giant maple leaf on it!


Anyways, what has to be Canada's ultimate symbol (sorry, beavers) first waved from Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, replacing the Union Flag we once used. Designed by John Matheson and U of A grad George F.G. Stanley, the flag is celebrated each February 15th (since 1996), known as National Flag of Canada Day.

PHOTO BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
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Spruce Grove's Jenn Heil Earns Silver

Freestyle skier was pegged as Canada's sure thing for gold, but had to settle for second place instead

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

SO, it wasn't Canada's first gold medal on home turf, but it was the nation's first medal of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics! I'm, of course, referring to Spruce Grove native Jennifer Heil's silver medal victory on Saturday night (Feb. 13), settling for second place in Ladies' Moguls.

American Hannah Kearney edged out Heil's 25.69 points total with her 26.63 score, while fellow U.S. team member Shannon Bahrke took the bronze with a 25.43 final.

"I definitely felt like I could have done better," said Heil, 26, who took home a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy. "There's no doubt about it. I was shooting for gold tonight. But I really do feel like I won silver."

Currently studying at Montreal's McGill University, Heil was expected to capture Canada's first gold medal on home soil. No Canuck had won any gold either year Canada hosted the Olympics, in 1976 Montreal (Summer) or 1988 Calgary (Winter).

One day after Heil's big day (on Feb. 14), however, Montreal skier Alexandre Bilodeau, 22, was bestowed with the honour, after he beat out B.C.-raised Australian Dale Begg-Smith with a score of 26.76 in Mens' Moguls. Earlier that same Valentine's Day Ottawa skater Kristina Groves snatched bronze in Ladies 3000m.

Stay tuned to "I Heart Edmonton" to see if any other Edmonton or area-based athletes take home any hardware at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Keep them fingers crossed people!

PHOTO COURTESY OF CTV
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EDvent/ Michael Bernard Fitzgerald Concert

MBF & the Loud Love Choir reminded me of just how much I love music...and they couldn't have come at a better time!

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

TWO weeks ago I didn't even know who Michael Bernard Fitzgerald was. Fast forward to last Thursday night (Feb. 11) and I can tell you what kind of beer the man drinks (his concert-sponsored Big Rock, for the record), the names of at least three of his former loves (Maxine, Suzie & Caroline), and that he autographs his CDs with an accompanying heart. That's quite the transition!

Now let's just rewind back again to a time when I lived in a world without Fitzgerald, MBF for short.

All the regulars would take turns singing comparable melodies whenever I turned on the radio, so I stopped turning on the radio. And all the CDs in my car had overstayed their welcome. Then, about two weeks ago, I recieved an email about some "folksy" musician named Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, 23, and that the next stop on his 5-city tour of Western Canada was the Starlite Room in downtown Edmonton.

After ignoring the message for a day or two I decided to see who this Fitzgerald guy was, so I Googled him. That's not as perverted as it sounds, it just means that I discovered he's from Calgary (I know, right?!), that the movie Jack makes him cry, and that he's got a MySpace page (actually, he's got two).

As soon as I heard the first song on his MySpace Pop-Out Player, "Reach You," I was done for. Unaccustomed marching drums buried any uncertainty I had, and MBF's on-purpose (?) inability to deliver any of the song's "h" sounds helped to distance his vocal charm from any of those spoiling radio for me.

From there I went to YouTube, where I came across a video clip for a track called "Brand New Spaces." If I wasn't completely convinced of MBF's tonic talent via his MySpace page, then this clip sealed the deal. It was then that I knew I would be at that show at the Starlite Room.

A mutual friend of my sister Carrie's and I had to cancel, so it was just the two of us who headed to Jasper Ave. Thursday evening. I had never been to this music-concentrated venue and private club before (memberships are just $5 per year), or at least not under its current marquee. Back when I was a shifty teen I had danced the night away when the just-off-Jasper joint was a trendy nightclub full of sweaty techno dancers. Now, the general atmosphere had taken a 360.

The vintage brick walls and abraded wooden floors were still intact, but everything else had changed, for the better no doubt. Large black curtains draped sections of those brick'd walls, the benches and figments of tables were already occupied by mostly twenty & thirty-something's, and intimate lighting escorted patrons through the spacious, loft-like room.
My sis and I gradually made our way up towards the stage, which must've been four feet above the slanted hardwood floors. The room filled up quickly, and by 9:30PM an 18-year-old Calgary musician named Melissa Papp made her club show debut--though you couldn't tell--with a single-track set ("That Kind of Girl"), before making room for the next act.

Edmonton's own Kaley Bird (pictured above left) warmed up the already balmy crowd (them spotlights were a tad intense at times) with her self-described "folksy-pop" songs like "Dishes Ain't Done" and "The China Song." Bird's onstage demeanour was composed, allowing a mood that made it feel like she could just as easily be sipping on Kokanee or Big Rock amongst the rest of us in the crowd.

About halfway through her set Bird welcomed Calgary native Sidney York to provide back-up vocals, and then returned the favour when York transitioned into her own set. York's just-as-pleasant disposition seeped into her acoustic playlist, which included "Mortimer" and "Stalker," the latter of which being partially inspired by a Facebook experience. Unfortunately, most of us can relate.

Shortly after 10:30PM, MBF walked up on stage in his blue jeans, checkered shirt, orange cardigan, and red sneakers, and placed two bottles of Big Rock and two bottles of water at his feet. More than a dozen folks--including York--made up his touring choir, but the stage also had to brace for a 3-piece horn section, a pair of percussionists, a keyboardist, and the conductor of the Loud Love Choir.

In only about an hour's time MBF and co. made the Starlite Room the place to be that Thursday night, lending the crowd an insight into what happens when you fuse infectious music with imaginative presentation.

Fitzgerald went full force on The MBF Love LP (pictured below left) selections like "Movie Life" and "Amazed," and then pulled back on softer tracks such as "Suzie (I Love You)" and the daunting "Reach You." The choir and band stayed with him through nearly every performance, bowing out when all MBF needed was his guitar.

It was all a joyous spectacle from start to finish, as choir members harmonized and swayed in sync, Fitzgerald humoured us in between serenading us and sipping on his beer, and percussionist Andrew Ball's raphsodic spirit was contagious, to say the least.

Fitzgerald himself sang like he'd been doing this for much longer than he actually has been, though the uneasy-like expressions on his face contradicted this observation. I'm sure part of that is because MBF warned us at the start of his set that he was a lil' under the weather. With that in mind, I couldn't help imagining what his show would've been like at full steam!

His ragged vocals shifted, at times, from his own original lyricism to sampling pop hits ("The Thong Song," "Tik Tok," "Baby Got Back," "My Humps") out of nowhere, testing how such infamous songs could stand up to Fitzgerald's own interjected treatment.

Nearing 11:30PM Fitzgerald told the audience that he was almost done for the night, but not before what may already be his signature song. The choir exited the stage to rub shoulders with the crowd and lead us into the "stomp-stomp-stomp-clap" jig you can see in the video clip for "Brand New Spaces" (see below).

This led into an all-out instrumental blitz, as Fitzgerald slammed his drum stick against anything that would oblige, and the rest of the band followed suit, hammering away at their respective talents. Then the man everyone came to see wished us a good night, and he was gone. Well, for now.

Most of the folks who paid the $15 (+sc) for what turned out to be the final stop on MBF's tour left soon after. My sister and I headed to the back of the Starlite to buy a copy of The MBF Love LP ($15). After my sister accidentally put out the bartender's candle with her tip money (apparently, candle holders resemble tip jars!), we took to the exits.

But before we left I got to shake Fitzgerald's hand, and assure him that he put on a hell of a show, and even got him to sign my CD. If the world has any sense, it'll be worth a lot of moola someday. But whether Fitzgerald ever makes it to the big time or not, the copy is not something I'd be willing to part with anyways.

A Few Minutes with...Mack D. Male

Software developer and social media guru Mack D. Male takes part in our brief Q&A about our favourite city

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

MOST 26-year-olds I know can barely figure out the countless apps on their iPhones or can even put together a proper sentence (don't judge me!), but I have no doubt that our latest Q&A participant, Mack D. Male, could tackle both missions simultaneously with his hands tied behind his back! Ahh...actually, that probably couldn't be done. Scratch that!

Let's just say that Mack D. Male isn't like most 26-year-olds I know. "I'm a geek who lives in Edmonton," Male writes of himself. He's just being modest.

Along with a couple of friends, Male founded Paramagnus Developments, a "privately held company headquartered in Edmonton, focused on building social applications and services," and has been for the last 10 years. Currently the team is working on ShareEdmonton, a local aggregation platform for Edmontonians and their surrounding neighbours.

By day Male keeps himself busy as a senior software developer for Questionmark, a knowledge assessment business based out of London, as well as an extensive blogger and passionate Edmonton advocate. He runs his own website, MasterMaq, committed to spreading the word on what's happening in our hometown. Thousands of locals follow Male's 6-year-old site, making him the city's go-to blogger.

In fact, it was a suggestion by Male himself that led to the recent "Bloggers Appreciation Day" late last month, in which more than two dozen local bloggites (including yours truly) were invited for a sneak peek of the brand new Art Gallery of Alberta. Six days before the public. Thanks Mack, by the way.

In addition to his site thousands more (6,930 to be exact) keep updated on Male's daily tweets on his Twitter page, which he "guesstimates" as one of the very first of what is now about 20 million users. Actually, Male's become so Twitter-savvy that he was recently recruited by CFRN to teach their staff how to navigate the social networking phenomenon.

All of this lends merit to Male being selected last year be Avenue magazine as one of their inaugural "Top 40 Under 40" Edmontonians, for "being a tech guru and passionate blogger who is transforming Edmonton into City 2.0." And it hasn't escaped me that Male is eligible to return to the annual list for another 13 years!

Fortunately, Male found some time in his active schedule to answer some questions for "I Heart Edmonton." Now, let's spend a few minutes with...Mack D. Male....

1. What is one thing about Edmonton that you think stands out from other Canadian cities?
I'd have to say community. Every city has community of course, but I think Edmonton is unique. Whether it's our community leagues, neighbourhood groups, or volunteer associations, Edmontonians always seem to come together to do amazing things. There are incredible niche communities in Edmonton as well, such as the Twitter community that I'm happy to be a part of. We're really very different than other cities--no other uses a hashtag like we use #yeg!

2. Do you have a favourite place to visit in Edmonton?
I quite like Churchill Square, especially with the new Art Gallery of Alberta. I like the idea of a meeting place in the centre of the city! Some other favourites: Route 99 diner, the City Centre Market, Whyte Ave. (great people watching).

3. What local festival do you look forward to the most each year?
I really like the Fringe, after being introduced a few years ago. There are a lot of great festivals obviously, but I really enjoy the theatre, food, buskers, and general atmosphere of the Fringe. It's family-friendly and relatively inexpensive. And I'll be honest, I enjoy the rivalry we have with the Winnipeg Fringe festival!

4. If there was one thing you could do to improve the "City of Champions," what would it be?
I'd change our tagline to "Festival City" instead! We do, after all, have one of the most amazing annual event lineups in the country. More seriously, this is a difficult question to answer, but for me it's all about density. I think we need to increase the population density in Edmonton, because there are so many benefits that result. Tangibles, like reduced service costs (cheaper to plow fewer streets, run fewer buses/trains to the edges, TOD, etc.) and intangibles, like the next big company being created because two entrepreneurs "ran into each other." We're too spread out, so reversing that would be what I'd improve.

5. Whyte Ave. or Jasper Ave.?
Whyte Avenue is great, but I'm going to say Jasper Avenue. There's still a certain level of prestige that comes with the address! Jasper Avenue has great history, but also great potential. I'm really excited about the changes being proposed as part of the "Jasper Avenue New Vision"-I think we have the opportunity to make Jasper Avenue much more pedestrian-friendly and functional, and also one of those streets that everyone outside the city knows about and talks about.

6. What radio(s) station do you listen to the most?
I don't listen to very much radio, but if I do turn it on, it's usually 630 CHED or iNews880. Sometimes CBC online. Occasionally I turn on The Bounce to see if there's anything I haven't already heard, but not very often.

7. If you had to sum up the city of Edmonton in three words or less, what would they be?
Opportunity & community.

Thanks Mack!

PHOTO BY 3TEN PHOTOGRAPHY/ COURTESY OF AVENUE MAGAZINE
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Photo Op/ The Olympic Rings

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OLYMPIC pride was undeniable on the snowy field in the photo below, as students of Spruce Grove's Woodhaven Middle School showed off their support for local Olympic hero Jennifer Heil yesterday (Feb. 10).

Heil, who won a gold medal in freestyle skiing at the 2006 winter games in Turin, Italy, is from Spruce Grove and, in fact, attended Woodhaven School. She is going for gold again when the 2010 Olympic Games kickoff tomorrow (Feb. 12) in Vancouver.


To capture this shot Global's news helicopter, Global 1, hovered above the junior high school, where hundreds of students formed the five celebrated rings that make up the official symbol of the Olympics, as a pair held up a sign that read "Go Jenn Go."

Some of the other locals who will be competing in the Vancouver Olympics include curlers Kevin Martin & Adam Enright (of Edmonton), speed skater Tamara Oudenaarden (of St. Albert), bobsledders Pierre Lueders & Neville Wright (of Edmonton), hockey players Jarome Iginla & Meaghan Mikkelson (of St. Albert), cross-country skier Madeleine Williams (of Edmonton), and sibling speed skaters Jamie & Jessica Gregg (of Edmonton).

PHOTO COURTESY OF GLOBAL 1
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The Citadel Gets a Lil' 'Courageous'

Canadian play takes a look at moral courage via comedic tones and our nation's diverse society

What: Courageous play
When: Saturday, February 20-Sunday, March 14, 2010
Where: Rice Theatre @ The Citadel (9828-101A Ave.)

"IF anyone tries to tell you that Canadians can't write plays that are witty and touching as well as thought-provoking, then lead them firmly to the [Citadel]," praised Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian. He also declared that the Michael Healey-scripted play Courageous is a "big step forward for one of our most ambitious playwrights."

In alliance with Toronto's Tarragon Theatre--where the 2-hour play made its world premiere last month--the Citadel will allow Edmontonians to test drive the production, about "a handful of urbanites living in our rights-driven society.

"What does an openly gay, devoutly Catholic city marriage officer do when he is required to perform a civil marriage for two men--but refuses? What does a deadbeat, two-timing young husband and father do when his friendly, foreign co-worker appropriates his job, his home and his family?"

These ethical questions will be answered for you in the form of, as Ouzounian suggests, "really two one-act plays, tangentially connected, which is both its fascinating strength and its slight weakness."

Courageous will hit the Citadel's Rice Theatre stage 23 times from February 20th (7:30PM) until wrapping up on March 14th (1:30PM), directed by Richard Rose and starring Ari Cohen, Melissa MacPherson, Brandon McGibbon, Maurice Dean Wint, and Healey himself.

"It takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what your heritage, your religious beliefs or your sexual identity...but especially if you're a hypocrite."

Tickets are going fast for Courageous (Feb 25th's show is already sold out), and go for $47.25+ for individual adults. You can purchase tickets online or by calling the Citadel's box office at 780-425-1820.

Toronto-born playwright Michael Healey describes his play 'Courageous' in more detail in the video below.

Northern Jubilee Is Nation's Busiest Theatre

Edmonton's Jube sold more tickets last year than any other theatre in the country, eclipsing Calgary and Toronto

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

IT seems that every other week Edmontonians have something else to brag about, from recently being named North America's "Most Sociable City" to being frontrunner for the EXPO 2017 bid, and from accommodating the headquarters of Canada's "#1 company to work for" (PCL) to the opening of the world-class Art Gallery of Alberta. Hell, even the Oilers have finally started to win some games!

And now, the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium has just been bestowed as Canada's busiest theatre, with 146,555 tickets sold in 2009 alone, according to concert industry publication Pollstar. Those numbers place the 2,515-seat venue ahead of Calgary's 2,515-seat Jubilee theatre (138,515 tickets) and even Toronto's 2,752-seat Massey Hall (93,742).

But those figures are only based on touring shows (such as musicals and concerts), omitting ticket sales of the Jube's two residents, the Alberta Ballet and the Edmonton Opera. Had Pollstar taken those occupants into account the Jube's '09 ticket sales would amass 370,267.

These numbers weren't enough to place in the worldwide Top 10 though, coming in at No.30 on the global stage. The #1 venue in the world was Mexico City's Auditorio Nacional (1,142,802), followed distantly by New York's Radio City Music Hall (935,153) and Atlanta's Fox Theatre (588,906).

This Tuesday (Feb. 9) Scotland-born, platinum-selling country star Johnny Reid will launch his 2-disc DVD collection Live at the Jubilee, which was filmed in HD at the 55-year-old Edmonton landmark during Reid's sold-out show from last April, as part of his "Dance With Me" Canadian Tour. That concert will air on CMT next Sunday (Feb. 14).

Reid will return to the Jubilee this September for a three-night affair (Sept. 14-16), before heading to Calgary to play three more nights (Sept. 27-29) at the twin Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

Some of the other upcoming productions on the Jubilee marquee include Wilco (Feb. 15), Moulin Rouge (Feb. 19-20), Corb Lund (Feb. 25), Chicago (March 23-28), the Barenaked Ladies (April 14), Charley Pride (May 6), and George Thorogood & the Destroyers (May 19).

Here are the Top 10 busiest theatre venues in the world during 2009, according to Pollstar:

1. Auditorio Nacional (Mexico City, Mexico)-1,142,802
2. Radio City Music Hall (New York City, New York)-935,153
3. Fox Theatre (Atlanta, Georgia)-588,906
4. Colosseum at Caesar's Palace (Las Vegas, Nevada)-585,299
5. Benedum Center (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)-424,635
6. Auditorio Telmex (Guadalajara, Mexico)-382,877
7. Paramount Theatre (Seattle, Washington)-369,405
8. Theater at Madison Square Garden (New York City, New York)-329,721
9. Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (Los Angeles, California)-308,487
10. Beacon Theatre (New York City, New York)-307,433

Below is a promotional clip of Johnny Reid: Live at the Jubilee, which hits stores this Tuesday (February 9).

ED Spot #11/ Douglas Udell Gallery

Local and international artists share the spotlight within this subtle gallery that aligns 124th Street

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

WITH the brand new Art Gallery of Alberta now open to the enthused public, Edmonton's arts community has leaped forward in a big way.

It means that our humble city will be taken seriously when it comes to opportunities to stage global exhibits and that outsider art enthusiasts won't disregard Edmonton as a potential tourist destination.

The AGA has at least raised awareness of the arts community in Edmonton, which explains why I found myself strolling down 124th Street last week with my winter coat and my Canon. The strip is well-known among locals as a hub of galleries that showcase mostly local or provincial artists of various mediums.

Stretching from the tail end of Jasper Avenue and down to about 111th Ave. is the "Gallery Walk," a cluster of modest galleries that share 124th with seasoned eateries, upscale boutiques and the 72-year-old Roxy Theatre.

Although not officially a member of the Gallery Walk Association of Edmonton, the Douglas Udell Gallery takes up residence among its art house colleagues. Situated somewhere between the area's beauty salons and coffee shops, I walked past the snow-covered cattle statue just outide the Udell's doors. I headed up the stairway and into the box-like building that almost resembles any of the family dwellings just off the main strip.

I wiped my wet sneakers on the welcome mat as much as I could, before roaming the mostly-carpeted gallery floor. There was a bronze calf that greeted my entrance, a statue similar to the one on the "front lawn." The farm animal seemed far outta place surrounded by elegant paintings and chic photography, but at the same time it appeared right at home.

There was a woman behind a desk who said "hello" and who assured me that I was permitted to snap pictures of the scenery, all price-tagged beyond my means.

The airy gallery was broken up into four or five "rooms" that exposed contemporary visual art from local, national and international artists, including Joe Fafard, Alan Henderson and Tony Scherman. The Udell gallery has been doing such for more than 40 years and has expanded to include affiliate showrooms in Vancouver (est. 1986) and more recently Calgary (est. 2006).

"With a mission to challenge and educate art collectors," Edmonton's branch was born in 1967, when it began exhibiting works from both well-known names and emerging artists, in the form of paintings, photography, ceramics, drawings, sculptures, folk arts & crafts, and mixed media. During the summer season the Udell opens up its garden--on the building's south side--to display even more sculptures. They also offer framing services.

"Travelling to the major art centres in North America with contacts throughout the world, we remain current, enabling us to offer collectors in Edmonton the opportunity to be a part of a much broader focus in contemporary art."



Owner and operator Doug Udell has noticed that there has been an uprising of provincial interest, both young and old, in the arts. "There's probably more galleries showing art...than ever before," he said. "The audience is bigger, the money is more available, so there's just more demand and interest.

"We've seen a big introduction of young people who want to collect, and I think it's because they're a lot more educated visually, the younger people, than they used to be."

Young or old, new or familiar to the gallery scene, the Udell welcomes anyone to come and see what they've got in stock, by walk-in or appointment. For more information on the Udell's current or upcoming exhibitions, or services they offer, visit their official website or check out their Facebook page.

For a complete list of the artists who's work is available through any of the trio of Douglas Udell Galleries click here.

The Rundown:
Location: 10332-124th Street
Phone: 780-488-4445
Hours: 10AM-5:30PM (Tuesday-Saturday)
(closed on Monday & Sunday)

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald Is Coming to Town!

Calgary's next big thing will orchestrate a concert like no other at the Starlite Room

What: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald & The Loud Love Choir concert
When: Thursday, February 11th @ 8:00PM
Where: The Starlite Room (10030-102 St.)

AS of late I've noticed that many of the discs making the rounds of my car's CD player are already exaggerated over the radio stations I turn on as an "alternative" from time to time. Not that these acts are unworthy of my Neon's stereo, but every now and again it's good to lend an ear to something fresh, something that's not playing on The Bear or The Bounce, but should be. Something like Michael Bernard Fitzgerald!

This Calgary singer-songwriter has a "knack for writing catchy songs and his willingness to create and texture an album with the feel and sound he is looking for," according to that city's Avenue magazine, which reviewed Fitzgerald's latest album The MBF Love LP (2009). "In this case, that feel/sound is multi-layered and big."

Fitzgerald and Juno-winning producer Russell Broom (Jann Arden, The Dudes) incorporated actual choirs, a string section and even marching band drum corps for the set, yet the "Most Promising Songwriter" (2008 Ship & Anchor Songwriting Contest) finds a way to keep it simple. And simple is good!

"MBF is more than just that special spark. He's a lethal tank of gasoline, igniting the musical and artistic scene and creating completely different experiences for lucky audiences."
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-The Gauntlet

I recently checked out MBF's MySpace page, where I clicked on the "play" button for all four available complimentary tracks ("Reach You," "Movie Life," "Amazed," "Care for You"), and was instantly hooked...I guess I'll just have to forgive him for being from Calgary.

Fortunately for us, Fitzgerald is stopping in to say hi and sing us some of his "folksy" songs, taking to the stage of downtown's Starlite Room on Thursday, February 11th. He'll be bringing along the 25-piece Loud Love Choir for a 5-city, 6-show tour of Western Canada that'll also grace Vancouver, Kelowna, Lethbridge and, of course, Calgary.

Hailed as "Canada's next best hope for a global star" (Ottawa Citizen), Fitzgerald has also put out the call to local singers to "provide the musical beds behind his guitar and vocals," hinting at his reputation for rallying and bringing the music community together.

Tickets for the Big Rock Untapped-sponsored show are just $15 (+ service charges) and are available at Ticketmaster or Blackbyrd. $1 from all door sales will go to support War Child Canada.

In the video below Michael Bernard Fitzgerald performs his song "Brand New Spaces" with a little help from Lazers & Dangers.

Music Clip of the Month (02/10)

"Edmonton" (2008) by The Rural Alberta Advantage

ALTHOUGH the Rural Alberta Advantage are based out of Toronto you wouldn't know it by skimming the back of their (so far) only CD Hometowns, which is made up of titles like "The Dethbridge in Lethbridge," "Frank, AB," and of course, "Edmonton." In fact, there's no evidence of their Eastern residence anywhere on the CD, including in their own name.

Singer-guitarist Nils Edenloff explained that "the majority of the songs tend to be based around my experiences and memories from growing up in Alberta. In a way I guess they are homesick love songs," he continued. "I moved to Toronto a couple of years ago, as did several of my close friends from high school, and it was funny how being from Alberta was something we really took pride in. It took being away from it to remember all the things that we loved about growing up there."

Edenloff founded this grassroots trio of homesick Albertans in 2005, with keyboardist/drummer Amy Cole and former Woodhands drummer Paul Banwatt. That same year they pieced together a 3-song demo that eventually broadened into a 5-track self-titled EP that included "Edmonton."

Produced in Toronto by Roger Leavens, Hometowns followed in '08, their first full-length effort. That November the RAA were selected as eMusic's featured artist of the month, drawing in a heap of new listeners that may never have heard of the indie band otherwise. Subsequently the band were offered a recording contract from Saddle Creek Records, which re-launched Hometowns last year.

The video below is a studio session of the band's track "Edmonton," recorded live for HearYa.com. The session took place last April at Shirk Music in downtown Chicago. Can't wait to hear more from these guys!

You can also check out the indie rockers' MySpace page for more information on the band, listen to tracks, and to see when they will return to Edmonton, which will be in less than two weeks! The RAA will play two shows at The Pawn Shop on Saturday, February 13th, though only a few tickets ($13 in advance) are available for the early show at 5:30PM. Tickets can be purchased at Megatunes or Blackbyrd.