Ascending the arts world
Opinion
Hello! You may recognize the byline up there above the title Arts Editor. It’s me, Selina a.k.a Jaunty Jezebel. Along with the very pleasurable gig as sex columnist I have taken up the role as arts editor for the new semester. And let me warn you, it’s going to be busy.
If you haven’t noticed, Calgary is chock full of amazing events happening under the arts header. Just check out the listings page. While we grumble about the bitter cold, Calgary’s art community is providing a seemingly non-stop barrage of festivals and events all happening in the warmth of theatres, galleries and clubs.
Ending the month of January was One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo and the International Festival of Animated Objects. Both were amazing and I sincerely regret not attending some of the events. If you have a chance to see at least the tail end of the IFAO, I strongly urge you to do so.
If you missed out, you need not worry. February is another month full of events to help you forget about that car buried under a pile of snow. Major festivals include Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays, Picture This … Film Festival – Calgary’s first international disability film festival, Alberta Dance Explosions from Dancers Studio West, Calgary MidWinter Blues Festival, Joni Mitchell’s Fiddle & the Drum with the Alberta Ballet and Exposure – the Calgary/Banff photography festival. I’m going to try my best to see at least one event from each and I encourage you to do as well.
Often these events are cheaper than the traditional entertainment events out there. Plus, you may never see the like again. On top of that you may actually love Calgary – or at the very least not strongly hate it – a feeling that hits me every time I have to take transit in the freezing cold.
I have a wide variety of interests when it comes to entertainment. I love fashion and I hope to continue former arts editor, Kimberley Jev’s initiative of promoting the amazing talent we have in this city. But I also want to highlight the other hidden talents sparkling in our snow-filled city. Especially those close to home. I hope you enjoyed our features editor, Katie Turner’s piece on Charlie Brown. Your college peers, who along with a full-time course load have been dedicating their evenings to rehearsing just for you. There is always student pricing on tickets so if you’re bored one evening and want to see Snoopy’s big dance number, check it out. Oh and if you want to write for us, shoot me an e-mail at artseditor@thereflector.ca