winterREELS Film Challenge 2013

After the success of the 2012 interPLAY Film Festival and its popular 48hr Filmmaking Challenge, Toddske and Tito are bringing back a Film Challenge for this year’s winterPLAY…with a twist!  Starting at the winterPLAY Opening Ceremonies, teams will have 6 days to write, direct and edit a short film. Each film must contain certain elements that will only be given to teams at the “Shotgun Start” on February 14 2013. All films must be turned into festival organizers by 10:00pm on February 20 2013.

Teams will be competing for a $500 grand-prize (along with a trophy and certificate) with the Runner-Up receiving $150. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be announced at the Hockey Goons and Puck Bunnies event at the Podollan Pub on February 22 2013. All films will be shown on the outdoor screen during the Winter Playground events at the Snye February 22 – 24 2013!

*Winning Film will be based on best interpretation of the elements given at the Shotgun Start” Registration Forms and Competition Rules can be found at www.ymmpodcast.com

Registration Fee = $35.00 per team

Registration Forms can be emailed or given to organizers at the “Shotgun Start” along with the payment. Cash will be accepted only at the “Shotgun Start”; Cheque/Money Order need to be payable to Events Wood Buffalo. Registration Forms, Questions and Comments can be emailed to show@ymmpodcast.com

The exact time and location of the “Shotgun Start” on February 14 2013 will be announced via the YMM Podcast Facebook and Twitter accounts. Interactions with the Film Challenge Organizers can be done through e-mail, Facebook or Twitter as well.

Follow the action throughout the festival using the hashtag #winterREELS

Facebook = www.facebook.com/ymmpodcast Twitter = www.twitter.com/ymmpodcast

The Winter Side Splitter Comedy Night

Toddske and Tito will be hosting a night of Comedy featuring Ron Josol with support from Fort McMurray-Born Jon Mick on Wednesday, February 20 2013. Show starts at 8pm at the Suncor Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $25 and available at www.winterplay.ca

Hockey Goons and Puck Bunnies

Toddske and Tito host a night dedicated to celebrating the lighter-side of our favorite past-time! The night will feature Amy Heffernan, Canadian Recording Artist from Fort McMurray! Also featured; prizes for Best Hockey Goon, Best Puck Bunny and the return of the Gurning Competition. Join us at 9pm on Friday, February 22 2013 at the Podollan Pub. Tickets are $15 and available at www.winterplay.ca

February 2013 Culture Network Meeting

Date: Thursday February 7, 2013
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location:Oil Sands Discovery Centre.

This network provides a local forum to discuss ideas, events, challenges and solutions for arts and culture in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Participants can bring information and share how their group is engaging the arts, history and culture of this region to help unify our communities and grow our cultural understandings. Everyone is welcome!



Contact brandi.gartner@woodbuffalo.ab.ca for more information.

Ancestry Library Edition Information Sessions

Librarian Caroline will provide a brief overview of how to use Ancestry Library Edition (ALE). Patrons will learn how ALE is different from Ancestry.ca/.com, how to use ALE from the library's homepage, how to carry out a basic search in ALE, and how to read and understand a genealogical record. Patrons will also learn about the library's print genealogy related resources. Registration is not required for this program.

Monday, February 4, 2013 at 7:00pm
Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 3:00pmStudy Room A

fmpl.ca

38th Annual Oilsands Rotary Music Festival

The 38th Annual Oilsands Rotary Music Festival is a festival for Wood Buffalo residents who are studying "classical or serious" music or speech arts and are aged 4 to 28 years of age as of December 31st, 2012.

Students receive a written adjudication of the performances and may be recommended by the adjudicator to represent this festival at the Alberta Provincial Music Festival in Edmonton in June. They also may be eligible for awards and scholarships, funded by generous local individuals, service clubs, and businesses.

The entry deadline for Piano Plan I, Piano Plan II, Music Composition, Strings, Classical Guitar, Vocal, Musical Theatre, Choral, Choral Speech Gr. 6 & under, Speech Solos 11 & under, Band, Instrumental, and Handbells is Thursday, January 31st at 8 p.m.

The entry deadline for School Vocal, School Musical Theatre, School Choral Speech Gr. 7 & over and Speech Solos 12 & over is February 8th, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Entry forms, rules, tentative dates, and more information are available at www.oilsandsmusic.org

Individual Artists Project Grant Deadline – February 1, 2013

Attention individual artists, ensembles and arts administrators! The next deadline for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts' 'Individual Artists Project Grant' is coming up quickly!

With the deadline on Friday, February 1, make sure you give yourself ample opportunity to carefully read the guidelines and complete your application package.

For new applicants, please visit their new Grant Wizard. Returning applicants should visit our Grant Resources section for guidelines, application form and application tip documents.

affta.ab.ca/

'About Sports' Art Exhibition Opening

Alberta Foundation for the Arts New Website

Visit the new AFA website!

The AFA’s new website offers both the arts sector and Albertan's as a whole new ways to enjoy the arts, find information and share opportunities.

- A grant wizard to help users find the right grant application stream;
- A new classified listing that will share arts opportunities submitted by the community – this includes calls for submissions, volunteer and employment opportunities, available performance and work spaces and training/development opportunities.
- New opportunities to see work from the extensive and amazing from the AFA art collection!
Arts profiles featuring members of Alberta’s talented arts community! 

The AFA will be sharing more new features in the coming days and weeks, but in the mean time, make sure you go explore at www.affta.ab.ca!

Screening: Treasures From the Far Fur Country

Next Monday, January 28th, 2013 at 7:00 pm, Heritage Park will be having the Five Door Film company back for another screening of the Hudson’s Bay Company footage from 1906.

Please pass on this information to your family , friends…etc who might be interested in this. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the information below. 

We hope to see you there! 

-- 

Nastassia Bakoyiannis 

Cultural Event Coordinator 

Fort McMurray Historical Society 

Heritage Park 

1 Tolen Drive, Fort McMurray, Alberta, T9H 1G7 

Tel: (780) 791-7575 x 227 

Fax: (780) 791-5180 

Email: Events@fortmcmurrayhistory.com

Earth scraper on Fort McMurray road construction site exposes marine reptile fossil

Information in this post were retrieved from the Alberta Government Information Bulletin on January 8, 2013. For more information, please visit their site by clicking HERE.

Royal Tyrrell Museum staff recently collected the remains of a large marine reptile estimated to be 110 to 114 million years old. The specimen was discovered during a road construction project near Fort McMurray.

When an earth scraper exposed fossil bones, they were examined by an expert from Aeon Paleontological Consulting Ltd., who was on site in accordance with Alberta’s Historical Resources Act. Flatiron Construction, the project contractor for Alberta Transportation, constructed a wooden frame and tarp structure around the fossil so the ground could be thawed for excavation.

Dr. Donald Henderson led a Royal Tyrrell Museum crew to Fort McMurray on December 10 to examine and collect the specimen. It was found to be a nearly complete long-necked plesiosaur. Plesiosaurs lived in the sea that covered most of Alberta during the Cretaceous Period.

While conditions inside the structure were comfortable during the seven-day process, temperatures of -35 C with wind chill made loading the fossil onto a truck a challenge. The fossil was transported to the Royal Tyrrell Museum for preparation and study.

Although the skull and one flipper are missing, the rest of the skeleton is complete, including the tail. The body measures approximately one metre wide with flippers extending about one metre to each side. It is the fourth plesiosaur found in the Fort McMurray area over the last three years.

Owned and operated by Alberta Culture, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is located six kilometres northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838. Open year round. For more information visit www.tyrrellmuseum.com or call 403-823-7707 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access within Alberta).

Visit www.culture.alberta.ca for more information on all of Alberta’s historic sites and museums.

Editor’s Note: Photos of the find are available at culture.alberta.ca/newsroom. Media inquiries may be directed to:

Leanna Mohan
Marketing Coordinator
Royal Tyrrell Museum
403- 823-7707Leanna.Mohan@gov.ab.ca
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Heritage Calendar 2013

A region’s cultural heritage tells us who we are, where we have come from, and what we have accomplished. Looking at the past as a source of strength puts the changes we will face in the future into perspective and enables us to be prepared to build a better future.

The heritage calendar was created in collaboration with the Fort McMurray Historical Society and Heritage Park Archives to recognize and celebrate the important history of our region.

Each year a random portion of residents receive one in the mail. It can also be purchased at the Heritage Park.

Click here to view or download the 2013 Heritage Calendar (in PDF format) and please forward your thoughts or suggestions for improvement to: recreationandculture@woodbuffalo.ab.ca

Reel Performances at Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre presents the Intouchables

Toronto International Film Festival in Fort McMurray!

Reel Performances at Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre presents a selection from the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Intouchables 

Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:00pm 

Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre 

All Seats: $13

When a paragliding accident leaves him paralyzed from the neck down, Philippe requires a caregiver to assist him with his daily physical needs. He interviews a number of highly qualified candidates, all of whom he subsequently rejects in favour of Driss, a recently released ex-con who has only applied for the job to ensure that he keeps on getting welfare payments. Thus begins an unlikely friendship, one which will change both men's lives. Based on a true story. 

Keyano Box Office is open Monday to Wednesday 12:30 pm to 4 pm, Thursday and Friday 12:30pm to 8pm, Saturday 11am to 4pm and an hour before a ticketed event. To purchase tickets call the box office at 780-791-4990 or buy online at www.keyano.ca/theatre 

Stay in touch with the arts at Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW us on TWITTER

Real people – stories – performances at your fingertips.

Family Literacy Day- January 27, 2013

In honour of Family Literacy Day's 15th year, ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging Canadian families to have "15 Minutes of Fun" learning together. Learning can happen at any time. Practicing literacy together for just 15 minutes a day has tremendous benefits for both children and parents.

Join us on January 27, 2013 as we celebrate Family Literacy Day at fmpl:

-2 puppet shows: 2pm and 3:30pm. Free tickets available at the Children's Help Desk 15 minutes prior to each show

-Games and activities for the whole family from 2:30-3:30pm



Words in Motion 2013 - calling for poetry submissions

Do you like to write? Have a passion for poetry? If so, visit www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/wordsinmotion and submit your poems by February 8th, 2013. A panel of judges will select the top poems to be displayed in various ways throughout our region, such as the Municipal Transit buses, cinema screens in Fort McMurray, radio Mix103.7…etc. in April to celebrate for National Poetry Month. Participants will also be invited to the celebration event on March 26 at Fort McMurray Public Library.

Submit your poems now!

Canadian Government Commemorates Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial

Information in this posting was retrieved from http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1357843596870 on Monday January 14, 2013.

On January 11, 2013, at the annual Sir John A. MacDonald Day ceremony in Kingston, The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, celebrated the life and accomplishments of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister. Minister Moore also announced support for projects that will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald in 2015.

“Our Government is proud to invest in projects and commemorations, like the anniversary of Sir John A. Macdonald’s birth, that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians,” said Minister Moore. “On the road to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, let us celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, strong, and free country we are today.”

Support has been provided to the Sir John A. Bicentennial Commission for a range of activities to increase public awareness about Canada’s first Prime Minister. Additionally, the Historica-Dominion Institute will receive support to create two new Heritage Minute videos featuring Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier. These investments will encourage all Canadians to reflect on Sir John A. Macdonald’s life and accomplishments and to celebrate his significant contributions to Canadian history.

“The 200th anniversary of Sir John A. MacDonald’s birth, in 2015, will be an opportunity for all Canadians to learn and to celebrate the important contributions Canada’s first Prime Minister made to shape our great nation,” added Minister Moore.

“We are so grateful to have the support of the Government of Canada as we move towards the bicentennial of Macdonald’s birth,” said Ryan Zade, Associate Director of the Sir John A. Bicentennial Commission. “With this support, we can work towards engaging all Canadians to help tell the story of Macdonald, which is the story of the place we all call home: Canada.”

“Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier are two of the greatest Fathers of Confederation,” said Anthony Wilson-Smith, Historica-Dominion Institute President. “We’re proud and grateful that we’ll be able to use our Heritage Minutes format to tell stories about their roles in the making of Canada.”

The Government of Canada has provided over $500,000 to the Sir John A. Bicentennial Commission (2010–2012), and $360,000 to the Historica-Dominion Institute (2012–1214). The funding comes from the Commemorate Canada component of the Celebration and Commemoration Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage supports initiatives of national significance that commemorate important aspects of Canada’s history.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

Media Conference - Launch of the 2013 Syncrude winterPLAY Festival

What: Media conference to launch the upcoming 2013 Syncrude winterPLAY Festival, an annual celebration of our region’s climate, culture and people. Festival highlights will be announced.

When: Thursday, January 17, 10:30 am

Where: Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, located in Holy Trinity High School, 230 Powder Dr.

Who: David Whitelock, Executive Director, Events Wood Buffalo

Syncrude Canada Ltd. Representative

Phil Meagher, Dare2Dream Representative

Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact: bburton@eventswoodbuffalo.com

Nominations open for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards

Information in this posting was retrieved on January 13, 2013 from: http://www.artsawards.ca/News/Default.aspx?pd=10 

Nominations open for Alberta’s foremost arts recognition, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards. Albertans are encouraged to nominate the artist or group of artists who exemplify excellence and have had significant impact on Alberta’s cultural scene. 

Eligible artists may work in visual, performing, literary, cinematic or other artistic media, including architecture or design. Nominations must be received by February 15, 2013.

Adjudicators will choose up to three recipients for a $30,000 award, a handcrafted medal, and the opportunity for a residency at The Banff Centre’s Leighton Artists’ Colony.

Recipients will be announced in May and receive this distinction from the awards patron, His Honour, Colonel (Retired) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta at a gala dinner in Red Deer, June 15, 2013. 

The gala is the culmination of Rooted in the Arts, a week-long arts celebration in Red Deer, which was chosen as host city through a competitive bid process.

The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards is one of Canada’s most prestigious independent arts awards programs, designed to raise the profile of arts in Alberta. The awards are made possible through a donor-funded endowment. 

To learn more or to nominate an artist, visit www.artsawards.ca. 

For more information or media interviews contact 

Lee Elliott 

Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards 

587-777-0246 

nleeelliott@gmail.com

http://www.artsawards.ca/

January 2013 Full Moon Cafe

Our next Full Moon Cafe is on Saturday January 19, 2013 at 7:30 PM

All Full Moon Cafes are held at the Waterways Community Hall and start at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted.

All ages. All talents. Coffee House Atmosphere.

Northern Insights Speaker Series

Northern Insights is a 3 year-long speakers' series bringing world-class authors, speakers, journalists and thinkers to our great region to: engage the community, expand our minds, and capture our imaginations.

Malcolm Gladwell: January 30th, 7pm Tickets on sale now at MacDonald Island Guest Services

Bill Cosby: May 8th Keep checking the website for more details including when ticket sales start!

More speakers are to be announced in the new year!
Check out Northern Insights for more information.



the Global Address - Changing the Climate

January 17, 2013 at 7:00pm
Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre - Main Theatre
Tickets: $45.00
Keyano Box Office - 780-791-4990   www.keyano.ca/theatre

Mayor Melissa Blake
Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea
Seamus O'Regan, Correspondent, CTV National News and former co-host of CTV Canada AM

The misconceptions about Fort McMurray's image and people's perception about us is very different than the reality.  As celebrities and high profile Canadians, Alan and Seamus have done a lot to improve Newfoundland's image and through this experience will share insights with Mayor Melissa Blake into how they see Fort McMurray changing the climate of perception here.  

* Discussion will be followed by a short exclusive performance by Alan Doyle.  

Big Spirit Magazine

Big Spirit Magazine is a community-based publication produced by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo that is dedicated to showcasing the unique spirit of Wood Buffalo.

It features stories about residents' achievements, local campaigns, past and upcoming events as well as recent community developments. It is produced biannually and distributed to every home in the region.


To view past issues, visit: www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/bigspirit

Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum

The exterior of the museum at Fort Chipewyan is an exact reconstruction of the Hudson’s Bay store of 1870. Here you are taken back in time to the early fur trade and the Aboriginal experience as it responded to European influence. You will be steeped in the spiritual ambience of Native cultures and the fierce rivalries of the fur traders. The collections and stories that you encounter will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the development of this northern-most and oldest settlement in Alberta.

Permanent Collections:
• Complete, accurate scale representation of the Hudson’s Bay Company Fort, circa 1870
• Fur trade and historical artifacts (guns, canoes used for trapping)
• Photographs
• Maori spiritual talking stick
• Turtle shell – story of the turtle shell found in Lake Athabasca
• History of indigenous people of influence (101-year-old midwife who delivered over 400 living babies)
• Local crafts
• Historical buildings (residential schools, churches)
• Library includes family genealogy records; Native culture and history; Catholic and Anglican Church records; local history; and the fur trade

Phone: 780.697.3844
Fax: 780.697.2389
Email: fortchipmuseum@telus.net

Location:
109 Mackenzie Avenue
Fort Chipewyan, AB
T0P 1B0

Mailing Address:
Box 203,
Fort Chipewyan, AB
T0P 1B0

To Learn more about the Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum, please visit:
http://public.museums.ab.ca/museums.cfm?ItemID=46

Community Guide - Spring & Summer 2013

The Community Guide to Recreation, Culture & Social Services is published twice a year to provide:

• free advertising opportunity for non-profit community organizations to promote their recreation and cultural activities and facilites in the Wood Buffalo Region;
• free directory listing for social service agencies in the Wood Buffalo Region.

Profit-making individuals or commercial organizations offering recreation and cultural services are also welcome to advertise at a reasonable rate: $50 for a half-page.

If your organization is interested in advertising in the Spring & Summer 2013 issue which will be available to the public in April 2013, please download the booking form from the Municipal website and submit your content and materials by Jan 25, 2013.

Enbridge Famous 5 Speakers Series presents Danielle Lowe

Date: Jan 21, 2013
Location: Miskanaw Room, MacDonald Island Park
Dinner: 7:00 - 7:30 pm
Speaker: 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Inspired Learning: 8:45 - 10:00 pm
Door prizes to follow!

Tickets
Tickets $65.00 per session. Includes buffet dinner, Speaker and Inspired Learning.
Students/Schools receive 50% discount on tickets.
PURCHASE A TABLE OF 8 TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF 7.
PURCHASE A TABLE OF 8 TICKETS FOR ALL 5 EVENTS RECEIVE $325.00 OFF.
Tickets are available through MacDonald Island Box Office 780.791.0070.

Daniel Lowe is a 16 year old grade 11 high school student, Danielle Lowe is a veteran country music singer/songwriter who has been performing and writing music since age 10. Accompanied by her mother/manager, Danielle performs across the globe. As seasoned music competitor, and strong community contributor, Danielle has been recognized with numerous awards.

http://www.fort-mcmurray-famous5.ca/2012/08/30/danielle-lowe/

Alberta's Provincial Historic Sites, Interpretive Centres and Museums

The Government of Alberta operates a network of historic sites, interpretive centres and museums throughout the Province.

One of these great resources is located right here in Wood Buffalo!! The Oil Sands Discovery Centre tells the exciting story of the Athabasca Oil Sands, the world’s biggest single oil deposit. Discover how oil was formed millions of years ago, perform experiments used by oil sands pioneers, and see how bitumen is extracted and changed into synthetic crude oil. To learn more about the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, visit: http://history.alberta.ca/oilsands/


Learn more about the fantastic historical sites located throughout Alberta by visiting: http://history.alberta.ca/

Perhaps you will find an exciting destination to visit where you can reconnect with our history in 2013!!

TELUS and Keyano Theatre Company presents Hometown...The Musical!

 

The BIGGEST theatrical undertaking in KTC history!

Imagine over 100 performers - a full choir, musicians, dancers, storytellers and local superstars - all gathering on ONE STAGE to tell the compelling, funny and heartwarming story, of our community! Real stories about real people living right here in Wood Buffalo, woven together in an unforgettable production. Local citizens from over the globe unified by one common and powerful belief...This is HOME!

February 14*, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 at 8pm
Matinee - February 16 and 23 at 2pm
February 14* - Preview
February 15 - Opening Reception

Rated E for Everyone!

Team Trivia-Friday, February 8, 2013

Join fmpl for an evening of fun, facts and friends. Team Trivia is a game for adult teams of 4. Questions are asked aloud and each team has the opportunity to work together to come up with the correct answer which is recorded on paper.

-$100/team of 4 adults

-Cash prizes and door prizes

-Register at the library between January 7 and February 4

Location: Suncor Community Leisure Centre
Miskinaw Ballroom

Cocktails: 7:00pm                         Battle Begins: 7:30pm

Presented by:                    Supported by:  

       

For more information, contact the Fort McMurray Public Library: 780-743-7800

Save the Date - WinterPLAY 2013

Syncrude WinterPLAY 2013 is coming February 14 - 24, 2013

winterplay.ca

Write for a better world - National writing contest

Deadline April 5, 2013

Do you have a young writer in your life in grades 5 to 8? World Literacy Canada and best-selling author Eric Walters are teaming up to bring you Write for a Better World: a national bilingual writing contest aiming to inspire global citizenship in Canada's youth.
Complete the following paragraph and continue writing for another 400 words:

"I felt like I had been shot out of a cannon. Who were these people? Where in the world was I? Before I could get my bearings I was almost run over by..."

Write about a place and culture that is new to you. What is different about it and what is surprisingly the same? First Place wins $500 & an eReader! Nine runners-up will receive $50, plus the top ten will receive: A full set of

Seven: The Series, signed by Eric Walters; a world map & atlas; and World Literacy Canada swag. All winners will become Published Authors in a collectible magazine and online. All participating teachers and schools will be gratefully acknowledged.

Visit the website HERE for full contest details, entry form, a teacher resource and more.

http://www.worldlit.ca/write2013/

Wednesday Night Art at the Fort McMurray Public Library

Wednesday Night Art returns on January 9! Join us every Wednesday from 6-8pm as we explore our creative sides!

January 9, 2013 - Paint in the style of Picasso!
January 16, 2013 - Oodles of Doodles!
January 23, 2013 - Printmaking Fun!
January 30, 2013 - Artist Trading Cards!

Call 780-743-7804 for more information.