Things to Do in McMurray for New Years Eve

Zimbabwe New Year’s Party

When: December 31, 6pm-1am Where: 

Where: Fort McMurray Golden Years Society 

The Zimbabwe Fort McMurray Community Association (ZFMCA) would like to invite the community at large; Friends, Relatives, Neighbours and Visitors to our New Year’s Party. For tickets or more information please call Mr. Mugodo (780) 607-2148. 

The CRAZE

When: December 31, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place

The CRAZE features a variety of free family events and activities for youth and adults of all ages and will run from Noon until 6:00 pm at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place, culminating with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Due to this special event the Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place will open at Noon on December 31. The event will feature the following:

· Main Stage entertainment presented by Mix 103.7 FM
· Balloon drop presented by Don Scott Law Office
· Oil Barons practice, public skate and autograph session
· Speed Climb and Obstacle Course at the Climbing Wall
· Wipeout 2016 at the Syncrude Aquatic Centre
· Free public skate
· Kid’s Playzone
· Learn to Curl with the Oil Sands Curling Club
· Movie Zone with the Wood Buffalo Public Library
· Fireworks
· Face painting, balloon artists, bouncy castles and craft carnival

For additional details please contact ONE REC, info@onerec.ca

DJ D-NYCE PRESENTS: 2016 NEW YEAR'S PARTY

When: December 31, 2015 from 9:30pm to January 1, 2016 at 2:00am

Where: Stonebridge Hotel

Come and Celebrate the New Year and DJ D-Nyce Birthday at Stonebridge Hotel Banquet Room for tickets or additional information please phone (780) 743-3301 or email fmmdeskmanager@stonebridgefortmac.com.

Royal Canadian Legion, New Years’ Eve Ball

When: December 31, 5:30pm to 11:45pm

Where: Royal Canadian Legion, 9317 Huggard Street

Come to the Royal Canadian Legion New Year’s Eve Ball featuring live music by local band Old Skool. Tickets are $75.00 per person and includes a prime rib buffet from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The event will be held in banquet room upstairs at the legion. For additional information please contact the Royal Canadain Legion, 780-743-2329, royalcanadianlegion@shaw.ca.

BAILEY'S PUB 2016 NEW YEAR'S KARAOKE BASH

When: December 31, 9:00pm to January 1, 2:00am

Where: Bailey’s Pub, 9713 Hardin St.

You are invited to, Bailey's Pub 2016 New Year's Karaoke Bash. There will be lots of prizes and drink specials throughout the evening. For additional details please visit there website, www.baileyspubfortmac.com or contact the Stonebridge Hotel (780) 743-3301, email fmmdeskmanager@stonebridgefortmac.com.

Club NV

Dance into the New Year at Club NV featuring the most requested songs of 2015! Admission includes your chance to win $1,000.00 cash. Doors open at 10pm.

Whatever you do this New Year's Eve please do it responsibly and don't drink and drive! 

Volunteers Needed for Words in Motion

Interested in Participating on the Words in Motion Judging Panel?

Words in Motion is a literacy program that promotes an appreciation for the art of poetry. It is open to everyone living in the Wood Buffalo region. We are looking for judges for the 2016 Words in Motion program. This is a volunteer position and will require you to commit to the following:

• Reading each of the submitted poems (there is usually between 100 and 200 submissions) and scoring each poem based on a set of criteria.

• Attending an evening meeting with other judges to discuss the poems’ scores in February 2016.

If you have a love of poetry and literature, and you are interested in being part of the poetry selection process, then please e-mail wordsinmotion@rmwb.ca with your name, area of expertise and a short description of why you would like to be a judge.

UBUNTU TOWN a Community Play is Looking for Actors, Musicians, and Volunteers

Calling all new and long-term residents who appreciate the value of living in the diverse and multicultural community of Fort McMurray. Premiering on the evening of Friday February 12th, UBUNTU TOWN will kick-off the annual Multicultural EXPO in celebration of its 10th anniversary! THE MULTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF WOOD BUFFALO is pleased to announce a new and exciting creative project: UBUNTU TOWN. With African origins, “Ubuntu” is a word with a multitude of meanings representing human-ness and humanity towards others.

UBUNTU TOWN is a community play project – a unique theatrical creation developed by the community for the community. Colin Funk, a professional theatre artist from Banff, Alberta, will guide the development process during the months of January and February, 2016.

The Multicultural Association is looking for 12-14 volunteers: actors and musicians from all age groups, gender and cultures to collaborate in developing this community play and in sharing stories as part of the final performance. No theatre or performance background necessary. Just a keen interest in the topic, a willingness to share your stories with others and a commitment to attending one play development workshop and four short rehearsals leading up to the performance.

If you are new to Fort McMurray or a long-term resident interested in sharing the stories of how your cultural background has shaped your experience living in this community, we would like to hear from you. Please contact the UBUNTU TOWN Community Play Project before January 7, 2016 at events@multiculturefm.org or 780-791-5186.

This special project holds the great promise of honouring and highlighting the wonderful layers of cultural diversity in our community and in showcasing Fort McMurray’s natural spirit of Ubuntu to citizens here and abroad. We hope you can join us in this unique community development project.

For more details on how to get involved with the UBUNTU TOWN Community Play Project please contact Rodas Asres before January 7th at events@multiculturefm.org or 780-791-5186.

Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) Intensive, Accepting Applications

Application Deadline: January 20^th, 2016 (for April through June 2016 residency start dates)

Be surrounded by a community of artistic peers, attend inspiring talks and performances by world-renowned visiting artists, and enjoy a spectacular mountain environment where you can engage or seek retreat. The Extended Banff Artist in Residence (EX BAiR) program provides time and space for artists, curators, and researchers to create, experiment with and develop production techniques, and cultivate new directions in their work during an extended stay.

This program provides access to world-class facilities in photography, sculpture, printmaking, papermaking, ceramics, textiles, painting, performance, media arts, film, and audio, as well as supporting curatorial and critical studies. Monthly studio fee $574.00. Learn more at: https://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/extended-bair#sthash.Brplz8bt.dpuf

Praire Winter Songwriting Retreat - CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submission Deadline: 4PM, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Manitoba Music, SaskMusic, Alberta Music with Fort Whyte Alive are proud to present the Prairie Winter Songwriting Retreat. This retreat will bring nine songwriters together (three from each province) for three days of collaborative songwriting. The co-writing retreat will take place at a secluded lakeside field station and architecturally unique cabins at Fort Whyte Alive, February 28 to March 2, 2016. 

Artists considered for this opportunity must:

• ·       Be available from February 28 to March 2, 2016
• ·       Be an Alberta Music member and current resident of Alberta
• ·       Be 18 years of age or older

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• ·       Songwriting
• ·       Past experience in collaborative songwriting
• ·       Rationale for how this event fits your career development plan

For more information, visit https://www.albertamusic.org/posts/call-for-submissions-prairie-winter-songwriting-retreat.

The Largest, Coolest, Strangest, Christmas Trees in the World

Christmas is almost upon us and everywhere you look there are beautiful Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes. Which got us to thinking, who has the largest Christmas tree in the world? After a google search we found our answer plus so much more. Here are our results: 

If you love Lego then you will love this 10-meter high Christmas tree in London’s St. Pancras station made entirely of LEGO J

Rio Brazil has the world’s largest floating Christmas tree. Standing at 85-meter (278-foot) tall this metal cone weighs 542 tons and is illuminated by 3.3 million Christmas lights. It has been one of Rio's top Christmas attractions since 1996, is surrounded by 105 kilometers (65 miles) of lighted hoses that produce special effects, projecting images in the sky that are visible for miles.

This futuristic looking tree located in Mexico City set the world record in 2009 for being the tallest artificial Christmas tree.

 

In Baia Mare, Romania, at the initiative of Alexandra Muresan an 11th grade student, over 1200 students and teachers of "Vasile Lucaciu" National College dressed in green and red gathered in the Revolution Square to break the Guinness World Record for the largest human Christmas tree. Not only did they set a new record but also collected funds for clothing and toys for orphans. 

Check out Britain’s tallest Christmas tree located at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in Ellesmere Port, South Wirral. The tree was designed by Thomason’s Guildford team of civil and structural engineers. The tree stands at 27.5 meters (90ft) tall, and 10 meters (32ft) across, and is decorated with nine kilometers of white fairy lights made from 100,000 LED bulbs, 1,000 football-sized red baubles and another 20,000 smaller ones. Everything is held together with half a ton of nuts and bolts.

Last but not least the largest Christmas tree, drum roll please, the Mount Ingino Christmas Tree! The tree is 650 metres (2,130 ft) high and 350 m wide at its base and consists of 3000 multi-colored lights and 8.5 kilometres of electrical cable, placed all the way up the slopes of Monte Ingino, which towers above the city. The illumination can be seen up to 50 kilometres (30 miles) away.

Whether your Christmas tree is large or small we at the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo hope that it lights up your home giving you and family and very happy and merry holiday season! 

Fun Ideas for Christmas Decorations Made From Recycled Items

Christmas is the season for creativity not for shopping. This year instead of going to a crowded shopping mall to buy Christmas decorations stay home. That’s right stay home! Make some hot chocolate, take out the craft bin, search through the recycling and get creative! Not only will you save money but you will have a blast doing it. We scoured the internet for some creative ideas to help get you and your family get started. 

Christmas Hangers 

Used Tire Snowman 

Tin Can Candle Holders  

Plastic Bottle Lanterns 

Tin Can Jam Lid Drum 

Cardboard Box Christmas Tree 

Beer Bottle Christmas Tree 

(A Very Creative Way to Clean Up After a Christmas Party)

Used Light Bulb Christmas Ornaments 

Bottle Snowmen Ornaments 

Last but not least our favourite, WINE BOTTLE LIGHTS!   

Merry Christmas and Happy Decorating! 

Volunteers Needed

The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) is having its Annual Fundraising at Boom Town Casino (9825 Hardin St, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G2). This fundraising event will be held on January 5 and 6, 2016.

The Multicultural Association’s mission is to encourage ethno-cultural groups to develop and preserve their individual cultures and communities within the Canadian context. Promote and encourage inclusive multiculturalism at all levels in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Facilitate communication between individuals, groups, industry, businesses and government with respect to ethno-cultural groups within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and promote equality, social justice, inclusion and institutional change.

This is an opportunity for you, as a volunteer, to make sure MCA's services, programs, initiatives, and events continue to grow. Please click HERE for more details or contact Rodas Asres (780) 791-5186 or email admin@multiculturefm.org.       

                                                                                                                 

OPEN CALL TO ALL LOCAL 2D and 3D ARTISTS IN WOOD BUFFALO

OPEN CALL TO ALL LOCAL 2D and 3D ARTISTS IN WOOD BUFFALO

FuseSocial is thrilled to announce that the Call to Artists for the fifth edition of the Wood Buffalo Timeraiser is now open. Timeraiser is a volunteer matching fair, a silent art auction, and a night out on the town. The big twist is rather than bid money on artwork, participants bid volunteer hours.

Through funding from local and provincial sponsors, we are able to purchase all artwork locally at fair market value and auction it off on the night of the event. Last year, 43 pieces of art were purchased from local artists for the event, which means approximately $18,000 went into supporting the Wood Buffalo Art Community. The combined art pieces generated approximately 3,700 volunteer hours in the Wood Buffalo social profit sector.

Successful auction bidders have 12 months to complete their pledged volunteer hours to organizations in the Wood Buffalo Region. The independently ran Wood Buffalo Timeraiser exhibit will be open to the public from April 4^th – April 29^th. The Timeraiser Opening Reception will occur on April 14^th, 2016.

There is no submission fee associated with this call.

ARTWORK SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA:

• ·        Submissions must be received electronically by February 22, 2016 at 4:30PM. Please include all information below in one email and send to bernie.lalor-morton@fusesocial.ca
• ·       Selected artists are strongly encouraged to attend the Art Council Wood Buffalo (ACWB) in partnership with the Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) Submission Workshop on January 30^th, 2016:
• o      Workshop outlines how to photograph and finish artwork professionally for the gallery and how to package artwork for delivery.
• o   There is a cost associated to this workshop. Timeraiser applicants will be reimbursed for the cost after they submit their artwork on February 22^nd.

 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• ·         Applicants must be a resident of Wood Buffalo.
• ·         Preference will be given to emerging or mid-career artists.
• ·         Maximum five pieces entered per artist.
• ·         All pieces must be original; no copies or prints permitted (Pieces selected in previous years for Timeraiser may not be submitted again).
• ·         All pieces must be recent; created within the last 2 years (2014+).
• ·         All artwork must be ready to hang (wire setting 1/3 from the top of the artwork, no saw tooth hangers).
• ·         All pieces must be framed and signed (stretched canvas must have finished painted edges, no stapes showing and artwork on various papers must be in a frame with glass front.)
• ·         3D Artwork that fits within display case dimensions (16” wide x 16” deep x 10” high) will be displayed for the duration of the exhibition. All other 3D artwork chosen will be showcased only during the open reception and silent auction.

·         Artist set the price of their own artwork submission (up to a maximum of $1,500).

SUBMISSIN ENTRY – PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN ONE EMAIL:

• Submission Form.
• High Resolution digital picture of your submission.
• Artists Statement (maximum 250 words).
• Brief biography (maximum 250 words).
• Photo of yourself (optional).
• Price of each submitted piece, up to a maximum of five pieces (including the costs associate with appropriate framing and hanging).
• Label Information: Your name as you would like it to appear, the title of your work, the medium (example: Oil on Canvas, Collage on Board, Mixed Media, Photography, etc.) and the dimensions (in inches).

SELECTION PROCESS:

·         Art will be selected by a non-exhibiting jury consisting of a FuseSocial Board Member, a member of the MI Visual Arts Department, Art Council of Wood Buffalo representative and an artist in the community. There is no guarantee that all art will be chosen.

·         

      Selected artists will be notified via email on or before March 3^rd, 2016.

o        Artists are responsible for making arrangements to drop-off their artwork at the designated time and space, the artwork cannot be stored at the gallery.

·         Exhibition of the artwork will commence on April 4, 2016 and be open until April 29, 2016. Timeraiser event occurs on April 14^th, 2016.

For more information:

Bernie Lalor-Morton

Volunteer & Training Coordinator

T 780-791-9333

Bernie.lalor-morton@fusesocial.ca