Alberta Arts Days 2011 Wrap-Up

On November 24, a group of local residents who coordinated the Alberta Arts Days 2011 celebrations in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo held a wrap-up meeting to discuss hosting another event next year. 

In 2011, the local Alberta Arts Days celebration incorporated a wide variety of events that highlighted and celebrated literary, visual and performing arts.  The coordinating committee is happy with the level of excitement and community support that surrounded Alberta Arts Days.  The growth in partnerships and the high number of events held during Wood Buffalo Arts Days 2011 exemplifies how the arts community is flourishing in Wood Buffalo.

The planning committee is looking forward to continuing the annual Arts Days celebrations by working with the Culture Network, a local community group that meets monthly to discuss local arts and culture topics.  By connecting the Wood Buffalo Arts Days with the Culture Network, the group will begin to discuss plans for the 2012 celebration. 

If you are interested in participating in planning future Wood Buffalo Arts Days, or if you would like to learn more about the Culture Network, please contact Brandi Gartner at 780.743.7994.

East Meets West – Dance Fusion

During the weekend celebrations for Alberta Arts Days, several dance troupes came together at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts to present an evening filled with cultural entertainment. Beginning with several opening messages from the organizing committee and Mayor Blake, the show stunned the audience with colourful displays, beautiful music and poetic presentations. The evening ended with a fusion of cultural dance featuring members of the Nrityalaya School of Indian Dance, the Belly Dance Academy and Hoop dancing by Reinalie Joralan.
Participating groups during “East Meets West” included: The Polynesian Dance Group
Native Indian Dance Group from Fort Mackay
Nrityalaya School of Indian Dance
Karen Savoie – Belly Dancing Academy
Fort McMurray HoopPoi Group
Poetry by Indranil Bhattacharya
Poetry by Mary ThomasEast Meets West was one of the many local events that took place during Alberta Arts Days, September 30 – October 2, 2011.

(Photo: Sword Dance by Belly Dance Academy. Photo by Kristi Gallant)