Y ENTERTAINMENT
Talent Spotlight
WEN WEI WANG
Born and raised in China , Wen Wei Wang immigrated to Canada in 1991 to join Ballet British Columbia . In 2003 , he founded Wen Wei Dance and has since produced seven major works , toured Canada five times , performed across the globe , and received an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award . Impressed ? There ’ s more where that came from . Meet Ballet Edmonton ’ s artistic director , Wen Wei Wang …
How did your career shift from performer to choreographer ? I have always loved creating things . As a child , I moved pieces on chessboards like they were dancers , creating patterns and formations . After joining Ballet BC as a dancer , I began creating ballet works … but the event that really changed the course of my career was in 2000 , when I won the Clifford E . Lee Award for Choreography at the Banff Centre . It was at that point that I made the transition from professional dancer to professional choreographer .
How has the world of ballet changed since you began dancing in 1978 ? Ballet is always growing and moving with the time , trends , and culture . When I first saw Ballet BC performing work that William Forsythe created , it was new , electrifying , and powerful . He pushed bodies to their physical limits , beyond classical ballet . Since that time , ballet companies have been enriching their repertoire , especially in Canada . I am excited to be part of Ballet Edmonton because it ’ s on the cutting edge of contemporary trends .
You ’ ve said that dance has its own language . What do you hope to communicate that can ’ t be said in words ? I think everyone understands music , but nobody asks what that means : nobody demands a narrative . For me , dance movements are the same , just like music : something you feel and experience . You see something through the colour , texture , tone , sensuality , strength and vulnerability , the breathing and physicality — to me it ’ s moving pictures , it ’ s sculpture . That ’ s how you communicate with the audience . — By Shawna Bannerman
The following is a brief selection of concerts , performances , dinner theatres , festivals , special and sporting events that WHERE believes are worthy of your attention .
Coordinates refer to maps on pages 59 to 61 .
COMEDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 CONCERTS & MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 CULINARY EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 DANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 DINNER THEATRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 FESTIVALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 MOVIES & FILM SCREENINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SPECIAL EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SPORTING EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 STAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 CASINOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 COMEDY CLUBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 LIVE MUSIC CLUBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 LOUNGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 NIGHTCLUBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 PUBS & BARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
FOR FULL LISTINGS , PLEASE VISIT where . ca / edmonton
BOO
The following symbols , located at the end of each listing , denote the establishment ’ s location :
D — Downtown
N — North Edmonton S — South Edmonton W — West Edmonton
COMEDY
EDMONTON COMEDY FESTIVAL Oct 10 – 12 — This festival celebrates all styles of comedy and features performers from all over North America . Headliners this year include Letterkenny ’ s K . Trevor Wilson , Last Comic Standing ’ s Louis Ramey , Not Skinny , Not Blonde ’ s Monique Marvez , and more ! Various venues
WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY Sep 8 — Be prepared to join the well-known cast onstage in an evening of hilarious interactive and totally improvised comedy starring Ryan Stiles , Greg Proops , Jeff B . Davis , and more . River Cree Resort & Casino , 300 East Lapotac Blvd ., Enoch , 780- 484-2121 . Map 1-A5
CONCERTS & MUSIC
BLITZEN TRAPPER Sep 18 — This American country / folk / rock band has released nine studio albums . They are currently touring to promote a rerelease of their hit album , Furr , where they will be playing the record in its entirety . Starlite Room , 10030-102 St ., 780-428-1099 . Map 3-G7 D
BUDDY WASISNAME & THE OTHER FELLERS Oct 10 – 13 — This musical and comedy trio from Newfoundland and Labrador specialize in folk music , comedic skits , and stand-up routines . Enjoy both comical and serious tales , such as “ Saltwater Joys ” and “ Is You ‘ Appy ?” Festival Place , 100 Festival Way , Sherwood Park , 780-464-2852 .
CELTIC THUNDER Oct 28 — With this Irish singing group , you can expect a theatrical experience , including Celtic set pieces , visual effects , and elaborate choreography . Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium , 11455- 87 Ave ., 780-427-2760 . Map 1-D4 S
CLAIRE LYNCH BAND Oct 5 — Claire Lynch was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the American Bluegrass Music Association in 2010 . She was called “ one of the sweetest , purest , and best lead voices in the music business ” by Dolly Parton . Festival Place , 100 Festival Way , Sherwood Park , 780-464-2852 .
FOO FIGHTERS Sep 4 — This American rock band have released nine studio albums and sold over 12 million copies in the United States alone . Enjoy their Concrete and Gold tour , where you ’ ll hear hits like “ The Sky is a Neighborhood ” and “ Run .” Rogers Place , 102 St . & 104 Ave ., 780-414- 5483 . Map 3-F1 D
FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS Sep 11 — Folk singer / songwriter Frank Turner will be accompanied by his backing band , The Sleeping Souls . This tour will be
View the spooky 1925 version of the film Phantom of the Opera accompanied by the thunderous concert organ at the Winspear Centre on Oct 31 . ( pg 23 )
PHOTO BY DANIEL CONRAD
20 where . ca // SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018