A Celebration of Art and Music in Downtown Lethbridge

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Downtown Lethbridge was bursting with a wide array of festivities that exposed southern Albertan's to our local art and music. The Alberta Arts Days celebration (Sept. 17-19) included live music in Galt Gardens Park and other downtown venues. Local dancers, musicians, actors and artisans also joined the celebration with performances and displays of arts and crafts in the park. Although the weather was unseasonably cold and rainy, it didn't deter large numbers of people from attending and enjoying the celebration.

ArtWalk continues to grow with over 50 venues taking part in this popular event. Besides the art on display, ArtWalkers were treated to a number of demonstrations that included block printing, woodburning, glass bead art, textile design, painting and many more. The demonstrations provided onlookers with a glimpse into how artists create. ArtWalkers were encouraged to collect stamps from participating ArtWalk venues to be eligible for a chance to win an original painting by local artist, Ian Randell.

The long-awaited opening of the reconfigured and expanded Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) coincided with Art Days. The new look SAAG includes a new classroom and library, generous windows that look onto Galt Gardens, a multi-media/video viewing gallery, state-of-the-art lighting, sound and projection equipment. The newly created gathering space is filled with light that is created by the impressive glass-clad facade entrance way. The new SAAG is definitely something that our entire community can take great pride in.

The Alberta Arts Days festivities provided great exposure for our local artists, musicians, performers and artisans. The event definitely illustrated that the arts are alive and well in southern Alberta.

Thanks to all of the organizers and participants who made this celebration such a huge success.

The Galt Museum & Archives offers up an engaging, interactive, stimulating and fun experience for everyone!

Anine

Just a few of the over 20,000 interesting artifacts in the Galt collection

Hands-on interaction in the Discovery Hall

Temporary exhibit - 'Our Ancestors Have Come to Visit: Blackfoot Shirts'

Volunteers play an important role by cataloguing images and artifacts.

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Located on the west end of 5th Avenue in Downtown Lethbridge, the Galt Museum & Archives definitely shatters the stereotypes that are usually associated with the word 'museum'. Interesting ... yes! Boring ... absolutely not! The Galt is a vibrant gathering place that is designed to fulfill everyone's historical, cultural and educational needs.

The Galt Museum & Archives went through a major expansion in 2004-2005 and was re-opened in 2006. Besides adding much-needed space for their amazing collection of 20,000+ artifacts and 300,000+ documents, the expansion project also included the addition of a bright and expansive Viewing Gallery that overlooks the coulees and the spectacular CPR High Level Bridge. For those looking for a bit of exercise, there is easy access to parks and walking paths that will lead you to the Oldman River Valley.

Although there is always lots to see and do at the Galt, one of the highlights is the hands-on interactive experience in the Discovery Hall. Kids of all ages have a chance to get fully immersed in the history of Southwestern Alberta and the culture of the Kainai people. Visitors are encouraged to take a virtual plane ride over the undulating prairie landscape, dig up the history of the local coal mines, duck under a giant replica of Lethbridge's famous High Level Bridge and so much more. Discovery Hall also has a changing exhibit space that offers something new for visitors who may have visited the Galt on an earlier occasion.

For families, the Galt is the perfect place for children to have fun and 'learn while doing'. At their weekly Saturdays at 1:00 program, families can participate in recent and not-so-recent history and take-home projects. Make sure to ask about their Backpacks, Treasure Hunts and interactive stations ... all designed to make learning fun.

The Galt is well-known for their special events and programs that include an Easter Egg Extravaganza, Whoop-Up Days BBQ, Galt Beer Tasting fundraiser, New Year's Eve Party, film screenings, Halloween and Christmas events. Like I said, the Galt isn't a stereotypical museum. Although they definitely take history seriously, they are all about bringing the past alive and making learning interesting and enjoyable.

For those that are serious about history, the Galt has a professionally trained collections and archives staff. Services from preservation advice to object research are offered by appointment and they are always interested in speaking to people about donations of 2 and 3-dimensional materials.

The Museum Store offers a wide selection of unique Southern Alberta and exhibition-related gifts, books and souvenirs, including Ammolite - Lethbridge's official gemstone. Visitors have an opportunity to purchase a wide selection of hand-crafted glass works, pottery, jewellery, textiles, prints and photographs by local artists. Visitors can begin or end their visit with a Galt Blend Coffee, roasted locally, in the Viewing Gallery.

For information about hours of operation, admission fees and group tours, visit www.galtmuseum.com. Call the Galt at (403) 320-4258 or (403) 320-3954.

Owl Acoustic Lounge ... a great place to visit in Downtown Lethbridge for live music, local art and tasty food!

STEVEN

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Steve Foord and his partners offer their customers a new twist on live music in Lethbridge. Their goal is to showcase the wealth of artistic talent our city has to offer ... both visual and performing. They've created a unique venue that definitely shows a strong passion and commitment towards music, art and food. Everything about the 'Owl' has a local flavour, right down to the uniquely crafted stage that was handcrafted by a local artisan. Although the Owl Acoustic Lounge has only been open for a relatively short period time, it has already gained a solid reputation for quality.

Located in the old O'Riley's Restaurant space in the historic Whitney Block building on 3rd Avenue South, the 'Owl' is the place to go for live music, local art and great food. High ceilings, soothing colors, stimulating art, great music and tasty food, all combine to create a very cool dining experience.

The menu is chock-full of tantelizing treats such as their incredible BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Beer & Cheese Soup and the indulgent, but out-of-this-world good, Burger Stack (beef patty topped with BBQ smoked pork, cheddar cheese and all the fixings).

Each week the owners of the 'Owl' shine a light on the enormous amount of talent our city has to offer. They want their customers to see new bands and experience music that you didn't even know you enjoyed. They want you to see your favorite bands and entertainers in a way you haven't seen them before.

When you're looking for a fresh experience, make sure to check out the Owl Acoustic Lounge at 411 - 3rd Avenue South. They are open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until closing with 'live music' every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (no cover charge ... ever!). Free wireless internet is also available. Phone 403-942-1770 for more information.

Movie in the Park Event in Downtown Lethbridge

The Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) is sponsoring another Movie in the Park event this Saturday, August 7 in beautiful Galt Gardens Park. The fun starts at 8:00 p.m. with hula-hoop contests, Air Guitar Hero, and give-a-aways. We're showing the family movie 'Furry Vengeance' starting at approximately 9:45 p.m. This is a FREE event, so make sure to let all your friends and family know about it.

The weather forecast looks promising and if it gets too hot you can always cool off at the Rotary Centennial Plaza water feature located on the southeast corner of the park. Make sure to bring a blanket and lawn chair. Many of the local downtown businesses will be open late if you need to pick up a cold drink after enjoying a bag of BRZ popcorn. All proceeds from the sale of BRZ popcorn will go to a local charity.

For more information on the Movie in the Park event visit www.movieinthepark.ca.

L.A. Gallery ... providing quality custom framing & exceptional service for the past 17 years

CASSANDRA

MOLLY

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Cassandra Hueser and Molly Elliot took us on a tour of L.A. Gallery and talked to us about what makes their downtown Lethbridge store 'the place' for custom framing needs in southern Alberta.

L.A. Gallery was started by Lori Strom in 1993. Lori has always prided herself on providing her customers with exceptional customer service, professional advice, expert craftsmanship and a great selection of limited edition prints and posters. L.A. Gallery's staff of four have a combined total of 28 years of experience in the art and custom-framing business.

L.A. Gallery has an expansive selection of acid-free and conservation options to choose from - 1,200 mat board samples and 5,000 frames. They also stock a wide variety of limited edition prints and posters. If they don't have what you're looking for in the store, you can peruse their comprehensive selection of print catalogues.

They enjoy the challenge of working on something that they have never framed before and have gained significant experience as a result of the numerous unusual objects they've framed in the past i.e. football pants, movie props, dueling pistols, license plates, dead snakes ... you name it and they've probably framed it.

L.A. Gallery recommends that people frame or consider re-framing their artwork, not just for aesthetic value, but also to conserve it for generations to come. People will often look at an old picture they've had framed and wonder why they chose a particular color, however most of the time the matting and/or artwork has faded over time and it no longer suits the picture anymore. With L.A. Gallery's acid-free backing/mat board and UV blocking glass, neither the matting or artwork will fade.

Make sure to watch for their 'Friday the 13th' sale events. They offer 20% OFF custom framing orders as well as a variety of savings on in-stock items.

L.A. Gallery is located on historic Round Street in Downtown Lethbridge - 421 - 5 Street South. For more information call (403) 380-4556 or email them at info@thelagallery.com.

Opening day of the 2010 Downtown Farmers' Market attracts large crowds!

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The 2010 Downtown Farmers' Market opened yesterday to enthusiastic patrons. The downtown market was developed through a partnership between the Downtown BRZ, Exhibition Park and the City of Lethbridge. This is the 5th year that the Farmers' Market has been in downtown Lethbridge and it is definitely growing in both size and popularity.

The market has been a welcomed addition to the downtown experience. Business owners, employees and residents from neighbouring areas such as London Road look forward to the start of the Downtown Farmers' Market.

Farmers' Market visitors were treated to top-notch live music courtesy of the Buskers Association and the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ. The Downtown BRZ was excited to unveil their new popcorn cart to the public.

Opening day featured 21 vendors that included; Darz Barz Baked Goods, Tia's Chuckwagon Baked Goods, Ecuadorinkas, Elusis Beads, JAG Jewellery, Epicure Spices and Dips, the Lighthouse Bakery, Armada Colony, Jewels of Magnetic Therapy, Stella and Dot Jewellery, Broxburn Vegetables, New Rock Port Colony, Ammonite and Gemstone Jewellery, Richard Law's Okanagan Fresh Fruit, Luna Fresca and many more!

The market takes place every Wednesday, July 7 to September 15 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. It's located on Festival Square between 3rd and 4th Avenue on 6th Street South.

For more information, call the Business Revitalization Zone office at (403) 327-9002 or Exhibition Park at (403) 317-3219.