The Not so High Wire.

You don't have to be 50 feet in the air for it to be enjoyable! Sometimes a death defying 9 is just as effective ;-)

Human Statue

I am collecting more pictures that I can post within the given time frame.
On the heels of the Street performers festival comes Capital X, Taste of Edmonton, The Indy Car races..
I think I am going to super size the posts for the next few weeks.

Big Birds

Men With Hats and Little Else

This duo is from England (go figure) They are fantastic. The proper English man shtich was very enjoyable.

Edmonton International Street Preformers Fest.

The Street Performers Fest is on.

This is one of my all time favorite festivals.

I think you see why.

Outside the trolley

This shot was taken some time ago actually, but I am in the Trolley. Spring run off was heavy this year and the river had a lot of silt at the time.

In the Trolly

High Level Trolly

This trolley car was purchased from Japan and shipped here for use on the High Level. It's mostly wooden and was in service in Japan until the 90's

High Level

The beautiful river valley and the high level bridge in the distance

Whitemud Equine Centre

In the heart of the river valley, and in the middle of the city is a Equine Center. I am told it is VERY VERY Expensive. Although the idea of owning a horse in the middle of a city is interesting, I don't think it is overly practical.

What's in there?

This was the only part of the exhibit that had enough light to do anything! The entire exhibit was black except for some well placed spot lights. You could hear an old man recount some piece of dragon lore first in English and then again in french. It was very eerie and quiet well done. landing this show was a big to do. I am not sure if it's the size of the exhibit or the rarity of some of the artifacts, but in some way this is a stepping stone fro the RAM and Edmonton. This exhibit is running the same time as Body Worlds I , which is another step up for Edmonton. Body Worlds has been shown in many of the worlds great cities and now Edmonton is added to that.

Dragons

The RAM also has a touring exhibit on the history of the dragon. Cameras were not allowed in the exhibit, but i did get one shot. I will post it tomorrow.

Empress of Ireland

The Provincial Museum or RAM (Royal Alberta Museum), renamed in honour of a visit made by the Queen, has an exhibit on the Empress of Ireland. The ship was one of the CP cruiselines's finest vessels. In the water's of the Saint Laurence the ship went down in 14 minutes. She ran into another vessel and took 1012 people down with her. The sinking of this lady remains Canada's worst maritime disaster, and is considered one of the greatest shipwrecks of all time alongside the Titanic, Lusitania, etc.

This entry is dedicated to Paul, a very good friend and an even bigger steamship lover, who has made me write this post a number of times now for accuracy sake ;-P

Market Day

Saturday is on of my favorite days. The down town open air farmers market is a weekly ritual for me.

The top photo is the most recent addition to my Saturday ritual. He and his wife run an authentic Mexican food booth. There is nothing like a little Pappas and a Taco or two for breakfast.

Stopped to Smell the Flowers

Ok this post is late.. My bad. I was enjoying life.

Urban Art

I have been waiting to post this for some time. It my favorite piece of gorilla art or graffiti. This image can be found glued to a boarded up window of an old heritage warehouse downtown.

The is something very V is for Victory about it. V was a TV mini series if you are missing the connection.

The Scream

What makes a piece of art popular or timeless. "The Scream" is a very recognizable work. Why is that?

For me I could always relate to the way the subject stood alone in a drab and dreary world.. I could relate to the frustration.

Don't get me wrong I am a pretty happy go lucky guy, but we all have periods in our life that test us.

I also think it looks like a jumbo size bozo the clown punching bag!

Alberta Gallery of Art, AGA

In a couple of the past shot you will see a crane in the background. It's the construction grounds for the new art gallery.

The Edmonton Art Gallery was a bunker of a building. Almost windowless, small and lacking the infrastructure to host large traveling art shows.

The new Art Gallery of Alberta has been a political sticking point. As is all to common many people view these facilities as needless, or playthings of the rich and affluent.

The cost of the new building will come in around 200 million. A large portion was paid for by private people or companies. a combination of federal, provincial and municipal tax dollars makes up the balance.

bellow is a sketch of what the finished product will look like.

A Work in Progress

The Works II

The entrances to the square will be created over the weekend. There will also be numerous pieces of Gorilla Art. Last year there was were a dozen or so statues made out of tin foil.

The Works

Edmonton is also called "Festival City". There are non stop activities from June to September. As Pride Ends, The Works Starts.

The Works turns Downtown into one big art gallery, and live music venue.
Best thing is, like pride, this festival is FREE.

Enjoy the prairie sky!

Bye Bye Pride

Saturday night will be the closing event for pride. It is going to be held at Enterprise Square. (See the archives for pictures of the old bay building)

I want to close this series by saying although pride started out as a gay event it has changed. It's is becoming more about celebrating diversity among everyone. It's also about basic rights and freedoms. In an airport in BC they are about to test a new screening device that digitally removes your clothes. A digital strip search. We should be up in Arms. This breach of our rights and freedoms is horrifying.

Take the spirit of pride and remember it year long, and don't be afraid to march when it's needed.

Gay Folk Singer

Pride week is nearing it's close.

There has been a film festival, and a art showing at the Alberta Art Gallery.

Oliver pool will be free this weekend so we have plans to lay out in the sun and eat free cake.

Happy Friday!

Leatherman

It just wouldn't be pride without a leatherman.

This is a friend from Calgary. His name is Wes and believe it our not he was steps away from being an ordained minister

Hot Nakid Boys!

Okay.. normally I am not this shallow, but it's pride week.

It just wouldn't be pride without nearly nakid go go boys!

I can't explain the torment i endure watching this guy eat potato chips all night. Sometime life is unfair and then there are times when it stares at you, and laughs the biggest belly laugh square into your face.

Martha.. I always knew I was diffrent.

Yesterday I asked what pride would be like if there was no big hair and panstick... Well this picture pretty much answers THAT!

Hey! Drag Queen

What would gay days be without big hair and pan stick?

I think that is my grandmas good christmas centerpiece in her hair...

Gay Day

This was Edmonton's largest pride yet. It was a fantastic day, the square was packed and the entertainment was GREAT!

Well done Pride Edmonton!

The Masks

This DJ and his partner both wear Guy Fox masks while they preform. I did get a few shots of them during setup without the masks, but they asked me not to publish them.

Happy Pride

The Pride Kick off party was put on at new City SubUrbs. It's the local fetish bar.. and can be a very interesting space. The bar itself is a converted movie theater and although it is interestingly decorated the space is nothing to write home about, It is the people and the dress that make New City what it is.

Clang Clang Clang goes the trolley

The Edmonton Rail Society operates a number vintage street cars. This one is an Import from Oska japan and it runs from Down Town across the high level bridge into old Strathcona. It's great for getting to the farmer's market.