Alberta

Get your arts fix with ‘I Don’t Get It’

Published

4 weeks ago

Todayville

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What do you do when something you value isn’t getting much media coverage? For the team behind I Don’t Get It, you make a podcast to fill the gap.

Fawnda Mithrush and Paul Blinov met at Vue Weekly, an alt-weekly arts publication in Edmonton. Dance was getting short shrift in the local media, so in 2013 they started a podcast in which Mithrush, a dance critic, would introduce Blinov, a dance newbie, to the art. With production help from Andrew Paul, I Don’t Get It was born.

In 2017, the podcast expanded to cover theatre and news on the arts community in general. They mostly cover Edmonton, but will take the occasional road trip, such as their excursion to the Badlands Amphitheatre to catch a production of Carmen, or their trip to the Banff Centre to see Orphée+.

Let’s learn a little more about the team behind I Don’t Get It:

Q. Why should people listen to your show?

A. Listeners will learn about what’s happening on Edmonton stages, and also get a taste of theatre and dance history. Through light and fun conversation, we hope to lift the “I don’t get it” veil from contemporary performance for both new and experienced audiences.

Q. What’s the most interesting comment you’ve received from a listener?

A. We often receive comments from the arts community that say, “Thanks for saying that, I thought the same thing,” when we point out problematic aspects of a performance. One such example was a listener who sent that same message after our review of Shakespeare’s R&J, when we discussed whether or not an all-male production of Romeo & Juliet was tone deaf in the post-#MeToo era.

Q. What podcasts do you listen to?

A. We’re media people, so mostly media and storytelling podcasts: On the Media, Longform, New Yorker Radio Hour, Canadaland, Invisibilia.

Q. Do you have any unusual hobbies or talents that may surprise your listeners?

A. All three of us love to cook. Paul is particularly good at bread-making, Andrew is an apprentice butcher, and Fawnda has memorized all seasons of Julia Child’s The French Chef.

Q. Write your own epitaph — what would it say and why?

A. “Wherever there’s magic and make-believe and an audience, there’s Theatre.” It’s a quote from ‘All About Eve’, in a longer speech about democratizing theatre for all audiences (it’s not only for the elite). It’s one of the greatest films to discuss theatre and the challenges of being an artist within it – and also features one of the best critic characters of all time, Addison DeWitt.

Q. What has been your favourite episode so far and why?

A. Season 1 Episode 1 still stands out as a classic example of what we were trying to do with the show, and also why it was important for the growth of arts media in Edmonton. We reviewed one of the city’s most storied dancers and his company, and were terrified. And we nailed it on the first take (for real). Click the link below to listen.

Be sure to connect with I Don’t Get It on Twitter and Facebook.

Over the next several weeks, Todayville will introduce you to members of the Alberta Podcast Network, so you can invite even more Alberta-made podcasts into your ears! You can find I Don’t Get It and dozens of other shows at albertapodcastnetwork.com.

About Alberta Podcast Network

The Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB, is on a mission to:

-Help Alberta-based podcasters create podcasts of high quality and reach larger audiences;

-Foster connections among Alberta-based podcasters.

-Provide a powerful marketing opportunity for local businesses and organizations.

Alberta Podcast Network Ltd. is pursuing this mission with funding from ATB Financial and support from other sponsors.

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Alberta

Alberta Country Music Awards announces 2018 Finalists

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2 hours ago

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December 11th, 2018 (Edmonton, AB) – The Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA)™ is pleased to present your Final Nominees for the upcoming 2018 Alberta Country Music Awards™ presented by Stingray.

Winners will be announced at the 7th annual awards gala on January 27, 2019 at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel (3310 50 Ave).

The evening will be hosted by Albertan country singer/songwriter and CCMA-winner Aaron Goodvin

“I am incredibly honoured to have been asked to host The ACMA’s in Red Deer this year. There is so much great Canadian country music that comes out of Alberta. I literally cannot wait to host my first ever awards show and I’m excited for it to be in my home province!” – Aaron Goodvin

Canadian country music fans are well acquainted with Goodvin’s music after winning the2018 Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA) for “Songwriter(s) of the Year” for his platinum single “Lonely Drum”. Goodvin was also nominated for the “Single of the Year”, and “SiriusXM Rising Star Award”.

Also a Warner/Chappell songwriter, Goodvin has landed cuts with Luke Bryan, Canaan Smith, Cole Swindell, and others. He was recently signed to Reviver Records in Nashville and fans can expect new music in 2019.

The 2018 ACMA™ awards weekend will occur on January 26 and 27. Events include the kick-off party, conference, seminars, fan fest, and the much-anticipated awards gala. Members of the ACMA™ have the privilege of voting to select the nominees for each category. The final round of voting to select the award-winners ends December 28, 2018.

Tickets and more information about the ACMA™ Awards Weekend are available on the ACMA Website

Without further ado, the nominees are:

Male Artist of the Year
Brad Saunders
Dan Davidson
Drew Gregory
Karac Hendriks
Ryan Langlois
Trevor Panczak

Female Artist of the Year
Alee
Andrea Nixon
Krissy Feniak
Lauren Mayell
Michela Sheedy

Group/Duo of the Year
Nice Horse
Renegade Station
The Dungarees
The Orchard
The Prairie States

Fans Choice
Dan Davidson
Drew Gregory
Hailey Benedict
Megan Dawson
Renegade Station
The Prairie States

Industry Person of the Year
Angie Morris – Sirroma Entertainment
Bill Borgwardt Performance Photography
Carla Hackman – Sakamoto Entertainment
Carly Klassen – Alberta Music
Johnny Gasparic – MCC Recording Studio
Sarah Scott – Golden West Radio

Musician of the Year
Johnny Gasparic
Josh Ruzycki
Lisa Dodd
Mitch Jay
Weston Blatz

Album of the Year
Along for the Ride – Renegade Station
Good Place to Start – Drew Gregory
Lost in the Right Direction – The Prairie States
Songs For Georgia – Dan Davidson
This Road is Mine – Karac Hendriks

Song of the Year
“Don’t Hold Back” – Written by: James Murdoch & Darren Gusnowsky
Performed by: The Dungarees
“Know Good” – Written by: Drew Gregory, Trinity Bradshaw, Brad Stella
Performed by: Drew Gregory
“Light > Dark” – Written by: Ryan Langlois & Duane Steele
Performed by: Ryan Langlois
“Mansplainin’” – Written by: Brandi Sidoryk, Tareya Green, Katie Biever, Jeff Dalziel
Performed by: Nice Horse
“Safe Harbour” – Written by: Kent Nixon, Luanne Carl, Doug Folkins
Performed by: Renegade Station

Single of the Year
“Don’t Hold Back” – The Dungarees
“Know Good” – Drew Gregory
“Play it By Beer” – Brad Saunders
“This Road is Mine” – Karac Hendriks
“Who’s Gonna Love Me Tonight” – Renegade Station

Country Venue of the Year
Boot Scootin Boogie Dancehall
Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall

Talent Buyer of the Year
Big Valley Jamboree
Calgary Stampede
Country Thunder
Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall
Sakamoto Agency

Rising Star
Karac Hendriks
Lauren Mayell
Nice Horse
The Prairie States
Trevor Panczak

Radio Station of the Year
93.1 The One Leduc
Wild 95.3 Calgary
Real Country 95.5 Red Deer
96.5 CKFM Olds
103.9 CISN FM Edmonton

Horizon Youth
Hailey Benedict
Krissy Feniak
Jonah Langlois
Hannah Gazso
Martina Dawn

Entertainer of the Year
Aaron Goodvin
Brett Kissel
Gord Bamford
Lindsay Ell
Paul Brandt

Video of the Year
“Don’t Hold Back” – The Dungarees
“Know Good” – Drew Gregory
“Let’s Go There” – Dan Davidson
“Mansplainin'” – Nice Horse
“Who’s Gonna Love Me Tonight” – Renegade Station

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Alberta

Alberta Government looking for refinery partners

Published

3 hours ago

Duane Rolheiser

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Premier Notley greets members of the Building Trades of Alberta while announcing a new Expression of Interest for refining in the province.

From the Province of Alberta

Premier seeking industry interest in oil refining

In response to strong industry encouragement, Alberta is taking action to explore interest from the private sector in building a new oil refinery in the province.

As part of a made-in-Alberta strategy to get more value for our energy resources, Premier Rachel Notley announced the government is issuing a Request for Expression of Interest to determine business cases for investing in a new refinery in Alberta or tied to Alberta production.

“For decades, Albertans have been talking about getting more value for our oil here at home. So let’s stop the talk, end the decades of dreaming and start making more of the products the world needs here at home. It’s time to grab the bull by the horns and to do more refining and upgrading that adds value and creates jobs here. The future is coming and it will be made in Alberta.”

Rachel Notley, Premier

Building a new refinery would create good-paying, long-term jobs for Albertans. New refining capacity would also help lower the oil price differential over the long term, protecting the province from a lack of capacity to export oil, and making sure we get full value for the energy resources owned by all Albertans.

“Large industrial value-add energy investments help provide economic resilience and diversification, and create highly skilled, well-paying jobs for decades. Alberta has abundant feedstock, skilled labour and the ability to refine our resources to high-value products the world needs. There is significant international competition for these projects and for Alberta to compete, government and industry must work together. We commend the government’s focus on ensuring that the value of Alberta’s resources stays with Albertans.”
David Chappell, chair, Resource Diversification Council

“Building Trades of Alberta has always believed you should refine it where you mine it. By doing that, you maximize the value of our resources for the people of Alberta, while creating good jobs for skilled trades workers in our province. We thank the government for exploring new options for refining and upgrading here in Alberta.”
Terry Parker, executive director, Building Trades of Alberta

“The work of the Energy Diversification Advisory Committee was focused on securing Alberta’s future in a more diversified oil and gas sector. It’s good to see another action that builds on Alberta’s strengths, including a highly skilled workforce and world-class resources. This is another sign the government is focused on made-in-Alberta solutions to ensure Alberta’s energy economy is built to last.”

Jeanette Patell & Gil McGowan, co-chairs, Energy Diversification Advisory Committee

Projects must have a strong return on investment for Albertans. Any proposed facility will consume Alberta-produced oil feedstock and produce marketable refined products.

The government will consider interest in new greenfield investments or an expansion of facilities at an existing brownfield site. Submissions will be accepted until Feb. 8, 2019, with the results helping inform next steps that may include issuing a Request for Proposals to construct a new refinery.

Companies will be required to submit their engineering design and technical feasibility, project timing and execution plan, plans for sales points and transportation to market, participation of Indigenous communities, expected environmental performance, financing to complete the project, and identification and estimates of revenues to benefit Albertans.

Expressions of Interest have been used in the past to obtain industry and public suggestions on major projects and how the government can utilize existing interest to maximize the value for Albertans.