Ride The Canada Day Bus!

Are you planning to attend the Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival on June 30 and July 1? If so, then you might want to think about how you will be getting there. On-site parking is going to be very limited. If you live within walking distance, consider exercising and going by foot-power. If you live within biking distance then consider hopping on your two-or three-wheeler. The site itself is bike-free but there will be lots of bike racks available. If you are coming from out of town, or live too far away to walk, then consider riding the Canada Day bus. For the third year in a row, the City will be providing a free shuttle service between the Festival site at Spruce Grove Composite High School and Spruce Grove’s City Hall, Greystone Centennial Middle School and Living Waters Christian Academy.

The bus will run past each location at approximately 30-minute intervals, stopping for a few minutes at each to collect waiting passengers. The bus will operate, in a circuit, between 5 and 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30 and between 9:30 a.m. and midnight on Wednesday, July 1.

New this year, the Festival has chosen to use a local school bus company. This will allow us to accommodate more people in each vehicle. And, we are also excited about the addition of a second bus from 7 – midnight on Wednesday, July 1.

Both busses will be available for a quick return to pick-up locations after 11:15 p.m. After the RONA fireworks display one bus will head straight to Living Waters and the second will go straight to Greystone and then on to City Hall. So, not only will the shuttle-bus get you to the site quickly and easily, it will also get you back to your car at the end of the day fast and headache-free.

Call Brandi at 780-962-7616 for further information regarding the Canada Day and Street Performer Festival bus or visit www.sprucegrove.org/celebrate.

Familiar Favourites and New Treats at the Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival

There is something to be said for the old adage, “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” To that effect, The City of Spruce Grove has found a formula that really works for its Canada Day celebrations and plans to stick with it. The Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival activities kick-off on the evening of Tuesday, June 30th. They include the 3rd annual Vaudeville Variety Show at 7 p.m., the 2nd annual $5 Community BBQ (pulled pork, salads, buns, baked beans and dessert) from 5 to 8 p.m. and the 1st annual Social Capital Awards presentation to an outstanding community volunteer organization.

Wednesday, July 1 begins bright and early with the ever-popular $2 Pancake Breakfast. New this year will be morning entertainment provided by the combined bands of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and King’s Own Calgary Regiment, directed by Captain Michael Chute, CD.

A slight tweak to this year’s festival schedule now means that the vendors on-site will open early at 9 a.m. Bring your cash and plan to shop at such returning-favourites as Original Canadian Kettle Korn, Big E’s Mini D’s (mini doughnuts), the Girl Guides (snow cones), the Association For Supportive Community Connections, and the Sea Cadets (hamburgers and hotdogs), Work of Art Tattoos, Tara’s Treats (ice cream), The Thai Boutique, Bolli Imports and our 2 novelty toy vendors. Then, try something new at Mediterranean BBQ (chicken, lamb, pitas, veggies), WD’s Grill & Catering (Caribbean), Lemmon Heaven (lemonade), and Morse Code Dezynz (ladies beach wear).

Decorate your children between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. so they can participate in the Kids’ Parade and then head to the outdoor stage at noon for the official Canada Day Ceremonies and some free birthday cake.

Bring your loonies, toonies and $5-bills and get ready to giggle, guffaw and be amazed by Street Performers from across Canada and around the world between 12:30 and 5 p.m. Get your children’s faces painted and let them blow off some steam chasing bubbles, playing in the sand, or bouncing in the bouncy tents. Returning to the RE/MAX KidZone this year will be the hilarious Cap’n Arrr, Aerials Gymnastics demonstrations, and juggling workshops facilitated by Kim Potter.

Teenagers on site can hang with their friends in the Teen Zone where a variety of their favourite activities will be facilitated by the Log Cabin staff. They can then watch their peers perform on the main-stage when the Spruce Grove FCSS Battle of The Bands winners show off their musical skills at 6:30 p.m. Also, join the library staff to help create a masterpiece with the Library Tile Project from 1 – 3 p.m.

Grown-ups can sit back and relax with a patriotic beer in the Kinsmen Beverage tent starting at 6 p.m., and everyone is encouraged to attend the 5th Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

2009’s main-stage artists are Albertans through and through. The eclectic Polyjesters (http://www.polyjesters.com/), who perform at 8 p.m., hail from Carstairs. And, headlining country music star Gord Bamford (http://www.gordbamford.com/), who steps on stage at 9:30 p.m., still proudly lives in Lacombe.

The grand finale on July 1st will, of course, be the extremely popular and spectacular RONA Fireworks at 11 p.m.

Due to limited on-site parking, the City will once again be providing a free shuttle bus service between 5 and 9:30 p.m. on June 30th and from 9:30 am – midnight on July 1. Park your car at Living Waters Christian Academy, Greystone Centennial Middle School or City Hall and hop on the bus. Or, if you don’t live too far away from Spruce Grove Composite High School, plan to walk or ride your bike instead. The festival grounds are a bike-free (and pet-free and smoke-free) zone for safety reasons, but there will be lots of bike racks available.

If you have attended the Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival in the past then plan to come back this year and stay on-site a little longer. If you have yet to attend this wonderful community event, make 2009 your year to do so. It doesn’t need to be fixed. It just keeps getting better! www.sprucegrove.org/celebrate

2009 Summer Drama Programs

Drama Tots
Session 1: July 6 - 10
Program # Session 1: 20618
Session 2: July 27 – 31
Program # Session 2: 20620
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Ages: 5 – 7
Location: Agra Room - Spruce Grove Agrena - 9 Agrena Road
Cost: $80
Young children will explore creatively through a variety of dramatic activities. They will play games, sing songs, and do simple drama exercises. On the last day of class, family and friends will be invited to watch them present a showcase piece, and to enjoy a potluck dessert cast party.
Instructors: Julia Seymour & Mandolin Orr

Drama Troopers
Session 1: July 6 - 10
Program # Session 1: 20619
Session 2: July 27 – 31
Program # Session 2: 20621
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Ages: 8 – 10
Location: Agra Room - Spruce Grove Agrena - 9 Agrena Road
Cost: $80
Older children will explore creatively through various, more advanced, theatrical activities. They will participate in a wide variety of warm-up and dramatic exercises. They will learn about plot lines, creating characters and working together as a team. On the last day of class, family and friends will be invited to watch them present a showcase piece, and to enjoy a potluck dessert cast party.
Instructors: Julia Seymour & Mandolin Orr

Important:
Children should wear clothing that they can move and play easily in and non-slip indoor shoes. If the weather is warm they should wear sun screen and have
alternate outdoor shoes available. They should bring their own water bottle. A healthy, nut-free snack will be provided Mon-Thurs. and parents will be asked to send a nut-free snack or dessert to the potluck on Friday.

Registration starts June 1st
Call: 780-962-8995

Scholarship Deadline Approaching

The application deadline for the Horizon Stage Theatre Advisory Board Artstrek Scholarship is fast appoaching on May 29th. Please see our previous post on April 12 for details.

Before & After

Just in case you haven't bee able to see it for yourself yet.

Horizon Stage before the renovations...




Horizon Stage after the renovations...

Festival Vendors Sought

Deadline for vendor applications for the 2009 Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival on June 30 and July 1 is June 1, 2009.
Please visit the City of Spruce Grove's website for details.

April Customer Feedback

Did you see Oliver Jones on April 3, the Emeralds on April 5, Sharon and Bram on April 18 or George Fox on April 14?
What did you think of the show, the staff and volunteers who served you, or the theatre itself. Good or bad - please let us know.
Please Note: Comments will be monitored and bad language will not be posted.

You Can Rate Horizon Stage

We've updated Horizon Stage's information on weblocal.ca. We now have a profile for Horizon Stage Perfroming Arts Centre and a profile for the Horizon Stage Ticket Centre in city hall.
Feel free to visit one, or both, and give us a rating and/or a review.

http://www.weblocal.ca/horizon-stage-ticket-center-spruce-grove-ab.html

http://www.weblocal.ca/horizon-stage-performing-arts-centre-spruce-grove-ab.html

Artstrek Scholarship Available

What is Artstrek?
Artstrek is a theatre school like no other — a residential summer theatre
program for teens that has been running in the province of Alberta since 1959. The program, which takes place each summer on the campus of Red Deer College, is about the exploration of theatre and the components of theatre production rather than getting a show on stage. Over the course of a week, participants explore acting, voice, movement, and directing with some of Alberta's finest theatre professionals. This year students will be working on the Tony Award-winning musical Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine.

Artstrek is not a talent-based program. It is for students who are enthusiastic about theatre and who will be focused on the fun of learning and exploring with their instructors and with other Artstrek participants.

When is Artstrek & Who can attend?
Theatre Exploration I runs July 5 - 11. It is for 13 - 15 year olds who have completed grade 7.
Theatre Exploration II runs July 12 - 19. It is for 16 - 18 year olds who have completed grade 10.

Do I qualify for the Horizon Stage scholarship?
If you are between the ages of 13 and 18, and have completed grade 7 or higher at a school in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain or Parkland County, you may apply for this scholarship. Only one scholarships is being offered. It can be used for either Theatre Exploration I or Theatre Exploration II. The value of the scholarship is $300.

How do I apply for the Horizon Stage scholarship?
To help decide the scholarship winner, Horizon Stage requires one letter from each applicant detailing their experience in theatre studies and productions, their plans for future involvement in theatre, and explaining why they would like to win this scholarship and why they deserve it. Factors such as academic excellence and financial need will be taken into account.
Letters of reference are a part of the Artstrek application process, but do not need to be sent to Horizon Stage. Complete your scholarship application letter and submit it to:
Horizon Stage Scholarship
315 Jespersen Ave
Spruce Grove, AB, T7X 3E8
Fax: 780-962-0616

ALSO Download your Artstrek Application form from www.theatrealberta.com/artstrek.htm
and submit it separately, along with the entire registration fee, to:
Theatre Alberta
3rd Floor, 11759 Groat Road
Edmonton, AB, T5M 3K6
Fax: 780-422-2663

The scholarship recipient will receive a reimbursement cheque for $300 after they are chosen.
The application deadline for the Horizon Stage scholarship is May 29.
Artstrek starts taking registrations on April 1, and they usually fill up early, so get your application to Theatre Alberta and your letter to Horizon Stage as soon as possible!!

This Artstrek Scholarship is funded by the Horizon Stage Theatre Advisory Board.

March 2009 Feedback

Did you see any of the following performances at Horizon Stage in March...
Hotel California on the 15th?
10 Lost Years on the 20th or 21st?
The Horizon Players: Disney's 101 Dalmatians on the 26th, 27th or 28th?
Did you like, or dislike, the artists, the venue, the volunteers, the staff?
Please let us know your thoughts regarding your visit to our theatre.

Please Note: Comments will be moderated and course language will not be posted.

Oliver Jones on QTV