Eye on the Esplanade: Many facets to the Esplanade people don’t often think about

By Medicine Hat News on March 23, 2018.

So, what do you do at the Esplanade?

My job is facility worker for the City’s Community Development Department and I get asked that question a lot when I tell people I work at the Esplanade. Many believe the building only has a theatre, which is fair I guess, since some huge acts have graced the main stage. Names like Slash, Snoop Dogg, Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado and Chris Cornell are easily recognized but the building’s full name is the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, for a reason. The Esplanade is not only about entertainment but also education and having a place in which to develop our community’s identity and shape a deeper cultural heritage.

Most people have no idea that behind the Museum and the Art Gallery is the collections area where the most interesting stuff you’ve ever seen is located. The city’s collection of art, archives and historic artefacts is stored in a large two-story room where a sophisticated humidity and temperature controlled environment shelters objects, pictures, and documents that have been collected and curated to preserve the heritage of Medicine Hat and surrounding area. The stuff that is back there is amazing and anyone can access it by appointment. When I have to go back there to work, I find it so interesting that it’s hard to focus on my work.

The Arts and Heritage Centre is here for anyone in the community to use so we have seen many different events, including school tours, art walks, conferences, training sessions, community gatherings, baby showers, weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, you get the idea. It’s a lot like our city in the sense that there’s more than meets the eye going on every day. The Esplanade is also a favourite spot for photographers, so we see a lot of grad dresses, matching family outfits, and babies in pumpkin costumes.

The work here, too, is as diverse as the events the Esplanade hosts. In an average week, we may be installing contemporary art, shopping for a rock star’s favourite cookies, unloading a semi-trailer full of amps and guitars, or getting the lobby ready for a community event. Though it’s not all glitz and glamour, the excitement definitely makes up for the doldrums of having to clean or set up tables and chairs. Last year, a CBC documentary crew followed and filmed Robb Nash, a performer at the Esplanade who was touring in support of teens and young adults struggling with depression. Another time, we were having a meeting in the production office and John McEuen, lead guitarist from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, popped into the office and gave a spur-of-the-moment guitar lesson to one of our theatre techs. You just never quite know what will happen when you show up for a shift.

Lots of visitors drop by the Esplanade just to see what’s inside, which is totally fine. In the summer months I’d suggest coming over and having lunch on our rooftop patio, you have to bring your own lunch but it’s definitely a remarkable view and a good way to catch some vitamin D. My final tip is to join the mailing list or keep an eye on the Esplanade website for shows, community events, and classes. If you save http://www.esplanade.ca as a favourite tab on your computer or phone’s browser you’ll always be in the know on what’s going down at the Esplanade.

Daniel Meller is a facility worker at the Esplanade.

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