Take a stroll through Town Square on Saturdays all summer to experience a Block Party like this one for yourself.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
For avid readers of the Eye on the Esplanade, I am sure you’re aware the Esplanade is a multifaceted jewel of this community, and we are so incredibly proud and grateful to have this facility right on our doorsteps in the downtown core.
I would like to take this time to highlight the amazing opportunities available with the archives, programs and events developed and maintained by our dedicated team of staff working here, and urge you as a community member to make the most of what is available.
Here at the Esplanade, you have opportunities to take in both performing and visual arts and learn about our rich history and heritage. You can attend a variety of theatre shows or visit our gallery spaces with an ever-changing array of art and heritage exhibitions, or the explore the permanent museum representing the history of our local area. Entry to the gallery’s is always Pay What You Will, so you decide the price you pay for admission. You can also keep your eyes open for the occasional Pay What You Will theatre event, too.
Our team of archivists and curatorial assistants are the caretakers for our collection of artifacts and records held within a climate-controlled storage area. We offer free Reference Services to access the historical records of our community. Staff can assist with your research inquiries, whether in the Reading Room at the Esplanade, by phone, or by email.
If you have school age children, they’ve likely visited our facility with their school for one of our multiple educational programs run throughout the year. We offer a range of bookable educational programs for a wide range of ages, including programs like our summer art or drama camp and birthday parties. Look out for new fall classes becoming available soon. Don’t forget, these classes can also be accessed using the city’s Fair Entry program funding.
If hands-on experiences are what you’re after, we offer an assortment of cultural events, ranging from Historic Walking Tours to our E After Dark adults gallery experience on Aug. 24, paired with a silent disco taking place on our terrace. All summer long, we’ve added free, themed Block Parties into the mix, taking place at Towne Square on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. We still have six more weeks coming up there for you to enjoy. Each week highlights a sample of our local organizations, businesses and individuals carefully selected to match the week’s theme, always accompanied by a selection of local food trucks.
• August 3 – Celebrating Dance and Culture
• August 10 – Celebrating Car Culture
• August 17 – Celebrating Heritage
• August 24 – Celebrating Music
• August 31 – Celebrating Alberta Day and our First Responders
• September 7 – Celebrating our Teens and Youth
To close out the Summer, we have our amazing downtown event, Art in Motion, on September 28. Watch this space for more information coming soon!
To keep up with all events happening in and around the Esplanade please visit the Esplanade web page http://www.esplanade.ca and sign up to receive regular emails, to be the first to know about new exhibitions, shows, programs and experiences!
Paul Francis is the acting manager of cultural experiences and events at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
