Every day is arts day, but September is arts month.
“ September is the month of the artist,” said Allied Arts Council Communications manager Kelaine Devine who is excited about another ArtsDays.
“ THere’s lots of events happening this week,” Devine said, noting Word on the Street is the unofficial kickoff to Arts Days.
This year, there is a focus on murals and painting, though there will be plenty of buskers performing all week from Sept. 23 - 30 and outdoor events at Rotary Square outside Casa and in Festival Square.
“It’s more fun to have events out doors. But All of them can be moved indoors ,” she continued, adding the Allied Arts Council started moving towards outdoor events during Covid and continued.
Alexis Bialobzyski will be poetry busking in the streets, writing spontaneous poems by request.
Most of the fun begins on Friday. Artists will be at work at he Casa kiosks and outside local businesses.
Check out the new exhibits at Casa and the SAAG while you’re downtown. And a lot of new murals are being created in back alleys. So there will be a public art walk from 5-6 p.m. taking a tour of them.
The AAC pop up gallery opens Friday Sept. 23 from 6-8 p.m.
There will be a public art bus tour, Saturday. Sept. 2 which leaves from Casa at 2 p.m.. using the culture bus that was operating all summer.
One of the highlights is an exhibit on the roof of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
Bekk Wells, who has an exhibit at Casa , hosts walk and embroider at 3 p.m., leaving with home made pillows , Sept 24 as well as a Sept. 25 and 29 at 1 p.m. and September 27 at 6 p.m.
“ They will be stopping so you can embroider,” Devine continued.
Family Affair on the Square returns to Casa Saturday, Sept. 24 from 4-7 p.m. with performances by The Band Formerly known as Karen, Lewis and Pam and Karen Romanchuk.
After that, the Community Cabaret begins at 7 p.m.. The line up is still being finalized.
“ We enjoy meeting everyone,” Divine said.
Arts Days winds up, Sept. 30 with the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Films, featuring three films by First Nations film makers.
‘Lana Gets Her Talk,” and Elder in the making and hoop dancer Sandra Lamouche’s film ‘Honouring The Children will be screened beginning at 7 p.m. at Casa, Sept. 30.
“ They’re all really good films, ” Devine said.
“We‘ve been probably doing it for 18 years, though there were events in a different format. But every year is different,” Devine continued.
“ it doesn't matter what the format is, people come out because it is fun,” Devine continued
“It’s all about sparking creativity and building community,” she said, quoting this year’s theme.
More information about the cornucopia of arts days activities happening is available at https://artslethbridge.org
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
