The countdown is on … just three days to go before Barrhead joins a province-wide celebration of arts and culture.
Organizers are appealing for people to support the town’s contribution to Alberta Culture Days, which will feature arts and crafts, music, photography, dancing and culinary skills.
One of the highlights is Saturday’s first-ever Taste of Barrhead which will present national dishes from around the world. Visitors will have a chance to sample snack-sized food at tables set up in the Barrhead Elementary School gym.
“We need lots of people to attend Taste of Barrhead,” said library director Elaine Dickie, who is chairman of Barrhead’s Alberta Culture Days Committee.
“Lots of planning and work is going into it. We would love to have everyone come and experience the great event.”
For table registration contact Inge De Herdt at 780-305-8744 or Dennis Donkers at 780-674-2563.
Another highlight is a bench show with a wide range of classes – from homemade jam, cake decorating and yeast-made products, to quilting, knitting, photography, painting and woodwork.
Deadline for registering items in the bench show has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 27. People are asked to submit registration forms at the Library.
Items should be dropped off on Friday, Sept. 28 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Anyone needing to make special arrangements for drop-off and pick-up should contact Grace Huisman at the library at 780-674-8519.
The Culture Days line-up includes:
Saturday, Sept. 29: Taste of Barrhead, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Barrhead Elementary School gym; bench show of arts and crafts, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in BES hallways; Spark – hands-on art experience for children, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Library; Museum Open House, noon to 4 p.m. with skill demonstrations (1 p.m.-2 p.m.);
Sunday, Sept. 30: Arts, photography and quilts on display, noon to 4 p.m. at Seniors Drop-in Centre; Museum Open House – noon to 4 p.m. with skill demonstrations (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.); a night of poetry with wine and cheese, 7 p.m. at Seniors Drop-in Centre.
A Variety Show of Performing Arts, scheduled for Friday, has been postponed so people may attend the Senior High Awards Night at Barrhead Composite High School.
Dickie said events were set up to allow people a varied cultural experience without having to go very far.
“While you are in town, see the bench show at BES, the arts exhibit in the library, make some ‘splash art’ in the library to take home with you and then head over to the museum to see their new displays and watch demonstrations in blacksmithing, quilting and other pioneering skills,” she said.
Dickie said she hoped many people would come out on Sunday evening to hear original poetry while enjoying a glass of wine and nibbles.
“Admission to all events is free of charge,” she said. “Tickets for food and beverages are available at the door. Everyone is welcome.”
Several events have been planned in the lead-up to Alberta Culture Days.
Last Wednesday, Barrhead Photo Club presented a library workshop with Daryl Benson, a professional instructor.
Yesterday Marilynn Jeffery took part in the “pop up” artists initiative at the library. People were encouraged to drop by to see artists at work, ask questions and get inspired to express themselves in oils, acrylics and other medium. Today (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m. Women Word Weavers and the library present author Joan Galat, speaking on how to write and market local histories and biographies. Pre-register with the library at 780-674-8519. Fee: $35.
The Art Club, Photography Club and quilters will also be displaying work in the library throughout September.
