Social Intercourse — August 15, 2011

Dedfest 2011

Presented by Metro Cinema
Thursday, August 25 – Sunday, August 28
Garneau Theatre (8712–109 Street)
$20 and up at yeglive.ca

Nothing seems to bring the people of Edmonton together like a festival, though that warm, fuzzy feeling of togetherness doesn’t exactly apply to this one. For the third year in a row, Dedfest is back to bring us the latest in independent horror, sci-fi, and alternative cinema, featuring 14 films over the course of a weekend. The festival, which brought gems like The Human Centipede to the screen last year, is set to entertain yet again with greats like Trollhunter and Super, the latter starring The Office’s Rainn Wilson and Edmonton’s own Nathan Fillion. So grab some fellow movie junkies and come prepared to experience a weekend of blood, gore, and monsters — and you’ve been warned: warm and fuzzy feelings are not included.

Mothership Down

Written by Marty Chan
Directed by Wayne Paquette
Starring Marty Chan
Stanley Milner Library Theatre
(7 Sir Winston Churchill Square)
Runs until Sunday, August 21
$10 at the Fringe Theatre box office

Who says that aliens and politics don’t mix? Edmonton playwright Marty Chan’s contribution to this year’s International Fringe Theatre Festival brings us a political satire that melds those very two ideas together. Inspired by an offhand comment made by Tory leadership candidate Ted Morton about a “PC mothership,” the play features an alien invasion that has taken over our government in pursuit of just one little thing — our vote. Not only do they want to win ballots, but they also want our participation in the form of an actual mini-election and debate that takes place during the show. Sitting in the audience, you may just find yourself deciding the very outcome of the play. If Chan’s past productions are anything to go off, Mothership Down will definitely be a worthwhile addition to anyone’s Fringe experience this year.

Hoots, Cackles, and Wails and Hunting Blind

Created by Robin Arseneault and Paul Jackson
Opens Saturday, August 20
Art Gallery of Alberta
(2 Sir Winston Churchill Square)
Gallery admission $8.50 for students

At the AGA, things are not always what they seem. You may think you’re coming to see Hoots, Cackles and Wails, the latest new exhibit featuring work by Alberta artists Robin Arseneault and Paul Jackson, but the true object of your visit has yet to be uncovered. While the exhibit is certainly a worthwhile stop, make sure to take a peek at the AGA’s beautiful outdoor terrace on the third floor, where you’ll find the real attraction: Hunting Blind. Inspired by the accompanying exhibit, Hunting Blind is a sculpture born from a joint commission by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the AGA after Arseneault and Jackson won a 2010 province-wide competition. The resulting piece will be on display for the next five years, but don’t let yourself be the last to see it.