The Edmonton Public Library is making use of its new musician-in-residence program and kitchen space as a part of this year's How To Festival.
The third annual event will teach a variety of skills at sessions held in person or online on Oct. 21.
"Edmonton Public Library is all about sharing knowledge in different forms, whether that's through our collections or through our classes," said community librarian Alexandria Daum. "So one kind of value for the community is just the chance to learn a new skill and be exposed to something that they maybe wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to learn or be exposed to."
EPL's first musician in residence is Mallory Chipman, an award-winning singer and songwriter. She will be showing attendees of any experience level how to write a song at the Calder branch.
Chef Doreen Prei will be taking over The Kitchen at the Stanley A. Milner to show participants how to make Italian risotto. As is often the case at The Kitchen, the class is full.
Visual artist Shaihiem Small will lead a session on how to draw a portrait at the Capilano branch. The rest of the classes will be offered online:
- How to Separate Fake from Fact with librarian Belinda Ongaro;
- How to Offer Protocol to an Elder or Knowledge Keeper with elder in residence Jo-Ann Saddleback;
- How to Create a Compelling Story with writer in residence Kate Boorman;
- How to Enjoy a Winter Visit to Alberta's Parkland Provincial Parks with specialists from Alberta Parks;
- How to Grow a Thousand-Year-Old Tree with master gardener Dustin Bajer of Shrubscriber.
The lessons are aimed at adults, but youth and supervised children are also welcome to attend.
"We hope that people find an opportunity to learn something new through this kind of range of sessions, and we're excited to be able to provide this opportunity for learning and discovery for Edmontonians," Daum said.
Photo: Mallory Chipman, EPL's first musician in residence, will explore the foundations of songwriting at the How To Festival. (Katherine Melrose/Facebook)