Canadian arts breathe life into downtown Edmonton

Bringing the Nation is the latest downtown vibrancy project from Colin Campbell and CIVIQ Labs. Running Nov. 13 to 15 at ArtsHub Creative Studios, the McLeod Building, and the Stanley A. Milner branch of Edmonton Public Library, the patriotic series brings a wide swath of Canadian talent to the stage — for free. Jazz legend Jens Lindemann, genre-bending Franky Freedom, and multidisciplinary performer Mr. Kou are among those who will play. And who says you need to pick between arts and sports? The former Often restaurant space at the McLeod Building on Rice Howard Way will show the Grey Cup game between the Edmonton Elks and the Montreal Alouettes, as well as live entertainment, on Nov. 15.

The former Often space hosted another CIVIQ Labs event on Nov. 7, a collaboration with CJSR and Double Lunch. About 100 people came out to see locals Mox Jet and Fog Ra alongside Winnipeg's Fencing. The venue would have otherwise sat empty, but Campbell told Taproot he cleaned up the dust and transformed it into a makeshift venue because vibrancy throughout downtown matters. "We believe that this can be a district that can be at the same scale and hype as something like an ICE District," he said. "But it's going to be community-focused." That's a guiding principle of his project, which is driving conversation about culture as infrastructure at both underused spaces and major new attractions such as O-day'min Park. CIVIQ Labs events have been free because Campbell received two grants worth a combined $78,000 from the city's Downtown Action Plan Fund.

Campbell operates CIVIQ Labs in tandem with the venue Club 97 at 10225 97 Street NW as part of his Renew YEG ethos. Campell's work is primarily focused on The Quarters, which is "the most untapped gem in Edmonton, and it requires a lot of work," he said. He knows the area well, having worked for the Winspear Centre and Sparrow Capital at Brighton Block. He now manages property for Gene Dub's Five Oaks, a key stakeholder in the district's success. While people may have preconceived notions of social disorder, arts and the people they bring can do a lot for a community, Campbell said. Boyle McCauley News described the Feb. 28 opening night at Club 97 with Skystar and Sterling Scott thusly: "The house was packed, with standing room only. Everyone was dressed to the nines." As much as he's doing there, Campbell doesn't want to be the only game in town; he told Boyle McCauley News that he wants others to start projects in the area, too.