The Pulse: Aug. 19, 2021

Of all the challenges foist upon arts organizations over the past year, adaptability has been key to survival — even growth — for most.

That's remained true for the Edmonton Fringe Festival throughout its first week of shows. As reviews began to roll in, festival organizers reconsidered their plan for ticketed entry to ATB Park (usually known as McIntrye Park, or Gazebo Park), which is housing all outdoor performances, beer gardens, and food vendors this year. Based on patron feedback, the space shifted to pay-what-you-can entry as of Aug. 14.

"We are not gates and fences," explained Murray Utas, the Fringe's artistic director. "This year has been a grand experimentation as we reimagine the Fringe experience within a pandemic context," he said, noting that while tickets are still required to enter the park to ensure safe distancing, the price is up to the patron.

Another mid-run shift for the Fringe is the raising of a tipi, care of Enoch Cree Nation and the wisdom of Uncle Hopi. The tipi was installed on Aug. 18, and will remain outside the pêhonân venue (previously The Roxy on Gateway, or C103, at 8529 103 Street) until the closing day of the festival on Aug. 22.

The venue's name comes from a Cree term for "meeting place" or "waiting place", and in a year when the Fringe has substantially reduced its number of venues, the dream of an Indigenous space in the program has come to fruition after years of planning.

• An arrest warrant was issued for a man accused of attacking two Muslim women outside a south Edmonton mall last December. Richard Bradley Stevens, who is charged with two counts of assault and one of mischief, failed to appear in court on Wednesday.
• The University of Alberta could require students, faculty and staff to show proof of vaccination after all. On Wednesday, when the university's back to school plan was released, the university's website stated that people "will not be asked to show or submit vaccine documentation as part of the online process." That sentence has since been removed while the U of A finalizes its process for self-declaration.
• Afghan-Edmontonians are fearing for their families, especially female relatives, since the Taliban entered the capital city of Kabul on Sunday, reports CBC News. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) is hoping to play an important role in resettling Afghan refugees.
• The city will lower business licence fees for cannabis retail shops by 90% in 2022 —— from $2,500 to $255. Coun. Scott McKeen, who serves as chairman of the Edmonton Cannabis Coalition, hopes that by lowering fees retailers can reduce their prices enough to stymie the black market.
• The second phase of Holyrood Gardens, a major mixed-use development near the Valley Line Southeast LRT in Bonnie Doon, is at risk of not being built, after council denied the developers request to increase the number of units by 250. Regency Development called the vote (5-5) hypocritical, as the project meets the city's goal of developing more densely populated neighbourhoods near public transit.
• Concordia University of Edmonton has acquired the historic McGrath Mansion in the Highlands community from the Braaksma family. This is the largest individual gift in the university's history. Concordia plans to use the building as a community gathering space and venue.
• The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with its Calgary counterpart to release a joint election platform ahead of the federal election in September. Released on Wednesday, the 2021 Federal Election Platform — From Challenge to Change is similar to the one they released together ahead of the 2019 election.
• Hawrelak Park lake could become more useable, reports Global News. In April, city staff proposed that expanded use of the lake be included in the park's rehabilitation project, which is currently being developed. The $2-million project would make the water safe enough for activities like paddleboarding and kayaking, and reduce cleaning fees ahead of the World Triathlon Championship Finals.

On this day in 1972, organizers in Edmonton were attempting to scare up more money for the city's 1978 Commonwealth Games bid.

When they put out the plea for more funds, it was with little time left — there was less than a month before the decision would be made about the location of the games. Luckily, that final fundraising push was a success, as Edmonton won its bid.

It was an ambitious pitch. Edmonton's bid led to the largest Commonwealth Games up to that point (as well as the first one to be called as such, dropping the old "British Empire Games" name). Close to 1,500 athletes from 46 countries came to the city to compete, along with thousands of spectators. In addition to the sporting events, 'Festival 78' brought hundreds of artists and performers from all over the world to the city. The games put a global spotlight on Edmonton, with the diversity of the city and Canada's spirit of multiculturalism key components of the celebration.

The 1978 games had a huge impact on the city which is still apparent today. Many of the venues built for the Commonwealth Games remain an important part of the city's sporting infrastructure. The main stadium now serves as the home of the Edmonton Elks, and the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre and the Argyll Velodrome were both also built for the games and are still in operation.

The most important legacy of the games might be Edmonton's LRT system. While the city started planning for a rail system in the late 1960s, the need to shuttle spectators around was undoubtly one of the reasons construction began in 1974. The LRT began operating in the summer of 1978, just in time for the event.

Edmonton considered playing host again with a bid for the 2022 games, but ultimately ended up dropping out of the race. Commonwealth Stadium recently reopened with new COVID restrictions for the Elks' season and Edmonton's LRT system has grown far larger than its original five stations, with more on the way. The city continues to play host to a plethora of international events and competitions, including the World Triathlon Championship Finals this week.

This is based on a clipping found on Vintage Edmonton, a daily look at Edmonton's history from armchair archivist @revRecluse — follow @VintageEdmonton for daily ephemera via Twitter.

• Canada's Drag Race star BOA will be at Evolution Wonderlounge for a meet and greet and performance on Aug. 20.
• Edmonton's annual Gem and Mineral Show returns to Oliver Arena Aug. 20-22. Over 30 of Canada's best gem, mineral, and jewelry vendors will offer crystals, fossils, handmade jewelry, beads, and lapidary art.
• Vocalist and songwriter Ellen Doty will serenade an audience at La Cité Francophone as part of the Edmonton International Jazz Festival. Other performances continue until Aug. 22 at a series of local venues.
• Local artists, photographers, and other creators can get exclusive access to the renovated Muttart Conservatory during the Sociality x Canon Creator Lab on Aug. 22.
• The inclusive Art Hive Initiative invites all ages, ethnicities, and genders to Sunday ARTday on Aug. 22 for "some playful, creative activity and self-expression."
• Don't say his name five times! In honour of National Bee Day, the Craft Cork is screening Candyman and Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh at 5pm on Aug. 22. Attendees have the opportunity to chow down on popcorn, prepare for the Candyman reboot, and win a Cineplex gift card.

Photo: Jillian Paschen/Art Hive