The Pulse: April 9, 2025

While the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival has grown its monthly donors from 34 to 535 since launching its Sustain Fringe campaign one year ago, officials say it still needs to find more.

Megan Dart, the festival's executive director, said that while about 750,000 people attend Fringe each year, only 2% are monthly donors. Dart said the festival still needs more than the $8,500 it now receives from its monthly donors, and money from other funding sources, to sustain the costs required to share more than 200 shows each August. If all ticket buyers made donations they could sustain the festival, she added, but asking them to do so has not been easy.

"To bring that level of vulnerability and transparency to the discussion around our financial sustainability was scary, and we didn't know how people would respond," Dart told Taproot. "That resounding response, I think, was really an indication of how important major events like Fringe are to the wellness of our city. Part of the campaign started a bigger conversation around the undeniable state of the arts industry as a whole."

Beyond monthly donations, one new idea, which started as a joke, is for donors to pay to have their name (or someone else's) affixed to portable washrooms via vinyl stickers during the festival. The organization has already sold naming rights at $250 a pop for three of its 35 mobile bathrooms. Dart said selling rights for all 35 would cover the cost of providing the outdoor rest stations.

"This is actually a real thing," she said. "Our followers have a sense of humour, too. We kind of love the idea that if you give a shit about Fringe, we hope you adopt a (portable toilet), and that throne is yours for the 11 days of the festival."

Money for the arts is becoming less plentiful. Funding for the Edmonton Arts Council has been stagnant since 2021, leading the council to change how it funds arts groups, Taproot reported in November. From 2021 to 2024, the province stalled funding for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to just under $26 million per year. Federally, during the 2021 to 2022 funding period, the Canada Council for the Arts gave the least cash per capita to Alberta, The Gateway reported. Meanwhile, research through the Spotlight on Arts Audiences initiative shows Edmontonians are conscious about spending time and money on arts events.

If sponsoring toilets smells off to potential donors, though, Dart has another plan in the works. A Fringe Benefit will take place on May 23 at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barn. Guests will get a speakeasy-style experience with surprise performances, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, an announcement of this year's festival theme, and another announcement by Fringe-sponsor Sea Change Brewing Co..

While Fringe is focused on keeping the show going for now, Dart has some ideas about growth, too. She said she hopes to further "activate" hubs around Fringe programming, like in the French Quarter. She also wants to invest in attracting people to come to their first Fringe.

"It's hard to believe that there are born-and-bred Edmontonians who have never been to Fringe before. Those are the folks that I want to invite down, because I know once we get someone into one show, nine times out of 10, they are hooked," she said. "I think Edmonton is facing a really interesting opportunity, too, in that we're expecting this influx of new Edmontonians in the next couple (of) years. I think there's great opportunity for us to really showcase what makes us a cultural capital of Canada. We are festival city for a reason."

• The City of Edmonton has designated the Stewart Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource, making it the 192nd property in Edmonton to receive this designation since 1985. Built in 1929, the Dutch Colonial Revival style house was designed by Edmonton architect William George Blakey and first owned by William F. and Irene Stewart. Later, Ralph and Rose Samuels, prominent members of Edmonton's Jewish community, purchased the house in 1932. The current owners are eligible for $100,000 from the City's Heritage Resources Reserve fund to renovate the home.
• Edmonton city council approved $3.5 million from the Community Safety and Well-being Reserve for three initiatives to address homelessness and housing insecurity, as recommended by the Community Mobilization Task Force. The Edmonton Community Foundation will create new housing, the Islamic Family and Social Services Association will create a digital platform to connect tenants with housing, and the Canadian Mental Health Association — Edmonton Region will coordinate peer support workers for tenants. In February, 1,246 Edmontonians reported being unsheltered. The City will also continue to work with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta to increase the number of affordable housing units for Indigenous Peoples in Edmonton.
• The City of Edmonton has discontinued the Front Yards in Bloom program after 25 years, putting an end to the yard signs that recognized beautiful gardens across the city. The decision, made during budget pruning in December 2024 and announced in late March, aims to save taxpayers just over $40,000 by focusing on "core services" and limiting tax increases.
• Explore Edmonton has partnered with Taste of Edmonton, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, and K-Days to launch the Eat Play Laugh Pass, offering 15 Taste of Edmonton tickets, a 10-day pass to K-Days, and a general admission ticket to an afternoon comedy show at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival for $59. Only 5,000 passes are available for purchase.
• A two-alarm fire heavily damaged or destroyed about a dozen businesses at the Plaza 34 strip mall near 34 Avenue and 92 Street in southeast Edmonton on April 8. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to reports of the fire at 12:34am and brought it under control by 2:08am. Businesses affected by the fire include a grocery store, hair salon, dress store, restaurant, and professional offices. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
• Data presented on April 7 shows that Edmonton's 24-7 crisis diversion team, which includes mobile teams from Hope Mission and Boyle Street Community Services, saves money by intervening early in non-emergent situations. REACH Edmonton says the program, with a $5.526 million budget in 2024, sees a return of $5 for every $1 invested. Community resource specialists at 211 answered more than 66,000 calls, with nearly half through the 211+3 crisis diversion line. In the past year, mobile teams responded to 30,000 dispatches and successfully saved 140 people affected by opioid poisoning.
• City councillors approved several infill developments in Edmonton during a public hearing on April 7 to increase residential density. Some speakers against the proposals raised concerns about traffic, street parking, and sunlight being blocked by developments. Coun. Michael Janz said more housing options are important during the current housing crisis. "Urban sprawl is bankrupting our city. It's not an option. We can't keep going out," Janz said, adding that the city needs infill, even though it is challenging.
• A vacant property in downtown Edmonton has become a "problem property," with concerns raised about safety and security. The owner of the property, at 101 Avenue and 101 Street, says he hasn't been able to develop the site and can't invest more money, Global News reported.
• Alberta Health Services reported measles exposures in west Edmonton as part of several new cases identified in central Alberta. The health authority is urging residents to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date, particularly for those who visited specific locations during the exposure windows.
• The Alberta government introduced Bill 50, which would introduce a suite of changes, including eliminating municipal codes of conduct, formalizing rules for local party finances, and developing conditions for amending or repealing municipal bylaws. The bill would allow campaign funds to be shared between parties and candidates in Edmonton and Calgary. The province is also contemplating establishing an independent ethics commissioner for municipalities. Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities, expressed concerns about quashing existing conduct complaints.
• The Alberta government introduced Bill 51, which will limit school boards' power to remove trustees for breaching their code of conduct. Removal would require a recall petition signed by 40% of electors in the ward. Other changes introduced in the bill include amendments impacting teacher discipline, fees for appealing decisions made by the Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner, voting for displaced Jasper residents in the 2025 election, ownership of K-12 schools, and joint use agreements between school boards and municipalities.
• Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre hosted a rally in Nisku on April 7, promising supporters he will bring Canada back to the Stephen Harper era. The event, attended by more than a thousand people, featured Harper as the opening speaker, who endorsed Poilievre for prime minister. Poilievre's speech covered themes such as selling government buildings for housing, building pipelines, and reducing taxes. He also addressed western alienation and the 2023 Chinatown slayings in Edmonton, pledging to make probation more difficult to attain. Country music star Brett Kissel also spoke, offering his support.
• Nolinor Aviation announced on April 8 that it acquired the former North Cariboo Air complex in Edmonton to expand operations in Western Canada. The 41,600-square-foot facility, which includes a passenger terminal, offices, workshops, and a 30,000-square-foot hangar, will serve as a regional hub, supporting Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) programs. Nolinor intends to integrate another Boeing 737-200 into its fleet and open a third heavy maintenance line to support its Yellowknife and Edmonton bases, and is recruiting staff for the new maintenance line.
• A drop in oil prices, triggered by U.S. tariffs threatens to increase Alberta's budget deficit by at least $5 billion. Alberta's budget, which pegs West Texas Intermediate at $68 a barrel, faces a $750-million revenue loss for every dollar below that estimate. Premier Danielle Smith defended her earlier support of the tariff announcement, noting zero U.S. tariffs introduced on energy and food. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, however, says the province is in "big trouble" and anticipates potential job losses and business closures, calling on Alberta to provide support alongside the federal government.
• The Edmonton Oilers have recalled forward Noah Philp from the Bakersfield Condors. Philp, 26, has played in 12 NHL games this season, recording two assists. He also scored 15 goals and 15 assists in 52 games with the Condors.
• The Edmonton Stingers signed Edmonton native Sabry Philip to his first professional contract on April 7. Philip played 128 games across NCAA and JUCO for the Stony Brook Seawolves, San Diego Toreros, and Navarro Bulldogs. He will join the Stingers at the Edmonton EXPO Centre for their home opener against the Calgary Surge on May 11.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Leading with Mental Health in Mind Workshop starting at 9am at Stony Plain Community and Social Development
• Seniors Book Club - The Push by Ashley Audrain starting at 2pm at St. Albert Public Library (downtown)
• Business Innovation Showcase starting at 4pm at NAIT (Feltham Centre)
• Stay Spicy Talks: How to Handle Haters with Stacey Brotzel starting at 4pm at EPIC Market
• Connections and Exchanges Initiatives Grants Information Sessions starting at 6pm at Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre
• Films at the Library: The Fall Guy starting at 6:30pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Chef Bruno Feldeisen Book Launch starting at 7pm at Audreys Books

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• April 13: Easter Eggstravaganza at Rutherford House
• April 17: Dreaming of Fireflies at Ritchie Community Hall
• April 25: Sewing Space at City of Edmonton Reuse Centre

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.