The Pulse
Aug. 25, 2026

A not-for-profit whose goal is to make Canada a global powerhouse in extended reality wants you to interact with a striking mural in Edmonton's historic south Chinatown.

ELIXR Simulations is testing an augmented-reality experience on Aug. 29 with the Azure Dragon of the East by Branden Cha, who is best known as Busyrawk. The mural is on the side of the Mah Society of Edmonton at 9643 101A Avenue NW.

Participants will be invited to use their smartphones to explore video and artwork digitally overlaid on the mural by scanning a QR code — no app required.

"The mural transforms, where you actually see the dragon come to life and then moving throughout the space," said Andrea Urbina, CEO of ELIXR. "Being able to enhance and build off of Branden's vision and able to create completely new artwork that works with what exists there (was key)."

In an effort to bring public art, technology, and community together, ELIXR called for proposals after receiving $140,000 from the province's Northern and Regional Economic Development Program to advance its tech and train young talent. Two students — Avi from Red Deer Polytechnic and Flor from Pixel Blue College — built the XR as part of ELIXR's protégé program. (Applications for the next intake of that funding stream opened on Aug. 24.)

"This was an opportunity for us to bring emerging talent to gain hands-on experience developing those concepts," Urbina told Taproot.

Part of the students' professional development includes incorporating what they learn from the Aug. 29 playtest. "We need to put the experience in front of real users, so that we can actually gather more feedback around it," Urbina said.

Chinatown advocate Shawn Tse made the pitch for this project because he wants more people to explore the culture Chinatown has to offer, at a time when the area's revitalization is not necessarily perceived by the public.

"How can immersive technology bring more foot traffic to Chinatown?" he wondered. Honouring and celebrating Chinatown as a cultural space is important, he said, but "down to brass tacks, (we need to get) people to go to Chinatown, to play in Chinatown, and to eat in Chinatown."

• Work on Edmonton's 20-year, $1.6-billion Stormwater Integrated Resource Plan could be accelerated after city council's utility committee voted unanimously to have administration report back in the first quarter of 2027 on the cost and logistics of doing so. It also requested a memo from EPCOR on adding drainage information to the city's open data portal and a follow-up on infrastructure research from the University of Alberta.
• The eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge over Whitemud Creek partially reopened to traffic, completing the major bridge work for Stage 2 of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion. Once the remaining barrier installation, paving, and other finishing work ends this fall, the bridges will carry four lanes in each direction. Landscaping and site restoration will continue through 2027.
• Kingsway Mall has been acquired by Montreal-based Westcliff Management Ltd. Financial terms were not disclosed. The mall had been owned and managed by Oxford Properties since 2000.
• The University of Alberta opened its $16.8-million First Peoples' House for more than 2,000 Indigenous students. The 40,000-square-foot building includes study and mentoring areas, a gym, a sacred healing space, and a garden of tipis for quiet reflection. Assistant dean Shana Dion called the opening an example of "meaningful, grounded reconciliation."
• The City of Edmonton confirmed a new case of Dutch elm disease in a city-owned tree in the Downtown neighbourhood, bringing the total to 17 since 2024. Crews removed the symptomatic tree on Aug. 14 because it stood within 20 metres of a previously confirmed infection. The disease threatens about 90,000 elms, which make up 22% of the city's inventory of trees in open spaces and boulevards.
• CPKC donated $4.4 million to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation for pediatric cardiac care and $550,000 to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation for the CK Hui Heart Centre. It called the combined $4.95 million a record donation. The CPKC Canadian Women's Open has helped raise more than $31 million for children's cardiac research, care, and equipment since 2014.
• Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl said he is ready for the accountability that new head coach Mike Babcock will bring. "We're looking to be coached," he said. "We're looking to get better."
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called U.S. negotiators' demands "untenable" and "too painful" after Canada-U.S. trade talks collapsed, triggering 50% U.S. tariffs on a wide range of Canadian exports. Ottawa plans dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs starting Sept. 8. Smith also called cutting off Alberta's energy exports "not viable" and pointed to plans to accelerate pipelines to Ontario and the West Coast.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Edmonton Community Foundation's Community Grant Sessions: Coffee, Conversations & Funding Ideas starting at 2pm online
• Mass Impact: A Fireside Chat with Ray Muzyka and Kristina Milke starting at 2:30pm at Edmonton Unlimited
• Beverly Towne Farmers' Market starting at 3pm at Riverview Crossing Mall
• The Public Farmers Market starting at 3:30pm at Ritchie Community Hall
• Waste to Wearable: Shrink Plastic Charms with Jennea Frischke starting at 6pm at Alberta Craft Council
• Growing Herbs and Cut Flowers for Insects, Health and Delight starting at 6:30pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Trivia Night starting at 7pm at The Pizza Spot (West Edmonton Mall)
• Sounds from the Valley: Marek Orszulik starting at 7pm at Snow Valley
• Writer Gatherings starting at 7pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Aug. 29: Stories in Motion: Chinatown AR Showcase & Community Feedback Weekend at Mah Society of Edmonton
• Sept. 1: Thoughtful Tuesday Film Screening: Reimagining Safety at Earth's Refillery Coop
• Sept. 4-6: Kejia Festival at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park

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

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

Need a hint for 1-Across? We have it in the Taproot Edmonton Calendar.