Kaleido Festival is coming
The festival is part of the soul of Alberta Avenue
From September 13 - 15, every corner, rooftop, alley, and open space on Alberta Avenue is going to be turned into a party. With a theme of Hearts a Meltin’ for Kaleido Family Arts Festival this year, compassion and diversity are the heart of the celebration. All kinds of artists, cultures, all ages, and all personalities are welcome.
The festival begins Friday night at 6 pm with food trucks, music in the alley, and an artisan market. The heartbeat of it all, the Aurora Lantern Parade created by Arts on the Ave and partnered with The Nina kicks off the weekend. The parade led by lights and Indigenous drumming begins at 8:30 pm from The Carrot (94 St) corner and travels down 118 Ave to 92 St then north to the main stage.
The swing band The Happy Hep Cats will help lead the parade of artists, festival goers, and lantern carriers. Anyone can meet up at The Nina between 6 - 8 pm Friday night to make their own lantern for the parade or bring one from home.
Taking the stage at 9 pm is the Canadian Folk Music Award-winning soul and roots band Secondhand Dreamcar. At 10 pm, The Alberta Avenue Community Centre will host Kaleido After Dark: featuring an improv show by “The 11 O’clock Number.”
Saturday morning kicks off with the free Bluegrass Pancake Breakfast at 10 am at the main stage; Where Myhre’s Music owners, Byron and Alfie, will be performing. Throughout the day, the main stage will be a cultural showcase of dance and music performances from across the globe. On Saturday from 7-10 pm, Cirque Kalabante will fill the stage with amazing acrobatics and drumming from Africa. Sunday features Big Bands and a capella choirs at the main stage.
The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse will serve as headquarters and transform itself into a music venue, while the street in front will be converted into a gathering area resembling a living room. Music in the nearby alley will be going none stop throughout the weekend.
The Nina will bring artists out onto the street. The community league green space will become the main stage for dancing, music, and other performances. Food trucks and a beer garden will be there to keep your energy up.
“I’m really excited for the Sari-Sari Mercado,” says Mary Ann Roa, Operations Director of Arts on the Ave, with a smile. “We’re going to have over 40 Filipino vendors featured, as well as the Kaleido Market with artists showing off their works.”
She adds, “I just look forward to the performances and the whole vibe.”
Newcomers and long-time residents are all welcome to Kaleido Fest; it’s a celebration for everyone.
Arts on the Ave is still looking for all sorts of contributions: volunteers, participants, sponsors, fundraising, and partners. It’s never too late, and serendipitous volunteering can help the organizers. Last year, a drumming group had to step out at the last minute, but another cultural drumming group reached out just in time to fill the space. They are also looking for the Edmonton community to continue supporting the festival by tapping your debit card at the donation tubes and taking part in the festival’s 50-50 raffle.
“There are so many surprises. It’s our relationship between community and artist. It’s a beautiful place where arts becomes accessible and enjoyed by all — it’s magical,” says Christy Morin, Executive Director of Arts on The Ave. “We give friends, family, and neighbours a chance to walk away smiling.”
One of Morin’s favourite moments last year was when a young man asked an older lady to step into the compliment booth — a special telephone booth installation set up by the University of Alberta. She stood in the headphones and he told her how lovely she looked with her lipstick matching her outfit. She came out and hugged him, teary, sharing that no one had commented on her appearance like that since her husband died 12 years ago.
Another favourite is a giant plexiglass finger painting wall where everyone can play with paint. “The thing about Kaleido is that it’s just so open and joyous,” Morin says.
She suggests everyone take a walk in Tawakin Village (pronounced tugwaken) organized by Melissa-Jo Belcourt Moses. There you can enjoy bannock, see the afternoon mini-Pow Wows, and experience the Prayer Ribbon installation by artist Doreen Cardinal. A smudge ceremony will take place at noon on Saturday.
Watch out for the balloon team who has a special surprise project on display this year. They’ll be making backpacks for children and huge, artistic sculptures with balloons. A flash mob might take you by surprise, teaching bhangra on the street.
The Avenue is going to turn into one giant creative arts village for the weekend, and this is one of the festivals that gives Alberta Avenue its soul.
“We’re so blessed by the artists’ contribution, generosity of the community, and the great production team, artists, and volunteers,” Morin says with gratitude. “It’s our 19th year, we’re going back to our roots and we’re still going strong.”
KALEIDO FESTIVAL
Friday, Sept. 13, 6 pm to 11 pmSaturday, Sept. 14, 10 am to 10 pmSunday, Sept. 15, 12 pm to 6 pmkaleidofest.ca
Main Stage Headliners
Friday Sept. 13, 9 pm Secondhand DreamcarSaturday Sept. 14, 6 pm Kalabante / 7 pm Funk the Matriarchy / 8 pm Misery Mountain Boys
Locations
Main stage: Alberta Avenue soccer field.Past the playground north of the community league – bring a blanket or low chair
Beer garden: Soccer field by main stage
Kid zone: Alberta Ave playground adjacent to community league
Tawakin Village: Grassy space. Smudge ceremony 12 noon Saturday
Sari-Sari Mercado: Community league parking lot, 40+ cultural vendors
Kaleido Market: On the street, 40+ artisan vendors
The Alley (Blues, Roots, Jazz, Folk): Between 93-94 Street
Music & Coffee: The Carrot
Piano: The Nina Gallery
Junk in the Trunk Community “Yard” Sale
Sunday Sept. 15, 12 noon to 6 pm$25 per car fee for parking stall. Sign up online.
Hot Rod and Antique Car Show
Sunday Sept. 15, 12 noon to 6 pm$25 per car fee for a parking stall. Sign up online.
Call for Volunteers
Over 400 volunteers are needed to make this happen! All that is required are two four-hour shifts, you’ll be fed and get a t-shirt. Sign up online.
Road Closures
118 Avenue, 90 Street to 95 Street and adjacent alleys Friday to Sunday.Consider biking, walking, bus, or taking the LRT to Coliseum or Stadium Station.Bus drop-offs will be north of the site location.
Due to the adaptable nature of the festival, artist line-ups are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on the Kaleido Festival keep an eye on their website and social media platforms.
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Well done article… I felt like I was at Kaleido and having a blast. It’s a great Edmonton festival for everyone!