Winter around the Avenue

From markets to wrestling, we have it all!

Terry Aleck and Christine Turenne leading a drumming circle at Deep Freeze Festival last year. | Epic Photography

If you would like to get out of the house, meet up with friends, shop, or get active, there’s lots to do around 118 Avenue:

Markets

Looking for a Christmas gift or just want to treat yourself? Stop by Spruce Avenue Hall (103 St. and 115 Ave.) on Saturday, Dec. 14 between 10 am and 7 pm for their market of handmade products and food.

Local restaurant OTTO is also hosting a winter market Dec. 14 and 15, with local vendors, OTTO snacks and drinks, and giveaways. Check them out at 95 St and 114 Ave. Don’t miss getting a treat from La French Taste bakery next door as well.

Neighbourhood Events

Visit your local community league website or Facebook page to find out about upcoming events. Better yet, join their eNewsletters to stay informed year round!

• Delton is hosting a gingerbread house decorating event on Dec. 13. Cost is $15. Prepay by Dec. 5. They are also selling tickets for a NYE party. More information: social@deltoncommunity.com.

• Parkdale Cromdale has a holiday party for members on Dec. 15.

Entertainment

Looking for some unique entertainment? There’s a live professional wrestling show on the first Friday of the month at Alberta Avenue Community League. Check out Monster Pro Wrestling on Jan. 3 or Feb. 7. Tickets are available at the door for $25.

If you like to hang out and have a coffee or drink while listening to live music, check out Friday Nite Live or Open Mic at The Carrot Arts Coffeehouse. On Dec. 13 from 7 to 9 pm, Portland/Edmonton based singer Sammy Volkov will be performing. Tickets are $15.

The Aviary is a multidisciplinary live music venue. Check their website for upcoming events such as Femmes Voyous & The Quintessonics on New Years Eve. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Every Monday evening you can find Fiddler’s Roost hosting music and dancing at the Norwood Legion on 111 Avenue for a $10 admission. Hot meals available from 4 to 6 pm. The legion also offers karaoke and darts on Wednesdays and bridge on Thursdays.

If dancing is your thing or you want to learn, Boots Dance Club offers social dance and line dance lessons at Delton Community League on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check their website for prices and details. Argentine Tango lessons are offered at Parkdale Cromdale on Monday evenings. Participation is by donation. No experience necessary.

Don’t want to pay a cover charge? Stop by Mona Lisa Pub. They have billiards, Karaoke, sports viewing and daily food specials. Wednesday wing nights are very popular. Get a pound of wings for $6 with 11 flavours to choose from.

If board or card games are of interest, you should visit Pe Matawe Games and Common Box Games. They sell and offer a variety of drop-in events.

How about some classic 5 pin bowling? Plaza Bowling, a third generation family-owned business, has been rolling balls since 1959. Reservations are recommended. Groups of up to six split the cost of a lane: $37/hour weekdays before 5 pm or $44/hour after 5 pm and weekends.

In the new year

A new year favourite is taking in the Deep Freeze Byzantine Festival. On January 18 and 19, embrace the spirit of “Barynard Blitz!” Celebrate numerous cultures through art, performance, and food. Get outside and try snowshoeing or axe-throwing, play street hockey, or race in a deep freezer. Too cold? Nibble some bannock while you warm up around the fire.

You don’t need to wait for Deep Freeze for some outdoor fun. Check out our many fantastic outdoor rinks (Delton, Eastwood, Parkdale, Spruce Avenue) for skating or shinny hockey. Opening dates are dependent on weather conditions – the goal is to open for the holiday season, but sometimes it’s not possible until the new year.

If spending time outdoors in the winter isn’t for you, head to Commonwealth Recreation Centre or Eastglen Pool. Many leagues offer free community swim access on Saturdays, 3 to 5 pm and Sundays, 1 to 3 pm. Check the community league websites for details.

Alberta Avenue offers members the use of their gym on Thursday evenings for sports like pickleball, badminton, basketball or floor hockey. Contact info@albertaave.org for more information.

Parkdale hosts a regular yoga class on Tuesday evenings for members and a parent & toddler drop in called Stay and Play, Thursdays from 10 am to 12 pm. Spruce Avenue hosts regular bingo nights.

Volunteer

If you aren’t already busy, you could consider helping out some local groups. Crystal Kids Youth Centre is looking for volunteers and donations for their Santa’s Market on Dec. 14. The kids have earn “Santa Bucks” to shop for their loved ones. Contact: 780.479.5283 or santas-market@crystalkids.org.

There are two community leagues seeking volunteers for their casino fundraisers. Spruce Avenue has their casino on January 17 and 18 at Grand Villa downtown. Delton has theirs on February 24 and 25 at Century on Fort Road. Message president@spruceavenuecommunity.com or vp@deltoncommunity.com, respectively.