Editing Edmonton (section)

== Arts and culture ==
{{See also|List of attractions and landmarks in Edmonton}}

Many events are anchored in the downtown Arts District around [[Churchill Square (Edmonton)|Churchill Square]] (named in honour of Sir [[Winston Churchill]]). On the south side of the river, the university district and Whyte Avenue contain theatres, concert halls, and various live music venues. The centrepiece of the square builds a life-size bronze statue of Churchill, unveiled by [[Lady Soames]] on May 24, 1989. It is a copy of a statue by [[Oscar Nemon]].{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

=== Performing arts ===
[[File:Winspear centre.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Francis Winspear Centre for Music]] is a [[performing arts centre]] in downtown Edmonton. The centre is home to the [[Edmonton Symphony Orchestra]].]]

[[Francis Winspear Centre for Music]]<ref name="Francis Winspear Centr">{{cite web|url=http://www.winspearcentre.com/about/history/ |author=Francis Winspear Centre |title=Winspear Centre History |access-date=June 22, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713002059/http://www.winspearcentre.com/about/history/ |archive-date=July 13, 2012 }}</ref> opened in 1997 after years of planning and fundraising.<ref name="Edmonton Symphony Orchestra fundraising">{{cite web|url=http://www.edmontonsymphony.com/support/reasons-to-give/ |author=Edmonton Symphony Orchestra |title=Support ESO – Reasons to Give |access-date=June 22, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625155005/http://www.edmontonsymphony.com/support/reasons-to-give/ |archive-date=June 25, 2012 }}</ref> Described as one of the most acoustically perfect concert halls in Canada, it is home to the [[Edmonton Symphony Orchestra]] and hosts a wide variety of shows every year. It seats 1,932 patrons and houses the $3-million Davis Concert Organ, the largest [[Pipe organ|concert organ]] in Canada.<ref name="WinspearCanEncyclo">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/francis-winspear-centre-for-music-emc/ |author=The Canadian Encyclopedia |author-link=The Canadian Encyclopedia |title=Francis Winspear Centre for Music |access-date=May 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503115026/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/francis-winspear-centre-for-music-emc/ |archive-date=May 3, 2014 }}</ref>

[[Citadel Theatre]], named after [[The Salvation Army]] Citadel in which [[Joe Shoctor]] first started the Citadel Theatre Company in 1965. It is now one of the largest theatre complexes in Canada, with five halls, each specializing in different kinds of productions.<ref name="Citadel Theatre">{{cite web |url=http://www.citadeltheatre.com/about-us/ |author=Citadel Theatre |title=About Us |work=The Citadel Theatre |access-date=July 19, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203040946/http://www.citadeltheatre.com/about-us/ |archive-date=December 3, 2014}}</ref> In 2015 the Citadel Theatre also became home to [[Catalyst Theatre]].

[[Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium]], a 2,534 seat venue which had over a year of heavy renovations as part of the province's 2005 centennial celebrations. Both it and its [[Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium|southern twin]] in Calgary were constructed in 1955 for the province's golden jubilee and have hosted many concerts, musicals, and ballets. On the front of the building is a quote from [[Suetonius]]' [[On the Life of the Caesars#Life of Augustus|Life of Augustus]]: "He found a city built of brick – left it built of marble."<ref>{{Cite web |title=C. Suetonius Tranquillus, Divus Augustus, chapter 29 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.02.0132:life=aug.:chapter=29 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref> It is located on the University of Alberta grounds.

'''The Edmonton Theatre District''' in neighbourhood of Old Strathcona have a number of venues including the ATB Financial Arts Barns (headquarters of the [[Edmonton International Fringe Festival]]), [[The Walterdale Playhouse]], and the [[Varscona Theatre]] (base of operations for several theatre companies, including Teatro la Quindicina, [[Shadow Theatre]], [[Die-Nasty]], Plane Jane Theatre, and Grindstone Theatre!).

'''The Roxy''' is a purpose-built theatre and multidisciplinary arts centre that opened on April 14, 2022, and is owned and operated by [https://theatrenetwork.ca/ Theatre Network].  This venue is located on 124th Street.

'''Mayfield Dinner Theatre'''  is a live performance theatre bringing  entertainment to Edmontonians for over 50 years. The Theatre is famous for its  dining and world-class productions, featuring incredible cast and crew from across Canada and around the globe.  The venue is located along the Mayfield Road in west Edmonton.

'''Jubilations Dinner Theatre'''  is a long-standing entertainment venue that combines live theatre with a multi-course dinner. It's known for its parodies of popular culture, featuring talented actors who engage the audience and offer a unique Canadian experience. It is located within West Edmonton Mall.

'''Timms Centre for the Arts''' a multiroom venue for theatrical and musical performances on the University of Alberta Campus

'''Horowitz Theatre''' is a tiered 720-seat theatre presenting concerts, plays, comedy, dance & other performances located on the University of Alberta Campus in the Students Union Building. (SUB)

'''Allard Hall''' is a multi-venue building for theatrical and musical performance on the MacEwan University Campus in downtown Edmonton.  Included in this building is the Triffo Theatre a 415-seat, the main performance space.

The [[Ukrainian Dnipro Ensemble of Edmonton]], along with other Ukrainian choirs such as the [[Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton]], helps preserve the [[Music of Ukraine|Ukrainian musical culture]] within the parameters of the Canadian multicultural identity in Edmonton.<ref name="Ukrainian Dnipro Ensemble of Edmonton">{{cite web|url=http://www.dniprochoir.com/ |author=Ukrainian Dnipro Ensemble of Edmonton |title=Ukrainian Dnipro Ensemble of Edmonton |access-date=May 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503100356/http://www.dniprochoir.com/ |archive-date=May 3, 2014 }}</ref>

=== Festivals ===
{{Main|List of festivals in Edmonton}}

Edmonton hosts several large [[festival]]s each year, contributing to its nickname, "Canada's Festival City".<ref name=nicknames/> Downtown Edmonton's Churchill Square host numerous festivals each summer. [[The Works Art & Design Festival]], which takes place from late June to early July, showcases Canadian and international art and design from well-known award-winning artists as well as emerging and student artists. The [[Edmonton International Street Performer's Festival]] takes place in mid-July and is the biggest of its kind in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/it-s-a-legendary-festival-performers-get-set-to-hit-the-street-1.4495047|title='It's a legendary festival': Performers get set to hit the street|last=Neil|first=Graham|date=July 4, 2019|website=CTV News Edmonton|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705130854/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/it-s-a-legendary-festival-performers-get-set-to-hit-the-street-1.4495047|archive-date=July 5, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> The [[TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival]] takes place in late June and, along with Montreal, were the first jazz festivals in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/festivals/all-that-jazz-edmonton-festival-marks-40-years-playing-host-to-jazz-giants|title=All that jazz: Edmonton festival marks 40 years playing host to jazz giants|last=Levesque|first=Roger|date=June 18, 2019|website=Edmonton Journal|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624001336/https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/festivals/all-that-jazz-edmonton-festival-marks-40-years-playing-host-to-jazz-giants|archive-date=June 24, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Edmonton Folk Music Festival.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Edmonton Folk Music Festival]]. Edmonton is host to several large festivals each year.]]

Edmonton's main summer festival is [[K-Days]], formerly Klondike Days, Capital Ex and originally the Edmonton Exhibition.<ref name=KDays>{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/festivals/Capital+named+Days/7002873/story.html |title=Capital Ex to be named K-Days (Poll) |author=Krishnan, Manisha |newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]] |publisher=[[Postmedia Network]] |date=July 29, 2012 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731233950/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/festivals/Capital%2Bnamed%2BDays/7002873/story.html |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Founded in 1879, the Edmonton Exhibition was originally an annual fair and exhibition that eventually adopted a gold rush theme, becoming Klondike Days in the 1960s.<ref name=KDays/> [[Northlands (organization)|Northlands]], the operators, renamed the festival "Edmonton's Capital Ex" or "Capital Ex" in 2006.<ref name=KDays/> In 2012 Edmonton Northlands conducted a poll to rename the festival that resulted in changing the name to "K-Days".<ref name=KDays/> The [[Canadian Finals Rodeo]] was held in Edmonton from 1974 to 2017, but moved to Red Deer in 2018 due to the closure of the [[Northlands Coliseum]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/cfr-red-deer-canadian-finals-rodeo-1.4490604|title=It's official: Red Deer will host the CFR for 10 years|work=CBC News|access-date=June 1, 2018|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216021047/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/cfr-red-deer-canadian-finals-rodeo-1.4490604|archive-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref> It moved back to Edmonton in 2024 and will be held at [[Rogers Place]] through 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canadian Finals Rodeo returning to Edmonton in 2024 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10048536/canadian-finals-rodeo-edmonton-2024/ |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=globalnews.ca |publisher=Global News |date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>

The Edmonton International Fringe Festival, held in mid-August, is the largest fringe theatre festival in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5736954/edmonton-international-fringe-theatre-festival-2019/|title=Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival 2019 ready for 'the Wild Things'|last=Mertz|first=Emily|date=August 7, 2019|website=Global News|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205033944/https://globalnews.ca/news/5736954/edmonton-international-fringe-theatre-festival-2019/|archive-date=December 5, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> The [[Edmonton Folk Music Festival]] is also held in August. It was the fourth major Canadian folk festival to be created and has the largest budget for talent of Canada festivals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/festivals/building-on-a-40-year-foundation-folk-fest-has-brought-a-world-of-music-to-our-doorstep-for-four-decades|title=Building on a 40-year foundation: Folk Fest has brought a world of music to our doorstep for four decades {{!}} Edmonton Journal|last=Levesque|first=Roger|date=August 6, 2019|website=Edmonton Journal|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807151235/https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/festivals/building-on-a-40-year-foundation-folk-fest-has-brought-a-world-of-music-to-our-doorstep-for-four-decades|archive-date=August 7, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> Other summer festivals in and around Edmonton include the Edmonton Heritage Festival, Taste of Edmonton, the [[Edmonton Pride Festival]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mertz |first=Emily |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Edmonton Pride Festival returns to Churchill Square under new organization - Edmonton {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8820497/edmonton-pride-festival-churchill-square-new-team-2022/ |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Griwkowsky |first=Fish |date=June 4, 2022 |title=Pride Month turns it up early with Pride Reunited at Grindstone this weekend |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/festivals/pride-month-turns-it-up-early-with-pride-reunited-at-grindstone-this-weekend |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=edmontonjournal |language=en-CA}}</ref> Chaos Alberta Festival, [[Interstellar Rodeo]], Big Valley Jamboree, Pigeon Lake Music Festival, Edmonton Rockfest, Edmonton International Reggae Jamboree Festival, Edmonton Blues Festival and [[Cariwest]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5477413/edmonton-summer-festival-event-concert-guide-2019/|title=Summer festivals and events for Edmontonians to experience in 2019|last=Heidenreich|first=Phil|date=August 26, 2019|website=Global News|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031211431/https://globalnews.ca/news/5477413/edmonton-summer-festival-event-concert-guide-2019/|archive-date=October 31, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> Edmonton also hosts a number of winter festivals, one of the oldest being the Silver Skate Festival.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-winter-embrace-1.5401015|title=Embracing an Edmonton winter takes layers of clothing — and a leap of faith|last=Reith|first=Terry|date=December 24, 2019|website=CBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108142127/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-winter-embrace-1.5401015|archive-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> Others are Flying Canoe Volant,<ref name=":0" /> Ice on Whyte and the Ice Magic Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.narcity.com/things-to-do/ca/ab/9-cheap-winter-things-to-do-in-alberta-this-january|title=9 Things To Do In Alberta This Month If You're Still Broke From Christmas|last=Hilash|first=Stephanie|date=January 17, 2020|website=Narcity|language=en-CA|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{further|List of musicians from Edmonton}}

In the city's early days, music was performed in churches and community halls. Edmonton has a history of opera and classical music performance; both have been supported by a variety of clubs and associations. Edmonton's first major radio station, [[CKUA Radio Network|CKUA]], began broadcasting music in 1927.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dulmage|first=Bill|title=Alberta, Northern Alberta CKUA-AM (Educational), Edmonton, CKUA Radio Foundation|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html?url=http%3A//www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php%3Fid%3D125%26historyID%3D56|work=Radio Station History|publisher=Canadian Communications Foundation|access-date=January 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207104449/http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.broadcasting-history.ca%2Flistings_and_histories%2Fradio%2Fhistories.php%3Fid%3D125%26historyID%3D56|archive-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref> The city is a centre for music instruction; the University of Alberta began its music department in 1945, and MacEwan University opened a jazz and musical theatre program in 1980. Festivals of jazz, folk, and classical music are popular entertainment events in the city.<ref name=EMCEd>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=McIntosh |first1=R. Dale |last2=Berg |first2=Wesley |title=Music in Edmonton |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-alta-emc/ |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada |publisher=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |access-date=May 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301200157/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-alta-emc/ |archive-date=March 1, 2014 }}</ref> Edmonton is also hosts the [[Grand North American Old Time Fiddle Championship]] each summer in July, which showcases some of the best fiddlers in Canada, the United States, and Scotland.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has existed under various incarnations since 1913. In 1952 the Edmonton Philharmonic and the Edmonton Pops orchestras amalgamated to form the 60-member modern version. The Orchestra performs at the Francis Winspear Centre for Music.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Edmonton Symphony Orchestra |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-symphony-orchestra-emc/ |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Music in Canada |publisher=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |access-date=May 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306210145/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-symphony-orchestra-emc/ |archive-date=March 6, 2014 }}</ref>

The city also has a vibrant popular music scene, across genres including hip-hop, reggae, R&B, rock, pop, metal, punk, country and electronic. Notable past and present local musicians include [[Robert Goulet]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Hale |first1=Marjorie |last2=Spier |first2=Susan |last3=Nygaard King |first3=Betty |title=Robert Goulet |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-goulet-emc/ |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada |publisher=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |access-date=May 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503151941/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-goulet-emc/ |archive-date=May 3, 2014 }}</ref> [[Tommy Banks (musician)|Tommy Banks]], [[Eleanor Collins]], [[Stu Davis]], [[Tim Feehan]], [[Cadence Weapon]], [[Kreesha Turner]], [[the Smalls]], [[SNFU]], [[Social Code]], [[Stereos]], [[Ten Second Epic]], [[Tupelo Honey (band)|Tupelo Honey]], [[Mac DeMarco]], [[Shout Out Out Out Out]], [[Psyche (band)|Psyche]], [[Purity Ring (band)|Purity Ring]], [[The Wet Secrets]], [[Nuela Charles]], [[Celeigh Cardinal]], and [[Ruth B.]]<ref name=EdJourMusic>{{cite news|last=Sperounes|first=Sandra|title=Edmonton music scene a knockout out out out in 2005|newspaper=Edmonton Journal|date=December 30, 2005|id={{ProQuest|253311714}}}}</ref>

=== Nightlife ===
[[File:Princess theatre edmonton.JPG|thumb|upright|Opened in 1915, the [[Princess Theatre (Edmonton)|Princess Theatre]] is the oldest [[Movie theater|cinema]] in the city.]]

There are several key areas of nightlife in Edmonton. The most popular is the [[Old Strathcona|Whyte Avenue]] (82 Avenue) strip, between 109 Street and 99 Street; it has the highest number of heritage buildings in Edmonton,<ref name="revitalization">{{cite web |url=http://oldstrathcona.ca/revitalization |author=oldstrathcona.ca |title=Revitalization |publisher=oldstrathcona.ca |access-date=March 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706191356/http://oldstrathcona.ca/revitalization |archive-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref> and bars, clubs, and restaurants throughout, but mostly west of [[Gateway Boulevard]] (103 Street). Once the heart of the town of Strathcona (annexed by Edmonton on February 1, 1912), it fell into disrepair during the middle of the 20th century.<ref name="firststepsstrathcona">{{cite web |url=http://oldstrathcona.ca/the-first-steps-of-strathcona |title=The First Steps of Strathcona |access-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415154155/http://oldstrathcona.ca/the-first-steps-of-strathcona |archive-date=April 15, 2012}}</ref> Beginning in the 1970s, a coordinated effort to revive the area through a business revitalization zone produced an area rich with restored historical buildings and pleasant streetscapes.<ref name="BRZ"/> Its proximity to the [[University of Alberta]] has led to a high number of restaurants, pubs, trendy clubs, and retail and specialty shops. This area also has two independent movie theatres, the [[Garneau Theatre|Garneau]] and [[Princess Theatre (Edmonton)|Princess]], as well as several live theatre, music, and comedy venues.<ref name="oldstrahcona">{{cite web|url=http://www.oldstrathcona.ca/ |author=The City of Edmonton |title=Welcome to Old Strathcona |access-date=March 6, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301023756/http://oldstrathcona.ca/ |archive-date=March 1, 2009 }}</ref>

Downtown Edmonton has undergone a continual process of renewal and growth since the mid-1990s. Many buildings were demolished during the oil boom, starting in the 1960s and continuing into the 1980s, to make way for office towers. There have always been numerous pub-type establishments, hotel lounges, and restaurants. The past decade has seen a strong resurgence in more mainstream venues. Edmonton also has a high demand for pub crawl tours in the city. Various clubs are found along Edmonton's main street, Jasper Avenue. The Edmonton City Centre mall also houses a [[Landmark Cinemas]] movie theatre with nine screens. The nonprofit ''Metro Cinema''<ref name="Metro Cinema">{{cite web|url=http://www.metrocinema.org |author=Metro Cinema |title=Metro Cinema |access-date=February 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225191311/http://metrocinema.org/ |archive-date=February 25, 2009 }}</ref> shows a variety of alternative or otherwise unreleased films every week.

West Edmonton Mall holds several after-hour establishments in addition to its many stores and attractions. Bourbon Street has numerous eating establishments; clubs and casinos can also be found within the complex. Scotiabank Theatre (formerly known as Silver City), at the west end of the mall, is a theatre with 12 screens and an [[IMAX]].<ref name="Welcome to West Edmonton Mall's Website."/>