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A Feast for the Eyes: 7 Must-See Events at the Exposure Photo Festival

Posted 9 hours 14 min ago | By Greg Beneteau | Culture Snacks

Hoping to travel the world, see nature’s beauty or delve into the past? You need look no further than the pictures hanging on your nearest wall. Now in its eighth year, the Exposure 2012 Photography Festival has compiled an impressive collection of photographic works spanning an array of subjects. The festival launches this weekend in Calgary, Banff and Canmore and runs until February 29, 2012. Much of the work is by local artists, highlighting some amazing homegrown talent, says coordinator Wes...

Avenue Design Competition Finalist: Jeff Johnson's Vinos Wine Rack

Posted 14 hours 7 min ago | By Laura Fetherstonhaugh | Culture Snacks

Frustrated with standard wine rack designs, Jeff Johnston set out to invent a more functional and beautiful wine rack of his own. The Vinos Wine Rack mounts to the wall and allows users to view the wines they have at a single glance. It's produced on a laser bed from a single sheet of plywood, allowing for efficient cuts and minimal waste. Though Johnston’s day job is building research equipment for biologists at the University of Alberta, his Vinos Wine Rack design has earned him his stripes in industrial design. ...

Style Stalker: Kealan Passey

Posted 16 hours 18 min ago | By Meredith Bailey | The Avenue Fashion and Style Blog

Name: Kealen Passey Age: 23 Occupation: Interior designer Where: At Kealen's apartment. Jeans: Nudie Jeans Boots: Browns Vest: Tristan Shirt: "An American Apparel dress that I cut the bottom off of." Scarf: " This is from an old sweater that lost its shape, so I cut off the cowel neck...

Swept Away by Alberta Ballet's Cinderella

Posted 1 day 8 hours ago | By Greg Beneteau | Culture Snacks

When it comes to choreographing fairy tales for dancers, particularly Alberta Ballet's Cinderella which opens February 9, 2012, Alberta Ballet's artistic director Jean Grand-Maître has got some experience. Cinderella was the first show he ever produced in Canada, back in 2004. "I kept the basic structure and, of course, the score, since [celebrated Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev]...

Avenue Design Competition Finalist: Ryan Spotowski’s J5 Table

Posted 1 day 12 hours ago | By Laura Fetherstonhaugh | Culture Snacks

Edmonton-based industrial designer Ryan Spotowski grew up in the midst of his family’s business — a decorative coating and concrete restoration company. The challenge of pushing the visual and functional boundaries of concrete obviously stuck with him and has become a large focus in his industrial design studies at the University of Alberta. Spotowski’s J5 table, which was a finalist in Avenue's 3rd Annual Design Competition, transcends the preconception of concrete by avoiding the massive, flat surfaces normally associated with it. The table's hemlock...

Hotel Deals for Valentine's Day Getaways

Posted 1 day 14 hours ago | By Laura Fetherstonhaugh | Culture Snacks

For those looking to celebrate their romance with room service and Champagne, these Valentine's Day packages at hotels and resorts close by can lend a helping hand. Wonderful Tonight Package, The Fairmont Palliser, Calgary Rates starting at $269 per couple, based on availability Offer valid year-round Reserve online or call 403-262-1234...

A Valentine’s Meal for a Cause

Posted 2 days 8 hours ago | By Greg Beneteau | The Food Files

With less than two weeks until Valentine’s Day, your chances of scoring an evening out at a quality Calgary restaurant are growing smaller by the hour. Fortunately, NOtaBLE Restaurant Works has set aside one of its busiest nights to host an evening of fine dining for a great cause. On Monday, February 13, NOtaBLE chef Michael Noble and staff will be volunteering their time, skills and ingredients to prepare a four-course tasting menu as a fundraiser for Darrell Jahma, a...

Come for the Art, Stay for the Beer at The Candahar

Posted 2 days 10 hours ago | By Greg Beneteau | The Food Files

Come for the art, stay for the beer. That’s the intention behind English-born artist Theo Sims’ The Candahar, an interactive art exhibit that recreates a traditional Belfast public house — barkeeps and alcohol included — at the Alberta Academy of Art and Design’s Illingworth Kerr Gallery. Sims, ACAD’s artist-in-residence, will attend a special reception on opening night, which is...

Espy Plans a Party to Spread the Love

Posted 2 days 14 hours ago | By Jaelyn Molyneux | The Avenue Fashion and Style Blog

Can you feel the love? If it feels funky and like it might have great style, it’s probably coming from Espy in Inglewood. This weekend, the boutique is hosting #spreadloveyyc, which includes four days of fashion, art and parties. The guests of honour, other than all of us of course, are Pepe and Eva, the street art duo born in Amsterdam and based in New York City. The pair is in town creating art in Espy...

Object of Design: Artist Tommy Fleger's Chairs

Posted 2 days 15 hours ago | By Meredith Bailey | Object of Design

Local artist Tommy Fleger creates whimsical, one-of-a-kind chairs. Unlike a typical recliner, Fleger uses found and reclaimed materials to re-upholster old chairs (donated or found) and brings them back to life with distinct personalities. For hockey fans, "Don Chairy" has hockey stick arms and Cherry's own signature patterned jacket and tie. "Sit Vicious," might remind you of your glowering punk rock cousin, complete with studded neck collar and leather vest. Yes, these chairs are works of art but they're mean't to be sat on. They...