Recreation Culture Calls

If you want to know about what's going on around town, then check out Recreation Culture Calls!

This electronic newsletter showcases local recreation and cultural events, job postings, as well as volunteer and funding opportunities, and much more.

If you would like to have your email added or removed from this list, or would like to submit information about an upcoming opportunity please send your request to recreationandculture@rmwb.ca. 

To find out what's going on this weekend, please visit the Recreation Culture Calls page on the Municipal website or click here

Paint Nite

There's a new creative craze taking over local restaurants and bars in Fort McMurray. If you remember the days of Bob Ross and his "happy little trees", Paint Nite is taking the painting lesson to the next level! Combining everyone's love of art, food and drink, Paint Nite has mastered the recipe for bringing creativity into the mainstream. 

Paint Nite offers an inviting social atmosphere where an instructor guides participants through the process of making their own masterpiece as a group. At $45 per seat, you can select your preferred date and unique design that you will take home at the end of the night. All supplies including paint, brushes, canvas and instruction are included with your purchase of a ticket.  

Anyone, no matter their skill level, can participate in Paint Nite. If you're looking for a fun night out, or even a team building session, this is a great activity that brings people together to enjoy each other's company in a creative atmosphere. 

For information on how to book your ticket to the next Paint Nite happening at a restaurant near you, visit www.paintnite.com. Tickets sell out fast! So be sure to book early to secure your seat and easel. 

Check out results from past paint nights by visiting www.facebook.com/Paint-Nite-Fort-McMurray 

The Full Moon Café

The Full Moon Café began in 2005 and was the idea of three women who wanted to create a space for local talent to share their gifts.  Attendees can participate or just come to enjoy the show and a mug of Chai Tea.

The admission for the Full Moon Café is a mere $5.  The café opens with a drum circle at 7:30pm where everyone is invited to join in and play a percussion instrument of their choice. This is followed by an open stage for sharing talents at 8pm.  Many local musicians share the stage with music stylings in all genres from country to rock.  A few poets and dancers have been known to grace the stage from time to time.  Every café is unique. 

To find out more about the Full Moon Café you can follow their Facebook page by searching and liking "Full Moon Café Fort McMurray".  The next café is scheduled for Saturday, November 26, 2016 and will take place at the Art Foundry at River Station (8130 Fraser Avenue).

Now Available! The 2016-2017 Community Guide

The 2016-2017 Community Guide to Recreation, Culture & Social Support Services is now available! 

You can find the Community Guide at various locations around town such as MacDonald Island, Wood Buffalo Regional Library, Keyano College, Heritage Village and the Oil Sands Discovery Centre.  A full listing of locations is available at www.rmwb.ca/communityguide. 

The Guide is a great resource to learn more about the events, programs and activities in our community. Whether  you are interested in learning about different cultures or discovering a new hobby, participating in local environmental initiatives or signing up for one of the many sports and recreational groups, the Guide has it all!

As you flip through the pages, I’m sure you will be amazed at all the opportunities that await you in Wood Buffalo- I know I did!

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo publishes the Community Guide once a year to provide free advertising opportunities for not-for-profit community organizations to promote their recreation and cultural activities or community services. Every effort was made to invite all community organizations to participate in the Community Guide. If you are part of such an organization and would like to be featured in the next edition of the Guide, please contact recreationandculture@rmwb.ca. 

Tonight Come See 4 Local Plays

Tonight join Theatre; Just Because in a celebration of the one act plays created in their Play Production Series of workshops. Each play features local actors, directors, and stage managers who have been working with Theatre; Just Because for the last 4 months to bring these stories to life.

"Check Please" by Jonathan Rand
Directed by Diana Moser
Check Please follows a series of blind dinner dates that couldn't get any worse -- until they do.

"For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls" by Christopher Durang 
Directed by Ludwig Moelbert
A fading Southern belle, Amanda, tries to prepare her hyper-sensitive, hypochondriacal son, Lawrence, for "the feminine caller."

"SCABS" by Maria Blom
Directed by Hanna Fridhed
A warm and humorous play about growing as a person, letting go of and embracing both fears and new beginnings.

"Sure Thing" by David Ives
Directed by Jennifer Townsend
A chance meeting of two characters, Betty and Bill, whose conversation is continually reset by a ringing bell.

The shows will take place at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts starting at 7pm.  Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door or at SECPA.CA. 

HOPSCOTCH & WINES

Waypoints presents HOPSCOTCH & WINES festival being held on Saturday March 12, 2016. This event will be held at Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre. The event will start at 4;00pm and will go on till about 10:00pm. Entrance tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. For more information please visit www.sawridgefortmcmurray.com/hopscotch

Fort Mac Hand Crafted Market Returns to Alberta Culture Days

Returning to this years’ Alberta Culture Days festival in Wood Buffalo will be the very popular handcrafted market organized by Fort Mac Hand Crafted Market – a unique, locally based group that organizes markets and helps incubate their member’s businesses. Etsy Made in Canada is part of Fort Mac Hand Crafted Market’s plan to help craftpreneurs expand globally. Etsy, the online marketplace that has garnered an almost cult-like following of shoppers looking for handcrafted, vintage goods, and supplies, is bringing its cross-Canada Made in Canada marketplace to Fort McMurray the weekend of Alberta Culture Days, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26^th and 27^th, at the Westwood Community High School (221 Tundra Drive) from  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The market will be placing a special emphasis on makers and suppliers this year. Etsy online shoppers will have the chance to meet, greet and shop from Wood Buffalo area sellers from as far away as Fort Chipewyan. All fees raised from table rentals will be donated to the Westwood Improv Team to help support their travelling expenses to the Edinburgh Fringe where they’ve been invited to perform.

Made in Canada is a part of Etsy’s recent initiative to take the online marketplace offline, creating the opportunity for our local sellers to connect with each other, and with buyers,” Erin Green, country manager for Etsy Canada said in a press release. “We are really proud to be supporting local Etsy sellers across the country, such as in Fort McMurray and its surrounding areas, and fostering creative collaborations and the growth of the maker movement in Canada.”

The event, which is one of 34 similar pop-up marketplaces happening across the country including events in Edmonton and Calgary, will bring together many local established and newly signed up Etsy sellers and interested shoppers for the first time. The space will also be host to a Pop-Up Art Gallery with the Art Guild, a Run for the Cure display, and youth buskers to entertain the crowds.

During the market, SWAG bags will be given to the first 10 shoppers through the door on Saturday. They’ll also be drawn for throughout the day. The gift bags will feature some Etsy goodies and gift card, samples from vendors and some items from businesses supporting the pink ribbon Run for the Cure. There will also be a draw for a gift basket of products from the vendors and the Fort Mac Hand Crafted Market at the end of the market on Sunday.

As a part of the festival Alberta Culture Days in Wood Buffalo will be having a special contest; Attend three events at three different venues and you can enter to win a pair of season tickets to Keyano Theatre’s 4-Play Drama Series. For contest details and a full listing of events, download our online booklet, www.rmwb.ca/culturedays. 

For more information on Etsy please visit Etsy.com/madeincanada,          or email fortmachandcrafted@gmail.com.                                                                                         

You're Invited to the Opening of Jubilee Plaza

Alberta Culture Days in YMM!

Community Art Exhibit & Reception- Sat. September 27, 2014

Keyano Conservatory Open House- Sept. 6, 2014