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Chillin’ at the 2019 Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival

PREVIEW Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival Jan. 12 and 13 Alberta Avenue 118 th Ave. between 91 st St. and 95 th St.
Deep Freeze CC 8544.eps
St. Albert ice carver Barry Collier grinds down a chunk of ice and turns it into art along 118 Avenue in Edmonton ahead of the annual Deep Freeze Festival, which runs Jan. 12 and 13.

PREVIEW

Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival

Jan. 12 and 13

Alberta Avenue

118th Ave. between 91st St. and 95th St.

Admission: Free, donations accepted


Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival started as a community event – something to draw cocooning neighbours into the fresh air for some cheer and a taste of local cultural food and arts.

Since the Alberta Avenue community was one of Edmonton’s older neighbourhoods peopled by waves of immigrants, artistic director Christy Morin strongly believed the festival could give new life to the area. She was right.

Twelve years down the road, the festival has morphed from a couple of hundred revellers to an avalanche of about 55,000 visitors eager to gobble up the entertainment and activities.

The two-day festival running Jan. 12 and 13 coincides with the Orthodox calendar’s New Year, and acts as a lead-in to other Edmonton winter festivals such as Boardwalk Ice on Whyte, Flying Canoë Volant and Silver Skate Festival.

Designed to celebrate Alberta Avenue’s cultural mosaic of Ukrainian, Francophone, African, First Nations, Chinese and Acadian/East Coast roots, it features a variety of free activities.

Blended together they form a smorgasbord of diverse ethnic foods, live music, dance, storytelling, visual arts, ice carvings and the much-loved scintillating fireworks.

This year, organizers will extend hours until 10 p.m. at four stages: New Moon Pavilion, Big Bear Yurt Stage, Carrot Arts Coffeehouse and the Northern Lights Beer Garden and Ice Bar.

“We had lots of comments for the past three or four years to increase our hours. After the 6:30 p.m. fireworks on Saturday, things get quiet. Edmonton Tourism also asked us to extend our hours. We’re trying this to see how it works,” said St. Albert festival producer Allison Argy-Burgess.

Day or night, star attractions that never fail to amaze are ice sculptures, works created from nature’s pure crystal gift. Although they lose their shelf life after two months, the intricate carvings reveal a unique harmony between man and nature.

Dutch ice sculptors Edith van de Wetering and Wilfred Steijger return to shape fantasy ice carvings from blocks. They are similar in style to the duo’s past snow bas reliefs of a life-size Valkyrie on horseback carrying the dead to Valhalla or the one of mischievous fairies riding a giant garden snail.

“We decided not to do snow sculptures this year because of the unreliability of the weather. It was such a crap-shoot finding snow last year. To make our own snow, we had to find a large lot with access to water. Ice blocks were just easier to deliver,” said Argy-Burgess.

In keeping with this year’s theme of Winter Tales, the duo chisels an ice sculpture of a horse and sleigh pulling an evil Narnia-like ice queen as she kidnaps unsuspecting children.

On the north side of Alberta Avenue Community Hall, St. Albert ice carver Barry Collier has partnered with Snowflake Festival ice carver Kelly Davies to create some cool fun activities.

The duo is building two slippery ice slides: a 20-footer for little kids and a 60-footer that carries on straight to 118th Avenue. In addition, the pair are whipping up an ice bar, photo staging frames, a ring toss, a luge and throne.

However, it’s the Global TV-sponsored ice living room furnished with a couch, chair, TV, end table and lamps that draws the biggest crowds – even though butt warmers are unavailable.

“I don’t know what it is, but people will wander in, take a look and go see the rest of the festival. Then at the end of the day, they come back with the whole clan and take family pictures,” chuckles Collier.

Both ice carvers also host four open-air ice carving demos throughout the weekend. If you happen to be an ice carving groupie, step up and ask for pointers.

The weekend weather prediction is for single-digit temperatures, but if folks get chilly there’s non-stop indoor entertainment starting at noon.

Argy-Burgess has booked a jaw-dropping 450 regional artists performing various disciplines from seven countries.

By far the largest representation is from the Ukrainian community. The weekend roster features The Diamonds Band – Next Generation, The Vinok Orchestra, Chaika Orchestra, guitarist Stefan Shewchuk, The Zemlia Trio, bandurist Chris Kyrzyk and the Jay Kuchinsky Trio. In true Slavic spirit, Shumka School of Dance and Ukrainian Cheremosh Society show off their dazzling footwork.

Equally, the Indigenous community showcases a mixed bag of its brightest lights. Leading the pack is St. Albert playwright/actor Josh Languedoc performing his one-man show, Rocko and Nakota: Tales From the Land, a boy’s journey of self-discovery.

“I like Josh’s intensity and how convincing he is. And it’s such a timely story for this festival. We’re all wrestling with reconciliation and the things school survivors endured. We’ve become aware of some things people knew nothing about or refused to believe it was happening,” Argy-Burgess said.

In addition, dancer Lakota Tootoosis, fiddler Brianna Lizotte, country singer Jesse Cunningham, multi-award winner Celeigh Cardinal and folk-roots singer-songwriter Jay Gilday drop by for a series of dynamic performances.

Another Indigenous folk artist Argy-Burgess believes will make an impact is folksinger Cindy Paul.

“She writes her own music. It’s deep and meaningful and considerate. And her voice is so beautiful.”

Adding to the fun, former Morinville resident and Canadian Fiddle Champion Calvin Vollrath kicks up festivities a notch, hosting two lively “Kitchen Parties.”

“He’s very professional. He honours all his artists. He holds the stage, but he doesn’t hog the stage, and he’s such a gifted musician.”

Ambassadors from the francophone community shine a spotlight with Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion Daniel Gervais, spoken word artist Giselle Lemire, accordionist Jason Kodie and La Girandole Troupe Zéphyr, a folk dance company.

On a more global note, Africa’s connection adds its own distinctive beat. Sangea performs traditional West African entertainment using energetic drumming, singing, poetry and dance.

“Their goal is to connect communities and they’re very into sharing their culture with youth, especially underprivileged youth. They love to share and they have a genuine love of acrobatics and music.”

Also making an appearance are the Ghanaian African drumming group The Wajjo Drummers accompanied by a Scottish bagpiper wearing a kilt.

“It’s something I wouldn’t have thought worked, but they all laugh and enjoy themselves so much on stage.”

In past years, audiences’ appreciation for Latin acts spiked dramatically. On Saturday night starting at 6 p.m., the Big Bear Yurt Stage hosts four hours of Latin grooves featuring Sebastian Berrara, dance band Esquina Latina and Erasmo Coco. Whether the music is fast-tempo salsa, mambo or the bossa nova, it's a night of hot swing.

St. Albert’s Cristian de la Luna also scooped a feature spot at The Hearth on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Whether it’s snapping selfies, watching a concert, playing street hockey, cheering the lumberjack competition, racing pokey stilt walkers, sitting beside a Viking or trailing Mummers, Deep Freeze offers an abundance of lighthearted fun.

For a complete list of events and artists, visit www.deepfreezefest.ca.

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