I Heart Edmonton

Mayor Don Iveson By Emil Tiedemann “We are the most underestimated city in the country,” City Councillor Don Iveson told me in a 2009 interview, four years before he became the 35th Mayor of Edmonton. He was right back then, but by now I’m pretty sure that the rest of the country has finally realized Edmonton’s new reality.  Iveson brought a new level of excitement and enthusiasm for Edmonton’s near future, despite his initial opposition to what has since become known as Ice District. At 34, he was the third youngest mayor in the City’s history, and he had something that was crucial to those who voted him in in 2013. He had optimism and a strong and buoyant vision. He was realistic, but hopeful; serious, but approachable; young, but confident. It also didn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes!    Mayor Don Iveson and his wife Sarah Chan at the Edmonton Pride Parade on Jasper Avenue. Mayor Iveson has never had a difficult time letting people know just how he fee...

Our privileged city, world famous for its festival line-up, is getting ready to premiere a new comedy fest this fall BY EMIL TIEDEMANN E DMONTON is no stranger to virgin festivals trying to get their piece of our city's viral festival community, one that remains active all year long. Every year it seems new events are popping up to celebrate and promote some art form, whether it be music, film, theatre, literary work, or even ice sculpting. Edmonton Comedy Festival organizer Andrew Grose But there's always been something lacking on the local festival scene (despite the little-known Improvaganza Fest in June), a theme familiar in world class events around the world, yet practically foreign to our own. That is, until now. Homegrown(ish) comics will take center stage at what has been christened the inaugural ATB Financial Edmonton Comedy Festival , set to make us actually lol from October 19-22, at various locations in the downtown, including the Stanley A. Milner Li...

It's been nearly a month since his 3rd-place finish during the election, but mayoral candidate Daryl Bonar has no plans on giving up on his political future. BY EMIL TIEDEMANN " I ACTUALLY, genuinely thought I could win," Daryl Bonar said after coming in third during the recent election that had the 32-year-old real estate investor running for Edmonton's Mayor. "I was under no illusions. I knew I was a long shot, but I was in it to win it." Insistent on not fading into the murkiness that rarely eludes electorals after their exhaustive campaigns, Bonar has not exactly thrown in the towel when it comes to his political hopes. But rather than running for the Mayor's job next time, Bonar is considering a seat in City Council three years from now. Bonar, a former mixed martial arts fighter and Canadian Forces communications officer, has also been encouraged to run for both provincial and federal parties. And why not? Entering a race as a "young & ...

Eight exemplary Edmontonians enter our city's Hall of Fame, representing sports, community service, and the arts BY EMIL TIEDEMANN " T HEY come from real life. They come from the fives of people I know. They come from newspaper articles. They're all pretty real," remarked Greg Hollingshead , when asked about where his stories' characters are derived from. He continues: "I'm not very good at imagining, at least mine, quite unsatisfactory. Not nearly as interesting as what actually happens." Hollingshead, 63, is the Toronto-born author behind the applauded Bedlam novel (2004) and the 1995 Governor General's Award for Fiction, The Roaring Girl (pictured right), and one of the recent inductees into the City of Edmonton Hall of Fame 's Art & Culture branch. The induction ceremony was part of the 59th annual Salute to Excellence ceremony, which honours Edmontonians who, according to Mayor Stephen Mandel , "bring layers of richness to our...

Even if you aren't exactly sure which way you swing, this downtown nightclub welcomes you, and anyone else to come out and play! BY EMIL TIEDEMANN M Y club days are long behind me, and although I had a hell of a ride during those late teens and early twenties, good riddance I say. Good riddance to spending $20 bills quicker than I care to remember, and to waiting for cabs in 20-below snowfalls at three in the morning. Good riddance to hangovers, toilet diving, and professing things I wish I hadn't. And good riddance to stressing over what everyone else in the bar thinks about you...especially once the toxins have encouraged you to take to the dance floor. But last Sunday (May 2) was my good friend Amanda 's birthday, and so I knew I'd be spending the night before chugging hiballs on some crowded dance floor to celebrate the occasion. I braved the porcelain hugging, the nonchalant cash dispencing, and exaggerating compliments while under the unfluence that night, but kne...

'I Heart' delves into what this proposed arena district could mean for our city, and why so many are against it BY EMIL TIEDEMANN I DON'T have to tell you that one of the most talked-about topics in Edmonton over the last six months has been the proposal of a new downtown arena complex that promises to "revitalize" the area. It goes without saying. Every new development in the arena debate makes headline news, as reporters scramble to get the next big lead or, God forbid, a sound bite from the man responsible for the whole ordeal, Daryl Katz (pictured below left). The billionaire businessman behind the Rexall drug store chain remained tight-lipped about the details of the arena situation only until earlier this week, when his company The Katz Group took the next step* forward in greenlighting Edmonton's most profound project to date. Edmontonians have been particularly vocal about this proposal, as every Tom, Dick & Mary extend their two cents ...

City Hall mural display lacks the glitz, but it's the thought that counts! BY EMIL TIEDEMANN T HERE'S no denying that Edmonton is a city that encourages and supports its local artists. We've become well-known nationwide for our warm reception towards prominent and emerging painters, writers, photographers, musicians, dancers, poets, sculptors and sketchers who spend the seasons honing their respective crafts, some through our countless arts programs and at our various venues strewn throughout town. In fact, every weekend, year-round there's something going on in Edmonton that engages our local artists and their admirers. But that's not to say that on occasion we miss the mark , for lack of a better term. Case in point...the " Streets Speak " mural series that is currently taking up space at City Hall until the end of the month. But before I go any further let me assure you that this exhibit, organized by the City of Edmonton Youth Council (CEYC), is a we...