| Today | Thursday | Friday |
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 Mostly Cloudy 19°/-1° | Mostly Cloudy 13°/0° |  Chance Rain 14°/-1° |
Listings to get the most out of the city: where to dine, what to see, where to shop, and more.
March 9 -10, 2012
For some family-friendly fun, venture out to the Mom, Pop & Tots Fair at Edmonton Expo Centre, and take a ride with Thomas the Thank Engine! Catch Thomas & Friends live on stage at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm—the shows are free with admission. Also making a special appearance is Angelina Ballerina who will be available for photos from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm and again from 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. It promises to be an exciting fun-filled event for the whole family!
March 1-4
Canada’s longest running documentary film festival, Global Visions Film Festival, is celebrating its 30th anniversary from March 1-4. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch fascinating documentaries exploring social, economic and environmental issues. Tickets are only $12 for individual screenings and are available one hour before screen time at the venues. There are several venues participating, so it’s a good idea to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
One of the venues is the Art Gallery of Alberta, so you can cross two things off your to-do list by visiting the new exhibits or dining at their restaurant, Zinc. To find our more about what’s happening at the AGA, visit YourAGA.ca
Photo courtesy of Margaret Witschl, Agoraphobia, 2010 acrylic on canvas, 70 cm X 105 cm; Photo by Dawn LeBlanc, 2011
January 26 – February 25
When you step into this exhibit, you’re essentially entering the psyche of local artist Margaret Witschl. She explains, “The visual expression of anxiety is not captured in pictures of scary things…. The feeling of anxious agitation, ranging from gentle disquiet, to nagging worry, to full- blown terror, is created when the predictable meets the irrational.” To express her concept, Witschl layers “irrational” images—some drawn from her own fretful experiences—overtop of “logical” geometric patterns to give her collage-style paintings a wonderfully ominous presence. Harcourt House Arts Centre, Front Room Gallery, 10215-112 St., 780-426-4180.
Photo courtesy of Grenier
Seductive Montreal-based lingerie company Grenier is sure to get any woman, and man for that matter, grinning from ear to ear. Their romantic line of corsets is the perfect little something to slip into to make even the most mundane of evenings special. The intricate lace detailing, detachable garters and front hooks make these bodices not only delightfully alluring, but practical as well. $116, available at Dawn’s Bra-tique.
Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com/Tsuji
When you’re in need of some serious hot cocoa therapy, rush to chocolate purist and artisan Dennis Yurkiwsky at Chocolate Exquisite. Gilt-framed Ukrainian paintings cover the walls of this eccentric mom-and-pop shop— but make no mistake—the man knows his chocolate, and he can whip you up a steaming mug of hot cocoa that would take the nip out of Jack Frost’s knickers. No sugary powders here—this is real, 60 per cent couverture (highest grade) chocolate gently melted with hot milk then frothed to dark creamy decadence. 11238-104 Ave., 780-488-7852
For something a little more exotic, wander down the street to Kerstin’s Chocolates and descend into this tiny den of cocoa delights. Try the dark spiced drinking chocolate laden with aromatic spices and a devilish hit of cayenne pepper. It’s thick and rich and, arguably, the naughtiest hot chocolate to ever. 10139 112th St, 780-990-0011
Photo by Stefane Berube
Ethiopian cuisine is all about friends, family, and sharing—and Langano Skies sets the atmosphere with a decidedly exotic edge. Food is served atop colourful woven baskets boasting a mass of communal culinary delights that will always include injera—a pancake-like sourdough crepe. Simply tear off a piece, scoop up a taste of your chosen dish, and enjoy. A good place to start is with the Doro Tibs, which is a chicken stir-fry bursting with broccoli, green peppers, onions, and a whole lot of flavour thanks to the addition of over 10 spices. Also available is a good selection of vegetarian dishes.
Photo by Stefane Berube
Tucked in amongst the eclectic shops of 124th Street, Koutouki is loud, boisterous, and a whole lot of fun. Yet between all the plate-smashing and belly dancing, it soon becomes obvious that the authentic, freshly prepared Greek cuisine is the real smash hit here. Start your evening with the Saganaki, a platter of kefalotiri cheese that’s been fried until it’s golden, gooey, and sizzling hot. Simply add a squeeze of lemon, spread it on some freshly baked pita bread and—viola!—you’re all set. Once that disappears, consider tackling the Calamari or the savoury Souvlaki.
Looking to indulge in a sweet treat that won’t add to your calorie count? Then unwrap Candy, the latest fragrance from luxury goods label Prada. The ever-so-appropriately named perfume mixes white musk top notes layered upon a sensual vanillic base, culminating in a warm crème caramel scent that is seductive and playful. The bottle is just as fun, with its pink detail reminiscent of Prada’s signature saffiano leather and Art Deco-like packaging, making this fragrance one of the most decadent shopping treasures you’ll find this winter. 50 ml and 100 ml. $96–$125, available at Sephora and Holt Renfrew.
Sub-zero spectacles, chic food and fashion, and architecturally wondrous spaces—the city’s winter festivals promise something cool for everyone.
Photo courtesy of Ice on Whyte
By Leanne Stone
Winter in Edmonton… It can be an unforgiving season, easily evoking images of holing up indoors, safely tucked away from short frostbitten days, long dark nights, relentless snowfall, and freezing wind chills that can wipe the smile off the face of even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiast. To some folks, then, it may seem counterintuitive as to why we Edmontonians happily celebrate our crazy winter conditions rather than cower from them. Well, simply put, it’s because celebrating is what we do best. After all, we are named Canada’s Festival City for a reason. So, make like a real Edmontonian and throw on some long johns and a toque; then head outdoors to take in some of the city’s most stellar winter festivities. From works of art carved in snow and ice to chic urban food and fashion to fire-throwing spectacles, our sub-zero climate is just another exciting element to enjoy. (more…)
Image courtesy of Michael Kennedy
Trendy Whyte Avenue has just gotten trendier, thanks to V Sandwiches. The traditional Vietnamese sub gets a bit of a makeover here – a decidedly delicious one – and comes out more like a vermicelli bowl on a toasted French baguette. Eight different varieties will test your decision-making skills, but the Sate Beef Sub seems to be what everyone keeps coming back for. The secret just might be in the sauce: a slightly spicy lemongrass sauce takes the place of the more traditional peanut sauce, with delectable results. Salad and spring rolls, soups and wraps are also available.
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