In our short summer season, I like to spend as much time outdoors as I can.  Create your own back yard oasis and start absorbing the vitamin D.  Here’s how:

Declutter & Clean
The first step to sprucing up the outdoor living room is to clear dirt and clutter from the space. Store lawn equipment, children’s toys, and pet play things in a shed or garage. Give the entire area a good scrub down, sweeping away dust and debris to create a fresh, clean canvas.

Invite the Outdoors In
Blending interior and outdoor living spaces helps the exterior area feel like an extension of the home, not an afterthought. Ensure blinds and curtains are open to the family yard, highlighting the outdoor oasis.  Make certain the indoor and outdoor décor complement one another and utilize similar colors, materials and styles both inside and out.

Create Cozy Sitting Areas
Create easy traffic flow throughout the outdoor living room, while offering a number of places for people to sit – at a table, around a fire pit, or in a cozy chair configuration. Also, offer some shade by using umbrellas or outdoor curtains to minimize sun glare and maximize visions of enjoyment in the outdoor living room.

Soften the Outdoor Space

Introduce a few soft design features into the outdoor area to create an inviting atmosphere. Rugs, throw pillows and upholstered patio furniture are a few ways to accomplish a “cozy” feel. Ensure these items are looking fresh and clean and not worn and dated. It’s relatively inexpensive to swap out new pillows and rugs. Create outdoor ambiance by hanging string lighting, introducing a fire pit in the center of a patio, setting up a zen-like water feature, or adding candles, small plants and freshly-cut flowers to tabletops.

Utilize Living Landscapes
Nothing says “welcome home” quite like a beautiful living landscape, complete with flowering shrubs, trees, flowers, and other vegetation. Freshen up the family yard by weeding, mulching and planting flower beds and pots with colorful flowers and verdant plants. Vases of flowers can also help bring life – and a pop of color – to outdoor tablescapes.

Fabric ghosts fluttering from trees, big blow-up monsters, elaborately carved jack-o’-lanterns, orange lights on roof edges… Every year in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region, it seems more and more homeowners decorate their homes for the visits of little superheroes and princesses out to collect treats on that spooky night.

Just how safe is the path to your front door for those little tricksters? And from a homeowner’s perspective, would your liability insurance coverage be adequate in case of an unforeseen accident? I remember witnessing a problem at a friend’s home last Halloween that could have had disastrous consequences. The home is a bungalow whose front door is reached via 4 concrete steps, built at a time when railings on the sides of such porches or stoops were not mandated. The porch luckily drops off into a fringe of shrubs at the front of the house, rather than onto a hard concrete sidewalk. Inevitably, several excited youngsters fell off the steps that night, resulting in some minor bruises and spilled candy. Things could have been so much worse, and I’m pretty sure my friend will be reinforcing those porch edges this Halloween.

Keep visitors safe this Halloween:

Check your fire safety measures

• When setting up electrical decorations and lights, don’t overload your electrical circuits.
• Use battery powered flameless candles in jack-o’-lanterns.

Check for obstructions and hazards in your yard

• If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is out of reach of little hands and well secured so as not to be a tripping hazard.
• Remove obstacles such as lawn ornaments or garden tools, and rake up wet leaves and other debris.
• Light up any decorative elements in your yard to avoid people running into them, or make them part of your Halloween tableau by surrounding them with “crime scene” tape.
• Light up your walkway and keep the path clear. Snow on Halloween is always a possibility in our area, and it goes without saying that snow and ice should be cleared away to prevent injury from falls on slippery sidewalks.

Check your insurance coverage, just in case

Have you heard of the Teal Pumpkin Movement?

People paint and display a teal pumpkin to show that they are giving out treats that are safe for all kids, including those with allergies. That usually means non-food items, such as stickers, erasers or pencils, small toys and the like.

Protect your home and property too:

• Keep your pets indoors for their safety as well as the safety of visitors.
• Place garbage cans inside a building or secure them so they can’t be tipped over.
• Park vehicles in your garage if possible.

Once you’ve made your home safe, fill up the treat bowls, dress in your spookiest costume, turn on all the lights, and prepare to welcome all the little ghosts and goblins!

Do you have any more tips to add for a safe and fun Halloween? Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

So you’re living on one of the many Edmonton acreages or in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County or the Edmonton region and need some great ideas for Mother’s Day activities this year?  Whether you want to take mom out for a fancy brunch or celebrate her by doing something totally unique, below are some great ideas to suit every taste.

Get Fancy at the Empire Ballroom Sunday Brunch

If your mom is the type who likes to be treated to elegance and class on her special day, take her and the family out to the Sunday brunch at the Empire Ballroom in the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Edmonton. This beautiful hotel has an amazing view of the River Valley (perfect if the whole family is together and you want a good photo op) and is known for the absolutely delicious food it serves up. Your mom will feel royally treated, and nothing speaks elegance in Edmonton like the Hotel MacDonald.

Try Another Great Brunch Spot at The Moose Factory

Another Edmonton classic that is great for Mother’s Day and slightly less formal is Tom Goodchild’s Moose Factory on Calgary Trail. Many Edmonton families enjoy their special Mother’s Day brunch that features a chocolate fountain! If your mom is a chocolate lover, the chocolate fountain is sure to be a big win for her.

Many other Edmonton and area restaurants also sponsor a special Mother’s Day brunch. Check out these spots featured at Open Table.

Locally, try places such as the Homesteaders’ Kitchen at the Multicultural Heritage Centre in Stony Plain or the Grill restaurant at The Links Golf Course in Spruce Grove – but reservations are a must!

Get Unique at the Rutherford House

For a more unique take on a Mother’s Day activity, head to the Rutherford House to participate in their Social Sundays. The Rutherford House has been preserved through the centuries, belonging originally to the first premier of Alberta, Alexander Rutherford. Every Sunday they open the house to the public and host activities such as old-fashioned crafts and give demos on old -fashioned traditions. On Mother’s Day they will have a special Mother’s Day craft. This is really an event the whole family can be a part of.

Learn About Moms Across the Animal Kingdom

For a more educational Mother’s Day that gets the whole family involved and engaged, the Edmonton Valley Zoo is hosting a special event. They have something for everyone at this event, which runs from noon-4 PM. For moms they’re providing mini massages and manicures, and for kids they have a number of crafts (to make and give to mom of course) as well as face painting, live music, and magic shows. This is a great event if you have little ones who need to be engaged throughout the day.

Get Active This Mother’s Day

The Edmonton Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run is an annual 5k and 10k run that happens each year on Mother’s Day. The event is one of Edmonton’s largest running events of the year and helps raise money for local Children’s Hospitals. This year on Sunday, May 10, head to Hawrelak Park. Cost is $35 ages 11 and up, $25 ages 5-10.

Timetable:
• Warm Up – 8:45 AM
• 2.5 km Ride – 8:55 AM
• 10 km Run – 9:00 AM
• 5 km Run & Walk – 9:30 AM
• Little Legs Race – 10:45 AM
• Awards – 11:00 AM
Register here.

Edmonton is a wonderful place during special days like Mother’s Day because the city really comes alive with celebration. There are so many ways to get out and celebrate mom. From the fancy to the unusual, the city has something happening for every taste.

If you want more information on any of these ideas, or if you need any information on Spruce Grove real estate, Stony Plain real estate, Parkland County real estate, Edmonton real estate, or Parkland County acreages, feel free to call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

Well, maybe not quite 101, but a whole bunch anyway! If you’re like me, you do a lot of visiting and hosting over the holidays, whether it’s in our home area of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County, the Edmonton area or elsewhere, and you don’t want to arrive empty-handed. But what are the best things to take as a thank you token for your host? On the list below are lots of things you’ve given in the past, but there may be a few things you haven’t thought of! The cost of the item will be up to you. If you know your host well – a good friend or family member — then you may want your gift to be more extravagant and more personally attuned to the person’s taste. Otherwise, we’re looking for items generally under $20 and less personal in nature.

Beverages

• wine, spirits, liqueurs, craft beers. A nice hostess gift for someone who likes to try different liqueurs is a half dozen mini bottles in a pretty basket.
• special coffees, teas such as David’s Tea, or gourmet hot chocolate mixes. Starbucks and Tim Horton’s both package items especially for this time of year.
• unique bottled beverages such as special bottled waters, or other drinks with unusual flavors (look in the international section of your favorite large grocery store).

High-quality chocolate

This year Purdy’s Truffles retail at $14 per box, and this is a gift appreciated by pretty much everybody!

Specialty food items

• If you know what your hosts like, treat them to a favorite item they wouldn’t purchase for themselves – caviar, maybe!
• Look for artisanal or craft items made by specialty producers in small quantities: special syrups or honey (Manuka honey is prized by many people); salts, spices or herb blends (Himalayan sea salt is trendy right now); pepper mill filled with fancy peppercorns; special barbecue or hot sauces; dips or spreads such as antipasto or jalapeno jelly (even better if you make them yourself!); gourmet olives; specialty pickles or jams (again, even better if homemade); special cooking oils or flavored vinegars; special popcorn or nuts or trail mix; biscotti.
• Or put together a “gift in a jar”:  a Mason jar filled with ingredients for cookies and the like, together with a recipe card, and beautifully decorated. Google “gifts in a jar” for tons of ideas.
• A gift that seems mundane but I guarantee will be appreciated:  a super fresh loaf of bread hot from your own oven, or from Cobs Bread.

Hosting items

• beautiful paper napkins or Christmas crackers
• a pair of unusual placemats (made of twigs or bamboo, perhaps!)
• dip servers or spreaders
• stemless wineglasses (all the rage right now), or a set of unusual shot glasses
• cheeseboard and slicer
• cocktail shaker
• coasters
• cocktail picks
• salad servers
• pretty seasonal tray or dish
• wine stoppers
• wineglass charms
• tapas trays (or other tiny serving dishes)

Kitchen things

• cookie cutters or stamps
• wooden or bamboo utensils
• unusual gadgets that your hosts might appreciate but which they are unlikely to buy for themselves, such as a rasp grater or garlic rocker
• specialty dishes and containers, like a garlic pot, olive serving dish, herb oil infuser, oil spray bottle, etc.
• herb chopper or pizza cutter
• crocheted dish cloths (a staple at our local farmers’ markets!)
• Check out all the kitchen gadgets at Canadian Tire, or get fancy with something from Gifts and Gadgets, or visit the Crooked Pot gallery in Stony Plain for one of a kind pottery items.

Book, calendar or pretty journal, music…

Take a look at online retailers such as Indigo for ideas.

Flowers / plants

Etiquette mavens suggest not bringing a loose bunch of flowers (because then your hostess has to find a vase, trim the flowers, etc.) so:

• either put your flowers in a vase yourself,
• or look instead for a small potted plant such as a colorful pepper plant,
• or a tea garden or herb garden in a box. If you have a green thumb, consider making some yourself next summer; directions can be found online. Tea plants would include things like lemon verbena, mint, etc. A herb garden might include chives, basil, oregano, parsley, etc.

Special soaps

Lush Cosmetics will cut you a chunk, or look for pre-packaged soaps of all kinds at the Body Shop, Bath and Body Works, Spruce Grove’s Gifts and Gadgets, and the like. Or make your own! Or pick up a pretty container of liquid hand soap for your hostess’s kitchen sink.

A beautiful one of a kind Christmas tree ornament

Many gift shops, such as Gifts and Gadgets, carry items like this.

Photo frame

Practical gifts

• microfiber cloths packaged with a natural cleaner, such as Green Works
• pretty tea towels or apron or oven mitts (check out the Ove Glove at Canadian Tire!)
• grocery carry bags made from heavy recycled plastic or cloth
• miniature LED flashlights to hang on a keychain or tuck in a purse (see Amazon.ca for a selection)

I wasn’t going to include candles or mugs in this list, but lots of people still like to receive them! (The Bay has a candle that looks just like its iconic Hudson’s Bay blanket!)  Jazz up your gift of a special candle by adding a unique lighter or fancy matches. Fill a pretty or unusual or holiday-themed mug with candy or sachets of tea or hot chocolate or a Starbucks or Tim Horton’s gift card.

Got other ideas for great hostess gifts? Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

When the fall weather rolls around it usually puts a stop to any big events that would normally be planned. That is not true for the lucky residents of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region who have these great events to look forward to taking place in Spruce Grove this October.

A Trip Down The Vegas Strip

The Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre will be presenting a showcase of the top Vegas acts on October 16. This is an opportunity for people to see Spruce Grove transformed into a Vegas showroom and enjoy a night of Vegas acts like Elvis, Roy Orbison, Tom Jones and Neil Diamond without having to travel to Nevada. Tickets run $40 each for the night of entertainment.

The Annual Mini Monster Bash Celebration

October 25 will be a scary day in the city as the kids of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Parkland County will gather together at the Heritage Park Pavilion for a fun day of activities. The event is for kids under the age of 8 and they are asked to dress in their favourite Halloween costume. Although entry is free, donations will be taken for the Parkland Food Bank at the entrance.

TANGO: A Passion of a Lifetime

South America’s biggest dance is being brought to Spruce Grove by some of its biggest and most successful names. On October 24, the Romulo Larrea Tango Ensemble will perform TANGO: A Passion of a Lifetime at Horizon Stage. They are a small group, comprised only of one vocalist, 2 dancers and 3 musicians, but their power and energy are enough to sweep audiences away.

Relive History With The Man in Black Show

The life of Johnny Cash comes alive in this tribute show at Horizon Stage on October 23 starring Shaw Barker as The Man in Black. The goal of the show is to give the audience a glimpse into what it was like listening to the man as he performed in 1960, taking them on a journey about the man through his music. Tickets can be purchased online for $44.95.

Every month brings more events to the city and this is just a sampling of what can be expected. The City of Spruce Grove does everything it can to provide great entertainment to its residents and that’s just one of the things making it one of Alberta’s best cities.

I take great pride in representing Spruce Grove and keep myself available to anybody who wants more information about the city. Any home buyers looking into Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region are welcome to call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

With its two biggest cities close together, Alberta is the perfect destination for almost every touring musician. For the people who live in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region this means that some of the world’s biggest musical acts are only a quick drive away. Here are five of the biggest concerts and live events coming to the Edmonton Area this October:

Up + Downtown Music + Arts Festival

Edmonton’s big music fest, the Up + Downtown Music + Arts Festival takes over the city during the Thanksgiving weekend. From October 10-12 the downtown area is transformed as multiple venues host a variety of independent musicians and artists. This year’s festival is headlined by The Constantines, Red Fang and Less Than Jake with new acts added every day.

Sarah McLachlan

October 29 is a big day in Edmonton as Canada’s own Sarah McLachlan arrives for a special performance during her Shine On Tour. The 21 time Juno Award nominee and founder of the Lilith Fair festival brings her hit songs Building a Mystery, Sweet Surrender, I Will Remember You and Adia to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.  News from TicketMaster:  a second show has been added for October 20.

The Pixies

Take a trip back to the 80s with one of the decade’s most influential bands, even if it took two decades for them to realize it. The Pixies disbanded in 1993 and didn’t reunite until 2004 to a very positive reaction from fans. On October 6 they will be at the Shaw Conference Centre to perform their unique sound to a mix of fans, both original ones and new ones, with Royal Blood as their opener.

Demi Lovato

If you have teen or tween daughters then there is a good chance you already have tickets to this event. If not, prepare for a lot of pleading and last minute ticket buying. The star of the Disney Channel show Sonny With a Chance will be making her visit to the Rexall Place on October 4 with a group of young artists to perform under her. Get your tickets soon because this one is destined to sell out.

Pure: A Night in White

The Edmonton area isn’t only home to conventional music, as the Pure: A Night in White dance festival makes its 5th consecutive visit to the city. While most music lovers will spend the Thanksgiving weekend at the Up + Down Music Festival, fans of EDM will dress in their best white outfit for this themed electronic dance fest, October 12 at the Shaw Conference Centre.

Cities and towns like Spruce Grove and Stony Plain, and many others in the Edmonton area, have the benefit of being a quick drive away from the big city. This is one of the reasons the communities around Edmonton continue to grow. I have a lot of experience with these neighbourhoods and always make myself available to talk about new real estate opportunities. Please call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

Golf lovers in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region rave about one of Alberta’s best golf courses: Stony Plain Golf Course. With 18 holes of professional level golfing, Stony Plain Golf Course has quickly become a go-to course for Albertans when the season rolls around. Here are five reasons to check it out before the cold weather interrupts.

Some of Alberta’s Best Golfing

The 18 championship holes at Stony Plain Golf Course are some of the best in Alberta. People travel from around the province to compete in tournaments held at the course. There is a driving range and practice areas for both short game and putting and official leagues for different ages and talent levels. They have made it easy for both locals and visitors to compete and enjoy everything the course has to offer.

A Free Junior Course for Young Golfers

A 4-hole loop is offered free of charge for anybody under the age of 10 to enjoy. With oversized holes and small to medium length fairways, the course doesn’t rush the kids or make it too hard on them. This gives kids the chance to learn the basics of the sport with their friends while their parents use the rest of the course.

Revenue is Used to Help Stony Plain Residents

Even though the entire course is owned and operated by the town of Stony Plain, no public money is used to fund it. The course is so successful that over $100,000 a year is taken from the money they make and put directly into the Stony Plain Tax Levy Stabilization Fund. This means that every resident will benefit from the money brought in by all the tournaments and rounds of golf played at the course.

Fully Equipped For More Than Golfing

The course has more than just golfing. There is a full pro shop and a restaurant and lounge that is open all year round, even when the course is closed. There is a meeting facility and banquet hall that can fit up to 160 people and can be used for many different events or parties.

Offers Great Tournament Services

The Stony Plain Golf Course is able to organize tournaments for groups as small as 12 or as large as 144. Their package includes everything a group would need to put on their own golfing tournament. Not only are professional tournaments held here regularly but also many small tournaments, for nothing more than bragging rights, often take place between friends and co-workers. This is a perfect idea for a unique birthday gift or bachelor party.

The Stony Plain Golf Course is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to great services for residents. I’m always available to talk about the benefits of living in Stony Plain to anybody interested in getting more information on the community. Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

If you’re a resident of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region, you should know that there are many opportunities to get involved in the local community and have some fun. Edmonton’s Community League Day is coming this September, and it’s not an event you want to miss. On September 20th, come out to Community League Day and find out why your local Edmonton community league is “Where Neighbours Meet & Great Things Happen.”

About the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues sponsors this city-wide event, which is held every year on the third Saturday of September. Edmonton’s community leagues are the oldest and most active in Canada. The EFCL was founded in 1921 with one neighbourhood group, and has expanded over the years. Today, there are 147 chapters of community leagues all over Edmonton.

The leagues are all volunteer organizations that focus on creating recreation opportunities in Edmonton. They’ve been responsible for sports fields, community activity halls, and ice skating rinks. Some of the most popular organizations in Edmonton, including the Community Police Radio Network, School Patrols, and Neighbourhood Watch, began with the Edmonton Community Leagues.

League Sponsored Family Events

The biggest event of the year for the EFCL is the Community League Day, although various community leagues throughout the city sponsor family events all year-round. Family days and winter carnivals are fun activities for families and include curling, hockey, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Participants are treated to hot dogs, chili, and hot chocolate around a fire pit, followed by fireworks.

Community League Day on September 20

The annual Community League Day on  Saturday, September 20, promises to be fun and exciting for the entire family. Check with the community league in your neighbourhood to find a schedule of the day’s events. You can expect Edmonton to celebrate this day with lots of fun family activities, like Fall festivals, car shows, street dances, bike rodeos, corn roasts, beer gardens, barbecues, pancake breakfasts, and much more.

The Edmonton Annual Community League Day gives families the opportunity to participate in all the celebrations throughout the city, but it also give residents a chance to celebrate Canada’s multicultural heritage with lots of cultural activities.

What to Expect at Community League Day

Community League Day is set to host lots of great fun like live entertainment, balloon animals, face painting, dog agility demonstrations, dancing, horse-drawn wagon rides, and lots of games for the kids. The annual event has the atmosphere of an old-fashioned fall festival. The 2014 celebration kicks off at 9:00 AM, and ends at 11:45 PM on September 20. Make sure to come early to enjoy all the day’s festivities in your neighbourhood. There’s sure to be plenty of fun activities, music, live entertainment, and great street food to enjoy.

Edmonton’s 2014 Community League Day is sure to be good, wholesome fun. You can join the festivities at one location or plan to visit several around the city.

I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about events in our region.  For more information about Community League Day or any of the other events Edmonton hosts, please call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

Summer in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region often means welcoming family and friends from out of town, out of the province or even out of the country for a stay in your home. Whether their stay is for one night or several weeks, you want your guests to feel comfortable in your home, and you want the experience to be as easy and stress-free for yourself as possible. Take some tips from the best hotels.

1. Plan, plan and plan some more! Think about the people who will be staying with you. Any special needs that should be considered, such as dietary or mobility issues, or allergies? Any special equipment needed, such as a crib or baby gate for an infant, toys and activities for the kids?  Organize and clean everything beforehand so you can spend your time enjoying the visit.
2. Welcome your guests with a great meal and some relaxation. Show your guests where everything is and how to operate basic equipment, such as that toilet with the touchy flush mechanism. Give them a set of spare keys so they can come and go as they please. It’s also a good idea to supply emergency-contact information and general phone numbers, as well as any other essential details about the house and the neighborhood (appliance quirks, security information, remote control codes, special house rules such as no smoking in the house, etc.)
3. Sleep, and other basic needs! If you have the space, put up your guests  in a private guest room and bathroom. It goes without saying that everything will be spotlessly clean, even if the bedding and towels aren’t new, and make sure the bed and pillows are comfortable. Extra blankets and pillows are welcome. The best guest rooms will also be equipped with a place to sit other than the bed (how about a comfy chair, reading lamp and some current magazines for real pampering?) and a place to store suitcases and their contents. Empty a dresser drawer or two, make room in the closet, supply some empty hangers. If the room you offer your guests usually has another function in your home – not during their residency, please! If the bathroom they’ll be using will be shared, make sure it’s free of clutter and available for your guests’ needs, and well-equipped with essentials such as plenty of toilet paper.
4. Place a basket of basic travel-size toiletries in your guests’ room: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, soap, hand lotion, tissues, and the like, along with a little note encouraging them to help themselves. Plenty of towels too!
5. Use a second basket to hold treat and snack items: bottled water or juice, granola bars, small packages of nuts, fresh fruit, etc.
6. Other nice touches in the guest room: wall-hung mirror, waste basket, USB plug adaptor/charging station, wifi password, fan in the summer or heater in the winter, alarm clock, hair dryer, pen and paper, fresh flowers.
7. Meals: Do as much pre-planning and advance preparation as you can so that you’re not stuck in the kitchen chopping, cooking and cleaning instead of visiting with your guests. Take a tip from many hotels these days that offer a help-yourself breakfast buffet. Plan for some meals away from home, whether it’s a picnic in the park or visits to local eateries. Keep things simple.
8. Plan plenty of activities, or at least have lots of suggestions ready. If your guests will be with you for a while, chances are you won’t be spending every minute with them. If they’re unfamiliar with the area, they would likely appreciate a city tip sheet listing local attractions, restaurants, and shops, along with a map and information on getting around.
9. Household chores: Do as much in advance as you can, and try to do basic household maintenance, such as bathroom cleaning, vacuuming, etc. when your guests are out. Your guests might even be the type who would happily pitch in.  If they offer to help, take them up on it!

Planning ahead will minimize the work and stress of hosting and maximize the enjoyment of the visit, ensuring a memorable and positive experience for you and your guests.

Do you have some great hosting tips to share? Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

As a resident of Parkland County, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove or the Edmonton area, you surely have an exciting and nature-filled lifestyle full of plenty of opportunities to enjoy your surroundings. With beautiful areas like Parkland County acreages and Edmonton acreages just waiting to be explored, the opportunities are endless, and with NextFest Art Festival just around the corner, this assertion couldn’t be more true! Here’s your guide to Edmonton’s Next Generation 2014 Arts Festival, happening from June 5 to 15 this year.

What Is NextFest?

From June 5 to 15 this year, ramp up for one of the most fun and exciting arts festival you’ve ever seen. Over 11 days, you can visit the creative works of over 500 artists and over 50 art-related events. With daring and engaging artwork from the realms of visual art, dance, film, music, and theatre, you’ll get the chance to meet and interact with emerging local artists while enjoying the entertainment their artwork provides.

Where Is NextFest?

NextFest will take Edmonton by storm during its 11-day run in a variety of different locations and venues. With the confirmed schedule still pending, some of the venues you can expect to visit during NextFest to get a first glance of the visual art, music, dance, and theatre performances include Atomic Zombie Art Gallery, The Roxy Theatre, The Artery, and Garneau Theatre in Edmonton.  Visit the NextFest website for the most current information.

Who Are the NextFest Artists?

If you’re wondering what type of talent and emerging artists you can expect to come across at NextFest, you’ll be surprised at the range of artists you’ll find. From graduates and current students of the University of Alberta to professionals in their specific field of art, you’ll find a range of expertise and talent at NextFest. While the majority of the artists are local to Edmonton (born and raised), some of the talent group hails from the West coast and other parts of Canada.

What Are the Events at NextFest?

The art-world events are nearly limitless at NextFest, with opportunities for everyone to enjoy, both the artistically inclined as well as the art enthusiasts. NextFest NiteClubs, a series of events at The Artery, are just a few of the options, offering multi-disciplinary performance parties in the themes of a political revolution, fright night, and risqué cabaret evening. Poetry readings, award ceremonies, and theatre performances are a few more of the exciting opportunities at NextFest this year.

Regardless of which area of Edmonton you live in, from Edmonton acreages to Parkland County acreages and surrounding cities and towns, you shouldn’t miss NextFest this year. As a perfect way to kick start your summer and inspire your inner art enthusiast, NextFest brings with it all of the artistically inclined opportunities you’ve been waiting for.

For more information and specific questions about Spruce Grove real estate, Stony Plain real estate, or Parkland County real estate, feel free to call me! Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.