review and photos by Ani Vanderploeg
For one weekend every September, Edmonton’s 118th Avenue is transformed from the typical inner city street to the festival of Kaleido. On the morning of September 17, the Avenue stretched out before me like an eternal corridor of vendors, music, art, and the kaleidoscope of magic that is the Kaleido Family Arts Festival.
Kaleido takes up approximately six blocks on 118th, from 90th street to 95th street and up to 119th Avenue. The avenue itself seemed to go on for miles when I first stepped onto the street. Almost every business was open and had some part in the festival, so wherever I went, there was something to do. The main stage was massive and overlooked a gorgeous park with a large hill, where I saw families camping out for picnics and to watch the constant performances.
118th Ave is typically not the safest area of town. It is a testament to the drug crisis in our city, and a place where many of the unhoused call home. This was my first year at Kaleido, and it showed me a different side of 118th, one I didn’t think existed. The heart of the community is strong. One festival goer, Lachelle, told me that Kaleido does not erase the problems of 118, and it doesn’t solve any systemic issues, but the festival, especially the aspect that it’s free, “involves people who live in the community who can’t afford to do other things,” she said. It encourages the community to be active and a little safer, even if just for a few days, and it exposes the underbelly of the arts and originality in the community.
Kaleido is a safe and inclusive space for everyone. The demographic of attendees and volunteers spanned all categories. The volunteer who taught me how to fold origami was only ten years old! People experiencing homelessness were happy to join in on the festivities. The number of dogs was overwhelming; I wanted to pet every one I came across! It was encouraging to see so many children and families spending time together outside in the sun.
There is no need to spend a single cent at Kaleido, unless, of course, you want a bag of mini donuts, to support local vendors, or obviously donate to the festival. The aspect of keeping Kaleido free was highlighted and talked about all weekend long by volunteers and emcees on the main stage. Donations are highly encouraged. It runs on an honour system, trusting that those who can afford it will donate and keep Kaleido running.
The art, talent, time, and effort of local artists was displayed at Kaleido in a way that honoured the artists and their hard work. The Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts held a gallery for local artists, and art that was made by the persons with developmental disabilities that the centre supports. The artists were selling their pottery and paintings in front of the centre, proud to be able to showcase their talents and hard work on the Avenue. I really liked the “Cats in Space” pieces by Jeff Penner. His paintings have a unique realism to the subjects, but a cartoon feeling to the surroundings and background.
Outdoor walls, storefronts, plywood, and storage containers were painted in graffiti styles and spray paint by different artists, allowing guests to walk outside, enjoy the sunshine, and view art at the same time. My favourite piece was a giant, abstract, purple, graffiti piece all along the wall of an alley. It was so massive it made me feel small beside it — it really spoke to me. The showcases at Kaleido are not necessarily the type of art that will have you slowly wandering through a museum, stroking your chin and trying to feel intelligent, but instead have you gasping at the talent, awed at the understanding these artists have of the community, and proud to be a part of that community.
My favourite part was the arts and crafts. I made paper, folded origami, weaved bracelets, tried traditional Indigenous games, sidewalk chalk, sidewalk paint, and climbed the giant jelly beans — which are what they sound like — a playground made of giant, metal jelly beans! You could buy a balloon backpack, get your face painted, try your hand (and feet) with an informal Punjabi Folk Dance workshop and jazz workshops, and the list goes on. One could spend every moment of the weekend on the festival grounds and never run out of things to see and do. My favourite part was making paper from scratch. It really made me feel like a real artist.
The music was incredible because there were performances everywhere I looked. I don’t think a moment went by all weekend where there was no music. The two performances that I really enjoyed were The Larks, a small community choir who sang at the Outdoor Living Room, close to the entrance. Their performance made me happy because it was just a few women who really liked to sing and were happy to show off their talent. It made me miss the times when I used to sing in a choir. The Friday night headliner was totally different from the Larks. My Son the Hurricane is a 12-piece brass band that is currently travelling the country on tour. The only way I can describe their music is rap-rock-funk. The trombones, trumpets, and saxophones gave so much dimension to their songs, and I’ve never heard anything like it. It had me jumping and dancing with my hands in the air.
Kaleido is, as Christy Morin, the founder and executive director of the festival says, “a testament to the unwavering dedication of our artists who recognize our festival as a cornerstone of our community.” It is a staple of Edmonton culture, and an Autumn must-see. Keep an eye out next September for the next, 19th annual Kaleido Family and Fun Festival on Arts on the Ave.
2023 Kaleido Festival
94St & 118Ave, Edmonton
September 16 – 17, 2023
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