Submitted by Holiday Alley
It’s taken some real innovation and creative thinking by the elves of Holiday Alley to keep this year’s festival going, but they’re excited to continue its mandate of celebrating art, light, sound, and creativity.
The Selkirk-based festival, that annually draws audiences from across the Interlake and Winnipeg, will take its festivities online with Holiday Alley TV, a free livestream accessible on Holiday Alley’s website, Facebook and YouTube.
The festival’s favourite events, including the Poetry Slam, Easel Wars hosted by the Gwen Fox Gallery, and Selkirk Animal Hospital Pooch Parade are all sign-up and pre-recorded events that will make its debut on Holiday Alley TV on Saturday, December 5.
For cohorted families, friends, and coworkers looking to show off their artistic skills, Easel Wars will take place on Sunday, November 15.
“Last year’s Easel Wars brought out the artist in everyone, including some of Selkirk’s very own Steelers players,” says Bev Galbraith, artist and creator of the Easel Wars.
Groups of 5 or less can battle it out on canvas during a pre- scheduled time while social distancing. Audiences Fox Gallery staff will then choose the ultimate winner who will receive the top prize of $100 cash. “It’s a chance for some friendly competition, laughs, and creativity,” says Galbraith.
To sign up for your cohort for Easel Wars, email Bev at [email protected].
Poets, spoken word artists, or folks who want to try their hand at poetry can sign up to take part in Holiday Alley’s pre-recorded Poetry Slam curated by local poet Julie Stevenson. With this year’s theme, “alone together”, we ask you for a poem, sonnet, haiku, or performance about how the Holiday season feels this year, how it’s affecting people, and how to try and make it better. Aiming to make people feel less alone while we’re apart. “This Poetry Slam is so much bigger than past years because its goal is bigger, to make people feel less alone this season,” says Stevenson. “We’ve already got six poets signed up who are excited and inspired to help everyone feel connected this year.”
Anyone interested in participating in the recorded poetry session can sign up before November 18 with [email protected].
The Selkirk Animal Hospital Pooch Parade, an annual favorite of our furry pawed pals, will also take place as a pre-recorded event. “Over the last few years, the Pooch Parade had had almost 70 dogs and even more audiences take over Holiday Alley. This year, our top priority is keeping the dogs and their humans safe, while also keeping the spirit of the Pooch Parade,” says Joy K. Balmana, Holiday Alley’ Elf. “We’ve created a solution that will bring the Selkirk Animal Hospital Pooch Parade to your screens and turn it into a viral video for the world to enjoy.”
For those who’d like to join the filmed “parade” dogs and their human companions are asked to sign up before November 18. Only 25 participants will be part of the parade this year, with prizes including gift cards from the Selkirk Animal Hospital, and the top prize being $100 cash and a bag of tasty treats. Holiday Alley TV audiences will also have a chance to vote for their favorite pooch online on holidayalley.ca.
