Ascension

Norton, Jay. Ascension, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54144 [retrieved May 11, 2015]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37996904@N00/351895142/. 

This week marks the Ascension Of Our Lord in the Christian tradition. This upcoming Sunday, Jesus vanishes into thin air. It's kind of a big deal.

 This image provides some food for thought to accompany the week's Lectionary readings.

Adventures in Edmonton: The restaurant you've never heard of...

“They’re closing down and I never got a chance to go” my spouse said roughly two weeks ago. “So, I’ve made a date night for us.” “Ok,” I replied (the least planning I’ve ever had to do for a date night), “where are we going, or do you want it to be a secret?” “It’s not a secret, but it is unheard of.”

The Unheardof restaurant has graced Edmonton for 35 years. It’s been around longer than I have. Despite all the history, and perhaps living up to its name, the restaurant did not come up in conversations or foodie blogs very often. I only heard about the place a few years ago myself. It’s possible that this lack of critical attention is by design—that loyal customers don’t want anyone else to know about their favourite neighbourhood eatery so that they’ll always have a seat. And, it’s probably for the best, because the food is good, and the seating is scare.

Unheardof’s interior is a throwback to the past. It feels like early century dining. There are antiques and old paintings and a giant buffalo statue. I’m not sure what the buffalo is about but it’s kind of fun. The space is small which is ideal for the type of dining experience Unheardof specializes in, and it allows for high quality service and thoughtful food preparation.

I had a multi-course meal and it was overall good, with some excellent dishes and some mediocre ones (nothing bad though). There was an extremely tasty lobster ravioli dish that seemed to have lemon zest in the dough—huge flavours. There was an apricot sorbet that was splendid. Most importantly, the crème brûlée was one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. Unfortunately, the main dish, although well prepared, was a little bland which was surprising considering the ravioli.  Meat and potato folks would have loved it though, and it’s hard to fault it merely on account of being a traditional, grass-roots sort of dish.

Sadly, June 13 marks the last day Unheardof will open its doors to the public. So, I’m letting you know you’ve got roughly one month to get in there before it’s gone.  Uhmm, just don’t tell anyone else. 

Get Arty This Weekend with #ArtScene13

The snow can do what it wants, but spring is indeed here. We’ve got Mother’s Day, markets and some brand new galleries to check out, so let’s get artin’.

Here are 13 bits and bites to keep you arty this fine weekend. It’s another #ArtScene13!

1. Edmonton poet Stephen Berg wants you to know that he writes best in burgundy underwear.
2. Speaking of Edmonton poets, the Arts Council is seeking nomination’s for our sixth Poet Laureatte.
3. One of my favourite galleries, the Peter Roberston Gallery, has a new home on 124th street. Check it out and take in the bright, bold canvasses of Steve Driscoll’s ‘Actually, Everything is Just About the Same”.
4. So does one of my other favourite galleries. The Front Gallery is launching it’s new 124th street space with works from painter Blake Ward and sculptor Jeff Sylvester.
5. Before you leave 124th, check out these colourful explorations by Blu Smith at the Daffodil Gallery.
6. Why not make it a gallery day tomorrow, and visit the great spots of 118th Avenue too? The Nina’s Stollery Gallery is open from 1-3 PM.
7. Take your mom to The Carrot on Friday or Saturday and experience visual art and storytelling with Rebecca and Mary Ann Lippiat’s Mother Love.
8. The Bleeding Heart Art Space is showing fantastic poetry along with some of the best linocuts I’ve ever seen. A great Mother’s Day gift, perhaps?
9. A good friend of ours, Artist Marcie Rohr, is praying for Nepal in pictures. Join her, and get ready for the culination of her 40 day project on June 4. See the image below.
10. Want a great website for your art? I’m leading a workshop for that next week with space for 6.
11. Spend some quiet time with a pencil this weekend. Be like Le Corbusier.
     

    "I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies."

    Le Corbusier

12. Those aren’t just treehouses in Churchill Square–they are houses in the trees. So head downtown and look up.
13. Dead Venues premiers tonight at Metro Cinema as part of the Global Visions film festival. Take a walk with the ghosts haunting the YEGArts memory lane.

So much to do, so little time. Have fun, get arty, and don’t forget yo’ mamma.