Lethbridge College celebrating 60 years today
When you reach your 60th birthday, surely that’s a time for celebration. Share some cake, hoist one or two with some friends. That’s what folks at Lethbridge College are doing today — with everyone invited. Festivities will run from 1 to 7 p.m., with live music, a street market, food trucks, “family fun,” campus tours and exhibits explaining the college’s many course offerings.
Of course there will be cake — well, Crazy Cakes is preparing a special edition of spudnuts — as well as a beer garden. Not to be outdone, Coulee Brew has packaged some of its Lethbridgebrewed cream ale in commemorative
Lethbridge College beer cans.
On stage, the college has a lineup of entertainers including Hippodrome, the Steve Keenan Band, Hurtin’
and the Three Finger Shot. For comfort, organizers suggest visitors bring a blanket or lawn chair.
The free celebration will proceed “rain or shine,” and indoor attractions include a look at the new wind turbine technology facility and the new “Founders’ Square” saluting the college’s founders.
“We are proud of our standing as Canada’s first publicly funded community college, and wanted to throw a party to celebrate and say thank you to everyone in southern Alberta who has supported us over the last 60 years,” says college president Paula Burns.
Parking is free, but organizers suggest visitors consider cycling, car-pooling or taking the bus.
• • • It’s lucky seven for Word on the Street, our city’s “street party for book lovers” and more. The seventh edition runs today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scavenger hunts, face painting, food kiosks and entertainment are part of the no-charge event, being held on the streets next to the downtown library.
Authors on hand to meet readers and fans will include Sharon Butala, Svetiana Chmakova, Ian Hamilton, Louse Bernice Halfe, Trevor Heriott, Joy Kogawa, Heather O'Neill and David
Alexander Robertson. For more about them and others attending, check www.theword onthestreet.ca/lethbridge/.
Music will be provided by the Bryant and Watson Duo, Junkman’s Quire, Kavanagh and Hepher and Karen Romanchuk.
• • • Also today, an “Etsy Made in Canada” crafts sale will be held here for the first time. Promoters say more than 40 local artisans and “vintage sellers” will be taking part, offering everything from handquilted bags to beard-care products for men.
The “pop-up” sale is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at La Cite des Prairies, 6 Avenue at Mayor Magrath Drive South.
The Lethbridge sale, organizers say, is one of 39 being held across Canada this year.
• • • Fifty-year celebrations continue at the University of Lethbridge, where the fine arts faculty will be saluting “50 years of music and music-making” from Thursday to next Saturday. Students and professors from earlier decades will be joining presentday teachers and learners for a series of master classes, symposia and more.
The public is invited to a Sept. 30 reunion concert, 7:30 p.m. at Southminster United Church. A children’s choir as well as number of alumni will perform during the first
half. Then University Singers conductor Janet Youngdahl and guest conductor George Evelyn (her predecessor) will direct a selection of choral works.
Tickets will be available at the door.
• • • For women who love to sing, the local Southern Accord
Chorus is back in action and it’s invited others who’d like to give it a try to join Wednesday evening rehearsals at the McNally Community Centre. Further information is available from Michelle at 403-380-4516 or Elaine at 403-381-4777.
• • • Still more music: the U of L’s free Music at Noon series continues on Tuesdays, 12:15 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Upcoming performers include soprano Laura Hynes with pianist Cheryl Emery on Sept. 26, trumpeter Josh Davies with pianist Colleen Klassen on Oct. 3 and baritone Gregory Brookes with pianist Deanna Oye on Oct. 10.
Downtown next Friday, the university’s Conservatory of Music will present “Keys in Rhythm” with pianist Joel Goodfellow and percussionist Joe Porter, in Casa at 12:15 p.m. It’s part of the no-charge “First Friday” series offered there on the first Friday of the month, year-round.
• • • And here’s a salute to Leroy Little Bear, a U of L graduate in 1972 who returned to Lethbridge to found the university’s Native American Studies department three years later. Though he officially retired in 1997 he continues to teach — and now he’s become the university’s first Distinguished Niitsitapi Scholar.
“Leroy’s counsel and vision contributed to shaping the University of Lethbridge since the early days,” says president
Mike Mahon. “Leroy’s new appointment will be of great benefit to our university and to our country.”
Little Bear will take a lead in Truth and Reconciliation discussions at the U of L and other universities across Canada.
• • • And a quick look ahead: There’s a “Taste of Mexico” at the multicultural centre on Friday, with drinks at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
The city’s annual Art Walk is also set for next Friday; watch for details in our daily news updates.
And Alberta Culture Days events will be held next weekend, offering a variety of no-charge experiences including admission and interpretive tours during “Buffalo Harvest Days,” Friday through Sunday at HeadSmashed-In Buffalo Jump, along with demonstrations by First Nations artists and bisonthemed snacks. Enjoy!