By Caroline Gault
EDMONTON’s summer days last longer than any other major city in Canada, which might explain its thriving creative scene.
The North Saskatchewan River winds through Alberta’s capital, forming the country’s biggest stretch of urban parkland; here is where art, music and cultural festivals thrive. As one of Canada’s youngest metropolises (the median age is 35), Edmonton’s political spectrum is progressive and its start-up community vibrant. It’s also where established fashion names like Gravitypope and emerging talents like Malorie Urbanovitch and Sid Neigum got their start, while design and technology innovators like Loyal Loot and video game giant BioWare have been humbly operating on an international scale for years. Maybe that’s because this far north, there’s space to breathe.
EAT & DRINK
An unexpected twist: Edmonton is perfecting Méxican street food and the Saturday night line-ups outside TRES CARNALES TAQUERIA (10119 100A St., trescarnales.com) on Rice Howard Way are telling. Latin hip-hop music and graffiti-style murals set the scene, but pace yourself: The lightly battered Pacific red snapper fish tacos, house-made guac and chips, and tequila are more than smooth. Well past sunset (that’s 10 p.m. around here), head to downtown Edmonton’s 30-seat BAR BRICCO (10347 Jasper Ave., barbricco.com) for Italian fare and rich red wine that hits the spot.
IN SEASON
The city’s laid-back vibe is most palpable at the EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL (August 4-7th, edmontonfolkfest.org). Twenty thousand people per day spread blankets on the hill at Gallagher Park for a cinematic view of the downtown skyline and musical acts, like past performers Ben Harper, Vance Joy, Of Monsters and Men, and homegrown talent Colleen Brown. Mark your calendars June 4th: Tickets sell out within 24 hours.
SHOP
Getting festival ready is easy at THE BAMBOO BALLROOM (8206 104th St., bambooballroom.ca) with its Coachella-foreva sense of style and focus on local designers. The 11-year old shop co-owned by best friends Kyla Kazeil and Anastasia Boruk is a fixture in Old Strathcona, offering made-in-Edmonton wears by Suka, Sessa, and Cinder and Smoke, and jewellery by HUNT AMOR, Karma Victoria, and Cloud and Lolly. Just down the street, their new sister-store, THE BAMBOO STOCKROOM (10552A 82nd Ave.) offers cool locally made art, as well as home and baby products.
STAY
The Earth, Air, Fire and Water suites at THE METTERRA HOTEL (from $190, 10454 82 Ave., metterra.com) put your case of FOMO to rest, placing you in the midst of the summertime action—from Whyte Avenue’s street festivals and street patios to its indie shopping. Ninety-eight rooms outfitted in batiks, tribal masks and teak tree root tables, jetted tubs and private balconies are just a few more reasons to go boutique. New this year: complimentary Marin San Rafael road bikes. First come, first ride.
ANNA THOMAS, CO-FOUNDER & DESIGNER, LOYAL LOOT (loyalloot.com)
“If I’m trying to find a solution to a design or a new idea I’ll often head out into Edmonton’s river valley. Being in nature grounds me to reality and can often lead me to a fresh point of view, perspective or insight. I grew up on a farm just outside the city, which was isolating at times, but it also gave me the freedom to explore and create my own fun. There’s very little manufacturing in Edmonton, which also leads to the maker culture that is growing here. Feeling limited—whether it’s by distance, resources, or knowledge—inspires a curiosity.”