Camrose events

The Value of Our Rainbow and Camrose Pride Week

Trigger Warning: Depression and suicide

BY: NATALIA MCGILL

With recent talk of depression, suicide attempts, and #BellLetsTalk all over social media, I just want to say to my fellow LGBTQIA+ community members: I love you and I support you. You are all beautiful human beings bursting with light, and you are all worth something to me and to the community members who share this space with you. We celebrate your diversity, your strengths, your weaknesses, your successes, and your downfalls. You are welcome here and I invite anyone who needs support to reach out to me or to the fellow community members.

This is not an easy time for a lot of people. Winter depression is difficult, school is exhausting, and balancing everything on top of struggling to find self-love is even more difficult – especially for a lot of people in our community who have spent years (and may still have years ahead of them) trying to search for or come to terms with an identity. My heart goes out to anyone facing these challenges, and I offer a listening ear and some other resources.

To talk to me and email me at nemcgill@ualberta.ca

To talk to a counsellor or psychologist in Camrose. Contact our Nurse Navigator at 780.679.1160 or see her in 2-144.
To talk to a counsellor on campus at 780.679.1511 or email augustana.counselling@ualberta.ca.
To reach out beyond the school, contact Camrose Primary Care Network at 780.608.4927.

With Camrose Pride Week coming up at the end of the month, I would like to remind our Augustana students that you don’t have to agree with what you see but you do have to respect it. I would like to remind our sexually diverse Augustana students that just because Pride Week is happening doesn’t mean you have to be – it’s okay to be yourself quietly. And finally, I would like to remind those who are OUT and abOUT (you know) to be loud and proud all week and forever long – but do not try to pressure others to do the same.

Now, where are those rainbow roses at?!

Upcoming LGBTQ+ Events in Camrose:

Camrose Pride Week
Feb. 24 – March
So You Think You Can Drag, EsspressOUT, Tie Dying, Trivia, Panels and Talks, Queer Youth Art Show, open mic and paint night, and so much more! Check out Camrose Pride’s Facebook for more info!

Pride Week Schedule

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LGBTQ+ & Ally Symposium
March 23, 2019
Augustana Campus

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Events in Edmonton this month:

Edmonton Pride Centre
Check out their calendar for drop ins, yoga, activities, and other events.

 

10th Annual Nordlys Ready to “Light Up” Camrose

BY KIRANDEEP SINGH

The 10th Nordlys Film and Arts Festival is coming to Camrose once again, from Feb. 15 to 17 at the Bailey Theatre. Nordlys means “northern lights” and the festival features a wide range of cinema from across Canada and around the world. The festival has a full weekend of films, special guests, and live music. This year’s lineup includes films from Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, USA, and Canada.

One of the highlights of the festival is the guest list of speakers who attend the weekend. This year, speakers will include producer Mary Sexton, director Josh Wong, musician/producer Blake Reid, filmmaker Jenny Rustemeyer, among others.
Each guest will be available to answer questions, talk about their background working on their specific film, and their experience working in the film and Canadian film industry. Over the weekend, there will also be a line-up of local performers will be providing musical entertainment in the Bailey Theatre, including The Blake Reid Band, #9, The Olson Brothers and several others.
The Nordlys Film Festival is important to Camrose as it provides attendees the opportunity to meet guest filmmakers and musicians. It enables people to be able to have wonderful discussions about the films. The aim of the festival is simply offers great films, music, and community. It also gives people a chance to interact with the artists performing. They have board and committee members, sponsors and festival volunteers. They have no paid staff and the festival is completely volunteer run. There is a tradition of wearing “black and white” on the Friday Opening Night. Some people like to really dress up and others just wear black jeans and a white t-shirt or something fun.

For more information, such as ticket price, bios on the guest musicians and filmmakers, and volunteering opportunities, visit the Nordlys’ website.

Photo credit: The Nordlys Facebook

Be Your Own Valentine at the Public Library

SUBMITTED BY THE CAMROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY (NICOLE BANNICK)

 

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

– from Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Women of Camrose: you are amazing and we want to celebrate phenomenal you! On Feb.8 from 7- 9 p.m., women ages 18 and up are invited to spend a free, decadent, empowering evening at Camrose Public Library.

Be Your Own Valentine is an event we came up with to pamper and thank the amazing women in Camrose and area. Sixty-nine women attended our first event six years ago, and since then it has grown in both size and scope. Last year, there were close to 300 women, and over 500 in 2015.  Visitors are treated to a chocolate fountain, free mini-massages, opportunities for creative expression, delectable hors d’oeuvres, demo services from estheticians, and a chance at winning some wonderful door prizes that are donated by local businesses and practitioners.

Be Your Own Valentine has become a great venue for women to access information about our community, giving opportunities for local small businesses to connect with possible clients. One of the busiest places of the evening is what we fondly call the mini-spa and vendor room. We invite local businesses and practitioners to provide free demo services to attendees, be it a 5-minute massage, reiki, eyebrow waxing, and esthetics. It is a great, free way for local businesses and practitioners to promote their services, make connections, and give back to the community.

It would not be a library event with the chance to learn, create, and grow. We include art activities, displays, and books that open dialogues on relationship, physical, and sexual health and acceptance. It is also a great venue for social engagement, with fancy finger foods, a chocolate fountain, and plenty of spots to sit and catch up with old friends or make a few new ones.

We hope that on Fri. Feb. 8, women aged 18 to 108 will join us for a fabulous, free night of fun, friendship, and empowerment. Due to the adult nature of the displays, this is an adult-only event; please bring photo identification with you.

Nicole Bannick is the Program Coordinator of the Camrose Public Library. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family, baking, comic-cons, and cheesy 16-bit role playing games.