Edmonton Poetry Festival
Address: Different venues in Edmonton depending on events taking place (e.g. Churchill Square, local cafes, theatres).
Type of festival: Poetry festival, began in 2006. Takes place for a week in late April.
Target membership: Publishers, writers’ organizations, community organizations, schools and literary groups. Established poets as well as embarking poets and amateurs. Poetry appreciators.
Type of literature: Variety of poetry in all its forms, slam poetry, classics, spoken word, Concrete Poetry (chalk on sidewalks), Blinks poetry event. Poetry connected with other art forms like music and visual arts and other parts of life, like science, politics, spirit. Hip-hop, poems in different languages, Literary Cocktails, book chats, chapbooks and translation projects. Aboriginal poetry, African poetry, poetry and jazz, poetry and wine tasting, poetry and mysticism. Poetry Route (Edmonton transit vehicles throughout the city). Poetry and film installations, queer poetry, bilingual French Twist, short-order poetry, free-range. Poetry and blues. Poetry workshops.
Distinguishable features: Bring in national and international artists to inspire, entertain and educate. 2013 Festival was a gathering of poets laureate from across Canada, an evening at the Citadel Theatre, book launches. From 4 to 12 special guests attend every year.\
Website: http://www.edmontonpoetryfestival.com/
LitFest. Edmonton International Literary Festival
Address: Variety of venues in Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park (including Alberta Aviation Museum, Arts and Convocation Hall Student Lounge, Rose and Crown Pub, TELUS World of Science, Winspear Centre, St. Albert Public Library, Festival Place)
Type of festival: Nonfiction Literature festival, 11 days long, takes place in October.
Target membership: 4,000 patrons, 150 volunteers, 50+ writers and artists contribute.
Type of literature: Nonfiction literature and events, including Workshops (AMPA, humour, interacting with Editors), book launches, topics on food, selfies and magic, talks with various authors.
Distinguishable features: e-newsletter for special offers, news on LitFest and other Edmonton literary events. Last year’s festival hosted 28 artists as special guests. LitFest Little Free Library – recycled newspaper box painted by local artists, stocked with LitFest books and Festival programs (a week before the festival starts and runs through to the end of the fest) Take a book and leave a book.
Website: https://litfestalberta.org/
Pure Spec (speculative fiction)
Address: Ramada Conference Centre
Characteristics
Type of festival: Edmonton’s Science and Fiction Festival. Science fiction, fantasy and gaming convention. 3 days long, taking place in November.
Target membership: Dedicated to the geek communities in Edmonton, bringing together fans and creators of sci-fi. Guests of honour include award-winning science-fiction authors, games designers, TV writers, actors and producers, cosplayers, media personalities.
Type of literature: Sci-fi and fantasy topics. Subjects ranging from nanotechnology, to surviving a zombie apocalypse, to teaching science to kids, to costuming on a budget… Events include a costume contest, a Mega Guest Forum, games merchants and craftsmen vendors.
Distinguishable features: Run by the Pure Speculation Science-Fiction and Fantasy Society or Alberta. Work with the local charity, Crystal Kids (services and activities for at risk youths).
Website: http://www.purespec.org/
The Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo (The Edmonton Expo)
Address: 7515 118 Ave, Edmonton Expo Centre
Type of festival: Pop Culture convention, 3 days long, held in September. Began in 2011.
Target membership: 47,000 people attended in 2014. Host a variety of guests from movies and TV shows (eg. Big Bang Theory, Ghostbusters, Mythbusters). The “nerd community,” fans, volunteers, exhibitors and guests.
Type of literature: Pop Culture fiction, video games, movies and TV shows, including mystery, sci-fi, fantasy. Comic book artists, vendors, media guests and cosplay. Events include panel sessions with film and TV stars, Geek speed dating events.
Distinguishable features: 75% spike in attendance from the year before. Extremely popular Expo. Edmonton’s mayor attended in a Star Trek gold command tunic.
Website: http://edmontonexpo.com/
Last Updated: July 15, 2016
