Christina VarvisRobert Moyles said his most memorable experience during his time at the University of Alberta was in a film studies class. 30 years later, he seems to have put what he learned in that class into the upcoming Green and Glow WinterFest.
“It taught me more than 10 other courses put together,” Moyles said. “All of a sudden, I realized the amount of thought and attention to detail and work behind the scenes (in movies).”
Moyles, who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the U of A in 1986, is the spokesperson for the three-day long celebration, which marks the 100th anniversary of the U of A Alumni Association. There are more than 260,000 U of A alumni across 140 countries worldwide, and the festival is intended to celebrate alumni accomplishments and give back to the community.
“A Spectacle of Light, Fire and Snow” is the festival’s tagline. Attractions will include ice sculptures, a variety of art installations and pyrotechnics displays of 30-foot fire columns and fireworks launched on Saturday night.
Dan Riskin from Discovery Channel Canada’s Daily Planet will launch the ceremonies on Jan. 29 with a speech in Convocation Hall in the Old Arts Building. The former bat biologist will be telling stories about his U of A experience and reading from his new book, Mother Nature Is Trying To Kill You.
“Come learn why sucker bats don’t suck,” Riskin tweeted in anticipation of his guest lecture.
The work of Faculty of Arts alumni will be heavily represented at the festival. Other live events include a poetry performance by Edmonton poet laureate Mary Pinkoski, while Rapid Fire Theatre’s Artistic Director Amy Shostak will be coordinating roving performers who will engage with participants in improvised routines. The performers will entertain in lit up convocation robes and mortarboards.
Artists, including light artist Dylan “Toymaker” George will create a stimulating aural and visual atmosphere in Quad. George has built lanterns that will shoot coloured light onto snow and a soundscape composer will evoke different sonic moods in different areas of the site.
“People might not have seen that in Quad before unless they’ve been taking substances to help them see that,” Moyles said with a chuckle.
Students walking through slush may have been wondering about the ice sculptures under tarps in Quad, and if the works will even survive.
“It’s all weather-dependent,” Moyles said. “If it’s warm, it should be pretty nice. But the ice slide might not work.”
Moyles remains optimistic. About 3,000 people are pre-registered for the event and Friday, Jan. 30, and the wearther is expected to hover around -9, according to Environment Canada.
Moyles said he’s eager about seeing the disparate parts of the project come together after many stages of pre-planning. The Green and Glow WinterFest is starting to resemble something from a Hollywood picture.
“It should be Quad like people have never seen before and may never again,” Moyles said.
The festival runs from Jan. 29 to 31 in the University of Alberta’s main Quad. Registration for the event is free. Tickets are still available for Dan Riskin’s lecture on Thursday, Jan. 29.
