Culture Days are back once again.

The annual national event is a celebration of arts and culture and is being held from Sept. 24-Oct. 24 in most of the country.

It's a little different in Alberta this year, instead being held throughout the month of September.

When it comes to High River, there's no shortage of sights to see and activities to take part in.

Dinah Van Donzel, vice chair with the High River Performing Arts Foundation, is glad there's so much time to take everything in.

"It gives everyone a chance to see some of the special events, which are specific to each weekend in September, but also to then get to go to the galleries they want to. We've been able to spread out all of the activities throughout the month."

Those ongoing displays include the Unity Weaving Project at The Venue, as well as a reconciliation art installation at George Lane Park.

In terms of events, this weekend alone (Sept. 11-12) is looking busy.

"The IRERI group, which is the Mexican, Latino & Cross Cultural Society, they'll be at the venue, and on September 11 from 5-10 p.m., there's A Night in Mexico, which will be amazing. There's traditional Oaxacan street food by El Papalote, a performance by the IRERI dancers, they've got a Mariachi Singer, Antonio Bobadilla, that'll be wonderful as well," says Van Donzel.

The following morning, a reconciliation ceremony will be held at 10 a.m.

"That will start in George Lane Park as people walk back to The Venue and we ask that people wear orange shirts, of course, to honour survivors. We have dancers Shirley Hill and Luke Whiteman there and the Spotted Rock drummers of Eden Valley will be there as well. The performance will be in the park, and then oral presentations will be followed at the venue."

Other events included in the long list are The Art Project Market on Sept. 16, a live performance from Los Hermanos Cárcamo on the 18th, and the Qt Pie Drag Show on the 25th.

The full list of events, and a handy map, can be found on The Venue's website.

 

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