Suspected University of Alberta HUB Gunman Still on the Loose.

 

 

 

 

Police have released a photo of a “person of interest” in an overnight robbery attempt that saw three armoured truck personnel killed and a fourth critically injured at the University of Alberta’s HUB Mall.

Travis Brandon Baumgartner, 21, is believed to be one of several employees of G4S Cash Solutions Canada who was at the HUB Thursday night. He is believed to be in a dark blue Ford F-150 pick-up truck with AB plate ZRE 724.
Two men and a woman died and a fourth victim, a man, is in hospital, city police Staff Sgt. Erik Johnson said early Friday. Police continue to look for a suspect or suspects after receiving reports around midnight of gunshots at HUB, a combined residence and shopping mall that runs the length of several blocks along 112th Street.

It’s arguably the deadliest armoured car incident in Alberta history.

CF Pirate Party Fundraiser.

This year, the batshit crazy party is being held at the Artery. The max capacity is a little less so, for God's sake, get there early. There are also going to be some surprise guests that are not included on the poster for political reasons, so ask around. This is going to be the kickoff party of the summer like WHOA.

May really is the greatest month for us.

"We're Rockin' this bitch..."

It's been a while since I have posted anything. Consider it a good sign that I have been busy doing a savage amount of fun shit. WHO GOES OUT THIS MUCH IN MARCH?

Notably, after 20 years of adoration, I finally got a chance to see one of my  faves, Sir Ben Folds.



And he improved.
Someone shouted out "Rock this bitch!"
And he did. THEY did.
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was astounding.
The entire show was one of the best I have ever seen. I am so glad that, even though not a huge fan of Folds, Greg was able to come and share that with me. It was also excellent to know that just a few rows closer to the stage sat Shawn with his brother. Everyone that should have been with me was. Including a sweet guy from Calgary that sat beside me having the absolute time of his life.

That being said, the ever lovely Lindsey Walker and I have a date to see Kathleen Edwards on Monday and I am simultaneously excited and relieved. Greg had me convinced that he left it too long and the tickets were sold out. I almost keyed his car.
I have never missed a show since the release of Failer and I am certainly not starting now. Greg waited just long enough before I started selling off his comics to pay some dude named Ned on Kijiji. Perhaps some decadent Steak Tartar at Accent before the show?

Man, my life can be beautiful.

You can always tell the birth of spring in Edmonton between the sifts of snow by the way people begin to talk to each other... in excited, anticipatory tones. So many music shows. Comedy. Art shows all over our lives. We can barely keep our calenders straight.
"Which art show is this? Who is hosting this?"
 As Greg has said, when it comes to much needed R & R, Monday/Tuesday is our weekend. Starting Wednesday evening, we don't stop. And it never seems to get old. We do surround ourselves with some amazing people.

It is hard not to be grateful.




Aside: The annual Pirate Party/CF fundraiser/ Greg birthday bash is being held at the Artery this year, May 20th, and some pretty excellent people have agreed to be a part of it.

Of course they have.

Love you too, Marko.

Now it's time to hit the streets, back up those words you've sung.

I remember being in Victoria and having a helluva great night with a self proclaimed "skin head." I didn't know if I should be afraid or not, but he and I were engaged in brilliant conversation for hours before I found out so I felt pretty okay about it.

It takes a lot to get me to recoil in fear. Just ask my father.

The same Neo-Nazi group that rampaged Calgary and sent a ripple of fear through the landscape here (whether real or imaginary remains to be proven), are now supposedly coming to the heart of Edmonton and turning our "used hubcap district" into their locker room. At least this is the rumor.

https://www.facebook.com/events/336712919707737/

A facebook anti-rally has been created. It reminds me of the anti-Westboro Baptist Church rally that was ultimately fruitless since the church members couldn't get across our border to protest our unknown gay theatre production or whatever queer form of expression they were mad about. Afterward, everyone just went to Whyte and drank beer and cheers-ed a lot instead.

This town, while redneck in reputation, loves its protest songs. God love it.

Puddin', you guys. PUDDIN'.

They know how to win over a Canuck.

The Last Hurrah.

So, our friend Marko has sold his beloved pub. We have been frequentling that little place every week, sometimes four times a week, for years. Greg has been going there since his first year of college. Greg and I met there. Our first date was there. We would joke about getting married there. So many of our friends met each other there, including couples like Boyle and Lindsay. Our friends Ritchie and Tiffany got engaged there. Greg's birthday and CF fundraiser pirate party was there. Every year. So many of our friends are in bands that started playing at the Crown. There was never a time that we weren't welcome there. In pajamas, in bad moods, broke, exhausted, in sickness, in health. It was our place. It was a lot of people's "our place."

We got a chance for one last hurrah on Sunday during a friend's fundraiser in memory of his father. And it was everything we wanted it to be.

Vangie and her sexy ass.

Karly is the greatest thing and pulls off a denim vest like whoa.

The pub, complete with Angelica and her sass.

Angelica and her beau.

Marko and Doreen.

Who's the guy on the left? I can't remember. Fred and Marko, making shit happen.

Fred went all out this year, and he hit his $5000 goal. So fantastic.

Vangie. Making metal out of me.

Marko. Confused by my camera case that looks like a bible.

Feeling the love.

Who is the new waitress again? Anyway, she is beautiful and good to us.

"How do you not love these sexy faces?", featuring Lindsay & Greg.

Speaking of sexy, well played Chad.

Tyler and a pretty lady I am unaware of.

Tyler has the kind of smile that makes everything okay.

The classic Chris Boyle, Lindsay, and Greg who is making a weird face.

Rebecca and I, but this time I was taking the pictures. And that is why they are so shitty.

Lindsay #17. There are so many Lindsays but this one is one of the sweetest.

Chad, being coy.

I don't recall this photo, nor do I know what the hell is happening.

I can only assume Rush was playing.

Bros.

Such a pretty shot of Lindsay.

I had such a good night.

Free Elliott, one last show.

Mark and Bobby and Philip, and a steaming pile of rock & roll.

Philip on drums.

Bobby, making bass & bartending look easy.

The back office and show posters... some of which was Greg's best work.

Cean and the boys, making the best fucking wings in the city.

Philip and I, being adorable.

Mark and I, being menacing.

Mark and I , trying again.

Philip does more for this city's local art scene than anyone I know.
Keep your eyes on the Artery.

The boys and Ajay- one of the best huggers.

We were there from 5pm until 1 in the morning. And we left too soon.

Now we wait. Wait to see what the new owners will do to the place. Wait until Kelly's opens up again in April. Wait to bump into so many people from the Crown that we never seemed to see anywhere else. Thanks again, Marko.

Cue Toby Keith's "I love this bar."

This is what Wunderbar will look like this afternoon. Probably. Maybe.

PANDEMONIUM. Today. It's Happening.

An all day art show extravaganza! Come down to Edmonton’s best bar for a full day of excitement and beer with art on display, comedies, poets, music and burlesque!
 

PANDEMONIUM!

Doors at 3pm
5 bucks before 7pm, 10 bucks after

During the day there will be:

Wonderful art by 

Pete Nguyen

Greg Tymofichuk

Nathan Cleveley 

... and more.

The comedic stylings of 

Kristin 'Snooki' Ashmore and Wunderbar’s own Craig Martell

 

("Do the jew bit!!")

Poetry Readings from the brilliant minds Adam Wilson and Robert Peck!

And the sweet sweet music of Mikkayla Albert and Dan Daniels!


At night the stage will be taken over by:

James Renton, folk troubadour of Fire Next Time and having a really wicked beard fame:
http://firenexttime.bandcamp.com/
 
(Please check these guys out. Please. They need the money. And they are also really really fucking good.)

Free Elliott, aka Edmonton’s three handsomest rockers
http://www.reverbnation.com/freeelliott

 
(Edmonton's friendliest snob rock. Ow! Damn it Mark, it was a joke. Jesus.)

Noisy Colours will have you enthralled with their awesome noir space-garage rock sound
http://www.facebook.com/noisycolours

 
(These guys are OUTSTANDING. Every time.)

The Give ‘em Hell Boys are sure to end the night in a whiskey fueled foot stomping rampage
http://www.facebook.com/giveemhellboys

 

(I am so excited to see these assholes again...)

In between the bands you will be teased and tempted with burlesque from:
 

The Hook 'Em Revue!! 

with guest Kiki Quinn


 
(I am looking forward to the never-ending antics of this sassy broad, most of all...)









See you guys there...