Mark your calendars–one of Edmonton’s most exciting festivals kicks off this week! SkirtsAfire is a multi-day and multi-disciplinary celebration of women and non-binary people in the arts. From art installations to live music to dance performances, this innovative festival has been wowing Edmontonians for over 10 years. With a special focus on prioritizing the work of Indigenous, POC, and LGBTQIAS+ individuals, SkirtsAfire will take place at various venues in Old Strathcona from March 2–12.
Theatre, Dance, Music, and more!
This year’s MainStage show is The Space Between Stars by local playwright Christine Lesiak. A refreshing new take on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, this play uses live actors and puppetry to tell the story of an astronomer and her precocious son. Catch this brand-new show at the Westbury Theatre inside the Fringe Theatre Arts Barn.
You can also check out The Shoe Project, a national initiative the highlights the stories of Canadian immigrant and refugee women. Using a worn pair of shoes, 10 women will tell the stories of their arrival in Canada. These stories are presented in collaboration with Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre and the show will take place at the Gateway Theatre on March 11 & 12. Impactful and moving, this project is a must-see at this year’s festival!
Other events include partnerships with JUNOfest, a breathtaking performance by Indigenous women called Nikâwiy, a stunning aerial arts showcase, and so much more! Make sure to check out their website for a full schedule of events.
2023 Skirt Design Challenge
Along with these performances, SkirtsAfire will be bringing back another classic part of their festival: the Skirt Design Challenge. Started in 2013, this event invites local artists to design official Skirts for the festival, which are then displayed in local businesses in the Old Strathcona area. This year’s theme was Adaptation, which required the 4 participating artists to design a piece using up-cycled waste materials from local retailers.
This year’s designs includes And, I fashion MYSELF by Tanya Edison, which will be displayed at Village Goods. Using fair trade coffee packaging, a table cloth from Village Goods, and other materials, Edison’s piece honours and uplifts the women behind these products. A happy and joyous work of art, And, I fashion MYSELF transports the viewer into the lives of women from around the globe. Make sure to check out all the Skirts, which will be displayed at these locations:
- • Village Goods (10432–82 Ave)
- • gravitypope Tailored Goods (10414–82 Ave)
- • 3 Girls Swim & Wear (10406–82 Ave)
- • Mars & Venus (10328–82 Ave)
Designs will also be revealed at the festival’s Opening Ceremonies & A-Line Variety Show at March 2 at the Gateway Theatre.
And this is just the beginning! There’s no shortage of fun to explore at SkirtsAfire 2023. Visit their website to purchase tickets now.
