Three to See Edmonton Events: OSPAC music spectacular, Pumpkins After Dark, Strange Darling

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Songs & Stories of Edmonton: Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre is delivering a remarkable weekend of music and history in four parts, focusing on various domains of the musical world.

Each section boasts enlightening educational components, storytelling, and actual concerts — featuring dozens of local performers and, for example in the Blues to Rock night starting at 8 p.m. Friday, passionate music advocate Holger Petersen in conversation with Peter North talking local blues history, then music by Lionel Rault, Dave Babcock and Punch Drunk Cabaret!

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Saturday is in two parts. Celtic and Folk hosted by Maria Dunn is first with various McDades and Dunn joined by the 50-strong Cosmo chorus from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Then, 8 p.m. Saturday, it’s Bobby T hosting a dazzling hip-hop AV production, panel, and performance including legends Darren Jordan, Touch, Dirt Gritie, KazMega, and more, co-produced by Arko Maverick. Seriously!

Finally, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, the Electroacoustic quarter, hosted by Shawn Pinchbeck, with BEAMS, Cosmo winds and percussion, and an improvised symphony performance and Bordeaux.

All free, with tasty food trucks outside — don’t miss this!

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Details: 8 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Sunday (see above) at OSPAC (8426 Gateway Blvd.), no charge.

Pumpkins After Dark: Opening Friday night, it’s the giant maze of 10,000-plus carved pumpkins dripping with music, sounds, and special effects.

Suitable for all ages, various themes of pop culture icons, classic Halloween characters, and of course dinosaurs and dragons, book your time or get an open-ended Flex Pass and get ready for more orange than Garfield and Donald Trump doing the tango!

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Details: 7:45 p.m. – 11 p.m. Friday through Oct. 31 at Borden Park, starts at $22.62/adult, $18.49 youth at edmonton.pumpkinsafterdark.com

Strange Darling (2024): This beautiful, violent erotic thriller told in six out-of-sequence parts is easily one of my favourite films this year, thanks massively to Kyle Gallner and especially Willa Fitzgerald’s brilliant, shifting-sympathies performances.

Moving beyond his hero Tarantino, J.T. Mollner is an indie director to watch, just take a chance and see this before any of your friends do!

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Details: 7 p.m. Fri., 9:30 p.m. Sun. and Oct. 1 at Metro Cinema (8712 109 St.), $14

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@fisheyefoto

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