EDMONTON – The four futuristic pavilions of Metropolis, Edmonton’s newest winter festival, have to be seen to be believed, say promoters.
The heated free-standing structures in downtown Sir Winston Churchill Square, designed by leading local architects, are made of scaffolding covered with white shrink wrap. Each pavilion features a light and sound show, and focuses on a different theme.
One is a community centre showcasing arts and other city groups. Another, called the Taste of Winter, offers food from Edmonton restaurants. There’s also a children’s pavilion and a “polar brewhouse” licensed venue.
But a shortage of programming has caused concern. “I was going to take the family to this festival but checked the programming online first and found little to do,” one person wrote in response to an Edmonton Journal story on Metropolis. “All show and no substance,” said another.
“The venues are there and there are times when very little is going on,” general manager Giuseppe Albi told the Journal. He said he hoped that for the festival’s second instalment next year there would be more money available for programming. Funds for the event have come mainly from corporate sponsorships.
Metropolis opened New Year’s Eve and runs to Feb. 20.
On the web: http://metropolisedmonton.ca/
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