Do Stuff!

This was written mid september, so the pre-amble is a little dated. uhh...awkward...

So, it’s your third week in classes and you have most likely spent more time at The Duke then what is good for any one person. You have also probably gotten to that point that most people get to at about this...well...point. You are already sick of the wind, the one bar you have been too and looking for a reason to love this oh-so-love-to-hateable town. Well my dears, don’t despair:

Top Ten reasons why it’s worth putting up with ‘The Wind’.

1. Small venues = up close to sweet bands – Where else could I have seen Wayne Petti (from Cuff the Duke) drop trou, shaken it to Tokyo Police Club, sang along with Tegan and Sara, shaken hands with Joel Plaskett, had The Stolen Minks sign my hankie, and grooved to Bedouin Soundclash. Here in Lethbridge we have few venues for sweet bands to play in but these venues do offer what many can’t: up close and personal interaction. I have seen/danced to/meet many an artist here and my brushes of fame have only served to highlight why the Lethbridge music scene is super sweet.
2. Wicked coffee shops – For real. I am not comparing Lethbridge to coffee shop mecca’s like Vancouver or Toronto but places like Roundstreet Cafe and The Penny serve up a mean cappuccino, know how to make an iced Vietnamese ( hell, the fact they even know what one is makes me happy...) and make deli-sh sandwich's to go. These are all things that make a time crunched university student very very happy. Only problem- not open late enough, so get there during the day to taste these delights!
3. Saturday nights – Need something to do? Sick of studying? Well...Lethbridge offers quite a bit for cash strapped youths. Movie theaters are never sold out and cheaper here then other cities, places to play a game of pool and have a bevi are abundant (my favorite – Westside Backstreet) and most Saturdays boast a fire-spinning/ Tune blasting/ sweet dancing good time at Galt Gardens. Bring a hoop, some hot chocolate and let the good times begin!
4. Walking – Ok, so the fact that you can walk from a sweet sushi restaurant to a movie theater and then a pub without exerting too much effort is totally sweet. Plus the Lethbridge low crime rate means you can stroll after dark with little to no worry about your safety! Sweet! Plus downtown is pretty adorable and worth at least one of your afternoons.
5. Art Gallery’s - We have some very very sweet art gallery’s and as you will learn in Art 1000, Lethbridge boasts some world class collections (word has it, the UofL even owns a Picasso. Whats up!) Here are some you might not even know about:

- Gallery Potemkin: A loosely organized group of about 15 artists who occupy studio space in downtown Lethbridge and present three to four exhibitions a year. Rental space for artists.
Address: 316 5 St S Lethbridge AB T1J 2B5

- The Miller Gallery: Address: 407A 5 St S Lethbridge AB T1J 2B6

- Trianon Gallery: Formerly the Trianon Ballroom (1930s-1960s), the gallery is an informal mix between a gallery and an architectural office. Its open space and philosophy allows for creative community responses. Exhibitions range from nationally-renowned artists to aspiring students. A second exhibition space, Le Petit Trianon is now open downstairs.
Address: 104 5 St S - Upstairs Lethbridge AB T1J 2B2

- Coulee Ridge Art Gallery: Mon - Sat 10 am - 6 pm.
Address: Lethbridge Center Mall, 217-200 4 Ave S Lethbridge AB T1J 4C9

6. Chances to get involved - There are a shawk of wicked organizations and clubs in this city and since we are fairly small, you can play a lead role in these sweet groups. It’s super easy to fins local chapters and organizations on google. Just type in Lethbridge and then the group or interest. Presto! For example - “Lethbridge campus community radio” = CKXU!
7. Kebab Land – It’s a proper Kebab place. On the West Side (right next door to Fire and Ice). Open late. Serves a plethora of delights. Need I say more?
8. Karaoke to knock your socks off – For whatever reason Lethbridge has some of the best karaoke I have even encountered. The Tuesday night Slice Bar and Grill karaoke boats a song book to make any music lover swoon. Bo-Dudley’s and The Duke also host karaoke which will have you up on stage singing Blondie’s “Call Me” anyone before you can say “just one more drink..”
9. The Coulees – Breathtaking, free and totally accessible to all! They are amazing and all the locals know those wicked spots to sit, chill and think of that essay topic you have been putting off... So make friends with a local and utilize that shit! Plus, with all the rain hopefully the fire ban will no longer exist and then (space designated and controlled) coulee fires will reign supreme!
10. The People – Despite some of the hang-up’s that Lethbridge does carry, the people here make it all worthwhile. Ton’s of University student’s mean lots of wicked like minded people to meet, a great arts community, a wicked local music scene (seriously, check it! Local bands here are too good to not know about) and lots of ways to meet all these fine folks means a bevy of potential friends at your fingertips.