Mill Creek Adventure Walk

Jan 27 & 28, 2012 
Fri & Sat 7-11pm
Mill Creek Park (north of Mill Creek Pool (82 Ave & 95 A Street)

Free!

Winter Light returns with a brand new Adventure Walk in Mill Creek, transforming one of Edmonton’s best-loved parks into an extraordinary winter storyland.

Journey along the animated, light filled paths. Meet the Creatures of the Creek community, where the news is buzzing about Eager Beaver’s plans for a Really Big Lodge.  All this busy building is changing things —and blocking out the light of the trail. The Magpies, Ravens and Skunks believe the trail lights are set there for Aurora, Queen of the Northern Lights, so she can find her way to visit her animal friends.

What’s to be done?  Follow the story along the trail to Aurora's Meadow.

Join family and friends at the Mill Creek Light Camp to make a lantern to help celebrate the magical light of the winter night.  Winter Light’s famous ‘Welcome Tent’ and glowing fires await.

Trail begins just north of the Mill Creek Pool and runs north. Lights will mark the paths.

This event is suitable for all ages. Warming fires and hot chocolate are available at the Welcome Camp. This event is free, but donations are gratefully accepted!

Note: There are two path options: The general 'multi-use' trail (suitable for strollers). The lower path by the Creek is the 'Adventure Trail' (unimproved trail - sleds are recommended for small children on this path).

Please note: This part of Mill Creek is an on-leash area, and we ask, due to the number of people on the trail, that you ensure your pet is on lease and properly socialized for large crowds and small children. Thank you.

Download the Colouring Book

Download the Mill Creek Adventure Map

Creative Team

Dylan Toymaker (Mill Creek Artistic Director) is an artist and craftsman exploring the aesthetic, technical and environmental aspects of events with light since 1995. His work has been aptly dubbed “high class trash craft”, combining digital 2d, electronics, community activation, recycled materials sculpture and lighting for sale (through his company Crystal Cradle). He has been a creative contributor to Winter Light since its inception, making lanterns and creating unique outdoor lighting designs in remote spaces.  He uses his degree in Anthropology to understand how creativity contributes to culture.

Ron Pearson and Clare Mullen (Aurora’s Light, Story Development) are a husband and wife creative entertainment team. Ron is a professional magician, performing locally and internationally for intimate settings and to crowds of several hundred for over 20 years. His very popular site specific creep shows (featuring dynamic creations such as The Headless Woman and The Spider Lady) have appeared at Edmonton Fringe Festivals for many years. Clare is a screenwriter, producer and performer, who is active in the Walterdale theatre community, both onstage and off.  This is Ron and Clare’s first creative adventure with Winter Light.

Marissa Kochanski (Costume Designer) has worked in Edmonton as a freelance set/costume designer for the past twelve years, with over ninety theatrical productions to her credit, including with the Citadel Theatre, Alberta Opera, Persephone and Firefly Theatre. She won a Sterling Award for her set design with Theatre Network, and the Bettie Mitchell Award (Calgary) and the Ovation Award (Vancouver) for Best Costumes with November Theatre.  Her beautiful light costumes have been part of Winter Light since 2009.

Dave Clarke (Actor, Sound Designer) is a multi awarding winning Edmonton based musician, actor, producer and sound expert. He is the creator of sound designs for hundreds of professional theatre productions, films and live events, writing scores and producing multi-layered soundscapes with depth and creativity. His acting resume is a laundry list of challenging pieces and intense roles. He is a member of the critically acclaimed cross-cultural musical extravaganza Pulse, combining cello, Taiko drums and original mash ups of hard rock tunes. Dave creates and performs the foley sound for CBC radio’s hilarious The Irrelevant Show (see Group Clown Heist or Bears on Unicycles).

Theresa Dextrase (Performer “Aurora: is an Edmonton-based artist, dancer, contact improv teacher, massage therapist, and Trager practitioner. She is a regular performer in dance events throughout Edmonton, notably with Mile Zero Dance. Theresa’s interest in contact improv began with wrestling in a large family and continues to grow as a method of play, self discovery, and personal challenge.  Theresa is originating the role of Aurora for Winter Light in this production.

Melissa-Jo Belcourt Moses comes from a rich Metis ancestry and possesses a wealth of cultural skills acquired from Metis and Aboriginal elders throughout northern and central Alberta.  As a certified instructor, she has taught decorative arts and creative skills within the Native Cultural art programs on Native reserves and Metis settlements. This deep connection to her roots is the inspiration for much of her artwork and ongoing research in developing in others an appreciation for the Metis contribution to our country’s home land.