Welcome to Deep Freeze

Message from our Executive Director

Christy Morin, Founder / Executive Director, Arts on the Ave

Happy New Year 2024! As the Artistic Director of the Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival, I warmly invite you to join us in a celebration deeply rooted in personal memories and rich cultural traditions. This year's theme, "Under the Toadstools," is inspired by my childhood recollections of foraging for morel mushrooms in Alberta's bush, a task I once viewed with reluctance but now cherish for its connection to my family's heritage.

Our festival this year honours not only these personal memories but also the diverse cultural tapestry of Alberta, including Ukrainian, European, French Canadian, Franco-African, Latino, Métis, and Indigenous roots. Each of these communities shares a profound bond with the land, finding nourishment and joy in the bush's natural bounty – from berries and mushrooms to other delightful treats. Our team and artists have crafted a wonderful festival weekend that weaves together the vibrant threads of these cultures. Immerse yourself in the rich narratives of our land through captivating performances, traditional dances, and music that resonates with the soul of Alberta's wilderness. Relish the flavours of our shared heritage with food and the arts that tells the story of our connection to the earth.

This charity festival is more than a celebration; it's an homage to the spirit of togetherness and the enduring relationship we have with the natural world around us. Join us in this unique journey of discovery, celebration, and appreciation of the beauty and bounty that Alberta's winters offer. Let's create new memories together, under the Alberta sky, connected by the land that sustains and unites us all. Follow the smiling moon!

Happy New Year!

Bonne année 2024 ! En tant que Directrice Artistique du Deep Freeze: un festival d'hiver byzantin, je vous invite chaleureusement à célébrer nos souvenirs et traditions culturelles diversifiées. Inspirés par la cueillette de champignons dans les broussailles d'Alberta, nous rendons hommage à nos racines Ukrainiennes, Européennes de l'Est, Franco-Africaines, Métis et Autochtones. Rejoignez-nous pour des performances captivantes, de la danse traditionnelle, de la musique envoûtante, et des saveurs culinaires qui racontent notre lien avec la terre. Célébrons ensemble la beauté et la générosité de l'hiver Albertain.

Christy Morin
Executive Director, Arts on the Ave

P.S. It takes many hands, hearts, and dollars to keep us going. Please consider the opportunity to give Arts on the Ave a financial donation on a monthly basis and receive a tax receipt for your much needed support.

Thank you

Bienvenue à Deep Freeze

Alain Bertrand, Francophone Program Coordinator

samedi le 20 janvier est la journée Francophone!!

Vous pensiez que les festivals n’avaient lieu qu’en été? Détrompez-vous! En fait, au Canada, c’est probablement en hiver que les gens s’amusent le plus dehors. La programmation a été conçue pour faire participer tous les groupes d’âge ainsi que les inciter à prendre plaisir aux activités d’hiver et à être dehors.

Soyez des nôtres !

Alain Bertrand
Coordonnateur du programme francophone
Festival Deep Freeze

Saturday, January 20 is Francophone day!!

Did you think festivals only took place in summer? Think again! In fact, in Canada, it’s probably in winter that people have the most fun outdoors. The programme has been designed to involve all age groups and encourage them to enjoy winter activities and being outdoors.

Come and join us!

Alain Bertrand
Francophone Programme Coordinator
Deep Freeze Festival

Laskavo prosymo do Deep Freeze

Festival Team, Ukrainian Programming

Sunday, January 21 is Ukrainian day!!

Celebrate 2024 with us at the Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival! Embrace traditions, enjoy vibrant performances, and revel in our cultural feast. Thank you, dear patrons, for joining us in welcoming the New Year. Happy Malanka!

Warm regards,

The Festival Team

Святкуйте 2024 рік разом з нами на нашому зимовому Бизантійському фестивалі «DeepFreeze»!

Обмінюйтеся традиціями, насолоджуйтеся яскравими виступами і розквітайте в нашому культурному святі. Дякуємо, дорогі учасники, за те, що приєдналися до нас у вітанні Нового Року. Щасливої Маланки!

Щиро Вітаємо!

Tanisi! (Hello)

MJ Belcourt Moses, Indigenous Programming Coordinator

We are delighted to welcome you to the winter village, Pipon, recognized in the language of the Nehiyawak, Nehiyawan a dialect of the Cree. The Pipon Village represents Indigenous (FNMI) cultures, gathering in honor of our heritage. Enjoy wintertime in the Pipon Village, come, share and tell stories.

In the spirit of friendship and unity, our program team extends a warm welcome to each of you. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment where our traditions and histories are acknowledged and cherished.

Let's celebrate our shared journey, learn from one another, and build a community that is strong, vibrant, and deeply rooted in our ancestral knowledge.

Tānisi nānāskomowin kākiyāw e tohteyin anohc kīsikahk wākōhkōmānithk pe mōcikihtāyān e ki miyāwitamowin ekwa achimostawewak ōta amiskwaciy wāskahikan pīpon ōtenāwihtāw

Ayay MJ Belcourt Moses nitsīkason okimaw iskwew pīpon ocēnas

With warm regards,

MJ Belcourt Moses
Indigenous Arts Program Manager
Pipon Village Program Team