SkirtsAFire Festival

This year’s Festival features four bold, brand new works by women artists: stories that chart identity, belonging, healing, and resistance.

• Ms. Pat’s Kitchen by Jameela J. McNeil runs March 5 - 8 at ArtsHub Ortona: As Pat transitions into a new stage of her life, and her very own restaurant, her daughter Kenise prepares to take a leap into adulthood, although her journey to independence is not what she thought it would be.
• I Am Eagle by Matricia Bauer, playing March 6 - 7 at Walterdale Theatre, is about the playwright’s experience as a ‘60s Scoop Survivor. Through puppetry and fantasy, the story engages with difficult history and charts Matricia’s return to her culture and community. A limited amount of complimentary tickets will be available for Indigenous Peoples thanks to support from the Alberta Blue Cross. Please claim your ticket using the “Free Tickets for Indigenous Peoples” option.
• Put Your Lips Together by Louise Casemore is a surreal neon-noir about the experience of women in the workplace. It will be presented as a reading on March 10 & 12 at Gateway Theatre.
• Things I Shouldn’t Tell You by Shannan Calcutt closes out this year’s Festival, playing from March 12 - 15 at Walterdale Theatre. A funny, frank one-woman show about perimenopause, caregiving, and figuring yourself out (again).

And as if these new plays aren't exciting enough, there's so much more to see and do at this year's Festival!

At Gateway Theatre:

See a new iteration of The Shoe Project, featuring stories by immigrant and refugee women, and catch the return of fan-favourite Comedy Night. Plus, for the first time at SkirtsAfire, we’ll be offering an evening of Children’s Programming (stay tuned for more details!).

At La Cité Francophone: Experience a night of theatre at Off the Page or get swept up in movement with emBODYment.

And don't miss out on musical performances: Songs in the Sanctuary at Holy Trinity Church and The Key of Me at Chianti Cafe!

Skirts on Whyte is back! In partnership with the Old Strathcona Business Association, four local artists create one-of-a-kind skirts using upcycled materials, displayed in shop windows. Visit all locations during the festival for a chance to win a basket of Old Strathcona goodies.

Did someone say workshop? Why, yes! Join Shannan Calcutt for Celebrate Your Ridiculousness, a joyful workshop inviting artists to embrace their inner clown.

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Tickets are available now for all SkirtsAfire events.

• Pricing ranges from pay-what-you-can up to $30.
• Key of Me at Chianti events are by donation at the door.
• The full list of events and tickets are available at skirtsafire.com
• Festival passes are also available at skirtsafire.com/festival-passes

Venues have limited seating so be sure to book early to secure your seats!

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Various venues throughout Old Strathcona, the French Quarter, plus a new venue in Rossdale!

• ArtsHub Ortona - 9722 102 St NW
• Gateway Theatre - 8529 Gateway Blvd NW
• Walterdale Theatre - 10322 83rd Ave NW
• Chianti Cafe - 10501 82 Ave NW
• Holy Trinity Anglican Church - 10037 84 Ave NW
• La Cité Francophone - 8627 91 Street
• Skirts on Whyte: Skirts created from upcycled materials by local artists can be found in window displays of Whyte Ave retailers (Village Goods, gravitypope Tailored Goods, Bamboo Ballroom, and The QUILTBAG)