Lethbridge designers, vendors and restauranteurs strut their stuff this weekend as  The Lethbridge Fashion Weekend  returns to the Galt Museum, Nov. 6.

The ever expanding annual event, modelled after fashion weeks in major centres like new York City,  attracted a capacity crowd last year during their first year at the Galt Museum.
 Lethbridge Fashion Weekend began in 2007. While the sale used to be the day after, the sale and show will all be on one day this year.

 “ It’s going to be  pure fun,” said Shelly Court who organizes the event with her husband and a dedicated core of volunteers.

 Six is the magic number this year with six different designers participating including “Of A Feather” from Lethbridge College Fashion design program alumni and Airdrie based  Sarah Auston, Lethbridge designers “Penny Lane” by Stephanie Hogan, “Troy Anthony Designs” from Troy Anthony,  “donell” by Donell Kollias, “Veena ” by Jena Murray, “Aniimiism” by Vancouverite Cassie Dee and “Shelly Kanyo Studios” from Court herself. Beautiful models from Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge and Winnipeg will be modelling the new designs.

 The event also features six vendors selling clothing, skin care products and jewelry. There will also be plenty of free food from Umani, Crazy Cakes and Cora's.
“For $20 you get free food, cheap drinks, the first 80 people get a gift bag, you get to see the clothing, the models and you get to shop,” Court enthused adding while they used to hold the sale the day after, this year the sale is right after the show tog et people while they’re inspired by the designs.

“There are also two DJs coming from Edmonton and there is an after-party at the Rogue Restaurant (in the watertower),” she added.
“It’s something different for Lethbridge and you get to dress up without being looked at funny. Though it isn’t mandatory though most people do,” she continued, noting there will be a red carpet and a professional photographer  Jayson Domingo photographing the runway action.
“People are getting excited about it,” Court continued.

An expanded Lethbridge Comicon celebrates all things comics and geek culture, Oct. 16-18 in the West Pavilion of Exhibition Park.

“We have TV stars, comic book creators and even more local artists and craftsmen,” said Lethbridge Comicon organizer Adam Essex, who is anticipating  between 1,500 to 2,000 people to attend the third annual event.

“And we’re doing even more for kids. So there will be more kids crafts and family entertainment,” he said noting kids 12 and under get in for free.

“There’s lots of kid’s stuff. We’re building a full scale Angry Birds slingshot and lots of crafts. There will be a guy doing 3D printing, so that will be cool for people to see,” he said.

 A decent sized crowd came out on a blustery, windy day for Word On The Street outside the library downtown to officially kick off Arts Days, Sept. 20.

 Tents billowed in the breeze a variety of authors answered questions and read from their works.

 The city  didn’t set up the stage they usually do for Word on the Street, so musicians were plugged in and literally performed their words and music on the street. 

I was volunteering at CKXU's table, so only caught a few acts. Jolene Draper's new band played a solid set of bright folk inspired pop music powered by Johnny Greenshields on guitar, Steve Martin on bass, Keenan Pezderic on drums and, of course, Jolene Draper's thin, reedy, emotive voice.

 I also caught part of a powerful set from Zojo Black, who featured Steve Keenan and Greg Gomola taking turn on vocals and lead guitar, Paul Kype on bass and  Brad Valgardson on drums.

They played some energetic blues, blues rock and country music  with some hot guitar playing and driving rhythm.