Major cities like Calgary and Toronto have film festivals, so why not Lethbridge? Lethbridge has a thriving arts scene including a vibrant film community, so some of our talent and a lot of First Nations talent will be part of  the Lethbridge On Screen Film Festival, running at the Movie Mill and Galt Museum, Sept. 23 and 30, which happily coincides with Arts Days, Alberta Arts and Culture Day and Truth and Reconciliation Day.

“There is something for everyone. There’s short films, animation, silent films and more. And for Truth and Reconciliation days all of the films will be from Indigenous artists,“ enthused film co-ordinator Tess Mitchell, who has been putting the festival together for the past three months.

“I’m really excited about it. I’ve been involved in in  films since I was 16 when I was tearing tickets and making popcorn. This festival is going to be really beautiful and really special,” said the Lethbridgian, adding she has been part if the film industry in Canada and the United Kingdom for 20 years including a stint working for the  Edinburgh Film festival.

“The film industry in Lethbridge and Alberta is growing rapidly, and this film festival will bring some incredible movies to the screen in Lethbridge for the first time. All the work for the Lethbridge OnScreen Film Festival is by underrepresented communities to make more space for their vital and powerful contribution to the film industry,” she said.

 Most of the over 20 contributions are newer films including Darlene Naponse’s “ Stellar” and Anthony  Shim’s feature “Riceboy Sleeps” which were part of the TIFF film festival in Toronto earlier this month, though some of the Indigenous films are from the 1960s.

If you like the arts , then the next couple of weeks are for you to celebrate all kinds of arts  during the last part of September— the Month of the Artist.

 Arts Days 2023 opens with the AAC Arts Days Cabaret at casa, Friday, Sept. 22 from 7-9 p.m. with local musicians the Decadent Phase and Peace For Bombs.

Kelaine Devine, Eric Dyck and  Luka de Haan with be  creating art inspired by the performances.

It is also the  launch of Trap/Door Artist Run Collective’s new exhibit  “Carrying Baggage”  featuring works by Seema Karchoo, Heather Kehoe, Harley Morman, Kalina Nedelcheva, Arianna Richardson, Noble Seggie.

 And artists  Solange Roy and Kylie FineDay will be answering questions about their art in the casa square kiosks.

“Art is not a passive thing, we are all part of  the art scene. Arts Days is about engaging in the ares in a new way,” said Kelaine Devine, Allied Arts council communications coordinator.

One of the cornerstone events of ArtsDays is Word on the Street which happens on Saturday , Sept. 23 outside the Lethbridge Public Library featuring food trucks, workshops and live music and plenty of authirs and playwrights  exploring fiction, non fiction,  teen and youth literature and much more. 

 There is no art walk again this year, instead 19 artists will begin creating  murals on the windows of downtown businesses beginning today ( Sept. 21) as part of the Downtown Lens: Window Mural Gallery running Sept. 21-24.

“ That will allow you to ask the artists questions about their work and watch them  creating,” Devine said.

It’s like it’s May all over again, though it is the end of September.

 This week a couple of bands who last played Lethbridge in May, return this week.

 Winnipeg based jazz rock instrumental band Apollo Suns begin another  tour in Lethbridge on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the Slice. Apollo Suns kicked off their last tour at the Slice in May. This time they return in support of their brand new album “Departures” which was released on Sept. 22.

A little later, on Friday, Sept. 29,  Edmonton based progressive metal band Fall of Earth return to Lethbridge to play the Slice in support of their new album “From the Ashes.” They played the Studio last time, but return to Lethbridge in the midst of a massive eight week tour. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Medicine Hat punk band Total Wolf and  Lethbridge’s Switched off will be sharing the bill with them.

 Friday will be a big night for rock and roll and metal fans as hardcore surf punk icons Ten Foot Pole will be playing the Owl Acoustic lounge with Vancouver based melodic hardcore band Selfist,  Alec Arms and Berserker. Tickets are $18 through Eventbrite. 

But first, Luke James Bruce returns to Mojos to host an open mic on Monday, Sept. 25. He also hosts Honkers Pub’s open mic on  Friday, Sept. 29. Scott Davidson is Honkers’ host on Saturday, Sept. 30.

 Prophet Gabriel hosts a blues jam at the Slice on Tuesday, Sept. 26, while down the street, the Owl Acoustic lounge features their weekly open mic.

 Juno award winning singer songwriter Dan Mangan kicks off a busy fall for the Geomatic Attic as he returns to Lethbridge to play the Yates Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $48.50.