You may have noticed the bright yellow doors on the newest building on 102a Avenue. This is CO*LAB (Community Arts Laboratory). CO*LAB (9641 102a Avenue) is a community-run arts facility managed by the Quarters Arts Society. Though they are not officially open for business, Quarters Arts is opening their doors every Saturday for their Summer Music Series, and invites you to join them outside (and socially distanced) for live performances from local artists between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

July 18th featured three amazing local artists: Mustafa Rafiq (multidisciplinary artist whose primary focus recently has been in exploring feelings connected with diaspora, gender expression, and alienation through sound art), Dwennimmen (a spoken word artist who uses the potential and force of poetry to uncover the full range of her cerebral, linguistic, and spiritual fortitude), and Tasana Zurch of Pepper’d (a Black arts organization focused on developing opportunities and resources in Edmonton for Black creatives).

Saturday, July 25th will feature sets from Creeasian. Born Matthew Wood, he is is well-known in Edmonton’s Hip Hop circles. The moniker “Creeasian” came about when a friend asked him about his ethnic heritage. Wood said he was Cree and Vietnamese and his friend immediately replied, “Hey, you’re a Creeasian!”

Each week, Quarters Arts will be curating a show for Edmonton, by Edmonton artists and creatives. Once CO*LAB is officially open to the public, they will feature events in their performance hall, gallery space, workshop spaces, and more. CO*LAB will also have many rental opportunities for performances, gatherings, shows, studios, offices, kitchen, and more. If you would like to learn more about Quarters Arts, CO*LAB, or performing at the Summer Music Series, you can contact them at info@quartersarts.org.

Manda Brownrigg is the Operations Director of Quarters Arts.