A&C Pitches Jan. 18

Pitches for a new year, new you

January 18, 2019

What time is it? IT'S ARTS 'N CULTURE PITCHES TIME!

Oh, we are back!

With the second week of classes coming to a close, I hope you're all happily re-adjusted to the grind. My volunteer meetings this term are on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. Going forward, I'll have pitch emails going out weekly on Tuesday mornings. I'm looking forward to all of the wonderful writing we'll be doing together this term. :)

Now, I should mention that with a new winter term comes a new round of hiring at

The Gateway

. So, if you're gunning for my job (or any other job on staff), I'd love to sit down with you to chat about it.

Also, this term I'm planning to ressurect a column of

Gateway

newspapers past:

Social Intercourse

. This short column is a round-up of exciting arts and culture-related events coming up in the city. I'm planning to publish  new edition every week, and I'd love for volunteers to be involved! At my meetings on Monday, I'll solicit ideas for what to include in the column, and anyone who wants can write up a blurb to be featured!

As usual, we have our ongoing columns and some interview and review opportunities. And if you have a pitch of your own, send it my way at

.

- Jonah "January" Dunch

Now here are our columns:

  • Brew Crew/Vino Bitches: A fun, 150- to 350-word review of your favourite (or not-so-favourite) beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverage of choice.

  • Noodle Nation: Who loves noodles? You (might) love noodles. Write 450-500 words on your favourite noodle (ramen, pho, other long stringy flour-y food) haunts for this column.

  • Pot Thots: Write about your favourite strains, equipment, dispensaries, and more in our all-new column on the world of legal weed.

  • Eating Edmonton: Write about your favourite (or not-so-favourite) local haunts in this miscellaneous foodie column.

  • DatApp: Have an app that’s been a game- or life-changer? Wax eloquently about it (or a few of your favourites) in a short 150- to 350-word installment for this column.

  • Top 5: Top 5 study spots, places to cry in public, late-night post-exam diners...you name it, you can write a Top 5 on it! 50-200 words per Thing In The Top 5.

  • Diss Track: Are there 3-4 songs that grind your gears in the worst way possible? Diss the crap out of them in this column.

  • Emoji of the Week: This one’s self-explanatory. Trawl your recently used emojis and sing praise about it and why other people should worship it as The Best Emoji too.

  • Fashion Streeters: If you love walking up to people and asking them about their cool outfits, this one’s for you. Q & A format. Consider pairing up with a photo volunteer or taking your own pics!

  • Doin’ You: Everyone has something they do exceptionally well. Wanna teach others your wizardry? Walk us step-by-step through the process of a master for this column.

  • Playlists: Have killer musical taste? Share it on The Gateway with a curated playlist.

  • Retro on Retro: Is some classic piece of media on your mind? Reflect on it with the distance of time in this column. Discuss the qualities, staying power, and impact of your favourite old movie, videogame, album, book, play, or whatever else!

  • Double Take: Love spitting fire-hot takes on pop culture? You and a friend (or foe) can team up to write opposing takes on some piece of art/entertainment/media.

  • Social Intercourse: A weekly round-up of cool, local cultural events compiled by Arts & Culture writers.

  • ...AND MORE! You can also pitch me your own column ideas if you want to write your own or if you've seen any awesome movies or performances/heard any music/read any books/played any games/eaten any food etc., let me know.

Interview EPL Writer-in-Residence Matthew Stepanic!

The Edmonton Public Library has a new writer-in-residence: local poet, fiction writer, and U of A English alumnus Matthew Stepanic.Stepanic is making waves in CanLit--and he's an all-around cool guy.We haven't done too many artist profiles recently, so I'd love for one of you fine folks to interview him for a Q&A about his new appointment at the EPL, his time at the U of A, and his life and career in general.

Preview UIG's Octofest!

The University Improv Group is hosting its eighth annual international improv festival, Octofest, from January 23rd to 26th in ECHA L1-190.Each night, there will be a show running 7-9:30 p.m. featuring improv troupes from across the continent.We could do a preview interviewing the festival organizers and/or improvisers--and send a reviewer to the festival itself!

Profile or review Firefly Theatre's Inferno!

Okay, this is a weird one. Firefly Theatre, a local theatre-circus fusion company, is presenting a workshop production of Inferno, an adaptation of Dante's original.

The production mixes aerial arts, drama, and contortionists in what's sure to be a

hell

of a theatrical ride!

We could profile the artists involved and/or review it.

Inferno

runs January 17th to 26th in the Westbury Theatre.

Top 5: Things on Facebook Marketplace

At our last volunteer meeting, Jake had the idea of someone writing about the Top 5 things they can find on Facebook Marketplace. He welcomed me to shop the pitch around. I think it's a fun one!

Predict or comment on the Oscar nominees.

The Oscar nominations are announced on January 22nd. If anyone wants to publicize their expert predictions (with backing) and/or provide critical commentary once they're announced, I'm all ears!