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Let's just ignore that it's already August 18th...

I know it's been a little while since we had a proper Arts and Culture pitch email, but have no fear, noteworthy local events and happenings are here!There's a lot of variety in this week's email, so I definitely recommend giving the pitches a look. Whether you're fun, serious, wacky, or don't even like writing that much, there's something for you. Check 'em out!I also want to make another call for Required Reading submissions for the October issue of the magazine. The theme for October is "Sustainable You," so if you have any ideas for a 500-800 word article related to sustainability (be it environmental sustainability, mental/physical sustainability, financial sustainability, etc.), send a pitch my way! We're also looking for other magazine content like horoscopes, crosswords, and animations, so if that sounds like you, let me know.One last thing. With classes starting up soon we'd like to start having (socially-distanced) pitch meetings again, so keep an eye out for more details on that. As usual, we have our recurring columns, and if you have a pitch of your own send it my way at [email protected].And now, as always, the recurring columns: 

• *NEW* The Hobby Hole: Tell us about any unique hobbies you have or give a fresh take on an old favourite. It could be a passion project or an activity you do when you want to lay back, unplug your brain and watch the hours fly by.

• *NEW* Paddling up the Livestream: Wax lyrical about your favourite livestreams, put us onto some hidden-away gems, or give your hot-takes on livestream culture!

• *NEW* The First Time: Try something totally new and write about your experience. It could be a cuisine you’ve heard great things about, an unfamiliar type of music or an activity that you've never tried before. Tell us about it all from the POV of a complete novice.

• *NEW* Dream Team: Write about your ultimate dream collab! It might be a Stephen King children’s books series or a Billie Eilish x Tyler, the Creator supergroup. Tell us what makes your dream team such a gamechanger. 

• Gateway to Gastronomy: Know any fun and easy to follow recipes? Share it in this recurring segment. 

• Exploring Edmonton: Do you know any cool places around Edmonton that people should visit? Write about them in this new series!  

• Lunch Break: An Arts & Culture series where we share fun recipes with humorous commentary. It's wholesome and lowkey, so check it out and send an installment over!

• Brew Crew/Vino Bitches: A fun, short review of your favourite (or not-so-favourite) beers, wines, or other alcoholic beverages of choice.

• Noodle Nation: Who loves noodles? You (might) love noodles! Write a column on your favourite noodles or noodle haunts.

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

• Eating Edmonton: Write about your favourite (or not-so-favourite) local haunts in this miscellaneous foodie column. A great way to spotlight local restaurants in a time when they really need it!

• DatApp: Have an app that’s been a gamechanger? Wax eloquently about it (or a few of your favourites) in this column.

• Top 5: Top 5 streaming shows, places to cry in public, work-from-home tips...you name it, you can write a Top 5 on it!

• 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.

• 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, video game, 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.

• ...AND MORE! I'm always open to any pitches you might have for me!

Show us your Fall 2020 workspace

Calling all photographers! With Fall 2020 set to be mostly online, this upcoming semester is going to happen in thousands of classrooms all over the world — so take us into yours! Maybe you'll be spending the semester at a state-of-the-art custom-built workspace, or maybe you've cleaned out just enough room in your closet for your desk, laptop, and a used hot plate you bought online. Either way, it's time to show off your personal lecture hall!

Ideally we'll be able to include several submissions in this piece, so no need to feel like the article is all on you. All we ask for is two to four high-quality pictures of your workspace, and a short 50-100 word blurb about what makes it so special. Also your workspace doesn't need to be fancy or shiny, all that matters is that it's yours! Let me know if you're interested in submitting for this piece.

A final goodbye to the businesses we loved

Several local businesses have closed their doors for good recently, and now is a good time to say our goodbyes. Let me know if you would like to write a 50-100 word paragraph memorializing your favourite restaurant, venue, or local business that's had to close permanently due to COVID-19, or even just share a story from your favourite time there. This would be another group piece, so if you'd like to contribute but don't have the time to write an entire article yourself, this is a great option.

Albertan taxidermist searches for Bigfoot — through art

This one is a little wacky, so hear me out.

Big Fur

is a recently released documentary following Albertan taxidermist Ken Walker and his quest to build a life-size model of Bigfoot. The twist is that Walker hopes his model will finally unearth proof of Bigfoot's existence, and help him find love in the process. The documentary is quaint, bizarre, and already getting positive reviews from critics. Let me know if you'd like to watch and review Big Fur, but I'll warn you, don't take yourself too seriously for this one. You can watch the trailer

. 

Grindstone Re-Set Theatre Festival!

Grindstone Theatre is back with Grindstone Re-Set Theatre Fest! The festival will be running online and in-person (with social-distancing guidelines in place) from August 19-30, and will feature shows such as

Black Laughs Matter

,

Brittany Campbell: I Guess I’m Gay Now?, Gabbin’ With Gobber, 

and more! You can find the full setlist

here

. Let me know if you're interested in reviewing a particular show or interviewing the festival organizers. This is a great way to support local artists, so it'd be nice to have it featured on the site!