School art program fundraiser in Elkwater

Stephanie Green (left) and Jewelisa Brandt of 12-34 Cafe are hosting Kaleidoscope of the Arts fundraiser on June 27.

By Tim Kalinowski
Jazz, art, the beautiful Cypress Hills and a savory steak dinner make for the perfect combination as 12-34 Café & Pub hosts its annual “Kaleidoscope of the Arts” fundraiser in Elkwater on Saturday.
Funds raised during the event will go toward supporting arts programming in the Prairie Rose School Division and Medicine Hat’s CORE Association.
12-34 Café co-owner Stephanie Green says supporting the arts has always been an important part of her family’s mission in the area both through the annual Kiwanis Rose Bowl and the Prairie Rose Division’s Kaleidoscope of the Arts festival.
“Most of the kids that work here, myself and my brother (Matthew Heller) went through Prairie Rose School Division and my mom was a trustee for 12 years,” says Green. “She also was one of the people who got Kaleidoscope of the Arts started in the area. Matthew and I have pretty much no artistic talent at all, but we do enjoy other peoples’ talents. This (fundraiser) just seems to get bigger every year. Last year we brought in $8,000.”
Besides the $25 ticket price, the event also uses a silent auction and live auction format to raise even more funds.
Green says holding a night of music, wine and good food in support of a good cause just seems to work on every level for those who come out.
“It’s kind of a beautiful oasis; this park,” says Green. “And jazz is just so relaxing. Music sets the atmosphere, and we are just so open to having events. We love hosting and bringing people out.”
12-34 Café & Pub manager Jewelisa Brandt says the cafe’s relationship with the Medicine Hat JazzFest started last year. And it just worked out this year that JazzFest fell in the same week as their own Kaleidoscope of the Arts event, creating the potential for a wonderful collaboration for those heading out to Elkwater this weekend.
“Peter Curtis (from the JazzFest) actually came out last year and now he’s going to come out again this year,” says Brandt. “This is certainly the right atmosphere for it. Everyone comes out here to relax. And jazz is something you can relax to. It is a full day in and of itself, but we hope everyone will enjoy themselves.”
Peter Curtis goes on stage at 5 p.m. followed by The Prairie Chicks. For more information call 12-34 Café & Pub at 403-488-2920