About this Event
Welcome to Curious Brews
Come join us for our monthly science lecture series featuring local experts and storytellers in a relaxed bar setting. 🍻🧠✨
Speaker: Brooke Leifso
Brooke Leifso is the Research Chair in Inclusion and Accessibility at NorQuest College's Colbourne Institute for Inclusive Leadership, and a disabled academic and performance artist. Bringing a lifetime of lived experience and over a decade of access consulting, she has guided major cultural organizations including the Citadel Theatre, CKUA Radio, Edmonton Poetry Festival, and the Edmonton International Fringe Festival. She is also the co-author of two national accessibility reports for the Disability Screen Office, helping shape the future of inclusive events across Canada. The reports are titled: (1) Reframing Access: A Best Practices Guide on Disability Inclusion in Canada's Screen Industry and (2) All-Access Pass: A Roadmap for Festival & Screen Industry Event Accessibility.
The Colbourne Institute for Inclusive Leadership (CIIL) is a nationally recognized leader in customized inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) solutions that support individuals, teams, organizations, and communities on their unique IDEA paths. CIIL is a full-service partner that combines consultation, professional development, community engagement, and applied research to support practical and impactful solutions. Their work leverages best practices, research, stakeholder voice, organizational culture, and lived experiences to meet your needs.
Lecture: The Art of Accessibility
Ever wondered how we can make community spaces and events genuinely welcoming to everyone without breaking the bank?
This month, Curious Brews is diving into event accessibility with Brooke Leifso. Drawing from her extensive work across film, theatre, and live performance, Brooke will show us that making events accessible can be straightforward, low-cost, and rewarding.
We’ll explore practical, transferable strategies for any gathering, discuss the power of clear communication when navigating constraints, and learn how inclusive design enriches our entire community. Come early to grab a drink and check out featured media and artwork from Brooke’s performance projects displayed around the venue before we kick off!
*Media Notice*
Just a heads-up that we’ll be capturing photos and videos throughout the event for our social media and marketing. By joining us, you’re consenting to be part of the highlights! If you’d prefer to stay out of the frame, no problem—just let us know at [email protected].
Event Agenda:
- 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM: Social hour pre-lecture, sign in, order food/drink
- 6:45 PM - 7:00 PM: Welcome and Speaker Introduction
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Lecture + Q&A
- 8:00 PM - 8:15 PM: Door prizes, sponsor acknowledgements
- 8:15 PM - 9:00 PM: Optional post-lecture networking
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🍻 A Few Housekeeping Notes
We want everyone to have a fantastic time at Curious Brews! To help things run smoothly, here are some things to know:
Getting Here & Getting In
- Parking: Complimentary parking is available in the MKT lot. When you arrive, please provide your license plate number to the MKT reception desk to register your vehicle. There is also street parking available nearby.
- Accessibility: Our event takes place in the cozy upstairs lounge. Please note that this space is only accessible via stairs.
- Food & Drink Orders: Our venue partner is hosting us in a full house! Please be patient with the service staff when ordering food and drinks during the social hour. To make things smoother for everyone, a service fee/gratuity is automatically included in your bill.
Creating a Great Experience
- Mutual Respect: Our speakers generously volunteer their time and expertise. We ask that all interactions and questions remain kind, curious, and respectful.
- Sharing the Floor: We love a lively Q&A! To make sure we hear from as many voices as possible, please keep your questions brief. Just raise your hand and we'll get to you!
- Can’t Make It? No worries at all, life happens! Since our events consistently sell out, please let us know if you can’t attend so we can pass your ticket along to someone on our waiting list.
The Most Important Rule: Have Fun!
Curious Brews is all about meeting new people and sharing big ideas. After the lecture, we’ll transition into relaxed networking. We hope you’ll stay a while, grab another round, and introduce yourself to someone new!
Agenda
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:45 PM
Doors open, Sign in, Networking, order drinks + food
🕑: 06:45 PM - 07:00 PM
Welcome and Speaker Introduction
🕑: 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Lecture / Speaker Presentation and Audience Q&A
🕑: 08:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Post-lecture mingling, 1:1 with the speaker, second drinks, making connections
Event venue & nearby stays
MKT Fresh Food | Beer Market, 8101 Gateway Boulevard Northwest, Edmonton, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.