As an addendum to the Midnight Madness Downtown 2009 article recently posted, the Esplanade has a great line-up scheduled for Thursday:

Medicine Hat Tigers Add to the Madness at the Esplanade

The Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre celebrates Midnight Madness on Thursday, Nov. 26 with a free craft workshop for kids, free admission to the galleries, guided tours, free hot chocolate and popcorn, and an Xbox™ tournament against a Medicine Hat Tiger hockey player. Midnight Madness activities are free and open to the public.

“The Art Gallery and Museum are currently showcasing Hockey Culture at the Esplanade with three exhibitions related to hockey, so it was natural to invite the Medicine Hat Tigers downtown for Midnight Madness to continue the whole hockey theme,” says Joanne Marion, Curator of Art at the Esplanade.

Beat the Tail Off Your Favourite Tiger!
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. in the Studio Theatre

The public is invited to drop in between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. for a chance to play Xbox 360™ against a player from the Medicine Hat Tigers hockey team. Patrons will play at one of six Xbox™ stations on a first come, first served basis. The Tigers will also be signing autographs and touring through the hockey exhibitions in the galleries. Free popcorn is provided by Kal Tire.

Guided “Hockey Culture” Tours
6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Wander through the galleries for free during Midnight Madness, or take a special guided tour at 6:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. with Teri King. King and visitors will explore the three hockey exhibitions including:

• Rocket Richard: The Legend the Legacy – a travelling exhibitions produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization and sponsored by Canada Post
• Once Upon a Pond… – a group exhibition on pond hockey in the era of global warming featuring artwork by Marianne Corless, Christian Nicolay, Collin Zipp, the Mad Hatters Painting Group and Medicine Hat photographs from the Esplanade Archives.
• Saul Miller: Love of the Game – humorous, bold, energetic moments from the world of sports by painter and sports psychologist Saul Miller.

Ornament-Making Workshop
6 p.m., 7 p.m. & 8 p.m.

The Esplanade Education Program will run ornament-making workshops in the Discovery Centre at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. All materials are supplied and participants may take home what they make. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Esplanade Café is offering free hot chocolate while supplies last and the Gift Shop and Box Office are open until 10 p.m.