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Top picks for getting out Feb. 14 – 20 including Aziz Ansari, Kidd Pivot, Glow festival and Fred Penner

What time is it? It’s Valentimes! There’s a lot going on for all of you lovers (and anti-Valentines’ people, let’s be honest) today, and so much more for everyone in the week ahead … let’s dive into the heart-shaped mire!

Thursday: Yes. Valentine’s … you don’t have to be all loved up in order to enjoy today’s events, trust me! For example, take in the CPO’s Rush Hour performance of Romance featuring works by the three giants of French classical music, Berlioz, Ravel & Debussy at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Or maybe you’re looking for more ha-ha? Aziz Ansari brings his Road to Nowhere Tour to the Grey Eagle for two shows, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; and Tinder Tales: A Not-So-Valentine’s Show takes place at the Rec Room and will feature local comedians talking about their Tinder experiences. I don’t think you need to be a comedian to tell hi-larious Tinder Tales, those stories just really write themselves. Trust me. Kidd Pivot presents Revisor at the Eric Harvie Theatre in Banff tonight and tomorrow night, and the Kensington Sinfonia presents Village Sessions with Astral Swans at Village Brewery.

Friday: Glow Winter Light Festival happens from 5 – 11 p.m. until Monday, and will celebrate light, music and creativity through a stunning series of art installations throughout downtown. The Haters Roast – The Shady Tour featuresyour fave shady drag queens Willam, Ginger Minge, Latrice Royale, Thorgy Thor, Jinx Monsoon & Darienne Lake. This is at the Jack Singer — not many tickets left! de.Vi.ate presented by Alberta Ballet takes place at the Jubilee, if dance is more your thing.

Saturday: It’s the 3rd Annual Beltline Bonspiel down at Lougheed House presented by the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association. It’s a free, family-oriented festival with curling, music, kids’ events and more. (You can read all about it here.) Downstage Theatre presents Smoke at the Big Secret Theatre until Feb. 23, and Nonsense & Sensibility: An Improvised Jane Austen presented by the Kinkonauts takes place at the Rose Room, Alexandra Centre.

Sunday: Glow fest continues with live music from Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, JJ Shiplett, Station Shift and Brad Saunders from 5 – 10 p.m. over at Olympic Plaza.

Monday: It’s Family Day! head over to Studio Bell for beloved children’s singer-songwriter and the “Canadian Minister of Positivity” himself, Fred Penner from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Or head to Banff for the Family Winter Arts Festival at the Banff Centre featuring comedian Wes Barker.

Tuesday: Bobby McFerrin & Gimme5: Circlesongs takes place at Arts Commons (Bobby McFerrin! Don’t get that song stuck in your head … oh wait, it already is now, isn’t it? Sorry), or check out Shad over at the Commonwealth.

Wednesday: The SoundOff Summit is a local music festival that showcases Calgary’s best talent to the community as well as national/international music industry pros, and it’s happening Wed. to Sat. at various venues downtown. If you’re into metal, and let’s face it, deep down who isn’t, head to Dickens for the Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 show featuring Dethgod, Fjell Thyngor, Path to Extinction and SICKS. Yep. Do it.

There is so much more going on in this city than you can imagine. Check out all of the listings to plan your week ahead!

(Photo of Kidd Pivot – Revisor.)

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Kari Watson is a writer and former Listings Editor of FFWD Weekly, and has continued to bring The Culture Cycle event listings to Calgary through theYYSCENE. Contact her at kari@theyyscene.com.

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