Hey Calgary! It’s that time of the week again — we need to take a look at what’s happening around town for you to get out and take it all in! Well, maybe not ALL of it, but a good chunk anyway. There’s, as usual, a metric truckload of things going on, so let’s get started:
Thursday: d.talks and REDxTalks present An Evening with Douglas Cardinal, an architect, planner, and activist. This fantastic presentation will be happening at Contemporary Calgary. Also tonight, check out what’s happening at the IGNITE! Festival of Emerging Artists! This year’s festival features over 25 different live performances across several programming streams – check out theatre, dance, improv, interdisciplinary arts and if you like a bit of provocation, well they have you covered there as well. It all happens at the Pumphouse Theatres, so get down there. And if you’re looking for something a bit more music-y, as is well within your rights, head to Broken City for Sabo Forte’s Album Release!
Friday: Who loves metal? You’ll want to be at the County Line Saloon tonight for the Decimate Metalfest Fundraiser featuring Bayonet, All Else Fails, The Myopia Condition and RedShifted. Over at The Palace you can catch Tritonal with guests, and the Ashley Hundred with Nature Of and Thomas Thomas will be at Broken City. Carvin Jones at the Blues Can? Sure! Before that show hit the Inglewood Night Market!
Saturday: It’s the 2019 BUMP Kickoff Party — Neighbour Day. Head down to Central Memorial Park in the Beltline for the announcement of the BUMP mural lineup for this year, as well as taking in live bands and more. Should be fun! Over at the Globe Cinema you can catch Quickdraw Animation Society’s presentation of Saturday Mass: Prometheus’ Garden. More music you say? Head to the Fiasco Gelato HQ (221 19 St SE) at 2 p.m. for their Sounds of Summer Festival, featuring Stars and Dan Magnan. The all-ages afternoon also features “local beers and cocktails, YYCFoodTrucks, and other delicious treats for you to enjoy.” More music? Cosmic Gate – 20 Years: Forward Ever Backward Never Tour with guest Jes happens at The Palace, and kiiinda music related is Front Row Centre Players’ production of The Wedding Singer happening over at the Beddington Theatre Arts Centre.
Sunday: The Calgary Jazz Orchestra presents The Duke! The Music of Duke Ellington at River Park Church, or head over to the Ship & Anchor Pub for The Mixed Bag MS Fundraiser with performances by Mark Mills, Dark Time, Mademoiselle and Paradise. This happens from 2 to 8 p.m.
Monday: Aboriginal Awareness Week kicks off with formal opening ceremonies featuring artistic and musical performances, speeches from Elders, Dignitaries and Chiefs and more from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Olympic Plaza.
Wednesday: Studio Bell has a schwack of events happening for Indigenous Music Week, including Black Belt Eagle Scout, Ghostkeeper, Bebe Buckskin and more — check out their website for a complete schedule. And a little thing called Sled Island starts! This, of course, will be happening at many venues around downtown and will include bands such as Japanese Breakfast, JPEGMAFIA, Le1f, Hop Along, Bully, Cate Le Bon, Cass McCombs, Oblivians, Man or Astro-Man?, Kid Congo Powers + the Pink Monkey Birds and so many more it’s ridiculous. You have no excuse to stay home, get out there!
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!
(Dan Mangan photo courtesy Vanessa Heins.)
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Kari Watson is a writer and former Listings Editor of FFWD Weekly, and continues to work within the Calgary arts & culture scene to promote the city’s numerous and varied events. Contact her at kari@theyyscene.com.
