Unganisha, February 24 at Contemporary Calgary. Photo: Motif Photography
Exposure Photography Festival
This annual festival is a celebration of great photography and the established and emerging photographers who capture captivating images. Now in its 20th year, the Exposure Photography Festival has an impressive line-up in store for audiences throughout the month of February. Along with a wide range of photography exhibitions, attendees can also check out events like artist receptions, panel discussions, a cyanotype workshop, portfolio reviews and more.
Visit exposurephotofestival.com for a full list of exhibitions and events.
Chinook Blast
There’s no shortage of things to do during this exciting winter festival running from February 2 to 19. Highlights include the Four Winds Indigenous Showcase & Market featuring over 75 vendors, sporting events like the 2024 Nitrocross and the Snow Rodeo, the SweetLights lantern installation in Olympic Plaza and more.
See page 15 for more information and visit chinookblast.ca for a full list of events.
Kisapmata
It just feels right to see a show about love during the month of February. A co-production between Lunchbox Theatre and Chromatic Theatre, Kisapmata uses vignettes to explore two Filipino women’s love story. Don’t miss the world premiere of this production running until February 18.
Visit lunchboxtheatre.com for more information and tickets.
Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture 2024
Celebrating Afro-Canadian and Caribbean cultures and traditions, this year’s Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture features a Calgary Food War and emerging artists showcase on February 9, followed by a day of performances and presentations on February 10. The lineup includes Calgary Poet Laureate Wakefield Brewster, MC and comedian Grand Komanda, vocalist Tayo Gbalajobi and more
Visit ethnikfestivals.com for more information.
Calgary Phil on Stage with Alex Cuba
Cuban-Canadian singer Alex Cuba has won over audiences and critics, with two Junos and three Latin Grammys under his belt. Catch him on stage on February 10 as he fuses his signature sweet sounds with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra to create a jazz-funk-pop infusion that is sure to warm up your winter night.
Visit calgaryphil.com for tickets and information.
UNGANISHA: Explore. Connect. Dance.
Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc.’s annual UNGANISHA: Explore. Connect. Dance. event returns on February 24 with a film screening and panel discussion. The 45-minute documentary celebrates nine dance forms like Afro-Caribbean, samba, jazz and hip-hop, and examines how the African diaspora has shaped them. Tickets are only $25 to see the 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. show at Contemporary Calgary.
Visit woezoafrica.com for more information and tickets.
Block Heater
Block Heater, the annual winter music festival put on by the Calgary Folk Music Festival, is back with a mix of outdoor and indoor performances. Running from February 15 to 17, the festival features over two dozen bands and singers, including Daniel Romano’s Outfit, The Devil Makes Three, Dominique Fils-Aimé and Jesse Roper. If you need to kill some time before a show or want to catch up with friends after one, consider grabbing a drink at the new Big Rock Festival Bar at the Royal Canadian Legion 1, which is open from 5 p.m. to midnight on February 16 and 17.
See page 18 for our picks for can’t-miss shows and visit calgaryfolkfest.com for tickets and more information.
Penguin Walk at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Arthur, Cleopatra, Napoleon, Augustus — these are just a few of the adorable king penguins you could see waddling through the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo during the annual Penguin Walk experience. Every winter starting in January, the zoo’s king penguin colony goes on a daily morning walk around the grounds that the public can watch (depending on the weather and animal inclination). The walks start at the Penguin Plunge at 10:30 a.m. and follow a designated route, offering a cool opportunity to see these animals outside of their usual habitat. Weather permitting, this year’s Penguin Walk is on now until mid-March.
Visit calgaryzoo.com for more information.
Chelsea Handler: Little Big Bitch Tour
Grammy-nominated comedian, television host, best-selling author and advocate Chelsea Handler took a six-year hiatus from standup, returning about a year and a half ago with her Vaccinated and Horny tour, which came to Calgary in 2022. This recently extended new tour brings her to Calgary for a performance on February 23 at the Jack Singer. The retrospective tour looks back at what made Handler who she is today.
Tickets at artscommons.ca
Mirror Mirror
A multisensory, immersive and interactive experience lands at CF Chinook Centre starting on February 2. Mirror Mirror features nine art installations that invite you to take part and explore light, sound and creativity. Adult tickets range from $22 to $26 (depending what day you visit) for the 45-minute experience.
Visit mirrormirrorexperience.com/calgary/ for more information and tickets.
Beautiful Man
This Alberta-premiere co-produced by Downstage, Handsome Alice Theatre and Verb Theatre, is a biting satire about the portrayal of women in television and film. Three friends take us on a tour of a world ruled by women — all while gazing at the semi-nude “Beautiful Man.” Beware — you may never look at your favourite shows the same way again! Size accessible seating is available. The show runs from February 29 to March 10 and following the March 9 show Downstage will host its 20th Anniversary fundraising party.
Tickets through artscommons.ca
