Free This Week
You won’t want to miss these concerts, literary gatherings, and so much more
- Price: Free
As August winds down, there’s no shortage of free and awesome events to check out. From classical concerts to a chance to learn how to square dance, there’s plenty on the go.
Here’s what we’re hitting up this week:
ProArts Presents Allen Reiser
August 22, 2018, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free
A pianist of diverse musical interests, Allen Reiser has performed with various orchestras in England and Canada, and recital engagements have taken him to nearly every major centre in Western Canada. Hear him perform at this free lunch hour concert with ProArts@Noon.
proartssociety.ca
10-Minute Plays for Jane’s Walk – Summer Edition
August 22, 2018, 3:00 – 4:00pm
Meet at the Conversion Statue (8th Ave. & 1st St. SW)
Free
After its successful turn at Jane’s Walk, these 10-minute plays return for the summer. With several performers reprising their work as well as two new performing groups, three plays are performed in succession along Stephen Avenue.
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Two Cultural Perspectives, One Albertan Landscape
August 22, 2018, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Studio C, cSPACE King Edward (1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free
Travelling around Alberta over a period of two weeks, and within the exact same physical conditions, Mark Vazquez Mackay and Enrique Guillen Saenz will each produce six plein air oil paintings. An intimate conversation between the two artists, see the finished results at the closing reception.
facebook.com
Sunnyside Salsa Wednesdays
August 22, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
Running throughout the summer, join Free Spirit Dance and Studio Creole as they bring a tropical mix of salsa, timba, samba, and more to your midweek.
facebook.com
Music in the Plaza
August 22, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Heritage Town Square, Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free
Heritage Park’s free summer concert series, Music in the Plaza, returns for a seventh season of spectacular live music. Supported by the RBC Foundation, it continues this week with Peter and the Wolves—a night of rhythms and catchy choruses that will rock you to the core.
heritagepark.ca
Music at McDougall
August 23, 2018, 11:45am – 1:00pm
West Grounds, McDougall Centre (455 6th St. SW)
Free
Although last week’s summer concert series from the Government of Alberta and CKUA was cancelled due to the smoke, you should try again and head to McDougall Centre for some noon-time jams. Only a few more concerts remain!
ckua.com
Materiality: 2018 Residency Exhibition
August 23, 2018, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Alberta College of Art + Design (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free
Hosted by Contextural Fibre Arts Cooperative and the Alberta College of Art + Design, swing by to explore the work created during this summer-long residency.
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eNOugh
August 23 – 25, 2018
Artpoint Gallery & Studios (1139 11th St. SE)
Free
Featuring the works of 11 international artists spanning North and South America, eNOugh looks at violence against women and their strength. Curated by Tahira Karim and Sandra Murillo, artists include experimental animators, sculptors, teachers, painters, and illustrators. Kicking off in Calgary, the show is set to travel to Lima, Peru in 2019 followed by Paris and Berlin in 2020.
facebook.com
Viva! Opening Reception
August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Jarvis Hall Gallery (333B 36th Ave. SE)
Free
An exhibition and sale in support of Equinox Vigil, check out several stunning mirrors that have been individually painted, embellished, or redesigned by 30 local artists.
facebook.com
Camadas Opening Reception
August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Small Space Gallery (102, 424 10th St. NW)
Free
Layer after layer, details that resonate, Jane Finley’s Camadas can be found at the adorable and surprising Small Space Gallery. Inspired by the streets of Porto, Portugal, Finley adds her own physical and conceptual layers using mixed media painting. Swing by and check out its opening reception.
facebook.com
Square Dance Rocks
August 24, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Highwood Community Hall (16 Harlow Ave. NW)
Free
Square dancing is just walking to music! No partner is necessary for this introduction night featuring experienced callers.
squaredancecalgary.com
The Rock-Steady Dance Party
August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 10:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
See two of Calgary’s finest rock-steady, reggae, and ska bands live at containR Sunnyside. This epic evening of music and dancing is family-friendly, so swing by to hear Class Action and The Lost Lemons.
facebook.com
BeatRoute Brewery Tour Vol.4 Village Brewery
August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 11:00pm
Village Brewery (5000 12A St. SE)
Free
Featuring two stages of incredible music and free brewery tours, head to Village Brewery for the BeatRoute Brewery Tour Vol.4. The night features performances by Windigo, 36?, Squanto, Andrews Pale Horses, I am the Mountian, and more.
facebook.com
Carifest
August 25, 2018, 10:00am – 8:00pm
Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9th Ave. SW)
Free admission
Celebrate Caribbean arts and culture with local, international, and Caribbean entertainment, food, and much more. The parade kicks it all off at Olympic Plaza and travels along Stephen Ave. to Shaw Millennium Park for performances by Ricky T and Ultimate Rejects.
facebook.com
How Can You Think That?!? A Political Book Club
August 25, 2018, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free
This book club is for conservatives and liberals who want to bridge the great divide. Led by Julie Sedivy, a local scholar and writer, this month features Notley Nation by Sydney Sharpe and Don Braid. Buy the book, read it, and join in a lively discussion.
bookmanager.com
10-Minute Plays for Jane’s Walk – Summer Edition
August 25, 2018, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Meet at the Conversion Statue (8th Ave. & 1st St. SW)
Free
After its successful turn at Jane’s Walk, these 10-minute plays return for the summer. With several performers reprising their work as well as two new performing groups, three plays are performed in succession along Stephen Avenue.
facebook.com
Saturdays in C-Square: RIEL & friends
August 25, 2018, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Celebration Square (Corner of 7th Ave. & 4th St. SE)
Free
Join the National Music Centre for free, family-friendly musical afternoons in the East Village as Saturdays in C-Square return. This week, catch Métis singer-songwriter RIEL and local DJs performing in celebration of the Calgary Pride Festival’s opening weekend—dancing shoes are recommended.
nmc.ca
Bus Tour to the Canadian Museum of Making
August 26, 2018, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration required
Join the Esker Foundation for an intimate and rare tour of the Canadian Museum of Making. This museum features a collection of machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Britain, and the United States, as well as an extensive African metalwork collection.
eventbrite.ca
Sunnyside Open Stage Tuesdays
August 28, 2018, 6:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
It’s your final chance to head to #SOSTuesdays for the Sunnyside Open Stage. Hosted by Eugene Saunders and guests, swing by to support local talent or share something yourself.
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