Free This Week

Stack the deck with these awesome events

  • Price: Free

With both Valentine’s Day and Family Day, this week is another busy one in Calgary. And even if you don’t have a ton of cash, you can still get out and enjoy it with these fantastic free events.

Here’s what we’re hitting up:

ProArts Presents Calgary Burns Club Singers

February 13, 2019, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free admission

With the initial focus to sing the songs of Robert Burns and other traditional music of Scotland, the Calgary Burns Club Singers now share a variety of others to entertain. Get to know their repertoire at this free lunch hour concert.
proartssociety.ca

Premier Visiting Speaker Series: Skawennati and Jason Edward Lewis

February 13, 2019, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Stanford Perrott Lecture Theatre, Alberta University of the Arts (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free admission, registration required

Bringing accomplished artists and designers to AUArts to share their knowledge, experience, and practice, the first edition of this new series features Skawennati and Jason Edward Lewis.
acad.ca

cSPACE Showcase Series: Date/Less Valentines

February 14, 2019, 5:00 – 8:00pm
cSPACE King Edward (1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free admission

An open house at cSPACE King Edward, this is the perfect time to experience this diverse, living, breathing, and ever-changing arts hub! Taking place on Valentine’s Day this time around, bring a date or bring yourself. The evening includes live music, open studios, art demonstrations, and so much more.
facebook.com

A poster for Date/Less Valentines

glow

February 14 – 18, 2019
Throughout downtown
Free admission

This free, all-ages event welcomes everyone to experience one-of-a-kind interactive light displays, art, entertainment, food trucks, and activations throughout the downtown core. There’s even a dance party and live music to check out!
experienceglow.com

Family Day Weekend Fun

February 14 – 20, 2019
Multiple locations
Free admission

Looking for something fun to do to celebrate Family Day? The City of Calgary has free events happening all week long! From skating and swimming to crafts, outdoor festivals, and more, find something everyone in your family will love.
facebook.com

Lunch & Lit with Janet Rogers

February 15, 2019, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Gallery Hall, Taylor Family Digital Library, University of Calgary (410 University Ct. NW)
Free admission

Join the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program in welcoming Janet Rogers, this year’s University of Alberta Writer-in-Residence. Rogers works in the genres of poetry, spoken word performance poetry, video poetry, and recorded poetry with music and is also a radio broadcaster, documentary producer, media, and sound artist. A free, public reading, light refreshments are available and there’s even a book giveaway.
facebook.com

Curator’s Tour with Mary-Beth Laviolette

February 16, 2019, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Illingworth Kerr Gallery,
Alberta University of the Arts (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free admission

Join curator Mary-Beth Laviolette and tour through Before Digital: Post 1970 Photography in Alberta. It’s a fantastic chance to see the exhibition and ask questions about the works on display.
eventbrite.ca

Beltline Bonspiel

February 16, 2019, 11:00am – 5:00pm
Lougheed House (707 13th Ave. SW)
Free admission

The third annual Beltline Bonspiel sweeps its way into Family Day weekend with a full Saturday of programming. Featuring a friendly outdoor curling tournament set against the backdrop of the historic Lougheed House, Alberta music, delicious local food and beer, and entertainment for all ages, you won’t want to miss it.
beltlinebonspiel.ca

The Artist’s Lens Reception

February 16, 2019, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission

A juried photography exhibition from the Alberta Society of Artists in conjunction with the Exposure Photography Festival, this show explores the concept of the artist’s lens and how it relates to the idea of a personal and singular vision. Swing by and hear an artist talk from Bill Peters at 2:00pm.
albertasocietyofartists.com

Master Class for Families

February 17, 2019, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration required

Head to the Esker Foundation for an afternoon of family fun at the gallery and delve into new mediums with art projects that relate to the current exhibitions. This is an educational, energetic, hands-on program for kids ages five to 10. An adult is required to stay for the duration of the workshop and all materials are provided.
eventbrite.ca

A woman helps a girl colour
Join the Esker Foundation for its next Master Class for Families | Photo: Elyse Bouvier
Winter Family Fun

February 17, 2019, 1:00 – 4:00pm
South Glenmore Park (8415 24th St. SW)
Free admission

Join The City of Calgary and celebrate family time outdoors with snow painting, snow dodgeball, potato sack races, and scavenger hunt. You can even warm up by the fire pit and enjoy some hot chocolate.
facebook.com

Loulou

February 17, 2019, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission, registration required

If you happened to miss this film the first time around, don’t worry and join Calgary Cinematheque for a free screening of Loulou. Part of its Library Screening Series, the afternoon includes a short introduction and lecture by Calgary Cinematheque board member Jason Wierzba.
calgarycinema.org

{OPEN THEME} Publication Launch + Exhibition

February 17, 2019, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

Celebrate international analogue photography with the release of SEITIES’ 10th publication. Featuring more than 50 local, national, and international analogue photographers who utilize unique traditional processes in their contemporary photography practices, the exhibition features the original handmade darkroom prints, polaroids, and wet plates.
gallery.seities.ca

antilang. magazine’s Volume Launch

February 19, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

Celebrate the launch of antilang. magazine’s second collected volume with a night of incredible readings. This new collection features work by 60 writers, ranging from local to international and from emerging to award-winning. The volume is available for purchase at the event for $20.
facebook.com