Free This Week

Tons of visual arts, talks and curious happenings are on the go

  • Price: Free

There might be a chill in the air, but that’s not going to stop these great free events from taking place. From music and visual art to a celebration to honour the dead, here’s what we’re checking out this week:

ProArts@Noon Presents Cort Delano Bulloch

September 14, 2016, 12:10pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free

Country singer/songwriter Cort Delano Bulloch’s career has taken unexpected paths. Expect to hear a broad range of music at this free lunch hour concert including folk, blues, country, rock and pop.
proartssociety.ca

+15 Window Closing Reception

September 15, 2016, 6:00pm
+15 Windows, Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free

A bunch of great window shows are hosting a closing reception this week at Arts Commons including Bad Growth in The New Gallery’s, Unhinged in Untitled Contemporary Art’s and Dip Strike Fold at TRUCK’s. The reception will be followed by drinks at the The Palomino Smokehouse and Social Club (109 7th St. SW) from 7:00 to 9:00pm.

PARK(ing) Day

September 16, 2016, 12:00 – 6:00pm
Two locations in Inglewood
Free

Join the City of Calgary for this pilot pop-up event to celebrate PARK(ing) Day, an annual worldwide event where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public spaces. They’ll be transforming eight parking spots in Inglewood into unique spaces to be used and explored by the public. Rain or shine, swing by and check it out.
facebook.com

Fall 2016 Exhibitions

September 16, 2016, 6:00 – 10:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free

A new season means new shows at the Esker Foundation including works from Cedric & Jim Bomford, Jasmine Cibic and Larissa Fassler. See them all at this opening reception.
eskerfoundation.com

Check out our full list of September exhibitions for even more openings taking place this week.

Social Robots Meet Puppet Cousins

September 16, 2016, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Loft 112 (535 8th Ave. SE)
Free

There are bunches of free events taking place for Beakerhead, but this one looks awfully fun. Pondering are robots the cousins of puppets, this conversation includes puppeteers and roboticists to see what is on the horizon for social robots. Presented by WP Puppet Theatre.
wppuppet.com

Calgary Chinatown Art Society Art Show

September 17, 2016, 10:00am – 4:30pm
Brentwood Community Centre (1520B Northmount Dr. NW)
Free

Artist members of the Calgary Chinatown Art Society will be having a show and sale this September and this is your chance to get Chinese paintings, oil, acrylic and water colour paintings created by society members. Everyone is welcome.

East Side Studio Crawl

September 17, 2016, 11:00am – 5:00pm
Throughout Inglewood and Ramsay
Free

Meet the artists and go inside their studios at the 13th annual East Side Studio Crawl. This is your chance to explore the inner workings of over 40 studio spaces throughout Inglewood and Ramsay. Grab a coffee, peruse demonstrations, enter to win original art by local artists and get inspired.
burnsvisualarts.com

Stephen Avenue Walk #IAMDOWNTOWN Summer Stage

September 17, 2016, 12:00pm
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage (Centre Street & 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Downtown Calgary’s daily stage programming is over for the summer, but you can still check out some interesting music to the avenue while the weather holds. This week features Frank Rackow and the Black Sea who will be offering up a mix of hot klezmer, swing, Eastern European, Balkan and traditional Yiddish tunes.
calgarydowntown.com

Artist Talk: Jasmina Cibic

September 17, 2016 1:00 – 2:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

London-based artist Jasmina Cibic works in performance, installation, and film. She uses a range of activities, media, and theatrical tactics to reconsider an environment and its politics. Join the Esker Foundation and Cibic for this talk about her recent works.
eskerfoundation.com

Artist Talk: Cedric & Jim Bomford

September 17, 2016 2:30 – 3:30pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

Join the Esker Foundation as Cedric and Jim Bomford introduce their artistic practices, past projects, and current exhibition, The Traveller. Both artists will discuss their interest, inspiration, and research into the eccentric buildings and machines that have inspired this exhibition. The talk will conclude with a tour of the artists’ installation.
eskerfoundation.com

Equinox Vigil

September 17, 2016, 6:30 – 9:30pm
Union Cemetery (enter from Spiller Road)
Free

A graveyard might be the last place you’d expect to find live music and performances, contemporary art installations, but that’s what the Equinox Vigil is. Back for the fifth year, this unique evening creates an atmosphere of community camaraderie including work from Caitlind Brown and Wayne Garrett, Eveline Kolijn, Sue Goyette, the Threshold Choir, and the Union Choir.
equinoxvigil.ca

Check out the 2016 Calgary ArtWalk, September 17 and 18, 2016 | Photo: Calgary ArtWalk
Check out the 2016 Calgary ArtWalk, September 17 and 18, 2016 | Photo: Calgary ArtWalk
Calgary ArtWalk

September 17 & 18, 2016
Throughout Calgary
Free

Setting out to highlight the expanse of visual art within Calgary, check out this festival that is open to everyone. Participating venues include studios, cooperatives, artist run centres, and both commercial and public galleries. The weekend offers a great chance to check out the exhibitions and special events like artist talks, book launches and demonstrations.
facebook.com

Riverview Artists Show & Sale

September 19 – 23, 2016
Tenant Lounge, Centennial Place (250 3rd Ave. SW)
Free

See original works from 12 local artists including a chance to win an original painting created at one of Riverview Artists’ Shared Vision events. An artist will be in attendance from 9:00am until 4:00pm each day.
riverview-artists.com