Free This Week
Shake off the mid-month blues with these awesome events
Can you believe it’s the middle of January already? Make the most of it and get out of the house with free events from the High Performance Rodeo, the National Music Centre, and many more. Find out what we’re checking out this week and start planning.
ProArts Presents Excerpts from John Ware Reimagined
January 15, 2020, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free admission
Since 2012, writer Cheryl Foggo and singer-songwriter Miranda Martini have collaborated on various iterations of John Ware Reimagined. Swing by ProArts@Noon as Foggo shares excerpts at this lunch hour performance.
hprodeo.ca
culturecapital
January 15 & 16, 2020
Laycraft Lounge, Arts Commons (2nd Floor, 225 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission
This is an arts economy trading card game featuring real arts companies, with project cards and strategies birthed from countless interviews with local artists. Drop in and play a game to learn more about Calgary’s performing arts culture at the High Performance Rodeo.
hprodeo.ca
Single Onion #164
January 16, 2020, 7:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission
The Single Onion kicks off its 2020 season and 20th anniversary with four great poets—James Arthur, Ian Kinney, John Williamson, and University of Calgary Writer in Residence, Sharanpal Ruprai. You won’t want to miss this awesome reading and night of words.
facebook.com
Opening Receptions
January 16, 2020, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Alberta University of the Arts (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free admission
With two new exhibitions to check out in the Illingworth Kerr Gallery alongside a host of other shows, you really should swing by the Alberta University of the Arts this Thursday to explore.
auarts.ca
Inner City Stories
January 17, 2020, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Loft 112 (112, 535 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission
This bi-monthly after work reading series celebrates fresh and exciting writers and stories featuring Calgary’s inner city neighbourhoods. Come and enjoy A Rough Season, read by Lexie Angelo herself. You can even enjoy a discussion around the story and have a snack. Chapbooks are also available for $5.
facebook.com
Opening Receptions
January 17, 2020, 7:00 – 10:00pm
Stride Gallery (1006 Macleod Tr. SE)
Free admission
Swing by Stride Gallery this Friday to check out two new exhibitions—I’m Only Going to Show You Once, Now You Try by Alyssa Duck Chief and The discipline of constructing by Jolie Bird.
stride.ab.ca
Tanika Charles
January 17, 2020, 8:00pm
King Eddy, National Music Centre (438 9th Ave. SE)
The winner of the first Polaris Artist Residency, Toronto-based soul act Tanika Charles wraps up a week of musical exploration at the National Music Centre with a free early show. Learn about her creative process and be the first to hear new material recorded at Studio Bell.
studiobell.ca
Hopping for Hope Opening Reception
January 17, 2020, 8:00pm
The New Gallery (208 Centre St. SE)
Free admission
Ahreum Lee explores both the freedoms and limitations presented by globalization and digital technologies by using playful game elements and Korean pseudoscience to address her research on Google’s mapping methodology. Explore the show at its opening reception and learn more about the process.
thenewgallery.org
The Veronicas
January 17, 2020, 10:00pm
Big Secret Theatre, Arts Commons (2nd Floor, 225 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Hosted by Denise Clarke, this is a fast-paced, edgy celebration of the people who make theatre in Calgary. Raise a glass to the talented, the beautiful, and the shit-disturbing theatre artists we love and celebrate every last one of them—in 30 seconds each.
hprodeo.ca
Calgary Womyn: Taking Strides
January 18, 2020, 12:00 – 4:00pm
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission
Focusing on education, community building, solidarity, and action on behalf of women in Calgary, this event features a full afternoon of community conversation, art, performance, as well as a resource fair.
wmycc.ca
Storytelling Through an Indigenous Lens
January 18, 2020, 1:00pm
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission, registration required
Led by Cree artists, performer Stacy Da Silva and activist/educator Chantal Chagnon, this In Focus Workshop explores oral traditions, music, movement, theatre, and visual arts. Open to all abilities and skill levels, check it out at the High Performance Rodeo.
hprodeo.ca
Gary Barwin & Friends
January 18, 2020, 2:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission
Reading from his two most recent books, Gary Barwin is joined by local authors and friends, Nikki Reimer and Helen Hajnoczky, for a fun-filled afternoon of poetry, prose, refreshments, and more! Head to Shelf Life Books this Saturday for an awesome day of readings.
facebook.com
Chinese Lunar New Year Festival
January 18 & 19, 2020
Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1st St. SW)
Free admission
Featuring an art exhibition, marketplace, food stalls, costume photo booth, multicultural performances, a firecracker display, dragon and lion dances, and much more, everyone is welcome to swing by and check out this festival.
culturalcentre.ca
Touring in Canada and Abroad
January 19, 2020, 1:00pm
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission, registration required
How do you develop your networks and how do you plan, prepare, and manage a tour? Join Christy Offer and Dani Fecko to discuss the benefits and logistics of touring in Canada and overseas. Learn more during this In Focus Workshop at the High Performance Rodeo.
hprodeo.ca
Madeline’s Madeline
January 19, 2020, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission
A story exploring the blurred lines between imagination and appropriation between a mother, a daughter, and their theatre director, this film displays a rare sensitivity for capturing the messy struggles of discovering a sense of one’s self that defies easy narrative categorization. Join Calgary Cinematheque for this free screening.
calgarycinema.org
