Free This Week
Check out tons of art gallery openings and festivals for free
- Price: Free
A new month and a new season combine to make one busy week here in Calgary, but you can stretch your dollar further thanks to these awesome free events. Here’s what’s on our calendar:
Art of Our Times
May 31, 2017, 12:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free
Held over the lunch hour, this monthly series invites Calgarians working in the downtown core to enjoy their lunch at Contemporary Calgary. Listen to an intriguing talk tied to the gallery’s ongoing exhibitions.
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ProArts@Noon Presents Lana Henchell
May 31, 2017, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free
Calgary native Lana Henchell, graduated with her doctoral degree in piano performance from McGill University and received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance at the University of Calgary. This concert—part of the second Soundboard Tour—will feature students and teachers from various studios around the city.
proartssociety.ca
Thinking in Pictures – Shane Book & Michal Lavi
May 31, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free
Join the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program 2016/17 Writer-in-Residence Shane Book and independent filmmaker Michal Lavi for this evening at Shelf Life Books.
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NW ’17: Give Me Library or Give Me Death
May 31, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Loft 112 (112, 535 8th Ave. SE)
Free
Head to Loft 112 and join host Gina Freeman for the last Night Writer of May—a comfortable space where you can drink a beer or a cup of tea and work on your projects. Just a warning though, things might get weird…
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Mini Masters
June 1, 2017, 11:00 – 11:45am
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential
Calling Calgary’s newest contemporaries! Join the Esker Foundation on the first Thursday of every month for a hands-on art class. Parents and guardians are invited to bring their little ones, ages two to five, to explore art making in this fun and social program. All are welcome to participate, just dress for mess!
eventbrite.ca
Pieces Opening Reception
June 1, 2017, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Loft 112 (112 535 8th Ave. SE)
Free
Stacey Walyuchow debuts her solo exhibit of figurative and landscape collage this month at Loft 112 and you can swing by its opening reception this Thursday.
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Free First Thursday Nights
June 1, 2017, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free
Have you been to Glenbow lately? A great time to check out this Calgary institution is at its upcoming Free First Thursday Night—the museum is open late and admission is free.
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The Dark and Other Love Stories
June 1, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00pm
Women’s Centre Of Calgary (39 4th St. NE)
Free, registration required
The Women’s Centre of Calgary is hosting this book reading in celebration of the launch of its new artist in residence program featuring a conversation with Deborah Willis.
eventbrite.ca
Planet of Storms (Planeta Bur)
June 1, 2017, 7:00 – 8:20pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended
Head to the Esker Foundation for a screening of Planet of Storms (Planeta Bur), a Soviet science fiction film based on a novel by Alexander Kazantsev. Directed by Pavel Klushantsev, the film is presented in Russian with English subtitles.
eventbrite.ca
Empathy Week
June 1 – 7, 2017
Multiple locations
Free – $20
Humainologie’s seven-day festival promotes empathy, human connection, and the recognition of our shared humanity. Programming includes a free film festival, film exhibit installation, workshops, and more.
humainologie.com
Bring The Baby Art Tour
June 2, 2017, 12:00 – 12:30pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended
With new shows from Jason de Haan and Anton Vidokle, it’s the perfect time to bring your baby to Esker Foundation for this tot-friendly discussion and relaxed, social tour.
eventbrite.ca
Sharing Dance Day
June 2, 2017, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parade SW)
Free
Canada’s National Ballet School and partners invite everyone to join the nation’s biggest dance party and celebrate Canada’s 150th with Sharing Dance Canada 2017.
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Willka – Sacred in Quechua Opening Reception
June 2, 2017, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Artpoint Gallery & Studios Society (1139 11st St. SE)
Free
An exhibition featuring both oil paintings and illustrations exploring life in the Sacred Valley of Peru, Tahira Karim explores what defines a culture.
tauska.com
disPOSSESSION Artist Talk and Opening Reception
June 2, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Alberta Printmakers (4025 4th St. SE)
Free
Born and raised in Paraguay, South America, Miriam Rudolph moved to Winnipeg to study fine arts at the University of Manitoba in 2003 and you can see her work at this solo show at Alberta Printmakers.
albertaprintmakers.com
Always With Opening Reception
June 2, 2017, 8:00pm
Stride Gallery (1006 Macleod Trail SE)
Free
Currently living and working in Toronto, Jenine Marsh explores body as a site in the exhibition of new sculptural works and you can check it out at the show’s opening reception.
stride.ab.ca
Opening Receptions at TRUCK
June 2, 2017, 8:00pm
TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary (2009 10th Ave. SW)
Free
Another great opening night, check out two shows at TRUCK. The Stridents is multidisciplinary installation featuring vocal incantation, drone, and repeating patterns in text and textile, and Elisabeth Belliveau’s Still Life: An Animated Trilogy presents three animations addressing themes of still-life and vanitas.
truck.ca
Rhubarb Fest YYC
June 3, 2017, 11:00am – 5:00pm
Southwood Community Hall (11 Sackville Dr. SW)
Free
This family friendly festival located in Southwood reaches out to all surrounding communities to join in on the fun! There is something for everyone at this fun little gathering including performances by Steel & Timber, Chris Austman, Mariel Buckley, and more.
rhubarbfestyyc.wordpress.com
10th Annual Parkland Painting Collective Art Show & Sale
June 3, 2017, 12:00 – 4:00pm
Parkland Community Centre (14660 Parkland Blvd. SE)
Free
Join the Parkland Painting Collective for its 10th annual show and sale featuring two whole floors of original works in acrylic, mixed media, and watercolour media.
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Birds & Bouquets Opening Reception
June 3, 2017, 2:00 – 5:00pm
Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW)
Free
A solo exhibition by Leslie Poole, his paintings, drawing, and prints question life and art through subjects as diverse as male and female figures, still life, landscape, and self-portraits.
wallacegalleries.com
Clothesline Festival & Art Sale
June 3 & 4, 2017, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Leighton Art Centre (282027 144 St. W)
Free, family-friendly
Go for a drive and visit the 42nd annual summer Clothesline Festival & Art Sale at the Leighton Art Centre. Discover more than 1,200 original works of art and fine craft while basking in one of the best views of the Foothills and the Rockies! Also on tap are artist demonstrations, family-friendly activities, and live music.
leightoncentre.org
4th Street Lilac Festival
June 4, 2017, 10:00am – 6:00pm
4th St. SW (Between 13th Ave & Elbow Dr.)
Free, family-friendly
Each spring, thousands of attendees enjoy this array of musical talent, artisan vendors, live entertainment and much more. With over 500 vendors, there’s something that will interest everyone at this springtime staple.
lilacfestival.net
Building Centennial Structures
June 4, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free, registration required
Contemporary Kids returns with Building Centennial Structures—an engaging art activity where children create structures inspired by the centennial buildings constructed across Canada, focusing on the gallery’s newest exhibition, Architecture and National Identity.
eventbrite.ca
Loft 112 Book Club
June 6, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Loft 112 (1112, 535 8th Ave. SE)
Free, registration required
Did you know the Loft 112 Book Club meets the first Tuesday of every month? Next up is Kathleen Winter’s Boundless memoir. RSVP and pick up your copy of Boundless at the library, bookstore or on download to your e-reader. Happy reading.
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25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit
June 6, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free
Celebrate the launch of 25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit with local author Jody Robbins. As a travel writer who loves adventuring with her family, Robbins was inspired by Canada 150 to take advantage of opportunities to see some of Canada’s most loved cities and attractions. Hear her picks and grab a copy.
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