Free This Week
Live music takes the spotlight with free concerts and festivals
Need something fun to do as the dog days of summer wear on? Why not hit up these free events? This week brings more concerts, festivals, and pop-ups to take in making it easy to get the most out of the season. We can’t wait to get exploring.
ProArts Presents Alyssa Durnie
August 14, 2019, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free admission
Join soprano Alyssa Durnie and collaborative pianist Jack Olszewski as they present L’invitation au voyage—a collection of songs and arias that tell the stories of women who have broken free from their barriers of confinement. Don’t this free lunch hour concert with ProArts@Noon.
proartssociety.ca
Music in the Plaza
August 14, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Heritage Town Square, Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free admission
Heritage Park’s awesome free concert series returns this summer and it continues this week with Double Standard. This acoustic duo brings a range of smooth harmonies spanning pop, country, and alternative genres.
heritagepark.ca
Sunnyside Salsa Wednesdays
August 14, 2019, 6:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free admission
The hottest dance party of the summer is back every Wednesday until the end of August. Enjoy all your favourite vacation rhythms and get your social dance groove on with music by DJ Henry Palma of Latin Sound Productions.
facebook.com
Laughter Increases the Pain Threshold
August 15, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Contemporary Calgary, Centennial Planetarium (701 11th St. SW)
Free admission, registration required
Presented in conjunction with the Collider Artist Residency at Contemporary Calgary, join Ashley Bedet to discuss the recurring facet of failure as a theme in her process as well as her artist practice as a whole.
eventbrite.ca
flowers: The Art of Rocky Mountain Cannabis
August 15, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission
Using macro photography from Valerie Cates, and detailed description, this book takes you through the world of cannabis coming out of British Columbia like you’ve never seen it before. Check it out at this Calgary book launch.
bookmanager.com
Destroy All Planets
August 16, 2019, 7:00 – 10:30pm
Central Memorial Park (1221 2nd St. SW)
Free admission
CineMusic Live presents this fun event featuring talent from over 15 local artists and performers! Enjoy magic, music, comedy, and a final performance that re-dubs and re-scores a parodic re-edition of a classic Japanese kaiju monster film.
facebook.com
CPO Discovery Zoo
August 16, 2019, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. SW)
Free admission
Join professional musicians as they explain and demonstrate the unique sounds of their musical instruments. Presented in partnership with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, this event is perfect for ages four and up.
calgarylibrary.ca
Carifest Calgary
August 16 & 17, 2019
Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9th Ave. SW)
Free admission
Everyone is welcome to join the celebration and enjoy Caribbean entertainment with live music, dance performances, food, art, and more. There’s even the not-to-be-missed parade that showcases Caribbean arts and culture.
carifestcalgary.ca
Love Your Library Day
August 17, 2019, 10:00am – 2:00pm
At all Calgary Public Library locations
Free admission
A one-day event at all public library locations across the city, this free celebration is open to all, from avid library users to those curious about what the library can offer. Each location has a jam-packed schedule of activities including a city-wide storytime featuring special guests, family programming, behind-the-scenes tours, musical performances, collaborative art and story walls, scavenger hunts, and face painting.
calgarylibrary.ca
Franco Festival Calgary
August 17, 2019, 11:00am – 9:00pm
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission
An initiative of Portail de l’Immigrant Association, join in and celebrate Francophone cultures through dance, music, food, arts, and crafts that demonstrate the magnitude and diversity of Canadian heritage.
francofestcalgary.com
I carry it in my heart
August 17, 2019, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration recommended
An exhibition tour with Naomi Potter, explore Among All These Tundras and consider questions of cultural legacy and sovereignty in the polar regions by looking at the work within a generous and generative ecology of care and love.
eventbrite.ca
Gospel in the Square
August 17, 2019, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Celebration Square (4th St. & 7th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Head down to East Village’s beautiful plaza for the third instalment of Saturdays in C-Square featuring HAVEN Vanguard Trio, led by jazz pianist Timothonius, and the Calgary South Sudanese Gospel Choir.
studiobell.ca
#IAMDOWNTOWN Summer Stage
August 17, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Stephen Avenue (120 9th Ave. SW)
Free admission
Join Downtown Calgary this summer for some excellent music! With a Saturday night performance, swing by to hear local favourite Amy Bishop whose voice is a combination of the smooth of the pavement and the gravel of the road.
calgarydowntown.com
Master Class for Families
August 18, 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
My Pixel is Expanding
August 19, 2019, 5:30 – 7:30pm
The New Gallery (208 Centre St. S)
Free admission
Celebrate the work of Hyun-Woo “Pixel” Kim, a celebrated Korean artist with Down syndrome. The first Canadian tour of his work, My Pixel is Expanding explores the ways we interpret math, science, and geometry. All are warmly welcomed.
facebook.com
Sunnyside Open Stage Tuesdays
August 20, 2019, 6:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free admission
Every Tuesday throughout the summer, head to #SOSTuesdays for the Sunnyside Open Stage, hosted each week by Eugene Saunders and guests! Swing by to support local talent or share something yourself.
facebook.com
