Free This Week
Enjoy the arts and the weather with these free events
There’s no way better spend your August than by being outside, and this week’s roundup of free arts offerings has plenty of that in store with outdoor concerts, movie screenings, theatre performances, markets and more!
Wagonstage Theatre: The Little Forest
Until August 25, 2023
Various venues
Free to attend
UCalgary Wagonstage Theatre presents The Little Forest by Clem Martini, where four siblings in a treeless neighbourhood embark on a mission to bring nature back to life. Join them on their journey at a neighbourhood near you!
arts.ucalgary.ca
Debra Rasmussen Jazz Duo
August 16, 2023, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free to attend
Canadian jazz vocalist and songwriter Deb Rasmussen often takes a soft, understated approach to a song, but make no mistake, she can swing. She is joined by Jon Day for this ProArts@Noon Concert.
proartssociety.ca
BUMP UP! II with Walls Alive
August 16, 2023, 4 – 6pm
Walls Alive (1328 17th Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Join BUMP for fun, food and live music at their Walls Alive mural site as Vancouver-based muralist Anaïs Lera puts finishing touches on their wall. Learn about the mural-making process and make connections at this pop-up celebration.
yycbump.ca
Music in the Plaza
August 16, 2023, 6 – 8pm
Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free to attend
Discover free live music in Calgary all summer long from the city’s best emerging artists! Watch from the Selkirk’s patio as you enjoy dinner, or set up your lawn chair in the plaza and enjoy the show with popcorn in hand!
heritagepark.ca
Farmers & Makers Markets: Beltline & Sunalta
August 16 & 19, 2023
Central Memorial Park & Sunalta Community Association
Free to explore
Check out the Farmers & Makers Market at two locations this summer — Wednesdays at Central Memorial Park and Saturdays in the Sunalta neighbourhood. Each week, you’ll find local farmers and producers, ready-to-eat food, live music and their free, drop-in kids arts & culture program.
farmersmakersmarket.ca
ArtsXpeditions
August 17, 2023, 12noon
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Join Arts Commons as its presents ArtsXpeditions, featuring a range of live music to energize your day. This week features the Diversity Performing Arts Club, DJ Majesti, and Kia Nicols, in partnership with Carifest.
artscommons.ca
Bridgeland-Riverside Farmers Market
August 17, 2023, 3:30 – 7:30pm
Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association (917 Centre Ave. NE)
Free to attend
Check out this weekly outdoor farmers’ market featuring over 30 vendors, food trucks, live music and kids activities, along with the Locally Grown Concert Series featuring awesome local bands.
brcacalgary.org
Repurpose/Reimagine — Opening Reception
August 18, 2023, 4 – 6pm
Main Mall Gallery, Alberta University of the Arts (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free to attend
Join Contextural Fibre Arts Cooperative for a celebration of the wrap of its 2023 summer residency program —works created by this year’s participants will be on display as part the Repurpose/Reimagine exhibition.
facebook.com
Movie with a View: Dune
August 18, 2023, 9:30pm
High Park (340 10th Ave. SW)
Free to attend
BUMP Festival invites visitors to share in the fantastic and surreal experience of watching the 2021 epic film Dune by Denis Villeneuve under the stars at this outdoor cinema event!
yycbump.ca
Carifest
August 18 — 20 2023
Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9th Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Celebrate Caribbean music, costumes, tradition and culture! Don’t miss three exciting days of events including Pan in the park, the Carifest parade and Carnival and Reggae Cool Down to wrap it all up.
carifestcalgary.com
Sundays in C-Square
August 20, 2023, 1pm
Celebration Square (508 7th Ave SE)
Free to attend
Join the National Music Centre for free musical afternoons in East Village! Head down to East Village’s beautiful plaza for Sundays in C-Square and enjoy a performance from alt-folk singer-songwriter Brett Cassidy with opener Emily Triggs.
evexperience.co
Family Music Concert
August 20, 2023, 1 – 5pm
Quinterra Legacy Garden, South Glenmore Park (near 90th Ave. & 24th St. SW)
Free to attend
The Prophets of Music is pleased to announce its first annual Family Music Concert. People of all ages can enjoy the talents of local artists The Mocking Shadows, The Marcus Trummer Band, Fin McDowell and Kyle McKearney in the unique setting!
prophetsofmusic.org
Making Movies
August 21, 2023, 7 – 9pm
Stream online
Free to watch, RSVP required
Alberta Playwrights’ Network is proud to present a conversation with award-winning playwright/screenwriter Charles Netto and award-winning producer, director and actor Jayson Therrien. RSVP to trevor@albertaplaywrights.com.
albertaplaywrights.com
Transit Tuesdays
August 22, 2023, 4:30pm
Century Gardens (826 8th St. SW)
Free to attend
Make your commute a little more exciting! Drop by Century Gardens every Tuesday to take in some special local music. Enjoy the sun, frolic in the splash pool and have a dance if you’re feeling it!
stagehand.app
Summer On 17th
Ongoing
Tomkins Park (17th Ave. & 8th St. SW)
Free to attend
From movies in the park to live bands, theatrical performances and fitness classes, the 17th Ave Business Improvement Area is pulling out all the stops to ensure this summer is epic. Visit the website for details.
17thave.ca
Summer Songs on Stephen Ave
Ongoing
Stephen Ave (8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Enjoy live local music on Stephen Ave this summer, supported by the Calgary Downtown Association. Check out the Stagehand website for the full schedule as well as other free concerts around the city!
stagehand.app
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
