Free This Week
Calgary is rich in arts and culture this January! Whether you’re attending a poetry reading at Shelf Life Books, discovering the whimsical exhibition ⋆˚࿔ UwU 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ at The New Gallery, or enjoying a showcase of local films with the Chinatown Pop Up Movie Club, these events will inspire you to get off the couch.
Knowledge Made Concrete
January 16, 2025, 5 – 8pm
Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Alberta University for the Arts (1407 14 Ave. NW)
Free to explore
As Alberta’s two oldest cultural institutions, AUArts and the Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) have enjoyed a century-long partnership. Knowledge Made Concrete draws from the AGA’s Permanent Collection, showcasing works by AUArts alumni and faculty.
auarts.ca
Single Onion #207
January 16, 2025, 7pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4 St. SW)
Free to explore
The Single Onion is Calgary’s longest-running poetry reading series. Join them as they kick off their winter season with four excellent poets: Bret Crowle, Skylar Kay, Logan Pollon and Eddie.
shelflifebooks.ca
Pro Series II: Plum(bs)
January 16 – 18 , 2025, 7:30pm
University Theatre (230 University Court NW)
Free to attend
Casually mapping the traces of psychological trauma on the dancers’ body as it ever strives to align, this full-length multidisciplinary work features dance artist and UCalgary School of Creative and Performing Arts faculty member Marie France Forcier.
events.ucalgary.ca
Stride Editions Vol. 2 — Stride Gallery Annual Riso Print Fundraiser
January 17, 2025, 6 – 9pm.
Stride Gallery (Suite #220, 625 11 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Stride Gallery invites you to its annual fundraiser, Stride Editions Vol. 2, showcasing risograph prints from 15 artists. Help celebrate the emerging and established artists Stride has been in dialogue with over the past few years.
stride.ab.ca
⋆˚࿔ UwU 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ — Opening Reception
January 17, 2025, 7 – 9pm
The New Gallery, (208 Centre St. SE)
Free to attend, registration required
⋆˚࿔ UwU 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ by Molly JF Caldwell explores the playful and whimsical world of cuteness through soft, interactive art. Featuring works by Michelle Le, Robyn Mah, Mantis Mei and Morgan Strom, the exhibition invites viewers to challenge ideas of identity, disidentification and ornamentalism.
thenewgallery.org
Denim Vest Decorating
January 18, 2025, 1 – 4pm
Sparrow Artspace (36 4 St NE)
Free to attend, registration required
Bring your own denim or any item of clothing that needs patching and join artist Kaitlyn Hatch to learn some fun embroidery stitches for attaching patches and decorating other parts of your clothes. Embroidery floss, needles, hoops, an iron, patches and pins are provided.
sparrowartspace.com
Local Filmmaker Showcase
January 18, 2025, 1:30 – 3pm
Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association (111 Riverfront Ave. SW)
Free to attend, RSVP required
Chinatown Pop Up Movie Club is excited to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a local filmmaker showcase including the world premiere of Ginger Beef’s latest music video TAKEOUT! Also included in this shorts package is a documentary about Calgary’s Chinatown in the early 1970s, screened in its original 16mm format.
chinatownpopupmovieclub.com
Sounding Relations & Seasons in Fish Creek Park
January 19, 2025, 2pm
Fish Creek Park (see website for details)
Free to participate, registration required
Local outdoor educator and electroacoustic musician Chad Eastman guides soundwalkers on an exploration of the seasonal soundscape in Fish Creek Provincial Park. Throughout, the false dichotomy between human and non-human worlds will be unpacked in relation to a number of concepts.
showpass.com
Contemporary Kids Lunar New Year Program
January 19, 2025, 12 – 4:30pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend
Join Contemporary Calgary for an exciting workshop in partnership with the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre and Artistry Unite Association. Kids will have the opportunity to explore the art of Chinese ink calligraphy and brush painting and contribute to a collaborative artwork, the Snake Modular Box.
contemporarycalgary.com
Anastassiia Alexander, Poetry in Motion
January 22, 2025, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SE)
Free to attend
This captivating & expressive work is an interpretation of Anastassiia’s poem Una Máquina de Olvido/An Oblivion Machine. A piece of poetry in motion, the performance combines elements of spoken word with dance and features soundscapes and rhythms created by Anastassiia using a loop station.
proartssociety.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
