Free This Week
Get out and about with fairs, parties, concerts, and builds
- Price: Free
Summer continues to roll on with long days and tons of fun activities. This week you can live out your magical dreams with Kensington’s Fantasy Faire or go for a stroll with your pooch at the Beltline Garden Party and Dog Parade.
Here’s what we’re checking out:
ProArts Presents Eileen Kosasih with Bethany Yon
July 25, 2018, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free
Featuring Eileen Kosasih and Bethany Yon, this violin and mezzo-soprano duo promise to enchant you with a classical repertoire. Swing by this free lunch-hour concert for a stunning treat.
proartssociety.ca
10-Minute Plays for Jane’s Walk – Summer Edition
July 25, 2018, 3:00 – 4:00pm
Meet at the Conversion Statue (8th Ave. & 1st St. SW)
Free
After its successful turn at Jane’s Walk, these 10-minute plays return for the summer. With several performers reprising their work as well as two new performing groups, three plays are performed in succession along Stephen Avenue.
facebook.com
Music in the Plaza
July 25, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Heritage Town Square, Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free
Heritage Park’s free summer concert series, Music in the Plaza, returns for a seventh season of spectacular live music. Supported by the RBC Foundation, it continues this week with legendary bluesman Tim Williams. Presented in partnership with the Calgary International Blues Festival, don’t miss this captivating performance.
heritagepark.ca
Sunnyside Salsa Wednesdays
July 25, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
Running throughout the summer, join Free Spirit Dance and Studio Creole as they bring a tropical mix of salsa, timba, samba, and more to your midweek.
facebook.com
Music at McDougall
July 26, 2018, 11:45am – 1:00pm
West Grounds, McDougall Centre (455 6th St. SW)
Free
The second of a seven-part summer concert series from the Government of Alberta and CKUA, head to McDougall Centre this Thursday for some noon-time jams.
ckua.com
Farmers’ Market Fridays
July 27, 2018, 3:00 – 7:00pm
Robert McClure United Church (5510 26th Ave. NE)
Free
Enjoy live music from Danny Zapata while you shop by BC cherries, produce, Tupperware, knitted and crocheted items, fruit wines and spritzers, preserves, jams, baking, honey and beeswax products, beaded work, and more.
facebook.com
Curiouser and curiouser: Exhibition Tour with Elizabeth Diggon
July 27, 2018, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended
Join Elizabeth Diggon, Esker’s assistant curator, on this informal tour that considers how Vanessa Brown and Anna Torma layer personal histories, fantastical narratives, and hidden symbols into their respective artistic practices.
eventbrite.ca
WRECK CITY Residency + Exhibition
July 27 – August 12, 2018
Multiple locations
Free
Its first ever multi-venue exhibition spanning from Marda Loop to Downtown Calgary, this iteration of WRECK CITY is located across four independent sites in Southwest Calgary. Over five weeks, 21 artists from across North America have been creating new site-specific artworks through installation, sculptures, urban intervention, performance action, deconstruction, mark-making, and other experimental styles.
wreckcity.ca
Summer Markets
July 27 & 28, 2018, 5:00 – 10:00pm
Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Rd. SE)
Free
Presented in collaboration with Curated Markets, swing by the mall’s southeast parking lot for a variety of goods by local artisans and creatives along with food trucks and live entertainment.
facebook.com
Historic Calgary Week
July 27 – August 6, 2018
Multiple locations
Free – $20, donations welcome
Chinook Country Historical Society highlights our cultural, institutional, industrial, architectural, sporting, and military heritage with over 70 events. Most are free and there are talks, walks, concerts, museum visits, and more to check out.
chinookcounrty.org
Wiki Public Furniture Build
July 28, 2018, 10:00 – 2:00pm
containR (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
An event to gather and assemble selected furniture from the WikiBlock library, this all-ages event encourages making and doing in the community all while providing containR Art Park in Sunnyside with lovely new furniture pieces for all to use! No building experience necessary.
facebook.com
From Lyrical Line to Wearable Wire Jewellery with Joan Irvin
July 28, 2018, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration required
Join local jewellery artist Joan Irvin for a tour of Vanessa Brown’s exhibition, The Witching Hour and head into the studio for some creative alchemy of your own.
eventbrite.ca
Beltline Garden Party and Dog Parade
July 28, 2018, 11:00am – 4:00pm
Lougheed House (707 13th Ave. SW)
Free
A summer festival with a dog parade with prizes from Fairplay Pet Supply, a beer garden, live music from DJ Jamal and Bebe Buckskin, and family games indoors and out, the afternoon includes free admission to Lougheed House.
lougheedhouse.com
10-Minute Plays for Jane’s Walk – Summer Edition
July 28, 2018, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Meet at the Conversion Statue (8th Ave. & 1st St. SW)
Free
After its successful turn at Jane’s Walk, these 10-minute plays return for the summer. With several performers reprising their work as well as two new performing groups, three plays are performed in succession along Stephen Avenue.
facebook.com
Building Bridges Through Arts: Pan-Asian-Canadian Art Experience
July 28, 2018, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free
Celebrate Calgary’s vibrant Asian-Canadian arts community with this interactive art market that includes live demonstrations, drumming, and cultural performances.
facebook.com
Promenade Opening Reception
July 28, 2018, 4:00 – 7:00pm
Jarvis Hall Gallery (333B 36th Ave. SE)
Free
Its summer group show, this exhibition features a collection of work by artists new and old to the gallery roster. Artists include Robin Arseneault, Martin Bennett, Susan Clarahan, Mark Dicey, Marianne Gerlinger, Janine Hall, Tyler Los-Jones, Rachel MacFarlane, Billy McCarroll, Sondra Meszaros, Jeff Nachtigall, Bill Rodgers, Marigold Santos, Jen Somerville, Corri-Lynn Tetz, Larissa Tiggelers, Dan Whiting, and John Will.
jarvishallgallery.com
Calgary Arab Festival
July 28 & 29, 2018
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission
A free, family-friendly event, this festival shares Arabian traditions, folk dance, music, food, customs, arts, and much more. It celebrates its fifth year in 2018, so swing on by for this milestone event.
facebook.com
Pet-a-Palooza
July 28 & 29, 2018
Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parade SW)
Free, pet-friendly
Just Love Animals Society is returning to Calgary once again with the West Coast’s largest outdoor pet festival. Bring your pet to sample treats, food, accessories, toys, and more.
petapaloozawest.com
Kensington’s Fantasy Faire
July 29, 2018, 11:00am – 5:00pm
Throughout Kensington
Free
Calling all witches, wizards, fairies, and halflings—no magic is off limits at this fun fantasy faire. Check out a live music stage, tournament field, Quidditch games, life-sized chess board, costume contest presented by the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, University of Calgary’s School of Magic, and over 40 participating businesses. There’s even live sword-fighting sessions, an owl hide-out, parasol duelling, and so much more.
facebook.com
Open House for Jolie Bird: 1597; Harmonious Frequencies
July 29, 2018, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free
Join artist Joile Bird to celebrate the completion of her 12-week installation of 1,597, harmonious golden dots in the Esker Project Space. Visitors can even take a ‘dot’ home with them.
facebook.com
Styker
July 29, 2018, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Untitled Art Society (343 11th Ave. SW)
Free
A 2004 film by Noam Gonick about gang violence in Winnipeg’s North End, Styker follows a 14-year-old arsonist who becomes involved in a turf war between the Indian Posse and the Asian Bomb Squad.
facebook.com
Calgary International Blues Festival
July 30 – August 5, 2018
Multiple locations
Free – $129
Don’t miss this full week of the best in blues! Featuring an exciting program of workshops and special events, there’s a number of free events including the festival kickoff and volunteer appreciation bash on July 30 and a blues guitar workshop with Tim Williams on July 31. The festival continues until August 5.
calgarybluesfest.com
Sunnyside Open Stage Tuesdays
July 31, 2018, 6:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
Every Tuesday throughout the summer, head to #SOSTuesdays for the Sunnyside Open Stage hosted by Eugene Saunders and guests! Swing by to support local talent or share something yourself.
facebook.com
