Free This Week
A busy week brings a plethora of events to check out
With a new month and a long weekend, this week is full of great—and free—events to hit up. From outdoor concerts and pop-up performances to festivals and street fairs, continue your summer with Calgary’s arts community.
Music in the Park
July 31 – August 2, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Central Memorial Park (1221 2nd St. SW)
Free admission
Pack a picnic, sit back, relax, and enjoy live music in a beautiful outdoor park setting with The City of Calgary. Music in the Park runs rain or shine, so come prepared! This week the festivities move into Central Memorial Park and you can see performances by Aimee-Jo Benoit, Canadian Chinese Orchestra, and the Calgary Wind Symphony.
facebook.com
ProArts Presents Blues at Noon
July 31, 2019, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free admission
Tim Williams’ guitar skills are frequently compared to Ry Cooder and David Lindley. Like them, Williams plays a wealth of other string instruments, and his songwriting has won praise from the likes of Tom Russel and Willie Nelson. The Calgary Blues Music Association partners with ProArts Society to present this not-to-be-missed noon hour concert.
proartssociety.ca
Music in the Plaza
July 31, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Heritage Town Square, Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free admission
Heritage Park’s awesome free summer concert series returns for an eighth season of live music. It continues with the smooth sounds of the Michael Callander Jazz Sextet.
heritagepark.ca
A Walk Through Blues History
July 31, 2019, 6:30 – 8:30pm
King Eddy, National Music Centre (438 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Blues musician and historian John Rutherford hosts an interactive talk show style discussion with Tim Williams, a local award-winning bluesman and historian in his own right. Don’t miss this fantastic talk presented by the Calgary Blues Music Association and part of the Calgary International Blues Festival.
calgarybluesfest.com
Mini Masters
August 1, 2019, 11:00 – 11:45am
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration required
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
Free First Thursday Nights
August 1, 2019, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Get into Glenbow without paying a dime and check out its popular Thursday night affair, the first day of August offers a great chance to explore all the current exhibitions including Nick Cave: Feat. and Ed Pien: Our Beloved.
facebook.com
Bring the Baby Art Tour & Tummy Time
August 2, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration recommended
A relaxed, social tour, bring your baby to the Esker Foundation and have tot-friendly fun while discussing the exhibitions. This program starts with a casual half-hour tour of the current exhibitions, followed by a half-hour of tummy time social fun for both baby and guardian!
eventbrite.ca
The Ocean Inside Opening Reception
August 2, 2019, 6:00 – 9:00pm
EMMEDIA Gallery (2005 10th Ave. SW)
Free admission
An installation based on Eveline Kolijn’s first-hand experience of witnessing the devastating effects of climate change and other human-made environmental stresses on the coral reefs, don’t miss this opening reception.
emmedia.ca
Inglewood Sunfest
August 3, 2019, 11:00am – 6:00pm
Mainstreet Inglewood (9th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Inglewood Sunfest is all about having fun in the sun! This feisty summer festival in the heart of this historic neighbourhood is here to celebrate, engage, entertain, and delight with activities for all ages.
inglewoodsunfest.ca
Bucky Music Festival
August 3, 2019, 12:00 – 6:00pm
Buckmaster Park (1629 21st Ave. SW)
Free admission
A family-friendly festival with two stages of awesome music, this is your chance to hear local acts, explore the garden, and much more. Emily Triggs headlines this afternoon in one of Bankview’s most beautiful treasures.
facebook.com
Klezmer in the Square
August 3, 2019, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Celebration Square (4th St. & 7th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Head down to East Village’s beautiful plaza for the first weekend of Saturdays in C-Square featuring virtuoso Schmenge and Eastern European-flavoured tunes by the Calgary Musicscapes Band.
studiobell.ca
Floating Lantern Peace Ceremony
August 3, 2019, 8:00 – 9:30pm
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission
With 2,000 colourful, glowing paper lanterns launched on the reflecting pond, this free, family event looks towards a peaceful, nuclear-weapons-free world that is free from violence.
ploughsharescalgary.ca
Heritage Day at Fort Calgary
August 5, 2019, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Fort Calgary (750 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Celebrate Heritage Day at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers and enjoy various family-friendly activities, including Mountie uniform try-on sessions, cultural heritage films, Indigenous artisans, museum tours, and more. Admission to the museum is by cash donation, or bring a non-perishable food donation for the Veterans’ Food Bank.
facebook.com
Tour de Bowness Street Festival
August 5, 2019, 11:00am – 4:00pm
Mainstreet Bowness (Along Bowness Rd. NW)
Free admission
A festival of competitive bike racing, artisans, food trucks, music, children’s activities, and more, the event celebrates the vibrant and historical community.
mainstreetbowness.com
Heritage Day Festival
August 5, 2019, 12:00 – 6:00pm
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission
Hosted by the Calgary Folk Arts Council, the 42nd annual Heritage Day Festival features six hours of multicultural performances, ethnic foods, and unique handicrafts. Don’t miss this family-friendly festival in the heart of downtown.
facebook.com
Sunnyside Open Stage Tuesdays
August 6, 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.
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