Free This Week

Check out puppets, literary events, gallery openings, and so much more

  • Price: Free

What a week! With tons of free programming from Contemporary Calgary, the Festival of Animated Objects, and Shelf Life Books, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what we’re checking out:

ProArts Presents Wild Rose Trio

March 15, 2017, 12:00 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free

Formed in the spring of 2016, Liz, Julie, and Mary have a burning need to get together and play chamber music. Hear them perform at this free lunch hour concert.
proartssociety.ca

+15 Window Galleries Closing Reception

March 16, 2017, 6:00 – 7:00pm
+15, Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Celebrate each of the exhibits hosted in the +15 at this closing reception. Artists will be on hand to speak about their work and everyone is invited to head to the Palomino (109 7th Ave. SW) for drinks afterwards (save 15% off your bill by showing a card from one of the exhibitions). All are welcome.
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Science in the Cinema Presents Hip Hop-eration

March 16, 2017, 6:30pm
Globe Cinema (617 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Join Science in the Cinema YYC for this free screening of Hip Hop-eration. The documentary tells the remarkable story of the world’s oldest hip-hop troupe and their journey from New Zealand to Las Vegas. The screening includes a discussion with researchers from the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health about arthritis research at the University of Calgary and the importance of seniors leading an active lifestyle.
facebook.com

Single Onion #139

March 16, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free

The Single Onion concludes its 2017 Lecture Series with an event featuring feminist poetry by Adrienne Adams, Cobra Collins, Erin Dingle, Lisa Murphy-Lamb, and Calgary Poet Laureate Micheline Maylor.
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Utopia Factory Opening Reception & Curator’s Tour

March 16, 2017, 7:00 – 10:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Join Contemporary Calgary for this opening reception and special tour of Utopia Factory—a sesquicentennial exhibition in three parts. Admission is free and artists will be in attendance.
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Figurative Papier-mâché Sculpture with Jude Griebel

March 17, 2017, 6:00 – 9:00pm & March 18, 2017, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential

In this two-part workshop, participants create imaginative figurative sculptures using a variety of accessible materials layered in papier-mâché. Once the sculptures have dried, Jude Griebel will demonstrate various ways in which the works can be painted and detailed. Participants must be over the age of 16 to participate. All materials will be provided.
eventbrite.ca

Somnambulist Puppet Sideshow

March 17 & 18, 2017
Multiple venues
Free

Straight from Regina, Saskatchewan’s Prairie Puppet Underground brings an assortment of dark and mysterious puppet sideshow attractions that will be popping up around the Festival of Animated Objects.
puppetfestival.ca

The Suitcase Theatre Arcade

March 17 – 19, 2017
Banquet Terrace, Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Peer through the eyeholes and zone in on mini worlds where space satellites breed monsters or where gerbils engage in a western showdown. These two minute, puppet shows are one-on-one experiences that will leave you blown away with delight.
puppetfestival.ca

Stories We Tell

March 17 – 19, 2017
Banquet Terrace, Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Part of the Festival of Animated Objects, this exhibit of sculptures that invites the viewer to engage by moving components, looking inside, and adding layers.
puppetfestival.ca

The Pipeman

March 17 – 19, 2017
Banquet Terrace, Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Part of the Festival of Animated Objects, catch this playful quest of a curious and charming character messing up in a world filled with sewing objects. Presented in a miniature puppet theatre with no spoken words.
puppetfestival.ca

Puppets Build Bridges with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

March 18, 2017, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Royal Canadian Legion #1 (116 7th Ave. SW)
Free, registration required

Join Chrystene Ells, Berny Hi, and Sylvia Zieman from the Prairie Puppet Underground as they share their experience creating a puppet, mask, American Sign Language, and mime project with deaf youth in Regina. Open to all hearing and DHH participants, a DHH interpreter will be present.
eventbrite.com

Puppet Pop-Up Studio: Paper Folded Birds

March 18, 2017, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Arts Learning Centre, Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free, no registration required

Cut, fold, colour, and glue! It’s that easy to make your own feathered friend with fun paper sculpture techniques. WP Puppet Theatre joins the Festival Of Animated Objects to offer this free drop-by puppet making workshop. Recommended for ages four and up.
wppuppet.com

When Form Becomes Attitude

March 18, 2017, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free, registration recommended

Join guest curator, Noa Bronstein, and artists Kotama Bouabane, Maria Litwin, and Babak Golkar for a discussion on the role of monuments and concepts around monumentality in constructing cities, nations and ideologies.
facebook.com

Throwing the Diamond Hitch

March 18, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free

Join Shelf Life Books as Emily Ursuliak launches her literary debut, Throwing the Diamond Hitch. Ursuliak holds an MA in English from the University of Calgary, and a passion for literacy and her chosen career, librarianship. She is also the host and producer of CJSW’s literary radio show, Writer’s Block, where she interviews authors, records readings, and peers into the private libraries of Calgary book lovers.
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Edmonton Childrens’ Choirs Present At the Movies

March 18, 2017, 7:00pm
Central United Church (131 7th Ave. SW)
Free admission, a free-will offering will been taken

The award-winning Edmonton Children’s Choir heads south for this special, 75-minute concert. A free-will offering will be taken with all proceeds going to Central’s Music Ministry.
centralchurch.ca

Glenbow Community Day

March 19, 2017, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free

A perfect Sunday to explore, Glenbow’s fourth annual Community Day returns allowing all Calgarians to come experience its new spring exhibitions.
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Master Class for Families

March 19, 2017, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential

Join the Esker Foundation for an afternoon of family fun at the gallery that delves into new mediums with art projects that relate to its current exhibitions. An educational, energetic, hands-on program for kids ages five to 10, an adult is required to stay for the duration of the workshop. All materials will be provided.
eventbrite.ca

Riverview Artists March Show & Sale

March 20 – 24, 2017, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sun Life Plaza (114 4th Ave. SW)
Free

Downtown? Make sure you swing by Sun Life Plaza to see original artwork by 12 local artists. Varied in style and technique, an artist will be in attendance each day.
riverview-artists.com

YYC Colours Panel Discussion on Racism/Religious Discrimination

March 20, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00pm
That Empty Space, MacEwan Student Centre, University of Calgary (2500 University Dr. NW)
Free

A solution-based documentary that starts discussions about racism in Calgary and Canada in general, check out this free screening of YYC Colours. Timely and important, the evening includes a panel featuring five community members and is part of University of Calgary’s Diversity Week 2017.
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