Free This Week
Enjoy free arts events all week long! Check out a concert inspired by Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, a wacky and wild story time at Owl’s Nest Books, an exhibition of work by Toronto-based artist Gerry Mulhall, a coffee and art combo, and more!
Up Your Alley
May 15 – 25, 2024 | Reception May 18, 2 – 5pm
Gallery Level 2, cSPACE Marda Loop (2nd floor, 1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Canadian artist Gerry Mulhall captures the essence of nature and human experience in his vibrant paintings. His work explores the interplay between the natural and the man-made with bold colours and fluid brushstrokes. Check out his work in the exhibition Up Your Alley!
cspacemardaloop.com
Bandura Soul
May 15, 2024, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SE)
Free to attend
Bandura Soul is set to perform traditional Ukrainian folk songs as well as music from contemporary Ukrainian composers on the themes of “Mother, Love and Ukraine.” The audience will have the unique opportunity to hear the bandura played by a duet of professional bandurists and vocalists.
proartssociety.ca
Book Launch: Ellen Anderson Penno’s Counting Bones
May 15, 2024, 7 – 9pm
Shelf Life Books (100, 1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
NeWest Press and Shelf Life Books invite you to the Calgary launch of Ellen Anderson Penno’s Counting Bones: Anatomy of Love Lost and Found, with special guest Sharon Butala. Stop by to celebrate Ellen’s new memoir — listen to some readings and participate in a Q&A.
shelflifebooks.ca
WAKEWord Live
May 16, 2024, 7 – 8pm
The GRAND (608 1st St. SW)
Free to attend, RSVP required
Join The GRAND for an unforgettable evening dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of Wakefield Brewster — Calgary’s Poet Laureate from 2022–2024! Wakefield will be reading excerpts from his new book, WAKEWord, with a Q&A to follow.
thegrandyyc.ca
Single Onion #202
May 16, 2024, 7 – 9pm
Shelf Life Books (100, 1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
The Single Onion is a recurring live poetry series. The next edition is set to host four great poets for May: Weyman Chan, Bruce Hunter, Micheline Maylor and Lori D. Roadhouse. Check it out!
shelflifebooks.ca
Open Studio for 55+
May 17, 2024, 1 – 4pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Contemporary Calgary’s Open Studio for 55+ on Fridays in May invites participants to bring projects they are currently engaged in, or ideas and materials for projects, for an opportunity to work with the support of peers and a facilitator with a background in visual art.
contemporarycalgary.com
HPA Art Exhibit & Sale
May 18, 2024, 10am – 3pm
Huntington Pioneers Association (520 78 Ave NW)
Free to explore
Head over to see some great works by local artists taught by Lori Lukasewich. The Huntington Pioneers Association are excited to have this annual show return to share the talent and skills of these artists.
hpa50.ca
Loops & Lattes
May 18, 2024, 2pm
Congress Coffee (1A, 215 36 Ave. NE)
Free to attend
Congress Coffee’s artist-in-residence Elijah Lucian is back to provide the soundtrack to your sleepy Saturday afternoon, filling the cafe with lo-fi awesomeness. You can also discover artist Samantha Charette’s paintings in the exhibition Taking Care: A Place We Can Be Together. Don’t miss out!
congresscoffeeyyc.com
Silly-Central Story Time
May 18, 2024, 10 – 10:30am
Owl’s Nest Books (815a 49 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Join Owl’s Nest Books for a wacky and wild story time! Get ready to laugh as it’s sure to be a hoot! Reading lineup: The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak, Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems.
owlsnestbooks.com
Día del Niño Children’s Festival
May 18, 2024, 10am – 6pm
cSPACE Marda Loop (2nd floor, 1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Join CASA Mexico as they celebrate the joy, innocence, and boundless potential of every child. Their Children’s Day Festival features activities for the whole family including a movie screening, games, crafts, workshops and more!
casamexico.ca
Mahler in the Mountains
May 19, 2024, 5pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary (206 University Ct. NW)
Free to attend
This unique concert event for chamber ensemble and vocal soloists consists of newly arranged versions of Mahler’s orchestral songs, and the new work States of Matter by Stefan Hakenberg, based on Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 and setting texts by the Cree/Métis poet Marilyn Dumont. Plus more!
ualberta.ca
Classical Guitar Society of Calgary: Preview Concert
May 19, 2024, 2 – 4pm
Shelf Life Books (100, 1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
Join Shelf Life Books for an afternoon preview concert by the Classical Guitar Society of Calgary. You can expect beautiful and unusual pieces played with expertise and stories of historical context.
shelflifebooks.ca
Antyx Youth Programming
Ongoing
Various venues
Free to participate
Antyx Community Arts invites youth ages 12 – 18 to participate in a number of their programs focused on providing safe spaces for creative expression including their mural projects, Youth Arts Action, The Film Lab and more!
antyx.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
