Free This Week
The week ahead is overflowing with free offerings
There’s plenty to check out in Calgary this week with new exhibition openings, film screenings and festivals — but that’s just the start! You’ll also find a whole slew of free live concerts and community events in celebration of Country Music Week and Alberta Culture Days. Make sure to get out there!
Wild Rose Trio
September 7, 2022, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free to attend
ProArts@Noon Concert Series presents Wild Rose Trio. The group formed in the spring of 2016 when Liz (cello), Julie (piano) and Mary (clarinet) realized a burning need to get together and play chamber music. They believe quality chamber music belongs wherever you can set up for it.
proartsatnoon.ca
ArtsXpeditions
September 8, 2022, 12:30pm – 1:30pm & 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Olympic Plaza (215 8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
The 2022 season of ArtsXpeditions has been bringing live concerts and performances that span genres and ages to communities around Calgary all summer long. Set to wrap up on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, make sure to check out the final month of performances at Olympic Plaza!
artscommons.ca
FAFARD (2021)
September 8, 2022, 7 – 10pm
Dome Theatre, Contemporary Calgary (701 11th St. SW)
Free to attend
Join Contemporary Calgary in partnership with Masters Gallery for a screening of FAFARD (2021). This film by art documentarian Jan Nowina-Zarzycki depicts artist Joe Fafard revealing details about the formative years of his life, his views on humankind and the inspiration behind many of his most famous sculptures.
contemporarycalgary.com
Movies in the Park
September 8 & 9, 2022
Tomkins Park ( 17th Ave. SW)
Free to attend
The 17th Ave Business Improvement Area isn’t saying goodbye to summer without a fight. They’ll be pulling out all the stops to bring movies to life each weekend, with family, date night and girls’ night out themes happening every Saturday and Sunday.
17thave.ca
Country Music Week
September 8 – 11, 2022
Various venues
Select events are free to attend, registration required
Country Music Week showcases diverse and talented artists from Calgary and across Canada, with programming including performances, the Off-Country Music Festival, the Canadian Country Music Awards and more! Read our preview to learn more about everything that’s taking place.
calgaryartsdevelopment.com
Long Lost Friends — Opening Reception
September 8, 2022, 5 – 7:30pm
Norberg Hall (333b 36th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Norberg Hall is thrilled to open the fall season with a solo exhibition by Hamilton-based, multi-media artist Nathan Eugene Carson. Through portraiture, Carson’s paintings unpack the human experience as well as inter-species connectedness, illuminating his subjects with an expressive, tactile and iconic handling of paint and form.
norberghall.com
Honens Festival
September 9 – 11, 2022
Various venues
Select events are free to attend, registration required
The Honens Festival features three days of music events with something for everyone. This year’s lineup includes popular events like 176 Keys (featuring four pianists) and Open Air in Calgary and High River, which are free to attend. It’s the perfect beginning to a season of music!
honens.com
Expresstival
September 10, 2022, 12 – 8pm
ParkPlus Lot 6 across from The Street Eatery (311 8th St. SW)
Free to attend
In partnership with the Downtown Association, ART SPOT is throwing a massive freeform art event that features nearly 100 local artists, showcasing their art in an experimental, freeform environment. Check out performances, exhibitions, installations, demos, workshops and more.
artspotcalgary.com
REVIVE Grand Opening
September 11, 2022, 11am – 9pm
Alberta Hotel Building (151 8th Ave. SW)
Free to explore
REVIVE follows Calgary make-up artist Liz Lai as she learns and recreates the often secretive art form of Cantonese Opera makeup. Together with milliner Carrie Yap and photographer Danny Luong, the three artists share their perspectives of the Cantonese opera art form through a series of photographs.
instagram.com
Discover Square Dancing
September 12, 2022, 7 – 9pm
Willow Ridge Community Centre (680 Acadia Dr. SE)
Free to participate
Square dancing is just walking to music! Go and try it at this introductory dance party hosted by the Calgary & District Square & Round Dancers Association. No partner is necessary, and an experienced caller leads you through the basic steps. Just wear some comfy shoes!
queenandjacks.com
My Thoughts Are Silent
September 12, 2022, 6:30 – 8:45pm
Calgary Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free to watch, registration required
The first in the European Union Film Series; this Ukrainian comedy/drama follows a 25-year-old composer living in Kyiv who gets a chance to start all over by completing a simple task, but things get complicated when the main companion turns out to be his mom.
calgarylibrary.ca
Gotta Minute Film Festival
Until September 18, 2022
Various venues
Free to attend
This year, the 30 selected silent short films will be shown on Pattison Onestop screens in Edmonton and Calgary in places like the Calgary C-train, Calgary Public Library locations and more! Be sure to check out the official Gotta Minute Film Festival 2022 launch event at the Central Library on Tuesday, September 6.
fava.ca
Alberta Culture Days
Until September 30, 2022
Various venues
Free to attend
Alberta Culture Days is an opportunity to discover, experience and celebrate arts and culture through events and activities — indoors and outdoors, in person and online, in Calgary and across the province. Find out what’s happening near you!
culturedays.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
