Free This Week
Art parties, festivals and lots of music are coming your way
- Price: Free
All these summer storms might be putting a damper on our summer activities but try not to fret. This week brings a whole new batch of free events for you to enjoy! Here’s what we’re checking out:
Stephen Avenue Walk #IAMDOWNTOWN Summer Stage
August 10 – 13, 2016, 12:00pm
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage (Centre St. & 8th Ave. SE)
Free
The great acts keep on coming over on the #IAMDOWNTOWN Summer Stage. This week be on the lookout for Chilean and Brazilian artists, Cowtown Opera with Beatbox Rapper Cam the Human, Sangea Academy African Drummers, Samba Music with Brazilian Dancers, Oliver Miguel Quinteto and the Tropicart Brazilian Dance Groups.
calgarydowntown.com
Preview in the Plaza
August 10, 2016, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free
This Wednesday head to Olympic Plaza for a free preview of the Tabestoon Festival with Iranian band The Futhers sharing a blend of Middle Eastern folk melodies and contemporary western music.
calgary.ca
Pop-Up Picnic
August 10, 2016, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Eighth Avenue Place (Along 9th Ave. SW)
Free
Join Downtown Calgary for some stress relief at this week’s pop-up picnic. Head to the Eighth Avenue Place green space, located on 9th Avenue just off 5th Street SW, for some R&R with a petting zoo and a performance from a harpist.
calgarydowntown.com
ProArts Presents Moël (Mewael Hadera)
August 10, 2016, 12:10pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free, family-friendly
This week at ProArts@Noon hear this singer-songwriter from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia perform. After moving to Calgary in late 2014, he started writing soulful acoustic-pop songs filled with emotion. This concert is a proud co-presentation with Afrikadey! World Music Festival running August 10 to 13, 2016.
proartssociety.ca
Music In The Plaza
August 10, 2016, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Heritage Town Square, Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free
Heritage Park’s free summer concert series returns for a fifth season of spectacular live music, every Wednesday evening until August 31. This week check out FuZe Fusion Band, an innovative group that brings together a myriad of musical styles.
heritagepark.ca
Pop-Up Piano Series
August 11, 2016, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Wee Little Piano Book Exchange at Fifth Avenue Place (420 2nd St. SW)
Free, family-friendly
If you haven’t been to a Pop-Up Piano concert yet this summer, make this the one! Kenna Burima and Steve Fletcher will be performing and it’s sure to be a great sing-a-long!
calgarydowntown.com
Stephen Avenue Night Market
August 11, 2016, 4:00 – 9:00pm
Stephen Avenue (Along 8th Ave.)
Free, family-friendly
Downtown Calgary hops on the night market bandwagon this week. On Thursday night, head to Stephen Avenue for tasty treats, unique vendors and live entertainment including performances from the Green Fools, Fromage Chaud, and more.
calgarydowntown.com
Taste of Calgary
August 11– 14, 2016
Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parade SW)
Free
Calgary’s festival of food and drink offers sensational samples from Calgary’s most interesting restaurants and beverage companies, against a backdrop of the best local talent the province has to offer. Admission is free and sampling tickets are $1 each.
tasteofcalgary.com
Happenings #5
August 11, 2016, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
This free artist reception and self-curated art party on August 11, 2016 is themed around plants, nature and environmental sustainability. Celebrate the artistic talents of Michael Trommer, Michael Snow, Evangeline Belzile, Ian William Craig, Stephen Broomer, Stuart Broomer, Kyle Armstrong, Mark Templeton, Dan Browne, Steve Richman, John Price, Clint Enns, Christine Lucy Latimer, Mani Mazinani, Natural Real Supreme, Janine Bennett, Donna Miller, and Philip Kanwischer. And be on the lookout for artist panel discussions, live music, a chance to see a poisonous plant collection, and much more.
facebook.com
Happy Endings: Story-telling Comedy
August 12, 2016, 8:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free
Check out this evening of hilarious (and often embarrassing) story-telling comedy featuring performances by Amy Bugg, Kat Dornian and Jeffrey Rizzster.
facebook.com
Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival
August 13 & 14, 2016
North Glenmore Park (7305 Crowchild Tr. SW)
Free
On the water, teams participate in the 2,000-year-old traditional rowing sport. On land, spectators get to cheer them on while experiencing the music, dance and food of China. The Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival draws over 1,850 competitors, over 4,000 spectators and an abundance of excitement and cultural experiences.
chinatowncalgary.com/dragonboat
Eighth Annual Art in the Garden
August 13 & 14, 2016, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Art in the Garden (3443 Kerry Park Rd. SW)
Free
Love art? Check out the Eighth Annual Art in the Garden is on Saturday. Artists in attendance include Rosemary Bennett, Rex Beanland, Linda Lalonde, Shelagh Tranter, and Nancy Osadchuk. There will be framed and unframed paintings in many mediums and styles, art cards, matted prints and stained glass to choose from. Donations for the Calgary Food Bank will be gratefully accepted.
facebook.com
13th Annual Korean Day Festival
August 13, 2016, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Glenmore Athletic Park (5300 19th St. SW)
Free
Join the Calgary Korean Association as it celebrates and showcases Korea’s unique culture to thousands of Calgarians. The festival features traditional dance performances, Korean food, and a lively parade.
calgarykorea.com
Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri
August 13, 2016, 11:00am – 6:00pm
Max Bell Centre (1001 Barlow Tr. SE)
Free
Visitors to the Calgary Japanese Festival are treated to authentic Japanese food and snacks, presentations of traditional music, dance and song, dramatic re-enactments of classic Japanese fairy tales, martial arts demonstrations and more!
calgaryjapanesefestival.com
Summers on 17th: MarketSpot
August 13, 2016, 12:00 – 6:00pm
Tomkins Park (17th Ave., between 7th & 8th St. SW)
Free, family-friendly
Featuring the dynamic duo of MarketSpot, a collaboration between Market YYC and Artspot, swing by and check out live music, reading racks supplied by the Calgary Public Library, artisan vendors, performances, produce markets, kids crafting activities and more.
17thave.ca/summers-on-17th
Altered Book Workshop with Colleen Rauscher
August 13, 2016, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Esker Foundation (444, 1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential
This workshop draws inspiration from images and samples of altered books and the many forms they can take and participants will transform their own book using mixed media and a variety of techniques. Esker Foundation will provide basic materials for this workshop. Participants must be a minimum of 16 years old.
eventbrite.ca
Black White and Grey Vol. 1
August 13, 2016, 3:00 – 7:00pm
The Peanut Gallery, John Fluevog Shoes (207 8th Ave. SW)
Free
Calgary’s online art gallery FosterMAK.com is going offline with Black White and Grey Vol. 1, a solo exhibit by local artist, John F. Gerrard. And you can check out the artist reception on Saturday.
fostermak.com/events
Kensington Summertime Outdoor Movies
August 13, 2016, 9:00pm
Calgary Parking Authority Lot 57 (1210 Kensington Rd. NW)
Free, family-friendly, BYO-chair
Back by popular demand, Kensington Summertime Outdoor Movies series returns for its second consecutive year. This year it’s all about the 80s and this week’s flick is Dirty Dancing.
facebook.com
Marda Gras
August 14, 2016, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Marda Loop (33rd & 34th Ave. SW)
Free
The Marda Gras Street Festival attracts some 35,000 people to Marda Loop for a fun-filled and family-friendly event that embraces the culture and cuisine of New Orleans.
mardagras.ca
Music in the Park
August 14, 2016, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Rotary Park (617 1st St. NE)
Free
This summer you can enjoy live music with family and friends in beautiful parks around the city thanks to The City of Calgary’s Music in the Park. And this Sunday you’re in for a treat with Heather Blush and The Uppercuts performing in Rotary Park.
calgary.ca
CIFF Late Shows Announcement & Screening
August 14, 2016, 8:00pm
Ship & Anchor (534 17th Ave. SW)
Free
For the second consecutive year Calgary International Film Festival is announcing its Late Shows Series with a free screening at the Ship & Anchor. See V/H/S, a favourite Late Shows selection from 2012, alongside Big Rock beverages, free popcorn, and a special menu.
calgaryfilm.com
