Free This Week
Check out art parties, lunch hour concerts, and so much more
- Price: Free
From the 10th annual Spaghetti Western Festival to the return of Arts Commons’ Happenings, this week has some pretty sweet free events to hit up. So fill up your calendar and stretch your dollar. Here’s what we’re checking out:
Spaghetti Western Festival
Until August 18, 2017
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage (Centre Street & 8th Ave. SE)
Free
Celebrating 10 years, Calgary’s own Spaghetti Western Festival gets a new look and format this year with lunch hour concerts on the Stephen Avenue Summer Stage.
facebook.com
Victors, Villains and Vixens
Wednesdays & Fridays until August 25, 2017
Prince’s Island Park (698 Eau Claire Ave. SW)
Free, no tickets needed
On top of its impressive run, Theatre Calgary’s Shakespeare by the Bow presents this special noon hour performance on select days this August. Victors, Villains and Vixens is a collection of different scenes from a variety of Shakespeare plays, performed by up-and-coming theatrical stars.
theatrecalgary.com
ProArts@Noon Presents Allen Reiser
August 16, 2017, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free
A pianist of diverse musical interests, Allen Reiser has performed with various orchestras in England and Canada. This free noon hour concert focuses on works by the great Frèdèric Chopin.
proartssociety.ca
Downtown Movie Night
August 16, 2017, 8:30 – 11:30pm
Calgary Marriott Downtown Rooftop Patio (110 9th Ave. SE)
Free
Join Downtown Calgary, Evolution, and the Marriott this August under the stars and city lights for a rooftop screening series. And because it’s Canada 150, John Candy classics are on the docket with The Great Outdoors screening this Wednesday. Admission is free and open to the general public. Seating is limited so bring your own comfy lawn chair from home.
calgarydowntown.com
Celebrating 150 Years of Canada Uniting Cultures
August 17, 2017, 7:00 – 10:00pm
King Eddy, National Music Centre (438 9th Ave. SE)
Free
Join Reggaefest and explore the deep roots of reggae music and its impact across the Canadian landscape with Dr. Jason Wilson.
studiobell.ca
EV Junction Pop-Up Retail Park
August 17 – 20, 2017
EV Junction (4th St. & 8th Ave. SE)
Free
Head to the East Village every Thursday through Sunday until October 1 and hit up the food trucks, live music, performances, pop-up art, and much more. This Thursday check out the Creative Living Room Series with the Sadlier-Brown Band.
evexperience.com
Happenings #9
August 18, 2017, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Arts Commons (205 8th Ave. SE)
Free, all-ages
Celebrate all the great creations at the next Happenings—an art party that is free and open to all ages. Head to Arts Commons for a Friday night of hands-on activities, live performances, and so much more. The theme this go around is Canadian heritage, multiculturalism, identity, and celebration. Explore and help answer what the next 150 years will look like when Indigenous, female, immigrant, and queer voices are included in the conversation of who we are as Canadians.
facebook.com
Opera in the Village Community Amphitheatre
August 19 & 20, 2017
ENMAX Park (Elbow River Pathway SE)
Free with wristband
Calgary Opera’s summer treat returns to its full spectacle in a new location and even includes an opportunity to hit up free family entertainment from some of Calgary’s best music groups.
calgaryopera.com
Sundays in C-Square with Hi-Strung Downers
August 20, 2017, 1:00 – 4:00pm
C-Square (Corner of 7th Ave. and 4th St. SE)
Free
Join the National Music Centre for musical afternoons in East Village’s open-air urban square. This weekend catch featured act and rockabilly mainstays the Hi-Strung Downers alongside opener Flint & Feather.
studiobell.ca
Late Show Series Launch & Feast Screening
August 20, 2017, 8:00pm
The Ship & Anchor (534 17th Ave. SW)
Free
The Calgary International Film Festival is adding a late show series to its September festival and you can get the inside scoop at this free screening of the disgustingly funny horror flick, Feast.
calgaryfilm.com
Monday Blues
August 21, 2017, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage (Centre Street & 8th Ave. SE)
Free
Curated by the Calgary International Blues Fest, pop by the Stephen Avenue Summer Stage to sit back and enjoy some blues tunes with your lunch. Up this week is John Rutherford & the Big Blues Trio.
calgarydowntown.com
