Free This Week
Challenge the status quo and celebrate art in unexpected places
- Price: Free
August might be coming to an end but there’s still plenty of chances to take in a free event or two this month. With offerings that include arts-based community events, markets, and festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s what we’re hitting up this week:
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage
August 23, 24, & 29, 2017, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage (Centre Street & 8th Ave. SE)
Free
The Stephen Avenue Summer Stage is pumping out the tunes this week so stop by on your lunch hour. And with the Rondel Roberts Band, Mariachi Del Cobra, and Boy and Gurl on the schedule, it’s a great week to do so.
calgarydowntown.com
ProArts@Noon Presents 12 Musas
August 23, 2017, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free
A new contemporary flamenco ensemble, 12 Musas explores new ideas within traditional forms through improvisation in both music and dance. Dancer Anastassiia Moussatova is joined by Jonathan Lewis on the violin and viola, David Matyas on guitar, and Mark Limacher on piano for the first in a series of five concerts sponsored by the Nickle Family Foundation.
proartssociety.ca
YYC Free Market
August 23, 2017, 6:00 – 9:00pm
containR (1010 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
Give what you can and take what you need—to attend this experimental market you simply need to bring yourself and something to give.
facebook.com
EV Junction Pop-Up Retail Park
August 24 – 27, 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 a Latin fiesta with Free Spirit Dance, part of the Creative Living Room Series.
evexperience.com
Victors, Villains and Vixens
August 25, 2017, 12:00pm
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
Calgary Night Market
August 25, 2017, 5:00 – 11:00pm
Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Rd. SE)
Free
Looking for a Friday treat? Head to Southcentre Mall’s parking lot and check out this night market featuring food trucks, market stalls, and live entertainment.
facebook.com
Summer Film Series Double Bill
August 25, 2017, 7:00 – 8:15pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended
A film about time and art, Time and Time and Again is based on the life and work of Icelandic artist Hreinn Friðfinnsson and merges reality with fiction. Presented in Icelandic with English subtitles, it’s followed by a screening of Nina Yuen’s Raymond.
eventbrite.ca
Carifest
August 26, 2017
Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9th Ave. SW)
Free
Celebrate Caribbean arts and culture with local, international, and Caribbean entertainment, food, art, and much more. The parade kicks it all off at 9:30am at Olympic Plaza.
facebook.com
How can you think that?!? A Political Bookclub
August 26, 2017, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free
A book club for conservatives and liberals who want to get out of their bubbles and bridge the great divide. Buy the book, read it, and join in this lively discussion. This month’s book is Scarcity by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir, and discussions will be led by Julie Sedivy, a local scholar and writer.
facebook.com
Field Station
August 26 – 28, 2017
Tuscany, Rocky Ridge, & Royal Oak
Free, registration required
A series of arts-based community events built around the Tuscany LRT Station Community Cultural Development Public Art Project, Field Station includes individual and collective opportunities to explore the Red Line’s final destination and its surrounding neighbourhoods. Join the project team for a range of hands-on activities, such as drawing, printmaking, and collage, and get outside your typical patterns of travel.
fieldstation.art
Sundays in C-Square with The Doll Sisters
August 27, 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 Americana-fused powerhouse The Doll Sisters with openers Brooke Wylie & Jay Bowcott.
studiobell.ca
Pulse 2.0 Re-LAUNCH Dance Party
August 27, 2017, 1:00 – 11:00pm
Pulse Studios (2nd Floor, 110 10th Ave. NW)
Free, RSVP required
Get a sneak peek look at Pulse’s new studio space and catch free performances by PUMP, James Cabrera, Street Kids, Pulse Bboys, and more. There are even opportunities to try out free dance classes and an adult only free dance party hosted by Lady C.
pulsestudios.ca
Monday Blues
August 28, 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 the Vernon Wills Band.
calgarydowntown.com
Take the First Step
August 29, 2017, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Sunalta Community Hall (1629 10th Ave. SW)
Free
Join Square Dance Calgary as experienced caller Glenn Watts introduces the basic steps of modern western square dancing. No partner is necessary to go for a spin.
squaredancecalgary.com
