Free This Week

A new month and a long weekend bring tons of events to check out

  • Price: Free

Calgary’s arts scene is jam-packed with awesome offerings—squeeze in every ounce of summer fun with great free events including concerts, parades, and launches. Here’s what we are hitting up this week:

ProArts@Noon Presents Eric Nyland

August 30, 2017, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free

In addition to running a private teaching studio, pianist Eric Nyland works as a piano adjudicator for student festivals and has developed two courses for the Conservatory at Mount Royal University—Introductory Keyboard for Adults: Play-by-Ear/Improvisation, and Reading Standard Notation. Hear him perform at this free lunch hour concert hosted by ProArts@Noon.
proartssociety.ca

The Alex Youth Health Centre Open Mic

August 30, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
containR (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free

The Alex’s youth are bursting with creativity—hear them perform music, spoken word, and poetry in their first public open mic night at containR. All Alex Youth Health Centre and Community Food Centre youth clients are welcome to participate and you can hear them this Wednesday.
thealex.ca

Luma Quarterly Vol. 3 Launch

August 30, 2017, 8:00 – 10:00pm
Blank Page Studio (1221 B Kensington Rd. NW)
Free

Join the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers and EMMEDIA to celebrate the launch of Luma Quarterly Volume 3! The event includes a reading by Mikka Jacobsen as well as a screening by artists Justin Patterson and Stacey Watson.
facebook.com

Downtown Movie Night: Uncle Buck

August 30, 2017, 8:30 – 11:30pm
Marriott 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. This week, John Candy classic Uncle Buck is on the menu. Seating is limited so bring your own comfy lawn chair from home.
calgarydowntown.com

Stephen Avenue Summer Stage

August 30 & 31, 2017, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage (Centre Street & 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Cap off August with the Stephen Avenue Summer Stage featuring performances from Brother Mose and the MJP Academy of Irish Dance Mariachi.
calgarydowntown.com

YYC Gay History Walking Tours

August 31 & September 2, 2017
Throughout Downtown & Beltline
Free, all-ages welcome

Join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen for these two walks highlighting significant political and social events that affected the local community.
calgaryqueerhistory.ca

EV Junction Pop-Up Retail Park

August 31 – September 4, 2017
EV Junction (4th St. & 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Head to the East Village and hit up the food trucks, live music, performances, pop-up art, and much more. This Thursday check out a performance from Sinzere, part of the Creative Living Room Series, and because it’s a long weekend, head by on Labour Day for Monday Funday.
evexperience.com

OUTreels

September 1, 2017, 12:00pm
Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre (850 4th St. SE)
Free

Join the National Music Centre and Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival to learn basic terminology and engage in open dialogue in order to be better allies and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
studiobell.ca

Village Lionhearts

September 1, 2017, 6:00 –10:00pm
Village Brewery (5000 12A St. SE)
Free admission

An evening of beer and storytelling, join Village Brewery and commercial graphic design students from the Alberta College of Art + Design for a night celebrating those who bravely speak up and out in uncertain times. Proceeds from beer sales go to Coming Out Monologues YYC.
facebook.com

Fiesta Filipino

September 1 – 3, 2017
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Celebrate Alberta’s vibrant Filipino community this long weekend with food, arts, entertainment, and crafts.
fiestafilipinoyyc.com

BBQ on the Bow

September 2 & 3, 2017
Montgomery Community Association (5003 16th Ave. NW)
Free, all-ages

Get ready to get your nom on while enjoying some rocking bands, BBQ on the Bow strives to spread passion for southern style BBQ while simultaneously celebrating and promoting local products, businesses, and musicians.
bbqonthebow.com

Calgary Pride Parade

September 3, 2017, 12:00 – 2:00pm
Along 6th Avenue
Free

This family-friendly parade sees upwards of 60,000 spectators as over 150 entries from community groups, corporations, politicians, churches, and public services celebrate the diversity of Calgary’s community.
calgarypride.ca

Pride in the Park

September 3, 2017, 12:00 – 6:00pm
Prince’s Island Park (698 Eau Clare Ave. SW)
Free

Immediately following the Pride Parade, take in one of Calgary’s largest free outdoor cultural celebrations featuring live music, activities for youth and children, and a marketplace.
calgarypride.ca

Sundays in C-Square with West of Mabou

September 3, 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 five-piece Celtic dynamos West of Mabou alongside opener KP Smith.
studiobell.ca

Contemporary Kids Writer’s Scrapbook

September 3, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free, registration required

This monthly series focuses on one specific artwork, artist, or theme found in Contemporary Calgary’s current exhibition, and welcomes families for a brief tour followed by an engaging art activity. Writer’s Scrapbook allows children to cut, collage, and paste images and words in their own one-of-a-kind notebook.
eventbrite.ca

September Summer Stage Entertainment

September 5, 2017, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Stephen Avenue Summer Stage (Centre Street & 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Joanna Borromeo is a treasure of Calgary’s soul and jazz music scenes. This JUNO-nominated vocalist, pianist, and composer is influenced by some of the most beautiful musicians in history, and you can hear her live on the Stephen Avenue Summer Stage.
calgarydowntown.com