Free This Week

Readings, receptions, recitals, and much more

  • Price: Free

Another busy week with readings, receptions, and recitals that you can check out for free. Oh, and we can’t forget the fourth annual Neighbour Day celebrations popping up all around Calgary. Here’s what we’re hitting up this week:

Suncor Energy Stage One Festival

Until June 24, 2017
Lunchbox Theatre (160, 115 9 Ave. SE)
Free

See a series of staged readings and new works at this 30th annual offering from Lunchbox Theatre. Works include Trevor Schmidt’s Manband, Meredith Taylor-Parry’s Book Club II: The Next Chapter, and Jennifer Wynne Webber’s With Glowing Hearts.
lunchboxtheatre.com

Show Off! 2017

Until 24, 2017
Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Alberta College of Art + Design (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free

A juried art and design competition for high school students living in Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, check out the best at this annual exhibition. The contest challenges young creatives to experience what it is like to be an exhibiting artist, and offers them the chance to win some spectacular prizes including tuition at ACAD.
acad.ca

ProArts@Noon Presents CASSA Student Piano Recital

June 14, 2017, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free

Pianist Georgeanne van Helden is a Grade 11 student at Lord Beaverbrook High School and currently studies piano with Linda Kundert and Dr. Lana Henchell. Working on her audition program for university entrance, check out this chance to see her perform live.
proartssociety.ca

Canadian Art – Summer 2017 Issue Launch

June 14, 2017, 7:00 – 10:00pm
Untitled Art Society (343 11th Ave. SW)
Free

Join Canadian Art Indigenous editor-at-large Lindsay Nixon and a panel of speakers to celebrate the launch of its Summer 2017 issue. The panel includes Jason Baerg, Billy-Ray Belcourt, Michelle McGeough, Lindsay Nixon, and Adrian Stimson, and the theme of the issue is Kinship.
canadianart.ca

Spotlight Exhibition Opening Reception

June 15, 2017, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Main Mall, Alberta College of Art + Design (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free

Featuring work created by students through the Alberta College of Art + Design’s School of Continuing Education, this juried exhibition shines a spotlight on their accomplishments. The first of its kind in Alberta, this exhibition highlights a broad range of art, craft, and design pieces.
acad.ca

Single Onion #142

June 15, 2017, 7:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free

The Single Onion wraps up its season with readings from Catherine Owen, Beth Everest, and Richard Harrison.
facebook.com

EV Junction Pop-Up Retail Park

June 15 – 18, 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, catch Danielle French and guests as part of the Creative Living Room Series and check out Junction Jams with BassBus Friday night.
evexperience.com

Long Lunch Quick Reads

June 16, 2017, 12:00 – 2:00pm
Loft 112 (112, 535 8th Ave. SE)
Free

This month join Edmonton author and playwright Katherine Koller for lunch and her new story, The Care & Feeding of Small Birds. Stay as little or long as you can—bring your own lunch or pre-order a lunch from Loft 112 by emailing loftonetwelve@gmail.com. Chapbooks are available for you to enjoy and you can even take one home for a suggested $5 donation that includes coffee.
facebook.com

Celebrate Five Years of Esker Foundation

June 16, 2017, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free

Toast five years with the Esker Foundation this Friday. Share stories over cake, beer, coffee, and delicious food from around Inglewood and East Village, and stay for a not-to-be-missed talk at 6:00pm.
facebook.com

WatercolourYYC Opening Reception

June 16, 2017, 4:00 – 7:00pm
The Peanut Gallery, John Fluevog Shoes (Lower Level, 207 8th Ave. SW)
Free

A watercolour group show put together to enrich the Calgary art scene with a stronger watercolour presence, WatercolourYYC represents the range of what watercolour can be. Multigenerational and showing quality work from professional artists both young and young at heart, check it out at its opening reception.
facebook.com

NMC Jam Club Gig Night

June 16, 2017, 6:30 – 10:30pm
King Edward Hotel, National Music Centre (438 9th Ave. SE)
Free

Head to the National Music Centre this Friday and check out this annual celebration of its after school program, Jam Club. The night provides the Jam Club students with an opportunity to perform in front of a supportive audience and showcase their hard work on the King Eddy stage. The night also features a performance by Jam Club resident clinicians, Jory Kinjo and Lisa Jacobs.
studiobell.ca

The Science Behind A house that tells you where you came from

June 16, 2017, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

Dr. Don Brinkman, Director of Preservation & Research at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, speaks about the cultural significance of turtles and what makes them so unique among living vertebrates, connecting Jason de Haan’s A house that tells you where you came from to Shelly, the Royal Tyrrell’s soft-shelled turtle.
eventbrite.ca

Neighbour Day 2017

June 17, 2017
Throughout Calgary
Free

With dozens of events throughout the city, Calgary’s fourth annual Neighbour Day returns on June 17. Get involved and celebrate our city’s strong community spirit.
facebook.com

Neighbour Day at the McHugh House

June 17, 2017 11:00am – 3:00pm
McHugh House (1515 Centre St. SW)
Free, all-ages

And speaking of Neighbour Day, why not check out this community event featuring live music and DJs? Introducing the new all-ages venue at the McHugh House, join CJSW and the Beltline Neighbourhood Association as they unveil this new community space. Featuring CJSW DJs indoors and live music from local sweethearts PRE NUP, Manaray, and CGSW on the porch, the event includes historical information about the 121-year-old house, ice cream, refreshments, and tours of the building.
facebook.com

Neighbour Day at the Community Food Centre

June 17, 2017, 12:00 – 4:00pm
The Alex Community Food Centre (4920 17th Ave. SE)
Free, all welcome

Another great Neighbour Day activity, celebrate the opening of The Alex Community Food Centre’s garden with a free BBQ, activities for the kids, the Food Dignity Art Show. and music by The Rubber Band.
thealex.ca

Bee Kingdom Glass Father’s Day Sale

June 17 & 18, 2017, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Bee Kingdom (427 22nd Ave. NW)
Free, family-friendly

Enjoy Father’s Day with Bee Kingdom in its hot glass studio featuring glass for the hard to buy for guy—scotch glasses, beer glasses, decanters, rocket ships, dinosaurs, and more.
beekingdomglass.com

Third Annual JazzWalk

June 18, 2017
Throughout the Music Mile
Free, family-friendly

A highlight of both of JazzYYC’s festivals, the day includes popular free events throughout the beautiful Inglewood and 9th Ave. strip. Presented by TD Canada Trust and the Inglewood BIA, the lineup includes an Artwalk with Art plus performances by the Kate Stevens Trio, Aaron Young, Nate Waters, and the JazzYYC Lab Band with Joel Miller.
jazzyyc.com

North

June 18, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Shelf Life Books(1302 4th St. SW)
Free

Join Shelf Life Books for the launch and reading of Cecelia Frey’s latest volume of poetry, North. Containing some of her best poetry, her work is known for its startling and exquisite imagery, mixing memory and loss, joy and its transience.
facebook.com

Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life

June 20, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free

Are you wondering what to do with your life? Join Dr. Carole Kanchier, registered psychologist, coach, educator, and internationally syndicated columnist, for this book signing.
facebook.com