Sticky Business Water!

Transcription

Sticky
Business
The
Incredible
Expanding
Sidewalk
One year , a cleanup crew found
a man who had been buried alive
under posters advertising
fringe festival shows. The
man survived on rainwater
and old adhesive
while stuck
to a community
billboard for the
10 days of the
festival.
Once a year ,
approximately 125,000
people come from all over
the city to enjoy the Lilac
festival. There are plenty of
vendors, food offerings and
entertainment options, but
scientists say that most
visitors come for the
rare chance to walk
down the middle of
the road.
ing
someth
in the
!
r
e
t
a
W
Where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet
you will find fort Calgary, an ancient
site steeped in history. You will also
find X-fest, which this
year features Jack
White, Arctic Monkeys
and Cage the Elephant.
But bring a hat because
you won’t find a lot of
shade.
The
d
En
te
n
a
h
c
nd
Isla
In the middle of the Bow River
there is a magical land.
Explorers have reported
seeing a parade of magical
lanterns that seem to
be called forth by the
setting sun. Others have told
tales of a hard-to-escape tent
that ﬂows with beer .
l
a
v
i
fest
freak- out
W
hen the temperature kept sinking and the snow kept falling, people in Calgary
began calling it the Winter Without End.
In December, a 112-year-old record for the most snow in a month was broken. It
snowed in April. It snowed in May. At one point, it snowed every weekend for a month.
People were trapped in their driveways. People wore out perfectly good shovels trying
to keep their sidewalks clear. Snow angels began to regret becoming snow angels. It
was flat-out cruel.
But then one day a tiny festival appeared like a tentative green shoot. In the
course of its 16 years, Otafest (May 16-18) has become something more than
a celebration of Japanese anime and culture. It is a harbinger of spring, one as
reliable as a cherry blossom.
And so it was that the Winter Without End ended. Other festivals followed, and
the people of that frigid land, although they could hardly believe it, began leaving
their houses.
They didn’t see any 14-metre-long cigars (rolled by Jose Castelar of Cuba) or meet
the man who survived a 13-storey fall (Tom Stilwell of England) or the 68-yearold woman who flunked the written portion of her driver’s licence exam 949
times before passing (Cha Sa-Soon, South Korea). They did, however, see man-sized
bees on bicycles (Cyclepalooza, June 27 to July 6), taste deep-fried Cheezies (Calgary
Stampede, July 4-13) and hear music that called forth colourful explosions in the night
sky (GlobalFest, Aug. 14-23).
And amid all that activity, they realized they were having fun outdoors. They realized that
festival season was unbelievable.
Illustrations by
Tyler Jenkins
May
Otafest
WHEN: Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18
WHAT: A celebration of Japanese animation and culture featuring a costume contest, film screenings, concerts, art displays, vendors, gaming and much more.
Musical performances by Kieran Strange, Sarah
Adams, Chii Sakurabi, THWOMP and others.
WHERE: Throughout the University of Calgary, see
website for campus map. otafest.com.
Cochrane Children’s Festival
WHEN: Saturday, May 17
WHAT: Annual festival featuring interactive games,
crafts, roving performers and entertainment.
WHERE: Spray Lakes Family Sports Centre,
800 Griffin Rd., E., Cochrane. cochrane-tourism.ca.
Little Britches Parade & Rodeo
WHEN: Saturday, May 17 to Monday, May 19
WHAT: Featuring a parade, the opening of the
Marking MacLeod Trail exhibit at Museum of the
Highwood and the Little Britches rodeo, featuring
rodeo stars ages three to 14.
WHERE: Throughout the town of High River.
highrivertourism.com.
Serbian Festival
WHEN: Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
WHAT: Featuring Serbian dances, cuisine, workshops,
sports and displays.
WHERE: Marda Loop Communities Association,
3130 16th St. S.W. serbianfest.org.
Calgary International Children’s Festival
WHEN: Wednesday, May 21 to Saturday, May 24
WHAT: Family-friendly world-class performing arts
and free open air activities. Includes theatre, music,
puppetry and more. See Sharon and Bram, FROGZ,
Le Groupe SWING (French performance), Sheldon
Casavant and many others.
WHERE: Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and
Olympic Plaza. Tickets at calgarychildfest.org.
Bach at Knox Baroque Music Festival
WHEN: Thursday, May 22 to Saturday, May 24.
WHAT: Explore the many aspects of Johann Sebastian
Bach with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ivars Taurins.
WHERE: Knox United Church, 506 4th St. S.W.
403-571-0849, cpo-live.com.
WHERE: Stanford Perrot Theatre, ACAD.
403-457-3036, hiddengemsfilmfestival.com.
WHERE: National Music Centre, 134 11th Ave. S.E.
403-543-5115, nmc.ca/njs.
Canadian Rockies Cowboy Festival
Rendez-vous cinéMAGINE Canmore
WHAT: A festival in the heart of the Canadian
Rockies with music, poetry performances and
evening dances. Artists include Moe Bandy, Allen
Christie, Mary Kaye and The Wardens.
WHERE: David Thompson Resort, Nordegg, Alta.
(Three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103,
davidthompsonresort.com.
WHAT: French film festival featuring Louis Cyr,
Belle et Sébastien, La grande séduction and Le coq
de St-Victor.
WHERE: Solara Resort, 187 Kananaskis Way,
Canmore, Alta. 403-320-7638, cinemagine.net.
WHEN: Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26
WHAT: Rising stars in chamber music play side-byside with musical legends. With pre-concert lectures
delivered by Brian Black from the University of
Lethbridge.
WHERE: Concerts take place in four different venues across Southwestern Canada; in Cranbrook and
Fernie, B.C. and in Fort Macleod and Lethbridge,
Alta. 250-426-7006, soweca.com.
Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival
WHEN: Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25;
Wednesday, May 28 to Saturday, May 31
WHAT: Now in its 16th year, the fest features
boundary-pushing documentaries, local youth content, internationally acclaimed film and themed
parties.
WHERE: The Plaza Theatre, 1133 Kensington Rd.
N.W., and other venues. 403-244-1956, fairytalesfilmfest.com.
Heritage Park’s Festival of Quilts
Hidden Gems Film Festival
WHEN: Thursday, May 22 to Sunday, May 25 and
Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1.
WHAT: Independent Indian film festival with screenings of Anumati (Assent), Tamaash (Puppet), Goynar
Baksho (The Jewellery Box) and more. All movies have
English subtitles.
SoWeCa Chamber Music Festival
WHEN: Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25
WHAT: Western Canada’s largest outdoor quilt show
featuring workshops, special displays, a merchants
mall and hundreds of homemade quilts decorating
Heritage Park.
WHERE: Heritage Park Historical Village,
1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca.
National Jazz Summit
WHEN: Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24
WHAT: Bringing together musicians, educators and
fans for a series of concerts and workshops featuring the Both Sides Now Ensemble, Canadian jazz
pianist Laila Biali, Larnell Lewis and more.
The Both Sides
Now Ensemble
with Invertigo Trio
FRIDAY
MAY 23
DOORS 7 PM | SHOW 8 PM
$20 ADULTS | $15 STUDENTS
The Big Show
featuring The Laila Biali Trio

SATURDAY

MAY 24
MAY 23-24
2014
DOORS 7 PM | SHOW 8 PM
$30 ADULTS | $20 STUDENTS
Musician Workshops
nmc.ca
Free. Registration required.
Visit nmc.ca/njs
SATURDAY
MAY 24
FREE OF CHARGE
REGISTER
AT
NMC.CA/NJS
ImaginASIAN 2014 Asian Heritage
Festival Market
Leighton Art Centre Clothesline Festival
WHAT: Arts, crafts, activities, entertainment and
food from a wide variety of Asian cultures in celebration of Asian Heritage Month.
WHERE: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre,
197 1st St. S.W. 403-650-6752, asianheritagecalgary.ca.
WHEN: Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1
WHAT: Featuring 1,500 original unframed artworks
hung outdoors on clotheslines, including pottery,
jewelry, glass, sculpture and fine craft.
WHERE: Leighton Art Centre, rural location 15 minutes southwest of Calgary (detailed directions at
leightoncentre.org). 403-931-3633.
4th Street Lilac Festival
MEC Bikefest
WHEN: Sunday, May 25
WHAT: Massive free street festival with over 500
vendors of food and crafts, buskers, vendors and six
stages of live music. Event kicks off with a parade at
10 a.m. (starting at 25th Ave. S.W. running north along
4th St. to 13th Ave. S.W.).
WHERE: Fourth Street S.W., from 12th Avenue to
Elbow Drive. Complete schedule at lilacfestival.net.
WHAT: Bike demos, clinics, group rides, kids activities, bike retailers, cycling advocacy groups, free
tune ups and more.
WHERE: At Eau Claire Festival Plaza, 3rd Street
and Riverfront Avenue S.W. events.mec.ca.
FunnyFest
WHEN: Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 8
WHAT: Eleven days and nights of comedy with more
than 70 performers.
WHERE: Various venues around Calgary.
403-228-7888, funnyfest.ca.
History in the Hills
WHEN: Thursday, May 29 to Friday, June 6
WHAT: Set in a traditional camp circle around an
archaeological dig, History in the Hills celebrates
aboriginal culture from an historical perspective.
Learn about environmental awareness and respect,
watch a hide tanning demonstration and have a bannock snack.
WHERE: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park,
Elkwater, Alta. 403-527-3371 ext. 7601,
historyinthehillssociety.com.
Banff Rocky Mountain
Wine & Food Festival
WHEN: Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31
WHAT: Escape to Banff for a weekend indulging in
cuisine from the town’s most popular restaurants
plus a wide selection of local and international wines,
premium spirits, single malt and blended scotches,
specialty liqueurs and import and micro-brewed beer.
WHERE: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel,
405 Spray Ave., Banff. 403-228-0777,
rockymountainwine.com.
Speak Out Right 2 Play 4 Everyone
Festival
WHEN: Friday, May 30
WHAT: Featuring walks, workshops, films, gardening, hockey and more.
WHERE: Eau Claire Market. 403-717-7630,
actionhall.ca.
ImaginASIAN 2014 Cultural Gala
WHAT: Gala banquet with a 10-course Chinese dinner and entertainment from a wide variety of the
Asian cultures represented in Calgary in celebration
of Asian Heritage Month.
WHERE: Regency Palace Restaurant,
328 Centre St. S. asianheritagecalgary.ca.
June
Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
WHEN: Sunday, June 1
WHAT: Voted Alberta’s Best Road Race in 2013,
2012, 2010 and 2009, over 10,000 participants take
part in this marathon, half marathon, 10 km or 5 km
family walk and run.
WHERE: All races start and finish at Stampede
Park. calgarymarathon.com.
Spruce Meadows National
WHEN: Wednesday, June 4 to Sunday, June 8
WHAT: The best show jumping athletes and
horses from throughout the world compete for
the Spruce Meadows Canadian Show Jumping
Championship.
WHERE: Spruce Meadows,
18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com.
Big on Beef Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 7 and Friday, June 13
WHAT: Meet the men and women responsible for
producing Alberta’s beef products at three SaveOn-Food locations across Calgary during the festival, Saturday. The Big on Beef Gala will be a dining
journey through diverse beef products, Friday.
WHERE: Festival: Save-On-Foods in Walden, Seton
and Panorama. Gala: Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave. S.W.
bigonbeef.ca.
Calgary Ukrainian Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8
WHAT: A family friendly festival featuring all things
Ukrainian. Includes performers from across Calgary
and Alberta, homemade traditional Ukrainian food,
and as an elaborate market for Ukrainian souvenirs.
WHERE: Acadia Recreation Complex,
240 90th Ave. S.E. calgaryukrainianfestival.ca.
Diamond Valley Parade
and Discovery Days
Did you know?
that kids learn even when
they’re having fun? That’s
the guiding principle behind
the Calgary International
Children’s festival, which is
turning 28 this year . That’s
an age at which many people
have left childish things
behind, but not this fest.
Once again it has scoured the
earth to find that strange
beast known as edutainment.
G
WOLFGANZART
MO
S
U
E
D
A
M
A
composed music from
the age of five and toured Europe
as a six-year-old. perhaps even more
amazing is the fact that in Little
Amadeus at this year’s festival,
the child prodigy
appears as a puppet.
Despite extensive study, scientists can’t
explain how school-bus drivers
manage to stay calm while delivering
excited kids to the festival site
during morning
rush hour .
Far away in a mystical pond lies an
island made entirely of
marshmallows. The only way to learn
about the Legend of Marshmallow Island
is through world music, a dance party and
the magic words:
“ BINGO, BANGO,
BONGO.”
WHEN: Saturday, June 7
WHAT: The largest small town parade in Alberta;
this year’s theme is “Celebrating 100 Years Since
Gas Was First Drilled in Turner Valley.” Family fun,
including a petting zoo, bounce houses, trick dogs
and Calgary Stampede stage and entertainment,
The Calgary International Children's festival:
TWENTY-FIVE
Wednesday, May 21 to Saturday, May 24 at the Epcor Centre for the performing
Arts and Olympic Plaza. Some activities free; shows, $14.99 - $100.50. 403-294-7414,
calgarychildfest.org. -Bruce Weir
continues after the parade in Turner Valley.
WHERE: Parade starts at 10 a.m. in Black Diamond,
301 Centre Ave. W. Discovery Days events at various
locations throughout the towns of Black Diamond
and Turner Valley (about 30 minutes south of
Calgary). town.blackdiamond.ab.ca.
Nanton Celebrates History
WHAT: Special events, tours and demonstrations at
the Bomber Command Museum of Canada, Big Sky
Garden Railway, Museum of Miniatures and Grain
Elevator Discovery Centre.
WHERE: Around Nanton, Alta.
canadiangrainelevatordiscoverycentre.com.
WHERE: Double Tree Village Museum, Spruce View,
Alta. (northwest of Calgary, 36 km west of Innisfail,
Alta. on Hwy. 54).
relaxed atmosphere with free admission and parking.
WHERE: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way
S.W. sprucemeadows.com.
the Royal Tyrrell Museum and movies.
WHERE: Around Drumheller, Alta.
drumhellerdinofest.com.
Banff World Media Festival
Best of the West Weekend
Suncor Energy Stage One Festival
WHEN: Sunday, June 8 to Wednesday, June 11
WHAT: The world’s largest multi-platform production and development marketplace and conference,
attracting 1,500 programmers and development
executives, producers, broadcasters and dealmakers from 30 different countries. Guests include
Nathan Lane, Dan Harmon, Dan Rather and Henry
Winkler.
WHERE: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel,
405 Spray Ave., Banff. banffmediafestival.com.
WHEN: Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15
WHAT: Western lifestyle festival centred around
music, but also featuring Western art, jewelry, clothing
and giftware. On-site camping available.
WHERE: The Horseshoe Pavilion behind the Pincher
Creek Community Centre, Pincher Creek, Alta.
bestofthewestweekend.com.
WHEN: Friday, June 13 to Saturday, June 28
WHAT: Presented by Lunchbox Theatre.
Playwrights receive a new play workshop culminating in a public reading where audiences give
feedback.
WHERE: TransCanada Stage, Lunchbox Theatre,
160, 115 9th Ave. S.E. 403-265-4292,
lunchboxtheatre.com.
Okotoks Rotary Soap Box Derby
Banff National Park Bike Fest
WHAT: The Okotoks Rotary Club hosts their 25th
annual soap box derby.
WHERE: More info at 403-938-3160.
WHEN: Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 15
WHAT: Up to 500 cyclists from Western Canada and
the U.S. participate in five competitive events and
two family-friendly events over four days.
WHERE: Throughout Banff National Park.
banfflakelouise.com/bikefest.
Wild Rose Draft Horse Field Days and
Antique Festival
WHAT: Draft horses working in the field, wagon
rides, games to play, jam session, cowboy poetry,
demonstrations including pack horse demos, side
saddle riding, heritage chickens and more.
Canadian Rockies
Festivals Legends Weekend
Vulcan Spock Days
WHAT: Travel to a time with poodle skirts, muscle
cars and milkshakes. Featuring Buddy Holly, The
Everly Brothers, Cher, Marilyn and Elvis.
(three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103,
Drumheller’s DinoFest
Spruce Meadows Continental
WHAT: An FEI five-star tournament that features
a Nations’ Cup. Enjoy world-class show jumping in a
WHAT: Celebrating everything prehistoric with a
blend of family-friendly activities including a music
and entertainment stage, special programming at
every summer , the outwardly placid Banff Centre astounds
National Park visitors with a
season-long festival of music,
performance and art
called the Banff Summer Arts festival,
which draws artists from all
four corners of the world!
WHAT: Family fun fair all day Saturday including
the annual parade, Q&A session with Nana Visitor
(Kira Nerys, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Rene
Auberjonois (Odo, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine),
photo ops, autographs, vendors room, celebrity dinner and video dance party. Also, a slow pitch baseball tournament, beverage gardens and fireworks.
WHERE: Vulcan, Alta. 403-485-2994,
vulcantourism.com.
Banff Summer Arts Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23
r
o
h
n
t
a
u
n
s
A
su rlea
o
will appear at the Banff
festival. She wrote a
bestselling book about
Rin tin tin, the German
shepherd that
received
the most
votes
for the
best
actor
Oscar
Did you know?
Daniel Lanois ,
who will perform in Banff, has produced albums
for Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Scott
Weiland and Willie Nelson. and even worked on
U2’s The Joshua Tree, one of the
biggest selling albums of all time!
Banff Summer Arts Festival:
Canadian rapper Shad,
who will appear at
the Summer Arts festival
Canada Day concert,
won the 2011 Juno for Rap
Recording of the Year by
in 1929!
beating out Drake!!!
Saturday, June 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Banff Centre, Free to $50. 1-800-413-8368, banffcentre.ca.
-tom Babin
WHAT: A three-month, multi-venue festival featuring dance, opera, theatre, visual arts exhibitions,
film screenings, concerts and more. June highlights
include performances by Canadian dancer Louise
Lecavalier and American soprano Dawn Upshaw.
WHERE: Most events at The Banff Centre
(107 Tunnel Mountain Rd.) in Banff. Tickets and info
at 1-800-413-8368 and banffcentre.ca.
Footstock
WHAT: Race weekend featuring a 5 km, 10 km,
duathlon and iron kids triathlon.
WHERE: Around Cochrane. footstock.ca.
Millarville Run To The Farmers’ Market
Half Marathon
WHAT: Take part in a half marathon, half marathon
relay or Cobs Bread Okotoks Sticky Buns Classic
8-Miler (which involves eating cinnamon buns along
the way).
WHERE: Race begins in Turner Valley and ends at
the Millarville Farmers’ Market. 403-931-3411,
millarvillehalfmarathon.com.
FLYING UNDS
HO
WHERE: Calgary Hellenic Society Community Hall,
1 Tamarac Cres. S.W. calgaryhellenic.com.
The people of Didsbury have
not perfected bird-dog
breeding technology, but
they have found a way to
entice dogs skyward: by
launching frisbees for them
to catch in the air. For the
second year, Rosebud Run
Park east of Didsbury hosts
the Disc Dogs Skyhoundz and
Discdogathon Competition
which sees handlers and their
four-legged companions
enter frisbee competitions.
Friday, June 27 and Saturday,
June 28. rosebudrun.ca.
WHAT: Obstacle course and mud run. Competitors
must crawl, climb, carry and drag themselves up,
over, under and around hill and dale.
WHERE: Cochrane Agricultural Society Grounds
(northwest corner of Hwy. 1A and Hwy. 22).
muddsweatandtears.com.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 18 to Sunday, June 22
WHAT: Annual independent multi-venue music and
art festival showcasing emerging and established
local talent alongside national and international
musicians and artists. Featuring Spiritualized, Neko
Case, St. Vincent, Rocket From The Crypt, Joel
Plaskett Emergency and more.
WHERE: Multiple venues in Calgary’s downtown and
beltline. sledisland.com.
Train Days
Guy Weadick Days
WHAT: Take a peek at train displays by the Rocky
Mountain Garden Railroaders and enjoy train and
hay rides, a pancake breakfast and Father’s Day
brunch buffet.
WHERE: Aspen Crossing, west of Mossleigh (an hour
outside of Calgary on highway 24). Reserve your
brunch spot at 1-866-440-3500 or aspencrossing.com.
WHAT: Honouring one of the forefathers of the
Calgary Stampede with chuckwagon races and rodeo.
WHERE: High River Agricultural Grounds, High
River, Alta. 403-652-3336, hragsociety.ca.
Mudd, Sweat and Tears Race
IGNITE! Calgary’s Festival
for Emerging Artists
WHEN: Wednesday, June 18 to Saturday, June 21
WHAT: Sage Theatre’s annual showcase of work of
some of the most exciting young artists in Alberta.
A multidisciplinary extravaganza of theatre, dance,
music, and visual art.
WHERE: Events at Lunchbox Theatre,
160 9th Ave. S.E. and Vertigo Studio Theatre,
115 9th Ave. S.E. sagetheatre.com.
Pig & Pinot Festival
WHEN: Wednesday, June 18
WHAT: Presented by City Palate. A fundraiser for
Calgary Meals on Wheels. A stroll through plates of
piggy pleasure from 13 chef teams who are competing for the honour of winning the Divine Swine trophy. Also, porcine and pinot wine pairings.
WHERE: Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave. S.W.
pigandpinotcalgary.eventbrite.ca.
Sled Island Festival
The Hills Are Alive
WHAT: A four day festival of music, dance, storytelling and cultural workshops celebrating Métis
culture in the Medicine Hat area. Classes include
sash finger weaving, capote-making, drum making,
beading and other native craftmaking.
WHERE: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park,
Elkwater, Alta. 403-526-0726, miywasin.ab.ca.
Banff Performance in the Park
WHEN: Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21
WHAT: Banff National Park’s annual outdoor concert. This year features Corb Lund, Sarah Harmer,
Elliott Brood, Whitehorse and Jeremy Fisher.
WHERE: Cascade Gardens, 317 Banff Ave., Banff.
banfflakelouise.com/performance.
Calgary Greek Festival
WHEN: Friday, June 20; Saturday, June 21; and
Tuesday, June 24
WHAT: Can’t get to Greece this summer? Enjoy
the tastes, sounds and hospitality right here in
Calgary. The festival is all about Greek music,
dance, wine, food and friendship.
Waterton Wildflower Festival
WHEN: Friday, June 20 to Saturday, June 28
WHAT: A visit to Waterton in June is like walking through a bouquet. Enjoy eight days of guided
flower walks and hikes and photography and art
workshops.
WHERE: Waterton, Alberta (about 2.5 hours south of
Calgary). 1-800-215-2395, watertonwildflowers.com.
Airdrie Empty Bowls Arts Festival
WHAT: Annual festival to raise money in support
of the Airdrie Food Bank. With music, hands-on demonstrations, local art and activities for kids. Bowls
will be available for a suggested $20 donation.
WHERE: Nose Creek Park, Main St., Airdrie.
emptybowlsairdrie.com.
Spirit of Okotoks
WHAT: Featuring a parade and a children’s festival featuring Will Stroet, HOJA, Madragora Circo and more.
WHERE: Parade begins Saturday at the Fountain Tire
at the east end of town at 11 a.m. Children’s festival at
Ethel Tucker Park, 23 Riverside Dr. okotoksculture.ca.
Summer Solstice Open House
WHAT: Dr. Phil Langill will discuss the latest
in solar research and observations made with
the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory’s solar
research telescopes.
WHERE: Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, east
side of Hwy. 22, south of Hwy. 22X. ucalgary.ca/rao.
Water Valley Celtic Festival
WHAT: Patterned after a festival held in Feakle, Co.
Clare, Ireland, the Water Valley Celtic Festival is a
one-day event featuring music, dance and stories.
WHERE: Water Valley, Alta. (about 40 minutes
northwest of Calgary) watervalleycelticfestival.org.
Banff Marathon
WHEN: Sunday, June 22
WHAT: The only marathon in North America
that is fully contained within the boundaries of a
national park.
WHERE: Starting in Banff’s Central Park.
banffmarathon.com.
Medicine Hat JazzFest
WHEN: Sunday, June 22 to Sunday, June 29
WHAT: Live jazz music in a friendly Alberta city.
Includes performances by Arturo Sandoval, Jane
Bunnett and Maqueque and Al Muirhead and
Tommy Banks.
WHERE: Various locations around Medicine Hat.
403-502-8777, medicinehatjazzfest.com.
Ponoka Stampede
WHEN: Wednesday, June 25 to Tuesday, July 1
WHAT: Rodeos, pro chuckwagon races, beer gar-
TWENTY-SEVEN
Distant
Wonders
Drumheller’s DinoFest
June 13-15, drumhellerdinofest.com
The world’s largest dinosaur
lives in Drumheller, Alta. Well,
perhaps “lives” isn’t the right verb
there, since it’s not a Jurassic
Park escapee. The 25-metre-tall
statue is 4.5 times bigger than an
actual T-Rex, but that means more
people can fit inside its mouth (for
photographic rather than digestive
reasons). This summer it helps play
host to DinoFest, which features
movie screenings (Ice Age: Dawn of
the Dinosaurs and The Land Before
Time) and plenty of dino-educational activities.
Medicine Hat JazzFest
June 22-29, medicinehatjazzfest.com
Arturo Sandoval has a Grammy
for each finger and has been nominated for an additional nine. He’ll
likely leave the statues at home
when he visits the JazzFest alongside other headliners Jane Bunnett
and Maqueque, Al Muirhead and
Tommy Banks.
Kootenay Gut Buster
July 25-26, kgbcomedy.com
The website might indicate that
this fest stars the best Russian
comics since Yakov Smirnoff, but
the talent comes from a bit closer
to home. The outdoor comedy concert—Canada’s only one—features
Mike Dambra, Sean Lecomber, Lori
Ferguson-Ford and Andrew Albert.
The Great Cochrane
Outhouse Races
Sept. 27, cochraneouthouseraces.com
If you’re looking for speed, an
outhouse on a pushcart isn’t the vehicle of choice. If you’re looking for
plenty of creativity and entertainment, then this is the race for you.
—Jon Roe
Curtain
Raisers
Suncor Energy
Stage One Festival
June 13-28, lunchboxtheatre.com
See into the future with Lunchbox Theatre’s annual festival of
new Canadian work. Plays at Stage
One often end up on Lunchbox’s
lunchhour shows in the future (like
Dave Kelly’s Dad Day 1, which first
appeared at this fest last year).
Ignite! Calgary’s Festival
for Emerging Artists
June 18-21, sagetheatre.com
The scope of Sage’s festival of
new works is a bit broader and includes shows with dance and visualart components. The curious out
there are welcome to sit in on the
accompanying workshops, which
are free of charge.
Shakespeare in the Park
June 26 to Aug. 9, theatrecalgary.com
They call Shakespeare the
Immortal Bard for a reason. Last
summer, the show went on (albeit
at Mount Royal University) even
though the set was washed away
in the flood. They return home to
Prince’s Island Park to produce
The Comedy of Errors.
Calgary Fringe Festival
Aug. 1-9, calgaryfringe.ca
The theatrical calendar takes
a risqué turn in August with the
uncensored Fringe. Inglewood is
ground zero for alternative theatre
shows—including the one-woman
dark comedy Dancing with Demons:
A Fractured Fairytale and Winnipeg’s Empty Sea Company’s Undress
Me—and sketch comedy,including
Portland’s Stacey Hallal and Chase
Padgett, and Calgary’s Kaboom
Hooray.
—Jon Roe
dens, fireworks and a midway. Performances by
Corb Lund and Big & Rich.
WHERE: Ponoka Stampede grounds, Ponoka, Alta.
(two hours north of Calgary). 403-783-0100,
ponokastampede.com.
Shakespeare in the Park
WHEN: Thursday, June 26 to Saturday, Aug. 9
WHAT: Spend a summer’s evening in the park
laughing at one of Shakespeare’s silliest plays,
The Comedy of Errors. Presented by Theatre
Calgary and Mount Royal University.
WHERE: Prince’s Island Park. theatrecalgary.com.
Spruce Meadows Canada One
WHAT: A world-class outdoor equestrian tournament
in an intimate setting. Free admission and parking.
WHERE: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows
Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com.
Canadian Rockies International Rodeo
WHAT: International Gay Rodeo Association circuit
event with attendees from all corners of the globe.
Traditional rodeo events like bull riding, steer
riding, barrel racing and roping events as well as
popular camp events like goat dressing and wild
drag. Also includes a music festival.
WHERE: Strathmore Rodeo Grounds, Strathmore,
Alta. argra.org.
Cyclepalooza
WHEN: Friday, June 27 to Sunday, July 6
WHAT: A community-driven, do-it-yourself bicycle
festival with a variety of bike-related events
including a brewery crawl, YYC growers garden
harvest basket ride, Mario Kart ride and more.
WHERE: Around Calgary. cyclepalooza.ca.
Disc Dogs Skyhoundz
and Discdogathon Competition
WHEN: Friday, June 27 to Monday, June 30
WHAT: A three-day competition featuring frisbee
dogs including an extreme distance match and more.
WHERE: Rosebud Run Park, east of Didsbury, Alta.
403-335-9445, rosebudrun.ca.
Tail Creek Mud & Music Festival
WHAT: Brand new rock, EDM and motorsports festival featuring headliners Korn, Five Finger Death
Punch, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Killswitch
Engage and others.
WHERE: Tail Creek Festival Grounds, near Alix, Alta.
(30 minutes east of Red Deer). tailcreek.ca.
Barn Birthday and Family Festival
WHAT: A full day of arts and crafts, face painting,
local performers, horse-drawn wagon rides, dance
lessons, canoes, horseshoe pits and more.
WHERE: The Great Canadian Barn Dance near Hill
Spring, Alta. (Two hours south of Calgary).
1-866-626-3407, gcbd.ca.
Buskerfest
WHAT: Local musicians and street performers gather throughout the streets of Olde Towne Okotoks
for a fun day of entertainment.
WHERE: Throughout Okotoks, Alta.
okotoksculture.ca.
MEC Paddlefest
WHAT: A celebration of all things paddling with
clinics, kids’ activities, paddling demos, gear swaps,
paddling vendors and more.
WHERE: Chestermere Lake, Chestermere, Alta.
events.mec.ca.
July
WHEN: Ongoing until Saturday, Aug. 23
film screenings, concerts and more. July highlights
include a Canada Day concert with Shad, Holy F*ck
and A Tribe Called Red and performances by Frank
Yamma, Shane Koyczan with Tanya Tagaq, Coeur de
Pirate and a talk by Jay Ingram.
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Canada
Day Celebration
WHEN: Tuesday, July 1
WHAT: Featuring multicultural performances, an art
indoor market and art exhibition in celebration of
Canada Day.
197 1st St. S.W. culturalcentre.ca.
Cochrane Canada Day Family Concert
WHAT: Cochrane’s greatest outdoor concert featuring High Valley and Hey Romeo.
WHERE: Mitford Outdoor Stage, Westrock Rd.,
Cochrane. cochrane-tourism.ca.
Heritage Park Celebrates
Canada Day/Dominion Day
WHAT: Celebrate Canada’s birthday the oldfashioned way with a free pancake breakfast for the
first 2014 guests, a variety of musical and cultural
performances, family-friendly games, ranch activities and more.
1900 Heritage Drive S.W. 403-268-8500,
heritagepark.ca.
Wagonstage Children’s Theatre
WHEN: Tuesday, July 1 to Friday, Aug. 15
WHAT: Theatre partnership between the City of
Calgary and the University of Calgary’s drama
department. Entertaining, interactive and educational children’s plays accessible to families within
the city’s boundaries.
TWENTY-EIGHT
ediblence
da
Salsa now outsells ketchup
in North America and can
claim the tile of “most
popular condiment.” Salsa
dancing, however , hasn’t
quite caught on to the same
degree. That might be owing
to the intricate steps or
complex rhythms. But by simply
attending the Fiestaval Latin
festival, people can learn
to salsa. Those who really
can’t dance can admire
the art form or simply eat
great Latin American food,
including salsa. Saturday,
July 19 and Sunday, July 20.
fiestaval.ca
WHERE: Various venues throughout Calgary. For
info, contact [email protected] or visit
calgary.ca.
Spruce Meadows North American
WHEN: Wednesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 6
WHAT: Equestrian tournament with the Spruce
Meadows North American Show Jumping
Championship, family entertainment and shopping
opportunities.
La fête franco-albertaine
WHEN: Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6
WHAT: Camping festival celebrating FrancoAlbertans. Featuring hiking, minigolf, bike rally
and more.
(three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103,
fetefrancoalbertaine.ca.
Badlands Stampede Music Festival
WHEN: Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6
WHAT: Outdoor music festival. Line-up to be
announced.
WHERE: Canada Olympic Park, 88 Olympic Way
S.W. badlandsmusicfest.com.
Calgary Exhibition and Stampede
WHAT: A 10-day hoedown, international rodeo and
exhibition that transforms the city into Wranglerwearing, pancake-eating, beer-loving Cowtown.
Stuff yourself at Stampede breakfast events before
heading to the grounds for a day on the midway.
WHERE: Events take place all over the city, but
main events are held at Stampede Park.
calgarystampede.com.
Vegreville’s 41st Annual Ukrainian
Pysanka Festival
WHAT: Experience Ukrainian culture with authentic
food, grandstand shows, dancing, displays and demonstrations and more.
WHERE: Vegreville, Alta. 780-632-2777,
pysankafestival.com.
Westerner Days Fair & Exposition
WHEN: Wednesday, July 16 to Sunday, July 20
WHAT: Five days of authentic, action-packed
entertainment at central Alberta’s largest summer
celebration.
WHERE: Westerner Park, at the corner of Gaetz
Avenue and 19th Street, Red Deer. 403-343-7800,
westernerdays.ca.
Beef & Barley Days
WHAT: Festivities include a rodeo, fireworks,
pancake breakfast and one of the best parades in
rural Alberta. There’s also a trade and craft show,
kids games and activities, pet show, ball games, food
vendors, a roast beef dinner and more.
WHERE: Carstairs, Alta. 403-337-3341, carstairs.ca.
Fiestaval Latin Festival
WHEN: Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20
WHAT: Two-day, family-friendly arts and entertainment festival highlighting Latin American culture.
WHERE: Calgary Olympic Plaza (Macleod Trail and
7th Avenue S.) fiestaval.ca.
Riversong Run at the Ranch
and Canada Parks Day
WHEN: Saturday, July 19
WHAT: Part of the 5 Peaks trail running series,
this race offers distances for everyone plus special festivities in honour of Canada Parks Day. A
portion of event proceeds will help support the
Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation and the maintenance of Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
WHERE: Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park (4 km from
Cochrane). 403-668-7537,
transrockies.com/run-at-the-ranch.
THE
G
N
I
R
A
E
P
P
A
DIS
N
W
O
T
D
N
A
L
IS
Every July for the past 35 years a
town has mysteriously appeared,
and then inexplicably disappeared
four days later , on a small
musical island within the city limits
of Calgary, Canada. Residents on
the island
eat food sold from vehicles and
collapsible tents and take up temporary
residence on plastic tarps while listening
to live music. Some more mind-blowing facts
from inside what is now known as
the Calgary folk Music festival!!!
Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival
WHEN: Sunday, July 20
WHAT: Annual free, family friendly street festival with
salsa sampling, street merchants and entertainment.
WHERE: 10th Street and Kensington Road N.W.
(Sunnyside C-Train stop) visitkensington.com.
Langdon Days
Calgary Folk Music Festival
WHAT: A small-town celebration of community spirit. Includes a slo-pitch tournament, parade, pancake
breakfast, horseshoe tournament, kids activities,
live music, car show and more.
WHERE: Langdon Community Park, Langdon, Alta.
(30 minutes east of Calgary). goodlucktown.ca.
WHEN: Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, July 27
WHAT: Step off the edge of Calgary’s concrete jungle
for a four-day exploration of music and community.
Headliners include The Jayhawks, Andrew Bird and
The Hands of Glory, Seun Kuti and Fishbone.
WHERE: Prince’s Island Park. calgaryfolkfest.com.
The town’s logo, a cow holding
a guitar,—was introduced long
before scientists determined
that cows produce
exponentially more
milk when listening to
soothing music.
Motion Notion
South Country Fair
WHAT: A planet-friendly, peace-oriented, outdoorcamping-style roots-and-folk-music festival (with
spoken word and other forms). Featuring Bend
Sinister, AroarA, Kim Churchill, Cousin Harley, Kris
Demeanor, Clinton St. John and many more.
WHERE: Fish and Game Park in Fort Macleod, Alta.
scfair.ab.ca.
WHEN: Thursday, July 24 to Monday, July 28
WHAT: A non-stop wide-ranging electronic music
festival featuring headliners Ajapai, Akasha
Experience, Aligning Minds and many others, plus
riverside camping, fires, mountains, workshops, a
vendor village, performers, public art wall and more.
WHERE: Beaverfoot Lodge, 4220 Beaverfoot Rd.,
Golden, B.C. motionnotion.com.
CentreFest
24 Hours of Adrenalin
WHAT: One of the most popular relay mountain
biking events in North America, featuring over 1,500
mountain bike enthusiasts racing in a variety of
categories in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
WHERE: Canmore Nordic Centre, 1988 Olympic
Way, Canmore, Alta. 24hoursofadrenalin.com.
Creekfest
WHAT: A celebration of water and what it means
for healthy communities. With presentations by
experts and community groups, a live performance by Juno-award-winning children’s entertainer Peter Puffin’s Whale Tails and local band
Blue Rambler and more. Presented by the Friends
of Fish Creek.
WHERE: Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek Provincial
Park. friendsoffishcreek.org.
WHAT: Red Deer’s international street performer
festival. Downtown Red Deer comes alive with street
performers of all kinds including contortionists, jugglers, magicians and more.
WHERE: Downtown Red Deer. centrefest.ca.
Cochrane SummerFest and Cochrane
Classic Bull Riding
WHEN: Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26
WHAT: Community festival including carnival
games, pony rides, concessions, professional bullriding and a dance.
WHERE: Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park, 109 5th Ave.
W., Cochrane. cochrane-tourism.ca.
Historic Calgary Week
WHEN: Friday, July 25 to Monday, Aug. 5
WHAT: Presented by the Chinook Country Historical
Society. Showcasing our history, culture and com-
A man ate
Veteran
alternative
rock band
buttehricken
c
fishbone
for every meal during
the 1997 folk festival and
lived to tell about it!
will brave the island this
year . In the boom-box scene
from the romantic-comedy
Say Anything, John Cusack
was blaring “Bonin’ in the
Boneyard” by Fishbone. “In
Your Eyes” by peter Gabriel
was added later .
CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, July 27 at prince’s Island Park. four-day pass, $195; tickets for
TWENTY-NINE
individual days, $60-$70. 403-233-0904, calgaryfolkfest.com. -Kerianne sproule
munity through walks, tours, programs, presentations, family events, museums and community visits.
WHERE: In and around Calgary. 403-261-4667,
chinookcountry.org.
take part in family-friendly water challenges.
WHERE: John Peake Park and Anniversary Park,
Chestermere (15 minutes east of Calgary).
chestermere.ca/waterfestival.
Kootenay Gut Buster
WHEN: Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26
WHAT: Canada’s only outdoor comedy concert
features comedians Mike Dambra, Sean Lecomber,
Daryl Makk, James Moore and others.
WHERE: Crawford Bay, B.C. (approx. six hours from
Calgary through the Crowsnest Pass). For tickets
and directions contact 403-800-7320,
kgbcomedy.com.
Willow Creek Gospel Music Jamboree
WHAT: A weekend-long celebration of western
Canadian gospel musicians.
WHERE: Granum, Alta. (1.5 hours southeast of
Calgary) For info contact Bryce at 403-687-9411,
[email protected].
Chinatown Walking Tour
WHEN: Sunday, July 27, Tuesday, July 29 and
Wednesday, July 30
WHAT: Take a stroll through Calgary’s Chinatown
and Chinese Cultural Centre with an enthusiastic
cultural ambassador. Discover the culture and
personality hidden inside one of our city’s oldest
locales. Tours in English, Cantonese and Mandarin,
call for details.
197 1st St. S.W. 403-262-5071 to register,
culturalcentre.ca for info.
Calgary International Blues Festival
Chestermere Water Festival
WHAT: Wander through the artisan market to the
sounds of the Summer Music Showcase, laugh with
your children at kids’ entertainer Captain Jack
Sparrow, enjoy the annual wakeboard competitions or
WHEN: Monday, July 28 to Sunday, Aug. 3
WHAT: A full week of blues festivities and performances. Performers include Alex Zayas, Ana
Popovic, Andrew Jr. Boy Jones, Bill Durst, Billy
Branch & the Sons of Blues and more.
WHERE: Most events at Shaw Millennium Park.
calgarybluesfest.com.
August
WHEN: Ongoing until Saturday, Aug. 23
film screenings, concerts and more. August highlights include a performance and talk by Daniel
Lanois and Garth Hudson and a new dance work
by dancers in the Banff Centre’s 2014 Indigenous
Dance Residency.
Wagonstage Children’s Theatre
Strathmore Stampede
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 1 to Monday, Aug. 4
WHAT: Events include the famous Running with the
Bulls event (patterned after Spain’s Pamplona), daily
entertainment, chuckwagons and the third-largest
CPRA Rodeo (same cowboys, stock and chuckwagon
drivers as the Calgary Stampede).
WHERE: Strathmore exhibition grounds, 25 minutes
east of Calgary (Hwy. 817). 403-934-5811,
strathmorerodeo.com.
WHEN: Ongoing until Friday, Aug. 15
WHAT: Theatre partnership between the City of
Calgary and the University of Calgary’s drama
department. Entertaining, interactive and educational children’s plays accessible to families within
the city’s boundaries.
WHERE: Various venues throughout Calgary. For
info, contact [email protected] or visit
calgary.ca.
Cochrane Ranche Days Festival
Calgary Fringe Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 2 to Monday, Aug. 4
WHAT: A family-oriented folk, blues, country
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 1 to Saturday, Aug. 9
Did you know? 1980s? Yup, it’s older than you think.
WHAT: Featuring theatrical acts from around the
globe and your own backyard. 100 percent of ticket
revenue goes back to the artist.
WHERE: Various venues in the community of
Inglewood. 403-451-9726, calgaryfringe.ca.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 2 and Sunday, Aug. 3
WHAT: A two-day celebration of Cochrane Ranche’s
birthday with a farmers’ market, music, heritage
activities and more.
WHERE: At the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site,
Cochrane. 403-851-2535, cochrane-tourism.com.
Canmore Folk Music Festival
that Calgary wasn’t built in the
Heritage Park Historical Village is the mothership of Calgary’s
rich, juicy past—but with an eye for making old-timey tours and
events fresh and relevant. This season’s schedule marking the
park’s 50th anniversary will make you want to ﬂick a wornin quilt onto the grass and stay all summer long.
nellieclung
mc
Prior to 1929 women
were excluded
from holding public
office in Canada;
five Calgary women
including Nellie
MCClung kicked that
constitutional bunk to the
curb. Now you can toast those
Pancakes were
invented in
ancient Rome!
Be among the
first 500 people
through the gates
on Heritage Day
and you’ll get
a complimentary
pancake (Alberta
Bakery’s butter
tarts may not be
free, but worth
every penny).
formidable ladies
on the verandah of the park’s
newly opened Famous Five Centre
of Canadian Women.
Heritage Park is the same age as Russell Crowe! for its 50th birthday,
the park will host its first professional Western Rodeo. Mini-chucks, barrel
racing and mutton-busting will ensue. Crowe is unlikely to bust a mutton.
HERITAGE PARK’S 50th ANNIVERSARY SEASON: Until Monday, Oct. 13. Gate admission, $12.99 - $24.99. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca.
- jacquie moore
and world-music event featuring Michael Bernard
Fitzgerald, JP Hoe, Baka Beyond, Baskery and more.
WHERE: Centennial Park, 5th Avenue and 5th Street,
Canmore. 403-678-2524, canmorefolkfestival.com.
chuckwagons) at the Heritage Park rodeo grounds.
1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. 403-268-8500,
heritagepark.ca.
Inglewood SunFest
Marda Gras Street Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 2
WHAT: Inglewood comes alive with street performers, local vendors and fantastic food as well as
events and activities for the whole family, including
a pie-eating contest.
WHERE: Along 9th Avenue from 11th Street to 14th
Street S.E. 403-829-9175, inglewoodsunfest.com.
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 10
WHAT: Free family-friendly event featuring the
smells, sights and sounds of New Orleans. With
vendors, food trucks, patios, live music, street performers, a pet pageant, activities for children and
more. In support of the Marda Loop Communities
Association.
WHERE: The Marda Loop area (19th to 22nd
Streets along 33rd and 34th Avenues, S.W.).
403-685-5667, mardaloop.com.
Heritage Day
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 4
WHAT: Celebrate Heritage Day with a family barbecue, train, boat and antique midway rides, a variety
of musical performances and a complimentary
pancake breakfast for the first 500 guests. Evening
concerts feature performances by Holly Cole and
Sarah Slean and The Stellas.
1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. 403-268-8500,
heritagepark.ca.
GlobalFest
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23
WHAT: Family-oriented multi-cultural and fireworks
festival. With cultural pavilions, food and performance
stages and a tipi village. Each evening ends with a 22
minute Trico Homes International Fireworks Festival
display, choreographed to music.
WHERE: Elliston Park, 17th Avenue and 60th Street
S.E. Tickets at globalfest.ca.
Afrikadey!
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 6 to Saturday, Aug. 9
WHAT: A celebration of African culture featuring
music, literature, arts, dance and cuisine. This year features Arrested Development, Diblo Dibala and more.
WHERE: Prince’s Island Park and other local venues.
403-234-9110, afrikadey.com.
Mountain View Music Fest
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9
WHAT: A family-oriented folk, blues, country and
world-music event with food, farmer’s market, green
grass, free parking and small-town hospitality.
WHERE: Venue info to be released closer to date.
403-337-3710, mvmf.ca.
Pioneer Acres Museum Annual
Show & Reunion
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 10
WHAT: Biggest Pioneer Acres event of the year
with equipment demonstrations, exhibits, crafts and
more. This year will feature John Deere equipment,
with free day parking and dry camping available.
WHERE: Pioneer Acres, Hwy. 9 and Township
Rd. 274, near Irricana (45 minutes northeast of
Calgary). 403-935-4357, pioneeracres.ab.ca.
When Words Collide
WHAT: A festival for readers, writers, artists and
publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, children’s books and poetry. Guests
include Diana Gabaldon, Jacqueline Guest, Mark
Leslie and more.
WHERE: Carriage House Inn, 9030 Macleod Tr. S.
whenwordscollide.org.
Western Rodeo
WHAT: Get up close to all the heart pounding action
of a live western rodeo (with bull-riding and mini-
Opera in the Village
WHAT: Canada’s only outdoor summer opera festival returns for a second year with a mainstage
performance of Candide, family matinees of Hansel
& Gretel and carnival-themed festival activities.
WHERE: East Village, 5th St. and Confluence Way
S.E. 403-262-7286, calgaryopera.com.
ReggaeFest
WHAT: A family-friendly event that transcends racial,
cultural and musical boundaries. Live performances
from Third World, Raging Fyah, Long Shen Dao, Exco
Levi and more, plus food vendors, beer gardens and a
youth area with arts and crafts.
WHERE: Thursday events at the National Music
Centre, 134 11th Ave. S.E.; main stage event at Shaw
Millennium Park. More info at 403-355-5696,
reggaefest.ca.
Sylvan Lake’s Jazz at the Lake Festival
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 17
WHAT: A family-friendly festival featuring music by
Jack Semple, Tuck and Patti, Johnny Summers and a
variety of other indoor and outdoor musical events.
WHERE: Sylvan Lake, Alta. Tickets and info at
jazzatthelake.com.
Taste of Calgary
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 17
WHAT: Outdoor festival of food and drink from the
city’s restaurants and beverage companies. Also features daily live entertainment, artisans and interactive activities. Sampling tickets $1 each;
admission is free.
WHERE: At Eau Claire’s Festival Plaza, 200
Barclay Parade S.W. 403-293-2888,
tasteofcalgary.com.
voltaire’s
aria
francois-Marie Arouet (a.k.a.
the french philosopher
Voltaire) wrote plenty of
plays, but never an operetta.
That task was accomplished
nearly 200 years after his
death with help from Leonard
Bernstein, Hugh Wheeler
and Richard Wilbur. Calgary
Opera’s Opera in the Village
erects the big top to perform
the satirical Candide, which
premiered on Broadway in 1958.
Thursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday,
Aug. 23, calgaryopera.com
SpringHill Charity Show & Shine
WHAT: Annual classic car show. With live entertainment, a large outdoor barbecue and more.
WHERE: At the SpringHill RV Park, 41216 Big Hill
Springs Rd., Cochrane. 403-804-6240,
springhillrvpark.com.
Blackfoot Arts and Heritage Festival
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 18 to Wednesday, Aug. 20
WHAT: Participate in traditional and contemporary
aboriginal dancing and enjoy music, art and cuisine.
WHERE: Waterton Community Centre, Waterton,
Alta. For more information call 403-859-5133.
Lethbridge Whoop-Up Days
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 19 to Saturday, Aug. 23
WHAT: Pro rodeo, food, games, a midway and more.
WHERE: Exhibition Park, 3401 Parkside Dr. S.,
Lethbridge, Alta. exhibitionpark.ca.
Taber Cornfest
WHAT: Celebrate the return of this delicious staple
crop with a corn-eating competition, midway, exhibitions and more.
WHERE: Confederation Park in Taber, Alta.
403-223-2265, destinationtaber.com.
Canadian Rockies
East Coast Kitchen Party
WHAT: Outdoor music festival featuring spectacular mountain scenery, lively Celtic music, evening
jam sessions and a lobster dinner. Performers
include Boys of St. James Gate, Cod Gone Wild,
Third Reel, Chris Greves and more.
(Three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103,
Expo Latino 2014
THIRTY-ONE
WHAT: Music festival celebrating Latino culture
with a weekend of live bands, dancing, a food fair,
art market and beer gardens.
WHERE: Prince’s Island Park. For more info 403-2712744, expolatino.ca. Weekend passes ($35) available
at Calgary Co-op and Safeway stores.
Pride Calgary 2014
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 22 to Monday, Sept. 1
WHAT: Calgary’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-Identified,
and two-spirited communities, along with their allies,
celebrate their strength and diversity within the cultural
mosaic that is Calgary. Events include a parade and
street festival.
WHERE: More info to be released at pridecalgary.ca.
Southern Alberta Music Festival
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 23
WHAT: Kick back, relax and listen to a variety of
country, blues and rock n’ roll. Explore a variety
of vendors, relish a delicious meal from one of the
concessions or unwind in the beer gardens.
WHERE: Aspen Crossing, west of Mossleigh (an hour
outside of Calgary on highway 24). 1-866-440-3500,
aspencrossing.com.
Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival
WHAT: Over 1250 competitors work as teams to
maneuver the massive long boats. Also includes cultural performances and entertainment, kids activities, food trucks and more.
WHERE: North Glenmore Park. Find more info and
register at chinatowncalgary.com/dragonboat.
Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri
WHAT: A wide variety of Japanese cultural activities, music, dance, food and merchandise. Omatsuri
is the Japanese term for a traditional festival.
WHERE: Bowness Community Association and Centre,
7904 43rd Ave. N.W. calgaryjapanesefestival.com.
Carifest Calgary 2014
WHAT: Annual Caribbean festival and carnival
featuring music, Caribbean food and arts and
crafts market.
WHERE: Shaw Millennium Park. 403-774-1300,
carifestcalgary.com.
Chinook Honey Company’s
Harvest Festival
WHAT: A family-friendly event celebrating the
harvest in the Foothills. Includes an open-hive demonstration, honey extraction, scavenger hunt, beebeard competition, family activities at the Kayben
Farms Sunshine Adventure Park and more.
WHERE: At Kayben Farms (kayben.com) and
Chinook Honey Company (chinookhoney.com).
Country Kickback
WHAT: A weekend full of special activities, exhibits
and demonstrations. Make rope and old-fashioned
ice cream, watch historic farm machinery at work in
the wheat field, spin your partner at a barn dance
and more.
WHERE: Heritage Park Historical Village, 1900
Heritage Dr. S.W. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca.
Mountain Shadow Music Festival
WHAT: A showcase of local talent for singers, songwriters and musicians from in and around Cochrane
performing music in a wide variety of genres.
WHERE: Mitford Park, Cochrane, Alta.
mountainshadowmusicfest.com.
RBC GranFondo Banff
WHAT: A 142 km mass cycling event that is open to
all skill levels and takes riders into the heart of the
Rockies.
WHERE: Route starts on Buffalo Street in Banff.
granfondobanff.com.
Cochrane & District
Old Tyme Country Fair
WHAT: Featuring agricultural demonstrations, a dog
show, scarecrow contest, displays, human rooster
crowing, petting zoo and entertainment.
WHERE: Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports
Centre, 800 Griffin Rd. E., Cochrane. More info at
cochrane-tourism.ca.
48th Annual Cochrane Lions
Labour Day Rodeo
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 29 to Monday, Sept. 1
WHAT: With competitions in bareback, saddle bronc,
bull-riding, steer-wrestling, barrel racing and more,
plus a parade.
WHERE: Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park, 109 5th Ave.
W., Cochrane. For more info visit cochranelionsclub.
com, cochrane-tourism.ca and cochraneparade.com.
BBQ on the Bow Festival
WHAT: Canada’s oldest barbecue competition and
the Alberta Championships for Kansas-city style
BBQ. Also features children’s craft tents and entertainers, concessions, vendors and more.
WHERE: Eau Claire’s Festival Market, 2nd Avenue
and 2nd Street S.W. bbqonthebow.com.
Calgary Scottish Highland Games
WHAT: A celebration of Scottish and Celtic heritage
with Celtic music, cultural events, Highland dancing
and more.
WHERE: Springbank Park For All Seasons,
32224A Springbank Rd. S.W.
calgaryhighlandgames.org.
Okotoks Chili Fest & Cook Off
WHAT: With western-themed activities and a chili
tasting. Register a team to compete or simply taste
the creations.
WHERE: Throughout Olde Towne Okotoks (on
Elizabeth Street between Elk Avenue and Centre
Avenue). 403-938-8950, okotoks.ca.
X-Fest
WHAT: Presented by X92.9 and Union Events.
Featuring Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, Death Cab for
Cutie, Foster the People, Tegan & Sara and others.
WHERE: Fort Calgary, 750 9th Ave. S.E. Tickets and
info at xfestcalgary.com and TF.
THE
WHOLE BRAIN
The inaugural Beakerhead
blended art and science in
a way that was engaging for
both cerebral hemispheres.
Year two promises 40 events
over five days including
roving experiments and
parades, Little Big Street (a
series of pop-up structures
to explore) and Beakernight,
a citywide nighttime
laboratory for science.
The full schedule will be
announced in June.
Wednesday, Sept. 10 to Sunday,
Sept 14, beakerhead.org.
15 Minutes of Fame
WHAT: You get the opportunity to create, listen to
and experience live music.
WHERE: West Opera House Square, Rosebud, Alta.
facebook.com/fifteenminutesoffame.
Fall
Tour of Alberta
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 2 to Sunday, Sept. 7
WHAT: The core component of the event is a sixstage (if you count the prologue) bicycle race that
takes place around the province.
WHERE: The prologue takes place in Calgary, then
the tour works its way through Lethbridge, Red Deer
and Strathcona County before finishing in Edmonton.
tourofalberta.ca.
Calgary Produce Marketing Association
Harvest Sale
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7
WHAT: Fresh fruit and veggies at old-fashioned
prices. Come early to stock up on healthy food, then
stay and enjoy a day at the park. Money raised goes
to support local charities.
heritagepark.ca.
Lake Louise Fall Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 6 to Sunday, Sept. 28
WHAT: Enjoy a variety of unique activities, events
and special packages offered throughout Lake
Louise, including guided hikes, trail rides, dining
experiences and more.
WHERE: Lake Louise, Banff National Park.
banfflakelouise.com/fallfestival.
RCMP Musical Ride
WHAT: Performances by the world-renowned RCMP
Musical Ride. Presented by the Cochrane Posse.
WHERE: Cochrane Ag Society Grounds, Cochrane.
Subaru Banff International Triathlon
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 6
WHAT: One of the most picturesque races in the
world. Swim in the pristine waters of Two Jack Lake
and bike around the beautiful Minnewanka Loop
Road and then into the town of Banff finishing the
run on Banff Ave. and Central Park.
WHERE: Town of Banff and Banff National Park.
banfflakelouise.com/triathlon.
Spruce Meadows Masters
WHAT: The best athletes from the world’s top show
jumping nations compete for prize money and international acclaim. Also, family entertainment and shopping opportunities.
Beakerhead
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 10 to Sunday, Sept. 14
WHAT: A multiple-day, multiple-venue interactive
smash up of art, science and engineering. With engineered art, international ingenuity competitions, public
performances, community challenges, backyard-built
contraptions, and creations of your own making.
WHERE: Various venue throughout Calgary, more
info to be released closer to event date.
587-351-7787, beakerhead.org.
Mountain View Arts Festival
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 12 to Sunday, Sept. 14
WHAT: Mountain View County’s largest outdoor
festival of its kind featuring dancers, storytellers,
musicians and songwriters, handicrafts, painters and
much more.
WHERE: Rosebud River Valley, on the east end
of Didsbury (approx. one hour north of Calgary).
403-335-9445, mountainviewartsfestival.ca.
Canadian Cowboy Challenge
WHAT: Horses and riders undertake a series of
obstacle challenges.
WHERE: Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds,
109 5th Ave. West. cochrane-tourism.ca.
Cochrane Classics Car Club Show and
Shine
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 14
WHAT: An assortment of classic automobiles on display.
WHERE: Downtown Cochrane. 403-851-2535,
THIRTY-TWO
Sharing Our Culture: Treaty 7 Powwow
WHAT: A spectacular day-long celebration featuring the Treaty 7 nations of southern Alberta coming together to share their rich history and culture
through regalia, dance, arts and crafts and cuisine.
heritagepark.ca.
Artember Arts & Culture Festival
WHAT: Annual festival of the arts in the city of
Airdrie featuring workshops, Taste of Airdrie,
a gala and more.
WHERE: Various venues throughout Airdrie.
artember.ca.
Calgary International Film Festival
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 28
WHAT: A celebration of visual arts and cinema,
screening over 200 multi-genre films from around
the world, highlighted by a series of gala events,
awards and ceremonies and special presentations.
WHERE: Screenings at various theatres around the
city. 403-283-1490, calgaryfilm.com.
FozzyFest
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 21
WHAT: Featuring local and internationallyacclaimed DJs, musicians and artists, food and
merchandise vendors, workshops and spacious
camping.
WHERE: Big Springs Campground, Lake Koocanusa,
B.C. fozzyfest.com.
Cochrane Fall Fair
WHAT: A midway, concessions, displays, children’s
activities and demonstrations of different equestrian sports. Presented by the Cochrane & District
Agricultural Society.
WHERE: Cochrane Ag Society Grounds, Cochrane.
Waterton Wildlife Weekend
WHAT: Take part in Alberta’s most spectacular
wildlife experience, including wildlife-viewing field
trips, photography workshops and special guest
presentations.
WHERE: Waterton, Alta. (about 2.5 hours south of
Calgary). Information at 1-800-215-2395 or
watertonwildlife.com.
The Word on the Street Festival
WHAT: National book and magazine festival featuring author appearances, workshops, a marketplace
and more.
WHERE: Lethbridge Public Library Main Branch,
810 5th Ave. S., Lethbridge. thewordonthestreet.ca.
Alberta Culture Days
WHAT: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the rich
art, culture and history of this authentic mountain
community with a variety of exciting events and
activities including artist receptions, tours, live
performances and heritage interpretation.
WHERE: Events throughout Banff. For more info see
banfflakelouise.com.
WHAT: Readers and writers come together to experience the power of story through a literary festival
featuring more than 70 writers from local, national
and international stages in more than 60 events.
WHERE: Various venues in Calgary and Banff. Call
403-237-9068 or visit wordfest.com for more info.
Culture at the Creek
WHAT: A family-friendly weekend in celebration of
Alberta Culture Days. Featuring live music, multi-cultural performances, hands on arts activities for kids,
interactive public art projects and a food truck frenzy.
WHERE: Nose Creek Park, Airdrie. artember.ca.
Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 19
WHAT: Featuring over 200 national and international artists, retail vendors, tattoo competitions,
educational seminars and after-parties.
WHERE: BMO Centre, Stampede Park.
calgarytattoos.com.
Cochrane Culture Days
WHAT: A weekend celebration of the visual and
performing arts.
WHERE: Downtown Cochrane. 403-851-2535,
The Great Cochrane Outhouse Races
WHAT: A friendly competition that sees teams of
costumed locals race homemade outhouses through
downtown Cochrane.
WHERE: 1st St. W., Cochrane. For more information
or to register call 403-932-9288,
cochraneouthouseraces.com.
Okotoks Harvest Fest
WHAT: A community celebration of the harvest with
old-fashioned games for kids, a display of antique and
historic farm tractors and more.
WHERE: Ethel Tucker Park, Okotoks, Alta.
403-938-8950, okotoks.ca.
Railway Days
WHAT: Heritage Park’s trains take centre stage for
two days with turntable demonstrations, hands-on
activities and exhibits, model train displays and a
pancake breakfast.
heritagepark.ca.
YYComedy Festival
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 5
WHAT: A seven-day comedy festival featuring 70
comics in 35 shows, plus a gala event with Harland
Williams, Jessica Holmes and Michael McDonald.
WHERE: Shows in a variety of venues throughout
Calgary. Full information to be released on
yycomedy.ca.
Rocky Mountain Wine &
Food Festival
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18
WHAT: Sample from an extensive variety of wine,
scotch, import beer and premium spirits, along with
gourmet food samples from local restaurants and
hotels. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to
SAIT’s culinary school.
WHERE: BMO Centre, Stampede Park.
403-228-0777, rockymountainwine.com.
w? YYComedy festival anchors a
o
n
k
u
fall festival season with a
Did yo liberalstrong
spread of laughs during
35 shows with more than 70 comics at over 16 venues.
Harland Williams, Jessica Holmes, Mike MCDonald
and Tim Steeves are some of the headliners of the closing
gala at the Jubilee Auditorium.
Scientists are alarmed at how many
podcasts are being created
by comedians (posehn hosts Nerd Poker ,
a podcast heavy on
Dungeons and Dragons).
In their lifetime, a comedian
is estimated to produce more than
16,000 hours worth of podcasts.
Falcon
Powder
Spruce Meadows Oktoberfest
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 26
WHAT: Experience competition up-close and with
all the indoor comforts of the Spruce Meadows
Equi-Plex.
WHERE: Spruce Meadows,
18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com.
is both an excellent
raptor-cleaning agent
Bon Appétit Banff
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 23
WHAT: Participating restaurants offer unique
menus. More information to be released closer to
event date.
WHERE: Various venues throughout Banff and Lake
Louise. banfflakelouise.com/bonappetitbanff.
and an award-winning Canadian
sketch group appearing
at the festival.
J’Aime Paris Festival
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 21 to Thursday, Dec. 4
WHAT: The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra pays
tribute to the crème de la crème of Parisian music.
WHERE: Jack Singer Concert Hall, Epcor Centre and
the Glenbow Museum, 130 9th Ave. S.E.
cpo-live.com.
Believe it
or not!
Brian posehn
Light Up Okotoks
will actually be
appearing at the
fest. Schedule
complications
forced him to
cancel a previous
show in Calgary
last November .
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 21
WHAT: Celebrate the start of the holiday season
with a visit from Santa, a lighting of the Christmas
tree and other festive activities.
WHERE: Throughout downtown Okotoks.
403-938-8950, okotoks.ca.
Pumpkin and Scarecrow Festival
WHEN: Saturdays throughout October
WHAT: Experience the magic of fall in the country
with pumpkins, a corn maze, live music, entertainment, kids activities and more.
WHERE: Kayben Farms, about three km north of
Okotoks. 403-938-2857, kayben.com.
WordFest
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 14 to Sunday, Oct. 19
GIRAF
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Nov. 30
WHAT: An animation festival presented by the
Quickdraw Animation Society featuring interactive
workshops, artist talks, screenings, games and animated activities for the whole family.
WHERE: The Globe Cinema, 617 8th Ave. S.W. and
Quickdraw Animation Society, #201, 351 11th Ave.
S.W. 403-261-5767, giraffest.ca.
YYComedy festival:
THIRTY-THREE
Monday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 5 at various venues. yycomedy.ca. - jon roe