Every month, many of Calgary’s young professionals look forward to the Cultural District’s First Thursday. On the first Thursday of each month (hence the apt title) arts venues, restaurants and retailers in and around Calgary’s Cultural District (the blocks surrounding Olympic Plaza) stay open late and offer a mix of special activities – many of them free or discounted.
Meet up with friends and partake in one or several activities like gallery openings, meet-the-artist events, theatre shows, dance, readings, talks, tours, street happenings and food and wine-tastings. Phew…that’s a pretty notable list, right? With such great weather, it’s easy to hop from venue to venue and this month’s First Thursday (happening tonight) has an amazing line-up planned…
> Cantos Music Foundation has several events going on including tours of their collections, All that Jazz at the Hyatt, and a special concert with Ruth Purves at the foundation.
> The Glenbow’s Optimism of Colour: William Perehudoff opens this week. And Art Central, Triangle Gallery, TRUCK Gallery, and The Art Gallery of Calgary are all playing host to special gallery shows.
> Wanna geek out? Endeavor Art Gallery is hosting Make Your Own Robot in conjunction with Protospace and Dorkbot.
> In the mood to dance? Check out Beat Niq or The Palomino for some great live performances.
Get out on the town and experience First Thursday. Your social life with thank you.
Image courtesy James Tworow’s flickr.