If you are looking for ways to fill your social calendar, this weekend has all sorts of events worth checking out.
Thursday night brings you the second annual Black & Red Bash in support of BeCause (United Way) at the Art Gallery of Calgary. The evening’s keynote speaker is none other than Amanda Lindhout, humanitarian, kidnap survivor, Founder/Executive Director of the Global Enrichment Foundation, and recently named as one the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) Top 100 Most Powerful Women of 2012. Hear her speak and mingle with a great group of young professionals who are committed to making a difference in their community.
This weekend is the launch for several great shows. First we have Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi, brought to you by the Calgary Opera. Taking the stage at the Jubilee Auditorium from Feb 2 – 8, the performance is of the infamous Falstaff and his old tricks, drinking himself into a stupor, then bragging about his wild success with the ladies and writing a pair of letters to two beautiful married ladies, propositioning them. Both decide that it’s time that Falstaff got a bit of his own medicine, and to teach him a lesson, once and for all.
We also have Maria Rasputin Presents (Jan 29 – Feb 9) at the Joyce Doolittle Theatre? (2140 Pumphouse Ave SW). Step under the big top with Ring Mistress Maria Rasputin, where a carnival of characters will delight, excite, and enlight. This brand new musical, presented by Forte Musical Theatre, tells the tale of Rasputin’s famous assassination by Feliks Yusupov from the perspective of Rasputin’s circus entertainer daughter.
If you love music, check out One World, Many Voices Saturday at the Rozsa Centre, UofC. Hear guest percussionists and world instrumentalists as they join The Festival Chorus for an evening of folk-music from Latin America, France, Germany, China and Britain that explores the musical soul of world music. Featured on the program is Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez, a world-wide choral hit.
If you love photography, this weekend is the launch of Exposure 2013: Calgary Banff Canmore Photography Festival (Feb 1 – 28). Spanning over an entire month and three municipalities, this festival is packed with more than 60 photography-related exhibitions and a dozen special events at various venues?in?Calgary, Banff and Canmore.
Interested in a celebrity sighting? Then head to the mountains for the 2013 Fairmont Banff Springs Celebrity Invitational taking place throughout the weekend. Hosted by Robert F Kennedy and actor Alec Baldwin, the Fairmont Banff Springs Celebrity Invitational is in support of the Waterkeeper’s Alliance. Catch celebrities compete in toboggan/snowshoe races and dual giant slalom at Sunshine Village.
Saturday evening also brings you the 20th Anniversary Screening of Cool Runnings and Gala. Taking over the spectacular Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the first fundraising event for the Reel Fun Film Festival will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Cool Runnings.” Meet members of the original 1988 Jamaican bobsled team, and members of the cast of the movie, while exploring the Hall of Fame and catching an exclusive showing of the film.
Photo: Kristian Jones, Maria Rasputin Presents