Calgary Weekender: January 6 through 8, 2012

We’re only a week into 2012 and Calgary has a ton to offer in the way of entertainment and events for young professionals. January is always an exciting time of year as it is the month of High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts happening from January 5-28.

Encompassing theatre, music, dance, comedy and interdisciplinary art, the High Performance Rodeo is the largest event of its kind in Western Canada. For four weeks, local, national and international performers converge in Calgary to share many of their award-winning performances. 

In co-operation with many of Calgary’s major arts organizations such as Vertigo Studio Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Theate Junction GRAND and Lunchbox Theatre, the High Performance Rodeo is establishing itself as one of the major cultural events in the city.

With it being the first weekend of the festival, there are some really great shows to catch. Friday evening is the 10-Minute Play Festival in Epcor Centre’s Martha Cohen Theatre.

This landmark Rodeo event (8pm-10:30pm) has the city’s indie theatre companies tackling a near impossible task: to create an original 10-minute play in 24 hours, inspired only by a prop and a line of dialogue. The result is a series of performances that are unpredictable, uninhibited and unforgettable.

After the show, we suggest heading out for a nightcap to The Laycraft Lounge, the official bar of the High Performance Rodeo. Located upstairs at the Epcor Centre, it is the nightly hub for artists, staff and festivalgoers alike. Opening each day just before show times, the swanky makeshift bar overlooks Olympic Plaza and is a convenient spot for pre and post-show cocktails.

Not exclusive to patrons of the Rodeo, all are welcome. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see some spontaneous performances.

Head to Ironwood Stage and Grill at 8:30pm for the Alberta Roots & Roll Revue if live music is more your scene. A selection of Calgary and Edmonton’s best up-and-coming roots bands have laid petty civic rivalry aside and teamed up for this music extravaganza. The show will be sequenced in the style of the musical revues of the 1960s. Many of the bands will feature guest spots from their compatriots in an inspiring display of metropolitan peacemaking and provincial solidarity.

Saturday evening, we suggest heading down to Olympic Plaza for the third annual Snowblower, a free outdoor mid-winter dance party from 5pm-11pm. The electrifying spectacle transforms Olympic Plaza into a winter wonderland of new media with fantastic ice sculptures, magical trees, hot cocoa, fire performers, art installations, brilliant video and a showcase of international electronic artists including Kid Koala, An-ten-nae, VibeSquaD, Adham Shaikh, Erica Dee, Cary Chang.

Still looking to keep the party going? Head to Flames Central for the official Snowblower after party featuring ediT of the Glitch Mob. The party starts at 10:30pm and will go all night.

After all the fun we’ve had over the holidays, and despite an action packed weekend, January is the perfect time to start living healthy.

Sunday, head to the Telus Convention Centre for the Subway Ultimate Health & Fitness Show. Whether you are refining your health and fitness regime or looking for new ways to enhance or improve your lifestyle, everything you need to define your moment is all under one roof.

A wide variety of exhibitors will be present showcasing the latest in products, apparel, training, programs, healthcare, prevention, nutrition and so much more. Interactive workshops and seminars from today’s leading authorities will also be available to provide you with valuable insights and presentations on healthier and more balanced lifestyles

We also suggest heading to Journey of Health, Calgary’s largest raw food retailer in Calgary, where they will be hosting the Green Juice Cleanse and Smoothies course. For $37, this two-hour seminar will teach you everything there is to know about juicing, the health and healing benefits, why green juice versus fruit juice, and the difference between juicing and smoothies. You will also learn how to juice properly, what to juice, how to juice, when to drink juice and why you would even considering juicing.