Thursday evening is the infamous cultureHOUSE PARTY. It is Theatre Grand’s annual fundraiser with all proceeds from the event going towards another season of contemporary performing arts in Calgary. Show up around 7pm and lounge in the backyard, dance with the band in the living room, flirt in the garden and chill out in the artists studio. Explore, enjoy, mingle and prepare to do anything you would do… at someone else’s house.
Friday evening brings a variety of musical performances, shows and events to choose from. For those not going to the Black Keys concert, there is still plenty to do.
For Jazz lovers, we suggest heading down to The Beatniq. In partnership with CADME, their partner for the National Jazz Summit, they are presenting New York trumpeter Terell Stafford, who has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Known for being a gifted and versatile player with a voice all his own, Stafford combines lyricism and a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge. Doors are at 8pm and tickets just $25.
For those looking for something with a little more edge, local favourites Double Fuzz will be performing at the Palomino with Fist City & Soft Option Palomino. The show starts at 9pm, but you may as well go down a bit early for some of the Palomino’s famous BBQ fare and a pint or two.
Friday evening also brings the Calgary 2012 Sweet City Celebration. Taking place at the BMO Centre (Stampede Park
1410 Olympic Way S.E.), this event is the kick-off to a full year of cultural activity. Featured guests include The Stampeders, performing the Cultural Capital theme song, “Sweet City Woman,” go-go dancers, superheroes, luchadors, food trucks, performance artists, living statues, DJs, cowboys and dragons.
More interested in theatrics? Check out Playing with Fire: The Theo Fleury Story presented by ATP taking place at the Martha Cohen Theatre. This bold and honest one-man show about one of Calgary’s brightest Flames, is a stage adaptation of Theo Fleury’s best-selling memoirs.
Saturday afternoon you may want to head to Ten Thousand Villages for World Fair Trade Day. The store will be focusing on the impact fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate has on the farmers. Learn how fair trade makes a difference and how it tastes, too. Sample the various fair trade chocolate, coffee and tea they have to offer, as well as some baked goods with fair trade ingredients. If you like the treats, they will also be sharing the recipes.
Saturday evening you are off to the Jack Singer Concert Hall to experience Bolero presented by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. This show brings the flavours of Spain, which are infused with some of the most colourful works ever written, including the sultry Boléro. Rachel Barton Pine brings her fiery style to the stage with two stunning performances on the violin.
For those who enjoy performance art, Dancers’ Studio West (2007 10 Ave. S.W.)
will bring two mentored choreographers performing new works along with the DSW Lab Ensemble in conjunction with the Dancers’ Studio West Dance Lab and Creative Process.
Sunday, of course, is Mother’s Day. For those who are runners, the Annual SportChek Mother’s Day Run will be taking place at 9am, starting at Chinook Centre.
There are a variety of places offering Mother’s Day Brunch across the city as well. Some of our favourites include River Cafe, Diner Deluxe, Belgo Brasserie, and Borgo.