Whether you’re looking to switch up or brunch routine or need a night of tasty food pairings with art, dance and live music, you’ll find more than enough to satiate your appetite for Calgary’s social scene in this week’s edition of the Weekender…
Thursday
Bacardi Festival Libre
Whether you have a taste for Cuban culture or just appreciate a solid rum and Coke on a Thursday night, this is your party. Join Bacardi as they celebrats the classic cocktail that made them famous: the Cuba Libre. There you’ll find tasty food pairings as well as art, dance and live music all from the land of our old amigo Che. This might also be your first opportunity to check out Marquee since it (thankfully) changed over from the Back Alley, which may be yet another pleasant surprise. Whatever your reason, trust Bacardi to send you home chanting Viva la Revolucion!
Friday
ZooGala 2014: Gallivant
When was the last time you were dressed in cocktail attire standing a few feet away from a lion? Thought so. And who doesn’t think that sounds like a pretty incredible way to spend your Friday night while supporting the Calgary Zoo? Since suffering considerable damage in the 2013 floods, the rebuilding process is well underway and the zoo is ready to welcome you to wander in pursuit of entertainment and pleasure at their gala event, Gallivant. This event is not reserved for animal lovers only, as it’s also Calgary’s original food and wine festival. Regular and backstage tickets are still available online.
Whatcha Got, Calgary?
Attention, loud and proud Calgarians, transplanted or homegrown, this is possibly the coolest thing you’ve seen (or will see) on the city’s film scene for a long time. Follow 20 local directors as they each explore a different theme relevant to life in this evolving town, from “Status and Wealth” and “Calgary at Night” to “Being a Minority” – and perhaps the scariest of them all, “Winter.” Aside from being a great way to really take in the pulse of this great metropolis, you can use it as a way to quiet those friends we all have who aren’t quite convinced that there’s something special in the water here.
Sundown Chowdown
Rumor has it that farmers’ markets are one of the best places to meet a partner. If you’ve been onto this tip for a while, but still end up at home with your organic shopping bag on the empty side, why not add alcohol? And food trucks. The Calgary Farmers’ Market is staying open late this Friday to showcase the city’s best meals on wheels (we recommend the Naaco Truck and Perogy Boyz), as well as local entertainers and producers. Throw in a beer garden and a tasting competition judged by Calgary’s best-known foodie, John Gilchrist, and you’re looking at a pretty great night out at (or on) the market.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday
Market Collective – Sixth Anniversary/Bike Scavenger Hunt
This weekend marks the sixth anniversary of Calgary’s merchant sweethearts, Market Collective. To celebrate, they’re putting on three days’ worth of activity and art, including an extensive list of local makers and performers. And to top it all off, a bike scavenger hunt. On Saturday at noon, grab your team of two to four people and a digital camera of some description and compete to win some pretty generous prizes all while having the best time possible on two wheels. This Etsy alternative extravaganza is also by far your best chance to buy every perfect gift you’ve ever dreamed up but lack the talent or time to make yourself.
Saturday/Sunday
Regency Palace Dim Sum
Though Calgary does have some pretty amazing traditional brunch spots, you can only wait in line at Blue Star Diner so many times. This weekend, switch up your late-morning routine and trade the vintage fork for chopsticks in Chinatown. This spot is Calgary’s quintessential Cantonese-style dim sum restaurant, complete with carts of delicious dishes and a bridge over a Koi fish pond at the entrance. Sticky rice, egg custard, BBQ pork buns and shrimp-everything are all on the must-try list, but our best advice is to be adventurous and try whatever passes by your table. It’s all reasonably priced, so you won’t regret it.
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Top photo courtesy Market Collective