We always complain about January being the worst month of the year but that’s only the case for people who don’t live in CalgaryFrom January 7th to February 1st, YYC will have the chance to catch a number of exciting events courtesy of High Performance Rodeo. From the festival that’s brought us high flying Mexican wrestling and the outrageously fun Snowblower DJ Party, comes another year packed with some outrageously entertaining plays, talks, and performances.
For people who love the Canadian poet/folk extraordinaire Leonard Cohen, the play titled ‘Chelsea Hotel’ is a must-see.
Closer to home, the festival has partnered with Calgary musician Kenna Burima to make some unusual music. On January 8th, and every day at noon (from January 8th to February 1st) the Calgary Tower’s Carillon will be playing songs composed by Burima.
Nothing is better than free music.
For the environmentalist in the crowd Sea Sick will speak to you. A veteran of TED Talks, Alana Mitchell and the theatre adaptation of her critically acclaimed book ‘Sea Sick: The Global Ocean in Crisis’ will appear a the Vertigo Theatre and share the dark secrets of our underground world in peril.
This isn’t exactly the Little Mermaid, but we’re told the ending has a hopeful message.
History buffs will enjoy ‘What The Thunder Said’. Obviously setting a heavier tone for theatergoers, this play is divided into 3 parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the war. One of the darkest themes out there has been re-imagined with a rocking soundtrack and is set against T.S. Eliot’s classic poem, The Waste Land – we expect it to be both deep and highly engaging.
In the ‘Untitled Feminist Show’, Young Jean Lee and her company of New York cabaret performers will create an experience that is nothing short of absurd and hilarious as they explore the unlikely topic of well to-do men.
Also making an appearance is Polaris prizewinner Tanya Tagaq, a throat singer who will be performing against the backdrop of the classic Canadiana film ‘Nanook of the North’. This is what you might call an ode to modern Inuit culture.
If feminism isn’t really your thing, the ‘Keith Richards One Woman’ show might be for you. The first pirate of rock ‘n’ roll will be celebrated as his biggest fan re-enacts the hurricane of Jack Daniels, violent love affairs, copious amounts of drugs, and iconic rock ‘n’ roll.
Keith would approve.
We could go on for hours about everything you need to see but the ‘Walrus Talks’ also has to be mentioned. Focusing on the topic of vice, a series of fascinating people (respected as experts on the subject) will come to share their two cents on everything that’s sinful and taboo.
You won’t want to miss Wiretap host Jonathan Goldstein, Noel Biderman (of AshelyMadison.com), or local journalist Shelley Youngblut.
Better start getting your tickets now.
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