The Branch Out Foundation’s Auction with a Cause
The Branch Out Foundation aims to fund research for complementary and alternative therapies for neurological disorders and is holding the Auction with a Cause fundraiser on Saturday, April 27, at the Chicago Chophouse. The foundation will be auctioning off 20 of Calgary’s sexiest singles and many silent auction items. There will be eye candy, hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, silent auction and an amazing after-party DJ. Tickets are $40 online. Doors open at 7pm, Auction starts at 8:00pm. Chicago Chophouse, 604 – 8 Avenue SW
Taj Mahal and Shemekia Copeland
Calgary Folk Festival & Tooth Blackner present Taj Mahal, the GRAMMY-winning American blues and roots artist, and special guest Shemekia Copeland, this Saturday, April 27 at the University of Calgary’s MacEwan Hall. Both a composer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo and harmonica among others), Taj Mahal has worked with everyone from Eric Clapton to Etta James. He’ll be joined by Shemekia Copeland, the 34 year-old 2013 GRAMMY nominee crowned as the Queen of Blues. She’s opened for the Stones and recently played with Gary Clark Jr. at the White House for the Red, White and Blues performance. Tickets are $45 in advance and doors are at 7pm. MacEwan Hall, 2500 University Dr NW
Family of the Year
On April 27, at SAIT’s the Gateway, the LA-based indie-folk band Family of the Year will take the stage. Their California sound will have you dreaming of summer days. Check out the video for their tune Hero on Youtube. Reuben and the Dark are opening. The local band rocked last year’s Folk Fest and has been touring the country all year. They’re inviting everyone to come out and sing along with them. Tickets are $12 and the doors are at 8pm. The Gateway, 1301 16th Ave NW
Purity Ring
The Canadian electronic music duo from Edmonton will be at the Republik Saturday, April 27. Their chilly electro-pop inspired by contemporary R&B was just heard by festival goers at Coachella and now’s your chance to catch them as they come through Calgary. They’ll be skipping across the prairies before heading down to the US to finish off their spring tour. With one of Pitchfork’s Albums of the Year in 2012, they’re not to be missed. Blue Hawaii, the electro-pop duo from Montreal is opening. Republik, 219 17th avenue SW
Paco Rabanne’s 66/67 Collection
The recently launched Fashion Institute on the top floor of the South Campus of Bow Valley College has an exclusive showing of Spanish designer Paco Rabanne’s 66/67 collection, loaned by the Canadian Apparel Museum between 10am and 4pm on April 27. Check out the education hub and fashion industry incubator and the collection. The 80-year-old designer is well known for his costume designs in the film Barbarella and for using metal, paper and plastic in his designs well before the younger generations. The Fashion Institute at Olds College, Corner of 6th Avenue and 3rd Street S.E.
Motley Crue
One of the world’s most notorious rock bands will be gracing the Saddledome’s stage on Monday, April 29. If you’re looking to rock out this weekend, get yourself a ticket and make an appointment with Dr. Feelgood. While music is always at the top of the agenda for the band, Nikki Sixx recently said that the band will break up after their next album and subsequent farewell tour, so catch the heavy metal rockers on one of their last tours. Big Wreck is opening and tickets start at just $20.
Photo: Purity Ring