MONDAY
Whether you like your buzz from a cup o’ bean juice or prefer the earthy notes of a matcha, brand-new festival The Bean Scene will help you get your fix. The fest kicks off today, and cafes, roasters, tea and bubble tea shops around Calgary are serving up special featured drinks for you to try, with a portion of the proceeds from each drink going towards the YWCA. Be sure to head to thebeansceneyyc.ca to download the digital passport and collect virtual stamps along your journey to enter to win prizes from participating vendors.
TUESDAY
Every Tuesday, head on over to The Ship and Anchor for the pinnacle of weeknight fun, Punk Rock Bingo. Hosted by Darren Ollinger and accompanied by DJ RO-B1 on the ones and twos, for any elder Gen-Z or millennial who remembers all the punk rock classics. There are prizes on offer for the winners, and guaranteed good vibes for all.
WEDNESDAY
The IGNITE! Festival is Sage Theatre’s multidisciplinary celebration of new works, and it is the place to check out the work of new creatives in the scene. On the first day, check out Tripping on Grief, a comedy-sci-fi spectacular following Elvira as she encounters a pair of drag-performing aliens who help her process the grief of losing her mother. It’s wild, it’s weird, and you won’t find it anywhere else. Tickets are available for just $10.
THURSDAY
The first Thursday of every month is free admission to Contemporary Calgary. Three new exhibitions open this Thursday, including both an interior and an exterior installation by Iranian-Canadian artist Ghazaleh Avarzamani and the 2014 film Agency by Husni Bey. Reflections on the nature of power, labour, and exhaustion, and on national borders and territorial identity are just some of the themes you’ll experience when you visit.
FRIDAY
Head over to St. Patrick’s Island on Friday evening for an Indigenous Night Market. Curated by Indigenous cultural strategist Autumn EagleSpeaker, the market features over 10 local vendors, selling handcrafted pieces. As you shop, enjoy live drummers and dancers, check out the tipi installation and listen to the words of the Indigenous knowledge keeper. It’s an evening filled with culture, connection and creativity – and it’s free to attend!
SATURDAY
This Saturday marks the 10th anniversary of the Panel One Comic Arts Festival, taking place at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association. For lovers and creators of comics, graphic novels and zines, this festival brings together over 50 Canadian comic creators. Shop the artists’ tables to bring home some incredible comics, art, stickers and buttons, all while supporting local artists.
SUNDAY
Sparrow Artspace kicks off a new summer workshop series this Sunday, focused on creating cyanotype prints. In the workshop, you’ll learn about the history of cyanotypes and capture snapshots of the brief-but-beautiful Calgary summer. By the end of the workshop, you’ll go home with a mini booklet of botanical prints and the knowledge to create even more throughout the season. The workshop costs $70 and includes all the materials you’ll need.
