Here at The Scene, we think you deserve to celebrate love, family and friendships every day of this (very brief) month.
Here are some ideas for fun activities at different price points that you can plan all month long, no matter what stage of your own life’s movie you are in.
The Friendship Ritual
There are countless ideas for dinner outings, but a good (and affordable) lunch date is often underrated and overlooked. If you’re in the mood for a midday adventure with someone special, consider catching the latest Lunchbox Theatre show, Go For Gold, Audrey Pham, written by Camille Pavlenko. The show runs until Feb. 16 and will transport you back to the ‘88 Winter Olympics — think Walkmans, perms, and all the buzz of Calgary as the host city!
“Go For Gold, Audrey Pham is a fresh comedy with heart, centred on a nostalgic event in the city’s history,” says Pavlenko.
The play follows Audrey Pham, a woman of Vietnamese-Dutch heritage who represents Canada in the ski ballet discipline. She has to navigate her unconventional accommodations while pursuing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win gold. This show makes for a fun, quick date lasting just one hour. “Bringing someone who was around during that time is a really fun option,” says Pavlenko. Or, perhaps you’ll spend quality time with someone you want to get to know. “It’s also a great idea for a first or second date because it’s a low-stakes middle-of-the-day activity that will have you laughing together.”
The show pairs perfectly with these on-theme lunch spots recommended by Pavlenko and Ali DeRegt, the actor who plays the titular Audrey Pham. Head to ’88 Brewing Company for a retro-inspired beverage and excellent pizza (their can designs match the show’s aesthetic). Or you may be in the mood for Vietnamese street food at Rau Bistro, Centre Street. Lastly, DeRegt recommends giving Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus a whirl for savoury Dutch pancakes. Regular tickets to Lunchbox shows are $35 and $25 for students, seniors and previews — more info at lunchboxtheatre.com.
For other quirky activities with your favourite sidekick, consider scheduling a Sound Bath for you and your bestie to heal through resonant music and meditation and allow yourself to let go of anxieties or visit one of our local urban spas such as SKA Thermal Spa or CLEAR Nordic Spa to let hydrotherapy be the guiding force for your wellness. On Feb. 8, try your hand at a Press-On Nail Workshop with your Galentine, where you’ll learn how to create stunning nail designs brought to you by Ten Tips Down Nail Studio. Get more info on this or other upcoming workshops at their Instagram account: @tentipsdown.
After any of these relaxing outings, take a friend out to indulge in some shopping therapy! Head to Calgary’s unofficial “Thrift District” in the S.W. quadrant near Chinook, where you can find a variety of shops like Salvation Army Thrift Store, WorldServe Thrift, Thriftopia, and Goodwill. Just make sure you wear easy-to-remove layers to be ready to try on your finds on top of your clothes, as some thrift stores no longer offer fitting rooms. A good hack is to look into each store’s monthly discount days, often listed on their website or newsletters; Value Village, for example, will give you a coupon if you donate items before your visit. Explore these stores with your pals and score a new-to-you outfit that will make you feel your absolute best.
