Symphony
Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, this blend of classical music and equally classic animation features 16 Looney Tunes shorts like What’s Opera, Doc? and The Rabbit of Seville. FILMharmonique performs, conducted by Emmy-winner George Daugherty. January 4 (7:30 p.m.) and 5 (2 p.m.) at the Jubilee, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., jubileeauditorium.com
Lorna MacLachlan Quintet
Pianist and vocalist Lorna MacLachlan performs original tunes backed by her jazzy five-piece band (which includes David Lavoie, of the local bands Bluffing and Temps). January 8, 8 p.m. at Cliff Bungalow-Mission Community Association, 2201 Cliff St. S.W., jazzyyc.com
Bear Grillz
Modern bass legend Bear Grillz brings his mosh-inducing dubstep bangers to Stephen Avenue, hot off the heels of his latest single, “It’s Called Dubstep.” January 10, 9 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W, thepalacetheatre.ca
Dominic Miller
Sting’s longtime guitar player Dominic Miller comes to Calgary with a set that includes selections from Sting’s repertoire and tracks from Miller’s solo album, Vagabond. January 12, 7 p.m. at Bella Concert Hall, 18 Mt Royal Cir. S.W., taylorcentre.ca
Sum 41 w/ Pup & Gob
Canadian pop-punk shredders Sum 41 bid the world goodbye with their “Tour of the Setting Sum,” and fellow canuck punks Pup and Gob are along for the ride. January 16, 7 p.m. at the Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., scotiabanksaddledome.com
Worst Days Down w/ Strike Anywhere, Choke, and more
Edmonton-area promoter and Worst Days Down frontman Ben Sir passed away back in ‘23. This is a celebration of his life, an album release party for Worst Days Down, and most of all, a bangin’ night of punk rock and community. January 17, 6 p.m. at Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., dickensyyc.com
Vanuary
The Calgary chapter of Vandits (a collective of vintage van and music enthusiasts) are throwing a fundraiser for both their summer music festival (Vantopia) and to collect winter coats from the Calgary Drop-In Centre. Local shredders Sub//Cell, Buffalo Bud Buster and more are on deck to bring heaviness. January 18, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca
Bob-Sled
Just a couple days after Vanuary, The Palomino, Sled Island, and Eighty-Eight Brewing present Calgary’s newest winter music festival: Bob-Sled. Read more about it and other winter music festival starting on page 20, and if you’re looking for a Scene recommendation, don’t miss Montreal post-punkers Cola or Vancouver’s WAIT//LESS.
January 21 to 26 at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., sledisland.com
Kerry King w/ Municipal Waste & Alien Weaponry
Thrash supremacy hits the Palace. Slayer’s Kerry King headlines, with Alien Weaponry, and Municipal Waste teaching everyone the art of partying. January 22, 6 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W, thepalacetheatre.ca
CJSW Presents 40 Years of Serious Business
Celebrate 40 years of community radio vibrancy in Calgary with Dead Ghosts, Badge Époque Ensemble, and Calgary’s reigning queen of hip hop, Tea Fannie. This gig is expected to sell out, and door entry will get you a commemorative enamel pin, so hurry up and grab your tickets! January 25, 8 p.m. at Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., cjsw.com
Unplugged: Nirvana Reimagined
Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York is one of the best acoustic albums of all time, and your Calgary Phil brings it to life alongside guest vocalists and a commitment to that ‘90s snarl. The concert is being co-presented with One Yellow Rabbit as part of the annual High Performance Rodeo, which you can read more about starting on page 12. January 31, 7:30 p.m. at Jack Singer, 225 8 Ave. S.E., calgaryphil.com
SonReal
Round out the month with Canadian singer, rapper, and songwriter SonReal and his speaker-blasting alt hip-hop bangers. January 31, 6 p.m. at Commonwealth, 702 10 Ave. S.W., commonwealthbar.ca
Don Pasquale
An aging silent movie star pursues a starlet; it’s a tale as old as time, in February, Calgary Opera brings it to life with an all-Canadian cast. February 1, 5, and 7 at the Jubilee, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., calgaryopera.com
