TASTE OF CALGARY
Get your taste buds ready for a culinary adventure at Taste of Calgary, which runs until August 4. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lot 6 event site by the Louise Bridge, culinary vendors are offering up tasty treats to try. The festival is free to attend, so soak in the musical entertainment free of charge. You just need to pay for your tasting tickets. Each ticket costs a dollar, with most tastes costing between 2 and 7 tickets. Buy tasting tickets at tasteofcalgary.com. Minimum purchase is 25 tickets.
TOUR DE BOWNESS
Whether or not you’re a cycling fanatic, the 22nd annual Tour de Bowness Race and Festival on August 4 is a party you don’t want to miss. The cyclists kick off the race at 9 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bowness Road erupts with live music and over 100 food trucks and market vendors. Check out mainstreetbowness.com for more information on this free fest.
THE GRAND CLASSIC SUMMER FILM SERIES
This summer, the GRAND theatre invites folks to “cool off with culture” with their summer film series. Each Friday of August, head over to the theatre at 5:30 for a classic flick costing just $15. The lineup starts with love-it-or-hate-it movie musical Grease on August 8, John Hughes staple Pretty in Pink on August 15, the film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that inspired the show on August 22, and Scream — the genesis of lazy Halloween costumes everywhere — on August 29. Snag tickets over at thegrandyyc.com. Use coupon code SUMMER15 for 15 per cent off the ticket price.
SINOPEC DRAGON BOAT RACE AND FESTIVAL
It’s the 33rd year of the Calgary Dragon Boat Society’s cultural celebration of the ancient Chinese tradition of dragon boat racing. On the weekend of August 8 to 10, join in the festivities at North Glenmore Park. Cheer on over 1,850 paddlers racing for the win. Go ahead and splurge at the food trucks or marketplace, because admission to the race and festival is entirely free. Head over to calgarydragonboatsociety.com for more event details.
ALBERTA ON THE PLATE
Buying local is at the forefront of everyone’s minds this past year, and this food festival, running from August 8 to 17, holds that concept close to its heart. Alberta on the Plate tasks participating restaurants with creating multi-course, fixed menus that highlight local producers. Fine dining with a fixed menu makes the costs way less daunting, or keep it casual with a local favourite. Be sure to check out albertaontheplate.com for a complete list of participating restaurants.
GLOBALFEST
From August 14 to 23, the skies over Elliston Park erupt in colour, set to the music of countries around the world. This year’s GlobalFest theme is “Panasia,” so depending on the night, you’ll see shows inspired by Malaysian, Chinese, and Filipino culture. Along with the fireworks shows, over two dozen food vendors are on site with international eats to keep you going throughout the evening. GlobalFest opens up at 6 p.m., leaving you plenty of time to see everything the festival grounds have to offer before the fireworks show kicks off at 9:15 p.m. Tickets are available over on globalfest.ca. Single-day tickets are $25, or grab a complete five-day pass for $100.
WILD AFTER HOURS: DRAG DINNER
Animals aren’t the only wild things at the Calgary Zoo on August 22 at 6 p.m.. Drag queen Nada Nuff hosts this extravagant drag show, accompanied by fellow performers Farrah Nuff, Tangerine Dream, Shane Onyou, and Ella Lamoureaux. Along with the show, guests can enjoy delicious eats from a buffet created by the zoo’s team of professional chefs. Tickets to the drag dinner also grant you full access to the zoo starting at 1 p.m. If you’re a fan of the zoo’s Wild After Hours events, buy tickets for more than one experience in a bundle and save 15 per cent. Sashay your way to calgaryzoo.com to grab your tickets.
MEDIEVAL FAIRE AND ARTISAN MARKET
Embark on a quest to find the Medieval Faire and Artisan Market in Strathmore, just an hour’s drive outside Calgary, from August 22 to 24. Don your gowns and wizard robes and explore the wares of merchants, take in a jousting tournament, or snack on some suitably historic grub at the sixth year of this mystic fair. Hark ye, and attend to calgarymedievalfaire.com to get your tickets, $12 online or $14 at the gate.
THEATRE CALGARY’S MADE IN ITALY
The theatre drought of the summer is finally coming to a close with Theatre Calgary’s Made In Italy beginning its run on August 26. This show marks the first time Theatre Calgary has ever remounted a production with absolutely no changes made from its previous run — that’s how much audiences loved it the first time. This one-man show is filled with laughs and centers on the themes of family, tradition, and food. As part of Theatre Calgary’s “Theatre for All” initiative, orchestra seat tickets start at $49. Buy tickets early, because the return of this show is highly anticipated. Snag tickets at theatrecalgary.com before they’re gone.
