Canada Day at The Confluence
There are more ways to celebrate Canada Day than lining up on McHugh Bluff to watch the fireworks. Enjoy a jam-packed day of celebrations at The Confluence, starting at 10 a.m. on July 1. Check out the cultural centre’s new Blackfoot exhibit Kípaitápiiyssinnooni (Our Way of Life), or test your Canuck-ness with Canadian history trivia at the Burnswest Theatre. Go on a walking tour around The Confluence and learn about icons from Calgary’s history. Bring the kids – or your pals – to play giant Jenga at the crafts and games session at the lower barracks. There’s plenty to do all day, then wind down the evening with a pint on the dog-friendly patio starting at 5 p.m. Admission is free for all events, but you’ll need to sign up for the walking tour in advance at theconfluence.ca.
The Laidlaw Best Damn Stampede Party
It’s Stampede time, so kick it off right with one hell of a hoedown over at Cowboys Park on July 3. Hosted by the Children’s Hospital Aid Society (CHAS), this party honours the memory of Rob Laidlaw, who was integral to the event before his passing earlier this year. Entry to the party is by donation, with a minimum donation of $50, and 100 per cent of the proceeds go towards CHAS. This killer party has raised over a million dollars for the charity over the years, helping keep Calgary’s children happy and healthy. Get Stampede started early by grabbing tickets from chascalgary.ca.
MexiFest
What’s better than a summer vacation in Mexico? A Mexican summer vacation, right here in Calgary! Take in the sights, sounds and flavours of Mexican culture down in Eau Claire Plaza on July 4, 5 and 6. All three days are packed with performances on the venue’s two stages, including DJ sets, mariachi bands, and dance performances. Sit ringside at the thrilling lucha libre matches in the wrestling ring, starring Canadian wrestlers alongside luchadores coming directly from Mexico. Keep your energy up for all the fun by fueling up with authentic Mexican cuisine from food trucks on site and sipping on a steady stream of Jarritos. Tickets are $10, but if you go on Friday between 10:30 a.m. and noon, admission is free. Bring along extra cash for the food trucks and the artisan market on-site. Check out mexifest.ca for tickets and to find the full festival schedule.
Pink Pony Drag Brunch
Music this year has been all about the pop girlies, and no one knows it better than Farrah Nuff and Jane Hustle, who are hosting the Pink Pony Drag Brunch at the University District Canadian Brewhouse on July 5. No need to save your bedazzled cowboy hat for Stampede, because guests are encouraged to come in their best pink pony-inspired attire. Sip on themed cocktails while watching some high-energy drag. And if that wasn’t good enough, hundreds of dollars worth of door prizes are up for grabs. Skip the coffee for this brunch and don’t dress casual, because these hot-to-go drag performances will be your new guilty pleasure. Tickets are available for $19.96 from eventbrite.com.
Postmodern Jukebox: Magic & Moonlight Tour
If you’ve been online at all in the past 15 years, then you probably know about Postmodern Jukebox, the channel from musician Scott Bradlee that puts a retro spin on modern pop songs. It’s grown a lot since the early days, and this Postmodern Jukebox tour comes from the show’s 1000th performance. On July 9 at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, experience songs you know and love in a way you’ve never heard before. It’s one of the few concerts where you know the performer will be playing the hits. Tickets are $80, doors for the concert open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.
The Market on Stephen Ave
If Stephen Ave isn’t your preferred shopping destination right now, prepare for that to change this summer with The Market on Stephen Ave, which will run for two full weeks this July from July 15 to 29. If you’re still dying to enjoy the summer sun after Stampede is over, this is the perfect way to do it. The market will continue later in the season from August 12 to 26, and from September 9 to 23. It’s the seventh season that local artisans and producers have taken over Stephen Ave, and it’ll be a blast. Check out thedowntownmarkets.ca for more info.
Modern Asian Family: Straight Outta Busan Book Launch
For a glimpse into the life of Korean immigrants to Alberta, check out Shelf Life Books on July 16 at 7 p.m.. Cartoonist Stefano Jun’s new comic book blends humour into he and his family’s experience of immigrating, which he’ll discuss at the book launch event alongside his publisher from Renegade Arts Entertainment, Alexander Finbow. The launch event is free to attend. You can pick up Modern Asian Family at the launch or order from shelflifebooks.ca for $19.99.
YYC Ice Cream Fest
Fight the heat with a sweet treat at the YYC Ice Cream Fest, starting July 18 and running until August 17. Explore the best of Calgary’s ice creams with creamy creations from participating ice cream shops across the city. Participating shops will invent their unique flavours in an attempt to win in three categories — the Golden Scoop (best-selling ice cream), best scoop and best non-dairy scoop. And as a delicious bonus, $1 to $3 from every ice cream sold goes towards Calgary Meals on Wheels, a charity which helps hungry Calgarians. Head to yycicecreamfest.com to find participating shops and to vote for your favourite scoop.
Milky Way Nights
Get ready for three mystical nights gazing at the cosmos on July 24, 25 and 26 at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory at the University of Calgary. Running all three nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., you’ll have the chance to view Aquila – the eagle constellation – up close and personal with high-quality telescopes operated by the university astronomers. In the sky these nights, you’ll also have the chance to see planetary nebulae and globular clusters (groups of stars held together by gravity). Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance, available at science.ucalgary.ca. Kiddos under 7 get in free, so bring the whole family along.
