MONDAY
It’s Heritage Day this Monday, so soak up some extra ZZZ’s, because this week is jam-packed with fun events.
TUESDAY
On Tuesday, head on over to Dickens for another edition of They Got Talent, the weekly drag show showcasing new drag artists on the scene, presented by The Cabaret Company. Judged Karla Marx and Dogiichow, They Got Talent puts forth the best performers you’ve never heard of. It’s a $10 cover at the door, but make sure you bring along a few extra bucks for tipping and $4 hot dogs, special for They Got Talent nights. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday is set to be a wicked night for all you movie buffs, with the Alberta Indie Film Throw Down kicking off over at the Plaza Theatre at 7 p.m. The night starts with a networking event to mingle with film industry folks and sip on beer samples from Eighty-Eight Brewing. The films start at 8:30 p.m. with a surprise line-up of ACTRA and AMPIA-made projects, showcasing the best of what Alberta filmmaking has to offer. Wrap up the night with a Calgary film location bus tour, sponsored by Calgary Economic Development, and catch all the spots you never realized were right on your doorstep – all while sipping on some more Eighty-Eighty brews. Tickets are by donation, so grab yours early over on eventbrite.com, or at the door.
THURSDAY
It’s Design Week in Calgary, with events running from Thursday to Saturday all about architecture, art and design. They’ve got a schedule packed with talks, art exhibitions, workshops, and tours. But the coolest – and freest – event is the Pylon Pop-Up Augmented Reality experience. Grab your phone, explore downtown, and keep your eye open for lime green pylons with QR codes. Give them a scan and experience the city in an entirely new light.
FRIDAY
Telus Spark has a new Spark After Dark experience for adults on Friday called “Your Brain on Music.” This new experience is basically a mini music festival, with 10 local acts performing across two stages, including Kayla Williams and Michaela Sheedy of Flames-game-national-anthem fame.
Strum out some chords at the “Instrument Petting Zoo” hosted by Long & McQuade, sing your heart out in a silly costume at the Calgary Opera’s Opera Discovery Zone, and turn your brainwaves into music by plugging in to an EEG. Spark After Dark starts at 6 p.m. and runs until midnight, and costs $32.95 or $10 for Telus Spark members. Grab your tickets at sparkscience.ca.
SATURDAY
If you haven’t jumped around in a bouncy castle for over a decade, it’s time to change that on Saturday with the Big Bounce over at Spruce Meadows. And if you have no interest in bouncing around with screaming kids, then don’t worry. You can book an adults-only session from 6 to 9 p.m. for $49. Bounce until your legs hurt in the Giant obstacle course and practice your dunk in the Sports Slam area. Book tickets at thebigbouncecanada.ca.
SUNDAY
Wrap up your weekend with the 40th anniversary of the Marda Loop Marda Gras street festival. This free festival features four stages of live entertainment and over 200 small business vendors, including food trucks, community organizations, and handmade artisans. The real star of the show, however, is the Pet Pageant on the 20th Street Mainstage at 1:30 pm. Catch some adorably dolled-up dogs and cats – if you’re lucky, you may even catch a dapper bird or snake. The festival takes place on 18th to 22nd street on 33rd Ave between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. There’s a volunteer-attended bike lock-up on-site, and a free shuttle bus to and from the fest at the Military Museum.
