JazzYYC’s Canadian Festival is kicking November off in style, with shows across Calgary all week! Catch JUNO winner Jocelyn Gould on Wednesday at the Ironwood, Jill Barber at Studio Bell on Friday, Polaris winner Cadence Weapon at Commonwealth on Sunday, and so much more. There are also tons of free events activating public spaces downtown, like Room Elephant performing at Devonian Gardens on Wednesday and the Jazz Walk showcase along the music mile! Hit up jazzyyc.com for more details and the full schedule.
The Calgary European Film Festival is also in full swing this week, with films from Ireland, Estonia, Moldova and more taking over the Globe Cinema. I particularly recommend We Have Never Been Modern, a Czech crime drama that’s screening on Tuesday, as well as the Red Carpet Gala on Sunday.
Also running all week is Jake’s Gift, a Lunchbox Theatre production about a child who helps a WWII veteran confront ghosts from his past. This is a great way to connect with any veterans you may have in your life before Remembrance Day, and all veterans and active members of the Canadian Military are welcome to attend for free.
Speaking of theatre, Ghost River Theatre is throwing a red-carpet bash tonight at West Village Theatre, a fundraising event dedicated to keeping this indie company going. There’s a screening of STRUCK the Film, directed by Ghost River’s artistic director Eric Rose, and a bevy of apps and craft cocktails/mocktails to enjoy while mingling with the cast and crew. Tickets are $100.
Hump day? More like dump day! Dumpling Fest Calgary is hitting Chinatown this Wednesday, with everything from Japanese gyoza to Nepalese Momos and Mexican empanadas up to be sampled. The event goes from 5:30 pm until 9:30 pm, and tickets are available on Eventbrite!
Congress Coffee is hosting a mindfulness workshop by Conscious Transformation Collective centred on navigating disruptions caused by AI and tech. It’s a pay-what-you-can event with guided meditation and is a great way to slow down as the week ends.
If you’re downtown on Friday, get your butt to the Palomino for some synth-punk madness courtesy of Edmonton’s Chairman, Small Pleasures from Victoria, and local rockers Heavydive. Chairman and Small Pleasures are in the midst of a tour, so bring some cash for shirts so they can afford gas! If you’re down deep south, Fish Creek Concerts is hosting the upbeat folk anthems of Jane Siberry on Saturday at River Park Church! Fish Creek Concerts is an ongoing events series, so check their website for upcoming shows.
Also, on Saturday, the Canada Premiere League final at Spruce Meadows will be one of your last chances to catch some live soccer before the year is out. Calgary’s Cavalry rakes on Hamilton’s Forge, and the CPL Final FanFest kicks off when the doors open at 10:30 a.m., featuring a live performance from LU KALA.
Wrap the week up with some wrasslin’ over at Victoria Pavilion. Dungeon Wrestling brings November Pain to South Calgary on Sunday, with Chris Masters battling Raj Dhesi for the Stu Hart Championship Belt. Go to @dungeon_wrestling on Instagram and follow along for more match announcements to mark out to.
For more events and things to do around the city, grab our November issue of The Scene on stands this week.