• Price Free

As August winds down, there’s no shortage of free and awesome events to check out. From classical concerts to a chance to learn how to square dance, there’s plenty on the go.

Here’s what we’re hitting up this week:

ProArts Presents Allen Reiser

August 22, 2018, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free

A pianist of diverse musical interests, Allen Reiser has performed with various orchestras in England and Canada, and recital engagements have taken him to nearly every major centre in Western Canada. Hear him perform at this free lunch hour concert with ProArts@Noon.
proartssociety.ca

10-Minute Plays for Jane’s Walk – Summer Edition

August 22, 2018, 3:00 – 4:00pm
Meet at the Conversion Statue (8th Ave. & 1st St. SW)
Free

After its successful turn at Jane’s Walk, these 10-minute plays return for the summer. With several performers reprising their work as well as two new performing groups, three plays are performed in succession along Stephen Avenue.
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Two Cultural Perspectives, One Albertan Landscape

August 22, 2018, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Studio C, cSPACE King Edward (1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free

Travelling around Alberta over a period of two weeks, and within the exact same physical conditions, Mark Vazquez Mackay and Enrique Guillen Saenz will each produce six plein air oil paintings. An intimate conversation between the two artists, see the finished results at the closing reception.
facebook.com

Sunnyside Salsa Wednesdays

August 22, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free

Running throughout the summer, join Free Spirit Dance and Studio Creole as they bring a tropical mix of salsa, timba, samba, and more to your midweek.
facebook.com

Music in the Plaza

August 22, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Heritage Town Square, Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free

Heritage Park’s free summer concert series, Music in the Plaza, returns for a seventh season of spectacular live music. Supported by the RBC Foundation, it continues this week with Peter and the Wolves—a night of rhythms and catchy choruses that will rock you to the core.
heritagepark.ca

Music at McDougall

August 23, 2018, 11:45am – 1:00pm
West Grounds, McDougall Centre (455 6th St. SW)
Free

Although last week’s summer concert series from the Government of Alberta and CKUA was cancelled due to the smoke, you should try again and head to McDougall Centre for some noon-time jams. Only a few more concerts remain!
ckua.com

Materiality: 2018 Residency Exhibition

August 23, 2018, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Alberta College of Art + Design (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free

Hosted by Contextural Fibre Arts Cooperative and the Alberta College of Art + Design, swing by to explore the work created during this summer-long residency.
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eNOugh

August 23 – 25, 2018
Artpoint Gallery & Studios (1139 11th St. SE)
Free

Featuring the works of 11 international artists spanning North and South America, eNOugh looks at violence against women and their strength. Curated by Tahira Karim and Sandra Murillo, artists include experimental animators, sculptors, teachers, painters, and illustrators. Kicking off in Calgary, the show is set to travel to Lima, Peru in 2019 followed by Paris and Berlin in 2020.
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Viva! Opening Reception

August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Jarvis Hall Gallery (333B 36th Ave. SE)
Free

An exhibition and sale in support of Equinox Vigil, check out several stunning mirrors that have been individually painted, embellished, or redesigned by 30 local artists.
facebook.com

Camadas Opening Reception

August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Small Space Gallery (102, 424 10th St. NW)
Free

Layer after layer, details that resonate, Jane Finley’s Camadas can be found at the adorable and surprising Small Space Gallery. Inspired by the streets of Porto, Portugal, Finley adds her own physical and conceptual layers using mixed media painting. Swing by and check out its opening reception.
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Square Dance Rocks

August 24, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Highwood Community Hall (16 Harlow Ave. NW)
Free

Square dancing is just walking to music! No partner is necessary for this introduction night featuring experienced callers.
squaredancecalgary.com

The Rock-Steady Dance Party

August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 10:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free

See two of Calgary’s finest rock-steady, reggae, and ska bands live at containR Sunnyside. This epic evening of music and dancing is family-friendly, so swing by to hear Class Action and The Lost Lemons.
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BeatRoute Brewery Tour Vol.4 Village Brewery

August 24, 2018, 6:00 – 11:00pm
Village Brewery (5000 12A St. SE)
Free

Featuring two stages of incredible music and free brewery tours, head to Village Brewery for the BeatRoute Brewery Tour Vol.4. The night features performances by Windigo, 36?, Squanto, Andrews Pale Horses, I am the Mountian, and more.
facebook.com

Carifest

August 25, 2018, 10:00am – 8:00pm
Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9th Ave. SW)
Free admission

Celebrate Caribbean arts and culture with local, international, and Caribbean entertainment, food, and much more. The parade kicks it all off at Olympic Plaza and travels along Stephen Ave. to Shaw Millennium Park for performances by Ricky T and Ultimate Rejects.
facebook.com

How Can You Think That?!? A Political Book Club

August 25, 2018, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free

This book club is for conservatives and liberals who want to bridge the great divide. Led by Julie Sedivy, a local scholar and writer, this month features Notley Nation by Sydney Sharpe and Don Braid. Buy the book, read it, and join in a lively discussion.
bookmanager.com

10-Minute Plays for Jane’s Walk – Summer Edition

August 25, 2018, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Meet at the Conversion Statue (8th Ave. & 1st St. SW)
Free

After its successful turn at Jane’s Walk, these 10-minute plays return for the summer. With several performers reprising their work as well as two new performing groups, three plays are performed in succession along Stephen Avenue.
facebook.com

Saturdays in C-Square: RIEL & friends

August 25, 2018, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Celebration Square (Corner of 7th Ave. & 4th St. SE)
Free

Join the National Music Centre for free, family-friendly musical afternoons in the East Village as Saturdays in C-Square return. This week, catch Métis singer-songwriter RIEL and local DJs performing in celebration of the Calgary Pride Festival’s opening weekend—dancing shoes are recommended.
nmc.ca

Bus Tour to the Canadian Museum of Making

August 26, 2018, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration required

Join the Esker Foundation for an intimate and rare tour of the Canadian Museum of Making. This museum features a collection of machinery and tools that were built and used from 1750 to 1920 in Canada, Britain, and the United States, as well as an extensive African metalwork collection.
eventbrite.ca

Sunnyside Open Stage Tuesdays

August 28, 2018, 6:00 – 9:00pm
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free

It’s your final chance to head to #SOSTuesdays for the Sunnyside Open Stage. Hosted by Eugene Saunders and guests, swing by to support local talent or share something yourself.
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