• Location Various Venues 
• Price Free

If you’re looking to extend the life of your dollar, this week has a great lineup of free events to check out. From a showing of Theatre Calgary’s Iceland to a dual opening reception at the Christine Klassen Gallery, you really can’t go wrong. Here’s what’s on our calendar!

Iceland

October 23, 2019, 12:00pm
Max Bell Theatre, Arts Commons (240 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration required

This powerful one-act, Canadian-born piece follows three imperfect characters through their relationships with money, greed, and righteousness. Told through interconnected monologues, this dark comedy explores the state of capitalism so join Theatre Calgary for a free lunch hour showing.
theatrecalgary.ca

ProArts Presents Perfect Cadence Woodwind Quintet

October 23, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free admission

Perfect Cadence brings to life the often-neglected world of chamber music for wind instruments. The quintet regularly performs music ranging from great masterworks of the repertoire to the latest Canadian compositions.
proartssociety.ca

With Glowing Hearts

October 23, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

Jennifer Wynn Webber’s With Glowing Hearts is the inspiring true story of a group of Canadian miners’ wives who fought for better working conditions for their husbands. Join Shelf Life Books for the official Calgary launch and lively reading of select scenes from the play.
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Art Rock (2)

October 23, 2019, 8:00 – 11:30pm
Pin Bar (501 17th Ave. SW)
No cover

Art Rock is all about creating a space for artists with music practices to share their work with the community and have some fun! This iteration features performances by Hermitess, S. Wurm, Curtis Running Rabbit-Lefthand, and my name is del. Join Stride Gallery and don’t miss it!
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I Hope We Choose Love

October 24, 2019, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

I Hope We Choose Love is a hopeful collection of personal essays and prose poems. Acclaimed poet, essayist, advice columnist, and community healer, Kai Cheng Thom dives deep into the issues that divide communities to make a case for radical compassion and empathy.
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People’s Poetry Festival Art Opening

October 25, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Loft 112 (112, 535 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission

The People’s Poetry Festival is bringing artist and poets together. Inspired by eight poems, see what has been created by eight artists! Hear from the creators throughout the evening.
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Performance as Protest

October 25, 2019, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration recommended

Join the Esker Foundation’s assistant curator Elizabeth Diggon on this conversational tour that considers the significance of performance and performative gestures to the work of Jeffrey Gibson and Nep Sidhu.
eventbrite.ca

How Can You Think That?!

October 26, 2019, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

It’s hard to ignore the chasm between those who hold opposing political views but we can read books that smart and reasonable people have written. This month’s book is Settler: Identity and Colonialism in 21st Century Canada by Emma Battell Lowman and Adam J. Barker.
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Palette Fine Art Show & Sale

October 26, 2019, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Triwood Community Hall (2244 Chicoutimi Dr. NW)
Free admission

The Calgary Community Painters Society presents this show and sale. Featuring paintings by many independent artists in a variety of mediums including acrylic, oil, watercolour, and mixed media, get a jump on your seasonal shopping.
calgarycommunitypainters.com

Enchanted Okotoks

October 26, 2019, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Various venues
Free admission

Celebrate medieval culture, vikings, witches, wizards, dragons, role-playing, cosplay, kids’ activities, and more. With awesome unique items for sale, shows on the Towne Plaza, an artisan’s market, and more, go for a drive and check out local shops and interactive fun for everyone.
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Sharing Dance Seniors Free Class

October 26, 2019, 10:30 – 11:30am
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission

Dance is a universal activity! In all of its forms and styles, dancers express themselves, tell stories and share culture through movement. Join in for an exciting and engaging dance session.
events.calgarylibrary.ca

Nicolette Little

October 26, 2019, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Chapters Shawnessy (16061 Macleod Tr. S)
Free admission

Join award-nominated children’s author Nicolette Little at this reading. She’ll even be on hand to sign copies of A Toot in the Tub—a book about the importance of kindness while having some happy, lighthearted fun.
flankerpress.com

50 & Duality Opening Reception

October 26, 2019, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Christine Klassen Gallery (200, 321 50th Ave. SE)
Free admission

Chris Kuzmanovich is a Calgary-based creative whose work in design naturally led to his pursuit of art when he began painting as a self-reflexive practice while Lisa Matthias believes that all living things are part of a larger assemblage. Explore both shows at this reception. Artists talks kick off at 2:00pm.
christineklassengallery.com

Beethoven Rebooted Family Concert

October 26, 2019, 2:00pm
Sheppard Family Park Munroe Barn (1201 5th St. SE, High River)
Free admission

Canadian cello duo VC2 presents this special concert showing how Beethoven and his friends changed the cello repertoire. This is an engaging introduction to classical music so go for a drive and check it out.
highrivergiftofmusic.com

Faces That Fled the Wind

October 26, 2019, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

Join Shelf Life Books in launching Alycia Pirmohamed’s chapbook Faces that Fled the Wind. The afternoon features a reading of a short selection of poems by Pirmohamed alongside Laura Schoenberg and Amy LeBlanc.
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The Other Side of Colour & Oceanic Legends Opening Reception

October 26, 2019, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Newzones Gallery (730 11th Ave. SW)
Free admission

With two new solo exhibitions—one from Jonathan Forrest and one from Yechel Gagnon—you need to swing by Newzones Gallery to see these fantastic shows.
newzones.com

William Duma Opening Reception

October 26, 2019, 2:00 – 5:00pm
Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW)
Free admission

William Duma’s Twilight & Nocturnes and Rivers & Streams reflect his interest in the beauty and challenge in painting the night-scene and the challenge of the abstract quality of water.
wallacegalleries.com

Master Class for Families

October 27, 2019, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration required

Head to the Esker Foundation for an afternoon of family fun at the gallery and delve into new mediums with art projects that relate to the current exhibitions. This is an educational, energetic, hands-on program for kids ages five to 10.
eventbrite.ca

Martin Parnell & John Reilly

October 27, 2019, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

Join Shelf Life Books to meet the authors and enjoy readings from their latest books. The afternoon features The Secret Marathon: Empowering Women and Girls in Afghanistan through Sport by Martin Parnell and Bad Law: Rethinking Justice for a Postcolonial Canada by John Reilly.
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Kick Off Your Heels

October 27, 2019, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Alexandra Centre (922 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission

Kick Off Your Heels is a free drop-in improv class for female and non-binary individuals. This beginner-friendly class is designed to provide a safe space to explore who you are as improvisers! Stumbling blocks that women and gender minorities in improv face are also discussed.
kinkonauts.com

Spotlight at the Eddy

October 28, 2019, 7:30 – 10:30pm
King Eddy, National Music Centre (438 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission

Live and local—Theatre Calgary and the King Eddy present Spotlight at The Eddy, a new Monday night live music series. Each night features eclectic musical stylings of local artists. There is no cover, and seating is on a first come, first served basis. You won’t want to miss this inaugural evening.
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Launchpad 3.0

October 29, 2019, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Festival Hall (1215 10th Ave. SE)
Free admission

Celebrate before the Tracing Possibilities Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, Indefinite Arts Centre’s Launchpad 3.0 is a great opportunity to view the artwork heading to Drawing Power exhibition and meet the artists.
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The Ticking Heart

October 29, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

Andrew Kaufman’s latest novel, The Ticking Heart, is part modern fable, part detective novel—a journey through grief in the imaginary world of Metaphoria. Join Shelf Life Books for the Calgary launch with guest Ali Bryan.
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