• Location Various Venues 
• Price Free

Another week, another season, another month, and Calgary’s arts community continues to shine. With the return of Alberta Culture Days, Doors Open Calgary, and so much more to check out, there’s tons of free events to explore. Grab your calendar and start planning!

MAPL Jazz Ensemble

September 25, 2019, 12:00 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free admission

MAPL Quintet is a Calgary-based jazz group with pianist Andrea Petrity and saxophonist/clarinetist Frank Rackow giving songs by artists such as Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, kd lang, and Bruce Cockburn, a fresh, jazzy twist.
proartssociety.ca

Dr. Gregory Cajete

September 25, 2019, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Taylor Family Digital Library, University of Calgary (410 University Ct. NW)
Free admission, registration required

The University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy—ii’ taa’poh’to’p—presents its 2019/20 Indigenous Knowledge Public Lecture Series, welcoming thought-provoking Indigenous thinkers across all disciplines and honouring UCalgary’s commitment to truth and reconciliation. Join Dr. Gregory Cajete as he shares Indigenous Science Education: A Foundation for Sustainable Education and Community.
go.ucalgary.ca

Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation Inaugural Networking Event

September 26, 2019, 5:00 – 7:30pm
BMO Room, Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission

Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation’s inaugural networking event explores a place where immigrant artists feel free to create and display their works in an environment that fosters support, inclusion, and diversity of expression. This evening includes an exhibition of art, as well as a spoken word performance.
icaionline.org

Panel Discussion & Opening Reception

September 26, 2019, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11th St. SW)
Free admission, registration required

Join WATERSHED+ lead artists Sans façon, along with all five DE Lab artists, for an intimate and illuminating discussion, delving into the history and creation of the project, and the artists’ experiences working within the city of Calgary.
eventbrite.ca

Truth, Touch and Time

September 26, 2019, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. SW)
Free admission

Renowned Calgary physician, Dr. Ted Jablonski, transforms his personal and medical experiences into poems, articles, and short stories in this beautifully crafted collection. Join the author for anecdotes, insights, and readings at this free, casual, and family-friendly event.
events.calgarypubliclibrary.com

Against Death Anthology

September 26, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free admission

The Calgary launch of Against Death: 35 Essays on Living features readings by Elee Kraljii Gardiner, Nikki Reimer, and guests. Against Death articulates the personal experiences, utilizing fresh and inventive language to represent what “magical thinking” proposes.
facebook.com

Art, Music and Wellbeing

September 27, 2019, 5:30 – 9:00pm
RGO Treehouse, cSPACE King Edward (1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free admission

This community outreach event brings together two engaging presentations on research linking creativity and wellness. Be sure to check out Music for Mental Health, a talk by Jennifer Buchanan, and Prescriptions for Art by Dick Averns. Promoting well-being through artistic programming and creative peer support for anyone touched by mood disorders, attendees can share their own insight by contributing personal narratives in either of the Q&A sessions.
eventbrite.com

Fall Exhibitions Launch

September 27, 2019, 6:00 – 10:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission

Join the Esker Foundation to celebrate the launch of its fall exhibitions—Jeffrey Gibson’s Time Carriers and Nep Sidhu’s Divine of Form, Formed in the Divine (Medicine for a Nightmare)—alongside Kablusiak’s Qiniqtuaq in the project space.
facebook.com

Atsiniiksisstsii

September 27, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission

This edition of the AlterNATIVE Indigenous Film Series features Intertribal Series, a documentary by Trevor Solway, and performances by Bebe Buckskin, Wyatt C. Louis, and DJ BLKFT. Curated by Curtis Running Rabbit-Lefthand, don’t miss this awesome evening of Indigenous art, part of Alberta Culture Days.
emmedia.ca

Calgary Jazz Orchestra

September 27 & 28, 2019
St. Stephen’s Anglican Church (1121 14th Ave. SW)
Free admission

Enjoy an interactive experience with the Calgary Jazz Orchestra during Alberta Culture Days. Events range from masterclasses, a dance party for kids, an instrument petting zoo, and three different concerts.
facebook.com

Alberta Escape Artists Fine Art Show & Sale

September 27 & 28, 2019
Uplands Recreational Centre (20 Hawkside Rd. NW)
Free admission

With work by Janet B. Armstrong, Bev Bladon, Marty Cochrane, Linda Fundytus, Jeff MacKenzie, Anne McGilvary, Karen Pedersen, Sue Penry, Laura Procunier, Sandy Rogers, and Barb Scott, join Alberta Escape Artists for this show and sale.
facebook.com

Iinii

September 27 & 28, 2019
containR Art Park (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free admission

An honouring of the buffalo of Sunnyside in Mohkinstsis for Alberta Culture Days, celebrate the Iinii by creating beautiful lanterns to carry in procession, watching films, sharing in song, dance, and story, and explore the history of this land.
facebook.com

Alberta Culture Days

September 27 – 29, 2019
Various venues
Free admission

Alberta Culture Days began in 2008 as a one-day event to recognize the value of Alberta’s arts and cultural communities. Since then, it has expanded into a vibrant, three-day, province-wide celebration that has helped inspire the creation of Culture Days—a pan-Canadian movement to raise awareness, accessibility, participation, and engagement of all Canadians in arts and culture. With tons of activities taking place, it’s a great chance to explore the community.
culturedays.ca

The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta

September 27 – 29, 2019
Various venues
Free admission

You are invited to join in and come for a tour of the galleries and private studios located in the stunningly beautiful foothills of southern Alberta! Celebrating Alberta Culture Days with open houses at participating artist studios alongside special events and activities at the galleries, go for a cruise this September.
themostbeautifularttourinalberta.com

From the Easel Art Show & Sale

September 28, 2019, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Willow Ridge Community Association (680 Acadia Dr. SE)
Free admission

From the Easel is a collective of Calgary artists who have come together through classes with Loretta Secord. This annual show has been running for a decade and brings together artists with different styles and mediums to create an exhibition that has something for everyone.
facebook.com

Print It Yourself Festival

September 28, 2019, 11:00am – 4:00pm
Alberta Printmakers (4025 4th St. SE)
Free admission

As part of Alberta Culture Days, Alberta Printmakers welcomes the public to take part in free printmaking demos and activities. Learn about linocut, silkscreen, letterpress, and child-friendly printmaking techniques from local professional print-artists. You won’t want to miss this hands-on experience.
albertaprintmakers.com

Medicine In The Bark, Teeth That Leave A Mark

September 28, 2019, 1:00 – 2:30pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration recommended

Join the Esker Foundation for a panel discussion as members of the Black Constellation collective—Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes, Nicholas Galanin, and Nep Sidhu—discuss their work and collaboration in Divine of Form, Formed in the Divine (Medicine for a Nightmare). This conversation is moderated by independent scholar and healer Negarra A. Kudumu.
eventbrite.ca

Calgary Bookmark Unveiling

September 28, 2019, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Loft 112 (112, 535 8th Ave. SE)
Free admission

Hosted by Project Bookmark Canada, celebrate Alberta’s first Bookmark—Rosemary Griebel’s Walking with Walt Whitman Through Calgary’s Eastside on a Winter Day. Everyone is welcome to attend this free and accessible event.
facebook.com

Maps, Markets, and Matzo Ball Soup

September 28, 2019, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th Street SW)
Free admission

Join Jon Hall for an afternoon of conversation and stories about Maps, Markets, and Matzo Ball Soup. Chef Gail Hall was an institution in the culinary community in Edmonton and this event celebrates her life.
facebook.com

Eye for the Wild Gallery Event

September 28, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission

This fun filled evening at the spectacular Central Library includes short presentations from professional wildlife photographers, local wildlife experts, and a visit from educational ambassador, Oliver the skunk!
facebook.com

Doors Open Calgary

September 28 & 29, 2019
Throughout Calgary
Free admission

Ready to get a peek behind the doors of Calgary institutions? Doors Open invites buildings in all quadrants to let Calgarians in for free and many offer tours, special activities, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
doorsopenyyc.org

Abe Au

September 28 & 29, 2019
Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1st St. SW)
Free admission

Master Abe Au, a world-renowned calligrapher and an ex-Mass Transit Railway architect, hosts two exhibitions at the Chinese Cultural Centre—Calligraphy on the Line and Autumn Cherry Blooms. An opening ceremony takes place at 1:00pm on September 28. Don’t miss it!
culturalcentre.ca

Pokaiks – The Children

September 29, 2019, 11:30am – 5:00pm
Central Memorial Park (1221 2nd St. SW)
Free admission

Honouring the children of the past who suffered through the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop, as well as supporting the children of today for the children of tomorrow, this festival aims to build knowledge, sharing, and connection through the arts. Families can learn and show support by enjoying Indigenous performances, art, and food.
facebook.com

Triwood Fabulous Fall Market

September 29, 2019, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Triwood Community Association (2244 Chicoutimi Dr. NW)
Free admission

Fall is in the air and this is the perfect time to do some local shopping. Come out for some mouth-watering food, find the perfect fall scarf, explore work from local artisans, and so much more!
facebook.com

Can You Hear Me Now?

October 1, 2019, 6:30 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th Street SW)
Free admission

Can You Hear Me Now? is a junior high and high school open mic and poetry slam event that takes place monthly in Calgary culminating in a big final provincial poetry slam event! Swing by to hear young voices share their words.
facebook.com