• Price Free

If you’re looking for not your same old song and dance, this week’s free offerings are super unique. Ranging from staged readings to keynote presentations, here’s what we’re checking out:

ProArts@Noon Presents Wordfest

October 12, 2016, 12:10pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free

Join ProArts and Wordfest for a lunch hour literary treat with brief staged readings from Jim Lynch and Tim Falconer. And it’s all hosted by Calgary author, poet and critic, Richard Kelly Kemick.
proartssociety.ca

Michael Mirolla & Wade Bell: Double Book Reading

October 12, 2016, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free

Join Shelf Life Books for this double book reading featuring TORP by Michael Mirolla and Tracie’s Revenge & Other Stories by Wade Bell.
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Bad Sing-a-Long: Tim Falconer

October 13, 2016, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parade SW)
Free, RSVP required

Join Tim Falconer, author of Bad Singer, and Calgary’s own Kenna Burima to embrace your unique vocal stylings at the first deliberately Bad Sing-a-Long of the 2016 Street Piano Series. Hosted by Downtown Calgary and Wordfest, it’s bound to be a bunch of fun and you don’t have to worry if you’re off key.
wordfest.com

Keynote Presentation on Public Art

October 13, 2016, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Husky Oil Great Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary (2500 University Dr. NW)
Free

Join The City of Calgary, Public Art, ACAD’s Illingworth Kerr Gallery and the Nickle Galleries at the University of Calgary for this keynote presentation on public art by Alfredo Jaar. This event also marks the beginning of a Public Art and Social Practice Workshop Series intended for local Calgary artists. Capacity is limited so arrive early to get a seat. Doors open at 5:30pm.
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Circle of Philosophical Aesthetics

October 13, 2016, 6:00pm
The New Gallery (208 Centre St. SE)
Free

Based on philosophical aesthetics, this group will be reading selections from major works by both classical and contemporary philosophers. The group is open to anyone interested in the subject and committed to reading primary philosophical texts and contributing to discussion.
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Site/Specific

October 13, 2016, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Fire Hall #6 (111 Memorial Dr. NW)
Free, RSVP required

Curious about artistic and political contexts in Cuba? Working with Open AiR artist-in-residence sophia bartholomew, Havana-based artist Susana Pilar Delahante Matienzo will give this public talk. Sharing observations she has gleaned through working as an artist in Cuba and relocating to other countries for residencies and exhibitions, this event is part of the Dance Hall, Fire Hall residency and is open to the public.
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Creative Jam

October 13, 2016, 7:00 – 10:00pm
Tool Shed Brewing Company  (801 30th St. NE)
Free

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing? The Adobe Creative Cloud team is coming to town and they are ready to rock Calgary’s socks with this night of innovate design. This two-part design experience demonstrates and celebrates creativity. With both a one-hour design showcase and a Creative Jam tournament, it’s bound to be a great night for local creatives.
nvite.com

Inner City Stories Presents n. k. henry’s Full Count Blues

October 14, 2016, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Loft 112 (535 8th Ave. SE)
Free

Celebrate the second story in this literary series with an evening of song and fiction. Author n.k. henry will share three songs inspired by the character, storyline, and theme from his narrative, Full Count Blues.
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Dandy Lines: Transforming through Craft with Caitlin Thompson

October 14, 2016, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

Join Esker Foundation’s Project Space artist Caitlin Thompson for this presentation on the textile history that inspired her recent body of work, Dandy Lines.
eskerfoundation.com

Sights & Sounds && Version 3.0

October 14, 2016, 8:00 – 11:00pm
Fire Hall #6 (111 Memorial Dr. NW)
Free, RSVP required

All are welcome for an evening of interdisciplinary exploration, featuring live performances by Steven Lambke and Forest Tate, alongside video artworks by Maggie Flynn, Ryan O’Toole, Michael Mohan and Kasie Wilcox. There’s even a book launch for hello, parka and hello, hello thrown into the mix.
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Calgary Stampede Community Fall Fair

October 15, 2016, 10:00am – 2:00pm
ENMAX Park, Stampede Park (1410 Olympic Way SE)
Free

Fall is in the air and pumpkin spice is in our lattes. Bring your friends and family for the Calgary Stampede’s first Community Fall Fair in ENMAX Park. The day includes a pancake breakfast, pumpkin decorating, live music and entertainment, wagon rides, and more.
calgarystampede.com

Presentation by Open AiR Program Participants

October 15, 2016, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Historic Firehall #6 (1111 Memorial Dr. NW)
Free, email publicart@calgary.ca and RSVP to the Facebook event

Join the 2016 Open AiR selected participants for this series of artist talks detailing their practices and experiences during the first edition of this community-based public art residency program.
facebook.com

Embroidermation with Caitlin Thompson

October 15, 2016, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential

Help create a short, looping animation in this workshop hosted by the Esker Foundation. Project Space artist Caitlin Thompson will introduce participants to the feedback cycles of embroidery and animation and each participant will be given a printed image of an animation frame to embellish.
eskerfoundation.com

Mother-Daughter Bookclub Workshop with Katherine Koller

October 15, 2016, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free, registration required

Join author Katherine Koller at Shelf Life Books for this book signing, reading, and free mother-daughter bookclub workshop.
eventbrite.ca

Publication Launch + Exhibition

October 15, 2016, 6:00 – 10:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th Ave. SW)
Free

Celebrate both the art of traditional photography and Calgary’s Year of Music with the release of SEITIES Studio’s seventh publication {THEME:MUSIC}. The exhibition features the handmade darkroom prints, plates and polaroids from the local, national and international artist contributors.
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Beacon Original Art Fall Art Exhibition & Sale

October 15 & 16, 2016, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Bridgeland-Riverside Community Centre (917 Centre Ave. NE)
Free

Join Beacon Original Art for its annual fall sale featuring 50 artists selling their works including painting, jewelry, glass, photography, ceramics, sculpture and textiles. Different artists, local and from throughout our great province, will be in attendance each day.
beaconoriginalart.com

Bee Kingdom Halloween Open House & Glass Sale

October 15 & 16, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Bee Kingdom Glass (427 22nd Ave. NW)
Free

Ever wondered what spooky things those fine gentlemen of Bee Kingdom get up to? Visit their glass studio for Halloween themed demonstrations and a chance to add a few new glass pieces to your collection. And there may be candy…
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Master Class for Families

October 16, 2016 12:00 – 12:30pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential

Head to the Esker Foundation this Sunday for an afternoon of family fun at the gallery! Every month they delve into new mediums with art projects that relate to the current exhibitions in this educational, energetic, hands-on program for kids aged five to 10. An adult is required to stay for the duration of the workshop. All materials will be provided.
eskerfoundation.com

The Master Plan: Exhibition Tour with Naomi Potter

October 16, 2016, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

While the work of the Bomfords, Cibic, and Fassler is aesthetically very different, they all share an interest in how cities and their infrastructures are designed and valued. Join the Esker Foundation for this special tour that considers the political significance of architecture as a way to serve national ideology and civic building.
eskerfoundation.com

Classical Guitar Society Preview Concert

October 16, 2016, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4th St. SW)
Free

Get ready for a wonderful afternoon of classical guitar performances brought to you by the Classical Guitar Society of Calgary.
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The Nation Loves it & Give Expression to Common Desires

October 16, 2016, 3:00 – 3:20pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

The Esker Foundation presents this special screening event to accompany Jasmina Cibic’s immersive installation featuring the first and second chapters of her trilogy Spielraum.
eskerfoundation.com

Riverview Artists October Show & Sale

October 17 – October 21, 2016
Gulf Canada Square (401 9th Ave. SW)
Free

See original works from 12 local artists including a chance to win an original painting created at one of Riverview Artists’ Shared Vision events. An artist will be in attendance from 9:00am until 4:00pm each day.
riverview-artists.com

Double Book Reading: Laura Swart & Kate Marshall Flaherty

October 18, 2016, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Shelf Life Books ( 1302 4th St. SW)
Free

Head to Shelf Life Books for this double book reading by Laura Swart and Kate Marshall Flaherty. There’ll even be a performance from folk-singer Verne Luchinski.
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