17 things to do in Calgary this weekend: September 30 to October 2

Lots of fun things happening around town including CIFF, Pumpkin Festivals, Hockey and more!

Get out and do something, with our list of things to do this weekend.

The Good Bride

• What: Getting hitched is a difficult decision, especially since marriage assumes you’ve already accomplished the even tougher task of finding love. Now, imagine being forced into the act by someone religiously in love with the nuptial concept itself… and fast food? Written by a Sterling Award recipient Rosemary Rowe, The Good Bride is a dark comedy about 15 year old Maranatha, a young girl living in the conservative Quiverfull Christian community who finds herself torn between faith and junk food.
• Where: Motel Theatre, Arts Commons – 205 8th Avenue SE
• When: September 22 – October 1

Print It Yourself Festival

• What: The 6th annual Print it Yourself Festival, including a free day of printmaking workshops as well as an additional demonstration day is here this week.  On September 30 a booth will be set up from 11am-2pm at The City of Calgary’s Block Party at Olympic Plaza and on October 1 from 11am-4pm you can indulge in workshops at Alberta Printmakers Studio & Gallery.
• Where: Friday at Olympic Plaza, Saturday at Alberta Printmakers Studio & Gallery
• When: Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1
• Cost: Free

Da’ Kink in my Hair

• What: The smash hit play that inspired the television series now comes to Western Canada for the first time. Eight distinctive women in a Toronto hair salon share their unforgettable stories with surprising honesty and extraordinary joy.
• Where: Theatre Calgary – 220 9th Avenue SE
• When: September 6 – October 1 at 7pm
• Cost: $35 – $74

Autumn Pumpkin Festival

• What: Taking place over four weekends in October, The Autumn Pumpkin Festival does not take place on weekdays except for Thanksgiving Monday. Enjoy the Fun Farm,Petting Zoo, Corn Mazes, Pony rides, Pumpkin Patch games, crafts and more!
• Where: 284022 Township Road 224, Rockyview, Alberta
• When: October 1 and 2, October 8 to 10, October 15 and 16, October 22 and 23
• Cost: 13.80+gst (kids under 2 free)

Million Dollar Quartet

• What: The Tony® Award Winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956. History was made when an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest impromptu jam sessions ever. It brings to light the extraordinary story of broken promises, secrets, betrayal, and the once-in-a-lifetime celebration of four friends that is altogether poignant, heartwarming and funny.
• Where: Stage West – 727 42 Avenue SE
• When: September 9 to November 13
• Tickets: $119 (includes dinner)

A guided walk through Edworthy Park

• What: A City of Calgary environmental educator will take you on a fun and informative guided walk in the city’s beautiful Edworthy Park. Learn about the park’s origin and wildlife, explore the historical Lawrey Gardens and enjoy the peaceful sights and sounds of nature in Calgary’s magnificent Bow River valley. This event is Wheelchair and stroller accessible and no registration is required.
• Where: Edworthy Park – 5050 Spruce Drive SW
• When: Saturday, October 1 from 10 to 11:30 am
• Cost: Free

PARKLUXE 2016

• What: Presented by Bankers Hall, PARKLUXE is a luxury art and fashion show featuring some of Canada’s premier high end fashion designers and artists. Each ticket that you purchase goes directly back to funding other PARK initiatives such as PARKSALE, PARKSHOW, PARKSHOP, and the PARKFORUM.
• Where: Studio Bell – 850 4 Street SE
• When: Saturday, October 1 at 7 pm
• Cost: $50 and up – available online

Calgary International Film Festival

• What: Some 35,000 film fans are expected to attend CIFF this year, which begins on Wednesday, September 21 and runs until October 2, in downtown Calgary. Moviegoers will be able to enjoy 210 films at this year’s festival – 100 features and 110 shorts – including Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta and Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson.
• Where: Various movie theatres in downtown Calgary
• When: From September 21 to October 2
• Tickets: Available online, individual events start at $15, or a full festival pass is $300

YYComedy Festival

• What: Aiming to present the highest quality shows possible at affordable prices, you’ll be able to pick from shows by 50 different standup comedians. Headliners this year include icon Janeane Garofalo, who has featured in The Ben Stiller Show, Saturday Night Live, The West Wing and several critically acclaimed movies.
• Where: Multiple comedy venues around Calgary
• When: Thursday, September 29 through Saturday, October 1, times vary
• Cost: Tickets available online, prices vary from show to show

Cecil Hotel by Mark Clintberg

• What: Cecil Hotel (2014-2016) is an exploration of the recently demolished site of The Cecil Hotel, opened in 1912, ordered to close by Calgary’s city officials in 2008, and purchased by the city for nearly $11 million in 2009. The hotel has been considered an “epicentre of prostitution, drugs, murder, and desperation by some, and its erasure has since been both contested and praised. This project includes a large-scale modified replica of the hotel’s neon sign and an edition of custom-made pint glasses.
• Where: Main Space/Parkade/U-Hall – 2009 10th Avenue SW
• When: September 16 to October 15 (closed Sunday’s and Monday’s)

Public Art Unveiling

• What: Calgary is gaining a new art fixture. The sculpture titled “Open Hearts Icon” is a fine art sculpture and is an original design created by world renowned artist and actress, Jane Seymour. Check out the unveiling and meet Jane yourself. There will be food trucks, cooking demonstrations, a photo booth, videogame trailer, art show, jewelry giveaways from Jane Seymour’s ‘Open Hearts’ collection, and more on site.
• Where: Legacy – 65 Legacy Mount SE
• When: Saturday, October 1 from 12 to 3 pm

Alberta Culture Days

• What: Taking place all over the province, there are over 30 culture day events taking place in Calgary, including a massive block party.
• Where: All over the city
• When: September 30 to October 2

Free concerts in East Village

• What: Calling music lovers! The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation is teaming up with the National Music Corporation to put on free public concerts in the public spaces of East Village, from September 10 to October 1. The concert series will feature performances by some of Calgary’s great musical talent, such as the Buckley Trio, Dojo Workhorse, the Scott Duncan Celtic Project, and the Doll Sisters.
• When: September 10, 17, 24, and October 1 from 1 to 4 pm
• Where: C-Square at the corner of 7th Avenue and 4th Street SE.
• Cost: Free

The Dixie Chicks

• What: Country music legends the Dixie Chicks are coming to the Scotiabank Saddledome as part of their DCX World Tour MMXV1. The Dixie Chicks have been on the scene for over 25 years, releasing seven studio albums, winning 13 Grammy Awards, and playing hundreds of shows around the world.
• When: Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 pm
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• Cost: Tickets available online from $70- $136.

YYC Pizza Week

• What: Calgary’s third annual YYC Pizza Week is taking place around town this week. This year, over 50 restaurants are battling it out in four different categories during event. Contestants may only enter in one of the categories but can offer a gluten free option in that category as well.
• Where: Over 50 restaurants in Calgary – see more information online
• When: September 23 to October 2

NHL Calgary Flames hockey game

• What: The 2016-2017 season is so close we can taste it. Get in some pre-season action and then enjoy some regular season play.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• When:
  • Friday, September 30 at 7 pm vs Vancouver Canucks (Pre-season)
  • Sunday, October 2 at 7 pm vs Winnipeg Jets (Pre-season)

Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival 2016

• What: The Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival returns to the Calgary Zoo for the second year in a row, and this time around there are 145 extra lanterns to dazzle you. The lanterns are seasonal-themed this year, so you’ll be taken on a journey from winter to spring, and they’ll depict culturally significant animals as well as zoo favourites. Relish in the arts of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures, and check out live music, an art gallery, and garden displays as well.
• Where: Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Road NE
• When: Thursday, September 8 to Sunday, October 16