20 things to do in Calgary this week: February 11 to 14

Discover a new favourite event this week in Calgary! Here are 28 things to do from Monday, February 11 to Thursday, February 14. Check out GLOW – Downtown Winter Light Festival, Valentine’s Day, and more!

For more things happening around town check out our events section.

See also

• Celebrate Valentine's Day at this romantic Calgary Zoo event
• Valentine's Day is cool, but have you tried a pizza party with friends instead?
• Sugarland to play show at the 2019 Calgary Stampede

Monday, February 11

Exposure

What: This is Alberta’s only photography festival and it’s coming to Calgary for the month of February. Check out photography exhibitions at galleries around the city, get your portfolio reviewed by professionals, and participate in exciting workshops as you let your inner photographer become instantly inspired.

When: Now to February 28, 2019
When: Various times
Where: Various locations around the city
Tickets: Varies per event, many are free

Inside Out Theatre presents Assassinating Thomson

What: Award-winning and critically acclaimed Visually Impaired visual artist, Bruce Horak, lives with 9% of his vision and has, over the last two years, painted a series over 400 unique portraits which attempt to capture the way that he sees, aptly named The Way I See It. As he tells the story of The Way I See It, the tale of Canadian painter Tom Thomson’s unsolved murder is interwoven throughout, including the truth and lies behind the mysterious death of one of Canada’s greatest artists and the subsequent rise of The Group of Seven. The mystery takes you from the tiny community of Canoe Lake, to the hallowed halls of our nation’s capital, and eventually on to the world stage.

When: Various dates from Monday, February 11 to Saturday, March 2, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 – 115 9 Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Bill’s Book Café with Jim Ellis

What: Join Calgary Public Library’s CEO as he sits down with Jim Ellis, Director of the Calgary Institute for the Humanities and acclaimed English professor, to discuss the JR Ackerley novel, “My Dog Tulip.”

When: Monday, February 11, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Where: Calgary Public Library – 800 3 St SE, Calgary,
Register: Online, Free

Lecture and discussion with Paul LAH Chartrand

What: Join University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law as they welcome Paul Chartrand, barrister and solicitor and retired professor of law. Chartrand was one of the seven commissioners on the Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples in 1996, and has been a key activist for Indigenous (Métis) rights.

When: Monday, February 11, 2019
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Where: University of Calgary – Blue Room (105), Dining Centre 124 University Gate NW
Register: Online

The New Brighton Club Storytime

What: Spend the morning with the Calgary Public Library listening to stories and singing songs that the whole family can enjoy.  The book truck will also be on site during these mornings. Great for ages 0-5 years, and everyone is welcome for this free drop in.

When: February 11, February 25, March 11, March 25, April 8 and April 22, 2019
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Where: The New Brighton Club – 2 New Brighton Drive, Calgary,
Admission: Free

Tuesday, February 12

Studio Bell $10 Date Night 2019

What: Visitors will be able to explore interactive activities, Canadian music memorabilia, and a new temporary exhibit that celebrates many of Canada’s favourite musicians. Those who attend the date night will also save 15% off food and drinks at the King Eddy (just show them your admission tickets), along with an optional public tour at an additional $7 each.

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Time: 5 to 8 pm
Where: Studio Bell — 850 4th Street SE, Calgary
Admission: Available online, $10

Print(ed) Word: The Salon Series

What: This free event is the first of 12 in a series of talks to take place each month. Every month, a different artist-writer pair and their collaborative artist books included in Print(ed) Word, on permanent display at Calgary’s new Central Library will be highlighted.

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Where: Central Library – Level 4 – Simons-Harvie Community Reading Room – 800 3 St SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Social-Lite Social Media Meetup

What: Join Social-lite YYC after work to learn from one another at a meet-up discussing social trends, best practices, case studies, and more in the field of social media. Bring your questions and expertise and gain insights from industry peers.

When: Tuesday, February 12
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: MarketBar, Sunterra Market, Keynote – 200 12 Avenue Southeast Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Downtown Market

What: Stroll through your favourite local makers, artists and producers at the monthly Downtown Market series.

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Gulf Canada Square – 401 9th Avenue SW
Admission: Free

Dinner & a Movie at Heritage Park – Roman Holiday

What: You can’t beat a classic with a classic! This ain’t no typical ‘dinner and a movie,’ as Heritage Park brings it up a notch with their delicious, themed three-course dinner in the Selkirk Grille Restaurant, before presenting a timeless classic film that will truly bring you back to a wonderful time in history.

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Cost: $44/person or $8 for movie only

Wednesday, February 13

YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

What: YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is back again for another year, raising money for Calgary Meals on Wheels, while giving you the opportunity to sip upon a variety of creative hot chocolates throughout the city.

When: Now to February 28, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various restaurants and cafe
More Info: Online

Community Pipe & Smudge Circle

What: Come sit, smudge, smoke and sing with Sunalta Community Association. A powerful evening of sharing and holding space for each other as well as loved ones. Indigenous stories and healing songs will be shared, and the community pipe will be passes as attendees sit in quiet meditation. Please bring a cushion to sit on. Donations Accepted.

When: Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Where: Sunalta Community Centre – 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Admission: Free, donations accepted

Monster Truck

What: Hamilton, Ontario rockers Monster Truck perform at The Palace Theatre with special guests The Picturebooks

When: Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Time: Doors 9 pm
Where: The Palace Theatre – 219-8 ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $30

Off the CUFF: Mary Jane’s Not A Virgin Anymore 

What: Celebrate Valentine’s Day CUFF-style, with an Off the CUFF screening of Mary Jane’s Not A Virgin Anymore. See a brand new 2K preservation of Sarah Jacobson’s punk-spirited DIY film, preceded by her short I Was A Teenage Serial Killer.

When: Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Globe Cinema – 617 8 Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $10 ($8 members / students / seniors)

Obscura – Angela Snieder

What: Using techniques of photography and printmaking, Snieder’s work proposes that illusion and artifice contribute to our experiences of space and their conceptualization, prompting attendees of Alberta Printmakers Gallery to discern reality from illusion and to consider the liminal space where these notions overlap.

When: Wednesday to Saturday from now to February 22, 2019
Time: Daily from 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Alberta Printmakers – 4025 4th St SE, Calgary
More Info: Online

Thursday, February 14

GLOW – Downtown Winter Light Festival

What: An annual family-friendly light and music festival in the heart of downtown Calgary. This all-ages event welcomes everyone to warm up winter’s darkest days, and experience one-of-a-kind interactive light displays, art, entertainment, food trucks and activities.

When: February 14 to 18, 2019
Time: 5 to 11 pm
Where: Downtown Calgary: see website for exact locations
Admission: FREE

Calgary Zoo’s In the Heat of the Night 2019

What: Spanning two evenings from Thursday, February 14 to Friday, February 15, admission to In the Heat of the Night will include a four-course meal, an on-site photographer to capture all the magic, and romantic games throughout the night. Given that you are at the zoo, after all, the night will also feature information about romance in the wild, and how it differs (or doesn’t) from the way humans fall in love.

When: Thursday, February 14 and Friday, February 15, 2019
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Enmax Conservatory, Calgary Zoo — 210 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: Available online, $115 each

Adults Only Night at Telus Spark – Love & Sex

What: Are you hopelessly in love? Or perhaps you’re single and ready to mingle? Either way, there’s something for you this Valentine’s night at TELUS Spark. Learn about the biology of breakups, fun pheromones, and discover what happens under our skin when we get between the sheets with someone else.

When: Thursday, February 14
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Telus Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $26

Aziz Ansari

What: Comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, Aziz Ansari is coming to Calgary for his latest North American Tour, “Road to Nowhere.” Ansari began his career in the beloved television series, NBC’s Parks and Recreation. He’s also appeared in a number of comedies, including This is the End, Funny People, and Get Him To The Greek. Most recently, the comedy heavyweight starred, wrote, and directed the Netflix comedy, Master of None.

When: Thursday, February 14, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Rush Hour: Romance

What: In this special Valentine’s Day concert by Calgary Philharmonic  Orchestra, let the three giants of French classical music — Berlioz, Ravel, and Debussy — infuse your evening with the romance of Paris. Rush Hour concerts feature shorter programmes that get you off the road and into a musical mood.

When: Thursday, February 14, 2019
Time: Happy Hour at 5:30 pm, Performance from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall — 225 8th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, $30