Twenty One Pilots, DRAG Me To DIOR, and more. No matter what you’re in the mood for, we’ve got you covered with our picks of 20 fun Calgary events happening from Monday, May 13 to Thursday, May 16.
For more things happening around town check out our events section.
See also
- Martha Stewart is coming to Canada as keynote speaker in international cannabis conference
- North America's largest life-size moving dinosaur exhibit is coming to YYC
- Here's what you can expect from the 2019 Grandstand Show
Monday, May 13
Off the CUFF: Booksmart
Booksmart – Calgary Underground Film Festival
What: The Calgary Underground Film Festival presents an Off the CUFF screening of BOOKSMART, the SXSW sensation from director Olivia Wilde. Academic overachievers Amy and Molly thought keeping their noses to the grindstone gave them a leg up on their high school peers. But on the eve of graduation, the best friends suddenly realize that they may have missed out on the special moments of their teenage years. Determined to make up for lost time, the girls decide to cram four years of not-to-be-missed fun into one night
When: Monday, May 13, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Globe Cinema – 617 8 Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $10 ($8 members / students / seniors)
Country Music Country – the Reboot
What: IslandCatEditions is celebrating the release of the third print edition and eBook of Country Music Country by Bruce Hunter at Calgary Central Library. Featuring an introduction by Calgary literary historian, Shaun Hunter (no relation to the author).
When: Monday, May 13, 2019
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Where: Calgary Central Library – 800 3 St SE, Calgary
Register: Online, Free
Community Yoga at Sunalta
What: Community Yoga at Sunalta Community Hall aims to help people be conscious in their moments and capable in their bodies. Bring your own mat and any required props for assistance.
When: Every Monday
Time: Doors 5:30 pm, yoga from 5:45 to 6:45 pm.
Where: Sunalta Community Centre – 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Admission: Free
Banff Gondola
What: Head to the summit for an unreal view above the treetops and a birds-eye view of six different mountain ranges, while sipping on coffee or a refreshing glass of wine. Start with a walk along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to learn more about Canada’s first national park, or go indoors to sample from three restaurant menus. Then get hands-on in the world-class interpretive centre and theatre.
When: Daily until October 14, 2019.
Time: Various
Where: 100 Mountain Avenue, Banff
Tickets: Online, various prices
Divas – A Night at the Opera
What: Operatic divas Barbara King & Kathleen Morrison bring some of the most loved arias and duets to the new Central Public Library on May 13. Also featuring special guest tenor Matthew Bruce, this concert is making history as the first full opera concert in the Patricia A.Whelan Performance Hall.
When: Monday, May 13, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall – Calgary Public Library – 800 3 St SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $20-$40
Tuesday, May 14
Print(ed) Word Salon Series: Carole Bondaroff and Lee Kvern
What: 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. This May, join artist Carole Bondaroff and writer Lee Kvern as they discuss their artist book, How To Build A Street Girl.
When: Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Where: Central Library – Level 4 – Simons-Harvie Community Reading Room – 800 3 St SE, Calgary
Admission: Free
Studio Bell $10 Date Night 2019
Studio Bell (Neil Zeller)
What: Visitors will be able to explore interactive activities, Canadian music memorabilia, and much more at Studio Bell during their special $10 Date Nights.
When: May 14, 2019
Time: 5 to 8 pm
Where: Studio Bell — 850 4th Street SE, Calgary
Admission: Available online, $10
Downtown Summer Market
What: This is the second annual Downtown Summer Market and will definitely not be the last. This market ranges from local produce and fresh food to health and wellness. The Downtown Summer Market is everything you would want and need under one roof (actually a hundred little ones, but you get it).
When: Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Gulf Canada Square —401 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
Cost: Free
Twenty One Pilots – The Bandito Tour
What: The American musical duo of Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun are embarking on a massive, 93-city world tour that includes a stop at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Bandito Tour will promote the band’s fifth studio album, Trench. Twenty One Pilots will also be playing older tunes, especially off their 2015 Blurryface album that skyrocketed the duo to stardom.
When: Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
Tickets: Online
justREEL – Most Likely To
What: Marda Loop Justice Film Festival presents Most Likely To…, a look at the Calgary Police Service’s approach to youth at-risk crime prevention through intervention, education, and most importantly, human connection.
When: Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: River Park Auditorium – 3818 14A Street SW, Calgary
Admission: Free
Wednesday, May 15
Circus! Science Under the Big Top
telus_spark / Instagram
What: Come one, come all and discover the science behind circus at TELUS Spark. Bring your wildest expectations and unravel the secrets behind circus oddities, mysteries and puzzles with over 20 exhibits. This highly interactive exhibition is riddled with circus sights and sounds, ready to bring out the child in all of us.
When: Now to Sunday, June 9, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: TELUS Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Esker Foundation
What: Esker Foundation connects the public to contemporary art through relevant, accessible, and educational exhibitions, programs, and publications. The gallery reflects on current developments in local, regional, and international culture; creates opportunities for public dialogue; and supports the production of groundbreaking new work, ideas, and research. Admission is free. The gallery is barrier-free.
When: Open Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed Mondays
Time: Various times
Where: Esker Foundation – 4th Floor – 1011 9th Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: Free
Wordfest Presents Mark Tewksbury – BELONG: A Unique Staged Reading
What: A riveting exploration of what it means to belong. The Calgary premiere of this unique performance by hometown Olympic hero, inspirational leader and world-renowned social justice activist. Wordfest presents Mark Tewskbury at DJD Dance Centre for two nights.
When: Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: DJD Dance Centre – 111 12 Ave SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
DRAG Me To DIOR
What: Calgary’s first ever Boutique Fashion Show. Featuring Gravity Pope, Leo Boutique, Purr & Bamboo Ballroom, the event is celebrating the famed DIOR exhibit at the Glenbow Museum and the ticket includes entry to view the DIOR collection. Also starring the Holy Trinity Drag Queens – Mode Model’s Perla Coddington, as well as Abeiya Miraj and Stephanie Prince – who will be both walking in the show and performing.
When: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Glenbow Museum – 130 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
Tickets: Online
One Big JAM
What: One Big JAM is returning to The Palace Theatre for a one-of-a-kind experience unique to the incredible arts scene in Calgary. Come join many of Calgary’s finest musicians, dancers, poets and artists. A portion of all profits will go towards The Calgary Drop-In Centre.
When: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm, jam 8 to 11 pm
Where: The Palace Theatre – 219 8th Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Thursday, May 16
Menopause the Musical
What: Set in a department store, four women with nothing in common but a black lace bra… come to realize they have more to share than ever imagined. The All-Star Canadian cast makes fun of their hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, wrinkle, not enough sex, too much sex, chocolate binges and a whole lot more.
When: Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (plus 2 pm on Saturday)
Where: Arts Commons – 205 8th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Industry With Purpose: Calgary
Chandos/Seton Lamborghini
What: Taking place on Thursday, May 16 at Boyce Theatre, the event is set to explore everything from social purpose, to examples of organizations that are doing good, new social procurement strategies, and much more. Featuring New York Times bestselling author and founder of ME to WE, Craig Kielburger, Amazon #1 author of Good is the New Cool, Afdhel Aziz, and a panel of local business leaders moderated by David LePage of Buy Social Canada. Panellists include Jeff Loomis of Monumentum, Wayne Chiu, founder and CEO of the Trico Group, Michael Selci senior vice president at the Bank of Canada, and James Boettcher of Fiasco Gelato. Tim Coldwell, president of Chandos, will also be on the panel.
When: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Boyce Theatre –1410 Olympic Way SE
Price: $95 — Tickets available via Eventbrite
Common Ground IV Gala Event
What: A kickoff to the Common Ground Festival. Join the artists for a night of fun, food, drinks and special one night only entertainment at the Pumphouse Theatre.
When: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 10 pm
Where: Pumphouse Theatre – 2140 Pumphouse Ave SW, Calgary
Admission: $10 or pay what you can
Alberta Spotlight: Karl Hirzer with Allyson Hop
What: The National Music Centre presents Karl Hirzer with Allyson Hop as part of the Alberta Spotlight series. Pianist Karl Hirzer, also the Associate Conductor of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and Calgary-born operatic soprano Allyson Hop join forces to present an art song recital of music by Richard Strauss and Leonard Bernstein.
When: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: National Music Centre – 850 – 4 Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $15
Mental Health Stories
What: An inspiring evening of connection and hearing raw stories of people who have overcome mental illness and addiction or are still in the journey.
When: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Arts Commons – 205 8 Avenue Southeast Calgary
Tickets: Online, $20