May is almost over, but there’s still lots of fun to be had! Enjoy these 20 Calgary events happening Monday, May 27 to Thursday, May 30. Cher, Ghost Opera, and more.
For more things happening around town check out our events section.
See also
- Indie folk band Lord Huron announce Calgary concert
- The Rural Alberta Advantage will kick off Stampede this year
- A $100,000 treasure hunt is coming to Calgary this summer
Monday, May 27
Calgary’s Official Poetry Slam
What: Calgary’s Official Poetry Slam and Open Mic. Slam poetry is a type of competition where people read their poems without props, costumes, or music. The sign-up sheet for both the open mic and the slam will be released at 7:00 pm, and the show will start at 7:30 pm.
When: The last Monday of every month – May 27, 2019
Time: Sign-up 7 pm, show 7:30 pm
Where: Dickens Pub – 1000 9th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: $10 cash at door, on a sliding scale for those who identify as low income or students
Mixed Media Monday + Bonus Background
What: Join Julia and Nicole at The Paper And Ink Boutique on the last Monday of every month for Mixed Media Monday. In each session, attendees will learn to create an art journal page using a variety of mixed media techniques and products. Nicole and Julia will also show attendees how to use these same products and techniques to create a scrapbook page background, cards or tags.
When: Monday, May 27, 2019
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Where: The Paper And Ink Boutique – 171, 5330 – 72nd Ave SE, Calgary,
Tickets: Online, $30
Drop-in Figure And Still Life Drawing
What: Head to Motion Gallery for drop in figure and still life drawing. All skill levels are welcome. Bring your own supplies and a drink.
When: Every Monday
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Motion Gallery – 2001 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Josie Kirkpatrick Fundraiser for her One Woman Musical; Ghost Feather
Josie Kirkpatrick / Facebook
What: Get swept away by fabulous tunes at this live concert and fundraiser for Josie Kirkpatrick’s one women musical, “Ghost Feather”, at Commonwealth Bar & Stage.
When: Monday, May 27, 2019
Time: Doors 6 pm, show 7 pm
Where: Commonwealth Bar & Stage – 731 10 Avenue Southwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $28
Queer Community Dance Classes
What: Raymond Johnson-Brown will be teaching Queer Friendly x All Ages x Free Queer Community Dance Classes every Monday at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks until June 24. This class will be an open level all styles choreography class. The choreography based style of dance will blend together elements of Hip Hop, Vogue, Waacking, Burlesque and Jazz.
When: Every Monday until June 24, 2019
Time: 8 to 9 pm
Where: Decidedly Jazz Danceworks – 111 12 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free
Tuesday, May 28
Cher
What: Apparently Cher doesn’t need to turn back time. At age 72, the ‘Goddess of Pop’ is back at it for her Here We Go Again tour. It will be Cher’s first tour across North America in five years.
When: Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Starting at $85 online
Wordfest Presents Mairlyn Smith
What: Media personality, bestselling author, and professional home economist Mairlyn Smith is presenting her new fibre infused cookbook, Peace, Love & Fibre. This event includes an on-stage interview with local celebrity Julie Van Rosendaal, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.
When: Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, event from 7 to 9 pm
Where: Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor – 1221 2nd Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Comedy Tuesday Night presents Richard Lett
I’m friday / Shutterstock
What: Canadian comedy legend Richard Lett tours through the Blind Beggar Pub and Stage for Comedy Tuesday Night. White Mocha steps in as special guest producer and Freddy Goldstein is hosting.
When: Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Time: 8 to 11 pm
Where: Blind Beggar Pub – 4608 McLeod Trail S.W., Calgary
More Info: Online
Alberta University of the Arts Grad Show
What: The annual Grad Show features the work of graduates from AUArts’ Ceramics, Drawing, Fibre, Glass, Jewellery & Metals, Media Arts, Painting, Photography Print Media, Sculpture and Visual Communications Design programs. This year, the IKG presents work in the gallery and throughout the university by nearly 200 graduating students, including the recipients of the Board of Governors Awards.
When: Now to Saturday, June 1, 2019
Time: 12 to 6 pm (12 to 4 pm on June 1)
Where: Alberta University of the Arts 1407 – 14 Avenue NW, Calgary
Admission: Free
Italy Coast to Coast – Pompeii
What: Celebrate the delicious food and wine from four amazing cities across Italy. Chef Glen Manzer will design a four-course menu inspired from each of the chosen cities to experience. Each ticket includes a welcome glass of prosecco, a four-course plated dinner inspired by each city, gratuity and tax. Attendees can choose to include wine pairings for each course, picked from the region to complement each dish.
When: Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Time: 6 pm
Where: Cibo 17th Ave – 1012 17 Ave SW Calgary
Tickets: Online
Wednesday, May 29
Ghost Opera
What: Featuring the music of celebrated Canadian composer Veronika Krausas, text by Giller Prize winner André Alexis, and the wildly imaginative designs of Calgary’s internationally-renowned Old Trout Puppet Workshop, Ghost Opera is a full-scale puppet opera, conceived from the ground up as a spectacle combining object theatre and contemporary composition.
When: Various dates from now to Saturday, June 8, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (2 pm matinee on June 2)
Where: Theatre Junction GRAND – 608 1st Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Movies That Matter
Movie popcorn/ Shutterstock
What: Movies That Matter is a monthly series of documentary film premieres at the University of Calgary, co-presented by the University of Calgary Film Society and the Department of Communication and Culture. The series strives to be timely and provocative, allowing viewers to delve into some important issues relevant in our society today. Each screening will include a post-screening discussion, featuring the director of the film itself and/or someone from the community at large known for their expertise or insightful views on the film subject.
When: The last Wednesday of every month – May 29, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Gallery Hall of the Taylor Family Digital Library – University of Calgary
Admission: Free for students with ID and community by donation
Cannonball! A Youth Festival of Theatre
What: Calling all youth, this is your time to shine, and watch your peers shine too! With a theatrical season made up of four productions, the Calgary Youth People’s Theatre (CYPT) allows youth between the ages of 9 to 17 to audition and experience the creative theatre process and production.
When: Wednesday, May 29 to Saturday, June 1, 2019
Time: Showtimes vary: check out the full list of performances
Where: West Village Theatre — 10th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: $5
Women’s Centre of Calgary Open Mic Night with Sally Kigs
What: Women’s Centre of Calgary presents their annual Open Mic Night. The event will be hosted by Artist-in-Residence Sally Kigs. She will start with a performance and share her story. Guests will be invited to come up and perform 1-2 songs or spoken word pieces, or just cheer on the performers as part of the audience. There will be a mic and amp provided. Bring your own instruments. This is an all-ages event for any woman identifying folks.
When: Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Times: 6 to 8 pm
Where: Women’s Centre of Calgary 39 – 4 St NE, Calgary
More Info: Online
Workshop Theatre Presents The Lady in the Van
What: The true story of Miss Shepherd, an eccentric woman of uncertain origins, who “temporarily” parked her broken-down van in writer Alan Bennett’s London driveway, and proceeded to live there for the next 15 years. Directed by Jacquie Brennan and Tammy Dalrymple-White.
When: Now to Saturday, June 1, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (2:30 pm matinee on June 1)
Where: The Pumphouse Theatre – 2140 Pumphouse Avenue Southwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Thursday, May 30
19th Annual FUNNYFEST Calgary
What: FUNNYFEST features 11 nights of comedy, 70 performers, and a wide variety of shows to check out. Comedians include Kevin Farley, Chris Griffin, Lori Ferguson-Ford, and more.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 9, 2019
Time: Showtimes vary: check out the full list of performers
Where: Venues vary: check out the full list of performers
Tickets: Online
Jesus Christ Superstar from Painted Fish Theatre Company
What: Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1970 rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started as a rock opera concept album before its Broadway debut in 1971.
When: Various dates from now to Sunday, June 9, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: La Cité des Rocheuses – 4800 Richard Road SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Calgary Zoo Panda Passage
Two Pandas Hugging (Calgary Zoo)
What: Witness the Calgary Zoo’s four resident giant pandas as they munch on their favourite snack, bamboo. Adults Er Shun and Da Mao and cubs Jia Panpan and Jua Yueyue are ambassadors for the vulnerable species and are the pride of China. This May marks the one-year anniversary of their arrival at the Calgary Zoo. The two cubs will be returning home to China soon, so be sure to enjoy their cuteness while they are still here. If you are a member of the Calgary Zoo, you will be able to access exclusive member-only viewings of the Panda Passage, as well as fast-track your way into visiting these cuddly, lovable creatures.
When: Open seven days a week
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Calgary Zoo – 210 St George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Memberships: Sign up via Calgary Zoo
Art Baby Art Film: McQueen
What: Join Glenbow Museum for Art Baby Art Films – a curated series of morning film screenings for adults with small children (ages two and under). McQueen explores the extraordinary life, career and artistry of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen. From the start of his career in his teens as a tailor to gaining notice as designer for Givenchy to the launch of his own groundbreaking label, and how his untimely death in 2010 rocked the fashion world.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Time: 10 am
Where: Glenbow Museum – 130 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
Tickets: Online
The Best of HUMP! Film Festival
What: The HUMP! Film Festival is a celebration of creative sexual expression. A carefully curated program with a cornucopia of body types, shapes, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishes; all united by a shared spirit of sex-positivity.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, show 7 to 8:30 pm
Where: Plaza Theatre – 1133 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary
Tickets: Online