16 things to do in Calgary today: Saturday, August 10

Start this weekend off right by getting up to something special this Saturday.

Check out any one of these great events to do just that!

See also: 

• Here’s how Calgary has changed throughout the past century (MAPS)
• Stephen Avenue expected to receive a 21st century makeover
• Famous Filipino fast food chain ‘Jollibee’ is opening in Edmonton next week (VIDEO)

Slam Festival 2019

What: Hosted by the Alberta River Surfing Association, the surf festival invites thousands of people to experience a vision of an Urban Beach that combines art, culture, sport, and recreation in a single event. The list of events is extensive, from skate contests, live broadcasts, mock-tails on the beach, live music, live and interactive art, and of course, river surfing. The festival will also host surf competitions, a luau, floating the bow, and fitness activities.

When: August 9 to August 10, 2019
Where: 311 8th Street SW
Time: August 9 at 1 pm to August 10 at 10 pm
Tickets: General admission is $20. Register here

Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival

What: The Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival draws thousands of competitors and spectators each year. Enjoy an abundance of excitement and cultural experiences, including Family Fun Zone, food trucks, beer gardens, live entertainment, and the dragon boat races.

When: August 9 to 11, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: North Glenmore Park – 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
Admission: Free

2019 Southern Alberta Music Festival

What: The seventh annual Southern Alberta Music Festival in support of STARS Air Ambulance. Kick back and relax while you listen to a variety of country, blues, folk and good old fashioned rock n’ roll. While at the music festival explore different vendors, relish a delicious meal from one of the concessions or unwind in the beer gardens.

When: August 9 and 10, 2019
Time: 7 to 11 pm (Friday), 10 am to 12 am (Saturday)
Where: Aspen Crossing – 1 km West #24 Mossleigh, Alberta
Tickets: Online

Calgary Japanese Festival 2019

What: The annual festival will feature authentic Japanese customs, traditional music, dance, and song shows and martial arts demos. This year’s Japanese Festival will once again be held at the Max Bell Centre instead of its original place at the Bowness Community Centre. The family-friendly event and will include games and bouncy houses, galleries of local Japanese arts, and crafts food kiosks serving traditional Japanese cuisine.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Max Bell Centre – 1001 Barlow Trail SE
Price: $3-$7

Calgary Fringe Festival

What: A plethora of uncensored, non-juried theatre performances happening all around the city. The Calgary Fringe will host a combination of local, national, and international productions – 26 altogether – for a total of over 160 performances over nine days.

When: Now to August 10, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various theatres around the city
Tickets: Online

Slam Festival – Main Event

What: An all-day family-friendly rock concert featuring performances by Bombargo, Fever Feel, The Varmoors, Lashes, Sitstill!, The Moonsnakes, Winky P, Silence The Swamps, and Good Grief. Plus food trucks, an artisan market, and more.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: 311 8 St SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Dandyfest 2019

What: The Dandy Brewing Company celebrates the fifth anniversary of their first brew with an outdoor festival featuring over 12 breweries from across North America. There will also be food onsite and live music throughout the day.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 11 am to 8 pm. Two sessions available
Where: The Dandy Brewing Company – 2003 11th Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Saturdays in C-Square with National Music Centre – Chinese Traditional

What: Head to East Village Calgary’s open-air urban square every Saturday for free performances presented by National Music Centre. On August 10 enjoy a live performance by Musesica Trio and Harmony Guzheng Ensemble.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Where: East Village Calgary’s open-air urban square – 4 Street and 7 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Reptile Mania

What: Head to Cobb’s Adventure Park for Reptile Mania on August 10 and 11. Meet all of Cobb’s reptiles, plus many more from Calgary Reptile Parties. Plus enjoy a show by Jason from Animal Planet’s Scaled.

When: August 10 and 11, 2019
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Cobb’s Adventure Park – 1500 84th Street NE, Calgary
Admission Info: Online

Toronto featuring Holly Woods with Carole Pope

What: Ontario classic rockers Toronto (Your Daddy Don’t Know) featuring Holly Woods perform at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino with special guest Carole Pope

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Dr, Calgary, Calgary
Tickets: Online

In Ireland We Rented a Car from Criminals

What: In Ireland We Rented a Car from Criminals is a Calgary Fringe play that tells the story of Tom and Mary searching for their long-dead ancestors in the famine graveyards. Along the way, they meet an Irish dozen of storytellers.

When: August 9 and August 10, 2019
Time: Friday, 5:30 pm; Saturday, 7:15 pm
Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 – 115 9 Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Movie on the Rise 2019 – Aladdin

What: East Village Calgary presents an outdoor screening of Aladdin on St. Patrick’s Island.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 9:15 pm
Where: St. Patrick’s Island – The Rise
Admission: Free

Shakespeare by the Bow – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

What: This summer, come together with the Calgary community to celebrate and support Alberta’s emerging artists in a gorgeous natural setting. One of Shakespeare’s most popular works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows four young lovers and a group of six amateur actors through the forest as they are influenced and manipulated by a band of forest-dwelling fairies. Join theatre: Calgary in Prince’s Island Park for this thrilling chase of love, identity, and confusion.

When: Now to August 18, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Prince’s Island Park
Admission: Pay what you can

Taste of Calgary 2019

What: The annual celebration is celebrating its 23rd event this year, and it will feature global cuisines from a mix of unique restaurants and beverage companies. Going down from August 8 to 11 at 200 Barclay Parade SW (Eau Claire Market), this event offers patrons free entry and then the opportunity to buy $1 sampling tickets for food and drink once inside. Expect amazing vendors and some live music too.

When: Now to August 11, 2019
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Eau Claire Market – 200 Barclay Parade SW
Price: Free entry

Seconds Pottery Sale

What: Galleria Inglewood is holding its annual Seconds Pottery Sale. Pickup what the Galleria describes as “discontinued, kiln nerds, or just plain ugly” pottery as discount prices.

When: Now to August 11, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Saturday), 12 to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Galleria Inglewood – 907 9th Ave.S.E., Calgary
Admission: Free

Tenth Annual Art in the Garden

What: The Tenth Annual Art in the Garden features many artists in attendance, including Rosemary Bennett, Linda Lalonde, Fran Sayles, Gloria Chow, and guest artist Sharron Bowen. Check out the paintings art cards, prints and stained glass, take in art demos, and enter to win the door prize.

When: August 10 and August 11, 2019
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 3443 Kerrypark Rd., SW, Calgary
Admission: Free, donations for the Calgary Food Bank will be collected