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By the end of this week, we’ll officially hit mid-August, meaning summer vacations coming to an end, kids preparing to head back to school, and fewer hours of daylight.
That said, there’s still plenty of summer fun left to be had in YYC, so make some plans and check out a digital immersion gallery, hit up a new kind of yoga class, take your date to a live concert or drive-in movie, sip a cocktail while you play mini golf, and more.
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Here are 18 things to do in Calgary this week to make sure you get the most out of your summer.
Beyond Van Gogh Calgary exhibit
Elle McLean/Daily Hive
What: The highly anticipated immersive Van Gogh experience has officially opened, featuring over 300 iconic works by the painter and taking visitors into a three-dimensional world to explore art in a completely unique way.
If you’re up for an even more unique experience, check out one of their weekly yoga classes, offered every Thursday at 8:30 am through the month of August.
When: July 30 to September 6
Where: The BMO Centre at Stampede Park (20 Roundup Way SE)
Cost: Tickets start at $33.99 for adults
The Smooth Putt – Grey Goose Mini Golf
What: Boozy mini putt at a cool venue? Count us in! Join Grey Goose at Fort Calgary this month for nine holes of mini golf with a personalized vodka cocktail.
When: August 13 to 22
Time: Time slots available between 11:30 am and 8:30 pm
Where: Fort Calgary – 750 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Cost: $21
King Eddy’s Homegrown Country Series
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What: The King Eddy’s summer music series serves as a gathering for the Alberta country music community and spotlights some of the province’s most sought-after artists. This weekend, catch James Murdoch of Canadian country music group The Dungarees at the historic venue.
The King Eddy will also be serving up a selection of local brews, custom cocktails, comfort food classics, and shareable bites, including vegetarian options.
When: August 14
Time: 8 pm (with Happy Hour pricing on from 4:30 to 6:30 pm)
Where: The King Eddy (438 9th Avenue SE)
Cost: No cover charge; first-come-first-served seating for all shows
A Night with Ellen Doty
What: Experience an evening of music, wine, and food at this unique Calgary venue. Jazz singer Ellen Doty will be performing a mix of original music and classics, and will be joined by folk singer Wyatt C. Louis. A full bar will be available, and guests can also purchase classy snacks like charcuterie, olives, and dips.
When: August 13
Time: 7 pm
Where: Ill-Fated Kustoms (5327 3rd Street SE)
Cost: $25
Heritage Park Ghost Tours
What: Visit Heritage Park after dark for a guided ghost tour through the abandoned streets of its Historical Village. Hear spooky stories and learn a little bit about Calgary’s haunted past during a 90-minute walking tour, covering approximately 2 km of the park.
When: August 12
Time: Tours beginning at 7 and 9 pm
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Drive SW)
Cost: $22.95
Inglewood Night Market
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What: Shop local at the outdoor Inglewood Night Market this month. This modern market boasts locally sourced and handmade vendors selling a range of goods, from handmade crafts and vintage clothing to antiques and collectibles, artisan eats, and more.
When: August 13
Time: 4 to 11 pm
Where: 10th Avenue and 10th Street SE in Inglewood
Cost: Free to attend, varies by purchase
ShakesGo performances
What: The annual “Shakespeare by the Bow” show that Calgarians know and love is going on the road this summer with “Shakespeare on the Go.” Performances will pop up at a variety of Calgary and area locations, offering over 30 opportunities for the public to enjoy live theatre during the month of August.
When: July 31 to August 29
Time: Varies by day; visit schedule for details
Where: Varies by performance
Cost: By donation
Take in a live show at the Grey Eagle Drive-In
What: Join the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino at southern Alberta’s largest drive-in venue to watch a live concert. This week features Platinum Blonde in an outdoor general admission show, where you can stand, roam, or enjoy the concert from your lawn chair in the drive-in lot.
When: August 13
Time: 8 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Resort and Casino (3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Calgary)
Cost: $40
Rockin’ the Jukebox at Jubilations Dinner Theatre
What: Join Jubilations for dinner and a show! Rockin’ the Jukebox tells the story of local teens in the sleepy town of Lakewood who are literally dying of boredom until one day they wander into an old boarded-up diner and find a strange-looking device…
A three-course meal is paired with the show, and you can expect lasting memories from this dinner theatre.
When: Wednesday through Sunday from July 10 to August 14
Time: 6:15 pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 5 pm on Sundays
Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre (1002 37th Street SW)
Cost: Tickets from $69.95
Music in the Park at Heritage Park Historical Village
What: Each Wednesday throughout the summer, head over to Heritage Park for some live tunes. This week, catch Calgary-based RnB singer/songwriter Kate Stevens at the Didsbury Bandstand.
When: August 11
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Where: Didsbury Bandstand inside the Historical Village (1900 Heritage Drive SW)
Cost: Free
Visit Canada’s first permanent digital immersion gallery at TELUS Spark Science Centre: Every Second exhibit
Elle McLean/Daily Hive
What: Digital immersion galleries and exhibits have been travelling the country lately, but Calgary’s TELUS Spark Science Centre just opened the first permanent display in Canada. Spark’s gallery allows visitors the chance to get up close and personal with science and explore topics such as space, the human brain, and ocean life.
There will be a new show every six months, and the first one is called Every Second. The gallery brings viewers on a journey through a person’s lifetime, exploring the moments and mathematics that make up our lives through this interactive display, narrated by Italian-American actress Isabella Rossellini.
When: July 29, 2021, to January 30, 2022
Time: Spark is open 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays and Mondays – reserve your half-hour time slot online to view the exhibit.
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre (220 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: Included with general admission ($26 for adults, $19 for children three and over)
Arts Commons’ ArtsXpeditions
What: ArtsXpeditions is back and bigger than ever this year. Pop-up shows bring music, dance, and performance art to community spaces, and this week’s five events are sure to surprise and delight locals at places like Olympic Plaza, Tompkins Park, VivianeArt, and St. Patrick’s Island.
When: August 11, 12, 13, and 15
Time: Varies by day; view schedule for details
Where: Varies by performance
Cost: Free
Banff Gondola Sunset Festival
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What: Fancy a little road trip? The Sunset Festival at the top of the Banff Gondola runs through the summer and gives visitors the chance to enjoy one of Banff’s best views during golden hour. Toast a sunset in the mountains, snack on a Canadian-inspired BBQ menu, sip local craft beverages, and catch live entertainment each evening.
When: July 9 to September 6
Time: 5:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: At the top of Sulphur Mountain (accessible by gondola at 100 Mountain Avenue, Banff)
Cost: Gondola tickets are available from $44
Kensington weekend pop-ups
What: Free pop-up activations will run each weekend in Kensington Village until November, bringing Calgarians a chance to enjoy live music, performers, art, and much more throughout the neighbourhood.
When: Every Saturday from June through November
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Where: Kensington Village (exact location varies by week)
Cost: Free
Check out The Dark Arts pop-up at The GRAND Theatre
What: A new interim exhibit, located inside of The GRAND Theatre, mashes up refined cocktails, a shareable menu, and works by over 20 of YYC’s most accomplished artists. The Dark Arts is an Instagrammable lounge, providing the perfect backdrop for a seated atmosphere that offers much to explore.
When: Wednesday to Saturday, from now through October
Time: 5 pm to late
Where: The GRAND Theatre (601 1st Street SW, Calgary)
Cost: No entry fee. Prices vary by food and drink item
Attend a free yoga class
What: Relax and get some fresh air with a free class through Calgary Outdoor Yoga. There are two sessions offered each Sunday at locations in Mahogany and Stanley Park. It’s important to note that pre-registration is required, and attendee numbers are limited.
When: Every Sunday through until October 2021
Time: 10 am and 1 pm
Where: Participants will receive an email the night before with the exact secret location of each class.
Cost: Free
The B!G Art Drive-In
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What: B!G Art and TELUS Spark Science Centre have paired up again this year to bring back their epic big-screen movies and shows. This weekend’s offerings include Frozen, Jurassic World, and Friday the 13th.
While you’re there, be sure to stop into the Rocket Fuel Cafe for some astronaut ice cream.
When: August 12, 13, and 14
Time: Varies by show
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre (220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary)
Cost: Varies by show
Get into Studio Bell for free
What: Celebrate Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre’s five-year anniversary, with free admission every weekend through the rest of the year. Check out new and updated exhibits, catch instrument show-and-tells, and delve into the history of iconic Canadian musicians. Reserve your tickets online now.
When: Weekends until the end of 2021
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Studio Bell (850 4th Street SE)
Cost: Free
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