Calgary Events: March 12-18

YYC Food and Drink fest, starlight skating, theatre, and more

Author

Krista Sylvester
March 12, 2024

Happy Tuesday, friends. It feels like spring might finally be around the corner and the calendar of events is starting to look a little different with both indoor and outdoor options!

We’d love to know what you think with a review down below. If you know of an upcoming event that we should include in next week’s list, send it our way at [email protected].

Editor’s note: We do our best to provide the most updated information but we encourage you to check ahead of time in case there have been changes to the event details.

On our radar

🎭 Broadway Across Canada: This touring production company announced its 24/25 theatrical lineup at Jubilee Auditorium featuring some big titles such as The Book of Mormon, Beetlejuice, Disney’s The Lion King, and a Tina Turner musical, among others.

🍷 Made with Love Banff Food and Cocktail Festival: After a highly successful inaugural event in 2023, this popular food and drink event is returning to Banff for an even bigger and better celebration from April 19 to May 4. Better book your hotels soon!

🎤 Ice Cube: Ice Cube, an award-winning musician, actor, director, and producer, is bringing his Straight Into Canada Tour with special guest DJ KAV to Grey Eagle Casino on April 27.

🎥 The 21st Calgary Underground Film Festival: Taking place April 18-28, this massive 11-day festival is set to bring a variety of filmmakers to the city while highlighting a slate of edgy and thought-provoking films.

🐻 Wild After Hours: Polar Bears: Calling all polar bear enthusiasts over the age of 18! This evening of polar bear exploration including a four-course dinner is already on its way to selling out so grab your tickets before it’s too late. Various dates until May 3 but hurry before it’s too late!

Happening this week and weekend

Friday until March 31 | Various times | Various locations

This annual food and drink experience showcases the diverse and delicious restaurant scene in Calgary with 17 days of delectable multi-course set menus and signature culinary events to explore at the city’s top restaurants.

Saturday | 6-8pm | Fort Calgary

Strap on your skates and stride under the stars at Fort Calgary’s new outdoor rink! This glistening ice rink is located beside the Bow River and is illuminated by the lights of the downtown skyline. Just bring skates and your helmet!

Saturday until April 14 | Various times | Vertigo Theatre

This riveting Canadian premiere, adapted from Paula Hawkins’ NY Times best-selling novel turned Hollywood film, keeps the tension mounting right up until the final reveal.

WinSport Servus Tube Park | Tuesday until Sunday | WinSport (Canada Olympic Park)

It is the perfect activity to enjoy with family and friends as you spend a day at WinSport’s Tube Park, which is one of the fastest of its kind in Western Canada.

ITA Mini Gathering | Wednesday | 9am-6pm

Experience the Indigenous Tourism Alberta Mini Gathering in this one-day event, featuring market preparedness sessions, keynote speakers, panel discussions, cultural entertainment, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration and growth within this vibrant community. [Free]

Sip & Savor: Taste of Ireland | Wednesday | 7-9pm

Wine and Beyond in Signal Hill is hosting this St. Patrick’s Day-themed whiskey tasting led by Colin MacDougall featuring four different whiskeys. [$28]

St. Villaintinerick's Day Comedy | Wednesday | 7-9:30pm

The Villains of Comedy and Evil Corporation Brewing present an evening of celebration for anything vaguely Celtic where St. Valentine and St. Patrick will battle it out for laughs and dancing. [$10]

Keeping Finance Personal Event | Thursday | 7-9pm 

Shelf Life Books will be hosting a discussion Q+A with authors Ellyce Fulmore and Alyssa Davies to reflect on the book, Keeping Finance Personal and how lived experiences intertwine with money decisions. [Free]

Stand-up Comedy Moonlighter | Thursday | 8-9:30pm 

Having won the 2022 Laugh Shop comedy competition, Tommy Mellor hits the stage at Dandy Brewing Co. to share his unique stories and generate huge laughs. [$13]

Dr. Dre Tribute | Thursday | 9pm 

Hosted by DJ Pump and taking place at Sweet Loretta’s Bar, enjoy an evening of nostalgic rap in honour of the talented musical artist, Dr. Dre. [$15]

Ruby & The Rockies Live | Friday | 8-10pm 

The Attic Bar & Stage welcomes Ruby & The Rockies to the big stage for a night of indie-blues cover music with a fresh spin on country rhythms. [$13]

Hand-Knit Pillow Workshop | Saturday | 5-7pm 

In this relaxing and hands-on workshop participants will learn how to hand knit a pillow two different ways and Bowness Arts offers a lower ticket price for those who want to bring their own yarn.  [Starting at $30]

An Evening in Palestine | Saturday | 6-9pm 

Enjoy an evening of learning, delicious food, and a hands-on workshop to create traditional Palestinian embroidery, followed by a silent auction where all proceeds go towards supporting the relatives of Palestinian Calgarians. [$75]

Duelling Pianos | Saturday | 7-10pm 

Join the Millican Ogden Community Association for a wild night of toe-tapping tunes and laughter as duelling pianos take the stage to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and play requested songs from the audience. [$40]

Luck of the Party | Saturday | 9pm 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the vibrant atmosphere of Dreamers Bar & Lounge where the theme is green and the goal is to make memories with friends old and new while dancing the night away. [$12]

Alberta Bike Show | Saturday-Sunday | 10am-6pm

The Alberta Bike Show promises to be an incredible day out for cyclists. Explore the latest bikes and special offers from some of the best cycling brands and retailers. Enjoy high-flying action at the Alberta Jump Jam plus much more at BMO Centre.

Snowga at Rotary Park | Sunday | 10-11:15am 

Longtime climate activist Mike Byerley is leading an outdoor Snowga session at Rotary Park and invites all experience levels to join this unique experience hosted by POW Canada. [$12]

Robot Puppet Workshop | Sunday | 2-4:30pm 

Designed for ages 6+, the Robot Parade Puppet Workshop at the Sparrow Artspace is an opportunity to create a robot puppet using wood and upcycled materials where imagination is the only requirement. [$18]

Ethical AI Discussion | Monday | 4-5:30pm 

Delve into the ethical dimensions of AI with industry leaders at Bow Valley Square where participants will explore topics such as bias mitigation, environmental impact, job displacement, human interaction in AI technology and so much more. Offered in-person and virtually. [Free]

Paint Night | Monday | 8pm 

Embracing the advantage of smaller painting groups, instructor Alexandre welcomes all experience levels to join for a night of creativity in the spacious studio settings of Paint Escape in Millrise. [$41]

Ongoing

Get ready to be transported back to summer with a show that celebrates the iconic Beach Boys and their timeless sound. Did we mention the three-course dinner and all-night improv entertainment?

The Festival of Animated Objects | Until March 24 | Various locations

The Festival of Animated Objects marries the timeless practice of mask and puppet arts with contemporary spaces, themes, and ideas. Calgary has become one of the most active spots in North America for ground-breaking puppetry and all of the puppetry mastery is on display.

Moment Factory's Mirror Mirror | Until March 31 | CF Chinook Centre

This innovative sensory exploration takes viewers into a world that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination with nine immersive art installations.

Nightrise | Until March 31 | Sulphur Mountain

Sulphur Mountain’s summit is transformed after dark through four digital art installations. Vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, video projections, and music bring the mountaintop to life in a new and unexpected way.

Stage West’s Chapter Two | Until April 14 | Stage West

Stage West Dinner Theatre’s Chapter Two is a semi-autobiographical play about Neil Simons’ relationship with his second wife. A tale about love, loss, and second chances. Buffet dinner included.

Rock the Nation | Until April 28 | Studio Bell

This popular event features electrifying performances of beloved Canadian songs with over 60 years of Canadian music hits that you’ll be sure to know and sing along to.

Da Vinci The Exhibition at TELUS Spark | Until May 5 | TELUS Spark

Go beyond the canvas of Leonardo da Vinci's life, research, and art, as you explore more than 65 life-size inventions and more than 20 fine art studies and captivating displays.

Fly through a technicolour nebula, kick up dust on the moon, and witness Saturn’s rings up close in this out-of-this-world immersive experience. Explore the galaxy through the James Webb telescope with this unique space exploration encounter.

That’s it!

Thanks for checking in this week. Hope you found something good to add to your calendar. Thanks for letting us be your tour guide! See you next week? Same time, same place.

✌️ TWIC (from the Calgary Citizen team)

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