Calgary Events: March 19-25

Broadway's Hairspray, Grape Escape, field hockey, and more

Author

Krista Sylvester
March 19, 2024

Happy Tuesday, friends. A winter wallop of snow is on its way so beat the cold with this slate of events this week. 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

🩰 Shen Yun in Calgary: Shen Yun is a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China’s rich cultural heritage. Each performance consists of about 20 pieces, quickly moving from one legend, region, or dynasty to the next. From March 29 to 31 at the Jubilee.

🎵Jubilations Dinner Theatre: Journey to the 80s: Every decade has certain trends that develop and no other decade has the sheer explosion of pop culture like the ’80s. The Billboard charts of the 1980s featured the biggest variety of music styles and genres, such as Madonna, Tina Turner, Def Leppard, and more. Preview week starts March 30.

🎤 Bianca Del Rio: On April 4, everyone's favourite "clown in a gown", Bianca Del Rio, is returning to the stage with a new comedy show, aptly titled "Dead Inside". This will be the seasoned comic's sixth, worldwide stand-up comedy tour.

🍷 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!

💥 The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo: From April 25-28, geek out at this annual celebration of all things pop culture, including comics, sci-fi, gaming, fantasy, horror and more, held each year in Calgary at Stampede Park.

Happening this week and weekend

Today until March 24 | Various times | Jubilee

Broadway Across Canada’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy Hairspray kicks off tonight until Sunday at the Jubilee. Set in the ’60s, there are colourful costumes, big hair, and infectious music. Packed full of catchy tunes and magical choreography, the beloved musical comedy will delight audiences.

Today until March 22 | Various times | Pan American region at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre

Catch the finest indoor hockey talent from across the Pan American region over four days of electrifying sports action.

Friday & Saturday | 6-10pm & 5-9pm | BMO Centre

Calgary's largest premium wine, spirits, and beer-tasting event is led by winemakers and master distillers with hundreds of sips to go around from over 150 vendors.

Enjoy a screening of the extraordinary tale Hidden Figures followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring trailblazing women from various STEMM fields at the Central Library. [Free with Registration]

John Ware Reclaimed | Tuesday | 6pm

As part of an ongoing series to focus on marginalized voices, join Calgary filmmaker and author Cheryl Foggo as she re-examines the mythology surrounding John Ware during a provocative Q&A. [Free]

Easter Baby Print Party | Wednesday | 1-7pm 

Enjoy Easter family fun with Crock A Doodle at this Baby Print Party where participants will get to capture their sweet child’s hand or footprint onto pottery. [$20 Deposit]

Village Laugh Session | Thursday | 7:30-10:30pm

Guaranteed to tickle the funny bone, Village Brewery presents Laugh Sessions featuring talented comedians Andrew Crone and Connor Christmas and hosted by special guest Jordi Bott. [$15]

Enjoy new shows every night as artists compete for the chance to showcase their art to the whole province for three days at the Pumphouse Theatre.

The kids are out of school, now get them out of the house with select family-friendly movies for just $5 each for the next few weeks, with $1 from every ticket sold donated to Kids Help Phone. [$5]

This Indigenous Science Night welcomes Calgarians to learn the stories and science of the first thunder from Elders and Knowledge Keepers while experiencing the vibrations of hoop dancing and drumming, and shopping the “Good Vibrations” Mini Market which features hands-on activities for kids. [$10]

CRTA Art Show & Sale | Saturday | 10am-4pm

Featuring original artwork in a variety of styles and mediums, join the CRTA for an opportunity to meet the artists, enter to win the door prizes and enjoy shopping for art cards, jewelry, stained glass work, and illustrated books. [Free]

Honky Tonk Market | Saturday | 11am-5pm

With 30+ vendors offering everything from handmade goods and vintage finds to pottery and genuine leather, this market boasts live local talent and so much more. [Free]

11th Annual Peace Walk | Saturday | 2-3:15pm

This global initiative aims to unite communities and advocate for peace, kindness and compassion by taking a peaceful stroll through downtown Calgary where the walk will commence at the north end of the Peace Bridge. [Free]

2nd Annual Taste of Japan Fair | Saturday | 6-8pm

The Calgary Japanese Community Association invites Calgarians to learn about the best places to visit in Japan while making new friends and enjoying popular Japanese fast food prepared in-house by Chef Tomo. [$20]

DJD presents DISPLACED | Saturday-Sunday | Various times

Opening with a premiere of the short film, Displaced followed by stage performances, this event aims to explore the importance of human connection and the ability to integrate into new places and spaces while feeling supported. Using promo code WMVIP will get Calgary Citizen and This Week In Calgary subscribers (that’s you!) free tickets to this memorable experience. [$25]

The Barn Artisan Market | Sunday | 11am-4pm 

Celebrate the (usual) start of the spring season with the Barn Artisan at the Shawnessy Barn where shoppers can find great home decor and household items at the Spring Market. [Free]

Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs | Sunday | 1-4pm  

Hosted by Dogma Training and Legacy Vet Clinic the Easter Bunny is hopping by for an afternoon of Easter-themed activities and to visit with families and their four-legged best friends (dogs-only). [Free]

Cocktails & Caricature | Sunday | 6-10pm 

Join Fleetwood Lounge to unwind with artisan cocktails and a selective menu as their caricature artist transforms memories into art. Tickets include admission and caricature. [$22]

Explore Calgary from a different angle and take a walk through Union Cemetery with a well-known clairvoyant named Kim Dennis. [Free]

Ongoing

Get ready to be transported back to summer with a show celebrating 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 Sunday | 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)

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

❤️ Review of the week