What’s Up This Weekend?

May 27 to 29

May 26 to 29; Second Annual Calgary Black Film Festival, the Calgary Black Film Festival’s bold and diverse programming is moving to a hybrid model this year with its first in-person offering in Calgary. The event will also include continued online programming for accessibility across Canada and the world. The in-person screenings and events will take place at the Globe Cinema, the Dome Theatre at Telus Spark Science Centre, the Calgary Memorial Park Library and the Calgary Central Library. Learn more at calgaryblackfilm.com.

May 27 to 28; Seussical: The Musical at Bert Church Theatre, now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Learn more about how you can get in on the whimsical fun at thebertchurchtheatre.com.

May 28, 7:30pm to 10pm; CRESCENDO, the much-anticipated return of this high-energy musical extravaganza in support of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and youth mental health initiatives in our community is back after a two-year pandemic pause. You’ll be singing and dancing along to hits from The Beatles, Adele, ABBA, Coldplay and more, while powerful storytelling is sure to move and inspire you at Arts Common – Jack Singer Concert Hall. For more information, visit childrenshospital.ab.ca/event/crescendo/.

May 28; Tsuut’ina Teachings at Fort Calgary, learn and understand aspects of the historical context and realities of contemporary Indigenous interaction in Canada. By sharing their stories and experiences, Bruce and Deanna Starlight of the Tsuut’ina Nation explore the settler-colonial history at the heart of Fort Calgary and our city and examine its impacts on local Indigenous ways. Learn more at fortcalgary.com.

May 28 to 29, 10am to 4pm; Airdrie Children’s Festival, this annual Children’s Festival promotes fun and learning and creates curiosity and stimulates creativity. The event at Nose Creek Park in Airdrie will include a children’s village (uber fun playground), inspiration stations (accelerated learning), workshops (hands on learning) and children’s entertainment (passive learning and fun) – all free of charge! Learn more at airdriechildrensfest.com.

May 28 to 29, 11am to 4pm; Airdrie Pet Expo, check out this incredible experience for pet owners and their furry family members. With more than 20 vendors, puppy playtime, pet demonstrations, tours and more at Homestead Market. Learn more at homesteadmarketalberta.com

May 28 to 29, The Calgary Reptile Expo, this is your opportunity to find your favorite local reptile and amphibian breeders and enthusiasts under one roof. For more information and tickets, visit albertareptiles.ca.

May 28 to 29; Festival of Quilts at Heritage Park, hundreds of stunning handmade quilts of all shapes, sizes and techniques will once again adorn Heritage Park. Whether you’re an avid quilter or simply enjoy viewing the beautiful work, there is quilting fun to be had all over the Park. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

May 29, 12pm to 3pm; Alberta Dance Theatre’s Free Audition Workshop, each spring, Alberta Dance Theatre holds open call placement auditions inviting youth artists looking for a space to express the creativity to join the company. ADT welcomes dancers of all experience levels and uses the auditions as a way to place the dancers in the appropriate performance group. Learn more at albertadancetheatre.com/join-adt.

May 29, 12pm to 8pm; Vaisakhi Mela at Genesis Centre Feature Gymnasium & Event Centre, this mega event celebrates Indian New Year, Harvest Festival and Religious Festival all rolled into one. The mission is to encourage all recognized multicultural associations representing their country to participate in the event through songs dances or any other performances or activities.

Ongoing

March 17 to October 27; National Music Centre’s Jam Club, join the National Music Centre’s free after-school Jam Club program. Youth ages thirteen to nineteen are invited to jam, practice their skills, and explore their creative potential, all while making new friends, every Thursday at Studio Bell for free. Students can drop in at any time between 3pm and 6pm and there is no obligation to attend week to week. Snacks, drinks, and pizza are provided. Learn more at studiobell.ca/after-school-jam-club.

March 26 to May 28; Jubilations Dinner Theatre presents Greased, go back to a time when life seemed simpler. Tap your toes and laugh as Jubilations parodies one of the all-time great nostalgia trips. All your favorite rock and roll classics of the ‘50s are queued up. Learn more and buy tickets at jubilations.ca and r

March 27 to May 28, High Performance Rodeo Spring Edition, the rodeo takes over downtown Calgary in all shapes, sizes, and sounds – defying description and tantalizing the tastes of arts and culture lovers in various venues. Learn more and get tickets at hprodeo.ca. 

April 1 to May 28, Rosebud Theatre presents Grace & Glorie, a feisty ninety-year-old cancer patient, checks herself out of the hospital to return to her beloved homestead only to find her beloved apple orchard under construction. Glorie, a newly minted volunteer hospice worker and experienced city lawyer shows up to visit and maybe even save the day. The comedic clash of an illiterate rural woman and an overly sophisticated urban lawyer means that neither of their lives will ever be the same again. Learn more and buy tickets at rosebudtheatre.com.

April 9 to May 29; Skooby Doob and the Haunted Race Track at Jubilations Dinner Theatre, a production written for kids, and a meal designed with kids in mind. Join for a fun-filled morning of laughter, music and food. Visit jubilations.ca for more information and tickets.

April 22 to June 6; Storybook Theatre’s SpongeBob the Musical, adapted from the iconic Nickelodeon series. SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and all of Bikini Bottom face total annihilation — until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage. For more information and to buy tickets, visit storybooktheatre.org.

May 1 to October 1; Bow Habitat Kids Can Catch Trout Pond, the Bow Habitat Station’s Kids Can Catch Trout Pond is open for the season. This pond is stocked with rainbow trout raised in the fish hatchery for you to catch and release. Visit bowhabitat.alberta.ca for more information.

May 1 to October 26; Dinosaurs Awakened at The Calgary Zoo, get ready to marvel at the sights and sounds of these magnificent life-like creatures and see for yourself what Alberta might have looked like when dinosaurs reigned supreme. Entry included in admission to the Zoo. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

Starting May 1; Gasoline Alley at Heritage Park will be buffed up and ready to shine under the bright lights as it opens for another season. Discover highlights from the vintage pick-up truck collection, play games, and visit with members of the Rocky Mountain Model Club.

May 7 to June 11; Stage West for Kids: The Great Race, join Hannah Hare and Tonya Turtle as they compete to win the grand prize in a reality show. Through obstacles, challenges and facing their fears, Hannah and Tonya discover that they are more the same than they are different. Based on the Aesop fable with a modern twist, The Great Race is a fun-filled musical adventure for the whole family. Learn more at stagewestcalgary.com/stage-west-for-kids.

May 13 to 29; Shark Bite at Lunchbox Theatre, a troubled urban teenager arrives at her Grandfather’s remote cabin for a visit, and they quickly realize that the easy days of their relationship are far behind them. When George tries to find some common ground between them through a nature hike, a dangerous turn of events leaves Ava in the position of trying to save them both. Learn more at lunchboxtheatre.com/shark-bite.

May 20 to June 26; Spring at Calgary Farmyard, spring is the perfect time to meet newly born barn babies and explore all the great attractions at the farmyard. Most of the animals on the farm are born there and remain there so you can visit them each year. Learn more at calgaryfarmyard.com.

May 25 to June 4; Cannonball! A Festival of Youth Theatre at West Village Theatre, CYPT welcomes back the 2022 Cannonball Festival of Youth-Led Theatre. Seven youth-produced one-act plays performed over two weeks! You heard that right – every show is directed, written, designed, stage managed, produced, and performed by youth age 10 to 19. Learn more at cypt.ca.

May 27 to June 5; Royal Canadian International Circus, the all new Royal Canadian International Circus is coming to Calgary! This spectacular show will mesmerize, astound, thrill and captivate audiences beyond the extraordinary. There are no exotic animals in this show. Want 2-for-1 tickets? Buy them online at royalcanadiancircus.ca and use the code: calgaryschild! Learn more at royalcanadiancircus.ca.

Visit the Glenbow at The Edison, the satellite location of the popular museum at The Edison building in downtown Calgary is now open. Best of all – admission is free for everyone, thanks to the support of the Calgary Downtown Association. A timed ticket is required for entry. To reserve your ticket, visit glenbow.org.