2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE

may • 17 • 13

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Waa-hoo,By it’s Credit time to Tktktkttktkt get your war paint on for festival season!

We’ve got 152

of ’em to colour your summer.

Connect to your city at + Tom’s House of Pizza Turns 50 + A Late Bloomer Aces the Art Game More Fun Inside: Mumford & Sons vs. Fleetwood Mac 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE put your fest face forward To celebrate the start of festival season, we asked a professional face painter to “illustrate” several events

on living canvases—the mugs of Swerve152 staffers festivals and contributors. And we’ve rounded up to colour your spring, summer and fall.

face paintings by photographed by LÉa Selley Marc Rimmer “[Adults also] Let’s face it, after want to feel the age of about six, legal opportunities to make minor, joyful spectacles of ourselves are few and far between. special, get (True, Roughriders fans seem to find a way around the noticed, maybe cultural and emotional barriers that prevent the rest of get some good us from embracing our inner jubilant freaks on a regu- lar basis but, well, we can’t all be from Saskatchewan.) vibes bouncing Wouldn’t it be great, though, if every once in a while off of everyone you could, for instance, get a stranger on the bus to look around them.” up from his iPad and smile? Or occasionally inspire the barista taking your coffee order to look directly into your —Léa Selley eyes with a bit of awe and wonder? While we’re not sug- gesting you leave the house in a watermelon helmet, we do think the coming festival season smooths the way for us to surprise, amuse, connect and otherwise jolt each other out of our routines, which can only make us a lighter, loftier, more harmonious bunch the rest of the year. ’s Léa Selley—a self-taught face painter who has Spidermanned and princessed up thousands of Calgary faces—knows the power a little dose of out-of- the-ordinary can have on humanity. A former cartog- rapher and web designer, Selley took up face painting five years ago on a whim at her daughter’s Halloween birthday party. She was a natural at artfully transforming faces faster than you can say “gimme fangs” but also at the formidable task of getting kids to sit in a chair for upwards of 15 minutes at a stretch. Selley, whose three daughters admit that they have, at long last, grown weary of their mother’s practice sessions, is now booked up year-round at Stampede events, Comic Con, private functions and, most weekends, a booth at the Calgary Farmers’ Market. She loves the work, in part because of the celebrity pedes- tal she’s put on when she arrives at kids’ events, but also because of the magical inner transformation she sees take place in her customers. “I think the reason kids love getting their faces painted is that it results in them getting a lot of attention, lots of smiles and eye contact and positive comments,” says Selley. The magic isn’t restricted to children: Selley has many return adult customers who come to her because “they want to feel special, get noticed, maybe get some good vibes bouncing off of everyone around them.” Sometimes it takes a sparkly purple butterfly on the cheek or some glitter-rockstar eye makeup to kickstart a conversation. So, while the myriad festivals we’ve presented here for your summer planning pleasure come complete with invitations to leave inhibitions at the gate and fall into a thoroughly exuberant groove with your fellow music-, poetry-, dance-, barbecue-, marathon- , opera- and food- lovers, you might want to keep an eye out for the face painters on the festival circuit this summer. They’ll tease your most expansive, festive self out of hibernation— possibly for good. —Jacquie Moore

t w e n t y -t w o 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE May Scotiabank Calgary Marathon When: Thursday, May 23 to Sunday, May 26 ImaginASIAN Asian Heritage Month What: Join over 10,000 participants in a full mara- When: Throughout May. Wrap-up Saturday, May 25 thon, half marathon, 10K or 5K family walk and run What: Featuring a film series, bus tour, theatre, and kids’ marathon, Sunday, May 26. Also enjoy a book launch and cultural gala. free three-day Health and Wellness Expo, Thursday, Where: Locations around Calgary. Calendar at May 23 to Saturday, May 25. asianheritagecalgary.ca. Where: All races start and finish at Stampede Park. calgarymarathon.com. Health and Wellness Expo at Faith Fest , Stampede Park. When: Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 What: Includes performances by Juno award- Canadian Rockies Cowboy Festival winner Brian Doerksen and Panic Squad, clean When: Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26 comedy improv. What: A festival in the heart of the Canadian Where: Rosebud Opera House, Rosebud, Alta. Rockies with music, poetry performances and eve- 1-800-267-7553, rosebudtheatre.com. ning dances. Artists include Bobby Bare, Tim Hus, The Wardens, Doris Daley and more. Otafest Where: David Thompson Resort, Nordegg, Alta. When: Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19 (Three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103, What: A celebration of Japanese animation and davidthompsonresort.com. culture featuring a costume contest, vendors, panels, special guests, dances and much more. Musical perfor- Contrasts mances by Kieran Strange and Umbrella. Chamber Music Festival Where: ICT and MacEwan Students Centre, U of C. When: Friday, May 24; Wednesday, May 29; Friday, otafest.com. May 31; and Friday, June 7 What: The centrepiece of this year’s fest is Gravity Cochrane Children’s Festival and Grace, a celebration dedicated to Allan Gordon When: Saturday, May 18 Ball. Also, performances by Erhu virtuoso Yumeng Leo Papin, 5, is What: The 10th annual festival featuring interactive Wang, Edmond Agopian and the Contrasts Festival purrfectly painted games, crafts, roving performers and entertainment. String Orchestra, Duo Solista and winners of the for the festivities at Where: Spray Lakes Family Sports Centre, 800 Frank Simpson CYO Concerto Competition. . Griffin Rd., E., Cochrane. Tickets at the door or in Where: Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre, advance. cochrane-tourism.ca. University of Calgary (206 University Court N.W.). All events at 8 p.m. 403-210-7576, music.ucalgary.ca. Serbian Festival When: Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival mega-fest for the mini-set What: Featuring Serbian dances, cuisine, sports When: Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26; and displays. Wednesday, May 29 to Saturday, June 1 What: Calgary International Children’s Festival, calgarykidsfest.ca Where: Marda Loop Communities Association, What: Featuring boundary-pushing documentaries, When and where: Wednesday, May 22 to Saturday, May 25 at the Epcor Centre for 3130 16th St. S.W. serbianfest.org.s local youth content, internationally acclaimed film, comedic shorts packages and gala parties. the Performing Arts and Olympic Plaza. Cost: Free for open-air activities and $14.29 - Bach at Knox Where: The Plaza Theatre, 1133 Kensington Rd. $21.99 for performances. When: Wednesday, May 22 to Saturday, May 25. N.W. 403-244-1956, fairytalesfilmfest.com. What: Explore the many aspects of Johann Sebastian Why go: Where else can the kids get painted up inside a whale, bust out some karaoke Bach with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Heritage Park’s Festival of Quilts hits, take their arts and crafts to the next level and take in a stellar lineup of world-class Includes a presentation of 32 Short Films About Glenn When: Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 children’s entertainment? Why wouldn’t you attend this action-packed four days of the- Gould at the Plaza Theatre, 1133 Kensington Rd. N.W. What: Western Canada’s largest outdoor quilt Where: Knox United Church, 506 4th St. S.W. show featuring workshops, special displays, pancake atre, creativity and education? Um, wait, we mean why wouldn’t you bring the kids? 403-571-0849, cpo-live.com. breakfasts and hundreds of homemade quilts deco- Who’s headlining: There are lots of big names on the roster this year including A rating Heritage Park. Calgary International Children’s Festival Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, 1900 Brown Bear, A Moon and A Caterpillar from Nova Scotia’s Mermaid Theatre; The Tap When: Wednesday, May 22 to Saturday, May 25 Heritage Dr. S.W. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca. Kids; a new interpretation of Pinocchio from Roseland Musical & Urano Dance Troupe of What: Family-friendly world-class performing arts Spain; and Pete the Cat from Eric Litwin. and free open-air activities. Includes theatre, music, 4th Street puppetry and more. Come see Pete The Cat, Treasured When: Sunday, May 26 What’s new: The “Festival at a Glance” download (available on the website) makes Stories by Eric Carle. What: Massive free street festival with over 500 ven- scheduling your fun-filled days a breeze. A few minutes of planning ahead will allow you Where: Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and dors of food and crafts, buskers and six stages of live to make the most of Kids’ Fest’s action-packed agenda. Olympic Plaza. Tickets at calgarychildfest.org. music. Event kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. starting at 25th Avenue S.W. running north along Fourth Street What to wear and what to tote: There’s no dress code in effect at this fest; just National Jazz Summit to 13th Avenue S.W. dress yourself and the kids for comfort and fun. But if history is any indication, you may When: Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25 Where: Fourth Street S.W., from 12th Avenue to What: Bringing together musicians, educators Elbow Drive. Complete schedule at lilacfestival.net. also want to pack some raingear, just in case. and fans for a series of concerts and workshops featuring Banff Centre resident artists, AJ Benoit, History in the Hills How to get there: Taking the C-train to the Olympic Plaza Station not only Denzal Sinclaire and more. When: Tuesday, May 28 to Saturday, June 8 lends a sense of adventure to the field trip, it saves you the hassle and expense Where: National Music Centre, 134 11th Ave. S.E. What: Set in a traditional camp circle around an of parking downtown. nmc.ca/njs. archaeological dig, History in the Hills celebrates Face painter on site? Most def.—Meghan Jessiman

t w e n t y -t h r e e 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE Rockin’ the Rockies As if we needed another reason to get ourselves out to the mountains aboriginal culture from an historical perspective. Wild Rose Draft Horse Field this summer, the Banff Centre has Learn about environmental awareness and respect, Days and Pioneer Days cooked up a stellar few months of watch a hide-tanning demonstration and have a When: Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 get physical outdoor concerts (Classified, Feist bannock snack. What: Draft horses working in the field, wagon and Blue Rodeo, just to name a Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Where: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, rides, jam session, museum tour, handicrafts on dis- Elkwater, Alta. 1-403-504-5665, historyinthehillsso- few), fascinating speakers (ballet’s May 26, calgarymarathon.com play, demos, concessions and more. ciety.com. Where: Double Tree Village Museum, baddest boy, Mikhail Baryshnikov) Save your energy for the race and don’t Spruce View, Alta. and club shows galore to shine a groan at the impending pun: Canada’s FunnyFest spotlight on Canadian talent. You longest-running marathon is back for When: Thursday, May 30 to Saturday, June 9 Cultural Intersection Art may come for the hiking and bik- What: Eleven days and nights of comedy with over Exhibition and Gala its 49th year. In the wake of the Boston ing, but you’ll stay for the shows. 70 performers including Ron Vaudry, Stu Hughes, When: Wednesday, June 5 to Saturday, July 6; June 11 to Aug. 24, banffcentre.ca. Marathon bombings, security will likely be Tommy Savitt, Kelly Taylor, Chris Gordon, Andrew gala, Thursday, June 27. a little tighter than in past years, but the Albert and more. What: Featuring over 100 local mainstream and Where: Various venues around Calgary. showcase event is unchanged. Those who new Canadian artists, art gala night, public discus- Carifest Calgary 2012 403-228-7888, funnyfest.ca. sions, open workshops and performances promoting When: Saturday, June 8 don’t compete can peruse the booths at the and celebrating cultural diversity. What: Annual Caribbean festival and carnival Health and Wellness Expo while waiting to Where: Calgary Multicultural Centre, 909, 825 featuring music, Caribbean food and arts and June 8th Ave. S.W.; Endeavour Gallery, 1209 1st St. S.W.; cheer on the finishers. crafts market. and Motion Gallery, 127, 200 Barclay Parade S.W. Calgary Ukrainian Festival Where: Shaw Millennium Park. 403-774-1300, calgarymulti.com. Cyclepalooza When: Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 carifestcalgary.com. What: A family-friendly festival featuring all things June 28 to July 7, cyclepalooza.ca National Ukrainian. Includes performers from across Calgary Banff World Media Festival When: Wednesday, June 5 to Sunday, June 9 This 10-day fest is not about riding fast. and , homemade, traditional Ukrainian food, When: Sunday, June 9 to Wednesday, June 12 What: The best show-jumping athletes and horses and as an elaborate market for Ukrainian souvenirs. What: The world’s largest multi-platform produc- There are no races (the closest thing to from around the world compete for the Spruce Where: Acadia Recreation Complex, 240 90th tion and development marketplace and conference, competition is the Intro to Bike Polo ses- Meadows Canadian Show Jumping Championship. Ave. S.E. calgaryukrainianfestival.ca. attracting 1,500 programmers and development Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows sion). A more typical event is the Bush executives, producers, broadcasters and deal-makers Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com. Porn Babes Potluck & Ride on July 2. The Diamond Valley Parade and Discovery Days from 30 different countries. Guests include Christine Baranski, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Craig Ferguson. agenda (we use the term loosely) is: meet When: Saturday, June 1 The Hills Are Alive What: The largest small-town parade in Alberta; Where: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, 405 Spray at Prince’s Island around 7 p.m., eat, maybe When: Thursday, June 6 to Sunday, June 9 this year’s theme is “Spirit of a Century: Celebrating Ave., Banff. banffmediafestival.com. What: A four-day festival of music, dance, story- play a little bocce, then join the casual ride Youth,” in honour of the centennials of the Girl telling and cultural workshops celebrating Métis cul- Guides and the 4-H Club. Family fun continues after Banff Summer Arts Festival around 8 p.m. Those who want to cut loose ture in the Medicine Hat area. Classes include sash the parade in Turner Valley. When: Tuesday, June 11 to Saturday, Aug. 24 can stick a baseball card in their spokes. finger weaving, capote-making, moccasin-making Where: Saturday’s parade starts in Black Diamond, What: A three-month, multi-venue festival that and instruction in making smaller crafts. 301 Centre Ave. W. Discovery Days events at features outdoor concerts with Classified, Feist, Where: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Run at the Ranch various locations throughout the towns of Black Zeus, Blue Rodeo and Whitehorse, underground Elkwater, Alta. 403-526-0726, miywasin.ab.ca. Aug. 25, transrockies.com/run-at-the-ranch Diamond and Turner Valley (about 30 minutes south club shows with Cold Specks, Danny Michel, Shakey of Calgary). town.blackdiamond.ab.ca. Graves, opera superstars Measha Brueggergosman The ranch in question is the Glenbow Ranch Speak Out 15 Disability Pride & Festival and Ben Heppner and a one-on-one interview with When: Friday, June 7 Provincial Park, which means that runners Leighton Art Centre Clothesline Festival Mikhail Baryshnikov. What: Featuring a parade starting from Olympic will be presented with gorgeous vistas as When: Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 Where: Most events at The Banff Centre (107 Plaza and a performance by Momo Dance Theatre. What: A huge selection of original works by many Tunnel Mountain Rd.) in Banff. Tickets and info at a reward for huffing and puffing up those Where: Olympic Plaza, 228 8th Ave. S.E. Theatre of Alberta’s top artists, sculptors and fine craft- 1-800-413-8368 and banffcentre.ca. performance at Vertigo Theatre Centre, 161, 115 9th trails. At the end of their run 5K, 10K or half ers featured in tents and on clotheslines outdoors Ave. S.E. 403-7171-7360, actionhall.ca. marathon (there is also a kids’ run and a across 80 acres of Foothills splendour. Banff National Park Bike Fest When: Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 16 5K walk), as they contemplate their tired Where: Leighton Art Centre, rural location 15 min- Suncor Energy Stage One Festival utes southwest of Calgary (detailed directions at What: Up to 500 cyclists from Western Canada muscles, participants can take solace in the When: Friday, June 7 to Saturday, June 22 leightoncentre.org). 403-931-3633. and the U.S. participate in five competitive events What: Presented by Lunchbox Theatre. fact that a portion of the race proceeds go to and two family-friendly events over four days. Playwrights receive a new play workshop the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation. MEC Bikefest Where: Throughout Banff National Park. banf- culminating in a public reading where audiences When: Saturday, June 1 flakelouise.com/bikefest. give feedback. What: Bike demos, clinics, group rides, kids activi- Tour of Alberta Where: TransCanada Stage, Lunchbox Theatre, ties, bike retailers, cycling advocacy groups, free Beef the Festival 160, 115 9th Ave. S.E. 403-265-4292, Sept. 3-8, tourofalberta.ca tune-ups and more. When: Thursday, June 13 lunchboxtheatre.com. Some of the world’s top bicycle racers will Where: At Eau Claire Festival Plaza, 3rd Street What: Be part of the world’s biggest beef celebra- tion featuring celebrity chef Corbin Tomaszeki and cover 900 kilometres in six stages across and Riverfront Avenue S.W. events.mec.ca. Vulcan Spock Days Food Network regular Christian Pritchard live in the When: Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9 the changing landscape of Alberta. Those Okotoks Rotary Soap Box Derby kitchen. A custom menu will showcase unique cuts What: Descend onto the Canadian Prairies to the who want to get a sense of the speed these When: Saturday, June 1 of Alberta’s famous beef in inspiring dishes while the Official Star Trek Capital of Canada for a weekend What: Annual soap-box derby sponsored by the action from the kitchen is played live for attendees. athletes achieve should check out a prairie of extra-terrestrial family fun including an appear- Rotary Club of Okotoks and Carcraft Carstar. Where: Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave. S.W. beeffestival.ca. stage; those who want to get a better look ance by guests Rick Sternbach, designer for Star Where: More info at 403-938-3160. at the competitors will want to take in the Trek: The Motion Picture, The Next Generation, The Pincher Creek Cowboy Gathering Deep Space Nine and Voyager, and Ethan Phillips, When: Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 16 mountain stage. The tour wraps up down- who plays Neelix on Star Trek Voyager. What: Reminisce over three days packed with town at Centre Street and Fourth Avenue. Where: Vulcan, Alta. 403-485-2994, poetry, songs, stories and tall tales of cowboy life vulcantourism.com. There should be a big party, even if the rac- past and present. ers are too tired to participate. —Bruce Weir t w e n t y -f o u r Where: The Horseshoe Pavilion and the Pincher Train Days Creek Community Hall, Pincher Creek, Alta. When: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 pcgathering.com. What: Take a peek at train displays by the Rocky Mountain Garden Railroaders and enjoy train and IGNITE! Calgary’s Festival hay rides, a pancake breakfast and a Father’s Day for Emerging Artists brunch buffet. When: Thursday, June 13 to Saturday, June 15 Where: Aspen Crossing, west of Mossleigh (an hour What: Sage Theatre’s annual showcase of work of southeast of Calgary on Highway 24). Reserve your some of the most exciting young artists in Alberta. brunch spot at 1-866-440-3500 or aspencrossing.com. A multidisciplinary extravaganza of theatre, dance, music and visual art. Waterton Wildflower Festival Where: All events at the Pumphouse Theatres, When: Saturday, June 15 to Sunday, June 23 2140 Pumphouse Ave. S.W. sagetheatre.com. What: Waterton Lakes National Park is home to Alberta’s most diverse community of wildflow- Spruce Meadows Continental ers. Over 50 of Canada’s rarest wildflowers grow When: Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 16 there, 30 of which are found only in Waterton. What: An FEI five-star tournament that features a Enjoy guided flower walks and hikes, photogrpahy World Cup qualifier and a Nations’ Cup. Enjoy world- and art workshops, and flower discovery by horse- class show jumping in a relaxed atmosphere, with back, bicycle or boat. free admission and parking. Where: Waterton, Alberta (about 2.5 hours south of Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Calgary). 1-800-215-2395, watertonwildflowers.com. Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com. Guy Weadick Days Canadian Rockies Bluegrass Festival When: Thursday, June 20 to Sunday, June 23 When: Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16 What: Honouring one of the forefathers of the What: Three-day outdoor bluegrass fest in the heart with chuckwagon races and rodeo. of the Canadian Rockies. Performers include Back Where: High River Agricultural Grounds, High Style YYC huntress Porch Swing, Freddie & Sheila Pelletier, Valdy, Flat River, Alta. 403-652-3336, hragsociety.ca. Aldona Barutowicz Top Flyers, T. Buckley and JJ Guy. will be prowling Sled Where: David Thompson Resort, Nordegg, Alta. Pig & Pinot Festival Island for Swerve. (three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103, When: Thursday, June 20 davidthompsonresort.com. What: A 20 for 20 event presented by City Palate Magazine in celebration of their 20th anniversary. LabWorks Arts Festival Enjoy a stand-up stroll with delicious plates of When: Friday, June 14 to Saturday, June 22 piggy pleasure from 12 chef teams competing for two wheels and film reels What: Newly created original theatre and dance the honour of winning the “Divine Swine” trophy shows, Habanera, Tangled Spaces and Boy Meet using pasture-raised and naturally fed pork. Also What: Sled island, sledisland.com Girl Part 2. includes wine pairings by Calgary’s most talented Where: Arrata Opera Centre, 1315 7th St. S.W. sommeliers, a silent auction, ticket raffle and music When and where: The film fest runs Tuesday, June 18 to Tuesday, June 25; the main thisisamobhit.com. by Simply Sinatra. music fest runs Wednesday, June 19 to Saturday, June 22. Both take over a pile of ven- Where: Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave. S.W. pigandpinot- ues in a bikeable radius around . Footstock calgary.eventbrite.ca. When: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 Why go: It’s not just music. There’s comedy, movies and art. What: A premier race weekend in the Rockies Sled Island Festival with a 5 km, 10 km, half marathon, duathlon and When: Wednesday, June 20 to Saturday, June 23 Who’s headlining: The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and iron kids triathlon. What: Annual independent multi-venue music and Joel Plaskett Emergency are some of the big band names, but new executive director Where: Most races start and finish at Spray Lake art festival showcasing emerging and established Maud Salvi is excited about the film program as well, which includes Wavemakers, a Sawmills Family Sports Centre, 800 Griffin Rd. E., local talent alongside national and international Cochrane. footstock.ca. musicians and artists. Featuring The Jesus and Mary documentary showing at the National Music Centre about the Ondes Martinot, “a really Chain, Explosions in the Sky, Swans, Divine Fits, Joel old musical instrument that very few people in the world play anymore,” says Salvi. Rendez-vous cinéMAGINE Calgary Plaskett Emergency and more. The vacuum-tubed, keyboard-like instrument is in the NMC’s collection, so there’ll be When: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 Where: Multiple venues in Calgary’s downtown and a post-screening demo. Salvi adds she’s excited for the closing gala film, The Legend of What: Two-day French film festival with a mix Beltline. sledisland.com. of films from Quebec and Europe, including Kaspar Hauser. The surrealist black-and-white techno western “sounds really crazy—in programming for children and a closing wine Calgary Greek Festival a good way,” she says. and cheese reception. With English subtitles for When: Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23 the enjoyment of all. What: Can’t get to Greece this summer? Enjoy What’s new: There are some new venues, Flames Central and the Golden Age Club, Where: Various locations through Calgary. the tastes, sounds and hospitality right here in and the film program has a new partner, the , which will be hosting 403-320-7638, cinemagine.net. Calgary. The festival is all about Greek music, some of the screenings. Also, there will be a bike valet (think coat-check for your two- dance, wine, food and friendship. Spirit of Okotoks Where: Calgary Hellenic Society Community Hall, 1 wheeled ride) at Olympic Plaza and in the East Village, which hosts a block party on the When: Saturday, June 15 Tamarac Cres. S.W. calgaryhellenic.com. Thursday of the festival again this year. What: Featuring a parade, community breakfast, MarketSquare, chalk art activities, live music and Airdrie Empty Bowls Arts Festival How to get there: This fest is designed to be cycled. Get pedalling. children’s festival. When: Saturday, June 22 What to wear and what to tote: A helmet and a bike lock. You don’t want to con- Where: Various locations in downtown Okotoks. What: Annual festival to raise money in support 403-938-8950, okotoks.ca. of the Airdrie Food Bank. With music, hands-on dem- cuss yourself out of all the cool happenings—or have your precious ride yanked. onstrations, local art and activities for kids. Bowls Face painter on site? Probably not, but no one will blame you for slapping some on will be available for a suggested $20 donation. yourself.—Jon Roe

t w e n t y -f i v e 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE

Where: Nose Creek Park, Main St., Airdrie. Spruce Meadows Canada One emptybowlsairdrie.com. When: Wednesday, June 26 to Sunday, June 30 What: A world-class outdoor equestrian tournament Foothills Bluegrass Society in an intimate setting. Free admission and parking. Bluegrass Pick-nic and Fair Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows When: Saturday, June 22 Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com. What: Featuring Sweet Lowdown, Prairie’s Edge, Copper Junction, Steve Fisher and Friend and June Canadian Rockies International Rodeo Bugs. Also, barbecue dinner, farmers’ market and When: Friday, June 28 to Sunday, June 30 trade and artisan tables. What: International Gay Rodeo Association circuit Where: Wild West Event Centre, 67 Commercial event with attendees from all corners of the globe. Crt. (Next to ). foothillsbluegrass.com. Traditional rodeo events like bull riding, steer rid- ing, barrel racing and roping events as well as pop- MEC Paddlefest ular camp events like goat dressing and wild drag. When: Saturday, June 22 Includes a music festival and 20th anniversary cel- What: Boat demos, clinics, kids’ activities, ebration of Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association. community groups, the latest gear and more. Where: Strathmore Rodeo Grounds, Strathmore, Where: Carburn Park, 67 Riverview Dr. S.E. Alta. argra.org. events.mec.ca. Cyclepalooza Water Valley Celtic Festival When: Friday, June 28 to Sunday, July 7 When: Saturday, June 22 What: A community-driven, do-it-yourself bicycle What: Patterned after a festival held in Feakle, Co. festival with a variety of bike-related events. Clare, Ireland, the Water Valley Celtic Festival is a Where: Around Calgary. cyclepalooza.ca. one-day event featuring music, dance and stories. Where: Water Valley, Alta. (about 40 minutes FozzyFest northwest of Calgary) watervalleycelticfestival.org. When: Friday, June 28 to Monday, July 1 What: Featuring local and internationally acclaimed Swerve Listings Coordinator Medicine Hat JazzFest DJs, musicians and artists, food and merchandise Kerianne Sproule feels like When: Monday, June 24 to Sunday, June 30 vendors, workshops and spacious camping. letting her freak flag fly. What: Live jazz music in a friendly Alberta city. Where: South Kananaskis, Alta. Two hours south- Includes performances by Alan Jones Sextet, Ali west of Calgary. fozzyfest.com. Milner, the Curtis Macdonald Trio and many more. Where: Various locations around Medicine Hat. Barn Birthday and Family Festival 403-502-8777, medicinehatjazzfest.com. When: Saturday, June 29 bust out the DayGlo What: A full day of arts and crafts, face painting, Ponoka Stampede local performers, horse-drawn wagon rides, dance What: Badlands Stampede Music Festival, badlandsmusicfest.com When: Tuesday, June 25 to Monday, July 1 lessons, canoes, horseshoe pits and more. What: Rodeos, pro chuckwagon races, beer gar- Where: The Great Canadian Barn Dance near Hill When and where: Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7 at , 88 Olympic dens, fireworks and a midway. Performances by Spring, Alta. (Two hours south of Calgary). 1-866- Way S.W. Cost: $169 - $299. Wynonna & The Big Noise, Crash Cooper, Nitty 626-3407, gcbd.ca. Gritty Dirt Band and Charro Jerry Diaz. Why go: Just because you couldn’t make it to the California desert this past April for a Where: Ponoka Stampede grounds, Ponoka, certain (slightly overhyped) music festival doesn’t mean you can’t break out the DayGlo Alta. (two hours north of Calgary). 403-783-0100, July and crop tops and dance your fanny off right here in town. This is also the hottest ponokastampede.com. Banff Summer Arts Festival option going for those looking to avoid the country-and-western scene unfolding on the When: Ongoing to Saturday, Aug. 24 grounds during the first weekend of Stampede. What: A three-month, multi-venue festival that fea- tures outdoor concerts with Classified, Feist, Zeus, Who’s headlining: Though their names won’t ring a bell for those outside of Blue Rodeo and Whitehorse, underground club shows electronic-music circles, you will certainly know the chart-topping hits and remixes with Cold Specks, Danny Michel, Shakey Graves, opera of these world class DJs when you hear them. Afrojack, Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Steve superstars Measha Brueggergosman and Ben Heppner and a one-on-one interview with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Aoki, Morgan Page, Matt & Kim and nearly a dozen others will be bringing their beats Round ’em Up Where: Most events at The Banff Centre (107 to the Badlands. Sure Stampede Park Tunnel Mountain Rd.) in Banff. Tickets and info at 1-800-413-8368 and banffcentre.ca. What’s new: The whole shebang. This is the inaugural year for this three-day, adults- has plenty to offer only dance party. Here’s hoping it becomes an annual event. in terms of Chestermere Canada Day Celebration western When: Sunday, July 1 What to wear and what to tote: Here’s your chance to go all out with the education, What: A fun-filled family celebration including a festival-chic look that has become de rigueur with this kind of event. Just remember but if it’s authentic bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812 and to keep your footwear functional and your purse “essentials” to a minimum—there is a cowboy culture you seek, you need featuring an old-fashioned griddle breakfast and pretty long list of security no-nos in effect (spiked jewelry, spray paint and pacifiers, for to mosey out to Pincher Creek, Alta. Celtic tunes. Also, a screening of Lorax in the park. Now in its 26th year, the Pincher Creek Where: John Peake Park, Chestermere, Alta. starters), so be sure to check the website for details. chestermere.ca. Cowboy Gathering celebrates the music, How to get there: Carpool. Not only is it better for the planet, but COP’s parking stories, poetry and art of the not-so-girls Cochrane Canada Day Family Concert is also limited. (and guys)-gone-wild west. It’s all the When: Monday, July 1 charm of Stampede without the What: Cochrane’s greatest outdoor concert featur- Face painter on site? Not formally, but you know that with this crowd, someone’s debauchery—though you never know ing George Fox and George Canyon. sure to bust out the paints.—Meghan Jessiman how racy that cowboy poetry might get. June 13 to 16, pcgathering.com. t w e n t y -s i x 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE

Where: Mitford Outdoor Stage, Westrock Rd., Rum Runner Days 2012 Calgary Stampede Centennial Indian Princess Cochrane. cochrane-tourism.ca. When: Thursday, July 18 to Saturday, July 20 and more. Presented by the Friends of Fish Creek. What: Celebrate the deep-rooted history, culture Where: Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek Provincial get lost Heritage Park Celebrates and heritage of the Crowsnest Pass and its resi- Park. friendsoffishcreek.org. Canada Day/Dominion Day dents, both past and present. Featuring a parade, Oregon Shakespeare Festival When: Monday, July 1 Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival wine and food festival, show ’n’ shine, live music, Until Nov. 3, osfashland.org What: Celebrate Canada’s 146th birthday with a street vendors and plenty of kids activities. When: Sunday, July 21 cricket demonstration, mini chuckwagon races, chil- Where: Various venues throughout the Crowsnest What: Annual free, family-friendly street festival Ashland, Oregon is situated between dren’s crafts, stock dog demonstrations, trick roping, Pass. rumrunnerdays.com. with salsa sampling, street merchants and plenty Portland and San Francisco, so you can Strathcona Mounted Troop Musical Ride, Dominion of patio relaxing. choose to take either the southern or north- Day parade and more. Beef & Barley Days Where: 10th Street and Kensington Road N.W. ern route. Once in Ashland, you also have a Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, 1900 When: Friday, July 19th and Saturday, July 20th (Sunnyside C-Train stop) visitkensington.com. Heritage Drive S.W. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca. What: Festivities include a rodeo, fireworks, few choices to make. The festival runs three pancake breakfast and one of the best parades in Motion Notion stages and is presenting 11 shows this Spruce Meadows North American When: Thursday, July 25 to Monday, July 29 rural Alberta. There’s also a trade and craft show, season. The choice gets easier if you focus When: Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7 kids games and activities, pet show, ball games, food What: A non-stop, wide-ranging electronic music What: Equestrian tournament with the Spruce vendors, a roast-beef dinner and more. festival with several world-class stages, riverside on the outdoor Elizabethan Stage, which, Meadows North American Show Jumping Where: Carstairs, Alta. 403-337-3341, carstairs.ca. camping, fires, mountains, workshops, a vendor beginning in early June, presents Cymbeline, Championship, family entertainment and shopping village, performers, public art wall and more. The Heart of Robin Hood and A Midsummer opportunities. Langdon Days Where: Beaverfoot, 4220 Beaverfoot Rd., Golden, Night’s Dream. Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows When: Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 B.C. motionnotion.com. Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com. What: A small-town celebration of community spir- it. Includes a slo-pitch tournament, parade, pancake Calgary Folk Music Festival Mountain Brewers Beer Fest Badlands Stampede Music Festival When: Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 28 breakfast, horseshoe tournament, food trucks, kids June 1, northamericanbrewers.org When: Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7 activities, live music and more. What: Step off the edge of Calgary’s concrete jungle What: Brand-new outdoor music festival featuring Where: Langdon Community Park, Langdon, Alta. for a four-day exploration of music and community. Across the border you’ll find a strange Afrojack, Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Adventure Club, (30 minutes east of Calgary). goodlucktown.ca. Headliners include the Alabama Shakes, Thievery land that differs from ours in critical ways: Excision and more. Corporation, Cat Empire, Steve Earle and Creedence no Loonies, no kilometres and hundreds WHERE: Canada Olympic Park, 88 Olympic Way South Country Fair Clearwater Revisited. of unfamiliar beers. Sample the wares of S.W. badlandsmusicfest.com. When: Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 Where: Prince’s Island Park. calgaryfolkfest.com. What: A planet-friendly, peace-oriented, outdoor- microbreweries from Idaho and parts fur- Calgary Exhibition and Stampede camping-style roots-and-folk-music festival (with The Barn Dance Music Festival ther south. The biggies like Miller, Michelob When: Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 14 When: Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28 spoken word and other forms). Featuring Corin and Guinness will also be available, but What: A 10-day hoedown, international rodeo and Raymond, Luke Thompson, Petunia & The Vipers, What: Three-day outdoor festival with live bands exhibition that transforms the city into Wrangler- Sadlier Brown Band, Reuben & The Dark, Shout Out and camping. Featuring a tribute to Canadian why would you pass up the chance to whet wearing, pancake-eating, beer-loving Cowtown. Out Out Out and more. fiddle legend Roy Warhurst, The Travelling Mabels, your whistle with a little something from Stuff yourself at Stampede breakfast events before Where: Fish and Game Park in Fort Macleod, Alta. The Spirit Hall and The Great Canadian Barn Wyoming’s Thai Me Up Brewery? heading to the grounds for a day on the midway. scfair.ab.ca. Dance All Star Band. Where: Events take place all over the city, but Where: The Great Canadian Barn Dance near Hill main events are held at Stampede Park. 24 Hours of Adrenalin Spring, AB, two hours south of Calgary. 1-866-626- Penticton Elvis Festival calgarystampede.com. When: Saturday, July 20 3407, gcbd.ca. June 28-30, pentictonelvisfestival.com What: One of the most popular relay mountain Every year, before the city of Penticton cel- Calgary Turkish Festival biking events in North America, featuring 1,500 CentreFest ebrates the local harvest (Peach Festival, When: Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7 mountain bike enthusiasts racing in a variety of When: Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28 What: Performances include whirling dervishes, categories in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. What: Red Deer’s international street performer August 7-11), it deals with the Elvis nuts. folk dancers and singers. Traditional foods and Where: Canmore Nordic Centre, 1988 Olympic festival. Downtown Red Deer comes alive with street The Penticton Elvis Festival is a celebra- drinks, including Turkish coffee, donair, shish kebab, performers of all kinds including contortionists, jug- Way, Canmore, Alta. 24hoursofadrenalin.com. tion of the King that welcomes full-on baklava and more. glers, magicians and more. WHERE: Eau Claire’s Festival Plaza (2nd Street and Alberta International Airshow Where: Downtown Red Deer. centrefest.ca. impersonators and the merely besotted. 2nd Avenue S.W.). 403-890-6646, calgaryturkish- When: Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 Impersonators (both professional and festival.com. Cochrane SummerFest What: Two days of high-flying action. amateur) compete, with the top pro gain- WHERE: Lethbridge County Airport, 417 Stubb When: Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 ing entry into the Ultimate Elvis Finals in Dragons on Lake Newell Ross Rd., Lethbridge, Alta. albertaairshow.ca. What: Community festival including carnival When: Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 games, pony rides, hot and cold foods, kids craft Memphis in August. Mercy. What: Enter a team or watch the dragon boat Fiestaval Latin Festival castle and the SummerFest Sandbox. races which originated in China over 2,000 years Where: Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park, 109 5th Ave. When: Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 Bumbershoot ago. Also enjoy food and merchandise vendors, What: Two-day, family-friendly multicultural W., Cochrane. cochraneevents.ca. face painting and a beer garden. arts and entertainment festival highlighting Latin Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, bumbershoot.org Where: Lake Newell (10 minutes south of American culture. Historic Calgary Week Seattle’s annual farewell to summer is an Brooks, Alta.). dragonsonlakenewell.ca. Where: Calgary Olympic Plaza (Macleod Trail and When: Friday, July 26 to Monday, Aug. 5 excellent way to make use of the Labour 7th Avenue S.) fiestaval.ca. What: Presented by the Chinook Country Historical Westerner Days Fair & Exposition Society. Showcasing our history, culture and com- Day Weekend. Bumbershoot has evolved When: Wednesday, July 17 to Sunday, July 21 Creekfest munity through walks, tours, programs, presenta- over the years (it grew out of a festival What: Five days of authentic, action-packed When: Sunday, July 21 tions, family events, museums and community visits. founded in 1971, a simpler time when Sheb entertainment at central Alberta’s largest Where: In and around Calgary. 403-261-4667, What: A celebration of water and what it means Wooley of Purple People Eater fame could be summer celebration. for healthy communities. With presentations by chinookcountry.org. Where: Westerner Park, at the corner of Gaetz experts and community groups, live performance a headliner), but music remains the primary Avenue and 19th Street, Red Deer, Alta. by 2011 Juno-award winning children’s entertainer focus. This year’s lineup includes Thao & 403-343-7800, westernerdays.ca. Peter Puffin’s Whale Tails, a royal visit from the the Get Down Stay Down, Bob Mould and Death Cab For Cutie. —Bruce Weir t w e n t y -s e v e n 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE Feeling Folky Every year we think the lineup of perform- ers has peaked and every year the Willow Creek Gospel Music Jamboree Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede programmers at the Calgary Folk When: Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28 When: Friday, Aug. 2 to Monday, Aug. 5 Music Festival prove us wrong by get multicultured What: A weekend-long celebration of Western What: Events include the famous running with the outdoing themselves. They had Canadian gospel musicians. Performers include bulls, daily entertainment, WPCA chuckwagons and us at Alabama Shakes, but the Serbian Fest Keepers of the Faith, the Joyful Melody Trio, the third-largest CPRA rodeo (same cowboys, stock addition of acts like Bahamas, May 18-19, serbianfest.org Keister Fiddlers, Cities Under Fire, The Grippings, and chuckwagon drivers as the Calgary Stampede). The Rawling Brothers and more. Where: Strathmore exhibition grounds, 25 min- The Cat Empire, Elliot Has the simultaneous arrival of spring and Where: Granum, Alta. (11/2 hours southeast of utes east of Calgary (Hwy. 817). 403-934-5811, Brood, Hayden, M. Ward this Festival Issue left you itching to get out Calgary) gospelmusicjamboree.com. strathmorerodeo.com. and Thievery Corporation and broaden your horizons? If so, you’re cemented a full weekend Chestermere Water Festival Cochrane Ranche Days Festival in luck because the third annual Serbian pass as a necessity. July 25 When: Saturday, July 27 When: Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 to 28, calgaryfolkfest.com. Fest goes this weekend. Make a beeline to What: Wander through the artisan market to the What: Celebrate Cochrane Ranche’s 132nd birth- Marda Loop to take in soccer, tennis (Novak sounds of the Summer Music Showcase, laugh day with wagon rides, a farmers’ market, music, Djokovic, the top-ranked player in the world, with your children at kids’ entertainer Captain heritage activities and more. Where: Pioneer Acres, Hwy. 9 and Township Rd. Jack Sparrow and marvel at the classic cars in the Where: At the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site, is Serbian) and basketball competitions. If 274, near Irricana, Alta. (45 minutes northeast of show ’n’ shine. Cochrane. 403-851-2535, cochrane-tourism.com. Calgary). 403-935-4357, pioneeracres.ab.ca. you get hungry, search out the best spit- WHERE: John Peake Park and Anniversary roasted pig and lamb this side of Belgrade. Park, Chestermere (15 minutes east of Calgary). Canmore Folk Music Festival When Words Collide chestermere.ca. When: Saturday, Aug. 3 to Monday, Aug. 5 When: Friday, Aug. 9 to Sunday, Aug. 11 What: A family-oriented folk, blues, country and Calgary Turkish Festival What: A festival for readers, writers, artists Chinatown Walking Tour world-music event featuring Jim Cuddy, Spirit of and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, July 5-7, calgaryturkishfestival.com When: Sunday, July 28, Tuesday, July 30 and the West, Matt Andersen, Great Lake Swimmers, including genre, YA, children’s books and poetry. Seven years ago, when this festival began, Wednesday, July 31 Del Barber and more. Guests include Patricia Briggs, Michael Cassutt, What: Discover the culture and personality hid- Where: Centennial Park, 5th Avenue and 5th organizers had the foresight to schedule it Shirlee Smith Matheson and more. den inside one of our city’s oldest locales. After Street, Canmore. 403-678-2524, canmorefolkfes- Where: Carriage House Inn, 9030 Macleod Tr. S. on the opening weekend of Stampede. At the tour, more surprises await you at the Cultural tival.com. whenwordscollide.org. first blush, that seems suicidal; Stampede Centre Museum. Tours in English, Cantonese and Mandarin; call for details. Inglewood SunFest overshadows all other activities. But the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival Where: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, 197 1st When: Saturday, August 3 first day of western revelry is the perfect When: Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11 St. S.W. 403-262-5071 to register, What: Inglewood comes alive with street perform- What: Over 900 competitors work as teams to time to kick off a get-together that cel- culturalcentre.ca for info. ers, local vendors and fantastic food as well as manoeuver the massive long boats. Also includes ebrates seriously strong coffee. Of course, events and activities for the whole family, including cultural performances and entertainment. Calgary International Blues Festival the fourth annual pie-eating contest. Turkish cuisine is not limited to the liquid. Where: North Glenmore Park. Find more info and When: Monday, July 29 to Sunday, Aug. 4 Where: Along 9th Ave. from 11th St. to 14th St. register at chinatowncalgary.com/dragonboat. There are also kebabs, manti (Turkish ravi- What: A week’s worth of blues festivities and S.W. 403-829-9175, inglewoodsunfest.com. oli) sarma (vine leaf rolls) and a homegrown performances. Performers include Jimmie Vaughan Turner Valley Festival of the and the Tilt-A-Whilr Band featuring Lou Ann Afrikadey! creation known as the Turkish taco. Arts and Dog Days Barton, Sista Monica, Tom Lavin & The Legendary When: Wednesday, August 7 to Saturday, Aug. 10 When: Saturday, Aug. 10 Powder Blues, Martha Reeves & The Vandelles, What: A celebration of African culture featuring What: A day to enjoy with both your two- and Fiestaval Latin Festival Matt Minglewood and more. music, literature, arts, dance and cuisine. With four-legged best friends. Enjoy 30 vendors selling July 20-21, fiestaval.ca Where: Shaw Millenium Park and the Kerby a wide range of different activities and events locally grown and produced goods in a park setting, Centre, 1133 7th Ave. S.W. calgarybluesfest.com. showcasing African culture, this event provides a Mambo, salsa, rumba—Olympic Plaza is dog agility demonstrations, exhibits and music. fun atmosphere as well as a great learning expe- Where: Millennium Park, Turner Valley, Alta. going to see a whole lot of shaking going rience. This year features COMMON headlining 403-933-4944, turnervalley.ca. on at this weekend festival that salutes August with Soukous Stars from Congo, Yonder Star, Papagroove, Malcolm Mooney trio and the sunnier lands to the south. In addition Banff Summer Arts Festival Marda Gras Street Festival more performing. When: Sunday, Aug. 11 to the entertainment, there will be Latin When: Ongoing to Saturday, Aug. 24 Where: Prince’s Island Park. For more info What: Free family-friendly event featuring the What: A three-month, multi-venue festival that foods and crafts. And while many festivals call 403-234-9110 or visit afrikadey.com. smells, sights and sounds of New Orleans. With features outdoor concerts with Classified, Feist, vendors, food trucks, patios, live music, street have a beer tent, only Fiestaval boasts one Zeus, Blue Rodeo and Whitehorse, underground Mountain View Music Fest performers, a pet pageant, activities for chil- in which drinkers are serenaded by maria- club shows with Cold Specks, Danny Michel, Shakey When: Friday, Aug. 9 to Sunday, Aug. 11 dren and more. In support of the Marda Loop chis. Play on. Graves, opera superstars Measha Brueggergosman What: A family-oriented folk, blues, country Communities Association. Free parking and shut- and Ben Heppner and a one-on-one interview with and world-music event featuring James Hill, Jack tles at . Mikhail Baryshnikov. Semple, The Polyjesters and more. Also includes a Where: The Marda Loop area (19th to 22nd Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri Where: Most events at The Banff Centre (107 ukelele summit, great food, farmers’ market, green Streets along 33rd and 34th Avenues, S.W.). Aug. 17, calgaryjapanesefestival.com Tunnel Mountain Rd.) in Banff. Tickets and info at grass, free parking and small-town hospitality. 403-685-5667, mardaloop.org. Celebrate the Land of the Rising Sun in 1-800-413-8368 and banffcentre.ca. Where: Memorial Park, Carstairs, Alta. 403-337- 3710, mvmf.ca. the sunshine (hopefully) at the Bridgeland Calgary Fringe Festival Olde Towne Okotoks Show & Shine When: Sunday, August 11 Riverside Community Centre and Park. When: Friday, Aug. 2 to Saturday, Aug. 10 Pioneer Acres Museum Show & Reunion What: All kinds of cars will be on display, featuring Visitors can take in traditional dance and What: Uncensored, non-juried theatre produc- When: Friday, Aug. 9 to Sunday, Aug. 11 custom, vintage and special interest vehicles and tions over nine days featuring acts from around music as well as martial-arts demonstra- What: Biggest Pioneer Acres event of the year motorcycles. the globe and your own backyard. All of the ticket with equipment demonstrations, exhibits, crafts Where: Downtown Okotoks. okotoksshowand- tions (karate, kendo and aikido) and sumo revenue goes back to the artist. and more. This year will feature odd and unusual shine.com or okotoks.ca. wrestling (in inflatable suits). Admission is Where: Various venues in the community of equipment, with free day parking and dry camp- $5; kids under 12 get in free. Get there ear- Inglewood. 403-451-9726, calgaryfringe.ca. ing available. ly—the squid, frozen fruit and cold drinks often sell out. —Bruce Weir t w e n t y -e i g h t ReggaeFest Spring Hill Charity Show & Shine When: Wednesday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 17 When: Saturday, Aug. 17 What: The 10th anniversary of this family-friendly What: Annual classic car show. With live entertain- event that transcends racial, cultural and musical ment, a large outdoor barbecue and door prizes. boundaries. Live performances from national and inter- Proceeds benefit the Alberta Children’s Hospital national reggae artists including Ky-Mani Marley, Tony Foundation. Rebel and Leroy Sibbles, food vendors, beer gardens Where: At the SpringHill RV Park, 41216 Big Hill and youth area with arts and crafts. Springs Rd., Cochrane. 403-804-6240, springhill- Where: Various venues around Calgary, mainstage rvpark.com. event at Shaw Millennium Park, 1220 9th Ave. S.W. More info at 403-355-5696, reggaefest.ca. Blackfoot Arts and Heritage Festival When: Tuesday, Aug. 20 to Thursday, Aug. 22 Sylvan Lake’s Jazz at the Lake Festival What: Celebrate traditional and contempo- When: Thursday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 18 rary aboriginal dancing, music, art and cuisine. What: A family-friendly festival featuring interna- Participate in an exhibition powwow. tional jazz superstars Peter Appleyard and P.J. Perry Where: Waterton Community Centre, Waterton, and a variety of indoor and outdoor musical events. Alta. For more information contact Christy at Where: Sylvan Lake, Alta. Tickets and info at 403-859-5167 or [email protected]. jazzatthelake.com. Lethbridge Whoop-Up Days Taste of Calgary When: Tuesday, Aug. 20 to Saturday, Aug. 24 When: Thursday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 18 What: Pro rodeo, food, games, a midway and more. What: International food and drink from the city’s Where: Exhibition Park, 3401 Parkside Dr. S., restaurants and beverage companies. Also features Lethbridge, Alta. exhibitionpark.ca. daily live entertainment, artisans and interactive Dan Clapson, food activities. Sampling tickets $1 each; admission is free. Opera in the Village blogger and media Where: At Eau Claire’s Festival Plaza (2nd When: Thursday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Aug. 25 personality, gets Avenue and 3rd Street S.W.). 403-293-2888, What: A brand-new festival presented by Calgary his pirate on. tasteofcalgary.com. Opera. Features mainstage performances of The Pirates of Penzance and myriad festival activities Central Music Festival including movie nights, a children’s opera camp per- When: Friday, Aug. 16 to Sunday, Aug. 18 formance, a singing competition, fight demonstra- What: A family-oriented celebration with three tions and more. a swashbuckling romp days of music, food, beer gardens, camping, crafts Where: East Village, 5th St. and Confluence Way and activities for children. Performances from Bill S.E. 403-262-7286, calgaryopera.com. What: Opera in the Village, 403-262-7286, calgaryopera.com/arghh Bourne, Captain Tractor, Dick Damron, The Mighty Popo and more. Canadian Rockies East Coast Kitchen Party When and where: Thursday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Aug. 25 in the Downtown East Village. Where: Five km north of Red Deer. Information and When: Friday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 25 Cost: $25 - $100 for mainstage performances; street activities are free. tickets at centralmusicfest.com. What: Outdoor music festival featuring spectacular mountain scenery, lively celtic music, evening jam Why go: It’s a unique addition to the Calgary cultural scene. The inaugural year offers GlobalFest 2013 sessions and a lobster dinner. Performers include six mainstage performances of The Pirates of Penzance, a witty and oft-performed classic When: Friday, Aug. 16 to Sunday, Aug. 25 Skullduggery, Cod Gone Wild, Pat Chessell and more. perfect for opera newbies and aficionados alike. “We chose it because it’s light, comedic What: The 11th year of Calgary’s unsurpassed multi- Where: David Thompson Resort, Nordegg, Alta. cultural and fireworks festival. A family-oriented event (Three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103, and in English. It’s a fun romp,” says Bob McPhee, ’s general director and with cultural pavilions, food and performance stages. davidthompsonresort.com. CEO. “It’s certainly something that the whole family can enjoy. There is always a bit of a Each evening ends with a Trico Homes International stigma around opera, and we think that people get scared off, so we hope this work will Fireworks Festival display. Expo Latino 2013 invite them in and make people comfortable.” Where: Elliston Park, 17th Avenue and 60th Street When: Friday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 25 S.E. Tickets at .ca. What: Calgary’s hottest music festival celebrates Who’s headlining: Internationally renowned coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl takes the Latino culture with a weekend of live bands, dancing, stage as Mabel, the beautiful and independent love interest of a young pirate trainee. Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival a food fair, an art market and beer gardens. When: Friday, Aug. 16 to Sunday, Aug. 18 Where: Prince’s Island Park. For more info 403-271- Award-winning baritone Brett Polegato plays the lead scallywag, the Pirate King. What: One of Southern Alberta’s must-experience 2744, expolatino.ca. Weekend passes ($35) available What’s new: Virtually everything. The event ventures into uncharted territory as music destinations, featuring performances, work- at Calgary Co-op and Safeway stores. shops and jams. Line-up includes John Reischman Canada’s first professional outdoor opera festival. Besides the mainstage performances, & the Jaybirds, Blue Canyon Boys, Sally & Chris Taber Cornfest held in a huge 900-person tent with a stage and an orchestra, ye swashbucklers will dis- Jones and more. When: Friday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 25 cover outdoor fight demos, picnic lunches, singing competitions and more. Where: Broadway Farm, rural location about 13 What: Celebrate the return of this delicious staple km east of Nanton, Alta. foothillsbluegrass.com/ crop with a corn-eating competition, chili cook-off, What to wear & what to tote: Anything suitable for a landlocked good time. There’s ShadyGrove. skateboard competition, fireworks display and more. no dress code but be prepared for Calgary weather. Pack a lawn chair or blanket for the Where: Confederation Park in Taber, Alta. Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri 403-223-2265, destinationtaber.com. after-dark outdoor pirate-movie screenings and bring your appetite: there will be plenty When: Saturday, Aug. 17 of pirate-friendly food and drink. What: A wide variety of Japanese cultural activi- 8th Annual Harvest Festival ties, music, dance, food and merchandise. Omatsuri When: Saturday, Aug. 24 How to get there: If you don’t mind walking, ride the LRT to the City Hall Station. Once is the Japanese word for a traditional festival. What: A family-friendly event celebrating the har- you’ve regained your land legs, walk one block west to 6th Street S.E., then three blocks Where: Bridgeland Riverside Community vest in the Foothills. Includes a blackcurrant U-pick, east. When you see a giant tent appear on the horizon, you’re golden. Centre & Park, 917 Centre Ave. N.E. wagon rides, music and special activities in Kayben’s calgaryjapanesefestival.com. Sunshine Adventure Park. Face painter on site? As the full lineup of street entertainment is still being arranged, there’s no guarantee. BYO eyepatch, just in case.—Kerianne Sproule

t w e n t y -n i n e 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE

Where: At Kayben Farms (kayben.com) and Calgary Scottish Highland Games Chinook Honey Company (chinookhoney.com). When: Saturday, Aug. 31 What: A celebration of Scottish and Celtic heritage Foothills Highland Games with Celtic music, cultural events, Highland dancing When: Saturday, Aug. 24 and more. What: Annual highland games event that hosts Where: Springbank Park For All Seasons, over 350 competitors from across Alberta and 32224A Springbank Rd. S.W. calgaryhighland- neighbouring provinces. This year includes a tug-of- games.org. war competition. Where: At Foothills Composite High School Family Dance Fest Football Field, 229 Woodhaven Dr. When: Saturday, Aug. 31 foothillshigh-landgames.com. What: All-day indoor dance festival with old-time music, entertainment and a roast-beef dinner. RBC GranFondo Banff Where: The Great Canadian Barn Dance near Hill When: Saturday, Aug. 24 Spring, AB, two hours south of Calgary. Tickets at What: The only GranFondo (big ride) in North 1-866-626-3407 or gcbd.ca. America that is fully contained within the boundaries of a national park. This 142 km mass cycling event Lake Louise Fall Festival is open to all skill levels and will take riders into the When: Saturday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Oct. 14 heart of the Rockies. What: Enjoy a variety of unique activities, events Where: Route starts and finishes in the town of and special packages offered throughout Lake Banff. banff.granfondocanada.com. Louise, including guided hikes, trail rides, dining experiences and more. Cochrane & District Old Tyme Country Fair Where: Lake Louise, Banff National Park. When: Sunday, Aug. 25 banfflakelouise.com/fallfestival. What: Featuring agricultural demonstrations, a dog show, scarecrow contest, displays, human rooster Jon Roe, Swerve’s crowing, petting zoo and entertainment. Fall Going Out Editor, has Where: Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports a fearsome appetite Centre, 800 Griffin Rd. E., Cochrane. More info at 15 Minutes of Fame for barbecue. cochrane-tourism.ca. When: Sunday, Sept. 1 What: You get the opportunity to create, listen to Run at the Ranch and experience live music. When: Sunday, Aug. 25 Where: West Opera House Square, Rosebud, Alta. What: Featuring a kids run, 5-km fun run and walk, show up hungry 10-km run and half marathon. BBQ on Festival Where: Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, approx. When: Sunday, Sept. 1 What: BBQ on the BOW, bbqonthebow.com 4 km southeast of Cochrane, Alta. 403-668-7537, What: Canada’s oldest barbecue competition and transrockies.com/run-at-the-ranch. the Alberta Championships for Kansas-city style When and where: Sunday, Sept. 1 at Eau Claire Festival Market. Cost: Free, if you’re barbecue. Also features children’s craft tents and just coming to gawk and peruse. Pride Calgary 2013 entertainers, concessions, vendors and more. When: Monday, Aug. 26 to Monday, Sept. 2 Where: Eau Claire’s Festival Market, 2nd Avenue Why go: You’re a carnivore and you enjoy being steeped in the smells of roasting meat. What: Calgary’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and 2nd Street S.W. bbqonthebow.com. This is Alberta’s only barbecue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Identified and two-spirited communities, along with Society, the largest barbecue social group in the world. “Kansas City is the absolute cen- their allies, celebrate their strength and diversity Tour of Alberta within the cultural mosaic that is Calgary, respect- When: Tuesday, Sept. 3 to Sunday, Sept. 8 tre of the universe when it comes to barbecue,” says BBQ on the Bow Society president ing both the dignity of individuals and the rights of What: The core component of the event is a six- Terry Brow. This is the second year the BBQ on the Bow has hooked up with the KCBS, stage (if you count the prologue) bicycle race that all members of society. Events include a parade and whose strict rules govern garnish (limited to lettuce, parsley and cilantro), fuel for the street festival. takes place around the province. Where: Parade begins at 12 p.m. Sunday at Where: The prologue takes place in Edmonton, fires (wood, wood pellets and charcoal only) and the size of the chunks in the accompa- Olympic Plaza and finishes at Shaw Millennium Park, then the tour works its way south, through the nying sauce (approximately 1/8-inch cubed). 1220 9th Ave. S.W. (the street festival runs noon to Badlands and mountains before finishing in Calgary. 6 p.m.) More info at pridecalgary.ca. tourofalberta.ca. Who’s headlining: Local barbecue maven Jon Lord, former alderman and owner of Casablanca Video and head chef of Lords of the Grill, the two-time reigning champion Spruce Meadows Masters 47th Annual Cochrane Lions of the competition. Labour Day Rodeo When: Wednesday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Sept. 8 When: Friday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 2 What: The best athletes from the world’s top show What’s new: The festival has a new event coordinator, Cindy McLeod, who works every What: With competitions in bareback, saddle bronc, jumping nations compete for prize money and interna- year on the city’s semi-annual Bluesfests. Also, it’s looking to go bigger and better: bull-riding, steer-wrestling, barrel-racing and more. tional acclaim. Also, family entertainment and more teams than the 35 that entered last year and even more delicious vendors. Where: Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park, 109 5th Ave. shopping opportunities. W., Cochrane. For more info visit cochranelionsclub. Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows What to wear and what to tote: If you’re a messy eater, plan for succulent juices. com, cochrane-tourism.ca and cochraneparade.com. Way S.W. sprucemeadows.com. Also, it’s September in Calgary—it could rain or snow. Calgary Produce Marketing Okotoks Pro Rodeo How to get there: Eau Claire is easily accessible by bike paths along the Bow River When: Friday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 1 Association Harvest Sale and a short walk from the C-Train downtown. There’s also plenty of parking nearby for What: Annual pro rodeo event that hosts con- When: Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8 testants from all over the world. Western-themed What: Fresh fruit and veggies at old-fashioned the auto-vehicularly inclined. events and activities for the whole family. prices. Come early to stock up on healthy food, then Face painter on site? Where: Okotoks Recreation Centre, 99 Okotoks stay and enjoy a day at the park. Money raised goes There has been one in the past, but “we haven’t determined Dr., Okotoks. 403-938-1518, okotoksprorodeo.com. to support local charities. that yet,” says Brow. You may have to settle for the sauce tableau left behind by a well- enjoyed chunk of barbecued meat. —Jon Roe t h i r t y 2013 FESTIVAL GUIDE Hot licks: See a stop-motion video of this face painting at .

Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, and heritage interpretation. Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival 1900 Heritage Drive S.W. 403-268-8500, Where: Events throughout Banff. For more info When: Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 heritagepark.ca. see banfflakelouise.com. What: Sample from an extensive variety of wine, get stuffed scotch, import beer and premium spirits, along with Subaru Banff International Triathlon Waterton Wildlife Weekend gourmet food samples from local restaurants and Lilac Festival When: Saturday, Sept. 7 When: Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 29 hotels. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to May 26, lilacfestival.net What: One of the most picturesque races in the What: Take part in Alberta’s most spectacular SAIT’s culinary school. world. Swim in the pristine waters of Two Jack Lake wildlife experience, including wildlife-viewing field Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park. 403-228- Technically, this early season classic is not and bike around the beautiful Minnewanka Loop trips, photography workshops and special guest 0777, rockymountainwine.com. a food festival, but don’t kid yourself (also, Road and then run into the town of Banff, finishing presentations. please don’t eat the lilacs): the resurgence the triathlon at Banff Avenue and Central Park. Where: Waterton, Alberta (about 21/2 hours south Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival of Fourth Street S.W. with its host of new Where: Town of Banff and Banff National Park. of Calgary). Information at 1-800-215-2395 or When: Friday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 20 banfflakelouise.com/triathlon. watertonwildlife.com. What: Ten-year anniversary event featuring over restaurants makes it easy to get great food 200 national and international artists, retail ven- while you stroll among the 500 vendors. This YYComedy Festival Canmore artsPeak Arts Festival dors, tattoo competitions, educational seminars year, the addition of Food Truck Lane will When: Monday, Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 15 When: Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 and after-parties. What: A seven-day comedy festival featuring come- What: A weekend-long festival celebrating the Where: Calgary Stampede BMO Centre. make it easy to quell the rumbling stomach. dy festival legends, Canadian Comedy Award winners, arts in Canmore. calgarytattoos.com. The fun begins at 10 a.m. with the parade. improv troupes and live tapings of popular national Where: Canmore, Alta. Specific venue radio shows. information to be announced closer to event date. CPO Festival Italiano Sun and Salsa Festival Where: Shows in a variety of venues throughout artspeakcanmore.com. When: Tuesday, Oct. 22 to Saturday, Nov. 9 Calgary. Full information to be released on What: The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra pays July 21, visitkensington.com yycomedy.ca. Cochrane Culture Days tribute to Italy’s musical and cultural heritage in its Consider that marvel of structural engi- When: Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 fifth annual music festival. Events include a festival neering, the taco chip. The humble deep- Sharing Our Culture: Treaty 7 Powwow What: A weekend celebration of the visual and symposium, film screening of La Dolce Vita and When: Sunday, Sept. 15 performing arts. concerts that feature such classic Italian works as fried triangles are capable of supporting not What: Presented by Treaty 7 Tourism. A spectacu- Where: Downtown Cochrane. 403-851-2535, Puccini’s Tosca in Concert, Respighi’s Roman Trilogy only a small mountain of salsa but also this lar day-long celebration featuring participants from cochrane-tourism.ca. and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. festival, now in its 20th year. In addition to the Blood Tribe, Piikani, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuu Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall, Epcor Centre the sun and the spicy condiment, the festival T’ina Nations. The Great Cochrane Outhouse Races and the Plaza Theatre, 1133 Kensington Rd. N.W. Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, When: Saturday, Sept. 28 cpo-live.com. features five stages of entertainment, the 1900 Heritage Drive S.W. 403-268-8500, What: A friendly competition that sees teams of chance to observe artists creating a mural heritagepark.ca. costumed locals race homemade outhouses through WinterStart Festival and the opportunity to browse the wares of downtown Cochrane. With prizes and a rogue gang of When: Friday, Nov. 1 to Sunday, Dec. 8 Calgary International Film Festival gunfighters making an appearance to “rob” the crowd. What: Holiday celebrating starts early with fes- the merchants of Kensington Village. When: Thursday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 29 Where: 1st St. W., Cochrane. For more information tive lights on the streets of Banff, world-class ski What: A celebration of visual arts and cinema, or to register call 403-932-9288. races, special all-ages activities, a Santa Claus Taste of Calgary screening over 200 multi-genre films from around parade and more. Aug. 15-18, tasteofcalgary.com the world, highlighted by a series of gala events, Heritage Park’s Railway Days Where: Town of Banff and Banff National Park. awards and ceremonies and special presentations. When: Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 For a schedule of events see banfflakelouise.com/ It’s a safe bet that when this popular festi- Where: Screenings at various theatres around the What: It’s a full weekend of train facts and fun. winterstart. val launched 17 years ago, there was less city. 403-283-1490, calgaryfilm.com. Watch a double-headed steam engine circle the emphasis on gluten-free and vegetarian park and a turntable demonstration. Also features Bon Appétit Banff options. But times and tastes change, and Cochrane Country Festival model train displays, special tours, vendor booths, When: Thursday, Nov. 14 to Sunday, Nov. 24 When: Friday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 22. the Canadian Pacific Railway Police Service and What: During this 10-day festival participating res- Taste of Calgary has evolved. The format What: A midway, concessions, displays, children’s Special Olympics annual train-pull competition, taurants will offer unique three-course menus, with hasn’t changed, however: diners buy tickets activities and demonstrations of different eques- plus much more. three options per course, at a prix fixe of either $25, for a dollar each and cash them in at 40 odd trian sports. Presented by the Cochrane & District Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, 1900 $35 or $45. Agricultural Society in celebration of their 40th Heritage Drive S.W. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca. Where: Various venues throughout Banff and Lake restaurants and beverage purveyors (items anniversary. Louise. banfflakelouise.com/bonappetitbanff. generally cost between two and four tick- Where: Cochrane Ag Society Grounds, Cochane. Pumpkin and ets). The walk between tents is short, but cochrane-tourism.ca. Scarecrow Festival Lane of Lights can be viewed as exercise by those seeking When: Saturdays throughout October When: Saturday, Nov. 16 to Tuesday, Dec. 31 Calgary ArtWalk What: Experience the magic of fall in the country What: Free Christmas light display in the Aspen to justify a second helping of perogies. When: Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22 with pumpkins, a corn maze, wagon rides, live music, Crossing campground. On Fridays and Saturdays visit What: More than 30 participating galleries show- entertainment, kids activities and more. with volunteers in the gingerbread house created Taber Cornfest casing artwork by thousands of artists. Where: Kayben Farms, about three km north of from a campground group shelter and enjoy a free Where: Various public, commercial and artist- Okotoks. For more information and directions call hot chocolate with the donation of a food bank item. Aug. 23-25, destinationtaber.com run galleries and studios in and around Calgary. 403-938-2857 or visit kayben.com. Where: Aspen Crossing, west of Mossleigh (an When life gives you corn, throw a cornfest. Printable map and listing of artist talks, demonstra- hour outside of Calgary on highway 24). 1-866-440- You might also want to stock up on dental tions and other events at calgaryartwalk.com, or WordFest 3500, aspencrossing.com. e-mail [email protected]. When: Monday, Oct. 14 to Sunday, Oct. 20 floss before heading south to celebrate What: Readers and writers come together to expe- Light Up Okotoks the harvest with the good people of Taber. Banff Culture Days rience the power of story through a literary festival When: Friday, Nov. 22 Try your luck in the corn-eating contest, When: Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 29 featuring more than 65 writers from local, national What: Celebrate the start of the holiday season but those wishing to savour the peaches- What: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the rich and international stages in more than 60 events. with a visit from Santa, a lighting of the Christmas art, culture and history of this mountain com- Where: Various venues in Calgary and Banff. Call tree and festive activities all through downtown. and-cream goodness will find other diver- munity with a variety of events and activities 403-237-9068 or visit wordfest.com for more info. Where: Olde Town Okotoks. okotokstourism.ca. sions, including fireworks and, because including artist receptions, live performances man cannot live on corn alone, a chili cook-off. —Bruce Weir S t h i r t y -o n e