CentreCity

Centre City Advent/Event Calendar Dec. 16

It's time to deck the halls with Indie bands! Here's another instalment in our Centre City Advent/Event calendar:

Seasons greetings go better with rock, it's true. As part of the Calgary Folk Music Festival's "Raise a Little Hall" fundraiser (click here for details on that), you're invited to a family friendly Indie Rock Christmas party.

This is your opportunity to sample some of Calgary's best music in the Centre City's lovely Arrata Opera Centre. A dozen local acts are gearing up to put on an amazing show for you. Here, have a listen - check out who's on the roster and click the links to preview:

My Dear Watson
The Collective
Savk
The Magnetic North
Scars and Scarves 
Heather Blush
Dan Vacon
Eve Hell
Kenna Burima
Ship Shape
Brooke Wylie
Tom Bagley

These are some of Calgary's finest musical darlings...and each of them, we're sure of it, sparkle like tinsel, smell of fresh cut pine (not actually sure about that but if we had to hazard a guess..) and satisfy the creative soul better than any gift you'll find under a tree.

There's also going to be a scheduled visit from Santa (for the kids, not you silly), some hot chocolate, a little ornament art setup, and an early in the night sing-along for all those tots who come by. For grownups: mulled wine, the world's "smallest record fair", a sing-along and a silent auction with all proceeds going to Festival Hall. Pretty sweet. 

Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. Order them here or call (403) 233-0904. It's happening December 17th, 2011 at the Arrata Opera Centre (1315 - 7th Street SW) and show time is 6:00 p.m.

Dance in our Centre City

Just in time to help defeat the cold and snow, a powerful punch of spicy, jazzy indoor art is happening in our Centre City this week (actually, to be honest, art is always happening in the CC but we took a real shine to the danciness of this particular event).

So bundle up and check out this show for the whole family: The Great Jazz History Mystery. Put on by Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, it's an exploraton of the history of jazz...and it's rumored to be fun and giggle-worthy for kids both young and old. We love art that is accessible to everyone and this show, which is choreographed by local dancer extraodinnaire Kim Cooper, should fit that bill precisely. Take a peek: 

 

The Great Jazz History Music- Characters from Decidedly Jazz Danceworks on Vimeo.

Tickets are still available at the DJD box office and it runs November 17th - 20th. The show is for kids ages five and up and it's happening at Theatre Junction Grand. 

 

National Music Centre Being Honoured

We love a great story that involves something happening in our Centre City.

This one's about the much-anticipated National Music Centre in the East Village. We have just learned that the NMC has been named as the beneficiary of RBC's Canada Walk of Fame Inductee Charity Ball for this year. It means the National Music Centre will be recognized at this huge event for its significant cultural role - it's a place that's set to unite Canadians, their heritage and culture through music. 

(Artist's rendering of the NMC - for more images, click here to get to the NMC website)

To read more about the Ball, which is happening October 1st in Toronto, click here. To learn more about the National Music Centre click here.

High-Fives for Being Fifth Most Livable City!

(photo by Stephenccwu)

We've always heard talk from folks all over who think Calgary is a pretty amazing city in which to live...and now it's being confirmed: turns out we're the fifth greatest city in the world to live and we're proud of it!

The Economist Intelligence Unit says we ranked fifth out of 140 cities in their livability survey this year. We're in good company with Toronto (4th) and Vancouver (3rd) just ahead of us; Vienna takes 2nd place and Melbourne takes first. 

Great news for us all. Let's pat each other on the back because after all, it takes great people to make a great city. What do you think is our secret to being such a livable city? We'd love to hear your thoughts so leave a comment when you have a moment. 

To read the full breakdown of the livability rankings, click here. For GlobalTV's news report, click here. 

Musicians in Motion - the Folk Edition

Forget whistle while you work...how about whistling on your way to work instead? As part of Calgary Transit's Musicians in Motion program, through to Friday, various local folk music performers will be performing for you on the CTrain. 

Here's the schedule (copied from Calgary Transit's site) so you can coordinate your meetings and outings to perhaps coincide your morning transit ride with this great up close and personal entertainment:

Route 201--CTrain Crowfoot / Somerset-Bridlewood
Direction	Crowfoot Station	Lions Park Station	8 Street Station	7 Street Station	City Hall Station	Stampede Station	Southland Station	Somerset- Bridlewood Station
Southbound						9:29*	9:42	9:54
Northbound	10:51	10:38		10:31	10:25	10:22	10:10	9:59
Southbound	11:00	11:13	11:19			11:27**
* Performance starts at 9:29am. CTrain leaves Victoria Park / Stampede Station toward Somerset-Bridlewood Station. ** Performance ends at 11:27am at Victoria Park / Stampede Station.
Date		Folk Performing (In middle CTrain car)
Tuesday, July 19		New Country Rehab
Wednesday, July 20		Spiro
Thursday, July 21		Hollow Brethren
Friday, July 22		Morgan O'Kane

Route 202--CTrain McKnight-Westwinds / City Centre
Direction	10 Street Station	City Hall Station	Bridgeland Station	Marlborough Station	McKnight- Westwinds Station
Northbound	9:29*		9:40	9:48	9:56
Southbound	10:26	10:18	10:15	10:07	10:00
Northbound	10:34		10:45	10:53	11:01
Southbound	11:35**	11:28	11:25	11:17	11:10
* Performance starts at 9:29am. CTrain leaves 10 Street West Station toward McKnight-Westwinds Station. ** Performance ends at 11:35am at 10 Street West Station.
Date		Folk Performing (In middle CTrain car)
Tuesday, July 19		T. Buckley
Wednesday, July 20		Matt Masters
Thursday, July 21		Lauren Mann
Friday, July 22		Raleigh

This is a great way to promote local talent, our already wildly successful Folk Festival and frankly, we're pretty sure it'll put you in a great mood if you happen upon one of these moving concerts this week. Let us know if you did manage to take in a show on the CTrain - who did you see? What did you think?

What does Folk on the Train look like? We're glad you asked. Here's some video from last year:  

 

 

 

New West Fest Tonight. Be There or Be Square (dancing)!

If the thought of steer wrestling and square dancing down at the grounds make your dogs howl (that's your feet, over-tired from too much Stampeding of course) - then head on over to the Olympic Plaza starting at 4 p.m. today to check out New West Fest. It's an all-ages concert and live broadcast which is being put on by University of Calgary's campus radio station, CJSW and it's in conjunction with the Calgary Stampede, along with support from The City of Calgary. You'll hear heaps of great DJ sets, some comedy acts and maybe even some country music with a modern twist.

Here's the full schedule which was originally posted on CJSW's site:                                                                   

Bandstand Stage

4:00 PM-4:45 PM Lucid 44
5:00 PM-5:45 PM Samantha Savage Smith

6:00 PM – 11:00 PM Live CJSW Djs
6:00-7:15PM Sideshow Sid
7:15-8:30PM 8 Bit-Ninjia
8:30-9:45PM Track Bastards
9:45-10:00PM LotusQueen

Rope Square
7:00 PM Trash Island
7:30-7:45 Comedy: Don Wood
7:45 PM Sandy Cassels
8:15-8:30: Hula Dance Number: Daisy Deville
8:30 PM Lab Coast
9: 00-9:15 Comedy: Don Wood
9:15 PM PeAks

New West Fest is happening at Olympic Plaza today between 4:00 - 11:00 p.m. Bring the kids, bring your dancing shoes, get your music on! 

For more information on this event, click here. 

(photo taken at New West Fest 2010 by LiminalMike)

Canada Day in the Centre City

We couldn't really ask for a sunnier long weekend in Calgary - at least, that's what the optimistic forecast is telling us today. So, wondering what to do to celebrate Canada Day in the Centre City? Here's a handy little list for you to bookmark: 

(Canada Day Festivities at Prince's Island - a few years ago, photo credit: K-Ideas)

*Prince's Island Park at noon: Take in a free play - open to the public: The Adventures of Don Marcos Sebastian Guevara Fantastico. Synopsis: A talking squirrel named Don Marcos and a shy young girl named Katherine join forces to defeat the school bullies. Their partnership also allows Don Marcos to come to terms with a family tragedy and helps Katherine to find the courage to be her true self. With a shared love of adventure, these two outcasts discover that dreamers all speak the same language.

*Prince's Island Park also beginning at noon: Music and Family friendly festivities a-plenty 

Canada Day - shows and performances

Family Stage at Prince's Island Park Download the performer biographies  (68 KB)
12:15 – 1:00 p.m.	Wagonstage
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.	Dan the One Man Band
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.	Mad Science
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.	Malcolm Russell
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.	Flyin' Bob

 

Dominion Stage at Prince's Island Park Download the performer biographies  (73 KB)
12:15 – 1:00 p.m.	Cowpuncher
1:15 – 2:00 p.m.	Makeshift Innocence
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.	Joe Nolan
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.	Random Task Collective
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.	The T. Buckley Band

 

Enmax Main Stage at Prince's Island Park Download the performer biographies  (63 KB)
12:00 – 12:10 p.m.	Opening Ceremonies
12:15 – 12:45 p.m.	Emily Triggs
1:00 – 1:45 p.m.	Dallas Arcand Trio
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.	The Wiremen
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.	Brooke Wylie and the Coyotes
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.	Songwriters Summit with Steve Pineo, Tim Williams, Rubim de Toledo, Heather Blush and Raulito Tabera
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.	Jill Barber

*Olympic Plaza Festivities: 

Olympic Plaza Stage at Olympic Plaza Download the performer biographies  (62 KB)
7:45 – 8:00 p.m.	Opening Ceremonies
8:00 – 8:45 p.m.	Caravan
9:00 – 9:45 p.m.	Leeroy Stagger
9:50 – 10:00 p.m.	Dallas Arcand – World Champion Hoop Dancer
10:15 – 10:45  p.m.	Jim Byrnes with The Sojourners
10:45 – 11:00 p.m.	Fireworks
11:00 – 11:30 p.m.	Jim Byrnes with The Sojourners

(via www.calgary.ca/recreation)

* East village Street Fair 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.: This is a great opportunity to explore your centre city a little. Head out to Calgary's East Village (between City Hall and Fort Calgary and by the Bow River). The fair, which is put on by the businesses in East Village, are family friendly, free, and open to the public. There'll be plenty of entertainment from street performers (musical trios, plus, what Canada Day celebration would be complete without an Elvis impersonator?), Shakespeare in the Village (performances are happening at the end of 8 AVE and 6 ST SE on the Grass are about 40 minutes in length, shows are at 11 and 3), interactive activities and more. Lots of vendors will be there to show off their fine wares as well. The nearby Fort Calgary also happens to be throwing a party with games, music, a petting zoo and horse rides. 

*Municipal Building 10:45- 11:00 p.m. Fireworks: And the grand finale of course is fireworks at dusk! The skies will light up in celebration of Canada Day, starting at about 10:45 p.m. 

(Fireworks in Calgary - photo credit: LiminalMike)

National Music Hall of Fame May Call Calgary Home

(artist's rendering of the proposed National Music Centre - image from www.cantos.ca)

The much-anticipated National Music Centre project (with proposed plans to open in Calgary in 2014) just got its first big standing ovation in the form of some pretty amazing talks that are underway. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is discussing the idea to locate the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the National Music Centre in our Centre City and also in co-locations across Canada. 

Having the Canadian Music Hall of Fame here would be a great draw both nationally and internationally - it would mean even more people would visit the National Music Centre to learn about some of Canada's most amazing musicians and all they have accomplished in their careers (click here for the complete list of inductees to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame).

Imagine being able to visit the musical spirit and inspiration of talents such as Joni Mitchell, Rush, April Wine, Wilf Carter and Glenn Gould whenever you want? The designation would most certainly be a coup for us and what a great new space for the National Music Hall of Fame to call home... 

The National Music Centre has already received a $75 million pledge from all levels of government. Another $6 million has been privately pledged and that leaves $57.5 million still needed to build the facility. Click here to read more about the Naitonal Music Centre plans and also about the Cantos Music Foundation. 

Lastly, President and CEO of the Cantos Music Foundation, Andrew Mosker, spoke recently at our 2010 Centre City Congress - here's a link to his inspired discussion about the importance of the National Music Centre and of its role in our Centre City. 

 

 

 

 

 

Centre City Congress Talks #2 Andrew Mosker

These are indeed exciting times for the Cantos Music Foundation, The National Music Centre (NMC) and Calgary as a whole.

It's been announced that the NMC has been granted a huge Provincial and Federal financial commitment (in addition to the money already committed by The City of Calgary).

View the video below to see President and CEO of the Cantos Music Foundation, Andrew Mosker, talking about what this money will mean for the NMC project:

 

Andrew Mosker made his presentation to a packed audience at our 2010 Centre City Congress and it was met with a roomful of smiles. It seemed as though once he was finished his talk, just about everyone wanted to speak with him - they all wanted a chance to hear more from Mosker about his group's plans for the National Music Centre - to be built on the site of the former King Edward Hotel. 

(artist rendering of the National Music Centre)

Here's part of what Andrew Mosker had to say about this catalyzing project in the Centre City's East Village:  

Forget Watching the Apple Drop on TV...

 

We're hosting our own big New Year's Eve bash here in the Centre City - and you're invited! 

This NYE, pack the family up and head down to the Olympic Plaza to help ring in 2011. This is a free event hosted by The City of Calgary, The Calgary Downtown Association and the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and you'd better believe you WILL have a good time - your kids, too.

The whole shindig begins at 5 p.m. on Friday December 31st at Olympic Plaza and the Municipal Building - and they're calling it "Fire and Ice".  You'll be dazzled by lights, music, kid-focussed activities, skating and a whole lot of that great Calgary spirit that always turns an event into an experience.  You'll have a chance to check out some amazing ice sculptures and for the fire part you'll get to see some amazing fire spinners. Roving performers are sure to pique the interest of kids and adults alike and there are even some warming zones and crafting activities to help pass some time.

At 9 p.m. there will be a special kids' countdown and of course, there will be fireworks to dazzle everyone at the end.

 (photo by Sherlock77)

If you're wondering how to get there, Calgary Transit is offering free service after 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and normal schedules will be followed. If you want to read more about this Fire and Ice event, you can call 3-1-1 or check out calgary.ca here. Happy New Year, Centre City Talk Blog readers! 

 (photo by Barron)