Calgary
has an extremely diverse and exciting cultural and performing arts scene. Whether
patrons are looking for an art
show, live
music, comedy
clubs or even belly dancing, Calgary has it all. Perhaps best known
internationally as the oil and gas capital of Canada, balanced by a touch of
cowboy culture, this multifaceted city of over a million residents manages to
offer a well rounded sample of just about every type of artsy entertainment
imaginable.
INDEPENDENT CINEMAS
The Globe
Despite the many blockbuster box office movie theatres that all large cities
generally offer, Calgary also boasts a handful of underground and independently
owned houses. The
Globe Cinema, located downtown, is such a facility. Foreign and art-house
films frequent this cinema's screens, in addition to the annual silent movie
week event that will feed any movie buff's hunger for knowledge of Hollywood
movie history.
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Couple Wait OutsideThe Plaza Theatre 2 |
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The Uptown
The
Uptown Screen is located directly across the street from the Globe and
offers another tempting alternative to the mainstream corporate theatres. A
backward slope in the one of the theatres, a pronounces slope in the other,
plus theatre-style seating in both and a stage for dancing and musical accompaniment
during special events adds to the atmosphere. Red crushed velvet curtains fastened
by gold trim rope hang heavily to frame the screen. The lounge area offers seating
reminiscent of the 1930s with chintz and velvet fabric couches secured with
ornate buttons.
The Plaza
Trendy Kensington, an area in northwest Calgary, also sports an independent
theatre, where midnight movie marathons reel throughout the night and obscure
Canadian flicks splash light across the screen. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
is still alive and kicking at The
Plaza, where guests can dress the part and play the roles during this
classic and interactive production. Aside from the alternative selection of
films offered at these theatres, the interior décor also plays a large
role in the authenticity of the experience as a whole. And bring some cash,
because debit isn't always an option at indie theatres.
DINNER THEATRE
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Calgary's
Trendy Stephen Avenue 3 |
Another great way to spend
an evening in Calgary is to explore what the dinner
theatre culture has to offer. From comedic spoofs to mystery theatre
productions, these theatres span the spectrum of entertainment tastes, both
through pallet and personality. Patrons indulge in some of the best cuisine
the city has to offer while viewing and participating in riveting live performances.
Stage West
Stage
West is perhaps the best known and largest of dinner theatres in Calgary.
Guests with tickets to one of the many shows at this venue select from a dinner
buffet with over 100 items and take in a corresponding show for the occasion.
Everything from a musical about golf to a production that takes viewers on a
trip through Canadian music history from the 1960s to current fame is available
for theatre aficionados.
The Dean House
The
Deane House, located in historical Inglewood on the Elbow River, provides
theatergoers with yet another option for combining dining and stage experiences.
A notorious reputation for being haunted gives this facility the upper hand
as venue for spooky murder mystery shows.
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Show At One of Calgary's Local Art Galleries 4 |
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QC's At Quincy's
Located downtown, QC's
At Quincy's is an extensive three-level restaurant, nightclub and dinner
theatre in one that has called Calgary home for decades. During the dinner theatre
performances servers participate by dressing as cast members. Audience members
may be selected as volunteers and become involved as part of any given production.
This facility also poses as a live music club and fine restaurant.
Jubilations
Relatively new in comparison is Jubilations,
another entertainment choice, located in the southwest of Calgary that could
be viewed as a modern version of traditional dinner theatre. The entertainment
menu here provides a selection of musical spoofs based on popular television
sitcom series, amongst other options. Jubilations also shares the venue property
with
Aussie Rules, another popular and interactive nightclub with dueling
pianos and an Australian theme.
Tickets for theatre and dinner shows can range in cost to suit a farily modest
to extravagant budget, depending on the variables. When planning to attend such
and event it is highly recommended and for the most part, mandatory that tickets
be booked in advance.
DANCE
Aberta Ballet
With 40 years under their belt Alberta
Ballet, an Alberta based dance company, offers a range of classic and
contemporary performances sure to please all tastes from Cinderella to Dracula.
The Jubilee
Auditorium in Calgary is home to Alberta Ballet productions, amongst
many other theatre groups, and seats 2,526 people.
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Couple of Belly Dancers Show off Their Moves 5 |
Albert Dance Theatre
Alberta
Dance Theatre (ADT) is a non-profit organization giving young aspiring
dancers between the ages of 7 and 17 years, a plane on which to develop and
share their talents locally and internationally. ADT focuses on a modern and
collaborative approach to dance by encouraging participants to become part of
the creative process of the show.
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Those looking for a night of jazz, blues or swing can find that and more at
Calgary based Decidedly
Jazz Danceworks. DJD both teaches and performs with an emphasis on creating
and morphing live concert jazz into the experience. In doing this DJD focuses
on sustaining the spirit and traditions of jazz and dance.
Dancers'
Studio West Theatre, committed to creating contemporary dance that evokes
the human condition, is another of the dozens of dance performance options open
to Calgarians. Bubonic
Tourist, Tryzub
Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Blue
Collar Dance Company are just a few of many other choices. The
Bedouin Bellydance Company (pictured) offers unique tribal-style performances
around Calgary.
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Outside the Bay in Downtown Calgary 6 |
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THEATRE
Alberta Theatre Projects
The theatre culture in Calgary offers seemingly endless opportunities for enthusiasts.
Alberta Theatre Projects is a major player within this scene. ATP
strives to be entertaining while celebrating Canadian theatrical talent. Recent
Canadian and international successes are showcased at varying venues within
the Epcor
Centre through this theatre company.
Other Venues
Ghost
River Theatre explores a new frontier in Calgary by tapping into the
hundreds of thousands of residents living in the suburbs and by appealing to
the suburban culture and lifestyle. Another theatre to catch a good home grown
show at is Ground
Zero Theatre. This theatre company's mission is to bridge the gap between
well established and up and coming performers by combining them. The
Vertigo Theatre located in the Calgary
Tower building in downtown Calgary is a choice venue for many of this
company's productions.
Gas
and Light Productions, Front
Row Centre, Centre
Stage Theatre Company, Morpheus
Theatre, One
Yellow Rabit, Pumphouse,
Sage,
Theater
Calgary and Theatre
Junction are several of the many venues and theatre companies that Calgary
offers.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Aside from the mainstream events Calgary also has many side stage projects and
special events that are definitely worth a look. From literary readings held
in off-the-beaten-track cafes to burlesque shows and wine festivals, there is
no shortage of new and interesting finds.
The
Annual Pure Fashion show, held at the Round Up Centre on the Stampede
Grounds gives fashion buffs a chance for a sneak peek into next seasons
fashion trends. On another extreme, the popular Big
Rock Eddies is a Calgary gala that celebrates a spoof advertising competition
for the dedicated beer drinker. The Calgary International Spoken
Word Festival sheds light to another avenue of possibility. This event
combines literary reading with music and also offers playwriting competitions.
Chinatown
in Calgary reflects the considerable percentage of Asian Calgarians and brings
culture and colour together for the Chinatown
Street Festival and Chinese New Year festivities. Other events include
such outings as Winterfest
Calgary, Sceamfest,
Zoolights
and Aviation
Days.
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Calgary Resident Takes in the Graffiti Art Display at a Calgary Art Gallery
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Sarah Anderson; c/o
www.sarahandersonphotography.com; A couple wait outside the Plaza Theatre;
Calgary, AB
- Sarah Anderson; c/o
www.sarahandersonphotography.com; Calgary's trendy Stephen Avenue;
Calgary, AB
- Sarah Anderson; c/o
www.sarahandersonphotography.com; A show at one of Calgary local art galleries;
Calgary, AB
- Sarah Anderson; c/o
www.sarahandersonphotography.com; A couple of belly dancers show off their
moves; Calgary, AB
- Sarah Anderson; c/o
www.sarahandersonphotography.com; Arches outside the Bay downtown Calgary;
Calgary, AB
- Sarah Anderson; c/o
www.sarahandersonphotography.com; A Calgary resident takes in the Graffiti
art display at a local Calgary art gallery; Calgary, AB
