algary is a busy place. With restaurants and bars opening and closing every day, concerts being performed nonstop, and news developing faster than it can be reported, it's hard to stay afloat. You need a guide. Martiniboys.com is here to help. Keeping our ears to the ground, we've collected all the hot buzz that you need to stay informed about your fair city. Whether it be a new store opening or an oil striking, you'll find it here. Here's what's on today...

In case you haven't noticed, the Calgary Stampede is on right now. As I mentioned yesterday, it's not just about lassoing cows and riding miniature donkeys (although, that is a large part); there's also a lot of mullet-friendly music. And Saving Abel is as mullet-friendly as they come. They've been touring with Nickelback, Hinder, and Papa Roach. That should tell you something. Saving Abel plays the Coca-Cola Stage tonight (July 4)

If you're looking for something a bit more – let's face it – good, try DJ Z-Trip, one of a handful of superstar mash-up DJs who's as big a draw as what he's spinning (let's not mention Girl Talk, please), he's sure to move a room full of sweaty revelers. DJ Z-Trip plays Flames Central tonight (July 4)



Here it is, guys, the event that we wait for all year round. We've spent enough time practicing our yee-haws, drycleaning our best overalls, and measuring our heads for cowboy hats; we're ready for the Calgary Stampede. As always, the greatest in the world (rodeo clowns and riders alike) gather for some premier cow-taming and steer-wrestling while PETA looks on nude and angry. But even if you're not in it for the rodeo (you monster), there's plenty of live music (mostly mullet-friendly), games, food (deep fried Oreos, anyone?), and events to make the Calgary Stampede a surefire summer highlight. The Calgary Stampede runs from today (July 3) to July 12 at Stampede Park.



Unlike most bands these days, Blue Rodeo has a name that's actually suitable - their music is a little bit country and a little bit blue. This Canadian country rock band's band sound tends to be rather soothing, so much so that more than once it's put me into into a comfortable zombie-like state- oops, I just fell asleep on my keyboard. If you thought those sleeping imprints from your sheets on your face were embarrassing, try explaining tiny little red squares to the general public. People will scornfully throw garbage at you. But seriously, grab a coffee and head to this show. Blue Rodeo plays tonight (Thursday, July 2) at Flames Central, 219 8th Avenue Southwest .




Calgary is hyped for Stampede which begins at the end of the week. But before the city celebrates in leather chaps, cowboy hats and spurs, it's going to have to dress itself in red. Cow-town has no dearth in the Canada Day Department, nor is it suffering from a lack of oil. If you are not an oil tycoon, however, you can still celebrate the birth of our nation with the many free events the city is munificently holding. Firstly, so you don't have to stay at home, waving a flag and watching re-runs of Wayne and Shuster, head over to Prince's Island Party . Expect a glut of live music, children's theatre, food, and activities on Prince's Island (not to be confused with that other Princely Island of the east). When the sun goes down, saddle up the old doggy and find your way to the Fireworks at Olympic Plaza and do some good, old-fashioned explosion gazing. If you're not a Canada Day traditionalist; worry not, Collective Soul, the sucked-out grunge band from Georgia is playing in our city, Canada's closest thing politically to the Southern States.



Canada Day is still a day away, but for those who treat it as an excuse to get sloppy drunk, there's no harm in starting a day early. Today at the Calgary Zoo (of all places), citizens can feed their thirst at the Ale & Tail Canadian Beerfest. An all-Canadian selection of beer is available for sampling (how patriotic), followed by a BBQ burger, corn on the cob, a full baked potato bar with all the fixin's (in case you don't want to see the potato under there), and a maple beaver tail dessert. After you're good and inebriated and good and full, teams of ten will embark on a scavenger hunt/race through the Zoo forest. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. The Ale & Tail Canadian Beerfest takes place tonight at the Calgary Zoo.



This sufficiently deranged garage rock duo from Montreal doles out equal portions of doo-wop, rockabilly, and punk while drawing large crowds to their equally chaotic live shows. King Khan & BBQ Show features former Spaceshits band mates Blacksnake as King Khan on guitar/lead vocals and Mark Sultan under the moniker BBQ on drums/vocals. If you opt for the Jazz Fest over the next few days, you have to catch the King Khan & BBQ Show . Both legends in their own right, This gig is a must for fans of off-the-wall rock ’n’ roll. There’s enough raw energy here to provide electricity to the region for several weeks. That's bad ass. Tonight, the King Khan & BBQ Show combo turns up at The Biltmore Cabaret . Sure, it's a Monday, but that doesn't mean you should eat cheap chicken and pass out early.



Today's the last day of Sled Island, and it's a little less stacked (but still quite stacked). Perhaps there were so many awesome bands last night that the schedules wanted to account for fatigue? Whatever the case, there are still a few very viable options for concerts tonight, and again we've got our choices. For starters, you've got Liars, a legendary American post-punk band that's known as much for its danceable indie rhythms as much as it is for its dramatic stylistic shifts between albums. You never know quite what you'll get at one of their shows, but you know it'll be memorable. Liars play Dicken's tonight (June 27) at 1:00am. If you're feeling a bit more francophonic (when are you ever feeling francophonic?), you'll want to see Malajube, a Montreal indie rock band that plays all its songs en francais, but has received critical praise in English-speaking zeitgeist-making publications like Stereogum and Pitchfork. Malajube plays HiFi at 12:30am. And if you feel like dancing, you'll want to check out the excellent HEALTH and Holy Fuck double bill. HEALTH manages to be loud, noisy, weird, and yet still danceable, while Holy Fuck masks its profane name with intelligent live electronic compositions that have captured the nation's heart (minus Stephen Harper). HEALTH and Holy Fuck play Warehouse at 12:00am.



I can't in good faith recommend something other than Sled Island for tonight. Not with a lineup like this. Never before have I seen such a solid lineup of indie rock talent assembled at one time in Calgary. Since there's just so much good music out there tonight, I'm just going to give you three can't-misses and you can fill in the blanks. Japandroids, midnight, Broken City: These two dudes from Vancouver not only have a sound big enough for a five or six piece band, but they present such an evocative, yet oddly humble picture of frustrated teenage existence that you'd be surprised they're not reading from your high school diary. And they're heavy as hell! Gift of Gab, 12:30 am, Local 522: Whether you're a fan of hip hop or not, you have to see Gift of Gab. The Blackalicious MC spits lyrics so fast, you won't know what hit you, but if you can follow the flow of his lyrics, you'll be blown away by the amount of clever wordplay he packs into those quickfire rhymes. Monotonix, 1 am, Dicken's: An Israeli garage punk band that brings new danger to rock and roll. What their music sounds like isn't really important. All you need to know is that in past shows, Monotonix have started fires, played entire shows while crowdsurfing, and taken parties outside their venues and into the streets.



Woah boy, Calgary's lucky tonight. Both Sled Island and the Calgary Jazz Festival continue, and so we have something we're not quite used to: Choice. There are enough great musical acts playing in Calgary tonight, we'll actually have to make a decision of what to see. Here. In Calgary! If you opt for the Jazz Fest, you have to catch the James Cotton and Mose Allison double bill. Both legends in their own right, Cotton has worked with everyone from Led Zeppelin to B.B. King, while Allison has had songs covered by The Rolling Stones and The Clash, and the Pixies even wrote a song about him. That's bad ass. If you decide to do Sled Island instead, the decision gets a bit trickier. Broken City has both Woodpigeon and The Rural Alberta Advantage, while The Legion has Woodhands and King Khan & BBQ Show, and downstairs has a pair of Japans, Japanther and Japandroids. Otherwise, you'll want to check out Distillery for Monotonix, an Israeli garage punk band known more for inciting riots than playing music. Those are all some seriously great bands, so be careful deciding.

James Cotton and Mose Allison play tonight at Jack Singer Concert Hall
Sled Island :: Various Venues :: Wed. Jun. 24 - Jun. 27



Who says Calgary can't attract big-name talent? The third annual Sled Island festival brings together over 200 bands, art exhibitions and film screenings, and unleashes the whole genre-spanning artistic stew on venues across the city. Rather than staying in one place, patrons can buy a wristband and wander from venue to venue, suffering lines and setbacks to see the one performance that will blow them away, and drinking a few too many beers in the process. This year's event has some big name indie rock talent like The Breeders, Women, Final Fantasy, Liars, Andrew W.K., Woodhands, Holy Fuck, King Khan, Japandroids, and Rural Alberta Advantage. You have to admit, that's one solid lineup, especially for Calgary. Sled Island runs from today (June 24) to Saturday, June 27. - R.T.



Although Calgary is a rapidly growing, newfangled metropolis, culturally it is a little lacking. I can't think of a notable musician to come out of the oil slick city; nor could I think of a notable musician who would willingly play the town. Actually, that's a lie: washed up, seventies band, Fleetwood Mac, who weren’t so good in the first place, seem real amped up to stir up Cowtown but good. But to be fair, the British/American rock band (debatable) went through a lot, leaving Mick (drummer) as the only original member, still remaining. In their height Fleetwood Mac got a lot of attention thanks to Peter Green, who knew how to produce music that worked well with the blues/soul era. The Fleetwood Mac Story is more interesting because of all the turmoil, yet even with the shifting of musicians Fleetwood Mac still makes good music and puts on lively concerts. Keep in mind this: Fleetwood Mac has been around for 39 years. Fleetwood Mac plays tonight, Tuesday, June 23, at Pengrowth Stadium– E.H and K.K



Monday, June 22
For the past several years I've been trying to return the word "cat" to common vernacular (i.e. "he's a strange cat," "those cats are crazy," etc.). Lately, I've expanded my campaign to the word "hepcat." With the Calgary Jazz Festival hitting the streets today, I sense an opportunity to spread the noun around like Swine Flu but, you know, in a cool way. Now in its 30 year, , and many others. Grab a pass, settle in, and shout along like Neal Cassady. Calgary Jazz Festival starts today (Monday, June 22, at Various Venues)For tickets and schedule info, visit Calgary Jazz Festival



Saturday, June 20
Famed DJ Mix Master Mike knows how to sell a good alliteration. He also knows how to sell. As one of the first and foremost remixers, the outlandish white boy with funk helped usher a contagious sound into the mainstream; the sound of electronica. The legendary turntablist knows how to get crowds jumping, and through his wide spun network of followers, Mr. Mike has maintained a slew of groupies who want more. It was Mike who helped the Beastie Boys reach the mainstream, all thanks to the collaboration of remixed hip-hop ballads. The success of the Beastie Boys may not have been so grave if it wasn’t for the behind-the-scenes work of triple M. Luckily, the boys granted the talented DJ a full time gig as their main mixer. Mike knows how to work his hands, and tonight will be a testament of that fact, but someone should tell him he needs to work out a better outfit. The over-the-top ghetto jumpsuits and gold bling are a bit, ODB meets Tom Green-ish. Then again who am I to judge, he can rock the thugged-out garbage man look for as long as he wants. For a throwback head to Flames Central.



Friday, June 19
If you were suddenly tossed into a fantasy world where no one knew your name, would you call for Ted Danson to help you out, or would you become a misfit? Thirteen Stones is scripted around a handful of oddball survivors who happen to be living in a post-apocalyptic world. When asked what the plot was, the theatre artist referenced Robert Altman's famous Gosford Park phrase, "Never let plot get in the way of telling a really good story." Expect to watch as a group of dirty and mischievous folks try to figure out how to live, without getting screwed. Similar to Lord of the Flies and Lost, the human element of each character becomes the central focus, highlighting both curious tendencies and vindictive plots that seemingly ensue. Interesting of note is that the creators behind the production are talking about making the act into a book. I know you're excited, but before you get ahead of yourself, why not see the show tonight at the Easterbrook Theatre? The production runs until June 28.



Thursday, June 18
I love a good portmanteau and Canmore's ArtsPeak Festival is a fantastic example, not to mention a wonderful play on words in and of itself. This brings up an interesting point: is "VanGaalen" supposed to be one word? Did it start as "Van Gaalen" but metamorphous after David Lee Roth left Van Halen? Either way, Calgary singer/strummer extraordinaire, Chad VanGaalen kicks off the ArtsPeak festival today, June 18th. Playing the atypically and entirely apposite Communitea Café (get it?), VanGaalen's appearance should be the stuff of local legend. It will be worth the slight highway jaunt (take tomorrow off). -S.T.



Wednesday, June 17
I think it's interesting that Coldplay is shying away from their so-called plagiarism controversy. Both Joe Satriani and Cat Stevens have claimed that Coldplay ripped them off with their song "Viva La Vida," and yet look on their MySpace and it's nowhere to be found (despite the fact that it was one of the main singles from their latest album). For once I think I'm actually on Chris Martin's side. Essentially, all he did was utilize a common chord progression, something that musicians have been doing for years anyway (see: every rock and roll song before 1960). He should be soaking up the publicity. It might elevate Coldplay's fun level from paint drying to grass growing. They are, after all, on a stadium tour (when are they not?). Coldplay performs at Pengrowth Saddledome, tonight.



Tuesday, June 16
How cool would it be to have a show named after you? He may be a Jewish, Brooklyn joker, but Jerry Seinfeld is one smart, Jewish, Brooklyn joker, and his longstanding career is a testament of this very fact. How many references have you used that came straight from his mouth? How many times have you relived The Contest, or wished there was a no bra lady walking down your street? The television show was and is legendary, and helped catapult Jerry Seinfeld into a league of his own; a league of riveting comedy programming, that chronicles nothing, and makes you love everything. After the show went off primetime (but is repeated every hour on the Superstation), Seinfeld placed more focus on his stand-up gigs. Moving back to what made him famous, Jerry Seinfeld Live is another example of why the skinny, bug-eyed comedian is so great. Tonight get ready for a real belly laugh and head to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.-K.K.



Monday, June 15
Blame frequent screenings of Adaptation, but singer songwriter Kate Voegele has seeped into many a Martiniboys.com conversation lately. The troubadour exists (I think) as a real life chanteuse, but on One Tree Hill she played a not-so-real chanteuse. So which one is real? Is she really Nic Cage? Is Nic Cage really Charlie Kaufman? And what of Malkovich? Wait, sorry, I got sidetracked. Kate Voegele is definitely real was the point. And she's playing HIFI Club tonight, Monday June 15…or is she? No, I'm just messing with you; she is.



Saturday, June 13
A few years ago, I went to Hamilton to see Hayden. My friend, Troaker, and I mere mammothly hungover and foolishly went to the gig without eating. While listening to the troubadour's fantastic set our stomach pains subsided, replaced by a need for food. Directly after the encore, we set out to find sustenance, settling on a dodgy coffee shop near the venue. We wandered into a darkly lit haunt, populated with miscreants and helmed by a dirty-handed cook. There was a hint of the macabre in the cobwebs and eerie tin radio soundtrack. Regardless, we ordered a pair of Reuben sandwiches. Prepared with dirty hands and handed to us gruffly, the whole experience was a bit creepy. However, the spooky Reubens were fantastic. Incidentally, out-there stalwart Canadian hero, Spookey Reuben brings his mélange of sounds to the Marquee Room tonight, June 13.

For something equally spooky -- albeit much less Spookey -- cinema's latest cult classic sing-along, Repo! The Genetic Opera gets a midnight screening at Plaza Theatre. Like other midnight screeners (i.e. Rocky Horror Picture Show, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Hairspray), the film encourages fans to dress as their favourite character. Though you should go as Sarah Brightman's Blind Mag, you know you're going to end up as Paris Hilton's Amber Sweet. Expect organ repossession but, you know, sound-tracked operatically, naturally. -S.T.



Friday, June 12
We Calgarians appreciate a throwback here and there. How about a throwback to the days when bleach blond spikes were cool, and white guys loved to say "fly." The Offspring were that group that made you dance, and laugh at the same time. They came across as a jokers, and a lesser cool version of Blink 182. Their success in the mainstream was short lived, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop asking them to give it to you. Oh, they'll give it to you, tonight at the Stampede Corral. He's been spinning since the 90's, and don't expect Felix Da Housecat to be throwing in the towel anytime soon. His new album "He Was King" is expected to hit shelves later in the summer, but in the meantime the synth DJ has already started streaming his shows. The legend in electronica knows how to broadcast solid sets with throbbing backbeats, and quirky interludes. Calgarians, it's time to wake up and live up the night. Head to Flames Central for a breath of the good stuff.



Thursday, June 11
Eric tripped a long, long time ago, but Julie Doiron has soldiered on. Sure, she occasionally reunites with her old troupe, yet not to the detriment of her lone wolf traipsing. Additionally, the busy singer songwriter has had playing stints with the bearded likes of Herman Dune and other wandering troubadours. Introspective and paradoxically fragile and robust, Doiron's songs are evocative, pensive, and tender, though she does not shy away from the electric guitar. She plays Broken City tonight, June 11. -S.T.



Wednesday, June 10
You may think you are looking at blurred versions of various photographs; boy you're good. Surface Revisited is the newest exhibition by artist Kimberley French. French has collected twelve pictorial panoramas and Giclee'd the crap out of them. After the pictures were snapped, the prints were developed using Giclee (Gee'clay) where the each initial picture was scanned and copied using a medley of reworked specifications and ink transformations. Take the time to look inside the portrait, noticing the layers of detail that help create the scene. Take an even deeper look at the transparency of each photograph, with special attention to the movement. French is no stranger to the movie scene. Her work has been used in films such as Brokeback Mountain and The Assassination of Jesse James. Stay tuned for her New Moon series. The exhibit lasts until June 28th.



Tuesday, June 9
Try to conjure up the feelings you had the last time you showed up somewhere with the same outfit as someone else. How about having the same band name? That would suck the proverbial big one. Just ask The Architects. This band (U.K. version) claimed the name first, and therefore are cooler. There's something weird about British metal rock, possibly because you can't hear the nifty accents as clear, but chances are whoever is attending a heavy metal concert isn’t necessarily looking to hear an accent. You may also be caught aback at the age of band, the very young band, indeed. One minute you're looking at puppy dog eyes and emo hair, and the next you're scared of said puppy dog eyes and emo hair; it's odd. The rage takes place at The Warehouse with acts like Misery Signals, Haste The Day, Dead And Divine and Sights & Sounds also on the bill. You can also catch the Architects on the Never Say Die Tour. Grr.



Monday, June 8
Though I had met a beautiful Spanish girl in a cavernous Madrid bar, I had a train to catch. Drunkenly, I stumbled out to the street, ran to Seb's house to get my backpack, and made my way to my overnight berth, headed for Bordeaux. The lights of the station confused me, yet I made it unscathed. The point of this story: being drunk in a train station can be perplexing, even frightening. I can imagine that being stoned is worse. That's why the promo photo for Decidedly Jazz Danceworks' Twentyfive messes with my head. It features dancers in a train station…at 4:20. Anyway, I think I'm finished the self-indulgent section of this blurb. This acclaimed dance show celebrates the company's 25 years of jazz hands. It's on now at Max Bell Theatre. -S.T.



Saturday, June 6
As weekends approach, most warriors get their livers ready for onslaught, preparing to imbibe heavily, close talk in bars, and fall down flabbergasted and drained. But that's been done. Friday night through Sunday brunch need not be devoted to the destruction of brain cells. Once in a while, dedicate it to aesthete-friendly pursuits. Today, Saturday June 6th, sees the opening of not one but two brand new art exhibitions. Over at Agnes Bugera Gallery Medicine Hat native Gordon Harper's Neglected Garden begins. Showing a range oil works in various styles and featuring houses, phone booths, and other street scenes made pretty, it's a diverse and moving exhibit. Otherwise, Passionate Spirits kicks off at The Collector's Gallery. Do both. -S.T.



Friday, June 5
When Scream came out, it seemed like the entire cast would become massive stars. Skeet Ulrich looked a bit like Johnny Depp and he subsequently scored an Ang Lee flick. But he never really took off. Matt Lillard was great in SLC Punk but, alas, has been relegated to low-attention supporting roles. Rose McGowan disappeared for years, though she seems to be making a comeback. Even Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette have been largely absent from the spotlight. Jamie Kennedy has never really gone away, though. He was in Three Kings, he had that eponymous television show, and he tours continuously. The actor/comedian turns up at Calgary Laugh Shop for a four-night stand, starting on June 5th. Take that, Ulrich. -S.T.