Calgary Attractions

Today in Calgary: The Summerlad Release Their Video for City of Noise

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:12:01 -0500

[CDATA[The Summerlad have been one of Calgary's longest-standing anomalies. Genre-defying, consistently just under the radar, and psychedelic as all hell, the band has been making odd electronic-flirting prog-rock since 1999 and they just get weirder and weirder. At the end of 2007, they released "City of Noise", an album-length single track that tells the story of the day in the life of a city (like a drugged out version of Calgary). They've finally made a video for the track and it's sure to make Luis Bunuel look like Jean Renoir. Thursday at Broken City they'll unveil and celebrate the video. Also on the bill are Gunther and Heat Ray. ]]

Today in Calgary: High Performance Chefs Delivers Dinner and Show in One

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:26:32 -0500

[CDATA[High Performance Rodeo started yesterday, and I told you then that it was an eclectic arts festival. But I forgot to tell you an important detail: there's also food (that is, unless you consider cooking an art, which you should). Tonight at ParkerHouse Grill will be the first of four events called High Performance Chefs. Some of Calgary's finest culinary auteurs will take the stage for an exploration of "food as performance", where a meal will be prepared as a reflection of the Rodeo lineup. Tonight's theme is "Comedy 101 Circus Food", so expect to laugh as you gorge. Oh, did I forget to mention you get to eat the food the chefs prepare in their performances? At $150 a head, you'll certainly pay for the experience, but it's like dinner and a show. ]]

Today in Calgary: High Performance Rodeo brings Art, Music, and Comedy, but No Steer Wrestling

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:01:33 -0500

[CDATA[Now in its 23rd year, One Yellow Rabbit's High Performance Rodeo has made a real name for itself as one of Canada's premiere arts festivals. Unlike Calgary's other famous rodeo, there will be no cowboy hats, no drunk hillbillies drinking Budweiser, and no one will yell "yeehaw". Instead, you'll get a full program of high art, including a number of live performances by legendary composer (and movie scorer) Philip Glass, a performance by Scott Thompson, a ten minute play festival, and the Calgary premier of Catalyst Theatre's Frankenstein. Everything from art to comedy will be displayed at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts from today until January 31st. ]]

Today in Calgary: Secret Broadcast and Ghostkeeper play SoundProof's Fundraiser

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:31:28 -0500

[CDATA[If you're like me, you're starting to get a little bored. Friends are leaving for their various hometowns, others are blowing you off to go to the mall, and even your mother is too busy preparing a feast to spend any time with you. There's not much left to do for us year-round revelers. So it's a couple of days before Christmas, so what? There are still a few safe bets for a good night out, even if it means battling the elements. Christmastime means time at home, but it also means there are a ton of charity benefits. Tuesday at Palomino is SoundProof Magazine's fundraiser for the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter. The event features three Alberta bands that, if you haven't heard of, you probably will. Secret Broadcast's impressive Brit Pop sound has earned them opening slots with everyone from Oasis to Stone Temple Pilots to the Flaming Lips and has got them a lot of attention within Calgary and without. Equally as impressive is the roots-rock sounds of Ghostkeeper and the folky sounds of Matt Gigg & the Intellectuals. Go. You need it. ]]

Today in Calgary: DJ Fake Blood, Masked and Awesome

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:52:08 -0500

[CDATA[You may know DJ/producer Fake Blood from his remixes of Armand Van Helden, The Kills, and Hot Chip, or you may never have heard of him. But you will. Oh, you will. This guy knows how to build buzz. His mixes have already torn up the blogosphere, but he refuses to reveal his identity. Never performing without a mask, the mysterious electronic musician has been suspected to be everyone from Tiesto to Grover from Sesame Street. People have started whole blogs about it. Really. Check him out while he's still a puzzle. He plays Saturday at HiFi Club. ]]

Today in Calgary: Jingle Bell Rock presents Metric, Tokyo Police Club, and The Dears

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:20:31 -0500

[CDATA[I'm just going to go right out and say it: I hate Christmas music. Thus, when I hear about a concert called Jingle Bell Rock, I'm inclined to roll my eyes, shake my head, and tune out immediately. If all goes well, the Jingle Bell Rock Tour should help cure me of my prejudice. My bias largely stems from an aversion to soft jazz and adult contemporary (and also a weak stomach for cheese), but this show goes in the right direction by eschewing a collection of inoffensive holiday staples (i.e. Toby Keith and Jewel), and instead bringing together an impressive little line-up of Canadian indie-rock greats. Performers include Metric, Tokyo Police Club, Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains, The Dears and Mike Relm, all names that, if you're at all into Canadian music, should probably sound very familiar to you. The show will feature a mix of holiday music and secular music, but I hope it leans more towards the latter. As long as no one plays "The Little Drummer Boy", I'll be happy. The show takes place Thursday and Friday at MacEwan Hall. ]]

Today in Calgary: Hey Ocean! Play Sunny Music to Help You Through The Winter

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:29:59 -0500

[CDATA[Hey Ocean! just played Calgary last week, but I'm going to suggest them again (really they played Canmore, so it hardly counts). Tonight, Hey Ocean! plays Sait's Gateway. The Vancouver band's feelgood mix of reggae, funk, jazz, and pop ensures that you'll leave with a smile on your face. Trust me, music this sunny is therapeutic in the cold of winter. Even if you're stuck in the Alberta's frigid chill, go to this show and you'll feel like you're in Miami. The band plays both a 9:00 pm 18+ show and an all-ages show at 2:00 pm. Take advantage, because concerts are slowing to a crawl as Christmas approaches. ]]

Today in Calgary: MSTRKRFT Perform Some Street Justice at The Whiskey

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:37:21 -0500

[CDATA[MSTRKRFT plays a set Wednesday at The Whiskey. MSTRKRFT play Pitchfork style electronic music. It's like regular electronic music, but much more hip. Think Daft Punk filtered through an indie-kid sensibility. What else would you expect from Jesse Keeler, former bassist of minimal metal stalwarts Death From Above 1979? No word yet on whether the audience will dance or stand still with their arms crossed and nod their heads. You should go; with Christmas coming, there aren't many chances left for quality live music, let alone dance parties. ]]

Today in Calgary: DragonForce Enter Calgary Through Fire and Flames

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:26:43 -0500

[CDATA[There are some metal bands that dress all in black, write songs about Satan, and take themselves way too seriously. DragonForce are the opposite. I don't think it would be unfair to call DragonForce the most ridiculous band making music today. Referring to their style of music as "extreme power metal", the English band embraces fast-paced classical-style guitar solos, high-pitched Journey-esque vocals, and lyrics about riding into battle and pillaging villages. Extreme power metal is a good enough label, but they've also been referred to as "video game metal" for their inclusion in Guitar Hero III (the hardest song in the game is "Through the Fire and Flames") and absurdly epic songs that best resemble Gears of War or The Legend of Zelda on speed. Check these guys out tomorrow at MacEwan Hall prepare for a preposterous metal show. Also on the bill are Turisas and Powerglove (a metal band that covers Nintendo theme songs). ]]

Today in Calgary: Christmas Wine and Food Fayre Helps You Through the Holidays

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:24:51 -0500

[CDATA[What helps you get through the Christmas holidays better than booze? The Highwood River Inn is holding The Christmas Food and Wine Fayre on Saturday and Sunday, a fun festival to get you through mid-December. Over the course of the weekend you'll get a tour of the premises, a three course dinner meal with a bottle of red and white wine, breakfast, lunch, a screening of the movie Sideways, stories of Chilean, cooking courses, hotel lodging and of course a lot of drinking. But, y'know, classy drinking. You'll have more wine than you ever thought you could have. ]]