CALGARY’S GUIDE TO GOING OUT
HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO WINTER MUSIC FESTIVALS BEAT THE WINTER BLUES BEST BURGERS NEON TASTE RECORDS 01.25 ISSUE #51
RODEO RIDERS
TAYLOR MAC COMES TO TOWN FOR THE HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO — DON'T MISS OUT! EVENTS THINGS TO DO ART MUSIC CHEAP EATS
CAM HAYDEN
check out the full lineup at Chinookblast.ca and start filling up your calendar!
JAN 31 FEB 17
LIGHTS WINTERRRRIFFIC! ICONIC FESTIVALS
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
LIVE MUSIC
ART & LIGHT INSTALLATIONS
SPORTING EVENTS MARKETS
CHINOOKBLAST.CA
AND MORE!
SPORTS
CALGARY’S WINTER FESTIVAL RETURNS
MUSIC
@CHINOOKBLAST
CHINOOKBLAST.CA
27
EVENTS
CALGARY’S WINTER FESTIVAL RETURNS
@CHINOOKBLAST
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
ONE YELLOW RABBIT PRESENTS
JANUARY 14 TO FEBRUARY 2, 2025
3 WEEKS | 10 CO-PRESENTING PARTNERS | 12 VENUES | 28 PRODUCTIONS | 82 PERFORMANCES | +190 ARTISTS
RONNIE BURKETT IN WONDERFUL JOE
MUMP & SMOOT IN EXIT
LUCY DARLING IN INDULGENCE
TEN MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
RAT ACADEMY
HOT DYKE PARTY
MOZART’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
LAYCRAFT LOUNGE
FUN FREE STUFF
DENISE CLARKE’S SALON S O
DAY PLAYER MACHINE C
SCRATCH PARTY
ALEXANDROV, NAVA AND NIELSEN
CRM&PNSHMNT
PREVIEW: RIBSTONE
BEAUTIFULYOUNG ARTISTS CABARET
MOTHER NATURE
TAYLOR MAC IN CONVERSATION WITH DENISE CLARKE
UNPLUGGED: NIRVANA REIMAGINED
THE FIRST BAD MAN
WORDS IN PROGRESS
I DON’T EVEN MISS YOU
FLUX IN THE CITY
ECHOES OF THE LAND
CALL AND RESPONSE
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
PROARTS CONCERTS
Tickets available now at OYR.org T
CONTENTS
Cover: Taylor Mac Photo by Little Fang
10 FOOD SCENE
Beyond the drive-through, the city’s burger barons are making some flipping great bougie burgers.
Publisher and Acting Editor Käthe Lemon, klemon@redpointmedia.ca
jaNuAry forest tate & frIends 8 pm $10
3
Founding Editor Mike Bell Designer Kris Twyman Print/Digital Production Manager Mike Matovich
cartoon & cereal party
4
gRavity fAlls editIon
10 am - nOon free dArlIngs of disAster
Assistant Editor Nathan Iles, niles@redpointmedia.ca
interActIve buRlEsque
7pm $15 18+
CONTRIBUTORS Kenna Burima, Cam Hayden, Benjamin Heisler, Marcus Ogden, Evelina Pak, Viancy Salubre,
5
klEzmerovitz 2 pm pwyc
6
uRbaN earthlIngs meetuP 7pm free
8
acoustIc jam + open mIc 7 pm free
9
becomIng more conscious together
Celina Vides, Abbey Whitehead Client Support Coordinator Alice Meilleur Senior Account Executive Jocelyn Erhardt Account Executives Nadine Benoit, Vicki Braaten Administrative and HR Manager Tara Brand
navigAtIng disruPtIon 7pm pay from the heart
CEO and co-owner Roger Jewett President and co-owner Käthe Lemon Design Director Steve Collins
10
el fAro flamenco taBlao 8 pm $20
11
heartbReak etc + paeton cameron 8 pm $10
12
dice dynaSty D&D&dRag 5pm $10 All ages
15
Lucid Khaos + LenOre Belladonna
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada
The Scene is a member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers’ Association and abides by its professional standards.
Class Clown California Classic PHOTO: XIAN FULLEN
We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
redpointmedia.ca 1721 29 Avenue SW, Suite 375, Calgary, AB, T2T 6T7 Published 12 times a year by Redpoint Media Group. © 2025 by Redpoint Media Group. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
gArden of odditIes dRag 8 pm $15 18+
17 matt maSters + wIlly 8bigpmbull $10 whosE vinyl is it aNyway?
18
a comedy improv show
8 pm $15 18+
19
dAvid lavOie quArtet A lIve recording
2 pm free
8 COVER
Taylor Mac: the MacArthur Genius Grant winning artist and activist talks to us about taking risks in art, performance in the digital age and artistic transformation.
4 ACT 1, SCENE 1
What to do and see this month across the city.
9 ART SCENE
Mia + Eric’s In a Strange Place is a nine-channel video installation that explores questions about the environment and climate catastrophe.
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
12 HIGH PERFORMANCE 18 MUSIC SCENE Calgary’s newest record store, Neon Taste, is a RODEO haven of punk music and counter-culture, right in The best thing to happen to January, the High Performance Rodeo starts on the 14th. See our picks of this winter cultural highlight.
16 BEAT THE BLUES
January can be tough. Give yourself the gift of a better toolbox to cope with seasonal depression.
the heart of Chinatown.
20 FESTIVAL SCENE
crIsis! dRag show
23
ComrAde yulIa borscht + dAni phaNtom
8pm $15 18+ dRag is for all ages 2 pm $10
25
bigfoot rocketship 8 pm $10
Yes, music festivals can rock the winter, too.
23 CREATIVE SCENE
Collaboration is about embracing a loss of self.
30
ArtIstspeak* wIth kenna buRima + guests
7pm $25
24 Cam Hayden
1A 215 36 Ave ne buy tIckets at congResscoffeeshop.com
3
ACT 1 SCENE 1
What to do in January
BY VIANCY SALUBRE
START THE NEW YEAR SOBER Kick-off dry January at Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall! Their booze-free ‘80s party offers a day full of sober fun with games, music, and activities. Celebrate your sobriety with free admission to the event and enjoy all the party without any of the hangover from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on January 4. Visit allevents.in/start-the-newyear-sober for tickets and details.
THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS This month, the Harlem Globetrotters dribble their way to Calgary. On January 10 and 11, the world-famous exhibition basketball team showcases their legendary dunks, trick shots, and 3-pointers at the WinSport Event Centre. Fans can expect high-class basketball finesse injected with humour and style on a night packed with action. Cheer on the Harlem Globetrotters as they rival the Washington Generals to swish their way to victory. Alley-oop to harlemglobetrotters. com/world-tour for more information.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES The Front Row Centre Players presents the Broadway comedy La Cage aux Folles. Trouble rears its ugly head for drag club owners and partners George and Albin when Albin must try to convince George’s son’s fiancee’s conservative family that he and George are in a more, ahem, traditional relationship using his female drag alter-ego. The zany production shows from January 10 to 25 at the Pumphouse Theatre. Visit artscommons.ca/la-cage-aux-folles for tickets and more information.
2025 MS CALGARY WHISKY FESTIVAL The annual MS Canada Whisky Festival comes up for another round of spirited tastings at Hotel Arts. The festival mixes flavourful tastings with delicious snacks and expert knowledge at whisky masterclasses while raising money for a great cause. On January 16 support MS Canada by exploring the world’s finest whiskys. Plus get 15% off of all whisky orders placed through the Kensington Wine Market on the night of the event. For more information visit mscanada.ca/ ms-calgary-whisky-fest.
4
Horizon of Khufu until January 31 at Chinook Centre. PHOTO: MICHAEL GRONDIN
A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA
DJD’s 40th anniversary season! Dancers infuse the magic of jazz into thrilling expressions of movement for a night of finger-snapping entertainment. Catch a performance at the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks from January 16 to 26. The show is part of the High Performance Rodeo. Swing to decidedlyjazz.com/call-and-response/ for times and tickets.
chance to connect, create and play. Over the course of 48 hours at Platform Calgary, video game developers will create a game based on a theme announced at the start of the event. Prizes await the winning game’s developers, plus a catered spread of breakfast, and food for all its gamers. Visit globalgamejam.org to tickets to level up.
CALL AND RESPONSE
GLOBAL GAME JAM YYC 2025
Call and Response brings the Falling Bullets live jazz band straight from New Orleans to groove with dance performances by the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks for this show that opens
Let the games begin at the Global Game Jam YYC 2025. From January 24 to 26 the Calgary Game Developers Association brings together local game developers and enthusiasts for a
CANAM WRESTLING PRESENTS “INSECURITIES”
Be transported to the golden age of the crooner on January 17, as singer Paul Michael Stoia performs his tribute to Frank Sinatra at the King Eddy. Sip some whiskey, and wind down to jazz favourites for just $30 a ticket. Fly me to the King Eddy and visit kingeddy.ca/paul-michael-stoia for tickets.
Let’s get ready to rumble! Grapple with action on January 25 with CanAm Wrestling. Watch as wrestlers face off in a match of the century to win
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
CJSW January Chartlist Direct from your radio pals at 90.9 FM, here is a snapshot of the current artists & albums topping the charts at CJSW. Tune in, turn it up and enjoy. the Junior Heavyweight Championship. At Urban Audio Canada, watch as pairs and single fighters scrap in the ring to see who will reign supreme. Tickets start at just $23. Visit showpass.com/ canam-wrestling to grab your tickets.
CRM & PNSHMNT Cloudsway Dance Theatre presents a dark and twisted adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment in “CRM & PNSHMNT.” The dance-focused performance is a modern spin on the morally conflicted life of the main character Raskolnikov. At the Pumphouse Theatre from January 28 to February 1. Visit cloudsway.ca/crmpnshmnt/ for more information.
THE CALGARY MOTORCYCLE AND POWERSPORTS SHOW Rev your engines for The Calgary Motorcycle and Powersport Show. Check out hundreds of the newest power vehicles, automobiles and cars at the BMO Centre. Experience all the excitement from January 31 to February 2. Fasten your seatbelts and visit motocanada. com/calgary for more information.
Paul Michael Stoia as Frank Sinatra at the King Eddy January 17
A STREETCARE NAMED DESIRE Theatre Calgary in partnership with Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre bring Tenessee Williams’ classic to the stage. Tensions run high when Southern belle Blanche DuBois unexpectedly arrives in New Orleans, setting off a power struggle between her and her sister’s husband Stanley. From January 28 to February 23. Visit theatrecalgary.com for tickets and information.
HORIZON OF KHUFU: JOURNEY IN ANCIENT EGYPT Visit Egypt in the blink of an eye with the Horizon of Khufu. This interactive VR experience at CF Chinook Centre fully engages audiences with the ancient Egyptian landscape. The full-scale set build plus virtual reality allows the user to fully explore the environment’s history and intricacies. Until January 31 harness the power of technology and walk like an Egyptian. Visit feverup.com/horizon-of-Khufu to book your experience.
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
1. Aladean Kheroufi* - Studies In A Dying Love (We Are Busy Bodies) 2. Stucco** - LP1 (Self-Released) 3. Fresh Wax* - Picture Perfect World (Self-Released) 4. Calgaréal** - Vanishing Point(Self-Released) 5. Sleepkit** - Camp Emotion (Aubox Records) 6. Skinny Dyck* - Easygoing (Victory Pool Records) 7. OMBIIGIZI*- SHAME (Arts & Crafts) 8. Jennifer Castle* - Camelot (Paradise Of Bachelors) 9. Bitter Fictions ** - Phantoms (Shaking Box) 10. Sugar Brown* - Toronto Bound (Self-Released) 11. Corker - Hallways of Grey (Feel It Records) 12. Angell & Crane* - Angell & Crane (Self-Released) 13. Iron Lion** - Blackship Enterprise (Iron Soul Productions) 14. Amelie Patterson** - Napoleon (Neon Moon Records) 15. Carson Tworow and David Lavoie** - Teardown (Self-Released) 16. Tendavillage** - The Tenda Dimension (Unbound by Sound) 17. PyPy* - Sacred Times (Goner Records) 18. Alfredo Santa Ana and Miranda Wong* - Before the World Sleeps (Redshift Records) 19. Justine Giles** - Another Chance (Self-Released) 20. Amyl & The Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness (B2B) 21. The Jesus Lizard - Rack (Ipecac) 22. The Smile - Cutouts (XL) 23. sean beaver - The Temperance (Self-Released) 24. knitting* - Some Kind of Heaven (Mint) 25. Falcon Jane - Legacy (Darling Recordings) 26. Straw Man Army - Earthworks (LA VIDA ES UN MUS DISCOS) 27. Alien Nosejob - Turns the Colour of Bad Shit (Total Punk Records) 28. Peggy Lee & Cole Schmidt* - Forever Stories Of: Moving Parties (Earshift Music) 29. Me & My Friend** - Imperfectionism (SelfReleased) 30. VICTIME* - En conversation avec (Mothland) ** Local * Canadian
DJD Call and Response January 16-26
5
ACT 1 SCENE 1
Onstage in January
BY NATHAN ILES
CLASSICS OF ALL KINDS ARE ON STAGE THIS MONTH
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra goes Unplugged/ Nirvana Reimagined with guest vocalist Andrew Polec on January 31
Bob Sled music festival kicks off January 21 PHOTO: SHANE REMPEL, HOLDFAST PHOTOGRAPHY
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, this blend of classical music and equally classic animation features 16 Looney Tunes shorts like What’s Opera, Doc? and The Rabbit of Seville. FILMharmonique performs, conducted by Emmy-winner George Daugherty. January 4 (7:30 p.m.) and 5 (2 p.m.) at the Jubilee, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., jubileeauditorium.com
LORNA MACLACHLAN QUINTET Pianist and vocalist Lorna MacLachlan performs original tunes backed by her jazzy five-piece band (which includes David Lavoie, of the local bands Bluffing and Temps). January 8, 8 p.m. at Cliff Bungalow-Mission Community Association, 2201 Cliff St. S.W., jazzyyc.com
BEAR GRILLZ Modern bass legend Bear Grillz brings his mosh-inducing dubstep bangers to Stephen Avenue, hot off the heels of his latest single, “It’s Called Dubstep.” January 10, 9 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W, thepalacetheatre.ca
DOMINIC MILLER Sting’s longtime guitar player Dominic Miller comes to Calgary with a set that includes selec-
6
tions from Sting’s repertoire and tracks from Miller’s solo album, Vagabond. January 12, 7 p.m. at Bella Concert Hall, 18 Mt Royal Cir. S.W., taylorcentre.ca
SUM 41 W/ PUP & GOB Canadian pop-punk shredders Sum 41 bid the world goodbye with their “Tour of the Setting Sum,” and fellow canuck punks Pup and Gob are along for the ride. January 16, 7 p.m. at the Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., scotiabanksaddledome.com
WORST DAYS DOWN W/ STRIKE ANYWHERE, CHOKE, AND MORE Edmonton-area promoter and Worst Days Down frontman Ben Sir passed away back in ‘23. This is a celebration of his life, an album release party for Worst Days Down, and most of all, a bangin’ night of punk rock and community. January 17, 6 p.m. at Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., dickensyyc.com
VANUARY The Calgary chapter of Vandits (a collective of vintage van and music enthusiasts) are throwing a fundraiser for both their summer music festival (Vantopia) and to collect winter coats from the Calgary Drop-In Centre. Local shredders Sub//
PHOTO: COURTESY CALGARY PHILHARMONIC
Cell, Buffalo Bud Buster and more are on deck to bring heaviness. January 18, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca
door entry will get you a commemorative enamel pin, so hurry up and grab your tickets! January 25, 8 p.m. at Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., cjsw.com
BOB-SLED
UNPLUGGED: NIRVANA REIMAGINED
Just a couple days after Vanuary, The Palomino, Sled Island, and Eighty-Eight Brewing present Calgary’s newest winter music festival: Bob-Sled. Read more about it and other winter music festival starting on page 20, and if you’re looking for a Scene recommendation, don’t miss Montreal post-punkers Cola or Vancouver’s WAIT//LESS. January 21 to 26 at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., sledisland.com
KERRY KING W/ MUNICIPAL WASTE & ALIEN WEAPONRY Thrash supremacy hits the Palace. Slayer’s Kerry King headlines, with Alien Weaponry, and Municipal Waste teaching everyone the art of partying. January 22, 6 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W, thepalacetheatre.ca
CJSW PRESENTS 40 YEARS OF SERIOUS BUSINESS Celebrate 40 years of community radio vibrancy in Calgary with Dead Ghosts, Badge Époque Ensemble, and Calgary’s reigning queen of hip hop, Tea Fannie. This gig is expected to sell out, and
Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York is one of the best acoustic albums of all time, and your Calgary Phil brings it to life alongside guest vocalists and a commitment to that ‘90s snarl. The concert is being co-presented with One Yellow Rabbit as part of the annual High Performance Rodeo, which you can read more about starting on page 12. January 31, 7:30 p.m. at Jack Singer, 225 8 Ave. S.E., calgaryphil.com
SONREAL Round out the month with Canadian singer, rapper, and songwriter SonReal and his speaker-blasting alt hip-hop bangers. January 31, 6 p.m. at Commonwealth, 702 10 Ave. S.W., commonwealthbar.ca
DON PASQUALE An aging silent movie star pursues a starlet of new Hollywood; it’s a tale as old as time, in February, Calgary Opera brings it to life with an all-Canadian cast. February 1, 5, and 7 at the Jubilee, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., calgaryopera.com
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
Po w e r e d b y
NOMINATE A
SCENESTER TO DAY BY NATHAN ILES
W
hat makes a cultural scene? Is it the work? The community? The stages, the spaces, the programming? It’s all of these things — but more than that, a scene is made up of people. And that’s what we want to celebrate. Last spring, The Scene profiled our first set of Scenesters, a crew of movers and shakers who make things happen in Calgary through taste-making, community building, and good old elbow grease. From artistic directors to book store owners and non-profit leaders, these are the people putting in the work to make Calgary a vibrant place to live and create. These are the people who create the scene that the rest of us want to be part of. We want to celebrate these folks, and get some of their top recommendations of things to do, places to see and ones to watch in the city! Scenesters from our “Class of ‘24” include OCL Studios founder Dan Owen, Iranian-Canadian sculptor Lili Yas Tayefi (who went on to garner a Top 40 honour in our sister mag Avenue), and the artistic director of Theatre Calgary, Stafford Arima. Stafford told us all about the joys of using ripe avocado as a face mask, while Lili raved about the wine and atmosphere at Missy’s This and That. Do you know someone who goes the extra mile in your community? A trendsetting leader, or an undersung hero doing the hard work to make your scene happen? Scan the QR code to the right and nominate them today!
PREVIOUS SCENESTERS DAN OWEN , PHOTO: GRAHAM POWELL; LILI YAS TAYEFI, PHOTO: BERNINE MARIE; STAFFORD ARIMA, PHOTO: JARED SYCH
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
7
ARTS SCENE
TAYLOR MAC MEET THE VISIONARY AMERICAN PERFORMANCE ARTIST, PLAYWRIGHT, AND SINGER-SONGWRITER KNOWN FOR BLENDING THEATRICALITY, SOCIAL COMMENTARY, AND EMOTIONAL DEPTH.
BY EVELINA PAK
A
Pulitzer Prize finalist and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient, Taylor Mac celebrates diversity and challenges societal norms. Mac gained international acclaim with groundbreaking works like A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, a 24-hour-long performance that reimagining American history through music. As a queer artist and advocate, Mac inspires with creativity, authenticity, and fearless exploration. See Mac this month at the High Performance Rodeo.
COMPARISON IS VIOLENCE “Comparison sets you up in a paradigm of competing and shrinks the person who is comparing. When you say a person is like another person, it limits your ability to dig into details and describe an individual. “It’s almost more violence towards yourself than towards the things you’re comparing. We need to practice expanding our abilities, not shrinking them.”
A 24-DECADE HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC: A LABOR OF LOVE “We wanted to offer something different. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, legendary documentary filmmakers, brought their unique perspectives to transform a 24-hour experience into a 1-hour and 40-minute film. It sits in the legacy of two men who survived the AIDS
8
epidemic, documenting someone from a younger generation seeking community. “I had an incredible producing team, Pomegranate Arts. Linda Brumbach, one of the producers, worked diligently to make the film happen. We had to do everything ourselves, paying for cameras and funding shoots as we went. It was a labor of love that required someone who wouldn’t give up.”
TAKING RISKS “There have been moments when I was verbally attacked, threatened. Making the 24-hour show felt nerve-wracking. My drag mother used to say, ‘Nothing’s worth doing unless it makes you nervous.’ “I don’t think change happens without taking risks. Being unsettled with the current political system motivates me. Not doing something would be the bigger risk. “It hasn’t been easy. Queer work is often defined as a niche, which makes people reluctant to support it. “The challenge has been convincing people that work from a minority group is for everyone. Queer struggles are human struggles.”
ARTISTIC TRANSFORMATION “Initially, I made solo work about things I didn’t want audiences to know about myself. I would explore intimate, sometimes uncomfortable topics. Now, I focus more on what I want people to know. My work has become more communal, inviting more people to participate. I started making work not just to comment on the world, but to create the world I want to see.”
“I STARTED MAKING WORK NOT JUST TO COMMENT ON PHOTO: LITTLE FANG
PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER “That song is a prayer. In the lyrics, Patty Smith said, ‘In my dreaming, I was dreaming.’ She was dreaming like Martin Luther King — a dream for a better world where people have power. If we can dream it, we can do it. That’s why I love ending shows with it — it’s a rallying cry. “We need to show up, do activism. In the ‘80s, at the playground, bullies punched kids — often me — who didn’t have power, and others rallied around the bullies. They wanted to feel safe with power or feel stronger by watching someone weaker. That’s happening in adult life now. “Our stories and mythology teach us to support the weak. Religions like Christianity say the same, yet most people go against it. We must reject ‘survival of the fittest’ as a moral code.”
PERFORMING IN THE DIGITAL AGE “Technology often isolates us. Looking up at a screen instead of another person is isolating. I don’t use much technology in my performances because I value the human experience. “That said, I don’t want to dismiss fun or
THE WORLD, BUT TO CREATE THE WORLD I W A N T T O S E E .” possibilities. I consider it, but I lean toward the human connection. “Maybe one day we’ll all be transhuman and upload our brains to the cloud. But to me, that’s what death is — floating as energy in the universe. I’m not trying to rush that. I’d rather stay in my human form and enjoy my sensual body while I have it.” This Q&A was created as part of a collaboration with the Werklund Centre (formerly Art Commons). On January 18, Taylor Mac will visit Calgary for a behind-the-scenes discussion of “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music” with Denise Clarke, as part of the 39th Annual High Performance Rodeo. To see more of Taylor Mac’s work, visit taylormac.org or Instagram@taylormacnyc
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
ART SCENE
Mia + Eric
FINDING THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES AT CONTEMPORARY CALGARY
BY BENJAMIN HEISLER
A
rtists Mia + Eric invite us to explore In a Strange Place, their expansive, nine-channel video installation on display in the upper loft gallery at Contemporary Calgary. A paired soundscape designed by Kris Demeanor refrains and sustains in a cyclical dance. Textures range from deep thunder-like bass to simple keys, and discordant strings. The audible aura underscores a tension of primal power that is tied to our present and future. “Sink into the feeling of the forest, sink into the future of the forest,” the work intones. You will be confronted by future forest creatures. The artist team Mia + Eric share that they are “something that is not quite human, something that’s not quite animal, that’s not quite plant…” Continuing that “somebody once described them to us as ‘reverse anthropomorphic’ and we quite like that idea.” The work is a product of the artists’ longdeveloped relationships and conversations with individuals connected to the forest including ecologists, foresters, archivists, conservationists, hunters, activists, and hobbyists. “In a Strange Place is about the future of our forests and addresses major themes like the biodiversity crisis, the climate crisis, and the crisis of community.” In conversation, it’s clear Mia + Eric value the relationships they have built as the process of their art. “We try to do research; create networks and then feed back what we’re hearing from the communities to the communities in the form of artworks,” they say of their work. The work is intentionally abstract. “To facilitate a dialogue, we asked the performers to translate their care work into slow, improvised and abstract dances.” Accompanying the video installation of In a Strange Place, This Planted Place, is a short film produced by the artists, that offers us insight into where some of their ideas take root. The film takes place in a planned agroforest
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
IN THE GALLERIES NOW Philip Murray Bandura: Glass Daydreams — a glass and mixed media sculpture exhibition One of the founding members of the now disbanded Bee Kingdom collective, Bandura’s exuberant work explores material and ideas with humour and beauty. This show includes work from many of Bandura’s series including Shiny Shit, Is Glass Queer or is It Just Me? and Wildland Rocket. Until January 18, Christine Klassen Gallery
Knowledge made Concrete: 100 years of teaching and collecting
Mia+Eric Installation
“Somebody once described them to us as ‘reverse anthropomorphic’ and we quite like that idea” THE ARTIST TEAM MIA + ERIC
called the Heidewald. It is the largest planted black locust forest north of the Alps. Black locust is a tree species with high commercial value, but it is also highly invasive on a global scale, and therefore a threat to biodiversity. Black locust grows rapidly, is resilient in a variety of different soil types, and roots aggressively, making it an excellent choice for erosion control. The wood is durable and rot
resistant, making it ideal for many industrial uses including for furniture, flooring and water crafts. As a fuel for wood-burning stoves, it burns slowly, even when wet, with little flame or smoke, and with a high heat yield. Yet the Heidewald also supports meadows of rare grasses and wildflowers and provides honeybees a plentiful source of nectar, which produce a much-desired acacia honey. Clearly, there is more at work than meets the eye. Mia + Eric offer further reflection, that the work is about “thinking about interspecies relationships ‘what is our role and our responsibilities to other creatures that we are neighbours with, and that we live alongside, and that we can’t live without.’” In a Strange Place loops every 2 hours 12 minutes between the nine channels that fade in and out. This offers approximately 18 hours of content; likely far more than we might digest individually. This Planted Place runs 25 minutes and will screen in a loop in the Heather Edwards
AuArts and the AGA celebrate each other’s centennials (in 2026 and 2024 respectively) with this exhibition, one of several organized by the AGA. January 17 until March 8, Illingworth Kerr Gallery. Opening reception January 16 5 to 8 p.m.
Innovative Threads: Contemporary Weaving This Alberta Craft national exhibit features the work of 21 craft artists from across the country and explores a variety of techniques and approaches to weaving. January 25 to April 12, Alberta Craft Council Gallery at cSpace Marda Loop Opening reception February 1, 2 to 4 p.m. Auditorium at Contemporary Calgary throughout the day on January 5, 26, and February 9. Admission is included with admission to the gallery on those days. In a Strange Place is on at Contemporary Calgary until February 9. For more information, visit contemporarycalgary.com
9
FOOD SCENE
BURG SKY CITY IF YOU’RE WILLING TO SKIP THE DRIVE-THROUGH, CALGARY’S LOCAL BURGER JOINTS OFFER CLASSED-UP TAKES ON THE HAMBURGER.
BY NATHAN ILES
C
algary’s a good place to be if you love burgers. And if you’re willing to shell out a couple extra bucks, you’ll fall down a rabbit-hole of higher end options that offer something totally different to the hungry Calgarian. “People consider hamburgers a comfort food, and the fast-food chains don’t really provide that,” says Kipp Teghtmeyer, owner and “Grill Daddy Supreme” of Boogie’s Burgers. “People [also] like to try new and differ-
arcade games and stuff makes it fun.” You’ll also get a nostalgic vibe at some of the newer kids on the burger block. Although it opened in 2023, Class Clown’s cozy interior has a vintage atmosphere that feels like your grandmother’s rec room in the best way. Co-owners and partners Xian Fullen and Noel Sweetland even drove to Montana to get exactly the right kind of wood panelling for what they wanted to create. “A big part of [the restaurant] was sourcing things that only felt genuine to us,” says Fullen. “Everything in that restaurant is highly considered… it’s very ‘us.’ We took our hearts
“ B U R G E R S A R E A LWAY S G O I N G TO B E A R O U N D , A N D T H E Y ’ R E A LWAYS G O I N G TO B E A FAVO U R I T E O F P E O P L E .” KIPP TEGHTMEYER, OWNER OF BOOGIE'S BURGERS
Bastion Burger PHOTO: ALAN BREMNER
10
ent things, and they don’t mind paying, you know, a couple or five extra dollars to have something that is a lot better.” It’s an attitude that’s kept Boogie’s in the burger biz here in Calgary since 1969. And while the huge burgers are a part of the charm — I like the Jebb’s with pineapple — there’s something more that keeps Calgarians walking through the time-machine retro doors of both the original Renfrew location and the newer Marda Loop spot. “We’ve got a good rapport with our long-term customers,” says Teghtmeyer. “And when people walk in the door and they see everybody chatting with the servers and that type of thing, it gives you that classic diner feel. And our sprinkling of
and our brains and put them into a space that we back 100 per cent.” You can taste that passion in the burgers. “We’re grinding the beef every morning,” says Sweetland. “It’s locally sourced black Angus [from Benchmark Farms], it’s from whole muscle, and it’s not trim, so we can really control its fat content and taste.” They also source locally baked buns and batter all their fish themselves, with prep work starting at 5:45 a.m. daily. And it pays off when you take a bite of something like the Donald McRonald, their cheeky take on a fast food classic. The other new kid on the block (literally; they’re down the street from Class Clown inside Pinbar), Bastion Burger, also points to their “chef-driven
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
Bussin Burger
Boogies’ Sam Burger, with bacon & pickles PHOTO: MYLAH ABRAR
PHOTO: AFIFA AHMAD
menu” as their success. “Every step of the burger has been poured over,” says Bastion co-owner Ted Lee. “Even the way the burger’s stacked… we’ve thought about every single layer and which way it’s gonna hit your mouth.” They cut and brine their French fries and source beef from Regina's Fine Meats at Crossroads Market. “We want to make sure you’re not going to get palate fatigue,” says another
of Bastion’s founders, Jeremy Theoret. “We want the last bite to be different than the first bite. But we also want you to be bummed out that you’re on your last bite.” The edges of their smashed patties attain the mythical “crispy meat lattice” mouth feel that does, indeed, take you on a ride from beginning to end. And that’s just the tip of the burger iceberg in Calgary. From classic institutions
like C.B. Drive Inn to the recently opened Rosie’s Burgers and standbys like Clive and Lil Empire, Calgarians are hungrier than ever for a bougie burger. As Teghtmeyer puts it, “Burgers are always going to be around, and they’re always going to be a favourite of people.” With the cost of living being what it is in 2025, why not enjoy this cheaper luxury more?
Class Clown PHOTO: XIAN FULLEN
right here at the market.” 1235 26 Ave. S.E., rockysburgers.com
more Calgary burger joints you’ve GOT to try 1
BUSSIN’ BURGER
With two locations in Calgary and plans to expand into Saskatchewan and Edmonton, Bussin’ Burger is poised to take over the country. Every menu item at Bussin’ is halal, and the shakes are made from a soy base. WHAT TO EAT? “The Bussin’ Classic burger is giving you a classic taste,” says Bussin’ co-owner Omi Chaudry. “Just a tomato, pickles, two cheese patties, caramelized onions on the top, and ketchup and mustard… it’s just a classic vibe.” 1121 9 Ave. S.E.; 715 17 Ave. S.W., bussin.ca
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
4
V BURGER
5
BUCHANAN’S CHOP HOUSE
Calgary’s first entirely plant-based burger spot doesn’t sacrifice the greasy comfort food vibes. Even their delicious shakes and sundaes are made from vegan “vmix.” WHAT TO EAT? The hamburgers are all swell, but the standout here is the Buffalo Chick’n Burger. It’s got all the spice and crunch of a great chicken sando, with garlic sauce adding a unique twist. 819 17 Ave. S.W., heyvburger.com Rocky’s Burgers at Crossroads Market PHOTO: NATHAN ILES
2
INGLEWOOD DRIVE-IN
For nearly 80 years, Calgarians have been grabbing burgers and riding the mechanical elephant ride at Inglewood Drive-In. WHAT TO EAT? With both bacon bits and bacon strips — along with fresh tomato and all the sauces — the 100 Million Angels Singing is like a Baconator that got a glow-up. 802 12 St. S.E., inglewooddrivein.com
3
ROCKY’S BURGER BUS
Established in ‘95 and operating out of a big red bus outside of Crossroads for the last 11, Rocky’s Burger Bus is a bona fide Calgary icon. WHAT TO EAT? Owner-operator Jim Rockwell thinks all visitors should start with Rocky’s Special. “You get a little bit of everything,” he says. “A cheeseburger, a pop, and fries made with potatoes from the Hutterite Colony that sell
If you want a bougie burger, it doesn’t get much classier than Buchanan’s. This Calgary institution has been pouring whiskey and chopping meat since 1988. The burger selection is robust and made from in-house ground sirloin. WHAT TO EAT? Order a Bacon Cheeseburger and ask for it medium rare. Buchanan’s is one of the only spots in Calgary that will do it, and it’s life-changing. 738 3 Ave. S.W., buchanans.ca
11
COVER
Rodeo 2025 BY ABBEY WHITEHEAD
THE HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO RETURNS FOR ITS 39TH YEAR, BRINGING BOLD NEW COLLABORATIONS, EXCITING PERFORMANCES, AND A VIBRANT CLOSING NIGHT CELEBRATION THAT PROMISES TO CAP OFF THE FESTIVAL IN UNFORGETTABLE STYLE.
F OYR's Blake Brooker & Oliver Armstrong
12
or three wild weeks in January, downtown Calgary transforms into a playground of artistic innovation, daring performances, and cultural celebration. The High Performance Rodeo, One Yellow Rabbit’s internationally renowned festival of live art, is more than an event — it’s an experience that defies expectations, pushes boundaries, and leaves audiences buzzing long after the curtains close. “The nature of the work is creation performance, meaning it’s often the performers themselves who create and conceive the work,” says Oliver Armstrong, producer of the High Performance Rodeo. “These shows tend to be a little bit more wild, a little bit more experimental.” The High Performance Rodeo returns for its 39th year from January 14 to February 2, 2025. This year’s festival promises an eclectic mix of performances, including theatre, music, dance, and interdisciplinary art, featuring both local and international artists. From the darkly comedic Day Player Machine, which delves into the world of background actors, to the healing rock opera Mother Nature, complete with lusty dinosaurs and glittering distractions, the festival always promises a wild ride. Audiences can expect bold explorations of identity and resilience in shows like I Don’t Even Miss You, a queer dystopian pop solo performance, and the exhilarating celebration of queer femme joy at Hot Dyke Party. Longtime Rodeo favourites, including Denise Clarke’s Salon and the inventive Ten Minute Play Festival, will also return. “The thing that ties them all together is the very high level of virtuosic work that they bring,” says Armstrong. “Some of the artists we present were born and raised here and continue to work within the Calgary sphere. Others went off to other parts of the world, became prestigious artists elsewhere, and then we bring them back. What unites them is that every single one delivers extraordinary artistry that captivates and connects with audiences.” This dedication to showcasing exceptional talent has defined the High Performance Rodeo since its founding in 1987 by Michael Green, co-artistic director of One Yellow Rabbit. What
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
began as a platform for bold, boundary-pushing performances has grown into a celebrated festival where local and global artists converge, creating work that transcends traditional theatre. Over the years, the Rodeo has hosted unforgettable performances, from immersive site-specific productions to international collaborations, continually evolving while staying true to its mission of inspiring and connecting audiences while offering a uniquely Calgary experience that celebrates the city’s creativity and resilience. Ghost River Theatre is just one of the local arts organizations taking part in the Rodeo. “The High Performance Rodeo has always been a great champion of artistic
showcasing the gallery’s offerings. The Rodeo will also feature a grand closing night party on Saturday, February 1, held in Central Court at the Arts Commons. Attendees can enjoy a couple of shows before joining the festivities, which will include special performances, food, and drinks. “We wanted to create a space where everyone — audiences, performers, and organizers — can come together to reflect on the incredible work we’ve shared and end the festival on a high note,” Armstrong says. Looking ahead, the festival is preparing for a transformative chapter. “We will have some challenges in terms of adaptation in the next few years, involving the Arts Commons Transformation Project, which
“WE’RE SETTING UP A COMMUNAL BONFIRE TOGETHER, WHICH WE CAN ALL GATHER AROUND AND TELL OUR STORIES AND HAVE AN INCREDIBLE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE.” ERIC ROSE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF GHOST RIVER THEATRE
experiences that offer a unique perspective on the world that is different, that helps to be a catalyst for discussion, change and an invitation to experience the arts in Calgary at its very best in the very most, coldest and darkest time in our calendar,” says Eric Rose, artistic director of Ghost River Theatre. “We’re setting up a communal bonfire together, which we can all gather around and tell our stories and have an incredible artistic experience.” This year’s Rodeo will also introduce new collaborations and experiences. One standout partnership is with Contemporary Calgary. The festival will use the gallery’s unique theatre space for the first time, providing a fresh setting for audiences, while
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
is going to add some venues to our Arts Commons world but also probably remove some that we’re used to,” Armstrong says. This evolution isn’t just about adapting to new spaces. It’s also about honouring the festival’s rich history and the legacy of its founders, Blake Brooker and Denise Clarke, who have been at the helm of One Yellow Rabbit for over 40 years. “How we proceed in the next five or 10 years is something we’re really excited to explore,” Armstrong says. “We have some exciting messages to share in the spring about how our company will transform to meet current challenges while staying true to the artistic foundation laid by our founders.”
What to Expect at
ECHOES OF THE LAND A
s Calgary’s longest-running festival of its kind, the High Performance Rodeo continues to redefine the boundaries of live performance with its fearless embrace of the unconventional. The festival invites audiences to step outside their comfort zones and experience works that are raw, surprising, and thought-provoking. From deeply personal solo performances to bold interdisciplinary collaborations, the festival fosters a spirit of creative risk-taking that celebrates diverse stories and perspectives. This year, one of the most highly anticipated new productions is Echoes of the Land by Ghost River Theatre. This immersive and meditative experience invites audiences to connect with the land through sound, music, and storytelling. “We restored some long-term collaborations with a few companies that we haven’t worked with in a while,” says festival producer Oliver Armstrong. “One is Ghost River Theatre, with a beautiful show called Echoes of the Land. I call that show a bit more experimental than some of the other work because it is a sound immersion-type experience. It’s not a narrative play.” Through the collaborative efforts of Ghost River artistic director Eric Rose and Stoney Nakoda drummer and vocalist Cedrik Lightning and others, Echoes of the Land transforms the stage into a living canvas of sound and story. This immersive performance intertwines powerful narratives, drawing inspiration from the histories of the people who have shaped the land and the landscapes that continue to define them. “Echoes of the Land isn’t just a performance — it’s an experience,” says Rose. “We wanted to create something that resonates deeply, not just with the
Immerse yourself in a transcendent sound bath experience with Ghost River Theatre
ears but with the heart and spirit. It’s about honouring the stories embedded in the land and inviting the audience to connect with them on a visceral level.” The performance, described as a “sonic ritual and artistic meditation,” aims to leave participants refreshed and grounded. Rose says that Echoes of the Land provides a restorative space for people to recharge and connect through sound and vibration. Ghost River encourages audience members to bring a sleeping bag or yoga mat, lie down, and immerse themselves in the meditative sound journey. “What we’re doing is creating sound and music inspired by the rivers, grasslands, foothills, and mountains — our shared natural world and the greater universe,” says Rose. “It’s an experience for people to come as they are and take what they need.” At the heart of Echoes of the Land is Cedrik Lightning, whose voice and story form the emotional core of the performance. For Lightning, singing has always been a source of healing and reconnection. Reflecting on his own journey, including time spent in group homes, he shares how this connection has guided his life. “I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” he says. “It’s a release — it helped me feel grounded and reminded me where home really is.” Lightning brings a profound spirituality to the performance, channelling a timeless respect for the land into his artistry. Drawing on his own healing journey, he highlights the importance of fostering awareness of Treaty 7 and cultivating a shared appreciation for the land’s significance. “What I want people to understand is our love for this land,” says Lightning. “And that we can all love it together and apart.”
13
COVER
Scene Picks at the Rodeo NOT SURE WHAT TO CATCH AT THIS YEAR’S HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO?
THE SCENE’S GOT YOU COVERED WITH SEVERAL SHOWS WE THINK ARE MUST-SEE’S. BY NATHAN ILES
FREE FUN STUFF HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW COST BY KÄTHE LEMON
W Mump and Smoot PHOTO: IAN JACKSON
Wonderful Joe PHOTO: IAN JACKSON
RONNIE BURKETT IN WONDERFUL JOE
Why you should see it. Ronnie is a Calgary icon, and who doesn’t love dogs? This one promises to tug at the heart strings and tear ducts. January 21 to 26
LUCY DARLING IN INDULGENCE
Why you should see it. This semi-improvised magic/live comedy show mashup is back by popular demand, starring Carisa Hendrix. January 28 to 30
RAT ACADEMY
Why you should see it. It’s a chaotic blend of physical comedy and street survival from the perspective of rats. The last rat in Alberta, in fact! January 15 to 18
MUMP & SMOOT IN EXIT
Why you should see it. Mump & Smoot are Calgary legends, and if you haven’t experienced their irreverent blend of darkness and clown work, now’s your chance — don’t miss it again! January 29 to February 1
HOT DYKE PARTY
Why you should see it. Theatre and rock ‘n roll
14
smashes together in this concert featuring the queer anthems of Arthi Chandra, Blue Chu, and more. January 16 to 18
CALL AND RESPONSE
Why you should see it. Decidedly Jazz Danceworks teams up with the Falling Bullets Jazz Band from New Orleans to bring funked out jazz dance routines to life. This is not only an HPR show, it’s the start of DJD’s 40th anniversary season! January 16 to 26
Rat Academy
TEN MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
Why you should see it. This rapid-fire theatre night is a microcosm of what makes Calgary theatre so cool. And it’s perfect if you have a shorter attention span! January 14
FLUX IN THE CITY
Why you should see it. Nathaniel Hanula-James and Wesley Reibeling aim to make “municipal consultation” into some bona fide theatre chaos. Let’s see if they can pull it off! January 22 to 25
WORDS IN PROGRESS
Why you should see it. Playwrights show off readings from scripts they’re working on, offering a glimpse into Calgary’s arts future (and a
HotDykeParty PHOTO: CHELSEY STUYT
fun way to make some new friends). January 18
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
Why you should go. End the festival on a high note. Hosted by magician and comedienne Lucy Darling, this shindig is your last chance to party down with the Rabbits at this year’s Rodeo. February 1
hile most of the High Performance Rodeo events are ticketed, there are also several free events included in the festivities. These events not only allow you to enjoy the Rodeo without cost but also invite you to get inspired by meeting the artists and learning more about their processes. On January 24th, following the 7:30 performance of Flux in the City, join local urban design organization d.talks and the show creators Nathaniel Hanula-James and Wesley Reibling for a conversation about design and the built environment. The free talkback session is at Contemporary Calgary starting at 9 p.m. Join Geoffry Simon Brown and Evan Medd for a speculative worldbuilding workshop. Bring a notebook and something to write with and be ready to work collaboratively. The workshop takes place at Motel Theatre in Arts Commons on January 26th starting at 3 p.m. Join local playwright, director and performer Karen Hines and moderator Amiel Gladstone for a conversation about creating theatre at a time of existential crises in the talkback panel: At the End of the World. This session takes place in the Big Secret Theatre at Arts Commons on January 23rd at 8:45 pm. Learn about Mump & Smoot’s creative process at Discussion: Clowns Across the Universe on February 1 at 2 p.m. at the Motel Theatre. On January 18, Arts Commons opens for the Art Party starting at 6 p.m. Get a peek inside the open studios, see some live painting by Contemporary Vice and tour the galleries. Learn more about the free events at oyr.org/hprodeo/lineup
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING Team Building events ON THE BEACH Kick off your shoes and join us on the sand. Games, Activities, Beachside Bar & Cafe
403-475-4031
info@thebeachyyc.ca
NEW SAINT MERA REYES CHRISTOPHER GAMBLE EMILY MARTINEZ B. BEATS
td amplify
ORIGINS: COURAGE JAN 31 FRIDAY 8pm
Engineered Air Theatre at Arts Commons
Wrap it up with MC Little Chief at the SCRATCH, featuring the DJ Friend and friends, and dancing.
TD Amplify Title Sponsor
Public Sector Support
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY! artscommons.ca/courage Artists, programs, and dates subject to change.
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
15
CITY SCENE
Beat the Blues
CHRISTMAS IS OVER — IT’S TIME TO GIVE YOURSELF GIFTS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE DARK DAYS OF WINTER BY CELINA VIDES
J
anuary’s short, cold days, combined with the post-holiday blues, can make it the most depressing month of the year. Having a coping toolbox — a collection of skills and techniques you can rely on when those feelings arise — can be incredibly helpful in supporting you through these tricky times, according to psychologist Diandra Lewis, a registered psychologist in Calgary. “The potential benefits of coping tools include a reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression. Practicing self-compassion is also important, as research shows it can reduce the length of depressive episodes,” says Lewis. So, here’s some suggestions of gifts you can give yourself to put in your coping toolbox so the only blues you experience are the blue skies of Calgary.
THE GIFT OF CREATIVITY Fulfill your New Year’s resolution to tap into your creative side at an animation class with Quickdraw Animation Society. The folks behind the Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival (GIRAF) offer adult courses, along with access to equipment and facilities for members to experiment and create. The Animation Fundamentals class, which runs from January 28 to April 22, is perfect for beginners — no previous animation knowledge or advanced drawing skills are required. Find more details at quickdrawanimation.ca/learn. Not ready to commit to a full class? Try something more casual, such as the Chinatown Clay Club, brought to you by the Good Neighbour initiative (goodneighbourcalgary.com). The club offers drop-in events every Wednesday where you can take on self-directed projects with the help of an experienced instructor. Admission starts at $15. For an additional $10 you can also get 2 lbs of clay. Cold Garden’s Crafty Mondays guided craft sessions have included everything from making birdhouses and lanterns to pint painting and
16
gnome decorating. Tickets range from $20 to $50, and your admission covers all the craft supplies — and a beverage, too! (coldgarden.ca/events)
THE GIFT OF CONNECTING IN THE OUTDOORS Instead of Netflix and chill, think cross-country and vent. Talking things out with your partner or friends can deepen relationships and strengthen social bonds, which helps increase resilience. Pair the centuries-old practice of venting with an outdoor activity such as cross-country skiing. There are plenty of cross-country ski trails maintained by the City of Calgary to choose from. These groomed trails and spaces are perfect for getting out there and enjoying the outdoors. If you don’t own the equipment, you can rent it for the day from the UCalgary Outdoor Centre (outdoor-centre.ucalgary.ca/gear-rentals) or Sports Rent (sportsrent.ca/cross-country-ski-rental). City of Calgary Cross-Country Ski Trails: calgary.ca/parks/activities/cross-country-skiing
Paola Pivi Show at Contemporary Calgary PHOTO: CELINA VIDES
THE GIFT OF COZINESS AND CULTURE On a chilly day, grab a coffee and treat yourself to a delicious Mexican concha — a pillowy pastry with a sweet, crunchy top, perfect for dunking in your coffee — at the new Frida’s Café at 1110 9 Ave. S.W. Then swing by Contemporary Calgary for the duo exhibition Efflorescence/The Way We Wake, featuring Marigold Santos and Rajni Perera. The show includes paintings, sculptures, and a collaborative piece that explores themes of selfhood and transformation. While you’re there, be sure to check out the exhibit Come check it out by Italian artist Paola Pivi, which includes her piece Untitled (Shoes) — a collection of 145 pairs of new and used shoes that tell the stories of those who wore them.
THE GIFT OF JOURNALING Head to a local store and treat yourself to a new notebook, planner, or some fun pens and start journaling. Bonus: You might even score a deal, as stores often have clearance racks right after
Cafe Frida PHOTO: CELINA VIDES
the holidays. Need more reasons to grab a new notebook? Research has shown that journaling can help lower distress. A 2006 study showed that journaling for 15 minutes a day was correlated to a reduction in symptoms of stress and anxiety. You can jot down your thoughts, track
PHOTO: CELINA VIDES
your moods, or get creative with sketches. Or, try “junk journaling,” which involves using recycled materials and items that hold meaning to you each day. Reid’s at 710 17 Ave S.W. and Recess at 1333 9 Ave S.E. are great local sources for cool notebooks and pens.
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
MUSIC SCENE
SAVOUR NEON TASTE CALGARY’S NEWEST RECORD STORE IS A HAVEN OF PUNK MUSIC AND COUNTER-CULTURE, RIGHT IN THE HEART OF CHINATOWN.
BY NATHAN ILES
T
ake a stroll down 3rd Avenue past the white stone Chinese dragons, and you’ll stumble across a black sandwich board pointing you down some mysterious steps. As you descend into the Opulence Centre, you’ll see people grabbing takeout orders from Auntie’s Chinese Burger, smell aromas wafting from the nearby Kwok Tai Chinese Herb Centre… and hear crushing punk rock tinnily blaring out of a nearby speaker. That sound leads to a singular room stacked full of obscure records, vintage band tees, and a wall of pins and leather for your perusal. The sign still says “Swank Hair Design,” but this is Neon Taste Records, a music label and record shop transplanted from Vancouver to this hidden corner of Chinatown last year. Owned and operated by Josh Nickel, this shop is quickly shaping up to be the new beating heart of counter-culture and loud tunes here in Cowtown. “I had a hard time having any other kind of DIY label thing, and we just had to do it ourselves, or nothing was gonna get done,” says Nickel, who also fronts the band Chain Whip. “We weren’t able to tour very heavily at the time, so it was tricky for other labels to want to take us on… I had labels that I’d started before fail, but this was the one that stuck. This just took some past mistakes and lessons learned.” Neon Taste emerged in 2016 as a Vancouver-based record label focusing on “glam, punk, garage, rock, mod, pop, bubblegum and anything else that tastes good.” They’ve put out releases from bands including Anxious Pleasers out of Ontario, Headcheese from Kamloops, and recently collaborated with Conviction Records to release a full-length album from local punk heavyweights Closetalkers. The jump to Calgary just made sense for Nickel. “I ended up losing my job, and the cost of living [in Vancouver] was just really crazy,” he says. “I met someone out here, moved in with her, and couldn’t find a job in Calgary to save my life, and I was on disability for a while, so I was like, ‘This is running out. I gotta figure something
18
out.’ And I figured, well, I have lots of records and a label with a decent following.” Practicality also led him to set up shop in an old hair salon. “This [space] just made the most sense for the size compared to the rent for what I was gonna be able to do,” he says. “It’s small, but I think that it’s pretty perfect for a record store that operates the way I plan to operate for now.” The selection of vinyl goes well beyond Neon Taste’s roster. From used pressings of David Bowie and The B52s to still-sealed records and
“I had labels that I’d started before fail, but this was the one that stuck. This just took some past mistakes and lessons learned.” NEON TASTE OWNER JOSH NICKEL
obscurities like Canadian grindcore legends Massgrave and Sweden’s Isotope Soap, there’s a record for all (neon) tastes at insanely reasonable prices. The book rack contains everything from manifestos to oral biographies near a window covered in local gig posters. Speaking of gigs, Neon Taste put together a weekend-long shindig of music last fall to properly introduce itself to the city. Bands like Puppet Wipes and Hedonist ripped up the Palomino on October 11 and 12, while Nickel and his pals spun records and wound things down on Sunday at Pinbar. “I want to do shows like I do my store,” says Nickel. “Keep it tight with the stuff that I want to do so that I’m caring about it, too.” He’s also been doing DJ nights at Sweet Loretta dubbed “Neon Sleaze,” featuring himself and
DJ Arielle spinning new wave and punk tracks alongside $5 beers. Whether in the shop or Calgary’s music venues, Neon Taste is about community building. “There’s a couple of things that I’m planning on doing, and I want to do more special stuff,” says Nickel. “What I want to do [in the shop] is have a spot where people can kind of come and hang
out, throw up a ‘Need New Guitarist for The Band’ flyer, or even just meet people looking through the bins who have common interests.” Visit Neon Taste Records at 111 3 Ave. S.E. Follow their Instagram for hours and stock updates (@neon.taste.records) and hit neontasterecords.ca to explore their online store and releases.
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
Your Backstage Pass to the City.* *
Visit Canada’s home for music.
The Beatles in Canada
EXTENDED FROM JANUARY 20 UNTIL MAY 19, 2025
F RO M M E TO YO U
Access Calgary’s best experiences with A-List.
Experience a nostalgic tribute to The Beatles’ transformative years upon arriving in Canada for the first time. Revisit the frenzied excitement that swept the nation.
From private dinners with top chefs to secret theatre tours, an A-List membership grants you behind-the-scenes access to Calgary’s best. Meet the creators, taste the flavours and explore hidden gems that only members can enjoy.
TICKETS AT STUDIOBELL.CA
With limited memberships available, you’re not part of the crowd–you’re one of the select few experiencing the very best of Calgary.
Featured Experience Partners
ON NOW UNTIL FALL 2025
V I S I T T H E C A N A D I A N C O U N T R Y M U S I C H A L L O F FA M E
Theatre Calgary
MUSIC HALL OF FAME
Blithe Spirit Opening & Dinner for Two at Teatro Available Now
Theatre Calgary
Awowakii Opening & Dinner for Two at Teatro Available Now
Fairmont Palliser – Hawthorn
A-List Dinner for Two Experience: Thursday nights in Feb and March Available Now
Alberta Theatre Projects
An Evening of Fine Dining and Theatre: Dinner for Two at Charcut and Opening Night of King James Available Now
Featuring 2024 Artist inductee k.d. lang, Builder inductee Gilles Godard, and more of Canada's country icons.
Alberta Theatre Projects
TICKETS AT STUDIOBELL.CA
An Evening of Fine Dining and Theatre: Dinner for Tswo at Charcut and Opening Night of Liars at a Funeral Available Now
ON NOW UNTIL
Memberships available now! Scan to learn more
FEBRUARY 24, 2025
www.thealist.vip
A temporary exhibition honouring the “Godfather of Canadian hip-hop.” 2 0 2 4
* Expect More
I N D U C T E E
MAESTRO FRESH WES
TICKETS AT STUDIOBELL.CA
Brought to you by
STUDIO BELL, HOME OF THE NATIONAL MUSIC CENTRE
850 4 STREET SE CALGARY, AB
MUSIC SCENE
BY MARCUS OGDEN
F
or many, the word “festival” evokes images of hot sunlit days with drinks in hand and nighttime bar crawls to cool off. As hardy Calgarians, however, we also enjoy a dense festival season in the winter. Despite the presumed setbacks of holding events during one of the least ideal times for people to leave their homes, these festivals are valuable to their local communities and have enjoyed growing success. “We are a winter city. We're winter seven months a year. Why would we not embrace winter?” says Adrian Urlacher, executive director and founder of Calgary’s Big Winter Classic Festival, a five-day outdoor winter music festival that ran for many years. “People get up and go skiing at five in the morning at -30. So jumping on a patio with a beer in your hand at -5 or -10 should just be super easy.” The first and most obvious obstacle for winter festivals is the weather. When snowfall and temperatures can change at the drop of a hat, organizers must plan for the best and the worst. Although technically in the fall, with their late November run, CUFF Docs this year took place during a week of both low temperatures and our first significant snowfall. The CUFF team is no stranger to this, as November is usually a month when winter gears up. While they find the weather can hinder event attendance, it also serves as something of a sales motivator as people look for cozier indoor activities. “The festival itself did really well, and a lot of people were able to make it,” says Brenda Lieberman, CUFF director and co-founder. “We were up 55 per cent and that really helped us out, because we're a small organization and it's tough to break even at these events. That support really helped. I guess I could say that we sold a lot more tuques.” As with CUFF Docs, many winter festivals depend on indoor venues as stable settings where fewer elements are at play and the only obstructions are travelling and way finding between venues. However, many festivals don’t shy away from
20
WAIT LESS at the ‘24 Sled Island Kick-Off show PHOTO: MICHAEL GRONDIN
CHILL OUT WINTER FESTS ARE THE BEST FESTS
outdoor programming and embrace the cold weather. Chinook Blast is a prime example of this, as many of the festival’s events have historically occurred outdoors in Calgary’s Olympic Plaza. “What does it mean to have outdoor performers who potentially might be performing in -20 degree celsius weather? Or +8 weather?” says Patti Pon, President and CEO of Calgary Arts Development and chair member of Chinook Blast. “One of the things that I always say is, the more spontaneous the programming looks, chances are, the more planning that was required to make that happen.” Outdoor winter fests make use of an array of different infrastructure pieces to function. Fire pits, heating pylons, heated tents, backup
venues, and backup plans for instruments malfunctioning in the cold; the amount of planning required is daunting. These are also all significant budget items for any event, let alone multi-day festivals. “You're making a venue from scratch outdoors, and the expense to that is pretty high,” says Edmonton’s Winterruption Festival producer Brent Oliver. “I can spend lots of time on it and lots of money on it, but if the weather doesn't really sort of cooperate, what are you going to do? It's a drag and it's a gamble, but also, all shows — all festivals — are kind of a gamble anyway.” Once the realities of winter weather are surmounted, the next challenge for these festivals is programming — attracting acts to central Canada
in the dead of January and February is no easy feat in itself. Travelling to Calgary and braving all of the snowy uncertainties is, understandably, more than some acts can justify doing. However, many of the winter festivals work together and coordinate to give acts multiple stops. “We would be in touch with Big Winter Classic, with the Saskatoon Winterruption and Regina Winterruption saying, ‘hey, let's go after some of these artists, and maybe we can give them two or three shows between our markets instead of just one,’” says Oliver. Winter festivals are also an opportunity for acts to earn some money and play during what’s otherwise a lower-turnout period for smaller shows. Acts are seldom overbooked in the colder season. “We end up kind of getting our pick of the litter,” says Oliver. “A lot of the times we get told, ‘yes, they're available’ more than, ‘no, they're not available.’” While all festivals rise with the tide of an excellent turnout, it’s important to consider how winter festivals benefit their overall communities. Not only do the venues that host fests get valuable business from patrons, but all surrounding businesses also enjoy increased foot traffic as people travel to and fro. In Calgary’s everlasting efforts to market downtown not just as a place for working but as a social hub, winter festivals are crucial. According to Urlacher, last year Big Winter Classic saw 3,800 attendees crawl between beloved local spots such as Modern Love, The Blox, and Last Best. “We wanted to create experiences for people,” says Urlacher. “We wanted to create big shows on small stages. We wanted to include our local community.” Surveying the state of Calgary's upcoming winter festivals, 2025’s cold season will see several changes. With Olympic Plaza unavailable as the Arts Commons Transformation project gets underway, Chinook Blast looks to draw Calgarians into the downtown core with programming that extends through four blocks of Stephen’s Avenue from 1 Street S.E. to 3 Street S.W. Art installations, live performances, and markets will appear on Stephen Avenue throughout Chinook Blast’s three-week run from January
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
31 to February 17. With dates that overlap both the High Performance Rodeo and Block Heater, Chinook Blast also acts as a gateway to the city’s winter arts and cultural experiences, exposing people to events outside of the festival itself. “From a Chinook Blast-specific perspective, we're about filling in the spaces in between,” says Pon. “What I think maybe distinguishes us from other festivals is the amount of programming that occurs that we actually have nothing to do with. We don't produce it. We don't create it. We don't present it. What we do is promote it.” Chinook Blast will also feature a hub of outdoor activities around The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary). This year’s winter festival season will be missing a long beloved staple. In September, Big Winter Classic announced it will not be putting on a festival this year. After 10 years and continuous growth, this outcome as a bit of a shock to the community.
Chairman at WINTERUPTION '24 PHOTO: ERIC KOZAKIEWICZ
“We are a winter city. We're winter seven months a year. Why would
we not embrace winter?” ADRIAN URLACHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF CALGARY’S BIG WINTER CLASSIC
Urlacher, who runs the festival, took a step back to focus on his family and other endeavours. He does, however, hesitate to say Big Winter Classic won’t go on to exist in another form. “When your heart starts burning out, and the fun starts kind of burning out, it gets weighing and then it becomes a challenge or a hurdle, as opposed to something you want to put on for the community,” says Urlacher. “I'm never gonna say we're done, done. We've already been looking at other shows … the door is definitely not closed.” Though a secondary reason for this year’s hiatus, Urlacher also cites the financial pressure of festival planning as a difficulty for Big Winter Classic. He notes that the normal expenses of a festival like equipment, venue rentals, and the costs of bringing in acts, plus the winterizing infrastructure listed earlier means the costs quickly add up. The added gamble of weather conditions that can decrease attendance, cause travel issues for acts, and even disrupt events
WINTER FESTIVALS High Performance Rodeo January 14 to Febuary 2 oyr.org/hprodeo
Banff Lake Louise Snow Days January 7 to Febuary 2 banfflakelouise.com/ events/snowdays
Bob-Sled January 21 to 26 sledisland.com
Chinook Blast January 31 to Febuary 17 chinookblast.ca
Block Heater Febuary 14 to 15 calgaryfolkfest.com/ block-heater/info
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
21
MUSIC SCENE adds to the stress for organizers like Urlacher. Winter festivals depend on the work of volunteers, whatever they can retain from their ticketing margins, and the generosity of sponsors. “There is funding out there, but it's just getting harder and harder,” Urlacher says. “The amount of money that either our city or province or country are providing for the arts is getting slimmer and slimmer. And it's discouraging when you spend six months trying to get funding for something, you know that’s funding you rely on to even make it happen.” Oliver also speaks to this from a Winterruption perspective, “The dream is that one day all of us can get paid by this, which would be nice because we're 100 per cent volunteer run as it stands right now,” says Oliver. With a Big Winter Classic-shaped hole in the season, Sled Island has stepped up to provide winter programming in the form of its newest
offering — Bob-Sled. From January 21 to 26, Bob-Sled presents a full roster of acts performing at the Palomino Smokehouse each night. Individual show tickets are $22 or you can get a wristband for festival access for just $88.
While this is a relatively modest pilot effort compared to Big Winter Classic’s multi-venue sprawl, Bob-Sled will certainly help fill the gap in the season. “In the absence of [Big Winter Classic], we started receiving a lot of requests from agents
and artists who wanted to make the best of their travelling to Alberta,” says Maud Salvi, Sled Island executive director. “It's more condensed, and limited to just one venue, but I feel like the community-feel will still very much be there.” “I hope they succeed,” says Urlacher of BobSled. “Our city needs more stuff. It's just that plain and simple.” Calgary Folk Fest’s Block Heater is also back and scheduled to take place downtown at the No. 1 Legion, Central United Church, and The Palace from February 14 to 15. Because of the Arts Commons Transformation project, there won’t be any Block Heater performances at Olympic Plaza this year. The lineup includes Basia Bulat, Kathleen Edwards, Jeremy Dutcher, SUUNS, Black Mountain and more. With this, in addition to High Performance Rodeo, Bob-Sled, and Chinook Blast, 2025 is starting with a reliably cool lineup of winter festivals. “I think that people are just really eager to have something to do in the winter,” says Salvi. “I think people are very excited to have something to look forward to.”
geothermal scientist & national geographic explorer
ANDRÉS RUZO: HUNT FOR SLEEPING GIANTS JAN 26 & 27 SUNDAY 2pm MONDAY 7pm
Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons
©Devlin Gandy ACP Signature Series Presenting Sponsor National Geographic Live
NGL Student Engagement Sponsor
NGL EXPLORE National Geographic Sponsor
NGL EXPLORE National Geographic Supporting Sponsors/Partners
NGL Explorers Circle Engagement Sponsor
Andrés Ruzo – Hunt for Sleeping Giants
Ken Havard
Teatro Fund for Arts Commons Education
Public Sector Support
Media Sponsors
Hospitality Sponsor
NGL Official Hotel
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY! artscommons.ca/giants Artists, programs, and dates subject to change.
22
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
CREATIVE SCENE
Collaboration
BY KENNA BURIMA
I
can vividly recall the moment I realized I’d been lying to myself for my whole career. I was sitting in Calgary’s West Village Theatre working on a sound and theatrical production with artists I knew and respected. And I was ablaze with discomfort. The director, Eric Rose, was thoughtfully and meticulously leading us through the beginnings of a collaborative process when it hit me. The prickly fire of revelation crept up through my belly and throat, into my face as I realized it — though I had prided myself on being a “good collaborator,” I had instead only allowed others to contribute to my work alongside me. Indeed, I was not a good collaborator. I hadn’t actually been collaborating at all.
COLLABORATION: AN ELUSIVE DEFINITION Collaboration can happen when two or more people create something together or work towards a common goal … together. But it turns out that just being “together,” while creating, doesn’t mean collaboration has happened. We like to slap the term collaboration (or “collab” as the kids say) onto all sorts of situations, but as I sat there in that theatre, it dawned on me that true collaboration is a variety of intentional relationships co-existing simultaneously. It is an organic, nebulous thing that holds space for everyone involved, respecting and acknowledging how we create in different ways at different times. I realized that until that point, what I had called my collaborations had been one-sided and transactional. I was acquiescing (giving in) or overriding (directing) but never truly working with others. Instead of recusing myself to cry in the theatre bathroom, I sat there and allowed the wild sea of emotions to crest and dissipate. Personal judgement gave way to understanding real collaboration. I knew this would change not only how I engaged in collaboration with others, but in collaboration with my own creative process.
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
LOSING YOURSELF IS PART OF CREATIVE COLLABORATION BY KENNA BURIMA
NOTHING WITHOUT TRUST It was not coincidental that I had this experience with Rose, an accomplished writer and director of theatre and film, and artistic director of Calgary’s Ghost River Theatre and terrific collaborator. “Collaboration is about the space between people — a shared, dynamic field where creativity and ideas come alive,” he told me recently. Embedded within creative collaboration is the powerful element of trust. Not so easy sometimes. We clutch our identities tightly around our creations. But if we allow our art to change through collaboration, we allow ourselves to be changed, too. And let’s be honest, that’s a scary endeavour for artists sometimes. It can feel like compromise, or worse, surrender.
SURRENDERING TO COLLABORATION Artists constantly confront how much of ourselves we put into our art and the processes we use to create it. No one likes to surrender, but it is a powerful mechanism that facilitates creation in surprising and new ways. At some point, in every creative process, we have to let go of the wheel and that’s where collaboration can take place. Calgary-based dancer Kaja Irwin speaks of this idea of surrender. Known for her captivating presence on Decidedly Jazz Danceworks stages, Irwin’s collaborations with musicians highlights how integral the relationship between the dancer and musician is by listening and responding to each other in the moment to create a shared energy. “When creating a piece collaboratively, I think about relinquishing control of a situation,” says Irwin, “diving into a ‘let’s try it’ mentality. Offering and trying between each other and experimenting with what feels like it’s taking us to where we want to go.”
GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS Something I found shared between all the artists I spoke with was this concept that collaboration was both a part of and the sum of their creative process.
Kaja Irwin and Nate Chiang PHOTO: DARIN GREGSON
IT TURNS OUT THAT JUST BEING “TOGETHER,” WHILE CREATING, DOESN’T MEAN COLLABORATION HAS HAPPENED. No surprise that Wakefield Brewster, professional poet and Calgary’s sixth Poet Laureate, keenly navigates this creative collaborative space. When he collaborates, it exists as a piece of and the whole itself. “I call it my C5,” says Brewster. “I curate the thoughts. Curation is first. Then connection. You reach out and connect to whoever you are with. After that it’s collection. You have to realize you can’t take everyone with you. You collect those you can. After that it’s collaboration, which directly leads to creation. Collaboration doesn’t exist alone, and if I’m doing my job, those five c’s play out naturally.” In that final stage — creation — as Brewster states, there is an inherent release. Artists must let their ownership of the work go, and let the art exist externally to themselves. And if we have created in collaboration, that release facilitates something most precious — freedom.
Eric Rose
Wakefield Brewster PHOTO: STEVE COLLINS
23
CAM HAYDEN
24
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
CAM HAYDEN
UPCOMING AT ESKER
Winter Exhibitons Launch Friday 24 January, 6-9pm all welcome
Hangama Amiri Erika DeFreitas Thuy-Han Nguyen-Chi In the Project Space: Taiessa variegata Until 2 February
Discover Contemporary Art Taiessa, variegata, 2024. In the Street-level Project Space, Esker Foundation. Photo by: Blaine Campbell.
25
@eskerfoundation eskerfoundation.art 4th Floor, 1011 9th Avenue SE, Inglewood, Calgary, Alberta
thescenecalgary.com | 01 | 2025
CAM HAYDEN 8 February 2025 / 7:30PM Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons tickets + details at calgaryphil.com
A TRIBUTE TO
BOB MARLEY FEATURING AMMOYE • OMEGA MIGHTY • SOJI JOSEPH • STEELE CHRISTOPHER DRAGON • FOREIGNERZ • CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
CO-PRODUCERS
26
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSORS