Archive for May, 2010

A friend of mine had this on her blog today. It sure is something sweet.

Makes our country seem so so so much smaller.

One of the best dates you can have is a blues n’ roots music date.  Your looking over at her while she is gazing at you and meanwhile, there is this amazing sound surrounding you.  What could make this better??  How about doing this for no cost!  Just email your name, number and ‘Why you dance in the rain,’ to justin@calgaryisawesome.com and be entered into a draw for 2x tickets to see Xavier Rudd live at the Jubilee Auditorium!!

Best-selling Canadian-Australian singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd is set to release his latest studio album, Koonyum Sun, on April 20, 2010 through SaltX Records distributed by Fontana North.

Koonyum Sun marks a fresh musical and spiritual awakening for Rudd, perhaps most notably as it’s his first album with his new incredibly funky rhythm section featuring bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo of the late afro-reggae legend Lucky Dube’s band. Xavier, Tio and Andile formed a bond that extended beyond their musical respect for each other in the summer of 2008 at Austria’s Nuke festival.  This relationship, like their musical tastes, reflects a passion for unifying culture, sound and understanding. (Live Nation Press Release)

With the change of seasons, there is no better way to celebrate than to travel farther, and experience new things. New adventures, and new stories to be told. All of which are what shape us as human beings. More often than not, these experiences will have some sort of emotion effect on our lives. Something of which we could never pre-conceive, but only realize later in life that these are what change us inside and out.

These times that we share, the majority of the time, are some how connected to a song, or an artist that we admire, and when that song is listened to once again later in life, we can not help but be brought back to that time in our life. The mind state that we had at that period in our life, to that place where something good, bad, or indescribable changed the very soul of our existence.

Downtown Calgary, holds thousands of unforgettable moments for people. First dates, first jobs, first night on the town, all of which could have had a song playing in the background that they will involuntarily never forget. This could have happened for the many people who walked by our friends, Said the Whale, as they sang on 7th Ave. People waiting for the bus could have been meeting with an old friend, or have just heard news in their family, or are just on their way to get a coffee, but some may now connect with the unprecedented talent that this group has to share.

With amazing hearts, and working minds, Said the Whale has grown to become some of Canada’s most sought after music. With tours, and cd’s all critically acclaimed, there is no end in sight for these young musicians.

There is no doubt in our minds, that their music will get stuck in your head, and in your heart. And you may never even realize it.

SHOT AT THE DARK has the privilege to present to you, SAID THE WHALE.

Thank you so much to Julie Booth, and Said the Whale for making this happen.

Thank you all so much for watching.

SHOT AT THE DARK is produced by Nicole Irene Dyck, Reuben Bullock, Justin Huculak, and Brock Mitchell

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to share with you the beauty of Edworthy Park. This picture was taken with a vintage camera on Sunday, while scores of Calgarian families enjoyed the good weather in the park and brisk Bow River as veritable innertubers.

There’s more to the Calgary music scene than jangling guitars and swirling synths as music pulses from all corners of the city from even the most underrated instruments. By eschewing polka and other squeeze box standards, the Calgary Accordion Association has established itself as a progressive and entertaining organization that pushes the boundaries of the instrument. This June, the Calgary Accordion Association is holding its annual competition and festival. If you’re impressed by the frantic fingers of accordion virtuosos or want to see something different, check this out next month.

More information:

http://www.accordion-now.com/AAC/Welcome.html

Come on down to the fabulous music spot ‘Republik’ this Sunday and check the Young Ones.  The Calgary locals will be cranking out their awesome rock sound with Ladyhawk!

http://www.myspace.com/weareyoungones

“The City of Calgary Public Art Program has launched its first iPhone app, enabling art fans to get ‘up close and personal’ to 16 artworks within the Downtown Public Art Circuit. The app includes photographs, audio and details about each piece and the artist who created it. A geospatial component helps users locate the individual installations plotted on a map of the downtown, and pinpoint their real-time position on the circuit.”

The Glenbow Museum. Where so many worlds collide.

If my art history course at Mount Royal taught me anything, it’s that there is far too much art in the world to ever exhaust your personal imagination. Honestly.

I may also recall learning about Impressionism, Abstract art, large scale installations, and spoken Word performances. Those subjects do get brought up in class you know, but very rarely in the same sentence.

I guess that’s one of the reasons the Glenbow Museum’s Launch Party: Soyez Inspiré, felt so unique. Featuring The Painter as Printmaker: Impressionist Prints from the National Gallery of Canada and Riopelle: The Glory of Abstraction along with Lethbridge artist Catherine Ross’ massive installation, Stella Mere.

Catherine Ross, Stella Mere (detail), 1996-1999. Cast aluminum and steel rods. Collection of the Glenbow Museum.

Paul Cézanne, The Large Bathers, c. 1896-1898, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Photo © NGC.

The Glenbow’s Launch Parties are quickly becoming Calgary’s premiere art party, and definitely something no Calgarian should miss. First of all, it’s pay what you can. Second, the art and exhibits are always fabulous. And third, there’s never a dull moment. Case in point, Kris Demeanor’s spoken word extravaganza, complete with audience participation.

We can’t thank The Glenbow Museum enough for putting on a great show.

All three exhibits are showing at the Glenbow Museum until August 2nd, 2010. Don’t miss your chance to see them.

Also, you can find some great shots from the evening here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30239469@N07/sets/72157623969829399/

The Glenbow Museum is located at 130 – 9 Avenue S.E.  in Calgary. For hours of operation visit their website:

http://www.glenbow.org/

“Independently owned and operated, Songkla is a clothing boutique which combines both retail and design studio in a unique single space. Most products are designed in-house with an emphasis on craftsmanship and a progressive design aesthetic.”

The moment we walked into Songkla for the first time, it was for certain that we needed to find out more about this magnificantly designed clothing line.

CalgaryIsAwesome had the chance to sit down with Tung, who co-owns this local boutique, to learn about the processes of clothing design.

1314 1ST SW Calgary Alberta
info@songkla.ca
T: 403.455.2275