Archive for April, 2011

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Make It! Calgary is happening this weekend! Get ready for an overload of beautiful, cute, artistic, and just plain awesome goodies at the show. If you didn’t get a chance to enter our giveaway before, no worries. Just use this $2 off coupon to save a few dollars on admission so you can support some great local designers!

Make It!
March 29-May1
Chinese Cultural Centre
$5 admission at the door

Friday April 29th, 8 pm. Frosst Books 1018 9th Avenue SE

“What, like literally naked? Nope, literarily naked. If that’s a word. TBDlive bares all (figuratively) at Frosst Books, Calgary’s only curated bookstore. The naked truth? These are true stories about nudity, as told by the writers who lived them. They’re raw, vulnerable and awkward naked moments.

Gawk at the pink-fleshed poetry and goose-pimpled prose of Andrew Mah, Anh Chu, Aristotle Sarantis, Heather Setka, Ian Doig and Roberta McDonald. Mark David Stewart will be throwing down his unique brand of cerebral rock and roll.”   TBD

Check out tbdlit.ca for more about Art in Progress

Hey Calgary please check this out!!

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of the Amazing Race, then this is your chance to do so, Calgary-style. Get together with a group of friends to take part in a race that is part scavenger hunt, part obstacle course, and  a great way to learn more about our awesome city while giving back to the community at  the same time. The event kicks off at Eau Claire Market and from there, each team will choose their own route to get to different Why?Race stations around the downtown core to complete tasks and earn points.  Prizes will be awarded to the teams with the most points and an after party will give you the chance to chat and mingle with fellow teammates and Why?Race participants.

Why?Race takes place Saturday, May 28th from 10AM -2PM with an after party at The Garage afterwards. You must be on a team of 4 to participate and you’ll get snazzy t-shirts out of the deal too. Register your team by May 5th to get in on the fun! For more information, visit the Why?Race website.

Why?Race is a BeCause event, a special initiative of the United Way that engages the next generation of Calgarians to build a better future for our communities and city. To learn more about other ways to get involved, check out my own blog about the Urban Exposure Project, or visit the BeCause website.

Wanna go see an amazing live band?  Email justin@calgaryisawesome.com with your name/number and the name of a Tokyo Police officer and we will throw your name in a draw for 2 tickets to see them on April 28th @ the Republik!!

In less than one year, Tokyo Police Club has embarked on a US tour with Passion Pit, and a headlining European, US and Canadian tour. Now, the touring Champs are heading back on the road, and bringing their energy-infused, crowd-pleasing rock show back to Calgary. Nearly selling out the MacEwan Ballroom in September 2009, this time around, the Newmarket, ON quartet will play the more intimate setting of the Republik. (Union Press Release 2011)

The band has seen great success over the last couple years, in Canada and abroad. David Monks (vocals, bass), Josh Hook (guitar), Greg Alsop (drums), and Graham Wright (keys/percussion) formed in 2005 and released the debut EP A Lesson In Crime the following year to instant and universal acclaim. A few world tours later, Tokyo Police Club’s first full length album, Elephant Shell was released in April 2008. Elephant Shell’s release was preceded by multiple sold out shows and appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson and Desperate Housewives. Critical response to the full length was even more enthusiastic and diverse, not only with Canadian media but with major international magazines such as GQ, Elle, Spin, Rolling Stone and Men’s Health all giving thumbs up. (Union Press Release 2011)

Photo: Simon March
Representing: fantavious fritz (Yeah nice weather!!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingwithzombies/

Submit to our flickr pool for your chance to be featured on POTW!

If you have a love for handmade goodies, then get yourself to Make It! The Handmade Revolution taking place April 29 – May 1. This is their third time out to Calgary and the event just keeps getting bigger and better. Your grandma’s crafts show, this is not. Over 65 designers and artists will be on hand at the Chinese Cultural Centre to create a shopping haven for indie lovers. It’s a great way to support local artists and pick up one-of-a-kind jewelry, clothing, paintings, accessories, housewares and more.  The event will also be giving back by supporting the Ronald McDonald House through a silent auction with items donated by Make It designers.

Calgary is Awesome wants our great readers to go so we have 20 pairs of passes to give away! Get your name on the Make It! guest list by letting us know which exhibitor you want to check out and why. Get your entries into irene@calgaryisawesome.com ASAP.

Make It! The Handmade Revolution

And who says Calgary doesn’t have OLD historic buildings?  The GRAND Theatre, built in 1911, is a real gem in Calgary’s historical art scene and we are singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY as it turns the BIG 100! What started as a venue for live theatre a century ago, continues its presence in Calgary with the international & contemporary, Theatre Junction.

Lounge in the backyard, dance with the band in the living room, gather in the games room – wherever you are at the party – explore, enjoy, mingle with a diverse crowd comprised of Theatre Junction’s patrons, artists, supporters, sponsors and arts partners, and most of all, prepare to do anything you would do – at someone else’s house.

On MAY 12 @ 730 pm, Theatre Junction is having a cultureHOUSEPARTY to celebrate the Grand’s 100 years in Calgary!  Help keep the inspired lights on and the doors open to contemporary performing arts in Calgary by celebrating these milestones in Calgary’s oldest (and newest) theatre.

Your night includes:

• The Honorable Peter Lougheed toasting his grandfather who built the historic GRAND Theatre in 1911

• Theatre Junction GRAND’s 2011/12 Season Preview by Artistic Director, Mark Lawes

• Contemporary performances and local indie bands, including music by Chris Dadge

• Special presentations by Theatre Junction GRAND’s sponsors (including Nexen, TOTAL, Enbridge Inc. and First Calgary Financial)

• DJs and visual arts video installations throughout the evening

• delicious food by some of Calgary’s finest dining establishments, courtesy of: UNA Pizza + Wine, Sukiyaki House, Olives, Muse Restaurant & Lounge and Great Events Group

• a sampling of wines, beer and bubbles courtesy of our beverage sponsors: ATB Financial and 100 Wines

*Tie check available at the door*

go to theatrejunction.com for tickets!

Kristin Richard
Gemologist, Pearl Specialist and owner of Kaviar South Sea Pearls
www.kaviarpearls.com

Swimming with sharks isn’t an occupational hazard for most people, but for pearl specialist Kristin Richard it comes with the territory.  To get to the best pearls, sharks are just one of the dangers she has overcome in her travels.  “I’ve been chased by wild dogs, left responsible for live chickens, and gotten lost in a really strong current,” she says, naming a few of the risks she has taken while diving and harvesting pearls. It’s all in a day’s work as the proprietor of the unique boutique, Kaviar Pearls.

Kristin takes care of every step of her business by procuring the pearls, designing the jewelry and managing all the retail elements. As a result, she knows firsthand the journey each pearl takes. “All of my pearls come with a story. They are presented and sold with love, and have maintained their integrity from the moment they were harvested to the moment they are received,” she explains.

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