Archive for May, 2011

There have been quite a few style events that have hit the Calgary scene in the last few weeks, a sign of burgeoning interest among the locals and a great indication of the local talent coming out of our city. But for those that are still feeling fashion-starved, get ready to whet your appetite with the runway spectacle that is Alberta Fashion Week.

On Wednesday, AFW is hosting a not-so-secret party for those that want to get a sneak peek of the festivities. Best part: it’s free to attend!

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is when the runway magic will happen. The shows will be celebrating locally-driven fashion, creativity and design. Guests can look forward to collections from:

• Mealan
• Apt. 22
• Bellissima
• Anne B. Accessories
• NRT Fashions
• Lilly Maks O’Brien’s Couture
• Mackenzie Jones
• DW Fashion
• Crabapple Clothing

And for those that arrive fashionably late, you can always make your way down to one of the after parties that will take place after each runway show.

For tickets and event details, be sure to visit www.albertafashionweek.ca. No divas allowed.

Alberta Fashion Week
May 16 – 21, 2011
Nat Christie Centre, 141 18 AVE S.W.

People always say there’s nothing to do in Calgary. But Calgary is Awesome readers know that there are tons of great things to do in our fair city – if you put the time and effort into finding the hidden gems, and even some of the more obvious things to do.

Adam at www.foodmusiclife.com has compiled a list of 50 awesome things to do in Calgary and we thought we should share (in fact, why didn’t we think of it ourselves!). In any case, check it out and see if you can find something new (or old!) to try out.

4.  Get an Alley Burger from Charcut.

7.  Go watch some great music at the Ironwood. Many times I’ve never heard of the people playing there, but I always leave with one of their CD’s.

8. Get dressed up, go for a nice dinner and then to the CPO. You’ll feel fancy.

28. Eat a shawarma at Jimmy’s A&A Deli. They are the best in town.

35. Check out the Olympic museum at COP. It’s a nice way to spend a few hours.

48. Join a sporting league. The Calgary Sport and Social Club has many different leagues of all different sports from beginner to advanced.

To view the full list of things to do, visit www.foodmusiclife.com.

Not going camping this weekend? Good call, come out to see a rad show instead!  Live at HIFI on May 21 is the awesome LA based DJ Classixx!!  Want tickets? Email justin@calgaryisawesome.com with your name/number and how to pitch a tent properly.

Outside a basement apartment in Echo Park, Los Angeles, a line was beginning to spill over from the complex into the adjoining street. With countless bars, clubs and venues to choose from, hundreds of people regularly descended here for Hush Hush, the semi-regular party started by producer/DJs Michael David and Tyler Blake aka Classixx.  (Green Label Sound)

“We started throwing the party because no one else would book us,” says David. “Dance music was slowly starting to seep into Los Angeles culture. There was obviously this element missing in L.A. and maybe we could be a part of it.”  Three years later, Classixx has become one of the most respected duos in dance music; a group equally adept at creating ubiquitous remixes and scene-creating DJ sets as their own funk-drenched house productions. With the Green Label Sound release of “Into the Valley” (feat. Karl Dixon), a blissful, soul-dripping track recalling classic house and the best Larry Levan mixes, the group’s ascendancy seems all but assured.  (Green Label Sound)

Go to the following link http://greenlabelsound.com and get a free copy of “Into the Valley” from Classixx!

Bonjour to everyone living in this awesome city!!  I would like to write to you and in exchange you listen to me, about a band working so hard in the music business and enduring the tough times around it.  They’ve had a rough start with a van break-in during their stay over in Toronto.  The band lost their luggage, tour diaries spanning years of gigging and memories, CDs, camera, and 2 mac laptops.  Even after all of that, they still have a great outlook on things and are excited to share their music with anyone/everyone who will listen.  Raleigh are releasing their debut album later this month along with a release show at Grace Presbyterian Church on May 28th.  Raleigh is a beautiful boy/girl duet vocals with cello, guitar, and drum instrumentation alternating between different time signatures and dynamics – these guys really do have something great going on here!! So come on down May 28th!!

Some of the most beautiful, enlightening music comes out of places where we least expect it.  Frozen under a thick layer of snow and ice for eight months of the year, Calgary is often known as the birthplace of relentless, hard-nosed punk rock.  But this kind of preconceived notion is of no use to Clea Anaïs and Brock Geiger, who first discovered each other through the city’s Devonian Gardens after Anaïs heard Geiger singing across a goldfish pond.  It was this kind of natural, serendipitous meeting which eventually gave birth to Raleigh, a natural and serendipitous band if ever there was one.  Rounded out by Matt Doherty, the trio is ready to present New Times In Black And White, their debut self-released album out on May 24th. (Press Release)

Mayor Naheed Nenshi will be speaking at Glenbow Museum on Thursday, May 12. Learn more about how he sees Calgary evolving, and hear his take on how our cultural spaces, groups and activities create a portrait of the city we call home. After just over 6 months as our mayor, I’m sure Mr. Nenshi will have some interesting insights into the city. Come out tonight and join in the conversation.

Chow Down in Cowtown is an (almost!) weekly account of Calgary’s most awesome eats from Ceci n’est pas un food blog.

Chef Mario waving at me as he runs out to deliver some gelato to a customer eating in their car

A few weeks ago I started noticing the sign tacked onto the little white, brick building on 1 Ave NE as I drove to and from B.’s house. “Chef Mario – Opening Spring 2011″

Chef Mario… Isn’t that the guy who drives the pizza van? B. and I had tried calling him once last summer, but he was unfortunately tied up at a catering gig. Last Friday, Pimento’s finally opened, and as I drove my usual route, I could see through the windows that the building was *packed*, with people spilling onto the streets.

As I drove by the restaurant a few more times, I became more perplexed. Did that sign really say “Pizzeria Cones”? Was Pimento’s now in the pizza and gelato business? Finally, B. and I headed down for supper yesterday to see what the new Pimento’s was all about.

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“I’m a model you know what I mean, And I do my little turn on the catwalk…”

Alberta Fashion Week, Sophia Models International and Live Cosmo Calgary have teamed up to create the ultimate model search contest. If you’ve ever wanted to be a model (even for a day!) this is y0ur chance to make it happen. All you have to do is upload your photo to the Live Cosmo Facebook page, share with your friends, and encourage everyone to vote for you!

The best part is there are two ways to win and two awesome grand prizes up for grabs. The Live Cosmo People’s Choice Award will go to the participant with the most votes. This  glamour package includes a makeover, fashion goodies from Art Central and Fashion Central , as well as Platinum passes to the upcoming Alberta Fashion Week.  The second chance to win is by impressing the Sophia Models panel with your photo. This prize pack is a doozy: a modelling contract with Sophia Models, a photo shoot, runway training, and you will get to walk the runway on the finale night of Alberta Fashion Week. Eeeee!

So if you want to get in on all the fun, be sure to submit your best Blue Steel look at www.livecosmo.com/thelookofyyc. Contest closes on May 12th.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. To get the shots that no one else can, a photographer will go to any lengths to get the job done. The Bang Bang Club is the true story of four photographers who covered the bloody end of apartheid in South Africa. The film documents their trials and tribulations in the often-harrowing situations of extreme violence, pain and suffering. Based on the book of the same name, the film is directed by Steven Silver and stars Ryan Phillipe, Malin Akerman, and Taylor Kitsch.

We’ve got admit-two passes to see The Bang Bang Club advanced screening on May 12 at Eau Claire Cinemas at 7PM. For your chance to win, drop us a line at irene@calgaryisawesome.com or send us a tweet to @ciawesome. Good luck!

Get ready for it. Alberta Fashion Week is coming to a runway near you.

Alberta Fashion Week 2011
May 16 – 21, 2011
Nat Christie Centre