Archive for October, 2011

One Liner: a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter.

We had a few words with artist and curator Austin Taylor during the setup for “The One-Liner” show.

HERE’S A BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO
watch?v=b8EUg-zRyQg

The show is ONE NIGHT ONLY on
Thursday October 27th 2011 7:30 to 11:00
Art Spot, 1040 14TH AVE SW

Next time you’re in kensington, walking up 10th street, take a dip off the beaten path and check out this huge bird village. 8th street and 1st avenue NW. Just a couple of blocks away from your go-to side walk. Check this side-street gem the next time you’re in K-town for a coffee.

So it may be a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but it’s easy to get excited with one of the biggest shopping nights in Calgary coming up.  After a lengthy renovation, the CORE (TD and Holt Renfrew) will be kicking off the holiday season for a one-night only fashion soiree on November 30.

All ticket proceeds will be split among two awesome organizations, BeCause and the National Music Centre Project. BeCause is an initiative of the United Way focused on engaging the next generation of community leaders in Calgary. The upcoming National Music Centre Project will establish Calgary as a national arts and culture capital.  I volunteered with BeCause earlier this year as part of the Urban Exposure Project and coincidentally, the project took me to the soon-to-be National Music Centre as well. Check out my photo exhibit entry from the UEP project here.

In addition to exclusive one-night only offers from CORE retailers, shoppers can expect holiday bevvies and snacks, special events in many stores, an indoor fireworks presentation, as well as a special performance from Canadian songstress, Chantal Kreviazuk. To cap the evening’s festivities, patrons will be treated to the lighting of the CORE’s 40-foot Christmas tree.

Tickets are $15 each and can be picked up at the CORE customer service or online at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2260242446.

T’was the Night
CORE | TD | Holt Renfrew
November 30, 2011, red carpet starts at 6:30 PM

Boo! Halloween is fast approaching and that means getting your costume ready, eating lots of candy and finding the best party spot. Look no further than this year’s Monster Ball at Art Central on Thursday, October 28. Halloween party-goers will be able to revel in their dark and light side as the entire Art Central complex is transformed into three distinct levels with its own view of the eclipse. More than just a Halloween gala, this party is also a fundraising initiative in partnership with Studio C and Prospect.

Studio C, a Prospect project, is an integrated community arts initiative open to anyone wishing to explore his or her artistic potential and creativity. The centre is fully?inclusive and
specializes in supporting the community to embrace diversity through the medium of art. To date, Studio C has facilitated 150 art workshops to the public and supported over 700 aspiring and practicing artists of all abilities and backgrounds. It has also participated in the creation of over 25 community art collaborations with groups like The Calgary Food Bank, The Calgary Olympic Plaza Cultural District, Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), high schools and post?secondary institutions.

Tickets for the Monster Ball are $55 and includes two drink tickets, gourmet goodies and other surprises throughout the night. Buy them online at http://monsterball.zoobis.com/.

Click here for more information about Studio C.

7th Annual Monster Ball in support of Studio C
October 28, 2011
Art Central, 100 7th Avenue SW
www.monsterball.ca

In celebration of their 75th birthday, Where Magazine released a list of ’75 Tastes of Calgary’ – a celebration of some of the most iconic and unique dishes our city has to offer! With help from local foodies John Gilchrist, Karen Anderson, Linda Garson, Anh Chu, Catherine Caldwell and Andree Lau, the list is a wonderful compilation of some of the most delicious treats around, and definitely a good reminder to get out and enjoy something extra yummy in the coming months! Check out Where’s article for details, website links, descriptions and more information, but below is the condensed list – 75 things you must try in Calgary!

1. “The Whole Truck” at Alley Burger Food Truck
2. Grilled Cheese at Janice Beaton
3. The Crave-O-Licious Cupcake at Crave
4. Vegetarian Pad Thai at Delicious Thai
5. Ricotta Gnocchi at Capo
6. The Masala Mogo at Safari Grill
7. Scones by Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
8. A Latte at DeVille Luxury Coffee & Pastries
9. Bone Marrow and Foie Gras Spring Roll at Rouge
10. Falafel Pita at Chick Pea
11. The Speck E Ruccula Pizza at Pulcinella
12. Duck Confit Poutine at Laurier Lounge
13. Pig Head Mortadella and Brassica Mustard at Charcut
14. The Veggie Mezza for Two at Aida’s
15. Mac ‘n’ Cheese at Taste
16. Lemon Cream Cake at Brûlée Patisserie
17. Eggplant Chips at Vin Room
18. Grilled Pineapple at Bolero
19. Shroom Pizza at Without Papers
20. Oatmeal from Diner Deluxe
21. Cheese Fondue at The Living Room
22. Deconstructed Crème Brûlée at Chef’s Table
23. Linguine Carbonara at Bonterra
24. Rack of Lamb at The Belvedere
25. Milkshake and Burger at Peters’ Drive-In
26. Prosciutto Sandwich at Caffe Mauro
27. Waffles from A Ladybug Bakery and Café
28. Tombo Tuna Salad Niçoise at Notable
29. Eggs Benedict with Elk Bacon at River Café
30. Chicken & Pancetta Pizza at Cilantro
16 – Lemon Cream Cake at Brûlée Patisserie,
31. Raspberry Yogurt Muffin at Heartland Café
32. Garlic Fries at The Palomino
33. Rose Lychee Macaron at Yann Haute Patisserie
34. The Original Veggie Burger at Dairy Lane
35. Chu Chi Kai Chicken at King & I
36. Bucket of Bacon at District
37. McNally’s Extra at Big Rock Brewery
38. The Crab Cakes at Selkirk Grille
39. Naan at Clay Oven
40. Spinach and Potato Pizza at Double Zero
41. Kashk-e-Bademjan Dip at Shiraz
42. Garlic Caesar at Antonio’s Garlic Clove
43. Maultaschen at Wurst
44. Short Ribs at Open Range
45. Maple Bacon Doughnut from Jelly Modern
46. Chili Ramen Soup at Shikiji
47. Soul in a Bowl at OverEasy
48. Wasabi Steak at Blowfish
49. Saté Vietnamese Subs from Thi Thi
50. Ginger Beef at Silver Inn
51. Beer Float at Craft Beer Market
52. Crispy Tofu at Anju
53. Bacon Cheeseburger at Buchanan’s
54. Oven-baked Spring Rolls at Escoba
55. Seasoned Pork Tacos at Los Chilitos
56. Popcorn at The Uptown Stage and Screen
57. Beef Carpaccio at Vintage Chophouse
58. Dosas at Southern Spice
59. Prairie Oysters from Buzzards
60. Chicken Apple Sausage at Spolumbo’s
61. Beef Brisket Sandwich at Holy Smoke
62. Ginger Cream Cookie at The Lazy Loaf & Kettle
63. Thai Beef Jerky at Thai Sa-On
64. Traditional Vietnamese Crepes at Kol 3
65. Toasted Seed Roll from Good Earth
66. Coconut Curried Calamari at Mango Shiva
67. Beet Sandwich at Wilder Nest Dream Café
68. Atlantica Scallop at Broken Plate
69. Strawberry Guava Mousse Cake at Yamato Desserts
70. Bouillabaisse at Vero
71. Deep-Fried Dill Pickles at Big T’s BBQ & Smokehouse
72. Garlic Pork at Han’s
73. Pani Pura at Rasoi Kitchen
74. Fishbowl at Melrose Café and Bar
75. Onion Rings at Tommy Burger

* Thanks to Anna of To Market, To Market blog for the tip on this!

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

I often drive by Casel, the months-old condo development towering over 17th Ave and 24 St, on my way to work. I’d heard fantastic things about Cassis Bistro, the restaurant that is part of the bigger Casel Marché on the main floor of the building, which includes Market 17, Vie Café and J. Webb Wine Merchant.

Despite all the buzz and me not living too far away, I had never been to Casel Marché, so I was really excited when I heard that I’d won two spots to their first ever Interactive Monday night.

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Animation.

At an early age it captured my attention. The burst of creativity and imagination. The endless possibilities.

This weekend at The Glenbow Museum’s Launch Party ‘Watch Me Move’ , you too can witness the excitement, energy and enthusiasm that animation fosters in all of us. Join the party:

Whether you love classic clothing or looking to stock up on Halloween pieces – check out this weekend’s fall sale from the Vintage Affair team.

October 15-16, 2011
World Tree Yoga Studio, 812 Edmonton Trail NE
10AM-4PM

For more information, visit A Vintage Affair’s Facebook page.

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

I had always heard fantastic things about Dairy Lane Café, but could never bring myself to go.

Back story: I attended Mayor Nenshi’s alma mater, Queen Elizabeth High School, from 1998-2004 (because it’s a junior/senior high, not because I’m some sort of academic failure – honest!) and I have fond memories of crossing through the back alley onto 19 St many a lunch hour. Back then, the tiny space was always hazy with cigarette smoke and grease as Judy and Dennis (?) made burgers and milkshakes to order, and cut each potato by hand with a wall-mounted french fry-cutter for greasy takeout boxfuls of shoestring fries that we doused with ketchup, salt, pepper and vinegar. When the smoking ban first came into effect, Judy would tell us in hushed tones to tell anyone who asked that we were 18 – and we were in junior high!

When the Highbanks Society and then the current owners took it over not long before I graduated, cleaned it up and transformed it into the successful, eco-friendly diner it is today, I couldn’t bring myself to go there – Dairy Lane will always be the dingy but oddly comforting Judy’s Kitchen in my heart.

Fortunately, the owners of Dairy Lane have recently taken over the space previously occupied by Artisan Bistro and turned it into Blue Star Diner! Now I can finally taste what the buzz was all about, and it is only steps away from B.’s house to boot!

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