Archive for November, 2011

Amateur Barroom Lecture Series.

This should be all I need to say to inspire you to attend the Sandbox Salon tomorrow night at The Broken City.

Not convinced? ‘What can I learn at a bar?’ you say.

Well, I’m glad you asked my friend.

Think back to Gizmodo and their little find in a bar last year, or Will Hunting’s amazing debate skills that can only be witnessed by frequenting your local watering hole. (To be fair, that last example would mean you’d have to live in and around Cambridge, but you’re starting to understand what I’m getting at aren’t you?)

Tomorrow night is the 4th Sandbox Salon in Calgary. Non-expert speakers discussing topics of interest, with a $5 cover charge. Thursday nights are fresh again, friends.

Here’s a sneak peak detailing who you’ll be hearing from, and the subject they’ll be covering:

Elizabeth Logan, a teetotaler – Hitting the Bottle

Derek Hovinga, a radio producer – The Stage, The THEATRE (and its make-up)

Gian-Carlo Carra, your Alderman for Ward 9 – Taxes and why they’re so important.

As I mentioned, tickets are $5 and are available at Sloth Records (736b 17th Ave SW) or at the door while quantities last.

Hosted by Evan Wilson, this fun night of local non-experts, and interesting discussions and conversations, shouldn’t be missed.

Don’t forget, there’s music to follow featuring the talents of Kenna Burima (member of Woodpigeon):

Make your way to The Broken City, at 612 11th Ave SW tomorrow at 7pm.

See you there, ya’ barney.

Ok.

For all of you who have to commute to work, I’m sorry.

It can’t really come as any surprise to Calgarians that snow is finally in the forecast.  When snow hits the ground my thoughts turn to the mountains,  snowboarding, and the next great ski season.

Of course, after heading out to Nakiska for ‘Opening Day’ in late October and subjecting myself to the one run that was open, I’m not as likely to get out to the ski hills until a significant accumulation has fallen. But, I still need a fix of some sort.

This segment from the new People Films production ‘Good Look’ is keeping my snow urges at bay, and has been on repeat at my place lately.

Calgary never looked so good to me.

Now, I know there are still a few folks trying to figure out where that long down and long down flat down rail are. To be honest, all I can tell you is that I wish I knew.

A lot of you will point out that it’s not the first time Calgary and our spots have been featured in a snowboard production, but it’s definitely exciting to see footage from our great city in one of the bigger shred films of the season.

Check it out here, and let us know where these spots are:

Good Look: Calgary Rail Trip from PEOPLE FILMS (The People Crew) on Vimeo.

Read more

The Calgary Stampede turns 100 in 2012.

They’re kicking things off early with the advertising campaign ‘We’re Greatest Together’. I happened to catch one of the TV ads recently and it definitely caught my attention. Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s only November and the Stampede is already advertising for the coming summer, or maybe it’s because the advertisements I saw really captured what the Stampede has meant to me over the past 8 or 9 years.

Yes, it’s a rowdy 10 days of free breakfasts, partying, mini-donuts and chuckwagons, but there is a history with our city and Calgarians that goes beyond these things. It’s a gathering of our community to play host to the world and above all else, it’s a celebration of our history and heritage.

The campaign has begun with a roll-out specifically in Calgary, but it’s my understanding that these ads will be part of a larger regional and international campaign launching in the coming months.

If you have a moment, take a quick peek at two of the television ads created by Calgary’s own Karo for this marketing campaign, and let us know what you think in the comments:

For all the fanboys in the house we have a giveaway of godly proportions. To coincide with the release of Immortals,we have a movie gift pack filled with lots of great goodies.

Prize includes:

1 x IMMORTALS graphic novel
1 x Blu-ray of IRONCLAD
1 x collectible postcard
1 x full sized movie poster
2 x keychain bottle openers

For your chance to win, answer the trivia question below. All answers can be sent to irene@calgaryisawesome.com. Get your answers in by November 19th. Good luck!

Q: Tarsem Singh (director of IMMORTALS) also directed Vince Vaughn in what fantasy, Sci-Fi, thriller released in 2000?

Hey, remember that cookbook launch and epic potluck I told you about a couple months ago? It was epic and I hope you went.

If not, recreate your own potluck by buying the cookbook! There are only a few copies left, and the girls aren’t planning a reprint, so run over to these locations and get your hot little hands on one now!

Of course, the Club Club girls already have another project up their sleeve. It’s called Booze Booze, and it’s a community cocktail cookbook. Submit up to three *original* drink recipes to club club [at] hotmail [dot] com by January of next year, and the book is set to hit the streets in the spring! I am totally uncreative when it comes to booze, so I’m looking forward to this one… and the epic (drunken) potluck that will probably come with it!

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

I recently reconnected with someone I met at a conference two years ago who recently moved to Calgary. Yen Yi had been reading my blog and making some of the recipes (!) and wanted to meet and find out more about the local food scene. She mentioned that she liked pastries, so I suggested Manuel Latruwe, a Belgian patisserie on McLeod Trail that I had always been meaning to try.

Read more

Photo taken during rehearsal on 11/4 in Calgary. Courtesy of Theatre Junction GRAND

Calgary will be the first city in the world to see Temporary Distortion’s latest work, NEWYORKLAND -  a significant moment for Calgary’s blossoming contemporary arts culture.  The New York performance group has chosen a Calgary stage (Theatre Junction GRAND) to debut their unique brand of contemporary performance that bridges the gap between theatre and cinema.  NEWYORKLAND merges film, performance, and visual art.  The show has been mentioned in the New York Times and all eyes will be on Calgary for this premiere!

Calgary will be celebrating the event in New York style before and after the show, with a live Jazz Trio (including John Grey on the standing double bass who has played with Ray Charles) and Calgary’s own Kai from Light and Soul who will be working on a street art piece.  Calgary, meet NEWYORKLAND.

November 9-12, 2011
Theatre Junction GRAND
608-1st Street SW
Tickets at: theatrejunction.com

Formed in 2009 by four university chums, Chron Goblin broke into the Calgary music scene with the release of their self-titled EP in April of 2010.  A five song fuzz-laden groovy endeavour, the Chron Goblin EP demonstrated the guys’ eagerness to make a mark with their unique blend of crushing riffs, soaring melodic vocals, and head-banging rhythms.  While some might call them stoner rock, others hard rock, metal, or punk, Chron Goblin draws from all of these genres to create a contemporary rock n’ roll sound described as “musical adrenaline incarnate” by Christine Leonard (FFWD Weekly).  

Comprised of Josh Sandulak (vocals), Devin “Darty” Purdy (guitar), Richard Hepp (bass), and Brett Whittingham (drums), these four create a powerful and undeniable force that has earned them a dedicated and ravenous following – check out their live video for “Freedom or Death” as evidence of their raucous fan-base. While their EP earned Chron Goblin attention in local press and online publications, it has only served as a taste for the potential that was revealed with the release of their first full-length album One Million From the Top in September of 2011.  Recorded over a span of ten days throughout June of the same year with Casey Lewis at Echo Base studios, One Million From the Top is a cosmic leap from their EP in terms of songwriting, musicianship, and production value as the band has demonstrated their drive, passion, and dedication to progress as a solidified unit.  Featuring the punk rock-driven riffs of “Make You Mine”, the dirty heavy metal groove of “Bring Your Idols”, the meandering, atmospheric, and climactic compositions of “Suicidal Sewer Bomber” and “Open Up My Eyes and See”, as well as the genre-defying “Come Undone”, One Million From the Top is sure to open up countless opportunities for Chron Goblin to gain further ground as a musical force to be reckoned with.  With plans to shoot a video this fall for one of the tunes off their new album, as well as to continue touring to add to their list of towns already conquered (including Brandon and Winnipeg MB, Canmore and Edmonton AB, Revelstoke and Kaslo BC), Chron Goblin is set to continue punishing eardrums and melting faces. (Chron BIO)

CIA ticket giveaway!! Yayyyy!! Email justin@calgaryisawesome.com for your chance to win 2x tickets!

Have you ever been to the DaDe Art & Design Lab? This funky art & furniture gallery is home to unique antiques and interior design pieces. If you’ve ever walked along 9th Avenue in Inglewood you may have passed the fascinating statues in their storefront  (last time I checked they had giant horse skeletons taking up residence in their courtyard).

This Thursday, DaDe and PARK will be hosting The Art of Fashion, an intimate fashion show from designer Lauren Bagliore.  Hot off the heels of a successful showing at LG Fashion Week in Toronto, Bagliore is showing off her A/W collection to her adopted hometown of Calgary. Doors open at 7pm with an opening reception, followed by a fashion show at 8:15pm. Attendees will be given an exclusive opportunity to meet Lauren Bagliore after the show and participate in a private shopping event. Proceeds from the event will be donated to charity towards fighting and preventing human trafficking.

The Art of Fashion with Lauren Bagliore
November 3, 2011
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by contacting events@laurenbagliore.com.