A bicycle decked out with Cyclepalooza spoke cards.

The thought of pairing bicycles and movies together in Calgary forces me to think of the 1986 flick Rad, a cheesy movie about a BMX race that was shot around Colonel Macleod School, Bowness, and Cochrane. (Speaking of Rad, can anyone tell me if the pink elephant sprinkler in the film is still in front of Crossroads Market? I’m deathly curious.) Anyway, the “bike-in” movie events being held as part of Cyclepalooza are nothing but awesome, with no ridiculous BMX tricks in sight.

Cyclepalooza is a DIY, volunteer-based bicycle festival that promotes arts, culture, and cycling in the city. The festival, which was inspired by Portland’s Pedalpalooza and Vancouver’s Velopalooza, runs from June 23rd to July 2nd – a perfect way to celebrate Mayor Nenshi’s declaration of June as “Bike Month”.

Cyclepalooza has partnered with TRUCK Contemporary Art for CAMPER (Contemporary Art Mobile Public Exhibition Rig) Bike-in Cinema. Each evening offers a different cycling adventure – cyclists will meet at a predetermined location and bike to wherever CAMPER has parked that night for an outdoor film screening.

The Abbeydale Community Association will be hosting a bike ride along the East Calgary Greenway followed by a movie with, in my opinion, the best bike scene of all time – E.T.

Finally, the East Village is presenting “Glow and Show”, a glow stick bike ride along the RiverWalk and Peace Bridge, followed by a screening of the Goonies outside the Simmons Building.

All of the events are free – and a great chance to relax with some popcorn after cycling.

If you’d like to schedule a cycling and cinema event yourself, feel free! Cyclepalooza is a Do It Yourself festival – meaning that anyone who visits their website can create an event listing.

Click through for a full listing of dates and times for all of the bike-in cinema events, or visit www.cyclepalooza.ca for more info.

Saturday, June 23rd

Bike-in Cinema and CAMPER present: “Animated Summer Lovin’”
In collaboration with Quickdraw Animation Society

9:30PM - Biking group will meet @ Central Memorial Park (12Ave & 4Street SW)
10:30PM - Screening will take place @ Nose Hill Park (14 Street N Entrance, look for the CAMPER)

Animations:
Cycletrope by Tim Wheatly
God of Tears by Max Margulies
Cycle of Love by Catherine Marshall
The Tourist by Malcolm Sutherland
Stampede Eats Me Up Inside by Trevor Mahovsky
Bike Race by Tom Schroeder

Monday, June 25th
Abbeydale Community Association presents “East Calgary Entertainment”
Meet at 821 Abbeydale Drive to bike the East Calgary Greenway – running 12 kilometers south from Airport Trail NE to 17 Ave SE. E.T. starts at 7:00PM. at the Abbeydale Community Centre behind the building.

Saturday, June 30th
East Village “Glow and Show”
Meet at the Simmons Building at 9:30 PM, with the ride starting at 10 PM. The route will follow RiverWalk along the Bow, crossing at the Peace Bridge and then returning to the Plaza. Glow sticks, and prizes will be provided. Following the ride an outdoor movie will project onto the side of the Simmons Building.

Saturday, July 7th
Bike-in Cinema and CAMPER present: “Beyond This Place”
In collaboration with Calgary Underground Film Festival

Saturday, July 14th 
Bike-in Cinema and CAMPER present: “Accidental Destinations”
In collaboration with Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers

July 19 – 30th
Bike-in Cinema and CAMPER present: “Big Sky”
CAMPER Residency with INSTANT PLACES
For more information on the CAMPER Bike-in Cinema screenings visit www.truck.ca.