Ah, the last days of August. The calm before the storm. Compared to the last few weeks (and the few to come) it’s a quiet one here in the YYC arts community. WordFest will be announcing their line up this Wednesday, Pride Week 2012 will be living up the city and there’s a couple of submission deadlines looming. Here’s your Arts Round Up this week Calgary.

Visual artist daniel j kirk works on a commission piece for the Village Brewery, completed in 24 hours, in this awesome video with music by Barley Hepcats.
Video by daniel j kirk via YouTube

Announcing WordFest 2012
If you head down to the Westin Calgary (320 4th Ave SW) for 9:30am on August 29 you’ll be amongst the first to know who’s coming for WordFest 2012. The 17th annual celebration of all things literary runs October 9 to 14 throughout Calgary, Banff and the Bow Valley.
Certain whisperings are in the air as to what’s going to be on the schedule but one that’s for sure is This Really Happened, a partnership between WordFest and literary magazine carte blanche.
This Really Happened is an interactive storytelling event taking place on October 9 and an open call has been announced for emerging writers to submit a nonfiction story of family ties and personal attachment. Those chosen will be showcased in the event at 8pm at The Auburn (163 9th Ave SE).
“Everyone has a story to tell and WordFest is thrilled to be partnering with carte-blanche on a live storytelling event. WordFest believes in the transformative power of story; and the need for narrative in our lives” said Jo Steffens, Executive Director for WordFest, in a press release.
To submit a story include a brief personal description and an outline to trh@carte-blanche.org by September 3.
Another event was announced a few weeks ago with mystery writer Alexander McCall Smith on the bill to present The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection, the latest No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Novel, and The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds, the upcoming novel from the Isabel Dalhousie series. He’ll be at the Knox United Church on October 25 (just after the actually WordFest dates but presented by them non-the-less) and tickets are on sale now, $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Last Few Days For TRUCK’S Annual Call
Calling all professional artists, it’s time to get in the TRUCK.
TRUCK Gallery’s Main Space (815 1 Street SW) puts out an annual call for submission once a year and you have until August 31 to get your submission in. They host eight exhibitions a year and only accepts applications from professional artists as defined by them (competed training or equivalent, produced an independent body work and presented it in a professional context and has been at it for at least one year).
For more information head over to their website and read all the details.

Inspirational Piano Downtown
Juanita Faas will be livening up downtown with a free Wednesday concert.
The classically trained pianist combines, jazz, Christian and new classical music to create her award wining compositions and arrangements. The concert will be held in the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (218 7 Avenue SE) over the noon hour and is part of the ProArts@Noon concert series. Take a break and bring your lunch.

Celebrating Pride Week
This up coming weekend Calgary will be seeing rainbows.
Pride Calgary will be having a ball this weekend with their Pride Week celebrations including parties, parades and a Bi-B-Q.
On Saturday, September 1, the Loving Spirit Church is hosting a Kaleidoscope Street Party (629 49th Avenue SW) where people can meet and connect with new friends and neighbours. They’re going to have crafts and games for the young at heart including materials to make your very own kaleidoscope. The party will from 5pm to 9pm and everyone is welcome to come to this free event.
At the same time, the First Annual Possibilities Bi-B-Q will be taking place at James Short Park (115 4th Avenue SW). The family-friendly event is open to all genders and orientations and runs 5 to 8pm. It marks the first public event from Calgary’s only specifically bisexual/pansexual community support group.
And of course there’s the beautiful and awesome parade.
The Calgary Pride Parade kicks off on Sunday, September 2 at noon. Everything will start at Olympic Plaza and head west along Stephen Avenue to Shaw Millennium Park. This will be followed by a Street Festival featuring performances by Peter Breeze, D3viant, Tianna J, Britton Towns and Calgary’s own DJ Nico.
A full rundown of events can be found at Pride Calgary’s website.

Do you have something cool and great coming up and want to be part of the Calgary Arts Round Up? Drop me a line at calgaryisawesome@quadrophonicimage.com!