ENTERTAINMENT
DASHING VALENTINE ’ S DATES
Whether you ’ re happily paired up with the date of your dreams , or single as a Pringle and ready to mingle , these ideas for celebrating your sweetheart are sure to bring out your inner Casanova .
BULLSEYE ! Win your lover over by one-upping Cupid himself at archery . You don ’ t need any previous experience to shoot at the Calgary Archery Centre ( page 43 ), and Jim-Bows Archery ( page 43 ) even offers couple ’ s day rates . Lessons are available on site , so book a bow and you ’ re good to go . And , if you want to take your marksmanship to the next level , consider Axe Throwing Calgary ( page 43 ).
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT Things are about to get steamy at the Calgary Zoo ( page 46 ) on February 13 and 14 . Gift your date a romantic dinner for the fairytale books — complete with wandering violinists , candlelit dining amidst the tropical ambience of the botanical gardens , and for dessert … a risqué exposé on mating and reproduction in the wild ! Learn all about courtship in the animal kingdom , and maybe even pick up a few ideas from some of the jungle ’ s most amorous romantics .
MELT THEIR HEART When it comes to wining and dining your darling , nothing is more romantic than fondue . Whether it ’ s cheese or chocolate ,
PLATINUM BLONDE Feb 3 1980s new wave band Platinum Blonde played their first reunion show in 2010 and released their first new album in 22 years in 2012 . This Toronto band was formed as a punk cover band 1981 and went on to release a self-titled EP that became CBS Canada ’ s best seller and made it to number 39 on the Canadian album charts . The band went on to a triple platinum album with two Juno Award nominations . Touring once again , this concert is sure to be a blast from the past . $ 35 - $ 39 . Grey Eagle Resort & Casino , 3777 Grey Eagle Dr , 1-855-985-5000 . Map 1 , J4 www . ticketmaster . ca
STAMPEDE CITY SESSIONS Feb 17 Whitney Rose and Kara Grainger perform live for Stampede City Sessions , a live music broadcast series that airs on KSPS Public Television to over 2.3 million households in Western Canada , Idaho , Montana and Washington State . $ 25 . Performing Arts Centre , Webber Academy , 1515 - 93 St SW , 403-277-4700 . Map 1 , L5 www . stampedecitysessions . com
NIGHTCLUBS THE HIFI CLUB Situated in Calgary ’ s Beltline district , The HiFi Club features live alternative music and DJs . 219 - 10 Ave SW , 403-263-5222 . Map 2 , G7 hificlub . ca
MIKEY ’ S JUKE JOINT AND EATERY Down-home tavern with live blues serving typical bar fare with Tex-Mex taking the time to slow down and dip in always makes for a sultry and sweet evening out . To sample some of the inner city ’ s most delectable platters , we recommend a stop by Winebar Kensington ( page 34 )— but if you want to make a romantic day of it , take a star-crossed drive out to Azuridge Estate Hotel ( page 50 ) for a night of passion and pampering .
IS LOVE REALLY A DRUG ? Find out at TELUS Spark ’ s Adult ’ s Only Night : This Is Your Brain on Love ( page 46 ) on February 14 . Dive heart-first into the fascinating world of neuroscience with interactive exhibits on the mind and human emotion . Learn how dopamine hits your brain ’ s pleasure centers , effectively overdosing your system on oxytocin with every ‘ I love you ,’ and discover all the science behind this magic we call love with a series of emotional experiments .
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Sweep your honey off their feet with a visit to one of this city ’ s many raucous dancehalls . The Hifi Club ( page 46 ) is a favourite of local live music lovers , while Ranchman ’ s Cookhouse and Dancehall ( page 46 ) boasts the best of honkytonk and boot-stompin ’ country music . For a swinging , bluesy atmosphere complete with spicy Cajun bar fare , head to Mikey ’ s Juke Joint ( page 46 ).
— Michaela Ritchie
& Cajun influences . 1901 - 10 Ave SW , 403-245-8833 . Map 2 , G7 mikeysjukejoint . com
RANCHMAN ’ S COOKHOUSE AND DANCEHALL Western bar with a dance floor , stage & mechanical bull , with a pub menu of burgers , ribs & wings . 9615 Macleod Trail SE , 403-253-1100 . Map 2 , G7 ranchmans . com
SPECIAL EVENTS CALGARY BOAT AND SPORTSMAN SHOW Feb 8 - 11 Just because Calgary is a landlocked city doesn ’ t mean we have to do without when it comes to watercraft ! Shop top of the line fishing , camping and hunting gear at this outdoorsy expo . $ 14.00 and up . BMO Centre , 20 Roundup Way , 403-245-9008 . Map 2 , G7 calgaryboatandsportshow . ca
CALGARY GHOST TOURS Weekends , year round Take a guided night tour of popular spots around the city and hear about their darker pasts if you fancy mischief , mayhem and murder . $ 12 ages 6-12 , $ 15 for adults . Pub walk option available for adults that like both meanings of the word ‘ spirits ’. Tours take place Downtown , Inglewood , Kensington , Beltline , and Banff . www . calgaryghosttours . com
CALGARY MOTORCYCLE SHOW Jan 5 - 7 Get revved up about the latest 2018 motorcycles and side-by-sides , take in an extreme MX freestyle show or get the little ones learning early at the Yahama Riding Academy for kids . $ 12 - $ 15 . BMO Centre , 20 Roundup Way SW , 403-457-1080 . Map 2 , G7 www . calgarymotorcycleshow . ca
CALGARY RENOVATION SHOW Jan 12 - 14 This frosty weather won ’ t let up for a couple more months at best , but you can look forward to reuniting with your spring cleaning and home reno projects with ideas from this expo . Dust off your most daunting DIYs and give them new life with some sanity-saving tips and tricks from over 200 leading industry experts , including Sarah Richardson of HGTV ’ s Save My Reno . $ 9 - $ 12 ; Children 12 and under admitted free . BMO Centre , 20 Roundup Way , 403-253-1177 . Map 2 , G7 www . calgaryrenovationshow . com
DIY BIOLOGY : ADULT ’ S ONLY NIGHT AT TELUS SPARK Jan 11 Come find out more about doing biology outside traditional professional settings . Maybe you can try some new biology on for size . Part of TELUS Spark ’ s Adults Only Night series , running the second Thursday evening of every month . Must be 18 or older to attend . $ 19.95 and up . TELUS Spark Science Centre , 220 St Georges Dr NE , 403-817-6800 , www . sparkscience . ca . Map 1 , L5 www . sparkscience . ca
HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO Jan 3 Calgary ’ s other rodeo showcases groundbreaking acts of theatre , comedy , dance and performance art from around the city and abroad . There ’ s a show for everyone when our International Festival of the Arts comes to town , organized by One Yellow Rabbit Theatre , and presented in conjunction with various prestigious venues across Calgary . Variable pricing per event . Events take place at various venues . 403-294-9494 or 403-294-7411 to buy . Map 1 , L5 www . hprodeo . ca
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT Feb 13 - 14 Things are about to get steamy at the Calgary Zoo . Gift your date a romantic dinner for the fairytale books — complete with wandering violinists , candlelit dining amidst the tropical ambience of the botanical gardens and for dessert … a risqué exposé on mating and reproduction in the wild ! $ 115 and up . Calgary Zoo , 1300 Zoo Rd NE , 403-232-9300 . Map 1 , L5 www . calgaryzoo . com
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE : VIEW FROM ABOVE WITH TERRY VIRTS Jan 21 - 22 Nothing will change your perspective on our little blue planet quite like orbiting hundreds of kilometers above it . Astronaut Terry Virts did just that as commander of the International Space Station , taking more photographs from up above than any other astronaut before him . Those earth-shattering stills later appeared in the National Geographic book View From Above — and now Virts is coming to the Jack Singer Concert Hall to discuss exactly what that soaring perspective revealed to him about life down below . $ 37 - $ 88 . Arts Commons , Jack Singer Concert Hall , 205 - 8 Ave SE , 403-294-9494 . Map 2 , F6 www . artscommons . ca
R . V . EXPOSITION SHOW AND SALE Jan 25 - 28 Learn about the latest advancements in recreation campers and accessories . $ 15.00 and up . BMO Centre , 20 Roundup Way , 888-858-8787 . Map 2 , G7 www . rvda-alberta . org
THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON LOVE Feb 14 Presented as part of TELUS Spark ’ s Adult ’ s Only Night series . Dive heart-first into the fascinating world of neuroscience with interactive exhibits on the mind and human emotion . Learn how dopamine hits your brain ’ s pleasure centers , effectively overdosing your system on oxytocin with every ‘ I love you ’ and discover the science behind this magic we call love with a series of emotional experiments . $ 19.95 - $ 26.45 . Must be 18 years or older to attend . TELUS Spark Science Centre , 220 St Georges Dr NE , 403-817-6800 . Map 1 , L5 www . sparkscience . ca
TIP
Time for hockey night in Canada ! Catch a Calgary Flames home game ( page 47 ) or see collegiate teams battle it out at the Crowchild Classic ( page 47 ).
THE WEDDING FAIR Jan 14 Ditch the stress of wedding planning with a visit to this fair at the BMO Centre . Getting ready to say ‘ I do ’ is a breeze with over 250
46 where . ca JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018