Arts, culture festival kicks off Friday
Block party marks start of events
The city will kick off a threeday celebration of arts and culture at Olympic Plaza on Friday with music, dance, painting and much more.
The block party celebration will mark the start of Culture Days, a national celebration of arts and culture taking place in 800 cities across the country.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, there will be singing, hoop dancing, glass blowing, poems and performances at Olympic Plaza.
“It’s a time when you can come down and not only see all the different things that artists can do, but you can participate as well,” said Sarah Iley, manager of arts and culture at the City of Calgary.
The fun will continue all weekend with events put on by arts groups, including dance classes, adult colouring and street art installations.
Five things to check out at Culture Days this weekend:
1. When you’re walking through the city on Friday, be sure to look down. YYC Literary Sidewalk will bring sidewalks throughout the city to life with literary quotes. The quotes are set to begin appearing Friday at the Central Library.
2. If you’ve ever wondered how an orchestra works, this behind-the-scenes look is for you. Calgarians are invited to a rehearsal beginning at 3 p.m. at the Alexandra Centre Society on Sunday. Seating is limited, so register before going.
3. Storytelling is a beloved form of culture with a long history. Families are invited to the Crowfoot Library for stories, songs and finger plays on Saturday from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
4. On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Calgarians can watch an Indian Classical dance demonstration at 35 Panatella Parade N.W. Attendees will learn about the Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam dance forms, and maybe even give them a try.
5. The In-Definite Arts Society, a non-profit that supports artists with developmental disabilities, will host an open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop by the Fairview Community Association for free demos including pottery, painting, glass art and fabric dyeing.