MARRIAGE OF ART AND SCIENCE
Beakerhead festival returns to city
Calgary’s mash-up celebration of art and engineering is back for another year.
The Beakerhead festival is in its sixth year and runs until Sunday, so don’t be surprised if you see some wild, wacky and wonderful installations popping up around the city.
Co-founded by Jay Ingram, onetime host of Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet, Beakerhead features dozens of attractions and events scattered across Calgary, including giant Tesla coils firing electric arcs, a massive fire-breathing UFO, human hamster wheels and even some art powered by the human heart.
Guided tours will lead you to a number of installations, or you can venture out on your own to track down all the jaw-dropping creations.
Here are a few of the Beakerhead events and installations you won’t want to miss this year.
TREETER TOTTER
Take a ride on this giant see-saw and learn a bit about climate change while you’re at it. Deciduous trees sit on opposite ends of a wooden plank that raises and lowers depending on movement, showing how people have the ability to change the course of nature.
Where: C-Square at 4th Street and 7th Avenue S.E.
When: September 19 to 23, from 7 a.m.to9p.m.
ZORBATHON
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a human bouncy ball? Here’s your chance to find out.
Suit up in a zorb (a wearable, inflatable, protective orb) and run around an oversized playground as you bounce off friends and foes in this interactive exhibit. There’s even a treasure hunt for more adventurous zorbers, and lots of food trucks on site so you can refuel. Where: Currie Park
When: Friday from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6p.m.
FOUR TO SIX ON FOURTH
Take a spin in a human-sized hamster wheel or take a stroll through a pool of cornstarch. Why? Because science, that’s why. Or just take in all the artists and street performers — you might even run into a robot or two.
Where: 4th Street S.W. between 23rd and 26th avenues S.W. When: Friday to Sunday from 4 to 6p.m.
BECONS
Find out everything you’ve always wanted to know about the dung beetle — nature’s most unfortunately named insect. This massive sculpture is made of recycled materials and was made by Alberta artist Max Streicher.
Where: The giant beetles are at Southcentre Mall, but many other sculptures are on display at SAIT on the corner of 16th Avenue N.W. and 10th Street N.W.
When: Wednesday to Sunday, all day
BEAKERNIGHT
Complete with signature cocktails, hovering drones and handson installations, Beakernight is the official after-party for all things Beakerhead. Some of the night’s attractions include a giant psychedelic UFO, musical performances and even a fashion show at Fort Calgary.
Tickets are $8.
Where: Fort Calgary When: Saturday at 6 p.m.
For tickets and more information on all of the Beakerhead events, visit www.beakerhead.com.