Pancakes, country music and history: A variety of options for the coming week
1. Stampede is a go and so that means pancakes are, too. Both Chinook Centre and Market Mall will host modified Stampede breakfasts. This year, however, Chinook Centre's event on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. is a drive-thru brekkie. Go to the mall's east parking lot and pick up pancake mix and syrup kits. While waiting in your vehicle to receive the take-home kits, take in the live country performance and other entertainment. On July 13 from 9 a.m. to noon, Market Mall is partnering with the Stampede Caravan Committee to host its annual pancake breakfast at the mall's east parking lot. This one will be live, in-person but socially distanced.
2. Also in the Stampede spirit, Alberta's Terri Clark kicks things off down at the grounds on Friday at the Grandstand Show which runs every night July 9-13. The threetime Juno Award-winner has won 19 CCMA Awards and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
3. Canadian new wave band Men Without Hats plays the outside stage at Grey Eagle Drive-in on Friday night from 7-9 p.m.
4. Making a virtual premiere on Sunday at 7 p.m., Braving Beauty Cabaret is the latest in the TD Amplify Cabaret series produced by Arts Commons Presents. It explores two seemingly distant communities and uncovers connections between the Indigenous Nations of Treaty 7 with those of the African diaspora using dance, music, poetry and movement, followed by a talkback with audience members. The cabaret is co-curated by actor, director and drag performer Marshall Vielle of the Kainai First Nation and Nigerian artist Toyin Lamas. Braving Beauty Cabaret is free online, Sunday at 7 p.m. To book, call 403-294-9494 or visit artscommons.ca.
5. Union Cemetery is the final resting place for many of Calgary's founders and pioneers, as well as some prohibitionists and scoundrels. The cemetery on the hill overlooking off Spiller Road first opened in 1890 when the cost of a single plot was $5, and the charge for digging and closing was $2. There are many colourful stories about this beautiful space and you can learn all about them on a free historic walking tour. The next one is Sunday from 2-3:30 p.m. and you'll need to register in advance.