This story was part of Avenue Calgary’s Weekender newsletter. For more activities, events and ideas to keep you entertained a safe distance, sign up here.
Sign up for a six-week challenge to declutter your home
When: March 26 to April 30
If you’re determined to declutter and clean your home over the next few weeks, this six-week challenge with Calgary’s own certified KonMari consultant Helen Youn might be just the thing for you. The sessions take place twice a week over Zoom and will tackle the KonMari Method categories, feature guests speakers and more.
Send someone in your life a beer
Stay connected with friends and let them know you’re thinking of them by sending some local beer. Village Brewery has made it easy to “spread cheers by sending beers” through its website, where you can arrange to have any of its beers (including non-alcoholic ones) or cider delivered to other people. This is also a great way to show appreciation to someone who has been helping you out during the pandemic.
Take a hand building workshop at home with Workshop Studios
Dates: Various dates
This month, you can learn how to hand build things like bowls, vases and mugs from home when you sign up for Workshop Studios’ new Work-Stop Workshops. The workshops are comprised of five two-hour sessions and you’ll receive a delivery of clay and tools to work with. When you’re done, Workshop will fire your finished pieces.
Consider how you can help Calgary during this pandemic
If you’re feeling a little helpless during this pandemic, you’re not alone. But there are many ways we can still support Calgary and its local businesses, non-profits and charities over these coming weeks.
Read more: How Calgarians Can Help Right Now
Explore Glenbow’s art exhibits from home
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Get your weekly dose of art from Glenbow museum every Friday at 10 am. That’s when they release online content ranging from virtual tours to educational videos as part of their new Glenbow From Home programming. The first one for adults, released on March 20 on social media and Glenbow’s website, featured a look at the Vivian Maier: In Her Own Hands exhibition. You can also check for special online content for children on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Sign up for the Calgary Public Library Foundation’s Shelf Isolation Read-a-thon
Doing a lot of reading while in self-isolation? Consider signing up for the Calgary Public Library Foundation’s Shelf Isolation Read-a-thon. Taking part in the fundraiser is easy — you simply set a reading goal, spread the word, and any monetary donations your campaign receives will support the foundation.
Watch a concert by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra online
We’re extremely saddened that Calgary’s performing arts groups have had to cancel or postpone their upcoming performances due to COVID-19. Thankfully, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is making the separation a little bit easier thanks to its collection of previously live-streamed concerts on its YouTube page. Tune in for performances focused around the music of Beethoven, Brahms and even ones featuring country singer Paul Brandt.
Read more: Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Concerts are Streaming for Free Right Now
Check in on the giant pandas at the Calgary Zoo virtually
While you may not be able to visit the Calgary Zoo right now, you can still check in on its two giant pandas from home. The zoo has set up three cameras to capture the movements of our furry friends. The PandaCam is on from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Make a pizza with the help of Annabelle’s Kitchen
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While you can order Annabelle’s Kitchen’s restaurant menu for delivery or curbside pick-up, consider ordering one of the Marda Loop restaurant’s pizza meal kits for a fun activity with your household. The kits come with everything you need to make two pizzas and come in pepperoni mushroom, Margaria and Hawaiian flavour options.
3574 Garrison Gate S.W., 403-454-0268, annabelleskitchen.ca
Watch a virtual concert featuring Canadian country artists
When: Every Wednesday at 2 p.m. MST
Get your country music fix every Wednesday with The Blue Jay Virtual Sessions. Each online concert features four Canadian country music artists whose performances are live streamed on Facebook. Recent performers have included Mariya Stokes, Aaron Pollock, Lyndsay Butler and Matt Blais. All PayPal donations during the event will go to the artists.
Buy some new board games to pass the time at home
Tired of playing Monopoly? The Discovery Hut has you covered. The local game store has a huge selection of games that are available for free delivery or curbside pick-up. If you’re not sure what game to buy, check out The Discovery Hut’s Instagram account for suggestions on the best games for kids, card games, licensed games and more.
CF Chinook Centre, 220D, 6455 Macleod Tr. S.W., 403-301-4180, thediscoveryhut.com
Sign up to receive a hopeful, supportive text every day
There’s no denying that this pandemic has made everyone’s lives more stressful and isolating. If you’re in need of a little boost, Alberta Health Services, the Mental Health Foundation and other organizations have teamed up to launch a new free texting service known as Text4Hope. The service sends you daily text messages with tips and encouragement from mental health therapists. To sign up, simply text 393939 with the words COVID19HOPE.
Order takeout or delivery from a local restaurant
Tired of cooking for yourself by now? Enjoy a restaurant quality meal while supporting Calgary’s local food scene by ordering takeout or delivery from a local restaurant. Not sure what’s available? We’ve compiled a list of dozens of restaurants offering takeout and/or delivery right now.
Read more: Calgary Restaurants Offering Takeout and/or Delivery
Celebrate Easter with a giant chocolate Easter egg
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When: April 12
The Chocolate Lab is once again taking chocolate Easter eggs to the next level. The local chocolate shop’s designer eggs are filled with chocolate caramels and feature hand painted designs of everything from flowers to outer space. The Chocolate Lab is currently offering free weekday delivery in Calgary if your order is more than $40.
Break a sweat with an online workout led by a local fitness studio
Calgary fitness facilities may be closed for in-person workouts, but many are still making it possible for you to break a sweat online. Whether you’re looking to do yoga, barre or boxing, several studios in the city have launched online classes or videos to help you stay in shape. And, many of the them are even free.
Read more: Calgary Gyms and Fitness Studios Offering Online Workouts
Vote for Alberta products in the Made in Alberta Awards’ 2020 Readers’ Choice Contest
Looking to support local makers and businesses right now? The Made in Alberta Awards have opened the voting for the Readers’ Choice award, and you can cast a vote for your favourite in all 10 categories. Afterwards, consider buying something online from some of them to show your support from afar.
Tune in for a two-day digital marketing conference
When: April 15 to 16
The Social School, a local digital marketing academy, is holding an online digital marketing conference this month. The two-day event includes Facebook and Instagram labs, a content workshop, digital advertising lab and more.
Watch a movie on Netflix with some friends
Just because you’re social distancing doesn’t mean that movie nights have to be lonely. Thanks to the Google Chrome extension Netflix Party, you can watch a Netflix show at the same time as your friends and chat online as you watch. Need a movie suggestion? Consider watching one of the several movies Netflix offers that were filmed in Alberta.
Read more: Netflix Movies and Shows Filmed in Alberta (and How to Watch Together on Netflix Party)
Learn how to make a tasty cocktail with the help of a local “Cocktail in a Box kit”
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Vine Arts and Sugar Water have teamed up to launch a “Cocktail in a Box kit” that comes with locally sourced spirits, ingredients and glassware. The first drink? A quarantine spritz, of course. Get the $115 kit delivered for free and start mixing.
Get some treats delivered to you from a new doughnut shop
Beebop Doughnut just launched in Mission and there may be no better time to get a box of doughnuts delivered to your door. Try doughnuts in flavours like strawberries and cream, purple yam, matcha marscarpone, honey Greek yogurt and more, or opt for its take on Timbits known as “Boppers.” Beebop is open for take-out and delivery through UberEats.
2015 4 St. S.W., 403-497-5813, beebopdoughnut.com
Bid on some local artwork from Rumble House
In Avenue‘s December 2019 issue, we profiled Rumble House, a non-profit art studio and gallery space that holds weekly gatherings where attendees make art and then auction it off that same night. The art rumbles are still happening on Wednesday nights, albeit a bit differently right now — artists can drop off artwork in advance and then founders Rich and Jess Théroux auction them off via live stream at 9 p.m. Tune into Rumble House’s Facebook page on Wednesday nights to bid and check out the work of Calgary artists.
Paint a piece of pottery at home
Painting pottery can be extremely relaxing, and thanks to Color Me Mine’s to-go kits, you can do it at home. The kits are available for pick-up or free delivery and come with a piece of pottery, paint and materials. One thing to consider: While you can paint items like plates or cups with firing paints, decorative figurines can be painted with acrylic paints and won’t need to be fired later.
Buy some mismatched socks to support the food bank
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Friday Sock Co. has come up with a way for you to get a brand new pair of socks and help the local food bank. The Calgary sock company just launched a pair of themed mismatched socks decorated with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. They’re available in men’s and women’s sizes and the profits go to Canadian food banks. Order now and they’ll be shipped by April 20.
Have some new books delivered to your door
Need a new read? Support a local bookstore by ordering your next page-turner from them and having it delivered right to your door.
Read more: Calgary Bookstores Offering Book Delivery Right Now
Share your favourite things to eat with Avenue
We’re looking for the best things to eat and drink in the city for our annual 25 Best Things to Eat feature in October. Nominate your favourite snacks (which can include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, baked goods, grocery items and more), then vote on the submitted food items by April 16.
Read more: Tell Us the Best Things to Eat