Interact with dinosaurs and polar bears at an augmented reality experience
When: April 1 to 30
Dinosaurs, giraffes, polar bears, whales — no, this isn’t a list of animals at the zoo or from a movie. Instead, these are just some of the animals you can digitally interact with at The Core this month. The downtown shopping centre is setting up an augmented reality experience on its second level glass bridge that displays guests and AR animals on a screen and lets them interact. Check it out on your next shopping trip or make a special visit just to try it.
The Core, 324 8 Ave. S.W., coreshopping.ca
Eat all the wings you can handle (and vote for your favourites) at a wing off
When: April 4
Nosh on all-you-can-eat wings to support KidSport Calgary? You don’t have to ask us twice. Bring your appetite to Cowboys’ 2019 Wing Off event, where you can try more than 25 wing flavours (and eat as much of them as you want) before voting on your favourites.
Cowboys Dance Hall, 421 12 Ave. S.E., cowboysnightclub.com
Scour your shelves for book drive donations
When: Book collection runs from April 5 to 24; the sale runs from May 1 to 5
This month, take some time to look through your bookshelves and make a donation to the Reset Society of Calgary’s book drive and sale, which helps women and children affected by trafficking and sexual exploitation. The annual fundraiser will be collecting books from April 5 to 24, then holding its sale from May 1 to 5 at Crossroads Market.
Crossroads Market, 1235 26 Ave. S.E., resetcalgary.ca
Take part in a nighttime walk or run to support a good cause
When: April 6
This month, put on your running shoes and take part in Light It Up Calgary on April 6. Starting at 8 p.m., participants can take part in a three km walk, a five km walk/run or a 10 km run with the help of a headlamp. The nighttime walk/run supports Wellspring Calgary.
Watch a musical about a boy who wants to be a ballet dancer
When: April 9 to May 12
Theatre Calgary closes its 2018-19 season with the Tony Award-winning production Billy Elliot: the Musical. The production, which tells the story of an English boy who longs to be a ballet dancer, will feature choreography by Yukichi Hattori, who danced with Alberta Ballet for 10 years. Come for the dancing, Elton John’s music and the inspiring story.
Arts Commons, 205 8 Ave. S.E., theatrecalgary.com
Enjoy plant-based food at a vegan and vegetarian dinner series event
When: Various dates until April 25
Whether you’re a dedicated vegan/vegetarian or simply trying to eat more plant-based fare, you won’t want to miss the return of Planted. Now in its second year, the vegan and vegetarian dinner series features several dining experiences over the next month, from a vegan brunch at Donna Mac to a finale tasting night at the Calgary Zoo. The best part? The series supports the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary.
Read more: What You Should Know About Planted, the Vegan and Vegetarian Dinner Series Returning This Month
Check out a black and white movie at Fort Calgary
When: April 12
Once a month, Fort Calgary celebrates black and white films in all their glory with a black and white movie night in its own theatre. This month features director Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film Psycho, while the 1933 film King Kong will be screened next month on May 10. Make sure to order a drink or snack as well.
Fort Calgary, 750 9 Ave. S.E. fortcalgary.com
Enter a locally made product in the first Made in Alberta Awards
Avenue magazine recently launched the Made in Alberta Awards, which recognize and celebrate locally made products from across the province. The awards categories include food, drink, furnishings and home decor, fashion and accessories, games and leisure, beauty and crafts. Enter before April 30, 2019.
Read more: Introducing the Made in Alberta Awards
Experience Bragg Creek’s food scene
When: April 12
Curious about what Bragg Creek’s food scene has to offer? April 12 is the perfect time to find out with the return of Taste of Bragg Creek. Held at the Bragg Creek Community Centre, the event features more than 25 food and drink vendors offering up tasty samples in exchange for some $1.50 tasting tickets.
Bragg Creek Community Centre, 23 White Ave., Bragg Creek, tasteofbraggcreek.ca
Eat tons of poutine during a nine-day poutine extravaganza
When: April 12 to 20
Calgary’s annual poutine extravaganza is back with a new name. During Poutine With Purpose, participating restaurants offer unique and classic takes on the popular dish. More than 70 restaurants are participating this year, including Cleaver, Wurst, Modern Steak, Burwood Distillery, OEB and more. Poutine Week is also an opportunity to contribute to a great cause through your stomach – each time a participating restaurant sells its poutine dish, Mealshare matches that by giving someone in need a free meal.
Various locations, poutinewithpurpose.com
Pick out a handmade designer chocolate Easter egg at The Chocolate Lab
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The Chocolate Lab is once again taking chocolate Easter eggs to the next level. The local chocolate shop’s popular chocolate eggs are filled with treats and feature hand painted designs of everything from flowers to pop culture references. Swing by the Chinatown shop to pick one up this month.
202D Centre St. S.E., 403-455-3022, chocolatelab.ca
Have fun learning about the legal system on Law Day
When: April 13
Curious about how the legal system works in Canada? The annual Law Day, which marks the month that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was signed in 1982, is the perfect time to get more information. The free, family-friendly event will feature tours of courtrooms and the Alberta Law libraries, mock trials with pop culture characters, exhibitors and more. You can even take care of some business by getting a document notarized or getting a 20-minute legal consultation for free.
Calgary Courts Centre, 601 5 St. S.W., lawdayalberta.weebly.com
Learn how to organize your closet (and your home) with a KonMari expert
When: April 13
You know Marie Kondo and her KonMari Method for tidying from her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Netflix’s show Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, but did you know that Calgary has its own KonMari expert? Helen Youn is the only certified KonMari consultant in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and she’s sharing tips for organizing your closet (and your home in general) at an upcoming workshop. Learn more about the KonMari Method and ask questions about decluttering your space.
California Closets, 1139 9 Ave. S.E., helenyoun.com
Check out the biggest model train show in the country
When: April 13 and 14
Did you know Calgary is home to the biggest model train show in the country? Whether you’re a hobbyist or just curious about model railroading, you can learn more about it at the Supertrain event this month. Check out tons of railroad layouts in person, meet exhibitors or go to one of the short clinics covering everything from scales and gauge to how to create realistic scenery.
Genesis Centre, 7555 Falconridge Blvd. N.E., supertrain.ca
Take your family to hunt for Easter eggs, ride a tractor and do some spring planting at Butterfield Acres
When: April 13, 14, 19 and 20
Butterfield Acres officially re-opens for spring and summer on April 1, and once again, the local farm is kicking the season off with its Legendary Easter Hunt. The family-friendly event features Easter egg hunts, farmyard animal visits, pony and tractor rides, planting in pots and more.
Butterfield Acres 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd., 403-239-0638, butterfieldacres.com
Buy a new book from Calgary’s newest bookstore
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Looking for a new read? Swing by the newly opened The Next Page in Inglewood to find your new favourite page-turner. Pages Books on Kensington‘s new sister bookstore carries everything from biographies to mysteries, so there’s something for everyone on those floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
1217A 9 Ave. S.E., instagram.com
Have a laugh at the Reactor Improv Festival
When: April 17 to 19
Local improv company The Kinkonauts are hosting the Reactor Improv Festival this month. Featuring everything from an improvised musical to horror-inspired performances, there will be no shortage of laughter and improv talent. You can also sign up for workshops that will take place throughout the weekend.
The Alexandra Centre, 922 9 Ave. S.E.; Festival Hall, 1215 10 Ave. S.E.; kinkonauts.com
Play bocce, pool and shuffleboard at a new restaurant
A new addition to the Willow Park neighbourhood, the recently opened Southland Yard restaurant is your new dining destination for flatbreads, Wagyu beef hot dogs, PEI mussels and small plates like chili-honey almonds and coriander roasted carrots. But what’s particularly cool about Southland Yard is that there’s lots to do besides just eating — the restaurant has an indoor bocce ball court, shuffleboard, pool and foosball, not to mention board and arcade games.
Southland Yard, 135 Southland Dr. S.E., southlandyard.com
Watch a dinner theatre musical comedy about love and murder
When: April 19 to June 23
Monty Navarro wants to be the Earl of Highhurst, but there are a few small problems: there are eight other people ahead of him in the line of succession. Deciding that murder is his best option, Monty sets out to claim his family title by any means necessary, all while dealing with being at the centre of a love triangle. Catch a performance of the Tony Award-winning production A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder at Stage West Theatre restaurants from April 19 to June 23.
Stage West Theatre Restaurants, 727 42 Ave. S.E., 403-243-6642, stagewestcalgary.com
Fill up on cheese and charcuterie at a cheese cart party
When: April 20
If you love cheese, this is one party you won’t want to miss. On April 20, Marda Loop’s Springbank Cheese Co. is holding a cheese cart party, an experience they liken to “cheese dim sum” and “a cheese buffet.” For $18, you can sample dozens of cheeses and snacks like charcuterie. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase.
Springbank Cheese Co., 3570 Garrison Gate S.W., eventbrite.ca
Dress up in cosplay and meet celebrity guests at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
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When: April 25 to 28
Fans of sci-fi, comics, pop culture and animation will feel right at home at this annual convention. Over the course of the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, you can don your best cosplay to march in the downtown POW! Parade of Wonders, watch a combat demonstration, shop for comics and memorabilia from hundreds of vendors and visit Artist Alley. This is also your chance to see (and maybe meet) special celebrity guests including Back to the Future‘s Michael J Fox, Wonder Woman‘s Lynda Carter, Ian Somerhalder of The Vampire Diaries, Riverdale‘s Camila Mendes and more.
Stampede Park, 20 Roundup Way S.E., calgaryexpo.com
Wear your pajamas to an all-you-can-eat-cereal cartoon party at CUFF
When: All-you-can-eat-cereal cartoon party on April 27; CUFF runs from April 22 to 28
This month, the Calgary Underground Film Festival returns for a 16th year and it’s bringing back its popular all-you-can-eat-cereal cartoon party on April 27. Wear your pajamas down to Globe Cinema to munch on sugary cereal while watching retro cartoons the whole Saturday morning. Be sure to check out some of the other CUFF events and activities as well, including more than 50 feature films and shorts, free arcade games, a free movie screening on National Canadian Film Day and more. CUFF runs from April 22 to 28.
Globe Cinema, 517 8 Ave. S.W., calgaryundergroundfilm.org
Grab lunch or dinner at a local food truck gathering in East Village
When: April 27 and 28
A surefire sign that it’s spring? The return of alfresco dining and food trucks. More than 16 local food trucks will descend upon East Village’s C-Square area during the Spring Frenzy event hosted by YYC Food Trucks. Grab some tasty eats, listen to live music and enjoy the (hopefully) warm spring weather from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days.
C-Square in East Village, 7 Avenue and 4 Street S.E., yycfoodtrucks.com
Go shopping at a local spring market
Now that it’s spring, many local arts and crafts markets are getting back into the swing of things. Whether you’re looking for locally made greeting cards, apparel or home decor, there are tons of places to get them in the next few months. Make It Calgary from April 5 to 9, the Curated Spring Market from April 12 to 13 and The Fibre Shindig on April 13 are just a few of the markets you can check out in April.
Read more: Spring Art and Craft Markets In and Around Calgary
Listen to a legendary Canadian astronaut talk about space exploration
When: April 29
It’s been 50 years since American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon — the first time this feat had ever been achieved. To mark the milestone of this extraordinary accomplishment, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield will be speaking on the topic of space exploration at the Jack Singer Concert Hall on April 29. Don’t miss the chance to hear one of Canada’s national treasures live.
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Arts Commons, artscommons.ca