Now that the sun is setting later and the temperatures aren’t dipping quite so low, spend Saturday night outside. Get to know the communities of Sunnyside and Hillhurst by joining in a neighbourhood party and frequenting a bar that is a community favourite.
Ride on the bike pathways to Kensington
For those who haven’t been outside in a few weeks, the weather has made a turn for the better and it’s finally starting to feel warm and summery out there. Make the most of those long, sunny evenings, dust off your bike and head down to the river pathway.
It’s predicted to be a comfortable 16C this Saturday, perfect for cruising around the city. For those who live west of Sunnyside, stop at Angel’s at Edworthy Park on your bike ride into the neighbourhood. If you get there before 5 p.m., you can treat youself to an ice cream cone by the river. For those who live east of Sunnyside, make a stop outside the Calgary Zoo – you can peek into the Canada Wildlands exhibits from the path. And for those who live further out, drive your bikes close to the pathway system, leave your car and enjoy a leisurely ride into the Kensington BRZ.
Feel the community spirit
Once in Kensington, walk your bike up from the bike pathway to 14 St. N.W. and along Kensington Rd. to do some window shopping. Peek inside Peacock Boutique’s new location, see what’s playing at the Plaza Theatre and smell the poutine from The Big Cheese Poutinerie.
Make a left turn from 10 St. N.W. onto 5 Ave. N.W. and walk to the Sunnyside Hillhurst Community Association, which is hosting “Time to Shine” tonight, a community event that anyone is invited to. General tickets are just $10 and includes performances by members of the community and workshops on dance, yoga, meditation and hula hooping.
Browse the craft market, which will be selling everything from local art to skin care products to jewellery, while listening to music. It’s a fun way to get to know a new community, but it’s also all for a good cause: any profits made from this event are being donated to community arts grants.
Eat deep fried pickles
Once you’ve gotten your fill of community spirit, performances and workshops, walk down 10 St. N.W. to the Oak Tree Tavern. It might be hard to find a spot, but try to get out on the patio – when it comes to patios, it’s one of the city’s hidden gems and it has a great view of downtown. Enjoy a summery beer along with a snack of deep fried pickles ($9) to share with the table.