Catch a movie at Calgary’s oldest film festival
When: April 2 to 4
This weekend marks the 31st edition of the Artifact Small Format Film Festival. An absolute must for film buffs, the festival features a variety of short, medium and full-length films shot on 8mm and 16mm film. Over the course of three days, catch shorts from Canadian and international filmmakers, a Canadian feature film shot on broken Bolex cameras, and pieces shot on a single roll of Super 8 film, which pays homage to the festival’s origins as the $100 Film Festival. Filmmakers will be in attendance throughout the festival.
Multiple venues, artifactfilmfestival.com
Snack on finger sandwiches during Easter tea at Heritage Park
When: April 3, 4 and 5
Get all dressed up and take out the family for a charming mid-day tea party at Heritage Park. Taste the menu filled with little finger sandwiches, mini French pastries and, of course, classic Easter hot cross buns. Special to this year, Easter tea guests will also get admission to the Gasoline Alley Museum included in their tickets, along with a coupon for shopping in the Haskayne Mercantile Block.
Famous 5 Centre of Canadian Women, Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W., heritagepark.ca
Try a cream puff at a new bakery
New bakery and café Choux & C opened last month in Marda Loop and it specializes in classic French cream puffs. Try flavours like crème brûlée, Irish coffee, passion fruit and coconut, all while sipping on a variety of hot or cold drinks.
Unit 121, 2215 33 Ave. S.W., @choux.and.c
Take an ice cream workshop with Made by Marcus
When: April 3 and 4
Beloved ice cream shop Made by Marcus isn’t slowing down over the long weekend, with both its “Ice Cream 101” and “Date Night” ice cream workshops running as usual. Grab a friend or your partner and learn the process of churning ice cream and flavour science from the pros, then put your knowledge to work and mix up a custom ice cream flavour using Made by Marcus’ housemade toppings. Classes include a complimentary drink or two, depending which class you choose, and you’ll go home with a few pints of your custom creamy creation.
Made by Marcus Inglewood, 1119 10 Ave. S.E., madebymarcus.ca
Learn the story of Nirvana through the band’s music
When: April 4
There’s a reason why the band behind “Smells like Teen Spirit” is still talked about today, and you can experience that story this weekend at The Story of Nirvana. Recording artist El Nivan presents this tribute concert where you’ll witness the meteoric rise of the legendary Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, from its humble beginnings in Seattle to selling out stadiums on the world stage. Whether you lived through the grunge era or discovered Nirvana later, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., jubileeauditorium.com
Grab a drink at a new brew pub
Calgary craft brewery Vaycay Brew Co. is known for beers that taste like vacation in a can, and you can taste them firsthand in its new taproom that opened last month in Marda Loop. Try Tangerine Speedo, a New England IPA with a refreshing, citrusy hit, or stick to the long weekend theme with The Weekender, a West Coast IPA with a piney, tropical aroma.
2248 33 Ave. S.W., vaycaybrew.co
Experience a game show live
When: April 4
You’ve likely seen The Price is Right on television, and now, you can actually participate and experience the show during The Price is Right Live. You aren’t just sitting down to watch a stage show — this experience is just like the TV show, with randomly-selected audience members competing for the chance to win big prizes. You never know, you may just be called to “Come on down!”
Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, 3777 Grey Eagle Dr., greyeagleresortandcasino.ca
Listen to ABBA songs by candlelight
When: April 4
With songs ranging from “Waterloo” to “Angeleyes,” ABBA fans will not want to miss the Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA performance at Studio Bell this weekend. Lit with the gentle glow of hundreds of candles, this concert is a multi-sensory experience that is truly unique. Performing your favourite ABBA tracks is a string quartet consisting of two violins, a viola and a cello.
Studio Bell, 850 4 St. S.E., studiobell.ca
Watch a murder-mystery production set in a snowstorm
When: On now until April 12
Vertigo Theatre’s A Killing Snow closes next weekend, so take advantage of the extra time off to catch this Canadian whodunnit before it’s too late. Set in rural Ontario, this play follows five people who get snowed into a secluded home during a blizzard. As omens of murder crop up around them, they face the choice between tempting fate indoors or trying their luck in the elements.
Vertigo Theatre, Suite 161, 115 9 Ave. S.E., vertigotheatre.com
See a science-inspired art exhibition
When: On now until August 16
Stacking Crates to Reach a Banana by artists Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens opened last week at Contemporary Calgary. This new exhibition draws inspiration from the visual language of science — diagrams, charts and graphs — as a way of examining the human and nonhuman body. Through a combination of video pieces and sculptures made of materials like bamboo and acetate sheets, the exhibition questions how we perform within systems that examine and assign meaning to our behaviour.
Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St. S.W., contemporarycalgary.com
