Dine at a new Mexican restaurant
A new Mexican restaurant has hit the Beltline. Led by Top Chef Canada and Top Chef Mexico contestant Elia Herrera, Milpa is an upscale Mexican restaurant that serves small plates inspired by her family’s Mexican traditions. Try the papas bravas, or tres Marias, which are house-made chips with three Latin American dips. There is also a late-night taco menu on Friday and Saturday nights.
1531 5 St. S.W., milpa.ca
Sample lots of wines at Winefest
On February 17 and 18, the annual Winefest event returns to the BMO Centre. This celebration of all things vino features hundreds of wines from regions around the world. There will also be small bites from local producers and restaurants to complement the wines you sip.
BMO Centre, celebratewinefest.com
Eat a burger during Burger it Forward
Throughout the month of February, help support Food Banks Canada by eating burgers at restaurants participating in Burger It Forward. 10 Calgary restaurants are among the 90 participating Canada-wide, with spots like Calcutta Cricket Club, Iyycburg and Roy’s Korean Kitchen serving up their own unique burgers. For every burger sold, Canada Beef will donate one meal to Food Banks Canada.
Listen to a piano duet of Mozart’s “Concerto for Two Pianos”
In this concert from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) and pianists Charles Richard-Hamelin and Ryan Zhu, this impressive performance of Mozart’s “Concerto for Two Pianos” features dual, dialoguing pianos, backed by the CPO. The second movement brings music from Anton Bruckner, punctuated by the deep sounds of Wagner tubas. This concert has two shows on February 17 and 18.
205 8 Ave. S.E., 403-571-0849, calgaryphil.com
Watch Oscar-nominated film shorts at Globe Cinema
For the fourth year, the Calgary International Film Fest is offering special screenings of Oscar-nominated shorts in three different categories. Buy tickets for either live action, animated or documentary shorts, or buy a pass for all three. Screenings run from February 17 to 19 at Globe Cinema.
Globe Cinema, ciffcalgary.ca
Grab a drink at Congress Coffee
Step back into the coffee culture of the ‘90s at Congress Coffee, now open in Greenview. The goal of this café is to be a community hub, providing delicious and affordable coffee that is accessible to everyone — brewed coffee is pay-what-you-can. The room, whose roof is lined with burlap coffee sacks, will also be a venue for live music, art, poetry and other events to help foster community.
1A, 215 36 Ave. N.E., 403-452-7320, congresscoffeeyyc.com
See Calgary’s Poet Laureate in Thank You, Sir Charles, a multi-disciplinary showcase of Black artistry
On February 18, head to The Grand for Thank You, Sir Charles, a cabaret for Black History Month, curated by Calgary Poet Laureate Wakefield Brewster. This cabaret will showcase Black artists through tap dancing, film and spoken word performances, plus there will be a Q&A at the end of the show moderated by Brewster.
608 1 St. S.W., 403-205-2922, thegrandyyc.ca
Visit 17th Avenue S.W. for a retro snowsuit dance party
On February 18, throw on your best neon, ‘80s ski-movie-villain snowsuit and head to Tomkins Park for the Retro Snowsuit Dance Party. The event is part of “Get Off the Apps and Onto the Ave,” a February-long series of events designed to get people off their phones and mingling with real people.
Spend Family Day at Studio Bell with The Polyjesters
To celebrate Family Day on February 20, Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is offering free admission for a day of family friendly, musical fun. Swing band The Polyjesters will be performing, plus you can enjoy the music and instrument demos and exhibitions throughout Studio Bell.
850 4 St. S.E., 403-543-5115, studiobell.ca
Watch ABBA tribute Mamma Mio at Jubilations Dinner Theatre
Running Wednesdays to Sundays until March 25, catch a performance of Mamma Mio, Jubilations Dinner Theatre’s satirical tribute to the best of ABBA music and movies. During the performance, you’ll recognize all the old disco favourites from the Swedish pop group. And of course, it wouldn’t be dinner theatre without the dinner, which is a menu of ABBA-themed foods and cocktails.
1002 37 St. S.W., 403-249-7799, jubilations.ca