Culture Days kicks off in Calgary with a free block party
Stephen Avenue Walk and Olympic Plaza become party central September 26 as Alberta Culture Days officially kicks off in Calgary.
The party goes from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and features BassBus with local DJs throwing down beats all night. Cowtown Opera hits the stage at 7 p.m., followed by a poetry slam featuring some of the city’s most riveting lyricists. The Wet Secrets take the stage at 8 p.m. and local post-punk band, Viet Cong is the headlining act at 9 p.m.
“With thousands of events and activities across the province, Alberta Culture Days is our province’s largest celebration of the arts, heritage and cultural diversity. It has become as much a celebration about family, community and provincial pride as it is about local culture,” says Maureen Kubinec, Minister, Alberta Culture and Tourism. “My thanks to The City of Calgary for helping to present this unique opportunity for Albertans.”
In addition to taking in some great music, participants can also cruise the avenue and check out some of the free interactive art exhibits and workshops available throughout the evening. Event-goers can learn how to make a movie from the pros at EM Media, let members of the Alberta Printmakers Society guide their hand in the fine art of linocut printing, or discover new photography techniques from Rainika Photo Grafik. Participants can make their own noise at the Instrument Petting Zoo, or add their own personal touch to an interactive mural hosted by Burns Visual Arts Society.
“Calgary has a vibrant arts and culture scene that continues to grow each year. In 2013, our city hosted 278 events for Alberta Culture Days, and, this year, we are proud to again host the Friday night block party to kickoff the weekend’s festivities,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “This is going to be a heck of a party that all Calgarians can enjoy!”
The activities taking place along Stephen Avenue Walk and Olympic Plaza are presented by The City of Calgary and the Government of Alberta and are part of the celebrations occurring throughout the province during Alberta Culture Days, September 26-28.
Alberta Culture Days is part of the national Culture Days movement, which includes over 800 communities, from coast to coast, and is helping to increase the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities
For more information on Alberta Culture Days visit www.albertaculturedays.ca or for more information on the 2014 Block Party please visit www.calgary.ca/culturedays.
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