Calgary, AB,
28
September
2016
|
09:00
America/Denver

Culture Days kicks off in Calgary with a free Block Party this Friday

Stephen Avenue Walk and Olympic Plaza become party central at lunchtime on Friday, September 30 as Culture Days officially kicks off in Calgary.

The party runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features a variety of fun, interactive and informative events to keep the downtown crowds entertained during their lunch break. Local favourites including Cowtown Opera, Diane Lindsay and Salsa Rica will keep the tunes flowing, while acts such as The Snow Circus and PULSE Studios will offer attendees the chance to learn something over lunch. Poet Laureate Micheline Maylor will say a few poetic words and the area will be busy with glass blowers, buskers, photo booths and Baby Boomer Karaoke.

“With thousands of events and activities across the country, Culture Days provides Canadians with the opportunity to participate in, and appreciate, all forms of arts and culture. We are delighted to host the Culture Days Block Party in Calgary to kick off this 3 day celebration,” says Sarah Iley, manager, Arts & Culture at The City of Calgary. “This year, in anticipation of Canada’s 150th anniversary as a nation, we will be marking day number 93 in the countdown to 2017. We are asking Calgarians to get their photo taken in our official photo booth, with a personalized sign about what Canadian culture means to them, and then share their photos using #Canada150. The images will be used throughout 2017 to promote our city’s sesquicentennial celebrations.”

In addition to taking in some great music, participants can also check out some of the free interactive art exhibits and workshops available including a preview of the public art that will be unveiled on the utility boxes on 5 and 6 Avenues S.W. Event-goers can also chat with curator Katherine Ylitalo about the upcoming series of podcasts with food critic John Gilchrist focusing on pairing public art pieces with nearby eateries.

Culture Days runs from September 30 – October 2 and is an annual pan-Canadian movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.

For more information on the 2016 Culture Days block party visit www.calgary.ca/culturedays. For more information on the many events taking place in our city over the weekend or to register a Culture Days event of your own, visit culturedays.ca.