Calgary Festivals August 2013

August 5, 2013
By Cody Battershill

Calgary Festivals August 2013

One more month before school starts and the roads become filled with cars again. Before you know it ... Autumn is here!

There are still many ways to enjoy the rest of summer including a variety of Calgary festivals. If you are planning to stay in the city then pretend to be a tourist and fall in love with Calgary all over again.

Calgary International Fringe Festival

August 2 – 10, 2013

Community of Inglewood

The annual Fringe Festival invites local and international artists to participate and celebrate independent, uncensored and non-biased work.

This is the festival where veteran and emerging talent from performance artists, musicians, poets, painters and comedians gather together to express their artistic voice.

Only at the Fringe is where you will find a satirically theme show about preparing the community for a zombie apocalypse. The show ends with audience members participating in a game of Zombie Tag.

Mountain View International Festival of Song and Chamber Music

August 4 - 11, 2013

Lougheed House, Christ Church and Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary

From its humbled beginnings, this festival has gained a following of music fans and enthusiasts over the past decade and continues to grow every year.

Young musicians gather together to learn and perform what is described as the “music of friends”.

Afrikadey!

August 7 – 10, 2013

Prince’s Island Park

In its 22nd year, Afrikadey has become a major cultural festival of its kind in Western Canada celebrating African culture, arts, music and food.

Highlights include Afro Culture Dancers and a group of storytellers called The Orators spreading their message about social conscious. And for the grand finale ... hip-hop artist Common takes the main stage on August 10 at 7:30 PM.

Chasing Summer Music Festival

August 9 and 10, 2013

Fort Calgary

Chasing Summer commences the first of its inaugural two day event at Fort Calgary, home to many other outdoor summer festivals.

Thousands of electronic music fans will witness and dance to the electrifying sounds of world-renowned DJs like Tiesto, Above and Beyond and many more.

Dubbed as the largest outdoor electronic dance music festival in Western Canada, Chasing Summer promises to light our city on fire.

When Words Collide

August 9 - 11, 2013

Carriage House Inn, 9030 Macleod Trail

Writers, readers, artists and publishers come together at the annual When Words Collide to participate in literary presentations, discussions, readings and signings.

There are workshops for the emerging writers including on how to apply for a writers grant. You can even bring the first page of your manuscript to be shared with the class and receive feedback from editors.

Chinatown Street Festival

August 10, 2013

Chinatown

Chinatown was one of the neighbourhoods hit hard with the recent flooding. Many businesses were flooded and still remain closed.

Come out and support this community by checking out the Chinatown Street Festival. Performances including martial art demonstrations and the traditional lion dance.

Looking for a physical challenge? Then compete in the 3 on 3 soccer match, Ultimate Long Putt Challenge or Chinatown Street Hockey Classic.

Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival

August 10 - 11, 2013

North Glenmore Park

This popular Calgary festival is considered to be well-oiled machine. So it is hard to believe the event organizers Calgary Dragon Boat Society has only been around since 2010.

Last year’s event drew over 2,000 spectators cheering on teams of 1,250 competitors including Breast Friends, an inspiring team of breast cancer survivors.

Red Wagon, Naaco and Fries ‘n Dolls among other food trucks will be there to feed your appetite.

Marda Gras

August 11, 2013

Marda Loop

Mission has Lilac Festival. Kensington has Sun and Salsa Festival. Marda Loop has the colorful Marda Gras street festival inviting Calgarians to check out their trendy neighbourhood.

Check out and support over a hundred vendors from local small business, charities and restaurants. And of course, over a dozen of food trucks will be out on full force to fuel festival-goers.

Calgary International Reggae Festival

August 14 - 17, 2013

Shaw Millennium Park

Only at the Calgary Reggae Festival is where you can channel your inner Rastafarian spirit.

The Reggae Lunch and Learn is a series of educational sessions for those interested in learning more about reggae from its evolution to influence on other music genres.

On August 15th, Plaza Theatre in Kensington is hosting Rasta on Film – Marley the Movie, a documentary about reggae legend Bob Marley.

Taste of Calgary

August 15 - 18, 2013

Eau Claire Market

Leave your passport at home and travel around the world at the Taste of Calgary festival at Eau Claire Market. It's where you can try chicken and jellyfish taco and Jamaican patty at the same time.

Close to 25 restaurants will be offering their best dishes in sample sizes. Then quench your thirst with a wide selection of alcoholic beverages at the Beverage Garden.

The People's Poetry Festival

August 16 - 18, 2013

Community of Kensington

Only two years old, the People’s Poetry Festival is garnering popularity amongst the art community. Poets and poetry lovers gather in Kensington to participate in scheduled readings, DIY poetry stations, poetic graffiti walks, workshops and lectures.

GlobalFest

August 16 - 25, 2013

Elliston Park, Southeast Calgary

GlobalFest is more than just the worldly fireworks competition even though it is definitely the highlight of the Calgary festival.

There is the night market with food and jewellery vendors and performances from around the globe, plus more fun activities and events.

The community is also invited to participate in conversations about diversity and world issues at the Human Rights Forum.

Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri

August 17, 2013

Bridgeland Riverside Community Centre & Park

917 Centre Ave NE

Come check out traditional dances, music presentations, games and sumo wrestling.

Savour the unique culture bites including barbequed seafood and meats, sushi and sweets.

Take a stroll down history at their arts and crafts station displaying historical books and artifacts of Japan.

Opera in the Village

August 22 – 25, 2013

RiverWalk Plaza in East Village

With the revitalization of East Village, no wonder this up and coming neighbourhood is host to Opera in the Village.

This family-friendly event will have everyone enjoying movie nights, kids’ opera camp, singing competition and more.

The main attraction will be a performance of the opera masterpiece, The Pirates of Penzance.

Expo Latino

August 23 - 25, 2013

Prince’s Island Park

Known as the largest Latin festival in Western Canada, this annual event, now in its sixteenth year, is guaranteed to spice up our city.

Whether you are sampling the fiery flavours or dancing to the live music, Prince’s Island Park will transform into a showcase of the Latin culture.

Pride Week Calgary

August 26 - September 2, 2013

Various venues

The main feature of Pride Week is the Pride Parade which begins on September 1st at noon. After the parade, put on your dancing shoes and hit the Street Festival where live DJs will be spinning the latest party tunes.

Calgary Highland Games

August 31, 2013

Springbank Park for All Seasons - 32224A Springbank Road

2013 marks the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Highland Games. Competitors from across the globe will gather together at one of the most premier Highland Games in Western Canada.

Spectators can enjoy watching competitors partake in piping & drumming, dancing, heavy equipment challenges and tug-o-war.