The folks behind Calgary 2012 are promising a “circus meets vaudeville meets High Performance Rodeo with a rock concert” kick-off to Calgary’s year as the "Cultural Capital" of Canada.

The party — officially entitled “The Sweet City Opening Celebration" — goes down this Friday at the BMO Centre on the Stampede Grounds, but if you haven’t already got it a ticket, you may be out of luck — the event is sold out (though, there is still a chance to put your name on a wait list).

But, if you’re among the 3400 ticket holders, expect a spectacle — besides the obligatory dignitaries who’ll be in attendance (Premier Alison Redford, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, etc., etc.), you’ll being seeing close to 200 local performers, including: Calgary Animated Objects Society … Read More

Looks as though this is going to be the summer of big birthdays — a few weeks before we celebrate a 100 years of cow-punching and whatnot, Calgary will play host to the 10th Annual Magnetic North Theatre Festival (June 13 – 23, to be precise).
Earlier this afternoon, the full fest line-up was announced at Jack Singer Hall, and if there’s a common thread to be found among the eight main stage plays and various ancillary events taking place at nine venues city-wide, it’s a focus on social issues.
For instance…

•Festival opener Oil & Water, by Governor General Award-winning Newfoundland playwright Robert Chafe, looks at the true story of Lanier Phillips — the sole African-American to survive the wreck of the USS Truxton, a racially … Read More

The Arusha Centre, in partnership with Public Interest Alberta, is celebrating 40 years by bringing John Ralston Saul to Calgary. 

Canada's philosopher king will be speaking at Knox United Church on April 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, and available at the Arusha Centre, Pages Bookstore and Primeboxoffice.com.

Photo: Ned Pratt

This year ArtaWEARness is going back to its roots. Founded 12 years ago as a student initiative with additional support by professor Dee Fontans, the event had been the responsibility of the ACAD Student's Association, but, due to budget concerns, it was initially dropped for 2012.

Thanks to a small group of determined students, though, it has been revived. There are now several coordinators working together, focusing on creating new learning opportunities for students.

An extravagant event combining fashion, art, and performance, ArtaWEARness gives the best of all three worlds, according to one of its coordinators, Breanne Avender.

“It's going to make you think. It’s going to make you open your eyes to what art can be and how … Read More

Good Life Community Bicycle Shop, which saw its lease terminated by Eau Claire Market management last week, is holding an emergency meeting tonight (January 16) at its soon-to-be vacated headquarters. On the agenda: finding a new spot, fast (they only have until Feb 17th before they have to leave their current location).

All friends and supporters are encouraged to attend  — the meeting goes from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. We’ll have more on the story in the January 19th edition of Fast Forward Weekly. In the meantime, visit the Facebook event page here.