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Hello, beautiful people of Calgary!
A lot of people are worried about the data centres being planned in and around the city, and those concerns are valid. The impact on nature, the water use, the air and noise questions, and just having these huge humming rectangles in our neighbourhoods — none of it is exactly exciting.
But the push for more data, the growth of AI, and the jobs and economic upside are also hard to ignore.
This week I heard a concept I hadn't before: aesthetic data centres — the idea that these buildings could actually be designed to be beautiful, interesting, something a neighbourhood is glad to have nearby instead of resigned to.
So beyond the ideas of sending data centres into orbit, we'll probably still need to find ways to fit them into our cities. Why not bring our artists, architects, engineers, and anyone with a creative mind into the conversation? Make these things a beautiful, safe addition instead of an imposition. Something to think about.
A few updates: last week's poll showed 50% of you want a separate Parent Edition — that's launching next week. Our polls always surface something interesting, and another 30% of you voted for more adult content, so we'll work on dialing that up too. Keep voting, we're listening.
Let's get to it.
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Sport Hub launched yesterday. The City rolled out its Sport Hub program on May 11, a collaboration with school boards and sport organizations to bring coached lessons into 90 schools and 45+ communities across the city. It runs for kids and teens aged 5 to 18. Lessons are free or low-cost, equipment is provided, and the menu includes everything from basketball and badminton to cricket and lacrosse. See the program
The Fire Department is hiring. CFD opens its annual recruitment intake from June 1 to 30. They are looking to bring on 120 to 150 probationary firefighters in this round. For context, they got over 2,700 applications last year. A virtual info session runs May 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. for anyone curious, and you don't need to live in Calgary to apply. See the requirements
Making friends as an adult is hard. CBC ran a piece this weekend on how Calgarians are tackling adult loneliness. The reporter sat in on a TimeLeft dinner (a Paris-based app that pairs up strangers for Wednesday meals), talked to women who used Bumble BFF to find their crew, and interviewed a Mount Royal psychology professor who blames screen time and the slow death of the "third place." A worthwhile read if you've ever stared at your group chat on a Friday and realized you don't have plans. Read the story
A$AP Rocky and Alanis Morissette are coming to Stampede. The Saddledome concert lineup for July just got two big names. A$AP Rocky plays Saturday, July 4. Alanis Morissette plays Saturday, July 11, the final night of Stampede. Both tickets include park admission, which is a nice bundle if you were going to be on the grounds anyway. See the lineup
You think 4x faster than you type. Your IDE should keep up.
Wispr Flow lets you dictate prompts, acceptance criteria, and bug reproductions inside Cursor or Warp — with automatic file name and variable recognition. Say user_id, get user_id. Say useEffect, get useEffect.
Paste directly into GitHub, Jira, or Linear. Give coding agents the full context they need without typing a novel.
89% of messages sent with zero edits. Millions of developers use Flow daily, including teams at OpenAI, Vercel, and Clay. Free on Mac, Windows, and iPhone.
This is Betty (also known as Abs).
She is a 10-month-old spayed Labrador Retriever mix weighing in at 57 pounds, with more growing left to do. Betty is a playful, high-energy girl with a great personality and the kind of springs in her legs that have earned her the nickname.
Betty is a big puppy in a medium dog's body, and she needs an adult-only home with someone patient enough to start from square one. Her shelter staff describe her as "busy and jumpy" — she'll need consistent positive reinforcement training to work through the leaping, and a basic manners class comes built into her adoption.
She may do best with dogs of similar size and playstyle, and cats are untested, so slow introductions are recommended. If you have the structure and the patience this girl needs, Betty will add a lot of energy and personality to your home.
How to adopt: Call the City of Calgary Animal Services at 3-1-1. See her profile
We're back with another installment of Price Check to test your real estate pricing intuition.
This week's mystery listing is a bungalow that's cute on the inside and, let's say, up to your taste on the outside.
Take a good look at the photos, cast your vote, and shoot us a reply if you want a shot at naming the specific neighbourhood. Bonus points if you nail it.
Tuesday, May 12
Blippi Live at WinSport | The kids' YouTube juggernaut takes over WinSport Event Centre. 6:00 p.m. start. Get tickets
The Verdict — Previews at Vertigo | Courtroom drama based on the Paul Newman film. Previews began May 9, opens May 14, runs through June 7. 115 9 Ave SE, 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale (Walk-in Days Begin) | 200,000+ used books at the Calgary Curling Club. Walk-in days run noon to 8 p.m., May 11–15. Adult books $4, kids $2, $3 event fee on the way out. 720 3rd St NW. Plan your visit
Mapping History: The Calgary Atlas Project at Lougheed House | The exhibit pulls maps from local historians, authors, and artists into one space, paired with original art pieces. Runs through May 17. See the exhibit
Calgary Farmers' Market West (Evening Hours) | The west location stays open until 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays. Plan your visit
Wednesday, May 13
Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market | The midweek indoor market runs 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the HSCA. See vendors
Thursday, May 14
Blackfoot Story Robes Talk at Lougheed House | Free 18+ evening event exploring traditional Blackfoot storytelling on bison hides. Registration required. 7:00 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. Register
Judo Canada Open Nationals Begin | National judo championships at the Olympic Oval. Athletes from across the country competing for national titles. Runs May 14–17. Details
Friday, May 15
The Verdict — Opening Night at Vertigo | The full opening at Vertigo Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Otafest Opens | Calgary's anime and Japanese pop culture festival at the Telus Convention Centre. Runs May 15–17. Get tickets and schedule
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert | The Calgary Phil plays John Williams' score live to the film at the Jubilee. Friday 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 2:30 p.m. matinee. Get tickets
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale — BOGO Day | Buy one, get one on almost everything. Noon to 8 p.m. at the Calgary Curling Club. Plan your visit
Love and Rage at The Grand | Major Matt Mason Collective's intimate, experimental new work closes out its run May 6–16. 608 1 St SW. Get tickets
Kensington Sinfonia at cSPACE Marda Loop | A chamber orchestra performance in an intimate venue. Info
Saturday, May 16
Calgary Wild FC vs. Roses de Montréal | Women's Northern Super League at McMahon Stadium. 3:00 p.m. kickoff. Get tickets
Calaway Park Opens | Western Canada's largest outdoor amusement park kicks off its 2026 season. Spring hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends and holiday Mondays. Plan your visit
Granary Road Kite Fest | The first annual kite festival at Granary Road, just outside Calgary. Kite building, flying lessons, demos, and an open flying area. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Get tickets
4th Street Night Market | Season opener for the fifth summer in Central Memorial Park. 100+ vendors, food trucks, live music, free admission. 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Details
Vaisakhi Mela at Genesis Centre | Cultural celebration with performances, food, and community programming. Free admission. 7555 Falconridge Blvd NE. Details
Hand Sketching Workshop at Lougheed House | Artist Karen Jeane Mills leads a sketching workshop using photography as reference. Free. Register
Julie Van Rosendaal Book Signing at Knifewear | The Calgary food journalist and cookbook author signs her new book. 1316 9 Ave SE, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Free. Details
Prehistoric Park Reopens at the Zoo | The dinosaur-themed section reopens for the 2026 season. Included with regular zoo admission. Plan your visit
Heritage Park Opening Day | The Historical Village opens for the 2026 season with a Victoria Day toast to the Queen. Plan your visit
Sunday, May 17
Confluence Craft Club | Monthly drop-in crafting at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. Bring your project or start something new. 1:00 p.m., $8. 750 9 Ave SE. Details
Big Book Sale — Fill-a-Box for $20 | Final day. Bring a banker's box (or use one of theirs) and stuff it. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plan your visit
Otafest — Final Day | The festival wraps with the Cosplay Showcase Awards and the charity auction. Get tickets
Safari Brunch at the Wilder Institute | Sunday buffet with chocolate fountain and omelette station, runs every Sunday. Reserve a table
Monday, May 18 (Victoria Day)
Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders | CFL preseason at McMahon Stadium. 1:00 p.m. kickoff. Get tickets
Banff Sunshine Slush Cup | The ski season closes with skiers and riders trying to cross a pond of slush in costume. Details
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Gatecreeper w/ Eternal, Dying Remains & Misyrion at Dickens Pub | Tue, 6:30 p.m. Get tickets
Tom Phillips & The DTs at The Blues Can | Honky-Tonk Tuesdays. Tue, 8:00 p.m. Details
Punk Rock Bingo at Ship & Anchor | Tue, 7:00 p.m. Details
Spectral Wound w/ Nocturnal Departure, Lysergic & Sorguinazia at Dickens Pub | Wed, 7:00 p.m. Get tickets
Morrisseys Private Stock at The Blues Can | Wing Wednesday. Wed, 7:00 p.m. Details
Chuck Ragan at Modern Love | Thu, 8:00 p.m. Get tickets
John Shambles: Spring Fever Tour at Commonwealth Bar | Thu, 7:00 p.m. Get tickets
Stacked Presents: Culture Shock at Commonwealth Bar | Thu, 10:00 p.m. Get tickets
Tim James Band at The Blues Can | Thu, 8:00 p.m. Details
Kinjo & Sam Colson at Ironwood Stage | Thu, 8:00 p.m. Details
Bloodshot Bill w/ Poisin Sucker, Amy Nelson & Droogaloo at Palomino Smokehouse | Fri, 8:00 p.m. Get tickets
Black Sun Empire at Dickens Pub | Dutch drum and bass royalty in a small room. Fri, 9:00 p.m. Get tickets
The Bellamy Brothers at Deerfoot Inn & Casino | Fri, 9:00 p.m. Get tickets
ICEMAN Release Party at Commonwealth Bar | World Famous Fridays. Fri, 10:00 p.m. Details
Tom Phillips at The Blues Can | Lunchtime set. Fri, noon–2:00 p.m. Details
Wild T & the Spirit at The Blues Can | Fri, 9:00 p.m. Details
Happy Hour with Stephanie Merkus at King Eddy | Fri, 4:30 p.m. Details
Diva Dynamics at Ironwood Stage | Fri, 8:00 p.m. Details
Michael Jackson HIStory Show at Grey Eagle Event Centre | Sat, 8:00 p.m. Get tickets
Caspa w/ Wraz at Dickens Pub | Sat, 9:00 p.m. Get tickets
Saint Ludo at Common/UNDRGRD | Sat, 10:00 p.m. Get tickets
Replay: Throwback Party at Commonwealth Bar | Common Saturdays. Sat, 10:00 p.m. Details
Saturday Afternoon Jam with Mike Clark at The Blues Can | Sat, 3:00–7:00 p.m. Details
Wild T & the Spirit at The Blues Can | Sat, 9:00 p.m. Details
Tom Phillips & The DTs at Ironwood Stage | Acoustic afternoon. Sat, 2:00 p.m. Details
Amy Winehouse Tribute w/ Johanna Sillanpaa at Ironwood Stage | Sat, 8:00 p.m. Details
Acoustic Afternoons with Brett Cassidy at King Eddy | Sat, 11:30 a.m. Details
The Frontiers at King Eddy | Sat, 8:30 p.m. Details
Sidequest at Commonwealth Bar | Long Weekend Send-Off. Sun, 10:00 p.m. Get tickets
Sunday Afternoon Jam with the 16th Avenue Band at The Blues Can | Sun, 3:00–7:00 p.m. Details
Sunday Night Blues Jam at The Blues Can | Hosted by Brother Ray Lemelin & The Matinee Kings. Sun, 8:00 p.m.–midnight Details
Pete & Meg at Ironwood Stage | Sun, 1:00 p.m. Details
Songsmith Sundays with Carter Felker at King Eddy | Sun, 11:30 a.m. Details
Have a great week.
P.S. Forward this to someone named Brendan.