Hello, beautiful people of Calgary!
Sunday on 4th Street felt like half the city was there. The Lilac Festival has a way of doing that. I went too (for research purposes of course), and I will admit to spending more than I planned — a new yoga mat and a few class sign-ups later, I regret nothing.
Tell us how your festival went:
While I'm in confession mode: I found a small ice cream spot called Mowgli's where they make everything from scratch. It tastes great, it isn't too sweet, and there are flavours you don't see on every other counter — dates, passionfruit, one with a spicy kick. And the best part: almost no line. Don't get me wrong, I love Marcus and Village. But Mowgli's lands somewhere different: a guilty pleasure with notably less of the guilt. It feels like Calgary's best-kept secret that I was reluctant to share, but then a sense of duty got the better of me. Try it and let me know what you think.
This week's issue: a downtown-to-YYC train plan, a fire truck for Calgary's centenarians, and a long look at where the nightlife actually went. Plus the usual round-up of events, live shows, good vibes and an inner-city Price Check guess.
Let's get to it.
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The airport-to-downtown train is finally on a real map.
The province released its passenger rail master plan last Thursday, and a Calgary airport-to-downtown link is one of the two first priority projects. The plan is to build it as an extension of the existing LRT — using the Blue Line work already moving toward 88 Avenue — with all-day service every 20 minutes and a new central station downtown. The bigger network includes a Calgary-Banff line and a high-speed Calgary-Edmonton run topping out at 320 km/h. The province is putting $15 million over three years into planning before anyone breaks ground, so the timeline is long, but for the first time the route has a budget line and a target. Read the announcement
The Calgary Fire Department will now show up to your 100th birthday party.
Tied to the 40th anniversary of Alberta's Seniors' Week, CFD launched a program last week where a fire crew pulls up to your door in a truck for any Calgarian turning 100 or more. They've already done a handful of visits — Chief Steve Dongworth says the goal is to recognize older Calgarians while staying connected to the community. If you, your neighbour, or your grandma's grandma is hitting triple digits, the application form is online. See who qualifies
Calgary just broke ground on its first Indigenous-led housing project.
The build is in Erin Woods — 60 units, the first of 379 affordable homes coming through the city's $33-million Maa'too'maa'taapii Aoko'iyii'piaya program. Construction starts this month, with families moving in by January 2028. The fund is the city's largest-ever investment in Indigenous-led housing, distributed across 16 First Nations and non-profit partners. Read the story
So where did Calgary's nightlife actually go?
Electric Avenue is long gone, and no single strip has replaced it. A sharp new feature this week argues Calgary's nightlife isn't dying — it's just scattered across downtown, the Beltline, and 17th Avenue, with smaller rooms doing the work the old clubs used to. The diagnosis: stricter liquor laws, rising rents, less drinking, and Live Nation's grip on the touring market. The piece closes with four very Calgary night-out itineraries: Commonwealth Bar & Stage for the dancefloor, Betty Lou's Library for the speakeasy crowd, the Palomino for a band-and-brisket evening, and the Hexagon Board Game Cafe for a sober one. Read the feature
This is Kingsley, a 3-year-old male Saint Bernard mix who weighs 110 pounds. He is, in the most literal sense, a lot of dog.
Kingsley is friendly and good-natured, but he likes to size up a room before he commits. New people, new spaces, new routines — he wants a beat. Once he's decided you're safe, the affectionate, easygoing dog underneath comes out, and he settles into the warm, sweet personality the shelter staff keep talking about. He needs a home that will move at his pace, not pull him forward by the collar.
He's lived with kids before — older children (12+) are recommended — and he's open to sharing a home with another dog (female preferred) after a successful intro. No cats or small animals in the house.
How to adopt: Visit the Calgary Humane Society. See his profile
Last week, 40.0% of you got it right. The answer was $729,900, and the house was in Evanston. A few of you guessed the neighbourhood correctly, too — nicely done.
This week we are heading back to the inner-city. A new build, just over 4,000 square feet, on a quiet residential street where the location does most of the work.
Take a good look at the photos and cast your vote. Bonus points if you can guess the neighbourhood (just hit reply and shoot us an email with your guess).
What do you think this Calgary house is listed for?
Tuesday, June 9
Come From Away at Theatre Calgary | The Broadway musical about Gander, Newfoundland after 9/11. Runs through June 28. Max Bell Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Tickets
Global Energy Show Canada opens at the BMO Centre | Canada's largest energy B2B exhibition takes over five halls at Stampede Park for three days. 30,000+ attendees expected across the run. Runs through June 11. Details
Wednesday, June 10
Calgary Surge vs. Saskatoon Mamba at WinSport | CEBL basketball. 7:30 p.m. Tickets
Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market | The year-round market in its outdoor season. 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Details
Thursday, June 11
The Stampeders — Prairies Tour at Jack Singer Concert Hall | The Canadian rock band at Werklund Centre. Doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. Tickets
Friday, June 12
Spruce Meadows 'National' Tournament weekend begins | Three days of top-flight show jumping, with country music headliners attached. Friday through Sunday. Schedule
Dallas Smith — Unplugged Full Band Tour at Spruce Meadows | Indoor Equi-Plex show as part of the Live & Intimate series. 7:00 p.m. Tickets
Alberta True Crime Tour at The Confluence | An outdoor walking tour through Alberta's most notorious cases, with the Confluence's Evening Light hours running the same night. Two tours: 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Details
Inglewood Night Market | The summer market is back on 10 Avenue and 10 Street SE. Local vendors, food trucks, live music, free admission. 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Details
Saturday, June 13
Polar Bear Breakfast at the Wilder Institute | Before-hours viewing of Baffin and Siku in the Wild Canada zone, then a buffet breakfast. 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Tickets
Easy Days Pop-Up Market at East Village Riverwalk Plaza | Local designers, vintage curators, food trucks, live music. Free. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Details
Calgary Reptile Expo at the Genesis Centre | Snakes, lizards, frogs, tarantulas, isopods. Runs through Sunday. Sat 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sun 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets
Calgary Stampede First Nations Rodeo & Relay at GMC Stadium | The inaugural First Nations Rodeo features eight rodeo disciplines and five relay heats, with cultural performances and a First Nations marketplace alongside. 6:30 p.m. Tickets
Farmers & Makers Market at cSPACE Marda Loop | Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through October 17. Details
Maren Morris — dreamGIRL Tour at Spruce Meadows | Indoor Equi-Plex show. 18+. 7:00 p.m. Tickets
Napalm Death at The Palace Theatre | UK grindcore legends, with Primitive Man, Dying Remains, and Culled opening. Doors 6:30 p.m. Tickets
Sunday, June 14
Wolf Willow Jewelry Workshop at The Confluence | Make a matching bracelet and earrings set from wolf willow beads with a Métis artisan, learning the plant's history and uses along the way. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Details
Want your event to be featured? Hit reply and send us the details. If it's cool, we'll share it with Calgary.
Tom Phillips & The DTs (Honky-Tonk Tuesdays) | The Blues Can | Tue, 8:00 p.m. Details
Punk Rock Bingo | Ship & Anchor | Tue, 7:00 p.m. Details
Jolene Marie | Gravity Espresso | Tue, 6:30 p.m. Details
Ben Rose | The Blues Can | Wed, 8:00 p.m. Details
Open Mic | Ironwood Stage | Wed, 7:00 p.m. Details
Bob Log III w/ Bug Swallow, Bog Bodies | Palomino Smokehouse | Wed, 8:00 p.m. Details
Miesha And The Spanks w/ Electric Lemonade, Quit It! | Ship & Anchor | Wed, 9:00 p.m. Details
Paeton Cameron and The Vat Pack | The Blues Can | Thu, 8:00 p.m. Details
Ashley Law | King Eddy | Thu, 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Steve Hill's Birthday Bash | Ironwood Stage | Thu, 8:00 p.m. Details
Darren Johnson (Happy Hour) | The Blues Can | Fri, 5:00 p.m. Details
Happy Hour with Erika Mae | King Eddy | Fri, 4:30 p.m. Details
Lucky Sonne (Luke Colborne & Kean Eng) | Ironwood Stage | Fri, 8:00 p.m. Details
Alex Hughes — EP Release Party | King Eddy | Fri, 8:30 p.m. Get tickets
Crawford and Company | The Blues Can | Fri, 9:00 p.m. Details
Octoduck, Worrywart & Vanden Dool | Palomino Smokehouse | Fri, 8:00 p.m. Details
Local Techno @ CU Fridays | Commonwealth Bar | Fri, 10:00 p.m. Details
Acoustic Afternoons with Anna Lewis | King Eddy | Sat, 11:30 a.m. Details
Saturday Afternoon Jam with Mike Clark | The Blues Can | Sat, 3:00 p.m. Details
Jens Lindemann & Friends Birthday Bash | King Eddy | Sat, 7:00 p.m. Get tickets
Battle River Album Release w/ Denver Venoit | Ironwood Stage | Sat, 8:00 p.m. Get tickets
Wack, Farlane and PB&JAMES | Palomino Smokehouse | Sat, 8:00 p.m. Details
HOUSE PARTY 4.0 — Common Saturdays | Commonwealth Bar | Sat, 10:00 p.m. Get tickets
Crawford and Company | The Blues Can | Sat, 9:00 p.m. Details
Pete & Meg | Ironwood Stage | Sun, 1:00 p.m. Details
Songsmith Sundays with Carter Felker | King Eddy | Sun, 11:30 a.m. Details
Sunday Afternoon Jam | The Blues Can | Sun, 3:00 p.m. Details
NMC Jam Club Gig Day | King Eddy | Sun, 3:00 p.m. Details
Sunday Night Blues Jam | The Blues Can | Sun, 8:00 p.m. Details
St. Francis Alumni Band | Ironwood Stage | Mon, 7:00 p.m. Details
Tooth Blackner Presents: Reibl Tedesco McGill | King Eddy | Mon, 7:00 p.m. Get tickets
Have a great week.
P.S. Forward this to someone whose dog has a very formal human name.