Calgary entertainment: 5 things to do this weekend
The final weekend of November is upon us, and Tracy Fuller has some ideas for making the most of your days off.
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1. Calgary Opera's Lakme
Let's start with a now-or-never show starring one of Canada's top sopranos, Aline Kutan. Calgary Opera's Lakme runs for one more night only: Friday at 8 p.m. at the Jubilee. It's the story of a Hindu priestess who falls in love with a British officer against the wishes of her father. This production has everything — lavish costumes, diverting characters and, of course, beautiful music.
2. Jazzy Nutcracker
For something seasonal, the Calgary Creative Arts Ensemble is jazzing-up The Nutcracker with a performance of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's Nutcracker Suite Saturday afternoon. The show includes New York jazz trumpeter James Zollar and tap dancer Shayne Johnson. Our very own Frank Rackow will host at Grace Presbyterian at 2 p.m., 1009 15th Ave. S.W.
3. What Happened to the Seeker
For something off the beaten track, one of Canada's top experimental theatre companies is in Calgary this week with a project called "What happened to the seeker?" It's video installation theatre, which means there's video, but also an exhibition of objects and performance. Together, the pieces lead the audience on a journey through one North American woman's life from 1965 to 2010 as she tries to recapture something she has lost. Expect the unexpected. It runs through Saturday at Theatre Junction Grand.
4. Legend Has It
Here's something for families. Alberta Theatre Projects' latest production, Legend Has It, by Rebecca Northan, opened this week and runs through the end of the year at the Martha Cohen Theatre. It's a fantasy adventure that relies heavily on improvisation and the talents of audience members. The hero changes every night. Why? Because the hero is chosen from the audience!
5. Fun in the Rockies
For people heading to the mountains this weekend, there's something for everyone. The Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup features the fastest skiers in the world, including the best of the Canadian alpine ski team. On Saturday, they've got the men's downhill and on Sunday the men's Super G. The women hit the hill next week. Admission is free.
After that, there's nothing better than a good apres-ski beverage, and where better to make that happen than at the Banff Craft Beer Festival? It's taking over the Cave and Basin Friday and Saturday. Twenty of Alberta's craft breweries and distilleries will be there, along with live music, food, a shuttle bus and more. Tickets range from $29 to $79.
Finally, on Sunday night at The Banff Centre, master illusionist Darcy Oake will defy logic with his Edge of Reality tour.
