MAY LISTINGS

Banff Summer Arts Festival
When: Ongoing, until Friday, Sept. 5
What: “Festival,” in this case, is just a handy umbrella term for four solid months of summer arts programming at the Banff Centre. The May lineup has a strong focus on jazz performances as well as the debut of a new work by Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal.
Where: 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr., Banff.
Box office: 1-800-413-8368.
banffcentre.ca/bsaf/2008.

Otafest
When: Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18
What: The little animation festival that began 10 years ago as a one-day film fest has hit double digits and my, how it has grown. This year’s party includes Otafest Idol with anime and J-pop tunes, chess with live-action pieces, Pocky sculptures and plenty of cosplay.
Where: University of Calgary. Admission: adults, $20; children six to 12, $10.
otafest.com.

Canmore Children’s Festival
When: Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17
What: A comedic daredevil, extreme hula-hooper and huge pirate-themed game of tag are a few of the wacky and wonderful events. Big Friday includes a break-dance workshop and Much Video Dance experience with pizza and soft drinks.
Where: Canmore Collegiate High School, 1800 8th Ave. Big Friday, $10; Saturday admission, $2; festival pass, $10, includes mainstage shows Michael Berends Magic, Checkerboard Guy and Norman Foote.
canmorechildrensfestival.com.

Windy Mountain Music
When: Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18
What: Jewish-themed films, discussions and cuisine with chamber concerts influenced by Jewish world-music and the Klezmer tradition in Alberta’s oldest theatre.
Where: The Empress Theatre, 235 Main St., Fort Macleod. Four-concert pass, $70; students, $24. Individual concerts, $25; students, $12. Taste of Israel, meal, $32.50; wine tasting, $15. Films, $5; students, $3.50.
windymountain.ca.

Calgary International
Children’s Festival
When: Tuesday, May 20 to
Saturday, May 24
What: A parent-friendly, kiddie-oriented festival with 92 performances over five days ranging from hip-hop revues to circus comedy to German puppetry.
Where: At Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, 205 8th Ave. S.E. Tickets at TM.
calgarychildfest.org.

Festival of Quilts
When: Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25
What: Members from 24 Alberta guilds blanket the park with their cosy and colourful creations.
Where: At Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. Free with admission to the park. Adults, $15; seniors, $13; children aged three to 17, $10. 268-8500,
heritagepark.ca.

4th Street Lilac Festival
When: Sunday, May 25
What: One massive block party in Mission with multiple entertainment stages, hundreds of craft and food vendors and crowds upwards of 125,000, all there to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.
Where: 4streetcalgary.com.

Speak Out 10 Learning Festival
When: Monday, May 26 to Saturday, May 31
What: Celebration of disability pride and
culture includes a visual art display at City
Hall; workshops in film, theatre, dance and leadership; talks; a parade and a closing
cabaret night with performances by disabled artists and comedians.
Where: Alexandra Centre, 922 9th Ave. S.E. and Epcor Centre, 205 8th Ave. S.E.
proudtobedisabled.com.

Fairy Tales International
Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
When: Tuesday, May 27 to Thursday, June 5
What: Alberta’s only queer film fest marks its 10th anniversary this year by expanding to ten days and including flashback screenings of films from previous festivals in addition to this year’s new award-winning offerings.
Where: Venues around the city. General
admission, $10; festival pass, $99.
fairytalesfilmfest.com.

Asian Night Market and Festival
When: Friday, May 30, 7 p.m. to midnight,
and Saturday, May 21, 2 p.m. to midnight
What: Storytellers, musicians, game booths and a hustling, bustling market to celebrate Asian Heritage Month.
Where: Olympic Plaza.
asianheritagecalgary.ca.

Bragg Creek Festival
When: Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31
What: Because of the unpredictable May weather, the hamlet wisely keeps their
inaugural music fest indoors. Performers
include James Keelaghan, Land’s End
Chamber Ensemble and Balu with Toto
Berriel and Alberto San Martin.
Where: Bragg Creek Centre, 23 White Ave. Friday night workshop, $15. Saturday: adults, $40; youth/seniors, $25. 949-4114,
braggcreekfestival.com.

Canadian Rockies Cowboy Festival
When: Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 1
What: Music and poetry by Gary Fjellgaard, Larry & Dwain Sands and Joni Harms set against a mountain backdrop. Add in some
two-stepping and a steak barbecue and you can’t get much more cowboy.
Where: David Thompson Resort, 45 km west of Nordegg on Hwy 11. Three-day pass, $70 in advance ($85 at the gate); kids 13-16, $40. Individual tickets: Friday, $20; Saturday, $60; Sunday, $10. 1-888-810-2103,
davidthompsonresort.com.

Rocky Mountain Wine
and Food Festival
When: Saturday, May 31, 2-5 p.m. or 7-10 p.m.
What: The eats-and-drinks-sampling event that has previously whipped epicureans in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton into a frenzy, makes its debut in Banff with its Grand Tasting Hall of premium booze and mini-meals.
Where: At Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Resort. Tickets $20 online; $25 at the door. Sampling coupons 50 cents each.
rockymountainwine.com.