SCENE - Feb 2026

CALGARY’S GUIDE TO GOING OUT

FREE • FEBRUARY 2026 • ISSUE #64

CHEAP DATES

BELLA CONCERT HALL

LUKE REECE

WINTER FESTIVALS

FRANKIE ELOUISE Q&A

BLACK ART IN FOCUS

THESE CREATIVES CHART

THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF CALGARY ART

THINGS TO DO

MUSIC AND GIGS

FOOD AND DRINKS

THEATRE VISUAL ARTS

18 CALGARY NOSTALGIA

The Exposure Photography Festival is refreshingly analog in an increasingly digital age.

PHOTO: EDNA LOUGHEED

We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

13 COVER

Get to know the Black Calgary artists who are blazing new pathways in this collaboration with Afros in tha City.

4

ACT 1, SCENE 1

What to do, see, and hear this month across the city.

8 Q&A

Meet Frankie Elouise, a trans-feminine artist expressing through large-scale figurative painting.

9 ART SCENE

Learn more about Yvonne Mullock’s artistic practice, and see what’s in the galleries this month.

10 THEATRE SCENE

Luke Reece explores his childhood in a mixed-race family with his one-man show, As I Must Live It.

16 DATING SCENE

From romantic nights out to cozy evenings in, we’ve got a cheap date idea for every cheapskate.

Cover Art Adrianne Williams

Publisher Käthe Lemon, klemon@redpointmedia.ca

Editor Nathan Iles, niles@redpointmedia.ca

Editorial Interns Evelina Pak, sceneeditorialintern@redpointmedia.ca

Kiara Neisz, sceneeditorialintern_2@redpointmedia.ca

Founding Editor Mike Bell

Designer Kris Twyman

Print/Digital Production Manager Mike Matovich

CONTRIBUTORS

Catrina Bowles, Cam Hayden, Lissa Robinson, Kimberley Dooshima Jev, Sarah Comber

Client Support Coordinator Alice Meilleur

Senior Account Executive Jocelyn Erhardt

Account Executives Nadine Benoit, Vicki Braaten

Administrative Manager Shahana Beegum

HR Manager Evette Stobo

CEO and co-owner Roger Jewett

President and co-owner Käthe Lemon

Design Director Steve Collins

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada

The Scene is a member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers’ Association and abides by its professional standards. redpointmedia.ca

1721 29 Avenue SW, Suite 375, Calgary, AB, T2T 6T7

20 FESTIVAL SCENE

Winter is heating up in Calgary with all these festivals. Start planning now.

21 VENUE

The Bella Concert Hall is keeping the arts alive at Mount Royal University.

22 Cam Hayden

What to do in February

BY KIARA NEISZ

FROM

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS TO ROBOT DISPLAYS AND PENGUIN WALKS, YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH CALGARY THIS MONTH

HIDDEN FIGURES: A BLACK HISTORY MONTH FILM SCREENING

February 5 | Women’s Centre of Calgary | womenscentrecalgary.org

Join the Black History Month celebrations with a special screening of the 2016 film Hidden Figures, directed by Theodore Melfi. The film highlights the untold, vital stories of the black women working at NASA during the ‘60s. The Women’s Centre of Calgary is screening the film at 5 p.m. After the film ends, stay to connect with other community members at the facilitated community conversation.

KIDS CELEBRATE! EXHIBITION AT HERITAGE PARK

All month long | Heritage Park | heritagepark.ca

Gasoline Alley Museum is hosting Kids Celebrate! to teach kids about different cultures worldwide. Created by the Canadian Museum of History, this travelling exhibit makes for a fun and educational day for both parents and

kids. Get your kid out of the cold and into the celebrating spirit as they learn about holidays such as Hanukkah, Chinese New Year, Halloween and plenty more! Head down anytime between Tuesday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for annual Heritage Park members or included in Gasoline Alley Museum admission.

SINGERS @ SNOWFALL

Until February 9 | Storybook Theatre | storybooktheatre.org

Whether you’re a musical theatre fan or just want to hear some beautiful voices, this makes for an amazing evening out. Storybook Theatre's Singers @ Snowfall is a singing showcase of Broadway’s biggest hits to raise funds for the Ellie Tims Project, which helps low-income families get involved in theatre. $25 tickets don’t just buy you a trip to the theatre; it gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling of giving back to the community and supporting vocal talent. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., don’t be late.

PENGUIN WALK

All month long | Calgary Zoo | calgaryzoo.com

Calling all Penguin-heads. Penguin Walk is an event at the Calgary Zoo where King Penguins take a stroll throughout the grounds, and we all get to tag along for the journey. Up to 13 penguins will get their steps in at 10:30 a.m. daily. Witness the waddle for free with daily admission, which ranges by day from $26.95 to $34.95. Penguins begin their journey from Penguin Plunge and loop around the park; a full map is available on the zoo’s website. Don’t miss this cool (no pun intended) experience.

MECHA MAYHEM 2026

February 7 to 9 | BMO Centre | mechamayhem.ca

Since 2023, Mecha Mayhem has brought together all those interested in robotics, and they’re back at the BMO Centre this February. Register online for free and check out the hard work of middle school, high school, and university students. Robotics competitions, tech company

booths, and opportunities to connect with STEM professionals are just the beginning. The award ceremonies take place on Sunday, where the Mecha Mayhem 2025 champions will be crowned. If you’re looking to hang with robots (and maybe prepare for a robo-apocalypse), Mecha Mayhem is a must-see.

THE GOOD GAMES

February 13 to 15 | BMO Centre | thegoodgames.com

This free all-ages event is a weekend-long sporting event that welcomes anyone as a player, volunteer, or participate in tons of different sports. If you’re a fan of being active, this is for you! The sports they offer include — but are definitely not limited to — beach volleyball, pickleball, squash, and many more. Pack up your family for the day and head down to the BMO Centre for a fun-filled, family-friendly day.

SPARK AFTER DARK: HEART, HEAT, AND BODY

February 13 | Telus Spark | sparkscience.ca

Looking to bring some spice into your life? The 18+ Spark After Dark: Heart, Heat, and Body exhibit at Telus Spark is bringing the heat, exploring the science behind how tension, touch,

and chemistry make humans feel. The calendar is jam-packed from 6 p.m. to midnight, including a live DJ, thermodynamic displays, a heart dissection workshop, and a Valentine’s Day dinner. $36.95 gets you into the event as well as the regular exhibits and the Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits exhibit. Heat up date night with a thrilling evening of fiery fun.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES THE MUSICAL

Starting February 20 | Storybook Theatre | storybooktheatre.org

Storybook Theatre in Beddington Heights welcomes you to their production of Anne of Green Gables The show runs for 120 minutes (with a 15-minute intermission) and retells Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic story of an orphan growing up in Prince Edward Island. Anne of Green Gables explores themes of belonging, which is why Storybook welcomes everyone with open arms, and whether you’re a theatre lover or just looking for something to check out, this show is worth the trip. Head over to their website to purchase your $33 tickets now.

CALGARY BOAT & OUTDOOR SHOW

February 20 to 22 | BMO Centre | calgaryboatandoutdoorshow.ca

As we inch closer to spring, we have to get in that “outdoorsy” mindset. What better place to do that than the Calgary Boat & Outdoor Show? From presentations by local professionals in fishing and hunting, to the kids’ fishing pond with live trout, there’s something here for everyone. Take a trip down to the BMO Centre on Friday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a beginner-friendly event, so don’t feel intimidated by all the hunting gear.

CALGARY HITMEN VS PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS

March 6 | Scotiabank Saddledome | chl.ca

If you’re pinching pennies but still wanna see the good old hockey game, the WHL has your back. On March 7, head down to the Saddledome to show your Calgarian pride by screaming your lungs out at a Hitmen game. The game starts at 7, so get there early to grab your hot dogs and popcorn (and maybe a ‘Dome beer or three).

CJSW January Charts

Direct from your radio pals at 90.9 FM, here is a snapshot of the current artists & albums topping the charts at CJSW. Tune in, turn it up and enjoy.

1. Puppet Wipes** - Live Inside (Siltbreeze Records) Geese - Getting Killed (Partisan Records)

3. Various Artists* - We Are Time Mixtape Vol. 2 (We Are Time)

4. Hélène Barbier* - Panorama (Bonsound)

5. The Radiation Flowers* - Too Much To Dream (Self-Released)

6. AVI** - The Way It’s Always Been (Self-Released) Dry Cleaning - Secret Love (4AD)

8. Patrick Smith* - Words Underlined (Lit Soc Records)

9. Ethan Levy** - Holy Ghost (Self-Released)

10. HOME FRONT* - Watch It Die (LA VIDA ES UN MUS DISCOS)

11. Raleigh** - Fate Is Criminal (Self-Released)

Crasher - Odditi Populaire (Mothland)

13. Nation of Language - Dance Called Memory (Sub Pop)

14. SHY FRiEND** - Snaggletooth EP (Self-Released)

15. The Problem With Kids Today - Take It! (In The Shed)

16. Cass McCombs - Interior Live Oak (Domino)

Shad* - Start Anew (Secret City)

18. Anna Pidgorna* - Invented Folksongs (Redshift Records)

19. Way Ahead Trio** - Strays (Inner Ocean Records)

Odonis Odonis* - Odonis Odonis (Royal Mountain Records)

Maria Dunn* - Hardscrabble Hope (Distant Whisper Music)

Dory Hayley* - I Love Evil (Redshift Music)

Sudan Archives - THE BPM (Stones Throw)

Frankie Cosmos - Different Talking (Sub Pop)

Heaven For Real* - Who Died & Made You The Dream? (Mint Records)

Lorrie Matheson** - Mission to Inglewood (Western Famine)

SPRINTS - All That Is Over (Sub Pop)

TOPS* - Bury the Key (Ghostly International)

Diewob** - Left Behind (Self-Released)

30. Local Singles** - What is Blue in the Garden? (Self-Released)

* Canadian

** Local (Calgary area)

Onstage in February

BY NATHAN ILES

DISCO ORCHESTRAS, RUSSIAN POP MUSIC, THRASH METAL LEGENDS, AND MUCH MORE

ART OF ROMANCE & ART OF SOUL

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra packs in a one-two punch of jazz this evening, with American Songbook standards in the first half (the “romance”) and swingin’ Motown hits in the second half (the “soul”). February 8, 7 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall, calgaryjazzorchestra.com.

MONETOCHKA

This Russian singer-songwriter is playing in Canada for the first time ever, right here in Calgary. Her music straddles indie, pop, and lo-fi sounds that will feel immediately familiar to all the Sled-heads out there. February 12, 7 p.m. at The Palace, thepalacetheatre.ca.

ROMANTIC RAVEL

Want to really impress someone for Valentine’s Day? Take them to the orchestra and enjoy the sweet, “Spanish rhapsody” inspired sounds of French composer Joseph Maurice Ravel. February 13 and 14, 7. 30 p.m. at the Jack Singer, calgaryphil.com

LIGHTS: COME GET YOUR GIRL TOUR

With streams in the hundreds of millions and collaborations with the likes of deadmau5, Lights is a bona fide Canadian pop music legend. This show will feature hits from A6EXTENDED, an expanded “director’s cut” of her 2025 album A6 February 14, 7 p.m. at MacEwan Hall, machallconcerts.com.

LAST DINOSAURS

These Australian indie rockers are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their second album, Wellness, a synth-y coming-of-age record that encapsulates the ‘10s nostalgia we’re all feeling right now. February 17, 7 p.m. at Commonwealth, commonwealthbar.ca.

HARDY

The Country! Country! Country! Tour! (exclamation marks intentional) lands in Calgary this month, featuring the genre-bending country rock jams of Hardy. Cowboy hats are optional, as this isn’t your dad’s rodeo. February 19, 7 p.m. at the Saddledome, scotiabanksaddledome.com.

MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, AND EXODUS

Thrash metal supremacy takes over the ‘Dome, and this former long-haired editor couldn’t be more psyched. I’ll be digging out my best patched vest for this one, and so should you. February 20, 7 p.m. at the Saddledome, scotiabanksaddledome.com.

SANDER VAN DOORN

Calgary rules for a number of reasons, and the fact that you can catch a Dutch electro house legend on Macleod Trail is one of them. This show is free before 10:30 p.m. if you snag a ticket online! February 20, 9 p.m. at The Arrowhead, thearrowheadcalgary.com.

ROCKIN’ 4 DOLLARS

If you’re looking to jump right into Calgary’s local music scene, look no further than Rockin’ 4 Dollars. Every Thursday, multiple bands play mini sets and spin a wheel for prizes in between high fives and chanted lyrics. A guaranteed strong pre-game for your weekend! Every Thursday at the BLOX Arts Centre, bloxartscentre.ca

CANDLELIGHT: TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC

The melancholic tunes of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham are perfectly suited for a string quartet. Add several thousand candles, and you’ve got a recipe for a magical evening. February 21 and March 28 at Grace Presbyterian Church, candlelightexperience.com.

MATT ANDERSEN

This New Brunswick native was nominated for a JUNO award back in 2024 for his soulful blues rock album, The Hammer & The Rose, and it’s the tour in support of that album that’s landing in Calgary. February 25, 8 p.m. at the Jubilee, jubileeauditorium.com.

CURRENT SWELL

Surf rock might make you think of the California sun, but here in Canada, it lives on the coasts of BC and Vancouver Island. Victoria’s Current Swell brings that sun-drenched indie sound to the prairies, with support from Jay Malinowski. February 26, 7.30 p.m. at Dickens, dickensyyc.com.

DRAKE MILLIGAN

From placing on Billboard’s Best Country Albums of 2022 to appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Drake Milligan is one of country’s most exciting rising stars, so this may be one of your last chances to catch him in an intimate setting. February 27, 8 p.m. at Ranchmans, ranchmans.ca.

BIF NAKED

Did you miss this Canadian punk rock queen in the fall when she was here for the Calgary International Film Festival? Here’s your second chance to catch her new documentary, followed by an acoustic performance. March 2, 8 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall, tickets.mru.ca.

DANCE DANCE DISCO

If you’re anything like me and wish you could attend the party from the beginning of Boogie Nights, the Calgary Phil has you covered with this funkified night of disco hits. March 6 and 7, 7.30 p.m. at the Jack Singer, calgaryphil.com.

NOTHING MORE

These Grammy-nominated alt-rockers headline the Grey Eagle with support from Catch Your Breath, Archers, and Doobie. Plus, you can hit the slots between bands if you’re quick enough. March 7, 8 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Event Centre, greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.

BY EVELINA PAK

Frankie Elouise is a trans-feminine multidisciplinary artist working primarily in large-scale figurative painting. She began her career as a tattoo artist, co-founding a studio focused on contemporary, non-traditional work, and after five years transitioned to oil painting to expand her visual language. In 2024, she presented her first solo exhibition, My Hair Is Getting Longer, followed by a billboard project for the Bows Artist-Run Centre titled Queens of the Midway.

In her work, Elouise explores the intersections of femininity, community, and capitalism, questioning how social systems shape identity.

FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES

“I was getting a little burnt out on tattooing. It’s a very physically demanding job. It’s also a lot of socializing and being around people, which I started to find draining.

“Tattooing often means working within someone else’s ideas, and I didn’t feel like I could explore in the way I wanted to.

“I did a lot of flowers and butterflies, mostly really cute tattoos. They were very popular. I developed a strong fundamental understanding of drawing, which really helps with painting. But aesthetically and stylistically, my work as a painter became very different from my tattoo work.”

THIS WORLD, THAT ONE

“Right now, I’m working on my second solo show, for which I received a grant from Calgary Arts Development. I’m still in the early stages, but I know it’s going to be very different from what I’ve made in the past. It will be shown in Calgary in early summer.

“The project focuses on how exploitation exists in our society, and on imagining alternatives to those systems. I’m making two groups of three paintings. The first three will explore a dystopian reality, highlighting the really terrible aspects of how our world works right now.

“The second set of three is more about fantasy, imagining what the world could be, or visualizing

FRANKIE ELOUISE

QUEEN OF THE MIDWAY

FLUIDITY IN SYSTEMS

“I like to intertwine masculine and feminine bodies to create something unusual. It’s a way to show what it feels like to be detached from your body. That kind of dissociation can create strange visual effects, and it reflects how the sense of self can shift.

“I’m interested in the intersection of topics like femininity and capitalism, because they’re deeply connected. There’s so much nuance in how these systems overlap, especially when it comes to gender and social structures, which affect so much of our daily life. For example, the way capitalism influences femininity: women are exploited through industries like makeup and fashion. These standards are made up, but they’re enforced by social systems.

“Community is another theme I think about a lot. Many people don’t feel like they have a community or have a hard time connecting with it because of how our world is structured.

“Part of being an artist is questioning why things are the way they are.”

‘ELON MUSK TAKES ME TO MARS FOR BEING A GIRL’

“This is my most recent piece, made for the Stride Gallery fundraiser. I like this one because I made it mostly for fun, and it came together very organically. It’s weird, dreamy, and set in outer space. It has a really crazy name.

“I started with a colour scheme, because the print process for the fundraiser allowed a maximum of three colours. I knew I wanted blue and red, and then I thought about what could be red, and I was like, ‘Oh, the planet Mars.’

systems that counteract those structures. I think the work is going to feel fun and experimental.”

A BIG LEARNING CURVE

“When I started painting, I was just doing whatever felt right, and it’s evolved a lot over time. I didn’t go to school, so I taught myself through books and conversations with friends.

“I study what I like about certain pieces and

what I don’t. There’s been a lot of trial and error, and a lot of work that never sees the light of day because I hate it.

“There are so many different ways to make paintings, and I love seeing work by women and queer artists. Toni Cormier, Marigold Santos, [and] Solana Morante are my local inspirations. Louise Bonnet, Judy Chicago and Francine Gravel are some of my current international ones.”

“I was already thinking about similar themes in my work, like billionaire patriarchy takeover. It felt very present at the time, and I wanted to play with that.

“[The painting subject] looks so defeated, annoyed, tired of it all.”

This Q&A was created in collaboration with Werklund Centre. To see more of Frankie Elouise’s work, visit frankieelouise.com or follow her on Instagram: @princess_girly_gurl.

Art That Misbehaves

BY LISSA ROBINSON

Yvonne Mullock’s art loves to misbehave. Whether she’s transforming underwear into ceramic sculptures, collaborating on a printmaking project with a horse, or orchestrating an oversized game of Pick Up Sticks with a loose assembly of dogs, Mullock approaches art with mischief, intent, and an eye for the absurd. “I do have a sense of humour,” Mullock said — an understatement that barely captures the wit and irreverence running through her work. Mullock’s upcoming exhibition, Why Don’t You…, offers an opportunity to reflect not only on her current work but on a career shaped by playful provocation and a resistance to the polite social boundaries. Borrowing its title from a ‘30s fashion column by Diana Vreeland, the exhibition reframes suggestion as an audacious invitation. Rather than instructing viewers on what to think, Mullock cajoles them into reexamining familiar tropes with surprise and uncertainty.

IN THE GALLERIES THIS MONTH

CONTEMPORARY CALGARY

Trees communicate with each other at 220 hertz

Nelly-Eve Rajotte

Until April 19, 2026

Nelly-Eve Rajotte’s immersive installation combines moving image, generative sound, and live interaction with a tree to evoke the spectral presence of the boreal forest. Inviting intimate engagement, it explores ecological fragility, climate change, and non-human memory, fostering reflection, empathy, and a profound sense of connection between humans, nature, and technology.

ESKER FOUNDATION

Until March 26, 2026

This winter, four distinct exhibitions — featuring Anthony Cudahy, Justin de Verteuil, Magalie Guérin, and Alexandre Pépin — highlight the enduring power of painting. Each show explores fleeting moments of connection, tenderness, and desire, embracing ambiguity and complexity. Together, they offer a counterpoint to the speed and spectacle of contemporary life, inviting slow looking, reflection, and material engagement.

Her unique ethos comes into focus in Proofread, a project also featured in the exhibition. Composed of a relief-printed alphabet made from used clothing gathered through Mullock’s friendships, the installation invites viewers to rearrange letters into their own words and statements. The result is an ever-changing communal text; part message board, part wordplay, and shaped by touch, chance, and collective authorship. As garments carry personal histories, so too do the phrases that emerge, accumulating meaning through revision and exchange.

Spanning works made over the past decade, the exhibition brings together printmaking, video, ceramics, sculpture, quilting, costume, and installation. Oversized gloves, hooked rugs, and crushed hats are featured alongside video and sculptural works that push familiar forms just far enough to be playful yet unsettling.

Raised in the UK, Mullock brings a distinctly British sensibility to her work, one that embraces awkwardness, crassness, and social discomfort rather than refinement. She has long been interested in dismantling the invisible hierarchies that separate “high” and “low” culture, questioning who decides what is tasteful, offensive, or worthy of serious attention. Craft-based processes such as quilting, ceramics, collage, and rug hooking

recur throughout her practice; not just as nostalgic gestures, but as tools for disrupting entrenched value systems around labour, gender, class, and consumption. A hooked rug reading I MADE IT, shown at an art fair, becomes a pointed comment on authorship, markets, and artistic labour.

While humour is often the entry point, it’s not the destination. Her work aims to catch viewers off guard, to gently unsettle, and to shift their perspectives. Questions around feminism, capitalism, social norms, and craft history are embedded in the work rather than spelled out, allowing meaning to emerge through encounter and participation. For example, in works like Harmonia, which uses mushrooms as both material and metaphor for human connection, personal loss, and collective systems, these elements quietly intersect.

Why Don’t You… invites viewers to engage in uncertainty, play, and contradiction. Mullock’s practice challenges traditional modes of making, favouring art that is social, tactile, and disobedient. The exhibition reminds us that creating and experiencing art can be collaborative, messy, and mischievous.

Why Don’t You… can be experienced at the Nickle Galleries from February 6 to April 30. More information at nickle.ucalgary.ca.

NEWZONES GALLERY

PRISM ROOMS 2026

Until April 25, 2026

Megan Dyck’s figurative paintings explore disembodied faces in states of euphoria and limerence, merging direct gaze and polyphonic colour. Evoking dance subcultures, synth sounds, and chromesthesia, her layered, mosaic-like process creates sensuous, atmospheric images that blend intimacy and psychedelia, transforming photomontage references into cinematic fields of floating, luminous visages.

HERRING KISS GALLERY

Light, Trace, Time

Until February 28, 2026

The gallery is presenting Light, Trace, Time as part of the Exposure Photography Festival, a month-long celebration of photography across Alberta. The exhibition features David Burdeny, Dan Hudson, Brian Flynn, Laurel Johannesson, and Mitch Kern. Through their distinct practices, each artist explores the camera’s potential to connect past and present, memory and reality, revealing new possibilities within the medium.

As I Must Live It

LUKE

REECE’S

POETIC STORYTELLING ROARS TO LIFE

BY EVELINA PAK

Black History Month is not only a chance to celebrate Black artists but also an opportunity to better understand the community. As I Must Live It explores a deeply personal, yet widely relatable and often uncomfortable topic: mental health in Black communities. Long considered taboo, it remains difficult for many to talk about.

The one-actor show is written and performed by poet Luke Reece and developed in collaboration with director Daniele Bartolini. Blending poetry, storytelling, and immersive theatrical elements by Limbic Cinema, the piece draws from Reece’s childhood, centring on his father’s experience with mental illness.

SECRETS THAT WE KEEP

“His pupils look Black; Cyclical and silenced my stigma. And I wonder if mine look the same.”

The show grew out of Creases, a poem Reece performed at an international competition in Paris. The poem was later translated into several languages, prompting people to share how meaningful it was to hear a story that made them feel less alone.

“Mental illness isn't something that's talked about a lot within families of colour,” said Reece. “I think it's about opening up the dialogue. Somebody has to be the first person to take the step.”

Despite the unsettling subject matter, the show never feels heavy-handed. Reece weaves humour throughout the performance. “I love to laugh, and I don't do anything unless I'm having fun,” he said. The humour allows the audience to open up and follow the story as it unfolds. “I'm not doing the show to make people cry; I'm telling a story so people can reflect on themselves.”

“We’re ... trying to bring as much embodiment of the storytelling into the space with myself and the audience.”

LUKE REECE

BECOME PART OF THE STORY

To shape the piece for the stage, Reece collaborated with internationally recognized director Daniele Bartolini, whom he met by chance when he first began developing the work. “Daniele was exactly the right director to bring in,” Reece said. “He was integral to the dramaturgy of the piece, shaping the text and helping me highlight certain moments.”

Together, they built the show’s skeleton, working with stories that stretch back to Reece’s high school years. “It’s about putting the words into space and finding a dimension for both him and the audience,” Bartolini said.

The experience begins before the audience even enters the theatre. The show opens in the lobby, where the prologue unfolds over the first 15 minutes. Reece interacts directly with audience members, talking to them and handing out objects. “You become part of the story.”

This approach is reinforced through immersive design and accessibility features, including captions. At times, the captions don’t fully align,

or translations feel imperfect — a “broken telephone” effect that occurs when stories are passed down and retold. Even interruptions or glitches become part of the performance. “We’re breaking the fourth wall in so many ways,” said Reece, “trying to bring as much embodiment of the storytelling into the space with myself and the audience.”

Winning over an audience can be challenging, but when the connection lands, it often leads to unexpected moments. “That’s ultimately why I chose theatre,” Reece said. “To connect with other human beings through words and performance.”

ETERNAL QUESTIONS

As I Must Live It premiered in Toronto in 2024 and will now be presented at the YMCA in Calgary. While the core of the show remains intact, it subtly changes with each performance. Openings are rewritten to reflect Reece’s relationship with the city he’s performing in.

Coincidentally, the Toronto premiere also took

place in February during Black History Month, though Reece said the timing wasn’t intentional. “I would have done this show any month of the year, because our stories shouldn’t be limited to just one month.”

Both Reece and Bartolini hope to take the production across the country. “This is a very important voice in new Canadian theatre,” said Bartolini. “It’s almost like listening to a confession.”

The show indeed touches on sensitive terrain: childhood, mental health, relationships with parents and questions we inevitably return to, again and again, as we must live with it.

As I Must Live It will be presented across two different weekends:

• February 6 and 7, Evan Hazell Theatre at Brookfield Residential YMCA, Seton

• February 13 and 14, BMO Theatre at Shane Homes YMCA, Rocky Ridge For more info, visit ymcacalgary.org.

NOMINATE A SCENESTER

What makes a cultural scene? Is it the work? The community? The stages, the spaces, the programming? It’s all of these things — but more than that, a scene is made up of people. And that’s what we want to celebrate.

Every spring, The Scene profiles a group of Scenesters, movers and shakers that make things happen in Calgary through taste-making, community building, and elbow grease. From artistic directors to bookstore owners and non-profit leaders, these are the people putting in the work to make Calgary a vibrant place to live and create.

We want to celebrate these folks and get their top recommendations for things to do, places to see, and ones to watch in the city!

Some Scenesters from our Class of ‘25 include Métis artist Caleigh Crow, trans musician and tattoo artist Mason Jenkins, and stand-up comedian Jeff D’Silva.

Do you know someone who goes the extra mile in your community? A trendsetting leader, or an undersung hero doing the hard work to make your scene happen?

Scan the QR code below and nominate them today!

FEBRUARY 16 • FREE ADMISSION

FAMILY DAY AT STUDIO BELL W/ BETABOYS

‘ 80s COSTUME CONTEST. ALL-AGES ACTIVITIES. KIDS JAM SESSIONS. KIMBALL THEATRE ORGAN DEMOS. INTERACTIVE MUSIC EXHIBITIONS. SCAVENGER HUNT. THE CRICKETTES LIVE AT THE KING EDDY. OSCAR PETERSON PIANO TRIBUTE.

FEBRUARY 7 • FREE ADMISSION ( un ) decided FEaTURINg

Black Futures Black History

BY KIMBERLEY DOOSHIMA JEV

Kimberley Dooshima Jev is the CEO of Afros in tha City, a media collective and creative platform dedicated to amplifying Black voices and experiences.

Over the past five years, Afros in tha City has moved with intentional momentum, reflecting and contributing to a growing recognition of Black artists and Black arts administrators across Calgary and Alberta. As a publisher, I have witnessed change take root across our city and province through visionaries rising, artists reshaping public spaces, and community forming through loss, heartbreak, change, and collective gathering. In these moments, a deeper openness has emerged. One committed to building more, together.

Questions have been answered. Time has evolved. Rifts have been repaired, lives restored, and hope renewed. Through collaboration and exploration, long-exhausted narratives have been intentionally laid to rest, making space for something new. What follows is a reimagining. A new era expanding what it means to be an artist and to thrive within bodies and communities once siloed or sidelined.

This is not a departure from reality, but a reckoning with it. One that transforms limitation into possibility and grounds the future in intention, creativity, and collective care. History has been examined, and deeper truths have surfaced in ways we could not have anticipated. Whether through convergence or timing, the shift is no longer gradual. It has taken form.

Calgary is emerging as a hub of true artistry, rooted not only in the celebration of Black history but in the evolution

and continued succession of Black arts in Alberta. Black history has built Black futures. This month, we bring forward artists who transcend space and time — artists who define Calgary as a city of hope, a city worth staying in, and Alberta as a province worthy of honour, investment, and return. The question of whether to stay or go is one I have explored with deep consideration. The decision to keep Afros in tha City rooted in Calgary despite the board’s extensive international reach, has prompted many to ask why we continue to do this work here. The answer remains the same: Calgary is home. Alberta is where we belong.

Slowly and with intention, we continue to build collaborations with organizations and press outlets, reaching people through time-honoured practices while learning to move thoughtfully within an ever-expanding digital world. While the surge of digitized content and history can feel overwhelming, staying connected to voices, to people, and to place has anchored the work.

It has been both humbling and deeply affirming to witness the rise of artists and thought leaders long overdue for their moment. For this piece, I connected with artists, developing voices, and seasoned leaders who are paving and weaving pathways for legacy to take shape, linking those near and far to the deep, pulsing heartbeat of the city.

Tea Fannie: It's All Love

For Tea Fannie, the work has never been just about the stage; it moves fluidly between performance, facilitation and community-building. She is creating spaces where people feel welcomed into the experience of music, not shut out by it.

Tea Fannie is deeply invested in mentorship and education. Together with fellow leaders in the arts, such as Bethel Afework, executive director and co-founder of The Alcove Centre for the Arts, hip-hop artist Rubix, and Funk-E, Fannie serves as a program facilitator with Unity Charity in Alberta, working with young people through art, rap, and poetry programming.

Season two of the program launches this month, marking another chapter in her ongoing commitment to youth development, creative confidence, and expression.

While supporting others, Tea Fannie continues to nurture her own creative practice. She is currently working on a new music video for "Be Loved," a track from her 2024 album, It’s All Love, which received critical acclaim, multiple YYC Music Award nominations, and national recognition. Though she is always creating, she remains intentional about pace, allowing the work to unfold without rushing what comes next.

SOFAR SOUNDS

In early 2026, Tea Fannie stepped into a new leadership role as a producer for Sofar Sounds, bringing the globally recognized intimate concert experience back to Calgary. Known for secret venues and surprise lineups, Sofar Sounds centres connection over spectacle.

Tea Fannie’s first Calgary-produced Sofar show

takes place on February 14, with monthly events to follow, each designed with accessibility and inclusivity at the forefront.

“I’m really focused on inclusivity right now,” she said. “And accessibility. That’s huge for me.”

Within the context of Black History Month, Tea Fannie’s work reflects a shift from celebration alone to sustained creation. By building access, mentoring youth, producing inclusive platforms, and remaining present in the community, she shows how Black history continues to inform Black futures in real time.

You can see Tea Fannie at the Calgary Ethnik Festival (February 27 to March 1). For more info, check ethnikfestivals.com.

K-Riz: Building Futures Through Sound

As an artist, producer, and community builder, K-Riz focuses on creating spaces that introduce young people to creative and professional possibilities early.

“For me, it’s exciting to see their faces light up,” he said. “You never know where a kid is coming from, so being able to put them in a room with instruments they can touch, feel, and fall in love with — that shapes the future of what we’re building. I didn’t have access to that until my late 30s.”

That belief is at the heart of Jam Club, a weekly program K-Riz participates in at the National Music Center, where young artists come together to make music, collaborate, and perform live. For him, stage experience is essential to artistic development and a way to build confidence and self-recognition.

“Getting on a stage, having people watch — you grow from that,” he said. “It makes me happy to empower them through music. That, to me, is the responsibility and the excitement of becoming an elder in this community. Art can be self-serving, so giving

back matters.”

At its core, K-Riz’s work is about continuity, ensuring the next generation has more access, more confidence, and more room to imagine. For him, the future isn’t abstract. It’s already in the room, learning, listening, and waiting to be heard.

REACHING FAR BEYOND

His upcoming album, Heaven, reflects that same ethos of community-building. During one recent session, K-Riz put out a call for vocalists, expecting just a few responses. But more than 20 musicians showed up, including young ones.

“That’s community,” he said. “In Alberta, there’s a perceived ceiling — people think there’s only so far you can go.” Through collaborations with nationally recognized artists and Grammy-certified producers, as well as mentors now based in Western Canada, K-Riz is committed to shifting that perception. “I want to show them they can reach further. You don’t always need to leave. We have

so much right here.”

Heaven, arriving in the fall, is both a creative milestone and a community statement. The 14-track album was recorded between the National Music Centre and 3rd Verse Studios, grounding the project within Calgary’s cultural landscape.

It brings together an expansive circle of collaborators. Production comes from LordQuest, Junia-T, El.Wav, KazMega, JDats, Matt Marlo, Bubby Lewis, Octavio N. Santos, Deppisch, and The Family, while featured artists include Drezus, Bijaan, Tea Fannie, Ice Tha One, BKay, and Zenon. More than an album, Heaven functions as a gathering point. By bringing national and international talent into Calgary-based spaces, K-Riz continues to challenge the perceived ceilings placed on artists in Alberta, showing that world-class work can be built here, together, and in community.

You can see K-Riz & The Family perform in partnership with JazzYYC on February 15 at Eau Claire Plaza Chinook Blast.

Adrianne Williams: The Art of Holding Space

Adrianne Williams is a celebrated author and multidisciplinary visual artist with a seasoned presence in Calgary’s arts community. She has contributed to Calgary’s cultural landscape through projects with BUMP and through artist-in-residence roles at Art Central (2008) with the Allied Arts Foundation and the Ledge Gallery at the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts (2009).

Williams’ work is vibrant and thought-provoking. Her paintings, installations, and video works explore her Carib-

bean ancestry, often engaging with themes of pop culture and cultural collision. Her art lives on the walls of private homes, across the city through public murals, and comes to life through live participatory works at community events (and it also lives on the cover of this magazine you are holding! ). While deeply grounded in Calgary, Williams has exhibited her work nationally across Canada and internationally in Italy and Spain, as well as through virtual exhibitions.

“As a painter, the work can often feel lonely and isolating, but finding a strong

In 1914, Charles Daniels, a Black man, was denied access to the seat he had purchased on the main floor of the Sherman Grand Theatre (now The GRAND) when he arrived to see King Lear. He was instructed to sit in the “coloured section” on the balcony, rather than the seat he had purchased.

Daniels refused this treatment and hired a lawyer to sue the theatre, making his case one of the earliest documented civil rights challenges in Alberta. When the lawsuit came before the court, neither the defendants nor

sense of community has changed everything for me,” Williams reflects on her practice. “That support has opened doors to many opportunities, allowing me to step into the realm of public art. My practice has become more socially conscious and has allowed me to create work that connects deeply with people and the spaces that we share.”

Works by Adrianne Williams can be viewed on February 3 at The GRAND, alongside fellow artists from the community, in a collective celebration and remembrance of Charles Daniels.

5 Artists 1 Love

For over two decades, 5 Artists 1 Love, an annual Black History Month exhibition, has stood as a powerful testament to what is possible when Black artistry is not only showcased but sustained. Rooted in Edmonton, it has consistently celebrated the depth, range, and brilliance of African-Canadian communities, stretching from Angola to Zanzibar, Togo to Tobago, Brazil to Barbados.

As the exhibition marks its 20th anniversary, there is a clear sense of return and renewal. This year, 20 artists who have participated in 5 Artists 1 Love over the years come back together — each carrying their own evolution, their own voice, their own lived experience. The works presented reflect not only artistic growth, but the layered global and local narratives that continue to inform African-diasporic creativity in this country.

Organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta and curated by Darren W. Jordan, the founder of 5 Artists 1 Love, the exhibition feels less like a retrospective and more like a continuation — a proof that legacy is not something we look back on, but something we actively build.

“It is amazing to see such an event hold strong for Edmonton,” said artist and cultural leader Arlo Maverick. “Darren Jordan, the creator and visionary, is one of the largest employers of Black artists and administrators. His events have brought people together for art and music. He’s done some amazing work. This is a legacy.”

the theatre's lawyers appeared, and Daniels won by default. A judge set aside the decision shortly after, giving Sherman another chance to pursue the case, but there is no record of the case going to trial, and its outcome remains unclear to this day.

Daniels’ actions made him an advocate for Black dignity and civil rights, and his story holds a significant place in Calgary’s history.

At this moment, The GRAND has established the Charles Daniels Committee, led by Cheryl Foggo, Wakefield Brewster, and Lisa LaTouche. The committee supports meaningful relationships with Black artists and Black audiences across the city.

That legacy is evident not only in the artists featured, but in the infrastructure Darren Jordan has built — one that prioritizes employment, representation, and long-term sustainability for Black creatives and cultural workers. In a landscape where so many initiatives struggle to survive, 5 Artists 1 Love has endured, holding space for emerging voices while honouring those who have paved the way.

It stands as a reminder that celebration alone is not enough. What matters is continuity. What matters is care. What matters is creating platforms that allow artists not just to be seen, but to thrive. 20 years on, the work continues. And in that continuation, we see what legacy truly looks like.

Cheap Dates for Cheapskates

SHOW YOUR LOVE WITHOUT EMPTYING YOUR WALLET WITH THESE AFFORDABLE CALGARY DATE IDEAS

BY CATRINA BOWLES

Chocolates, roses, dinner and a movie — not a bad way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but a little hard on the wallet, especially when bank accounts are still recovering from the holiday season. Whether you want to have a special evening with your boo or just want to kick it with your friends, there’s a cheapskate’s way to celebrate.

First Date

Price: $0 to $20

Making a good impression on a first date doesn’t mean spending the big bucks. Skip the movies this time and opt for a date where you can chat while exploring the city.

For a date with plenty of talking points while staying out of the cold, head over to the Werklund Centre and check out the Plus-15 Galleries. These free galleries are currently showcasing Tiny Wonders: A Wunderbriefs Retrospective, which features tableaus from tiny puppet shows. The snippets of stories these pieces show make great conversation starters for you and your date to bond over.

While you’re in the heart of downtown, sample a few drinks from the YYC Hot Chocolate Fest Since you’re already in the Werklund Centre, be sure to try the offering from Cravings Bistro, which has historically been a powerhouse in the contests’ “Best Spirited Hot Chocolate” category. It may not be a glass of wine with a fancy dinner, but you’ll still get a pleasant buzz.

Friend Date

Price: $6 to $100

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be romantic. Treat a friend (or many) to a date over at Urban Thrift on Centre Street. This consignment store is packed with a curated selection of wicked second-hand finds, from trendy name brands to high-quality Japanese denim. For Valentine’s Day, the shop is offering 20 per cent off all clothing and accessories, plus there’ll be snacks and refreshments on site. Browse the racks and try on the crazy outfits your friends put together for you. Whether you leave empty-handed or with your new favourite fit, it’ll be a blast. Reserve your spot on eventbrite.com.

After trying on some thrifty threads, grab a bite to eat. Calgary staple The Holy Grill recently opened up a new location on Centre Street for some filling grub, or hit up Milk Ice Cream Club and sample their selection of seasonal flavours. If you and your buds would prefer something boozier, then just step a few doors down to Two Pillars and sample a flight of Belgian brews for $13 in a cozy taproom.

Big Anniversary

Price: $74 to $163

If you’re celebrating something major this Valentine’s, then you already know the standard itinerary: a fancy dinner paired with an equally fancy price tag. But if you want to do something a little different and a little friendlier on your wallet, then we’ve got an idea.

Kick off your romantic evening earlier and hit up some downtown happy hours along the CTrain Free Fare Zone. Pigeonhole Downtown has some great options for people-pleasing bites (the mushroom croquettes are killer), all $10 and under for their 2 to 5 p.m. happy hour.

After your belly is full, it's time to hop on the train over to Central Library for the star of the evening. Grab yourself a couple of tickets to Candlelight, a concert performed by a live string quartet. Enjoy romantic favourites like “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “My Heart Will Go On,” and “La Vie En Rose” while bathed under the hazy glow of the candles. Grab your tickets on showpass.com.

Low Key

Price: $10 to $20

For a quiet and cozy Valentine’s Day, start your day with a venture down to Central Memorial Park. Even with a bit of snow on the ground, this park at the centre of the city is a scenic jaunt, and small enough that you won't freeze. When the cold gets too much, head into the Memorial Park Library and check out a couple of books that catch your eye. You’ll want it for the next stop on your date.

Spell your feelings out clearly to your beau with a trip down the street to I Love You Coffee Shop. With an adorably apt name and cute decor, this spot is perfect for a low-key coffee date. The shop is inspired by Japanese jazz bars, so you’ll get to enjoy some smooth tunes while you sip a latte and read the book you just checked out. If you're hungry, be sure to grab a Montreal-style bagel to munch on.

When you’re done reading, check out the shop's record selection. I Love You Coffee Shop is supplied by Inner Ocean Records, a Calgary-based indie label offering up jazz, lo-fi, modern funk, and more. You may just find a new hidden gem.

Off-Beat

Price: $21 to $50

If you want to shake things up this Valentine’s Day, venture down to the Bow Habitat Station for some outdoorsy fun. Running from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the 14th annual Fishtival celebrates our scaly friends in the Bow River with family-friendly games and activities. While learning about fish may not scream “romance” to everybody, grabbing a picture at the habitat station’s photo op spots will leave you with a memory you won’t soon forget. Grab a ticket at bowhabitat.alberta.ca.

After you’ve had your fill of fish, fill up your belly just down the road from Calgary’s favourite greasy spoon, Blackfoot Diner. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served all day, so pick out whatever your heart desires. And if you want to add something a little cute-sy to your off-beat day, grab a $7.50 milkshake to share.

Cozy Night In

Price: $99+ tax

It’s still winter out there, and your nice going-out clothes probably aren’t the warmest thing in the world. So if staying in and hiding from the cold is how you’d prefer to spend your Valentine’s, then why not curl up on the couch with your special someone and bring the romance to you?

Bring the romantic candlelit dinner to your home with a local meal kit, like Lina’s Italian Market’s “Cena Per Due.”

While the cost is going to run you about the same as a night out, you get the self-satisfaction of saying you cooked the food yourself — even if all you needed to do was boil some water. Just be sure to order and pick it up in advance. Order yours at linasmarket.com.

Throw on a flick while enjoying your food, or for the nerdier lovebirds, tune in to the 9 Lives Video Game Marathon, streaming on the Help a Buddy Fund’s Twitch channel. This 16-hour stream raises money for animal rescues across Alberta. So enjoy the gameplay, and maybe share the love with a little of that gas money you saved. Catch the stream starting at 10 a.m. MST at twitch.tv/helpabuddyfund.

Creative Date

Price: $99 to $110 per person

Get a little bit messy and come away with a keepsake of your time together by getting creative together on Valentine’s Day.

Colour Cafe in Kensington offers pottery wheel workshop classes, with a special class just for the lovebirds on Valentine’s Day. Make your own bowl, vase, or planter, with no pressure to be perfect. All those little mistakes you make are just a memory of your great night. Plus, you can keep the romance going by returning in a couple of weeks to paint your Valentine’s Day creation for an extra $10. It’s a little pricier than some dates, but you’ll go home with a memory of your time together. Book your date at colorcafe.ca. After you’ve finished your clay masterpieces, you’re already in the perfect spot in the city for a romantic evening. Keep it cheap with a walk along the Bow River, retreat into the warmth of the forever-cozy Higher Ground cafe, or browse the cheap-but-great finds in the Pages bookstore basement

Night Out

Price: $18 and up

If you and your boo aren’t ones for ooey-gooey intimacy and would prefer to party it out with a crowd, you aren’t alone.

Head out to Hudson’s downtown for their Heated Rivalry-themed Valentine’s Day dance party, hosted by the Calgary drag royalty Farrah Nuff. Shake it to songs featured in everyone’s new-favourite queer Hockey romance, along with queer anthems and club classics. Watch Heated Rivalry edits on the venues’ TVs, and enjoy the themed drinks served at the bar. The party runs well into the night, so make sure you caffeinate beforehand.

Whether you're straight, queer, or haven’t even seen the show, it's an ideal night for Valentines that like to party.

Grab your ticket on eventbrite.ca.

CYANOTYPE & DARK ROOMS

CALGARY’S EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY

FESTIVAL GROUNDS AUDIENCES

AND ARTISTS ALIKE IN A DIGITAL AGE

BY SARAH COMBER

Regardless of how one feels about the digital age, one beautiful byproduct of nearly everyone having a smartphone in their pocket is the democratization of photography. An artform that was previously the purview of a select few — notably those who could afford the equipment — has become accessible to the many. With that, we’ve seen the advent of social media and the digitization of sharing family moments, selfies, and even fineart photography on global platforms. What once was intended to be developed and hung on the wall is now not dissimilar to a passing fancy, a scroll-worthy moment almost as fleeting as the act of capturing an image itself.

Perhaps in reaction to this trend, it’s unsurprising that there is a rise in analog photography practices, including film and cyanotype, an art form predating film photography, initially

invented to document botanicals. A return to something a little more tangible.

“[Analogue photography] is the root of the medium. Those are historic practices, but I think that there is definitely an obvious interest in a return to analog processes. It’s way slower and more tactile,” said Emma Palm, local photographer and festival manager with the Exposure Photography Festival. “I think we all spend so much time on screens, and so there's this real, like embodied, meditative quality to working with film or cyanotype or alternative processes.”

Palm adds that a number of entrants to the festival’s competitions (the North West Showcase and International Open Call) are experimenting with analogue photography — including practices like film souping, which uses non-traditional liquids to develop film images.

“There's a different level of intention and attention. For me, it really separates my art prac-

“ HAVING THAT TANGIBLE CONNECTION TO SOMETHING REALLY MEANS SOMETHING TO PEOPLE.”

CASSANDRA CUMMINGS, LOUGHEED HOUSE

tice and my image making from the pace of the daily grind, or the pace at which we can consume and make images,” said Palm.

Palm’s sentiments are echoed by Hayley Villanueva-Eyre, co-owner of Neat Film Lab, a film developing and scanning company located in Calgary’s East Village. Neat is participating in Exposure Fest by curating an exhibition of 15 images developed or scanned at the lab or submitted via the business’s open call.

“I like that when you take a picture with film, you'll usually just be happy with what you've got, because you got something generally, instead of taking hundreds of pictures digitally,” said Villanueva-Eyre, who is also a photographer. “Not being perfect makes you slow down. Everything in our world is so fast and loud, and film is very meditative.”

Hosted out of The Boutique at Nvrlnd (with the images printed by Royce Howland Print Studio), the exhibition is titled What We See, referring to what Neat sees throughout the year and wants to share with the community. While the exhibition runs all month long, the opening night is on February 1 from 7 to 10 p.m.

The tangible and meditative qualities of analogue photography lend the medium a nostalgic feel, a trend that Villanueva-Eyre said is being echoed in many other hobbies, such as listening to CDs and records or fixing up old cars.

“I think something that allows you to meditate

while also being creative is really needed,” Villanueva-Eyre said. “So I'm really happy to see that film is coming back, even though it's an expensive hobby.”

Indeed, while there are methods of lowering the barrier of access to film photography, both technically and financially, such as disposable cameras (which Neat Film Lab also develops), it’s not the only analogue medium making a comeback — both to the photography community, and to the Exposure Festival.

Leia Guo is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer who initially discovered cyanotype as a means to play with light and meld her passion for photography with glass blowing. A very early art form that influenced what photography is today, cyanotype was invented in the late 1800s. It is the process of capturing an image, typically by placing an object on chemically washed paper that is then exposed to sunlight. The resulting chemical reaction captures the outline of the image, usually against a Prussian blue background.

“Cyanotype ended up being that perfect mix of something that was accessible for me to do a lot of experimentation with objects and with imagery, without having to dedicate myself to a whole 12 hours in the dark room,” said Guo. “It was also a way for me to physically use the light in the places that I wanted to make art about. I would actually go to these locations and be able to sit there and create what I wanted to create

with the light that was existing there.”

As part of the Exposure Photography Festival, Guo is participating in a panel discussion called “Canadian Cyanotype, Then and Now,” alongside Mireille Perron and Cy Yang-Smith. The panel discussion will be hosted at the Nickle Galleries on February 12

Guo, who also teaches photography at a local Calgary high school, said she is noticing a trend in younger generations yearning for nostalgic art practices.

“I'm seeing a lot of young students getting their feet into photography, interested in film and in analog stuff, because they want to try something that they've never really seen before,” she said. “And they want to be able to see it come alive in their hands in a different way.”

Bringing nostalgic art alive is at the forefront of the Lougheed House’s Exposure Fest exhibit, which will showcase a range of photos from the Lougheed family album, with a focus on the family’s beloved pets.

“We have this great green space outside, which is part of the original footprint of the house, and it's used as a dog park,” said Cassandra Cummings, senior manager, collections & curatorial at the Lougheed House. “So we have many animal visitors, which is amazing. And as we were going through the family album, we really noticed how much the Lougheed family loves animals and loves their pets.” Cummings

said that Lady Isabella Lougheed was the president of the Alberta Cat Club, which is now the SPCA.

With many of the photos taken during the ‘20s, something Cummings noticed while reviewing the family album was how similar the images were to those a Calgary family might take today. She adds that it’s likely the album belonged to Edna Lougheed, the daughter-in-law of Lady Isabella Lougheed. “She has ... left handwritten notes on many of the photos. There are a couple in particular that say ‘me in Banff, or me and Edgar in Banff.’ The way the captions are written … they are very much like family photos that we would take now.”

The exhibition, titled Archival Animals: Photos from the Lougheed Family Album, runs until March 1. The exhibition will take place outdoors at Lougheed House’s green space and dog park. Viewers are encouraged to take photos of their own beloved animals and tag the Lougheed House on Instagram (@lougheedhouseyyc). In a sense, bringing the nostalgia of the past full circle.

“Having that tangible connection to something really means something to people,” said Cummings. “I think that's the importance of kind of nostalgia and history in general. Its that tangible connection to something that's real and putting yourself in the place where generations of people have come before you.”

Find out more at exposurephotofestival.com.

VIETNAMESE VILLAGE YYC

Celebrate Vietnamese culture, community and Lunar New Year at the Vietnamese Village Festival. A free festival, highlights include a free photobooth, local Vietnamese art, food and beverage vendors, Vietnamese dance, and an Áo Dài fashion show. February 7, The Village Lifestyle Brentwood Centre. @vietnamesevillageyyc

CALGARY TATTOO & ARTS FESTIVAL - WINTER EDITION

Fans of the fall trade show can rejoice, the Calgary Tattoo & Arts Festival is back for round two. Focusing on local talent, festival-goers can expect an intimate show highlighting specific tattoo styles such as black and grey, floral, neo-traditional and Japanese. February 6 to 8, Big Four Roadhouse. albertatattooshows.com/ Calgary-Winter-Edition

EAST END COLD SPELL AT THE CONFLUENCE

Featuring two distinct events and fashion themes, this new festival celebrates Calgary’s winter culture and fun-loving energy. Kicking off the festival on February 4 is the East Village Live: Vintage Night Market. Featuring a curated evening of local vendors and retro fashion, the event offers attendees of the East End Cold Spell’s two main events the chance to suit up in retro aprés ski or vintage Western attire. Curious about which events require these two dress codes? Enter the festival’s main draws: Block Heater (February 5 to 7) and SkijorDue (February 21 to 22). Block Heater, hosted by the Calgary Folk Music Festival, returns for its 11th year. Use your dance moves to stay warm while enjoying 25 musical acts across four stages. As

WINTER FESTIVALS

Embrace the final days of winter with these bumpin' festivals

BY SARAH COMBER

a bonus, if you miss the chance to snag Block Heater tickets on February 7, enjoy free family fun outside The Confluence during Cold Spell Fun for All!, including ice skating, horse-drawn wagon rides, food trucks and more.

Meanwhile, fans of skiing, horses, adrenaline-charged thrills, cheese — and Western fashion, of course — can find all of the above and more at SkijorDue. Combining massive stunts with gooey fondue treats, this unique and exciting event is not to be missed. Throughout February at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. theconfluence.ca/coldspell, @theconfluence_yyc

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

Herald the start of the Year of the Fire Horse with two weekends of vibrant cultural celebrations, including traditional dragon and lion dances, multicultural performances, food and art markets and other lively events suitable for all ages — and budgets, as all events are completely free to enjoy. February 14, 15, 21, and 22, Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre. @calgarychinese

CHINOOK BLAST

Bringing light and music to Calgary’s dark winters, Chinook Blast offers a range of programming, including art installations like The Electric Grove

and Vaulted Arch Lanterns, and performances such as -MOVE-, a free open-air electronic music showcase. If you missed the first two days of the festival in January, make sure you head out this month. Eau Claire Plaza, running until February 16. chinookblast.ca, @chinookblast

YYC HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

Calgary’s favourite festival is back. With more than 100,000 cups of hot chocolate enjoyed at last year’s event, 2026 promises not to disappoint. Whether you tackle the festival neighbourhood by neighbourhood, or research your favourites first, be sure to vote for categories such as “Best Hot Chocolate,” “Most Creative Hot Chocolate,” and “Worth the Drive” (highest rated beverage from a vendor outside of Calgary’s city limits). Throughout Calgary and the surrounding area, during the month of February. yychotchocolate.com, @yychotchocolatefest

ETHNIK FESTIVAL OF ARTS & CULTURE

Using artistic and cultural mediums to create moments, memories and shared experiences through the lens of Afro-Canadian Artistic traditions, Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture is dedicated to celebrating Black History and Excellence each February.

Celebrating diversity and inclusivity while showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage of the Afro-Canadian and Caribbean communities across Canada. The immersive experience highlights local and international artists, performers and thought leaders who bring the essence of Black culture to life. Various locations, February27to March 1. ethnikfestivals.com, @ethnikfestivals

LA POUTINE WEEK

Originating in Montreal, this winter festival has taken root across Canada, and Calgary is no exception. And really, it’s no surprise as to why; who doesn’t love cheese curds, gravy and fries? There’s arguably no better way to stay warm during a chilly mid-winter night. Keep an eye out for the festival's socials to find out which Calgary restaurants will be participating. Various locations, throughout the month of February lapoutineweek.com, @lapoutineweek

BOW HABITAT FISHTIVAL

Celebrating Alberta’s fish and water, this family-friendly festival promises fun and exploration, including family-friendly games and activities complete with casting, fish feeding and more. Grownups and littles alike can connect with Alberta’s fish through the Discover Centre, Aquariums and Fish Hatchery. Bow Habitat Station, February 14 bowhabitat.alberta.ca/whatson/fishtival.aspx, @bowhabitatstation

SINGLEWOOD

A month-long celebration for singles, fostering community connection while enjoying Inglewood’s unique charm. Singles are invited to enjoy Inglewood’s artistic vibe and multitude of independent small businesses. Inglewood all month long. inglewoodyyc.ca/love-inglewood

BY KIARA NEISZ

OBella Concert Hall

LIVE MUSIC LIVES IN THE HEART OF MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY

fficially opening in 2015, one of Canada’s largest musical teaching institutions has become a staple venue for bands, comedians, orchestras, choirs, and plenty of other unique creatives.

The Bella Concert Hall is a stunning display of love for the arts, built by people who do, in fact, love the arts. Situated right in the middle of Mount Royal University (MRU), the hall hosts and showcases the talents of artists from across the city.

“Being at the Bella feels special because everything is closer. The players are closer, the audience feels closer because it’s smaller, and you just kind of feel very enveloped in there,”

said Juliane Gallant, resident conductor and artistic advisor for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Bella Concert Hall is part of the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts. This centre also includes the Mount Royal Conservatory, various studio spaces, and educational music facilities.

“The Barn” was a nickname given by students and staff to the original building on campus. The exterior of the building features a grey metal and copper style, with slats that resemble wood.

The interior walls are covered in beautiful cherry wood, and spacious windows give the inside a cozy feel by letting in plenty of natural light.

With orchestras, vocalists, and bands making use of the hall, having top-notch acoustics within the hall was a high priority during construction. If you take a look up at the roof of the hall, you’ll notice a carefully designed Alberta rose, which was acoustically engineered to create amazing sound.

“The sound travels so well, it really feels like the sound comes to you and you’re not having to make the effort to listen to what’s happening on stage. It’s very warm, it feels like the hall is giving you a hug,” said Gallant.

“Being at the Bella feels special because everything is closer. ”

JULIANE

GALLANT, RESIDENT CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTIC ADVISOR FOR THE CPO

A perk of having the institution on campus is that post-secondary students have access to the music spaces, fostering creative growth and expression. The Calgary Youth Orchestra makes great use of facilities, both the conservatory and the Bella Concert Hall.

“It’s a place that is accessible to people who are studying, and young people get to perform there too. So it becomes part of the community in a different way,” said Gallant.

To pay tribute to MRU’s history, the building was designed with a rural barn-inspired look.

Gallant believes the vibe of the hall is something that make it special. The cozy, personalized atmosphere makes it feel like you’re the only one in the audience, which elevates the experience and performance.

“I think we’re really lucky, actually, that we have a number of very beautiful halls that have really good sound, which means that artists like to perform in Alberta,” said Gallant.

Some artists who have previously performed at the hall include Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, Alireza Talischi, the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, and Veronica Swift.

Every year, the Philharmonic Orchestra does several “smaller, more intimate” shows at the Bella, funded by the Taylor family. Back in 2010, the family made a generous donation to MRU for the construction of the Taylor Centre of Performing Arts and all its facilities. The hall is

QUICK FACTS

Address: 4825 Mt. Royal Gate S.W.

Hours: Varies upon event.

Capacity: 800 Seats, and a 90-piece orchestra.

Rent for: Weddings, receptions, concerts, film screenings, dance performances, meetings, and much more.

named after Mary Belle Taylor, the matriarch of the Taylor family and mother of Don Taylor.

The Taylor Family Foundation's support for the arts goes beyond its MRU contributions. They have also been affiliated with the construction of the National Music Centre and the Engineered Air Theatre at Werklund Centre.

“It very much is like a home of music education in the city,” said Gallant. “It spans a lot of different levels of music making, which I think is super special.”

Upcoming events: Baroque at Bella with Camille Delaforge on February 5 at 7:30 p.m.

The Art of Romance, Art of Soul on February 8 at 7 p.m.

Love Is In The Air Valentine’s Cabaret on February 14 at 8 p.m.

Upcoming events at the hall include performances by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, Mountain Film, and many other talented artists.

And if you're looking to book, the hall is available on the MRU website, and all it takes is a quick call or email to the events team. Tickets for events are posted on the Taylor Centre for Performing Arts website.

Live music still has a home at MRU … and it’s a beautiful one to boot.

Boogie with your Calgary Phil in this far-out concert inspired by the sounds of legendary New York nightclub Studio 54. Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducts the Orchestra and a hip cast of vocalists in the disco era’s grooviest hits from Donna Summer, Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross, Chic, and

6 + 7 March 2026 Jack Singer Concert Hall tickets at calgaryphil.com