Wuthering Frights and summer nights at the fringe: Long weekend activities in Calgary

The Fringe Festival, Taste of Calgary, the International Blues Festival and more are all happening this long weekend. Hopefully, the weather co-operates...

The long weekend has arrived and there are plenty of local events happening in Calgary.

Calgary Fringe Festival

The Calgary Fringe Festival kicks off Friday evening and runs until Saturday August 9th. The open access theatre festival brings together emerging and established artists alike to tell their stories on stage.

“(It’s) a chance to kind of kick back, relax, have fun, Might be some kind of campfire stories that we may be telling,” said Fringe Festival executive director Michelle Gallant.

In total there are 20 shows, all under an hour long with tickets costing $20. There are three mainstage venues: Festival Hall, Lantern Community Church, and the Inglewood Hub,

“There is also some pay-what-you-want options for any patrons on a tight budget,” said Gallant. “One of the great things that I love about the festival is that it’s supporting the emerging indie artists -- and 100 per cent of the ticket price goes right back to the artists.”

Gallant expects 4,500-5,000 people to attend the nine-day event.

Taste of Calgary

Thursday, Taste of Calgary kicked off at LOT 6, 311 Eighth St. S.W. downtown. It runs until Monday.

“Taste of Calgary is a celebration of food and it’s for all the foodies out there,” said event producer Jennifer Rempel.

There are over 90 restaurants, food trucks, brewers and distillers people can choose from.

“There is everything from Nigerian, African, Caribbean, Korean food, all sorts of really international cuisines,” said Rempel.

The event also features live music, as Rempel expects between 10,000 – 15,000 people each day.

Blues Fest

At a little after 5 p.m. Friday the Blues Festival got underway at The Confluence in the East Village. It runs until 9:30 p.m. Friday night, and starts at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday -- and the event is now not just for blues lovers, as there is also R&B, folk, funk and gospel music.

Friday night’s lineup includes The Young Lions, the Nigel Mack Blues Attack, Duke Robillard and Dave Babcock and the Nightkeepers. There’s also a Twilight Blues Series at the Ironwood starting at 10 p.m.

“We have an incredible roster, I’m really excited about the artist lineup this year. It might be one of our best ever,” said the festival’s producer and artistic director Cindy McLeod. “

“It’s the music of the people, it’s their voice. it’s, very relatable, strong storytelling mainly original music, lots of really great songwriting. It’s a very comfortable, relaxed, non-pretentious dance, dance, dance,” said McLeod.

Organizers say they expect upwards of 15,000 to attend the weekend festival if the weather cooperates.

For more information about the Blues Festival, go here.

Road Safety

RCMP are reminding people to be extra cautious on the road heading into the long weekend. In a media release, it offered some long weekend tips:

• Do not drive impaired: Alcohol and drugs can impact your judgment, coordination, and reaction time behind the wheel. Always arrange a safe ride home. Impaired driving is not just a legal issue—it’s a matter of life and death.
• Avoid all distractions: Distracted driving is not limited to texting or talking on a handheld device while driving, it also includes personal grooming, reading, writing, adjusting GPS or audio devices, attending to passengers or pets, or any other activity that might impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
• Drive according to conditions: The speed limit is the maximum speed in ideal conditions. Always adjust your speed to accommodate weather, road, and traffic conditions.
• Buckle up: Ensure yourself and other passengers are properly secured in seatbelts or child safety seats before putting your vehicle in motion.
• Be mindful of other road users: Summer brings more bikes, pedestrians, and off-highway vehicles. Always check your blind spots.
• Let people know where you are: Before you leave, make sure you tell family or friends of the route you’re taking and when they can expect you.