CUFF.Docs is screening more than 15 feature films at the Globe Cinema, including a fascinating look at the New Wave band Devo. Louis B. Hobson gives us a sneak peek at The Book of Mormon and Elizabeth Chorney-Booth has her eye on a new Italian eatery in Marda Loop. Read on! |
What to see / Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Present: A Celtic Family Christmas
The fiddlers and their adorable and growing brood are back to fill the Jubilee Auditorium with Christmas joy and mirth and some fierce Celtic chops. The family will offer new versions of Yuletide classics. Where and when: Jubilee Auditorium, Sunday |
What to see / In a Strange Place by Mia + Eric
Calgary artists Mia Rushton and Eric Moschopedis's video installation created a digital forest and a performance-art spectacle featuring 150 ecologists, foresters, activists, hunters and foragers performing abstract dance in the forest. The multi-disciplinary piece poses ecological questions that focus on the future of our forest amid climate change. Where and when: Contemporary Calgary, until Feb. 9 |
Emily Watson and Olivia Williams in Dune: Prophecy. |
What to see / Dune: Prophecy
It may be a bit premature to recommend this HBO Dune prequel since only one episode has aired so far. But Dune: Prophecy, set more than 10,000 years before the events depicted in Denis Villeneuve's two-part film series, is already checking many of the boxes for fanatics of author Frank Hebert's franchise. There is plenty of scheming between families, power struggles, unhinged religions and no shortage of grim-looking women swooshing about massive sci-fi sets. We are introduced to a school for Truthsayers — kind of a Hogwarts for dour girls — run by two sisters taking a long-view approach to grasping power. It looks spectacular but recognizable — apparently fashion sensibilities in the Dune universe are not set to change in the next 10,000 years — and convoluted enough to appease even the geekiest of us sci-fi geeks.
Where and when: HBO on Sundays |
Documentary traces the weighty, weird history of New Wave pioneers Devo
It was more than 50 years ago that the Akron, Ohio, "de-evolution" art project became New Wave act Devo with the aim of shaking up western culture through satire, matching outfits and proto-punk sounds. Prior to Friday's screening of the documentary, Devo, as part of CUFF.Docs, Eric Volmers interviews founders Jerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh about the origins of the band, the philosophy it was founded on and why it still resonates in today's political climate.
Where and when: Globe Cinema, Friday (Post-screening party at The Palomino)
Read more here.
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Photo by Xenia Strohmeyer |
Louis B. Hobson has his eye on what's happening in Calgary's theatre scene: |
Beauty and the Beast: A tale as old as time
StoryBook Theatre presents the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast at the Beddington Arts Centre until Dec. 29. The production features such popular songs as Be Our Guest, If I Can't Love Her, Beauty and the Beast, and Belle. Join Belle, her father, the vain Gaston, and all the wonderful servants at the Beast's castle. Tickets are scarce so it is essential you check out the StoryBook Theatre website.
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Stage West for Kids
Stage West for Kids is presenting the interactive musical comedy Have Your Elf a Merry Little Christmas until Dec. 24. Performances are on various days and at various times, and several are already sold out. Expect songs that encourage sing-a-longs, plenty of slapstick and audience participation. Mrs. Claus has sent Cookie the Elf to buy supplies but she ends up stumbling into Stage West where there is a Christmas Bake Off Competition and Cookie becomes a contestant. Admission includes a kid-friendly buffet.
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The FLC Seniors Acting Club. |
The Red Bullet: A gift of second chances
The FLC Seniors Acting Club presents the premiere of Jill Diane Turcotte's The Red Bullet in Theatre 1308 at 1308 Edmonton Tr. N.E. until Saturday. An accident prevented the town of Flin Flon's star hockey player Johnny Hopkins (The Red Bullet) from pursuing a professional hockey career. Years may have passed, but not the memories of his skill on the ice, so the town rallies to let The Red Bullet fly once again. Performances are tonight through Saturday at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Matinee on Saturday.
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Restaurant columnist Elizabeth Chorney-Booth has the scoop on what’s tasty in and around Calgary: |
The Bucatini Arrabbiata at DOPO in Marda Loop. Photo by Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia |
Italian hotspot DOPO opens in Marda Loop
The building that used to house D.O.P., the much beloved Italian restaurant in Victoria Park, was torn down last week, but a successor has emerged to replace it in Calgarians’ hearts. DOPO (the Italian word for “after”) opened in Marda Loop a few weeks back and it’s like a more grown-up version of the original. The restaurant is still rooted in owner Tony Migliarese’s family’s traditions, but new chef David Leader is taking the food to the next level to match the fancier new digs. If you can’t get a reservation, DOPO’s sister wine bar, Bar Rocca, is just upstairs.
Read the profile on DOPO here. |
River Café has a new chef
In other restaurant news, River Café has a new executive chef. Following the departure of Scott MacKenzie who left Calgary to be closer to family, Kristen Livingston has taken over the top position and will continue to champion local and sustainable ingredients. Livingston’s debut (and highly delicious) tasting menu is available now, at discounted pricing for the remainder of November.
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Adventures and journeys in Alberta and beyond: |
Blue sky and golden grass reflect in a riffle on Harold Creek west of Water Valley. Photo by Mike Drew/Postmedia |
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