Calgary Entertainment

A lack of entertainment should never be a problem in Calgary. Even though its known more for its sense of bawdy adventure than refined good taste, theres still an activity to get anyones blood pumping.

As soon as you mention Calgary, most people immed iately think of the noise, dust and excitement of the Calgary Stampede, but there is much more to the city. From the world-renowned sports facilities to over 4,000 restaurants of every nationality and culinary discipline imaginable to a vibrant performin g arts community, Calgary provides enough entertainment choices to stave off any sort of boredom.

Sports

The Saddledomeand McMahon Stadium are Calgarys two largest sports venues, and are home to the Calgary Stampeders Canadian Football League team and Calgary Flames NHL hockey team. For a unique football experience, drop by McMahon Stadium on any chilly autumn Sunday to see rabid fans, wearing nothing but bathing suits and body paint, as they cheer the Stampeders on amidst driving sleet and h ail. Impervious to cold, such hardcore cheering squads often brave -10 Celsius weather, and fueled by a healthy supply of cheap domestic beer, will remain outside for the three hour duration of the game.

After hosting the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, the c ity became known for its excellent athletic facilities, and became a destination for world-class athletes. At 4,000 feet above sea level, the high altitude and thin mountain air enhance training and attract athletes from all over the planet. The Olympic Oval speed skating track is famous for the setting of world records, as is the swimming pool at Lindsay Park, where the water is said to be faster than anywhere else in North America.
Spruce Meadows is one of the worlds most famous equestrian facilities, and the site of several prestigious show jumping competitions, such as the North American Masters and the International Cup.

Outdoor Activities

When visiting the city during the winter, a trip to one of Banffs ski hills is a mandatory part of the Calgary experience. Lake Louise, Sunshine Valley and Mount Norquay are three luxurious resorts with some of the highest ski lifts in North America and accommodations to rival the best of Europe.

If you want to get some skiing done, but don't have two ho urs to drive to Banff, Canada Olympic Park, site of many of the events in the 1988 Olympics, is located about five minutes from downtown and features several lifts and lots of artificial snow. For a real adrenaline rush, watch the nordic ski jumpers as t hey launch themselves off the 90-meter ski jump and float hundreds of feet through the air.
For a more relaxed skiing experience, Wintergreen Ski Area lies just outside the rustic hamlet of Bragg Creek, a 40-minute drive from downtown. With several smal l lifts and a network of cross-country ski trails, it is ideal for the naturalist or beginner skier.

In the summer, horseback riding and cycling are the best ways to explore the forests and mountains of the parks surrounding the city, and guided tours ar e available in Kananaskis Country to the west of the city, as well as in and around the city itself. For those looking for a more leisurely adventure, canoes and drift boats can be rented for a pleasant float down the Bow River.

Theater and Comedy

Theater groups include the One Yellow Rabbit Theater, which is famous for its entertaining and controversial skits, and the Loose Moose Theater, renowned for its hilarious improvisational sessions. Yuk Yuks Comedy Club patrons are known to laugh themselves to exhaustion while being entertained by Canadas premier stand-up comics.

For large theatrical productions, the Calgary Center for Performing Arts has five venues scattered throughout the city, ranging from the 1,800-seat Jack Senger Concert Hall to th e 180-seat Big Secret Theater.

Shopping

Shopping in Calgary is easy. There are about a dozen shopping areas in the city, each unique in character, price and merchandise. 17th Avenue is lined with trendy clothing and jewelry shops, Kensington Village c aters to the artistic and international crowd, Downtown is home to both Bankers Hall and Stephen Avenue Walk, and Eau Clair Market is a showpiece of independent small business. Englewood and Marda Loop areas cater to the more eclectic shoppers with vint age galleries and unusual import shops, and Macleod Trail boasts a selection of hundreds of discount warehouses and huge shopping centers.

Cinema

Calgary has a plethora of mainstream and alternative cinema choices for the discriminating moviegoer. Cineplex Odeon theaters are scattered throughout the city, and every major shopping center has a cinema hidden in it somewhere. The Eau Clair Market Imax presents stunning documentaries and feature films on its four-story-high screen, while the Coliseum shows Hollywood movies on a huge wraparound screen. The Plaza and Uptown Theaters are stanchions of the local independent film community, with art films, special presentations and premiers of locally produced movies.

The Calgary Stampede is undoubtably Calgarys biggest event, and claims to be the largest festival in Western Canada. Half a million people pour into the city to watch the bull and bronco riding, chuckwagon races, and receive a heaping dose of cowboy culture. If you intend to v isit Calgary July 11-17, 2000, make sure to reserve your hotel ticket early, as everything will be booked solid during Stampede Week.

Concerts and Music

Calgary plays host to most North American rock and pop tours with a steady stream of concert dates throughout the year. The Palace and Back Alley nightclubs also feature classic and up and coming rock performers, while alternative and rave music can be found in the Republik and Night Gallery clubs. Jazz and Blues fans will be delighted by the Calgary Jazz Festival, which will feature acts by Johnny Lang and Holly Cole in 2000.

Afficionados of classical music will enjoy the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, which performs on a regular basis at events throughout the city.

Museums and Interpretive Sites

For explorers young and old, Calgary has a wealth of museums and exhibitions, including the Glenbow Museum, the futuristic Calgary Science Center, and Heritage Park. The Calgary Zoo showcases flora and fauna from every corner of the globe, while a n hours drive from Calgary in the town of Drumheller, the Royal Tyrrell Museum will astound and fascinate dinosaur lovers and naturalists with one of North Americas largest dinosaur skeleton collections, as well as one of the eight complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons ever discovered.

Jim Coates