Where

Not sure what to do this weekend? Check out these highlighted events – you can find our full event listings at Where Calgary.

Friday September 23

The Calgary International Film Festival kicks off this weekend with eleven different films screening on Friday alone including a 9:30pm showing of “The Future,” in which Miranda July (Me And You And Everyone We Know) writes, directs, and stars.

If you hear the chorus of “You’ll Think Of Me” playing in the southeast, you aren’t hearing things. Keith Urban plays the Saddledome Friday night for his Calgary stop on his 2011 world tour in support of his seventh studio album Get Closer.

Saturday September 24

The Bowness Community Centre plays host to Baconfest Canada this Saturday from 10am to 5pm. This delicious fundraiser is to support the new Inviti Jazz and Food Festival launching August 2012. Meet the Ambassador of Bacon, put together a team for the bacon games, enjoy a bacon poetry slam, and watch the Harvest Bacon Eating Contest at noon.

Crave Cupcakes will be there with a bacon offering, as will District with their bucket o’ bacon, and Blam!wich food truck will have their “Hypocrite” vegetarian sandwich … with bacon. Keep the bacon fun going with an after party at Bowness Pub.

If fried pork isn’t your thing, dress up in your finest noble attire and check out the Royal Affair at the Calgary Zoo. Enjoy courtly games and march in the annual Royal Parade. The event is free with general zoo admission.

Sunday September 25

We hope you saved some energy that Time Warp isn’t going to warp itself. The Front Row Centre Players present “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Pumphouse Theatre. The show opens on Friday, but there is a 2pm show on Sunday in case CIFF has you too busy.

And finally, Latitude Art Galleries presents “Western Perspectives,” an exhibition of joyful, brightly-coloured Western landscape paintings by Calgary artist Jane Milne.

Gates open at 2 pm, close at 11:30 pm.

Here’s the lineup for tonight’s mainstage at the Calgary Folk Music Festival:

6 pm Matt Anderson

“Known for his larger-than-life showmanship, big sound and virtuosic guitar playing.”

6:50 pm Nanci Griffith

“Tackles weighty issues and tells vivid stories about her characters’ lives with beautiful lilting folk and country-traced balladry.”

8 pm Bonnie Prince Billy

“Brings his trademark do-it-yourself Appalachian post-punk aesthetic and blunt honesty.”

9:15 pm Patrick Watson

“Mercurial vocals and a penchant for surreal acoustic and electric landscapes create a detailed miniature world that evokes imaginative flights of fancy.”

10:30 pm The Herbaliser

“Since the early 1990s, their albums and rousing shows have encompassed hip-hop, rare groove, funk, jazz, cool samples, live instrumentation and guest vocalists.”

Commemorate your visit to top Canadian cities, by finding that perfect souvenir, from beautiful items like handcrafted jewellery and Aboriginal art to quirky pieces like CN Tower peppermills and an antique-looking family portrait.

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Malaysian Airlines bans babies from first-class

Tengku Azmil, chief executive for Malaysian Airlines confirmed that infants are no longer allowed to fly in the first-class section of the company’s airplanes, after receiving complaints from passengers that the crying was keeping them awake.

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According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world’s most expensive club sandwich commercially available can be found in Cliveden House Hotel, in Taplow, England. This lunchtime staple was added to the menu in March of 2007 under the name the von Essen Platinum Club. Fit for royalty, the 530 gram sandwich, first made by renowned chef James Parkinson, costs a total of £100 ($143.55 USD*) and consists of Iberico ham from a black-footed pig, air-cured for nearly 30 months, poulet de Bresse, 10 grams of white truffles, (£2,500 per kg), quail eggs, semi-dried Italian tomatoes and 24-hour fermented sour dough bread. Due to the rare ingredients, advance notice of 72 hours is required to order the sandwich.

Q: What are some of the best travel apps that I can download for my smartphone before heading out on my trip? – Carl Stahl, Vancouver BC

A: There are over ten of thousands of different travel related apps that you can download for various smartphones, everything from travel guides to flight trackers, many of them free. Here are some of the best.

Flights and hotels

Search and book flights with Kayak’s handy travel app. With its sleek, easy-to-navigate interface, the Kayak app is very user friendly, and best of all, free. It also comes with a helpful hotel and car rental search feature, which rates and locates accommodations and services nearest to you and displays them on a map.

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Halifax

Back for its 25th season, the Halifax Jazz Festival has a new home. The Festival Tent is moving to a new beach-style park on the Halifax waterfront, at the foot of Salter Street. The annual festival, which runs Jul 8 – 16, attracts renowned jazz and blues musicians from around the globe. This year’s highlights include Idle Warship, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Jill Barber. From Jul 20 – 24, Cirque du Soleil takes over the city with Quidam. Since its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top, this production has toured five continents. The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters.

Toronto

This month, Toronto welcomes two stars of the silver screen to perform live on stage. Backed by an 18-piece orchestra, Hugh Jackman performs classic Broadway show tunes at the Princess of Wales Theatre Jul 5 – 17. Just down the street at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Carrie Fisher, best known as Princess Leia from Star Wars, presents her one-woman show,Wishful Drinking, opening July 12, in which she talks frankly about the highs and lows of life in the spotlight.

Calgary

Every July, the hottest ticket in town is the Calgary Stampede. The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is ten days of rodeos, parties, chuckwagon races, midway rides, deep-fried treats, pancake breakfasts, two-stepping, world-class live music and so much more, Jul 8 – 17. Join the thousands on Parade Day Jul 8 for the famous Stampede Parade where word has it, royal newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton will be in attendance.  One of the city’s most beloved festivals of the year, the Calgary Folk Music Festival brings acts like Blue Rodeo, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, K.D. Lang and Yo La Tengo to Prince’s Island Park, Jul 21 – 24.

Edmonton

Get ready for an exhilarating weekend of track speeds of over 300km/h at the world-class Edmonton Indy, Jul 22 – 24. The newly designed course will have you closer to the action than ever before. Watch Canada’s own Alex Tagliani, along with other big name IndyCar Series drivers. Or take a stroll down the lively Whyte Avenue strip for Art Walk Jul 15 – 17, this outdoor gallery and studio features over 230 working artists and their artwork in all styles and mediums.

Winnipeg

Blue Rodeo, K.D. Lang, and Tegan and Sara are just some of the big name acts appearing at the 38th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival, Jul 6 – 10. Browse the handmade village for artisanal jewellery, stoneware and clothing, grab a bite to eat from varied food vendors and admire the work of local visual artists at this popular music event. On Jul 27, legendary metal bands Slayer and Rob Zombie take the stage together for the first time in a decade in an all-ages show.

Canadian Rockies

Rub shoulders with top PGA golfers as they play the Banff Springs Golf Course during the Jul 25 – 26 Telus World Skins Game. Also, Parks Canada turns 100 on Jul 16, so help celebrate by hitting up Parks Day in Banff and Jasper—have some birthday cake or watch the new totem pole being raised outside the Jasper Heritage Train Station.

Ottawa

Hot summer sun, thousands of cheering fans, and five outdoor stages make for a spectacular concert-going experience at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, which runs Jul 5 – 17. Big names include The Flaming Lips, The Black Keys, Peter Frampton, The Roots, and Blue Rodeo. Starting Jul 6 and running to Sep, the Sound and Light Show: Mosaika will once again be projected onto the exterior of the Parliament Buildings. Bring a blanket and enjoy this free, nightly presentation about Canada, which features music, narration, and stunning visual effects.

Vancouver

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival brings over 60 musicians from around the world to Jericho Beach Park for three magical days, Jul 15 – 17. Enjoy performances by Joel Plaskett & The Emergency, Gillian Welch and Rosanne Cash, while your little ones partake in face painting, storytelling and other fun-filled activities. On weekends throughout the summer, scour the stalls at the Chinatown Night Market for traditional crafts and clothes, and then tempt taste buds with exotic food finds. Don’t miss the live entertainment that ranges from karaoke to opera to live Kung Fu demonstrations.

Whistler

Head to Squamish for five days devoted to celebrating mountain climbing during the Squamish Mountain Festival, Jul 13 – 17. Newbies and pros master their climbing skills then catch films and photography exhibits before partying the night away at the Howe Sound Brew Pub. Then catch hundreds of mountain bikers showcase their impressive skills in downhill and slalom challenges, while popular musicians K’Naan and Hot Hot Heat entertain the crowd as part of the outdoor concert series at Kokanee Crankworx, Jul 16 – 24.

Victoria

Catch some of the world’s top street performers, including musicians, fire-throwers, jugglers and a whole lot of clowning, at the Victoria International Buskers Festival Jul 15 – 24, this family-friendly event takes place over six event stages located across downtown.

Going on vacation? Head to the doctor’s office first, experts say

Canadians going on exotic vacations may be forgetting a key part of their travel preparations: a trip to the doctor. Experts say less than a third of travellers seek medical advice before taking off, putting them at risk for unpleasant and potentially dangerous illnesses, infections and parasites.

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Answer: Maebashi City, Japan. According to Guinness World Records, the Liason Council of Japanese Postal Works’ Union in 2007 created a 6,671-foot-long (2,033.3-metre) sushi roll.

Q: A friend suggested I go on a “voluntour” this year for my holiday, though she didn’t know much about them. What exactly is a “voluntour” and how do I begin planning? - Sheila McMahon, Calgary, AB

A: A “voluntour” is a term used to describe a vacation where you volunteer your skills to a community abroad in need while immersing yourself in a foreign culture.

What to Book
Many travel agencies, adventure companies, and not-for-profit organizations offer a wide selection of volunteer trips. The types and durations vary considerably—you can do anything from building houses in Africa to researching and taking care of panda bears in Shanghai or working to improve a sea turtle’s chances for survival in Costa Rica. Finding the right trip depends on what you’re looking for, and what your interests are. Consider booking an all-inclusive package that includes your meals, (which can be as simple as campfire cookouts), accommodations (often tenting or staying with a host family), as well as your volunteer activities. Depending on the trip, you’ll often travel in a group with like-minded volunteers, making it a great way to meet interesting people from around the world.

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Toronto

June is perhaps Toronto’s artsiest month, thanks to the annual Luminato festival, which, from Jun 10 – 19 celebrates creativity and innovation by presenting more than 150 ticketed and free theatrical and dance productions, concerts, readings and discussions, and visual art displays. Among the international offerings are a two-part, multilingual performance of the One Thousand and One Nights, and a new, full-length interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, presented by the National Ballet of Canada. Later in the month, music lovers can make the pilgrimage here for the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Opening on Jun 24 with a free concert by Aretha Franklin, the event subsequently offers hundreds of concerts from such renowned artists as The Bad Plus, Dave Holland, Kenny Barron and even The Roots.

Whistler
Taste the best of Whistler with three-course menus priced at $19, $29, $39 and $49 during Dine In Whistler. On until the end of the month, there are over 30 participating restaurants offering something to delight every palate.

Edmonton

Improvaganza, running Jun 15 – 25 is an improv-based comedy festival spearheaded by Edmonton’s longest running improv theatre. It encompasses a variety of entertainers including sketch comedians, stand-up comedians and improv musicians. The comedy unfolds in the heart of Old Strathcona with four nightly shows in two theatre venues. Get set for the city’s first summer solstice celebration—Utopia Music Festival, a two-day celebration of love, unity and diversity, Jun 17 – 18.  Held at the Heritage Amphitheatre in scenic Hawrelak Park, this eclectic outdoor music fest features folk, reggae, electronic and acoustic sounds with a stellar line-up including folk icon Ani DiFranco and former Moist frontman David Usher amongst others.

Winnipeg

Multiple circus-style tents at The Forks erupt with shrieks and giggles Jun 9 – 12, as world-class children’s acts entertain enthralled little ones at the 28th annual Winnipeg International Children’s Festival. Local favourite Fred Penner headlines and hands-on activities from clay modelling to face painting keep children grinning from ear to ear. 

Canadian Rockies

Pedal power takes over Banff June 16-19 during the Banff National Park Bike Fest. Watch as up to 500 amazing cyclists tackle various bike races including the elite/pro invitational Lake Louise road race, Minnewanka Loop time trial, downtown Banff criterium, Surprise Corner prologue and Tunnel Mountain road race. There’s also a costumed race for kids and family fun events.

Vancouver

Check out the spellbinding musical Wicked as it explores the relationship between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. This award-winning show is at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre until Jun 26. The annual summer seaside festival Bard on the Beach is back in town until Sep 24. Catch four of Shakespeare’s plays, including As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice, under open-air tents offering views of Vancouver’s skyline.

Ottawa

From Jun 16 – 18, watch in amazement as the National Arts Centre Orchestra teams up with spectacular circus performers for a show that mixes live classic and contemporary music with the acrobatic wonders of circus performers in NACO Pops: Cirque de la Symphonie. Mimes, strongmen, and aerialists perform as the orchestra plays carnival themes like “Night on Bald Mountain.” Meanwhile, Ottawa International Jazz Festival draws scores of jazz fans Jun 23 – Jul 3, from near and far for a jam-packed line-up. Performers to grace the main stage at this year’s event include k.d. lang, Pink Martini, Elvis Costello, and other top-notch acts.

Calgary

The Calgary Stampeders are geared up for another season on the gridiron. Catch quarterback Henry Burris and his talented squad take on their Western rivals, the BC Lions on Jun 15. Enjoy four days of indie and alternative music acts at this year’s Sled Island Festival Jun 22 – 25, which pits international acts like Thee Oh Sees and Alberta Cross besides locals Smalltown DJs and Fist City.

Halifax

Continuing through the summer, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on Hollis Street hosts a major retrospective of key works from Jacques Hurtubise’s five-decade career. Hurtubise showcases career highlights, featuring over 60 paintings and prints. The exhibition provides an unparalleled overview of this key figure in abstract art’s history.

Victoria

Ten hot days of cool jazz fill downtown Victoria later this month when the 27th annual Victoria International JazzFest welcomes some of the hottest artists from around the world, Jun 24 – Jul 3. Highlights include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Mae Moore, Adonis Puentes and more. 

Whether you’re looking for that perfect accompaniment for a special dinner on the town, or wanting to stock up your cellar with samples from some of Canada’s best wineries, these wine boutiques offer extensive selections and friendly staff to guide you along your way.

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US tour operators visit Egypt hoping to restore large-scale tourism

A delegation of representatives from the U.S. tourism industry visited Egypt over Easter weekend, meeting with officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and the U.S. Embassy in hopes of convincing hesitant international travellers that Egypt is now safe and stable enough to resume large-scale tourism.

Business travel takes toll on health: study

Business travellers often complain about the exhausting and stressful rigours of being on the road (or in the air) for much of their working lives. Now a study confirms that frequent business travel leads to increased health risks.

European cruise operators hit troubled waters

High cost of air travel and unrest in popular ports of call including Egypt and Tunisia have dampened demand for European cruise operators, who will be forced to turn to discounts to fill the ships this summer.

A: At 6 ft. 5 in. (1.95 m), the world’s largest bottle of wine was produced by Plantagent Wines in Western Australia. According to Guinness World Records, the bottle contains 76.72 gallons (290 litres) of red wine—that’s over 210 normal bottles or enough to fill one thousand wine glasses.

Q: I’m looking to take my wife and young children on a camping trip over the May Long Weekend, what are some safety precautions with wildlife, bugs and plants that I should be aware of? – Jim Dixon, Mississauga ON

A: While camping can be a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get back to nature with friends and family, there are a few things you should know before pitching your tent.

Wildlife

Remember when you are camping out in the wilderness you are guest in their home. Be respectful, keep your distance and clean up after yourself to avoid any unwanted confrontations.

Bears: As cute and cuddly as they look—do not approach them or feed them. Avoiding bears is for your safety and theirs. Bears that scavenge for food will associate food with humans and become “food conditioned.” Food-conditioned bears loose their fear of humans and will roam through the park in search of a convenient meal, threatening the safety of visitors. Unfortunately it is very difficult to correct a food-conditioned bear. They may have to be destroyed should they become aggressive towards humans.

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Ottawa

The annual Canadian Tulip Festival is one of Ottawa’s biggest tourist attractions of the year, colouring the city’s landscape with more than one million blooms in 50 varieties, May 6 – 23. Head to Commissioners Park where 300,000 tulips are on view, along with live entertainment, activities, and attractions at Major’s Hill Park, including a whimsical tea party, outdoor concerts, and a Lego community garden.

Vancouver

Catch Major League Soccer action with the Vancouver Whitecaps—this year marks the squad’s inaugural season in the MLS big leagues. Cheer on captain Jay Demerit and his all-star line-up as they take on the San Jose Earthquakes on May 11 and the New York Red Bulls on May 28.

Edmonton

American indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie hit the Shaw Conference Centre on May 24 to promote their soon-to-be released seventh album Codes and Keys. On May 31, one of the nation’s most recognized comedians, Gemini-winning Shaun Majumber embarks on his first Canadian headlining tour with special guest, Nigel Lawrence.

Calgary

Get educated about the world’s most widely consumed (and probably oldest) alcoholic beverage at the Calgary International Beerfest May 27 – 28. If two days and over 200 lagers, stouts, ales and pilsners doesn’t quench your thirst for knowledge, there’s a number of educational seminars and food pairing events on hand too.

Rockies

While most people’s thoughts turn to golf at this time of year, epic April snowfalls guarantee great spring conditions at Sunshine Village until their May 23 close. Weekend events include the May 22 Bikinis for Breast Cancer fundraiser and May 23 annual Slush Cup season closer where costumed riders brave the jump into the slushy cold water, with live music and beer gardens on site.

Victoria

Victoria celebrates the best in singular performances this month when Intrepid Theatre brings the Uno Fest to town May 19 – 29. The festival of one-person shows features everything from spoken word and comedy to documentary and new media.

Whistler
The Crud 2 Mud Downhill combines the two things Whistler is best known for: skiing and mountain biking. Watch as the competitors ski or snowboard from the top of mountain to the snow line, then struggle out of their snow gear and onto their mountain bikes for a race through the Whistler Mountain Bike Park on May 29.

Halifax

Kicking off on May 30 and continuing through Jun 12, the Scotia Festival of Music is the hottest event of the season for lovers of classic and chamber music in Halifax. This year’s lineup includes John Novacek, Suzie Leblanc, The Super Nova Quartet, The Tempest Baroque Ensemble and more.

Winnipeg

MTV comedian and Canadian funny man Tom Green brings his “anything goes” humour off-screen on his live tour May 26 – 28. Get ready for lots of laughs as Green makes hilarious observations about the world around him.

Toronto

The hit British play The Railway Children premieres in Toronto May 3. Telling of three poverty-stricken children who befriend a train porter, the stage show is a grand spectacle—featuring a working vintage steam locomotive imported from England, and its purpose-built Roundhouse Theatre is directly adjacent to a historic railway depot at the foot of the CN Tower.

Where editors across the country sought out the most decadent treats their city has to offer, from deep dark chocolate sourced from thousands of miles away, to homemade, colourful cupcakes that are as pretty as they are delicious.

Ottawa
The Flour Shoppe is a charming cupcakery that packs a punch with classics such as double chocolate and vanilla bean, but doesn’t shy away from adventurous creations such as earl grey, peanut butter, and s’mores. Choose from eight daily flavours—and 15 throughout the week—with these sweet treats that are as pretty as they are delicious.

Halifax
As the name suggests, Sweet Jane’s on Doyle Street is a destination of choice for Halifax’s sugar junkies. The unique boutique is noted for its wide array of candies and confections—hard-to-find chocolate bars (Clark, 100 Grand, Almond Joy), Pop Shoppe sodas, decadent cupcakes, rich milkshakes and more. Retro toys and gifts (tin lunchboxes!) abound as well.

Calgary
In Calgary, gourmet cupcakes abound. The favourite is easily Crave, a local institution that isn’t afraid to use butter–their signature cupcake, the “Crave-O-Licious” has a moist chocolate cake bottom and is topped with blue vanilla butter cream icing and chocolate shavings. With five locations around the city, you’re sure to find a good selection before they run out for the day.

Toronto
Chocoholics of every stripe enjoy decadence in the extreme at Moroco Chocolat. This boutique and lounge features all manners of treats—from truffles made with top-grade Valrhona chocolate to unique indulgences like raspberry and vanilla marshmallow kisses—to take home, plus a menu of both savouries and sweets in the plush lounge. Or if you’re in the mood for a lighter luxury, the pastry chefs at Bobbette & Belle oblige with beautifully crafted cupcakes, macarons and more (1121 Queen St E).

Winnipeg
Mordens of Winnipeg is a family-run confectionary company, renowned for their decadent Russian mints. A stop at this sweet shop is the perfect chance to stock up on classic treats like giant milk chocolate Easter bunnies, coconut covered marshmallows and toasted nuts.

Canadian Rockies
Banff is home to the legendary chocolate Bear Paw—creamy caramel on top of cashew pieces covered in milk, white or dark chocolate with whole cashews placed on top emulate a bear’s claws. They are available in most candy shops, but at The Fudgery you can watch them (or other decadent treats) made in their window display. Jasper has its own sweet claim to fame—sticky cinnamon buns at the Bear’s Paw Bakery.

Whistler
Chow down on pecan-crusted or smartie-covered candied apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Sugar-free treats, fudge and ice cream are all worth a taste as well. Enjoy fresh waffle cones filled with maple walnut or bubble gum ice cream at COWS. Don’t forget to peruse the hilarious moo-themed merchandise available for purchase.

Victoria
No visit to Victoria is complete without a visit to the famous, 125-year-old Rogers’ Chocolates. With many original recipes dating back to 1885 and company founder “Candy” Rogers, this is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth! Visit the historic shop in downtown Victoria or Rogers’ Tudor Sweet Shoppe in Oak Bay.

Vancouver
Thomas Haas tempts taste buds with melt-in-your-mouth sparkle cookies, chocolate caramels and fruit gelées. Cakes, pastries, coffee and hot chocolate are also available. Take a break from downtown shopping and head to Mink A Chocolate Café for the fondue bar. Dip cakes, marshmallows and fresh fruit into your choice of melted milk or dark chocolate.

Edmonton
Locally owned Duchess Bake Shop is famed for its signature macaron, a dainty, yet decadent almond flour meringue cookie that comes in a variety of delicious and pleasantly surprising flavours such as lavender, rose, salted caramel and pistachio. Every treat is made fresh daily with all natural ingredients, no preservatives, and a bounty of specially imported butter.

Oncoming British Airways strike could snarl travel for royal wedding

British Airways cabin crew have voted to strike for the fourth time in two years, raising fears of travel misery during Easter and next month’s royal wedding. Although no strike date has been set as yet, a week’s notice must be given before a strike begins, and any industrial action must start by April 25—four days before the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Countries ease travel restrictions for Japan, despite radiation risk

Governments, including those from Sweden and Denmark, are easing restrictions on travel to Japan, but citizens should continue to avoid areas near the troubled nuclear plant in Fukushima, which has been deemed “particularly risky.” Other countries, including Canada, are still recommending against all travel to the country, following the magnitude 9.0 offshore earthquake on March 11, which triggered a devastating tsunami.

Attractions seek out tourists through online group discount offers, at a boon to consumers

Travel attractions are turning to group buying websites to increase sales to locals and visitors alike with discount offers. Social shopping sites like Groupon and Wagjag are being used by tourist destinations to advertise their offerings, where for consumers, the savings can be substantial, often saving 50 per cent or more.