Where

With a forecast of warm weather and a holiday Monday, take the weekend to get on your bike, take the family out and check out some excellent work from emerging visual artists.

The Alberta College of Art and Design’s 26th Annual Graduating Student Show is open to the public until May 26. Work is featured in the main mall, on the 3rd floor and at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery at ACAD. Take the chance to see work from emerging artists who have graduated from the school’s unique programs, including fibre, sculpture, jewellery and metals, glass, ceramics, print media, photography and more.

Steam Engine at Heritage Park. Photo courtesy Heritage Park.

It’s the opening weekend for the Historical Village at Heritage Park this weekend. Enjoy the warm weather and take in the antique midway and historical village’s family-friendly attractions, such as the park’s steam train. On May 21, be one of the first 500 guests into the park and stop in for a complimentary pancake breakfast at Gunn’s Dairy Barn between 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Formerly located in Eau Claire Market, the Good Life Community Bike Shop has relocated to Kensington. The shop offers tools, repairs and instruction on cycling, as well as reconditioned bikes and used bike parts for sale. Located at 148 10 ST NW, it’s the perfect stop before setting out to enjoy the Bow River Pathway or the new Peace Bridge into downtown.

Phil Elverum of Mount Eerie, playing tonight at Central United Church. Photo courtesy of Mount Eerie.

It’s a good time for music in Calgary. Yesterday, the Calgary Folk Music Festival announced songstress Gillian Welch will perform at the festival on June 28. Welch will fill the timeslot left vacant by Sinead O’Connor, who recently cancelled her upcoming North American tour. Welch’s blend of folk, bluegrass and country music suits the festival’s diverse line-up, which includes Chris Isaak, Randy Newman, Serena Ryder, Jeff Magnum (Neutral Milk Hotel), Iron & Wine and Beirut.

Tonight, Washington-based band Mount Eerie performs an all-ages show at the Central United Church. Expect the venue to be filled with the band’s expansive sound and singer Phil Elverum’s unique vocal stylings. Having performed at the Sled Island Music Festival in 2009, the band returns to Calgary with new material from their upcoming album Clear Moon. Tickets are $20 and are available at Sloth Records and at the door.

The 2nd Annual ShakeOut Festival launches tonight with Calgary’s proud punk rockers Rum Runner headlining a show at the Ship and Anchor. The festival showcases independent local and Western Canadian bands at downtown venues including Tubby Dog, The Palomino, Vicious Circle and Broken City. The likes of Edmonton’s The Wet Secrets, Calgary’s The Pygmies and Dojo Workhorse are scheduled to play, and the festival ends with a pig roast at the Drum & Monkey on May 20. Tickets can be purchased at Sloth Records.

Rock powerhouse Nickleback performs at the Saddledome tonight. For last minute tickets, hit up Ticketmaster.

"Attention to Paris" a Fluevog design. Photo courtesy of Gravity Pope.

May 15 marks a celebration for shoe-loving fashionistas across the globe — International Fluevog Day.

Established in Vancouver in 1970 by namesake and owner John Fluevog, its shoes have become an urban style-essential for both men and women. The company’s “unique soles for souls” have been popping up on catwalks, in film and on the feet of celebrities for decades.

A hit with musicians Kim Gordon, Perry Farrell and Madonna, Fluevog’s designs certainly have rock-star appeal. Fluevog’s tongue in cheek approach (the soles on his Angel line are not only 100 per cent biodegradable, they also claim to be satan-resistant) is reflected in his designs. Bold colours, sky-scraping heels, pointed toes and a rockabilly sensibility combine in original designs that are distinctly Fluevog.

In honour of the celebration, Calgary’s John Fluevog Shoes (207 8 Ave SW) and Fluevog retailer Gravity Pope (524 17 Ave SW) are offering a 15 per cent discount until closing time today.

Further west along Stephen Avenue, the Aveda Institute (225 8 Ave SW) is also joining in on the festivities, offering clients who mention that it’s Fluevog Day a 20 per cent discount on future appointments that are booked today.  - Sarah Sussman

A Mother's Day Bouquet from Philip Chong Flower Bar

With only a couple of days left until Mothers’ Day, Philip Chong Flower Bar in Kensington offers exceptional floral bouquets for those racing to find that perfect last-minute gift for mom. The store’s custom arrangements incorporate a variety of colour themes, round and angular vases as well as unique customized accents such as pinecones, seashells and chopsticks.

A Mother’s Day bouquet of lavender-hued hydrangeas with purple roses in a cylindrical vase is available for $40. Bouquets range from $25 to $125, and citywide delivery is available for a flat rate of $12. Visit the store at 1249 Kensington Road NW or call 403-285-0888 to place an order.    - Sarah Sussman

NOtaBLE in Bowness

If you’re just remembering that Sunday is Mother’s Day, you can still book a reservation at one of these fantastic local eateries.

Located outside the gates of Calgary’s historic Heritage Park, the Selkirk Grille is a beautiful space with a casual feel. Post-brunch, explore Heritage Park’s unique attractions, such as Gasoline Alley or the historical village. Park admission is not required to enter the restaurant. Located within Heritage Park at 1900 Heritage Dr. SW, 403-268-8607.

Chef Michael Noble’s NOtaBLE in the neighbourhood of Bowness is both critically acclaimed and mom-friendly. Its special Mother’s Day menu features both light antipasti and more decadent options. The restaurant’s proximity to the Bow River Parkway makes for a beautiful post-brunch walk. The Mother’s Day brunch menu runs $42 for adults, $20 for children and kids under six eat for free. 4611 Bowness Road NW, 403-288-4372.

For a sophisticated treat, Vin Room will host a four-course brunch with wine pairings and a fashion show featuring local designer Natalie Gerber. Tickets are $80 and include GST, gratuities and a complimentary gift bag from Sante Spa and The Bay. Brunch begins at 11:30am. 2310 4 St SW, 403-457-5522. – Adele Brunnhofer

Leonard Cohen. "Paris Again"

While Leonard Cohen critically acclaimed music has resonated with fans for decades, his visual art is perhaps lesser known.

Until May 14, Axis Contemporary Art is hosting The Art of Leonard Cohen to showcase 20 different pigment prints created over five decades.

The exhibit follows Cohen and his muses from Greece to Montreal, and includes a variety of self-portraits. Rob Mabee of Axis says the body of work embodies the man that Cohen is. Using watercolours, pastels, charcoals and other mediums, his self-reflective work embodies his distinguishing demeanor as well as his sardonic, self-deprecating nature.

The gallery has extended the length of the exhibit, due to overwhelming interest. Mabee says that most gallery visitors weren’t even aware that Cohen was a visual artist.

Prints of the artwork are available from $2,600 to $7,500 and are signed, dated, numbered and stamped by Cohen. The gallery will also be selling Cohen’s latest book of poetry and drawings, Book of Longing.

Axis Contemporary Art is located in Art Central at 203, 100 – 7 Ave SW. For more information, call 403-262-3356 or visit Axis Contemporary Art. —Sarah Sussman

Van Halen, tonight at the Scotiabank Saddledome

Led by original ultra-charismatic front man and lead vocalist David Lee Roth, rock legend Van Halen hits the stage tonight in support of A Different Kind of Truth, the band’s 2012 album. Along with the new material, expect the band to perform classics like “Runnin’ With The Devil” and “Panama.” Get last minute tickets at Ticketmaster.

Original Batman, Adam West, will be in attendance at this year's Comic and Entertainment Expo.

Western Canada’s largest pop culture convention, the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, features top celebrity guests from the burgeoning realms of of comic books, gaming, animations , sci-fi and horror. Over 30,000 of your geekiest friends will be in attendance at BMO Center April 27 – 29 to meet—for starters—original Batman Adam West and nine principal cast members of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Numerous panel sessions and workshops on everything from voice acting to writing your own comic book will be presented throughout the event. —Erin Joyce