By Andrew Cormier
After we all get our fill of Christmas concerts and holiday tunes, the music still won’t stop ringing out in Calgary. Even though many choose to spend their winters in hibernation, heading out to a concert is a great way to warm up all its own. [Photo credit: JMacPherson/Flickr]
Dubbed “curated chaos,” One Big JAM is a live remix session that has drawn some of Calgary’s best performers at its previous iterations. You never know who will jump up on stage, whether it be a beat-boxer, poet or singer. For the holiday version of the event, organizers are taking the show bigger and better by hosting it at the Palace Theatre. Don’t miss this one!
While not strictly a music festival, High Performance Rodeo still includes unique musical elements you won’t find anywhere else. Check out One Yellow Rabbit’s Moon, Moon, No Moon Cabaret, which includes a performance by blues legend Tim Williams. Or, attend a musical retelling of a Russian classic in Onegin, which features a sweeping musical score.
Most multi-artist music festivals take place in the summer, but not the BIG Winter Classic. Encouraging Calgarians to emerge from their warm homes and come out to party in the middle of the winter, this event features both local and international touring acts, art and more. There are even outdoor stages, so bundle up!
The third edition of Calgary Folk Festival’s Block Heater will heat up Inglewood Feb. 15 to 17. This festival serves as an appetizer to the ever-popular summer Folk Music Festival, but offers up musical attractions all its own, with the 2018 lineup including Astral Swans, FOONYAP, Windigo and many more.
What better way to get you out of a winter funk than a blues festival? Running Feb. 26 to March 3, the Calgary Blues Music Festival hosts the Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest, which brings in prominent blues stars from Canada and around the world. Plus, it’s a great chance to check out some of Calgary’s best music venues, like the Ironwood, Mikey’s Juke Joint and the MacEwan Ballroom.
Of course, there are multiple other concerts scheduled during the winter in Calgary to add to the fun. With shows like this lined up this winter season, there’s no reason to stay indoors. Get out there and check out some great local music!
