Pack your walking shoes and prepare to discover Calgary’s charms on foot. Please note that the tours involve significant walking and that a bus is not provided. Travel will be by public transit. There are only 24 spaces available so register quickly.

The following optional itineraries (included in the Companion Package and Retiree Package) are offered to companions/guests of Festival delegates and to retired members. All tours are lead by local guides.

Day One

Thursday, June 4 / 8:45 am – 4:00 pm

After a short hop on Calgary’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT), companions will visit one of the city’s newest arts and culture destinations. ContainR consists of a cluster of funky repurposed shipping containers located in Kensington Village, one of the city’s oldest districts. Here, inside a container venue, the group will hear a short presentation on the ContainR project. Next, a City of Calgary heritage planner will give a talk on heritage buildings of interest in Kensington, and artist Tamara Ann Lee will share her quirky “place-making” installations.

The tour continues with a stroll along the pedestrian-friendly streets, distinguished by historic buildings and hip cafes and shops. There’s free time to browse and shop. Lunch will be a moveable culinary feast, with stops at various restaurants in the neighbourhood to sample their specialities.

Ron Thom and the Allied Arts – Exhibition and Tour with Curator Adele Weder

As an added benefit, participants may wish to hop on the Sunnyside LRT at 3:45 p.m. and make their way to Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary and tour the Ron Thom and the Allied Arts exhibition with Curator Adele Weder at 4:15 p.m.

Directions to Nickle Galleries can be found here.

Day Two

Friday, June 5 / 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

LEFT: ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen Lunch & Learn / Photo courtesy of ATCO Gas Blue Flame Kitchen  |  RIGHT: Public art metal horse statue at the corner of Stephen Avenue and Centre Street / Photo: Courtesy of Travel Alberta

 
The group will take in the Mid-Century Modern Exhibition, which features 55 Calgary buildings. A member of the Calgary Heritage Initiative Society will give an introduction to the show.

When it’s time to refuel, the ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen Café awaits with a lunch-and-learn experience. Companions will be served a delicious meal based on Alberta ingredients while they watch a cooking demonstration.

The afternoon is spent exploring outdoor public art with a guide. Headsets will ensure that everyone can hear the guide. Top it all off with a visit to a home-made ice-cream shop.

Ron Thom and the Allied Arts – Exhibition and Tour with Curator Adele Weder

After exploring the outdoor public art, participants may wish to leave the companion tour at 3:15 p.m. and continue their experience at Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary and tour the Ron Thom and the Allied Arts exhibition with Curator Adele Weder at 4:00 p.m.

Directions to Nickle Galleries can be found here.