Ah, Calgary…home of the Stampede, NHL Flames, CFL Stampeders, and the 1988 Winter Olympics.
I’ve been thrice, the first time being nearly 20 years ago for 24 hours for work, so perhaps we strike that from the list.
My recent visit in September showed me that the city has excellent, innovative attractions and a smartly planned, beautiful outdoor space.

Here’s how I spent a couple of days there:

Every Second digital immersion gallery at the Telus Spark Science Centre

In an innovative move and the first permanent digital immersion gallery in western Canada, Calgary’s Telus Spark Science Centre (TSSC) has launched a creative digital immersion gallery.
A 6,000 square-foot space is home to this digital gallery and the inaugural exhibit is titled “Every Second” that focuses on the journey of life.
Having experienced it first-hand, it truly is something to behold and immerse yourself in.
Running approximately 15 minutes in length, narration is done via the smooth, soothing voice of well-known American-Italian actress Isabella Rossellini, and is themed by the numbers and notable moments in our lives.

On the quantitative side, the average human spends two years eating, 11 years working, 19 years walking, 25 years sleeping, 30 years standing, 19 years sitting and 115 days laughing.
(There’s a plethora more but you’ll have to experience the exhibit to find out what they are.)

On the qualitative side, the exhibit is divided into five life-stages; birth, childhood & discovery, adolescence & transformation, adulthood & connections, and ending with old age & wisdom.

“As we pull out of the pandemic, we are all ready to refocus on the things that give life its meaning,” says Mary Anne Moser, President and CEO of TELUS Spark Science Centre. “With the premiere exhibition in this new digital immersion gallery, we wanted to give people back the magic of a moment. And some data. What better place to explore new frontiers with digital technology than a science centre.”

Throughout, a dazzling array of vibrant projections cascade upon the walls and floor of the exhibit, enhancing the senses of sight and sound. Blending still and moving images through a series of linked rooms, Every Second’s journey of life experiences is truly a work of art.

Behind the scenes, Every Second was written and directed by the award-winning team at Montreal’s Les 7 Doigts. It was developed by Spark along with Supply and Demand Studio, which was started Olivier Goulet, former multimedia director at Cirque du Soleil.

The intention of Spark for this space (which will have new exhibits approximately every six months) is to target and engage an adult crowd in aspects of science, since typically, the science centre is thought to be for kids/young families.

Every Second is COVID friendly with a limited number of people allowed in at a time, and runs until January 30th, 2022.
sparkscience.ca  

Studio Bell National Music Centre

As someone who’s been immersed in music for 39 of my 43 years here, the Studio Bell National Music Centre is truly remarkable. The fabric of Canadian musical history is sewn together here, spread out over 22 exhibitions and five floors.
From iconic instruments to images and outfits, recording consoles, media clips and more, it’s a wonderful way to appreciate and learn about our musical history.
I thought about including a favourite aspect from my experience but after reviewing dozens of pictures I shot, there are far too many to whittle it down to one. So my answer will be all of the experiences.
Fine; I’ll mention one; the NHL-themed drum set of Rush’s Neil Peart.
As an added bonus, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame are located here, giving you even more to experience.
A big perk is that admission is free for visitors on weekends until the end of 2022.
studiobell.ca 

Explore the East Village 

To change gears and enjoy the outdoors, Calgary’s East Village is a must-visit.
Along the edge of the Bow River you’ll find the RiverWalk path, where you can stroll at your own pace, enjoy the scenery and it’s quite close to Studio Bell.
You’ll easily eclipse 10,000 steps before you know it!
Dining-wise, there are plenty of options here, including Charbar, who use fresh, sustainable and local ingredients on their menu. Located in the historical Simmons Building, you’ can indulge in west coast seafood along with a blend of Spanish and Italian cuisine.
Conveniently located in the same building is Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters, who are strongly connected to their community, have a beautiful space and most importantly, serve up a wonderful cup of coffee with a smile.

After a day of exploring and learning, you’ll need somewhere to hang your proverbial hat, and the conveniently located Alt Hotel is just where you can do that.
With available views of the Bow River, an upscale yet approachable vibe, and comfortable rooms, recharge and relax here before your next Calgary adventure.

Discover more of what Calgary has to offer and how much fun you can have.
To plan your visit, head over to visitcalgary.com