Arts Commons

"I want to walk into a museum and have it be a space that you can experience all different types of art, and that it can be a space for change and a space for thought" - Petra Collins . An eye opening video by Artsy. What are your thoughts on equality in the art world?

Looking to participate in Pride events around Calgary with your family? Check out Global Calgary's list of events happening from today until Sunday September 2nd!

"What I do is blues. Whatever my mind says goes down my right arm and through these fingers and I'll run it to you" - RL Boyce
Read the full interview article here: http://ow.ly/mV4W30lwYWx Written by Laura Barton of The Guardian
... Get ready for our first show of the season featuring RL Boyce in the PCL Blues series. Happening September 21&22. For tickets: artscommons.ca/boyce
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JOB ALERT: We are seeking enthusiastic, innovative and inclusive individuals to join our Event Services Team!
If this sounds like you, apply here: http://ow.ly/PjYr30lvXDv

When you have multiple seasons of amazing shows, some things start to wear out! The dimming lighting in the Max Bell Theatre has officially ran past its life cycle.
Over the last 2 months, we’ve updated to an LED system. This will create increased efficiencies to the power consumption in this theatre.
We have additional plans to update the lighting Jack Singer Concert Hall and the Martha Cohen Theatre, so stay tuned!

Good thing RL Boyce is coming to Arts Commons on September 21 & 22!
Check out his newest album, Ain't Gonna Play Too Long, on spotify:
Tickets and more info: artscommons.ca/boyce

“A beacon of the community who empowered them with her music, always gave back and never forgot the city she grew up in – or its people – no matter how far she ventured.” - Liana Aghajanian from The Guardian
#RIPAretha

The winner of our recent ballot contest from our tent at the Lilac Festival and Marda Gras!
Congratulations to Wendy! She won a Arts Commons Presents 2018-19 Live Music Season Sampler package!
Individual single tickets for our various live music shows can still be purchased here at our box office, online, and by phone.
... www.artscommons.ca 403-294-9494
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If you're still buzzing from Love Notes and Coffee like we are, check out one of our latest articles that gives an inside look into the event's creator, Harpreet M Dayal.
A love note for Harpreet Dayal. Read it here: http://ow.ly/dVs130lr3io

We are saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Aretha Franklin. Thank you for your extraordinary talent and legacy that you have left behind. #RIPAretha
Aretha Franklin - The Queen Of Soul

Hosted by Harpreet M Dayal in the Engineered Air Theatre
August 14, 2018
Photography by Jennifer Friesen ... www.jenniferfriesen.com
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Tonight's the night! Learn about each individual featured artist this evening in the Discussion Panel of the event page below! We can't wait!

Rediscover your positive mantra with performances at Love Notes and Coffee.
Happening tomorrow evening at 7:30PM in the Engineered Air Theatre.
RSVP: artscommons.ca/lovenotes
... Harpreet M Dayal
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In 2017, Zaire Sealy, spoken word poet, was selected as the Intersections resident poet in residence.
His Intersectional work with Uproot YYC involved creating a series of poems centered around his experience as an African American male. Using his love of music and literature he aims to challenge false narratives about African American masculinity, doing so in a unique and rhythmic fashion.
Zaire Sealy, will be reciting poetry at tomorrow's event Love Notes and Coffee with a...udio created by local producer Kevin Choo.
RSVP here: artscommons.ca/lovenotes
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Photography by Will Young.
In partnership with Downtown Calgary.
Friday, August 10, 2018 at Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza

Local country musician Jiggity James performs his hit “1st street southwest station, this is a northwest train, destination Tuscany.”
Err, wait, it’s called He’s in the Jailhouse Now.
To hear James uninterrupted by the humdrum announcements of the northwest C-Train, check him out at our awesome poetry jam, Love Notes and Coffee, at Arts Commons on August 14 (artscommons.ca/lovenotes)
... It’s a free event, and we can’t wait to share with you.
Watch his James Kay Campbell's video: http://ow.ly/qdUG30lmkin
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15 minutes till show time! If you’re in the crowd, we’d love to see your experience. Use the hashtags #TruckStopYYC, #artscommons and #Iamdowntown!

Live from Olympic Plaza at Happenings running till 8pm! If you’re not here, get here! The Truck Stop circus show will start at 8pm!

UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel the 5pm performance of Truck Stop and move the entire set for the 8pm show to Olympic Plaza.
The NEW location is on the West side of Olympic Plaza, just north of the Famous Five sculptures, right by Teatro - Look for the big trailer! (See photos below).
Happenings 13 is still ON, so join us to enjoy a multitude of activities including DYO animal masks, juggling, and magicians, from 4-8pm. THEN cap off your eveni...ng with what's sure to be a theatrical circus show. Check out the sneak peek below!
Remember that it will be between 33 and 36 degrees so come prepared!
#TruckStopYYC #artscommons #Iamdowntown
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Your establishment does not deserve to be reviewed the way it has been over JP. Those doing so are publicly falsifying his ideas and actions and it is irrational of them to call you out on it like they have. I support you.

Thank you for providing a variety of content to our city. Whether people agree with some of it or none it’s great to have choice. Thank you.

Just wanted to take a moment to express my support for the decision NOT to cancel the Jordan Peterson event.



So proud to have an organization that openly supports diversity of viewpoints. I also invite others to review the countless hours of YouTube content made my Jordan. He is sharing a positive message of personal accountability, in an age of where it is so desperately needed.



If there are any protests, which would be unfortunate, I can bet who the aggressors will be!!!

I support your stance on free speech and your decision to open up the range of ideas and perspectives with the event with Jordan Peterson.

I sang here twice and found the sound amazing. One of the best place to perform as a singer. The venue is pricey though, roughly 15k-20k, but you do get what you pay for.

Normally I would give you a five star rating but today’s show “Standing at the waters edge” took a seriously wrong turn. I wonder how your next seasons sponsor @ConocoPhillips would feel if they knew Ms: Mittermeier was taking the opportunity to share her anti pipeline propaganda in her @National Geographic presentation! Shame on her and shame on Arts Commons for turning a nice Sunday afternoon into a political soapbox. Goodbye Seasons Tickets. Pretty sure I was not the only one in the room who feels this way.

very upset that arts commons seems to allow people who choose to hate n share hate filled messages with others , women , lgbtqi2s+ n more deserve to be treated with respect , i understand the whole free speech thing but i'm not a fan of any who allow hate filled messages with-in their walls ,

really great job supporting LGBT people! You really showed the community you care by waiting a whole month until Pride was over before giving a transphobic nazi sympathizer a platform. Give yourselves a hand, that's what being an #ally is all about!

Very disappointed Arts Commons will be giving a platform to Jordan Peterson. He promotes hatred towards the trans community, as well as women, by using pseudo-facts and pop pyschology as a vehicle. I no longer consider Arts Commons to be a safe space. My concerns communicated by email were not addressed. This organization is accountable to the community and I encourage all to voice their concerns.

So, after commenting on Arts Commons use of the slur 'gypsy' to promote Monsieur Perine's upcoming show, the venue responded with a rote response about music history and Django Reinhardt. They also deleted a comment by a Roma woman who was pointing out the gyspy slur. Is it that hard, Arts Commons? When I complained about Jordan Peterson being given a venue here, I was told 'but freedom of speech!". But not for me, apparently. Just for Jordan Peterson. Do better!

Jordan Peterson? Nazis love him. Why should Arts Commons roll out the red carpet for him.

Jordan Peterson is not someone Calgary should be exposed to. This will only increase the intolerance this city shows to visible minorities. Poor choice, Arts Commons.

It's quite clear the demographic hosting Jordan Peterson was meant to attract. It's unfortunate many of those interested in attending prefer to mistreat the communities Art Commons claims to champion. I'd recommend updating your mission statement to more accurately reflect the intentions of your organization, it is currently misleading. I'm eager to take my work elsewhere.

I'm thoroughly disgusted by your accomodation of and support for the racism, misogyny and homophobia espoused by Jordan Peterson. Will never again patronise your establishment. Shame.

I have to echo that I’m extremely disappointed in the Arts Commons decision to host Dr Jordan Peterson. If the organization was interested in having the Arts Commons be a safe space for queer people they wouldn’t allow a transphobe and misogynist to use their infrastructure as a platform.

I am concerned about the Jordan Peterson event. Your fall-back to some vague "free speech" defense is extraordinarily weak. Free speech never exists in the abstract; when you choose to platform Peterson, you unplatform queer people. End of story. You did not have to agree to this. That you did speaks volumes about your moral core, let alone your commitment to equity for LGBTQ2SIA people.

Hosting Jordan Peterson under the guise of diversity and "a space for all" is really disappointing and deeply problematic.

Free speech and hate speech are two different things. Hate speech incites violence and should not be given a platform. If you support hate speech, you are not an ally to any of the marginalised communities you claim to support.

Extremely disappointed that Arts Commons supports Jordan Peterson. Apparently the potential for profit and notoriety is more important to Arts Commons and its Board of Directors than upholding basic tenets of its Value statements and its commitment to its peers, colleagues, and community. An organization that feels it's important to amplify and legitimize this man's voice--being fully aware of his misogynist, transphobic, and racist ideology as well as the network of intolerant and often violent adherents that support him and enact his doctrine--is no ally to Calgary's arts community.

Your establishment does not deserve to be reviewed the way it has been over JP. Those doing so are publicly falsifying his ideas and actions and it is irrational of them to call you out on it like they have. I support you.

Thank you for providing a variety of content to our city. Whether people agree with some of it or none it’s great to have choice. Thank you.

Just wanted to take a moment to express my support for the decision NOT to cancel the Jordan Peterson event.



So proud to have an organization that openly supports diversity of viewpoints. I also invite others to review the countless hours of YouTube content made my Jordan. He is sharing a positive message of personal accountability, in an age of where it is so desperately needed.



If there are any protests, which would be unfortunate, I can bet who the aggressors will be!!!

I support your stance on free speech and your decision to open up the range of ideas and perspectives with the event with Jordan Peterson.

I sang here twice and found the sound amazing. One of the best place to perform as a singer. The venue is pricey though, roughly 15k-20k, but you do get what you pay for.

Normally I would give you a five star rating but today’s show “Standing at the waters edge” took a seriously wrong turn. I wonder how your next seasons sponsor @ConocoPhillips would feel if they knew Ms: Mittermeier was taking the opportunity to share her anti pipeline propaganda in her @National Geographic presentation! Shame on her and shame on Arts Commons for turning a nice Sunday afternoon into a political soapbox. Goodbye Seasons Tickets. Pretty sure I was not the only one in the room who feels this way.

very upset that arts commons seems to allow people who choose to hate n share hate filled messages with others , women , lgbtqi2s+ n more deserve to be treated with respect , i understand the whole free speech thing but i'm not a fan of any who allow hate filled messages with-in their walls ,

really great job supporting LGBT people! You really showed the community you care by waiting a whole month until Pride was over before giving a transphobic nazi sympathizer a platform. Give yourselves a hand, that's what being an #ally is all about!

Very disappointed Arts Commons will be giving a platform to Jordan Peterson. He promotes hatred towards the trans community, as well as women, by using pseudo-facts and pop pyschology as a vehicle. I no longer consider Arts Commons to be a safe space. My concerns communicated by email were not addressed. This organization is accountable to the community and I encourage all to voice their concerns.

So, after commenting on Arts Commons use of the slur 'gypsy' to promote Monsieur Perine's upcoming show, the venue responded with a rote response about music history and Django Reinhardt. They also deleted a comment by a Roma woman who was pointing out the gyspy slur. Is it that hard, Arts Commons? When I complained about Jordan Peterson being given a venue here, I was told 'but freedom of speech!". But not for me, apparently. Just for Jordan Peterson. Do better!

Jordan Peterson? Nazis love him. Why should Arts Commons roll out the red carpet for him.

Jordan Peterson is not someone Calgary should be exposed to. This will only increase the intolerance this city shows to visible minorities. Poor choice, Arts Commons.

It's quite clear the demographic hosting Jordan Peterson was meant to attract. It's unfortunate many of those interested in attending prefer to mistreat the communities Art Commons claims to champion. I'd recommend updating your mission statement to more accurately reflect the intentions of your organization, it is currently misleading. I'm eager to take my work elsewhere.

I'm thoroughly disgusted by your accomodation of and support for the racism, misogyny and homophobia espoused by Jordan Peterson. Will never again patronise your establishment. Shame.

I have to echo that I’m extremely disappointed in the Arts Commons decision to host Dr Jordan Peterson. If the organization was interested in having the Arts Commons be a safe space for queer people they wouldn’t allow a transphobe and misogynist to use their infrastructure as a platform.

I am concerned about the Jordan Peterson event. Your fall-back to some vague "free speech" defense is extraordinarily weak. Free speech never exists in the abstract; when you choose to platform Peterson, you unplatform queer people. End of story. You did not have to agree to this. That you did speaks volumes about your moral core, let alone your commitment to equity for LGBTQ2SIA people.

Hosting Jordan Peterson under the guise of diversity and "a space for all" is really disappointing and deeply problematic.

Free speech and hate speech are two different things. Hate speech incites violence and should not be given a platform. If you support hate speech, you are not an ally to any of the marginalised communities you claim to support.

Extremely disappointed that Arts Commons supports Jordan Peterson. Apparently the potential for profit and notoriety is more important to Arts Commons and its Board of Directors than upholding basic tenets of its Value statements and its commitment to its peers, colleagues, and community. An organization that feels it's important to amplify and legitimize this man's voice--being fully aware of his misogynist, transphobic, and racist ideology as well as the network of intolerant and often violent adherents that support him and enact his doctrine--is no ally to Calgary's arts community.

Your establishment does not deserve to be reviewed the way it has been over JP. Those doing so are publicly falsifying his ideas and actions and it is irrational of them to call you out on it like they have. I support you.

Thank you for providing a variety of content to our city. Whether people agree with some of it or none it’s great to have choice. Thank you.

Just wanted to take a moment to express my support for the decision NOT to cancel the Jordan Peterson event.



So proud to have an organization that openly supports diversity of viewpoints. I also invite others to review the countless hours of YouTube content made my Jordan. He is sharing a positive message of personal accountability, in an age of where it is so desperately needed.



If there are any protests, which would be unfortunate, I can bet who the aggressors will be!!!

I support your stance on free speech and your decision to open up the range of ideas and perspectives with the event with Jordan Peterson.

I sang here twice and found the sound amazing. One of the best place to perform as a singer. The venue is pricey though, roughly 15k-20k, but you do get what you pay for.

Normally I would give you a five star rating but today’s show “Standing at the waters edge” took a seriously wrong turn. I wonder how your next seasons sponsor @ConocoPhillips would feel if they knew Ms: Mittermeier was taking the opportunity to share her anti pipeline propaganda in her @National Geographic presentation! Shame on her and shame on Arts Commons for turning a nice Sunday afternoon into a political soapbox. Goodbye Seasons Tickets. Pretty sure I was not the only one in the room who feels this way.

very upset that arts commons seems to allow people who choose to hate n share hate filled messages with others , women , lgbtqi2s+ n more deserve to be treated with respect , i understand the whole free speech thing but i'm not a fan of any who allow hate filled messages with-in their walls ,

really great job supporting LGBT people! You really showed the community you care by waiting a whole month until Pride was over before giving a transphobic nazi sympathizer a platform. Give yourselves a hand, that's what being an #ally is all about!

Very disappointed Arts Commons will be giving a platform to Jordan Peterson. He promotes hatred towards the trans community, as well as women, by using pseudo-facts and pop pyschology as a vehicle. I no longer consider Arts Commons to be a safe space. My concerns communicated by email were not addressed. This organization is accountable to the community and I encourage all to voice their concerns.

So, after commenting on Arts Commons use of the slur 'gypsy' to promote Monsieur Perine's upcoming show, the venue responded with a rote response about music history and Django Reinhardt. They also deleted a comment by a Roma woman who was pointing out the gyspy slur. Is it that hard, Arts Commons? When I complained about Jordan Peterson being given a venue here, I was told 'but freedom of speech!". But not for me, apparently. Just for Jordan Peterson. Do better!

Jordan Peterson? Nazis love him. Why should Arts Commons roll out the red carpet for him.

Jordan Peterson is not someone Calgary should be exposed to. This will only increase the intolerance this city shows to visible minorities. Poor choice, Arts Commons.

It's quite clear the demographic hosting Jordan Peterson was meant to attract. It's unfortunate many of those interested in attending prefer to mistreat the communities Art Commons claims to champion. I'd recommend updating your mission statement to more accurately reflect the intentions of your organization, it is currently misleading. I'm eager to take my work elsewhere.

I'm thoroughly disgusted by your accomodation of and support for the racism, misogyny and homophobia espoused by Jordan Peterson. Will never again patronise your establishment. Shame.

I have to echo that I’m extremely disappointed in the Arts Commons decision to host Dr Jordan Peterson. If the organization was interested in having the Arts Commons be a safe space for queer people they wouldn’t allow a transphobe and misogynist to use their infrastructure as a platform.

I am concerned about the Jordan Peterson event. Your fall-back to some vague "free speech" defense is extraordinarily weak. Free speech never exists in the abstract; when you choose to platform Peterson, you unplatform queer people. End of story. You did not have to agree to this. That you did speaks volumes about your moral core, let alone your commitment to equity for LGBTQ2SIA people.

Hosting Jordan Peterson under the guise of diversity and "a space for all" is really disappointing and deeply problematic.

Free speech and hate speech are two different things. Hate speech incites violence and should not be given a platform. If you support hate speech, you are not an ally to any of the marginalised communities you claim to support.

Extremely disappointed that Arts Commons supports Jordan Peterson. Apparently the potential for profit and notoriety is more important to Arts Commons and its Board of Directors than upholding basic tenets of its Value statements and its commitment to its peers, colleagues, and community. An organization that feels it's important to amplify and legitimize this man's voice--being fully aware of his misogynist, transphobic, and racist ideology as well as the network of intolerant and often violent adherents that support him and enact his doctrine--is no ally to Calgary's arts community.