SCENE October 2025

CALGARY’S GUIDE TO GOING OUT

FLUID FEST 2025

INDUSTRIAL EATS

PUPPET POWER CONFERENCE

VELET BIKE SKI CAFE HALLOW'SCENE

AMIDST BOOK BANS AND UNCERTAIN TIMES, THE LITERATURE SCENE IN CALGARY IS THRIVING THINGS TO DO MUSIC AND GIGS

Wordfest’s Creative Ringleader, Shelley Youngblut

THE WORLD IS YOURS TO CREATE

Ring in Samhain eve with a cover concert party, drag shows across town, ghost stories in an art gallery, and much more.

We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Cover: Shelley Yungblut, CEO, Calgary Wordfest.

Photo: Heather Saitz

Publisher Käthe Lemon, klemon@redpointmedia.ca

Editor Nathan Iles, niles@redpointmedia.ca

Editorial Intern Evelina Pak, sceneeditorialintern@redpointmedia.ca

Founding Editor Mike Bell

Designer Kris Twyman

Print/Digital Production Manager Mike Matovich CONTRIBUTORS

Jess Arcand, Lissa Robinson, Krista Sylvester, Sarah Comber, Iaman Nawaz, John Mawdsley, Lauren Kalinowski, Catrina Bowles, Kenna Burima, Cam Hayden, Sofía Velásquez

Client Support Coordinator Alice Meilleur

Senior Account Executive Jocelyn Erhardt

Account Executives Nadine Benoit, Vicki Braaten

Administrative and HR Manager Tara Brand

From Wordfest to indie bookstores and local authors, Calgary’s literature scene is absolutely bumpin’.

What to do, see, and hear this month across the city.

Musical duo NUM create electroacoustic compositions, sound art, and multimedia installations.

Fluid Fest ‘25 is a hub for creative expression.

Jana Sterbak’s Dimensions of Intimacy unveils at the Esker Foundation. 10

THEATRE SCENE

WP Puppet Theatre’s Puppet Power Conference focuses on inclusivity and the immigrant experience.

30 Cam Hayden 22 HALLOW’SCENE

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada

The Scene is a member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers’ Association and abides by its professional standards. redpointmedia.ca

1721 29 Avenue SW, Suite 375, Calgary, AB, T2T 6T7

20 FOOD SCENE

Wouldn’t you know it? Calgary’s “scenic” industrial sectors have some of the best spots to eat in town.

26 VENUE

European vibes reign supreme at the Velet Bike Ski Cafe.

28 CREATIVE SCENE

Moving your body can be the key to unlocking your creative potential.

CEO and co-owner Roger Jewett President and co-owner Käthe Lemon Design Director Steve Collins 2 3 5 1 2 7

PHOTO: DIVINA DIEFOR

Anne Xiety

What to do in October

HALLOWEEN SCARES AND FALL FESTIVITIES ARE JUST THE BEGINNING

SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE MUSICAL

Get ready to rock! Based on the hit movie, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, an out-of-work musician who becomes a substitute teacher and inspires his students to discover and develop their talents. With high-energy songs and a message about self-expression, it’s a poignant and fun show for kids and adults alike. Catch the two-act musical at the Beddington Theatre Arts Centre, running October 3 to November 1 Tickets available at storybooktheatre.org.

GRANARY ROAD HARVEST FAIR

If you’ve ever thought a tractor ride might be just what you need to shake things up, then Granary Road’s Annual Harvest Fair is calling your name. Running weekends from October 4 to 12, the fair is packed with fall fun: join the Pumpkin Hunt, carve your own jack-o’-lantern, and decorate caramel apples. Tickets are limited, so grab yours now at granaryroad.com.

SUSPIRIA LIVE

Horror is taking over the screens! This October 8 and 9 at the Globe Cinema, Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin will perform the iconic score of Dario Argento’s Suspiria (1977) live. He’s the composer behind some of the most influential horror scores ever, including Dawn of the Dead, Deep Red, Demons, and Tenebre, shaping the sound of horror for decades. Doors open

at 7 p.m., the screening starts at 8 p.m., and afterward, enjoy a 45-minute “Best Of” set with more of Simonetti’s legendary music. Tickets start at $80 and are on sale now at calgaryundergroundfilm.org.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW AT THE GRAND

It’s been 50 years since we time-warped for the first time, so let’s do the time warp again on October 10. Put on your best Frank-N-Furter costume and get on down the the GRAND cinema for a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and dance and sing to your heart’s content. You’ll want to get there early, because starting at 5:30 p.m., Waffles & Chix are serving up all the chicken and waffles you can eat. This screening of is part of The GRAND’s Halloween movie nights series. For more spooky goodness, grab tickets for screenings of Beetlejuice, Young Frankenstein, and on Halloween night, The Exorcist. Head to thegrandyyc.ca for tickets and screening times.

SPARK AFTER DARK: GORE

Have you ever wondered why we like horror movies? Why is the reverse bear trap from Saw one of the most horrifically fascinating moments in film history? Telus Spark aims to help answer that question on October 10 with Spark After Dark: Gore. Explore the science of gore from a psychological angle, and all the nitty-gritty biology that’s

BY CATRINA BOWLES AND EVELINA PAK

sure to make your skin crawl. If your stomach was too weak for the high school frog dissection, this one might not be for you. For all you freaks, mark off your calendar — the event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight. Grab your tickets at sparkscience.ca.

SCREAMFEST

Feel free to scream! From October 10 to November 1, Screamfest takes over Stampede GMC Stadium from 7 p.m. to midnight. Explore Clown Town, a creepy motel, and everything that’s ever been on your fear list. Don’t worry, the zombies don’t bite … or at least, that’s what they promise. Tickets and details at screamfest.ca. Recommended for thrill-seekers 13+.

THEWALK.CA FOR CALGARY FOOD BANK

Thanksgiving is the perfect day to celebrate gratitude and giving back, so join fellow Calgarians at the new Eau Claire Plaza in support of the Calgary Food Bank. On October 13, start your morning with a 5 kilometre walk along downtown’s scenic pathways, open to all ages and abilities. Then, stick around for an outdoor dance party featuring a live DJ and free treats, samples, and goodies to keep the energy high. The event is free! Register at theWALK.ca.

ALBERTA BALLET: NIJINSKY

A tribute to ballet legend Vaslav Nijinsky takes to the Jubilee stage from October 16 to 18

With routines from four female choreographers across three generations, Nijinsky offers a fresh perspective on the legacy of the man regarded as the greatest male dancer of the 20th century. The show includes reimaginings of two of his famous works — Afternoon of a Faun and Petrushka — as well as Firebird and Spectre de la Rose, which were created during Nijinsky’s run with the Ballet Russes company. If you’ve only ever experienced ballet through your niece’s dance recitals, give it another try by watching the works of one of the greats. Head to albertaballet. com for tickets

“THROUGH THE VEIL” – A PARANORMAL CONVERSATION

Have you had a ghostly encounter? Perhaps your college dorm was most definitely haunted? Or maybe you just have a thing for watching

PHOTO: STORYBOOK THEATRE

PHOTOS: KELSEY HEINTZ

School of Rock Spark After Dark: Gore

Suspiria

Thewalk.ca

ghost-hunting videos on YouTube and analyzing the garbled sounds that come out of the EMF reader. No matter your paranormal persuasion, you’re bound to find some interest in “Through the Veil,” a conversation hosted by Ghostbound Guides on October 16. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. at cSPACE, join two brothers as they unpack their personal experiences with the supernatural, and bring your own stories along. Get tickets on eventbrite.com, and submit your personal stories to Ghostbound Guides on their Instagram: @ghostboundguides.

THE BROTHERS PARANORMAL

You can either listen to the paranormal stories or you can join the adventures of brothers Max and Visarut as they dive into the world of paranormal investigation. What begins as a shaky business venture quickly spirals into something far more chilling when their first real case appears. Is the haunting real — or just a trick of the mind? The Brothers Paranormal is a play that blends mystery, comedy, and horror in one unforgettable story. Don’t miss the Canadian premiere at Vertigo Theatre, running now through October 26.

CALGARY CIVIC SYMPHONY:

CARMINA BURANA

As October winds down, step away from spooky stories and Halloween thrills, and immerse yourself in the world of beautiful music with Calgary Civic Symphony’s 49th concert season. Under the baton of Music Director Rolf Bertsch, over 200 musicians come together to perform Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The event will take place on November 2, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Jack Singer Hall. Reserve your seat at werklundcentre.ca.

Sarah Slean WITH STRINGS

OCTOBER 25

Experience

EXHIBITION ON NOW

Honouring

PHOTO: FIFTH WALL MEDIA

The Brothers Paranormal

ACT 1

1

Onstage in October

SEA SHANTIES, GRINDING PUNK, SYMPHONIC POP, SHOCK ROCK, AND MORE

MEAN BIKINI

Outhouse Records stalwarts Mean Bikini are a snarling, take-no-bullshit punk act. This show is supported by a stacked lineup of locals, including Motherfuckers, Bats Out, The Turn Arounds and The Break Ins. October 5, 2 p.m. at Pinbar, 501 17 Ave. S.W., pinbaryyc.com.

HALESTORM AND LINDSEY STIRLING

The nEVEREST DUALITY tour lands in Calgary, featuring shredding guitars and violin melodies competing for sonic supremacy. October 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., scotiabanksaddledome.com.

AL MUIRHEAD

Who celebrates turning 90 by playing a gig?

Bonafide Canadian jazz legend Al Muirhead, that’s who. Let’s party and enjoy his trumpet-playing all night long. October 9, 6:30 p.m. at Studio Bell, 850 4 St. S.E., studiobell.ca.

DYING FETUS

A brutal, brutal evening of death metal, grinding violence, and throaty vocals awaits anyone brave enough to hit this gig. Bring earplugs, and don’t miss opening sets from Gates to Hell and Mugshot. October 10, 8 p.m. at MacEwan Hall, 2500 University Dr. N.W., machallconcerts.com

SIYAHKAL, DESGRACIADOS, PUPPET WIPES, AND MORE

Thrashers from Toronto and Montreal join some of Calgary’s finest punk acts for a crushing, twofloor, nine-band evening of heaviness. October 11, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca.

QUIT IT! ALBUM RELEASE

Celebrate the latest album of socio-political punk rock from local boys, Quit It! And guess what? The Territories and Toxic Fem are on hand to party as well. October 15, 9 p.m. at the Ship & Anchor, 534 17 Ave. S.W., shipandanchor.com.

SYMPHONIC SEAS

Get nautical with the Calgary Phil with three

sea-inspired works conducted by Yue Bao:: Four Sea Interludes, works from Benjamin Britten’s opera, Peter Grimes; Maurice Ravel’s Une Barque Sur L’Ocean; and Ralph Vaughn Williams’ A Sea Symphony, including text by Walt Whitman. October 17 and 18, 7:30 p.m. at the Jack Singer, 205 8 Ave. S.E., calgaryphil.com.

SARAH MCLACHLAN

Can you believe that McLachlan’s Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is more than 30 years old?

Don’t worry, this Canadian icon hasn’t lost her soft rock touch. October 18, 7:30 p.m. at the Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., scotiabanksaddledome.com.

MADAM X

UK-based producer Madam X is hitting Cowtown, bringing an eclectic mix of grime, techno, bass, garage, and dubstep. October 18, 10 p.m. at Common/UNDRGRD, 731 10 Ave. S.W., commonwealthbar.ca,

MARC REBILLET

Best described as a “one-man improvised meltdown,” Rebillet’s looped electronic show is equal parts catchy and hilarious. October 19, 8 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3777 Grey Eagle Dr., greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.

KAMERON MARLOWE

If you caught this country crooner on The Voice, you already know he’s got some pipes. He’s hot off the release of his new single, “Seventeen,”

BY NATHAN ILES

so now’s the perfect time to catch Marlowe. October 22, 7 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W., thepalacetheatre.ca.

CUNNINLYNGUISTS

The outlandish rhymes and poetic energy of CunninLynguists have been dominating the underground hip-hop scene for 25 years. If you enjoyed The Roots at Folk Fest last year, you’ll love this one. October 24, 8 p.m. at Commonwealth, 731 10 Ave. S.W., commonwealthbar.ca.

PAULA COLE AND SOPHIE B. HAWKINS

Whether you remember Cole’s song “I Don’t Want To Wait” from Dawson’s Creek or heard a Hawkins tune in PEN15, these symphonic pop masters are pop culture icons who have joined forces for a special show. October 27, 7:30 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall, 18 Mt. Royal Cir. S.W., tickets.mru.ca.

ELLIOT BR00D

“Ballads & Badlands” are a match made in heaven, as are their storytelling lyrics and banjo-oriented rock. It’s a fitting name for this tour, and Great Lake Swimmers are on deck to open things up. October 30, 7 p.m. at Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., dickensyyc.com.

GWAR

Imagine a WWE match mixed with a slasher horror film scored by your dad’s favourite heavy metal band. That’s a GWAR show. And you’ll walk out covered in fake blood. October 31, 6 p.m. at MacEwan Hall, 2500 University Dr. N.W., machallconcerts.com.

FOREIGNER

One of the best-selling bands of all time (with more than 80 million records sold) returns to Calgary. “Juke Box Hero,” indeed. November 6, 7:30 p.m. at WinSport Event Centre, 88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W., winsport.ca.

Marc Rebillet

GWAR

PHOTO: SHAWN STANLEY

PHOTO: PHIL CHESTER

Yue Bao

PHOTO: MICHAEL STARGHILL

THE SOUNDS OF NUM

MARYAM SIRVAN AND MILAD BAGHERI BLEND HUMAN EXPERIENCE WITH TECHNOLOGY

BY EVELINA PAK

Originally from Iran, NUM is an interdisciplinary music duo working at the intersection of technology and human experience. Their practice spans electroacoustic composition, sound art, and multimedia installations.

For Maryam Sirvan and Milad Bagheri, music isn’t born of comfort — it reflects experiences of displacement and the pressures of migration. Before moving to Canada in 2021, they presented their work across West Asia and Europe.

Now based in Calgary, they continue to expand their practice and have an upcoming album in collaboration with Jeremy Brown at Studio Bell.

A LONG JOURNEY

Milad: “We met at a concert where I played. At first, we were mostly covering well-known songs and making some electronic compositions; 2010 marks the start of our original work together.”

Maryam: “Covering wasn’t fulfilling — we needed to create our own sonic universe. So we decided to produce songs together, chose a name, set up social media, and gradually got introduced to electroacoustic and experimental electronic music.”

Milad: “Music is the reason we’re here now. Moving to Canada happened after I received funding to do a master’s at the University of Calgary. “We needed to be out of Iran. You know the situation — an ideological, complex environment. For example, women are banned from singing in public. We had to leave.”

CALGARY ELECTRONIC SCENE

Milad: “The scene for our kind of work is small. Electronic and experimental shows are mostly DIY. You can find stronger scenes in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto, but that’s just three cities in a big country.

“Calgary has potential to grow in new [forms of] sound; sonic arts, new media, installations not just staged concerts. People are very curious. They ask questions and say positive things, but it’s clearly new to many.

regardless of how popular it is. We won’t change toward the market — that’s not who we are.”

or reversed sounds, [and] made whole pieces from recordings of birds or field noises. That experimental spirit still inspires us.

“Later, synthesizers made electronic music more commercial, and now people think ‘electronic’ means dance beats, but its origins were very different. We’re influenced by that early freedom.

“Freedom, however, can be both good and challenging: you can start anywhere, but sometimes it’s hard to choose where.”

MUSIC AND TECH

Milad: “We learned to code for sound, and once you code, you start thinking, ‘What if sound connects to visuals? What if we make something interactive, give the audience an interface to play along?’”

Maryam: “Technology is human — there’s always a human mind behind the machine. Even with generative music, you program the system; it doesn’t come from the computer by itself.”

‟You experiment to create something new. It’s about freedom and the infinite options you have.”

MILAD BAGHERI

“The issue is presentation and support. When budgets are limited, you end up with a cheap PA, poor sound, and venues that don’t suit the work. Our music depends on sound quality, spatialization, and speaker placement. Proper staging would help both artists and audiences experience the work as intended.”

Maryam: “We try not to worry too much about reactions. We want to make this kind of music,

MIlad: “Even if the audience is small, we feel motivated to keep going, to find resources, to share what we’re doing. It’s not just for us. We know other artists in Calgary who face the same struggles. If this encourages even one person, it’s worth it.”

‘WE NEVER KNEW EACH OTHER WITHOUT MUSIC’

Maryam: “We always say we’re together because of music. Without it, we wouldn’t have come this far. The two things aren’t separate for us. Music is part of our identity as a couple.”

Milad: “Even when we’re upset or down, we play together. It’s like dialogue without words. Making music gives us a shared power. We never knew each other without music.”

EXPERIMENTAL SPIRIT

Milad: “Technically, we draw heavily from pioneers of electroacoustic music in Europe, especially musique concrète in ‘50s France. Those composers cut and spliced tapes, slowed

Milad: “Experimental music isn’t really a genre; it’s an approach. You experiment to create something new. It’s about freedom and the infinite options you have.”

This Q&A was created in collaboration with Werklund Centre.

NUM’s new album Seas Coming For Me will be released on November 30 at cSPACE. To learn more about their work, visit numduo.com.

QUICK TAKES

Musical inspirations: Pierre Schaeffer and Bernard Parmegiani, Tim Hecker, William Basinski, Björk, Radiohead, Portishead, Depeche Mode.

For someone new to sound art:

“Start with history — how it began and evolved. Listening isn’t only about enjoyment; sometimes it’s about thinking. Begin with ambient, softer tracks, then build into deeper ones.”

Where to start with NUM’s work: Trilogy for the Light. For the experimental works, False Awakening

DANCE SCENE BODIES OF WONDER

BY JESS ARCAND

Fluid Festival turns 20 this October, and its vision is clear: to create a hub for Alberta’s dance community with artists from other regions and disciplines. The festival is produced by Springboard Performance, a Calgary-based arts organization founded by Nicole Mion. Beyond Fluid Fest, Springboard runs programs year-round from residencies and workshops to founding and hosting performances at ‘containR’, a pop-up art park in Inglewood and Crescent Heights. Fluid Fest remains its centrepiece: three weekends of global touring work paired with Calgary’s own creatives.

As Mion explained, the festival features local, national, and international artists. “It was a way of clustering energy and being in conversation with the dance community,” she shares. That clustering shows up in how audiences experience the festival, filling venues across the city, including the Grand Theatre, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Contemporary Calgary, and the Big Secret Theatre. “These are all venues that people are pretty familiar with if you’re in the theatre scene, and if you’re not, it’s a nice way to test the waters and see how your curiosity can take you into the world of contemporary performance,” she said.

Fluid Fest merges classical techniques with improvised scores, blending comedy with feminist critique inside theatres. It harnesses these intersections to make waves across disciplines. It also responds to Alberta’s realities: venues are scarce, travel is long, and budgets are tight.

If the festival is the how, its guiding why is wonder. “In this culture, environment, and time, it’s so important to come together and feel something,” said marketing lead Deanna Witwer. Live art can do that. And wonder is a way to frame many experiences and feelings in a positive and generative way.”

Catch the festival from October 17 to November 2. For a full schedule, visit springboardperformance.com

HOW FLUID FEST IS SHAPING A CREATIVE HUB

BALLET EDMONTON FLOWS INTO CALGARY

Ballet Edmonton will take the Calgary main stage for the first time with Soft Currents, a collaborative project that brings Edmonton and Calgary dancers together under award-winning choreographer Vanessa Goodman. For Kirsten Wicklund, Artistic Director of Ballet Edmonton, it’s a chance to cross-pollinate. “It’s really more of a collaborative approach, more of an improvised score that the dance groups build together,” she said. “It’s important to us to have a beautiful conversation between our dance groups.”

Within that web, choreographers and collectives like Ballet Edmonton are strengthening Alberta-to-Alberta ties. Mion celebrates their success, sharing, “I’m proud of what [Ballet Edmonton] have been able to do in so few years. They’re really putting Alberta on the map for contemporary ballet.”

For many Calgarians, Ballet Edmonton’s

appearance will be their first encounter with a company that embodies reinvention. Wicklund describes it this way: “Ballet Edmonton is a creation-based contemporary ballet company. It is an ensemble of people who dance in a variety of styles, but are classically trained. We invite choreographers into our space who are primarily invested in innovating through dance. We host them for their creative process, but ask that the dancers devote themselves to whatever working approach they want to grow.”

Wicklund believes that contemporary dance lowers barriers for newcomers because of the humanity it reflects. “What we’re presenting is an immediate response to what’s happening in the world right now. It aims to be something that draws you into a dialogue. Question what [and] why. We’re really dealing with moving bodies and the relationships between them.”

JOCELYN MAH IS BLOODY BRILLIANT

“Humanity” is exactly what choreographer Jocelyn Mah leans into with Right Hand Woman, a part of Fluid’s comedy-forward Why So Serious program. Mah has a long-standing relationship with the festival, having served as a curator of their cabaret programming and in other ensemble works. Her new piece was sparked by a specific fear while curating Fluid Fest’s Halloween cabaret last year. “I had this imagery of performing a very serious dance solo, and your tampon starts falling out or the string starts hanging out on stage while you’re dancing. What do you do?”

The result is a solo dance where she reveals her inner monologue to the audience through Tony Tamponi, a giant bloody tampon puppet she wears during the performance. Mah is clear about the politics under the punchlines. “Bodies can menstruate, and it’s deemed to be disgusting or something to be ashamed about. I want to break down those walls. It’s okay to talk about your experiences, your body, and celebrate being here.”

Fluid Fest is more than just a hub; it’s an active practice of putting people, ideas, and spaces into motion. In October, Fluid Fest invites Calgarians to test that practice for themselves. Follow your curiosity and let wonder do its connective work along the way.

PHOTO: NANC PRICE

PHOTO: DARIN GREGSON

Dimensions of Intimacy

THIS LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITION CELEBRATES JANA STERBAK’S PROVOCATIVE ART

IN THE GALLERIES THIS MONTH

ILLINGWORTH KERR GALLERY

Faces and Places

Until November 22

Focusing on AUArts as a vibrant cultural hub, the exhibition explores Calgary’s cultural evolution since the ‘70s. Drawing on local archives and narratives, the show reveals how artists and designers have documented, celebrated, and connected their communities to capture the city’s ethos, affirming AUArts as a vital cornerstone in shaping Calgary’s artistic identity.

TrépanierBaer Gallery

Ed Pien: Incarnate

Evan Penny: Marsyas and the Venetian Mirror

Until November 1

Canadian artists Penny and Pien have garnered international attention for their distinct practices. Penny’s hyper-realistic, distorted sculptures challenge how we see and define human presence, while Pien’s intricate and immersive installations evoke fragility, memory, and the ephemeral. This double feature offera a unique opportunity to experience their works side by side.

BY LISSA ROBINSON

First unveiled in 1987, Vanitas: Flesh Dress for an Albino Anorexic is perhaps the most recognizable work by Prague-born Canadian artist Jana Sterbak. Crafted from 50 pounds of raw flank steak, this unsettling dress became a cultural landmark with its visceral punch reignited by Lady Gaga’s rendition, worn at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.

While this work resonates with current pop culture, Sterbak’s deeper pursuit is the body itself, which is at the core of her retrospective at Calgary’s Esker Foundation.

Jana Sterbak: Dimensions of Intimacy presents over 50 works spanning 46 years, offering a rich and provocative glimpse into her material and conceptual concerns, including significant early works and rarely seen artist editions, photographs, and drawings.

Sterbak fled Czechoslovakia with her family in 1968 after the Prague Spring protests, later studying at Concordia in Montréal. Over her career, she represented Canada at the 2003 Venice Biennale, received a Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts, and in 2017 was honoured with the Prix Paul-Émile-Borduas. Despite settling in Canada, Sterbak has strong ties to Europe both professionally and in her affinity for its humanism, irony, and black humour.

From chocolate cast as bones to dancers tethered inside remote-controlled crinolines, Sterbak has redefined feminist and contemporary art through unconventional and provocative materials. For example, in Sisyphus Sport (1997), Sterbak reimagines this mythological burden as a stone backpack outfitted with leather straps. In contrast, more ephemeral materials, such as bread, chocolate, or meat, evoke sustenance, comfort, and the inevitability of decomposition.

Sterbak’s work ranges from sculpture and video to installation and performance, often combining multiple forms in a single work or through multiple renditions. Whatever the form, her work fuses dark humour with physical matter, testing ideas about subjectivity or the struggle for corporeal or political freedom. Sterbak seems to revel in the productive friction found in the tension between opposites, which she uses to probe deeper into uncomfortable themes around mortality, desire, power, and vulnerability.

The human body is omnipresent in Sterbak’s work, which she wraps, clothes, and imprisons within metal bars, wires, and other techno ephemera. Her work is intimate, beautiful, and immersed in contradiction, where fear mingles with longing, and vanity dissolves into decay. What emerges is an artist in tune with the forces that shape us and to the flesh that both binds us and sets us free.

Dimensions of Intimacy runs from September 20 to December 21 at the Esker Foundation.

ALBERTA CRAFT COUNCIL

Mackenzie Kelly-Frère: Drawn

Until November 1

Textile artist Mackenzie Kelly-Frère explores cloth as a contextual object linking humans, plants, and animals. The exhibition features handwoven works inspired by the Canadian prairies and an Icelandic residency. Focused on natural phenomena and cultivated landscapes, the work embodies lived experience and human presence through texture, structure, and subtle colouration.

NICKLE GALLERIES

Eveline Kolijn: Ecologies

Until December 6

Rooted in childhood explorations of Caribbean shores and a lifelong dialogue with science, Eveline Kolijn crafts imaginative works that bridge art and ecology. Through printmaking, video, and installation, she evokes marine worlds while confronting the decline of coral reefs and the impacts of climate change. Rich in scientific curiosity and artistic vision, her work reflects on the fragile beauty that sustains life.

NORBERG HALL

Laura Findlay: The Darkest Hour

Until October 25

Laura Findlay’s luminous paintings explore tensions between human intervention and ecological processes by capturing nocturnal moments in nature. Using additive and subtractive painting and mark-making, she reflects on cycles of growth, decay, and transformation through layered imagery, where nature and technology mutate and converge.

THEATRE SCENE

POWER TO THE PUPPETS

BY KRISTA SYLVESTER

Long associated with children’s television and comedic marionettes, puppetry in Calgary has matured into a diverse and dynamic method of storytelling that leaves a lasting impact. And it’s about to steal the spotlight for a second time this year after the Festival of Animated Objects wrapped back in the spring, as the 13th edition of WP Puppet Theatre’s Puppet Power Conference takes over the Centre for Newcomers on Oct. 18 and 19.

The location was chosen specifically for this year’s timely theme: immigration, a newly controversial subject that resonates deeply in a city home to many newcomers adjusting to life in their new city.

Artists, educators, and community leaders will explore immigration through workshops, performances, livestream watch parties, and hands-on puppet-making in a hybrid, two-day event that blends professional development with creative play.

“The goal of Puppet Power 2025 is to explore and humanize the complex realities of immigration, refugees, and newcomers, and to offer a unique perspective through the powerful and poetic lens of puppetry,” says Wendy Passmore-Godfrey, W.P. Puppet Theatre’s founder and artistic/executive director. “I believe that by bringing together diverse voices and creative practices, we can discover cross-cultural and

linguistic barriers and share stories of hope, resilience, and solidarity.”

Passmore-Godfrey says Puppet Power explores the theme in a creative way. “Immigration touches every aspect of our society right now, and puppetry can be a way to connect, heal, and inspire.”

What makes Puppet Power distinctive is its emphasis on “applied puppetry” — puppetry used not only for performance, but as a tool in professional fields including education, therapy, social work, and health care.

The event pairs local organizations with puppetry experts to brainstorm new ways to bridge cultural and intergenerational gaps — from puppet parades to team-building workshops to English language learning circles.

THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Elaine Weryshko, co-artistic director and educational director of the Calgary-based Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry, echoes the sentiment that puppetry can have a lasting impact as a storytelling method.

“Sometimes it’s easier to deal with something that comes through metaphor than face-to-face. Puppetry has power, but it’s not a big axe coming down — it’s engaging, fun and deeply human.”

Weryshko recalls working in schools with children who had newly arrived in Canada.

“There was a kid in kindergarten who had

WP PUPPET THEATRE’S PUPPET POWER CONFERENCE GIVES CALGARY IMMIGRANTS A VOICE

never spoken because he was fresh from wherever he was from,” she says, adding that when he had a puppet in his hands, he was able to share his emotions. “‘I am happy, and I am sad.’ That’s heart-wrenching and heartwarming all at once — and it showed how puppetry could unlock his voice.”

FROM THE FRINGES TO THE FOREFRONT

Calgary’s puppetry roots run deep. Companies like Old Trout Puppet Workshop and artists like Ronnie Burkett helped build a foundation here decades ago, crafting dreamlike, surreal performances that have now influenced generations.

“Calgary has always incubated people who wanted to do something different,” Weryshko says. “In Toronto, there are 10 people already doing every idea you might have. In Calgary, you can carve out space and experiment. That’s why the puppetry scene feels so imaginative.”

But the form has also shifted with the times.

“Puppetry engages your hands, your imagination, and your humanity. It’s craft, it’s play, and it’s storytelling,” Weryshko says.

The heart of Puppet Power is not simply the art form, but what it enables: stories. Stories of leaving home, of finding one’s footing in a new land, of joy, grief, resilience and transformation.

At the same time, the conference offers something joyous, playful and inclusive, says Passmore-Godfrey.

“The goal ... is to explore and humanize the complex realities of immigration, refugees, and newcomers...”

WENDY PASSMORE-GODFREY, W.P. PUPPET THEATRE’S FOUNDER & ARTISTIC/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

“There’s nothing more unusual than a Puppet Power conference, and that’s exactly why it can be so galvanizing.”

TIMELY TOPIC

From climate anxieties to cultural divisions, previous Puppet Power themes have tackled existentialism, intergenerational connection and consumerism. Immigration, however, feels particularly urgent.

With Calgary schools stretched to welcome Ukrainian children and national debates about foreign workers making headlines, the theme could not be timelier.

Passmore-Godfrey hopes people will come away with new perspectives, new tools, or simply the spark to return to their communities and try something.

“Puppetry has the power to make a social impact in ways people don’t expect,” she adds.

Passmore-Godfrey believes puppetry can break down barriers that words alone often cannot. “By bringing together diverse voices and creative practices, we can cross cultural and linguistic divides and share stories of hope, resilience, and solidarity.”

Puppet Power 2025, presented by WP Puppet Theatre, goes down October 18 to 19 at The Centre for Newcomers. For tickets and info, visit wppuppet.com/puppetpower.

PHOTO: KIERON CIRCUIT

PHOTO: COURTESY WP PUPPET THEATRE

werklundcentre.ca/freeman NOVEMBER

CALGARY LIT IN FOCUS

BY EVELINA PAK

Calgary’s literary identity is still emerging. While many readers may not immediately recognize it, the city boasts a vibrant community of writers and book lovers. This autumn, conversations about books are everywhere — from debates over book bans in Alberta schools to preparations for WordFest, the city’s largest literary festival.

To understand what shapes this literary landscape, The Scene spoke with local contemporary authors about writing, storytelling, and the Blue Sky City itself.

MARCELLO DI CINTIO

Non-fiction author Marcello Di Cintio focuses on marginalized communities and untold stories. “We all have our own big personal narratives, and so many of them never get told,” he says.

His latest book, Precarious: The Lives of Migrant Workers, draws on years of interviews to expose the realities behind Canada’s temporary foreign worker programs. The project is personal for him: his grandfather first came to Canada as a migrant worker in the ‘50s. “I was curious: who are the contemporary versions of my grandfather?”

Di Cintio emphasizes that real understanding comes from listening to those directly affected: “I’m not interested in people with power. I’m interested in people on the ground, whose lives are impacted by those in power.”

Censorship, he adds, strikes at the very heart of literature. “As a writer, the idea of banning books is the greatest crime,” he says. For him, diverse books are essential not just for readers but for future writers: “That’s how writers are born: by reading something that speaks to their lives.” His wish for the next generation is simple: “I hope they read widely, [and] wider than I did.”

Calgary’s literary identity remains in formation, shaped by writers who are uncompromising and hopeful. Amid debates over censorship, the city’s authors continue to craft stories that find their way into the community. Their stories remind us that literature is not

LOCAL AUTHORS REFLECT ON IDENTITY, BOOK BANS, AND THE CITY’S EVOLVING LITERARY VOICE

“THERE’S SOMETHING TRULY MAGICAL ABOUT RECOGNIZING YOUR OWN WORLD ON THE PAGE.”

“I WROTE A VERY UNPATRIOTIC BOOK IN A VERY PATRIOTIC TIME.”

NATALIE SUE

Contemporary fiction writer Natalie Sue is drawn to narratives that explore human connections in ordinary settings. Her latest book, I Hope This Finds You Well, follows an office outcast who accidentally uncovers her colleagues’ emails and the coming layoffs.

“I loved the idea of writing a book set in an office,” she says. “It’s an environment

SCOTT CHARLTON PAUL

only a means to influence minds, but, as Di Cintio puts it, “is the greatest avenue toward empathy.”

The launch of Precarious: The Lives of Migrant Workers is on October 6 at the Central Library. You can also see Marcello Di Cintio at Wordfest on October 16 and 18.

AUTHOR

FUN FACTS

Writing ritual: Reads random pages from Slouching Towards Bethlehem when stuck

Canadian author admired: Omar El Akkad

Recommended reading: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

Currently based in Lethbridge, Scott Charlton Paul writes murder mysteries and literary fiction. His new novel, A Murder of Prose, was inspired by an encounter outside the Lethbridge public library, where a conversation with a homeless man and the watchful gaze of nearby crows sparked an unconventional murder mystery.

Born in Calgary and raised in both urban and rural communities, Paul says his writing reflects a blend of these experiences, lending authenticity to characters ranging from a former librarian to a barrel-racing champion.

On Alberta’s recent debates over book restrictions, he responded with a slogan: “Ban Fascists, Not Books.” Looking to the future, he hopes readers will seek out local stories and writers. “These stories reveal a Canadian identity that is as diverse and unique as the

where miscellaneous people are forced into proximity, a situation that’s ripe for humanity to seep in.”

From a writing perspective, Sue sees Calgary’s literary identity as diverse, complemented by a supportive network of writers, readers, libraries, and festivals. “There is no limit to what can come out of Calgary right now, nor is there a limit to where our readers are anymore.”

For her, writing is a way to connect: “I try my best to tap into a feeling or statement that makes me feel seen, but I do that with the faith that it will connect with someone else.”

You can see Natalie Sue at Wordfest on October 18 for the Leacockians Unite!!!! show.

AUTHOR FUN FACTS

Writing ritual: Coffee and a dog nearby

Canadian author admired: Kit Pearson

Recommended reading: All Our Ordinary Stories: A Multigenerational Family Odyssey by Teresa Wong

writers themselves.”

“SOUTHERN ALBERTA IS FERTILE GROUND FOR STORYTELLING”

A Murder of Prose releases in Calgary on October 8 at Owl’s Nest Books.

AUTHOR FUN FACTS

Writing ritual: Connects with his online writing group

Canadian authors admired: Rick Gillis, Barbara Darby, Jean McCarthy

Recommended reading: The Sunbeam Room

PHOTO: JULILLA PAUL

PHOTO: HEATHER SAITZ

PHOTO: SVETLANA YANOVA

“WE FOSTER A CONNECTION THAT IS AUTHENTIC, REAL, AND LIVELY BETWEEN AN AUTHOR AND THEIR READER.

SHELLEY YOUNGBLUT, WORDFEST CEO

WRITE AND THEY WILL COME WHY WRITERS RETURN TO WORDFEST’S

F or many writers, attending the Imaginairium is more than a brief romance or a one-time fling. Rather, the festival is like a glamorous old friend that welcomes back writers time and time again, serving dry martinis with a twist and talking late into the night until every drop of conversation has been thoroughly wrung out. Two such writers share what makes the literary festival stand out from its contemporaries.

A Light in the Darkness

DISCOVER WHAT MAKES WORDFEST’S 2025 IMAGINAIRIUM FESTIVAL A DRAW FOR READERS AND WRITERS ALIKE

BY SARAH COMBER

To a person who loves to read, getting lost in the pages of a good book feels as essential as breathing. Perhaps even more so in a world where daily news headlines induce anxiety, where political divides seem insurmountable, and where even the very thing readers love — books — are being banned.

The smell of binding glue, the feel of paper under your fingertips, and the ritual of opening a new book feel like a balm on a burn. Turning the last page and absorbing the finalé of your chosen read feels satisfying at first, but to a person who loves books, the “end” will never satiate the thirst for more.

Enter the Imaginairium, Wordfest’s annual festival celebrating all sorts of “wordy goodness,” where the intentionally crafted mix of “shows” — yes, shows, not lectures or readings

DAVID A. ROBERTSON

“It’s an amazing festival, and I think the literary community agrees that it’s one of the best out there. It is a festival that feels like a community,” says David A. Robertson, who has attended the Imaginairium festival every year since 2016.

He adds that Wordfest very carefully curates writers for the festival. “It’s not only just about the connections between the writers and the readers, artists and the readers, but it’s also a great way to connect with other writers.”

Robertson notes that the Wordfest team instills passion and innovation into how they execute their events. “They’re not typical events, and their youth programming is amazing.”

Indeed, Robertson will be appearing in a

number of events during the festival, including “You Were Made for This Steady Brightness,” which celebrates two anthologies — A Steady Brightness of Being and the youth anthology You Were Made for This World — that are each a collection of letters from outstanding Indigenous voices across Turtle Island, including Robertson.

“I think it’s really great to have these events that have wide, wide participation from different artists,” he says.

WHAT HE’S WRITTEN

David A. Robertson is a prolific Canadian author and public speaker. Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a member of the Norway House Cree Nation, he has published more than 25 books across a range of genres. A two-time winner of

— is designed to spark ideas, conversation, and quench the proverbial thirst.

“We very deliberately call everything a show. They are created to be full-blown, multi-dimensional experiences,” says Shelley Youngblut, CEO and “Creative Ringleader” of Wordfest. “I call them ‘idea jazz’. We never know what’s going to happen, but we set all the ingredients on the stage and that way we get both the author and the audience in mind to have a really great event. It becomes spontaneous joy.”

Now in its 30th year, the festival is somewhat of an anomaly; a cultural bright spot that draws famous authors from within and beyond Canada’s borders. Many of which return again and again.

“We bring out the best in the authors, we bring up the best in the audience, and we need that authentic, generous, hopeful, activating community right now more than ever,” says Youngblut.

“IT IS A FESTIVAL THAT FEELS LIKE A COMMUNITY.”

the Governor General’s Literary Award, Robertson has published four books this year alone, including the children’s book Little Shoes and 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing

PHOTO: HEATHER SAITZ

Yet, the Imaginairium and Wordfest’s annual programming do not serve the masters of the pen drawn to its wordy haven. As Youngblut explains, the festival is for readers, not writers.

“We foster a connection that is authentic, real and lively between an author and their reader. By being so reader-focused, we were able to look at what readers wanted,” says Youngblut. “And so here we are, 30 years later.”

Youngblut, who took over from previous CEO Jo Steffens in 2015, says that what sets Wordfest apart from other literary festivals is its ability to adapt quickly. Among the changes Youngblut made when she took the helm was introducing annual programming, diversifying, and staying relevant.

“We changed with the times,” says Youngblut. “Our romance events are nothing like our non-fiction events. They have a different flavour. They have a different vibe, because we want it to be authentic with that audience, their enthusiasm, and what they want to get out of it.”

From shows that employ a talk show format — like “You Were Made for this Steady Brightness” — to theatrical productions, including “The Way We… Talk About Candy,” the Imaginairium’s success lies in creating programming that inspires its audience to both think and feel.

“It’s not going to exhaust you,” says Youngblut. “It’s actually going to invigorate you.”

HART HANSON

“I’m an expat. I moved down to Los Angeles to work as a TV writer and producer in 1998, which was a long time ago,” says Hart Hanson. “You get homesick. You get really homesick, and not just for the weather. You get homesick for Canadian faces and Canadian voices.” Hanson, who has attended the Imaginairium twice before, says that although literary festivals are under a lot of pressure around the world, attendees get a burst of energy and joy from Wordfest. “It seems to be thriving,” he adds. “It’s super well run — it runs like a clock.”

Along with staying true to its intended purpose as a literary festival focused on sparking ideas amongst readers and the community, Hanson notes that the Imaginairium seamlessly integrates other artists, such as musicians and folks in the broadcast industry.

“Wordfest has this feeling of growth and vitality without losing its original mission,” he says. “I admire that professionally, and I find when you’re there, it’s delightful. It’s a rare and wonderful thing.”

Hanson will be featured in two Imaginairium events, including “The Sh!t No One Tells You About TV” and as the host of “A Celebration of John Candy.”

“All of the Canadians I know down

IMAGINAIRIUM DO’S AND DON’TS

Heading to Imaginairium for the first time?

Check out Shelley Youngblut’s recommendations.

• DO come by yourself. “Part of what made me fall in love with books is that I was that awkward, unpopular teen. It was books that were my friends, and I always wanted to be able to get out of my bedroom and get into the world. So it’s really important to me and the rest of the Wordfest team that no one ever feels alone or feels awkward. We are a community for you.”

• DO try something new. “Be curious, go in with an open mind. There are going to be people that you know, go to those shows. But there are also

here, we talk to each other. Everybody loves John Candy,” says Hanson. “There’s something tragic [and] comic about him. He was super funny, he died way too young, and he’s so appealing. I only got to meet him once, but I know so many people who knew him, who spent time with him.”

WHAT HE’S WRITTEN

Hart Hanson is best known as the creator, executive producer and writer of the TV series Bones, which ran from 2005 to 2017. Along with working on a range of other productions, including The Outer Limits and Stargate SG-1, Hanson has written two crime novels: The Driver and The Seminarian.

going to be people that you’ve never heard of. Sample those shows too.”

• DON’T stress about reading the book first. “We call the book ‘The t-shirt after a great concert.’ You’re coming for the ideas. If you love the ideas, take the book home. There are pop-up bookstores, so if you want to get the book, the book is there.”

• DO talk to the authors. “A literary event is the only live arts experience where you are guaranteed to meet the artist. Isn’t that wild? The authors are sitting there after their shows, and they really want to talk to you. It’s a really meaningful part of the experience for them, and it’s the kind of thing you’ll never forget.”

“WORDFEST HAS THIS FEELING OF GROWTH AND VITALITY WITHOUT LOSING ITS ORIGINAL MISSION,”

PHOTOS: DAVID KOTSIBIE

The O’Neill Reads Talk Show The Way We...Navigate

Indigenous Voices

Matty Matheson at Wordfest

Chapters & Community

BOOK LAUNCHES, CLUBS, AND WORKSHOPS AT CALGARY’S INDIE BOOKSTORES

BY IAMAN NAWAZ

Calgary’s literary community thrives in its local bookstores. From new releases to intimate book clubs and engaging workshops, there’s something in store for everyone. Whether you’re an avid reader or just starting to immerse yourself in the literary scene, don’t miss the opportunity to dive into these events. And be sure to check the corkboards in each shop when you visit for even more things to do!

MYSTERY AT OWL’S NEST BOOKS

Owl’s Nest Books has been at the heart of Calgary’s literary landscape for many years as one of the city’s oldest bookstores. This October, the store is hosting two exciting events for fans of murder mysteries.

First, join the bookstore on October 8 for the launch of Alberta author Scott Charlton Paul’s novel A Murder of Prose (and read more about it back on page 13).

Follow librarian Samuel Rigondeaux as he navigates a deadly game among aspiring writers in the Lethbridge Library. When a serial killer

starts targeting writers and the police investigation stalls, Samuel has no choice but to take matters into his own hands and stop the killings before another author becomes a victim.

Then, on October 15, Owl’s Nest hosts Hootdunnit, their monthly mystery book club, featuring Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. Join the discussion of Lucy’s chilling journey to uncover the truth behind her best friend’s murder while facing past traumas.

Besides mystery, Owl’s Nest Books also hosts book clubs for general fiction, staff picks, and QUEEReads.

Owl’s Nest Books is located in the Britannia Plaza Shopping Centre at 815a 49 Ave. S.W. Both events are free with no registration required. Visit owlsnestbooks.com for more information.

SHELF LIFE BOOKS’ 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Shelf Life Books was founded in 2010 by two long-term friends, William Lawrence and JoAnn McCaig, whose mutual passion for books and reading inspired the creation of the bookstore. Lawrence was a history buff and an experienced retailer, while McCraig was a writer and former English professor. They both agreed that Calgary needed an independent downtown bookstore and

worked hard to make it a reality.

This year, Shelf Life is celebrating its 15th anniversary! Visit the store for a day full of bookish festivities. Local vendors, including Eight Ounce Coffee, will be on-site, serving coffee and free samples. Crave Cupcakes will be signing copies of their cookbook, Crave: Cupcakes, Cakes, Cookies, and More from an Iconic Bakery, while the store will offer mini cupcakes while supplies last. Expect door prizes, discounts, and so much more.

Join Shelf Life Books for this lively occasion on October 4 at 1302 4 St. S.W. Visit @shelflifebooks on Instagram for more details.

ROMANCE WRITING AT SLOWBURN

Calgary’s premier romance bookstore hosts a wide range of dynamic events for all kinds of spicy lit connoisseurs. They also offer writing workshops for aspiring authors in the city.

Join authors Leanne Toshiko Simpson, an award-winning writer and mental health advocate, and Noreen Nanja, a romance novelist with a focus on identity and love, for a writing workshop. The evening will consist of two separate writing sessions with Simpson and Nanja, followed by a session with closing remarks and

a Q&A with both writers. Slowburn will also offer snacks and light refreshments during the breaks.

Immerse yourself in an evening of writing on October 14 at 6 p.m. at cSpace (4th floor, Treehouse), 1721 29 Ave. S.W. Tickets are $50, with limited spots available. Visit slowburnbooks.ca for the detailed itinerary.

RELEASES AND AUTHOR SIGNINGS AT THE FORBIDDEN LIBRARY

A little haven of sexy romance fiction awaits you down in the south end of Calgary. The Forbidden Library offers both a robust online store and a moody, black-painted brick-and-mortar to meet all your saucy book needs. But on top of that, they regularly host book releases with the (often local) authors in attendance! On October 10, party with Calgary author Tamara Rose and celebrate the release of her newest bodice-ripper, Sinning With Fire; meet Mimi Gunn and get a signed copy of her latest novel, Stranger Danger; and get Halloween started early with the release of Drinking With A Vampire by Elena H. Covens. The Forbidden Library can be discovered at 167 - 755 Lake Bonavista Dr. S.E. Visit forbiddenlibrary.ca for more details.

PHOTO: AT FIRST SIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

The Forbidden Library

STEVE HACKMAN ' S

Grab your most ghoulish garb and have an epic Halloween with the Calgary Phil and conductor Steve Hackman! Hear the spookiest of classics remixed as dance-floor killers, plus big hits by Adele, Muse, and Radiohead reimagined.

/

Dimensions of Intimacy Jana Sterbak

Project Space:

Anna Semenoff First Things First Until 19 October

Kristine Zingeler In the Balance 27 October 202522 February 2026

4th Floor

Jana Sterbak, Cones, 1979. Courtesy of the artist.

Meet Linden MacIntyre

BY EVELINA PAK

For decades, Canadian audiences knew Linden MacIntyre as the face of The Fifth Estate, CBC’s investigative program. At 71, he stepped away from television to make room for a new generation of journalists — and to devote himself fully to writing.

His latest book, Accidental Villain, revisits one of the bloodiest chapters of Ireland’s history through the story of Henry Hugh Tudor, a British police commander.

Ahead of his Wordfest appearance here in Calgary, MacIntyre spoke with The Scene about storytelling, moral choices, and the lessons history leaves behind.

WHY THIS STORY?

“Nobody seemed to know much about [Hugh Tudor], and he was engaged in an extremely important part of 20th century Irish history.

“As a leader of a conventional police force, he borrowed the tactics of his enemy and turned them against them. So suddenly, policemen are behaving like terrorists — murdering, torturing, and frightening people.

“This interested me because it’s now a common part of conflict — governments using terrorism as a weapon against terrorists. People in public positions can end up being labelled villains, even when motivated by loyalty and duty. Duty and loyalty to the wrong cause will get you nowhere in history.”

RECURRING ‘ACCIDENTS’

“People become villains not because they want to be villains, but because they do things that make them into villains for reasons that they think are legitimate. Tudor saw the Irish uprising not as a freedom fight, but as a crime wave, as his superiors told him. He ‘accidentally’ slid into behaviour that turned him into a villain.

“What happened in Ireland was subsequently copied elsewhere — Palestine, the Balkans, Latin America. Historically, tragedies repeat — the 20th century had tragedies, now the 21st century has ‘fires.’

“One comfort of being old is that you won’t have to worry about it as much personally. I

the day with a certain amount of satisfaction and security.”

BETWEEN MEDIOCRE AND BRILLIANT

“Motivation has to come from inside yourself. My objective is to produce a book that people consider good. Success and fame come from circumstances outside your control. My work is somewhere on the continuum between mediocre and brilliant, and there’s a place for everybody.

“As long as you have mobility, clarity, and curiosity about life and the world, there’s no reason not to find some way to make yourself useful.”

“PLEASE, BAN MY BOOK!”

“The funny thing is, banning a book can actually make it more popular. Every writer deep down thinks, ‘Please, ban my book!’

“One of the stupid mistakes is trying to stop people from accessing what they legitimately want: exposure to good ideas, to earn a living without hassle, to live peacefully. Messing with that creates situations that no one in power can easily survive.

“Explore history — of the world, of culture — to see where things went right and wrong. And write about it truthfully, whether as academics or artists.

LINDEN MACINTYRE

worry for future generations, but there’s nothing I can do to reverse what’s happening.”

LITERATURE IS HOPE

“There was no Canadian literary scene when I was young. It blossomed in the ’60s and ’70s, when public support encouraged talent. The diversity of arts and cultures is pretty new to my experience.

“I’ve been going to literary festivals a lot over the last 25 years, and it’s inspiring to see the extent to which they have a global reach — the number of talented people who come to these

events not just to ‘show the flag’ but because they genuinely appreciate Canadian stories.

“People who tell stories, and people who are interested in listening to them, are an actual bright spot in the world. They dedicate themselves to supporting the arts, and that gives us hope for the survival of the species, which is our ability to think about deep ideas, about each other, to solve problems.

“We tend to be blinded by the horrors of the headlines, and we can easily forget that the vast majority of human beings are not twisted or sick, they’re just people who want to get up through

“I don’t have a lot of faith in fantasy. It’s in our past experiences that you’ll find the greatest evidence of what it takes to get us through into the future.

“The ability of people to tell stories should not be taken for granted, as we may very well be moving into an era in which propaganda becomes the principal story.”

Linden MacIntyre appears at Wordfest for three events:

• The Way We … Talk About Monsters — October 16, 7:30 p.m., DJD Dance Centre

• Othering & Empathy — October 18, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Park Library

• How To … Extend Your Shelf Life — October 19, 1:00 p.m., DJD Dance Centre Find details and tickets at wordfest.com.

PHOTO: TOM ZSOLT

Industrial Dining

EAT LIKE ROYALTY IN CALGARY’S INDUSTRIAL STRIPS

BY LAUREN KALINOWSKI

Tucked between car repair shops and warehouses, some of Calgary’s best restaurants have found their home in the city’s industrial corridors. You might find yourself eating the best empanada of your life next to a welding supply shop, or discovering authentic Vietnamese pho in a strip mall parking lot. The cheap rent in these areas allows owners to focus on high-quality ingredients and huge portions. Let’s explore these spots!

1 REA’S ITALIAN CUCINA

431 41 Ave. N.E. Reasitaliancucina.com

Three generations work together at this bustling Italian spot, where everyone says hello when you walk through the door. The calamari in tomato sauce and steaming meatballs are must-orders, and there’s always plenty of bread on the table. Wine with lunch feels right here, and the pasta fagioli will warm you from the inside out.

2 ÉCLAIR DE LUNE

4127 6 St. N.E. eclairdelune_yyc

Get ready for genuine French pastries without the attitude. The sandwich on a just-baked baguette is a standout in the city, as well as espresso that pairs beautifully with traditional éclairs, macarons, and crème brûlée. The sunny space features outdoor seating, as well as takeand-bake options for croissants and turnovers.

3 TO ME VIETNAMESE SUB

5250 Macleod Tr. S.W. to_me_sub

This tiny hut in the parking lot of OMO Teppan proves that drive-thru doesn’t have to mean McDonald’s. Two people work in what is essentially a food truck (minus the truck), serving fresh Vietnamese food to a steady mid-afternoon lineup. The beauty lies in the little details, like how the (delicious) salad rolls are wrapped individually to prevent them from drying out.

4

4

MARKO’S KITCHEN

5708 1 St. S.E. Markoskitchen.ca

The unmistakable aroma of Eastern European comfort food fills Marko’s Kitchen. This full-service restaurant offers a variety of delicious, hearty meals, with the schnitzel being a standout. It’s the kind of place where every dish feels like it was made with love, and the generous portions leave you well-fed.

5 PAOLINI’S SAUSAGE & MEATS

5735 3 St. S.E. paolinisyyc

6

6 BLACK APRON CUISINE

6120 2 St. S.E. Blackaproncuisine.com

This local establishment has mastered the business lunch crowd with elevated dishes that arrive in minutes. Potato bacon cheddar soup and a green salad with homemade dressing is shockingly affordable at just $10 total. Whether on a lunch meeting or dining solo, enjoy a quick meal in 20 minutes … or settle in for the afternoon.

7 BRAVO’S EATERY

6115 4 St. S.E.

made with care. They also serve congee, as well as Filipino treats like halo-halo. Come early, though; by 1:30 p.m., most items are gone. Great for a filling meal that goes beyond the usual suspects.

8 VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL

3716 61 Ave. S.E. vietnaminternationalrestaurant.com

You’ve got to love a mom-and-pop spot that gets everything right. The chicken and spring roll vermicelli is a must-try, featuring vegetables so fresh they practically bounce and generous portions of fish sauce. Guys in golf shirts sit beside workers in coveralls while the owners joke with regulars. Fast, genuine, and no pretenses. 1

The busy parking lot hints at what’s inside: gigantic sandwiches as big as your forearm paired with homemade soups like borscht, lentil, and tomato meatball. This Eastern European deli also stocks pickled vegetables, fresh butcher meats, rye bread, and so much more. Don’t miss their $12 soup and bratwurst lunch special.

This is actually two restaurants sharing one quiet space decorated with hand-painted murals. The empanadas are peppery, smoky, and packed with flavour in fresh dough that’s

O UM U FF

CJSW October Charts

Direct from your radio pals at 90.9 FM, here is a snapshot of the current artists & albums topping the charts at CJSW. Tune in, turn it up and enjoy.

1. Debby Friday* - The Starrr of the Queen of Life (Sub Pop) Hangman Pencil Co.** - the kids from the powerlines (Self-Released)

3. Muncho* - Is This Something? (We Are Busy Bodies / Having Fun Records)

4. No Joy* - Bugland (Hand Drawn Dracula)

5. Tebby & The Heavy* - Heavy Afternoon (Self-Released)

6. Niloo* - Sour Cherry (Self-Released)

Rebecca Foon & Aliayta Foon-Dancoes* - Reverie (Constellation)

8. Jade Elephant** - Jade Elephant (Self-Released)

9. EKKSTACY* - FOREVER (UnitedMasters)

10. Woodhawk** - Love Finds a Way (Grand Hand Records)

11. Lucy Dacus - Forever Is A Feeling (Geffen) Eliot Krimsky - I Made My House (Moon Glyph)

13. Harvested* - Dysthymia (Self-Released)

14. Mariya Stokes** - Mood Ring (Self-Released)

15. Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe - Luminal and Lateral (Verve Records)

16. The Dust Collectors** - Cold Feet (Self-Released) Artificial Go - Musical Chairs (Feel It Records)

Rube & Rake* - Good Time After Bad (LHM)

Frankie and the Witch Fingers - Trash Classic (Greenway

Sarah Houston** - Mementos (Enjou Music)

- Empty Century (Self-Released)

leon todd johnson - wa kei sei jaku (Whited Sepulchre

Centuries of Decay* - A Monument to Oblivion (Self-Re-

POSTNAMERS** - City Songs (Self-Released) pseudo-antigone* - Melancholic Melodrama (Self-Re-

Andrew Staniland* - Laws of Nature (Leaf Music) Art Oracles (604)

Brandon Isaak - Walkin’ With The Blues (Self-Released) Heavyweights Brass Band* - Knockout (Heavyweights Brass Band Productions)

Charles Kynard - Woga (Wewantsounds)

BY CATRINA BOWLES

Just because the summer is over, doesn’t mean the music festival fun has to end. CJSW and Sled Island’s annual Halloween party is once again right around the corner, this year taking over the #1 Royal Canadian Legion on Halloween night itself.

As far as CJSW’s marketing and development director Joni Doornenbal is concerned, the annual party has been going on for “time immemorial” — though it really kicked off in 2014. 17 local bands came together to perform covers of songs from Big Shiny Tunes 2, a MuchMusic compilation album featuring ‘90s hits. Every Halloween comes with a new theme to inspire bands to choose their cover songs, and for party-goers to choose their costumes.

“This year’s Halloween party is going to be called ‘You Wouldn’t Download a Party,’” said Doornenbal.

How exactly bands will riff on the endlessly memeable 2004 “You Wouldn’t Steal a Car” commercial remains a mystery until All Hallows’ Eve. But the mystery is all part of the fun.

“I’m always excited to see how they put their spin on [the theme],” said Sled Island’s festival director Hemen Tor-Agbidye. “It might be a metal band playing a hip hop song, or a punk band playing an R&B song … I always love seeing that, because you see bands go out of their comfort zones and play covers of these really popular songs, but in their own style, in their own theme.”

The party is how CJSW concludes their annual funding drive. The drive raises approximately $230,000 annually, making it the most successful radio funding drive in Canada. As a non-profit, this drive is one of the primary ways CJSW maintains its presence on the air.

While ticket sales for the Halloween party do help raise money, the bulk of the funds come from the drive, which takes place this year from October 17 to 24.

“The Halloween party is just a nice little boost at the end of the funding drive,” said Doornenbal. “It isn’t essential to our fundraising operations, but it’s a great way to provide some kind of

Hallow’Scene

SLED ISLAND AND CJSW WOULDN’T DOWNLOAD A DRAG SHOW — THEY’D ADD IT TO THE PARTY!

celebration for our community.”

This year’s Halloween party fills the three floors of the #1 Royal Canadian Legion with the favourites from previous years: the covers concert, a video dance party where party-goers can jam with a DJ along to a music video, a costume contest, and the brand-new edition — a drag show.

Hosting the drag show are local queens

Joanie Sabbath and Divina Diefor, both familiar faces in Calgary’s drag scene. The drag show is replacing the usual rave that has been a staple of the Halloween party in the past.

“It was an opportunity presented to CJSW

from [Sabbath and Diefor],” said Tor-Agbidye. “The rave cave has been great, but most of the attention through the night is generally on the main floor for the show and the video party upstairs. So, CJSW brought this up as a great opportunity to do something different.”

In previous years, the “rave cave” was something of a black sheep among the other events at the Halloween bash. Popular, sure, but not as popular as the musical performances or the video dance party. Doornenbal hopes the drag show will shake things up a bit.

“The drag queens are going to … add a little bit of dynamism and secret sauce to the event,”

said Doornenbal.

Along with the drag show, Sabbath and Diefor are hosting the costume contest at midnight, so do your best looks because you may be in the running to win some wicked prizes.

And don’t forget, this is one Halloween party that you want to keep the pre-gaming to a minimum, because the drinks on-site are exclusive.

“Every year, Last Best produces a beer for our funding drive. A portion of sales always goes towards the drive, which is great. This year they’re going to produce the ‘Radiowave’ beer,” said Doornenbal. “It’s going to be super good. I’m so excited to try it.”

Last Best describes their new Radiowave brew as a hazy pilsner. A prime brew to cool off from the packed dance floor. And inevitably, it will be packed.

“[The party] always sells out really quickly,” said Doornenbal. “Make sure, as soon as the ticket announcement goes out, you get your tickets as soon as you can. Everyone always asks me for additional tickets the week before the party, and I always have to say, ‘No.’” You heard them! Grab your tickets from sledisland.com. To support CJSW with a donation, head to cjsw.com/donate.

PHOTO: MICHAEL GRONDIN

CJSW X SLED ISLAND HALLOWEEN

“I THINK HALLOWEEN GIVES PEOPLE PERMISSION TO KIND OF TRY ON DIFFERENT IDENTITIES AND DIFFERENT ROLES.”

KEVIN ALLEN

HAPPY GAY CHRISTMAS

Drag queens taking to the stage at one of Calgary’s biggest Halloween events just kind of makes sense in 2025. Queer folks and Halloween go hand-in-hand, with many affectionately calling the spooky holiday “Gay Christmas.”

For Calgary’s queer community, Halloween parties could be considered the beginning of a new time.

“It was reported that on Halloween 1968, about 100 nervous Gays showed up dressed to the nines at the Highland Golf and Country Club. This event gave those anxious organizers courage to start the first gay clubs in the city,” writes

historian and author Kevin Allen in a 2018 post on the Calgary Gay History Project blog.

The news article Allen references, published in The Albertan (now the Calgary Sun), discusses that Halloween night with detached curiosity.

One of the stand-out points in the piece was the club’s attitude towards cross-dressing — normally not permitted in the club, but with an exception for Halloween.

“In a lot of the 20th century in North America, you could be charged if you were cross-dressing,” said Allen. “But on Halloween, that was the time that rule was relaxed in society generally, so queer people have really celebrated that as

'WEEN LIKE A PRO

Whether you’re planning to express yourself with your costume this year, or go as “guy who forgot to get a costume” for the third year in a row, there are plenty of events to hit around Cowtown on this Halloween.

CUFF HALLOWEEN HORROR MOVIE MARATHON

If your idea of a fun weekend is watching the extended cut of the entire Lord of the Rings series, then you are trained and ready for Calgary Underground Film Festival’s gruelling-but-fun 12-hour-long horror movie marathon. Catch seven favourites and lesser-known spooky flicks, including Young Frankenstein, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Psycho II, at the Globe Cinema starting at 7 p.m. on October 25, and running until 7:30 a.m. the next day. Tickets are $25, available at calgaryundergroundfilm.org.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT COMEDY

If you can’t dedicate 12.5 hours of your weekend to watching movies, how about spending October 25 confusing your adrenal system with a horror-comedy show? Kicking off at 7 p.m. at the Rec Room, enjoy an evening of live stand-up and sketch comedy, and a “choose your own adventure” spooky-comedy story where your choices can lead to lots of laughs or lots of scares. Get tickets on eventbrite.com for $17.40.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER DRAG SHOW

their holiday since.”

Over 50 years since that first ‘public function,’ exploration of identity through Halloween costumes continues. Whether it’s straight men who think dressing as a woman is just kind of funny, or someone genuinely questions their identity, the willingness to bend gender norms is more and more accepted.

“I think Halloween gives people permission to kind of try on different identities and different roles,” said Allen. “As a young university student, I had a friend who I thought was straight, cisgender, who would always dress up as a woman on Halloween … and 20 years later came out as trans.”

As if there was any chance The Attic wouldn’t deliver some outstanding Halloween drag entertainment. On October 30 at 8 p.m., catch a show hosted by the self-proclaimed “YYC Nerd Clown” Anne Xiety, full of campy references to the beloved supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer Watch some drag queens put on a show that’s equal parts creepy and camp, and get a crash course in how Halloween costumes are really done. Head to theatticyyc.ca to grab your tickets

PHOTO: CAITLIND R.C. BROWN

CUFF’s 12-Hour Halloween Horror Movie Marathon.

Ghost Stories YYC

A NARRATIVE ART EXHIBIT FOR EVERYONE

BY JOHN MAWDSLEY

Do you think an art history degree is required to enjoy Calgary’s art galleries? Not so with the Ghost Stories YYC exhibit, a spooky and inclusive art event.

Ghost Stories Volume 4 delves into the “ghosts” that haunt us: childhood fears, deceased loved ones, whimsical imaginings, spirit stories, and a wide range of folk tales. Founded in 2019 by childhood friends Mat Martel and John Ross, this narrative art exhibit combines visual artwork with short stories to create an accessible environment.

The event is hosted by the Ruberto Ostberg Gallery. “It’s been a pleasure partnering with John and Mat and witnessing the event’s growth over the years,” said gallery owner Anna Ostberg. “This is a unique exhibition and certainly not what one would expect to see in a commercial gallery.

“Between the stories and the artwork, there’s something for everyone.” Ghost Stories opens at 5 p.m. on October 17 and runs through early November. For more galleries, visit Galleries West at gallerieswest.ca.

EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES

The exhibition showcases the diverse experiences of artists, welcoming both newcomers and long-time contributors. This mix fosters a space where artists can experiment, learn from one another, and receive guidance along the way.

ROBERTA BINOTTO

For artist and writer Roberta Binotto, Ghost Stories is the perfect space to explore the intersection of writing and sketching. “Writing and sketching have always been part of who I am, but only recently have I taken them seriously to explore the beautiful complexities around love, loss, interiority, and motherhood,” she said.

Binotto describes Ghost Stories as unlike anything she’s experienced. “At their ‘Drink and Draw’ and ‘Story Sharing’ events, I was surprised by the strong sense of community, and the talent in the room was remarkable,” she said. Her own piece, a sketch of a gentle hand holding an urn, paired with the story Black-Eyed Susan, draws readers in immediately with the opening line: “The door closes behind the last mourner.”

GARY MCMILLAN

Calgary artist and writer Gary McMillan has been part of the exhibit from the inception. This year, he presents The Stralk, a playful, grayscale painting of a monster caught in headlights while carrying its prey.

The accompanying story follows a farming couple who are “test growers of Crabbit seed embryos for the first commercial crop of plant/animal hybrids.” McMillan appreciates how the exhibit brings people together: “I love how the narrative aspect lets newcomers easily mix with those with art history or fine arts backgrounds.”

WHERE STORIES MEET ART

This year’s exhibit features 35 pieces, with artists exploring stories in different ways. Some write and illustrate their own work, while others collaborate with writers across media. To support this creative approach, writing teacher, novelist, and playwright Laura Swart coaches participants in crafting and editing their stories. “It’s so fun to work with them because they understand the creative process,” she said. “They’re very teachable — like kids in a sandbox of words. For instance, with a sculptor, it’s like teaching them to sculpt with words.”

SARA MATTSSON & JACQUELINE HUSKISSON

Swedish-born writer Sara Mattsson makes her Ghost Stories debut with a tale about a woman meeting her husband as a shapeshifting fiddle player named Näcken. Mattsson teamed with Jacqueline Huskisson, a visual artist who divides her time between Calgary and Berlin. They met for the first time through the project and collaborated to bring the story to life. “It was amazing to see Jacqueline take my story and create such a stunning painting,” said Mattsson. “It’s an excellent idea to pair stories with artwork and have the two inspire each other.”

BRUCE WATSON & ALLISON BAJT

Bruce Watson’s mechanical sculpture A Machine for Drinking Tea stretches Steinway piano strings across a teacup, producing an eerie ring. He worked with writer Allison Bajt, whose story Socrates’ Nightmare explores society’s declining ability to seek truth. Together, their work forms a haunting meditation on modern disconnection. Watson calls Ghost Stories one of Calgary’s standout exhibits: “It attracts great emerging artists, and the talent level increases every year.”

MARIELLA VILLALOBOS & KES RADFORD

Chilean-Canadian illustrator Mariella Villalobos returns to Ghost Stories to collaborate with fiction editor and writer Kes Radford. Radford’s story, B. Corbeau’s Puppet Theatre, pairs with Villalobos’ hand-drawn, cut, and folded miniature Victorian paper theatre, where tiny puppets glide across the stage.

Villalobos appreciates the exhibit’s inclusive energy and multifaceted nature, reflected in a physical book featuring all the artworks and stories. “The social events and collaboration are great,” she said. “Artists and writers mostly work alone, but Ghost Stories brings us together.”

John Ross

Mat Martel

PHOTO: JOHN ROSS

Velet Bike Cafe

BY EVELINA PAK

We are rebels” — that’s how Velet Bike Ski Cafe presents itself online. For regulars, the story behind this café’s name is well known: velet means “rascal” or “rebel” in Turkish.

Founder Hakan Kayabasi, originally from Turkey, has lived much of his life in sports. Reflecting his energetic and bold personality, he chose the name Velet for his café.

Kayabasi had been in the ski industry since 2009, but a serious accident pushed him to reimagine his lifestyle. “I had to change my plans. Then, almost one year ago, this time, I decided to rent this place,” he said. Inspired by the European model of bike cafés, he opened Velet in Calgary, a hybrid establishment that combines café, bike and ski repair shop, and cultural hub. With its entrance through a back alley, the café sits inside a red-brick building. Inside, vintage bicycles, wooden furniture, and carpets create a vintage, cozy atmosphere. The space is divided into three zones: a coffee bar, a community area, and a quieter corner for work or study. The repair shop is tucked behind the main area.

Paintings brighten the café’s brick walls, rotating each month as part of Velet’s exhibition series.

“We’ve been hosting one local artist every month,” Kayabasi said. “It all started when, early on, an artist came in looking for a place to show his work.”

The shows are commission-free, ensuring emerging artists keep all of the money from their work.

From the start, Velet became known for its fast and sustainable service — bike or ski repairs are done in just a day or two. Now the café has expanded its focus to host more community events.

“I want to make this space for everyone,” Kayabasi said. “Like a community space and a cozy home.”

That ethos shows up in the performance programming. Autumn kicked off with Volume 7, a

“I want to make this space for everyone. Like a community space and a cozy home.”

FOUNDER HASAN KAYABASI

party featuring DJs and community partners like Wild North Gear, Monkey Bike Art, and more.

The café has also recently launched a series of talks featuring Olympic athletes, opening with Mirela Rahneva, a two-time Olympian who competes in skeleton.

“I’m planning to host them every two or three months,” Kayabasi said. “The athletes can share their experiences, because lots of kids and young people are asking, ‘How can I start?’”

These events blur the line between sport and culture, offering something for both athletes and city dwellers who just want a good coffee and an enjoyable atmosphere. In fact, not all the customers are hardcore skiers or bikers. “Maybe 60 per cent — they like coffee, have a bike, and have skis,” Kayabasi said. “But many just like the vibe.”

That speaks to Calgary’s identity as a sports city, while opening doors for beginners. “I like the bike and ski culture here — it’s a really big community. I want to encourage beginner people by offering affordable services, so they can upgrade their gear,” said Kayabasi.

Sustainability is another key value for the café. Velet uses eco-friendly cleaners and products, recycles wherever possible, and sells repaired second-hand bikes to prevent waste.

“Hopefully, one day I can get an eco certificate,” Kayabasi said. “But for now, I just want to

FUSING EUROPEAN STYLE WITH LOCAL

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

protect the environment.”

He runs the café largely alone, but is undaunted. “Here, the weather doesn’t affect you. You don’t have to work in temperatures below -40. You can grab your coffee and talk to customers,” he said, contrasting it with his ski resort days.

Still, skiing remains his passion. When asked about the best thing in the sport, Kayabasi doesn’t hesitate: “Freedom, and a lot of fun.”

That spirit also runs through Velet. For all its variety, the café’s elements fit together effortlessly, with an easy sense of fun.

Volume 8: Caffeine Party will take place on October 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. For more details, follow them on Instagram: @veletcanada.

QUICK FACTS

Location: 105, 206 11 Ave. S.E.

Enter through the back alley.

Hours:

Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Private event bookings available after closing time.

Food & Drink: Coffee and pastries (no alcohol). Highlights include Turkish coffee, apple cookies, and börek. Parking: Bikes welcome inside.

PHOTO: EVELINA PAK

NOVEMBER 1, 2025

Jack Singer Concert Hall, Werklund Centre

Relive the glory of Bon Jovi's breakout album featuring hits like "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin’ on a Prayer" performed live on stage by world-class musicians, note for note, cut for cut. TICKETS

How we create: Physical activity

MOVING YOUR BODY CAN BE AN ARTISTIC STATEMENT CREATIVE

BY KENNA BURIMA

Icreate as I move. Realizing that most of my songwriting occurred during walks rather than at the piano prompted me to consider what other actions helped me create. Before I knew it, I had a lengthy list and more kept coming. The list became the first draft of a book, which shares the same name as this column, How We Create. The draft began with one word: walking.

Many of my favourite composers wrote as they walked, some of them endlessly and obsessively. Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler and in particular Erik Satie, who’d get drunk in the Montmartre district of Paris and then walk 10 kilometres after he’d missed the last train back to his suburban home in Arcueil. Go find his stunning piano pieces, Trois Gymnopédies and tell me you don’t hear the lazy pace of a drunkard returning home from the bar. The act of walking out my door and returning later from a walk places me within the context of the space between things. A walk is never about being in a place. I am between point A and point B. I leave, I come back, and somewhere in there, the anxious chatter ceases, and I begin creating. When I am between Point A and B, I’m in between nothing and something. This is the space where I create.

The ways we move our bodies can support our creativity. This need for physical movement as an artistic practice is shared by many artists.

Kari McQueen is a visual and media artist who walks, bikes, and swims, asserting that these activities are meditative. That quiet space is conducive to creativity.

“There are so many great and different ways

for meditative experiences,” said McQueen.

“And I agree that the quieting of the mind, and centring, really helps creativity. Presence in the moment.”

My mind is a mess most of the time. My thoughts are so achingly loud, it has been my life’s work to run from them, dull them, quiet them. Replacing frantic analysis of every thought with presence through physical activity gave me a path forward that, yes, I walked upon.

Shumaila Hemani is an Alberta-based Sufi singer-songwriter and Ph.D. holder in Ethnomusicology who recently celebrated the release of her memoir, Writing in the Wound: Acculturation, Trauma, and Music. In it, she unpacks her journey back to her own musical expression after leaving Harvard burnt out and traumatized. Hemani believes that walking helped her return to her own artistic practice.

“Walking has always been a way for me to move through heaviness,” said Hemani. “Each step loosens what feels stuck inside, until melody and words begin to flow with the rhythm of my footsteps. [My song] “Anticipating” was born on a walk through Edmonton, where the act of moving my body opened a path for hope and song. For me, walking and creating art are both forms of survival. They turn pain into breath, silence into voice, and despair into possibility.”

There’s a great report you can find online called Give Your Ideas Some Legs: The Positive Effect of Walking on Creative Thinking by Marily Oppezzo and Daniel L. Schwartz in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. It outlines a straightforward exploration of how walking influenced the creative thinking of hundreds of subjects in three distinct experiments. Highlighting the

PHOTO:JODI O

mind-body connection and summarizing various studies on how walking facilitates the free flow of ideas, this analysis underscores the simple yet effective strategy of walking — or any physical activity — in supporting the creative process. If I take just one step out my door with the intention of “going for a walk,” even when I don’t want to, one step turns into another, and without even realizing it, I am on a walk. That’s

FOR ME, WALKING AND CREATING ART ARE BOTH FORMS OF SURVIVAL. THEY TURN PAIN INTO BREATH, SILENCE INTO VOICE, AND DESPAIR INTO POSSIBILITY.”

SONGWRITER SHUMAILA HEMANI

the beginning.

As an artist, I am always afraid. It’s a strange dance to feel so compelled to create yet so afraid that I have forgotten how. Fear that nothing will come. That I will be stopped. That is why only a single note is needed, just like a single step begins a walk. Once it begins, the momentum of a single note and a single step carries on to the next and the next. Soon, a melody is born.

PHOTO: COLIN MUNCH

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