NW Calgary's Authoritative (ONLY) 2013 Pancake Breakfast Guide!

What better way to get into the Stampede swing of things, aside from actually being down on the grounds putting back a bag of mini donuts, than heading out and getting your free flapjack on!

Stampede breakfasts are a way of life for 10 days in Calgary and this year is no different with all the pancakes, syrup, hash browns, sausages and boxed OJ you can handle.  A few of Stampede feasts this year are in the form of afternoon or evening BBQ’s so you're set free grub all day!

We have the comprehensive...and for all intensive purposes the ONLY dedicated NW Calgary listing of Stampede Breakfasts.  So start planning out your week now and if there are any events we have missed please feel free to comment below with all the details as we don’t want anyone to miss out!  We have also included a few events that are officially in the NE but west of Deerfoot and easily accessible for NW Calgary residents.

For more information about breakfasts across the city visit the Free Stampede Pancakes website at www.freestampedepancakes.com or download the app for your iPhone.

YEEEEEHAW and happy eating!

SATURDAY, JULY 6

7:00 AM-12:00 PM - Bowness Lions - 7930 Bowness Road NW

8:00 AM-10:00 AM - Calgary Co-Op Creekside - 12000 Symons Valley Road NW

8:00 AM-10:00 AM - Holy Cross Anglican Church - 2828-19 Street NW

8:00 AM-11:00 AM - Rocky Ridge/Royal Oak - 10307 Eamon Road NW

8:00 AM-11:00 AM - Scandinavian Centre ­ 739­20 Avenue NW

8:00 AM-12:00 PM - Edgemont World Health ­ 7222 Edgemont Boulevard NW

8:30 AM-10:30 AM - Northern Hills Community Association - 11950 Country Village Link NE

8:30 AM-11:00 AM - MLA Dr. David Swann - 1320-5 Avenue NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Ruberto­Ostberg Gallery ­ 2108-18 Street NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Ten Thousand Villages - 220 Crowchild Trail NW

9:00 AM-12:00 PM - Citadel Community Association - 808 Citadel Drive NW

9:00 AM-12:00 PM - Ranchlands Community Association - 7713 Ranchview Drive NW

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Banff Trail Bannock Breakfast - 2115­20 Avenue NW

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Thorncliffe/Greenview Stampede Day - 5600 Centre Street N

11:00 AM-2:00 PM - Westside Alliance Church BBQ - 6600 Country Hills Boulevard NW

SUNDAY, JULY 7

8:00 AM-11:00 AM - Wood’s Homes Bowness - 9400-48 Avenue NW

9:00 AM-10:30 AM - Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church - 1903-19 Avenue NW

9:00 AM-10:30 AM - Unitarian Church of Calgary - 1703-1 Street NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Harvest Hills Alliance Church - 10099 Harvest Hills Blvd NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Westview Baptist Church - 1313 Ranchlands Way NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Bow Waters Community Church - 6452-35 Avenue NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - The Riverside Club - 110 Point McKay Crescent NW

9:00 AM-11:30 AM - Salvation Army Breakfast & Carnival - 222 Sandarac Drive NW

9:00 AM-11:30 AM - Berkshire Community Church - 22 Sandarac Boulevard NW

9:00 AM-11:30 AM - Hillside Community Church - 27 Arbour Crest Drive NW

9:00 AM-11:30 AM - Brentview Baptist Church - 3512 Charleswood Drive NW

9:00 AM-12:00 PM - Scenic Acres Community Association - 8825 Scenic Acres Drive NW

11:00 AM-1:00 PM - St. Giles Church ­ 1102-23 Avenue NW

12:00 PM-2:00 PM - Holy Trinity Church BBQ Lunch - 18 Hidden Creek Road NW

MONDAY, JULY 8

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - CrossIron Mills Shopping Centre - 261055 CrossIron Blvd - SC

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - North Hill Centre - 1632-16 Avenue NW - SC

TUESDAY, JULY 9

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Market Mall - 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW - SC

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Highland Park Community Association BBQ Dinner - 3716-2 Street NW

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10

7:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Crowfoot YMCA - 8100 John Laurie Boulevard NW

7:30 AM-11:00 AM - Wood’s Homes Parkdale - 805-37 Street NW

8:30 AM-11:30 AM - Mount Pleasant Community Association - 2310-6 Street NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Dalhousie Station - 5005 Dalhousie Drive NW - SC

THURSDAY, JULY 11

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Northland Village Mall - 5111 Northland Drive NW - SC

FRIDAY, JULY 12

8:00 AM-10:00 AM - Ecoliving Solar Breakfast - 3553-31 Street NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Roy-Op Breakfast - 130 Country Village Road NE

SATURDAY, JULY 13

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill - 1300-20A Street NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Huntington Hills Community Association - 820-64 Avenue NW

9:00 AM-12:00 AM - Triwood Community Association - 2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW

9:00 AM-12:00 PM - Carpenter’s Union, Local 2103 - 301-10 Street NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Coventry Hills Centre - 130 Country Village Road NE - SC

9:30 AM-11:30 AM - Tuscany Residents Association - 212 Tuscany Way NW

SUNDAY, JULY 14

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM - Hope Lutheran Church - 3527 Boulton Road NW

8:30 AM-10:15 AM - Foothills Lutheran Church - 3104-34 Avenue NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Crescent Heights Community Association - 1101-2 Street NW

9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Kincora Community Association - 1100 Kincora Drive NW

*SC Indicates events put on by the Calgary Stampede Caravan

Another unique NW Calgary event is on tap this weekend as the fast-paced action that is roller derby is set to invade the Olympic Oval!

Flat Track Fever 2013 will be the single largest flat track roller derby tournament event in Alberta to date.  On April 12, 13, and 14th, Chinook City Roller Derby will host a pair of single elimination tournaments, one women’s and one men’s, featuring teams from across Alberta, North Central and Western regions of the USA and BC.

There will also be co-ed and junior bouts to showcase the future of the sport!

Tickets are available in advance for a discounted price as compared to at-the-door rates and can be purchased online.

For more information about this tournament which is sure to be a memorable experience, click on the official website link below and come on out!

FLAT TRACK FEVER 2013 - OFFICIAL EVENT WEBSITE

http://flattrackfever.com/

Another great concert is coming to Calgary this week as Great Big Sea takes over the confines of the Jubilee Auditorium for two nights as part of their 20^th Anniversary XX tour!

This Newfoundland trio has become ingrained in our Canadian cultural fabric over the past two decades with their unique brand of folk-rock and down to earth persona. Alan Doyle, Sean McCann and Bob Hallett are great ambassadors for the Canadian music scene and of course, put on great show.

The band is playing two dates at the Jube, Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15; both shows go at 7:30 PM.

For more information about the band, the tour, concert and venue information and of course to purchase tickets, click on the links below to go to the Jubilee Auditorium event page or the band’s XX Tour information page.

GREAT BIG SEA CALGARY CONCERT INFORMATION

http://bit.ly/W2HTcS

GREAT BIG SEA XX TOUR INFORMATION

http://bit.ly/YWyoHR

Another great NW Calgary event is almost upon us as the 45^th annual Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival is set to get underway!

The Kiwanis Festival is one of North America’s largest amateur classical music festivals with over 10,000 musicians and speech arts performers participating in over 1,000 classes in 18 categories…and it takes place right here in our backyard at The Jubilee Auditorium and SAIT.

The festival begins on Monday, February 25 and winds up on Saturday, March 16 with the anticipated “Stars of the Festival” concert showcasing the cream of the crop from this year’s event.  The evening also features the presentation of the prestigious Rose Bowl which is awarded to the most outstanding performer of the entire festival.

For more information about the event including schedules, history, tickets and more, visit the official Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival website by clicking on the link below.

CALGARY KIWANIS MUSIC FESTIVAL WEBSITE

http://www.calgarykiwanisfestival.ca

It’s not very often that a legend in Canadian music comes to town.

It is even less likely to have two all star acts play on the same weekend, but that is exactly what is on tap at the Jubilee Auditorium as both Blue Rodeo and Nelly Furtado are set to take to the main stage..

Blue Rodeo will play two shows as part of their 25^th Anniversary Tour on Thursday, January 10 and Friday, January 11 and Nelly Furtado wraps up the weekend with a single engagement show for her Spirit Indestructible Tour on Saturday night.

There are still tickets available for both concerts but given the calibre of the performers, they are undoubtedly going very fast.

Neither act needs an introduction, especially one that would not do either of them justice in a short blog post, so for more information about the artists, tour information and more click on the links provided below.

BLUE RODEO 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR INFORMATION

http://www.jubileeauditorium.com/Southern/Events/2013-01-10/An-Evening-with-Blue-Rodeo/280520

NELLY FURTADO SPIRIT INDESTRUCTABLE TOUR INFORMATION

http://www.jubileeauditorium.com/Southern/Events/2013-01-12/Nelly-Furtado/280521

Well the weather has been here for the better part of the past month so to go along with all the white stuff, the Christmas Craft Season has also begun!  Get ready for your fill of Christmas music, apple cider and of course a great selection of fine hand-crafted treasures and homemade goodies!

We will be posting updates most weekends on what events are taking place throughout NW Calgary; if your are part of or know of an event that we have not featured please comment below and we will add it to our growing list..

Craft fair shopping is a great way to Shop Local and support local businesses!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24

10 AM - 5 PM : Highland Park Community Association, 3716 - 2 Street NW

10 AM - 4 PM : Foothills United Church, 3803 - 69 Street NW

10 AM - 3 PM : Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 8007 Bowness Road NW

10 AM - 3 PM : Dalhousie Community Association, 5432 Dalhart Road NW

  9 AM - 3 PM : Sandstone Ecumenical Centre, 1100 Berkshire Boulevard NW

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25

10 AM - 4 PM : Highland Park Community Association, 3716 - 2 Street NW

10 AM - 4 PM : Uplands Recreation Centre, 20 Hawkside Road NW

Halloween is almost upon us and with our unseasonable and certainly un-Calgary-like weather the past two weeks, more wee costumed ones will likely be looking for some indoor trick or treating fun.

We have compiled as thorough a list as possible with all of the NW Calgary indoor Halloween events.

It isn’t the same as going door-to-door of course, but even splitting time between one of these great indoor events and some traditional door knocking might save some parental strife and some frozen ghouls and goblins.

Besides, Superman looks pretty silly busting at the seams with a snowsuit underneath; ends up looking more like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man than the Man of Steel!

If you know of any other NW Calgary indoor Halloween events please post them in the comments section below.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

NORTHLAND VILLAGE MALL

Halloween activities and entertainment, including trick-or-treating, crafts and more, 3-5pm.

http://www.northlandvillagemall.ca/events.php?Events-1

MARKET MALL

No activities, but most stores and Guest Services will be passing out candy, 10am-9pm.

https://www.facebook.com/MarketMall

NORTH HILL CENTRE

Dress up the little ones for some trick-or-treating, 4-6pm.

http://www.northhillcentre.com

HAUNTED CALGARY: OUTBREAK - ROCKY RIDGE

6th annnual haunted house, donation recommended, not advised for children under 14, 6-10pm.

http://hauntedcalgary.com/about.html

HAUNTED HOUSE - ARBOUR LAKE

There will be Ghosts and Goblins as well as lots of treats, 6:30pm.

http://arbourlake.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/download.pdf

The first snow-filled football game of the year can only mean one thing...the playoffs are near!

Today appears to mark that day and the game at hand gives you plenty of reasons to pull on your woollies and head off to McMahon.

The Ti-Cats hit town for the first time this year so that means Smiling Hank also makes his first appearance back in Calgary since the off-season trade that saw Burris and current Stamps pivot, Kevin Glenn swap teams. Arguably one of the most popular players to don a Stamps jersey, Burris should receive a solid round of applause for his first snap behind centre before officially becoming the enemy.

If that isn’t enough motivation (which it should be!) tonight’s matchup is also the Stamps fifth annual PinkPower game in conjunction with the Canadian Cancer Society, to support the battle against women’s cancers and help raise awareness. Fans can purchase special pink Stamps gear at the game or donate online.

Kickoff is set for 5 PM today, Saturday, October 20 and tickets are still available so gear up, get your pink on and see you at the game!  For more information on the matchup, PinkPower and ticket sales, click on the links below.

GO STAMPS GO!

CALGARY STAMPEDERS PINKPOWER EVENT

http://stampeders.com/article/stamps-als-kick-off-season

CALGARY STAMPEDERS GAME DAY INFORMATION

http://www.stampeders.com/article/stamps-looking-for-10th-victory

CALGARY STAMPEDERS TICKETMASTER GAME DAY SALES

http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/110048B1AD186F8C?artistid=891712&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=8

A very intelligent and innovative concept comes to NW Calgary this weekend as a National Costume Swap Day event is set for this Saturday, October 13.

The event is exactly as advertised; an opportunity to trade-in your gently used costumes instead of buying brand new costumes that your kids will only wear for one day!

The event is part of the National Costume Swap campaign presented by UsedEverywhere.com and the NW Calgary event takes place from 2:30-5:30PM at 4Cats Arts Studio located at Unit 8B, 34 Edgedale Drive NW at the intersection of Edgemont Blvd NW and Edgedale Drive NW.

You can bring your costumes in on Saturday at 2:30pm (SHARP); costumes must be in clean & good condition and you will get a token for every costume dropped off and exchange the token/s for a different costume.  Costumes that are being accepted are 0-18 years and please include all accessories.

There will also be free art activities for kids and it will give you a great opportunity to check out the studio if you haven’t been there already.

For more information click on the links below and have fun swapping!

4CATS ART STUDIO EVENT PAGE

http://www.4cats.com/edgedale-events

NATIONAL COSTUME SWAP FACEBOOK PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/nationalcostumeswapdaycanada

More great CFL football action tonight as the BC Lions invade McMahon Stadium to take on the Stamps and Nik Lewis Nation in their first meeting of the year.

Along with the great game, tonight marks Calgary’s turn in the Purolator Tackle Hunger food drive campaign.  You can take part in the food drive by bringing non-perishable food items or cash donations to Purolator volunteers stationed at the stadium gates. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to win a digital photo with the Grey Cup and enter to win a trip for two to the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto.

Game time is 7 PM but be sure to get there early for some great tail-gating fun.  For more information about the game or to get tickets click on the links provided below.

GO STAMPS GO!

STAMPEDERS-LIONS GAME DAY PREVIEW

http://www.stampeders.com/article/stamps-face-defending-champs

STAMPEDERS GAME DAY TICKET INFORMATION

If you are a Trekkie and live in NW Calgary then you need to head down to Bowness tonight as Star Trek takes to the 3-storey screen for a summer Movie In The Park event!

The evening starts at 8:30 PM and goes until midnight (weather dependant) just over the bridge in Bowness in the field at RB Bennett school, 6305 - 33 Ave NW.  There is a suggested donation for admission of $10 per blanket or $5 per chair and of course this is an alcohol-free family event.

This 2009 reboot of the famous Star Trek franchise, starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as the tandem of Captain James T. Kirk and Spock was a huge hit...and one of my favourite flicks...receiving excellent reviews and for those who follow it, an amazing 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

So grab your pointy ears, brush up your Klingon and set your phasers for fun as you head down to Bowness for a great movie under the stars.

For more information about the event or to get more information about the movie click on the links below.

BOWNESS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FACEBOOK PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/mybowness

ROTTEN TOMATOES STAR TREK MOVIE REVIEW