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Why Calgary for Arts, Fashion and Culture?
Calgary is everything we love about the West. It’s young. Exuberant. Uninhibited. Vibrant. Energetic.
Canada's fastest growing major city is increasingly being recognized for its creative energy. The city's
dynamic arts and fashion scene may come as a surprise to many visitors, who will quickly appreciate the
quality and quantity of its cultural offerings – accented by its buzzing fashion scene. Support for the arts is
incredibly strong – at the box office, among the media and from government and corporations.
Calgary's city center has never been more eclectic, and is now home to scores of imaginative new talent,
delicious new restaurants, diverse arts and culture venues, packed nightspots, sports and fine shopping.
The city has earned its stripes as Canada's Cultural Capital for 2012. Its success, some would argue, is
due to Calgarians’ bold personalities and their collaborative nature.
From Paul Hardy, who has also designed unique costumes for the dancers of the Alberta Ballet, to glass
artists getting together to form the Bee Kingdom collaborative, to Calgary art spaces like Art Central,
DaDe Gallery and Market Collective, these are all examples of what Calgary has become – a
collaborative hub for artists, designers, independent restaurateurs and corporate supporters, working
together to create something special.
Attracted by the city's new urban spirit, Calgary is also attracting new retailers and brands to the
city. Calgary’s fashion scene now provides its 5 million visitors each year with both unique one- of-a kind
pieces by local designers or great finds from luxury brands and major retailers. This is why more than
300,000 Canadian visitors each year choose Calgary as their shopping destination. Combined with the
city’s dynamic neighborhoods, new restaurants and music and entertainment opportunities, Calgary
makes for the perfect weekend getaway, for couples, friends or family.
Calgary is not the city you used to know or the place you think it might be. Calgary is a new city every
day, with fresh experiences and adventures
to share and new stories and memories to
take home. A good time in Calgary is
whatever you want it to be – and more than
you imagined. No matter who you are or
what you like to do, Calgary will surprise
you. Inspire you. Welcome you. And invite
you to be part of the energy.
What’s in Style for Calgary
Calgary Culinary Talent
A youthful crew of kitchen renegades are making
Calgary’s new calling card a culinary one. The National
Post calls Calgary “Canada’s next culinary capital” with
good reason.
+ Back-alley burgers, house-butchered meats, verdant
organic gardens that defy our city’s wacky weather
patterns (snow happens even in July and Calgary has tshirt days in December), a busy community of food
bloggers and published authors, culinary shops (one just
sells the world’s very best knives to another selling just
spices) and a raft of new restaurants (characterized by
chic design, boundary pushing young chefs and throngs of food and wine lovers who crowd the tables
any day of the week) that are garnering international accolades make Calgary dining today distinct.
+ The Food Network’s EAT St. is headlining its season-opener show with a look at Calgary’s street food.
Championed by street-food fan, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and his new and forgiving bylaws are
encouraging entrepreneurial eateries on the city’s streets. Fries ‘n Dolls, the Perogy Boyz and the famed
Alley Burger Food Truck are among those that led the way in 2011 as street food pioneers with dozens
more coming in 2012.
+ Alberta farmers and producers are joining its restaurant professionals and government to kick off the
Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance in 2012 aimed at drawing visitors through the region’s rich and
authentic food-centric offers. Examples include agri-tourism adventures with visits to bison farms,
learning the ins and outs of harvesting artichokes or hands-on ranching techniques. Downtown
restaurants, pubs, markets, cafes, bakeries, drive-throughs, food festivals, street food vendors and
specialty shops decorate Calgary’s historic neighbourhoods and main streets, like Stephen Avenue and
17th Avenue.
+ Sweet! From Bernard Callebaut chocolates to Calgary’s answer to the cupcake craze in Jelly Modern
Donuts, Calgary offers a modern trove for dessert fans.
+ Calgary chefs are called upon to showcase the best of Canadian cuisine – from London’s Trafalgar
Square on Canada Day to the Barbados Food and Wine Festival and more. Few have attracted more
attention than Rouge’s Paul Rogalski who is on the North American celebrity chefs stages on a regular
basis thanks to his award winning restaurant success and sustainability practices.
Anything to drink with that…
+ Some of the world’s best barley is grown and harvested in Alberta thanks to the hard,
fresh Rocky Mountain water. This barley is shipped to create craft beers the world over and
has seeded a home-grown brew boom in Calgary. Tap what’s on: 2012 limited release of
the original Calgary Beer; tours of Village Brewery, Brew Brothers, Big Rock Brewery or Wild
Rose Brewery; brewing classes at Heritage Park; time with the Cowtown Yeast Wranglers (a
club with more than 170 homebrewers and beer lovers); the Calgary International BeerFest;
patio time on Stephen Avenue (of national historic significance) at a range of pubs and
more. See what’s on tap at popular new beer-centric restaurants like Wurst Restaurant and
Beer Hall (beer served by the two-litre boot), Craft Beer Market (with 200 options on draft
... the largest selection in Canada), the new Pig and Duke Neighbourhood Pub housed in one
of the city’s first firehalls, or CHARCUT with Canada’s first beer cellar steward Kirk Bodnar.
+ No coincidence that Calgary is home to Canada’s largest private wines and spirits store,
(Willow Park Wines & Spirits), the province of Alberta’s liquor policies and taxes are
generous allowing retailers and restaurants to stock and sell impressive international bottles
to complement ever impressive lists of Canadian wine, beer and spirits.
+ Calgary is the birthplace of the Caesar cocktail.
Calgary with a Capital C … for Couture and Culture
+Calgary has just celebrated with approximately 1.4 million visitors the Calgary Stampede’s
100-year landmark. But 2012 has much to celebrate as the designated Cultural Capital of
Canada: The 10 year anniversary of the Alberta Ballet, Paul Hardy’s collections, the 100th
anniversary of a local Calgary landmark – the Grande Theatre Junction.
Tip: Calgary is home to Canada’s only western Hat maker, Smithbit Hats, which crafts its
authentic cowboy hats on site and has a popular custom hat program finding you the
perfect fit.
+ Calgary is outright festive. Its festival calendar is packed year-round with highlights
including the Calgary Folk Festival with edgy headliners and workshops yet a family friendly
vibe; Global Fest with six nights of fireworks; the High Performance Rodeo – Calgary
International Festival for the Arts and more.
+ Calgary’s sporting culture counts for a lot. Whether urban angling floats your boat
(Calgary’s Bow River is one of the premiere trout rivers in the world and winds its way
through the city); braving a surprise or bob sleigh at Canada’s Olympic Park; or snapping
up a ticket to enter Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame which has inducted 520 inducted sport
legends and showcases more than 1,000 sports artifacts and engages visitors with 50
hands-on activities in its new 40,000 square foot building at Canada Olympic Park. Its
professional sport teams draw sell-out, die-hard fans decked out in red – for the Calgary
Flames hockey games in the iconic Saddledome to the Stampeders Football Team with their
galloping white horses punctuating each touchdown. What’s more, Calgary is home to
Spruce Meadows, one of the world’s pre-eminent equestrian show jumping competitions:
free for the public and broadcast internationally.
+ History comes to life in Calgary at Heritage Park. A 127-acre living history museum is
Canada’s largest with the world’s only log opera house, a working antique midway; an
impressive museum housing a private collectors’ treasured gas pumps, vintage vehicle and
signage.
+ The new SPARK Science Centre is Canada's first purpose-built science centre created in
more than 25 years and is home to a 240-seat HD Digital Dome Theatre.
Be Inspired - In Calgary’s Open Spaces
To get some inspiration, unwind and get outdoors, at Canada Olympic Park, at riding stables
that skirt the city, and Calgary’s many accessible gyms and pools or in the nearby Rockies.
There is no shortage of green spaces to explore in Calgary by bow on cycle or raft. There is
lots to turn your gears. Calgary has approximately 900 kilometres of pathway and 89
percent of Calgarians use the system. Pathways link up with paths in Fish Creek Provincial
Park in Calgary, one of the largest urban parks in North America. Biking in Nose Hill, a large
native grassland park with paved pathways, includes mountain biking opportunities and a
prime view of downtown Calgary. Taking to the city core’s spacious riverside cycling
promenade (with an elegant new stretch called RiverWalk) offers stunning Bow River vistas
with great stops along the way including the River Café.
And the Bow is for the lazy-river
set. It is a rafter’s paradise. 17,085 boats were spotted on the river in 2011, according to
the Calgary Fire Department. One of the only places in North America where you can raft
right in the city. Put in northwest of town for Class 1 rapids.
Calgary’s Bold Personalities
Aviv Fried
Owner, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
Aviv Fried is rolling in dough. Literally. He started his business
delivering handmade sourdough on his bicycle for a zero-carbon
imprint with generous proceeds to charity. Inspired by Jane
Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, he named
his bakery as a homage to the “sidewalk ballet” where people
and business interact to make the city a better place. He’s done
just that with each vanilla pastry cream and honey-lavender
Danish; sour cherry and chocolate brioche; grainy Dijon
croissant; Meyer lemon and thyme sourdough loaf; and "all
you ever wanted" cookie with organic oats, dried apricot, cranberry toasted coconut and
walnuts.
Aviv holds a Physics Honours degree and Masters in Bio-medical Engineering from the
University of Calgary. He turned down a finance job in Toronto to pursue his passion. The
self-taught artisan baker later trained at King Arthurs Flour in Vermont with Jeffery
Hamelman and in Paris with the famed sourdough baker, Jean-Luc Poujauran. A learning
expedition took him to a small bakery run by the highest Tibetan Monastery in Nepal in the
Everest Base Camp.
About Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
Sidewalk Citizen Bakery is an artisan bakery in Calgary Alberta specializing in long
fermented sourdough breads. The bread is handmade from local, organic freshly milled
flours using ancient grains native to Alberta, Canada. Aviv Fried, the founder and baker of
Sidewalk Citizen hand-cuts and shapes every loaf then bakes them until the breads have a
golden sturdy crust and complex flavor. He also bakes a variety of pastries including
sourdough croissants and brioche cinnamon buns. An avid cyclist and true to his objective
to create a sustainable business that is part of a community, Aviv delivers bread on his
cargo bike which also functions as a “sidewalk store”. Proceeds from his Wednesday
deliveries are donated to local charities. Drunken Paw, a Calgary art collective, created a
triptych at his recently opened bake shop.
Connie DeSousa
Co-Chef and Co-Owner, CHARCUT Roast House and
Alley Burger
Dubbed the Primal Ballerina – for her years of formal
dance training juxtaposed with her meat-centric culinary
mastery – Connie DeSousa is one of Canada’s Top Chefs
having starred as a finalist in the Food Network culinary
competition and a Tourism Calgary Culinary Ambassador.
She is known for stand-out butchery skills. Yes, she can
debone a pig’s head in record time. Connie obtained Le
Cordon Bleu Paris Certification and graduated on the
Dean's List with honours from the Southern Alberta
Institute of Technology’s culinary program. She competed
with the Alberta Culinary Team at the World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt Germany. In 2005,
Connie opened the Mobil 5-Star St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco. Before opening CHARCUT,
Connie worked at Alice Waters' Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. This experience had a
tremendous influence on Connie's style of cuisine. She tours Canada as a presenter,
culinary judge and inspiration to female chefs and young women aspiring to enter the
profession.
John Jackson
Co-Chefs and Co-Owner, CHARCUT Roast House and Alley Burger
John began his career at Calgary's award-winning Owl's Nest Dining Room. After five years
and much acclaim for the restaurant, he accepted a position as chef de cuisine in
Manhattan. Working in New York City over the next several years, John had the opportunity
to train with a number of notable chefs, developing his technique and taking advantage of
New York's world class cuisine. During this time John also consulted on many other
restaurant projects, including the opening of Jean Georges Vongerichten's Restaurant
Lagoon in Bora Bora. In 2005, John ventured to San Francisco as Executive Chef of the St.
Regis Hotel. Opening this prestigious hotel and obtaining the Mobil 5-Star Award each year
since its opening were monumental occasions in John's career. While in San Francisco, John
was also given the honour of hosting the James Beard Foundation's 20th Anniversary
celebration. Throughout 2008 and 2009, John took advantage of his travels in Europe to
stage and train at some of the world's top rated restaurants including, London's River Café,
Le Jardin des Cygnesin in Paris, and at a small local butcher shop in Italy's Marche region,
perfecting his techniques by learning from the masters of the craft.
About CHARCUT Roast House
Led by global culinary adventurers and proven trend cultivators, John Jackson and Connie
DeSousa, CHARCUT is one of Canada’s most lauded restaurants. A raft of international
culinary posts led the pair – hovering around 30 years old – to create and open their urbanrustic downtown Calgary hotspot in a new, modern architectural landmark across from the
Calgary Tower. The room’s every detail – from the reclaimed local barn wood panelling to
the Mason jar chandeliers – transports the authenticity and soul of local, farm-fresh
producers and their flavourful ingredients to downtown’s most energetic restaurant and bar.
With house butchered meats, home-made preserves, new menus daily, Canada’s first beer
steward overseeing cellared international brews, and a bustling open kitchen, John, Connie
and CHARCUT are helping put Calgary on Canada’s culinary map.
Justin Leboe
Executive Chef, Model Milk
Justin Leboe shook up the Calgary culinary scene on arrival three
years ago as executive chef opening the city’s newest, most
elegant dining room at Rush, which earned coveted Canada’s
Best New Restaurant status from enRoute Magazine. In 2011, he
opened Model Milk, a convivial hot spot in a retrofitted heritage dairy. His career spans
varied continents and prestigious kitchens, each a touch-point to refine his technical skills.
Justin’s outlook and approach to food has relaxed. Leaving the confines of fine dining
behind, he is shifting energy to what matters most to him: having fun while creating food
that tastes great. When not in the kitchen, Justin trains for marathons, explores the local
restaurant scene, travels in search of new food experiences and hangs with his dogs. So it
was no surprised when asked what his favourite thing about Calgary is he boasts about the
river pathways.
About Model Milk
Model Milk reflects the personalities of the people behind the restaurant who nixed
checklists, pre-conceptions and rules that govern what a “good” restaurant ought to be.
Instead, they focused on what they love about restaurants and what would do justice to the
amazing space they discovered and renewed with fresh purpose. Model Milk interiors peel
back layers of history as part of its mindful restoration that sees reclaimed brick and warm
woods complement an open kitchen.
Making Contact
W: modelmilk.ca/
T: @ModelMilkBistro
E: info@modelmilk.ca
Amiel Soicher
Mixologist, Ox and Angela
This multi-talent young trampolinist by day, mixologist by night
is a 2016 Summer games hopeful. He has received his training
from award winning UK Mixologist Sebastien Albert and
continues to be recognized in various publications and catching
headlines. When Amiel is not balancing between the restaurant,
bartending competitions and the gym he enjoys Calgary’s pathway systems by bike.
About Ox and Angela
Ox and Angela is Calgary’s newest Spanish restaurant and tapas bar located on 17th
Avenue, in the heart of downtown Calgary and the hub of the culinary food scene where
dozens of restaurants thrive. Owned and operated by independent restaurateurs Kelly
Black, Jayme MacFayden, and Steve Smee, the trio felt a need for an intimate neighborhood
restaurant with a focus on culinary cuisine and bold cocktails to match the space. The result
is a simple traditional Mediterranean atmosphere with Spanish food and drink to match.
The style of food can be best described as new world Spanish Tapas – small plates of
flavoured cuisine that reflect the old world of Spain but incorporate local ingredients from
local distributors. Traditionally served with a drink, the restaurant has a strong focus on
classic cocktails with a Spanish twist. All drinks are hand crafted and offer exceptional
quality through the care of all the local mixologists.
The design aspect of Ox and Angela is based around traditional Mediterranean design, which
combines simplicity with visual and physical textures. Brought to life by local Calgary
designer, Kelsey Sterling, the 2,500 square foot room suggests sharing camaraderie
amongst friends and family while touring the Spanish streets amid the white clay walls.
Divided into two distinct sections, the restaurant side, known as “Angela”, is 35 seats, light
and simple, showcasing wrought iron and ornamental mirrors. The “Ox” lounge side is
darker with 50 seats and a tiled bar which the focal point is an 18th century Madonna.
Award winning Domicile, a local Calgary firm, provided all of the streamlined, contemporary
furniture.
Opened in the Fall of 2011, Ox and Angela is a layered experience for guests through the
infusion of flavour throughout the region of Spain. The winter of 2012 will mark new
evolving renovations on the interior that will create more space between both sides of the
restaurant.
Karine Moulin
Pastry Chef, Yellow Door Bistro, Hotel Arts
This wizard of the whisk is a Calgary SAIT Culinary graduate and
one of Western Canada’s great talents with preparing exquisite
desserts. Over the years, this Quebec City born Calgary resident
has worked with St. Germain Bistro, 100 Wines by David Walker,
Hyatt Regency Calgary and the ATCO Culinary Kitchen. She has
worked with the Hotel Arts Group helping to launch an array of
new desserts for Raw Bar, Chef’s Table at Kensington Riverside
Inn, the group’s growing banquet and catering division and the
soon-to-be-opened Yellow Door Bistro.
Karin has a passion for fashion and when asked what she loves about Calgary she had this
to say:
“the fashion scene, including Paul Hardy! Before starting my pastry career at SAIT,
I had applied to the Art Institute of Vancouver, and I still to this day have a
passion for fashion. I’m hopeful for the day when I have a chef’s jacket designed
by Paul Hardy!”
About Yellow Door Bistro at Hotel Arts
Yellow Door Bistro is the latest restaurant to be launched by the Hotel Arts
Group. Following on the successes of Raw Bar at Hotel Arts and Chef’s Table at Kensington
Riverside Inn, Yellow Door Bistro will open in December 2012 for breakfast, lunch & dinner
service featuring bistro-inspired cuisine with a contemporary twist. Innovation plays a large
part in the philosophy at Hotel Arts, and we strive to present this through our inspired food
and drink. Each season is reflected in our creations and we vary our menus to take
advantage of the fruits, spices and flavours available at specific times of the year. Stay
tuned for more news and information on this new Calgary addition.
Ray Bear
Executive Chef, Rush Restaurant
A native Nova Scotian, Ray worked most recently in
Vancouver at Glowbal Restaurant Group where he was
Sanafir's Executive Chef. Long on experience -- with more
than 25 years in the profession -- Ray has travelled and
worked around the world. He has bolstered his culinary
education at the Culinary Institute of America. He has
completed stages in top restaurants: Canoe, Alinea, August,
Nobu and Michi. In 2005, Ray was named Chef of the Year and Culinarian of the Year for
Nova Scotia. A year later he led the opening of Gio in the Prince George Hotel and after one
year under his leadership it became known as one of the top ten restaurants in the country.
A few years ago, he appeared on the TV show “The Chef’s Domain” and has attracted a
steady stream of media attention throughout recent years. In 2009, Tiding's Magazine
called him a Canadian maverick chef.
About RUSH
Modern Calgary is Rush's muse. Many paint Calgary today as a study in contrasts. Its
historic buildings -- housing emporiums of avant garde fashion, contemporary decor and
specialty adventure gear -- are sandwiched between new skyscrapers in the economic
capital of the West. Mostly, Calgary is all work and all play, all at once. A lot like Rush. A
singular reflection of Alberta's signature hospitality, Rush's downtown location occupies a
large space in what was once Calgary's main post office, a magnificent building modernized.
It relaxes fine dining with an award winning, approachable offer.
Rush aims to surprise guests with exceptional value for inventive Canadian inspired food
and top-ranking drinks – especially wine and cocktails. The service and rooms lay the stage
for special every-day encounters. RUSH caters to Calgary’s discerning diners in an inspired
and stylish setting with plush, muted finishings on walls and floors, dramatic lighting –
including glistenening chandeliers and sconces – and vaulted ceilings that add a dramatic air
of elegance. RUSH draws an eclectic mix of people, from the city’s powerful energy sector
executives to its design and fashion influencers to arts lovers en route to and from the city’s
rich cultural events. A place to meet in the lounge and relax casually with a cocktail, small
plates and occasional live music; to work over lunch with a generous yet affordable tasting
menu; to raise a glass of the best in honour of a milestone moment during special
occasions.
DJ Rice
About DJ Rice
A pioneer of the electronic music scene, Mark Quan, AKA DJ
Rice, has been spinning sweet sounds since the late 80s. Born
and raised in Calgary, he was especially proud to have won
Calgary's Fast Forward Magazine Best of the Best Readers
Choice Awards in the categories of Best DJ and Best DJ Night.
Since 1996, DJ Rice has run the popular weekly “Sunday Skool”
DJ night, at The HiFi Club in Calgary.
After dabbling in R&B, Funk, Hip-hop, and Techno, DJ Rice
chose to pursue his true love -- House Music. Over the years, he
has amassed an extensive record album and music collection,
with more than 12,000 pieces of vinyl surrounding him in his
studio.
To DJ Rice, every single song he has played is a memory that he can pull off the shelf
anytime he deems fit. He is well known for digging out and throwing down a classic at just
the right time. DJ Rice plays his heart out to those who come to hear him and groove on his
dance floor.
When not mixing beats, DJ Rice is an avid fly fisherman and appreciates the soulfulness of
getting out on the blue Ribbon Bow River that flows right through Calgary.
Making Contact
T: @DjRice_Calgary
E: djrice@shaw.ca