The Scene
A snapshot of the cultural life of Alberta
Theatre
EDMONTON
Back to the ’80s: The Magic Mix Tape
Jubilations Dinner Theatre,
until Nov 1
Oh, Anne!
Based on the L.M. Montgomery novel,
co-produced with Carter-Ryan Theatre,
Theatre Network, Nancy Power Theatre,
Sep 17–Oct 18
Murder on the Orient Express
Based on the Agatha Christie novel,
adapted by Ken Ludwig,
Citadel Theatre, Shoctor Theatre,
Sep 19–Oct 11
The Tamer Tamed
By John Fletcher, adapted by Anne Marie Szucs and Joyanne Rudiak,
Walterdale Theatre, Playhouse,
Oct 14–24
Yaga
By Kat Sandler,
Shadow Theatre, Varscona Theatre,
Oct 14–Nov 1
Our Little Secret
By Noam Tomaschoff, directed by Adam Pascal,
Citadel Theatre, Maclab Theatre,
Oct 15–25
Iron Matron
By Trevor Schmidt,
Northern Light Theatre, Studio Theatre,
Oct 23–Nov 7
Rent
By Jonathan Larson,
MacEwan Theatre, Tim Ryan Theatre,
Oct 29–Nov 1
The Great Gatsby
Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel,
adapted by Erin Shields,
Citadel Theatre, Shoctor Theatre,
Oct 31–Nov 22
CALGARY
Hadestown: Teen Edition
Storybook Theatre, Beddington Theatre Arts Centre,
until Sep 6
First Métis Man of Odesa
By Matthew MacKenzie and Mariya Khomutova,
Theatre Calgary, Martha Cohen Theatre,
until Sep 27
Rock Around the Clock with Elvis and Friends
Jubilations Dinner Theatre,
until Oct 17
The Lodger
Based on the M.B. Lowndes novel,
adapted by Susie Moloney and Vern Thiessen,
Vertigo Theatre,
Sep 26–Oct 25
Little Shop of Horrors
By Howard Ashman,
Theatre Calgary, Max Bell Theatre,
Sep 29–Oct 25
A Concrete Jungle Book
Storybook Theatre, Beddington Theatre,
Oct 2–31
Ribstone
By Christopher Hunt,
Lunchbox Theatre, Studio Theatre,
Oct 7–17
Evil Dead: The Musical
Alberta Theatre Projects, Martha Cohen Theatre,
Oct 13–Nov 14
Top Secret Musical
Storybook Theatre, Beddington Theatre,
Oct 19
Dreaming Climate Consciousness
Downstage Theatre,
Motel Theatre,
Oct 23, 24
RED DEER
And Then There Were None
By Agatha Christie,
Central Alberta Theatre, Studio Theatre,
Oct 16–31
LETHBRIDGE
Strange Country
By Steele Prefontaine,
University of Lethbridge Drama,
Sterndale Bennett Theatre, Studio Theatre,
Oct 7–10
Flight Risk
By Meg Braem,
New West Theatre, Sterndale Bennett Theatre,
Oct 15–24
Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play
By Anne Washburn,
U of L Drama Department, University Theatre,
Oct 28–Nov 7
MEDICINE HAT
Come From Away
By Irene Sankoff and David Hein,
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre, MHMT Playhouse,
Oct 15–31
Bury the Hatchet
By Sasha Wilson,
Esplanade,
Oct 28
The Outsider
By Paul Slade Smith,
Grande Prairie Live Theatre,
Sep 17–Oct 3
The Mystery of Irma Vep
By Charles Ludlam,
Grande Prairie Live Theatre,
Oct 22–Nov 7
CANMORE
Based on the L.M. Montgomery novel,
adapted by Bridget Ryan,
Carter–Ryan Theatre Productions, Canmore Collegiate High School,
Aug 21–Sep 6
ROSEBUD
Oh Mother!
Rosebud Theatre, Studio Stage,
until Aug 29
Anne of Green Gables
Based on the L.M. Montgomery novel, a
dapted by Nancy Ford and Gretchen Cryer,
Rosebud Theatre, Opera House,
until Sep 5
Dear Johnny Deere
Rosebud Theatre, Opera House,
Sep 18–Oct 24
Music
ALBERTA BAROQUE ENSEMBLE
18th Century Music from Central Europe
Robertson–Wesley United Church,
Oct 25
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF EDMONTON
Identity & Roots
St. Andrew’s United Church,
Sep 27
EDMONTON CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong
West End Christian Reformed Church,
Sep 10
Busch Trio
Trinity Lutheran Church,
Oct 15
EDMONTON RECITAL SOCIETY
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko
Winspear Centre,
Sep 20
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Winspear Centre unless noted
Symphony Under the Sky: Hollywood at Hawrelak
Hawrelak Park Amphitheatre
Sep 3, 5, 7
Symphony Under the Sky: Beethoven’s Fifth
Hawrelak Park Amphitheatre
Sep 4, 6
Beethoven and Vivaldi
Oct 3, 4
Rachmaninoff Festival
Oct 22–24
Baroque’s Greatest Hits
Oct 29
NEW MOON FOLK CLUB
Generations
Oct 2
Lloyd Spiegel
Oct 16
Colin Linden
Oct 30
NORTHERN LIGHTS FOLK CLUB
The Gift: An Ian Tyson Tribute
Sep 19
Generations
Oct 3
Jared Sowan, Cory Danyluk
Oct 17
YARDBIRD SUITE
Tina Hartt and Jazzà5
Sep 6
Oscar Lopez Duo
Sep 13
Canadian Dreams Sextet
Sep 20
Fernanda Cunha and Trio
Sep 26
Michael Charles & His Band
Sep 27
Samuel Bonnet
Oct 4
Madeleine Elkins Trio
Oct 16
CALGARY
CALGARY CIVIC SYMPHONY
Brahms, Elgar and Estacio
Jack Singer Concert Hall,
Oct 25
CALGARY FOLK CLUB
Connie Kaldor
Oct 2
The Black Feathers
Oct 16
Christie Lenée
Oct 30
CALGARY OPERA
Tosca
Jubilee Auditorium,
Oct 16–24
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Jack Singer, unless noted
Phil in the Park
Prince’s Island Park,
Sep 13
Nordic Nights
Sep 18, 19
Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Sep 20
The Music of John Williams
Sep 25, 26
Baroque at Bella with Nicholas McGegan
Bella Concert Hall,
Oct 23
Schumann, Strings + Soundscapes
Oct 30
HONENS 2026 FESTIVAL
Honens Lab
Élisabeth Pion, Jon Kimura Parker, Nicolas Namoradze,
Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts,
Sep 10
Dialogues with the Piano
Winston Choi, Carter Johnson, Jon Kimura Parker,
National Music Centre,
Sep 10
Reverberations: Chopin Reframed
Élisabeth Pion,
National Music Centre,
Sep 11
Bison Noir: Revisions in Real Time
Chris Andrew, Winston Choi, Carter Johnson, Élisabeth Pion,
King Eddy,
Sep 11
Storytellers: Babar the Elephant
Carter Johnson,
National Music Centre,
Sep 12
Open Air Calgary
Winston Choi, Jon Kimura Parker, Élisabeth Pion, MingHuan Xu,
RiverWalk Plaza,
Sep 12
Echoes in Motion
Winston Choi, Carter Johnson, Jon Kimura Parker, MingHuan Xu,
National Music Centre,
Sep 12
Classical Adaptations: Duo Diorama
Winston Choi, MingHuan Xu,
TELUS Spark,
Sep 13
Neurorecital
Nicolas Namoradze,
Infinity Dome Theatre, TELUS Spark,
Sep 13
LUMINOUS VOICES
Chrysanthemum
Bella Concert Hall,
Oct 18
NATIONAL MUSIC CENTRE
Jeremy Dutcher: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Studio Bell,
Sep 30
RED DEER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A Symphonic Celebration
RDP Arts Centre,
Oct 17
LETHBRIDGE
LETHBRIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Symphony I: The Hebrides Cave of Melody
Southminster United Church,
Oct 5
CANMORE
ARTSPLACE
Leeroy Stagger
Sep 9
Virginia MacDonald
Sep 27
Cara Luft
Oct 6
Quartetto Gelato
Oct 8
Mysterium Duo & Vaughan String Quartet
Oct 17
Rising Stars Canmore–Sedona
Oct 24
ChamberFest West Shoulder Season Concert: Rachmaninoff Two Pianos
Oct 30
BANFF
BANFF CENTRE
James Ehnes’s 50th Canada Birthday Tour
Rolston Recital Hall,
Sep 12
BANFF INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET FESTIVAL
Banff Centre, Rolston Recital Hall unless noted
Opening Night: Afiara Quartet & Friends
Sep 3
Opus13, Wigmore Hall Competition Prizewinners
Sep 4
Jan Lisiecki with the Banff Festival Orchestra
Jenny Belzberg Theatre,
Sep 4
An Evening with Barry Shiffman and Jan Lisiecki
CLVB ’33,
Sep 4
Steven Isserlis, Connie Shih
Sep 5
Copland’s Appalachian Spring & New Dance Works by Neshama Nashman
Jenny Belzberg Theatre,
Sep 5
Dalí Quartet: Music by Latin American Composers
Sep 6
Jan Lisiecki & Jonathan Crow: Beethoven’s Spring Sonata
Sep 6
Festival Finale: Barry Shiffman, Steven Isserlis and the Banff Festival Strings
Sep 6
Dance
CALGARY
ALBERTA BALLET
Giselle
Sep 24–26
Peer Gynt
Oct 29–31
CANMORE
ARTSPLACE
Edmonton Dance Project
Oct 2, 3
Film
CALGARY
Calgary International Film Festival
Various venues,
Sep 24–Oct 4
RED DEER
Central Alberta Film Festival
Gameland Laser Tag & VRcade,
Oct 7–10
BANFF
Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Banff Centre,
Oct 31–Nov 8
Literary
CALGARY
OWL’S NEST BOOKS
Curling Up with Crime!
Multi-author reading,
Sep 23
WORDFEST
Memorial Park Library, Central Library, DJD Centre, Bella,
Oct 13–18
BANFF
BANFF CENTRE
Banff Summer Arts Festival
Literary Cabarets
Until Sep 17
LETHBRIDGE
WORD ON THE STREET
Library Main Branch,
Sep 19
Visual Arts
EDMONTON
ALBERTA CRAFT COUNCIL
ENVIRON
Until Oct 17
ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA
In Whose Eyes;
Zoe Ann Cardinal Cire
Funny Bone, Wish Bone, Back Bone
Both until Oct 11
The Reciprocity Garden ᐋᐧᐦᑰᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ (wâhkôhtowin)
Until Dec 31
Sports! The Art of Competing
Until Jan 3, 2027
The Light Fantastic
Until Feb 21, 2027
Plans and Prototypes
Until Apr 11, 2027
Nahanni McKay Spirit
Until May 2, 2027
BOREALIS GALLERY
Your Alberta Legislature: The Story of a Place
Until Apr 2027
HARCOURT HOUSE
Expressions of Métis Religion and Spirituality
(presented for Alberta Culture Days);
Rexell S. Livelo
The Emotional Landscape of Work
Both until Sep 19
Wenda Salomons
gesture
Oct 9–Nov 21
SNAP GALLERY
Friday Smith fields;
Agata Garbowska
hauntings
Both until Sep 26
Gracie Safranovich
above below beneath beside;
Noelle Wharton-Ayer
A Night Garden
Both Oct 10–Nov 7
CALGARY
AFA ART HOUSE
Montageries
Works by Katie Ohe, Chris Cran and others.
Curated by Ash Slemming.
The Edison,
until Sep 30
CONTEMPORARY CALGARY
Adelita Husni Bey
Agency;
Ghazaleh Avarzamani
Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return
Both until Nov 8
Jane Jin Kaisen
Burial of This Order
Until Jan 10, 2027
Curtis Talwst Santiago
worlds, worlds, worlds
Sep 17–Jan 3, 2027
ESKER FOUNDATION
Johnathan Onyschuk
Old Growth
Until Oct 18
NICKLE GALLERIES
Napoleon: Art, Money and War
Until Sep 19
STRIDE GALLERY
AJ LaRiviere
Healthy Appetite
Until Oct 9
SAAG
Trade and Convention Centre
Don Gill
DETAIN
Until Oct 17
MEDICINE HAT
ESPLANADE
Adrianne Williams
Because of Her;
Heather Shillinglaw
dlúne æîk’ãzñ–mouse spirit power
Both until Sep 5
Kara Sloan
Interoceptive Sensing
Until Sep 26
Caprice Hogg
Time After Time
Until Oct 10
ST. ALBERT
ART GALLERY OF ST. ALBERT
Lauren Chipeur
What on Earth is Holding the Loop Up?
Until Oct 17
BANFF
WALTER PHILLIPS GALLERY
Diane Borsato
A Clean Place to Swim
Until Dec 13
WHYTE MUSEUM
Thick as Thieves
On tour from MacKenzie Art Gallery, curator Crystal Mowry;
When our eyes touch
Portraiture by Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte from the Whyte’s collection.
Both until Nov 8
Must-See Exhibition
Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return
Ghazaleh Avarzamani
Contemporary Calgary, until Nov 8
The centrepiece of this exhibition from Iranian-born Canadian multidisciplinary artist Ghazaleh Avarzamani is a 500-pound butter sculpture of a cowboy on horseback. Fans are aimed at the sculpture to slow its melting, but its inevitable degradation over the course of the five-month exhibition symbolizes how power diminishes. The history and significance of butter is playfully engaged, here referencing the 1924–1925 display of a 3,000-pound butter sculpture of the Prince of Wales by Canada at the British Empire Exhibition.
The rest of the exhibition examines nursery rhymes, playgrounds and games such as Monopoly to further examine structures of power. In one circular section of the exhibit, viewers move through the space like a game piece, learning in real time how the rules are stacked against them, highlighting the endless grind and churn of labour in capitalist societies.
