sunnyside up night life - calgary · pdf filecalgary herald’s special projects...

Friday, May 17, 2013 N°5

parksdevonian Gardens the world’s largest indoor green oasis in the city’s heart. //8

second-generation resident raises family in well-loved neighbourhood. //10

a club crawl of yyC’s hot spots takes us to bars, casinos, lounges & theatres. //12

suNNyside up NiGht liFe

FESTIVALS, FOOD & WINE

issue

CLIENT: M2I SoBow TITLE: 26 Chefs ART DUE: April 24 2013 ISSUE: June 2013 SIZE: 10.75”w x 11”h BLEED: 11.125” x 11.5” COLOUR: Four Colour Process FILE: High Res PDF POSITION: Right Side

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3

You’ve heard of SoHo — now say hello to Calgary’s own SoBow.

Located next to beautiful Pearce Estate Park in Inglewood, nestled on the Bow River’s south bank, SoBow is where everything comes together.

“We have a vision for this development, which is community-based and Inglewood-focused,” says Ted Gaisford, marketing program manager with M2i Development Corp., a division of Matco Investments. “We have Calgary’s most historical and eclectic neigh-bourhood at our front door and at our back door is Mother Nature.”

Under the guidance of M2i, con-struction has begun on 1912Cross, the second phase of SoBow, featur-

ing a mix of 120 condos and two-storey town homes, with 13 versa-tile floor plans to choose from.

Gaisford says this large number allows 1912Cross to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers, from young singles and professionals up to empty nesters.

“As only the second building in SoBow (after the sold-out Phase 1, Grande House), 1912Cross offers outstanding value to those who wish to get into SoBow at the start,” says Gaisford.

Each suite in 1912Cross has an open layout with seven full-size deluxe appliances, in-suite air-con-ditioning and heated underground parking. Concrete construction offers long-term value and imparts a modern, urban esthetic, with extensive use of brick, metal and glass.

“We’re focusing on building inte-grated communities in Calgary’s inner city,” he says. “We’re not just putting up a building that has no relation to where it sits. Everything we do is respectful of the surround-ing neighbourhood. SoBow will take architectural and lifestyle cues

from Inglewood as it develops.”That includes strong connections

to next-door 20-hectare Pearce Estate Park with plans to con-nect via meandering pathways and green space.

With only 694 units planned for the entire six-hectare SoBow development, it’s not going to be overcrowded, either.

Prices in 1912Cross start at $297,000 and include heated underground parking. Floor plans

range from 694-square-foot studios to 1,632-square-foot penthouses with three bedrooms and three baths.

Residents of 1912Cross and Grande House will share exclusive gym facilities, as well as concierge and security services, Gaisford says.

First possessions at 1912Cross are expected by the last quarter of 2014, “in plenty of time for Christmas,” says Gaisford.

“We’re within 10 minutes of

downtown, 15 minutes of the ‘mini-downtown’ they’re building at Quarry Park, 15 minutes to the air-port, and we have immediate access to the Blackfoot and Deerfoot trails. There’s no other site like this in Calgary,” he says.

For more information, visit sobowcondos.com or drop by the sales centre at 1640 17A St. S.E. (just off Blackfoot Trail), email [email protected] or call 587-353-8955.

SoBow So acceSSiBle,

So Beautiful in inglewood

advertising feature

LIVINGiNNer-City

Fringe Festival/15gardens/8 living in inner city/10 night liFe/12

Food columnist and

restaurant reviewer john

gilchrist tackles inner-city

jewels & gems/13-14

Inner-CIty LIvIng is a publication of the Calgary Herald’s Special Projects Department

special projects manager: Monica Zurowski, 403-235-7339; [email protected] // special projects co-ordinator/designer: karen petkau, 403-235-7513; [email protected]

Friday, May 17, 2013 N°5

LIVINGiNNer-City


neighbourhoods/6

jonas’ chicken paprikash

cover: nuit blanche/11Calgary’s entertainment scene has received an injection of new local

events in the past 10 years, including GlobalFest, sled island and the

city’s inaugural participation in Nuit Blanche 2012, an international late-night arts festival that has a following in toronto, paris and halifax. locally

held at Olympic plaza, Nuit Blanche will make a return engagement at the

plaza sept. 21.

image: leah hennel, calgary herald


5

Where soldiers once paraded, today a new community is coming to life.

Victoria Cross by Avi Urban, a town-home development whose name honours those who served our country, is located on the former Currie Barracks site, centrally located near many shopping, recreation and service areas and moments from Crowchild Trail. Its location, amenities and design saw Victoria Cross recently honoured at the SAM Awards as Community of the Year. It’s also been nominated for the National SAM Awards Best Community and the Alberta Awards of Excellence.

“Avi Urban is honoured to be recognized by our industry for both the community and marketing campaign of the year,” says presi-dent Charron Ungar. “We worked hard, and being acknowledged for that is a good feel-ing. It’s great to share the spotlight with the best in the homebuilding industry.”

Ranging from 2,100 to 2,300 square feet, the three-storey townhomes at Victoria Cross line the new neighbourhood’s central boulevard and are designed to reflect the traditional feel of the community.

Each home features unique elevations and East Coast inspiration.

Features include James Hardie siding and painted brick, permanent planter boxes beneath the windows, stylish trim, and each home is set amidst landscaped lots with trees and greenery, including a fully land-scaped back yard and a detached two-car garage.

The homes overlook Victoria Cross Boulevard, itself an example of attractive community design.

Like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, the streetscape includes a fully landscaped boulevard with park bench-es, paved pathway, and stone memorials remembering those who fought for our free-dom. Area amenities include the Richmond Green Golf Course, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, sports fields and quick access to Garrison Green and Marda Loop with their shops and services. It’s also minutes from Mount Royal University.

Prices at Victoria Cross start in the $790,000s, with homes available for imme-diate possession, and two model homes can be toured. For more information, visit liveatvictoriacross.com, or drop by the sales centre at 132 Victoria Cross Blvd. S.W. (off Sarcee Road, south of 33rd Avenue), open Monday to Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. and weekends from noon to 5 p.m.

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appropriately named for its abundance of cutting-edge furniture and decor shops and some of the city’s most talented design firms, Calgary’s design district — roughly running along 10th and 11th avenues between 4th and 14th street in the city’s southwest — is most people’s first stop when home improvement is on the agenda.

Over the last few years, however, this neighbourhood’s residents have diversified and the downtown design district is now a hotbed of must-visit galleries, boutiques, restaurants and wellness practices.

known as the destination for indulgent desserts, Brulee patisserie has been a fixture in

the district for the past 16 years. Owner Jennifer Norfolk says that during

that time, the area has transitioned from an electric avenue feel, chock full of bars and nightclubs to a true shopping destination.

“Over time, the frenetic bar energy has given way to a calmer vibe, with more sit-down restaurants and outstanding galleries,” she says. “i think this happened partly because the younger crowd grew up a little or moved on to 17th avenue and partially because the business and residential communities in the area were growing larger and wanted a little more from their neighbourhood.”

What Norfolk loves most about the district is the creative inspiration and positive energy it offers to business owners and visitors alike, and she’s not alone in that feeling.

kim Chernow, the owner of the district’s boutique wine shop, the Ferocious Grape, has discovered many gems over the last four years she has spent in the hood. the clothing store lililime has a very unique selection,” she says. “if you want something that nobody else has,

shop there. i also really enjoy visiting Newbury spa and i love my neighbours at the holy Grill —they make a mean burger.”

Jon sawyer, principal of kit interiors, has called the design district home since 2005. he has a number of neighbourhood favourites including the Cookbook Company, Metrovino, Broken City, avec and domicile, just to name a few, “independent businesses with a distinct vision,” he says.

“inner-city retail districts like ours give start-up businesses the chance to grow without the pressure of the high rents of the malls,” he says. “this freedom allows us all to try new things and offer shoppers something they can’t find anywhere else. if i had to do it over again, i’d pick the same spot in a heartbeat.”

With access to everything one needs to live the good life within a few blocks’ radius,

it looks as though the vibrancy of this district will only continue to grow along with the areas residential community.

“i’m looking forward to doing more exploring of my own,” Norfolk says of the steady stream of new businesses opening up. “i can do my grocery shopping and working out on my lunch break and then i can break my fast and stock up on wine, cheese and chocolate for the evening.” //


6

NeIGhbourhoods the design district

business owners love district’s creativity

the art in design

words: meghan jessiman //

images: calgary herald Files

Finally you can have it all — at a price you never before thought possible. Alberta’s

top-selling condo builder is upping the ante with competitive pricing on two new projects in Calgary’s north-east and southeast quadrants.

One such project is Lakeview at Saddleridge by the Carlisle Group, featuring two-bedroom suites affordably priced from the $120,000s. Located in northeast Calgary, these units offer direct access to Stoney Trail and are only minutes away from the Saddletowne LRT station, numerous parks, schools, hospitals, dining options and leisure venues, including the new Genesis Place.

Lakeview is set to launch to the public May 25, and at these prices,

high demand is anticipated. “We have a deposit-incentive

program that allows a purchaser to reserve a unit with a payment of only $1,000 at the opening launch,” says vice-president of sales Tim Bryce. “The purchaser makes up their five per cent deposit in equal payments over a five-month period.”

At these prices, homeowners can qualify for a mortgage with a house-hold income of only $32,300. That translates to biweekly payments of only $245, which is far less than the average monthly rent in Calgary.

For this reason, “we attract a lot of first-time homebuyers, empty-nesters and investors. We also build in communities where there are a lot of extended families,” says Bryce, adding home prices are expected to increase again in the near future, making now the time to buy with current low interest rates.

Another hot project also offering two-bedroom suites at affordable prices is Albert Park Station in southeast Calgary — a mere five-minute drive from downtown. These conveniently located two-bedroom units, starting in the $140,000s,

offer access to all major traffic cor-ridors, the LRT and all the shop-ping and dining amenities one could desire on International Avenue.

With an eye on quality and a focus on value, suites at both prop-erties feature efficient floor plans, professionally co-ordinated interior finishing packages, underground heated parking, and free digital television and internet for a year. A

third-party warranty guarantees the quality of the final product. “Carlisle is able to offer a price point, quality and size of home that is unmatched in the industry,” says Bryce.

To attend the Lakeview launch or for more information, register at liveatlakeview.ca. Register for the invitation-only sales launch of Albert Park June 8 by visiting albertparkstation.ca. To take

advantage of an advance purchasing opportunity at Albert Park Station before June 8, email [email protected]. Show suites are located at 102, 7210 80th Ave. N.E., where further information on fin-ishes, site layout, area amenities and floor plans can be obtained. Visit the central sales office at 352 4th Ave. S.E. (across from Bookers) or call 403-228-5872.

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8

Living at The Guardian, the latest development by Hon Towers, is paramount.

Not only does the prestigious skyscraper offer a bird’s-eye view of picturesque Calgary, but it also provides the perfect place for Calgarians who work in the core to have a luxurious home close to where they work and play. And at The Guardian, there’s no more supreme unit to choose than the Paramount Suites.

“If you’re looking for luxury urban living in Calgary, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything superior to the Paramount Suites at The Guardian,” says Steven Cox, the principal and creative director of Cause+Affect, the brand and mar-keting team behind The Guardian. “In terms of design, space, views, finishing, appliances, location and

value, there just isn’t anything that matches The Paramount Suites.”

On floors 36 to 41 of the tall-est residential tower in Calgary, the Paramount Suites’ offerings range from 1,256-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom units to 1,830-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom units with a media room and den.

With only four suites per floor, each Paramount Suite will have grand views of the city, rivers and mountains, particularly from its massive balcony, which spans up to 472 square feet — the perfect van-tage point from which to entertain while barbecuing using the installed natural gas lines.

“The Paramount Suites are a per-fect combination of lifestyle, luxury and location,” Cox says.

The Paramount Suites are equipped with a premiere Miele appliance package, many of which with integrated panels in the kitch-en, boast over-height ceilings and come with two side-by-side park-ing spots. And like all suites at The Guardian, they are outfitted with kitchen and bathroom cabinets from esteemed Italian company Armony Cucine, adding to their sleek, mod-ern design.

“We are very proud to be the first to bring Armony Cucine to Calgary,” says Cox. “They’re fantastic products that I think have set the bar for quality in this city.”

Those lucky few who live in the Paramount Suites will also have access to all of The Guardian’s many amenities: fitness centre and yoga studio; workshop; and the luxuri-ous social lounge that opens onto a tranquil garden terrace.

“The Guardian sits atop one of the most ideal locations of the city. It’s minutes from downtown, steps from Stampede Park, connected to East Village by the 4th Street

underpass and minutes from the RiverWalk pathways,” says Cox.

“East Village is undergoing a massive revitalization and will be home to many new businesses and amenities, including the new Central Library and the National Music Centre.”

Moreover, Victoria Park — The Guardian’s neighbourhood — is also undergoing a rebirth, as the Calgary developer New Urban plans the first Renaissance ClubSport hotel and fitness resort in Canada just one block west of The Guardian on the corner of 12th Avenue and Macleod Trail S.E.

In addition, Cox says the addi-tion of nearby Stampede Trail, a western-style retail-, restaurant- and amenity-laden strip between 12th and 14th avenues along Olympic Way, will also make the area more vibrant. The trail is being developed by Alberta Development Partners and Calgary Stampede and will transform Stampede Park into a year-round travel destination.

One bedrooms in The Guardian start at $254,900, two-bedrooms start at $423,900 and Paramount Suites start at $710,900. For more information, visit the project’s web-site theguardiancalgary.com.

the guardian caterS to BuyerS with SightS for luxuriouS living

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core esseNtIaLs gardens

devonian gardens an indoor retreat

garden growsCalgary may be synonymous

with snow, but right in the heart of downtown is a garden oasis that allows for a glimpse of green all year long.

located on the 4th floor of the Core shopping Centre (317 7th ave.), the devonian Gardens is Calgary’s only indoor park, and is a little piece of natural heaven that offers something for everyone.

known for being the world’s largest indoor gardens, it garnered international attention when it first opened in 1977.

Now, thanks to a complete

renovation by the City of Calgary, the devonian Gardens are more beautiful than ever. Boasting 10,000 shrubs, 550 tropical trees, a ‘living wall’, lots of natural light, serene walkways and tranquil fish-filled ponds, the gardens are more than just a “pretty place.”

they are a great destination for a multitude of reasons thanks to the diverse offerings of the new space.

a perfect location to capture a bit of serenity during a busy day, devonian Gardens has lots of seated areas to just soak in the surroundings.

words: robyn burnett // images: calgary herald Files

With three rental spaces, it has also become a premiere event location for weddings, corporate functions, galas and fundraisers.

the terrace is the largest space, accommodating up to 350 people (150 for weddings) with a range of seating options amid the plants and ponds.

For smaller functions, the event room is a private room for up to 80 people offering palm trees, skylights, and a beautiful view of the Calgary skyline.

Finally, the Gallery, located

on the +30 level of the gardens, is an elegant option for cocktail parties for up to 150 guests (standing room only).

For adults looking to learn a bit as they wander through this paradise, pack a lunch and join in the free weekly devonian dialogue series (12:15 p.m. on tuesdays in the event room). each week, a different theme is discussed, from urban forestry to composting, wetlands and more.

With a modern indoor playground (and lots of fish to

point out), it’s become a great space for parents needing a free play place while the snow is on the ground. drop-in programs allow for some green education for the kids, as well.

the weekly Mums and sprouts program located near the playground includes a hands-on activity to educate little ones about nature — all free of charge. the gardens are also open to schools, giving students a taste of ecological education.

See CORE/12

Enjoy grand corner-suite views from the 36th floor and up. Soak it all in frommassive wraparound balconies and entertain friends in your sleek imported ItalianArmony Cucine kitchen with integrated appliances.1,256 sq. ft. two bed, two bath to 1,830 sq. ft. two bed, two bath with media room and den. Each suite comes with two side-by-side

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LIVING It inner-city dweller

second-gen resident relives childhood

When american novelist thomas Wolfe wrote you Can’t go home again, he didn’t have someone like tracy Collyer in mind for his main character.

unlike the fictional, disillusioned George Webber, the 38-year-old mother of two found it easy to return to her sunnyside neighbourhood where as a kid, she rode her bike, played in nearby parks and enjoyed treats at Bernie’s corner store.

these days, there’s more traffic near her 2nd avenue home from the busy Memorial drive thoroughfare and a few more condos and trendy eateries in sunnyside and adjacent kensington.

however, for her, the neighbourhood — one of Calgary’s oldest — retains the same feel it did when she used to skip across the street to sunnyside elementary school, where her children Benjamin, 8, and Callum, 5, now attend.

“it has the feeling of a small village,” says Collyer, a family support worker. “people are like-minded. they want to be connected with their community.”

sunnyside, which is also home to the Calgary Curling Club,

has retained its character despite the arrival of more professionals and fewer of the working–class folks she remembers as a child. the neighbourhood is trendier than in those days, but shops, such as Vendome

Café have only added to the overall character, she says.

“it is diverse. i cannot imagine being anywhere else at all,” adds Collyer. “there is such life and vitality.”

she also loves the many remaining character houses, including her own, that help sunnyside retain its charm. her father and uncle renovated her 1912, two-storey, four-bedroom home, but maintained much of the original look.

a key feature is the front porch looking out at Calgary’s cityscape. also, a double lot affords lots of play space and is garnished with cherry blossom, weeping birch and crab apple trees. While Bernie’s may be boarded up, there are other convenience stores, as well as two grocery stores, two parks, numerous coffee shops and other amenities within walking distance.

husband ryan Collyer, 41, is from sherwood park, but has lived all over Calgary since moving south to attend college. however, since the couple moved to sunnyside 14 years ago, there is no other neighbourhood for him.

the couple moved into their current home a year ago.

he loves the outdoors and keeps fit, so sunnyside’s proximity to bike paths is appealing. he hops on his mountain bike and can be at his job as a paramedic in his downtown station in less than nine minutes. however, he often chooses other routes of up to 17 kilometres long for a workout.

apart from the amenities, the family is within easy walking distance of the sunnyside C-train station and one stop from the free-fare zone in the downtown core. still, what ryan really loves is how close-knit the community is. he recalls even before they had children, he and

tracy joined a group that successfully rallied against the planned closure of sunnyside elementary, which nowadays is filled to capacity. parents are always willing to keep an eye on each others’ children, he adds.

When tracy’s father Bill sneddon and his buddy bought the home the Collyers now live in 1970, they paid $19,000. it is now valued at about $800,000. the property-buying duo later purchased three more homes in sunnyside and rented out the 1912 home to the Collyers.

“i don’t frequent a lot of places the young people do, but there is nowhere else i would want to live,” says sneddon. //

words: gerard young // images: michelle hoFer


10

sunnyside oF

liFe

sunnyside

thinking oF moving to the sunnyside oF liFe? consider these Facts:

// located north oF bow river, across From downtown calgary.

// adjacent to kensington shopping and dining district; sunnyside is primarily residential.

// home oF calgary curling club at the east end oF the neighbourhood.

// one oF the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, with a population oF about 3,700; homesteaders settled the area in the 1880s with the area becoming part oF the city oF calgary in 1904.

// original residents worked For canadian paciFic railway and eau claire sawmill; now, mostly urban proFessionals.

// home to sunnyside elementary school and a c-train station.

// part oF the hillhurst-sunnyside community association.

// calgary real estate board reports that the inner-city market is more vibrant than anywhere in the city; average 2012 cost oF single-Family home was $685,000,

townhouses almost $619,000 and

condominiums $298,500.

ClOCkWise FrOM tOp leFt: traCy, BeNJaMiN,

ryaN aNd CalluM COllyer ON the steps OF their 1912 hOMe iN suNNyside.


11

cIty comparIsoN calgary vs. edmonton arts & culture

calgarians embrace city’s changing artistic persona

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Calgary and edmonton are often pitched against one another in the battle of alberta, but some Calgarians might concede when it comes to arts and culture.

“driving to work listening to CBC, you get the sense that people here seem to have a larger, more established appreciation for the arts,” says ian smith, a saxophonist and born-and-raised Calgarian who recently moved to edmonton for work.

that strong, supportive relationship between artists and audience has been a key component to the capital city’s successful arts scene, which is as recognized for its vibrant summer festivals as its classical offerings, says John Mahon, executive director of the edmonton arts Council.

so, too, is the fact that no one event seems to overpower the rest.

“My sense is the stampede is so big and dominant that it might, consciously or unconsciously, crowd out other events,” Mahon says.

Fresh off its one-year stint as the Cultural Capital of Canada in 2012, however, Calgary is

proving that it’s not a one-trick pony — and indeed never has been.

and people are noticing.“We’re really pleased

with what’s happening in Calgary,” Mahon says.

“i hope that Calgarians realize what a treasure it is and start buying tickets for these shows.”

smith also sees that growth, which he believes stems from the budding entrepreneurial spirit among local artists, such as Calgary philharmonic bassist Matt heller who a year ago organized Classical revolution Calgary, a group that brings classical music into bars and cafes.

Much like edmonton, a lot of the credit for Calgary’s burgeoning cultural community is given to the people — artists and those demanding more options for theatre, music, dance, exhibitions.

“there’s something about the youthfulness of Calgary,” says terry rock, president and CeO of Calgary arts development.

See CITY/12

cowtown culture club

iNsert, tOp: slOW learNers play duriNG the 2012 sled islaNd. iNsert, BOttOM: irish-Based COMedy daNCe theatre COMpaNy pONydaNCe eNtertaiN shOppers duriNG this year’s hiGh perFOrMaNCe rOdeO.

// CalGary herald Files

“We have a large cohort of young professions and i think a lot of the enthusiasm is being driven by that group. they really love their arts scene and they’re connecting to it in ways that perhaps the generation just before them didn’t.”

this has resulted in people stepping up within the last five to 10 years to bring and invest in new local events, such as GlobalFest, sled island and Calgary’s inaugural participation last year in Nuit Blanche, an international late-night arts festival that has a strong following in toronto, paris and halifax.

Other events have gained in popularity as they’ve

matured, such as the high performance rodeo.

exciting new offerings continue to come the city, such as the first installment of Beakerhead, which is planned for this september.

this five-day showcase will merge arts with science and engineering.

Now is the time to capitalize on this interest so that arts and culture are seen as a priority in this city for generations to come — something Calgary arts development recently started working on with the creation of a new policy.

“i’m really excited that the plan will have a big focus on education,” rock says. “that means the long-term future of arts and culture in Calgary will be really bright.” //

When it comes to getting dressed in yyC, there’s no denying that luon and Gortex reign supreme the majority of the year.

sure, come July, the Wranglers and cowboy boots come out to play, but for the most part, we are a pretty casual crowd and we like it that way. every now and again, though, it’s nice to dust off the sport coat or cocktail dress and hit the town in high style. here’s where to go where to find the action next time the party clothes — and vibe — are calling your name.

Ox & aNGela (528 17th ave. s.W.; oxandangela.com)spanish in both vibe and taste, Ox & angela’s bar

serves up some of the tastiest cocktails and nibbles in the city. Composed of unlikely liquor choices, fresh fruit and house-made bitters, you can’t go too wrong with any of the libations on offer, but the rio Fogo (sagatiba Cachaca shaken with passion fruit and a hint of fresh chili) and the house sangria are both showstoppers.

West (225 7th ave. s.W.; westrestaurantandbar.com)there are few places in Calgary that embrace

peacocking (aka. putting on your finest frocks and strutting your stuff) quite

as much as West. if you are in the mood

to see and

be seen, its rooftop patio, complete with fireplaces, cosy cabanas, full kitchen and bar service and an impressive city view, offers just the right, well, scene.

elBOW riVer CasiNO (5218 18th ave. s.e. ; elbowrivercasino.com)

No need to splurge out on a flight to las Vegas when we have a “Vegas-style” casino right in the heart of downtown. No longer just a destination to try your luck at the tables or on the slots, the elbow river Casino is now a one-stop shop for entertainment. housing three different dining options, yuk yuk’s Comedy Club and regularly booking superstar musical acts on the Bayou stage, glitz and glamour are always in full effect on the casino floor.

Milk tiGer (1410 4th st . s.W.; milktigerlounge.ca)Old-timey, classic cocktails are having a moment

and no one in yyC delivers them as well the gang of skilled bartenders at Milk tiger. and extensive list of Champagne cocktails, Manhattans, Negronis and a few more innovative concoctions, these pros make them all. More impressive, though, is they are happy to educate you about what they are serving up, while they are at it.

a drink and a history lesson, now that’s our idea of a good date..

the theatreFrom alberta theatre projects and theatre

Calgary to Vertigo Mystery and the latest billing at the theatre Junction Grand, there is a show to suit every viewer’s tastes. Nothing screams culture like a night at the theatre, so

suit up and step out. Check atplive.com, theatrecalgary.com, vertigotheatre.com

and theatrejunction.com for season details. //


12

core esseNtIaLs entertainment

‘cheers’ to downtown hot spotswords: meghan jessiman // images: calgary herald Files

JeF kuBik, leFt, aNd alaN ChO, ON staGe at yuk yuks at elBOW riVer CasiNO.

cIty arts...

ViVa MexiCO daNCe eNtertaiN shOppers at deerFOOt Mall duriNG GlOBalFest 2013. <CalGary herald Files>

core gardens...For those kids who can’t

get enough green, you can also book birthday parties.

For kids five and up, the gardens offers two party themes — how does a Garden Grow and pests or pals. parties include hands-on nature activities, guided walks and crafts for up to 20 kids. Families with nature-loving kids will find that these birthday options are a natural fit.

strolling around the devonian Gardens may bring a sense of serenity, but this green gem has grown since its inception, offering the community much more than

a simple natural setting. it has become a thriving space with diverse offerings for individuals of all ages — and it just keeps growing. //

At the Olympic Plaza end of Stephen Avenue, Teatro holds sway in the cen-tury-old, high-ceilinged Dominion Bank Building. The sleek interior, the contem-porary Mediterranean menu created by talented chef John Michael MacNeil and Teatro’s deep wine list make Teatro a desti-nation for the higher end of the market.

At a simi-lar level, just across 1st Street S.E., Centini fires up a modern Italian menu that includes hand-thrown lunch pizzas and house-made pastas. The service here is always excellent.

On the same block, Catch offers two versions of seafood; the livelier and less expensive oyster bar (if you’re paying) and the elegant, second-floor dining

room (if someone else is paying.)Step off the Avenue and into Charcut,

a meaty enclave in Le Germain where chefs make their own charcuterie — try the mortadella — and where bone

marrow is as common as butter.

Or stay on Stephen Av-enue for a visit to Home Tast-ing Room in the sandstone Ashdown Hardware Building. The food is rustic and homey and reason-

ably priced.Across from Home, The Belvedere of-

fers one of the more unique views of the Calgary Tower through a decades-old skylight. The cuisine is haute (Siberian caviar for $130) and lush and available a la carte or in tasting menus.

Looking for Alberta beef? The lunch-time New York steak sandwich ($20) at The Trib is outstanding, as are the rest of its meaty offerings. Or try the beef at the Rimrock Dining Room in the Fairmont Palliser Hotel — that’s a great way to finish.

But what about the smaller, hidden places downtown?

Few are as hidden as Jonas’, Cal-gary’s only Hungarian restaurant. It’s in

a long, narrow space that was formerly a laundromat. Regardless, the chicken paprikash ($15) is as hearty as any I’ve had in Budapest.

Most people do a double take over Anju’s address. Hidden amid the condo towers of the west end, it’s tricky to find. But Roy Oh’s Modern Korean food will bring you back time and again. (Even the tofu is gorgeous.)

See JEwEls/14


13

LIVINGiNNer-City


n Anju -- Spicy salt-cured squid ($5)n Catch – Dungeness crab cakes ($18)n Charcut – Prime rib sandwich ($16)n Downtownfood – Tuna tataki ($13)n Escoba – Seafood paella ($29)n Jonas’ – Chicken paprikash ($15; full portion: $19)n Mango Shiva – Braised lamb shank ($27)n Q Haute Cuisine – Lunch special starter and a main course (starting at $15).n Rush – Rush burger ($19) n Silver Dragon – Black pepper beef tenderloin ($15.50)

INNER-CITY FAVS

<JOHN GILCHRIST>C algary’s inner city is packed with great

dining options from the finest corporate-client restaurants to tiny hidden gems.

Jewels & gems

jonas’ chicken paprikash <calgary herald Files>

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Still thinkJ.Webbis just

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fine wine?

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While the Bordeaux blends and Califor-nian cabs will always have a place next to a grilled sirloin, spring and summer are the ideal time to familiarize yourself with some of the wine world’s less-explored options.

SuMMER SALADSSpring and summer’s tender greens can

so easily be overpowered by the wrong wine choice. Most white varietals will do in a pinch, but Calgary’s Ferocious Grape owner Kim Chernow suggests bubbles as salads ultimate match. “A nice sparkling wine or Champagne pairs well with so many things, but most vegetable dishes are actually the ideal counterpoint,” she says. “Bubbles are light, fun and tasty and they get the palate ready for more. They also won’t be compet-ing for attention with most salad dressings.”

FISH WITHOuT THE CHIPSThere’s nothing quite as nice as grilling up

some fresh seafood and enjoying a feast al fresco. “A sauvignon blanc, especially one from New Zealand, is a nice choice for fish, since most are quite delicate,” Chernow says. “The mineral quality of these wines is exactly what you want when serving sea-food and they also have a beautiful acidity to bring the flavours out in whatever side dishes you choose.” Serve nice and chilled on your favourite patio for best results.

A BARBECuE WITH THE CREWBarbecue sauce has a lot of flavour all on

its own, so finding the right wine accompa-niment can be tricky. Chernow recommends zinfandel for its multiple flavour layers. “These wines are jam-packed with dark fruit, but they aren’t too heavy,” she says. “It’s a definite crowd pleaser and because of its multi-dimensional taste it pairs well with all kinds of foods you are likely to find at a backyard cookout.”

DISHES THAT BRING THE HEATWhen it comes to turning up the culi-

nary heat, it’s best to look to a winemaking country that knows a thing or two about spice. For red options, Chernow looks to Spain’s tempranillos for their soft, spice-free finish. “Tempranillo has a ton of flavour, but instead of overtaking the spice on the plate,

it complements that depth of flavour,” she says. For white wine lovers, Chernow sug-gests the verdejo grape from from Spain’s Rueda region. “This area is a leader in white wine making and has been for centuries. Verdejo showcases lemon and citrus, mineral-ity and, above all, a sharp acidity which makes it especially compelling with spicy meals.”

BEACH BLANkET BINGOWhen you are pack-

ing a picnic basket full of delectable meats and cheeses you re-ally can’t beat a tasty, yet affordable blend from California. “The Americans have mas-tered putting six, sev-en, or eight grapes together to come up with a mouthful of goodness,” Chernow says. “These wines are typically not too heavy, and pairing them with charcute-rie and cheese just brings out more of the flavours in the wine.” Ironically, “ta-ble wines” are great for blanket fare. //

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14

Salads, grills & libationsWine events to check out: n May 24: The Delta Calgary’s Winter to Spring dinner in the hotel’s Atrium restaurant. Chef Dana Rogers has planned a four-course meal with each course paired with a premium wine.n May 29: Metrovino wine store’s Patio Pinks, a class and tasting on dry and sweet pink wines from The New and Old Worlds. n June 5: Metrovino’s The Beautiful North (Italian Style), an evening dedicated to discussions and tasting of wines from Northern Italy. Background will be provided on well-known and lesser-known producers and estates, as well as on grapes indigenous to the area.n For more information: localwineevents.com.

WINE FESTSI t’s a law of nature: As the seasons change, so, too, do our taste buds.

<MEGHAN JESSIMAN>

Double Zero is as down-town as you can get but since it’s in the basement of The Core, it’s not an obvious location. But it has down-town’s best pizza — Nea-politan style — so don’t miss it. And for excellent Persian cuisine – kebabs, rich stews of chicken, pomegranete and walnuts— for very af-fordable prices, check out Atlas.

And if you’re downtown, look for downtownfood. Under the direction of chef/owner Darren MacLean, Downtownfood offers local, seasonal cuisine with an Asian twist.

Then look into the glass-and-steel Eighth Avenue Place for the tiny Cucina, an off-shoot of Teatro (read:cheaper) with big flavours.

There are dozens of gems in Chinatown, but for a quick, tasty and cheap lunch you can’t beat Trung Nguyen with its Vietnamese sub sandwiches.

Perhaps the best hidden gem in downtown — to visi-tors at least — is River Café. We locals have known about the Prince’s Island restaurant for years but visitors are still challenged with finding it.

These are just a taste of what Calgary’s inner city has to offer. //

JEwEls ...


15

Years in the planning, Calgary’s East Village is already setting a new stan-

dard for inner-city redevelopment.Construction is now underway

on two major condo developments, which, combined with the recent groundbreaking for the National Music Centre, shows momentum is growing and the vision of East Village is starting to take shape.

“We had Embassy Bosa, develop-ers of Evolution, breaking ground last September, and in the begin-ning of February, Fram+Slokker broke ground for its project, First. Both are in the ground and under construction, which is a big signal to Calgarians and potential buyers that East Village has arrived,” says Clare Nolan, senior manager of marketing and communications with Calgary Municipal Land Corp., chief land-owner in the East Village.

CMLC’s mandate is to guide

development of the East Village, “so when the master plan was produced in 2009, that document provided the vision and plan for the whole community.

“Our job is to ensure we have the right mix of residential, retail, com-mercial and public places, as well as the cultural institutions that make a well-rounded community,” says Nolan.

A projected population of 11,000 will live in this diverse neighbour-hood that is to include not only the National Music Centre, which also broke ground in February, but also a new central branch of the Calgary Public Library, a Hilton hotel and the RiverWalk, the latter of which has already proven to be a success.

“This spring, we embarked on the redevelopment of St. Patrick’s Island — a project that will turn the under-utilized park space into an activity destination for all East Village residents and Calgarians to enjoy,” says Nolan, adding a pedes-trian bridge between East Village and the island is expected to be completed this year. “That 30-acre (12-hectare) island has huge poten-tial.”

Nolan says the best way to introduce oneself to the new East

Village is to attend an event there. After a successful slate of events in 2012, this year the plan is for East Village to host at least one signa-ture event each month through the spring, summer and fall, including the annual Rock the Walk.

From May 23 to June 2, East Village will also host perfor-mances by Melanie Jones of her Run Woman Show Endure, tying

in with the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon. East Village will also host Canada’s first outdoor sum-mer opera festival this August. This four-day, six show performance of The Pirates of Penzance will be on RiverWalk Plaza Aug. 22 to 25.

“The events and programs we have planned will allow people to come to East Village and truly experience it,” says Nolan.

“Whether it’s taking an outdoor yoga class or enjoying food trucks, it’s a way for people to get a feel of how this community is evolving into a new destination.”

Learn more about the ongoing transformation of East Village at the new 8,000-square-foot sales and experience centre at 553 Riverfront Ave. S.E., or visit CMLC’s village website at evexperience.com.

momentum growS for up-and-

coming eaSt village

advertising feature

Coming into its eighth year, the artist-friendly festival con-tinues to attract more and more performers thanks to the dedica-tion and passion of festival director and producer Michele Gal-lant and her team.

“I used to be a financial planner. So doing this, for me, is living the dream. I’m always amazed at something—the inventiveness of the artists is incred-ible,” says Gallant.

The concept of the ‘fringe’ festival goes back to Edinburgh, Scotland, where a group of theatre producers wanted to put on shows but there was no room in the city, so they found spaces on the ‘fringe’ of town.

The first Canadian Fringe Festival was in Edmonton in 1982, which then led to

the establishment of the Canadian Associa-tion of Fringe Festivals.

Originally, the Cal-gary festival was split in venues between 17th Avenue and downtown, making it hard for patrons to move from show to show.

“When we found Inglewood, the merchants took a leap of faith with no idea of what to expect,” says Gallant. “It’s a nine-day festival and for that first fest in the area in 2006, many of the owners closed down for that period of time — until they saw all the people attending.”

Since then, “they have been so wel-coming, with many opening their doors for performers to use their space at no charge.”

The Calgary festival now has nine

venues, all within a 10-minute walk of each other. With 31 confirmed acts, all guaranteed six performances over the nine-day festival, the range of per-formance spaces only makes it more exciting. Each show is about an hour.

“There can be 20 to 25 shows going on in a day,” says Gallant. “For me, that’s a part of the fringe experience. Major shows cost $60 a ticket. “Here, you can see four or more for the same price and watch something completely new. Every year we grow — last year, we just broke 9,000 attending.”

The Alexandra Centre also holds a workshop for kids ages nine to 15 where they write and produce their own shows, which are performed dur-ing a special matinee on the opening Saturday at 1 p.m. A junior technician mentorship/apprenticeship program during the Fringe run is also offered to high school students.

“If you’ve never seen performance poetry, dance movement or experimen-tal art, here you can find it. It’ll only take an hour of your time so it’s a chance to try something different,” says Gallant. //

T he Calgary Fringe Festival isn’t on the fringe of the theatre scene anymore — it’s flourishing in the community of Inglewood and is only getting hotter.

Fringe benefits

DEVILISH DELIGHTSStephen LaFrenie as the Devil and Sarah Joy Bennett as Minion in Keystone Theatre’s The Last Man on Earth at the 2012 Calgary Fringe Festival. < CALgAry hErALD FILE>

n Dates: Aug. 2 to 10.n Tickets: Go on sale on July 1. Prices are determined by individual artists, to a maximum $15.n Shows: Descriptions available online later this month.n Info & tickets: calgaryfringe.ca.

FEST FuN

<ROBYN BuRNETT>

4 Ave SE

6 Ave SE

MacleodTra

ilSE

Riverfront Ave

4StSE

6StSE

CityHall King

Eddy

LRT FortCalgary

St. Patrick’sIsland

8 Ave SE

Bow River

SALESCENTRE

Right now, EastVillage is coming to life. Your condooverlooking theBowRiver is under construction –

actually, 399 of them are being built as you read this. A new bridge to St. Patrick’s Island is going

up at this moment and will be completed this year; the island itself is being rejuvenated as we

speak into a green breathing space for all Calgarians. The $150 million National Music Centre at the

historic King Eddy just broke ground. A landmark new Central Library is in the planning stages at

this very minute. The iconic Simmons Building is in the process of becoming your favourite new

gathering place. A summer full of events and surprises is on its way. We’re building a new way

of city life on the downtown riverfront site where Calgary was born. It’s right around the corner.

Come see for yourself at the East Village Sales and Experience Centre.

HOMESATEVOLUTIONFROM$359,000. HOMES AT FIRST FROM THE MID $200’S.

EVEXPERIENCE.COM/REALESTATE

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