By Jillian Clark
Pumpkin spice everything doesn’t mean the music has to stop until spring – sweater weather brings with it plenty of opportunities to dance, sing and tap along to the beat. Whether you’re into classical, roots, electronic, indie or orchestra, the music will go on for you this fall. [Photo credit: iStock]
If you missed Honens Day at the National Music Centre, don't fret – there's plenty scheduled at Calgary's top music attraction to keep your toes tapping this fall. After a busy spring session, organizers are bringing back Studio Bell After Hours, a licensed event running Sept. 22 from 7 to 11 p.m. Guests can enjoy a variety of interactive events and take in some live music in three separate music spaces, including a performance from experimental pop act Braids.
Angel, I Will Remember You, Building A Mystery – Sarah McLachlan has her fair share of earworms, all of which are celebrated as part of a special exhibit at NMC which is wrapping up this fall. The exhibit is located on the fifth floor of the centre, but don't miss out – it won't be there for long.
For a full list of exhibits and performances filling the halls of the National Music Centre this fall, check out their official website.
Roots music has inspired countless genres that dominate the airwaves today, from rock and pop to country and bluegrass. Esteemed members of the genre, including Linda McRae, Kayla Luky, Craig Moreau, Shaela Miller Band, Brooke Wylie and Zadravec, will all converge in Calgary for the weekend-long Wide Cut Weekend, scheduled Oct. 12 to 14 at various venues across the city. The full schedule is yet to be announced, but tickets are on sale now.
"Make a Noise!" That's the theme behind the third edition of the Calgary New Music Festival, which includes four main concerts running Oct. 19 to 22. With genres including orchestra, chamber music, opera and electronic music, the festival includes something for everyone, and features both Canadian and international musicians.
The Meitar Ensemble takes the stage at the University of Calgary on Oct. 19, while Timepoint Ensemble plays at Mount Royal the next evening. On Oct. 22, music plays all day long in Inglewood. The festival, which is organized by New Works Calgary, is a chance for attendees to dive into genres they might not normally explore.
Electronic music lovers, get to dance Halloweekend away – Cemetery of Sound is back at the BMO Centre again this year. The event promises to be a monster mash for the ages, with electronic music legend deadmau5 headlining with Carnage, Alan Walker, Just Blaze and No Mana hitting the decks before him. Don't forget your costumes!
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More fun things to do in Calgary this fall:
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The Jubilee Auditorium will host a remake of everyone's favourite musical, The Sound of Music, from Sept. 26 through Oct. 1. If you've seen the story of the von Trapps one too many times, you can also catch Calgary's own Tegan and Sara on the Jubilee stage on Oct. 30.
Calgary's big stage for touring acts, the Scotiabank Saddledome, is set to welcome a number of big acts this fall. If you missed Garth Brooks' multi-date residency to kick off September, don't fret – plenty of other big acts will take the stage after the country superstar closed out summer with a bang. Alberta's own Nickelback will take the stage Sept. 26, while indie rockers Imagine Dragons will play their hits Oct. 11. The very next day, Montreal rockers Arcade Fire will play in support of their latest album, Everything Now, while Kings of Leon come to town Oct. 14.
The fall season is packed at SAIT’s the Gateway, with time still remaining to grab tickets for Boreal Sons and GOODWOOD ATOMS, Elliott Brood, Bliss N Eso, Lowest Of The Low and Jr. Gone Wild in September. October promises Daniela Andrade, Louise Burns, Ivory Hours, Martha Wainwright and the Pierce Brothers, so you'll have plenty of options to check out some live music while you cram for that midterm.
If orchestra is more up your alley, the Calgary Philharmonic (CPO) has a couple of classics planned for the fall. Watch the New World Symphony and Kronos Quartet in October or Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation in November.
Whether you're catching big acts like Arcade Fire at the Saddledome or going low-key with some classic arrangements courtesy the CPO, there's plenty of music set to fill the air this fall in Calgary. What’s on your fall ticket list?
