Hopkins Happenings in April

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Hello everyone.

I’m working away on Sled Island (www.sledisland.com) and my campaign is on a slight pause.  I’m still working on doing some fundraising and still having meetings here and there where able.  I also still have the papers from the “What kind of City do you want” event which I will compile and post at some point.  That said- for the meantime the bulk of focus is on making sure this years Sled Island is as good an event as it can be.

While I toil away- my friend Mark Hopkins has compiled a list of Calgary springtime activities for you to go out and enjoy.  This list is extensive, and I highly recommend making the effort to RSVP to one of his WSKEO events with some information about yourself.  These are great events for meeting new interesting people and connecting with your community.

-Zak

Here is Mark’s message (my apologies for what wordpress did to his otherwise very well formatted document):


Welcome to April! It’s so close to patio weather, I can taste it. The only tricky part will be making time for patios with everything that’s happening this month!

Here’s what I’ve got on the menu for April:
  • Creativity as an Economic Force
  • The Building Project
  • We Should Know Each Other #51
  • Robot Wedding
  • Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
  • We Should Know Each Other #52: The Big Listen
  • Building Bridges Playwriting Competition

Creativity as an Economic Force

Thursday, April 8, 2010 – 5:00 pm
The Local Library, Central United Church
131 7th Ave SW
www.thrivecalgary.org

Thrive Calgary is a fantastic organization that focuses on Community Economic Development in our city. In this event, they ask the questions: How does creativity enhance the local economy? What challenges do artists experience as they contribute to making our city great?

The conversation will be led by Terry Rock (Calgary Arts Development), Joe Ceci (Alderman, Ward 9) and Alexi Davis (Studio C / Prospect). This discussion will be followed by some informal mingling, where you can check out local community-oriented arts organizations like ArtRecruits, This is My City, the Local Library, Calgary Dollars, CAKE Youth Arts and more. This is a great chance to explore the ways in which art intersects with social change!


The Building Project

Opening: Friday, April 9, 2010 – 6:00 pm
Exhibition: March 25-April 29, 2010
Gallery 101, 1109 Olympic Way SE
(beside 101 Wines by David Walker)
Facebook event

I met photographer Heather Saitz about a year ago and, throughout that time, she’s been hard at work on The Building Project, a photography book that documents the historic Moxam and Congress apartment buildings and their current inhabitants. The project is now finished, and you can see the results at Gallery 101! (or in Swerve magazine, or on Global TV, or…)

Signed hardcover first editions will be on sale at the opening night party. The book is gorgeous, and it’s an important project documenting the evolving history of Calgary.

We Should Know Each Other #51


Sunday, April 11, 2010 – 7:00 pm

714 5A St NW (buzzer: Mark Hopkins)

Phew – ‘We Should Know Each Other’ #50 was an epic affair! But now that the LEGO has been cleared away and the cupcakes have been eaten, it’s time to get back to the traditional WSKEO parties in my modest Sunnyside apartment.

This is a super casual evening, where you will get the chance to meet some of the colourful Calgarians that surround you! Bring some food, bring a friend and, most importantly, bring a smile and an open mind. Hope you can make it!

Robot Wedding

Friday, April 16, 2010 – doors at 9:00 pm

Auburn Saloon, #163 115 9th Ave SE
(base of the Calgary Tower)

$12 in advance, $15 at the door

It’s been a while since we last rocked Calgary nightlife with a Swallow-a-Bicycle party. We’re due for another.

Help us celebrate the recent nuptials of Toaster-Bot and H-02 B1, may their circuits remain forever entwined. Featuring Dragon Fli Empire, Piper Davis, inFUNKstigation and DJ Goodword, along with a robotic wedding cake, a speech by the Best “Man” and more, this will be a night you don’t want to miss.

Join us for this rockin’ celebration of cybernetic love… because robots need love, too.

Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo

April 24-25, 2010

BMO Round Up Centre, Hall D & E

Stampede Park, 20 Roundup Way SE

Leonard Nimoy! Twilight! Malcolm McDowell! Swallow-a-Bicycle…?

That’s right, we’re going to have a booth at the Comic Expo to help promote i-ROBOT Theatre. This will be my first comic-con, so I’m a bit nervous. What if my nerd chic makes me irresistible to all the con-goers? I might be swarmed as soon as I walk in the door!

If you’re heading to the expo, come visit our table to pick up a copy of i-ROBOT Poetry and advance tickets to i-ROBOT Theatre!

We Should Know Each Other #52: The Big Listen

Sunday, April 25, 2010 – 7:00 pm

714 5A St NW (buzzer: Mark Hopkins)

In its 52nd edition, ‘We Should Know Each Other’ dives into the world of politics! The Alberta Party is the newest provincial political party and, to help develop its platform, they are reaching out to hear what Albertans have to say.

The Big Listen will take place in kitchens and living rooms across the province, where the host (that’s me!) will facilitate a conversation about the pressures and priorities facing the attendees. If you want to add your voice to the dialogue, join us for a special “Big Listen” edition of WSKEO!

Building Bridges Playwriting Competition
Submission deadline: April 30, 2010

Have you ever wanted to write a play for young actors, and add to the library of Theatre for Young Audiences in Alberta? This, my friend, is your chance!
The Building Bridges program invites playwrights to write an original one-act play for young actors & audiences. The first prize is $500 cash, a 2.5 day workshop with actors and a dramaturge, and a professional production in February 2011. A pretty sweet deal, if you ask me. Writers, start yer word processors – the deadline is coming up fast!
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In case my happenings aren’t enough to sate your April appetite, check out these other fabulous events:
Also this month, I’m going to be in rehearsal for our upcoming production of i-ROBOT Theatre, running May 5-15. We’ve been working our firm-yet-supple asses off on this show, so I hope you can check it out!
Have an amazing April! I hope our winding paths will converge at some point this month.

Mark Hopkins
Co-Artistic DIrector
Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre
www.swallowabicycle.com