23 things to do at home and around Calgary this May
Hello, everybody! We’re back with another interesting list of all the fun stuff you can do this month in Calgary. This time around, we actually got to include some stuff to do outside too! What a treat, hey? Right on cue with the beautiful weather we’re expecting! Here are the best things to do at home and around Calgary this May.
ATTEND A VIRTUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
This month, join fellow music lovers and artists virtually at the 2020 TD JazzYYC International Jazz Days Festival! Hosted by veteran artist and broadcast legend, Tim Tamashiro, the festival will run from April 30th to May 27th. Each set will run for approximately 60 minutes and feature a lineup of incredible musicians from all right here in Calgary and all over the world.
When: Until May 27th
Where: Online here
Time: See times here
Cost: Free
VOLUNTEER ONLINE
Feel like helping out a little bit in your spare time? Well, there are more than a few ways to do so, and we rounded up our top picks right now to help you choose.
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY DURING THE EATT DINNER PARTY
Cook along with masters of the craft during Everyone At The Table (EATT) an all-in, virtual dinner party celebrating community, music and good food, organized by Carya Calgary. During this event, you’ll make and enjoy an incredible meal with the help of JP Pedhirney of Bridgette Bar and Julie Van Rosendaal, cookbook author and CBC correspondent.
When: Saturday, May 9th
Where: Online here
Time: 4 pm – 5 pm
Cost: $0-$55
WATCH AN NHL GAME
Or at least, as close to an NHL game as is possible right now. The new NHL Player Gaming Challenge kicks off this week, and will see players from every team settle what is sure to be a major side bet around the league- who is actually the best at CHEL?
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS WITH LITTLE MODERN’S SPRING MARKET
From May 2nd until the 9th, shop local in support of Calgary’s entrepreneurs. Little Modern Market invites the community to browse an online collection of city-based vendors.
When: Saturday, May 2nd – May 9th
Where: Online here
STREAM STUFF FOR FREE
Ahh, what would we do without the endless stream of content that’s been keeping us entertained while in quarantine? But if you don’t wanna deal with the hefty price tags of popular sites like Netflix, Prime Video, or Crave, why not check out some of these cheaper options? And by cheaper, we do mean free streaming services or channels available in Canada.
TRY A NEW BOARD GAME
Honestly, we probably could have put out this guide a little sooner, but sometimes that is the way the cookie crumbles. Our favourite choice from the list? A board game that has you try and attract different kinds of birds to your nature reserve. Sounds supremely relaxing.
GET A QUICK WORKOUT IN
We’re the first to admit that our healthy lifestyle has kind of fallen by the wayside recently. So, a list of some great fitness apps to download was just as much for us as it was for you. We don’t care if only our immediate family gets to see, we’re trimming down for summer.
TAKE COOKING CLASS TAUGHT BY CALGARY’S BEST
With Brewery and the Beast’s Homeschool Series, foodies can get ultra creative in the kitchen and behind the bar. Every week the video series will feature festival alumni chefs and guest bartenders, who will take you step-by-step through creating cocktails and unique dishes via live stream.
When: Thursday, May 7th
Where: Register here
Time: 7 pm
Cost: $10
SUPPORT LOCAL RESTAURANTS
A couple of weeks ago we talked about this initiative called Breaking Bread, that pretty much-crowdsourced restaurants offering takeout and delivery, but might not be on an app. Well, that list has snowballed into well over 1200 restaurants Canada-wide.
UP YOUR MOVIE GAME
Think you’ve got things covered with Netflix and Amazon Prime, but still want more? Say hello to the Criterion Collection’s streaming service. We’re basically going to sum this whole thing up as ‘the best movies you’ve never heard of’, and they’re offering 2-week trials for free!
PARTY WITH YOUR PALS (VIRTUALLY)
We all miss being able to party now that we’re stuck at home. Ahh, remember the good old days of gathering all your friends and hosting a drinking game marathon? We miss ’em, folks. We really do. But just ’cause we’re all separate doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a drinking game or two! With these amazing websites, you can take the party online!
LEARN ALL ABOUT CLASSIC ART
But do so in the best way possible. For the past few weeks, the Getty Museum has been posting pictures of classic art in contrast with people’s attempts to recreate them. By now, they’ve practically got a full exhibition’s worth of content on their hands!
LISTEN TO THE RADIO
Well, not just the radio though. The American Archive of Public Broadcasting is an absolute goldmine of programming for years gone by. Documentaries about civil wars? Check. Radio programs from the sixties? Of course. And like most stuff we recommend, accessing all this is completely free.
BECOME AN ESPORTS FAN
The one thing (ok, one thing out of many) that we weird our friends out with is an affinity for Esports. Well, there are no real sports going on right now, so maybe check out professional streams of Rocket League, racing simulators, or like NHL 20 (as we suggested above). Have fun!
BINGE A REALITY DATING SHOW
The best of the best, the worst of the best and the best of the worst. This month binge some of television’s cringiest reality dating shows, like Too Hot to Handle or Love is Blind. Check out our favourites here!
EAT COOKY COMBOS IN HONOR OF THE 2020 STAMPEDE
In 2020, our kitchen will be our midway and the stove is whatever food truck we want it to be! With the Calgary created Snackerator website, Stampede foodies can generate a crazy combination and if they so choose, recreate it as best they can!
TOUR CANADA’S ONLY REAL CASTLE
So right now you might be feeling a bit like Rapunzel. You’re stuck at home just like she was stuck in her tower. She was all alone, you’re in isolation. The list goes on… But if you want to feel like royalty without the curse, why not check out a virtual tour of an actual castle? Yup, you can head online to take a virtual tour of North America’s only full-size castle, Casa Loma.
CHECK OUT CALGARY’S DISTANCE-FRIENDLY ART EXHIBIT
Calgary’s TrépanierBaer Art Gallery on 10th Avenue just launched a captivating outdoor exhibit This way that passersby’s can still enjoy themselves at a safe, responsible distance!
Where: 999 8 St SW #105, Calgary
BAKE CANADA’S MOST FAMOUS FUNNEL CAKE
Canada’s Wonderland has just released the recipe for their famous funnel cake. Mmm, our mouths are watering already, and trust us, this is the sweet treat that will make your baking dreams come true this month.
CATCH THE LAST SUPERMOON OF 2020
Did you know that supermoons are 7% bigger and 15% brighter than regular full moons? Well, now you do. Check out what all the fuss is about on May 7th, when the final supermoon of the year lights up the sky. Fingers crossed for no clouds that night, hey?
MAKE CHIPOTLE GUAC AT HOME
It’s an interesting choice for Chipotle to make guac public knowledge because we would have thought it accounts for like 80% of their profits. Is guac extra? Not anymore, since you can recreate the beloved recipe right at home. Careful though, you might be spending all the money you saved buying avocados in bulk instead.
TEST YOUR DISNEY KNOWLEDGE AND WIN PRIZES
This is no ‘ordinary’ internet quiz, folks. In addition to a live host and other real-life rivals, you’ll all be playing for incredible prizes and the title of Disney’s ultimate fan.
When: Saturday, May 30th
Time:6:30 pm (Eastern time click here, Western time click here)
Cost: $10
There you have it, folks. 23 things to do around the house, or around the city this May! Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy yourselves… from a safe distance of other humans, of course.
