Events
ALWAYS ALL AGES
Currently Showing:
Taking Care: A Place We Can Be Together
Samantha Charette
Taking Care: A Place We Can Be Together points to the importance of finding or creating spaces for connection, whether they are physical in-person spaces or spaces that are facilitated by technology (phone calls, video calls, social media, etc.). The paintings in this exhibition were created in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and my first year in graduate studies at the University of Calgary. They are inspired by the strong relationships between my mother, sister and myself and explore human isolation and collection. The paintings in this exhibition capture spaces of connection during a time of significant personal and societal isolation. These spaces where my mother, sister and myself could be together took care of me, and I am reciprocating that care by turning those spaces into paintings.
Artist Bio
Samantha Charette (she/her) is a visual artist situated in Calgary, located on Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta, Canada. Charette received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Alberta and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. She is an interdisciplinary artist that combines painting, printmaking, and drawing with intersectional feminist theory and artistic research to create artwork that embodies investigation and care. Her aim is to contribute her emotional, intellectual, and artistic labour to taking care of feminism’s archives and contribute to contemporary art discourse on interdisciplinary feminist practices.
Charette’s work has been presented in exhibitions across Canada including at the Art Gallery of Alberta, Western GM Drumheller Art Gallery, Harcourt House, Nickle Galleries, Okotoks Art Gallery, Alberta Printmakers Society, Latitude 53, FAB Gallery, and Museum London. Charette is a member of the Calgary based artist collective, The Fem Assembly, and a visual art instructor at the University of Calgary, Alberta University of the Arts and Alberta Printmakers Society.
Congress believes in paying artists, but also believes in accessible arts! If any of our cover charges are a barrier for your entry, please come anyway, and pay what you feel. If you can pay the suggested door price – great!! All money collected for shows goes directly to the artists.
Upcoming Events:
Twenty Centuries of Stony Sleep + Riot Grrrls
Saturday April 27
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
TCOSS weave complex, tight indie rock & bring a joyful noise to Congress, backed up by young punx Riot Grrrls. The dream of the 90s is alive with these kids.
Klezmer Jam with Frank Rackow and the Black Sea
Sunday April 28
2 pm – FREE – All Welcome
Join them for a concert and then take part in the music making by learning some basic melodies and rhythms of klezmer music. Instrumentalists, singers, dancers and listeners are all welcome. Some sheet music will be provided. No cover charge.
Von Bieker + TAYLR
Friday May 3
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Cartoon & Cereal Party: Things that Go Edition
Saturday May 4
10 am – 12 pm – FREE – All Welcome
Cartoons for Zoomies! From Speed Racer to Thomas the Tank Engine, we are curating a program that will please everyone who likes cars, trucks, bulldozers and all things that go vroom! With our $5 bottomless cereal bowls with over a dozen sugary cereals to choose from.
Odditease Burlesque
Saturday May 4
8 pm – $15 Adv / $20 Door – 18+
Our resident troupe of lovelies returns with Storytime – a personal show that deep dives into the heart of each performer. We might even cry a bit! This is an 18+ show. The last one sold out, so get your tickets now!
Anastassiia Alexander + Ricardo Sanchez
Sunday May 5
2 pm – PWYC – All Welcome
Dancer Anastassiia Alexander and guitarist Ricardo Sanchez transform the Congresss stage into a sultry, sonic soundbath with evocative flamenco rythyms.
Matt Masters + Cadence
Friday May 10
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Matt Masters is the real deal. A country songsmith who wears his heart on his sleeve, Matt is touring his newest album Burgener with this stripped-down solo show. Opening are the blues duo Cadence – Marina Joyce and Ty Lee Storm – this is gonna be an amazing night.
Eurovision Party
Saturday May 11
12 – 4 pm – FREE – All Welcome
Oh there will be ruffled shirts! We are excited to bring back Eurovision finals to Congress. Come for the incredible performances, place bets on who you think will win, and stay for the endless series of talking heads reporting their scores! Turkey gives their points to Finland! Or whatever. It’s great fun!
Side of Fries
Saturday May 11
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
You know those bands who really just like to practice and hang out? They don’t play many gigs – just practice, hang, practice, hang. Well all that practicing makes great musicians even greater! When we last had Side of Fries at Congress, they absolutely rocked. All bangers! Your dad will love this band! And the cover is being donated to the Calgary Humane Society. Win win woof.
Community Choir: Your Mom’s Favourites
Sunday May 12
2 pm – FREE – All Welcome
It’s a special Mother’s Day edition of Community Choir! Come bring your family, and enjoy the power of singing together. You don’t even have to be a good singer. All are welcome, as your hosts Kenna and Chris lead rousing renditions of some classic favourites, with a lil dose of music theory and history. We will have special Mother’s Day treats and drinks – make your reservation by calling 403-452-7320.
Heartbreak Etcetera + Chantal Vitalis
Friday May 17
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Jangly countrified riffs with an indie bent, Heartbreak Etcetera are certified local prime AAA choice. Joining them is Chantal Vitalis (The Lovebullies, Kris Demeanor +more), whose comedic storytelling is only matched by her stellar musicianship.
Loops & Lattes
Saturday May 18
2 pm – FREE – All Welcome
Artist-in-residence Elijah Lucian is back to provide the soundtrack to your sleepy Saturday afternoon, filling the cafe with lo-fi awesomeness.
PS3
Saturday May 18
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Mark Szabo (Danny Nix, Dino Martinis), Corey Prediger (CTP studios) and Peter Strietman (Spoken Groove, Shadoplay) all bring their chops to original compositions varying between funk jams and melodic jazz.
Alt-Berta Music Festival
Sunday May 19
12-5 pm – $10 – All Ages
Congress is pleased as punch to be a stop in the Alt-Berta festival running May 17-27 in Edmonton and Calgary. Our event showcases the softer side of Alberta’s alternative music scence. $10 for entry at the door or free with a festival wristband.
Housing Crisis Drag Show
Thursday May 23
8 pm – $15 adv – 18+
Well-known Calgary lesbians Comrade Yulia Borscht and Dani Phantom are trying to move in together. Going back in time didn’t work out, so there’s gotta be a different way, from each according to her ability, to each according to her needs…You will be transported to a new world of drag fantasy featuring Karla Marx. Get ready for laughter, drama, and jaw-dropping performances. Buy your tickets now – this one sells out!
HYMMmelodies
Friday May 24
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Bijan Maysami and his cadre of musical guests always bring a jouful night of Middle Eastern music, with traditional classics and new arrangements. These are musicians at the top of their game.
Darlings of Disaster Burlesque
Saturday May 25
8 pm – $15 adv – 18+
Klezmer Jam
Sunday May 26
2 pm – free – All welcome
Frank Rackow and the Black Sea (featuring Allan Merovitz) play infectious Eastern European songs and melodies, mixed with touches of funk, folk and swing. The group includes legendary Yiddish vocalist, the JUNO-nominated Allan Merovitz.
Join them for a concert and then take part in the music making by learning some basic melodies and rhythms of klezmer music. Instrumentalists, singers, dancers and listeners are all welcome. Some sheet music will be provided.
ArtistSpeaks Workshop
Tuesday May 28
8 pm
Kerry Harmer – Signature Collection Show
Wedneday May 29
8 pm – Free – All Welcome
Zizi & Friendz Showcase
Thursday May 30
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Neighbours Nursery Pop-Up
Friday May 31
12-4 pm
Froo
Friday May 31
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Cartoon & Cereal Party
Saturday June 1
10 am – 12 pm – Free – All Welcome
Flood Plain
Saturday June 1
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Neon Detour + Stolen Moon
Friday June 7
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Loops & Lattes
Saturday June 8
2 pm – Free – All Welcome
Fromage Chaud
Saturday June 8
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Mark Logan
Friday June 14
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Odditease Burlesque
Saturday June 15
8 pm – $15 adv – 18+
Megan Kelln EP Release
Saturday June 22
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
Community Choir: CanCon Edition
Sunday June 23
2 pm – PWYC – All Welcome
ArtistSpeaks Workshop
Tuesday June 25
8 pm
Congress After Dark: Rope Night
Thursday June 27
8 pm – $10 – 18+
All Ages Drag Show
Saturday June 29
2 pm – $10 – All Welcome
Screw the Noise + Liquor Store
Saturday June 29
8 pm – $10 – All Ages
#1A 215 36 Ave NE
Calgary AB T2E 2L4
403-452-7320
SPRING/SUMMER HOURS
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7 am - 9 pm Wed/Thurs/Friday
9 am - 9 pm Saturday
9 am - 5 pm Sunday
OR LATER FOR SPECIAL EVENTS!