Out on the Town in Calgary

The sprawling EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, 205 8th Ave. SE (tel. 403/294-7455; www.theartscentre.org), houses the Jack Singer Concert Hall, home of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (tel. 403/571-0849; www.cpo-live.com); the Max Bell Theatre, home of Theatre Calgary (tel. 403/294-7440; www.theatrecalgary.com); and the Martha Cohen Theatre, home of Alberta Theatre Projects (tel. 403/294-7402; www.atplive.com).

An acoustic marvel, Jubilee Auditorium, 14th Avenue and 14th Street NW, on the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology campus (tel. 403/297-8000; www.jubileeauditorium.com), is located high on a hill with a panoramic view of downtown Calgary. The Calgary Opera (tel. 403/262-7286; www.calgaryopera.com) and the Alberta Ballet (tel. 403-254-4222; www.albertaballet.com) both stage performances here.

Calgary loves dinner theatre, and Stage West, 727 42nd Ave. SE (tel. 403/243-6642; www.stagewestcalgary.com), puts on polished performances as well as delectable buffet fare. Tickets for evening performances and dinner start at C$72 (US$58). Performances are Tuesday to Sunday.

Summer Jazz & Shakespeare -- From late June through late July, Jazz Festival Calgary (tel. 403/249-1119; www.jazzfestivalcalgary.ca) brings nearly 50 jazz bands and artists to Calgary, presenting live music in a variety of venues in Calgary, including outdoor concerts at Eau Claire Market and on Stephen Avenue Mall.

Early July to mid-August, Shakespeare in the Park (tel. 403/240-6374) presents the Bard's works Thursday to Saturday at 7pm at Prince's Island Park in the Bow River. Admission is free (donations are appreciated, though).

Visit www.zvents.com for the calgary events calendar

The Club & Bar Scene

Cover charges at most clubs are C$5 to C$10 (US$4-US$8) for live music. Pick up a copy of Ffwd (www.ffwdweekly.com) for up-to-date listings.

Eau Claire Market is the home of the Garage (tel. 403/262-67620), a hip warehouse-of-a-bar for playing billiards and listening to loud alternative rock. A number of pubs and late-night watering holes are just outside the market on the Barclay Parade plaza. Check out Barleymill Neighbourhood Pub, 201 Barclay Parade SW (tel. 403/290-1500), an Oldsy Worldsy pub plunked down in the plaza across from the Eau Claire Market.

If you're just looking for a convivial drink, Bottlescrew Bill's Old English Pub, 1st Street and 10th Avenue SW (tel. 403/263-7900), is a great choice. This friendly neighbourhood pub is just on the edge of downtown, has lots of outdoor seating, and pours Alberta's widest selection of micro-brewed beers.

If you're looking for dance clubs, head south of downtown. Warehouse Nightclub, 731 10th Ave. SW (tel. 403/264-0535), offers straightforward rock with Calgary's top DJs. Hi-Fi Club, 219 10th Ave. SW (tel. 403/263.5222), offers more alternative music and occasional live music and entertainment. Broken City, 613 11th Ave. SW (tel. 403/262-9976), is a hipster hangout with live local bands on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Kaos Jazz and Blues Bistro, 718 17th Ave. SW (tel. 403/228-9997), is one of western Canada's most storied jazz clubs. You'll see both international stars and local legends at this venerated bar and concert venue.

With three dance floors, Boyztown, 213 10th Ave. SW (tel. 403/265-2028), is Calgary's best gay dance club. It's at the center of the city's small gay bar area.

Visit www.calgarykiosk.ca or www.10best.com for more night life information

Casino

Calgary has several legitimate casinos whose proceeds go wholly to charities. None impose a cover. Located across from the Stampede grounds, the Elbow River Inn Casino, 1919 Macleod Trail S. (tel. 403/266-4355), offers Las Vegas-style gaming plus a poker variation called Red Dog.

Visit www.calgarykiosk.ca for more casino information