Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday May 30

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Good morning !

The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with big plans for the future of cinema in the city. CIFF hopes to preserve the vitality of cinema by creating a “constellation” of multi-purpose spaces, theatre venues, public plazas, and other partner spaces to serve the community.

The closure of Eau Claire Market meant the organization lost the theatre screens and its festival central hub. The city already lost 85% of cinema-ready screens in the core over a span of 25 years. CIFF says it will purchase six industry-level digital cinema projectors and other related equipment over the duration of the plan to be used across a number of venues in Calgary's downtown by 2026. This year marks the start of the plan, with Contemporary Calgary, the Globe Cinema, the Plaza Theatre and the Chinook Centre Cineplex theatre showing films this fall during the festival. Great news for cinema!

Krista Sylvester, Managing Editor

👀 In today's edition:

• Another YYC redevelopment casualty

• Community mourns teen struck by train

• Kid-friendly food spots to take the family to

Today’s read time: Approx 4 minutes

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WORTH KNOWING

🌧️ Today: High 14C, Low 5C. See the 7-day forecast.

🚗 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation, and find the city’s traffic report and road closures.

⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / check Calgary wildfire and fire restrictions and the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

Mikey’s on 12th is the latest live music club to fall victim to impending closure due to redevelopment

“Unfortunately I have unsettling news regarding the future of Mikey's on 12th Ave.,” the Facebook post starts. It was a sad announcement that bar owner Mike Clark had to release to patrons on Wednesday. Clark says it started with a phone call from building owner Strategic letting him know that Mikey’s will be evicted to make space for a 14-storey development of the existing annex of the building.

Clark said in the post that he doesn’t have the “means to fight them on this, as tenants have very little recourse in Alberta. Just six years ago, Clark had to make the decision to close Mikey’s Juke Joint due to high rent and a downturn in sales. Clark says he is devastated by the news and doesn’t know what the future holds as he invited patrons to come out and say goodbye over the coming weeks.

“From the deepest parts of my heart and soul, I want to thank everyone who has supported my vision of bringing a great grassroots music venue to our city. The musicians, the many staff over the years, my family and of course the most amazing patrons. Thank you all so very much. It has always been a labour of love to bring music to your lives.”

The Blues Can on 9th Avenue SE is slated to be another casualty of local redevelopment.

Related Story

Need to know

💔 A friend of a teen fatally struck by a C-train calls it ‘a stupid mistake’.

🕯️ A vigil was held for a Calgary man who was shot and killed by police last year after a police chase.

👮 Calgary’s police chief defends police actions during U of C protest, says police didn’t use riot gear, confirmed use of 15 pepper balls.

🌊 From a drought to a potential flood in no time flat, environmental manager warns the city.

🐕️ Calgary’s Doc the boxer is set to retire after a big win at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

🚓 Charges have been laid after a teen girl was critically injured in a hit-and-run.

💸 Calgary Public School board pulling from reserves to pay for operations next year.

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🎮 Join ARC for "World of Pixels: Game On!" with special guest Simon Tottrup. Enjoy songs from video games, TV, and movies at this choral performance! Get your tickets.*

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Kid-friendly restaurants that will put a smile on everyone’s face

Finding kid-friendly restaurants can sometimes be a challenge for parents but luckily there are many kid-friendly options throughout the city that are happy to host families with children. Here are a few to get you started.

Clive Burger: This 17th Ave. spot has kids’ meals that won’t break the bank and finish it off with a milkshake. Pro tip: the kids can watch the food being made.

The Belmont: Now with three city locations, this spot makes various shapes and animals into pancakes that will bring a smile to anyone’s face, parents included.

Famoso: Pizza and pasta on the kid's menu and a complimentary drink and a scoop of gelato or sorbet—but that’s not all—kids get to play with fresh, uncooked pizza dough to keep them entertained while the food is prepared.

Cora: With a wide variety of delicious and nutritious options such as paninis and eggs to crepes and French toast, kids will have no problem finding something they enjoy.

Nando’s: At this northeast spot, kids can order from the Nandino’s menu to choose from more kid-friendly options including a vast selection of side dishes as well.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Calgary Ukrainian Festival: Enjoy Ukrainian food at the Calgary Ukrainian Festival this weekend at the Acadia Recreation Complex. While you’re there, celebrate the vibrant and colourful memories of traditional song, dance, and art and costumes.

🍴 PRASATKO Pop-up: Head to Prairie Emporium on Thursday and Friday between 5-11pm to enjoy this popular Czech-inspired pop-up serving delicious Czech flavours and high-quality ingredients.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Local specials

💸 Crumbl Cookies: This delicious sweets spot is opening its new location in Deerfoot Meadows on Friday and those attending have a chance to win giveaways and they will be handing out free chocolate chip cookies all day.

💸 Yellow Door Bistro: Forget happy hour… it’s appy-hour at Yellow Door from Wednesday to Sunday between 3-6pm, which means you can get great deals on not only appies such as shucked oysters for $2 and $8 marinated bean hummus, but also $10 glasses of wine and cocktails.

Have a promo suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Lilac Festival: One of the city’s favourite one-day festivals is back this weekend, which means it’s unofficially summer season! Enjoy this free vibrant festival with more than 500 vendors with local artisans, food, music, and more.

🎟️ The Mom Market: On Sunday, head to East Village’s RiverWalk for this free market featuring a variety of high-quality local vendors in a picturesque setting. Bring the kids or enjoy a day without!

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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