Woo hoo! It’s getting warmer out there, just in time for Family Day weekend. Grab the fam jam (or a few friends) and celebrate—with acrobats, tigers, snowmen or one of the world’s most influential fashion designers. Check out some of these activities across the province between February 15 and 18:
ICE-CROBATS IN EDMONTON
Cirque du Soleil built an empire out of its big-top shows and Vegas extravaganzas. Now the Montreal-based company is paying tribute to its Canadian roots and branching out with Crystal, its very first experience on ice. Expect a dazzling array of skaters, crazy flips off ramps, acrobats floating over the ice, and a message of girl power as the production’s namesake explores the inner crevices of her imagination. AMA members save up to 20% on tickets during Crystal’s Feb. 13 to 17 run at Rogers Place.
CELEBRATE WINTER
More and more towns and cities across Alberta boast their own winter festivals, including Edmonton’s Silver Skate. Enjoy snow sculptures, snowshoe races, musical performances, and skating on the pond in Hawrelak Park, now until Feb. 18. Check out the Snowman Festival in Morinville—complete with a free fishing derby and three-on-three hockey tourney—on Feb. 17 and 18. Alberta Beach marks the 40th anniversary of SnoMo Days, Feb. 16 to 18, with snowmobile races, skating, BBQs,and fireworks. Don’t forget about Calgary’s glow: downtown winter light festival, Feb. 14 to 18, with musicians, fashion shows, and a free family skate; or St. Albert’s Fire & Ice Festival, Feb. 18, with a petting zoo, obstacle course, cabane a sucre, pond hockey, sleigh rides, fire trucks and members of St. Albert Firefighters Local 2130.
TIGERS ON ICE
The Medicine Hat Tigers, to be precise. Will they finish first in the Western Hockey League’s Central Division for the third year in a row? (Right now, they’re only tailing the Edmonton Oil Kings and Lethbridge Hurricanes.) On Feb. 15, the Tigers play the Calgary Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The next night, they do it all over again at Medicine Hat’s Canalta Centre. On Feb. 18, the Tigers take on the Oil Kings at Rogers Place. AMA members save 25% on regular season single day tickets.
CUTTING-EDGE CHOREOGRAPHY
Alberta Ballet’s latest production, de.Vi.ate, features three works—including Wen Wei Wang’s Futureland, inspired by video games; and Jean Grand-Maitre’s Caelistis, featuring celestial film projections and a Juno-nominated score by Andrew Staniland. Catch de.Vi.ate at the two Jubes this month: Feb. 13 to 16 in Calgary, Feb. 22 and 23 in Edmonton. AMA members save 20% off regular-priced online tickets.
EGGS-CELLENT ART
Before (or after) your Family Day activities, head to Edmonton’s Rooster Cafe & Kitchen to fuel up on eggs, sandwiches and/or cheesecakes. The Whyte Avenue eatery, which opened in 2017, also hosts regular (adult-only) Paint Nite parties for aspiring artists. Paint Your Pet on Feb. 15 or, if you’re feeling optimistic about the weather, try your hand at a spring-like landscape on Feb. 16. AMA members save 15% on food and (non-alcoholic) beverages; 40% on Paint Nite events.
SAY FAREWELL TO DISCOVERYLAND
This is the last weekend to explore TELUS World of Science – Edmonton’s Discoveryland, a playground for children eight years of age and under. The eight-year-old exhibit is being replaced by CuriosCITY, where youngsters can climb Edmonton-themed treehouses, design lighting displays for the High Level Bridge, and direct flight traffic at the Edmonton International Airport. (March 23 is the big unveil.) AMA members save 10% on regular admission or 10% on annual TELUS World of Science – Edmonton membership.
HITTING THE SLOPES
Whether you’re heading to the Rockies or an urban ski hill, AMA members save on lift tickets, lessons or tours at various locations across Alberta and B.C.
FEELING BOARD?
If you don’t feel like strapping on the skis, you can always head to Edmonton’s Art Gallery of Alberta for an offbeat afternoon of arts and sports. Create a portrait of your family, design a pop-up landscape, and check out Boarder X, a collection of surf-, snow- and skateboard-specific works designed by indigenous artists. Admission is free on Family Day.
BLAST OFF WITH LEGO
Master Builder Emmet Brickowski is back and this time, he’s about to start Ar-mom-ageddon in space! Yes, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is finally in theatres—five years after the original enchanted children and adults around the world. (That’s probably how long it took you to get the film’s Tegan & Sara-penned theme, Everything Is Awesome out of your head, right?) Actor Chris Pratt returns as the loveable but thick-as-a-brick Emmet, who must save Batman and his friends from the clutches of the evil alien, Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi. Doesn’t it sound like the perfect film for Family Day weekend? AMA members save on Cineplex and Landmark movie tickets bought at AMA centres.
COLD NIGHTS, HAUTE COUTURE
Lose yourself in the luxurious creations of legendary French designer, Christian Dior, in this new exhibit at Calgary’s Glenbow Museum. About 40 of his post-WWII designs—including glamourous gowns, sumptuous evening jackets, and ornate accessories—are now on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum until June 2, 2019.