Calgary, the hip cultural centre of the New West: NY Times

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Theres one opening up downtown in TD Square.

What is this focus on clothing - "How to Judge a City", by Sundeep Malthi?

Another instance of Calgary copying Edmonton.

[MagicallyAdept]

The fighting is way worse over here in London. There has always been a lot of fighting over here because of the mentality of many idiots who believe getting hammered, then fighting is the British way. But at least it just used to be fighting then go home. Now its a fight then someone gets stabbed. Revenge kicks in and someone else gets stabbed the next day and it just never ends. Murders don't even make the news anymore as they are so common. There have been 12 stabbings/murders between rivial teenage gangs in south London during the past 2 weeks. Now this is just in one local neighbourhood - a few blocks. One of the kids was 13 i think. London is a great place but it can be dangerous. You really do have to know the area if its outside a tourist zone. And talking of expense, London is so damn expensive, i feel sorry for the tourists because of the exchange rates. Great for me to travel with my GBP's though!

[Table 5]

One thing I actually find sort of amusing that to a lot of Calgarians, getting more culture just means more Cowboys-esque bars for gansta wannabees to hang out and show off their pimped up rides. I sorta find that extremely bush-league.

To me, real nightlife is when you have a bunch of really amazing places that don't need to be pretentious and expensive for one to have a good time in.

[Daradon]

When I got back from Melbourne in 04, I had gotten a taste of big city life and wanted to find similar things to do running the gamut of arts and culture, cuisine, and underground scenes and fun.

To my surprise, I was able to find lots of all of those things to do in Calgary. They may be out of the way, you may have to look around for them, but they are there.

In the last three years its only gotten better and more accessible.

It's obvious that we'll never be a NY or London or Paris or Montreal. But if you don't think theres a lot of amazing things to do in this city, you simply aren't looking/trying.

There is a ton of arts culture and scene waiting just below the surface for you here.

And if you think the fighting is bad you're obviously hanging out at all the popular bars with all the young kids. I haven't seen a serious fight in all the time I've been going out for quite a while.

[kevman]

The grass is always greener on the other side...

Maybe things just arn't as bad as we like to make them sound?

[Table 5]

I dont mind Calgary's scene...it's definitely not as developed or as easy to see in the public eye, but I can always find a place to have a good nite out.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by kevman

The grass is always greener on the other side...

Maybe things just arn't as bad as we like to make them sound?

Nahhh, people don't like to whine and moan on CP do they?

Really, the scene is pretty good here as I've already stated.

[Five-hole]

Interesting article, though obviously geared towards the tourist. Like a lot of you said you wouldn't think of these things as an attraction.

My beef (har-har) with our "culture" here is how little it is a part of the mindset of young Calgarians. People will complain about an $8 cover charge to see three good local bands but not bat an eyelash at the same price to go see a crappy Hollywood flick at a Paramount theater. You know where that money goes, yeah? Even people who I'd consider to have good "taste" don't think to support the local arts scene -- usually because live music is too "live" and doesn't have that fake, polished CD sound that we hicks are used to out here.

Anyway this is just a rant to say go out and support local arts. It's really important for this "culture" thing we're talking about.

[Daradon]

^^^ I agree, a lot (maybe not all) of people who complain about there not being any culture in this city probably don't go to live event nights or indie nights or places like that. It's important to support these venues and performers. If you don't, you don't really have any right to complain about lack of culture.

Same with the museums and orchastra and plays. Get out there and see them! I would highly recommend checking out The Grand/Theatre Junction. They really did some neat things with that building and have some very different types of shows.