Chinese New Year, Craigslist Cantata among weekend events

As the year of the horse gallops into Calgary, people who want to get out of the house and enjoy a cultural or artistic event are in luck.

There's lots going on in the city this weekend.

As always, our list isn't exhaustive so please feel free to add a seventh or eighth option in the comments section below.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

While most ofthe big celebrations at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (CCCC)took placelast weekend, there are still a few ways to mark the year of the horse.

There's a children and youth art exhibition continuing at theCCCCuntil Feb.15.

The Calgary Chinese Merchants Association is also hosting a Chinese New Year Dinner Gala coming up on Feb. 8 at the Silver Dragon Restaurant.

For Chinese families, this weekendis moreabout being with family, enjoying great food and celebrating the holiday at home than it is about going out and partying.

• Chinese New Year marks start of marriage pressure season

The Flying Dutchman

Calgary Operais premiering its second show of the seasonSaturday night.

The Flying Dutchmanis about a phantom captain who is doomed toroam the ocean endlessly, unless a woman can break his curse by falling in love with him.

Part ghost-story, part love-story, the show is brought to life by Richard Wagner's powerful music.

Feb. 1, 5 and 7

Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Big Winter Classic

No, this isn't a hockey game. It's a brand new cure for the winter blues Calgary style.

The Ship andAnchor pub on17thAvenue is hosting its inaugural Big Winter Classicon Saturday.

It'sis an all-day, free indoor-outdoor party and concert, including live musicon the patio.

The show will feature music fromSavk,EamonMcGrath, the Mandatesand more.

Be sure to dress appropriately,EnviromentCanada says it will be -8 C in the city Saturday.

Feb. 1 starting at 1 p.m. MT

Ship andAnchor

HPR: ACraigslistCantata

The 2014 edition of Calgary'sHigh Performance Rodeo wraps up in this weekend.

One of the shows that's been getting lots of buzz is theCraigslistmusicalDo you want what I have got?

• Listen as Jessica Goldman reviews A Craigslist Cantata

The show brings to life stories behind the trash and treasures offered onCraigslist.

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. MT

Martha CohenThreatre

BowtownCommunity Music Festival

The BownessCommunity Association ispulling out all the stops on Saturday to put onthisfun event for the whole family.

This is the first timeBowtownMusic's instructors and their bands are hosting a festival and instrument drive, and they're hoping to make it an annual event.

The Instrument Drive supportsthe LegacyChildren'sFoundation's "Gift of Music" program. It provides funding for instruments and music lessonsfor children from low income families and high risk youth.

If you have any gently used instruments, bring them along to donate to the program.

Feb. 1 from 3-11 p.m. MT

BownessCommunity Hall

Doc Soup:The Armstrong Lie

The Calgary International Film Festival's Doc Soup Series is featuring a documentary about Lance Armstrong and his fall from grace inthe world of international cycling.

The film iscalled The Armstrong Lieand it began as acomeback film chroniclingArmstrong'sathleticism and conviction in the wake of his testicular cancer diagnosis and treatment.

When thedoping scandal hits the news,the film suddenly swerves in a different direction, forcing director Alex Gibney to switch tracks and tella very different story about Armstrong

Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. MT

Eau Claire Cinemas