Jazz, sex and a semi-famous turtle: What to do in Calgary this weekend

Well, we've made it past hump day and while there's still one more workday to go, the weekend is within sight. If you haven't had a chance to make plans yet, you're in luck. Tracy Fuller has a handful of suggestions to make your life a little more interesting this weekend.

Jazz on tap

Calgary's annual JazzYYC Fest starts Thursday night and naturally, it's bigger and better than ever. Edmonton's Mallory Chipman, a rising star in Canada's jazz landscape and the granddaughter of Tommy Banks, is headlining Saturday's Late Night Series at the Ironwood at 10 p.m.

This little 'festival that could' is starting to make a real name for itself. There are a bunch of other events going on for JazzYYC including the absolutely free Jazz Walk. That's where a dozen venues open their doors to jazz and the public from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Places like Gravity Espresso Bar in Inglewood, Spolumbo's, the Hose and Hound and more.

Here's the information you'll need.

Something a little scandalous?

The heat of the summer sure gets some people feeling a bit more frisky and Calgary's Attic Players have just the thing to scratch that itch.

The play is called Sex with Strangers by Laura Eason, who you might know from the House of Cards writing staff. And while Sex with Strangers only debuted three years ago, it is said to be one of the most produced plays in the U.S. right now.

It's the story of Olivia, a writer who's trying to write again after a marketing mishap derailed her first novel and Ethan, a younger blogger who wants to be taken seriously for his writing, but is only known for his womanizing and one-night-stands.

The two of them meet in a motel, where there's no cell service and well, the story goes from there.

Sex with Strangers is about ambition and what you're willing to do, or sacrifice, to achieve your goals. This play is for mature audiences only. There's lots of scenes with intimacy, but no major nudity.

It opens Friday night at the Motel Theatre in Arts Commons and runs until June 24.

Here's some more information for you.

Science meets art

I have a lot of respect for the turtle. Whether it's Franklin or Domer or even Crush and Squirt, these animals need a bit more fame than they're getting so this is where I pivot to Alberta's own semi-famous turtle, Shelly.

She's the resident soft-shelled turtle at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller and she is the turtle that inspired Calgary-based artist Jason de Haan's art installation about longevity called, "A house that tells you where you came from."

On Friday Tyrrell's Don Brinkman will be in Calgary, fleshing-out the backstory of their semi-famous turtle.

If you want to know more about Shelley, you can catch Don Brinkman at the Esker Foundation Gallery on Stephen Avenue Friday night at 7 p.m.

This talk is free but they do recommend you register to make sure there are enough chairs for everyone. Head to the Esker foundation's website for more information.

Get to know your neighbours

Saturday is Neighbour Day in Calgary with dozens of events throughout the city. If you remember, Neighbour Day started out as a commemoration and come-together moment after the 2013 floods but now it's just a great big celebration of community spirit.

One of the bigger Neighbour Day events is the grand opening of the historic McHugh House in the southwest where they're having an all-ages house party with live music and DJs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ice cream and refreshments will be served.

Here is more information on that one.

Also, the Alex Community Food Centre in the southeast is holding a free BBQ from noon to 4.p.m, with kids games, an art show and live music.

But also, check out your own neighbourhood. Who knows, there might be a party brewing just around the corner.