DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
The future of Western Canada’s oldest performing arts theatre is more certain after The GRAND Theatre Society reached an innovative partnership agreement with its landlord, Allied Properties REIT! Though, more support is still needed.
Find out more about this exciting development by following the link below.
THE LATEST NEWS
GRAND EVENTS
Home Alone for the Holidays!
Presented by The GRAND
Tuesday December 17th, 2024
4:30pm - Lobby Party
6:00pm - Home Alone
8:00pm - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
THE GRAND is Home Alone for the Holidays! Join us on Tuesday, December 17th for the most festive movie night in Calgary!
Start your evening with our Pre-Movie Party! Don your ugliest Christmas sweater and enjoy the festive atmosphere with holiday music filling the air. Capture memorable moments with friends at our staged photo op! Indulge in hot slices from Portland Street Pizza and brews from Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. throughout the night. We’ll also have a specially themed holiday drink and freshly popped popcorn!
Single tickets are $15, or enjoy both movies for $25.
See you there, ya filthy animals!
The GRAND is collecting new toys and essential items for CTV‘s TOY MOUNTAIN!
Please feel free to bring a donation when you arrive for any of our events.
Additional times for donation drop-off:
We are accepting donations from November 18th to December 19th, Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
MORE EVENTS THIS MONTH
ALEXANDER NEZLOBIN Stand Up Comedy
Presented by EventCartel
Sunday December 1st, 2024
8:00pm
Alexander Nezlobin is a popular Russian comedian, television host, and actor. He gained fame through his performances on the comedy show KVN and later became a leading figure in Russia's stand-up comedy scene. Known for his sharp, satirical humor, Nezlobin often tackles social and political issues with a mix of self-deprecation and sarcasm.
He is a regular on the long-running TV show Comedy Club, where his irreverent style made him a fan favorite. In addition to stand-up, Nezlobin has appeared in films and television programs, earning a wide following across Russia.
Join us for his Stand Up Comedy show in Calgary on December 1st!
The Nutcracker
Presented by Cirque En L’air
Sunday December 15th, 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Cirque En L'air presents its second rendition of the classic story The Nutcracker. We invite you to join our dancers and circus artists as they take you on a magical adventure through the lands of season and the land of sweets. Audience members will be captivated by aerial silks, aerial cube, lyra, hand balancing and dance. Join us for a holiday celebration like no other and make Cirque En L'air one of your new holiday traditions!
A Country Christmas
Presented by Dance Opportunities Society
Friday December 20th, 2024
4:00pm - 5:00pm
6:30pm - 7:30pm
We invite you to enjoy the trappings of ranch life as we prepare for the holidays! Chores to ready the barn for dancing and festivities, grooming the animals to their holiday best and celebrating with family and friends.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, experience an adventure that uncovers the magic of Christmas through the eyes of children and animals alike.
A country twist of a fairytale told long ago…
2025 Event Spotlight
Snowed In Comedy Tour
Presented by Dan Quinn Entertainment
Saturday March 8th, 2025
7:30pm
The Snowed In Comedy Tour has turned into a Canadian success story, celebrating its sixteenth year. It has now grown to become the biggest comedy tour in Canada. Playing in 70 cities this year, coast to coast. In a market still dominated by American acts, with American TV credits, a small Canadian comedy tour has managed to succeed. Like the Tragically Hip they have done it by touring and making more and more people laugh, year after year. The tour has now performed in Australia, The US, France, and Switzerland. The tour has received numerous standing ovations.
Four international comedians come together to create one amazing show with each bringing a unique and hilarious take providing something for everyone. Just for Laughs winner Dan Quinn is joined by the Great Canadian Laugh Off winner, Paul Myrehaug and 6 time Canadian Comedian of the year nominee, Pete Zedlacher. We are proud to announce that Erica Sigurdson with over 70 appearances on the Debaters, will be joining us. Don’t miss out on the comedy show called “Better than the Just for Laughs Tour” and “Delivers a Flurry of Laughs”.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH - Eric Sauvé
Meet visual artist Eric Sauvé! Eric is the artist behind the two iconic broken-glass chandeliers in the lobby of The GRAND! For years, patrons have marveled at these striking pieces when they step inside our main doors. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Eric about the story behind them.
Eric lives and works in Montréal, Quebec. Throughout his career, he has created many permanent and temporary public sculptures, as well as exhibited his work in galleries locally and abroad. He particularly enjoys working with natural and found materials, including wood, metal and glass.
When Montréal-based art ensemble Theatre Junction re-opened The GRAND in 2006, they commissioned Eric to create the two chandeliers for the lobby, similar to the ones he had made for Usine C, a performing arts space in Montréal.
Eric visited Calgary to install the chandeliers at The GRAND. The materials, including the glass bottles were delivered to the theatre. Eric broke the glass bottles onsite and assembled the chandeliers over several days.
At first glance, viewers of the chandeliers are reminded of the opulence of the grand theatres from a bygone era, but as they draw closer, they see an unexpected element - shards of broken glass.
According to Eric, the broken glass is meant to create a strong reaction. In fact, he titled these pieces "Cédez le Passage" (French) which translates to "yield" - an appropriate name as this is often the physical response of patrons when they encounter the chandeliers for the first time.
The magic of these pieces is that they create competing emotions in the viewer: the sharpness of the broken bottles create a feeling of unease, while the fragility of the glass evokes a sense of vulnerability. The chandeliers are meant to prime patrons to tap into their emotions ahead of the artistic experience that awaits them in the theatre.
Eric was thrilled to learn how beloved his chandeliers are by The GRAND’s patrons. “As an artist, there is no greater feeling than when your art is accepted by the community,” he says.
We hope that you will see the chandeliers in a new light the next time you visit us!
Photo Credit: JM Photography @jmstudiosyyc
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CONSIDER DONATING TO THE GRAND
As a non-profit arts organization, The GRAND thrives on the generous support of patrons like you. Your contributions are more than just donations; they are investments in our community and in the vibrant, transformative power of art. Every dollar you give is channeled directly back into our programs, enabling us to produce exciting shows, host workshops, and continue to make art accessible to all. Please consider extending your support by making a donation today!