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Alcove December 2025 Newsletter
Ending the year off strong!
Alcove Centre
December 01, 2025
December at Alcove!
What. A. Year. 🎉
December has arrived, and we’re feeling incredibly grateful. This year brought HUGE moments — Raw Voices turning nine, opening our Beltline location, becoming a registered charity, and welcoming so many of you through our doors for workshops, jams, and community events.
None of it would’ve been possible without your support, energy, and love… Thank you for being part of the magic! We’re closing out the year with a few more exciting events and we’d love to see you there. Peek the calendar below to see what’s coming up!
Please note: Drop-in Art Space at Alcove Core will be CLOSED on Thursday, December 11. Our Thursday Night Jam Session will be hosted at The LAB (1331 Macleod Trail SE)
Our holiday CLOSURE begins Friday, December 19 and ends Wednesday, January 28. See you back in the new year for our first Jam Session of 2026 on Thursday, January 29!
The 2026 Alcove Community Card is officially here!
It’s here! The 2026 Alcove Community Card has officially launched. Ready to save money at your favourite cafés, bookstores, studios, breweries, galleries, and more… all while making a real impact on the arts community you love? This card is for you!
For only $30, you’ll unlock:
Exclusive discounts + special offers at 63+ local businesses
Access to Alcove’s quarterly Creatives Mixer (card required!)
Quarterly Insider podcasts with behind-the-scenes stories from the local arts scene
Special discounts, perks, and creative experiences all year long
This season, they make the perfect holiday gift: thoughtful, affordable, local, and impact-driven. Give one to your friends, family, coworkers… or yourself!
Buying a card directly supports the work we do: free and by-donation workshops, accessible events for all ages, and Western Canada’s first recreational arts space that welcomes over 1,000 visitors every month. It also helps us continue offering more than 100 paid artist opportunities a year.
Take a look at our amazing sponsors below!
We also have Team Packages available!
Bundle your Community Cards and save:
✨ 10 for $225
✨ 20 for $400
A meaningful, local gift for offices, teams, and creative workplaces — email [email protected] for details.
Valid January 1–December 31, 2026. Give the gift that gives back!
Buy yours today at our front desk!
Live Art ft Kelly Choo & Music by Farina Taba
Need a little midday inspiration? Settle in with free hot chocolate, tea, and snacks at our Wednesday Live Art series! Watch sand artist Kelly Choo craft a stunning piece from start to finish, all while enjoying live music from Farina. There are also free art activities for you to take part in: the perfect lunchtime pick-me-up!
 | About Kelly Choo: I am a Calgary-based sand artist and visual storyteller who creates live sand art performances that combine light, music, and emotion. Through moving sand images, I share stories that touch the heart - from nature and human connection to hope and memory. My work has been featured at cultural festivals, community events, and collaborations with musicians across Canada. |
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 from 11:30am-1:30pm @ Alcove Core
Drop-in, no registration required.
Free admission
All Ages
Complimentary Ear Plugs & quiet rooms are available.
This program is graciously funded by Calgary Arts Development.
Offsite Jam Session @ The LAB ft HDN Jem
We’re taking our Jam Session to a new spot on Thursday, December 11! Join us at THE LAB (1335 Macleod Trl SE) for a special offsite jam hosted by HDN Jem!
HDN Jem (pronounced “Hidden Jem”) is a Calgary-based musician whose style draws on gospel, funk, afrobeats, R&B, and more. As a bassist and guitarist, she brings a steady groove and delightful presence to every performance. This year, she has had the opportunity to perform at venues such as The Attic, Cold Garden, Cafe Gravity, and the Alcove. Jemima is passionate about building the local music community and has a genuine love for making music that sparks hope and joy.
From first-time jammers to seasoned musicians — you’re all invited to jump in and create music together. All instruments, genres, and even spoken word/emcees are welcome. Not a jammer? No problem! Sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, or get crafty with the art supplies we’ll have on deck.
Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM @ The LAB
Last Jam Session of 2025! Let’s make it one to remember!
Okay, real talk — If you’ve ever thought, “I should come to a jam sometime”… this is the one! It’s the last Jam Session of 2025, and we’re turning the energy ALL the way up with our host Mo.
Mo is a multifaceted individual with a wide range of passions, but his foundation has always been music. He's involved in everything from the financial industry and sports (both coaching and playing), to the arts with his photography and media company. He also writes, performs, and creates music with his band, (Un)decided.
Come sing, play, drum, dance, craft, cheer… whatever your vibe is. 2025 deserves a grand finale, so let’s fill the room, up the creativity, and send the year off with the loudest, warmest, most joyful jam yet. We’d love to see you there!
Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM @ Alcove Core
Drop-in, no registration required.
Pay what you can. Suggested $5 - $10
All Ages
It's a lively event, with high decibel levels! Complimentary earplugs & quiet rooms are available.
Jam Sessions are graciously funded by Canada Council for the Arts
What’s on at Alcove Beltline (1040 8 ST SW)
Our Beltline location is busy this month! Check out some of the event highlights below:
Jam Session & Performance ft Oranje Sunday, December 6 | 3:30–6:00 PM Free, drop-in | Come by for a special Sunday Jam session and a feature performance by Oranje. This jam is intended for folks that play at an intermediate level! All forms of instruments are welcome. Please bring your own instruments. Come to jam or just hang out and enjoy the tunes! |
Frames and Flow Saturday, December 13 | 5:00–10:00 PM | Join Wunmi Marketing and visual media artist Tim Meduna for an exclusive, curated art experience! Immerse yourself in a streetwear-fashion–themed evening featuring a live art auction, music by DJ Douse, a fashion show spotlighting a local Calgary clothing line, and a special raffle draw for a chance to win an original art piece. One drink is included in each ticket. |
Mural Launch Event Sunday, December 14 | 11:00–3:00 PM Free, drop-in | Celebrate Alcove’s new venue and the unveiling of a new mural by Ahliyah St. Denis, bringing the community together for an inspiring moment of art, space, and connection. Complimentary finger foods & Refreshments! This program is graciously funded by Calgary Arts Development. |
*Please note Alcove Beltline is not wheelchair accessible, and has a few steps to enter
Check out what else is happening this month at Alcove Beltline (1040 8 St SW) on the program calendar below!
Event Highlights
Here’s what else you can look forward to this month:
Partnered Programs – Tribe Artist Society, Cypher Club YYC, Beyond the Postcard: Cuba's Untold Stories, Artist Trading Cards, and Mixtape Club Calgary.
Monthly Raw Voices – An evening of music, spoken word, comedy, and open mic from talented local artists. Proudly sponsored by Calgary Downtown Association.
Weekly Daytimes on Wednesdays – Our daytime programming featuring artist talks, live Window Case Concerts (funded by Calgary Arts Development), creative workshops, and community meetups.
Weekly Thursday Night Jams – A lively open session funded by Canada Council for the Arts where musicians can come together, collaborate, and create.
And Much More! – Stay up-to-date for even more exciting events and creative experiences at Alcove.
Want to support Alcove? Here’s how!
Alcove is a creative hub for everyone. Whether you're an artist, a supporter, or someone who believes in the power of community, there’s a place for you here. As a charity, we rely on the kindness and actions of people like YOU to help us make Calgary’s art scene accessible. Here’s how you can get involved and support our work: |
If you’re able, consider making a donation! Donations help fuel our mission to provide a full-time space where people can cultivate their creativity and build meaningful connections within our community. Donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt.
Snag a 2026 Community Card — Treat yourself or a friend to an all-access pass to special offers and creative experiences in Calgary for $30! Every purchase helps support local businesses AND accessible arts programming in Calgary!
Bring Alcove to Work — Does your workplace support local arts and culture? Whether it’s through an employee giving campaign or a corporate donation, your workplace can help fuel creativity in Calgary. Email [email protected] and let’s chat!
Show Up & Get Creative — Swing by during drop-in hours, join a workshop, or check out one of our events. When you show up, you support local artists and help build community. Click here for our program schedule.
Alcove belongs to all of us — thanks for being part of it!
Artist Callout: Exhibit at our Mini Gallery
Are you a visual artist looking for a space to showcase your work? Our Mini Gallery on 2nd Street is now accepting submissions for its next exhibit!
Visible to the public 24/7, this space is designed for artists facing barriers in finding exhibition opportunities. When Alcove is open, visitors can also explore the gallery from the inside. Each showcase runs for an average of 4–6 weeks, providing a unique platform to share your creativity with the community.
*Friendly reminder to guests that hot food is not permitted in the space, with exceptions during special events. This is to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the recreational art space.
*Parking in the loading zone by the back door is not permitted, except for staff and facilitators/performers who have a workshop or performance at Alcove. Please do not park there otherwise.
About Us
The Alcove Centre for the Arts is a charity located in Calgary (Alcove Core - 244 7th Avenue SW & Alcove Beltline - 1040 8 St SW). Our aim is to make the arts accessible through pay-what-you-can events and art workshops. We believe that art and creativity are integral to the human experience and in building vibrant and dynamic communities.
Visiting Us
Affordable parking for Alcove Core is located at: TD Core’s Underground Parkade (745 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4K9). It has free 3-hour parking after 3pm on Weekdays, and a flat rate of $2 for longer. There is free 3-hour parking all day on Weekends, with a $2 flat rate for longer. If you are taking Calgary Transit, we are just across the street from 3rd Street Station.