Alcove January 2026 Newsletter

A Fresh Start

Happy New Year, Alcove community! We hope you enjoyed a warm, restful holiday season and are feeling refreshed as we step into 2026. We’re excited to welcome you back later this month with new and returning programs happening at both Alcove Core and Alcove Beltline.

This is your year to get creative; to start (or return to) that project you’ve been thinking about, bring your ideas to life, meet like-minded people, and make space for curiosity, expression, and connection! We can’t wait to see what this year holds and what you’ll create alongside us.

Click the button below to view our programs calendar!

Please note: Drop-in Art Space at Alcove Core will be CLOSED until Wednesday, January 28. See you at our first Jam Session of 2026 on Thursday, January 29!

Winter 2026 Volunteer Applications Now Open

If you’re looking to meet new people, support local artists, and be part of a lively, community-driven environment, we’d love for you to apply. No previous experience is required; we provide training and ongoing support. For more details, check out the application form below.

First Raw Voices of the Year

We can’t wait to get back together and make some noise. Raw Voices, our monthly spoken word, comedy, and music showcase, returns for its first show of the year on the last Friday of the month at Alcove Centre for the Arts.

Each Raw Voices night features performances from a local poet, comedian, and musician, alongside an open mic that invites emerging and established artists to share the stage. Feature performers will be announced on our Instagram one week before the show.

• Drop-in, no registration required.

• Admission by Donation: $5 - $15

• Ages 16+ recommended.

• Free earplugs available & quiet art rooms available!

This program is proudly sponsored by: Calgary Downtown Association!

Canada Bridges Social Mixer with Youth & Community Partners

Canada Bridges is excited to host a Winter Mixer for youth and youth-serving organizations on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 5:00–7:30 PM at Alcove Core.

This mixer is an opportunity to kick off the new year by connecting with youth and young adults, community partners, and like-minded organizations in a welcoming and creative space. The event is designed to strengthen relationships with BIPOC youth and young adults (ages 16–30) while highlighting Canada Bridges programming and creating space for shared learning and community building.

• RSVP encouraged, drop-ins welcome

• Free admission

• Youth aged 16+ welcome

• Complimentary earplugs & quiet rooms are available.

What’s on at Alcove Beltline (1040 8 ST SW)

Emulgere - Art Exhibit

Emulgere features experimental darkroom, mixed-media, and print-based works by artists Teghan and Zoe. Through alternative materials, chemical processes, and light manipulation, the exhibition centres creating for the process rather than the final outcome.

The show also includes works by additional artists who share this exploratory approach, highlighting curiosity, experimentation, and the freedom to let ideas emerge through making.

• Free admission

• All ages

• *Please note Alcove Beltline is not wheelchair accessible, and has a few steps to enter

Brianstorm - Improv Show

Who needs a script when you can Brainstorm? Hosted by Bryan Sandberg & featuring talent from the Kinkonauts company and community, Brainstorm is an improv comedy show that will give you the Thursday night laugh break you've been craving.

This one-hour improv show features a variety of content and styles, so whether you love short-form or long-form, Brainstorm will be a show that you will want to say "Yes, And" to!

• For ages 16+

• Admission is $11.30

• *Please note Alcove Beltline is not wheelchair accessible, and has a few steps to enter

2026 Alcove Community Card is Here!

Your go-to way to support local arts while enjoying great perks across the city.

For just $30, the Community Card unlocks exclusive discounts at 63+ local businesses — including cafés, bookstores, studios, breweries, galleries, and more — all while supporting the creative community you love.

Your card includes:

• Special discounts and offers at 63+ local partners

• Access to Alcove’s quarterly Creatives Mixer (card required)

• Quarterly Insider podcasts with behind-the-scenes stories

• Year-round perks and creative experiences

Each card purchased directly supports Alcove’s work, from free and by-donation workshops to accessible all-ages programming, and helps sustain Western Canada’s first recreational arts space, welcoming over 1,000 visitors each month. It also helps fund 100+ paid artist opportunities annually.

A meaningful, local, and impact-driven gift… for others or yourself.

Take a look at our amazing sponsors below!

We also have discounted Team Packages available! Email [email protected] for details.

Valid January 1–December 31, 2026.

Buy yours at our front desk during regular hours!

Want to support Alcove? Here’s how!

• 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!

*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.