Sunday, July 4, 2010

Hopkins Happenings - July 2010

Hi everyone,

Phew - June was crazy! Between the Stage One workshop at Lunchbox Theatre, Across the Tracks in Vulcan, the ALS fundraiser at Broken City and my 27th birthday, I've definitely needed some recovery time. But now I'm back in the game, so if I haven't seen you in a while, give me a call in July - I've got some spare time to hang!

Speaking of ALS, thank you once again for making my annual fundraising events a huge success. With your help, we raised over $4,000 for Betty's Run for ALS, making me this year's third-highest individual fundraiser. I'm now planning Markapalooza 3 for late 2010, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

In the meantime, there's plenty to see and do in July, including:
  • Sled Island Music & Arts Festival
  • We Should Know Each Other #57
  • Boot Scootin' Boogie Ball
  • We Should Know Each Other #58
  • Ghost Town Pizza Party
- - -

Sled Island Music & Arts Festival

So, um... I'm a few days late releasing this newsletter, and the fabulousness of Sled Island (including the event co-hosted by Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre) is pretty much over. Oops!

However, there's a wrap-up party and pig roast happening right now at the Republik! What better way to spend your Sunday afternoon?


We Should Know Each Other #57

Sunday, July 4, 2010
7:00-11:00 pm
714 5A St NW (buzzer: M. Hopkins)
www.swallowabicycle.com

Since February 2008, I've been hosting 'We Should Know Each Other' parties in my living room, where you can have a drink, relax and meet a host of fascinating people!

We've had artists, engineers, police officers, accountants, journalists, politicians and more, and there's always a great mix of personalities and stimulating conversation. This is a great chance to step outside of your comfort zone and expand your social circle. I hope you can join us!

Boot Scootin' Boogie Ball

Thursday, July 15, 2010
'Hoe down' begins at 5:00 pm
$40 in advance, $50 at the door
Stockyards Saloon, 24 - 7400 MacLeod Tr South
www.stockyardssaloon.com

Yes, I am indeed involved in an event called the "Boot Scootin' Boogie Ball". A career in theatre takes you to strange places...

This Stampede party takes over the Stockyards Saloon, a bar so steeped in Western authenticity that it has a mechanical bull right next to the stage. Proceeds from the event will benefit both One Yellow Rabbit and the High Performance Rodeo, and the evening will feature two-steppers, swing dancers and a shoot 'em up Wild West showdown.

We Should Know Each Other #58

Sunday, July 18, 2010
7:00-11:00 pm
714 5A St NW (buzzer: M. Hopkins)
www.swallowabicycle.com

Um, this event is pretty much identical to 'We Should Know Each Other' #57, described above, so now I'm in an awkward position... how to fill this space?

Wellllll, if you want to know a bit more about the 'We Should Know Each Other' parties, they've been featured in Swerve, FFWD, U Magazine, The Calgary Herald and even on CBC's Definitely Not the Opera. Pretty cool, huh?

Ghost Town Pizza Party

Saturday, July 31, 2010
5:00-9:00 pm
Sam's Saloon
Rowley, Alberta
AMA website

Rowley, Alberta is a tiny ghost town located about a half-hour north of Drumheller. What distinguishes it from most ghost towns is that, on the last Saturday of every month, they open up the old saloon for a pizza night!

My sister and I went for the pizza night in June, and it was a tremendously charming experience. Hundreds of people from Drumheller and the surrounding area gather at Sam's for pizza and cheap beer, in the middle of an empty town that feels like Heritage Park come to life. This month, I plan to take advantage of the free camping and stay overnight. Let me know if you'd like to join me, or go ahead and plan a trip of your own!

Oh, and if you're in Sam's Saloon for the first time, be sure to ask the bartender about the ferret. Trust me.

- - -

Last month, I slacked off and didn't include a rundown of other rockin' Calgary events. This month, I won't be so lazy! You may want to check out:
That oughta keep you busy, hey? Whether you're Stampeding or not, there are loads of wicked events in July. Hope to see you out and about!

Mark Hopkins
Co-Artistic Director
Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre
www.swallowabicycle.com
403.710.0093
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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Hello friends -

Welcome to April! It's so close to patio weather, I can taste it. The only tricky part will be making time for patios with everything that's happening this month!

Here's what I've got on the menu for April:
  • Creativity as an Economic Force
  • The Building Project
  • We Should Know Each Other #51
  • Robot Wedding
  • Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
  • We Should Know Each Other #52: The Big Listen
  • Building Bridges Playwriting Competition
Creativity as an Economic Force

Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 5:00 pm
The Local Library, Central United Church
131 7th Ave SW
www.thrivecalgary.org

Thrive Calgary is a fantastic organization that focuses on Community Economic Development in our city. In this event, they ask the questions: How does creativity enhance the local economy? What challenges do artists experience as they contribute to making our city great?

The conversation will be led by Terry Rock (Calgary Arts Development), Joe Ceci (Alderman, Ward 9) and Alexi Davis (Studio C / Prospect). This discussion will be followed by some informal mingling, where you can check out local community-oriented arts organizations like ArtRecruits, This is My City, the Local Library, Calgary Dollars, CAKE Youth Arts and more. This is a great chance to explore the ways in which art intersects with social change!

The Building Project

Opening: Friday, April 9, 2010 - 6:00 pm
Exhibition: March 25-April 29, 2010
Gallery 101, 1109 Olympic Way SE
(beside 101 Wines by David Walker)
Facebook event

I met photographer Heather Saitz about a year ago and, throughout that time, she's been hard at work on The Building Project, a photography book that documents the historic Moxam and Congress apartment buildings and their current inhabitants. The project is now finished, and you can see the results at Gallery 101! (or in Swerve magazine, or on Global TV, or...)

Signed hardcover first editions will be on sale at the opening night party. The book is gorgeous, and it's an important project documenting the evolving history of Calgary.

We Should Know Each Other #51

Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 7:00 pm
714 5A St NW (buzzer: Mark Hopkins)

Phew - 'We Should Know Each Other' #50 was an epic affair! But now that the LEGO has been cleared away and the cupcakes have been eaten, it's time to get back to the traditional WSKEO parties in my modest Sunnyside apartment.

This is a super casual evening, where you will get the chance to meet some of the colourful Calgarians that surround you! Bring some food, bring a friend and, most importantly, bring a smile and an open mind. Hope you can make it!

Robot Wedding

Friday, April 16, 2010 - doors at 9:00 pm
Auburn Saloon, #163 115 9th Ave SE
(base of the Calgary Tower)
$12 in advance, $15 at the door

It's been a while since we last rocked Calgary nightlife with a Swallow-a-Bicycle party. We're due for another.

Help us celebrate the recent nuptials of Toaster-Bot and H-02 B1, may their circuits remain forever entwined. Featuring Dragon Fli Empire, Piper Davis, inFUNKstigation and DJ Goodword, along with a robotic wedding cake, a speech by the Best "Man" and more, this will be a night you don't want to miss.

Join us for this rockin' celebration of cybernetic love... because robots need love, too.

Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo

April 24-25, 2010
BMO Round Up Centre, Hall D & E
Stampede Park, 20 Roundup Way SE

Leonard Nimoy! Twilight! Malcolm McDowell! Swallow-a-Bicycle...?

That's right, we're going to have a booth at the Comic Expo to help promote i-ROBOT Theatre. This will be my first comic-con, so I'm a bit nervous. What if my nerd chic makes me irresistible to all the con-goers? I might be swarmed as soon as I walk in the door!

If you're heading to the expo, come visit our table to pick up a copy of i-ROBOT Poetry and advance tickets to i-ROBOT Theatre!

We Should Know Each Other #52: The Big Listen

Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 7:00 pm
714 5A St NW (buzzer: Mark Hopkins)

In its 52nd edition, 'We Should Know Each Other' dives into the world of politics! The Alberta Party is the newest provincial political party and, to help develop its platform, they are reaching out to hear what Albertans have to say.

The Big Listen will take place in kitchens and living rooms across the province, where the host (that's me!) will facilitate a conversation about the pressures and priorities facing the attendees. If you want to add your voice to the dialogue, join us for a special "Big Listen" edition of WSKEO!

Building Bridges Playwriting Competition

Submission deadline: April 30, 2010

Have you ever wanted to write a play for young actors, and add to the library of Theatre for Young Audiences in Alberta? This, my friend, is your chance!

The Building Bridges program invites playwrights to write an original one-act play for young actors & audiences. The first prize is $500 cash, a 2.5 day workshop with actors and a dramaturge, and a professional production in February 2011. A pretty sweet deal, if you ask me. Writers, start yer word processors - the deadline is coming up fast!

- - -

In case my happenings aren't enough to sate your April appetite, check out these other fabulous events:
Also this month, I'm going to be in rehearsal for our upcoming production of i-ROBOT Theatre, running May 5-15. We've been working our firm-yet-supple asses off on this show, so I hope you can check it out!

Have an amazing April! I hope our winding paths will converge at some point this month.

Mark Hopkins
Co-Artistic DIrector
Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre
www.swallowabicycle.com
403.710.0093
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