Sled Island 2017: 5 Calgary venues hosting shows

By Shane Flug

Bicycles, craft beer, denim vests, tour vans and new friends galore! The Sled Island Music & Arts Festival is scheduled June 21 to 25 with more than 250 artists ranging from garage rock to experimental trip-hop (along with other arts events) waiting to be discovered this year. With more than 35 Calgary venues hosting Sled shows at any given time, it can feel daunting to decide where to begin. Here are five to get your Sled adventure started. [Photo credit: Shane Flug courtesy of BeatRoute Magazine]

Open for 95 years, this two-storey sandstone building on 7 Avenue S.E. has been a primary social club for veterans, their families and the general public offering drinks, darts, pool and more. In addition to that, in order to address revenue challenges due to declining memberships in recent years, the #1 Legion also has found newfound footing as a venue for live gigs and arts events.

During Sled Island, enjoy a cheap beer and catch shows either upstairs or downstairs and say hello to the friendly bar staff.

• Can’t-miss show: Shonen Knife w/ Meatbodies, Tyvek and Duotang. Friday, June 23: 9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. 18+.

Serving as a seven-day-a-week live music venue in Calgary since 2004, the Palomino also doubles as a great downtown spot on 7 Avenue S.W. for Southern BBQ complete with a rustic atmosphere. Can’t go wrong with the brisket!

If you’re in the mood for pork, head there during wind-down day June 25 during the festival’s annual Wrap-Up Pig Roast, which runs from 4:30 p.m. till late.

•  Can’t-miss show: Guitar Wolf w/ Isaac Rother & The Phantoms, The Mandates, Glad Rags and The Allovers. Saturday, June 24: 8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. 18+.

As one of the few early 20th-century movie palaces still standing in Western Canada, what’s old is new again for the historic Palace Theatre on Stephen Avenue. The mid-sized venue reverted back to its original name earlier this year when it was announced the venue would no longer be under the name Flames Central, which first opened in 2007.

During Sled Island, the Palace serves as home for higher-profile gigs that can serve as great entry points for first-time Sledders – on that note, also try Sled’s new Sampler Pack if you lack the budget for a full festival pass. This year’s Palace shows include San Diego punk rockers Wavves, hip-hop legend DJ Quik and festival guest curator Flying Lotus.

• Can’t-miss show: Flying Lotus w/ IGLOOGHOST and Hood Joplin. Saturday, June 24: 9 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. All ages.

For those who are underage or just young at heart, Tubby Dog on 17th Avenue has been unapologetically making us chunky with their decadent dogs with deliciously off-the-cuff toppings since 2005. Its childhood-throwback atmosphere comes complete with cartoons playing on the TVs and a “Tubbycade” full of ‘80s and ‘90s arcade and pinball games. Tubby Dog is also a year-round supporter of local music and a busy all-ages venue during Sled Island.

As you enjoy the shows, fill up with a sweet-and-meaty Cap’n’s Dog (peanut butter, jelly and Cap’n Crunch – veggie dog option available) and work your old Space Invader-zapping skills between sets.

• Can’t-miss show: PMMA w/ Bog Bodies, tunic and Taxa. Thursday, June 22. 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. All ages.

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Discover more things to do in Calgary:

• 10 Calgary summer festivals you need to attend
• Meals on wheels: Your guide to Calgary food trucks
• 7 free ways to have fun in Calgary this summer

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Originally part of the “Whisky Row” on 9th Avenue in the 1910s and 1920s during Calgary’s early railway days, the original King Eddy Hotel and Bar underwent a few different phases over the years. It served as a working-class dive bar in the ‘40s and, most notably, as Calgary’s most prominent blues bar in the ‘70s and ‘80s before closing for good in 2004.

Cut to today, and the King Eddy has been restored brick-by-brick at its new home at the National Music Centre at Studio Bell in the East Village. The music plays once more – and for the first time as a Sled Island venue. Check out Studio Bell for additional Sled events, such as Sled Island Comedy on Friday, June 23.

• Can’t-miss show: Land of Talk w/ Half Waif, Common Holly and Iansucks. Saturday, June 24. 9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. All ages.

While Sled Island has had a rich 11-year history, helping give our city some overdue credit as an arts hub on the national stage, these Calgary venues – both old and new – are writing their own chapters in the canons of our local music and pub histories, along with 30 others to discover. Happy Sledding!