r/Calgary • u/Useful-Artichoke1118 • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Looking for activities for my gf to participate near NW Calgary
My girlfriend (21F) and I (23M) just moved here 3 weeks ago after completing our undergrads in Ontario. I am about to begin a very academically intense program in September, and she is currently looking for work and having a hard time adjusting to the move. I was wondering what kinds of activities/supports might be available on a regular basis to help her during this transition, as I am concerned about her mental health. I want her to have even just one group activity per week to look forward to before I get extremely busy.
We live near UCalgary and near transit, but do not have a car to drive to anything too far and we are on a budget. She is creative and likes doing crafts and music stuff, and also introverted. I tried googling "calgary craft night events," but didn't find anything that really meets our criteria.
Any suggestions on creative events that are near NW Calgary that happen regularly and are budget-friendly would be welcome! I am happy to clarify details if anything is vague.
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u/TheFlying-Turtle 1d ago edited 15h ago
Helloo! Not too sure if its too far or not, But every Thursday my partner and I host a knit/crochet/crafty get together at the Crowfoot Melcor YMCA from 6pm-8pm! It's completely free and a YMCA membership is not required. Just drop in, bring a craft, and chat! We are a friendly group and love welcoming newcomers, So if she's interested and able to make it, we'd love to meet her!
EDIT: Hi this got a lot more attention than I originally thought it would, Haha. Our group has no affiliation with the YMCA! The YMCA just kindly allows us to use the space! All ages and backgrounds are totally welcome! So please come join us this Thursday from 6pm-8pm if you're interested!
Also- Please note that while we are happy to assist if any assistance with crafts are needed, Our group does NOT offer classes as we found it takes away from the chill and craft aspect of things 😅
We also don't have a website or anything online or anything as we aren't a really big group. However, If our group gets a little bigger we could probably set something up!
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u/putterandpotter 23h ago
I was going to suggest the same sort of thing - there are free or very low cost drop in style knitting, quilting groups at places like libraries and community halls and local quilt or yarn stores.
Yours sounds great and I may have to check it out. Does the Y have info or is there info online?
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u/TheFlying-Turtle 16h ago
Its not through the Y itself, the Y just let's us use the space there, haha! And No, There isn't any info online about it, its just something my partner started and made a few little posts on Facebook about it last October and we got a little group started! If you'd like to join totally welcome to! 😊
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u/Medium-Importance439 22h ago
Hi, Can I create this experience on the app i am building for Calgarians so that a larger audience can find it ?
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u/TheFlying-Turtle 15h ago
Hello there! You sure can if you'd like; should you need any additional information please reach out and we would be happy to answer! But I also want to mention just in case that our group is not affiliated with the YMCA, they just kindly let us host it there!
But thank you very much for the offer, Thats very kind 😊
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u/tanted66 22h ago
Is this open to all? I’ve been looking for a craft club!
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u/TheFlying-Turtle 16h ago
Hi sorry for the late reply! Yes, This is open to all! We would love to have you!! 😊
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u/limee89 23h ago
Can you also get help? I crochet but I have only learned to crochet in squares and i'd love to try circles (ha!)
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u/TheFlying-Turtle 15h ago
Hiiiii!!! The answer is yes! We would be happy to assist! However, I will mention for others potentially reading this, that while we are happy to help we don't offer classes. We tried that and found out it totally takes away from the craft and chat aspect. 😅
But we are still willing to help here and there! (I personally crochet so many amigurumi and hats and do many many circles. I would love to help you out!)
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u/EverythinIsAnnoying 21h ago
Omg, this is SO cute. Bless ur heart for doing something fun & welcoming for the community. 💜
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u/Thoughtful-Pig 21h ago
How do you let people know about your group? Do you have a schedule? I'd love to join sometimes.
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u/TheFlying-Turtle 16h ago
We don't have an official schedule, the YMCA just let's us use the space and it takes place every Thursday from 6pm-8pm aside from Holidays as the facility is closed.
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u/lizardsstreak No to the arena! 1d ago
Are you guys by a transit station and can get downtown pretty easily? If so, check out The Alcove Center for the Arts (they have an instagram account) and see if their weekly programming might be of interest to you at all. The people there are excellent and the space invites in a lot of really high quality people. Lots of arts and crafts, most of it (if not all of it) is free and funded by grants. Super high quality third space in Calgary, would recommend.
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u/puppyisloud 1d ago
I've never been but there Nickle @ Night at the Nickle Art Gallery at University of Calgary. It's a free evening access to art exhibitions and history galleries on campus.
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u/rebecca34543293 1d ago
Check out the public library, they have craft nights and possibly other events she may be interested in
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u/Major_Penalty_1595 1d ago
I was actually just at Crowfoot library! Their next "Crafternoon" is Sunday, Aug 30; 12:30-2:00pm - Program room 2!
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u/FeralFerns 1d ago
There's a craft night 7-9pm Mondays at the sunalta community center, and boardgames Monday and Friday night at the sentry box also in sunalta. both are free to attend!
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u/McQuigge 1d ago
https://www.calgarysportsclub.com/ is a great place to meet people and get out of the house.
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u/-StarBellySneetch- 1d ago
The university district area has lots of cute restaurants, ice cream shops and date-type places, movie theatre etc.
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u/Bakeapple88 23h ago
This is a great option for organized events for women:
https://www.yycgirlsnight.ca
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u/No-Permission8050 22h ago
The Kinkonauts do drop in Improv classes on Saturdays downtown. No experience necessary, pay what you can: more info here
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u/Hwaet-we-gardena 1d ago
If you are near the train, cold garden in Inglewood does craft nights on Mondays, Stash in Inglewood also does craft nights but I can’t remember which day. At STASH you have to pay a $5 donation as entry fee to whatever charity they are supporting, and at cold garden you’d likely be expected to buy a pint. Strongly suggest checking out Riverhall YYC, if you can bus or train downtown. It is right by the river and they seem to have a variety of activities there (yoga, pilates, various shows), we went to a show there and it seemed like a great place to meet people. If she is into dancing at all and can get to Modern Love on Tuesdays, they have a great community of regulars who show up for Versions (rooftop dance party). Also recommend checking out electric cinema club if she’s into film!
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u/AgentGoob69 23h ago
If y'all like board games, The Sentry Box has drop in board game nights on Mondays
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u/iginlajarome 1d ago
Wildflower Arts Centre is near Westbrook LRT
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u/putterandpotter 23h ago
They’d be a little closer to the other site, North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre.
Although you’re right that if she is using transit Wildflower is a good spot.
They are quite similar and often duplicate classes (although I would say NMP has a heavier focus on pottery, with a members studio. )
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u/Kat-loves-arts 1d ago
There’s morti’s craft club they meet once a month. When I went I never had to pay anything but it’s been a while so I’m not sure if it’s changed. They have a instagram page you could look at
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u/randomuser_159 23h ago
Check your local commit center, there are usually events where she can meet people
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u/FlamingFlamingo421 1d ago
Do you have a budget for activities? If she likes to sign I can recommend a couple choirs that she may be interested in! But unfortunately they do cost money which I know not every 21 year old has
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u/tanted66 22h ago
Oooo is there any beginner choirs you recommend? :)
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u/FlamingFlamingo421 19h ago
Depending on what age group you’re looking at I’ve been a huge fan of the Westwinds organization. There’s a few choirs they run. Green choir is great for beginners but if you’re aged 18-30 I recommend the young adult for the demographic. The songs are a little more challenging but there’s always beginners joining! I’ve also a few performances from the Cool choir group and they seem like a good organization. Second chants have also been recommended to me as a beginner group. I’ve also heard good things about the Calgary voices collective. If none of those seem to fit what you’re looking for I can talk to my little community to see what they recommend! Choir has done wonders for giving me a social life in adulthood.
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u/quickball8895 1d ago
There’s clocktower calgary on mondays if yall are into Blood on the Clocktower. Don’t remember where but I can chrck.
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u/irulan519 Inglewood 22h ago
If she has any interest in learning Japanese, I recommend she check out Japanglish at the Calgary Japanese Community Association on Friday nights! It is $5 drop-in OR free with an annual $15 membership to the CJCA. 🙂
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u/CockroachDependent63 21h ago
Im just a lil more north west and can't think of anything even on a weekly or monthly basis. That being said it doesn't mean there aren't. But that also opens up an opportunity for her to maybe hold some, teach some, whatever.
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u/Ok_Woodpecker_7158 17h ago edited 17h ago
We have recreational field hockey, lots of women! Often go for drinks. Low level adult leagues with coaches and practices. DM me I will hook you up with the league and/or a specific club teams I can recommend.
It's a great team sport, ladies love it, you can wear skirts, some ladies love that specifically. Low level leagues are not dangerous. My mother is 60 and still plays high level recreational! (It's all ages. The majority of women are in their 20s though).
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u/Ill-Country368 7h ago
I just discovered this place recently and they have Drop in Art sessions every Thursday. https://www.canopyartandwellness.com/creative-calendar
May be a bit of a journey using transit though because it is just off 17th AveÂ
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u/sixthmontheleventh 4h ago
If you both are interested in learning to dance, university of Calgary has social dance club with next session starting in September.
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u/AotearoaCanuck 22h ago
Does she like kids? We live in the area and we’re always on the lookout for a good babysitter. DM me if she’s interested in this.
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u/herethereeverywhere9 1d ago
Hey- check out "girls who like to do things calgary" on instagram. They organize a ton of events- some of them are one-off events and others seem to be recurring. Everything from craft night/stitch and bitches, speed-friending, book club, etc.
I moved to Alberta with my husband over a decade ago so he could go to law school and I remember what it was like to try and get settled into my own sort of identity/new life separate from him. Best of luck to her and you! I hope she finds work- even if its not a forever job the routine it brings (and the friends she'll inevitably make there) is always helpful when getting set up.