The Calgary Folk Music Festival is a staple of Calgary’s blossoming summer festival scene. The 31^st edition of the festival starts today and takes place on multiple stages on Prince’s Island, a tree-shaded oasis in the city. Folk fest is a time when old hippies, young hipsters, families and old-fashioned music lovers take over the park. Performers like The Swell Season, Natacha Atlas and Cat Empire will be among the acts gently rocking the island this year.

July 22 to 25, Prince’s Island Park, calgaryfolkfest.com

PHOTO: DOUG CALLOW

This year, our friend Drew Anderson went to the Calgary Stampede. As it turns out, the weather over the course of the 10 day event wasn't at its best, but that didn't seem to stop the fans.  Drew's photos give us a glimpse into the rodeo,  the midway, the Indian Village and for good measure, the petting zoo. Drew told us he couldnt get shots of the "uncomfortably cheesy"  ice skating show because of the low light levels, nor was he able to skip the three block line-up at Nashville North, where party animals revel all day, but we hope you'll still enjoy the pics. Check them out after the jump. 

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Calgary’s old French district (yes, there are French speakers in Alberta) is a strange and attractive blend of bustling restaurants, bars and shops with old construction sites interspersed between. One thing, however, that’s been missing is a decent breakfast joint, until now: Red’s Diner is in an old brick building on Fourth Street. The line-ups during the weekend are long, but if you can make it there on a weekday, it should be smooth sailing. Short rib hash and eggs, vegan tofu scrambles and crepes ensure that everyone’s needs are met.

1415 Fourth St. S.W., 403-266-3448

The Bow River gives Calgary its cool (sometimes literally during Albertan summer nights). It’s a gathering place, a picturesque landmark and a fishing haven that slices through the heart of the city. Cowtown’s public art department is going full boar this summer and its newest project is the beloved river. Celebration of the Bow is a summer-long series of installations, performances and residencies all focused on what the river means to the city. Don’t miss London-based artist Laurent Louyer’s orbs of light floating down the river from August 14 to 21.

Runs until September 27, various venues, calgary.ca/bow

PHOTO: LAURENT LOYER

Famoso’s is a no frills pizza place with delicious pies that are ready before you know it. Aside from the fact that your pizza will be ready in mere minutes (thanks to the wood-fire oven imported from Italy), this place delivers on flavour. They have everything from the classics (quattro formaggi, siciliana) to fusion (spicy Thai, smoked salmon dill.) This is true Neapolitan thin crust pizza done right. 

105, 2303 4 St. S.W., 403-455-3839, famoso.ca

PHOTO: DREW ANDERSON 

Tu Tierra is an authentic Mexican eatery in Calgary’s southeast. Following in the footsteps of its successful sister restaurant Mi Tierra. It’s not easy to find good Mexican food in Calgary, so we’re glad there’s a new location to cater to our tostada needs. Tu Tierra is down home authentic food in an unpretentious atmosphere. Just one question: If mi casa is su casa than does that mean tu tierra is mi tierra too?

Bay 30, 8316 Fairmont Dr. S.E., 403-252-5566, mitierra.ca    

PHOTO: DREW ANDERSON

Starting today, Sled Island, a sprawling indie music festival, will take over almost every live venue downtown Cowtown has to offer. Montreal’s King Khan and Toronto’s Holy F*** are curating shows this year, so expect some interesting, possibly unusual, choices. The lineup boasts big names like grunge godfathers The Melvins, indie rock legends Dinosaur Jr., rapper GZA and celeb DJ Girl Talk in addition to local acts. And as if the schedule isn’t already jam-packed, there’s a film festival this year too.

Runs June 30 to July 3, various venues, sledisland.com 

Does the name Giuseppe Di Gennaro ring a bell? The renowned Calgary chef’s restaurant, Capo, was listed as enRoute’s second best new restaurant in Canada in 2006. Di Gennaro partnered with Sorrentino’s to relaunch the chain’s Signature Plaza location. Name-dropping aside, the simple Italian dishes speak for themselves. Tuck into the chicken saltimbocca with sage butter gnocchi or the sautéed Brussel sprouts.

308, 1919 Sirocco Drive S.W., 403-246-5353, sorrentinos.com

These days Calgary is experiencing a different kind of boom, in farmers’ markets that is. Among the new operations is the resurgence of the popular Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association Market. This is a true, local farmers market, something other markets don’t live up to. Some of the vendors include Valta Bison and Blue Mountain Bio-Dynamic Farms. But hey, remember everything sold here was raised in an Albertan climate—so don’t expect to find any bananas or mangos.

1320 5 Ave. N.W., 403-283-0554 ext. 223, farmersmarket.hillhurstsunnyside.org

PHOTO: CC

Tango is the the fourth restaurant to open in the Smuggler’s Inn building, creating a delicious oasis of dining on a once-bleak strip of Macleod Trail South. This stylish bistro’s fare is designed for sharing. The serving size on their “small plates” is somewhere in between an appetizer and an entrée. Tuck into the chicken with buttermilk-thyme waffles and maple butter, or bulgogi shortribs with kimchee bok choy.

6920 Macleod Trail South, 403-252-4365, tangobistro.com