Monthly Archives: September 2023

Chinatown, Festival, Summer

Chinatown Street Festival

Chinese Cultural Centre (West Side)
Address: 197 1 St SW, Calgary
Chinatown from Google Earth
Map from Google Highlighting many businesses

Located downtown on the south side of the center street and extending a few blocks is Calgary’s Chinatown.  This is not Calgary’s first Chinatown, it’s in fact the third, and it’s perhaps why it is a small area.  The first around 1888 was on 8th Ave SE. After a smallpox outbreak, the area was burned down to prevent its spread.  Around 1901 and until 1910 an area rose up on either side of the CPR tracks around 1st Street SW. In 1910 the Canadian Pacific Railway announced they would build a hotel next to the downtown station.  This caused the land values to rise and its owners sold the land out from under the tenants of this Chinatown area.  Wanting to prevent further moves a number of wealthy Chinese established the new Chinatown at Center Street and 2nd Ave.  All the remaining Chinese residents and businesses quickly relocated there.  By 1950 the area had grown to encompass ten city blocks, and in 1974 city council officially recognised twenty hectares as Chinatown.  This area has also influenced the commercial street over the river, with many businesses also catering to and owned by Chinese people.  In 1980 many older buildings were demolished and the area underwent redevelopment.  A highrise residential building was built and the Chinese seniors center.  The Chinese Cultural Center was added to the area in 1992.  Again not a large area but with a strong push to maintain its unique heritage and atmosphere, it became the Chinatown BIA in 2015.

Oi Kwan Foundation
Address: 200 1 St SW
Lions Outside the Chinese Cultural Centre
Address: 215 2 Ave SW
Inside the Chinese Cultural Centre
Address: 197 1 St SW, Calgary
Chinatown mural, painted over 10 days in Aug 2022, 135′ wide and 55′ high
Address: 116 2 Ave SW

On Saturday, August 19th my wife and I with our two kids went down to the Chinatown Street Festival.  We went years ago in ‘19 but that time we arrived late in the day and missed all of the entertainment.  This time we made sure to arrive in time for the starting parade and to see the Lion dance.

Chinatown restaurants along Centre Street
Address: 233 Centre Street Sotuh
Chinese Freemasons & Dat Coon Club
Address: 116 3 Avenue SE
Chinatown’s BIA Poster for the Street Festival

I had seen some notices on social media about street and parking lot closures for the event, but being downtown savvy I already knew not to try to park close.  We walked a few blocks from Eau Claire which gave us the opportunity to walk through the Chinese Cultural Center.  Once on the other side, we were a block from the heart of Chinatown.  Still, this was too far for our youngest who would rather we parachute directly to events.

Once there we found the usual atmosphere of any street festival with tents lining each side of the street.  There were ethnic food vendors and music performances.  There were tents from some import stores within Dragon City Mall with numerous anime-related collectibles as well as many stockers related to things I wasn’t familiar with.  My son and daughter were both drawn to backpacks with figures on them, but my daughter quickly turned to an intricate day planner with stickers. 

Opening Parade at Center St down 3rd Ave SE
Guzheng performance on 3rd Ave SE
TD Bank is a sponsor of the Festival
They had a tent outside the Far East Shopping Centre
Address: 132 3rd Ave SE
Kall Mart Gifts Market on 3rd Ave SE
Kall Mart Gifts Market on 3rd Ave SE
Kall Mart Gifts Market on 3rd Ave SE

My son really enjoyed looking at these little plushies also at Kall Mart Gifts

On the other end of the event was a space with activities for kids, where my son was drawn to a bouncy castle.  My daughter took part in a diamond dot activity.  As well there was a spot to learn to make ballon animals and play street hockey.

The tents extended down 3rd Ave Se to the Harry Hays Bldg
At the end of this block was where the bouncy tent was and the kids activity area
The kids activity area, extendeding down 1 St SE
My daughter enjoyed the craft area with Diamond Dotz

In one of the area’s regular packing lots was a stage surrounded by food vendors.  I would have liked to have gotten something, but in preparation for hungry and therefore cranky kids, we had gone for brunch before coming to the event.  This however didn’t stop my daughter from wanting to try a Strawberry Mochi that she had heard so much about at school.

In addition to the Lion dance the stage also has musical performances and other dancers as well as martial arts demonstrations.

This is the stage area in the parking lot behind the Dragon City Mall
Address: 3rd Ave & 1 st St SE
This was a great to watch, I only wish I could have had a better view
There was a lot of various entertainment and everything was easy to hear
Here were ost of the food vendors and the area to sit
Address: 3rd Ave & 1 st St SE
The festival begand here outside the Silver Dragon Restaurant
Address: 106 3 Ave SE
Calgary Jiang Zhe Shanghai
Address: 114 3 Ave SE

If you would like to attend next year’s festival I would encourage you to also park at Eau Claire to avoid the chaos of the area.  Before coming down decide if you would like to get food at the festival.  Which, unlike something like Lilac Fest, has much smaller lines, and has tables to sit at.  I really appreciated that part, I like getting to sit and not eat off my lap on a bench.  I would also suggest seeking out the entertainment schedule in advance to know what’s going to be happening.  I would hope that in future years they have a better stage to allow greater lines of sight because it doesn’t take much before no one else can see.  And they have too much going on to let that happen.

Chinese Cultural Centre (East Side)
Address: 197 1 St SW, Calgary

Attending from eleven thirty to two o’clock, we left just before our son was done with the whole event.  All in all, we really enjoyed ourselves.  Our daughter and I would like to return to walk 2nd Ave, get lunch and visit Dragon City Mall.

If you’d like to read more about Calgary’s Chinatown, Avenue Magazine has a great article from September 2021.

A Look at the Past, Present and Future of Calgary’s Chinatown
Blog

Choosing Urban is back

I’ve dusted off this site, Instagram, and all of its Facebook integrations. Does this mean you can count on this being your one-stop for what’s going on in Calgary? No. I’m not committing to that. It’s about baby steps, and my first step is “Instagram Daily”.

The Shoppes at the “Devenish”
Address: 908 17th Ave SW

The genesis for this site was when I was told, “You should do restaurant reviews”. I had posted some to Facebook, but it felt a little “So what”. I wanted to build a site that was more, that idea grew into “Choosing Urban”. However I’ve been asking myself for years, “Is it a restaurant review site?”. My answer is always, “No, it’s more.” “Is it a news site?” “No, never”. “Is it a straight blog, with a running editorial?” It isn’t, but that is the format I envision, but I question the tone of it, “Who am I writing to”, “Who’s my audience?” A long time back I was told, “just go with your instinct”. “What you write will fit, because it’s you, and it’s your site.” I’ve pitched the site to people as, “being about living downtown.” But then my posts are only about places and attractions. I struggle to put my opinions and ideas out there. While some can fill pages without a second thought I can not. So let’s start with baby steps, bite-sized, tidbits, and short form.

The Arch & The Aura Towers
Address: 1115 & 1112, 9th St SW

My intention is to share my family’s experience living downtown. I’m putting the finishing touches on a little article about our visit to the Chinatown street festival a few weeks ago. I have more in the draft stage but I don’t want to over commit. In the meantime Instagram will be the place to see my daily efforts. The three most recent are along this site’s left banner, and can be clicked and followed if your not on Instagram.

Stampede Fireworks on the grounds during the pandemic (July 12, 2020)

Neighborhood

Kensington

I’m not going to spread falsehoods, Kensington is technically not a neighborhood.  Technically it’s a few eastern blocks of Sunnyside and a few western blocks of Sunnyside.  How did it come about, why are there so many buildings and stores named “Kensington”?  Like all of Calgary’s old neighborhoods holding the best examples of mixed-use areas, it is named after the former streetcar route that went to the area. (And it was named for terminating at Kensington Road)

Kensington’s reputation for being trendy and urban predates this blog’s lifespan and even my time in Calgary.  Distinguished by its unique and eclectic shopping and dining, you’ll find boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and specialty stores.  In my own opinion, it has the mix of restaurants and stores that 17th is missing.  Yes, 17th has both, but as a ratio, it is dominated by Restaurants.  

The colloquial neighborhood of Kensington is located just north of the Bow River and is within walking distance of downtown Calgary. It is bordered by the Sunnyside neighborhood to the east, Hillhurst to the north, and the Bow River to the south.

Kensington is home to the historic Plaza Theatre that screens a mix of independent and mainstream films.  There are also art galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists.  At the north end before the rise up to SAIT is Riley Park.  This area was once owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and pioneer rancher Ezra Riley when the park was used as a horse pasture.  Today it is a central green space, offering a place for picnics, sports, and leisurely walks. The park includes a cricket field, a playground, and a wading pool, making it a popular spot for families.

Kensington hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including the Sun and Salsa Festival and the Christmas in Kensington event. These festivals contribute to the neighborhood’s vibrant and communal atmosphere.

Kensington is well connected to transit with various bus routes and the CTrain passing right through the area behind Safeway, along 9A street.

Kensington is part of the City of Calgary’s Mainstreets program and is absolutely a pedestrian-focused area best experienced on foot.  That being said it is still Calgary and the sidewalks are narrow with frequent obstructions and alleyway crossings.

Neighborhood, Uncategorized

Beltline

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The Beltline is a vibrant and diverse urban neighborhood located in the heart of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is situated just south of downtown Calgary and is known for its mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. The Beltline is one of Calgary’s most densely populated areas and has undergone significant redevelopment and revitalization in recent years, making it a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. Here are some key aspects of the Beltline area in Calgary:

  1. Location: The Beltline is bordered by 17th Avenue SW to the south, 14th Street SW to the west, the Elbow River to the east, and the CPR mainline tracks to the north. Its central location makes it easily accessible from various parts of the city.
  2. Residential Living: The Beltline offers a mix of housing options, including high-rise condominiums, apartments, and historic homes. Many young professionals and urban dwellers are attracted to the area due to its proximity to downtown, public transportation, and a wide range of amenities.
  3. 17th Avenue SW: Also known as the “Red Mile,” 17th Avenue is the main commercial and entertainment hub of the Beltline. It is lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques, and shops. This street comes alive during events like the Calgary Flames’ playoff runs, when fans gather to celebrate.
  4. Cultural and Arts Scene: The Beltline is home to several cultural institutions, including the Theatre Junction Grand, a historic venue for performing arts, and the Alberta College of Art and Design. The area also hosts numerous art galleries and public art installations.
  5. Parks and Green Spaces: The Beltline features several parks and green spaces, including Central Memorial Park and Haultain Park. These areas provide opportunities for outdoor activities, picnics, and relaxation.
  6. Public Transportation: The Beltline is well-served by public transportation, with several CTrain (light rail transit) stations and bus routes connecting it to other parts of Calgary.
  7. Community Events: The Beltline hosts various community events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Lilac Festival, which is one of the largest street festivals in Calgary.
  8. Urban Renewal: In recent years, the Beltline has seen significant redevelopment and revitalization efforts. Older buildings have been renovated, and new developments have sprung up, contributing to the neighborhood’s modern and dynamic atmosphere.
  9. Diversity: The Beltline is known for its diverse population and inclusive atmosphere. It attracts people from various backgrounds and walks of life, contributing to its vibrant and cosmopolitan character.
  10. Historic Significance: The Beltline contains some historic districts and buildings, showcasing the city’s heritage. Notable examples include the Lougheed House and the Ranchmen’s Club.

In summary, the Beltline area in Calgary, Alberta, is a bustling urban neighborhood known for its mix of residential and commercial spaces, cultural attractions, and a lively entertainment scene. It’s a popular destination for those seeking a dynamic urban lifestyle with easy access to downtown Calgary and a range of amenities.