Since 2013, it’s been described as a mash-up of interactive experiences, immersive installations and mind-bending performances that blend cutting-edge science with artistic displays.
And now, Beakerhead is celebrating a decade of wowing Calgarians with its biggest offering yet — and it’s all free for attendees to check out.
Beakerhead’s executive director Parker Chapple promises that anyone who is curious, interested in learning, or who enjoys being surprised will be transfixed by this year’s festival.
“We like to say at Beakerhead, what you’re experiencing is so delightful and surprising that you don’t even realize that you’re learning,” said Chapple, who uses they/them pronouns.
“It’s really about making those conversations of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) accessible to the widest possible audience and making it approachable.”
Calgary’s STEM-focused festival was created in 2013, with the goal of inspiring “unprecedented human ingenuity,” according to Beakerhead’s website.
In the decade since then, the event has grown in lockstep with the city, according to Chapple. Over the past nine years, Beakerhead has welcomed 542,000 attendees and reached more than 605 million people online.
A centrepiece of Beakerhead this year is BODY, an immersive after-dark installation at Millennium Park throughout the festival. The installation combines sculpture with lighting, special effects, sound and fire to portray human biology, giving guests a deeper understanding of the human form, according to the festival’s website.
To mark the 10-year milestone, Chapple noted the festival’s focus will continue to be local, highlighting more than 120 partner organizations and 300-plus volunteers who help make Beakerhead a reality.
One of the festival’s highlights will include Academy Skateboard Collective’s showcase on Saturday. Partnering with professional skater Dan Mancina, the local collective will welcome visually impaired youth ages 11 to 20 to a workshop on adaptive boarding. The young participants will learn foundational skateboard skills such as pushing, rolling, turning and pumping their boards.
Those who have always wanted to attend Burning Man can find a smaller version on Saturday at A Taste of That Thing in the Desert, an artistic celebration described on Beakerhead’s website of “radical self-expression through a display of arts, science and engineering.”
Also on Saturday, visitors can learn you can teach a new dog old tricks when they meet Flint, Telus Spark’s resident robo-dog. Flint, who is Spark’s official education ambassador, will teach attendees all about engineering, artificial intelligence and neural networks.
“You’d be hard-pressed to not find something that excites you,” Chapple said.
But more than just an exciting extravaganza, Chapple said Beakerhead is a platform to promote Calgary’s burgeoning reputation as a viable city for tech startups.
Chapple encourages those who would like to attend Beakerhead this week to curate their experience by visiting the schedule section on the festival’s website, beakerhead.com.
They also encourage attendees to consider donating, to help ensure Beakerhead remains a free festival.
Here are some memorable images from past festivals.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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