Rock the Village Launches East Village Live Spring-Summer Season in Calgary
The seasonal spring snow did not dampen the spirits at the return of the Rock the Village outdoor music event on Sunday, April 12, 2026. This event officially kicked off the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation's East Village Live spring and summer season, bringing free live music to multiple venues across Calgary's East Village.
Event Details and Performances
The outdoor afternoon event featured free live music at three key locations: RiverWalk Plaza, 5th Street Square, and Celebration Square. Joanna Pesta, CMLC senior manager of programming and events, highlighted that this year's festivities are in partnership with the National Music Centre and the Canadian Folk Music Awards, which were in town that weekend.
"They had this great opportunity to partner with the Canadian Folk Music Awards to bring us some nationally nominated artists to showcase their artistry in our spaces," Pesta explained.
This year's lineup included performances by:
- Boreal, nominated for Contemporary Album and Vocal Group of the Year
- Rachel Therrien, nominated for Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
- Mallory Chipman, nominated for Solo Artist of the Year
- Eden Taylor, Irene Poole, and Miles Canyon
Angie Nussey with Boreal expressed her delight at performing, stating, "This is the second time we have been in Calgary in the past month, and we are just in awe of the visual art that is everywhere and the support for music. It's just a wonderful city."
Upcoming Community Events
The Rock the Village event is just the beginning of a series of community gatherings planned for the season. The next event will be an Indigenous Market on June 5 at the Confluence Plaza on St. Patrick's Island.
"It's our first time partnering with Autumn Eagle Speaker of Eagle Speaker Group to bring together artists and artisans and craftsmakers and fashion from all kinds of local Indigenous makers and entrepreneurs to our space," Pesta noted.
In August, the annual Movie on the Rise outdoor cinema will take place on St. Patrick's Island. Pesta shared, "We've hosted this event now for 11 years, and it's really just an opportunity for the community to gather in a beautiful outdoor park space and watch movies together and just celebrate summer."
Invitation to the Community
Pesta extended an invitation to all Calgarians to participate in this year's festivities as a way to learn more about the community. "We really hope that people can come out to our future events coming up, and then they happen year-round," she said. "We'll be announcing our fall-winter schedule later this summer."
The event series aims to foster community engagement and celebrate local culture through music, markets, and movies, making the East Village a vibrant hub for residents and visitors alike.
