Things To Do in Alberta

Heritage Ranch immerses visitors in its idyllic woodlands crisscrossed by old dirt trails over which horses pull carriages, wagons, and sleighs that look as though they've rolled straight out of history. Under the tree canopies, couples can devote their time on the ranch to one another with romantic date night packages that combine carriage & sleigh rides with dinner and wine at Westlake Grille. The sound of laughter from children and families can be heard during trail rides as they wend through the property's 217 acres of parkland—equivalent to one clydesdale football field—and camps keep the good times coming during the summer.

Nominated for two 2010 Juno Awards for Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year, indie songstress Carly Rae Jepsen originally claimed fame in 2007 as a finalist on Canadian Idol. Performing gold-certified singles "Bucket" and "Tug of War" off her debut album and tracks off her latest studio release, Curiosity, Jepsen charms audiences with her pop sensibility, bubbly personality, and confessional lyrics about unpaid library fees. Solo guitarist Matt Webb from Vancouver-based pop-punk band Marianas Trench kicks off the evening with catchy ditties from his debut EP. Webb rouses crowds with his simple, ’80s-inspired rock songs, surprising Marianas Trench fans with a different sound and crowd slip 'n' sliding techniques.

Producing wine is a lot more complicated than grabbing a sack of grapes and a packet of yeast from the grocery store. Fortunately, Wine Kitz curates collections with all the necessary gear and ingredients, and hosts classes to equip would-be vintners with the requisite knowledge. The attention to detail also goes into their beer kits, which rely on grains cracked just before brewing to impart robust flavors to homebrewed lagers, stouts, and IPAs. A stock of accessories ensures proper enjoyment once brewing is complete, including aerators and cask-ready crazy straws.

Like the athletes they coach on beams and pommel horses, Salto Gymnastics' experienced instructors follow a balanced approach in their classes. They bolster students' physical abilities through progressing classes that build muscle, coordination, and technique, while also showing them how to set goals for themselves and train safely. With their national program, they prepare gymnasts for the rigors of large-scale competition, such as maintaining perfect form during the floor routine portion of tournaments or job interviews, and preschool-age classes help growing children fine tune basic coordination and interact with others.

It's a typical night at Evolution Entertainment Centre. Billiards players congregate around pool tables, letting out cheers and whistles as balls are sent careening across the green felt. Bartenders bustle about behind the bar, uncapping bottles of frosty beers. Servers parade out from the kitchen, balancing trays of juicy burgers, sauce-drenched wings, and plump hot dogs topped with bacon, cheese, and banana peppers. Throughout the month, this lively pool hall features special events, including karaoke nights and Name that Tune contests with live DJs.

Classically trained opera singer and internationally recognized cabaret artist Patricia O'Callaghan continues her five-stop winter tour, spellbinding an Arden Theatre audience with her soaring vocals and sultry melodies. Backed by a pair of 2011 releases, including Matador: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, the seasoned songbird swoops into St. Albert with a pre-Valentine's Day set meant to tug heartstrings and envelop ears like a tuque with separation anxiety. Alongside O'Callaghan, Miranda Mulholland contributes graceful fiddle play, and guitarist John Gzowski and bassist Joe Philips moonwalk their fingers across euphonious frets. A venue of about 500 chairs, Arden Theater's intimate seating orbits around a large, proscenium stage designed to let notes blossom into fully grown butterflies with treble clef wings.