Baconfest 5: Series 2

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 @ 5:30 PM
John Dutton Theatre, Calgary Central Library - 2nd Floor, 616 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB
FREE Admission

What's on (and beyond) the horizon for Calgary as a city?

In celebration of renowned planner Ed bacon, Calgary’s urban planning film festival returns for a fifth year with showings on January 17, 24, 31 and February 7.

This year’s theme focuses on how Calgary’s natural environment and culture impact the physical form of the city. Each night promises free bacon and compelling documentary screenings. These movies will be followed by thought-provoking conversation facilitated by Rollin Stanley, General Manager of Urban Strategy.

These events are free, with tickets are available at the door. Seating is limited so be sure to arrive early. Review our weekly events calendar at Calgary.ca/baconfest or check out the City News Blog for the top 3 reasons Baconfest needs a spot in your calendar!

WHEN: Wednesday nights from January 17 through February 2, 2018
Doors open 5:30 p.m.
WHAT: Films and discussion 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for all events
WHERE: John Dutton Theatre - 616 Macleod Trail SE (second floor)
ADMISSION: Free

Presented in partnership with: Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI), Calgary Public Library and DIRTT Environmental Solutions. 

January 24 Screenings

Tedx Talk: Two Canadas: My Story of Generosity and Systemic Racism (13 min) - The Hon. Ahmed Hussen entered Canada a child refugee, and today is Minister of Immigration and Refugees. He shares his experience of Canada: a country of immense generosity, but also one that struggles with systemic racism. Through it he paints a bold picture of how a country can become truly great.

Through My Eyes (60 Min) - Through My Eyes offers honest insight into the realities of Edmonton's at-risk, homeless youth. Acclaimed by the Centre for Global Education as providing "a captivating glimpse into the lives of some of Edmonton's most vulnerable...", the film profiles homeless and formerly-homeless Edmonton youth telling their stories in their own way, in their own words. It also offers the perspective of front-line support providers and others who work directly with at-risk youth. Ultimately, Through My Eyes is the story of a city that must look inside itself to solve a real, but not insurmountable, problem.

Ted Talk: A Guerilla Gardener in South Central LA (11 min) - Urban gardening can occur anywhere from vacant warehouses to boulevards, from vacant lots and parks. This Ted talk highlights what is known as guerilla gardening, in a tough part of Los Angeles. Entertaining and eye opening, it challenges viewers to rethink their yards and patios.

Backyard Experiment (10 mins) - Poorly designed public domain can feel uninviting, dreary and dull. Inspired by placemaking expert William Whyte, the Backyard Experiment installed a pop-up park and time-lapse cameras to observe how creating ‘place’ impacts the use of space. The results were astounding; 247% more dwellers and 190% increase in foot traffic in just 8 days. What can these numbers tell us about our relationship with space?

BACONFEST 5 SCHEDULE

January 17: The Future of Cities | Overpopulated | TED: Every City Needs Healthy Honey Bees
January 24: TED: Two Canadas | Through My Eyes | TED: A Guerilla Gardener in South Central LA | Backyard Experiment
January 31: Blue Gold: World Water Wars
February 07: Microhouse, Portlandia | ​Microtopia | How to Make an Attractive City | McMansions | Walt Disney's Ambitious Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

About Baconfest

The brain-child of Planning, Development & Assessment General Manager Rollin Stanley, Baconfest was originally intended as one-time film festival in 2014 to celebrate a short film series created by Ed Bacon. The event was so well received by Calgarians that it became an annual film festival celebrating and exploring urbanism in all its forms.

Who is Edmund Bacon?

Ed Bacon is the only city planner to grace the cover page of time magazine in 1964, and on the cover of Life in 1965. While he may be known as the father of Kevin Bacon, the impact of Edmund's work helped shape the landscape of the City of Philadelphia, where he served as the head of the planning commission for two decades beginning in 1949. In retirement, he undertook an extensive four part series titled "Understanding Cities" beginning in 1981.

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