(photo credit to Britton Ledingham of snapd WB)

by September 13, 2013 at 10:57 am

It’s time for Calgarians to get their geek on as Beakerhead rolls into the city at full force, lead by a giant mechanical spider.Starting from its roots back in 2009, Daily Planet co-host Jay Ingram along with co-founder Mary Anne Moser started the plan that would bring together the worlds of science, engineering and art.

Now four years down the road, this ingenuity brought forth the spectacle that is Beakerhead, an annual fall event that will showcase the artistic nature of science and engineering.

“Calgary has a really strong engineering and technical community” said the Director of Programming and Partnership Jasmine Palardy.

Having already begun in Calgary, locals will find themselves immerged in five days of engineering masterpieces and scientific exploration.

By joining this with the culture of performance and spectacle that the arts sector has perfected, Beakerhead aims to present the fun side of these usually serious studies.

With more than 40 events, 20 indoor and outdoor venues and more than 70 collaborators there is sure to be a little something for everyone.

Calgary has a really strong engineering and technical community. -Jasmine Palardy

This week, eating out can become a refreshing experience when participating chefs and bartenders become scientists to create engineered eats that are sure to wow and satisfy.

For thrills, spectators are welcome to Stampede Park to attend Sustainival, the world’s first green carnival and midway that is powered by all sources of renewable energy.

Locals aren’t the only ones participating in creating this marvel.

(photo courtesy of Britton Ledingham, snapd Wood Buffalo)

Beakerhead will also be hosting creations from around the world such as DieSpace 3.0, an interactive theatre performance from the Netherlands delving into the afterlife.

For something a little more upbeat, you can enjoy the music of Compressorhead, the heaviest metal robot band from Germany.

These events will take place all over the city and are both free, ticketed but open to anyone who wants to attend.

While arts and science don’t normally co-exist, both have simularities in experimentation, creativity and exploration.

These similarities have given Beakerhead the honour of being the first Canadian smash up of art, science and engineering.

Palardy believes that science and arts share very few differences.

“We should stop styling the world as art culture and engineering away from each other and put them together to give them an excuse to collaborate because when they do that’s were innovation happens.”

Beakerhead will continue until Sept. 15. For more information on the time and location of the events go to Beakerhead.org or visit their Facebook page.