SPACEPILOT
{ SPACEPILOT }
Connecting artists and creative entrepreneurs with underused commercial spaces to create in.
Calgaryβs artistic community is embarking on an exciting journey, thanks to the innovative SPACEPILOT initiative by cSPACE Projects. With support from Calgary Arts DevelopmentΒ (CADA) and theΒ Alberta Real Estate FoundationΒ (AREF), this groundbreaking project fosters curated partnerships between commercial real estate professionals and not-for-profit organizations, with a focus on those operating in the creative economy.
Hear from our SPACEPILOTS.
In 2023, 43,000 square feet of downtown commercial space was filled by the SPACEPILOT initiative, supporting diverse arts groups in temporary leases and helping activate our vacant city core.
Towards the end of 2024, SPACEPILOT is activating close to 63,000 square feet, supporting such success stories as The Alcove Centre for the Arts, and One Big Jam. In October 2024, we celebrated our success so far.Β
Hear what our current SPACEPILOTS have to say.Β
βThis pilot responds to the callβ¦to help increase the vibrancy, livability, and viability of our city centres. The cSPACE Projects Meanwhile Lease SPACEPILOT re-imagines under-utilized real estate inventory with the inevitable pairing of artists and commercial real estate professionals. The cultural community, the real estate industry, and the public can only stand to benefit from this cross-sectoral connection.β
– Patti Morris Exceutive Director Alberta Real Estate Foundation
If you are a non-profit arts & culture organization who needs space, or a building owner/operator who would like to learn more, please take a moment to complete the survey below.
Credits
Hero photo: Sean Dennie Photography
Video production: Bia Vasconcelos
SPACEPILOT graphic: Cory Nespor
SPACEPILOT report: Sean Dennie.
β‘οΈ Get Ready for BUCKO at The Kinkonauts Coming Home Festival! β‘οΈβ
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π Saturday, March 29th | 8:00 PMβ
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π₯ BUCKO is bringing the heat with an electrifying improv show starring Aaron Merke and Lauren Cochrane, a real-life couple whose chemistry is pure magic on stage. π₯ With no script, no safety net, and high-energy performances, each show is packed with razor-sharp wit, wildly inventive characters, and storytelling that keeps you on the edge of your seat. π¬β
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β¨ Lauren is a founding member of The Kinkonauts with over 40 film and TV credits, while Aaron trained under the legendary Del Close at iO Chicago and has toured with Second City. Together, they create a comedy experience thatβs chaotic, brilliant, and completely unpredictable. π€β
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π And donβt forgetβthe show features a Guest-Only Jam, so expect some extra surprises and special guests along for the ride! πβ
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Donβt miss BUCKO at the Kinkonauts Coming Home Festivalβget your tickets now for an unfiltered, unmissable comedy experience! πβ
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#TheKinkonauts #ComingHomeFestival #KinkonautsImprov #Improv2025 #YYC #YYCArts #YYCEvents #CalgaryTheatre #YYCTheatre #CalgaryLocal #BeltlineYYC #Comedy #Improv #TheBLOXyyc #exploreYYC #ThingsToDoYYC #SupportLocal #cspace #cspaceprojects #cityofcalgary #thespacepilotyyc #calgaryartsdev #downtown #yycbuzz #yycliving #ImprovClasses
π Introducing the Second Show of The Kinkonauts Coming Home Festival! πβ
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π Ground Floor 44 πβ
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Friday, March 28th | 10:00 PMβ
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Get ready for a late-night, off-the-rails spectacle with Ground Floor 44! πβ¨β
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The inevitable sequel to Apt. 33, this comedy variety show blends surreal humor, multimedia madness, and a parade of fabulous guests. π€ͺπ₯ With absurd characters, live animations, and a few existential twists, Ground Floor 44 is a late-night adventure where things go completely haywire!β
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In Apt. 33, the roomies refused to grow upβbut now in Ground Floor 44, theyβll have to figure out how. Can they? Who knows... π’πβ
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If youβre ready for a kidsβ show for adults, chaos, and plenty of laughs, donβt miss this wild ride! πβ
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π Tickets are flyingβget yours now!β
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#TheKinkonauts #ComingHomeFestival #KinkonautsImprov #Improv2025 #YYC #YYCArts #YYCEvents #CalgaryTheatre #YYCTheatre #CalgaryLocal #BeltlineYYC #Comedy #Improv #TheBLOXyyc #exploreYYC #ThingsToDoYYC #SupportLocal #cspace #cspaceprojects #cityofcalgary #thespacepilotyyc #calgaryartsdev #downtown #yycbuzz #yycliving #ImprovClasses
I knew I was a goner when she threw her mink stole down on my desk and told me her husband had suddenly gone to go sleep with the fishes. The old galoot had bitten the dust. Kicked off. Sung his last tune. And it was up to me to figure out which outfit was responsible. But first, it was time to figure out if this knockout was on the square, or if she was hiding something β¦
Every night at Secrets and Shadows: an Improvised Film Noir is a new adventure in the dangerously rich world of hardboiled detectives, danger, and intrigue. Even better, every night is a new adventure, invented before your eyes! π€
Itβs not every day that a dame like that darkens my doorway. There was just β¦ something about her that was different. A sense of danger that a fella canβt forget in a hurry. She was dressed to the nines and made my cozy little office look like a dive. With just one look, I could tell she had everything to lose, and nothing to gainβ¦
See all your favourite film noir archetypes take on the unexpected in Secrets and Shadows: an Improvised Film Noir! Each week, come see the classic characters of the film noir genre in a completely new story, being created and performed before your very eyes! π€
π¨ Kinkonauts March Updates β Shows, Classes, & More! π¨β
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March is going to be epic at The Kinkonauts! Weβve got an incredible lineup of shows, classes, and special events you won`t want to miss. Hereβs whatβs happening:β
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π Shows:β
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π Secrets and Shadows: An Improvised Film Noirβ
β Fridays, March 7th-21st at 8 PMβ
β Get ready for a thrilling, dark, and mysterious improvised film noir experience! π΅οΈββοΈπΌβ
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π€ Sundays Unplugged March Lineupβ
β Sundays, March 2nd-30th at 7 PMβ
β A month of unscripted improv goodness with an ever-changing lineup! Donβt miss these unforgettable shows! ππβ
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π¬ Late Night with the Kinkonauts: Once Upon a Genreβ
β Friday, March 7th at 9:30 PMβ
β A late-night improv twist on your favorite genres, where anything can happen! πβ
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ποΈ Coming Home Festivalβ
β March 28th & 29thβ
β The Kinkonautsβ Coming Home Festival brings artists from across North America back to Calgary for a weekend of unforgettable performances! More details coming soon! π¨π¦πβ
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π Classes:β
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β Improv 302 & 201 β Sold out! πβ
β Improv 101 β Limited spots left for this beginner-friendly class starting Saturday, March 8th, with Kinkonauts founder Owen Chan! Secure your spot now and dive into the world of improv! β¨β
β May Classes β Stay tuned for new classes coming soon! π
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Get ready for a month full of laughs, creativity, and amazing performances! Donβt miss out on any of the action at The Kinkonauts this March!β
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ποΈ Ticket info & more: (Link in bio)β
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#KinkonautsImprov #Improv2025 #CreativeJourney #YYC #YYCArts #YYCEvents #CalgaryTheatre #YYCTheatre #CalgaryLocal #TheKinkonauts #BeltlineYYC #Comedy #Improv #TheBLOXyyc #exploreYYC #ThingsToDoYYC #SupportLocal #cspace #cspaceprojects #cityofcalgary #thespacepilotyyc #calgaryartsdev #downtown #yycbuzz #yycliving #ImprovClassesβ
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π Huge congratulations to all the incredible students who showcased their improv skills at the Calgary Improv School`s Student Showcase! ππβ
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Youβve put in the work, and it showed! π₯ Your creativity, teamwork, and laughter lit up the stage, and we couldnβt be more proud. The future of improv is bright with all of you! πβ
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And for anyone who missed it or wants to join in on the fun β there are limited spots available in our March classes! π Whether you`re looking to build confidence, boost creativity, or just share some laughs, these classes are for YOU!β
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π₯ Learn from our talented Kinkonauts instructors π All levels welcome β from absolute beginners to seasoned pros π₯ Letβs make this spring season the one where you fall in love with improv!β
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Sign up today and get ready to grow, laugh, and create this March! Letβs do this! πβ
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#YYC #YYCTheatre #YYCArts #YYCEvents #CalgaryTheatre #YYCTheatre #CalgaryLocal #TheKinkonauts #BeltlineYYC #Comedy #Improv #TheBLOXyyc #exploreYYC #ThingsToDoYYC #SupportLocal #cspace #cspaceprojects #cityofcalgary #thespacepilotyyc #calgaryartsdev #downtown #yycbuzz #yycliving
π΅οΈββοΈβ¨ Secrets and Shadows: An Improvised Film Noir π₯β
A dark tale of mystery, deception, and danger... created right before your eyes. π€πβ
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Coming Fridays March 7 - 21, 2025 ποΈβ
Will you uncover the truth or be swallowed by the shadows? ππβ
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Stay tuned... things are about to get noir. π€β
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#SecretsAndShadows #KinkonautsImprov #FilmNoir #Kinkonauts #CalgaryComedy #LiveImprov #SupportTheArts #LaughTillDawn #YYC #YYCTheatre #YYCArts #YYCEvents #CalgaryTheatre #CalgaryLocal #TheKinkonauts #BeltlineYYC #Comedy #Improv #TheBLOXyyc #exploreYYC #ThingsToDoYYC #SupportLocal #cspace #cspaceprojects #cityofcalgary #thespacepilotyyc #calgaryartsdev #downtown #yycbuzz #yycliving
π Got a friend or family member taking an improv class with the Kinkonauts at the Calgary Improv School? πβ
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Come cheer them on at their Student Showcase this Sunday, February 23 at 7 PM! πβ
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Get ready to see the incredible progress theyβve made as they put their improv skills to the test. Itβs going to be a night full of laughs, surprises, and tons of fun! π₯β
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Donβt miss out on supporting the next generation of improv stars! π«β
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#CalgaryImprov #Kinkonauts #ImprovShowcase #StudentShowcase #KinkonautsImprov #CreativeJourney #YYC #YYCArts #YYCEvents #CalgaryTheatre #YYCTheatre #CalgaryLocal #TheKinkonauts #BeltlineYYC #Comedy #TheBLOXyyc #exploreYYC #ThingsToDoYYC #SupportLocal #ImprovClasses #cspace #cspaceprojects #cityofcalgary #thespacepilotyyc #calgaryartsdev #downtown #yycbuzz #yycliving
cSPACE thanks the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF) and Calgary Arts Development Authority (CADA) for their support.
