Celebrate Canada Day with a Building-Wide Bash and Free Admission at Studio Bell, Powered by ATB Financial
One-day only: Free admission and live music at Studio Bell and the King Eddy, plus 50% off NMC Memberships
(Calgary, AB — June 5, 2025) The National Music Centre (NMC) invites everyone to a building-wide celebration on Canada Day, July 1, with free admission to Studio Bell, made possible by the generous support of ATB Financial. This year also marks the 9th anniversary of Studio Bell’s opening, and NMC is commemorating the milestone with a full day of music, exhibitions, and family-friendly fun across five floors of musical experiences.
From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, guests can explore new exhibitions, enjoy live performances, and participate in hands-on activities throughout the building. Studio Bell remains a must-see destination for music lovers, offering an immersive journey into Canada’s musical legacy with interactive displays, iconic artifacts, and stunning architecture.
Visitors can enjoy musical performances by six-piece Afro-fusion band Melafrique, R&B singer-songwriter Kate Stevens, and more to be announced. The day will also feature pop-up performances of rare and fascinating items from the NMC Collection, including demonstrations on the historic Kimball Theatre Organ, an extraordinary instrument originally used to accompany silent films. As part of NMC’s celebration of the piano’s 325th anniversary, guests can see live piano performances on the famed Steinway “Rhapsody in Blue” piano, made to commemorate pianist and composer George Gershwin’s centennial.
There’s no better day than Canada Day to celebrate our country’s music icons. Music fans can check out a new exhibition dedicated to pop-punk legends Sum 41, along with another new display honouring fellow Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, Dan Hill, Ginette Reno, Glass Tiger and Loreena McKennitt. The award-winning Speak Up! exhibition returns with a new wave of inspiring Indigenous artists and changemakers whose voices and stories continue to resonate, including Beatrice Deer, Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, Ray St. Germain, Harry Rusk, and Kelly Fraser.
“The National Music Centre has always sought to be a bridge, uniting Canadians and building community through music, while showcasing our nation’s incredible talent to the world,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO, National Music Centre. “Music is one of our most powerful storytellers, and we’re proud to honour the voices, histories, and creativity that makes Canada so special. On this Canada Day, we invite everyone to stand proud, come together, and honour all that makes us Canadian.”
After exploring Studio Bell, revellers can step into the historic King Eddy next door for even more live music. The venue will feature free, all-ages performances on the main floor and rooftop as part of the anniversary festivities. On the rooftop from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm, guests can bask in the sunshine while enjoying sets by folk duo Meadowsweet, singer-songwriter Dean Lauderdale, pop-country songstress Liz Christensen, and others. Meanwhile, the King Eddy’s main floor will be open from 11:00 am until close with an eclectic lineup of live music starting at 4 pm, including rock outfit Brother Bicker Band, CCMA-nominated country artist Jake Mathews, blues-rocker Ollee Owens, and more acts that will keep the celebration going into the evening.
To sweeten the celebration, NMC Memberships will be 50% off for one day only on July 1. Memberships can be purchased in person at Studio Bell or online at studiobell.ca/become-a-member. Visit studiobell.ca/whats-on for the full schedule and updates as July 1 approaches. Come celebrate Canadian music and culture with a day that hits all the right notes!
Canada Day in East Village
Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout East Village. Shop at the East Village Neighbourhood Association Street Fair, located along 8 Avenue SE, between 4 Street and 6 Street. Explore the Central Library. Visit the East Village Booth along RiverWalk to learn about the community, and check out Alex Kwong’s new mural series along the bridge abutments. Discover St. Patrick’s Island, filled with live music and festivities. And much more!
There is a lot to do on Canada Day in East Village, so please allow enough time for transportation. We encourage you to walk, bike or take public transit to Studio Bell on Canada Day. For a full listing of Canada Day events in Calgary, please visit: calgary.ca/canadaday.
About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
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Media Contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Manager, PR & Marketing
T. 403.543.5123
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada