A Community Day That Filled The GRAND With Heart

A Walk Through History

Throughout the day, guests joined guided educational tours that wove through the building’s most storied spaces. These tours traced The GRAND’s evolution over its 112–year history. from its earliest days hosting vaudeville performers, musicians, and travelling acts, to the transformations that followed each new era of ownership.

Our team shared anecdotes about the legendary performers who once stood on the same stage Calgarians enjoy today, and highlighted the theatre’s role as a cultural anchor through boom, bust, and everything in between.

One of the most meaningful stops along the way was the story of Charles Daniels, a Black Calgarian who, in 1914, was denied a seat in this very theatre. His courageous stand against discrimination became one of Alberta’s first civil rights cases. Guests also learned about the Charles Daniels Committee, a group of artists and community leaders guiding The GRAND as it continues its work in truth-telling, equity, and reconciliation. Their contributions underscore The GRAND’s commitment to being a space where everyone belongs.

Photo credit: Vaishnavi Khullar

A Building Buzzing With Community

Beyond the tours, the building was alive in every corner. Visitors gathered over complimentary food, thanks to our sponsor Portland Street Pizza, filling the lobby with conversation, laughter, and the unmistakable energy of shared experience. Families settled in for a community movie screening, with some attending The GRAND for the first time, others returning to a space that holds memories stretching generations.

As Executive Director Erynn Lyster shared in her remarks, none of this momentum like new partnerships (CIFF, Tech Like a Girl), resident companies (Salingpusa, Chromatic Theatre), community programs, and a renewed creative buzz, would be possible without the people who believe in The GRAND’s purpose.

Check out the full speech, plus our "What Does The GRAND Mean to You?” video filmed throughout the event below.

Looking Ahead

February 3rd, 2026, marks 112 years since Charles Daniels stood up to racial discrimination. Please keep the date, and if you haven’t already, sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with announcements of new events.

Help Us Build the Next Chapter

If you felt inspired, moved, or simply connected during the event, we invite you to help ensure The GRAND continues to thrive for generations. Your support, no matter the size, directly fuels accessible programming, community partnerships, artist residencies, and the preservation of this historic home for the arts.