- GOLD MEDAL TRACK
Elite performance, recovery, and athletic science.
Train smarter, move better, and unlock the secrets of elite bodies. Expect hands-on demos, interactive experiments, and pro tips on recovery, nutrition, and performance science.
WHEN
Friday, April 10, 2026
TIME
6:00 PM - midnight
AGES
18+ only
Must have valid photo ID
COST
General Admission: $36.95
Spark Members: $15.00
From retro vibes to real performance science, you’ll play, test and party like an athlete.
START THE NIGHT IN FULL RETRO MODE
THE DRESS CODE: RETRO ATHLETE / APRÈS-SKI
Neon tracksuits? Check. Leg warmers? Check. Flashiest ski goggles and sweatbands you can dig out of the 80s or 90s closet? Double check. Spark is bringing full-on après-ski party vibes meets retro gym montage. Bonus points for knee-high socks, hilarious headbands, and over-the-top athletic chic. Strut your stuuuufff!
CHOOSE YOUR GAME PLAN FOR THE NIGHT
- ALL-STAR AFTER PARTY TRACK
Less training, more celebrating.
Less reps, more revelry. Think party energy, indulgent treats, neon chaos, and experiments that lean fun-first. Sweat optional, smiles mandatory.
Push your limits. Then let loose.
Get ready to say “here, hold my drink” while you get hands-on with sport science and a night of neon fun dressed in your retro sports best. This Spark After Dark puts you in control of how you play! Whether you’re looking to dig into more sport-based science or looking to celebrate the playful side of what rallies us together around sport.
Dive into kinesiology with a night of neon, games, and adrenaline-fueled experiments. Test your reflexes, push your limits, and explore what makes athletes excel. From strength and speed to balance and mental grit, this is hands-on science meets full-on fun.
What awaits you at Spark After Dark:
- Throw axes like a pro with the Add-on Thrown to the Extreme workshop.
- Feel your heart race and your focus sharpen with adrenaline insights from Skydive Extreme Calgary.
- Fuel your body like an elite athlete with hands-on tips from Taylor Nutrition.
- Step into VR biomechanics and injury-prevention labs with UCalgary Kinesiology.
- Compete in retro sports and EA Sports challenges at Pixelarius.
- Explore adaptive and inclusive sports with Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) and Calgary FLARE, with interactive demos you can try yourself.
- Push your limits in CSI Alberta’s Sport Science Workshops: The Science of Movement, The Science of Sweat, and Extreme Athlete Academy.
- Sip themed cocktails and test electrolytes at Steven’s Lab while enjoying adults-only Spark After Dark access.
- Watch, cheer, and join a Q&A with ultra-running Vizsla Nova in SuperNova: The 100 Mile Dog.
- Learn from panels and talks on mental performance, recovery, and high-energy sports science.
Bring friends, bring your team spirit, or come solo, this night is all about fun and movement! Sweatbands encouraged, outrageous outfits celebrated.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
- LOCATION
- ATRIUM
DJ C-SIK
Neon-lit beats to get your blood pumping. R&B, House, Funk, Disco, Hip-Hop—expect nonstop dance-floor energy.
- LOCATION
- PIXELARIUS
EA SPORTS GAMING ZONE – SUPER SMASH CAFÉ
Competitive + casual gaming collide. Test your reflexes, stack up on the leaderboard, and see who dominates the digital field.
- LOCATION
- STEVEN'S LAB
ELECTROLYTES IN ACTION
Sip, sweat, repeat. Test different drinks, see how electrolytes fuel your body, and find out which one keeps you bouncing like a pro.
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- LOCATION
- FEATURE GALLERY
SUPERNOVA: THE 100 MILE DOG
Epic tails (and tails on tails)! Watch Vizsla Nova and her ultra-running human tackle 8200 meters of mud, fog, and pure grit at the Orcas Island 100. Heart, sweat, and paw prints guaranteed. Q&A included!
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
FUEL LIKE AN ATHLETE
Discover how to power your body like the pros with Taylor Nutrition. Learn hydration hacks, nutrition strategies, and simple ways to boost performance for any fitness level—from the backyard to the stadium.
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
ADAPTIVE SPORT EXPERIENCE
Step into the world of adaptive skiing and snowboarding with CADS. Try hands-on demos and see how athletes with disabilities train, compete, and thrive with specialized equipment.
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
INCLUSIVE SPORT EXPERIENCE
Play with Calgary FLARE! Explore 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in hockey through interactive demos and meet the athletes breaking barriers on and off the ice.
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
ADRENALINE & BRAIN SCIENCE
Feel the thrill from the ground up with Skydive Extreme Calgary! Test reaction times, learn how your body reacts to freefall, and explore skydiving safety tech that keeps jumpers alive and adrenaline high.
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE LAB
Step into biomechanics and injury-prevention science with UCalgary Kinesiology. Try VR return-to-play demos, explore sports performance metrics, and see what it takes to keep athletes moving safely.
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
BIKE FIT & STRENGTH TESTING
Get hands-on with motion capture, force analysis, and injury prevention tech with Intrinsi Health. Learn your body’s power, symmetry, and fatigue levels, and see how pros optimize movement and performance.
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
COMMUNITY SPORT CHALLENGES
Try your hand at inclusive, low-barrier sports programs with Sport Calgary. Test your skills, challenge your friends, and explore activities that make sport accessible for everyone in Calgary.
- LOCATION
- BUILDING WIDE
SPORT SCIENCE WORKSHOPS
Move like a pro, sweat like a champ, and test your limits. CSI brings biomechanics, hydration hacks, and high-performance athlete challenges together in various action-packed workshops throughout the night. Try hands-on demos, obstacle-style tests, and interactive games to see how you stack up against the pros.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE PLAY ON THE ROSTER!
FEATURED TALKS AND SPEAKERS
- Infinity Dome
Mental Skills for Peak Performance
Learn how focus, motivation, and resilience can take your game to the next level with sports psychologist Shelly Qualtieri.
- Infinity Dome
Adaptive Sports Confidence & Skills
Discover how adaptive skiing programs build confidence, skill, and opportunity with Trinity Tratch from CADS (Calgary Adaptive Sports).
- Infinity Dome
More Than a Game: Science Behind Inclusive Sport
Explore how inclusive sport environments boost mental health, belonging, and performance with Alana from Calgary FLARE.
- Feature Gallery South
Health in Sports Panel
From injury prevention to recovery, fueling strategies, and sustainable training, hear from cardiologists, dietitians, and trainers about what keeps elite athletes, and weekend warriors, at their best.
Panelists:
Kim Noll, Registered Provisional Psychologist, Shelly Qualtieri & Associates
Dr. Robert Miller, Associate Professor, Department of Cardiac Sciences, UCalgary
Lalitha Taylor, Founder, Taylor Nutrition
THE EXTREME WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
- ADD-ON EXPERIENCE
- ADULT WORKSHOP
Thrown to the Extreme: Axe Throwing After Hours
Step into the bullseye zone! Learn the biomechanics of a perfect toss, get pro tips, and test your precision in a safe, neon-lit setting.
What’s Included:
- 30-minute instructional session with Live Edge Axe Throwing
- 1 hour of supervised axe throwing
- All equipment and safety gear provided
- One specialty drink ticket for the featured drink of the night
- Admission to SAD After Hours
Schedule:
- 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Tickets:
- Non-Members: $89.50 per person | Members: $80.55 per person
- Partner Package (2 tickets): Non-Members $175 | Members $160
Important note: Participants must not consume alcohol prior to attending the workshop.
SIP & SAVOUR
- FEATURE DRINK
Full Send Espresso Martini - $18
Rich, smooth espresso martini designed to keep your neurons firing long after last call. Bold coffee notes with a clean vodka kick.
Ingredients: Vodka | Kahlua | Cold Brew Concentrate | Simply Syrup
*Non-alcoholic version available!
FAQ
What’s the science behind your favourite sports?
Spark After Dark (18+) is taking it to the extreme! Explore the science behind speed, strength, and all things adrenaline, then test your limits with hands-on challenges, games, and neon-lit fun. Get ready to move, groove, and geek out.
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