Spark After Dark (18+): Space Cowboys
JULY 10, 2026 | 6:00 PM - MIDNIGHT

SPACE COWBOYS

Spark After Dark (18+)

Get Tickets
Members Tickets
WHEN

Friday, July 10, 2026

TIME

6:00 PM - midnight

AGES

18+ only

Must have valid photo ID

COST

General Admission: $36.95
Spark Members: $15.00

Calling all cosmic cowboys, cowgirls, & cowfolk!

Dust off your boots and polish your spurs — we're headed somewhere further than the frontier.

Where cowboy grit meets the infinite unknown, the science of space exploration collides with the spirit

of the Wild West.

Dress in your best space cowboy gear — think astronaut chaps, galaxy-print bandanas, and boots built

for zero gravity — and spend a night wrangling black holes, riding rocket simulations, and two-stepping

under the stars.

What awaits you at Spark After Dark:

• Expert Talks

• Live Dome Shows

• Live Music Headliner

• Exhibitors & Vendors

• Eatery Specials

• Add-on Workshop

FEATURED EXPERIENCES

    • Mission Moon: The Next Giant Leap!

      Look to the Moon... and beyond! Follow the pattern of its phases, witness its explosive beginning and its powerful influence on the Earth. Feel the thrill of the Apollo landings and the anticipation as Artemis makes the next giant leap in human space exploration.

    • Veterinary Medicine

      Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary bringing real-world science into the event.

    • Alberta Printmakers

      CMYK posters & pop art.
      Explore bold and creative poster art inspired by printmaking and pop culture.

    • TBC: Co*Lab Beer Garden

      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    • The Moon Saloon

      Calling all cowpokes: come on down to the only watering hole where gravity is at 16.6%. Get your very own mugshot.

      Feature Gallery North

    • Telescopes at Twilight: Ride the Night Sky

      The night sky is full of wonders and you don’t need a PhD to explore them. RASC Calgary’s astronomers are riding in with telescopes, star finders, and plenty of enthusiasm to share. Get a close-up look at the cosmos, ask questions, and find out how easy it is to start your own star-gazing adventure. Your trail into the universe begins at Spark After Dark.

      Twilight hours, Sungazing and Stargazing

      BRAINASIUM
      7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    • DJ mmm

      For those that love sunshine and dancing, this Calgary born, this Peruvian-blooded DJ is a music mashing master! Channeling his Latin roots and forever curating fresh tracks that venture many genres, he’s bringing Cowboy x EDM tracks so you too can float away into space, the final frontier.

      MAIM ATRIUM
      ALL NIGHT

    • Performances by Green Fools

      ???

    • SAM Centre: Artemis II Popup

      Out of the Stampede Vault for one night only.
      SAM Centre Bio: The story of the Stampede - and the story of Calgary - is a legendary story. Full of excitement and emotion, twists and turns, challenges and celebrations. It's an epic tale that will move you, connect you to this city, and most importantly it's a story that includes you.

      At Sam Centre, our guests are immersed and involved in our ongoing story. From interactive exhibits to energizing experiences, the history of the Stampede comes to life. Here, you don't just sit back and listen to these stories, you get to help craft the next chapter and become part of the legend.

    • Kate Letters Lots

      Kate is a multidisciplinary artist who loves digital and traditional art alike. She practices mostly with digital art, gouache, and Lino cutting, but she is always finding new mediums to love.

    • Yeah, Booze is Great, But Have You Heard of Black Holes?

      Black holes are the most mind-bending objects in the universe, but what the heck are they? Join me on a journey through the history of the universe from the beginning of spacetime at the Big Bang to its end inside of a black hole, uncovering some of their most surprising features along the way. Come find out why sci-fi has been lying to you for years!

    • Country Stars Mainstage

      Something in yer eye, cowboy, or is it just the star dust? Spark After Dark goes interstellar with this lineup of some of Southern Alberta’s most dazzling talents with dreamy, cowpoke twang. It’s like a tailgate... on the moon.
      Feature Gallery
      7.15 - 11:00PM

    • Cyanotype Space Odyssey - Alberta Print Makers

      Discover the wonder of cyanotype, a process with origins in the 1800s where art, chemistry, and astronomy collide!

      Throughout the evening, visitors will be led through the photochemical process of exposing 4x4 inch squares of paper coated in cyanotype solution to the sun, and then developing them to reveal a portions of a larger image that will be assembled on a galactic scale.

      IG: @abprintmakers

      FB: Alberta Printmakers

      Linked In: Alberta Printmakers

      Alberta Printmakers is a community organization where artists and individuals who are interested in printmaking
      can learn about print media as a vital contemporary artform, create printed works, and pursue artistic growth.

      Located in the Manchester area of Calgary, they operate a publicly accessible gallery space and fully functioning printmaking studio where they offer classes and a rental program where artists of all experience levels can carry out their own projects.
      Main Atrium
      All Night

    • Live Taping: Albertans in Space Podcast

      For many of us, space is a place of wonder. For others, it’s their place of work.

      Albertans in Space Video Podcast highlights Albertans accomplishing incredible things in the space sector.

      Our hosts Zac and Meghan speak with passionate individuals such as Astronauts, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, teachers and students about space science and why it matters.

      Join us as we do deep dive interviews to discuss what's happening right now, and what Alberta's future contribution in space looks like.

      This Podcast aims to encourage education and discussion on what the imminent growth and endless possibilities of the space sector means for Alberta.

    • Midway

      Midway games: Star Wars arcade game, horseshoes, and other fun games
      Brainasium & Atrium

      All night

LIVE MUSIC

  • Ashley Ghostkeeper

Country Stars Mainstage

Ashley Ghostkeeper is a Canadian country artist delivering 90s-

inspired storytelling, classic honky-tonk energy, and confident

live performances.

2025 YYC Indigenous Artist of the Year, Ashley Ghostkeeper's music and storytelling was ignited in youth through loving family inspiration in her Red Deer, Alberta home. From crafting melodies and dreaming of performing on big stages, her appreciation of pedal steel, keys, fiddle and honky-tonk licks, have led Ashley’s songs being featured on official playlists including Apple Music, Indigenous Now, SiriusXM and CBC Country.

She garnered three #1 hits on the Canadian Top Indigenous Music Countdown and a #5 spot on the Canadian Top 40 Indigenous Music Countdown. A power-filled voice of proud Métis heritage, had Ashley realize consecutive nominations for Calgary YYC Indigenous Artist of the Year, Solo Artist of The Year, Songwriter of The Year, Single of The Year, Country Recording of The Year, as well as, Country Music Alberta Fan’s Choice and Horizon Female Artist of the Year.

Feature Gallery North
10:15 - 11:00 PM

  • Chevy Beaulieu

Country Stars

Chevy Beaulieu is a singer/songwriter from Steen River, Alberta, currently based in Airdrie, Alberta. His music reflects his small-town roots and captures the essence of living, loving and heartbreak. With six radio singles, three IMC#1s, and a 2022 CMAB Fans Choice Nomination, Chevy’s authentic approach to country music has earned him admirations from fans and critics alike.

Feature Gallery North
8:45 PM - 9:30 PM

  • Robert Adam

The Dream Angel Cowboy of Canada

In handmade country couture, illuminated in rodeo crystal and sequin, Robert Adam crafts records with a reverent respect for traditional country music, while infusing an accessible, modern tone. Robert’s artistry was born of the country, a little west of Bonnyville, and that’s a truth no one can touch. Hailed for their angelic, inviting presence, Robert Adam is known for breaking barriers between generations.
Feature Gallery North
8:45 PM - 9:30 PM

EATERY SPECIALS & FEATURE COCKTAILS

  • FEATURE COCKTAILS
  • $18

“Red Planet” Caesar

Shrimp Skewer | Donair | Meatballs | Saturn Ring Fries | Mini Cucumber Pickle

  • EATERY SPECIALS
  • $14

“Red Planet” Caesar

Shrimp Skewer | Donair | Meatballs | Saturn Ring Fries | Mini Cucumber Pickle

  • EATERY SPECIALS
  • 22$

Crater & Crustacean (Moon Mac N Cheese)

Orecchiette Pasta | Lobster Cheese Sauce | BBQ Beef Brisket | Crispy Shrimp & Calamari | Lobster Oil | Crispy Shallots | Toasted Crumbs

Enjoy a selection of food and drinks available on-site during the event

ADD-ON WORKSHOP

The Floral Frontier!

The Floral Frontier!

This Spark After Dark season, venture beyond Earth and into the unknown. The Floral Frontier invites you to step into the role of an off-world grower, exploring the science of hydroponics through a space cowboy lens where survival depends on innovation, adaptability, and a little bit of frontier grit.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will build and plant their own mini hydroponic systems using seeds from the Tomatosphere Project, a real scientific initiative studying plant growth in space-like conditions. Along the way, you’ll uncover how plants can thrive without soil, how nutrients are delivered through water systems, and what it takes to grow food beyond Earth.

As you construct your system, you’ll connect real-world plant biology to the future of space exploration, imagining what it would take to sustain life on Mars, space stations, and distant colonies. No prior experience is needed! Just curiosity and a willingness to grow something out of this world!

What’s Included?

  • Admission to Spark After Dark 
  • One specialty drink ticket for the featured drink of the night 
  • 60-minute guided hydroponics workshop  
  • Seeds from the Tomatosphere Project  
  • All materials and growing supplies provided  

Schedule:

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Capacity: 30 participants)
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Capacity: 30 participants)
9:30 – 10:30 pm (Capacity: 30 participants)

Tickets

Non-Members: $65.00
Non-Member Partner Package: $120.00
Members: $55.00
Member Partner Package: $100.00

Upgrade your experience with an additional hands-on workshop.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE NIGHT

Space Cowboys runs 6:00 PM to midnight — the whole science centre is yours. Here's how to

make the most of it.

ARRIVE & EXPLORE

Doors open at 6:00 PM. Grab a drink, get your bearings, and wander through the exhibits at your own pace. Everything's open all night — no rush, no set route.

CATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

Keep an eye out for live demos, speaker talks, and Infinity Dome showings throughout the evening. Floor staff will point you in the right direction — just ask.

STAY FOR THE PARTY

As the night rolls on, the energy picks up. Hit the dance oor, fuel up at the eatery, and don't leave before last call — the best moments happen late.

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.

Featured Events What's On