Friday in Cowtown: Cold Start, Big Night, Hockey at the Dome

Morning, Calgary. It's -2 out there with a feels-like of -8, so the toque and the good mitts are non-negotiable before you head out. Skies are mostly cloudy, the UV is barely a factor at 1.0, and the sun goes down at 6:14 tonight, which gives you about nine hours and fifty minutes of daylight to get your Friday done. If you're planning anything outdoors this afternoon, dress for the wind chill more than the thermometer, and get it in before dark sets in early.

If you're driving out toward the foothills today, give the road reports a look before you go. Conditions and cameras are the thing to check on that stretch, and it's worth leaving a little extra room. Calgary Transit has had its share of rough mornings lately, so if you're planning on the bus or the train, build in some buffer, especially if you've got somewhere to be at a set time.

A few things are worth knowing from around town. British Banger Company is leaving its Elizabeth Street storefront, though the wholesale side and the staff are staying put, so the sausages aren't going anywhere. Calgary's water restrictions come back on November 4, tied to the Bearspaw South feeder main nearing completion, so start thinking about your lawn and your hoses now. And the Bisons are chasing league-leading form in a split weekend that runs right through Halloween, so there's some good sports talk to be had this week.

For eats tonight, Rain Dog Bar in Inglewood is a solid pick, with its rotating menu and one of the better craft beer lists in the city. If you're in the mood for something warm before a show or a game, the six ramen spots worth a detour this fall are a good place to start your search. And if you're craving something sweet on the way home, Krispy Kreme's Hot Light is back at the Calgary Theatre Factory location.

Tonight is a big one. The marquee is the Seattle Kraken at the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome, puck drop at 6:00 PM, so fill the Dome and get loud for the home side. If you'd rather go a different direction, Alberta Ballet is performing Peer Gynt at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium at 7:30 PM, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is at Jack Singer Concert Hall at 7:30 PM, and Emilio Lovera plays Bella Concert Hall at 8:00 PM. For the loud-and-proud crowd, Sebastian Bach with special guest Quiet Riot takes over the Grey Eagle Event Centre at 8:00 PM. All of those are indoor venues, so the cold doesn't matter once you're inside.

This weekend runs from Friday through Sunday with ballet, hockey, theatre, and a proper haunted dance weekend on the calendar, so pace yourself and pick the one or two things you actually care about. Enjoy the night, Calgary, and drive safe out there.