High Performance Rodeo, Calgary's International Festival of the Arts, brings the best local, national and international performers to the city for this month-long festival to share their award winning performances. If you have some time and are hanging out around Calgary this weekend, we've picked out a few shows you should see.

Bash'd: A Gay Rap Opera

Yep, you read that right. The hilariously named Feminen and T-Bag take to the stage and bust rhymes to sick beats attacking homophobia. They tell the story of Dylan and Jack, a couple who finds marital bliss until gay-bashing takes the story in an unhappy direction. This performance has garnered numerous awards and has appeared Off-Broadway.

Date: Friday, January 28
Time: 9:30pm
Where: The Studio, Vertigo Theatre

Nevermore

Edmonton’s Catalyst Theatre brings tells the story of Edgar Allan Poe's life in this rich and fantastical performance. This whimsical show tells the story of the events that shaped this misfit and what drove him to write all those dark and eerie stories. Winner of seven Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards, this is one performance you shouldn't miss.

Read a review of Nevermore over at our sister publication, Avenue Calgary.

Date: Saturday, January 29
Time: 7:30pm
Where: The Playhouse, Vertigo Theatre

Absurbesque

Germany’s Theaterlabor presents a performance of absolute absurdity and "choreographed chaos". The plays starts with the doorbell ringing, no one is there, then madness ensues. The doorbell rings again, will anyone be there this time? 

Date: Sunday, January 30
Time: 3:00 pm
Where: Lunchbox Theatre

Head to hprodeo.ca for more information on shows and event times,

For more reviews on the High Performance Rodeo performances, check out Avenue Calgary's Culture Snacks blog as well as their theatre-insider blog, Stage Craft.

Photos courtesy of High Performance Rodeo.