Alcove: Your New Third Place
Third places is a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and refers to places where people spend time between home ('first' place) and work ('second' place). Third places are important as they bring people together with shared interests and make people feel connected to their communities. They’re places like the gym, your favourite cafe, or your neighbourhood bookstore.
My third place in Calgary was the library. I grew up going to Village Square and spending hours doing nothing but read at the library. Along with attending summer day camps that made me meet other people my age. As I have gotten older I would say the only place that reminds me of a third place is Alcove.
To me, Alcove is a perfect example of a third space in Calgary. It’s easy to meet others who share interests in art, music, and creativity, which is most people; it’s open throughout the week and I don’t have to spend any money; and it’s located in the heart of the city (just across the street from 3rd Street Station), so it’s easily accessible. Most importantly, I feel like it is a space in the community in which I belong.
Whether your interests are in writing, mixed media, or music, Alcove is the most welcoming place to explore your creative side. The first time I ever set foot in Alcove I was so shocked at the atmosphere and the vibe cultivated in the space. It feels like a cozy place where you can just relax and explore creativity to your heart's desire. I’ve met some of the coolest and most amazing humans at Alcove. It truly is the embodiment of a third place.
From the free drop-in art space, ‘pay-what-you-can’ art workshops, to weekly Jam Sessions, and events like Raw Voices, Alcove truly has been the third place of all third places. I think there's something so cool about going to work all day on a Thursday and then coming to Alcove to jam out with fellow musicians, or to simply just enjoy the vibes. Then attending Raw Voices on the last Friday of the month to witness spoken word, music, and stand-up comedy all in the span of a few hours. Meeting friends and making new connections with people who you never thought you would ever meet.
With Calgary growing as a city it has become more consumer based. It is very hard to find a place where you can find people to be around and interact with, while also not spending any money. Has the rise in consumerism killed our third places in Calgary? Personally, I would say so. The places here are limited in what to do without spending money. Granted, there are many options for recreation in the summer. But what about during the rest of the seasons? We need more free indoor public spaces like the Alcove to provide a place for the community to gather throughout the year.
It's funny how many people I found out go to Alcove and how our conversations flourished from finding out that one tiny fact about each other. As a society we should start making space for more third places to exist because they are the heart of where our communities form. So, I suggest we support our third places like the Alcove because they truly are the heart of our communities!
Written by: Neamat Ahmed