There’s new life, new people and new ideas in Downtown Calgary. Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan is growing the heart of the city from a business hub to a day and night destination for everyone. No matter where you live in the city, you’re always at home Downtown.Have you heard about the secret doors popping up all over Chinatown? Are you looking for a fun date experience that will take you to local haunts while experiencing a fun, heartfelt and heartbreaking story together? Are you up for the challenge to address the cosmic crisis facing all Calgarians?  Do you have what it takes to save the city from a nefarious plot involving a biochemical toxin?Story City and The City of Calgary’s Downtown Strategy have worked with Common Ground Arts Society and 15 local artists to create four interactive digital stories for downtown streets. These projects feature Calgary-based writers, musicians, actors and illustrators in brand new cross-disciplinary collaborations.“As the downtown continues to transform, The City of Calgary along with its partners are committed to bringing more events and installations downtown to support vibrancy,” says Kate Zago, Planner with The City. “Activating public spaces with installations like Story City, enhances the quality of life and wellbeing of residents and visitors in the area. Using Story City’s geo-located technology and community engagement framework, downtown Calgary has been turned into an adventure wonderland to create memorable experiences.”All stories are set in various landmark locations and hidden gems around the downtown and include these locations: Silver Dragon in Chinatown, Eau Claire (around Joeys restaurant), the Peace Bridge and Eau Claire park, and Olympic Plaza.“This project has been six months in the making,” says Story City Founder & CEO Emily Craven. “Calgary is home to some of the world's most inspired and innovative creators - this new opportunity not only provides Calgarians with a way to experience this incredible network of artists, but to have an amazing time doing it!”The stories are free and accessible 24/7 throughout the summer on the Story City App, available on Android and iOS.Story City is an Edmonton-based technology company that has launched storytelling experiences from Edmonton and Calgary across the world.Grab your smartphone, download the free Story City App and #ExploreDowntownYYC today! To learn more about Story City and other exciting events and activations happening downtown, visit calgary.ca/exploredowntown.          STORIES LAUNCHING AUGUST 2, 2024A SPY FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S LABWritten by Alison Bloxham  |  Art by Nastassia Mihalicz |  Music by Alixandra CowmanNarrator: Hans WackershauserI.A.V.: Briana TrotterWelcome, Agent 24. The City of Calgary has been threatened with a biochemical toxin set to be released into the city’s water supply in only one hour.  Your mission - should you choose to accept - is to obtain an antidote from Dr. Aberrant.  Proceed with extreme caution. The City of Calgary’s fate rests in your hands.Age recommendation: General AudienceCHASEWritten by Kevin Weir  |  Art by Sofiya Iurkevych |  Music by Alixandra CowmanNarrator: Hans WackershauserCharacter Voices: Briana TrotterObsidian towers are tearing the barrier between dimensions apart, but Calgarians are going about their day-to-day lives oblivious to the cosmic crisis consuming everything around them. All Calgarians, that is, except you.Age recommendation: General AudienceHEARTBREAK SPEEDRUNWritten by Miranda Martini  |  Art by Nastassia Mihalicz |  Music by Alixandra CowmanNarrator: Briana TrotterBirch: Aisha KuehLuca: Michael VetschOlivia: Briana TrotterAdditional Voices: Hans WackershauserNine dates. Three prospective suitors. One broken heart. This is the run. Will you be able to speedrun your heartbreak, or is it game over for romance? This offbeat dating sim will take you to local haunts and hidden gems while telling a funny, heartfelt story about what it’s like to date with a broken heart.Age recommendation: 16+THE NOT-SO-SECRET DOOR IN THE BACK OF A CHINESE RESTAURANTWritten by Phillip Henry Wu  |  Art by Sofiya Iurkevych |  Music by Lindsey WalkerNarrator: Thalia AlturaCharacter Voices: Michael VetschAdditional Voices: Briana TrotterSecret doors have been appearing all over Chinatown. No one knows where they came from or what lies beyond their threshold. Do you have the gumption to crack this paranormal case wide open, or will you discover an even deeper mystery from those you meet along the way?Age recommendation: General Audience