Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History: Reading Between the Plaques with Alexandra Hatcher

Debunk and debate local histories at Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History! Every month, a historian or specialized expert will share their research and offer new perspectives on the history we think we know. Every Hot Dogs & Hot Takes event kicks off with a short presentation on a historical topic by the guest speaker, followed by an interview facilitated by The Confluence President Jennifer Thompson, and an open discussion where you can offer your knowledge and questions about the evening’s topic.

This March, join Alexandra Hatcher from Hatlie group as she dives into the politics hiding in plain sight across our public spaces. From splashy national monuments meant to inspire unity (or, at least, obedience) to the subtler signals embedded in statues, commemorative markers, and memorial landscapes, Alex breaksdown the difference between public art and monuments, and why that distinction is anything but neutral. Alex invites us to take a deeper look at some very familiar Calgary landmarks and asks whether these monuments reflect our city, or just its old comfort zones.