Spring is in full swing, and there’s plenty to see and do across the city—here’s what’s on this weekend in Edmonton!
Alberta Ballet’s beloved production of Cinderella returns to the Jubilee Auditorium from May 12–14. Photo courtesy Alberta Ballet.
Festivals & Special Events
Mas Band Launch | May 14
Cariwest, Edmonton’s largest Caribbean arts festival, is set to return this August! Get into the Cariwest Spirit at the Mas Band Launch, your chance to get up close with this year’s vibrant, colourful Mas Band costumes. The event will also feature cocktails and a live DJ, all within the tropical setting of the Muttart Conservatory.
International Women’s Day Women + Wealth Gala | May 14
Featuring guest speakers including Shayla Stonechild, Kristina Botelho, and comedy legend Catherine O’Hara, this gala in support of the Canadian Women’s Foundation celebrates the empowerment and achievements of women across Edmonton and beyond.
Hazeldean May Market | May 14
This free indoor/outdoor market at Hazeldean Community League features local vendors, food trucks, live music, and more! Donations to the Edmonton Food Bank are also being accepted.
Stars on Ice | May 15
Stars on Ice is back! Don’t miss your chance to see some of the world’s best figure skaters as they take to the ice at Rogers Arena for a one-of-a-kind spectacle of grace, athleticism, and artistic prowess. This year’s lineup includes world champion Kurt Browning, Olympic gold medalist Kaetlyn Osmond, and award-winning ice dancers Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje.
Edmonton Jewish Film Festival | Until May 18
This annual festival features a lineup of short- and feature-length films by Jewish filmmakers across the world. Explore politics, history, friendship, and more through a distinctly Jewish perspective. This year’s lineup is available to view for free online, in addition to two in-person showings at the Stanley A. Milner Library.
Family Events
Nature Connects with LEGO | On Now
Bring the family to the Edmonton Valley Zoo to see Nature Connects, the award-winning exhibition featuring fantastical LEGO creations! These gravity-defying, larger-than life sculptures include bonsai trees, hummingbirds, and more.
Edmonton Bike Swap | May 14
With warmer weather comes the start of cycling season—and the return of the Edmonton Bike Swap! Cyclists can buy, sell, or donate bikes, with half of all profits going to local non-profits.
Spring Trail Cleanup with the RVA | May 14
Join the River Valley Alliance’s cleanup of the trails at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park! Give back to the community while enjoying the spring weather as you get the trails ready for summer fun. Register ahead of time to ensure enough cleanup kits for everyone.
Enter a world of fantastical LEGO creations at Nature Connects, on now at the Edmonton Valley Zoo! Photo courtesy Sean Kenney.
Concerts & Music
Cowboy Celtic Meets the ESO | May 12–14
Celebrate the Old World and New World sounds that gave rise to today’s country and western music at this unique concert experience! Alberta’s own Cowboy Celtic is teaming up with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to present an evening of haunting harmonies and toe-tapping melodies at the Winspear Centre.
Hey Viola! | May 13–14
Enter the world of businesswoman and civil rights trailblazer Viola Desmond in Hey, Viola!, part of Citadel Theatre’s 2022 House Series. Part historical tribute, part cabaret, the show features iconic songs from the era while exploring how one woman’s brave act played an enormous role in the fight to end systemic racism in Canada.
Opus@12 Concert for Ukraine | May 14
This concert in support of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) will see the Opus@12 Chamber Concert Society performing a variety of works by Couperin, Karolic, Küffner, Kummer, Mancini, Verbytsky and others, as well as “Prayer for Ukraine” by Lynsenko. The concert will take place at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037–84 Ave.
k.burwash — Decomposing | May 14
Head to the CO*Lab Community Arts Laboratory to immerse yourself in the ambient, ever-changing synthesizer soundscapes of local artist and musician k.burwash. Melodies are actively reconfigured, eroded, and reimagined, creating a unique ‘ecosystem’ with each performance.
5 Artists 1 Love Concert | May 15
Originally scheduled for February, the annual 5 Artist 1 Love concert returns to the Winspear Centre with an evening of music, dance, and poetry that celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the African diaspora in Edmonton. 50/50 and raffle tickets will also be available in support of Autism Edmonton.
On Stage
Alberta Ballet’s Cinderella | May 12–14
The beloved fairytale returns to the stage as Alberta Ballet’s final production of the 2021/2022 season. Inspired by Charles Perreault’s 1697 version of the story, Cinderella tells the tale of a young girl overcoming great odds and finding true love with the power of an optimistic spirit and a magical pair of shoes.
Tell Us What Happened | May 12–22
Don’t miss this highly-anticipated world premiere! Tell Us What Happened, a recipient of the Alberta Playwriting Competition’s Novitiate Prize, is a fast-paced drama exploring friendships, the internet, and what we know (or don’t know) about those close to us.
Eric Johnston: Run With the Bull Comedy Tour | May 13 & 15
Canadian comedian, emcee, and actor Eric Johnston is bringing his high-energy comedy show to Edmonton for two laugh-out-loud performances! See him live at The Rec Room South Edmonton on May 13 and at Campio Brewing Co. on May 15.
The Clairvoyants | May 14
Award-winning magicians Van Tass and Thommy Ten have been wowing audiences across the world for over a decade, and now they’re bringing their brand-new live show to River Cree Casino! The show will feature all-new tricks guaranteed to dazzle and surprise. With plenty of opportunities for audience involvement, you can be a part of the magic!
Art Shows & Exhibits
Miyotamon Nananis. It is a good road in all directions. | On Now
Inspired by the oral histories passed down from her grandmothers, as well as the knowledge of elders, scholars, and historians, artist Heather Shillinglaw creates multimedia pieces that weave together aerial views of the landscape with family recollections for a unique representation of the world. See the exhibit at the Alberta Craft Council Gallery.
Water-Wise, River Breath: Reframing Design’s Role with Water | On Now
Curated by architect Wanda DallaCosta and artist Lana Whiskeyjack, both members of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, this powerful exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta explores inequalities and injustices in the management of water, and the very nature of water as a resource. The exhibit also brings to the fore a plurality of voices that have long since been excluded from this discourse.
Looking for even MORE to see and do this weekend? Check out our events listings, or take a deep dive into the local makers’ scene in our new May-June issue!
