Openings, closings, and events you can’t afford to miss.
4.5 Foot Pizza – for a cause!
Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria, the makers of the world record-breaking 54” x 54” (1.37 meters) Giant Sicilian pizza, are opening their very first Canadian location here in Edmonton.
Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria CEO and Founder Aro Agakhanyan, told Info Edmonton that “We are thrilled to be opening our first Canadian operations in Edmonton. The city’s demographics, affordability, eating habits, and even the presence of the Edmonton mall were factors in selecting Edmonton to introduce BMPP to Canada.”
Better still, Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria have partnered with The Jordana’s Rainbows Foundation, which helps enrich the lives of children battling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). One dollar from every pizza slice sold will be donated to the Foundation.
Check out Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria’s Egg Gondola Pizza. It’s unique!
Go Golfing
On April 17th, the city-run golf courses opened for the 2024 season. The City encourages everyone to enjoy some of the best greens and views in Edmonton.
Play at Victoria Golf Course, Canada’s oldest municipal golf course, Riverside Golf Course, a challenging 18-hole course in the heart of Edmonton’s River Valley, and Rundle Golf Course, too. All three courses have food and beverage services offered by The Greenhouse YEG.
Farewell The Marc’s Patrick Saurette
The Marc, which has been providing casual French bistro fare to downtown diners since 2010, has been sold to The Butternut Tree. The Marc’s owner, Patrick Saurette, is retiring at the end of the month. When we spoke to him about the impedning retirement, Patrick said, “Retirement from Hospitality yes. It is a young person’s game. Doris and I look forward to discovering what we want to do in the next phase of vitality, after the honeymoon of travel and honey-do lists become tiresome. It’s been a great ride.”
With the warmer weather now upon us, take this (possibly) last opportunity to enjoy The Marc’s Alberta Crepe, with its delicious Sauce Bernaise, on their tree-shaded patio.
Events for this weekend!
Festivals
Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival | Saturday & Sunday
This year’s festival has over 40 films, filmmaker panels, an animation workshop and more. Each film was selected by a jury from over 200 entries. There are documentaries, shorts, features, animations, and films from seasoned professionals and first time directors. The films hail from all over the world including: Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Chile, Japan, and for the first time, Iran. DIIFF will once again have both in person and online screenings.
Alberta Spirits and Cocktails Festival | Saturday
One of the earliest of the summer festivals! Sample exquisite whiskys, gins, vodkas, liqueurs, and more, while indulging on savory bites prepared by local restaurateurs. Discover new award-winning spirits and learn how to use them in crowd-pleasing cocktails that will amaze your friends. Top it all off with live music, flair bartending shows and fireside chats with master distillers.
Edmonton Poetry Festival | Saturday and Sunday
The festival begins before the weekend and continues until Sunday. For the prose lovers, a dozen events across the city will challenge and inspire, as special guests join local poets. You can come to listen or share your work at an open mic. Learn in workshops. Check their site for details on locations.
Art Exhibitions
Varying Visions Exhibition Opening Reception | Saturday
One of many new art exhibiltions, this weekend. The Bugera Matheson Gallery presents the landscapes of Jim Visser, who has a deep love of the land.
All Guts, No Glory Art Exhibit | Saturday & Sunday
Harcourt House presents a new exhibition of the most recent and compelling works by Krissya Iraheta, an emerging American-born and Edmonton-based interdisciplinary visual artists. An exploration of lost innocence and resilience in the darkest of times. Iraheta brings together themes of trauma, religion, sexuality, interiority, and the harsh struggle to suppress vulnerability in order to survive.
Panoramada Art Exhibit | Saturday & Sunday
Also for its first weekend, visit the exquisitely executed body of textile works by Caitlin Thompson, a Calgary-based textile and multimedia artist and art educator. Colorful needleworks incorporating embroidery, appliqué, and repeating patterns, the natural and the digital collide in imagery of landscapes, made both by hand and with machine.
Here & Now Exhibit | Saturday & Sunday
Discover Alberta’s unique cultural heritage through Albertan artists. Here & Now showcases 12 Alberta artists whose work was recently acquired for the AFA’s collection. Explore themes of identity, dis/ability, female strength, and human impacts on the land. Presented by the Royal Alberta Museum.
Concerts & Plays
The Best is Yet to Come: Dusk sings Bennett | Saturday
Platinum award-winning crooner Matt Dusk pays homage to the legendary Tony Bennett. Renowned for his remarkable vocal range and talent, Dusk brings to life the essence of Bennett’s style and honors his musical legacy with classic hits such as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “The Good Life.”
Celeigh Cardinal with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra | Saturday
Edmonton’s JUNO award-winning, Metis soul-folk singer/songwriter, Celeigh Cardinal, whom we featured in our most recent edition of the magazine, brings humour, passion, and endless energy to the stage. Hear her hits, including “Set Yourself Free,” “Wandering River,” and “When All Is Said and Done,” as well as her favourite pop classics.
The Three Musketeers | Saturday and Sunday
Adapted by Catherine Bush from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, and directed by Daryl Cloran, this is a swashbuckling adventure for the whole family! Newly arrived in Paris, with the skill of a swordsman and the heart of a warrior, D’artagnan wishes to join the renowned Musketeers, but first he must prove himself worthy. To win the heart of Constance and save king and country he sets off with the Musketeers to thwart a plot by the evil Cardinal Richelieu. Together, they’ll fight All For One and One For All!
Tiny Beautiful Things | Saturday & Sunday
The Varscona Theatre presents a play about anonymous online columnist “Sugar,” who receives thousands of letters asking for advice, and with her own particular brand of brutal honesty and incisive empathy, helps those seeking guidance with life’s obstacles both large and small. Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things is a luminous play that personifies the unfathomable questions that are at the heart of being human.
Canaanite Inscriptions | Sunday
Embark on a soul-stirring journey through the ancient cradle of civilization. An enchanting evening dedicated to the heart of the Arab world. Canaanite Inscriptions is more than a concert; it’s a celebration of the land that has witnessed the footsteps of prophets, a land of miracles, and a source of spiritual enlightenment. Experience the magic of a musical odyssey that transcends time.
Family Fun
Kids Day at SNAP | Saturday
SNAP is dedicating a whole day to their littlest patrons and their families. Activities include Silkscreen printing, Letterpress cards, Colouring, Button-making and Snacks from local businesses.
Springfest | Saturday
Over a dozen Manning Town Centre tenants are giving away free samples and coupons. The Canadian Brewhouse Food Truck will be on-site, and attendees can enjoy free goodie bags, a bouncy castle, airbrush tattoos, a balloon artist, games, and a dog adoption event in partnership with New Chapter Animal Rescue and Canadian Tire.
Canadian Independent Bookstore Day | Saturday
Visit your local indie bookstore on Saturday and appreciate the value indie booksellers provide their communities, from culture and art, to creating safe spaces for all. Experience the vitality and welcoming atmosphere of local businesses that genuinely care about the communities they are a part of. Check Indie Bookstores to find the nearst store to you.
Jurassic Quest | Saturday & Sunday
An immersive event featuring over 165 million years worth of life-size dinosaurs that move and roar! North America’s largest animatronic dinosaur exhibit with a whole herd of life size realistic dinosaurs and activities for the whole family!
The Oilers vs L.A. Kings Road Game Watch Party | Sunday
The fourth game in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, where the Oilers and L.A. Kings face off perhaps for the last time this season. Fans can watch the road game in Rogers Place, or in the ICE District Plaza, at the Ford Tailgate Party. Programming will include a DJ, appearances from team mascot Hunter, Edmonton Oilers alumni appearances and signings, and the game on the big screen.
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With May rapidly approaching, next week, we will check out the earliest of the summer festivals happening next month – so that you can plan ahead!
For more events happening this weekend, check our Events Listings.
