Music for this Juno-nominated artist is more than sound, it is about telling stories people can relate to. “The feeling I convey in my music is distinctly Edmontonian,” Ardn says. “I write about the experiences I had growing up here. If you are from this city you will be able to relate.” And he knows he is not the only one, there is much unrecognized talent that people just need to tap into. Ardn thinks this is true for other fields, too. “Edmonton’s food scene is sometimes overlooked,” he says.
Ardn’s newly found obsession is sushi. He says he hated sushi his entire life — until eight months ago when he tried the Mango Fry Makimono at Japonais Bistro. And he could not give it up. It has become his favourite meal. “It’s the balance of flavours,” he says. “You get a little bit of sweetness from the mango and savoury from the rest of the roll.” This smoked salmon, steamed shrimp, avocado and mango dish is worth giving a try. If you believe Ardn, it’s worth challenging your assumptions to try something new.
If there’s anything to be gleaned from this series: we Edmontonians love food and we love being outdoors. When we’re not slurping noodles or lingering over brunch, we’re taking scenic strolls, stopping at dog parks and snapping pictures at river valley vistas. Delve into this year’s list of Edmontonians’ favourite things — with best-loved picks from a variety of noteworthy locals who span the arts, business, sports and non-profit realms — to help build your own summer bucket list. And if you can’t make it beyond your backyard, you can at least follow this foolproof formula and enjoy something tasty in the sunshine.
This article appears in the July/August 2026 issue of Edify
