Until April 2
Whether you possess a good fortune or are in want of a wife, you’ll be thoroughly enthralled with Citadel Theatre’s production of Pride and Prejudice. In a modern take on Jane Austen’s most famous and timeless work, Elizabeth Bennet navigates the contemporary world, her sisters and her mother, while the arrival of Mr. Darcy makes her question some of her long-held beliefs on matrimony.
Until April 2
A young server experiences the most harrowing shift of her life in All The Little Animals I have Eaten. Written by award-winning playwright Karen Hines, the show gives a biting take on capitalism, consumption, the commodification of feminism and the increasingly unattainable dream of getting a piece of the real estate pie.
April 1
Coaching While Black tells the story of Don “Tex” Phillips who, after a career in American college basketball, ended up coaching in Edmonton — first at Paul Kane High School, then at NAIT. His teams found incredible success, including back-t0-back ACAC championships, before being let go — but not before changing the recruitment process of college sports for years to come. Watch the film at Metro Cinema, then stay for a Q and A with Phillips and director Alex Eskandarkhah.
April 1
The only April fools will be the ones on stage giving advice at Evolution Wonderlounge for the April Fool’s edition of All the King’s Men: Mansplaining with Drag Kings. The goofy, well-meaning boys will answer your questions about love and life with just the right amount of self-unawareness.
April 1 and 2
Harcourt House welcomes people with all levels of drawing experience to take part in its Weekend with the Model sessions. Four models will pose over two days and Harcourt will provide the easels, tables and chairs. All you need to bring are drawing materials and your creative flair.
April 1
Canadian Chaos Black Metal extremists REVENGE attack the Starlite Room stage with songs from its new album, Strike.Smother.Dehumanize. The band, which holds “contempt for the enslaved modern man that feeds at the trough of mediocrity with every waking breath” is sure to put on a lovely show.
April 1
Do you like drawing, but hate that you aren’t competing against someone else when you do? Or, are you unable to draw, but want to put the people who can in their place? Casino Yellowhead’s Art Battle has you covered either way. You can either join the high-speed, three-round battle to create your best work, or sit on the sideline and judge those who do. Either way, a fun night of creative competition will be had.
April 2
What makes a kids’ band…a kids’ band? A juvenile name helps, and Koo Koo Kanga Roo certainly has that (if you ignore the initialism of their name). But this American (?) comedy duo wants to change the idea of what a kids’ band can do (and sound like), and they’ll prove it at the Starlite Room with raps and hooks and songs from their pandemic-produced album, Slow Clap.
April 3
You know that thing, where you read Edify’s Best Restaurants issue and the food pictures look so good you start licking the pages because you can’t get to all the restaurants as soon as you want? Well now you can sample food from the fine establishments participating in our Best Restaurants event. There will be tacos, smoked tofu, ahi tuna and at least two types of tartare (elk and bison). We might even have clean copies of the issue available.
April 6
It’s been over five years since Canada lost Gord Downie, but his music and words live on, and you can get a taste of his live performances thanks to The Incredibly Hip, who will pay tribute to Canada’s most beloved rock band at the River Cree.
April 7 and 8
Spring is starting… or at least winter is (almost) ending. And that means outdoor music is back with Downtown Defrost, two days of sweet, springtime sounds at Louise McKinney Park (for the family friendly daytime songs) and the Starlite Room (for the afterparty).
Until April 8
Tired of going to dinner theatre without your kids? Probably not. But Jubilations Dinner Theatre has a show and meal made just for them, so they (probably) won’t roll their eyes when you tell them you’re taking them to The Mighty Shrek.
April 11
There are magical, musical things happening at MacEwan University’s Conservatory of Music, especially its inaugural series of performances with the Garneau String Quartet. Students will take what they’ve learned from the quartet and, along with guest artists (and the quartet), perform on stage at Muttart Hall.
Until April 12
The Society of Northern Alberta Print-artists (SNAP) isn’t exclusive to experienced printers. In fact, no experience is necessary for the artist-run centre’s Introduction to Printmaking. The six-week Print Sampler course (taught by Andrew Thorne) will give introductory instruction on Intaglio, Relief and Silkscreen techniques and send you off with three final projects of your own.
Until April 16
Wiletta Mayer just wants to perform, but she’s a Black actress in 1957 New York, so racial biases and tensions rise, even at rehearsal. The Citadel Theatre’s production of Trouble In Mind explores the explicit racism in the New York theatre scene from over a half century ago, in a comedy-drama that’s sadly all too relevant to today.
All month long
The City of Edmonton’s Play Rangers will host outdoor recreational activities for kids of all ages, including snowshoeing, fire building and everybody’s favourite, fort building (assuming there’s enough snow). And the best part is it’s free!
Until April 12
As you walk through the shadow of the valley of the North Saskatchewan river, you’ll take a look at your trek and…realize you might not be alone. At least that’s the case if you take Fort Edmonton Park’s Paranormal Tour, featuring haunted hotspots and the techie tools needed to detect the haunters. (Note: there’s no guarantee of spooky encounters, but if you talk to a ghost under the Quesnell Bridge, ask if they’ve seen my earbuds from sometime last fall.)
April 15
We’ve always thought the one thing missing from libraries is punk rock music — leave it to Stanley A. Milner to grant our wish. Milner After Dark, featuring Shannon and the Clams, will turn the downtown library into a (giant, beautiful) underground garage with great music, tasty bites, interactive activities and aerialist performances by Firefly Theatre. Is there anything the Milner can’t do?
April 17 to 29
The young stars of tomorrow will be out in full vocal force as student musicians and actors will take stages across the city for the 115th Annual Edmonton Music & Speech Arts Festival (formerly known as the Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival). Be one of the first to give these talented young people their first standing ovations.
April 19 to 29
Grindstone Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which tells the story of a group of kids who try to spell (mostly real) words in between telling hilariously touching stories from their home lives without hearing the disqualifying ding of the bell. Six spellers enter. One leaves a champion. No one looks cool.
April 22 to 23
The city’s greatest makers wont just share their works at the Edmonton Makers Market and Convention, they’ll show you how to make stuff too, with panels, presentations and live demos. It’ll be a great two-day learning experience taught by people who know how to get things done.
April 22 to May 13
Married couple Matt and Mariya take the Citadel stage for First Métis Man of Odesa, a celebration of the Ukrainian-Canadian connection told through this beautiful love story.
April 23
MacEwan University Conservatory’s Jazz ensembles will leave school and head straight to the Yardbird Suite stage for their Big Band and Jazz Combo concert. The Jazz Combo will keep things smooth until the Big Band blows everything up (in a good way), playing new works from local composers Stephanie Urquhart and Allan Gilliland as well as classics from Sammy Nestico, Gordon Goodwin, Bob Mintzer and Frank Mantooth.
April 28 to May 7
Dinosaurs will crash the Expo Centre as the world’s largest dino event comes to town. Jurassic Quest features life-sized, animatronic exhibits of ancient apex predators and ocean dwellers like the Megalodon and T-Rex, plus all kinds of interactive adventures and activities. The only thing missing is a smug Jeff Goldblum.
April 29
The Rock and Roll Society is going back to where it all started — a hall party at Hazeldean Hall — to fundraise for its Centre for Arts and Music program, which helps youths in vulnerable communities find their grooves. The Flying Saucers and chillfactor will provide the tunes, you provide the applause and funds for a great cause.
