May 1
Surprisingly, we haven’t heard Edify’s resident metal fan Steven Sandor talk about going to metal icon Megadeth’s show for its Crush the World Tour (perhaps his thrashing days are over?). But you should still see them at the Edmonton Convention Centre, because it might not still be standing by the end of the show. (Ed. note: Do you know how many times I’ve seen Megadeth?)
May 3
Arturo Gatti was a world champion boxer known to take rounds of pugilistic punishment before rising from the canvas and beating his opponents like some feral zombie. His story was a fable of the Canadian boxing canon that ended in his mysterious 2009 death. But now, a new true-crime documentary from director Guillaume Carlier seeks to unravel the mystery behind this death and will explore a narrative about Arturo that changes everything. Thunder: The Life and Death of Arturo Gatti will make its Edmonton Premiere this month at Metro Cinema.
May 4 and 6
It’s been said you can’t un-hear Beethoven’s 9th, so if you’ve never heard it live, now’s your chance, as Michael Stern conducts An Ode to Joy at the Winspear. A powerful message of peace, the performance will also feature pieces from Canadian Vivian Fung and American Jessie Montgomery.
May 4 to 14
Canada’s longest running documentary film festival is back as Northwestfest plays at The Metro Cinema. Having premiered past films like Hired Gun and SpiderMable, it will tell informative stories in entertaining fashion at one of Edmonton’s oldest and most beloved theatres.
May 5 and 6
Ballet Edmonton closes out its season with two works commissioned with the Victoria Symphony and Dance Victoria at Triffo Theatre. Le loup de Lafontaine features music from Toronto composer Ian Cusson, while Le Quattro is set to Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”
May 5 to 7
Get textile at Edmonton Expo Centre with artists from across Canada hosting workshops in macrame, knitting, embroidery, beading and all things wool. Whether you want to start a new hobby or pick up some one-of-a-kind crafts, this thread won’t lead you astray.
May 5 to 7
Over 130 crafty makers of things will be lining the yellow brick behemoth for Signatures’ Butterdome Craft Sale. You never know what to expect at this one — whether it’s beaded bracelets, hand-smithed metalwork (custom-forged daggers, anyone?), there’s always something to pique your interest at this market.
May 5 to October 10
This month, people will line up for blocks (Lego ones) for the world’s largest display of Lego brick art. Over 100 works from artist Nathan Sawaya will be displayed at Telus World of Science, including brick re-creations of Michelangelo’s “David,” Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and even a 20-foot T-rex skeleton. Don’t miss out on this blockbuster.
May 6
Free comic book day is the first Saturday of May every year, and in the wake of a pandemic and Wizards Comics in Garneau closing, it’s more important than ever to get out there and support local purveyors of Nerd-dom. What does free comic book day entail? It’s in the name: Independent comic book stores across the city will give out free copies of special-issue comics to anyone who drops by. We’re going to check out Rolling Tales to get in on the superhero action.
May 6 to 28
How does a 2007 viral YouTube video of 1,500 dancing inmates in a Philippines prison end up as a musical? That answer comes from the dramatic genius of Filipino-Canadian creators Romeo Candido and Carmen De Jesus. Prison Dancer is a humorous and lively show that will bring some conviction to The Citadel Theatre.
Until May 7
This month, the world’s largest dino event brings wild family adventures to the Edmonton Expo Centre. Jurassic Quest features a number of exciting pre-historic exhibits, including ancient ocean dwellers and a life-size, 15-metre-long Megladon! Sink your teeth into some adventure before these terrible lizards skip town.
May 7 to 18
Engage with a wealth of diverse Jewish culture and representation through several days of films across different Edmonton venues. The festival gives insight into a vibrant community as well as some filmmaking excellence for Edify film buffs. The festival includes Reel Q and As with filmmakers, which will allow you to meet the creative minds behind the movies.
May 9 to 13
Volleyball Canada brings the ParaVolley PanAmerica Zonal Championship to Edmonton. This event will be a sitting volleyball Paris 2024 Paralympic qualifier and give the women’s sitting volleyball national team (based out of Edmonton) a chance to serve and set in front of their home crowd. The Saville Community Sports Centre will be booming with Paravolleyball action, so make sure to go and support our Paralympic Athletes.
May 12
The Chvrch of John brings another world-class DJ to rock the Edmonton crowd. London-based house artist Joshwa has quickly risen among the ranks and brings his world tour to town in May. Along with Joshwa will be guests David Stone, Rise of the Jellyfish & Navasia.
Until May 13
Based on their real-life courtship and marriage, Matthew MacKenzie and Mariya Khomutova share First Métis Man of Odesa at the Citadel. With the COVID pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine as a backdrop, the award-winning couple tell their super-current story of life and love.
May 13
Lively up yourself in Old Strathcona at the Reggae Up North street concert featuring Jamaican artists EarthKry and RikJam. Along with copacetic tunes, there will also be Caribbean street eats, merchandise and certified good vibrations.
May 13
The Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation has its annual Teddy Bear Fun Fest this May. It includes a five-km run/walk around Rundle Park and a series of activities, festivities, food and drink. This event is fit for the whole family and helps give back to an organization that gives so much.
May 16
Meet the innovators from our May innovation issue and get inside information on the things that matter to you. This panel, moderated by Real Talk host, Ryan Jespersen, will give insight into topics such as ethical AI, kind divorce, and a sleep device that will give you peace of mind. Get your early bird tickets now.
May 19
While the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is often home to the old classics of music, this event will focus on something different — the new. A collection of young orchestral composers will make their debut plunge into Winspear’s hallowed halls with Dark Patterns, a performance exploring innovative movements and structures in a timeless form.
May 19 to 20
Sashay away to Evolution Wonderlounge to see a member of drag race royalty bring her class and sass to the runway. Lady Camden, a runner-up for RuPaul’s Drag Race (s14), will perform May long weekend along with Colin Bae, Divinity of Angel, El Rey del Sol, and Romulus.
May 23 to 26
Concerned about AI? Worried about losing out to new robot overlords? Take these new tech developments into your own hands and learn more about AI from expert keynote speakers and industry professionals curated by Amii. Building off last year’s success, Upperbound 2023 is poised to be Canada’s largest convergence of AI researchers and professionals. Register for some of the free community-hosted events, or buy a ticket to engage with the keynotes and talent mixer.
May 25
Campio Brewing and House of Hush Burlesque partner to provide a new kind of boudoir beer experience by pairing five performers with Campio’s own signature brews for a frothy full-bodied burlesque show.
May 25
The folks from The Common are putting a bunch of kegs from Blindman Brewing and Irrational Brewing in the High-Level Bridge Streetcar for an extremely Edmonton experience over the North Saskatchewan. The Street Car Cask Parties are back and set to run several times featuring different breweries from May till October.
May 26
The rising rock band Brass Camel will caravan into The Starlite Room this month. Its sound is like Rush, Yes and Led Zeppelin had a run-in with the James Brown band in a Vancouver basement, a mish-mash that is true to the name of its hit single, “Pressure Cooker.” Funky, eclectic, experimental and a bit wacky, the band is sure to rock the house and turn some heads.
May 26 to May 27
It’s time to paint Borden Park blue and yellow for UFest Edmonton Ukranian Festival. The best part is the entrance to the festival grounds is as free and welcoming as your Baba’s home cooking. Speaking of cooking, the festival is littered with delicious traditional Ukrainian food, as well as music, dance, and games.
