Lindork’s Lists #239 – Haunted Houses, Stony Plain Road Dining Week, Queer History Month & MORE!
Newsletter for October 2 – 8, 2024
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Things to Do This Week
Kick off Edmonton Queer History Month (various locations)
October is Edmonton Queer History Month and there’s a bunch of activities throughout the month to celebrate and recognize the history, culture and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The kick-off event is Saturday, Oct. 5 and there are art exhibits, documentary screenings, panel discussions, and more throughout October. It might be a great month for you to go on a self-guided tour to experience the Edmonton Queer History Project.
There’s also a new 6-part series called Coming Home, a documentary about queer and trans joy from Edmontonian Elli McDine that has premiered on TELUS Optik TV + STORYHIVE on YouTube! Catch new episodes Tuesdays.
Don’t miss the final week of the Edmonton International Film Festival
Find Edmonton International Film Festival flicks showing at Landmark Cinemas (City Centre), the IMAX Theatre at TELUS World of Science, and Metro Cinema at Garneau, daily until Oct. 5.
Check out the Harvest Book Fair (9840 Jasper Ave.)
Hungry Zine is hosting its second annual Harvest Book Fair on Oct. 5 & 6 at the CKUA building in downtown Edmonton featuring some of your favourite local book sellers.
Day trip up to the Smoky Lake Great White North Pumpkin Fair (Smoky Lake)
The annual Smoky Lake Great White North Pumpkin Fair is back on Saturday, Oct. 5 with the famous giant pumpkin weigh-offs plus farmers market, corn maze, midway, vendors and more. A cute autumn time. New this year wristbands. Check the schedule and admission details before you head up (it’s about a 1.5 hour drive from Edmonton centre).
Here’s a few arts-focused events you might be interested in…
There’s a board game fundraiser Gamealot happening this weekend Oct. 4-6, raising money for the Veterans Association Food Bank of Alberta.
The closing reception for What We Carry Chinatown exhibit curated by Jordon Hon and Shawn Tse is on Friday, Oct. 4.
Register for a Ribbon Pant-making workshop at the Michif Cultural Connection Society on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Felice Cafe is hosting “A Night of Obliquity” on Saturday, Oct. 5 with open mic, trivia and arts activities featuring local artists and healthcare workers.
It’s the final weekend to catch The Invisible at Catalyst Theatre, a story about seven remarkable women on a daring mission during World War II. I saw this a few years ago and it was excellent!
Edmonton’s Art Battle Season Opener is this Saturday, Oct. 5 featuring 12 artists going head-to-head in a three-round art challenge. You get to play judge and cast your vote for one champion!
Here’s this week’s selections for Halloween activities:
The Strathcona County Museum & Archives is hosting Mystery at the Museum activities throughout October including daily experiences and two big events Oct. 17 and Oct. 26.
Halloween Jacks is a series of immersive and interactive, family-friendly Halloween-themed rooms that starts this Friday Oct. 4 through Oct. 31.
Kiwi’s Haunted House starts this weekend and runs every weekend in Oct.
The seventh year of DARK at Fort Edmonton Park begins this weekend Oct. 4 and runs until Nov. 2. There will be spooky beats, local food, unlimited scares and two new haunts at Edmonton’s Halloween Festival.
The Original Edmonton Witches Market (Halloween Edition) runs this Saturday & Sunday Oct. 5 & 6.
Check out Mount Pleasant Cemetery Tours taking place this Sunday Oct. 6 and Sunday Oct. 13.
Frankie Freako is playing at Metro Cinema / Garneau Oct. 6, 7 and 10.
PLUS ONGOING HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES:
Got an Edmonton area event, virtual event, or something coming up you think my readers would be interested in knowing about? Let me know!
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Food to Try This Week!
Take part in the inaugural Stony Plain Road Dining Week
The first Stony Plain Road Dining Week kicks off Oct. 3 until 12 and features 18 food specials including dine-in and take-out options from eateries like Lobster Mobsters, Odd Burger, Little Village, Leopard Pizza, Zula and more! Check out the menus and plan your meals to support many businesses currently facing LRT construction challenges.
Place your orders to local butchers and producers for Thanksgiving
Check out this Thanksgiving round-up from The Tomato with a few suggestions for where to grab a local turkey or ham. Lots of great options to choose from including Popowich Meat Company, The Butchery by RGE RD, Meuwly’s and more. I am partial to the easy holiday take-home meal options from Sunterra Market or A Cappella Catering’s Thanksgiving Take & Bake and there are some local restaurants doing Thanksgiving meals too like the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald or the High Level Diner. Check order deadlines to avoid disappointment!
Get the guac and lunch special from Añejo Restaurant (11954 104 Ave.)
My friends have been raving about Añejo Restaurant since it opened earlier this year and I finally tried it last week and really enjoyed the food, vibe and service. They have a $15 lunch special which gets you two classic tacos of your choice plus some chips and guac and a drink, and we also enjoyed our standalone order of chips and guacamole + queso fundido, both of which they mix at the table. The tacos were fine not the best but I did enjoy all the other things we tried lol. They also have a year-round roof top patio—different vibes from the main floor but much better lighting lol. Enjoy!
Get the tacos from Carne Asada (10508 Jasper Ave.)
On the topic of tacos, subscriber Shereen had this glowing recommendation for local Mexican taqueria Carne Asada in downtown Edmonton:
“Maybe my favourite tacos in the city are from Carne Asada! I get steak asada with cheese and then sautéed onion, green pepper, pineapple and lime. The cheese is delicious and melty! They make very good tacos. Just note it’s a tiny space so it’s good for a quick lunch to go.”
Try the pasta from Porta Romana (420 King St., Spruce Grove)
In Spruce Grove one of our favourite restaurants is Porta Romana, an authentic and delicious, family-run Italian restaurant. I love their Fettuccine Montanara (bacon, ragu sauce, mushrooms, blue cheese, truffle oil with handmade fettuccine), and Mike always gets the lasagna. Our baby Benjimin also goes absolutely feral for their spaghetti alla bolognese lol. And they have excellent bruschetta!
And here’s a few food events you may be interested in…
Plan to try Stony Plain Road’s first Dining Week Oct 3-12.
There’s a YEG Foodies Festival from Oct. 4-6.
Metis Crossing is hosting a Pumpkin Fair Kitchen Party on Oct. 5.
Take part in the League of Extraordinary Lagers on until Oct. 9.
Try the ‘haunting cocktails’ at the Black Lagoon Pop-up taking place at Dolly’s Cocktails from Oct. 9 – Nov. 3.
Canada’s Great Kitchen Party is on Oct. 10.
Don’t miss the final few nights for The Common’s Street Car Cask series of summer drink + ride events. Each Thursday until Oct 10.
The Edmonton Public Library’s Gala: Books + Cooks is Oct. 19.
There’s an Oktoberfest party on Oct. 19 in Sherwood Park.
Ate something amazing recently? Want to show some love to a struggling restaurant? Have a take-out suggestion? Let me know to include in this newsletter.
Old Dutch Anniversary Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations to Jennifer J., the winner of my Old Dutch 70th Anniversary Giveaway! The iconic Canadian chip brand started in Winnipeg, Manitoba back in 1954 and continues to be a leader in the snack food industry today. Thanks to subscribers who shared their Old Dutch memories with me throughout the week, some of your stories were so heartwarming! Lots of core family memories happened around Old Dutch chips. Love that. Jennifer wins a special anniversary tin + chips prize pack.
Edmonton Elks Game Tickets Giveaway
This week I am also giving away a pair of tickets to the Edmonton Elks home game this Saturday, October 5 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders! The game starts at 5 p.m. and the Game Theme for the evening is ‘Hollywood Night!’ so fans are invited to walk the red carpet and strike a pose as you enter the stadium at Gate 2.
This giveaway is just for newsletter subscribers.
#EdmontonElks_Partner
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Get 20% off regular price items at Bamboo Ballroom using code LINDORK20.
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See all current discount codes on my blog!
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Popular on my Blog Right Now
Here are the top four most popular posts on my blog this week:
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