Lindork’s Lists #260 – Poetry Fest, Science Olympics, Buck-a-Shuck & MORE!
Newsletter for April 2-8, 2025
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Things to Do This Week
Celebrate 20 years of the Edmonton Poetry Festival (various locations)
The 20th anniversary of the Edmonton Poetry Festival kicks off this week with activities happening at various venues throughout April. Check out the full line-up including FREE Open Mics, Comedy Poetry, Improv, and more!
Celebrate 17 years of ETOWN SALSA (8115 Gateway Blvd.)
ETOWN SALSA Latin Dance Studio is throwing a party for its 17-year birthday. Get tickets to ETOWN Salsa – Celebrating 17 Years on Friday, April 4 at EPIC Market in Old Strathcona. The party includes food, cocktails, dance lessons, DJs and more.
Experience the Science Olympics (University of Alberta Butterdome)
The APEGA Science Olympics for Grade 12-12 students is in Edmonton on Saturday, April 5 at the Butterdome (U of A). This event typically sees more than 2,000 participants and 3,000 spectactors (coud be you).
Check out the 45th Annual Orchid Fair (101 Riel Dr. St. Albert)
The Orchid Fair returns for their 45th year from April 4-6 at The Enjoy Centre in St. Albert. Get your ticket and spend the day walking through 15,000 square feet of stunning orchid displays, visit and shop vendors, participate in hands-on demos, and see rare blooms from around the world.
Here are a few artsy events you might be interested in this weekend:
Rapid Fire Theatre’s annual BONFIRE festival runs April 3-5.
Edmonton Tattoo & Arts Festival runs April 4-6 at Edmonton EXPO Centre.
There’s not many seats left for Runaway – A Bon Jovi Tribute show at Pure Casino Yellowhead on Friday, April 4.
The first-ever ZINE FEST! takes place in Edmonton on Saturday April 5 from 12-4 p.m. at the Stanley A. Milner Library (Downtown).
The next Art Battle competition where artists go head-to-head doing live paintings that audiences vote on is Saturday, April 5.
Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical! is on at Festival Place in Sherwood Park on Saturday, April 5.
Here are a few markets you may want to visit this weekend:
The 11th annual Beaumont Spring Fling Market runs April 5 & 6.
Crafters to the Rafters Spring Market is April 5 & 6 with nearly 100 vendors.
Malla MRKT returns to Kingsway Mall April 5 & 6. The first 20 people in line on either day gets a free tote with swag.
Here are a few other events you may be interested in this week…
You may enjoy this Edmonton show by multi JUNO Award nominee Ndidi Onukwulu on April 4.
Galaxyland Afterdark takes place at West Edmonton Mall on Saturday, April 5. Your ticket include unlimited rides, live DJs, photo booth and vibes.
On April 7 there’s a “Plastics, Health & Action” World Health Day event on at the Garneau Theatre featuring a screening of a documentary about the hidden health risks of microplastic pollution.
PLUS: it’s not until May 9-11, but I’m on the volunteer organizing team for FascinAsian Film Festival – Edmonton and we just announced the festival program and tickets / festival passes are on sale! This inaugural event highlights pan-Asian stories from across Canada and abroad. It should be a pretty amazing weekend full of powerful, inspiring, stories (for everyone!!)
Got an Edmonton area event, virtual event, or something coming up you think my readers would be interested in knowing about? Let me know!
Food to Try This Week!
Try the new Vietnamese/Thai restaurant Nam Siam (9653 107 Ave.)
Last week I hosted a Chinatown Food Crawl that included a stop at Chinatown’s newest Vietnamese/Thai restaurant Nam Siam. Our group sampled a few of their Vietnamese and Thai specialties including papaya salad, pad thai, green curry, crispy Vietnamese chicken on rice, and mango sticky rice. They also specialize in trays, a Nem Nuong (grilled pork) tray and Bo Lui (grilled beef skewer) tray you assemble as an interactive wraps meal. A lovely family owns this restaurant. I am wishing them the best and plan to return to try the specialty wraps!
Check out Boa & Hare’s Soft Opening (10520 97 St.)
The newest cafe + cocktail bar in Chinatown, Boa & Hare, is running their official Soft Opening this week! They are open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Sundays 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Located inside Pacific Mall, try some of their drinks like Strawberry Matcha Lattes and Brazilian Lime-ades. Please show them some love!
Pop into Mr. & Mrs. Singh’s Kitchen (10810 124 St.)
There’s a new Indian restaurant on 124 Street called Mr. & Mrs. Singh’s Kitchen. I think the name is cute! And the menu looks great. I haven’t tried it yet but if you go, let me know how you like it!
Try these Black-owned restaurants in south Edmonton (various locations)
Feed the Soul YEG is starting to put together some guides to help you support Black-owned businesses including a Black-Owned Restaurant Guide to south Edmonton like Irie Foods and Emgees African Restaurant & Bakery. Take a peek and plan a visit!
Take advantage of Buck-a-Shuck oysters all April (Black Pearl Seafood locations)
Black Pearl Seafood Restaurant & Bar is celebrating their 10-year anniversary with Buck-a-Shuck oysters throughout the month of April. This is available at both locations (downtown and Windermere), all day, every day.
Have some fun at Swirl Cafe & Games (6825 177 St.)
This week, my intern Alex recommends you check out Swirl Cafe & Games—especially if you’re into Pokemon! From Alex:
“Recently I’ve really gotten into the hobby of collecting Pokémon cards. So naturally I had to go check out Swirl Cafe & Games. It’s such a fun, welcoming spot. You can trade cards, play games and there’s even a little shop inside to browse and buy cards. There’s also a super cute cafe with Pokémon themed drinks. I ordered the Jiggly Juice, and when asked what was in it, the owner pointed to a Jigglypuff plush and joked, ‘We just squeeze that guy up there.’ The whole experience was so fun, and I highly recommend checking this place out.”
And here are some upcoming food events you may be interested in!
The Chartier Sugar Shack Experience is on April 3.
The final Cafe Bicyclette Sugar Shack Dinners are April 4 & 5.
Freson Bros.’ All You Can Eat Filipino Feast is April 5 & 6.
Edify’s Best Restaurants event is on April 7.
There’s a Dumpling Fest happening on April 9.
There’s a Dungeons & Dragon-themed “Nerdy Night Out” planned for April 11 in Edmonton “where fantasy meets feast.”
Spilt Zero Proof Bar’s next few classes are focused on planning your Mocktail Herb Garden (April 15 & 29)
Edmonton’s International BeerFest is April 18 & 19.
Sorrentino’s Garlic Fest events take place throughout April with a Big Garlic Night on April 17 and a Garlic Stomp Fundraiser on April 26.
Spotlight Cabaret Romeo & Juliet’s Notebook dinner + show runs til May 15.
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.
New Blog Post
BIG LIFE UPDATE IN THE BROWN/HOANG HOUSEHOLD:
After nearly 15 years working in the plumbing and construction industry, my husband Mike Brown, who many of you have come to know and love through our shared adventures online, is switching careers and is now a Realtor!
He’s working with Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate, based out of Spruce Grove but serving the greater Edmonton area! 🏡 I hope you’ll consider Mike in your home buying or selling journey. I think he’s a pretty amazing human and the many qualities why will make him an amazing Realtor too (the construction background helps too!)
(Unfortunately the video is no longer available since Cityline is no longer on air but the blog notes + photos + links should give you a good sense of what the segment was about lol).
Save $$$ with my Discount Codes
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Here’s a few promos you may be interested in…
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Get 10% off cooking classes at Secret Ingredient YEG with my code LINDORK10.
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See all current discount codes on my blog!
As a TELUS Ambassador, if you sign up for TELUS products or services using my referral link / code, I also get some revenue (unfortunately you don’t get a bonus lol).
Popular on my Blog Right Now
Here are the top four most popular posts on my blog this week:
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