Shakespeare is back at Hawrelak

Hi Edmonton,

Thursday is doing that classic Edmonton thing where it can't decide if it's spring, summer, or soup.

Friday looks much better, which is good because this weekend is stacked. Shakespeare is back at Hawrelak, jazz is taking over venues around town, and ETS riders may want to check their routes before heading out.

— The Edmonton Edit

⚡ Quick Hits

• EPSB paused international student trips. Families are pushing back.

• ETS summer changes start June 21. Check your route before you go.

• Freewill Shakespeare is back at Hawrelak. That feels like summer.

Thursday is cloudy and a bit wet, with a high around 18°C.

Friday looks like the good one, mostly sunny and 22°C. Saturday cools right down to 14°C with rain, so don't trust patio plans too hard.

No advisory listed.

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Edmonton Public Schools has paused international field trips and student exchanges for the 2026-27 school year.

Students and families are now asking the board to reconsider.

The division posted its formal notice on June 10. It says the pause is tied to political, economic, public health, operational and security concerns around the world.

The pause affects international field trips and exchange-program travel next school year.

Families say the timing has hit planned trips and exchange opportunities. For some students, this is not just a missed vacation. It's a language program, a cultural exchange, or a major school experience they were counting on.

The board said it would consider the pleas from affected students and families.

That's the part worth watching. EPSB could keep the pause, narrow it, or adjust the decision after hearing from families.

The NHL has cleared Mike Babcock to return to coaching.

That means there is no league barrier if the Edmonton Oilers decide to hire him.

The review followed concerns from Babcock's short 2023 run with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Those concerns included allegations around player privacy and cellphone photos.

The NHL found no basis to restrict his employment. The NHLPA said it still had concerns, but accepted the league's decision.

The Oilers have been linked to Babcock while replacing Kris Knoblauch. Babcock has coached Anaheim, Detroit and Toronto, and won the 2008 Stanley Cup with Detroit.

For Edmonton, this would be a huge coaching call.

The team is in win-now mode, and Babcock's past makes this more than a normal hire. The league clearance does not mean the Oilers have hired him. It just means they can move forward if they choose.

City Council approved a $126.6 million net increase to Edmonton's 2023-2026 capital budget.

That brings the total capital budget to $11.56 billion.

The biggest pieces include $66 million for the Southeast Transit Bus Garage, $22.2 million for the northbound Low Level Bridge, and $16 million for the 178 Street over Whitemud Drive bridge.

In plain English, this is infrastructure money. Transit, bridges, repairs, and the kind of work people mostly notice when it causes traffic.

The City is now building the 2027-2030 budget.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/budget-and-finances

ETS summer service changes start June 21.

Many routes across the 1-100, 101-199, 500-599, 700-799 and 900-999 series will see schedule changes.

School special routes in the 600-699 series will be suspended until September, though most will still run June 22 and 23. Route 522 will be cancelled and replaced with On Demand Transit in Capilano and Gold Bar.

Route 701 will also detour to Gateway Boulevard until fall 2026 because of the Summer Streets program.

If you take transit, this is your reminder to check the app before walking to the stop like it's any normal week.

Updated route brochures will be available June 21.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/ets/service-changes

The City has created Beyond Belonging, a safe spaces action plan for 2SLGBTQIA+ Edmontonians.

The plan is shaped by community input from 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and local organizations.

It includes seven core actions around public spaces, hate response, education, communications, City services and representation. The first Beyond Belonging grants have also been awarded to community organizations.

Implementation is listed for 2026-2029.

This turns community feedback into City policy, funding and service changes. Annual public updates are planned through 2029.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/initiatives_innovation/safe-spaces-action-plan

A small Edmonton-based product that makes laundry day a little less annoying.

ToxOut laundry detergent sheets are ultra-concentrated, pre-measured, and made to work in cold, warm, or hot water. No heavy jug. No measuring cup. No sticky detergent mess on the shelf.

Each box is listed for up to 60 loads and comes in recyclable, plastic-free packaging. They're also compatible with HE washers, front-loaders, top-loaders, and commercial laundromats, so they work whether you're doing laundry at home or hauling a basket somewhere else.

Right now, they're listed on Amazon for $12.97.

If you're trying to cut down on bulky plastic jugs and want something easy to store, this is a simple local product worth trying.

👉 Try ToxOut on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Laundry-Detergent-Sheets-Ultra-Concentrated-Compatible/dp/B0G4GFLWSW

🎉 Freewill Shakespeare Festival
Date: June 17 to July 12
Time: Evening performances 7:30 p.m.; select matinees 1:30 p.m.
Location: Heritage Amphitheatre, William Hawrelak Park, 9330 Groat Road NW
Cost: Adults $40, students/seniors $30, 12 and under free. Something Rotten!, adults $50, students/seniors $40, 12 and under free. Select pay-what-you-will performances.

Outdoor theatre is back at Hawrelak Park after the park's long closure. If you missed summer nights in that amphitheatre, this is your sign.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.freewillshakespeare.com/

🎉 Alberta Circus Arts Festival
Date: June 18 to June 21
Time: Varies by show; main festival runs June 18 to 21
Location: La Cité Francophone, 8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury NW
Cost: Free activities plus ticketed shows. Ticketed listings found from about $34.23 to $58.18. Festival pass listings found from $110.24 to $157.10.

Aerialists, acrobats, juggling and stilt walking are taking over the French Quarter. Good pick if you want something active and family-friendly without doing the usual weekend loop.

→ Tickets / Info: https://albertacircusarts.com/

🎉 Game Con Canada
Date: June 19 to June 21
Time: June 19, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. plus after-hours gaming to midnight. June 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. plus after-hours gaming to midnight. June 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre, 7515 118 Avenue NW
Cost: Adult all-access weekend $113.40. Youth all-access weekend $91.53. Child all-access weekend $31.50. Adult single day $47.25. Youth single day $37.80. Child single day $12.60.

This is a full weekend of video games, board games, tabletop games and community programming. The after-hours gaming on Friday and Saturday is probably where the real marathon happens.

→ Tickets / Info: https://gameconcanada.com/

🎉 TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival
Date: June 19 to June 28
Time: Varies by show; first listed events begin June 19 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Location: Multiple venues, including Yardbird Suite, Bellamy's Lounge at Chateau Lacombe, Starlite Room, La Cité Francophone, Winspear Centre and Horowitz Theatre
Cost: Free outdoor shows and paid concerts. Paid shows found around $43.20 and up. Door prices may be higher where available.

Ten days of jazz are starting across Edmonton. This is the kind of festival where you can go big at Winspear or keep it easy with a smaller venue show.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmontonjazz.com/

🎉 Rainbow Visions Film Festival
Date: June 18 to June 21
Time: Festival begins June 18 at 5:00 p.m.; individual screening times vary
Location: Metro Cinema at the Garneau Theatre, 8712 109 Street NW
Cost: All-access pass found at $63.31. Individual ticket pricing varies by screening.

Rainbow Visions brings queer-focused feature and short films to Metro Cinema. It fits the month, the venue, and a quieter night out near Garneau.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.rainbowvisions.ca/

🎉 The Works Art & Design Festival
Date: June 20 to July 1
Time: Daily programming listed around noon to 10:00 p.m.; some listings show 11:00 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square and downtown venues, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Cost: Free

The Works brings free art, workshops, performances and exhibits downtown. With more than 200 artists and 115 free events listed, this is an easy drop-in plan.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.theworks.ab.ca/

🎉 Servus Credit Union Patio Series: Susan Isaac
Date: June 18
Time: Doors 6:00 p.m.; concert 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Café Bicyclette, La Cité Francophone, 8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury NW
Cost: $15 plus ticketing fees. Tickets can be reserved online or bought at the door.

Susan Isaac plays the Thursday patio series at Café Bicyclette. A $15 patio concert in the French Quarter is a pretty gentle way to end a workday.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.lacitefranco.ca/serie-patio

🎉 Golden Girls Vegas Vacation
Date: June 19 to August 23
Time: Evening shows vary; opening weekend listings show evening performances
Location: Jubilations Dinner Theatre, 2061, 8882 170 Street NW
Cost: $48.95 to $85.95

This is a dinner-theatre parody built around Golden Girls characters in Las Vegas. If your group chat contains at least one person who quotes Sophia, you already know who to send this to.

→ Tickets / Info: https://jubilations.ca/edmonton-shows/

🎉 Edmonton Scottish Society 2026 Highland Gathering
Date: June 20 to June 21
Time: Schedule varies; weekend programming runs June 20 to 21
Location: Edmonton Scottish Society / Grant MacEwan Park, 3105 101 Street SW and 3126 Ewing Trail SW
Cost: Free to $20

The Highland Gathering brings Scottish cultural programming, vendors and competitions to south Edmonton. Go for the bagpipes, stay because leaving during bagpipes feels rude.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmontonscottishsociety.org/highland-gathering-1

🎉 River Cree Night Market
Date: June 19 to June 21
Time: June 19 to 20, 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.; June 21, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: River Cree Resort & Casino, 300 East Lapotac Boulevard, Enoch
Cost: Free admission

This indoor and outdoor night market features First Nation and local artisans, food trucks, live music and entertainment. It's free to enter, which makes it an easy west-end weekend option.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.rivercreeresort.com/night-market/event/

🎉 Thousand Faces Festival
Date: June 19 to June 21
Time: June 19, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; June 20, 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.; June 21, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Alberta Avenue Community Centre, 9210 118 Avenue NW
Cost: Free admission

This free festival focuses on myths, stories and traditions from cultures around the world. Expect theatre, music, dance, workshops and a strong community feel on Alberta Avenue.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.thousandfaces.ca/

🎉 NUOVA Vocal Arts presents Così fan tutte
Date: June 18 to June 21
Time: June 18 to 20, 7:30 p.m.; June 21, 2:30 p.m.
Location: The Capitol Theatre, Fort Edmonton Park, 7000 143 Street NW
Cost: $35 to $45

NUOVA Vocal Arts is staging Mozart at the historic Capitol Theatre. It's almost three hours, so this is for people ready to settle in.

→ Tickets / Info: https://nuovavocalarts.ca/show/cosi-fan-tutte/

🎉 42nd Street
Date: June 18 to June 27
Time: Nightly 7:30 p.m.; Sunday June 21 matinee 2:00 p.m.; no shows June 22 to 23
Location: Timms Centre for the Arts, University of Alberta campus, 87 Avenue and 112 Street NW
Cost: Adults $35. Students and seniors $30. Group discount for 10+.

ELOPE Musical Theatre brings the classic Broadway tap musical to the Timms Centre. If you want dance-heavy theatre without the arena concert price, this one fits.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.showpass.com/42nd-street/

🎉 Drop-In Sketching: Animals for Indigenous History Month
Date: June 18
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Royal Alberta Museum, 9810 103A Avenue NW
Cost: Free with admission. Admission range listed as $12 to $55.

RAM is hosting a drop-in sketching session tied to Indigenous History Month. It's a slower, hands-on option if you want a museum night that isn't just walking and reading plaques.

→ Tickets / Info: https://royalalbertamuseum.ca/events/drop-in-sketching/animals-indigenous-history-month/2026-06-18-1730

🎉 Fully Committed
Date: June 4 to June 21
Time: Performance times vary; final weekend runs through June 21
Location: Varscona Theatre, 10329 83 Avenue NW
Cost: $25 to $42. Teatro also lists pay-what-you-can options for select performances.

This comedy at Varscona is set around the chaos of restaurant reservations. Final weekend energy always adds a little urgency.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.varsconatheatre.com/

🎉 Pay What You Will at Rapid Fire Theatre: The Rookie Show
Date: June 18
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Rapid Fire Exchange, 10437 83 Avenue NW
Cost: Pay what you will. Ticket listings found around $5.69 to $25.34.

Rapid Fire's newer performers get the stage for this 90-minute improv show. Pay-what-you-will makes it a low-risk Old Strathcona night.

→ Tickets / Info: https://rapidfiretheatre.com/

🎉 The Stand Up Show: Mike Dambra
Date: June 19
Time: 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Location: Grindstone Theatre, 10019 81 Avenue NW
Cost: $18.43 to $22.55

Mike Dambra has a one-night stand-up show at Grindstone. A 9 p.m. Friday comedy show on 81 Avenue is about as straightforward as weekend plans get.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.showpass.com/mikedambra/

🎉 Trailer Trash Tammy: The Loose Lips Tour
Date: June 19 to June 20
Time: June 19, 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; June 20, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Location: The Comic Strip, 1646 Bourbon Street, West Edmonton Mall
Cost: $35

Trailer Trash Tammy has four shows across two nights at The Comic Strip. Handy if you want a set time that works around dinner, shopping, or just escaping the mall parking lot alive.

→ Tickets / Info: https://wem.thecomicstrip.ca/

🎉 NE-YO & AKON: Nights Like This Tour 2026
Date: June 19
Time: Doors 7:00 p.m.; show 8:00 p.m.
Location: Rogers Place, 10220 104 Avenue NW
Cost: Raw listing found $84 and up. Ticketmaster resale prices observed higher.

NE-YO and AKON are at Rogers Place on Friday night. This is the big downtown concert pick if you want the Ice District crowd and the throwback R&B.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.rogersplace.com/ne-yo-akon-june-19-2026/

🎉 Jeune Studios - Summer Is Here!
Date: June 19
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Location: Pawn Shop Live, 6240 99 Street NW
Cost: $15 and up plus fees

This late-night music event starts at 10 p.m. at Pawn Shop Live. Good fit if your Friday plans don't really start until everyone else is heading home.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.ticketweb.ca/venue/pawn-shop-live-formally-known-as-union-hall-edmonton-ab/144965

Status: Now open

Location: 9316 34 Avenue NW, Edmonton

Reported: June 15, 2026

Dosa Glory is a South Indian restaurant newly open in south Edmonton. If you're near 34 Avenue and like dosa, this is one to keep on the list.

Status: Second Edmonton-region location opened

Location: 800 Broadmoor Boulevard, Unit 370, Sherwood Park

Reported: June 15, 2026

Multicook has opened a second Edmonton-region location in Sherwood Park. It's a frozen Ukrainian food business, which is useful information if your freezer is your meal plan.

Status: Second location opened

Location: 965 Tamarack Way NW, Edmonton

Reported: June 15, 2026

HolyShakes has opened a second Edmonton location in Tamarack. The Toronto-based chain is known for sweet treats and milkshakes, so this is not exactly a light snack situation.

Edmonton Catholic Schools Indigenous Learning Services has created a 15-day virtual learning calendar for June.

Each school day leading up to National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 includes a short video.

The resource supports learning about First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, histories and contributions. Early topics include smudging, sacred medicines, land acknowledgements, Treaty education, local histories and the tipi.

It's made for classrooms, but families can use it too.

That's a helpful local resource, especially for anyone wanting to learn in small, clear pieces instead of trying to figure out where to start.

→ Read more: https://www.ecsd.net/national-indigenous-history-month-virtual-calendar

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That's it for today. Take care of yourself out there, and take care of someone else while you're at it.

See you Tuesday!