It's Finally Friday Roundup! (#2)

What's happened and happening in Edmonton...

Seattle's Pike Place Market!

- Could Edmonton's abandoned Rossdale Power Plant be retrofitted to resemble Seattle's iconic Pike Place Market? Imagine a farmers' market atmosphere with cafes, public art, an Indigenous museum, performers, local vendors & artisans, river taxis, and so much more! 

- Edmonton-born Earls restaurants have moved to drop all Alberta beef for their 65 locations across Canada because they do not meet their new "humane-certified" standards. I personally applaud Earls for this move, because it just may ignite a major change in how we do beef in Canada! 

- Sadly, 13-year-old Connor McGrath lost his battle with leukemia earlier this week. The Edmonton boy made headlines when the Make-A-Wish Foundation gave him the opportunity to meet actor Ryan Reynolds, who wrote a heartfelt letter following McGrath's death.

- Mayor Don Iveson wants to turn Edmonton into "Canada's health city," where ideas for medical innovation and technology finds a supportive home. Iveson outlined his new strategy to a lunchtime crowd at the Shaw Conference Centre this past Monday. 

- The 2016 Interstellar Rodeo has announced their line-up for the 5th annual festival that will take over Hawrelak Park's Heritage Amphitheatre July 22-24! The performers include Jose Gonzales, The Strumbellas, Cat Power, Kathleen Edwards, Marty Stuart, and Whitehorse. #iRodeoYEG

- 24-year-old Shawn Gray wants to clean up Edmonton's river valley! He has organized a grassroots clean-up crew that will meet up for scheduled outtings to pick up trash in our local parks. If you want to join up, you can visit his Facebook page "River Valley Clean Up." 

- The 2nd annual Edmonton Resilience Festival is happening this weekend, starting April 29th and running until May 1st at Boyle Street Plaza (9538 - 103A Ave.). The 3-day event will include skill-sharing workshops, conversation cafes, and community connections fair! 

- The annual Edmonton Tattoo & Arts Festival also kicks off today and goes until Saturday the 30th at the Edmonton EXPO Centre (7424 - 118 Ave.). Over 200 of the best local and international artists will be on hand for Edmonton's largest tattoo expo yet! Tix are $25.

Oxford-educated and openly gay Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault graces the latest cover of Avenue magazine. Don't forget that there is still time to nominate someone for their annual 'Top 40 Under 40' list! You have until May 2nd to submit your nods! 

- EA Sports is trying to determine who will appear on the cover of their NHL 17 video game, and our very own Connor McDavid is one of the finalists! You can vote for McDavid by clicking this link! #NHL17McDavid

- Australian country superstar Keith Urban is the first act announced to perform at the upcoming Rogers Place in Ice District! The former American Idol judge will perform on Friday, September 16th with opening acts Dallas Smith and Maren Morris. Tix are $69.50-109.50. 

- American city planner and author Jeff Speck says that Edmonton is lacking in terms of walkability. Speck says that we have plenty of streets with more lanes than they need, and that could instead be turned into bike lanes. He also says Calgary is far ahead of us in walkability.  

- The world's first bubble tea chain is opening a location right here in Edmonton this Saturday (April 30)!  The latest Quickly Canada store will open at 5818 - 111 Street, and they are having a buy-one-get-one-free sale on April 30th and May 1st only! 

- Sonic 102.9's Layne Mitchell has come up with a list of "11 Things You MUST Eat To Be A TRUE Edmontonian"! The tasty list includes everything from Remedy's Butter Chicken Wrap and The Sugarbowl's Chicken & Waffles to Steel Wheels Pizzaria's Bulgogi Pizza 

- Tickets are now on sale for Tegan and Sara's concert at the Shaw Conference Centre (9797 Jasper Ave.) on Saturday, October 8th! They are $38.50 each.  

- In honour of pop icon Prince's recent passing, Metro Cinema is screening the singer's 1984 film Purple Rain at the Garneau Theatre (8712 - 109 Street) this Saturday (April 30) at 11.30PM. You can grab tickets online via Metro Cinema or at the door. Don't forget to wear purple! 

 

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