Arts Roundup
May 21, 2026
Condolences poured in from across Canada for Cris Derksen, a renowned Cree cellist and composer, who died on May 15 in a car crash in northern Alberta on the way home from their father's funeral. The two-spirit artist, originally from Tallcree First Nation, was 45 years old. "Cris brought a powerful and unmistakable voice to contemporary music," the National Arts Centre posted. "Their work resonated across the country and around the world."
Derksen was drawn to music at a young age, playing piano and then cello with the Edmonton Public Strings Program at age 10 before attending Victoria School of the Arts as a teen. They went on to attend the University of British Columbia, where they were principal cellist with the UBC Symphony Orchestra. Audiences were treated to unique compositions blending classical melodies, powwow drums and chants, and contemporary electronica.
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra re-shared Derksen's 2023 performance of their composition War Cry, which included vocals by their wife, Rebecca Benson. Benson was critically injured in the crash. Derksen's work "carried strength, emotion, and connection, leaving a lasting impact on audiences, musicians, and communities across the country," the ESO posted, adding that their "voice and music will continue to resonate far beyond the stage."
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Music
- Longtime CKUA host Baba Singh died on May 14. "While we are deeply saddened by his death, we are also profoundly grateful for his life and his legacy," the station posted. Tony King told CBC Edmonton's Radio Active that Singh was an "indelible part of what CKUA is all about."
- James Brown and Kevin Green of Hydracat spoke to CBC's Edmonton AM about their debut full-length album, which is called Sands. They're holding a release party on May 23 at The Aviary.
- The University of Alberta has retained Robert Summerby-Murray to help find a new home for the 1978 Casavant organ from Convocation Hall. Summerby-Murray, a pipe organist and former university president, will advise on the organ's technical specifications and engage with music-lovers and veterans to guide its transition.
- Calgary vocalist Caity Gyorgy will perform as part of A Swingin' Affair: EJO Meets ESO, a June 28 concert pairing musicians from the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
- Edmonton Symphony Orchestra conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni spoke to CKUA about playing music from the Final Fantasy video-game franchise. Final Symphony: Music from Final Fantasy is at the Winspear Centre on June 5 and 6.
- Saxophonist P.J. Perry is bringing artists together for a concert called Musicians for Canada: A Benefit Concert for Canadian Unity at the Hawrelak Amphitheatre on July 22.
- Pop artist Robin Cisek released Won't Make It ahead of three shows in Edmonton.
Visual arts
- Where We Came From (and where we go from here): A Vietnamese Art & Heritage Exhibit aims to foster a better understanding of Vietnamese culture and its connection to the city. The exhibit, presented by Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau Vietnamese-Edmonton Cultural Society, will be on display at the Bowladrome Gallery at ArtsHub Creative Studios until June 6.
- The City of St. Albert has commissioned architect-artist Tiffany Shaw to create public art installations along Red Willow Park's Meadowview Trail as part of a multi-year project exploring stories from the river lots along the Sturgeon River.
- Mixed-media artist Tania Kristensen spoke about her piece called Home, which is part of the annual Common Ground exhibition at Gallery@501. The exhibit continues its exploration of connection and shared experience until June 24. "I really wanted to see if I could make something soft hold its form," she told the Sherwood Park-Strathcona County News. "It started with the nest, and then it led me to think about what nests represent."
Ice: Voices for a Frozen World
Pro Coro Canada presents Ice, its season finale concert with Edmonton Young Voices. Featuring choral works inspired by Indigenous voices, Greta Thunberg, and the Canadian landscape, this concert reflects on climate and our shared future. Join us on May 31 at 3pm at St. Basil's Cultural Centre.
Theatre and dance
- Shadow Theatre's season finale, Autumn, runs through May 24 at the Varscona Theatre. Liz Nicholls praised the cast's effort while criticizing the script, and Lucy Haines agreed that "both actors do their roles proud."
- Molly McDermott will be the next artistic director of the Brian Webb Dance Company. "Molly is a very informed and generous dance artist. I am so confident that she will reach into new concepts of what contemporary dance may be," said outgoing artistic director Brian Webb.
Books and publishing
- CBC Books highlighted Inheritance by Jane Park and The First Thousand Trees by Premee Mohamed in its list of books to consider during Asian Heritage Month.
- Laurie D. Graham and Jason Purcell are among the readers for the CBC Poetry Prize, which is open for submissions until June 1.
- Environmental educator Michelle Harris spoke to Techlifetoday about Explore the Green Side of Edmonton, a book that maps regional parks, urban natural areas, and local outdoor resources, with complete newcomers to Edmonton's green spaces in mind.
- Marika and the Auction, Helen Metella's picture book for people suffering from dementia, was the top-selling fiction book on the Edmonton bestseller list from the Book Publishers Association of Alberta.
Join Alberta's writers for craft and connection
The Writers' Guild of Alberta's annual conference comes to Edmonton on June 6 and 7, bringing writers together for two days of workshops, keynotes, guided networking, and practical advice on the craft and business of writing. With programming for emerging, established, and in-between writers, the conference is designed to help you sharpen your skills and connect with Alberta's literary community.
Screen industries
- St. Albert filmmakers Chris Beauchamp and Gordie Haakstad of The Distillery Film Co filmed a pilot called In Passing at Edmonton's Roozen Family Hospice Centre. "There's something about end-of-life in hospice care — you get to say goodbye," Beauchamp told the St. Albert Gazette. "There's dignity in hospice care. It's about enjoying the time left."
- Buffet Infinity, Simon Glassman's surreal horror film told through commercials, was described in Variety as a "future midnight movie classic."
- Georgina Lightning discussed filmmaking, intergenerational trauma, and her goal of making Alberta an Indigenous film hub on the season finale of the Settle Down podcast.
More headlines
- Former CKUA CEO Marc Carnes has been named CEO of Adelaide Fringe in Australia. "I am equal parts humbled and thrilled to be joining this amazing organization and community," he posted.
- The Edmonton Community Foundation is encouraging Edmontonians to donate to eligible arts endowment funds, as the Canada Cultural Investment Fund will match donations received by Nov. 13.
Happenings
Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:
- May 21: JUNO Celebration & Tour Launch starting at 7pm at Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex
- May 21: Book Launch with Stefano Jun starting at 7pm at Audreys Books
- May 21: The Gift (formerly The Sugar Mama) Screening starting at 7pm at The Orange Hub
- May 22: Witnessing the Middle Distance starting at 12pm at Art Gallery of St. Albert
- May 22-23: Ember Collective at Mile Zero Dance
- May 22-24: 2026 48hr Mobile Device Filmmaking Challenge online
- May 22-24: Project Andromeda at Citadel Theatre
- May 23: Horizons in Unison - Across Generations starting at 1pm at University of Alberta Botanic Garden
- May 23: Sell Your Book: Everyone Wants to See Their Name in Lights, But Few Want to Do The Work to Turn the Power On starting at 6:30pm at Daisy Chain Book Co. (High Street)
- Until May 24: From Cradle to Stage at Walterdale Theater
- May 25: Thou Art Here Trivia Night Fundraiser starting at 6:30pm at Bent Stick Brewing
- May 25: Reading Between the Barcode Lines: A Food Politics Book Club starting at 7pm at Magpie Books
And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:
- May 29-30: Isak Enquist at Fringe Theatre Arts Barns
- May 30: Boogie Down Broadway: A Singalong Dance Party at Pawn Shop Live
- May 31: Ice: Voices for a Frozen World at St. Basil's Cultural Centre
Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.
This roundup was sponsored by ATB.
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