We all go somewhere when we die. Whether you’re partial to cremation or a coffin you require a bit of room and that’s becoming a problem for cemeteries in rural Alberta. While some local cemeteries expand, others are searching for more space. It’s raising real questions about what the graveyards of the future could look like.

The Edmonton International Fringe Festival is a staple of the summer, and it’s grown to the largest fringe festival in North America. But how did we get here? And what makes Edmonton such a theatre-forward, fringe-friendly place? Host Clare Bonnyman heads to the fringe grounds to meet Gerald Osborn, the first official Edmonton Fringe historian, to talk about the festival’s place in our city.

South of Edmonton, a new space is creating inclusive ceremonies for two-spirit and trans youth. The four-day fasting camp happens at The Humble Lodge, a space led by Dr. James Makokis, and is meant to reconnect Indigenous youth with traditional health systems. Host Clare Bonnyman went to visit the camp earlier this summer, and shares some of the work being done on the land and the lives it’s changing.

Perogies, green onion cakes and Alberta beef all make the list for top Edmonton foods — but with a food scene that is more and more diverse, what is the most Edmonton dish you can eat? Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with food writers Phil Wilson and Sharon Yeo to talk about the ins and outs of Edmonton’s food culture.

It’s a key element of Edmonton summers — driving out to see some big stuff. Roadside attractions are huge across the province and they’re hard to miss, even in our city. And why would you want to? From pumpkins to mushrooms, a giant perogy or a sausage link, there is something for everyone. Big stuff expert and CBC producer Adrienne Lamb joins host Clare Bonnyman to talk about attractions near and far and dig into why we love them so much.

Living in Edmonton is a weird, wonderful and sometimes frustrating experience. Every Wednesday This Is Edmonton brings you the most Edmonton stories you've never heard, and the context you need to understand what's going on in our city. Host Clare Bonnyman gets into it all, unpacking the essential, random and occasionally shocking things that are uniquely Edmonton.

One year ago, a devastating wildfire burned through Jasper. Around a third of structures in the mountain town were destroyed. Thousands of residents and workers were pushed out of their homes. So, how much can be done in 365 days? CBC reporter Liam Harrap and producer Ariel Fournier asked that question, and dug deep into what it looks like to recover from a wildfire. They share what they learned with host Clare Bonnyman.

Edmonton has always been a hotbed for arts and theatre, but our comedy scene is unmatched. Improv, standup and sketch have been a huge part of the scene for a long time, but in recent years, new comedy theatres and troupes are making their mark on the city. This week, host Clare Bonnyman dives into the capital city comedy scene with Bryon Martin and Jules Pepin of the Grindstone Comedy Theatre to talk about what makes this community tick.

Edmonton is known as a festival city, but our music-focused festivals really shine in the summer months. So, what kind of work goes into making a great music festival, and how are current geo-political tensions influencing musicians and the industry at large? Host Clare Bonnyman digs into Edmonton’s music ecosystem with Aimee Hill, one of the founders of Interstellar Rodeo, and an arts and culture worker in the city.

Indigenous dancers from across the Prairies spend the summer visiting communities for powwows. But it takes a lot of time, and a lot of work to prepare your skills. An Edmonton group hosts weekly practices to make sure dancers are in tip-top shape. This week, host Clare Bonnyman visits an inner-city powwow practice and speaks with dancer Danni Okemaw about her own dancing journey.

This episode first aired June 12, 2024