Things to do in Edmonton this weekend: Cat Fest, Ukrainian Fest, Tchaikovsky and more

Edmonton International Cat Festival: Donating 100 per cent of purr-oceeds to local cat charities, this annual meow-a-thon expo is affectionately dedicated to all things feline.

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Celebrity cat dignitaries this year include Siberian Reinhardt, Perseus & Paisley and Louie & Todd amid a whirl of informative cat-care panels.

Craft and escape-room activities for kids and adults, poetry and photo contests, and a mind-melting array of fuzzball themed art and vendors with affordable options — stickers and such — up to high-end fuzzy lifestyle goods are all there to rub your fur against.

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Plan your day online in advance at edmontoncatfest.com, first 100 people in get a free swag bag, and kids 12 and under get in free.

And don’t miss that cat-fur crafting class — what else are you going to do with that stuff?

Details: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday at MacEwan University (10910 104 Ave.), $15/advance https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hoangdigital/1497585 , $20/door

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A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder: Amid an ensemble cast, talented ex-pat Ron Peterson plays eight (or is it nine) characters in this staging of this raucous, Tony-winning musical comedy put on by Grindstone Theatre.

Following low-born Mony Navarro as he eliminates his competition for earldom, murder isn’t the only thing on his mind as hinted at by the play’s title.

Sam Hutchings, Oscar Derkx, Sawyer Craig and Ruth Alexander also star in this ambitious costume production that will have you ghoulishly singing along.

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Details: 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun, 2 p.m. Sat./Sun. at The Orange Hub (10045 156 St.), $45-$70 at grindstonetheatre.ca

UFest: Another terrific festival full of music, dancing, beautiful clothing for sale and plenty of sour cream is at Borden Park this weekend: UFest Edmonton Ukrainian Festival.

A form of resilience through cultural interaction, musical highlights amid the lively dance ensembles include Eric Yaremko, Verkhovyna Ukrainian Choir and UB Band Friday night, Ruta Folk Ensemble, Trembita Band and SLOOHAI Saturday night.

Full schedule’s at ufest.ca, come hungry and ready to toast our amazing Ukrainian friends!

Details: 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday at Borden Park (7507 Borden Park Road), no charge

Symptomatology: Local artist and educator Jessica Fern Facette’s solo textile show uses structural tubes and panels of double weave to illustrate various states of cognition — from childhood to her later-in-life ADHD diagnosis.

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The reception and talk is 2 p.m. Saturday, where we’ll learn more about the impact of focused weaving on body and mind.

This certainly looks great — perhaps even therapeutic!

Details: 10 a.m. Saturday through July 12 at Alberta Craft Gallery (10186 106 St.), no charge

Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1: Honens International Piano Competition winner Illia Ovcharenko makes his Edmonton Symphony Orchestra debut playing the famous Russian composer’s boisterous and well-loved concerto in B minor.

Also on the program at Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and English Grammy nominee Anna Clyne’s soaring and poppy PIVOT, inspired by the composer’s experience at the Edinburgh Festival.

Karen Kamensek conducts.

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Details: 7:30 p.m. Fri./Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. at Winspear Centre (4 Sir Winston Churchill Sq.), starting at $37.50 at winspearcentre.com

fgriwkowsky@postmedia.com

@fisheyefoto.bsky.social

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