👑 Five things worth leaving home for

Regina's friendly local roundup · Wednesday, June 18, 2026

Happy Wednesday, Regina! 👋

We're into the long, golden stretch of June, the patios are full, and the city's events calendar is overflowing. Jazz is about to take over the town, Toy Story 5 hits the giant screen, and there's a hometown ball player chasing a big-league dream. Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

⚾ SPORTS

A Southeast Saskatchewan Kid Is Chasing the Big Leagues, and His Dream Is Very Much Alive

There's a baseball story brewing in our corner of the province. Carter Beck, a Carnduff product now playing U.S. college ball, is readying himself for the 2026 MLB Draft, and he told CTV Regina the possibility of fulfilling a major-league dream still feels almost surreal to say out loud. Beck has steadily climbed the ranks since his standout showings with Team Saskatchewan, where he turned heads as one of the province's most polished hitters. No player from southeast Saskatchewan has ever officially worn a major-league jersey. If Beck keeps hitting the way he has, he could be the one to change that. It's the kind of homegrown story worth keeping an eye on this summer.

🏈 RIDERS

Grey Cup Champs Open Their Title Defence With a Win, and Schaffer-Baker Savoured Every Second

Our reigning Grey Cup champions are off to a 1-0 start, and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker is soaking it all in. The Roughriders opened the 2026 CFL season at Mosaic Stadium with the unveiling of the 2025 championship banner before a hard-fought win over the B.C. Lions, and Schaffer-Baker called the season opener a spectacular night to be a Rider. Quarterback Trevor Harris led the way, and the team made it clear they aren't content to coast on last year's success. With a packed home schedule ahead, including the Argonauts visiting June 26, there's plenty of green-and-white football to look forward to. The bar is set high, and this group seems to like it that way.

🏒 SPORTS

Saskatchewan's Ethan Bear Signs a New NHL Deal

Good news for hockey fans tracking Saskatchewan's own: Ethan Bear, the defenceman from Ochapowace First Nation, has signed a new contract with the New York Islanders. Bear has been a steady presence on NHL bluelines and a source of real pride back home, both for his game and for the role-model path he's carved as one of the league's Indigenous players. Re-signing with the Islanders keeps that journey going. It's always a good day when one of our province's own locks in another chapter at the highest level of the game.

📸 COMMUNITY

Grab Your Camera: The ExploreSask Photo Contest Is Back for 2026

Tourism Saskatchewan has reopened its annual ExploreSask photo and video contest, once again inviting shutterbugs across the province to capture what makes this place beautiful. Last year's grand-prize image was taken at Twin Shores at Bird's Point, proof that a great Saskatchewan shot can come from a quiet evening at the lake. Whether you're framing a Wascana sunset, a prairie thunderhead, or your kids running through Victoria Park, this is a fun excuse to look at our surroundings a little more closely this summer. If you've got an eye for it, your photo could be next year's winner.

More information and submit your entry here

🌿 COMMUNITY

22 New Recovery-Focused Housing Spaces Are Coming to Regina

Regina is getting 22 new sober-living spaces by the end of June, aimed at helping people move from addiction treatment toward independent living. Delivered through a partnership between Oxford House Saskatchewan and the City of Regina, the project sets up four single-detached homes across the city with access to counselling and relapse-prevention programming. It's part of a larger provincial push toward recovery-oriented care, and a meaningful, practical step for neighbours working to rebuild stability and connection. Quiet, steady, community-minded work like this rarely makes headlines, but it matters.

June 17 – 19

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

🎸 The Reverend Horton Heat with The Surfrajettes | The Exchange, 2431 8th Ave | Doors 7:00 PM | Ticketed
Psychobilly legends bring their high-octane live show to Regina, with Toronto surf-rock four-piece The Surfrajettes opening. A loud, fun night out. Details

🥕 Regina Farmers' Market | Pat Fiacco Plaza, 2190 12th Ave | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free entry. The downtown market runs Wednesdays and Saturdays through the summer. Local produce, baked goods, honey, and makers. Details

🔬 Science Connections: Astrobiology — From the Dawn of Life to Space Exploration | Saskatchewan Science Centre, 2903 Powerhouse Dr | 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | $13.99 (free for members) This month's adult science morning features Melissa Kozey on the real science behind astrobiology: how we investigate the origins of life on Earth, and how scientists search for it elsewhere. A 45-minute talk, time for questions, exhibit-floor access, and complimentary Caliber Coffee. Group rates available. Details

🌳 Art in the Park: Paper Suncatchers | Victoria Park | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free
Create a layered tissue-paper suncatcher outdoors with RPL. All ages and abilities; under 12 with an adult. Details

⛸️ Our Olympic Journey: From Canada to Cortina | Sherwood Village Branch (RPL) | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Free | Meet 2026 Winter Olympians and speed skaters Daniel and Laura Hall. Hear about their training, their journey, and their prairie roots. Details

🎻 Ladies of the Prairie & The Male Order Bride | Bushwakker Brewpub, 2206 Dewdney Ave | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | Wednesday Folk Night with a warm, homegrown lineup. Details

🎬 The Stranger (L'Étranger) | RPL Film Theatre, Central Library, 2311 12th Ave | 7:00 PM – 9:05 PM | Free | François Ozon's 2026 adaptation, in French. 122 min. Details

♟️ Chess Club (ages 6–15) | George Bothwell Branch (RPL) | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free
Sharpen your game, challenge a friend, and meet fellow chess fans. Games provided. Details

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

🎺 JazzFest Regina Opening Show: Terraplane | Bushwakker Brewpub, 2206 Dewdney Ave | 7:00 PM | $15 | JazzFest Regina 2026 kicks off with Shane Reoch's four-piece, emceed by CJTR's Jeff "Redbeard" Corbett. Rush seating, so arrive early for a good spot. Details

🍿 Toy Story 5: The IMAX Experience | Kramer IMAX Theatre, Saskatchewan Science Centre, 2903 Powerhouse Dr | First showtime 6:45 PM | Paid admission
Disney and Pixar's latest opens on Regina's giant screen, directed by Andrew Stanton. A great family night out. Details

🎬 The Mother and the Bear | RPL Film Theatre, Central Library, 2311 12th Ave | 1:00 PM | Free | Johnny Ma's 2026 Canadian feature. 100 min, PG. Details

🎬 Dead Man's Wire | RPL Film Theatre, Central Library, 2311 12th Ave | 7:00 PM | Free
Gus Van Sant's 2026 drama. 104 min, 14A. Details

🍋 Library Lemonade Stand (ages 12 & under) | Albert Branch (RPL) | 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Free | Celebrate summer with a cool drink, a book in the shade, and an outdoor activity. Details

🎤 Open Mic Night: Peace & Power | Central Library (RPL) | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free
Share poetry, spoken word, dance, or whatever you've been creating. All skill levels welcome. Details

⚽ FC Regina Summerfest | AffinityPlex, REAL District, 1700 Elphinstone St | Through June 21 | Free entry | A four-day youth soccer tournament with more than 100 games and teams from across the region. Fun to drop by if you've got a young player at home. Details

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

🪶 National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Victoria Park | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free | A community celebration of the heritage, cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Includes Colour & Create with artist Tianna Delorme — learn about her work, enjoy colouring pages, and make a button celebrating Indigenous culture. Details

🎬 Mädchen in Uniform | RPL Film Theatre, Central Library, 2311 12th Ave | 4:30 PM | Free | A restored 1931 German classic directed by Carl Froelich and Leontine Sagan. 88 min, PG. Details

🎬 Scream 7 | RPL Film Theatre, Central Library, 2311 12th Ave | 7:00 PM | Free
The latest in the horror franchise on the big screen. 114 min, 14A. Details

🃏 Social Mah Jongg | Sunrise Branch (RPL) | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free
Play following National Mah Jongg League rules. All levels welcome. Details

ON NOW (Exhibitions & Theatre)

🎭 Arsenic and Old Lace | Globe Theatre at MacCorquodale Place, box office 1801 Scarth St | Through June 28 | Ticketed | A macabre, screwball comedy treat in the spirit of The Addams Family. Murder never looked so charming. Details

🖼️ Maia Stark: Strange Dark Memory | MacKenzie Art Gallery, 3475 Albert St | Through August 9 | Free admission | Saskatoon artist Maia Stark's first major solo show explores doubles, folklore, and the self through painting and ceramics. Details

🪶 The Land is our Teacher | Dunlop Central Gallery, Central Library | Closes June 17 | Free | Guest curated by Star Crop Eared Wolf. Last chance to catch this one. Details

🐃 Bruce Anderson: Herd-Bound | Dunlop Sherwood Gallery, Sherwood Village Branch | Through October 14 | Free | A new exhibition curated by Alexander Rondeau, just opened. Details

JazzFest is here and summer's in full swing. What's pulling you out this week?

Hit reply and let us know :)

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. The city's wide awake this time of year, so get out and enjoy some of it. We'll be back Friday with your full weekend guide.

Next edition: Friday, June 19.

-QCD