Regina's friendly local roundup - Monday, April 13, 2026

Happy Monday, Regina! 👋

Spring is staging a real comeback this week. Today climbs to around 10°C, and both Tuesday and Wednesday are looking at a very welcome 15°C. It’s ideal weather to get out and enjoy Wascana as the park shakes off winter for good. There is a catch: a sharp cooldown with possible snow rolls back in Thursday, so take advantage while the warm weather window is open.

There is a lot of good news to get into this morning. A distillery just down the highway put Saskatchewan on the national whisky map in a big way, a beautiful new community art exhibit just opened at your library, and a Yorkton grandma is taking TikTok by storm. Let's go.

In today's edition:

🥃 Lumsden's Last Mountain Distillery sweeps national whisky awards

🏠 Regina still among Canada's most affordable cities for renters

🥪 Jersey Mike's Month of Giving raises $205,000 for charity

🎨 Ranch Ehrlo's "Sacred Animals" art showcase opens at the Regina Public Library

📱 A Yorkton grandma is taking TikTok by storm

📡 SaskTel and Starlink team up for rural Saskatchewan businesses

📅 Your events guide: April 13–15

🥃 LOCAL PRIDE

A Lumsden Distillery Just Swept the National Whisky Awards. The Whole Category.

Last Mountain Distillery, nestled in the Lumsden valley just 30 minutes from Regina, dominated the Whisky Explorer Awards this spring, with the Baldur's whisky line earning gold, silver, and bronze in the Best Canadian Whisky (aged 6 to 10 years) category, a clean sweep against brands with decades of history behind them. The Baldur's eight-year 100 per cent rye also captured silver in the Best 100 Per Cent Rye in Canada category.

Founded in a two-car garage in 2010 and recognized as Saskatchewan's first micro-distillery, Last Mountain built its reputation on small-batch, grain-to-glass production, sourcing nearly all grain from local Saskatchewan farmers. The Baldur's line is available exclusively at the distillery in Lumsden. Worth the road trip.

🏠 CITY & LIVING

Your Rent Is Still One of the Best Deals in the Country. Here's the Number.

According to the latest National Rent Report and Urbanation, Regina's average asking rent was $1,379 in March, placing it among the most affordable large-city rental markets in Canada. Among the country's 25 most populous cities, only Quebec City at $1,447 came close to that level.

The national picture tells a different story: average asking rents across Canada fell 5.3 per cent year over year to $2,008, the 18th consecutive month of annual declines and the lowest level in 35 months. Saskatchewan moved against that trend, with apartment rents rising 3.7 per cent year over year. The provincial numbers are worth watching, but the bottom line for Regina renters remains the same: this city is still a standout value compared to larger markets, and that distinction matters.

🥪 COMMUNITY

Jersey Mike's Month of Giving Just Raised $205,000 for Charity. Two of Those Locations Are Yours.

Jersey Mike's locations across Canada wrapped up their 16th annual Month of Giving campaign in March, raising more than $205,000 for seven local hunger and children's charities. The largest share of funds, $142,039, went to Make-A-Wish Canada, supporting children and families facing critical illness. Two Regina locations were among the 21 participating stores nationwide, alongside locations in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

The campaign raised more than double last year's Canadian total. VP Paul Pascal said the model is built on removing ambiguity about where the money goes. With a Yorkton location set to open soon, Saskatchewan's footprint with the chain keeps growing. Good sandwiches, great community impact.

🎨 ARTS & CULTURE

Ranch Ehrlo's "Sacred Animals" Art Showcase Is Now Open at the Regina Public Library

The fifth annual Make a Mark art showcase is now open at the Regina Public Library, with this year's theme of Sacred Animals drawing on the same subject as the very first exhibit five years ago. Each piece was developed over time, sometimes taking months or even years to complete, with multiple artists contributing across different sessions.

The artists include a mix of youth and adults from Ranch Ehrlo's Schaller Education Centre and vocational programs, as well as young people from public schools around Regina. Art facilitator Dustin Ritter estimates upwards of 100 participants contributed this year.

📱 LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

A Yorkton Grandma Is Going Viral on TikTok, and the Whole World Is Watching

A grandmother from Yorkton, Saskatchewan is achieving international social media success with her wholesome cooking videos on TikTok, proving there is no age limit to becoming a social media star. The videos, which showcase traditional home cooking rooted in prairie life, have drawn viewers from across Canada and beyond, turning a rural Saskatchewan kitchen into an unlikely global stage.

It is exactly the kind of story this province tends to undersell. The warmth, the food, the unpretentious approach to sharing something real: it travels. If you haven't found her account yet, it's worth a scroll, and worth sharing with anyone who needs a reminder that Saskatchewan has a lot going for it.

Check out Grandma Sherry on Tiktok

📡 TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNITY

SaskTel and Starlink Are Now Partners. Here's What That Means for Saskatchewan Businesses.

As of April 1, SaskTel is now an official Starlink partner, allowing the company to handle installation, equipment purchases, and billing for businesses across the province all in-house. The partnership came together after 18 months of negotiations and targets a challenge that has long held back rural Saskatchewan: reliable, high-speed internet across a vast and sparsely populated landscape.

Any operation with a valid GST number qualifies, meaning family farms are included. Existing Starlink business customers also have the option to consolidate their service under a single SaskTel bill. For the farms, small businesses, and communities surrounding Regina, this is a meaningful step forward.

April 13–15, 2026

MONDAY, APRIL 13

🔬 Saskatchewan Science Centre | 2903 Powerhouse Drive | Open daily | Paid admission More than 185 hands-on exhibits plus the Kramer IMAX Theatre on site. Visit info

🚔 RCMP Heritage Centre | 5907 Dewdney Avenue | Regular hours | Paid admission Interactive exhibits, augmented reality, and over a century of RCMP history. Visit info

🎨 Make a Mark: Sacred Animals Exhibit | Regina Public Library, Central Branch | 2311 12th Avenue | Free, running through April 30 Ranch Ehrlo's fifth annual showcase is open now — over 100 participants contributed to this striking collection of works inspired by Indigenous themes and symbolism. A lovely free outing any day this week. Details

🖼️ Kssááhkom Áássksinima'tstohki: The Land is our Teacher | Dunlop Art Gallery, Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | All day | Free A powerful exhibition running April 11 to June 17, guest curated by Star Crop Eared Wolf. One of the most significant shows in the Dunlop's current season. Visit info

🌿 Smudge in the Commons | Community Commons, Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 12:00–1:00 PM | Free A midday smudge gathering open to everyone — a grounding, welcoming way to start your week. Details

⚖️ Pro Bono Family Law Clinic | Community Commons, Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 5:30–8:30 PM | Free Applying for child support, custody, or divorce? Free one-on-one assistance from lawyers with Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan. No appointment needed. Details

🎤 Karaoke at the RPL Film Theatre | Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00–8:30 PM | Free Bring your crew and belt out your favourites with a radio host from AccessNow Radio in one of the best rooms in the city. Families welcome. Details

TUESDAY, APRIL 14

🎭 Seven: Living and Learning at Ranch Ehrlo | Darke Hall | 2255 College Avenue | Doors 6:30 PM, Curtain 7:00 PM | Free An original musical inspired by the Seven Grandfather Teachings, performed by participants from Ranch Ehrlo's Supported Living and Youth Group Living programs under the direction of certified music therapists. A silver collection at the door — and every dollar donated will be matched by the Jim Pattison Foundation. One of the most meaningful evenings on this week's calendar. Details

🎸 Cancer Bats with Anciients, Teeth Can & Chastity | The Exchange | 2431 8th Avenue | Doors 6:30 PM | $30–$35 Canadian hardcore legends Cancer Bats bring a high-energy four-band bill to Regina's premier alternative venue. Tickets

🎨 Drop-In Art Studio with Dustin Ritter | Community Commons, Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 4:30–6:30 PM | Free Learn to draw, paint, create comics, and explore your creativity in a relaxed open space — led by the same art facilitator behind Ranch Ehrlo's Make a Mark showcase. Drop in any Tuesday. Details

🏙️ City Building Speaker Series: Downtown Is Where It's At | Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00–8:45 PM | Free, registration recommended RPL and the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District bring in special guest Mary Rowe to explore the evolving role of downtowns and what it takes to bring people back to city centres. A genuinely interesting evening for anyone who cares about where Regina goes from here. Register

✍️ Poetry in the Gallery | Dunlop Art Gallery, Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 6:30–8:30 PM | Free Explore free verse poetry and performance, drawing inspiration from the art on the walls around you. Open to all skill levels. Details

🎨 MacKenzie Art Gallery | T.C. Douglas Building | 11:00 AM–5:30 PM | Free admission Multiple exhibitions on through spring. Plan your visit

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15

🖼️ Regina Art & Artists: An Illustrated History | Darke Hall | 2255 College Avenue | 6:00 PM | Free A fascinating evening with gallerist Susan Whitney and artists Zachari Logan, Gerald McMaster, and David Thauberger in conversation with Philip Dombowsky, author of the newly published book on Regina's art history. A rare chance to hear some of the city's most influential voices in one room. Details

🥁 Culture Connect: Indigenous Teachings | Community Commons, Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 6:00–8:00 PM | Free Traditional drumming, songs, dance, and teachings from Knowledge Keepers — open to ages 13 and up, with light refreshments provided by Chili for Children. One of the most welcoming events the library puts on. Details

🎵 Kim Churchill with special guest Mia Kelly | Artesian on 13th | 2627 13th Avenue | 8:00 PM | $28 advance / $32 door The Australian singer-songwriter brings a world-class one-man show to the Artesian, blending guitar, harmonica, and percussion in a room built for exactly this kind of performance. Tickets

🎤 Prozzäk | Casino Regina Show Lounge | 1880 Saskatchewan Drive | 8:00 PM | $35–$45 Simon and Milo are back. The animated Canadian pop duo behind "Sucks to Be You" and "Strange Disease" play Casino Regina's intimate Show Lounge for a night of late-90s nostalgia done right. Tickets

🎬 Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie | RPL Film Theatre, Central Library | 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Free admission Canadian director Matt Johnson brings his wildly inventive feature to the Film Theatre — and tonight it's free. Details

🧒 Kids' Art Club | Regent Place Branch | 331 Albert Street | 6:00–7:00 PM | Free, registration recommended Ages 7 to 14. This month: dyeing techniques to create your own flowers. All supplies provided. Register

🧱 LEGO Club | Sherwood Village Branch | 6:00–7:15 PM | Free, registration recommended Ages 6 to 12. Pixelated mosaics, strange structures, dynamic vehicles — all brick-based fun. Register

🎨 MacKenzie Art Gallery | T.C. Douglas Building | 11:00 AM–5:30 PM | Free admission Plan your visit

Spring in Regina usually means one of two things: a beautiful patio day, or a surprise snowstorm. Which kind of April would you pick?

🌿 Sunny Wascana walk with a coffee in hand

🍺 Patio at a favourite local spot the moment it hits 10°C

🎵 Inside somewhere warm with live music or a gallery

🏡 Honestly, windows cracked, good book, no plans

Hit reply to let us know, or find us on Facebook and Instagram @QueenCityDigest.

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. Enjoy the warmth while it's here, and take that walk through your favorite park this week. There is a lot of good happening in this city right now.

Next edition: Wednesday, April 15.

-The QCD Team