Regina's friendly local roundup Friday, March 13, 2026
Happy Friday, Regina! 👋
t’s Friday the 13th, and we’re choosing to see that as lucky — because Regina still has a busy weekend ahead. Disney’s Frozen is running at Globe Theatre through March 22, the Regina Symphony’s The Lion King Live in Concert has performances Friday, March 13 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, March 14 at 2:00 PM, and The Artesian has confirmed events on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tailgating also moved a big step closer at Mosaic Stadium after The Tailgating Act received Royal Assent on Thursday.
It’s about -10°C and cloudy in Regina this morning. The forecast shows Friday near -3°C, Saturday colder and cloudy, Sunday with some sun, and Monday turning cloudier with snow possible, so this looks more like a classic late-winter weekend than a sunny run straight through Monday.
🏈 Tailgating officially coming to Mosaic Stadium this summer
📚 U of R authors land nine Saskatchewan Book Award nominations
🏀 Regina's "Big Mike" closing in on a Guinness World Record at 80
🤖 U of R AI Futures Summit wrapping up today
🏒 Pats host Prince Albert on Saturday, then head to Moose Jaw on Sunday
📅 Full event listings for March 13, 14, 15, and 16
📰 News & Community
🏈 Riders
Tailgating Is Coming to Mosaic Stadium This Summer
Rider fans, this one has been a long time coming. Saskatchewan’s Tailgating Act received Royal Assent on Thursday. The provincial government says that once related regulatory amendments are made, the Act will come into force and allow the Roughriders to obtain a liquor permit for tailgating during the 2026 season, with the expectation it will be ready for the June 13 home opener. Saskatchewan becomes the first jurisdiction in the country to permit tailgating at this level, with fans allowed to bring their own food and alcohol into designated spaces in the REAL District footprint before kickoff. Season-ticket holders entered a lottery for tailgate passes earlier this spring, with each pass covering two adjacent parking stalls for the season at $500 total. Rider fans being creative with a grill and a watermelon helmet? This is going to be something.
📚 Arts & Culture
University of Regina Authors Rack Up Nine Saskatchewan Book Award Nominations
A strong week for Regina's literary community: authors connected to the University of Regina picked up nine finalist nominations across five categories at the 33rd annual Saskatchewan Book Awards. The shortlisted titles span a wide range of work, including poetry, nonfiction, social justice writing, and Indigenous scholarship, with several published through the University of Regina Press. The awards gala takes place May 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Regina, making it a hometown celebration worth marking on the calendar. The nominations are a reminder that some genuinely important writing is being produced right here in this city.
🏀 Community
Regina's "Big Mike" May Be About to Make the Record Books at Age 80
Michael Martorana is known to just about everyone in Regina's basketball community as "Big Mike." The 80-year-old referee recently officiated what may be the final game required for his Guinness World Records application as the world's oldest active basketball official. He has been documenting monthly games all season, along with photos, video, and scoresheets, as part of the rigorous application process. Guinness will take roughly 12 weeks to review the submission once it is complete. What made the milestone game extra special: Mike didn't know until he arrived that the other official on the floor would be his son Aaron, who quietly arranged the whole thing. Family members and Regina Community Basketball Association board members were there to watch it happen. Big Mike has been involved in basketball in this city for more than 70 years, first as a player and now as a referee and mentor to younger officials. Regina is lucky to have him.
🤖 Education
U of R Hosts First-Ever AI Futures Summit — Wrapping Up Today
The University of Regina wraps up its inaugural AI Futures Summit today after a three-day run that brought together researchers, educators, and community members to explore where artificial intelligence is headed and what it means for Saskatchewan. The summit was organized as a three-day event exploring AI through creative immersion, academic exploration, and societal reflection. The official themes were framed as Experience AI / AI Imagination, AI in Academia, and AI and Society. It's the kind of forward-looking event that puts Regina on the map as a place where big conversations happen. If you missed it, watch for recordings and follow-up coverage through the U of R.
🏒 Sports
Pats Get a Home Date Saturday
The Regina Pats have one home game on deck this weekend, and it is a good one. Regina hosts the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 PM at the Brandt Centre, then heads to Moose Jaw on Sunday, March 15 for a 2:00 PM road game. The Pats have been playing meaningful late-season hockey lately, and with the playoff race still close, Saturday’s game should have a little extra energy in the building. If you’ve been waiting for a solid excuse to get to the rink, this is it.
📅 What's On in Regina
March 13–15, 2026
📅 Friday, March 13
🎭 Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical 7:30 PM · Globe Theatre, 1801 Scarth St · Running through March 22 — a great night out this weekend. Tickets →
🎸 Old-Time vs Bluegrass Battle of the String Bands Doors 7:00 PM · Show 8:00 PM · The Artesian on 13th, 2627 13th Ave · Saskatchewan's only 6-piece bluegrass band (Hotdog! Bluegrass) faces off against Saskatoon's old-time party band (5 Guys Named Dave). All-ages. $20 advance / $25 door. Tickets →
🎻 Cecilian Chamber Series: Trio Bohémo 7:30 PM · Darke Hall, 2255 College Ave · International award-winning Czech piano trio performing Dvořák's "Dumky" Trio, Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Vičar's Moravian Folk Songs. A rare chance to hear world-class chamber music right here in Regina. Tickets $25 students / $65–$70 general. Book Tickets →
🎬 RPL Film Theatre — Regular Screenings 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM · Regina Public Library Film Theatre, 2311 12th Ave Film Schedule →
🎻 The Lion King Live in Concert —7:30 PM · Conexus Arts Centre, 200A Lakeshore Dr · The Regina Symphony Orchestra performs Hans Zimmer’s score live to the film on Friday night as well as Saturday afternoon.
📅 Saturday, March 14
🏒 Regina Pats vs. Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) 6:00 PM · Brandt Centre, 1700 Elphinstone St · Back-to-back home games — make a weekend of it. Schedule & Tickets →
🎭 Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical 7:30 PM · Globe Theatre, 1801 Scarth St · Running through March 22. Tickets →
🎻 The Lion King Live in Concert 2:00 PM · Conexus Arts Centre, 200A Lakeshore Dr · The Regina Symphony Orchestra performs Hans Zimmer's Oscar-winning score live to the film, conducted by Karl Hirzer. Tickets →
🎵 BLAK: Iconic Canadian Women in Music 7:30 PM · Darke Hall, 2255 College Ave · Krystle Dos Santos takes audiences on a 2-hour musical journey celebrating notable Black Canadian women through spirituals, jazz, blues, soul, R&B, and country. Youth (20 & under) $10 / General $30–$50. Book Tickets →
✍️ Talking Fresh 2026: Foundations Doors 12:30 PM · Event 1:00–4:00 PM · The Artesian on 13th, 2627 13th Ave · Saskatchewan Writers' Guild presents a free, all-ages literary festival featuring Canadian writers Anne Fleming, Jes Battis, and S. Bear Bergman. More Info →
🎬 RPL Film Theatre — Saturday Screenings 1:00 PM · Dog Man · 4:30 PM · The Whale God · 7:00 PM · Hamnet · Regina Public Library Film Theatre, 2311 12th Ave Film Schedule →
👮 RCMP Heritage Centre — March Mayhem: Bad Guys 2 1:00 PM · RCMP Heritage Centre, 5907 Dewdney Ave · Bad Guys 2 movie screening, create-your-own "Bad Guy" clay activity, activity booklet, and free hot chocolate. Family-friendly fun with admission. More Info →
🛒 Regina Farmers' Market — Indoor Winter Market 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · Banner Hall, 1700 Elphinstone St (REAL District) · Local produce, baked goods, honey, preserves, and more. Indoor season runs Saturdays through April 25. Market Info →
📅 Sunday, March 15
🎭 Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical 2:00 PM · Globe Theatre, 1801 Scarth St · Running through March 22 — catch it this weekend or next. Tickets →
🎸 Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Time Afternoon Jam Session 1:00 PM–3:00 PM · The Artesian on 13th, 2627 13th Ave · A drop-in community jam open to all skill levels. All-ages, relaxed, and welcoming. More Info →
👮 RCMP Heritage Centre — March Mayhem: Bad Guys 2 1:00 PM · RCMP Heritage Centre, 5907 Dewdney Ave · Bad Guys 2 movie screening, create-your-own "Bad Guy" clay activity, activity booklet, and free hot chocolate. Family-friendly fun with admission. More Info →
🖼️ MacKenzie Art Gallery — Open 11:00 AM–5:30 PM · MacKenzie Art Gallery, 3475 Albert St Plan Your Visit →
Have a great weekend, Regina. Get out there and enjoy it.
- The QCD Team
🗓️ Next edition: Monday, March 16 — your start-of-week roundup.