5 things to do in Edmonton this weekend: April 22-24

Here's your weekend cheat sheet:

Play it cool, boy

What: You'll find references to it everywhere. The Jets. The Sharks. Maria. The ever-present masculine rhythmic snapping of fingers. That's right, West Side Story is coming to town, with shows running for the next month at The Citadel. Tickets start at $30.

When? April 23 to May 22

If you prefer your musicals a little more modern you can also check out Rent: The Musical at the ATB Arts Barns

Shop local

What: There's quite a few ways you can support your local artist/crafter/builder this weekend:

• Annual Art Sale: featuring paintings, prints, sculptures, fine jewelry, and ceramics at Robertson Wesley United Church
• In St. Albert, the Painters Guild is holding its spring show and sale. Head to St. Albert Place to meet artists, take in some demonstrations and maybe win some free art.
• Nest in the City: More than 50 local vendors will be hocking their handmade wares at The Meadows Community Recreation Centre on Saturday
• Want new stuff without paying for it (or committing a crime)? Head to the Community Clothing Swap at Variant Edmonton on Saturday afternoon.
• The Edmonton Cottage Life + Cabin Show isat the Expo Centre this weekend, with plenty of samples, demonstrations and vendors setting up shop.

Celebrate our planet

What: Celebrate our planet in the heart of downtown (10120 - 104th Street) on Sunday at the Edmonton Earth Day Festival. There, you'll find earth-friendly products for sale, eco displays and family-friendly fun.

When: April 24 from noon to 3 p.m.

Shakespeare in a hurry

What:Are you a fan of the Bard? How about fast-paced comedy? If you answered "yes" to one orboth of those questions, have I got an event for you. It's called The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)and, in a nutshell, it's a live performance of three actors, spitting out 37 works in just 90 minutes. Seriously, this sounds amazing.

When:April 20 to 23, with a matinee on Saturday

Listen large or small

What:From the big screen to the small venue, I Want You to Want Me to Lady Sings the Blues:

• Listen to the music of the big screen Titanic, The Lord of the Rings, Gone with the Wind, Star Wars and Harry Potter Friday night at the Winspear as the ESO performs Hollywood: The Epics!This is the perfect concert for cinephiles.
• On the smaller scale, the Alberta Baroque EnsemblepresentsBach Handel at Robertson Wesley United Church on Sunday afternoon.
• And now, for something completely different, Cheap Trick is playing the River Cree Resort & Casino on Saturday night
• She's been compared toNina Simone and Billie Holiday, and now you can seeLizz Wright perform live at Festival Place on Saturday night.

Odds and ends

• If you're free Thursday night and know your Wingardium Leviosa from your Sectumsempra, you should probably head to The Pint downtown for Harry Potter trivia night
• Noodles & doodles culinary Cook-off: Support the arts, community and cooking all at the same time at Mount Royal School on Saturday
• Daffodil Dash: Walk a kilometre or run five for the Canadian Cancer Society on Sunday at Peggy Holmes Park
• FC Edmonton takes on the Ottawa Fury on Sunday
• And a reminder - the Edmonton Poetry Festival is still underway

Know of a weekend event happening in the city? Email meor tweet me@CBC_Caitlin