The TCU Place, 35 22nd St. E. (tel. 800/970-7328, or 306/938-7800 for tickets; www.tcuplace.com), provides a superb 2,003-seat theater for much of what there is, with a range of shows. The Saskatoon Symphony (tel. 306/665-6414; www.saskatoonsymphony.org) regularly performs during a September-to-April season. Tickets for adults are C$18 to C$50 (US$18-US$50/£9-£25).
The leading local theater company, the Persephone Theatre (tel. 306/384-2126 or 306/384-7727 for the box office; www.persephonetheatre.org), will move to its brand-new theater space sometime in 2008; check the website for details. Persephone offers six shows per fall-to-spring season (dramas, comedies, and musicals); tickets are C$25 to C$32 (US$25-US$32/£13-£16). Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, 602-245 3rd Ave. S., Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M4 (tel. 306/653-2300 or 306/652-9100 for the box office; www.shakespeareonthesaskatchewan.com), produces the Bard in two tents overlooking the river from July to mid-August. Three Shakespeare plays are performed, plus a special Festival Frolics during the season. Tickets are C$27 (US$27/£14) for adults, C$22 (US$22/£11) for seniors and students, with discounts for previews and matinees.
For quiet drinking and conversation, you can't beat Stovin's Lounge in the Delta Bessborough Hotel, 601 Spadina Crescent E. (tel. 306/244-5521). For a more publike atmosphere, try the O'Shea's Irish Pub, 222 2nd Ave. S. (tel. 306/384-7444), within easy walking distance from local hotels. The Marquis Downs racetrack, in the Prairieland Park Exhibition Centre at the corner of Ruth Street and St. Henry Avenue (tel. 306/242-6100), is open for live and simulcast racing. The live season goes mid-May to mid-October. The racetrack has a lounge, cafeteria, and terrace dining overlooking the paddock and home stretch. Admission is free. The other place to wager is the Emerald Casino, also at Prairieland Park (tel. 306/683-8840), where you can play five or so table games. It opens at 5:30pm weekdays and at 2pm weekends. Take the Ruth Street exit off Idylwyld Freeway.
