Five cool things to do this week (May 3 to 9)

1. Take a cooking class

Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, there is always a hot tip to be had when working with a new chef; a spice you have never heard of, a new way of cooking a vegetable you have forever just pan-fried.  Polish your knife set and attend a cooking class.  Top picks: In an old church converted into a culinary studio, have a seat at Annie’s Table; watch a team of butchers disassemble “The Mighty Pig,” at The Healthy Butcher, or enjoy a European-style environment in a kitchen likely a little bit bigger than your own at the Food Studio Inc.

Annie’s Table, New London, PEI

The Food Studio Inc., Winnipeg

May 9, Featured class: "The Mighty Pig", The Healthy Butcher, Toronto

2. Explore a photo festival

From analog photography to digital installations that suggest time travel is possible, explore photo art inspired from past eras and years that have yet to come.

May 3 - 5, Elektra, Digital Arts Festival, Montreal

May 7 to 21, Dark Room 2.0, Contact Photography Festival, Toronto

3. Cheer at the finish line

Runners have spent months training for marathon season, so spend the day encouraging your community members along the way with homemade signs, or be there to water them down at the very end of the their long haul. Who knows? It might help shed seconds off their best time.

May 5, Toronto Marathon

May 5, Vancouver Marathon

May 4 and 5, Mississauga Marathon

4. Drink a cold one

Patio season is upon us and beer connoisseur’s are watering at the mouth with the thought of seasonal pours. Sample the latest brews to hit the taps, and begin to plan the drink menu for your upcoming backyard cookouts.

May 4 - 5, Calgary International Beerfest, Calgary

May 9, Camra Vancouver Spring Sessional Cask Festival, Vancouver

May 9, North American Craft Beer Experience, Toronto

5. Update your playlist

It’s a hot week for record releases no matter what your taste. Go country, with Lady Antebellum’s latest Golden (fitting title after a two year Grammy streak), or get sweet and playful with the She & Him duo comprised of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, with their third installment, Volume 3. And, that’s not all. Indie-rockers, Vampire Weekend introduce Modern Vampires Of The City, 98 Degree’s (yes, they are back!) reveal 2.0, and the living legend, Rod Stewart releases Time.