The headline says it all!
We have something new for all moods—be it contemplative, celebratory or saucy—with powerful new exhibits, a can’t-miss outdoor attraction, and online performances and events that will get you (and your group of friends) grooving.
New exhibits to experience in person
Artivism and the Witness Blanket at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Two powerful exhibitions just opened at the CMHR on April 30 that address residential schools.
Witness Blanket: Preserving a Legacy explores the large, cedar installation (titled “Witness Blanket”) by Kwakwak’awakw and Coast Salish master carver Carey Newman. The work displays over 800 items from the schools, many of which have been donated by survivors. The exhibition details many of these items, while also shedding light on the conservation processes in place to ensure Newman’s work continues to be displayed for generations.
Artivism is a collection of pieces from six artists, all created as responses to human rights violations. The works featured confront the Srebrenica genocide, the Argentina military dictatorship, South African apartheid, the Yazidi genocide, the recent Indonesian dictatorial regime and residential schools in Canada—leaving an indelible impression with visitors.
Both exhibitions can be found on the level one gallery, while you can learn more from APTN News here.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery puts spotlight on city’s history
The WAG also just welcomed spring with the opening of two new exhibits, both of which showcase the history of the city. The Alloways’ Gift and Rosalie Favell: Family Legacy are presented by The Winnipeg Foundation, which is celebrating its centennial this year.
The former features photographs, paintings and artifacts that cover the city’s infancy, while also showcasing the Winnipeg Foundations’ founders, William and Elizabeth Alloway. The latter, by contemporary Métis artist Rosalie Favell is an examination of her family history in the region using a variety of mediums, often contradicting the version of Winnipeg depicted in Alloways’ Gift.
While you are there, be sure to check out Qaumajuq, the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s new Inuit art gallery, which has been celebrated by numerous publications since it opened in March.
Manitoba Museum's new Prairies Gallery
Wow, is the Manitoba Museum ever looking fresh these days. This whole institution just completed $20.5 million in upgrades that have been years in the making, which all culminated in early April with the unveiling of the newly redesigned Prairies Gallery. This vast new gallery is like walking into open spaces on the plains, featuring new audio/visual elements to complement the robust displays of artifacts and specimens that will enchant both children and parents alike.
Aunt Sally’s Farm at Assiniboine Park Zoo
Assiniboine Park Zoo’s newest attraction also just opened in April. Aunt Sally’s Farm was the zoo’s original petting zoo, which opened back in 1959. This new version takes the attraction to a whole new level, with large rainbow-coloured bridges that its goats can use to walk from one area to another, a lookout tower, an entertainment stage and a barn that is brimming with pot-bellied pigs and llamas. There's also these ridiculously cute, tiny donkeys that you'll want to befriend.
Plus, it’s all covered under your general zoo admission. Learn more about it by watching our fun video below.
Virtual events & performances
Prairie Theatre Exchange has just opened the curtained virtually on 1-Hour Photo, now streaming from today (Wednesday, May 5) to Sunday, May 9. The one-person autobiographical play is written and performed by Vancouver’s Tetsuro Shigematsu and was a finalist for the 2019 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama. Randall King has a great article on it here in the Free Press, while you can purchase tickets for the streams from PTE here.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has continually brought us great live music online throughout the pandemic and May is no exception. This month you can enjoy livestreams of Mozart & Brahms (May 8, tickets here) and the Made in Manitoba program on May 15 featuring Don Amero, Julian Pellicano, Kelly Bado and Erin Propp and Larry Roy (tickets here).
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is currently presenting a bold adaptation of The Magic Flute (May 3-16), with Mozart’s work brought to life with interesting new staging by choreographer Mark Godden. After each performance you can also take part in a live Q&A with dancers and artists from the famed company.
Tickets are available here.
Folklorama at Home continues in May with two workshops. May 14 is a showcase of culture found on Rapa Nui (formerly known as Easter Island) with Chilean dancer and choreographer Carolina Fuentes. Rapa Nui: Dance, Language & Wardrobe Workshop will teach you some basic words and vernacular, while Fuentes will of course do dance demonstrations too. May 28 brings us Ethiopian coffee culture with host Winta Lakew. She'll be going through an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony step by step, using raw coffee beans which you roast at home right over the stove (the aroma is amazing; you can order the beans ahead of time through local organic coffee company Negash Coffee.)
Both sessions run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and you can book your workshop here.
Finally, if you are like us, you really miss doing trivia nights at pubs. Thankfully, we’ve recently discovered a Winnipeg-based company that is hosting them online, with both scheduled large sessions with strangers (oh, who we kidding, competitors!) and individual ones that you can book with a group of friends. It’s called Trivia Party and each event is hosted by DJ Brenton from Summer Bounce Entertainment. The next public Virtual Party takes place on Zoom on Friday, May 28 starting at 6:30, and will feature everything from a DJ’d pre-show, to a Family Feud style “survey says” game, a name that tune round, a Price is Right inspired round, a cocktail-making class, 90s trivia and more! It’s a full 2.5 hours of fun that is suitable for the whole family. The cost is $25 to attend, while first prize takes home a $300 prize pack.
You can buy your ticket here, along with inquiring about private party bookings with Brenton.
