December 31, 2013

Empower l Random 18 x 18 l Sabourin: Present At Hand l Undefeated CrossFit Grand Opening

Empower
January 10, 7:00 pm
The Purple Room at Frame Arts Warehouse in the Exchange, 318 Ross Ave.

We are donating 50% of the sale of any work to Because I Am A Girl.  What makes this initiative so special is that not only do they work to empower girls and women internationally, but they match your donation four times to the dollar.

The hope is that we generate a relationship with ourselves as artists and our community but more globally, the focus is the empowerment of girls and women to strengthen and enable their surrounding communities, and ultimately the end of gender inequality.

Spock Marciano
Selena Panchoo
Sara McIvor-Prouty
Olivia Fulton
Nadine Hink
Kerri-Lynn Wilkinson
Jill McGillivray
Jean Borbridge
Heather Elizabeth
Gillian King
Elise Nadeau
Dee Barsy
Deanna Bogaski
Amber Collins

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Random 18 x 18
Cre8ery gallery & studio, 125 Adelaide Street
January 10 until January 18

Opening Reception, January 10, 7 - 10 pm
Tues & Thurs, 12-8; Wed, Fri & Sat, 12-5

Featuring: Susie Brown, Bazil Artist, Bonnie Cadieux, Carla Dyck, Alerry Lavitt,
Helen Lyons, Lee Beaton, Pamela Desmet Franklin, Natasha Lowenthal,
Andrew Marek, Manny Martins-Karman, Sarah Neville, Jayne Nixon, Chu Pei,
Candace Propp, Irene Rowland, Gail Sawatzky, Roberta Sparling.

With an assortment of figurative, landscape, and abstract works, Random 18 x 18 is a mix of different styles of expression, whether abstract painting full of shape, colour, and design, visual experimentation, or the literal capture of natural scenes and objects. From the ordinary to the abstract, from the representational to the non-representational, this exhibition is a Random compilation of Randomness.

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Present At Hand - an exhibition by Matthieu Sabourin
Ace Art, 2-290 McDermot Avenue  (204-944-9763)
January 10 to February 14
Launch – January 10, 7 pm

Sabourin focuses on small objects found in everyday life, especially those which hold a strong relationship to the hand. He tests the limits of such objects both through swift interventions and long-winded enterprises. His pieces play with ideas of self-containment. Present At Hand consists of these many sculptures, modest in size, which exist in a flexible dialogical relationship with each other. Together, they elicit and conflate humor and material discovery.

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Undefeated CrossFit, 14-1100 Waverley Street
January 11, 9:00 am until 5:00 pm

Please join us in our Grand Opening and strengthen the CrossFit community in Winnipeg.
We've got prizes. We've got free gear. We've got fun!
We're also holding special promotions for new members, so bring your friends and family!

We will be holding a co-ed team competition and premiering our documentary We're All In This Together, A short film about five individuals preparing for FrostFit 2013.

December 28, 2013

Happy New Year!

A brand new year, 2014, is just around the corner.
I'd like to thank everyone who has visited since I started in 2009.
I hope visiting Winnipeg is Better than Chocolate has been helpful and enjoyable for you.

I'd like to make my blog better, and for that I need your help.

Could you please post a comment on what types of events and posts you like.
Also I'd like to know what you don't want to read about.
Just click on 'comments' below and jot a few thoughts.
No postage involved.

Thank you for visiting and for your input…

Now on to 2014!

December 27, 2013

Such Creatures l The Edge Gallery: RESIDING ON THE EDGE l McNally's: Colleen Geske, Chiaroscuro Reading Series, CLEARWATER, Bill Hamilton and the Todaschuk Sisters

Such Creatures by Judith Thompson
Colin Jackson Studio, Prairie Theatre Exchange, 3rd floor Portage Place mall
Presented by Incompletely Strangled Theatre
January 2 to 5
8 PM Thursday - Saturday / 2 PM Sunday 

Doreeen Brownstone and Gislina Patterson in this heavy-hitting two-hander.
85 year old Sorele goes back to Auschwitz. 15 year old Blandy waits in a park for the fight of her life. A story of love, hate, strength and hope, as two women face monsters.
 
Directed by Arne MacPherson
Tickets: $15   To reserve tickets
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The Edge Gallery and Urban Art Centre,  611 Main Street
January 3, 7:00 pm until 12:00 am

THE EDGE GALLERY presents ...
RESIDING ON THE EDGE // our first annual resident artist exhibit & gala
featuring works by our resident artists in 2013:
KC ADAMS // CRYSTAL NYKOLUK // MIKE ASTILL // MONICA MARTINEZ
It's a formal affair -- so dress to the ninths!
food & drink // music // raffle // special membership sale

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At McNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Avenue:

January 8, 7:00 pm - Grant Park in the Atrium
Stuff Dutch People Like: A celebration of the Lowlands and its inhabitants.  

A witty look at the Dutch and what makes them tick, through the eyes of a Canadian outsider.  Colleen Geske is the author of the popular blog Stuff Dutch People Like. She has lived in Europe since 2004. 

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Chiaroscuro Reading Series Winnipeg Presents: 
Corey Redekop, Craig Russell and Leia Getty, Hosted by Chadwick Ginther
January 8, 7:30 pm, in the Travel Alcove 

We'll have everything you need to beat back the sub-Arctic doldrums: zombie love, modern fables, and epic fantasy.  Corey, Craig, and Leia will sign copies of HUSK, BLACK BOTTLE MAN, and TOWER OF OBSIDIAN after their readings.

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CLEARWATER 
January 9, 7:00 pm

Kim McCullough will read from her new novel. She will be joined by Katherena Vermette and Ashley MacLennan (aka Sierra Dean) who will also read.

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Music at Mc Nally's - Grant Park in Prairie Ink Restaurant

Thursday Jan 02 2014 8:00 pm 

Saturday Jan 04 2014 8:00 pm
Ukrainian Christmas Carols 


Phone 204-475-0483
(Toll-Free 1-800561-1833)

December 22, 2013

American Idol & Achievement Awards Gala - Al Simmons l Skywalk Concerts 2014 l Lite a Tree for ALS l Women’s Hockey Fundamentals

Centennial Concert Hall
WSO Box Office, 555 Main Street
Winnipeg: 204.949.3999  or email
Brandon: 204.725.1165 (toll free)

Start the New Year off with the incredible voices of 3 American Idol finalists!
LaKisha Jones: I Will Always Love You, Girl on Fire, And I Am Telling You, 
Don't Stop Believing... And Haley Scarnato and Matt Giraud! 
Friday, January 10 * 8:00 pm - BUY
Saturday, January 11 * 8:00 pm - BUY
Sunday, January 12 * 2:00 pm - BUY

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WSO Achievement Awards Gala "Martinis & Manhattans"
Honouring Entertainer Al Simmons
February 25, at 5:30 pm - Black Tie Optional
RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue
For tickets, contact Jason Hayes at 204-949-3973

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Skywalk Concerts at the Millennium Library, January - March 2014
Join WSO musicians every Thursday starting at 12:10 pm 

January 9: Variety is the Spice of Life
Robin MacMillan, oboe/ English horn; Gwen Beamish, piano

January 16: Something Borrowed, Something New... Stolen Music for Bass Trombone
Julia McIntyre, bass trombone; Cary Denby, piano

February 13: Up Close with a Flutist and a Flute
Jan Kocman, flute

March 6: The Classical Saxophone
Allen Harrington, saxophone; Laura Loewen, piano

March 13: Trombone Tapestry
Steven Dyer, trombone; Cary Denby, piano

Download the Skywalk brochure here.

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The Brummitt-Feasby ALS House is a home for those living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Please support with your donation to Lite The Bulbs on the trees in the front yard.
To January 31
Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the 
Brummitt-Feasby ALS House, 106 Kirby Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R2Y 0E8
or at ALS Society of Manitoba, 493 Madison Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 1J2
Please call 204-831-1510 or e-mail 

3 bulbs for $5.00 
7 Bulbs for $10.00 
Lite a Whole Tree (150 Bulbs) for $150
Any donation of $10.00 or more will receive a tax receipt.  

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Women’s Hockey Fundamentals
January 7 to March 25 (12 sessions), Tuesdays 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm 
Canlan Ice Sports, 1871 Ellice Ave.
Full hockey equipment mandatory
Cost  $225 + gst

The sessions are designed to provide basic hockey fundamentals and knowledge of the game, and are open to women of any skill level  The sessions are good training for anyone who wants to sharpen up on power-skating, stickhandling and passing skills.

Contact Tyler Stewart 204-784-8888 ext. 223 or email 

December 18, 2013

BTPRSM Silver Coin Drive l Stock Your Bar Raffle l Comedy Mondays at Ozzy's l Big Fun 2014 Launch Party

~ BTPRSM Silver Coin Drive ~
Boston Terrier & Pug Rescue of Southern Manitoba (BTPRSM)
P.O. Box 51063 RPO Tyndall Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2X 3C6

Help us raise some money for dogs that will require extensive vetting or surgery.
We will always accept change at our events.  We are looking to raise $3000 to put towards surgeries, vetting,and extended medical care for dogs in our Hospice Program. 

Please contact us and we can arrange pick up of your loose change, including pennies!!

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Craig Street Cats - Stock Your Bar Raffle
Draw date is December 30, 4:00pm

All proceeds will go to help cover operating costs of the Adoption Centre. 
Tickets are just $5.00 each and available at the Adoption Centre, 489 Madison. 
You could win more than once as all tickets are valid for all three draws. 
You do not need to be present to win.

1st prize - $300 MLCC Gift Card
2nd prize - $150 MLCC Gift Card
3rd prize - $50 MLCC Gift Card 

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Comedy Mondays at Ozzy's Bar & Nightclub, 160 Osborne St.  (204-452-9824)
Stand-up comics of all levels sign up to perform, followed by a seasoned headliner to cap off a hilarious night.
Dec 23, 8:00 pm

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Union Sound Hall, 110 Market Avenue
December 23, 10:00 pm   Get Tickets    COVER is $2
We will be releasing Big Fun 2014's entire line up and with the announcement of all the bands we are throwing a party to celebrate! So come party with us! 

Live performances by:
SMRT TYPE (laid back raps made by cute boys)
The Party Dress (rock and roll, very awesome)

Then dance the night away with DJs Wolf Boy, Burglar, and Schelly Handsome. 

December 15, 2013

K9 Rescue Calendar Fundraiser l Boxing Day Unwrapped l Curtis Nowosad l Hearing Their Voices “FYV360”

Before the Bridge Senior K9 Rescue's Cash Calendar Fundraiser

Calendars are $10.00 each
We do a draw every day for 31 days at Tim Horton's, 265 Main Street Selkirk, MB
New Years Day, the draw is $200.00!
Monday to Friday is $25.00 each day and $50.00 for Saturday and Sunday.

You can win more than once as your ticket goes back into the draw - you could win 31 times!
There was a customer last year who won 4 times.
You can pick up calendars at Pet Value and Bits and Bites on McPhillips or contact

For any questions or to Donate  or call: 204-344-6054 or 204-295-0955

Before the Bridge Senior K9 Rescue, 7 Prince Street, Stony Mountain, is a volunteer operated, non-profit rescue group. We rescue senior dogs that have been surrendered, neglected or dumped in a pound and places dogs with loving foster families, who care for them until they find permanent, loving homes to live out their days.

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Boxing Day Unwrapped - Burlesque Show
December 26 - Doors open at 6 pm and the show starts at 8 pm
World Famous Palomino Club, 1133 Portage Ave.   (204) 772-0454 or email

Burlesque Show Featuring Miss La Muse
Keep the "Heat" off the streets - Fundraiser for the Spay and Neuter Program of Manitoba
Silent Auction
Live Entertainment
$10.00 Admission
Sponsored By: Stagette Winnipeg, Passion Parties, Fabutan Winnipeg

Hello darlings! I'm so excited to flaunt my lady bits and sing! Along with the dazzling MissRuby RedLips and our burlesque house band Johnny Pancreas & The Diabetics. If you have never seen burlesque before, or you think it's like what's in the movies, prepare to have your mind blown. See you there, xoxo

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Prairie 360, 83 Garry Street
December 27, 8:00 pm to midnight - no cover!

Drummer Curtis Nowosad will be returning from NYC for the holidays, performing TWO back-to-back shows with his quartet, featuring:
Steve Kirby - bass
Will Bonness - piano
Niall Bakkestad-Legare - tenor saxophone

The group will be playing a mix of standards, songs from Curtis' debut album, The Skeptic & Cynic, & many new original compositions!

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January 8
HEARING THEIR VOICES: Celebrating New Canadians 
The Revolving Restaurant, Prairie 360 Skyline Restaurant & Lounge, Fort Garry Place

A fundraising event for a local program, “Finding Your Voice”. 
“FYV360”, aims to raise money to publish The Past is Another Country: Volume 3
a collection of short stories by twelve new Canadians.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour, appetizers and performances by new Canadians.
A four-course meal with traditional dishes of the homelands, from Guyana to Korea. 
All dishes will be gluten-free, with vegetarian alternatives available.
BUY YOUR TICKETS l Tables seat a maximum of 8 – $100/person
Any questions please contact Stephanie Thiessen.

The Finding Your Voice writing program for new Canadians is a place to develop writing and story-telling skills, build confidence, make friends, and empower participants in what can sometimes be challenging times in a new country, said Janine LeGal, facilitator

December 13, 2013

FREE Family New Year’s Eve at The Forks l New Year's Eve Party at The Park l Starry Night Gala l Movie & Pizza Family Fellowship l Concert with Sound Foundation l Dinner & Ron Paley l New Year's Events at Asessippi & Stonewall l Lieutenant Governor's New Year Levee

Scotiabank Family New Year’s Eve
The Forks, 1 Forks Market Road
Contact Email   or Phone: 204-942-8898

Join us for a day filled with FREE events and family activities!!

Arctic Glacier Winter Park (weather permitting)
Skate on 1.2 kilometres of trails, shoosh down the Toboggan Run, and test your tricks in our Snowboard Fun Park.
Iceland Skate Rentals, located in The Tower Atrium in The Forks Market, rents skates in all sizes. Rates are $3 for children and seniors l $5 for adults

Kids Crafts  5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Create and decorate your own New Year’s hat in the South Aisle of The Forks Market.

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides sponsored by Scotiabank 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hop on the wagon in front of Explore Manitoba and enjoy the festive lights as you take a trip around the site.   CANCELLED  

Live entertainment on the Main Stage in The Forks Market  6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Members of Manitoba’s vibrant music community take over Centre Court.

Party in The Port   9:30 pm
Get outside and gear up for the Fireworks with a dance party in the Port
with DJ Hunnicutt & DJ Co-op

Fireworks Show 10:00 pm by two-time world champions, Archangel Fireworks.

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The Park Theatre Cafe, 698 Osborne Street   204-478-7275
December 31 l Doors: 9 pm | Show: 10 pm
Tickets: $34.95 (Plus Taxes and Service Fee)
Includes a Champagne Toast, Catering by BMC Market, and a Midnight Kiss!

It's never to early to start planning your New Year's Eve Festivities!  This year we are taking it back to the 90s with bands covering some of your favourites from that era. 
So bring out your Mom's jeans, grow a mullet and ring in 2014, 90s style!

Live performances by Charlee Bravo with Jenny Bihun, Wang the Merciless
and the St. Beach Boys covering all your favourite hits from the 90's.
Dress to impress in your Best 90's Garb for our dance/costume contest.

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New Year's Eve Gala - Starry Night Gala
Centro Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes Avenue
email or call 204-487-4597

December 31
Cocktails 6 pm - Dinner 7 pm
Live music by Vito DeStefano con Amici
a 7 course Italian meal with snacks at midnight
Cash bar, party favours
Tickets $90; $80 for members; $25 for children 6 to 12 years old
After Dinner (10:30 pm) $20

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Calvary Temple, 440 Hargrave Street
email or call 204-943-4551  Tickets on sale in the foyer

December 31, Room 130 - Argue Building
Movie & Pizza - Family Fellowship at 6:30 pm
Adults - $7.50 l Children under 10 - $5.00 l Children under 5 - FREE

Dessert fellowship at 9:30 pm - Main Sanctuary
New Years Eve Concert with Sound Foundation at 10:30 pm
All welcome.

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Winnipeg Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue, on the 3rd floor
December 31 - Premiere New Year's Eve Event
An Exquisite Gala Dinner with Dancing, Live Entertainment and the Ron Paley 21 Piece Band
surrounded by sophisticated ambience.

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Asessippi Family New Year's Eve
December 31 - Asessippi Ski Area & Resort
Bring in the New Year on Snow, this family event includes indoor games for the kids,
face painting, late night tubing and a midnight run down Easy Street.

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December 31 - Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre, 166 Main Street
First Night at Stonewall, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Family oriented New Year's Eve celebration, children's crafts, sleigh rides, much more!

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Lieutenant Governor's New Year Levee
January 1, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Manitoba Legislative Building
Entertainment and Refreshments!
Free sleigh rides around the grounds!!

Members of the Manitoba Living History Society and the
United Empire Loyalist Association will be in heritage costumes.
Please bring a food donation for Winnipeg Harvest.

December 11, 2013

MIRA BLACK LOVE FEST l Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine l Annual Crêche Festival l Women's Musical Club Scholarship Winners' Recital

MIRA BLACK LOVE FEST: in celebration of Winnipeg Musicians & my broken bits
Gas Station Arts Centre, 445 River Avenue
December 22, 6:00 pm until 11:00 pm
$10 l   tickets or at door

The talented and amazing Mira Black broke her foot and lost 6 weeks of wages. So she's putting on a fundraiser. It will be tons of fun and some happening artists. Please come and support her and enjoy some great entertainment.

6:00 cocktails & appetizers - Marguerite Yarmi
7:00 Opening act MC T'ai Pu, MIRA SAHAY feat Mira Black, Don Benadictson, Scott Senior
7:30 Intermission feat Angela La Muse
8:00 Spoken word Steve Currie, MRS JONES feat
        Mira Black, Christian Dugas, Meg Dolovich, Jocelyn Gould, Jonathan Alexiuk
8:30 Intermission feat Angela La Muse 
9:00 Spoken word Aaron Simm, MIRA BLACK (OFFICIAL) feat
         Keith Price , Gilles Fournier, Curtis Nowosad/Know-a-sad Music

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Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine
Daly House Museum, 122 Eighteenth Street, Brandon
to December 28 

The exhibit is constructed around six attractive banners from the United States National Library of Medicine augmented by Victorian artifacts from the Daly House collections.

This grand brick home, one of the oldest structures in Brandon, was built in 1882 for Thomas Mayne Daly. When Daly moved to British Columbia in 1896, he sold it to his law partner, George R. Coldwell. The house later served as a children’s shelter then, in 1976, it was taken over by a non-profit organization which renovated and reopened it as a museum. On the grounds of the museum is a plaque commemorating Daly, erected by the Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba.

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Annual Crêche Festival
Phone: 367-8443 or email
to January 4

Put on the Friends of the Crêche. Throughout the year, the group ferrets out new Crêche displays while on business or holidays trips; plans ways to make the event meaningful for families; solicits Crêche displays by local artists; promotes the Festival as a destination of choice for the Christmas season; and, helps keep alive the true meaning of Christmas for those who have never heard the Christmas story. Stop by the library to check it out!

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December 29, 2 pm
Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Boulevard  Contact Email 
$20
Student tickets $5 at the door only.
Tickets from McNally Robinson Booksellers and at the door (cash or cheque only).

Women's Musical Club 2013 WMC Scholarship Winners
Presenting
$3,000  WMC Scholarship ~ JINSUNG KIM, piano
$2,500  WMC Scholarship ~ NELSON BETTENCOURT, tenor
$2,000  Madeleine Gauvin Scholarship ~ AINSLEY WRAY, soprano
$1,500  Holtby Scholarship ~ NATALIE DAWE, cello
$1,000  Berythe Birse Scholarship ~ ASHLEY BOYCHUK, soprano

Honorable Mentions
~ Laurelle Jade Froese, mezzo-soprano
~ Julie Lumsden, soprano

Season brochure / subscription phone: 204-944-9431. WMC is a member of Musicnet.

December 10, 2013

RWB Nutcracker l Portage & Munsch - 50 Below l Amero's Little Christmas with Jordan St. Cyr & Desiree Dorian l RAW: David Spriggs - Blue l It Came From a Book I Read

Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Beloved holiday classic, Nutcracker
Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street
Dec 19, 2013, 7:00pm
Dec 20, 2013, 7:00pm
Dec 21, 2013, 2:00pm / 7:00pm
Dec 22, 2013, 2:00pm
Dec 27, 2013, 7:00pm
Dec 28, 2013, 2:00pm
Dec 29, 2013, 2:00pm

Tickets can be purchased online, at 380 Graham Avenue or by calling 204-956-2792 or
toll free 1-800-667-4792. Groups of ten or more, call for information on group discounts,
Monday to Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

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Prairie Theatre Exchange presents Portage & Munsch - 50 Below
Portage Place, Unit Y300 - 393 Portage Avenue
December 20 to 23, December 27 to 30

Another holiday season, another high-energy, madcap presentation of the stories
of Robert Munsch, expect to see some old favourites, along with some new ones.

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The West End Cultural Centre presents:
Don Amero’s Amero Little Christmas w/ Jordan St. Cyr and Desiree Dorian
December 21   l Doors 7:15 pm | Show 8:00 pm
Tickets: $15 Advance | $20 Door  at the West End Cultural CentreTicketmaster,

Don Amero’s love for the holidays continues to grow along with his “Amero Little Christmas” concert. Winnipeg roots rocker Jordan St. Cyr and country crooner Desiree Dorian guest star.

We all know there’s something magical about Christmas and my hope is to capture some of that and put it into a show explains Don Amero.
The biggest component for Amero Little Christmas is to raise awareness and funds for a local charity.  2013 has been a highlight year for Amero as he was nominated for both a Juno as well as a Canadian Folk Music Award and won a WCMA.

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RAW:Gallery - David Spriggs - Blue
Closing December 21st, 2013

Canadian/UK artist David Spriggs examines the particular symbolic, perceptual, social, political, and historical connotations of colour. These installations draw attention to the contrast between delineated space and the ephemeral form. Blue imagines new concepts of hue in space, manifesting the colour as a graspable physical object. The layering method employed has elements of both painting and sculpture. 

RAW:Gallery membership benefits: e-newsletter, 10% off the books, discounts at exchange businesses and advanced notice and ticket sales.

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Wayne Arthur Gallery, 186 Provencher Blvd
It Came From a Book I Read  - The Annual Group Show
Show continues to December 27
For more information Call Bev at 477-5249

I have invited 50 artists to enter this art show with a work of art that is related to a book they have read. Everything on the walls will be replaced with new paintings, printmaking, drawings, photographs, mixed media, and also several three dimensional works by them.

Laurel Anderson-McCallum, Tanis Bannister, Suzanne Barrow, Hazel Birt, Ted Bobier,
Richard Chamberlin, Susan Crawford-Young, Gloria De Neve, Elizabeth Delgatty,
Zeljko(Jack) Dermek, Omer De Wandel, Peter Dumans, Gary Ganes, Naomi Gerrard,
Gordon Gilbey, Laurie Harper-Winning, Genevie Henderson, Lois Hogg, Kathy Innes,
Ruth Kamenev, Eileen Kasprick, Traute Klein, Bella Kraska, Sandi Lamont, Della Lane,
Annemarie Layman, Helen Lyons, Stew McCulloch, Tyrrell Mendis, Rosemary Miguez,
Bev Morton, Luba Olesky, Garth Palanuk, Judith Panson, Luther Pokrant,
Quidam H. RogueRaiders, Gina Roth, Sharon Routley, Shosh Shalev-Minuk, Robby Simpson,
Hilda Smith, Jolanta Sokalska, Roger Sutherland, Bonnie Taylor, Bronwyn Thorndycraft,

Mabel Tinguely, Barb Watson, Jean Wiens, Gerrie Wright

December 8, 2013

Holiday Adoption Fair, Craft & Bake Sale, Pet Holiday Photos l Adventure Travel Raffle 2013 l Solstice Celebration l Common Sense HOLIDAY Cabaret with Joseph Common & The Dark Sisters l The Naughty List with Chantel Marostica

HOLIDAY ADOPTION FAIR: Sprockett's Doggy Day Camp, Unit 7- 975 Thomas Ave
December 15, 11:00 am until 4:00 pm
Christmas photos with Santa Paws l  Craft sale 

Email to receive a list of drop-off locations or if you have any questions.
Drop off baked goods by December 14.
Volunteer bakers can prepare any baked good that they choose. 
Some examples are banana bread, cookies, cupcakes, or even dog treats!
How about baking some good recipes from Cesar Millan's website for Manitoba Mutts!

1. Identify ingredients, particularly wheat, spices, and nuts 
2. For dog treats, identify all ingredients in case of dog allergies
3. Package baked goods into small bundles

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Fort Whyte Alive - Adventure Travel Raffle 2013
1st Prize - South America Inca Discovery
2nd Prize Churchill Bear Country Adventure
3rd Prize Iceland Northern Lights
Boston Terrier & Pug Rescue of Southern Manitoba (BTPRSM) is selling tickets
Tickets are 3 for $10 
BTPRSM received 50% profit of all the tickets we sell through our rescue.
Draw Date is December 18, 2013 at 3 pm.

To purchase tickets, please email us or stop by one of our events or playgroups.

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Dancing the Sun: a Solstice Celebration
December 15, 3:00 pm
The Urban Forest Coffeehouse, 93 Albert Street
All are welcome.  Please join us as we gather once again to welcome and dance the sun and light the sacred fires, led by Stuart Farley and Katherine Bitney.  Bring your drums, fiddles, pipes, bells, lets sing and make some music.

We will be going downstairs, so please bring your indoor shoes or really thick socks. 
After the Rite we will have a potluck and make merry. 

It is  child friendly atmosphere, but not designed for children.  If you have a votive holder, or something to add to the community yule log decorations, bring them.  If you could note the ingredients of what you bring for the potluck, some folks have allergies, it will be appreciated.

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December 15, 8:00 pm until 10:00 pm  l doors open at 7:00
The Park Theatre, 698 Osborne Street
The Common Sense HOLIDAY Cabaret is an evening of comedy, improv and music in the style of an old-school TV variety show redesigned for a modern audience.

Tickets are $15.00 and available at 1-866-943-8849 or website
A live variety show in two acts modelled after TV variety shows of the 60s and 70s. 

The host is local celebrity, Joseph Common, (John B. Lowe) reluctantly supported by his extended family of entertainers. Joseph’s singing nieces, The Dark Sisters (Sarah Constible, Trish Cooper and Erin McGrath) are featured performers, along with Joseph’s ex-wife, the controversial chanteuse, Constance Common (Marina Stephenson Kerr) and his nephew, Little Joe, (Cory Wojcik). The Talentless Lumps and the Macho Poo-Poo choir will also perform.
Music Director: Süss 
Stage Manager: Michelle Lagassé 
Guests include: Tobias Hughes, RobYn Slade, Jane Testar, Andrea del Campo, Ardyth Johnson,
Aileen Audette, Daina Leitold, Brenda McLean, Spenser Payne, Heather Russell, Alissa Watson,
Yanin Scott Cranwill, Alix Sobler, Greg Lowe, Randy Apostle, and many more.

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Hot Thespian Action Presents: The Naughty List
Gas Station Arts Centre, 445 River Avenue,
December 19, 8:00 pm until 10:00 pm   Get Tickets 
16 years and over

Hot Thespian Action is helping cut through the holiday smarm with a healthy dose of cynicism and inappropriateness. Come join us for a collection of our most adult, our most off-colour, and our least Santa-approved sketches from our 8 years together.
Brilliant local comedian Chantel Marostica will get the evening off to a nice adults-only start. 
Join us for Christmas baking and egg nog (one of the best ways to get rum into you). 

Okay maybe it's not all cold misanthropy: Bring a non-perishable food item for Winnipeg Harvest. 
But that's it for heart-warming! No warm hearts after that!
This show may be the only way to survive the cloying sweetness this holiday season!

December 7, 2013

Christmas Events at the Forks / FREE pictures with Santa l Christmas Concerts: Children's & FREE l Prelude to Christmas l Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services l Back to Bethlehem l Carols and Lights l 2013 Christmas Lights Sightseeing Tours l Sons of Italy 'Christmas Eve Feast'

The Forks, 1 Forks Market Road
Contact Email   or Phone: 204-942-8898

Choir Performances please check the schedule
December 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20 | Centre Court

Tower of Toys
Drop off your new, unwrapped gift at The Forks Market for the Christmas Cheer Board.

Photos with Santa
December 13 | 5pm – 8pm | Centre Court
December 7, 15, 21 & 22 | 1pm – 4pm | Centre Court
***Bring your own camera to take photos with Santa.***

Signing Santa
December 8 & 14 | 1– 4pm | Centre Court
December 20 | 6– 9pm |Centre Court
Hearing-impaired children can communicate directly to Santa in American Sign Language. 
Bring your camera to take your own photos. 

Santa Story Time
December 13 | 5pm - 8pm | Centre Court
Join Santa for some classic holiday stories.

Nativity Pageant
December 7, 5pm, 6pm & 7pm | Busker's Lookout
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: a short Nativity Pageant with live animals.

Gift Wrapping
December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, & 22 | 1pm – 4pm | Centre Court
Add a festive flare to your gifts. Prices vary depending on the size of the package. 
All proceeds go to a local charity.

Christmas Crafts for Kids
1pm – 4pm | Centre Court
Create your own holiday craft with a different project at your fingertips each weekend.
December 7 & 8 craft is a snowy pine hanging tile.
December 14 & 15 craft is a Christmas tree door hanger with a bell.
December 21 & 22 craft is a Christmas ornament.

Anna's House Fundraiser
December 13 6pm - 9pm | December 14 9:30am - 9pm | December 15 9:30am - 4pm | Centre Court l Friends of Anna’s House Ethiopian Orphanage have new craft items to sell. 

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Calvary Temple, 440 Hargrave Street
reception@ctwinnipeg.com    204-943-4551
December 15, 6:00 pm
FREE PARKING | FREE ADMISSION

SONGS FOR JESUS - CHILDREN'S CONCERT
The Children of One Way Street & Discovery Land sing!
We invite you to join us for this special evening at Calvary Temple!
Join us after the concert for a dessert fellowship in the Banquet Hall.

Christmas Eve Family Service  December 24, 6:00 pm 
Christmas Day Service  December 25, 9:00 a.m.
Everybody is welcome to join us!!

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Christmas Stars Campaign
Make a donation in an amount of your choice for a Christmas Star in memory of a loved one
 or event. The stars will be on display during the Christmas Season.  
Contributions are accepted until December 15.
All funds go towards general operating expenses.

Prelude to Christmas Presented by:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Mary, Mother of the Church
Celebrate the wonder of Christmas in song and fellowship
Sun Dec 15 at 7:00 PM  45 Dalhousie Drive
We will gratefully accept any donations of non-perishables for Winnipeg Harvest

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6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
  • $25.00 + 5% GST for Adults 12 and over
  • $14.00 + 5% GST for Children 12 and under
  • Children that are three and under are "free on the knee"
  • check the website for special rates for groups
includes  residential, business, and
Dec 17 a drive through the Canad Inns Winter Wonderland display
Dec 18 a stop at the Electrical Museum to tour their All That Glows display

Starts and ends at the Travel Manitoba Explore Centre at the Forks Market.  If you have trouble 
getting around, please take the tour on Dec 17 as we do not get off the bus for the entire tour.

Tour through Winnipeg and see the many displays that make us the Christmas capital of Canada!
While listening to Christmas carols, you will see many colourful Christmas light displays.
See the Christmas Lights at the Manitoba Legislative Building and the Camels across from it. 
We'll slowly drive down Candy Cane Lane and Polar Bear Alley.

Contact Heartland Travel at (204) 989-9630 or email to book your seat or for info 
Visa, MasterCard, cash or cheque are accepted for bookings.

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Elim chapel, 546 Portage Avenue
204-786-7477 or Email 
Back to Bethlehem
December 21, 4 pm to 7 pm
last tour starts at 6:30 pm
FREE EVENT l free parking

Bring your family for an interactive experience!
Talk to Mary and Joseph in the stable
Help the Wise Men find the star
Decorate a cookie in the marketplace
Visit the shepherds and their REAL sheep!!

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168 Wilton Street  (204-453-5642)
Hear the readings of Christmas, sing your favourite carols, and enjoy the Christmas Spirit:
  • December 22 at 7PM – Traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with readings, and carols.
  • December 24 at 5:00PM – Family Service.  A service of Eucharist especially for children – with a Christmas Play, and lots of carol singing.  Over by 6PM!
  • December 24 at 10:30PM – Eucharist.  “Midnight Mass” with choir and lots of music.
  • December 25 at 10:30AM – Eucharist.  A quiet service including a number of carols.
  • December 29 at 10:30 AM – the first Sunday after Christmas – Eucharist.
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December 22 morning service   10:30 AM to 11:30 AM 
The choir offers 'Once upon a Night' - a Christmas Cantata by Pepper Choplin. 
Carol Sing at 10:15am

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Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Donald & Graham        
December 22, 5 pm
December 23, 7 pm
Come and join us for an evening of Carols by candlelight.
Hot wassail and Christmas cookies
Friendship and fellowship l FREE parking 
Carols and Candles is a gift to the community during the Christmas season.

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December 24, 2013  

In the spirit of giving, we are proud to present our eighth annual Sons of Italy Christmas Eve Feast
Working with our wonderful sponsors, we are able to provide a true feast on Christmas Eve for many people who might not have had an opportunity to experience a wonderful meal, pictures with Santa, music, fun, and presents-to-go.  

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All Saints Church, 175 Colony Street (corner of Broadway and Osborne)
204-786-4765
December 24  2 pm Carols & Tea
                     8 pm St. Benedict's
                    11 pm Choral Eucharist featuring chorus, strings and Charpentier.
December 25 - 11 am Eucharist and Carols

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John Black United Church, 898 Henderson Highway
December 24th - 5:00 p.m.      Family Service
December 24th - 10:00 p.m. Candlelight and Holy Communion Service

December 25, 10am – 11am

St. Andrew's Anglican Church, 2700 Portage Avenue    

St. Michael and All Angels Church, 300 Hugo Street at Mulvey

December 6, 2013

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's Klinic Karnaval l Operation Red Nose Manitoba l The Forks: Lesia Anna Art Studio l Plug In: Dan Graham l ace on the buses

Operation Red Nose Manitoba is running for the holiday season, to Tuesday, December 31 
in these communities:  Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, La Broquerie, Steinbach, Arborg, Gimli, 
Riverton, Selkirk, Flin Flon, The Pas, Brandon, Shilo

You can dial a deer for a ride home! 

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The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's Klinic Karnaval
Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue
December 13, 7:30 PM

Not a member - no problem.
You are welcome to attend a few meetings FOR FREE to see if you'd like to join!

Thinking about doing some model railroading? Not sure where to begin or what to buy?
Come down and get some expert advice!

The list includes:
Making Custom Switch Stands
Working with Styrene
Modelling Peeling Paint
Easy Layout Design Techniques
Z-scale Modelling
Applying Wet and Dry Decals
Wood Weathering
Freight Car Maintenance
Making Realistic Trees
Model Weathering Using Chalks
DCC Stationary Decoders

This is also our Christmas Dinner hot dogs night so bring your hot dog appetite along with something for the Christmas Cheer Board.


If you would like to show us how you do an aspect of the hobby, email Morgan Turney.

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Sensational shopping is available year round at The Forks. 
With nearly 75 shops on site, there is truly something for everyone! 
Residents can find fresh produce, meats, wine and flowers to take home. Visitors and residents are offered everything from hand made jewelry to treasures from around the world.

The Forks Market
204.942.6302 l (toll free)  1.888.942.6302

December 1 - 8: Daily 9:30 am to 6:30 pm l Fridays 9:30 am to 9 pm
December 9 - 21 9:30 am - 9 pm
Christmas Eve 9:30 am - 4 pm
Closed Christmas Day
Boxing Day Select tenants open 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
December 27 9:30 am - 9 pm
December 28 - 30 | 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Dec. 31 9:30 am – 10 pm
Jan. 1 Select tenants open 9:30 am – 6:30 pm

Johnston Terminal, 25 Forks Market Road, has one of a kind gift stores. Free gift wrapping.
204.947.1200        Open daily 10 am to 6 pm l Fridays 10 am to 9 pm

Events Hotline 204.957.7618   l   Lost and Found 204.291-9197

Lesia Anna Art Studio in The Johnston Terminal
Mon to Sun 10 am to 6 pm; Friday 10 am to 9 pm
A working art studio where Lesia Anna creates her art. Her art is sold world-wide to celebrities, film and TV, private and corporate collections.  Select from the Sand Sculptures made entirely from Manitoba beach sand, layered to create a 3D effect & shadow boxed.

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Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art:
Performance Café with Perforated Sides - Dan Graham
Closes December 31

Curated by Anthony Kiendl, the installation was created for Plug In ICA's roof terrace, an outdoor program space. 

Since the late 1970s, Dan Graham's work has focused upon public architectural installations called pavilions. Blurring the line between art and architecture, Graham's pavilions comprise steel, mirror and glass structures that create diverse optical effects. Created as hybrids, they operate as functional spaces and art installations.

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ace on the buses! photograph us and get published!
 until March 1 at 5:00 pm

Riding the buses in Winnipeg you may have seen some of Ace Art's posters - they are quotes from critical responses to our exhibitions or from the essays we feature in our PaperWait publication. 

We invite you to photograph all 7 of them - post on our Facebook page, Instagram (#ace_transit), or email them to us. Whoever sends all 7 first will get them published in the 2013/14 edition of PaperWait and will get a free membership to Ace.

December 4, 2013

All Aboard for the Holidays l Westminster Children’s Christmas Sale & Baroque Christmas Concert with Canzona l Holy Trinity's Christmas Services l Koats for Kids l CBC Harvest Hope l Broadway-First Baptist's Clothesline Sale

Rail Travel Tours Presents All Aboard for the Holidays
Winnipeg Railway Museum, in Winnipeg’s VIA Rail Canada Union Station, 123 Main Street

It is all decked out for the holiday season with lights and decorations.
The museum’s gift shop is stocked with model trains, railway books and collectables for rail enthusiasts of any age on your holiday shopping list.

Museum hours for December 5 – 29, 2013 are:
Thursdays from 7 pm to 10 pm (which will be great to see the lights!)
Saturday & Sundays from 11 am – 4 pm
Free for age 6 and under; 7 - 15 is $3.00 and 16 and up is $5.00 per person.
  • Learn about railways winter operations
  • See video presentations of snow plows in action
  • See Winter railway uniforms
  • Learn about the unique Tri-pod telegraph pole lines on the Hudson Bay lines
Contact Daryl Adair (204) 897-9551

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Westminster United Church, 745 West­min­ster Avenue

Decem­ber 7, 2013  Westminster Children’s Christmas Sale

West­min­ster Church provides a chance for chil­dren to shop and wrap gifts for every­one on their lists without spend­ing much. Mean­while, their adults can relax in the Lib­rary with a cup of tea or cof­fee and a dessert, and enjoy the serenity of our lovely church.

Dona­tions of items – any­thing you think a child might like – are welcome.
We also need wrap­ping paper, rib­bon, tags, and bags.

Please drop off your dona­tions at the Church office. Call the office at 204–784-1330
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December 17, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra presents a Baroque Christmas Concert with Canzona choir

We're teaming up with Winnipeg's baroque vocal ensemble, Canzona (celebrating 25 years), and guest conductor David Fallis for a holiday treat. Fallis is Canada's leading interpreter of baroque choral repertoire.

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Holy Trinity Anglican Church, corner of Donald and Graham, invites you to
Pipes Alive organ recitals on Dec 10 and 17 at 12:10 pm
Carols and Candles, which is a big sing-a-long, on Dec 22 and 23 at 7:00pm

You are also welcome to spend Christmas Eve with us, as we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus with three Communion Services.

Our first begins at 12:00 pm. from the Book of Common Prayer, and will feature favourite carols accompanied by the Holy Trinity Organ. 

Our second is at 5:00 p.m., and features favourite carols, led by our band Heart's Refuge.  This is a great service for your children, particularly the younger ones who have pre-Christmas energy.

Our third is at 11:00 p.m. from the Book of Common Prayer.  This is a service that is both solemn and joyful and features the full choir and organ.    A sample of our choir 

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Union Sound Hall, 110 Market Avenue, Winnipeg
December 11, 9:00 pm - 2:00 am

 $10 in advance and available at door, donation tickets also welcome 

All proceeds from event will go towards purchasing new coats for kids
A donation box will also be available for used adult coats 

Silent auction & prizes for singing your heart out!

To reserve your song email or FB message Tyson Caron

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Help CBC Harvest Hope next Friday
Friday, December 13  on CBC Radio One 89.3 FM
#HarvestHope

Join us in Harvesting Hope. CBC Manitoba is dedicating an all-day effort on CBC Radio OneCBC News Winnipeg and cbc.ca/manitoba to support the province's largest food bank, Winnipeg Harvest.

CBC Radio One is challenging its audiences to donate infant formula in addition to monetary donations for the food bank. 
Each month, Winnipeg Harvest provides emergency baby formula to over 1600 babies under the age of one. There is never enough infant formula to meet the demand.

Drop off infant formula donations to 
CBC Manitoba, 541 Portage Ave, Mon to Fri, 9 am – 5 pm.
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Broadway-First Baptist Church, 790 Honeyman Ave. @ Walnut St. (204-783-4413) or email
December 21, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

"Broadway-First Baptist Church invites you to their Clothesline Sale of good, pre-owned clothes - something for everyone. The prices are right!
We have been in operation for over 10 years. 

On the third Thursday, of every month, September to June from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. 
All proceeds support a childrens' feeding program in Haiti.

December 3, 2013

Santa & Just Kiddin' l Paper Pulp Building with Queti Azurin l Earthdog Terrier Christmas Sale l Calvin Christian Schools' Christmas Craft & Bake Sale l Kae Sasaki

December 14, 2013 at 11:00 AM
Tec Voc Theatre, 1555 Wall St.  (204 786-1401 Ext. 155 Carey

Santa Presents: Just Kiddin' in Concert "Keep The Tradition Alive"

With the closing of The Paddle Wheel Restaurant in The Bay Downtown a 45 year tradition came to an end. At the urging of the generations of families that have continued to make this an annual event, Santa will join Just Kiddin', Winnipeg's award winning High Energy Children's Entertainers, to rock another Christmas. 
This one hour concert will have you dancing on stage and in the aisles. 

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MAWA: Crafternoon: Paper Pulp Building with Queti Azurin
December 14, 1 - 4 pm at MAWA

Queti will teach how to make objects such as pendants, earrings and book covers, enabling participants to learn about the versatile nature of paper pulp.  She immigrated to Winnipeg in 2013. Her recent solo show, Uproot, opened just two days before she left the Philippines. 

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December 15, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Earthdog Terrier Rescues Christmas Sale
With 23 tables of venues (including Epicure Tupperwear Scentsy), homemade crafts, baking, and silent auction items your sure to find something for your 2 and 4 legged friends and family! Pre-order items - email us

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December 16, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Calvin Christian Schools - Elementary Campus, 245 Sutton Ave (204-338-7981) 
23rd annual  Christmas Craft & Bake Sale

Excellent variety of venders - Homemade baking - Lunch available  -Raffle and door prizes 
Warm up with a hot Tim's coffee and a fresh cinnamon bun 
Enter for your chance to win NHL tickets! 
Kids Corner is Back: old fashioned candy store Jar Bar 
Decorate gingerbread cookies - Face painting - Clown

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December 16, 7:30 pm in Prairie Ink Restaurant
Gurevich Fine Art at McNally Robinson Gallery Opening: Look/See

Kae Sasaki creates visual worlds centered on the act of seeing. Her worlds are familiar and fantastic, rooted in everyday corporeal and spatial experiences of feminine figures.

Phone 204-475-0483
(Toll-Free 1-800561-1833)

December 2, 2013

Christmas Around the World l Kimberley Smith Tribute l FREE! Patrick Lussier, Guitar Holiday Classics l Millennium Library: SALES, The Hobbit, Sounds of the Season, and Mike Grandmaison

December 13, 2013, 7:30 pm
Crescent Fort Rouge United Church

The Winnipeg Singers - Christmas Around the World
Join the Winnipeg Singers as they present the world's most beloved carols.

Santa (Cory Wojcik) and two youngsters (Jaden & Anton Sokalski) travel around the world.
Written by Sharon Bajer
Guest choir is the Steinbach Regional Secondary Chamber Choir, directed by Kristel Peters.

Tickets can be obtained at McNally Robinson, at the door, calling 944-9100 or Pat Wray
$25.00 adults, $22.00 seniors, $10.00 students

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Calling All Angels: Tribute Concert in Memory of Kimberley Smith
December 13
The Pyramid Cabaret, 176 Fort Street

Kimberley (Kim) Smith passed away unexpectedly after minor surgery on October 7, 2013. ALL funds raised will be given to Kim’s father for the funeral expenses and legal fees.

There will be a silent auction as well as door prizes.  The original members of Eagle & Hawk (Vince Fontaine, Jay Bodner, Gerry Atwell, and Lawrence Spatch Mulhall) have come together for this one time only performance. Special guest performers will be donating their time to share in an all-star jam following the headlining two sets.

Kim was a well-known advocate of the local music scene. She was knowledgeable and supportive to many bands, becoming friends and following their careers from local bands to international success.

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The Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts, 201-211 Bannatyne Avenue 
(204.943.6090) or email
December 13, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Admission is free and open to the public.

Hosted by Patrick Lussier, performing various guitar classics for the holiday season.

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Millennium Library Events, 251 Donald Street (204-986-6450)

December 13 to 15, 2013, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Best of Friends Gift Shop 8th Anniversary Sale in the lobby
Sidewalk sale. Pop-up discounts changing daily. Free Draw.
Support library projects. (204) 947-0110 or email

Book-to-Movie Days: The Hobbit
Carol Shields Auditorium, December 14 at 2 p.m.
Drop in. 169 minutes. Rated PG.
It is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings.

Sounds of the Season
Celebrate with a week of live holiday tunes performed by local school choirs.
Lobby: December 16 - 20 at 12:15 p.m.

to December 30

Mike Grandmaison is passionate about creating exquisite images that reflect the beauty of Canada. His award-winning imagery has been published worldwide. This is an exhibition of custom printed photographs selected from Mike Grandmaison's Prairie and Beyond.