September 24, 2023

Art Showings l Writers’ Launches & Events by Winnipeg International Writers Festival l Halloween Fun l Fundraiser Show for Mental Health Awareness l Live Music

Art Showings

MAWA Mentoring Artists for Women's Art

Exhibition to September 28, Wednesday - Friday, 10 am - 4 pm

MAWA is hosting a members’ showcase and sale entitled Food, a banquet of creativity featuring works from MAWA members in a wide range of styles and mediums. Some of the work will be for sale, with all proceeds going to the artists.
Dining customs carry diverse cultural meanings, including notions of family, culture, hospitality and propriety. They encompass etiquette and taboos, and reflect our identity.
Food conjures the senses of sight, smell and taste. It also implies sustenance on different levels - food for thought! In the visual arts, food has held a wide variety of metaphoric meanings, including prosperity, generosity, fertility, sex, death and decay. Food is so much more than what we simply eat.
Participating artists: Adriana Alarcón, Mishelle Aminov Kosonovsky, Marie Antonette, Avery Ascher, Michelle Blackmon, Beatriz Barahona, Mahfuza Beauty, Jacqueline Bergman, Hollande Bezan, Lisa Bissett, Marie Bodnar, Kelly Campbell, Connie Chappel, Karen Cornelius, Alice Crawford, Alison Davis, Dena Decter, P. Desmet Franklin, Qian Ding, Dove, Joanne Dumas, Rosemary Dzus, Heidi Eigenkind, Cori Jaye Ettienne, Karen Fletcher, Diana Fred, Jane Gateson, Selene Gaytan Correa, Briony Haig, Bonnie Hallman, Jana Hamilton, Jessie Jannuska, Pamela Jeffrey, Glen Johnson, Lia Karras, Allison Kendall, Nora Kobrinsky, Miranda Kudajczyk, Anita Lebeau, Zoë LeBrun, Ingrid Lincoln, Monica Lowe, Annette Lowe, Kim Malenchak, Bonnie Marin, Francine Martin, Suzanne Mouflier, Elise Nadeau, Kristin Nelson, Agnes Neufeld, Ursula Neufeld, Loricia Pacholko, Pat Penner, Tracy Peters, Lainie Rosner, Alba Sawatsky, Karen Schmidt Humiski, Theresa Shaw, Kathleen Shellrude, Nicole Shimonek, Leesa Streifler, Margaret Switala, Melanee Tessler, Diana Thorneycroft, Jacqueline Trudeau, Jackie Turnbull, Sheri Turner, Susan Turner, Dulya Uhanovitage, Marika Veith, Karen Wardle, Tricia Wasney, Heidi Werner and Lisa Wood

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Oct 22, 2 p.m.

A host of hauntings by Erika DeFreitas
Free with reception to follow the lecture. All welcome!
Erika DeFreitas’ multidisciplinary practice includes performance, photography, video, installation, textiles, drawing and writing. Placing emphasis on gesture, process, the body, documentation and paranormal phenomena, DeFreitas mines concepts of loss, post-memory, legacy and objecthood.
The Wendy Wersch Lecture is an annual event that celebrates the memory of Winnipeg artist Wendy Wersch and is dedicated to exploring issues related to autonomy for women artists. The lectures focus on women in the arts as role models for innovative cultural investigation. The series builds awareness of feminist art criticism, activism and practice.

MAWA is a ground level accessible space, with an accessible entrance and washrooms. ASL is provided upon request, with two weeks notice. Service animals are welcome. We request that all guests refrain from wearing scented products. MAWA programming is open to participants of all genders unless otherwise noted. Washrooms are gender neutral. Any questions, please contact the office at 204-949-9490 or email info@mawa.ca

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Oct 6, 6 pm - 9 pm
Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba, 329 Cumberland
Free event!

Opening reception for Jude Palace's digital drawing show
I Do Not Make Art for Anyone; I Make Art for You
Palace’s work is busy, exuberant, tragic, and appears as a chaotic jumble of bright colours, creating an intriguing narrative. We will be projecting the artwork onto the wall of our building in large format in the East parking lot. There will be music, art, and snacks!

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Writers’ Launches & Events by Winnipeg International Writers Festival

Carol Shields Auditorium located in the Millennium Library, 251 Donald St
Admission is free.
Our Afternoon Book Chats are back! Books available for purchase. You can get it signed!

Sept 28, 2 pm
Raye Anderson and Tamara Cherry: When it comes to violent crimes, "Sing a Song of Summer", a murder mystery, probes the line between truth and fiction, while "The Trauma Beat", an investigative memoir, examines the distress these types of crimes cause to victims, journalists, and emergency personnel.
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Oct 12, 2  p.m.
Lauren Carter and Catherine Leroux: Short stories about our longing for connection but also the need for independence? Or a gorgeously translated novel about a community-focused version of the future? No matter what you’re into, both "Places Like These" and "The Future" bring us closer to an understanding of our humanity.

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Hosted live in the Atrium of McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park
To attend events at the store: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/event-attendance
The venue is accessible.

Sept 29, 7 pm - 8 pm
also simultaneous YouTube stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96eLW7DDTCI

Join Beatrice Mosionier as she launches the 40th anniversary edition of her groundbreaking classic.
Born in St. Boniface, Beatrice Mosionier is a Métis writer. Beatrice was three years old when the Children’s Aid Society of Winnipeg took her from her family. Losing both of her sisters to suicide compelled Beatrice to use her experiences growing up in foster homes to write "In Search of April Raintree". She has written several other books, a play and a short film, and she is the former publisher of Pemmican Publications.
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Oct 21, 7 pm - 8 pm
also simultaneous YouTube stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/8yMm_q5_Qsg

Join Marlene Epp for the Winnipeg launch of "Eating Like a Mennonite: Food and Community across Borders", an exploration of the meaning of Mennonite foodways, around the table and around the world.
Looking at Mennonites past and present, Epp shows that foodstuffs (cuisine) and foodways (practices) depend on historical and cultural context. Marlene Epp is professor emeritus of history at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo.

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Halloween Fun

Sept 29 & 30, Two shows nightly: 6:30 & 8:30 pm

Seven Oaks House Museum
$20 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spirits-of-seven-oaks-ghostly-walking-tours-tickets-715716115167

The Spirits of Seven Oaks scare again!
Our signature event returns with more strange and spooky tales from the historic past. Learn about paranormal events inside the museum and embark on a tour of the Seven Oaks neighbourhood led by the author of "Haunted Winnipeg" and "Haunted Manitoba", who will share eerie stories along the way.
Participants will hear of a historic battle that continues to be fought to this day, visit the oldest haunted house in Winnipeg and hear of the vanishing Red River cart.
Brave souls will explore Seven Oaks House by candlelight, as they learn about the paranormal activity within its walls.

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Oct 7, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Across The Board Game Café, Unit 105, 211 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg
(204) 691-3422         info@acrosstheboardcafe.com
A free event!  No ticket necessary, but reservations are recommended!
$10 adult and $6 child (12 and under) gaming fee applies.

Shiver me timbers! Grab yer best mateys and join us for our 2nd Annual Pirate Party!
The cafe will be transformed into a pirate paradise featuring exciting drink specials, decor, costumes, plenty of pirate themed games, and more! Avast, ye must be dressed as a pirate to enter! Pirate gear will be provided for any scallywags. Our game experts will be happy to teach you a new pirate themed game or two, and of course you’ll have access to our full games library of 1600+ games.
Book a table now https://acrosstheboardcafe.com/book-a-table/
Across the Board is a licensed restaurant, so food and drink options are available.

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Oct 20, 9 p.m. – LATE | 18+

Club Happenings, 114B Osborne St, Winnipeg
Tickets: https://hecticevents.com/products/halloween2023

Our annual Hectic Halloween party returns!
Join us in celebrating 5 years of events & music, featuring Edmonton co-headliners SPRITZUR and KVROT! along with local artists AXCID, Krometric, PRZM, Toppleganger, and TORN!
COSTUME CONTEST - Ghosts? Goblins? Witches? Whatever it is, wear it to Hectic Halloween for a chance to win the $100 cash prize! To qualify, just rock your best Halloween costume to the party. Winner will be judged based on epicness, effort, and creativity!

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Oct 21, 5-10 pm & Oct 22, 2-7pm
Robert Steen Community Centre

A Thinning of the Veil Samhain Market
The Wicked Bazaar is super excited to present this really spooky, cool and unique Halloween market with cool witchy wares, readers, psychics and more, just in time for Samhain!

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Oct 27, 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Garrick Hotel Bar

This is the Halloween Party our regulars are waiting for!
It's a fun night of dressing up, dancing, drinking, joking and laughing.
Fireball Friday specials are as always $3 Fireball shots... plus more.
Costume contest is a must and there is a PRIZE.

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Oct 28
Manitoba Children's Museum, 45 Forks Market Road,Winnipeg,R3C 4T6
Ticket Sales via Eventbrite  and are subject to Eventbrite processing fees
Online ticket sales will close at 11:59PM on October 27. If these fees are prohibitive, please purchase tickets in-person at the Admissions Desk or call 204.924.4000. All ticket sales are non-refundable.
Halloween Howl Early Bird $15 / (Museum Member) $13.50 to Oct 8, 11:59PM

TRICK-OR-TREAT! Join us for family entertainment at the 25th Annual Halloween Howl!
Collect treats in 12 indoor ghastly galleries, participate in spooktacular activities, make creepy crafts, and have some ghoulish fun. Event Highlights:
-A ghoulish dance party with special guest DJ Mama Cutsworth
-A hoot with feathered friends from Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre
-Magical fun with magician Evan Morgan
-Spooky experiments with Let’s Talk Science
-Make-and-take home your very own creepy craft

Costumes are optional. If a costume includes a toy weapon or a mask, we respectfully ask that you leave those items at home. The Children’s Museum reserves the right to restrict admitting children unaccompanied by adults as well as adults unaccompanied by children.

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Fundraiser Show for Mental Health Awareness

Oct 19, Doors: 7:30 pm / Show time: 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
The Park Theatre, 698 Osborne Street Winnipeg, MB R3L 2B9
An all-ages show, but you must provide ID to purchase alcoholic beverages.
$15 plus Fees  https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/pop-punk-party-4-the-park-theatre-tickets/13313348?REFERRAL_ID=twfb&fbclid=IwAR2n6wabv_Zi0P9v46b46OZnlfWZ2sDLfXM8Y0MyYwGyMM75hBuWvS6rUKg

Pop Punk Party 4 - Fundraiser Show for Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention, in memory of Winnipeg musician Zach Hucall, who we sadly lost to suicide in November of 2016.
BadFriend, The 1221, Single Player Campaign playing YOUR FAVOURITE POP PUNK SONGS!

Pop Punk Party 4 tees and collectible merchandise items will be available to purchase in the lobby at the show, as well as SILENT AUCTION tickets to win some incredibly cool prizes, including a 43" Hisense smart TV.

All funds raised will be going to The Robb Nash project, and KLINIC Community Health
More information - email Lisa at egopicks@gmail.com
Your photo ID is your ticket, please have it ready at the door the night of the event.
For information on The Park Theatre https://myparktheatre.com/faq/

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Live Music

The Osborne Taphouse, 112 Osborne St, Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Y5

Oct 19, 9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
$5 cover to support the music
Join us for Funky Thursdays every 2nd Thursday featuring the amazing 6-piece Funk Band Jace and The Hotties! $4.50 PBR’s, 3 for $15 Jager Bombs and Fireball, $5.50 16oz Double Standards and “9 for $9.99” appetizers
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Oct 24, 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.
No cover
Join us for Open Mic Tuesday and show us what you’ve got! All skill levels welcome.
Each week will be hosted by Jace Bodner (some weeks where we’ll have special guest hosts). There will be a sign up list starting at 8PM. You’ll be able to play 1-3 songs, depending on how many are on the list and how early you get there. The night will begin with a set by Jace, followed by Open Mic’ers.
Hop on stage to perform or just simply come down, have some food/drinks and enjoy the tunes! Don’t play music or sing? Tell us a joke, juggle, recite a poem… whatever!
Please bring your own instrument if you wanna play.
$4.50 PBR, $5.50 16oz Double Standards, 3 for $15 Jag Bombs, “9 for $9.99” appetizers

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Oct 22, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
The Fort Garry Hotel
https://www.showpass.com/casati-presents-a-night-of-norah-jazz-at-the-fort-garry-hotel/

Casati is best characterized as a folk trio with an open mind. Grace Hrabi, Jesse Popeski, and Quintin Bart are graduates of the University of Manitoba's jazz studies program. Over the past ten years the trio has released two albums, “There Will Be Days” (2017) and “This Is Just To Say” (2019), finding their style in a unique blend of all the music that inspires them: the heartbreak of a country ballad, the vocal harmonies of 1950's and 60's pop, and the instrumental virtuosity of jazz and classical music, creating a sound that is familiar yet original.

Casati will be presenting the music of Norah Jones in concert for Jazz. Jones has been an important inspiration for the trio, with songs that combine personal, vulnerable lyrics with a distinct combination of jazz and folk music. With special guest pianist Alanna Fast, Casati will perform a selection of familiar favourites and deep cuts from Norah Jones’ two decades-long career. http://www.casatiband.com

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Oct 25, 8 p.m.

The Pyramid Cabaret
https://pyramidcabaret.com/events-list/?fbclid=IwAR22wih8GFX5e7inN-caPtFB2z5RQJMBIVB9hhCA2zD_7UyF3R2c0JAQc8U#event=75602550;instance=20231025190000?popup=1

An incredible live reincarnation of one of the greatest comedic icons of all time, Robin Williams, starring Roger Kabler, award winning movie actor, stand-up comic and considered one of America’s greatest impressionists! One of the hottest shows in America, this is the first time for the show in Canada! https://youtu.be/qWclnhvhdLw

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Oct 28, Doors - 7:00pm / Show - 8:00pm

West End Cultural Centre
Tickets - $25   available online at wecc.eventbrite.ca

Matt Foster 'True Needs' Album Release Concert
The album has been described as a masterful sonic paradox, a quiet storm both stunning and profound, managing somehow an under-the-covers intimacy that is also inexplicably vast and without horizon, full of space and hushed subtleties
Matt’s live band is a tour de force, speaking their own language. The hurdy gurdy in the hands of Quintin Bart is compelling beyond words.    

September 17, 2023

Happy Fourteenth Anniversary to us!! - Margaret Ullrich


Happy Anniversary to Winnipeg is Better Than Chocolate and to you, its readers!
Thank you for visiting, whether you’re a regular or a ‘new to you’ visitor.
Also, a huge thank you to everyone who has told their friends about Winnipeg.


Since 2009 there have been over 642,000 visitors.
For the first few years Canada was the number one country for visitors.
Well, a few years ago people from the United States became the top visitors.
I hope it’s meant that folks in the States are curious about what we have here.
Maybe they will come for a vacation, or at least come up to see a show or to take part in an event, such as Folklorama.
Folks in the States know that they can get a great bang for their vacation buck here.

Germany, Russia and the Ukraine are still among the top ten countries.
Hope you'll be coming to Winnipeg to enjoy great events here, too.
The Philippines is also still one of the top ten visiting countries.
I’m not surprised. Winnipeg has a large, vibrant Philippine community.
Maybe people have decided to see a few shows while visiting family and friends.

These are the places where our top twenty visitors come from:
United States………….. 207 K
Canada…………….…….. 103 K
Singapore……….……….. 72.6 K
Germany……….…..…….. 65.3 K
Russia………………..…….. 48.8 K
Ukraine………….…….….. 20 K
France…………….…..….. 16.4  K
Unknown Region…..….. 7.67 K
United Kingdom…….….. 5.75 K
Philippines……………..….. 5.65 K
Netherlands……………….. 5.13 K
Japan…………….……….….. 4.2   K
China……………….…….….. 3.26 K
Sweden……..….…….…….. 2.76 K
Brazil…………………………… 2.52 K
Poland………………….……… 2.36 K
Slovenia…………..…….….. 1.98 K
Indonesia…………….…….. 1.97 K
Romania…………….…..….. 1.75 K
Other………….……..…….. 64.6   K


Visitors from 'Unknown Region' and 'Other' are dropping in to see what’s happening.
I don't know where these visitors live.
Oh, well, hello to you, too, wherever you call home.


During the years there have also been visitors from Moldova, Turkey, Ireland, Australia, Taiwan, Argentina, Denmark, Eritrea, Italy, Finland, Spain, Macedonia (FYROM), Mexico, Afghanistan, Thailand, Slovakia, India, Bangladesh, Israel, Malaysia, Kuwait, Greece, Kenya, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Armenia, Belarus, Namibia, Honduras, Lithuania, Turkmenistan, Cambodia, Switzerland, Czechia, Bermuda, Portugal, Qatar, Egypt, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Iraq, Côte d’Ivoire, Serbia, Libya, Dominican Republic, Togo, Saudi Arabia, Albania, Hong Kong, Malta, Seychelles, Morocco, Peru, Belarus, Cyprus and Austria.


Usually I only post once or twice a month, especially since Covid-19 became a part of our lives.
Please become a subscriber to the blog Winnipeg is Better Than Chocolate.
It’s easy and FREE - just click on the FOLLOW link under the pictures of followers and post your email address.
Free, easy, and, I promise, your address will never be shared with anyone.
You’ll get an email when there is a new post, so you'll never miss news about an event.

I don’t post on Facebook but I do post a link on Twitter whenever there is a new post.
If you feel more comfortable using Twitter, just click on the Twitter link @ImTurning60 on the side bar above my picture and we’ll be able to keep in touch that way.


I do notice which posts get the most visits.
Posts about live music, family activities, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation events and walks, sales (especially seasonal and craft), classes (both in-person and online), and fundraisers have been popular.
I’ll continue posting more of those, and similar, events.

Please take a moment and comment when you have enjoyed an event.
Local musicians and writers check when they’re in the media and they love the feedback.


Once again, thank you so much for visiting!
As I said when Sophie and I signed off our weekly show...
Have a great weekend. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!