What’s Up: Roy Wood Jr., Cirque Musica, U of W theatre, craft sales and Santa Claus parade

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/11/2023 (859 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Roy Wood Jr. helps Just for Laughs celebrate 20th birthday

• Today, 7:30 p.m.
• Burton Cummings Theatre
• Tickets: $70.50 at ticketmaster.ca

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. ended an eight-year run as correspondent for The Daily Show in October but Winnipeggers who miss his appearances on the Comedy Central series will get a dose of his edgy antics Thursday night.

That’s when the New York-based joketeller headlines a Just for Laughs show that marks the 20th birthday for the Montreal-based company.

Besides his Daily Show appearances and television specials, Wood has acted in shows such as Better Call Saul and Only Murders in the Building, as well as the 2023 comedy film Confess, Fletch.

He also poked fun at the powerful, including U.S. President Joe Biden, when he delivered the keynote address at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last April.

Also on the bill are Calgary comedian Malik Elassal, Toronto standup Arthur Simeon and Brooklyn comedian Joyelle Nicole Johnson.

— Alan Small

Cirque at the Burt

• Friday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
• Burton Cummings Theatre, 364 Smith St.
• Tickets start at $36 at Ticketmaster

Is it too early for holiday music? How about Christmas carols accompanied by high-flying aerial artists and back-bending acrobatics?

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland brings festive entertainment to the Burton Cummings Theatre Friday evening. The show blends circus acts — including hula-hooping, juggling, contortion and aerial violin playing — with classic seasonal tunes.

Set against a wintry backdrop, the performance is suitable for audiences of all ages. Holiday Wonderland has a runtime of approximately 90 minutes with an intermission.

— Eva Wasney

Universal issues explored by U of W theatre students

• Today, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16, 17 and 18
• Asper Centre for Theatre and Film
• 400 Colony St.

Free admission, with tickets available at the door or at wfp.to/rewired

The fourth-year honours devised theatre class at the University of Winnipeg — Bronwyn Smyth, Emma Stevens, Dakota Barker, Joël Garbutt and Jane Dunham — will take the stage for a series of original solo performances this week as part of Re-Wire(d), a four-night showcase running through Saturday at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film.

“These pieces are visual, aural and textual collages exploring a number of serious issues, often with a twist of humour,” the show’s description reads. Whether exploring racecar driving as metaphysical experience or studying body dysmorphia through the warped eyes of an eccentric clown, the students will take the audience through a wild ride, and in the process, get a chance to experiment and hone their craft. It’s an exciting opportunity to see what the next generation of the city’s theatre artists, directed by Claire Borody, has up its sleeve.

Performances kicked off Wednesday night, and continue tonight (8 p.m.), Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, with two solo performances running each night, each followed by a talk-back session with the artists.

Tickets are free to order online, by phone (204-786-9152) or at the door. Masks are suggested but not required.

— Ben Waldman

Craft sales, makers’ markets kick into high gear

Various locations, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19

Admission varies by event

Whether you’re just getting started on your holiday shopping or putting the finishing touches on gifts for friends and loved ones, braving the mall need not be in your future, as craft and bake sales and all manner of festive makers’ markets get underway.

Third + Bird’s Christmas Market takes place this weekend at Red River Exhibition Place, with 170 makers offering up their wares. Advance tickets are sold out, but a handful of Saturday and Sunday tickets will be available at the door for $12 (cash only).

Bethel Mennonite Church (465 Stafford St.) hosts Brandon’s Ten Thousand Villages store on Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering up fair-trade and ethical goodies at the shop’s holiday gift celebration.

Over at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain (340 Provencher Blvd.), the third holiday-edition shopping event featuring local makers, bakers and small business owners takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

For those in the west end of the city, Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate (2665 Ness Ave.) is hosting more than 110 vendors on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Christmas craft sale. Admission is $2, free for children and students. And the Charleswood Curling Club (4000 Grant Ave.) is hosting a craft sale and flea market of its own on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Nor Villa Hotel (1763 Henderson Hwy.), meanwhile, has added a cool component to its sixth annual craft and bake sale, being held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: a psychic fair. For more information call 204-338-0334 or email nrg@norvillahotel.com.

— Ben Sigurdson

Santa Claus is coming to town

• Saturday, Nov. 18, 5 p.m.
• Portage Avenue

It’s that time of year again, folks. Santa and his merry pals will be slowly threading their way along Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard during this balmy November, but still wrap up warm, as the temperature is expected to dip below zero as evening approaches.

This year there will be three block parties starting at 4 p.m., with activities and events hosted by local organizations. Manitoba Hydro’s party will run from Edmonton to Carlton, Recycle Everywhere’s shindig will be from Carlton to Hargrave and the Hargrave to Donald stretch will be hosted by Sport Manitoba/Fit Kids Healthy Kids.

Parking will be a challenge as these events coincide with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Arizona Coyotes at the Canada Life Centre at 6 p.m. Kevin Donnelly, senior vice-president of True North Sports and Entertainment, said they are opening the doors at Canada Life Centre early. “We are encouraging people to be mindful of the road closures and come early,” Donnelly said.

— AV Kitching

If you value coverage of Manitoba’s arts scene, help us do more.
Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project.