New South Osborne music venue Sidestage set to crank it up

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This article was published 17/10/2024 (700 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At long last, Sidestage is here.

Friday, the much-anticipated new venue at 700 Osborne St. opens its doors for its first show — featuring metal acts Anciients, Bison and Bayrolles — after a slightly delayed launch.

As well as filling a void left by last year’s closure of the Good Will Social Club, a mainstay for the local music scene, Sidestage’s arrival reflects South Osborne’s ongoing growth as a live music hub.

The long and narrow all-ages venue is the venture of music scene veterans Jenna Priestner (also guitarist and vocalist for local band Mobina Galore) and Corey Thomas, who runs Ninjacat Productions, organizes Manitoba Metalfest and is responsible for booking acts at the Park Theatre.

Priestner says the idea for Sidestage was born after Nerman’s Books and Collectibles, neighbour to the Park Theatre where she and Thomas were working, closed shop last year when its owner retired.

“The idea of opening and running a music venue was never really something that I thought would fall into place for me, just because my whole focus was on the band and touring,” she says.

“Erick (Casselman, owner) at the Park Theatre had originally purchased this building, and that kind of got my brain turning on: ‘That would be the perfect small music venue.’”

While the Park’s capacity is 550, Sidestage’s is 200, making it ideal for events smaller than what’s suitable for the Park.

Renos to convert the old bookstore into a sleek venue were extensive, and securing the venue’s two licences — one all-ages and one 18+ — slowed things down. Still, the space’s transformation feels brisk all things considered.

“I just feel like we need to nurture that punk community back up and give those younger kids a place to grow.”–Jenna Priestner

Sidestage’s friendliness to families and teenage music lovers is a distinguishing feature for a bar and venue catering to heavier music, such as punk and metal.

Priestner says she wanted to make Sidestage age-inclusive because she remembers her experiences as a young punk musician looking for community.

“I just feel like we need to nurture that punk community back up and give those younger kids a place to grow,” she says.

Sidestage will also host 18+ crowds for certain events as dance parties, and host other activities that run the gamut from markets to art shows to fundraisers and other community events, according to the venue’s profile on Manitoba Music’s website.

Reflecting this variety, upcoming shows promoted on the venue’s Instagram page include: a Charli XCX-themed Halloween dance party (Oct. 31); a Cadence Weapon/SuperDutyToughWork hip hop concert (Nov. 6); and a variety of guitar-centric shows with Manitoba acts such as Withdrawal (Nov. 2), Jason Kirkness (Nov. 24) and Gladly (Nov. 29).

Sidestage’s opening marks another addition to music venues on the Osborne strip between Ashland and Oakwood avenues, which include the venerable Park Theatre and the newer Park Alleys.

While Osborne flaneurs may find their attentions and beer budgets tugged among these different venues, Sidestage’s opening points to the health of South Osborne’s nightlife at a time when many venues and performing groups are struggling across Canada.

“I live in South Osborne, so to me the community obviously is huge,” Priestner says. “There’s been nothing but positive support for the space, which just warms my heart.”

conrad.sweatman@freepress.mb.ca