Hip station plays aboriginal tunes

What's Up: Breweries party, Stellar, Ballet in the Park, Perlage: A Métis Voyage, the art of motorcycles, Fringin’

Better TogetherSookram’s Brewing Co. (479-B Warsaw Ave.) and Low Life Barrel House (398 Daly St. N.)Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.FreeA pair of neighbouring Winnipeg craft breweries are teaming up for a party Saturday with plenty on tap — including a collaborative beer release.

Low Life Barrel House and Sookram’s Brewing Co. are again joining forces for Better Together, a celebration of both breweries, on Saturday starting at noon. On tap for the festivities: drink specials, a scavenger hunt run, live music, brewery bingo, DJs and food by Big Dawg and Low Life’s own Snack Häus.

And then there’s the beer. The breweries have teamed up on a collaborative brew called Better Together, a pale ale made collaboratively using house yeasts from both breweries. It will be available at both breweries, who are also hosting each others’ beers on their respective taps alongside their own (and even doing some custom blends).

Thirsty Winnipeggers need not worry about driving from place to place — a trolley will be running between the facilities throughout the event, which is free and open to all ages (there will be games for the younger guests and plenty of non-alcoholic options).

Outreach group addresses safety concerns over Osborne Village drop-in centre

An outreach organization at the centre of growing concerns over safety in Osborne Village says it is taking steps to improve conditions around its drop-in centre and reaffirming its commitment to the neighbourhood.

“We recognize the concerns raised about the activity around our… drop-in site and understand the importance of maintaining a safe and welcoming neighbourhood for everyone including residents, families, local businesses and the people who access our services,” 1JustCity, which operates the drop-in Oak Table, said in a statement issued late Wednesday.

The organization said it is increasing staff presence, conducting regular patrols, expanding outreach efforts and extending Oak Table’s hours to provide more supervised indoor space, meals and access to supports, while continuing to monitor the surrounding neighbourhood and encourage respectful use of public spaces.

The province is also providing the organization with $500,000 to expand Oak Table’s hours and launch a new outreach team.

Winnipeg Fringe Festival: 2026 show reviews

Not sure what to see at this year's Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival? All of the Free Press’s reviews will be published here.  Find a show and click to read its review.

Cab companies hailed for improved Indigenous relations

Three taxi drivers have been fired and others suspended without pay since a zero-tolerance policy for mistreatment of Indigenous passengers was implemented by Winnipeg’s two largest cab companies.

Unicity Taxi and Duffy’s Taxi began working with the guidance of an Indigenous-led safety committee to improve driver-passenger interactions in 2022, including the filming of a series of training videos and building in-depth policies in response to passengers’ complaints.

At a Thursday event to recognize the action group, leaders from both companies said there’s been a sharp decline in the number of complaints.

Unicity Taxi manager Abhishek Tara said three of their drivers have been fired since they adopted the zero-tolerance policy, which commits to investigating complaints of harassment, violence, abusive language and racism against passengers. Each vehicle is equipped with video and audio surveillance that’s accessible only to police and the city’s vehicles for hire department.

Hip station plays aboriginal tunes

It's time to get your hip hop on.

Winnipeggers have a new choice on the FM dial with Monday's launch of Streetz 104.7.

The station is offering aboriginal hip-hop/urban music with a 40 per cent commitment to aboriginal content.

"It's been a crazy morning. It's great to see the announcers and watch their faces light up," CEO David McLeod said following Monday's debut. "Our DJ J-Boogie has had 70 hits on his Facebook page. It's constant and immediate feedback."

Nearly one in four watercraft fail inspection during roadside blitz to prevent aquatic pests

More than 120 watercraft failed a roadside inspection over the weekend aimed at slowing the spread of aquatic invasive species, including zebra mussels.