Lauded Manitoba author chronicled life in the Interlake

Longtime Manitoba author, editor and professor David Arnason died on Monday at age 86.

What’s up: Carleton/Sinclair launch, Mitchell Fenton, country music, Esteban Seunarine, art of the sacred

Sean Carleton/Niigaan Sinclair book launchMcNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Ave.Tonight, 7 p.m.FreeA new book exploring the dialogue surrounding the Indigenous experience in residential schools, and those who downplay or try to discredit the findings, launches at 7 p.m. tonight at McNally Robinson Booksellers’ Grant Park.

Truth Before Reconciliation: Confronting Residential School Denialism was edited by University of Manitoba professors Sean Carleton and Niigaan Sinclair (who is also a Free Press columnist), and published earlier this month by University of Manitoba Press. The pair, as well as a range of contributors, tackle the narratives behind and consequences of residential school denialism in Canada.

Sinclair and Carleton will be joined at the launch by contributors to the book, as well as by Red Pheasant Cree Nation author (and fellow contributor) Michelle Good, who penned the award-winning novel Five Little Indians and the non-fiction book Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada. Good’s latest is the novel Eliza Sunshine, which was released on Aug. 18.

The launch will be hosted by Shelagh Rogers. The event will be streamed on McNally Robinson’s YouTube channel.

Putting together annual fashion show takes many hard-working hands

A frenzy of activity is taking place behind the closed doors of WAG-Qaumajuq on Monday. It’s the day before Crafted on the Catwalk, the gallery’s annual fashion and design show, and the clock is ticking.

There’s less than 30 hours before the big event and it’s all hands on deck.

A steady stream of people walk in and out of the Memorial Boulevard entrance towards the main hall, which glows in soft hues as technicians test out lighting equipment.

The ground floor is teeming with people lugging chairs and pushing trolleys. A stream of white material unravelling from its roll prompts a shouted “OK to step on this?” and receives an equally loud ‘No!” in reply, voices raised above the metallic buzz of a drill as staff from a local production company put together seats.

Today’s horoscope

MOON ALERT: Avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions after 3:15 p.m. today. After that, the moon moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

This is a poor day to challenge anyone because you won’t be pleased with the results. (You might come off worse than when you began.) Nevertheless, it’s in your best interest to work hard. You can also make improvements at home. Romance and finances are blessed.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Hurdy-gurdy show coming to St. Norbert Arts Centre

Quintin Bart’s favourite instrument has a name that’s easy to remember and it makes a sound that’s difficult to forget.

Say it with us — hurdy-gurdy.

Functioning like a wheeled, crank-activated violin, Bart’s trapezoidal instrument produces a continuous range of sound by manipulation of two drone strings, two melody strings and one trompette string. As the wheel spins in a single direction, the music created can last as long as the crank turns.

“I like to think of it as an analogue synthesizer,” says Bart, a jazz-minded Winnipeg folk musician who has used the baroque tool in performances with artists including Matt Foster and Raine Hamilton.

Corus receives CRTC approval to go ahead with recapitalization transaction

TORONTO - Struggling media company Corus Entertainment Inc. has received a lifeline.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Thursday granted regulatory approval for a recapitalization plan that would see a change in ownership and shift effective control of all licensed programming services operated by the company and its subsidiaries.  

Corus had indicated to the CRTC that the proposed deal is necessary to address its high debt load and improve its financial stability so it could continue to operate.

In a summary of the CRTC’s decision, the regulator said Corus is facing “significant financial challenges” from both broader industry pressures and its capital structure. 

Toronto, what’s your take? YouTube series ‘Subway Takes’ coming to the TTC

TORONTO - Toronto, prepare your hot takes.

YouTube Canada says it is unveiling a new slate of creator-driven shows, including a Canadian version of the popular internet series "Subway Takes."

In the show, comedian Kareem Rahma asks celebrities or notable people for their opinions while they ride the New York City subway together. It has popularized the phrase "100 per cent agree/disagree" online, and the banter often goes viral.

In "Subway Takes Toronto" Rahma will talk to Canadians while travelling on the TTC.