What’s up: Soul party, night market, and play at The Forks

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/07/2023 (836 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Soul party gets going downtown

Saturday, July 22, 4-9 p.m.
True North Square, 223 Carlton St.
Free event

Get your dancing shoes on for the inaugural Soul in the City featuring R&B, reggae, dancehall, soca and soul music, presented by RnR Events and Downtown Winnipeg Biz.

Hosted by Natalie Bell (@pegcitylovely) the afternoon extravaganza features performances by rap and hiphop artist Len Bowen and singer Lisa Bell before the party kicks off with DJs Chubby D and Zuki Music.

Alcohol will be served for those of legal drinking age and children are welcome during the festivities. More information can be found here.

— AV Kitching

 

Manitoba Night Market returns to Assiniboia Downs

Sunday, July 23, 3-11 p.m.
Assiniboia Downs, 3975 Portage Ave.
Tickets $7 (kids five and under free) online or at the door

The second Manitoba Night Market of 2023 will once again feature all manner of live music, vendors, food, drinks and plenty of fun for all ages.

The 140-plus vendors and artisans taking part at the night market, which runs from 3-11 p.m., include Friendly People clothing, Fusian Experience Desserts & Café, Abodeia beeswax candles, Royal Raine clothing boutique, Trans Canada Brewing Co., Baked Ambition, Shrugging Doctor Beverage Co. and many, many more.

In addition to the vendors, there will also be more than 15 food trucks, a beer garden, a fire show and activities for kids (including Canada’s largest bouncy castle slide) and more. (Grown-up attendees can even get a tattoo on site.)

Musicians slated to perform across two stages include Fontine, VVonder, Gilliam Hayek, Two Crows for Comfort, among others.

Tickets for the Manitoba Night Market are $7; there’s an additional $5 for parking as well. For more see asdowns.com.

— Ben Sigurdson

 

Sala plays CCFM Summer Series

Sunday, July 23 at 7 p.m.
Centre Cultural Franco-Manitobain, Le Patio 340
Tickets are pay-what-you-can up to $20

After a long career as a hired-gun vocalist, and as a member of the Juno-winning group Chic Gamine, vocalist Ariane Jean is beginning to leave her mark on Winnipeg’s music world as a solo artist. Performing as Sala, Jean’s voice — rich, warm, elastic — carries her excellent album Surface, released earlier this year. Take a listen and embrace Jean’s sonic landscape, built around introspective French lyrics that transcend linguistic barriers.

Fresh off a nomination for best francophone album at the Western Canadian Music Awards, Sala will be supported by bandleader Richard Gillis as part of the CCFM’s summer partnership with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. With CCFM hosting a pair of Fringe venues, the St. Boniface cultural hub will surely be a vibrant spot this Sunday.

— Ben Waldman

 

The Sadies at Blue Note Park

Tues., July 25; doors at 7 p.m.
Blue Note Park, 220 Main St.
Tickets $30 plus fees at Eventbrite

A cool (and somewhat creepy) stream of talent rolls through Blue Note Park next Tuesday with an outdoor performance by the Sadies, supported by local psychedelic goth rock outfit Holy Void.

The celebrated Toronto alt-country band — made up Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky — returns to the Main Street venue for the first time since 2021 and following an appearance at the Winnipeg Folk Festival last year.

The Sadies are on the North American leg of a worldwide tour promoting their latest record, Colder Streams, which was recently named to the Polaris Music Prize shortlist and has earned a Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year.

The album is the band’s 11th studio release and the last recording made before the sudden death of founding Sadies member Dallas Good in 2022. Prior to his passing, Good wrote a tongue-in-cheek missive describing Colder Streams as “the best record that has ever been made by anyone. Ever.” Cheekiness with a touch of truth, perhaps.

— Eva Wasney

 

Get playful at The Forks

All summer
CN Stage and Field at The Forks
Free

A new play initiative has popped up at The Forks.

Follow the bright polka dots at the CN Stage and Field to test out new active elements, including basketball, soccer, table tennis and a painted playground, as part of Play at The Forks.

“We are always looking for new and interesting ways for people to enjoy The Forks,” said Sara Stasiuk, chief executive officer, The Forks North Portage, in a media release. “Testing play elements at CN Stage and Field throughout the summer will help us build future programming and amenities for this space based on public feedback.”

People who use these spaces are invited to fill out a survey about the initiative, which can be accessed via QR code on signs at each play station, and will be entered to win a $100 Forks gift card.

Soccer balls, table tennis paddles and balls and basketballs are free to sign out with a piece of ID from Bee2gether Bikes, located at the north-west corner of The Forks Market. The program will run until the fall.

— Jen Zoratti