What’s up: Beyond the Beat, Hearts of Freedom, St. Patrick’s Day

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This article was published 14/03/2024 (574 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pogues tribute on St. Patrick’s Day

• Dust Rhinos play the Pogues
• Sunday, 8 p.m.
• West End Cultural Centre
• Tickets $27.22 at wecc.ca

A St. Patrick’s Day concert Sunday will be a mash-up made in heaven for fans of Celtic rock.

The Dust Rhinos, long a favourite in the city’s music scene whether or not green is the colour of the day, will perform songs by the Pogues, the Anglo-Irish punk band, to help celebrate Ireland’s national holiday.

The Pogues emerged from London’s new-wave boom of the early 1980s with songs such as Dirty Old Town and Fairytale of New York — the latter a raunchy duet with lead singer Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl that has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time since its release in 1988.

MacGowan’s death in November at age 65 sparked renewed attention in the Pogues, especially after the band’s music was performed at his memorial services, with mourners such as Nick Cave and Glen Hansard singing MacGowan’s parts.

— Alan Small

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Hearts of Freedom: Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees

• Runs to April 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Festival Hall, Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Ave.
• Entry with museum admission

Between 1975 and 1985, after the fall of South Vietnam to Communist forces, more than 100,000 refugees fled to Canada from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

It was the first time in Canada’s history that private sponsorship of refugees was allowed, with thousands of individuals, groups and teachers contributing to the resettlement of the vulnerable and displaced.

This pop-up exhibition at Manitoba Museum tells the stories of these survivors in their own words. Via a variety of panels, the stories detail the journeys though photographs and shared memories, giving insight into the obstacles faced by those who made the difficult move to the West.

—AV Kitching

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Not-A-St-Paddy’s-Day Weekend

• Devil May Care Brewing Co., 155-A Fort St.
• Friday through Sunday
• Free

There will be no green beer, and the chances of any Celtic music being played in Devil May Care Brewing Co.’s tap room are, it’s fair to say, slim to none.

The Fort Street brewery is bucking your average St. Patrick’s Day festivities and is instead hosting its second annual Not-A-St-Paddy’s-Day weekend festivities, which kick off Friday and run throughout the weekend.

On Friday, three new beers will be on tap, along with food (think bannock burgers, tacos and the like) from the Freebirds Kitchen pop-up — be sure to get there early, as the Jets host the Anaheim Ducks at the nearby Canada Life Centre, with puck drop at 7 p.m. (Hot tip: if you get there before 6 p.m. Friday, you can enjoy select pints for $2 off.)

On Sunday, Devil May Care welcomes New City Banh Mi to the tap room to serve up Vietnamese subs to go along with Devil May Care’s new brews and core pours. And at 1 p.m., the brewery’s regular cribbage tournament, held every two weeks, gets underway in the afternoon. (It’s free to play, and there will be prizes.)

— Ben Sigurdson

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Go Beyond the Beat at the CMHR

• Friday, March 15,85 Israel Asper Way
• Doors 7 p.m., concert at 8
• Tickets $20 at humanrights.ca

To provide a soundtrack to the CMHR’s Beyond the Beat exhibition, the museum has paired up with Real Love Winnipeg for a triple bill of tributes to artists with a rebellious spirit.

The Guns of Wolseley will play the part of the Clash, the quintessential British punk group led by Joe Strummer, the iconoclastic performance artist called “punk’s most passionate and convincing frontman” in his 2002 obituary in The Guardian.

Local vocalist Diaphanie will step into the spotlight with one hand in her pocket, belting out the best of the sharp, grungy and angsty oeuvre of Alanis Morissette.

Dominique Adams, a rising local folk singer, is given the enviable task of picking and choosing from the poetic and eternal discography of the living legend Joni Mitchell. Sounds like a treat.

Arrive at 7, and take a walk around the exhibition hall. It’s cool to be early. There, we said it.

— Ben Waldman

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St. Paddy’s weekend at the Irish Club

• Friday to Sunday
• Irish Association of Manitoba, 654 Erin St.
• The St. Patrick’s Day is a three-day affair for the Irish Association of Manitoba.

Festivities kick off Friday with a concert by Celtic Way at the association’s Erin Street clubhouse. The group is one of Winnipeg’s longest running Celtic bands, formed in 1973 under the moniker Irish Stew. Doors open at 7 p.m.; admission is $10 for non-members.

Shine up your parading shoes and don your best green outfit on Saturday morning for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The walk starts at 10 a.m. with a musical loop around the neighbourhood beginning and ending at the club. Arrive early to claim decorations. The parade is free to attend and a traditional Irish breakfast spread will be available for purchase until 1 p.m.

On Saturday night, local pop-rock outfit Encore takes the stage. The group, made up of brothers Donald and Richard Plant, won the 2023 CBC Music Searchlight songwriting prize. Doors at 7 p.m.; admission is $10 for non-members.

Things close with a full day of reverent fun on Sunday. Take part in an Ecumenical Service at 11 a.m. and stick around for food, activities and a pint of Guinness or two well into the evening.

— Eva Wasney

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