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This article was published 22/08/2024 (769 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Just Prince

Friday, Aug. 23, 8 p.m.

West End Cultural Centre

Tickets $23 at wecc.ca

Toronto’s Just Prince has an East-meets-West sound all his own.

Raised on a musical diet of Indian classical music growing up in Punjab, India, the singer-songwriter began studying European composers as part of his vocal lessons — which is also about the time when he discovered Western rock-radio staples such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Soundgarden.

Writing in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, Just Prince draws inspiration from all of those formative influences to create a sound that blends folk, rock, blues and Hindustani classical music.

And people are taking notice.

Kamli, a song from his 2022 debut Nacheez, was awarded the Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award in 2023.

Punjabi Dance Boys will open the show.

— Jen Zoratti

Winnipeg 150 Outdoor Makers Market

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Forks Market patio

Free

The Forks Trading Company celebrates Winnipeg’s sesquicentennial by taking a whole heap of local vendors — 150, to be precise — outdoors.

The second-floor shop at The Forks Market has long featured a range of local makers as part of its Maker Faire initiative, which offers booths to a rotating selection of vendors. The Winnipeg 150 Outdoor Makers Market will see many of these local creators come together for the first time to showcase their wares at The Forks Market patio.

Participating vendors include Good Neighbour Brewing Co., Brie’s Botanicals, Anishinaabe Girl, Thistlewood Pottery Studio, Umaido Donuts, Honey Dill Print, Cupcake Catacomb, Low Life Barrel House, Prairie Potions and 141 more.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra performing at 3:30 p.m. and other entertainment throughout the day. Admission is free.

— Ben Sigurdson

Manitoba Filipino Street Festival

Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.

St. Peter’s Church Petrus Hall & Grounds, 2624 Inkster Blvd.

Free

Immerse yourself in the lively spirit of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, a vibrant celebration marking Winnipeg’s 150th anniversary. The festivities kick off on Saturday at 10 a.m. with a cultural parade, starting at Burrows Avenue and King Edward Street, winding its way to St. Peter’s Church Petrus Hall on Inkster.

Once the parade arrives, the fun continues with a packed schedule of traditional music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, a ball hockey tournament and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The energy remains high on Sunday with a Zumba session, a hip-hop dance competition and other activities.

Food trucks will be on-site, serving up Filipino dishes, alongside vendors offering crafts and other unique goods.

More details at manitobafilipino.com.

—Thandi Vera

Sala film showcase and Seremonya art exhibition

WAG-Qaumajuq

Saturday, 4-9 p.m.

Now back for its third year, the Kultivation Festival (to Sunday) continues to highlight the city’s Filipino community through food, music and art, with dozens of events around the city.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Executive director Allan Pineda suggests visiting Cake-ology (85 Arthur St.) to take a bite of chef Austin Granados’ Turon Kouign-Amann filled with saba banana custard and macerated jackfruit. Looking for something more savoury? Head to The Forks to pick up chef Norm Pastorin’s pulutan platter — teeming with longganisa, lumpia and caramel patis wings – at Basta Fil Kitchen.

The food — and the iced ube latte at VA Cafe (171 McDermot Ave.) — may be appetizing, but the main course of the festival are events such as the Seremonya exhibition of Filipino art running all weekend at the Platform Centre Gallery (100 Arthur St., free) featuring the work of more than 20 local creators. The show “contemplates the profound significance of ceremony for individuals and prompts introspection on what holds sacred meaning for Filipinx people,” the curators say. (Opens Friday at 6 p.m., running Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Elsewhere, 19 works from Filipinx/a/o filmmakers — including 15 Manitobans — will make viewers feel right at home at the Sala film showcase Saturday. In Tagalog, sala translates to “living room,” and the curators designed the program to evoke the warmth and sense of belonging inherent to that space. Tickets are pay what you can, the organizers suggest $5 as a starting price. For tickets visit linktr.ee/sa.sala.

– Ben Waldman

Small trees and soothing stones

Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Norwood Community Centre, 87 Walmer St.

Free

Bonsai Winnipeg is hosting its annual exhibition of artful miniature trees at the Norwood Community Centre.

The showcase will feature hundreds of bonsai trees that have been trained and meticulously manicured by club members. The trees, some of which exceed 100 years old, are designed to accurately reflect scaled Canadian or global landscapes.

New this year is a Suiseki display, which features a collection of viewing stones highlighting the Japanese art of stone appreciation. Akin to bonsai, these naturally formed stones often resemble miniature rock features, such as mountains, cliffs or plateaus. Others are selected for their eye-catching features or likeness to animals or objects.

The stones are often presented on intricate wooden bases or sand-filled trays, creating a serene setting.

There will be free popcorn and slushies available. Visit bonsaiwinnipeg.ca for more information.

— Eva Wasney

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