What’s up: katherena vermette, Maryland Music Fest, Frank Turner, World Market, Manitoba Fibre Festival, comedy fundraiser

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/09/2024 (417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Vermette launches new novel

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.
• McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park (1120 Grant Ave.)
• Free

Award-winning Winnipeg author katherena vermette returns with a timely new novel that explores identity, indigeneity, family ties and trauma.

Vermette’s new novel, Real Ones, comes hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed Stranger trilogy — 2016’s The Break, 2021’s The Strangers and 2023’s The Circle. It’s the story of two Michif sisters — June, a Métis studies professor and lyn, who does pottery — who grapple with the fallout of their estranged white mother, an artist, being labelled a “pretendian.”

As the media picks up the story and online vitriol ramps up, the sisters are forced to navigate painful memories of their mother and contemplate their own place in the world.

In recent years, scrutiny around those claiming Indigenous heritage and ancestry has increased, with “pretendians” being accused of exploiting their supposed indigeneity for their own benefit. Among those whose life and careers have come under the microscope are author Joseph Boyden, singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, actor Michelle Latimer and, most recently, University of Winnipeg professor and art curator Julie Nagam.

In other words, vermette’s new novel couldn’t be more timely. On Tuesday at McNally Robinson she’ll read from her book and be joined in conversation by Shelagh Rogers. The launch will also be streamed on the bookstore’s YouTube page.

— Ben Sigurdson

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Maryland Music Fest

• Food Fare, 115 Maryland St.
• Saturday, 3 p.m.
• Free

This weekend, the Food Fare parking lot transforms into a music venue as part of the Maryland Music Fest. If you’re concerned about your grocery bill, take note: this multi-band concert is free.

Taking the stage will be arty hip-hop performer Infinito, who paints while he rhymes; the single-named rock trio the Haileys; the energetic Afrodiem artist Tommyphyll; and the band best-suited to perform a few metres from the Cheezies and Gummy Bears, a middle-school synth quartet called We’re Only Here for the Snacks.

Presented by West Broadway Biz and Real Love Winnipeg, the fest will also feature a set of Live Band Karaoke, with ales and lagers sprouting up in the beer garden (6 to 11 p.m.).

On the other side of the grocery store along Westminster Avenue underneath the “Smile” mural, Lucky Girl and Chip’s Vintage will be on hand with over 20 independent vendors. After dark, MOSA, Matlock and the ooey-gooey goodness of electro-dance hall artist Cookie Delicious (Joel Klaverkamp) will take over the Handsome Daughter (61 Sherbrook St.) for the official festival after-party. (10 p.m. to 1 a.m.)

Come early for the snacks, stay late for the Cookie.

— Ben Waldman

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Frank Turner

• Burton Cummings Theatre
• Sunday, 7 p.m.
• Tickets: $38 to $88 s at Ticketmaster

English folk-punk singer-songwriter Frank Turner has never been shy about his love of Winnipeg — and, in particular, his love of Winnipeg band the Weakerthans. He has a cat named Virtute tattooed on his left arm.

Turner is back in town this weekend, stopping by the Burton Cummings Theatre in support of his 10th studio album Undefeated. Released in May, the record was written, recorded and produced by Turner in his home studio, accompanied by longtime band the Sleeping Souls — Ben Lloyd (guitar), Tarrant Anderson (bass), Callum Green (drums) and Matt Nasir (piano) — who will be performing with him Sunday.

Toronto reggae fusion act Bedouin Soundclash and Portland folk-punk outfit Bridge City Sinners are the support acts on Turner’s North American tour, which culminates at the end of the month with the inaugural Canadian edition of Lost Evenings, Turner’s four-day music festival, in Toronto.

— Jen Zoratti

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World Market

• Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Red River Exhibition Park, 3977 Portage Ave
• Free

Looking for a fresh and fun weekend outing? The World Market at The Loop is where you’ll want to be.

From handcrafted jewelry to home décor, you’ll find plenty of one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for gifting or treating yourself. But the market isn’t just about shopping — there’s delicious food to enjoy, too. Stock up on farm-fresh produce, artisanal breads and organic honey, all sourced from local producers.

The World Market is a family-friendly event. Kids can enjoy a variety of fun activities, including Manitoba Harness Racing.

—Thandi Vera

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Manitoba Fibre Festival

• Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue
• Friday, 3-9 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission: $5 to $20

The annual event, now in its 12th year, features a host of vendors showcasing their works and wares, from pottery, handwoven tapestries and fibre sculptures to supplies and tools for fibre artists.

Last year’s new initiative — Breed of the Year — makes a return to the festival roster and will showcase 2024’s breed the Icelandic sheep. There will also be a Hall of Breeds with different species of animals, including angora rabbits, alpacas and various breeds of wool-producing sheep.

Along with meeting the animals, visitors can take part in workshops, purchase wool and artisan crafts from vendors and take part or simply watch a number of demonstrations.

“We currently have 80 vendors and as usual there will be craft demonstrations going on, which very much adds to the event,” says Margaret Brook, festival co-ordinator. “Weaving, making lace or needle felting — there are all kinds of things going on.

“All the people dong the demonstrations are happy to share their craft. They love having people coming to ask them questions.”

For a list of all the vendors and a schedule of events, see manitobafibrefestival.com.

— AV Kitching

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Comedy for a cause

• West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Ave.
• Friday, 8 p.m.
• Tickets: $20 at wecc.ca

Some of Winnipeg’s top Indigenous comedians are taking the stage Friday for a fundraiser to benefit the West End Resource Centre.

The evening will feature members of the local Bannock Bums comedy group, including host Taylor Paige, a finalist in Rumors Comedy Club’s Funniest Person with a Day Job competition, and headliner Chad Anderson, an alum of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and CBC Radio’s The Debaters.

Also on the docket are performers Issa Kixen, Barney Morin, Kaitlynn Brightnose and Jeff Gobeil.

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Ellice Avenue resource centre, a non-profit community organization that provides food-security programs, employment assistance and housing support for residents of the West End neighbourhood.

— Eva Wasney

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