What’s up: Free Press staff recommend things to do this week

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This article was published 24/10/2024 (634 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dafoe Prize winner to talk Fort McMurray fire

• Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• University Centre atrium, U of M (morning), Whodunit? Mystery Bookstore (evening)
• Free

In May 2016, a wildfire ravaged the city of Fort McMurray, the heart of Alberta’s oil sands production, and the surrounding areas, razing thousands of homes and businesses, forcing more than 80,000 people to flee the area and burning more than 500,000 hectares of land. While the fire was considered under control as of July 2016, it wouldn’t be declared officially extinguished until the following August.

In his most recent book, Fire Weather: the Making of a Beast, American-born, Vancouver-based John Vaillant chronicles the events that led up to the devastating blaze, including its cause (including climate change), what led the fire to develop so quickly, the impact it had on residents and the aftermath of the disaster.

The book led to a number of prizes and nominations for Vaillant; he won the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize, the Baillie Gifford Prize and the J.W. Dafoe Book Prize. Fire Weather was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and appeared on numerous year-end best-of lists.

As the winner of the J.W. Dafoe Book Prize, Vaillant will be in Winnipeg on Tuesday to read from and discuss Fire Weather at a pair of events. His first stop will be at the University of Manitoba, where he’ll discuss the book beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the atrium of University Centre (65 Chancellors Circle); the event will also feature catering by the Daily Bread.

Vaillant kicks off the second event on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., with another discussion of Fire Weather at Whodunit? Mystery Bookstore (163 Lilac St.), with dainties and coffee/tea from FrenchWay Café.

Both events are free for all to attend.

— Ben Sigurdson

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Petit Magasin x Hut K present A I / Artistic Intelligence — the Future Is Handmade

• Hut K, 1824 Grant Ave.
• Opens today, runs to Sunday, Nov. 10
• Today, 6 p.m. to 9.pm.; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m for the duration
• Free

Petit Magasin, an independent art show featuring more than 20 artists from across Canada opens tonight at Hut K furniture and design store with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m.

Hosted by Meg Greenlay of Meg Does Pottery and Nina Quark of Hut K, this marks the 10th Petit Magasin show in five years.

This year’s theme, A I / Artistic Intelligence, explores the intersection of human creativity and technology, showcasing how art remains deeply personal and tactile in an increasingly digital world.

The exhibition will feature a wide variety of media, ranging from ceramics and glass to fashion and textiles, and more.

“Each artist brings a unique perspective on the evolving relationship between human touch and high craft, reminding us that, in the future, art will always be ‘handmade’ in its essence,” Greenlay says.

— AV Kitching

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Adam Baldwin, with Mariel Buckley

• West End Cultural Centre
• Saturday, 8 p.m.
• Tickets: $25 at wecc.ca

Does Canada still have a populist tradition?

A half-century ago, give or take, the famous Red Tory George Grant lamented “no.” Today, with Poilievre’s anti-Laurentian right-wingery on the fast rise, many cry, “yes!”

Novia Scotian rocker Adam Baldwin also seems to say “yes,” but his cause is one of struggling fishermen, lost DEVCO jobs, and anti-government drunks with hearts of gold, rather than Convoy truckers and Gravy Seals.

The former keyboardist for Matt Mays & El Torpedo is clearly channelling (politically progressive) Heartland Rock, with the Maritimes subbing for the the U.S. Rust Belt. If there’s more than a whiff of pastiche here, it doesn’t cloy too much. Overall his unapologetic regionalism is refreshing and richly paints the picture of a working-class coastal lifeworld at Canada’s margins. The craft is there, and he can sure croon and crow too.

Opening for the multiple East Coast Music Award winner is alt-country singer-songwriter Mariel Buckley — based in Alberta but tied to local outfits such as Birthday Cake and Paquin.

She flips it the bird in songs like Hate This Town but, against her better judgment, seems to give in to its bucolic charm and old flames in songs like Rose Coloured Frame. A welcome dash of bitters to a concert as sweetly invigorating as an old-fashioned.

— Conrad Sweatman

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The Jim Cuddy Band

• Burton Cummings Theatre
• Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $38-$79 plus fees at Ticketmaster

Like many people did when the world shut down, Jim Cuddy embarked on a pandemic project.

He couldn’t tour with his road-warrior band Blue Rodeo, and more time at home meant more time to reflect, to take stock of the relationships that have defined his life.

The result: his sixth and latest solo album, All the World Fades Away, released earlier this year.

“It became a slightly sculptured memoir about the things that have happened in my life,” Cuddy told the Globe and Mail in June. “I think I’ve always contemporized my writing, but when you’re 40 it’s a lot different than when you’re 68. I don’t know how many solo records I’m going to get a chance to do. I felt like I owed it to myself to document some mature themes.”

Cuddy is currently on a massive Canadian tour in support of All the World Fades Away with the Jim Cuddy Band, and Cuddy’s son, singer-songwriter Devin Cuddy, is along for the ride as the supporting act. A few tickets remain for Saturday night’s gig at the Burt, and a digital download of the album is included with each one.

— Jen Zoratti

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Elijah Wood coming to Comiccon

• RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave.
• Friday to Sunday
• Visit comicconwinnipeg.com for tickets and a full schedule

Famous comic-book creators, cast members and cosplayers will converge on the RBC Convention Centre this weekend for the fifth annual Winnipeg Comiccon festival.

The event, which also hosts conventions in Ontario and Quebec, caters to fans of comic books, sci-fi, horror, anime, video games and pop culture writ large.

This year’s guests of honour include Elijah Wood and fellow Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd — the former hobbits take the stage together Saturday at 2:30 p.m. for a moderated conversation. Brawny, blond Vikings star Alexander Ludwig will also be in the building and hosting a Q&A on Saturday. All have scheduled autograph and photo op availability.

Other notable names include Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien), Chad Coleman (The Walking Dead), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and all three of the Trailer Park Boys.

The convention is three full days of fandom-related workshops and panels, video and tabletop game tournaments, cosplay meetups, costume contests, and vendors selling games, graphic novels, toys and collectibles.

General admission ranges from $20 to $50 depending on the day; weekend passes start at $75.

— Eva Wasney

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