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This article was published 07/11/2019 (2378 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Country artists to be celebrated in Winnipeg

The province’s best, brightest and up-and-coming country stars will gather in Winnipeg this weekend for the Manitoba Country Music Awards. Canadian singer-songwriter Jason McCoy will host the gala event that caps off the weekend Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre.

The annual event is hosted by the Manitoba Country Music Association and Dauphin’s Countryfest and will include 12 musical performances by the likes of Renée Lamoureux, Leanne Pearson, Aaron Starr and others.

Up for album of the year are: Begin Again by Rhianna Rae Saj, Highways and Backroads by Brian Jacobs, Meant To Be by the Russell Lee Band, More to Me by Kendra Kay, Pull it Off by Pearson and Sore Winner by Poets & Lies.

Female artist of the year nomiees are: Desiree Dorian, Emma Peterson, Saj, Pearson, Kay and Lamoureux. Nominated for male artist of the year are: Don Amero, Quinton Blair, Tyler Del Pino, David James, Ryan Keown and Starr.

Visit manitobacma.com for a full list of nominees.

Country fans can get their music fix at associated events happening on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9. The Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club will host the Manitoba Country Music Showcase with Past the Perimeter, Rhianna Rae Saj and Tyler Del Pino on Friday at 7 p.m. McPhillips Station Casino will be the site of Country in the City on Saturday at 8 p.m. with performances by L Rae & J, Emma Peterson and the Byron Falk and Ryan Keown Band.

— Eva Wasney

 

Comedian brings variety show to Winnipeg

Comedian Ron Lynch is hitting the boards of the Park Theatre next week with two back-to-back nights of comedy.

Lynch, who has been performing for almost four decades, began his career as a part of Boston’s thriving comedy scene alongside Paula Poundstone, Steven Wright, Bobcat Goldthwait and Marc Maron. He studied theatre in New York and trained in improvisation at Second City Chicago. His television credits include Portlandia, Conan and Comedy Bang Bang and his voiceover work includes Bob’s Burgers and Adventure Time.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m., he’ll be performing Crapshoot, a fan-favourite show where anything can happen. Joining him is special guest Kevin McDonald from The Kids in the Hall. On Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.Lynch is performing Tomorrow!, a variety-show inspired by the longest running comedy show in Los Angeles, which ran every Saturday at midnight for more than 13 years.

Tickets for Tuesday or Wednesday’s shows are $15 each, but tickets for both shows can be purchased for $25. Tickets are available at myparktheatre.com.

— Frances Koncan

 

 

MCO welcomes return of pianist Dinnerstein

 

Simone Dinnerstein and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra are almost becoming an item.

The Brooklyn, N.Y. pianist and the MCO have been paired together several times in the last couple of years, and they renew their musical relationship Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Westminster United Church.

Dinnerstein performed Philip Glass’s Piano Concerto No. 3 — the famed composer created the work specifically for her and she performed it with the MCO, who co-commissioned the work, during the 2018 season. They spent part of 2019 touring together.

Dinnerstein is particularly known for her ability to interpret the works of J.S. Bach, and two of his works — Concerto No. 2 in E Major and Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D Minor will be part of the Nov. 13 concert.

Conducting the concert will be Britain’s Douglas Boyd, who is one of the founding members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Tickets are $36 for adults, $34 for seniors and $15 for students and those under 30 and are available at McNally Robinson, Organic Planet, 877 Westminster Ave., themco.ca and by phone at 204-783-7377.

— Alan Small

 

Neil Fest celebrates Winnipeg rocker’s 73rd birthday

The Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club continue its tradition of pairing Winnipeg artists with the classic songs of rock, roots and country masters on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The 10 p.m. Neil Fest gig that night will celebrate one of Winnipeg’s most famous rockers — Neil Young, who turns 73 on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The show, which includes Winnipeggers Chris Carmichael, Jamie Buckboro and “an all-star band” promises tunes from throughout Shakey’s career — “all Neil, all eras, all night, acoustic and electric.”

Neil Fest is among a number of special theme nights Times Change(d) holds during the year. On Friday, Dec. 6, the Main Street club hosts Tom Waits Birthday Party and a week later, Friday, Dec. 13, Sing Me Back Home: the Music of Merle Haggard pairs city artists with with country music titan’s classics.

Tickets to Neil Fest are $15 and are available at eventbrite.ca.

— Alan Small