Santa’s out and Krampus is in at Women’s Canadian Club

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This article was published 11/12/2017 (2826 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mapcap artist Jordan van Sewell is bringing nasty Krampus to Winnipeg parties this year, to scare adults who have been naughty into getting their acts together. He hits the Women’s Canadian Club of Winnipeg Tuesday in dark clothes, scary face, big horns, a nasty scowl and deep growly voice. “My message to these ladies will be clear. Krampus is here today and Santa will NOT be coming! Have you been naughty? Well then, tell me what you did!”

The club, which will be meeting in the Pan Am room at the RBC Convention Centre, was formed in 1907 and its mandate is to promote national unity and Canadian identity, history, patriotism and the study of contemporary issues.

Krampus says he can’t stand mealy-mouthed modern Santas of recent years who give gifts to everybody, no matter how bad they were. Scary Krampus has five sets of “zero and hero” pins to give out to the most outstanding naughty cases at the luncheon.

People who’d like to hire Krampus for their Christmas parties can email jordan.vansewell@shaw.ca. “I still have some available dates left.”

JON LJUNGBERG, ZEE ARTISTE: Longtime Winnipeg TV host and comedian Jon Ljungberg is offering his first Cartooning For Adult Beginners course in Winnipeg at Artists Emporium on Jan 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are only a few spots left, so you’d best hurry to register. Ljungberg is a well-known children’s book illustrator and adult colouring book creator.

“It’s for people who want to learn to draw cartoons and caricatures and have a great time with new friends,” says the artist.

I’ve seen him work at a private group class like this and the man is a talented but funny teacher. “Guaranteed laughs!” he says. But that wily guy still gets amazing work out of people in their first class.

Ljungberg has worked with famed Hanna-Barbera cartoon studios in Los Angeles and for Mad magazine. While he’s teaching, Ljungberg weaves in stories from his Hollywood days — like the time he almost ran over Jimmy Stewart. “He tapped the hood of my car and shook his finger at me. I pissed off the nicest man in Hollywood history!”

For $33, you get all the materials, and your finished cartoons to take home. It’s also a bit like a party with breaks and hot buttered popcorn, treats, coffee and pop sold on site — plus a 12,000 square feet store full of art supplies to check out. “It’s a great place to meet new people and have some fun, “ says Ljungberg, who has “recovered 100 per cent” from his recent fight with heart and liver problems and pneumonia. Go to artistsemporium.net for details and and registration, or call 204-772-2421.

MUSICAL HOCKEY PLAYERS: Kevin Anderson, known as the Commish, has reason to be proud. Twenty-five years ago he started a musicians’ hockey group that has attracted hundreds of singers, musicians and their friends over the years to play pickup hockey. Yours truly dropped in on them last Thursday morning at the Corydon Community Centre, where they were lacing up the blades and razzing each other.

“That’s what I love the most — the camaraderie,” says Rod Hussey, who heads up his own band. He’s also played hockey with old-timer musicians in Los Angeles when he’s staying there to do music production or to visit cousins (twins Chip and Pepper, famous for their sportswear). That’s where Hussey ran into Kevon Cronin, a composer who’s responsible for the score for made-in-Winnipeg movie Snomwance, which is coming out this month. “And he’s also one great goalie!” says Hussey.

Others on the old-timers roster include musician and producer Chris Burke-Gaffney, Eagle and Hawk’s Vince Fontaine, jazz bassist Gilles Fournier, drummer Scotty Grainger, the Bivvers’ singer Robb Oades, drummer Kevin Radonsky and James Robertson, who plays french horn with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, plus many more. And there are musicians’ friends such as playwright Danny Schur, former Blue Bomber Troy Westwood, University of Manitoba professor Erik Thompson, retired CP Rail man Dennis Mearon, former semi-pro hockey player Muzz McCarthy, Deacon’s Corner head honcho Kevin Gutoski, Expert Systems’ Greg Garychuk, hairstylist Chuck Garringer and lawyer Deryk Coward of Myers Weinberg LLP.

SNOWMANCE SCORE: Christmas movie Snowmance, which shot in Winnipeg last winter and stars Canadian-born actors Jesse Hutch, Hamilton Ashley Newbrough and Winnipeg’s Adam Hurtig and includes the score by musicians’ hockey team goaltender Cronin, airs on City TV Dec. 16 and again Dec 22, both at 7 p.m. It’s about a snowman who comes to life as an exciting and charming man and vies with her longtime male buddy for the heroine’s affection.

Familiar Winnipeg scenery can be viewed in the movie, such as a Crescentwood mansion, the Duck Pond at St. Vital Park and old brick buildings in the Exchange District outside of Hermanos restaurant.

The crew finished shooting last March and had to make fake snow for the last dramatic scene as it was so warm.

Cronin says he worked “over a six- to seven-week period” day and night, fitting the music he’d written for the film to the scenes that had been shot.

After studying music from childhood, Cronin got his master’s of fine arts in music composition for the screen at Columbia College in Chicago.

Got tips? Exciting events happening in your world? Been rubbing shoulders with the stars? Email Maureen’s Tips at mscurf@shaw.ca.