Irish everyone would come

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/03/2017 (3374 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. PATRICK’S PARADE: The annual, noisy, raggle-taggle walking parade with funky floats, banners and music blaring off a truck happens Saturday, March 18, at 3 p.m. — one day after St. Patrick’s Day. It’s held on the weekend so more people can enjoy it. And it’s changed locations this year, doing a circle tour up Portage Avenue near the Irish Association at 654 Erin St., where it now begins.

Organizer Margaret Gannon brags that there are some new floats and a new golden harp, Puff the Magic Dragon, life-size puppets high in the air, hobby horses for people to ride, a Shamrock Forest, lots of leprechauns and Guinness mascots. Hot Tip: all of the fun and whimsical music comes from the lead truck, so it’s fun to march closer to the front. (Yes, I’ve done it. My name is Maureen, isn’t it?)

“Anybody can join in!” says Gannon, a stylist at Hair H2O2 on Lilac Street who’s organized this crazy event for several years. “Just come to the Irish Association at 2 p.m. on Saturday and get into the parade lineup. You can wave flags, show up in costume, or not wearing anything all. Ha, ha! Actually it might be cold… ”

The big change this year? The new route — down Erin, half a block south to Portage Avenue and then west towards Polo Park. “At Omand’s Creek we do a U-turn and come back the other way. The parade’s only about 35 minutes, walking slowly,” says Gannon. “Lots of people bring their dogs, kids and wagons, kids on scooters — we have a police escort, so some lanes will be stopped.” Inside Scoop: Why does longtime co-ordinator Gannon do it? She loves her Irish heritage. “I’m hoping for another trip to Ireland in May.”

SAVOURING, MMM: More than 300 medical people, business types, wine lovers and enthusiastic foodies joined Health Sciences Centre Foundation’s big Savour Canada fundraiser party Saturday, March 4, at the RBC Convention Centre’s handsome new York ballroom. A hungry VIP cocktail group came blasting in to join the crowd assembling and hit the many kiosks and immediately started “savouring.”

They started with a big round of wine and food tasting at little kiosks serving hot treats, such as shrimps and bison and savoury appetizer wraps to icy desserts such as maple sauce over ice cream. The decor? Snow-covered fir trees in white lights to honour Canada in its 150th year. Entertainers from the Aboriginal School of Dance hit the stage, back-lit by an ever-changing Northern Lights show. Later, the crowd took part in the live auction and danced to the band Almost Famous.

“It was great to see how this community comes together to support the HSC and the families that benefit from this place of healing,” said Jonathon Lyon, president of the HSC Foundation. “When people support the HSC Foundation at events like Savour, they are making a profound difference in the lives of patients.”

Spotted: Cameron Friesen, finance minister, with his wife Shelley, an MTS software specialist clad in a sizzling red and silver party dress; Dr. Perry Gray, A/COO of HSC; Ilse Hansch Pflug, Terracon Development; Paul Albrechtsen, president of the Paul Albrechtsen Foundation: Dave Angus, VP of Chamber Relations, Johnston Group Inc., reps from Manitoba Liquor Marts; HSC Foundation’s event organizer Monique Levesque-Pharaoh; Tina Jones, HSCF board chairwoman and owner of Banville & Jones Wine Co.; Bill Gardner, HSCF board vice-chairman, a partner at Pitblado Law; Jarrett Bishop, COO of IDC Communications/Cell Mechanics; Winnipeg Free Press editor Paul Samyn and his wife, Cathy; Free Press publisher Bob Cox and his wife, Lena; Scott Greenlay from MNP (Myers Norris Penney) and his wife, Pam; and Perry Rose, VP of asset management at Qualico.

Also making the scene: Heather Stefanson, deputy premier and minister of justice, and her husband, Jason, vice-chairman, CIBC Global Markets; Chris Watson, VP, commercial banking, TD Bank; Andrew Stibbard, regional managing partner, MNP; Ryan Downey, Ryan Downey Wealth Management Group; Scott Lins, owner of Sierra Courier; Colin Ryan, the Colin Ryan Wealth Management Group; Steve Payne, general manager, Birchwood BMW; Kim Ulmer, regional president, RBC; Dayna Spiring, president and CEO, Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.; Andrew Collier, GM, Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club; Dr. Eric Jacobsohn, director of research, HSC; Dr. Jeffrey Morantz, radiologist, HSC; Dr. Larry Tan, head of HSC thoracic surgery.

SOUL BLOWOUT: Soul/blues singer Sol James — who’s effervescent with great pipes, and may not need a mic — lights up the stage at the Grant & Wilton Coffee House on March 25, at 7:30 p.m. It’s an unusual venue in the basement of Temple Shalom, half house concert/half nightclub that seats up to 150. The performers talk and answer questions, and the audience gets to know them more personally. Phil Spevack and David Au, who organize these almost-monthly events, serve up coffee and snacks during the break, like in a small Manitoba town.

James morphed from a brass player to a jazz singer to a loud and proud soul singer. “I was a big band nerd in high school and then went to University of Manitoba as a orchestral french horn player and I wanted to sing jazz,” she says. Does her given name, Heitha Forsyth, ring a bell?

Local jazz vocalist Anna-Lisa Kirby encouraged her to let ’er rip with her singing voice, and she’s since developed a new entertainment persona — and new name. “I’ve been developing the Sol James thing since 2012. Sol is Icelandic for sun, my favourite colour is yellow and I have a sunny personality.” And she has a big heart. “I’m in school to be a music therapist 20 hours a week to help people the way I know music can.”

Backing the 33-year-old singer is the band Middle Coast — “They’re like my little brothers,” she says. Formerly from Brandon, this young surf rock group has been playing all over Canada and consists of Liam Duncan (keys), Roman Clarke (drums) and Dylan MacDonald (guitar). For tickets ($15 advance) call Phil Spevack at 204-488-0207. The ticket includes coffee/tea and munchies.

FLAME READING CLASS: Veteran flame reader Lyn Woligroski is giving away her secrets in a special class Saturday, March 25, 1 to 3 p.m. in the classroom attached to Radiance Gifts and Treasures, 7-875 Corydon Ave. “It’s an alternative to tarot reading,” she explains. Readers interpret smoke markings from a lighted candle waved underneath a moving piece of paper. “The idea is to show a variety of different things — faces, pets, life challenges, trips, pieces of your past, present as well as your future.” Register by phone at 204-284-4231; there’s a $40 fee.

 

Got tips? Know of cool events happening, new businesses coming this spring? Been rubbing shoulders with the stars? Email Maureen at mscurf@shaw.ca