Manitoba Opera mounts Puccini’s Tosca for the first time since 2010

Tosca returns to the Centennial Concert Hall this weekend for the first time in more than a decade.

What’s up: Kathleen Shellrude, BPM X, Strumbellas, Day in Paradise, Wintersing

My Favourite MonsterBy Kathleen ShellrudeThe Edge Gallery & Ceramic Studio, 611 Main StUntil Nov. 28; Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m;, Sunday and Monday by appointment onlyFreeCeramicist and mixed-media artist Kathleen Shellrude’s bevy of hand built-creatures, each with its own distinctive personality and appearance, are a sight to behold when grouped together.

Every one of Shellrude’s clay companions holds a small truth about her; each character began as a fragment of a story, shaped from memory, emotion and imagination.

“A monster can be both frightening and funny, broken and joyful, clumsy and wise. In the studio, they remind me that healing isn’t about becoming polished or perfect. It’s about letting all the awkward, glittering, impossible parts co-exist,” the artist says.

Shellrude started work on her monsters a year ago and in the last 12 months has created 162 creatures for the show. Monster sizes range from between 2.5 centimetres to 45 cm, with the majority around 20 to 23 cm tall.

From tie-dye to tied up… in court: Foster sued

The co-owner of a Corydon bakery that closed its doors amid accusations of mismanagement is now suing tie-dye maven and former business partner Pepper Foster for nearly $200,000.

Pennyloaf Bakery, known for its sourdough bread, opened its doors at 858 Corydon Ave., in 2015, and was purchased by Foster and accountant James Fiebelkorn in June 2022, both owning 50 per cent of the business.

But issues rose quicker than dough with baker’s yeast; staff told the Free Press they had quit in response to concerns about Foster and his wife Vanessa Foster’s management of the business, and the shop closed in December 2022.

A lawsuit filed last month alleges that Fiebelkorn contributed over $193,000 to the business’ account with the agreement that Foster would contribute an equal amount, but said he has “neglected, failed or refused to make any contributions to service the debt on the loan.”

Homemade Cooking School: Baking tips and how to make scones

The most important rule of baking?

“Patience with yourself,” says Richard Warren, a pastry chef and baking instructor at Red River College Polytech.

Artist with Parkinson’s prolific output celebrated with upcoming exhibitions

Andre Hall-Grusska is the Riverview Health Centre’s unofficial artist-in-residence.

Since his arrival there a little more than two years ago, the 63-year-old has used his second-floor bedroom as a studio and the long-term care facility as a sprawling gallery for the stencilled drawings born from his active imagination.

More than 60 original pieces at Riverview bear his signature — Hall-Grusska’s work is in the boardrooms, the waiting rooms and even CEO Kathleen Klaasen’s office.

“I see myself some day filling this whole hospital with my art,” he says after taking a few visitors for a walking tour.

U of M chemist earns award for work on new drug candidate for treating Lou Gehrig’s disease

A University of Manitoba PhD candidate with a dramatic life story has been awarded the Mitacs Innovation Award for co-inventing an aspiring new drug candidate for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, announced Monday.

“I thought, like, it’s a spam call. Then someone told me that, ‘You have been selected for the (award),’ so I was numb for 10 to 20 seconds,” says medicinal chemist Nitesh Sanghai, currently pursuing a doctorate at the U of M’s college of pharmacy under the supervision of Prof. Geoffrey K. Tranmer.

Sanghai doesn’t talk about “rags to riches” but instead “grass to grace” in describing his trajectory. The 43-year-old from Jharia, a small town in the Jharkhand district of India, says he was the first person in his family to pass India’s Grade 10 board examination, a gateway to further secondary and post-secondary education.

“I thought of breaking the cycle and pursuing studies with passion and privilege, which my family never had,” he says.

Building Blocks, Crumbling Foundation: Child Care in Crisis

A six-part investigation into the state of child care in Manitoba, examining the underlying issues that put kids and families at risk.

Landmarks: Exploring unique and iconic Winnipeg locations

Landmarks is a monthly feature in which columnist Alison Gillmor explores unique and iconic Winnipeg buildings and locations.

Former Bombers find more Grey Cup glory with Roughriders

When Jermarcus Hardrick left the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in February of 2024, his decision went beyond the numbers on the offer sheet.

The then-33-year-old coveted right tackle — who had grown accustomed to long playoff runs and appearances in the Grey Cup, playing in four straight with the Blue and Gold from 2019-2023 — had bought into the words of newly minted head coach Corey Mace and the culture he was trying to build within a franchise that hadn’t sniffed the big game in more than a decade.

“They said they were looking to start something new,” Hardrick said. “They wanted to play a physical brand of ball, and they wanted to have fun. Sounded like everything I wanted to do.”

On Sunday, approaching two years since he agreed on a pact to become the foundational pillar of another franchise, Hardrick and Mace’s plans delivered.

Cougar makes rare appearance in Manitoba

A cougar made a rare appearance on a trail camera in the Whiteshell Provincial Park.