No foolin’ around this month...

April traditionally begins with a morning of pranks and silliness but it's usually a rather serious month, as community centres, recreation groups and sporting associations get down to the hard work of gearing up for outdoor event and activity season

In Winnipeg, this spring seems even more frenzied than usual as the arts and entertainment sector is also ramping things up in earnest.

Eager to make up for two-plus years of distanced and online activity or, in many instances, no activity at all, this city's live music, concert and theatre organizations are all back in action in a big way. Just take a look at the listings below and online at the Canstar Community News Events page – Sarah Harmer, Alice Cooper, album release parties from North Graffiti and Tunic, the Winnipeg Baroque Festival – there's a lot going on.

Keep in mind, though, that even though Manitoba's pandemic restrictions have been relaxed and many people are eager to return to normal, COVID-19 has not gone away. The Omicron Ba.2 variant has ripped through Europe (England reported a record number of infections over the weekend) and, anecdotally, at least, it is catching up with many Manitobans – and with touring performers.

COVID-related cancellations are still rather frequent at the moment so, if you are going out, be sure to double-check that the event you're attending is indeed still happening. You should also be mindful that many venues and organizations are still asking that their patrons wear masks and show proof of vaccination, as a way of ensuring that all who attend feel safe. So, don't be surprised if you're asked to mask up.

• • •

 One of the purposes of this newsletter is to offer a select list of upcoming events and to encourage people to use our event submission page. If you want to learn more about what's going on in and around the city, please visit our Events listings page.

Finally, if someone has forwarded this newsletter to you and you'd like to receive it, you can sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox.

Enjoy the week! I hope you all stay safe and healthy...

John Kendle, Managing editor, Canstar Community News

EVENTS

Out & About

ASD Sunday Market • Assiniboia Downs, April 10, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., More than 70 local vendors., Free admission and free parking

Winnipeg Home + Garden Show • RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, April 7, noon - 9 p.m., April 8, noon - 9 p.m., April 9, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., April 10, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Featuring HGTV celebrity contractor Bryan Baeumler. Tickets $13 adults; $11 seniors (60+) or $6 before 5 p.m. on April 7 and 8; Free children 12 and under. Save $2 online at winnipeghomeandgardenshow.ca

Concerts

Winnipeg Baroque Festival • Crescent Fort Rouge United Church

April 8, 7:30 p.m. – Canzona, early music from England;

April 9, 7:30 p.m. – Polycoro, early music from Italy;

April 10, 3 p.m. – Dead of Winter, early music from Germany

April 15, 7:30 p.m. – Canzona, Dead of Winter and Polycoro. J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra and the combined choirs.

For tickets and details, visit deadofwinter.ca

Strange Breed • April 4, 8 p.m, Good Will Social Club. With Show Pony. Tickets $17.10 at showpass.com

Blackberry Smoke • April 4, 8 p.m., Burton Cummings Theatre. Tickets $48-$42.25 at ticketmaster.ca

Sarah Harmer • April 5, 8 p.m., Park Theatre. Sold out.

Drew McDowall • April 5, 7 p.m., Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. With KMRU, Doreen Girard and Craig Boychuk. Tickets $20 at eventbrite.ca

Charlotte Cornfield • April 6, 8 p.m, Good Will Social Club. With Matt Foster. Tickets $17.99 at showpass.com

Lea Salonga • April 6, 8 p.m, Club Regent Event Centre. With Matt Foster. Tickets $74.35-$50.30 at ticketmaster.ca

Big Wreck • April 6, 8 p.m, Burton Cummings Theatre. With Monster Truck, BRKN Love. Tickets $73.50 to $50.75 at ticketmaster.ca

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra • April 7, 8 p.m, West End Cultural Centre. The Last of the Blue Devils. Tickets $40.41 to $35.26 at ticketmaster.ca

Plants and Animals • April 7, 8 p.m, Park Theatre. With Gus Engelhorn. Tickets $22 at admitone.ca

Alice Cooper • April 9, 7:30 p.m, Canada Life Centre. With Buckcherry. Tickets $136.75-$50.25 at ticketmaster.ca

Polycoro Chamber Choir • April 9, 8 p.m, Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. Tickets $53.40-$16.45 at eventbrite.ca

Tunic • April 9, 8 p.m, Handsome Daughter. With Crime Cellar, hopscotchbattlescars. Tickets $17.99 at showpass.com

North Graffiti • April 9, 8 p.m, Park Theatre. With Mobina Galore and the 12/21. Tickets $12 at eventbrite.ca

Nightspots

Silver Heights Restaurant and Lounge (2169 Portage Ave.) • Saturday afternoon jazz, 2 to 5 p.m.: April 9 – Janice Finlay, alto saxophone and flute; Rick Boughton, piano; Steve Hamilton, bass; Rob Siwik, drums.

Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club (234 Main St.) • April 7 – Nashville MB Songwriters Round, 7:30 p.m.: Hosted by Tyler Del Pino, feat. Madeleine Roger; Celia Palli, Ronan Clarke. Admission $10. April 8 – The D. Rangers, 9:30 p.m. With The Wrigley Brothers. Tickets $22.85 at eventbrite.ca. April 9 - Andrew Neville & the Poor Choices, 9:30 p.m. With Mulvey Street Maniacs. Tickets $20 at eventbrite.ca

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