Probably the safest venue in the city
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This article was published 23/11/2022 (194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The community effort that transformed an old church at the corner of Sherbrook Street and Ellice Avenue into the West End Cultural Centre in 1987 is now the stuff of legend.
The non-profit charitable organization has become an important part of the Winnipeg music scene and a thriving community arts hub.
Many local, national and international artists have played the iconic music venue at 586 Ellice Ave. The superb sound, quirky charms and appreciative audiences keep them coming back.
West End Cultural Centre
The West End Cultural Centre installed UV-C air filters during pandemic closures, and asks that its patrons wear facemasks and show proof they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
In order to keep everyone safer, a UV-C light filtration system was added during COVID-19 pandemic closures to clean the air and neutralize COVID and influenza viruses. In addition, patrons attending still need to show proof of vaccination and to be masked. All in all, it is probably the safest music venue in the city.
Lower-risk options for a fun night out are becoming more important these days as the triple whammy of COVID, influenza and RSV plays havoc with our lives.
As the whirlwind of family get-togethers and festive events that marks the holiday season nears, what should be relaxing times with family and friends can be fraught with uncertainty, since all three viruses are often first mistaken for a cold or sniffles and unwittingly spread.
The eclectic pre-Christmas concerts at the WECC are a safer bet and there are some standouts. My top pick is At Last I’m Ready For Christmas! A Stan Rogers Tribute, which will feature Nathan Rogers, the son of the legendary Canadian folksinger, on Dec.3.
Parents and kids alike will enjoy the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra’s swinging rendition of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, as a narrator reads the story. The Christmas classic will be presented by the WJO on Dec. 8.
There are also concerts by Red Moon Road, The Small Glories and Jon Bryant in the upcominig lineup.
The comfortable all-ages venue features a small bar so you can enjoy a drink or two with friends before and after the shows.
You can also support the West End Cultural Centre by buying tickets to its wine raffle, a holiday fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale of the $10 tickets go towards operational costs and community programming, such as the Tune-in series of free, drop-in guitar, keyboard and drum lessons offered after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays to youth aged nine to 18.
“It’s fun to hear the kids learning Seven Nation Army (a popular White Stripes song), and it’s great to hear them improving over time,” said Jason Hooper, the West End’s executive director.
Anne Hawe
West End community correspondent
Anne Hawe is a community correspondent for the West End. She can be reached at annie_hawe@hotmail.com