Tourism Winnipeg

37 www.tourismwinnipeg.com Winnipeg Itineraries Arts & Culture Winnipeg is known as "the cultural cradle of Canada," so no matter what time of year you visit it's guaranteed your artistic appetite will be well fed. That being said, you can't beat fall/winter as our professional companies come out swinging with their new seasons, while winter itself – with its snow and admittedly sometimes chilly temperatures – has fostered an artistic community that either expertly hones their craft (be it the guitar, the canvas, or the silver screen) indoors, or celebrates winter in all its abundance outdoors, taking inspiration from the frozen landscape. For starters, did you know that Winnipeg arguably has the most live music per capita per night in Canada? That's right, and the likes of Neil Young and The Guess Who cut their chops in The Peg. You can experience this scene for yourself at clubs like the legendary Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club whose tiny honky-tonk room on Main Street has seen some of the best acts in North America; The West End Cultural Centre, whose downtown venue has always been a vocal supporter of the arts; along with new fun places like The Good Will Social Club, which seriously features live music (or some kind of happening) every night. Just remember, with its rich pedigree including Shakey and Bachman, you best come with the knowledge that Winnipeg is a guitar playing town – so be ready to see some solos. #airguitarallowed For a more posh experience you simply cannot beat an evening at the ballet or the symphony. For 75 seasons Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet has been dazzling audiences from across the globe with performances that always showcase the power and beauty of movement. Their new season includes classics like Giselle (which opens Sept 30), Nutcracker (Dec 19-28), and Val Caniparoli's A Cinderella Story (Feb 17-21). The new season from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is incredible. While getting all dappered-up and letting the commanding sounds of the symphony wash over you will always be a treat, this year's line-up is an embarrassment of riches, with concerts for all tastes. It includes 14 –year old prodigy Umi Garrett – who blew away Ellen at the age of 8 in her first television appearance – playing Mozart (September 25-26), Chinese violin sensation Tianwa Yang (September 18-19), conductor/comedian Rainier Hersch (November 28) and singer/ songwriter Rufus Wainwright playing the very best of his outstanding catalogue along with the symphony (Mar 11-13). Once your ears have been treated, let your eyes feast at one of Winnipeg's many galleries. At the grand daddy of them all, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, you can catch the monumental Olympus: The Greco-Roman Collections of Berlin which features 160 priceless works, including sculptures dating from the 5th century BCE to the 2nd century AD. Winnipeg is one of only two North American cities to have the privilege of displaying these classical works, which will run until March 30, 2016. Throughout the Exchange and downtown several galleries of note should be on your agenda. This includes Urban Shaman, an Aboriginal artist-run centre that specializes in contemporary Aboriginal art; Wah-sa Gallery at The Forks, which features more traditional forms of Aboriginal art in mediums including paint and sculpture; and Gurevich Fine Art, cre8ery and Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art which feature everything from video installations to works from up-and- coming and internationally acclaimed artists. Autumn marks the start of the professional theatre season in the city and Winnipeg has a host of companies to choose from. For starters, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (MTC) utilizes both the John Hirsch Mainstage and the Tom Hendry Warehouse in Winnipeg's Exchange District and has a selection of blockbusters lined-up including The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Oct 13-Nov 7), Alice Through the Looking Glass (Nov 25-19), and Billy Elliot the Musical (Jan 12-Feb 6). A quainter theatre experience can be had at Prairie Theatre Exchange (located right in the middle of downtown on the top floor of Portage Place), where your seats are so close you can nearly touch the actors (it's also the theatre that Winnipeg's hipset tends to frequent the most). Meanwhile the Rachel Brown Theatre, located right in the heart of the Exchange District, features all sorts of theatrical events with everything from often avant-garde productions from Theatre Projects Manitoba, to performances from contemporary dance troupes. The Gas Station Arts Centre, whose location in the heart of Osborne Village is currently being transformed into a landmark building, is also a gem of a venue and a frequent host for comedy and theatre of all sorts, while in the neighbourhood of South Osborne you can't beat the Park Theatre for intimate live shows such as CD releases from Winnipeg bands, great touring shows, and other cultural events like culinary contests and films. When the snows of winter cover the landscape, Winnipeg goes all out in embracing winter with artistic endeavours. At The Forks, once the Red and Assiniboine rivers have frozen over, a giant skating trail is ploughed then dotted with "warming huts." These functional structures are sure to be some of the most wondrous winter abodes one could imagine, as architects and designers from across the globe have competed to have these designs grace this trail. These funky and functional designs often receive international attention for their beauty and ingenuity Nutcracker: David Cooper

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