Tourism Winnipeg

Park Theatre: Dwayne Larson Photography Big Fun Festival: Chris Friesen Love Lies Bleeding, photo courtesy of Alberta Ballet Company: Don Lee When entering the city from the east, you can't help but notice one of the coolest buildings in Canada, which is the Royal Canadian Mint. Inside you'll embark on an experience that sets the gold standard for tours, observing how over 55 billion coins for 75 countries have been created here. They also have fun interactive games and an outstanding gift shop full of collector's items. Plus, you can hold a gold bar worth more than $750,000 (it's really heavy). Arts & Culture The same old song and dance on Winnipeg is that we're "Canada's Cultural Cradle," both the country's geographic centre and the centre of its arts scene. But we tell you; it's one extraordinary song and dance. We're the home to internationally acclaimed institutions like Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB); we have arguably more live music per capita than any other Canadian city (how do you think folks like Neil Young, Burton Cummings and Chantal Kreviazuk cut their musical chops?); the city is brimming with art galleries and major festivals; and concerts are a monthly occurrence no matter what time of year. No matter what your taste in tunes is, you'll always find live music in Winnipeg that is music to your ears. Our Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is one of the most original orchestras out there. They play an incredible amount of performances per year that cover a vast array of genres — from pop performances with famous artists on vocals, to classical works with touring soloists (such as violinist Tianwa Yang on April 21-22) and a Canada Day performance with diverse Winnipeg bands (past performers include alt-rockers Royal Canoe and hip hop outfit The Lytics). Of particular note, is WSO's New Music Festival, a contemporary classical music and art party that will take place from January 28 to February 3. Regarding genres like singer/songwriter, electronic, rock, hip hop and everything in between, you can catch a performance almost every night at venues across the city including the Park Theatre, Burton Cummings Theatre, Good Will Social Club, West End Cultural Centre, Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club and so many others. It's such a busy scene that we've partnered with our friends from Manitoba Music to create a website dedicated solely to listing all the shows going on in Winnipeg. (www.tourismwinnipeg.com/events/live-music#/gallery/recent). Our indie music scene in particular is out in full force during the Big Fun Festival (January 25-29), where all manner of local and touring bands take over the smaller clubs and bars in the city. Plus, there's Festival du Voyageur (February 17-26), Western Canada's largest winter festival where fantastic folk, roots and rock bands play to packed tents while crowds dance on the hay-covered dance floors. The festival runs as a homage to our city's French fur-trading history at Fort Gibraltar, and also features massive snow sculptures, costumed interpreters and more maple syrup than one can possibly handle. For that dance portion, look no further than Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, an internationally celebrated institution that has been pirouetting since 1939. For 2017, performances include Love Lies Bleeding (March 1-5), a rock and roll epic featuring the music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Theatre fans are also in for a year-round treat in Winnipeg, as seemingly all of downtown — particularly the Exchange District — provides a stage. www.tourismwinnipeg.com 11 WELCOME TO WINNIPEG ITINERARIES

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