Volume 68, Number 20

Published February 13, 2014

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  • Remembering Riel

    It’s interesting that Manitoba celebrates the February long weekend as Louis Riel Day, rather than Family Day like other provinces across Canada. After all, the historical grievance that exists here has been affecting local families since it was set in motion in 1870 with the signing of our founding document, the Manitoba Act.

  • Are we really safe and sound?

    With just over 10,000 students at the University of Winnipeg, and countless other people passing through the downtown campus everyday, there’s reasonable concern about security and personal safety. Due to a recent uptick of lockers being broken into and personal items getting stolen, students have cause to wonder how safe their belongings actually are – even when they are locked up

  • Riding year-round

    Winnipeg is notorious for its harsh winters, so it should come as no surprise that our city has been chosen to host the 2nd annual International Winter Cycling Congress. From February 12-14, cycling enthusiasts will gather at the Forks to listen to professionals and delegates from across the globe discuss anything and everything related to winter cycling.

  • SodaStream and Israeli occupation

    Last weekend, Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson drew the ire of pro-Palestinian groups after appearing in a commercial for Israeli company SodaStream. Though the ad was completely innocuous – SodaStream manufactures home carbonation systems – the 29 year-old was condemned for her support of the company which operates its principal manufacturing facility in Ma’ale Adumim: the third largest Israeli settlement in the West Bank considered illegal under international law. 

  • The importance of representation in our world today

    Laura Jane Grace (born Thomas James Gabel) is a name you may have heard a lot in the past year. Last month, she and her band Against Me! released its sixth studio album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, and will be playing the West End Cultural Centre on April 1. As you have probably guessed, the album mostly deals with Laura’s experiences coming out as a transgender woman. 

  • The Toy Basket with Bunny Ben Wa

    It’s like I always say, a happy penis makes for a happy mind, which gets us all one step closer to world peace. Why doesn’t Miss America ever talk about male masturbatory sleeves? They’re fabulous, available in a variety of textures and price points, and hey, they make you ejaculate. Isn’t life fun?

  • First thespian experience

    Sarasvàti Productions is gearing up for its third annual So You Think You Can Act (SYTYCA) fundraiser, an event which allows the local theatre company to make FemFest and other productions a reality each year.

  • I am Divine

    I Am Divine accomplishes a nearly impossible feat by not being completely outshone by its subject. When making a documentary about a figure as lurid and grandiose as frequent John Waters collaborator Divine, one could easily coast on the sheer spectacle of the performer and end up with a half-entertaining picture. Director Jeffrey Schwarz (Vito) does much more, and the portrait he creates is moving, entertaining, and damn funny.

  • The Monuments Men

    As a director, George Clooney’s approach has always been to take stylistic cues from his inspirations. In Good Night and Good Luck, he channeled early television with his minimalist black and white photography, utilizing long takes and subtle performances to make it feel less edited and more journalistic. In The Monuments Men, Clooney is channeling a type of ensemble World War II film that hasn’t been produced for decades.

  • Not my Winnipeg

    I’ve been waiting to talk about the new Winnipeg-centric, “locally branded” web series WindCity, which is (deep breath) produced with the support of Manitoba Public Insurance & Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, in partnership with the RBC Convention Centre, Red River College & Royal Bank, with Assistance from Carnaval Brazilian BBQ, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Centre Venture, Downtown Winnipeg Biz, The Forks, Fort Garry Hotel, Johnston Group, Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, produced with the participation of The Government of Manitoba and distributed by the Winnipeg Free Press. 

  • Keeping Canada creative

    To keep the creative juices flowing in a subarctic country, Weird Canada provides a not-for-profit option of exposure on all artistic fronts.

  • A man of the red soil

    A native of Rustico, Prince Edward Island, folk singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant is a passionate representative of Canada’s East Coast, and his forthcoming work Searching for Abegweit: The Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant demonstrates that affection.

  • Rock out with your ceinture fléchée out

    Western Canada’s largest winter festival is only getting bigger. A whopping 130 musical acts will be performing at Festival du Voyageur in 2014. The 45th annual celebration of Franco-Manitoban culture runs from Feb. 14-23 at Voyageur Park and various other sites in Winnipeg.

  • Student Dispatch with Bilan Arte

    The Conservative government of Canada has decided that your vote is unwanted. Lots of people like to talk about low youth voter turnout and the importance of engaging us in the political process. No one who cares about democratic participation would claim that Canada is at risk of having too many people voting – during the last elections, 61 percent of eligible voters cast ballots across the country, and only 49 percent in Winnipeg Centre – making it that much stranger that the government tabled the Fair Elections Act on February 4.

  • Whose House? Ginaya’s House.

    Everyone and their dog is a “photographer” these days. Whether it’s for Facebook or your weekly (or hourly) Instragram selfie, you know how to point and snap. But, for Ginaya Jesmer, 19, photography is a passion, a career and a life.

  • Like Letters

    When I said I wanted to write a piece about friendship for Valentine’s Day, a lot of people were kind of confused by the idea. Why make a big fuss about friendship?

  • Sons of York

    Opening with the devilishly handsome and chaotic title track, this EP from local quartet Sons of York is the latest in a long line of releases that showcase the type of honest power rock that for some reason hasn’t made the Kennerd brothers + Darren Hebner household names.

  • Kalle Mattson

    Recorded in his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., the fifth overall record from 22 year-old Kalle Mattson is a comfortable blend of delicate folk ballads and upbeat, jangling rock tunes that satisfies despite some forgettable moments.