Supporting Churchill

John K. Samson is headed to Churchill for a special benefit concert on Nov. 12. Conceived by Frontiers North Adventures CEO John Gunter and owner of the Tundra Inns Belinda Fitzpatrick, the fundraiser will support workers in the town who have been laid off. About 100 people, or 10 per cent of the population, have lost their jobs. Donations can be sent via hungrybears.ca.

Indigenous float

This year, the Santa Claus Parade will have its first Indigenous float. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization created the float with sponsorship from APTN and the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre. An eight-foot chief’s bonnet with feathers hand painted by 30 First Nations youth – both on and off reserve – and horse caravan will be part of the Nov. 12 processions.

C.R. Avery

C.R. Avery is performing at the West End Cultural Centre on Nov. 12. The musician – whose 17 albums range from blues to spoken word – is travelling with his latest album, All the Angels Didn’t Scare Me. Part oral history and part social commentary, this work is a homage to unsung heroines on the outskirts of society. Tickets are $20 through ticketfly.com.

Women-directed film

Canada Screens launched a new video-on-demand channel to highlight work by women directors. Women in the Director’s Chair curated the content, which is sorted both by genre and the specific curator. The films are available for rent in Canada at canadascreens.ca and each is paired with a short film that also has a woman director in the credits.

Pianos on the cheap

The Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts is selling a number of surplus pianos from its inventory. One such instrument is an upright Yamaha model U1E, which was built in 1988. This piano – which is going for $5,000 – is in excellent condition and has been tuned regularly. Anyone wanting more information can email [email protected].

Published in Volume 71, Number 10 of The Uniter (November 10, 2016)