A dark day for the arts

For the first time in 20 years, the City of Winnipeg isn’t dedicating any funds to public arts. The news comes after the 2024 draft budget was released, reducing the $125,000 – previously $500,000 from 2004 to 2018 – available in 2023 to $0. The Winnipeg Arts Council told CBC Manito- ba that the reduction came as a “complete surprise.”

A flurry of laughs

Snowed In, a cross-country comedy tour, is coming to Winnipeg’s Gas Station Arts Centre on Feb. 17. A quartet of national talent – comedians Erica Sigurdson, Pete Zedlacher, Dan Quinn and Paul Myrehaug – will take the stage for a night of laughs. Tickets to the show, which begins at 7 p.m., are $50 and can be purchased via bit.ly/42FBU2z.

A dance double-feature

This month, movement artist Jera Wolfe will pair his performance piece Begin Again with the world premiere of an untitled new work. Presented by Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers on Feb. 22, 23 and 25, the forthcoming piece is described as “a wonderful callback to memories of playing together, creating stories about who we are or who we want to be.” To learn more and purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/3SHhz8m.

A concert in the sky(walk)

In a lunch-hour talk at the Millenium Library’s Carol Shields Atrium, violist Vijay Chalasani will introduce the concept of musical “code-switching.” From 12 to 12:50 p.m., Chalasani will explore how musical styles can adapt to disparate situations to tell unique stories. The talk is free, and no registration is required.

An intuitive art exhibition

In a new exhibition at cre8ery Gallery (125 Adelaide St.), artist Ashley Segal displays works of acrylic “pour-art” depicting scenes of the natural world. Titled The Great Divide, the exhibition seeks to awaken raw emotions and memories from viewers. The show is on display from now until Feb. 27. For gallery hours, visit cre8ery.com.

A call for Prairie art books

The Prairie Art Book Fair is seeking potential exhibitors for their next event, taking place in September 2024. Present- ed by Plug-In ICA, the book fair aims to foster relationships between Prairie artists and audiences while giving artists the opportunity to showcase their work. Exhibitor applications are due March 8 and can be accessed via bit.ly/49b0mLN.

Published in Volume 78, Number 18 of The Uniter (February 15, 2024)