Top 5 things to do in Winnipeg this weekend (Jan. 22 to 24)
This is a great weekend to convince anyone from out of town to come in for a visit because it's going to be very Winnipeg.
In the West End, they're celebrating David Lynch's 70th birthday by having a bunch of local bands play interpretations of the soundtracks to his movies/TV shows.
In the Exchange, Cinematheque is bringing in the brilliant George Toles to introduce a film on the famous Hitchock/Truffaut book.
A few blocks away, the New Music Festival starts with two packed nights of music, access to world-renowned musicians in pre- and post-concert panels and an after party with a DJ.
Last but not least, Kid in the Hall Scott Thompson has two standup sets at The Park Theatre.
WHAT: MUSIC – David Lynch Night at The Good Will
When: Friday, Jan. 22 at 9 p.m.
Where: The Good Will at 625 Portage Ave.
Cost: $15 at the door
The folks at The Good Will had a stroke of genius when they came up with their plan for Friday night.
They're celebrating David Lynch's 70th birthday (it was on Jan. 20 but everyone celebrates on the Friday following anyway) by bringing in a bunch of local bands and DJs to play their interpretations of the soundtracks to his films and shows.
Cantor Dust is doing Twin Peaks, Slattern is doing Wild at Heart, Ghost Twin ft. SMRT is doing Lost Highway, Mahogany Frog is doing Dune and two DJs are playing between sets with visuals by Jaymez and Ghost Twin.
The only thing that could make this better is lots of birthday cake.
WHAT: FILM – Hitchcock/Truffaut at Cinematheque
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Cinematheque at 100 Arthur St.
Cost: $9
Between The New Music Festival, RAW: almond and celebrating David Lynch, it was really hard to pick a favourite this week, but I think Cinematheque takes it with their screenings of Hitchcock/Truffaut.
It's a new documentary based on a book from the '60s that is basically just one big long interview.
But before you're like, "Wow that sounds incredibly boring and meaningless," just wait! It's not. It's super cool.
The interview was between Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut (both super famous and important directors in their time and now). The pair went to an office in Hollywood and just talked about Hitchcock's movies for 27 hours.
It's this beautiful book with tons of photos of the interview that any film nerd will be well acquainted with. It's still a very big deal, and it's been called "the bible of cinema."
The doc has a bunch of the original audio from the interview and talks to a ton of directors about it, including Richard Linklater, David Fincher, Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese.
Oh, and the best part of the whole thing is George Toles from the University of Manitoba is doing an intro to the film for the Saturday afternoon showing. Go early because that one will definitely be full.
WHAT: COMEDY – Scott Thompson at The Park Theatre
When: Friday, Jan. 22 at 10:30 p.m.
Where: The Park Theatre at 698 Osborne St.
Cost: $25
Winnipeg has had some amazing comedy the last few weekends with the first ever Saturday showcase at The Knndy and Julian McCullough at Rumor's.
This weekend, The Park Theatre is bringing in former/forever Kid in the Hall Scott Thompson for two shows Friday night.
Thompson has been doing a ton of stuff since the show, including network shows (he was on Hannibal!) and a few touring comedy shows.
The early show has already sold out, and from what I understand, the late show is well on its way, so get tickets early if you want to go.
WHAT: FESTIVAL – New Music Festival
When: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Centennial Concert Hall at 555 Main St.
Cost: $25 or $69 for a festival pass
One of my favourite music festivals of the entire year starts Saturday!
The New Music Festival is back this year with a really lovely lineup, and they've built even more on the stuff they've been doing for the past few years.
This weekend there are two shows at the Centennial Concert Hall.
Saturday night, the WSO is doing major works by American composers David Lang and Joan Tower as well festival co-founder Glenn Buhr.
On Sunday, So Percussion will be on stage. They're a group of four guys who play music on wine bottles and other non-traditional "instruments."
Before and after both shows are panels, Q&A sessions and receptions with a DJ.
And even with all that stuff, there's still time to grab a drink or two in the Exchange afterward!
WHAT: FOOD – Brunch at RAW: almond
When: Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: A pop-up restaurant at The Forks
Cost: $35
If you didn't stand in that epic lineup in the Exchange for tickets to RAW: almond and are now cursing yourself for sleeping in, you're going to like this!
They're hosting brunch on a first-come, first-served basis for all four weekends — and it's in that same beautiful pop-up space at The Forks.
This weekend and next, Bernstein's Deli is up. After that, Tallest Poppy is taking over for two weekends.
RAW: almond has had some rough luck with an extremely warm start to winter and a robbery this week, so it would be really cool to just pack the place for all 12 hours this weekend.
Dress warm, wear grippy shoes and leave your whiny friends at home!
