Teghan's top 5 things to do this weekend in and near Winnipeg (June 23-25)
Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, Art City’s parade, Constellation Francophone and Speechless
The weekend is going to start off crappy weather-wise and then get way better, so I stacked the Saturday options this week.
Jazz fest is back for a second weekend, and they have a ton more shows than last.
Art City is doing their amazing stuff in West Broadway, Constellation Francophone is on outdoors at The Forks and the Speechless trio are at the Gas Station Arts Centre.
I did cheat this week and added an out of town thing for the fifth item.
If you have a ride out of town to Riding Mountain, they're having a little thing with music and movies and lots of other stuff.
WHAT: FEST — Winnipeg International Jazz Festival
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Multiple locations
Cost: Free to $225 for a full festival pass
Jazz fest has a ton on this weekend, with a full slate of free shows at Old Market Square and about a dozen more at other venues.
My top pick is the Wolf Parade show Friday night at the Burt, but you should also try to make it to the Low show at Knox United Church on Saturday.
The Good Will also had a good lineup Saturday with 3Peat and Chris Bxnnxtt.
If you're hitting up the Cube this weekend, be kind to fest volunteers and the folks working at nearby bars and restaurants. It's super busy, and it takes time to serve hundreds of people.
WHAT: KIDS — Art City Parade
When: Saturday, June 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Broadway and Young Street
Cost: FREE
Art City's annual parade is on from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This year's theme is "Go Go Go," so costumes and floats will be on the theme of getting around, and I personally hope to see at least one adorable airplane costume.
The parade starts at 2 p.m. and then there are snacks and entertainment at 3 p.m.
If you have time, Art City would love some helping hands at 1 p.m. carrying floats and getting costumes sorted.
WHAT: MUSIC — Constellation Francophone
When: Saturday, June 24 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: The Forks at 1 Forks Market Rd.
Cost: FREE
There's free music all evening at The Forks on Saturday.
Francophone artists are performing from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Faouzia, Sierra Noble and Red Moon Road are the big names on the bill.
You can also catch Jill Barber, Marie-Jo Therio, Mehdi Cayenne, Pierre Kwenders, Jacobus, Willows and Kharimah.
The Common is a pretty nice place to be on the weekend anyway. They have affordable beer and wine flights and tons of seating for in-between sets.
WHAT: THEATRE — Speechless at the GAC
When: Saturday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Gas Station Arts Centre at 445 River Ave.
Cost: $15
The show has been on since 2013 and has toured Europe, South America and the Middle East.
Mama Cutsworth, Felipe Ortiz and Daniel Orrantia just recently finished performing in Austria, Germany, Holland and the United Arab Emirates.
The show is entirely without words, and combines mime and film-score type music.
It has across-the-board rave reviews, so go check it out before it's gone.
Out of town
WHAT: OUTDOORS — Riding Mountain's moonlight party
When: Saturday, June 24 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Riding Mountain National Park
Cost: FREE admission
If you can stand sleeping in a tent for a night, Riding Mountain has a street festival on Saturday night.
From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., there will be live music, DJs, a late-night movie, smores around a big fire, laser tag, night tennis and an escape room.
There will also apparently be "bouncy structures throughout the townsite," which is a hilarious way to say there will be multiple bouncy castles.
No word on if adults are allowed inside but very occasionally it can be better to ask forgiveness than permission.