Downtown Peggy

I always hear people say that Winnipeg is such a creative city because it’s so cold here – in the winter, we have to stay inside a lot, so we write, sing, play, make art, whatever creative expression we choose.

So if this cold/creative dynamic really works for us, odds are, it would apply in other cold places right? I’m testing the theory at the WSO New Music Festival starting today – they’ve got a Nordic music theme this year, which means they’re featuring a lot of Icelandic composers (including Sigur Ros) They’re packing in more than 50 pieces into 7 days – superstar cellists, modern dance pieces…and of course, no festival would be complete without a big party, so Uptown Magazine is hosting an afterparty on February first to finish up Icelandia evening.

There’s also a new indie festival this year that’s picked up on the idea of cold & creativity as well – Big Fun. It showcases whole bunch of different genres of music with more than 20 local bands playing. And instead of using bars & clubs, they’re taking the shows to new spaces all over the Exchange District – galleries, lofts, and warehouses – all of them close enough to walk back and forth from. It started on the 26^th and is running until the 29^th. (FYI if you’re a Parlour Coffee fan, a Big Fun wristband will snag you 10% off your caffeine fix of choice) It’s the first year, but they’re planning to make it an annual festival – how cool would it be to have this weekend packed with music every year?

So yes, it’s cold – let’s celebrate! Want ticket info for the shows? Check the links above!

I admit, I was a little afraid it was never going to happen. But the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail is finally open! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the warmer weatherwe’ve had  – but it would have been disappointing if I’d missed out on gliding down the river this year. It’s so peaceful once you make it down to the farther end of the trail – just the swish-swish noises of other skaters drifting by, trees and ice all around you – it can be so quiet it’s hard to believe you’re just a little way from the centre of town. You can warm up with your sweetie in a Frank Gehry-design hut, and when the cold starts to get to you, there are roaring fires, laughter, pickup hockey games and plenty of places to get hot chocolate back at the Forks start of the trail. I think this is what everyone pictures when they think of winter in Canada – at least, I know I do (update – the Toronto Star agrees in their article today)

I’ll be bundling up and renting some skates this weekend to go explore – if you’re going too, stay warm & enjoy yourselves out there!

Update # 2 – someone’s posted a slideshow video of the huts going up!

Some of the covet-worthy dresses that have sashayed down the runway at the fashion show (gorgeous photo by Vergil Kanne)

Ah, weddings…it seems like every year, more and more of my friends are getting married around me! I’m still a single girl, but I’ve gotten to be pretty expert as a bridesmaid tying ribbons, looking at flowers, tasting yummy food, and my favourite job hands down, dress shopping – picking through fluffy rows of tulle, silk, satin, beads, and flowers to help find the perfect dress for a friend. I just wish I could try them on too!

And the big day (well, the OTHER big day) I get always called in for is the Wonderful Wedding Show that’s happening this weekend. There’s absolutely no bigger display in Winnipeg of dresses, flowers, décor, cakes, invitations, dresses, photographers, and did I mention dresses? More than 100,000 square feet of all this, in fact – so it can be good to go with a friend or two, cause that’s a lot of ground to cover. They’ve got some super-handy maps of the venue that you’ll definitely want to pick up when you first go in, pretty lounges set up to sit and relax for a minute, and sometimes cake samples to help you recharge!

If you spot the bridal stores that look like they match your style but want some more time to browse all the pretty things, I’d recommend heading over there on a girls’ night out. There are a LOT of them packed into just a few blocks, so even when it’s cold you can park and visit 4 or 5 without going more than a block or two outside. Labelle’s, Helene’s, Chantal’s, CKLY are all on the same block, Stella’s Bridal and LA Collection (the city’s biggest bridal store) are just a couple of blocks away. And then, of course, reward yourself for all your hard work with dinner or dessert with the girls!

Notice something different about me?

OK, maybe the beard doesn’t suit me. But there’s a reason for it! I got it from the good people at Shawfest, MTC’s Master Playwright series, which opens tonight. Every year one classic playwright gets picked and a whole series of plays by and/or about him. This year it’s the fabulously bearded George Bernard Shaw. If you haven’t seen his plays, I bet I know something of his you will recognize – the classic Audrey Hepburn movie My Fair Lady was based on one of his most famous plays! And really, how can you not love a man who wrote the phrase “If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it to dance.”

Plays are going on at MTC, PTE, the Warehouse theatre, Aqua Books, and a whole host of other venues from the 19^th until February 5^th – the full listings are here. Even My Fair Lady is going to be there, with a special showing at the Millennium Library!

I’ve got passes to Shawfest for TWO lucky winners! To win them, you have to correctly post the answer to one of these two questions in the comments – first thing tomorrow, I’m going to collect all the answers and draw two winners! (don’t forget to include your email when you respond!)

1) What three film versions of his plays did George Bernard Shaw write/co-write the scripts for?

2) What organization was George Bernard Shaw a prominent member of?

If you’re one of the thousands of ‘Peggers who have been to the new Stella’s on Portage Avenue, chances are you’ve seen the new Plug In gallery right beside it. But if you haven’t had the chance to go in, now is definitely the time to do it!

It’s a beautiful space any time – floor-to-ceiling windows and tall white galleries filled with funky and mind-expanding pieces of art. It’s actually an institute, not just a gallery, which means they work with a lot of cool up-and-coming innovative local artists! So why visit now? A contest they’re having thanks to Wanda Koop.

If you’re thinking “Wanda Koop…that sounds familiar…” she should! She’s an incredibly talented (and famous) artist who just happens to live right here in Winnipeg. She’s also got a warm Manitoba heart – she’s donated a gorgeous painting valued at $15,000 to the Plug In and they’re holding a draw for it to raise money for the institute on the 20^th at 5pm!  It’s hanging in the Plug In Gallery right now if you want to see it (right through the gift shop) I love the bold, bright look of it

The Koop painting hanging in the Plug In - go see it yourself, my iPhone can't do it justice

To win, you buy tickets for $40 each or 3 for $100 – you can get them in person at the Plug In, by phone at 942-1043, or there will  be a table at 201 Portage in the food court on the 19^th! There’s a limited number of tickets for sale, so hop to it if you want a chance at the painting – I’ll cross my fingers for you!