Join Mitchell Makoons in releasing his debut album "Lady Boots". Over the past three years Mitchell has worked tirelessly with producer Keiran Placatka to make an 8 track studio album. This album explores the limits of the Country music genre. From Bluegrass to Pop-Country to a Traditional Hand Drum sing-along, Lady Boots has something for everyone.

Mitchell will be joined by local supporting acts Kwiat and Erika Fowler & The Red River Ramblers.

Mitchell Makoons
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Spotify

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$15.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Join us at the West End Cultural Centre on May 10, 2024, for the first annual Mitch & Ava’s Hootenanny, a celebration of Home Routes and the legacy of its founders. The event will feature the finest folk and roots music, continuing the tradition of building a national community and support for musicians. This legacy event acknowledges the role of founders Mitch and Ava in creating vibrant cultural festivals across Canada. Tickets are available for $35. Show at 8 pm (Central).

Home Routes, profoundly affected by the pandemic, adapted with online programming and is now rejuvenating its national house concert network. This event not only celebrates the musical heritage shaped by Mitch Podolak and Ava Kobrinsky but also underscores the role of music in fostering community and supporting artists. Join us for an evening of live music and community spirit as we honor this incredible legacy.

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$35.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Experience the creative process with Don and his band as they get ready for a slew of summer shows. Behind the Veil is a great opportunity  to see how the band gets it all together! 

 It's not exactly a show, but more of a relaxed hang with Don and the band. We guarantee something new, fun and possibly hilarious as they figure out their set. 
If you're interested in seeing how this band figures it all out (or “makes the sausage” as they say) then this will be a fun evening you'll enjoy.

Don and his band will be here at the West End Cultural Centre every Wednesday night 7:30pm - 10pm throughout the month of May. You're invited to come down and have a cold one with the band and watch as they put the show together! 

Throughout the last decade, singer-songwriter, performer and 3x JUNO Award nominee Don Amero has made it his mission to tell engaging and unique stories, tapping into his rare ability to effortlessly and genuinely connect with his audience. 2022 marked a momentous year Amero; he earned a 2022 CCMA Award nomination for ‘Ford F-150 Album of the Year’ for his previously released EP Nothing Is Meaningless – which includes his hit single ‘You Can’t Always Be 21’, and later went on to join Tim & The Glory Boys as direct support on their cross-Canada Home-Town Hoedown tour. Amero released a brand new EP, SIX, on September 15th which includes previous singles, “Ain’t Too Late” and “Go Girl”, His ‘Through The Fire’ podcast has been met with much enthusiasm, featuring engaging conversations with Canadian public figures focusing on the journey one takes to overcome adversity, and he recently added author to his growing resume after sharing the news of his first children’s book “These Roots Of Love”. Amero, who is of Cree and Métis heritage, has taken the skills he utilizes on stage and applied them to his advocacy work within Indigenous communities and beyond, including his participation as a youth mentor for the Winnipeg Jets and True North Youth Foundation’s ‘Project 11’. An avid public speaker, Amero created the ‘Music Is Medicine’ workshop, presenting the impact and power music has mentally and physically, and has connected with the TOBA Centre, which helps children and youth seek justice. Amero also serves as the first ever advisor and Chair of the CCMA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

Don Amero
Social Media

Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

Doors - 6:30pm
Show - 7:30pm

Tickets

$10.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Experience the creative process with Don and his band as they get ready for a slew of summer shows. Behind the Veil is a great opportunity  to see how the band gets it all together! 

 It's not exactly a show, but more of a relaxed hang with Don and the band. We guarantee something new, fun and possibly hilarious as they figure out their set. 
If you're interested in seeing how this band figures it all out (or “makes the sausage” as they say) then this will be a fun evening you'll enjoy.

Don and his band will be here at the West End Cultural Centre every Wednesday night 7:30pm - 10pm throughout the month of May. You're invited to come down and have a cold one with the band and watch as they put the show together! 

Throughout the last decade, singer-songwriter, performer and 3x JUNO Award nominee Don Amero has made it his mission to tell engaging and unique stories, tapping into his rare ability to effortlessly and genuinely connect with his audience. 2022 marked a momentous year Amero; he earned a 2022 CCMA Award nomination for ‘Ford F-150 Album of the Year’ for his previously released EP Nothing Is Meaningless – which includes his hit single ‘You Can’t Always Be 21’, and later went on to join Tim & The Glory Boys as direct support on their cross-Canada Home-Town Hoedown tour. Amero released a brand new EP, SIX, on September 15th which includes previous singles, “Ain’t Too Late” and “Go Girl”, His ‘Through The Fire’ podcast has been met with much enthusiasm, featuring engaging conversations with Canadian public figures focusing on the journey one takes to overcome adversity, and he recently added author to his growing resume after sharing the news of his first children’s book “These Roots Of Love”. Amero, who is of Cree and Métis heritage, has taken the skills he utilizes on stage and applied them to his advocacy work within Indigenous communities and beyond, including his participation as a youth mentor for the Winnipeg Jets and True North Youth Foundation’s ‘Project 11’. An avid public speaker, Amero created the ‘Music Is Medicine’ workshop, presenting the impact and power music has mentally and physically, and has connected with the TOBA Centre, which helps children and youth seek justice. Amero also serves as the first ever advisor and Chair of the CCMA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

Don Amero
Social Media

Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

Doors - 6:30pm
Show -7:30pm

Tickets

$10.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Theme: FANTASY FIGURES

Join us on Sunday, April 28 for an enchanting evening at the West End Cultural Centre. Doors open at 6:00pm for an event that promises to transport you to a realm of imagination and wonder.

• Time: Doors open at 6:00pm, Show starts at 7:00pm and runs until 9:30pm

• Activities: Prize Bingo, with donations welcomed!

• Audience: All ages welcome

• Beneficiary: All proceeds from the event will support 'Like That' at Sunshine House

Come and immerse yourself in a world of fantasy figures, where dreams and reality intertwine. Unleash your creativity and embrace the magic of the night.

Tickets will be available at the door. Don't miss this unique opportunity to support a great cause while enjoying a night filled with fantasy and fun!

See you there!

Daniel Champagne lives and breathes live music. The Australian virtuoso has been described as “the finest guitar player of this generation”, “a leading light in acoustic music” and “a performer that must be seen to be believed” and from March to June 2024, music lovers across Canada will be treated to an intimate live experience not to be missed!

Growing up in the Bega Valley, on the Far South Coast of New South Wales Australia, the story goes that the young singer-songwriter and one of a kind guitar virtuoso first picked up his instrument of choice as a 5-year-old following in the footsteps of a musical father. He began writing songs at 12, training classically throughout his teens and performing wherever he could, honing his craft and developing the dynamite live show that he is renowned for today. At 18 he finished school, turned professional and hit the road without looking back.

The following 15 years have seen him independently release 7 studio albums, tour relentlessly around the globe, play some of the biggest festivals under the sun and share stages with the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, INXS, John Butler, Lucinda Williams, Ani DiFranco, Judy Collins and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Playing upwards of 250 shows a year, Daniel is passionate about spreading live music around the world and on the back of a sold out 2022 tour tour, his return trip will include 56 shows from Vancouver Island all the way out to Newfoundland!

Daniel Champagne
Social Media

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Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$25.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

They call themselves heavy-metal grunge, only because there’s no other way to describe their gritty, gut-ripping, brand of stoner rock. The combatant energy this band radiates on stage is one you can’t dismiss. You’ll drop your phone, dig into the old, angsty feelings you thought you left behind, raise your devil horns, and head bang at all things corporate, bigoted, and unjust. 

Solhounds drives a movement of equality and empowerment; one where a five-foot-three-inch woman could stone a giant with the martial punch of her guttural, smoky vocals. Delivering songs from the perspective of the underestimated and under-appreciated, breaking free from the ideas of right-wing prejudice, capitalism, and misogyny, crowds will be activated with unapologetic lyrics over massive grooves, sludgy tones, and doom heaviness.

After a five-year hiatus the Winnipeg-based band is returning to stages to reintroduce a message that has more meaning, today, than it ever did.

Solhounds
Social Media

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Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$25.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Martin Kerr

British/Canadian singer-songwriter Martin Kerr might be the only artist in the world to have played 400 live shows during the pandemic. When Covid-19 cancelled all his touring plans, he launched Stay Home Street Concerts to bring music and joy to the people who needed it the most.    

From driveways, balconies, and front lawns, every show finished with the whole street singing ‘You’re Amazing’, his uplifting, instantly singable hit, which climbed to #4 on the Spotify Viral Chart.   

His new album, Don't Listen To Me was recorded across North America, in Vancouver, Nashville and his adopted hometown of Edmonton. The songs are inspired by gratitude for real love, the pain of loss, and seeking hope and balance in turbulent times.  

The heart of these songs is intimate, honest and poetic. Rooted in isolation, yet longing for connection, adventure and hope. There are epic moments where soaring harmonies and drums take you far away, and unexpected turns of phrase that make listeners laugh and cry. 

In a few short years Martin has gone from busking on street corners to selling out major theatres, playing huge festivals and landing his album in the Canadian Top 10, all as an independent artist. Now signed with Nettwerk Records, he’s about to go global. 

JD Edwards

JD Edwards, the remarkably talented singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, originates from the vibrant city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. From an early age, JD immersed himself in the diverse musical landscape of folk, rock, blues, and Americana. This eclectic influence shaped his unique musical style, a fusion of genres that defines his creative identity.

Proficient in guitar, vocals,  harmonica, and more, JD's mastery of multiple instruments enables him to craft intricate arrangements that elevate his songs to new heights. His velvety vocals, filled with warmth and emotion, add depth and authenticity, leaving an enduring impact on listeners.

JD Edwards' songwriting mirrors his life experiences, offering introspective and relatable lyrics that resonate deeply. His poetic storytelling takes audiences on an emotional journey, forging connections that endure long after the final note.

Recognized for his exceptional talent, JD Edwards has earned accolades and won hearts with engaging live performances. Whether in intimate venues or on larger stages, his genuine stage presence and undeniable charisma create unforgettable musical experiences.

With unwavering dedication and boundless creativity, JD Edwards continually evolves as an artist, pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic territories. As a rising star on the Canadian music scene, his enchanting melodies leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those fortunate enough to experience the magic of JD Edwards.

Martin Kerr
Social Media

Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

Tickets

$20.00 + Service Fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Toronto songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Abigail Lapell returns with Anniversary, an evocative collection of original love songs. Produced with Great Lake Swimmers’ Tony Dekker, the album was recorded at 200-year-old St Mark’s Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Dekker helped shape the sessions’ spooky, resonant sound and also lent his voice to a couple of spellbinding duets.

Lapell’s deft lyrics jostle with love song tropes, grappling with love’s finitude and the irony of how codependency and longing are revered in popular music. A ghost story is woven through the album: waltzing in the dusty barroom country of “Blue Blaze,” buried in the superstitious lyrical streak of “Rattlesnake” and audible in a wheezing organ as it shuts down at the end of “Footsteps.” Still, Anniversary emerges as an earnest celebration of commitment. Earworms like “Anniversary Song” and “Someone Like You” showcase intricately layered harmonies, while closer “Stars” affirms that there’s no place the speaker would rather be than with the one she loves.

Dekker and Lapell assembled a stellar cast of musicians to support Lapell’s powerhouse vocals, piano, harmonica and signature fingerstyle guitar. The core band includes Dan Fortin on bass, Jake Oelrichs on drums, and Tania Gill on the church’s piano, harpsichord and organ. Rounding out the ensemble’s sensitive orchestral country-jazz arrangements are Rebecca Hennessy (trumpet), Rachael Cardiello (viola), Michael Davidson (marimba and vibraphone) and Joe Lapinsky (pedal steel), who also engineered and mixed the record. Lapell has garnered three Canadian Folk Music Awards, hit number one on Canadian folk radio and reached a staggering 40 million + streams on Spotify alone. She tours widely across Canada and the U.S.

Anniversary is out May 10, 2024 on Outside Music.

Abagail Lapell
Social Media

Website
Facebook
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Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$20.00 + Service Fees

In the early 1960's an extended stay in Paris was particularly fruitful for Duke Ellington and his musicians. The iconic bandleader would score and star in a movie, write and record an album and perform a memorable concert at the L'Olympia. That concert was recorded and released nearly a decade later - titled The Great Paris Concert - and is truly one of the great live band performances of all time. Join the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra as we celebrate that magical evening with performances of Kinda Dukish, Rockin' in Rhythm and other classics from the set-list of Ellington's Great Paris Concert.

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
Social Media

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Doors - 7:30pm
Show - 10:30pm

Tickets

$45.00 + Service Fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

This event is presented by Wilderness Supply.

The Paddling Film Festival has been showcasing the very best paddling films since 2006. Be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push extremes, appreciate wild places and fully embrace the paddling lifestyle. Join us at a World Tour theatre screening in more than 135 cities, or rent the Virtual Tour right now and watch it anywhere, on any device. Then, go paddling. We’re pretty sure you’ll want to.

Paddling Film Festival
Social Media

Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

Doors - 6:00pm
Show - 7:00pm

Tickets

$20.00 + Service Fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm

This concert is presented by GloveBoxGold.

Tom Petty's Full Moon Fever album performed live with a set of greatest hits including songs with Stevie Nicks, The Traveling Wilbury's and more.

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$28.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

Join us for an engaging evening with Jennifer Smith, as she shares her impactful journey of integrating her Metis background into her work and art practices. This event offers valuable insights into the challenges and achievements faced by Indigenous artists within the broader arts community. Jennifer will explore her personal experiences, from receiving support from the Indigenous art community to confronting unexpected biases and questions about her identity and place in the arts world. Discover how she overcame these obstacles, reflecting on privilege and championing change, to alter how the art community interacts with indigenous artists. through her narrative, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of building strong, respectful relationships and tackling colonial systems within the industry. This discussion is a must-attend for anyone interested in supporting diversity, cultural sensitivity, and equity in the arts. Don’t miss this inspiring evening of dialogue and exploration!

Doors - 5:30pm
Show - 6:00pm

Tickets

FREE

DZ Deathrays
Social Media

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Doors - 7:00pm
Show -7:30pm

Tickets

$25.00

All tickets subject to service fees

Thank you to our raffle prize donors:

Our annual spring fundraising concert brings together many of Winnipeg's best musicians to help raise funds for our upcoming concert season. This year, four of Winnipeg's favourite band, Leaf Rapids, Sheena & Daniel of Red Moon Road, French Class, and Bloc Parents come together for a night of fantastic music. 

This evening will also include a 50/50 raffle (LGCA 3864-RF-43608) and door prizes (LGCA 3864-RF-43609) from Eadha Bakery Worker Co-op, Little Brown Jug, the Manitoba Opera, Prairie Sky Books, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, and Winnipeg Pro Wrestling. 

LEAF RAPIDS

The project Leaf Rapids is Keri Latimer’s (previously from JUNO recipients, Nathan) opportunity to croon about vultures circling their prey, barbershop stabbings, and love letters from smallpox quarantines in her disconcertingly sweet voice. Their sound has been described as ‘Cinematic Folk’ and includes the eerie sound of the theremin. Add in a stellar band: Chris Dunn (Ridley Bent) on guitar, Devin Latimer on bass, and Joanna Miller (Scott Nolan, Corin Raymond) on drums and backup vocals and you’ve got a sonic treat not to be missed. 

Their latest album, Citizen Alien was released in May 2019 to critical acclaim and has been charting steadily on the Canadian National Earshot Roots/Blues Chart with the number 1 position for June and July. In 2019 they toured Germany and Netherlands and performed at 7 Canadian summer music festivals. 

SHEENA & DANIEL

Sheena and Daniel play music together. A lot. Usually with yet another Daniel in a trio called Red Moon Road. Not this time though. This time it's a power duo.  What could that even sound like? Come find out.

FRENCH CLASS

French Class is an electronic dance pop project led by Megumi Kimata, a beat maker based out of Winnipeg. A festival favourite, French Class makes you want to put on fresh sneakers, grab your friends and get on the dance floor. Megumi works in collaboration with Tiana Garcia bringing her jazz influenced vocals.

BLOC PARENTS

Fronted by members of Novillero and The Sorels, and rounded out by two Windups/Telepathic Butterflies, Bloc Parents had their start as a one-off tribute to LA band X. Self-penned tunes that subscribed to that same male/female vocal dynamic eventually followed. A Mod/Powerpop foundation stone thrown into a post-punk well.

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$20.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

ROYAL WOOD

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Royal Wood has established himself as a true musical talent. Since being proclaimed “Songwriter of the Year” by iTunes (2010), Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft while maintaining a unique identity. With his eighth full-length studio album, 2022's What Tomorrow Brings, Wood reaches new emotional depths and delivers his most powerful collection of music to date. "Although it was finished before the pandemic even began, the time I had during those unpredictable years allowed me to dig deep and fine-tune the album in a way I've never been able to before. I know, without a doubt, this is the best work of my career."

Royal Wood has received multiple JUNO nominations, 5 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, and a #1 added song at Hot AC. Having seen high-profile features on programs such as Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, his catalogue has amassed over 15 million streams worldwide. Most recently, Danish manufacturer VELUX utilized the 2007 single "A Good Enough Day" in a promotional campaign, generating a surge of newfound fans across Europe. Capturing the same sonic and emotional depth of these recordings, Wood translates his songs into astounding live performances. This live prowess has led to performances in world-class venues and support-billing for globally-celebrated artists such as Bonnie Raitt and David Gray.

Following a headline performance at Toronto's iconic Massey Hall, Royal Wood released his latest album, What Tomorrow Brings, in November 2022. Crafted alongside world-renowned producers Linda Perry (Adele, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera) and Jamie Scott (Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber), the album draws from deeply personal points in Wood's life, effectively capturing the emotion of these moments. "During the writing of this album, I lost a parent, fell in love, got married and became a father. These experiences definitely allowed me to write from a place of pure vulnerability and create the most carefully crafted and inspired lyrics of my career."

What Tomorrow Brings has received critical praise and support across both Radio and Digital Streaming Platforms. Respective singles have featured on Sirius XM's North Americana and Stingray Radio's Adult Alternative, Pop Adult, and Canadian Indie. Digitally, singles have seen placements on various editorial playlists such as Spotify's New Music Friday Canada, Every Day Favourites, Contemporary Blend, indie pop & chill, Folk & Friends; Apple Music's New In Singer/Songwriter, Breaking Singer-Songwriter, and New in Singer-Songwriter; and Amazon Music's Brand New Music, Fresh Folk & Acoustic, and Finely Tuned. Alongside the release of What Tomorrow Brings, Wood also granted fans a behind-the-scenes look into the album with a Mini-documentary that premiered via Exclaim!. Now, along with an opening slot on Bonnie Raitt's upcoming tour, Royal Wood continues to expand on the success of What Tomorrow Brings, approaching 200,000 Monthly Listeners on Spotify and garnering fans from around the world.

JEFFERY STRAKER

Singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker grew up taking piano lessons in small-town Saskatchewan and has gone on to perform over 100 shows per year across Canada, Europe and Latin America.  The rootsy-storytelling of his songs has the power to transport a listener - out onto a lake in Canada’s North or to the main street of a prairie town.  A clever lyricist with an energetic approach to the piano, his song writing has drawn critical comparisons to the likes of Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson & Billy Joel while maintaining a style distinctly his own.  He’s recorded his roots/folk music for CBC radio’s ‘Canada Live’, has seen his songs used in film, TV and theatrical productions and in 2019 won a Western Canadian Music Award.  Recently he was awarded “Roots/Folk Artist of the Year” at both the 2020 & 2021 Saskatchewan Music Awards and saw the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards name him “Keyboard Player of the Year” 3 years running. 

A musical vagabond, he’s toured internationally as far as The Netherlands, Mexico and Nunavut with tour stops ranging from intimate house concerts to theatre shows and festivals.  Never one to let genre constrain him he’s also taken the stage in sold-out concerts performing his songs with symphony orchestras.  International highlights include winning the prestigious Vina del Mar (Chile) song competition, representing Canada while performing to a festival crowd of 20,000 people and a TV audience of 100,000,000 viewers across the Spanish-speaking world. He also recently performed across the UK (Nov 2022) including a stop at Canada’s High Commission in London.

Jeffery’s 2017 12-song recording, “Dirt Road Confessional” dove deep into his personal storytelling style and debuted at #5 on the iTunes Canada singer-songwriter charts. It played on CBC Radio and college/community radio across the country with listeners and critics taking note.  The Chicago Free Press wrote: “Rufus Wainwright, as well as k.d. lang are among the Canadians making essential and beautiful music. Add the name Jeffery Straker to that list”. 

Straker’s 2021 full-length album “Just Before Sunrise” was produced by Russell Broom (Calgary AB).  The recording strikes a reflective and optimistic tone with many of the songs written in the wake of the sudden & unexpected passing of Jeffery’s mom.  Two co-writes with Royal Wood feature on the recording.  The launch was celebrated with a 6-show national virtual tour and a 55 date Covid-friendly “Pandemic-Piano-Backyard-Tour” crossing the country in summer 2021.  The album was voted #2 in the Saskatchewan Music Awards.

“Direct, honest and sure-handed, there's a magic to Straker's folk-based piano styling and powerful storytelling…a brand of contagion well worth catching”  (The Walleye/Just Before Sunrise)

Jeffery has just emerged from the studio with his latest recording which will release in early 2024 (date TBC).  Working with roots/americana producer Steve Dawson (Nashville) the album delivers a roots/country flavour.

A classically trained pianist, Straker swears he was born under the piano on the family grain farm.  He was raised by a church-organist mother and auctioneer father which might explain his natural ability to share songs with audiences. He was a student of the Royal Conservatory of Music and received his licentiate diploma in piano performance from Trinity College, London when he was only 19.  Straker has showcased at major events including Canadian Music Week, NXNE, Breakout West (Western Canada), & JunoFest. He was an official showcase artist at Folk Alliance International 2022 in Kansas City.

Royal Wood
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Jeffrey Straker
Social Media

Website
Facebook
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Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

Doors - 7:00pm
Show - 8:00pm

Tickets

$27.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

West End Cultural Centre to host fundraiser screening of film on Ukrainian immigrant - Winnipeg Sun

A Special Presentation as part of the Architecture and Design Film Festival: a film screening, panel and fundraiser for Ukraine

“This eye-catching indie treat falls somewhere between love letter to a disappearing neighbourhood, delirious ode to diasporic alienation and yearning, and a darkly comic trip into the absurd. Think Lynch or Jarmusch, if they’d been raised on the Polish delis, Turkish shishkebobs and wheelies nights in the ‘Peg’s North End. Every shot is fantastic and feels weirdly alive.” -- Stir B.C.

Arriving in Winnipeg’s North End in search of a better, safer life, young Ukrainian immigrant Eva finds a city filled with rundown, outdated establishments and a disproportional number of other, culturally diverse immigrants all too in search of a new life; each desperately holding onto their own language and culture, creating a neighbourhood of comedic miscommunication, growing apathy and oft painful alienation.

Filmed amongst the fading architecture of Winnipeg’s North End and Downtown core and performed in 25 different languages, DIASPORA seeks to uncover the heartbreaking struggles and absurdity tied to arriving in a new land. Ukrainian newcomer Yuliia Ghuzva, winner of the Best Actor Award at the 2023 Gimli Film Festival, delivers an unflinching, stellar performance in this wholly unique feature film that is a love letter to a disappearing Winnipeg.

Winner of the Best Feature Film at the Ukrainian Dream Film Festival, Best Feature Film and Best Producer at the International Motion Picture Awards, Winner of Best Actor at the Gimli Film Festival, Winner of Best Cinematography at the Wallachia International Film Festival and nominee for Best Main Title Theme Music at the Canadian Screen Music Awards; DIASPORA has screened across Canada and internationally including in war torn Ukraine.

Winnipeg filmmaker Deco Dawson, known for his bold, cinematic stylings and love for Winnipeg, has won the Best Short Film Awards at the Toronto International Film Festival twice, The Mayor’s Arts Award, the Winnipeg Film Group Hothouse Award, and has been host to retrospectives of his work worldwide. Dawson continues to blur the lines between narrative, experimental and documentary, creating thought provoking, stirring cinema for over 20 years. Dawson most recently collaborated with Winnipeg’s Rusalka Dancers, designing the projections for their 60th Anniversary Gala Concert.

www.diasporathefilm.com

www.adff.ca 

www.decodawson.com

www.eaglevision.ca

Doors -5:30pm
Show - 6:30pm

18+ Advised
Simulated sex and nudity

Tickets

$15.00 + Service Fees

All tickets subject to service fees

Tune-In is presented in partnership with Music Equals through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts.

This after school drop-in program offers free music instruction on the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboards for youth ages 9-18. Professional musicians provide two hours of instruction and mentorship twice a week with all instruments provided through a grant from Music Counts.

Tuesday & Thursday
4:00pm - 6:00pm