Arts & Culture

Billy and the Moon explores the quiet magic of introversion at summer camp 

One of the world’s rarest stringed instruments—the 1690 “Tuscan-Medici” Stradivari viola—has officially joined the collection of the U.S. Library of Congress (LoC), thanks to a record-setting $30 million acquisition made possible by the combined generosity of philanthropists David and Amy Fulton and the family of the late Cameron Baird.

The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra is inviting audiences to a musical gathering by the fire at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights this week. 

Awasowin – the Cree word for “those who gather around a fire” – is a collection of spoken word pieces, nature sounds, and, of course, music. The latter element will see two Juno nominees lead the orchestra and host the gathering: conductor Larry Strachan and cellist Cris Derksen.  

Choral showcase features premiere by Andrew Balfour, iconic Canadian songs and more 

The bells at Westminster United Church in Wolseley have been ringing out over the city for well over a century, but its sounds have been somewhat muted in recent years. 

The church’s congregation, along with numerous local arts organizations, have been unable to use the sanctuary space because of structural deficiencies in the ceiling. With estimates to fix that ceiling running into the millions of dollars, the future of the entire building remains uncertain. 

Michael Tilson Thomas celebrates 80th birthday with a final bow in San Francisco

The Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition crowned Vancouver pianist Linda Ruan the 48th winner in its history at Brandon University this past weekend. 

Founded in 1976, the annual competition – which rotates between pianists, string players and vocalists – is a unique celebration of Canadian contemporary classical music with the recital programs of the finalists required to contain over 50 percent of its works from Canadian composers from after 1950.  

Much like its subject, the idea for Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s latest book came from humble origins: the creek near her home where she enjoyed cross-country skiing. 

“The creek is a fairly small creek that I think is a fixture in the book, but also a fixture in my life because it’s the body of water that I think I spend the most time with every day,” she says. 

PTE in Concert celebrates motherhood with Dear Mom 

It's Canadian federal election day — a celebration of democracy, chilly morning lineups, and the undeniable satisfaction of scratching that pencil across the ballot. Whether you’re proudly wearing your “I Voted” sticker or stress-snacking through the results, the right music makes everything better.

Here’s your election day playlist, proudly non-American — and proudly a little extra Canadian: