Arts & Culture

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has asked arts bodies that get federal funding to suspend all cultural activities involving Russians linked to Vladimir Putin's regime in protest of his invasion of Ukraine.  

Canadian Heritage has written to organizations receiving the department's funding, asking them to cancel tours and co-productions bankrolled by Russian or Belarusian state organizations. 

After surviving this cold, snowy winter we in Winnipeg have just had, Chris Hall from McNally Robinson Booksellers has obviously spent the tail end of winter holed up, reading some great books. Here are his suggestions for what to read as we emerge from our winter cabin fever:

The Gryphons Return! Canadian Trio plays music of Ukrainian composer Valentyn Silvestrov,  Shostakovich and Beethoven

This Saturday April 2nd at 7:30pm at St. Andrews United Church, The Virtuosi Concert Series will be welcoming back to Winnipeg the Gryphon Trio. The concert is called Homage A Harry, and pays tribute to long time Virtuosi Artistic Director Harry Strub. This concert will feature music of Shostakovich, Beethoven and the Ukrainian composer Valentyn Silvestrov.

This weekend, Virtuosi Concerts honours longtime artistic director Dr. Harry Strub in a concert featuring a favourite and regular group of performers, the Gryphon Trio. 

Opening for the stellar ensemble is Virtuosi Young Artist Alice Macgregor.

Expect nothing but the best on Saturday evening at the Centennial Concert Hall. 

Beloved composers Mozart, Bizet, Puccini, and Verdi sung by some of Canada's brightest opera stars: Andriana Chuchman, Catherine Daniel, Lizzy Hoyt, David Pomeroy and James Westman. 

"We thought what a better way to end the season with lots of familiar repertoire," says Manitoba Opera General Director and CEO Larry Desrochers. "Just such a great array of artists just singing hit after hit. It should be fun!"

In a special concert this weekend, Virtuosi Concerts Inc. recognizes the longtime leadership of Dr. Harry Strub.

Founder of the premiere chamber music and recital series in 1991, Strub served as impresario for nearly 3 decades, inviting up-and-coming as well as internationally established artists and ensembles to perform as part of the concert series. 

Winnipeg’s Classic 107 had the opportunity to chat with Harry ahead of the show. In the conversation, Harry recalls some fond memories of the early years, muses on this weekend’s festivities, and shares what’s next. 

One of the world’s most sought-after voices, Canadian countertenor Daniel Taylor, O.C. is certainly among the nation’s most prolific performers and recording artists. 

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began over one month ago, the western city of Lviv has — for the most part — been spared missile strikes, shelling and attack. 

Though the threat of war remains ever present. 

As a warning siren pierces the daytime air, a pianist sits at a public piano and plays “Time” by Hans Zimmer, from the 2010 film Inception. 

The Music N Mavens daytime concert series is set to wrap up in jazz fusion dance band goodness — with Sir Luc and the Dukes closing out this year’s musical festivities at the Rady JCC. 

Soul, funk and a little bit of Motown is the plan for the final concert in the lauded early afternoon concert series which returned to in-person musical performances after pivoting online through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Find more details at: www.radyjcc.com 

The Manitoba government has announced $7.5 million in funding for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) campus capital project.

Flanked by RWB student dancers, Premier Heather Stefanson made the announcement from the company’s Founders’ Studio.