Arts & Culture

There's a darkness in the work of venerated Canadian war artist Bill MacDonnell, who has spent three decades travelling the world as a self-described silent witness.

MacDonnell's paintings document the impact of conflict from Bosnia to Afghanistan as well as revisiting atrocities of the past.

He has inspired other artists to follow in his footsteps, and an exhibit of his work is on display at the Military Museums in Calgary through Remembrance Day and into 2025.

The vibrancy and multiculturalism of Winnipeg’s downtown is being reflected with a new public art installation. 

Twelve banners now line the perimeter of Central Park in the heart of the city, each of them uniquely designed to reflect the different people who make up the neighbourhoods surrounding the park.  

Quincy Jones, the trailblazing producer, arranger, and musician whose influence touched nearly every corner of the music world, has died.

Jones' publicists confirmed the producer died on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, at his home in Bel Air.

Growing up in Chicago, Jones' early life was shaped by the vibrant but challenging environment of the city’s South Side. He discovered music as a form of solace and self-expression, and by his teens, he was already playing trumpet and arranging music professionally.

“I’m living in a sad and terrifying nightmare,” says Winnipeg choreographer and musician Casimiro Nhussi. 

“The land is red and dry, the river, too. The trees are naked, and the animals are skinny and sad. There isn’t enough green land for all of us.” 

These sentiments of despair are the impetus behind the latest production from Nhussi’s NAfro Dance collective, Serengeti. The project explores the environmental challenges and existential threats of the climate crisis that all living creatures share. 

The Manitoba government has increased its funding for the Manitoba Arts Council to $13.7 million this year, an eight per cent boost announced Friday at the Centennial Concert Hall.

The investment aims to strengthen the province’s arts sector, supporting artists, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and organizations that shape Manitoba’s cultural landscape.

With colder temperatures and shorter days comes the perfect time for cozying up with a good book. If you are in a reading rut, Chris Hall from McNally Robinson Booksellers joined Nolan Kehler in the Classic 107 studios to share 'What to Read' with him for the first time.

The titles that Chris shared with Nolan this month were: 

Precipice by Robert Harris

A Case of Matricide by Graeme Macrae Burnet  

Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik

Patriot by Alexei Navalny

On August 2nd, 2024, the Music and Arts Record Label released a CD that features the fantastic playing of the renowned Ukranian-American pianist Anna Shelest. 

Just over a year after one of Canada’s longest-standing orchestra was silenced by bankruptcy, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony announced its return to the stage this week. 

In a Facebook post, the symphony shared that its bankruptcy had been officially annulled, and that they would return to present concerts again as soon as the end of this year. 

The Prairie Theatre Exchange is welcoming a new artistic director.

Ann Hodges, whose career with the PTE spans three decades, including as an artistic associate from 2014-2015, says she is thrilled to join the team.  

"My first job at PTE was as a student selling subscriptions over three decades ago, and I've always considered PTE my artistic home," said Hodges.

During her time with PTE, Hodges also served as a teacher, marketing assistant and student. She also directed 16 shows.