Top Five "Must-Attend" Events This March in Peg City

Born Ruffians return to Peg City this month. 

Welcome to a regular feature on Painting over Silence that previews the month ahead on the Winnipeg concert front: each month we'll be spotlighting five local shows/festivals deemed as "must-attend." This month's "must-attenders" were selected by contributor Stefani-Raine Allan, and, without further adieu, here are the five she selected, in chronological order:

Cyrk Fest

The Cyrk

254 Young Street

Each Friday in March - Doors at 8 p.m.

The Cyrk is one of those venues that has managed to maintain its intimate feel and underground vibe despite hosting numerous, well-known musicians and poets from across Canada since 2006. The living room is a stage; it’s BYOB; and Drek makes a fruit salsa that could be the main attraction in and of itself. Earlier this year, the Cyrk announced a festival spanning several months - and this March there will be three dates. Instrumental rockers Mahogany Frog take the stage on the 1^st with Savant Flaneur;  Rob Waddell opens up for the JD Edwards Band on the 15^th; and Claire Morrison joins the Crooked Brothers on the 29^th. Or you could just go for the salsa. 

Tickets are a $10-$20 donation at the door. Visit the facebook event CYRK FEST for more details. Email info@theCYRK.ca to be added to the mailing list. 

Leonard Cohen

MTS Centre

Monday, March 11

8 p.m.

What can you say about Leonard Cohen? Man. Poet. Lover. Singer. Father .Musician. Writer. Artist. 

Or simply LEGEND.

Tickets at Ticketmaster. $28 - $250.

Cluster Festival

Urban Shaman Gallery

March 9 - 16

Now in its fourth year, Cluster Festival is a unified effort of musicians and artists to provide a platform for experimentation and exploration in creative media. Art installations, musical interludes, new compositions, artistic debuts, rockin’ after parties … If the arts is your scene, this is the Winnipeg festival for you. Cluster Festival will feature local acts such as Mise En Scene and This Hisses, in addition to a wide array of artists and composers. One artist of note is TSAWORKS, who’ll be making his North American debut here, proving that Winnipeg is indeed a thriving hub for creators ‘round the world.

Tickets at McNally Robinson.  $15, Adult. $40, Adult Pass. 

Cabin Fever 2

The Windsor Hotel

Saturday, March 23

10 p.m.

Get your dance on for a good cause at Cabin Fever 2! The Harvest Moon Society is raising money to build cabins in the bustling metropolis of Clearwater, MB. The cabins are being designed by students from the University of Manitoba architecture program, and will host visitors during Harvest Moon Festival and the many programs run year round. Your money will get them materials, and you’ll get performances from Mariachi Ghost, Cannon Bros, and Mama Cutsworth. Win win! Psst … Don’t forget to bring some extra cash for the silent auction. 

Tickets available at Organic Planet and Mondragon. $10/advance. $15/door. 

Born Ruffians w/The Elwins

Park Theatre

Wednesday, March 27

8 p.m

Regrettably, I missed Born Ruffians when the band played Jazz Fest in ’11, so thanks to the Park for bringin’ em back. The Toronto indie-rockers are touring in support of their upcoming album, Birthmarks (street date: April 16th).  If you can’t wait that long (like me), there’s a teaser track available called With Her Shadow. It’s got a breezy, island vibe to it - the perfect reprieve from our cold winds and snowy banks. Pair that sound with The Elwins and a cold beer and I just might forget that my ‘winter’ vacation isn’t actually until April … 

Tickets available at the Park and the Jazz Winnipeg Office. $15/advance. $20/door. 

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Now it's your turn, Dear Readers. What events are getting you out of the house this month?

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Contest: Enter to win tickets to see Devin Cuddy and Whitney Rose @ The WECC

Courtesy of our great pals over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for the Devin Cuddy (son of Jim!) and Whitney Rose show taking place on Tuesday, March 12th.

If you're interested in checking out this fine double bill, fire me off an email (on the right hand side, below the concert listings) by Thursday, March 7th at noon with the subject line "Jim Cuddy and Whitney Rose Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter, with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

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Evening Headlines: Family of the Year, July Talk

Just a couple quick notes this evening:

Toronto-based indie-pop act July Talk is at the WECC on Thursday, April 4th, and local faves Mise en Scene and The Noble Thiefs are also on the bill. 

Also, L.A.-based indie artists Family of the Year will be at the Park Theatre on Monday, April 29th.

 

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Evening Headlines: The Fugitives @ The Park Theatre; Misty-Eyed over Father John not coming

First up, The Fugitives return to Peg City for a date at the Park Theatre; show goes down on Saturday, March 23rd.

Add Jordan Klassen to the Wednesday, April 17th Pickwick show at the Park Theatre.

Scratch Blue Hawaii off the April 4th Doldrums show at the Windsor and add Sean Nicholas Savage plus Tim Hoover (thanks to Dave for the heads up).

And finally, on its official Twitter feed, the Pyramid has confirmed that Father John Misty cancelled his Winnipeg gig. Time for a good cry.

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Evening Headlines: KEN Mode @ The Pyramid; Father John Missing?

Just a couple quick notes tonight...

Resident Juno winners KEN Mode bring the noise-rock to the Pyramid on Thursday, April 4th.

Romi Mayes is there on Friday, April 19th.

And finally, I just noticed that Father John Misty's show is no longer listed on the Pyramid's site nor is there a date on his tour listings. Can anyone corroborate?

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Afternoon Headlines: Purity Ring, The Duhks, Ruth Moody @ The WECC

Much acclaimed duo Purity Ring returns to Winnnipeg for a show at the WECC on my birthday (Wednesday, May 1st). Blue Hawaii opens.

Speaking of the WECC, the Duhks (featuring the original line-up) play a gig there on Friday, March 22nd.

Devin Cuddy & Whitney Rose will be there on Tuesday, March 12th.

Spend Friday, May 17th there with hardcore/metal act Struc/tures.

And finally, Ruth Moody (of the Wailin' Jennys) will release her first full-length solo record, The Garden, at the WECC on Thursday, April 25th.

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Afternoon Headlines: Dan Bern @ The WECC + Folk Fest, MB Music on the Assiniboine

First, much thanks to my buddy Matty for making my blog a new banner and much thanks to Sarah for letting me use her lovely photos. Can you name the three singers featured in the banner?

Next, Dan Bern (above photo) will perform his recent album, Wilderness Song, in its entirety at the West End Cultural Centre on Tuesday, July 9th. He's also the first act announced for this year's folk festival extravaganza.

On Sunday, February 17th, the warming huts on the Assiniboine will house a slew of Manitoba musical acts from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Featured will be Red Moon Road, Melissa St. Goddard, JD Edwards, The Lucas Sader Project, and Haley Carr.

Hollywood Undead is at the Garrick on Friday, March 15th w/ Abandon All Ships.

Add GROUNDERS to the Zeus/Yukon Blonde bill going down at the Pyramid on Wednesday, April 3rd.

Seattle's Pickwick will be at the Park Theatre on Tuesday, April 16th.

Brady Allard is releasing his latest record, Anamnesis, at Ace Art on Thursday, February 21st w/ Benj Funk.

Ghost B.C. is at the Garrick on Friday, May 3rd w/ Ides of Gemini.

And finally, Doldrums is at the Windsor Hotel w/ Blue Hawaii on Tuesday, April 2nd.

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In my younger and more vulnerable years...three records that had a lasting impact on Lindi Ortega

Welcome to a new feature on Painting over Silence in which musicians share records that had a lasting impact on themselves and discuss what it is about these albums that were - or continue to be - so important toward their own musical development. 

For the inaugural edition of In My Younger...Tennessee-via-Toronto-based Lindi Ortega and her wonderfully powerful, show-stoppin' pipes shares three records with us that have left an enduring impression on her.

Touring in support of her fourth full-lengther, Cigarettes and Truckstops, the talented alt-country purveyor pops our fair city for a date at the Park Theatre on Valentine's Day. Dustin Bentall and the Smokes are also on the bill.

Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

First of all, I don't know what's more outlaw than going to a prison and holding a concert for a bunch of inmates. Nothing gets me more than a live album, especially a live album done well. This record is a great example of that. Johnny Cash shines in this performance. I love all the little in between quips and the little mess ups here and there that remind us listeners that this is a live show -- raw, and unedited. Now lets get to the songs... I have to say Folsom Prison Blues is one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs ever, mostly because this line "I SHOT A MAN IN RENO JUST TO WATCH HIM DIE" crushes me every time! Johnny's juxtaposing lyrics and melodies have been a big influence on my own music as well as his signature chick-a-boom guitar stylings. With songs like The Long Black Veil, I Still Miss Someone, and amazing duets with June Carter Cash, namely an outstanding performance of JACKSON, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't love this record.

Hank Williams -  40 Greatest Hits

I love this record cause it's a compilation of all the great Hank Williams tunes and some of my most favorite are on it, like Lovesick Blues, I'm so lonesome I could cry, and Your Cheatin' Heart. The first Hank Williams song I ever heard was I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY, and I remember it really resonated with me. I'd say no one does a good old lonesome broken heart song like Hank. He's definitely inspired most of my love gone wrong tunes!  

Willie Nelson - Teatro

This is a great road album. I just love listening to it when I'm in the tour van watching the scenery blur by. First of all I love that its produced by Daniel Lanois. I've always loved his production style. Second, it has the wonderful Emmy Lou Harris singing harmonies, and last but not least it's chock full of stellar guitar playing and wonderful songs. 

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Contest: Enter to win tickets to Trust @ The WECC

Courtesy of our long time friends and well-wishes over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for Trust's show taking place on Thursday, February 28th. Kindest Cuts and ERAAS round out the bill.

If you're interested in checking out this white-hot goth-pop act, fire me off an email (on the right hand side, below the concert listings) by Wednesday, February 20th @ noon with the subject line "Trust Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter, with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

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Afternoon Headlines: Diamond Rings, Shout Out Out Out, K-OS to Play the Pyramid

Photo by Sarah Gofflot

Some exciting shows taking place at the Pyramid to pass along...

Synth-pop merchant Diamond Rings returns to the cabaret on Saturday the 9th of March. 

If Hayden ain't your thing, spend Saturday, March 30th at the Pyramid with Edmonton indie-rockers Shout Out Out Out. Actually, it's entirely possible to hit both. 

Finally, K-OS will perform there on Wednesday, April 10th in support of his just-released LP BLack on BLonde. 

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