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

Yukon Blonde is at the Pyramid in a few days. It's highly doubtful the dogs are along for the trip. 

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:

Rah Rah

The Park Theatre

Tuesday, April 2

8 p.m.

I’m from Saskatchewan, so I actually have quite a fondness for all things SK, and Rah Rah – arguably the best thing to come out of Regina since Dick Assman – ranks up there. The stage antics of these multi-instrumental pop-folksters are as fun and entertaining as their tunes. Local acoustic outfit Yes We Mystic and Charlottetown natives Two Hours Traffic join them on this eclectic Canadian bill. It'll be a solid show. I hope you can take my word for it, now that you know I hail from Riderville ...

Tickets are $12/advance or $16/door.

Yukon Blonde w/Zeus

Pyramid Cabaret

Wednesday, April 3

8 p.m.

Unseasonably frigid April weather calls for back-to-back weekday indie shows, don't you think? Check out BC indie-rock trio Yukon Blonde at the Pyramid; they're touring in support of their new album, Tiger Talk. I've been streaming it on their website, and it’s ridiculously catchy and upbeat. Check out “My Girl” and “Stairway for LA.” Also on the bill is another staple on the Canadian music scene – Zeus – who always deliver a raucous, entertaining set. For the vinyl lovers, they'll be selling a deluxe edition of their latest record, Busting Visions, which includes an appropriately titled 7-song EP, Cover Me (featuring covers by Stone Temple Pilots and Sam Roberts Band, of all things.)

Tickets are $18.50 in advance.

The Bad Nerves EP Release

Royal Albert Arms Hotel

Friday, April 5th

9:30 p.m.

Over the last few weeks, I've overheard this question a lot: "So, have you been to the Albert yet?" If you didn't realize it's back open, then there's no time to waste. The Bad Nerves are celebrating their EP release along with Surprise Party, The Thrashers and Hostile Life. If you're not a hardcore fan, that's okay. After all, drinking pints of PBR with friends in a back corner is a perfectly legitimate way to spend an evening.

Tickets are a scant $8 at the door. 

Todd Snider

West End Cultural Centre

Wednesday, April 17

8 p.m.

Since Folk Fest last summer, I've been hoping Todd Snider would make another visit to our fair city. I got my wish. The ever-prolific Snider's been pumping out great folk-Americana albums since the mid 90s, and after an expansive near-20 year career, his low-key, storyteller style still captures the hearts of his adoring audiences. He's on his way to becoming an American legend, and I'm already looking forward to telling my kids I saw Todd Snider at the West End way back in the day...
Romi Mayes opens.

Tickets are $25 in advance. 

AIDA

Centennial Concert Hall

April 13, 16, 19

8 p.m.

And now for something completely different ... When was the last time you went to the Opera? I'll admit it's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you've never been, it's a great way to try new things AND support Manitoba arts!  AIDA, which debuted in 1871, is a love story set in ancient Egypt and is one of the most popular operas of all time. So make a night of it - get dressed up, go for dinner, buy a pair of those mini binoculars, and please - leave your cell at home!  Culture On Every Corner is offering a 20% off deal on tickets - see details at cultureoneverycorner.ca.

Range of prices and seating guide available at manitobaopera.mb.ca.

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Now it's your turn, Dear Readers. What shows/events are you looking forward to this month?