Let's Do Something -- Aug. 9, 2012

Today

• 11 a.m. — MADD presents a barbecue in the Brandon Police Service parking lot at 1020 Victoria Ave. Two hotdogs, pop and chips for $5. All proceeds to support local programs.

• 4 p.m. — Hartney Hopper Days starts the weekend off with a horticultural show at the Centennial Centre followed by a cold plate supper.

• 7 p.m. — Music in the Parks features Lucky Ned at Princess Park.

Friday, August 10

• 7 a.m. — Gladstone Fair kicks off with a pancake breakfast, farmers’ market and a live band, Brothers of the Road.

• Noon — Hartney Hopper Days continues with a Main Street merchant barbecue, meat draws, baseball showdown between Hartney Hoppers and Hartney Hopperettes at 7:30 p.m., a saloon with live entertainment and fireworks at dusk.

• 4 p.m. — Southside Farmers’ Market is held in the Zellers parking lot from 4-7 p.m. every Friday evening until Sept. 28.

• 5 p.m. — Sandy Lake Western Days features a barbecue supper and the Shevchenko Ukrainian dancers at the outdoor kitchen; an old-time bingo, giant fireworks and entertainment at the hotel.

• 6:30 p.m. — Banana Days are on in Melita featuring a golf tournament, the Ultimate Banana Belt Experience, an action-packed race through Melita and area. For event details, visit melitamb.ca.

• 9 p.m. — Rivers Happy Days, a salute to the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, kicks off with a movie on the north side of Rivers Bigway Foods.

Saturday, August 11

• 7 a.m. — Sandy Lake Western Days gets off to an early start with a pancake breakfast at the Outdoor Kitchen followed by the parade at 10 a.m., borscht and bread at noon; meat draw and live entertainment at the hotel.

• 8 a.m. — Gladstone Fair features pancake breakfast, parade, barbecue, kids games, military display, slo-pitch, concert featuring Kevin Johnson Band and Jack on Tap Band.

• 9 a.m. — Brandon Farmers Market Co-op Inc. is held at The Town Centre parkade until noon.

• 9 a.m. — Rivers Happy Days, a salute to the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, continues with a pancake breakfast in the Rolling Dale Enterprises parking lot, barbecue lunch, 1RCHA and 1PPCLI military vehicle demonstrations, five-man engine pull, free hayrides, beer gardens and a street dance at 8 p.m.

• 9 a.m. — The downtown Global Market is open until 1 p.m. Popular farm vendors tend to sell out, so people are urged to get there early. Janksta performs from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

• 9 a.m. — Melita Banana Days features a banana baking contest, kid activities featuring Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob and Elmo, sumo wrestling, barbecue, free banana splits, mud bog, family street dance, and much more. For event details, visit melitamb.ca.

• 11 a.m. — Funds for Furry Friends are planning to host a Dog Days of Summer meet and greet at Dinsdale Park until 3 p.m. Many adoptables in attendance.

• All day — Hartney Hopper Days features a pancake breakfast, garage sales, slo-pitch, dunk tank, laser tag, roast beef dinner and social.

• 5 p.m. — Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing presents the Little Irish Downs at the Killarney Agricultural Society. $3 admission. Parimutuel races. For more info, call 204-523-8495.

• 7:30 p.m. — Brandon University School of Music jazz faculty member and saxophonist Greg Gatien, joined by John Baron on bass and Eric Platz on percussion, will entertain On the Patio at Poor Michael’s Bookshop at Onanole. Tickets are $20 in advance or $35 at the door and available at the bookshop or by calling 204-848-0336. Seating is limited. Bring a lawn chair, warm clothes.

Sunday, August 12

• 9 a.m. — Melita Banana Days features pancake breakfast, car show, slo-pitch tournament. For event details, visit melitamb.ca.

• 10:30 a.m. — Hartney Hopper Days interdenominational church service followed by parade at 1 p.m., kids carnival, Redcoat of the Northwest offers a historical re-enactment of 1885 at the fairgrounds.

• 11 a.m. — Sandy Lake Western Days continues with an interdenominational hymn sing a long at Volunteer Park.

• Noon — The Criddle/Vane Homestead annual picnic will take place at Homestead Heritage Park from noon to 3:30 p.m. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair. For more info, call 204-827-2133.

• Noon — Off the Beach and Path is a fundraising event for the Parkinson Society of Manitoba at Clear Lake, in honour of Bryan Norton. Ride in or perhaps drive an Amphicar — the only commercially produced amphibious automobile. Show up and for a suggested donations of $10 get to take a ride. For more info, call Jeff 204-470-8082 or visit offthebeachandpath.ca.

• Noon — Big Brothers and Big Sisters are hosting a family barbecue at Stanley Park with free entertainment featuring Larry Roulette and Friends, Darlene Tufts’ Husband Bruce Dunlop and This Viral Pearl. $3 hotdog and drink; $4 hamburgers and drink; $5 smokie and drink All proceeds go to programs for Big Brothers an Big Sisters.

• 1:30 p.m. — Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing presents the Little Irish Downs at the Killarney Agricultural Society. $3 admission. Parimutuel races. For more info, call 204-523-8495.

• 3:30 p.m. — Harvest with Heart celebrates the sixth year of its campaign at the van den Ham Farms, two miles west on the Trans-Canada Highway (from Tim Hortons). Watch for the Harvest with Heart sign and turn on Bloomsbury Road, north to the first farm on the left. Join the harvest at 3:30 p.m. and meet our sponsors; barbecue supper at 5 p.m. for a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for children. Harvest with Heart sponsors eat free! Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a free concert by Don Amero.

At the clubs

• Lady of the Lake pub — Thursday is pizza night — flatbread pizza plus a pint of beer, glass of wine or salad for only $9.99. Enjoy the $5 Taco bar on Friday from 4-6 p.m. followed by Tom Dowden on piano from 6-8 p.m. then the Tom Cats with some classic rock at 9 p.m. Saturday features Surf ‘n’ turf for $15. and some alterative folk rock with This Viral Pearl at 7 p.m. Upcoming: On Aug. 14, Island Vibe at 9:30 p.m. followed by Friendlyness and the Human Rights at 11 p.m.

• Houstons Niteclub — Thursday is ladies night! Ladies get free cover charge all night. New drink specials on Thursday which are almost too good to be true. Check them out on Facebook at Houstons Nightclub. Friday night features DJ Razor with a mix of country, rock, top 40 and all the classic hits. Friday’s Platinum draw is now $5,000 and totally free to enter. Saturday features the Hoedown from 4-8 p.m. Get a meal and a drink for only $5.

• The 40 — Friday at The 40 features The Mantras and if you’re hungry, you can try the sizzling steak sandwich special for $6.49. Upcoming: Aug. 15 and 22 is the Battle of the Bands with up to 12 bands chosen to battle to open for Rock the Block; Sept. 15, Wanted Man, a tribute to Johnny Cash; Sept. 21, 54-40 in concert.

• The Great Western Roadhouse — Flirt Friday featuring DJ Vance; House Party Saturdays features guest DJ Patelli and Ladies Only Express entrance. Doors open at 9 p.m. both nights.

• Georgie’s Patio (Keystone Motor Inn) — Hudsey is on the patio at 8 p.m. on Friday.

• Crystal Hotel — Blue Steele entertain Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s jam session runs from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Free poker on Sundays at 2 p.m., Monday and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

• Double Decker — It’s the return of Neon Blunt with special guests Fungus Puck at 9 p.m. on Thursday. On Saturday, Common Sense Hero with C. Wilkenson at 9 p.m. $5 cover charge.

At the galleries/museums

• The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba — The main gallery hosts “Visual Adaptations” by Brandon-based painter Fay Jelly and “Blurry Canada” by Regina-based Risa Horowitz. In the Community Gallery is Janet Shaw-Russell’s exhibition, “An Untenable Belief in Permanence.” Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Thursday until 9 p.m. To schedule a guided tour of our Main Gallery and Community Gallery exhibitions, call ahead to 204-727-1036. For more info, visit agsm.ca.

• The Royal Canadian Artillery Museum at CFB Shilo — Hosts two Museum of Civilization exhibits until Sept. 21 as part of its 50th year celebrations — “The Tunit A Paleo-Eskimo People” and “Places of Power: Objects of Veneration.” Also learn about Sgt. Tommy Prince, PPCLI, one of Canada’s most decorated First Nations soldiers. See the actual Victoria Cross of Sgt. Robert Spall, one of the three Victoria Crosses won by Patricias. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Call 204-765-3000, ext. 3570, for information and to book tours. The museum is open free of charge on Friday in honour of the PPCLI birthday.

• The Daly House Museum — Come visit the original home of Brandon’s first mayor, Thomas Mayne Daly. Our current exhibit “Steam Punk” takes a look at the Victorian Art of Technology and Science Fiction. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. For info, call 204-727-1722 or visit dalyhousemuseum.com.

• 26th Field Regiment RCA/XII Manitoba Dragoons Museum — Come check out the Lt.-Col. Cromarty medals on display as well as many other military artifacts at the Brandon Armoury. Open on Tuesdays 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1- 4 p.m.

• The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum — New summer hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week until end of September. This is Canada’s only air museum solely dedicated to the preservation of those who trained and fought for the British Commonwealth during the Second World War.

• The Arts West Travelling Gallery — The 2012-13 travelling gallery is on display at the Minnedosa Library until Aug. 11. It then moves on to the Neepawa Arts Council.

• The Brandon General Museum and Archives — On the ground floor of the old Manitoba Telephone building at 19 Ninth St. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. Currently on display is “Time Pieces: Images of Brandon” and an exhibit inspired by Mary Hume’s pictorial history of Brandon entitled, “Brandon: A Prospect of a City.” This exhibit showcases a variety of historical Brandon photographs, from education and the arts, to sports, to businesses and street scenes. The exhibit also contains artifacts, including a chair from the Prince Edward Hotel, a 1947 television and a wedding dress. For more info, call 204-717-1514 or email bgmainfo@wcgwave.ca.

Upcoming

• Aug. 13-18 — The annual AugustFest Homecoming concert series takes place at the Lorne Watson Hall in the School of Music. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. each evening followed by a dialogue with the evening’s musicians and a complimentary reception. For more info, visit augustfest.ca.

• Aug. 13-18 —The Canadian National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show will take place at the Keystone Centre with more than 750 horses taking part.

• Aug. 14 — An evening with writer/humorist Steve Burgess and playwright Trish Cooper at 7:30 p.m. at Poor Michael’s Bookshop in Onanole.

• Aug. 14 — Music in the Parks features Along for the Ride at Princess Park at 7 p.m.

• Aug. 16-19 — Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze include high school rodeo, 3D barrel racing, demolition derby and much more.

• Aug. 17 —The seventh annual Harvest Sun Music Fest takes place at Kelwood. Tickets available online at theharvestsun.com or at Poor Michael’s Bookshop in Onanole.

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition August 9, 2012