Let’s Do Something — April 9, 2020

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/04/2020 (2220 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

COVID-19 concerns have meant the cancellation of public events. Therefore, we decided to take a different approach with Let’s Do Something and compile a list of things to do while you stay safe at home.

• Adults’ read — “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” (Mason Cooley). It is the perfect time to read that book or start that series you have been waiting to find time for …

— “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 2014, is a recommended read. This novel tells the story of Theo Decker, whose mother dies in an explosion at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is a story of loss and of survival.

— “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng, is a multi-layered examination of how identities are forged and maintained, how families are formed and friendships tested, and how the notion of motherhood is far more fluid than bloodlines would suggest … [A] tour de force.” —Booklist (starred review). This #1 New York Times bestseller is now a Hulu original series starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. 

— “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce is a story about ordinary people that confirms the ability of people to touch one another’s lives. Also recommended is Joyce’s followup novel, “The Love Songs of Miss Queenie Hennessy.”

— Will Ferguson’s novel “419” tells the tale of something that has happened to all of us … we open our email in the morning and there is an “offer of a lifetime.” Most of us delete emails like these, but a surprising number don’t … Henry Curtis, one of the novel’s characters, is one of those who doesn’t.

— Recommended for mystery fans is the series of books by Canadian author Louise Penny featuring Chief Inspector Gamache. Combining police procedure and small-town life, Penny’s novels have received critical acclaim, won numerous awards and enthralled millions of readers.

• Canada Reads — This annual program sees five prominent Canadians defend what they think is the one home-grown book for everyone in Canada to read. To help you get ready for “Canada Reads 2020,” excerpts from the five short-listed titles are available on cbc.ca/books. Six pre-show podcast episodes are also available to help get you acquainted with this year’s lineup. You can download the episodes through CBC, iTunes or your favourite podcast app. Canadian writers are sharing readings of their books online. As book tours and festivals are cancelled and Canadians stay indoors, writers across the country are filming readings of their books for viewers. Visit cbc.ca/books.

• National Book Festival presentations are shared by the Library of Congress at loc.gov/engage. Every weekday, a video presentation from among the thousands of authors who have appeared at the National Book Festival and as part of our new year-long series, National Book Festival Presents will be available. Mondays will feature topical nonfiction; Tuesday: poetry or literary fiction; Wednesday: history, biography, memoir; Thursday: popular fiction; and Friday: authors who write for children and teens. 

• Online book club — Start an online book club and “meet” with your friends to talk about what you are currently reading. A great way to get a list of recommended reads!

• Podcasts … “Music for the Mind”:

— “30 for 30” features original audio documentaries from the makers of the acclaimed 30 for 30 film series. 30 for 30 offers captivating storytelling for sports fans and general interest listeners alike, going beyond the field to explore how sports, competition, athleticism and adventure affect our lives and our world. Sports stories like you’ve never heard before.

— “Brains On!” is a science podcast for curious kids and adults from American Public Media. Co-hosted each week by kid scientists and reporters from public radio, we ask questions ranging from the science behind sneezing to how to translate the purr of cats, and go wherever the answers take us.

— “Jann Arden” is hosted by multi-talented Canadian icon Jann Arden. The self-titled, 60-minute podcast discusses the challenges, triumphs and tribulations of everyday life. It is a fun-filled, relatable experience that explores what makes all humans authentically themselves with a variety of special guests including musicians, actors, politicians, writers, and athletes.

— “Secret Life of Canada” highlights the people, places and stories that probably didn’t make it into your high school textbook. Join hosts Leah and Falen as they explore the unauthorized history of a complicated country.

— Each episode of “Story Seeds” pairs a kid (age 6-12) with a children’s book author. They meet up in person and collaborate to write original stories that start out with the kid’s idea (the “seed” in the name). If that sounds like a difficult thing to do just now, fear not. Fortunately for “Story Seeds,” it had a season worth of podcasts in the bag before COVID-19 hit, so there will be new episodes coming every Thursday through July.

— “White Coat Black Art” hosted by Dr. Brian Goldman takes listeners through the swinging doors of hospitals and doctors’ offices, behind the curtain where the gurney lies.

• Six cool classical concerts to watch from home — including a performance by Brandon’s own James Ehnes — are available on cbc.ca/music

• Twelve famous museums offer virtual tours you can take on your couch — video is available at travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museum-moment-of-zen-hashtag-help-people-relax

• 15 Broadway plays and musicals you can watch on stage from home through various channels are available on playbill.com

• Broadway HD, a streaming service for theatre fans started in 2015, has long been bringing Broadway performances to people’s living rooms. The platform is currently offering a free seven-day trial at broadwayhd.com

• Cirque Du Soleil Online — Visit cirquedusoleil.com to find a 60-minute special featuring scenes from their recent shows “Kurios — Cabinet of Curiosities,” “O,” and “Luzia.” You will also find a library of various other videos including stage makeup tutorials, workout regimes, kids circus performances and more.

• Comfort songs — With songs from artists like Ed Sheeran, Snow Patrol, Bon Iver, Craig Cardiff and Jack Johnson, this is the perfect playlist for when comfort snacks just aren’t doing the trick. Stream this for that extra little bit of warmth that we all need. Visit thebestplaylistsever.com/comfortsongs for details.

• Explore.org is the world’s leading philanthropic live nature cam network and documentary film channel. View livecams of birds, animals and zen scenes.

• The Front Steps Project sees photographers visit local families on their doorsteps for five-minute photo sessions, capturing families at their best during this unprecedented and challenging time. View local portraits on the Instagram site, #westmanfrontsteps

• Home Movie Archive — A project launched by the Gimli Film Festival in celebration of Manitoba’s 150th and the Gimli Film Festival’s 20th. GFF will offer free home movie digital transfers to any and all Manitobans that have historically relevant home movie images of Manitoba! Pull out those outdated ’80s video tape cassettes or forgotten 8mm film reels and send them off to GFF, who will transfer the materials to digital video files and return them to you for your nostalgic viewing pleasure! Interested members of the public are invited to register today for this free service and read the rules and guidelines on GFF’s website. Individuals interested in participating in this program must agree to make their home movies public domain, making them copyright-free and publicly accessible online. For more info, visit gimlifilm.com/mb-project-manitoba-home-movie-archive

• Konetkis Choir, with singers from the communities of Carberry, Virden, Moosomin, Killarney, Brandon, Minnedosa, Erickson, Souris and Newdale presents musical moments from our previous three years on its YouTube channel.

• Metropolitan Opera’s nightly Met Opera Streams present encores of past performances from its famed “Live in HD” series. The encore presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the company’s official website and will then be available for an additional 20 hours thereafter. Performances are offered at no charge. Each showcase will also be viewable on the Met Opera on demand apps. For more info, visit metopera.org/

• Music stars are sharing their music online, including Keith Urban’s Basement Concerts on Instagram. Check for your favourites. 

• National Arts Centre presents #CanadaPerforms — livestream performances of theatre and music by Canadian artists. Visit the National Arts Centre’s Facebook page for details. Free.

• Shakespeare plays recorded at the Globe Theatre are available for online streaming at globeplayer.tv

• Shows Must Go On — musicals will be streamed live on YouTube channel Shows Must Go On every Friday. Musicals will remain available for 48 hours.

• Space Center Houston interactive mobile tour features audio tour, GPS maps, selfie filters, augmented reality experiences, virtual reality lite and more! Download the app Space Center Houston from the App store or Google play.

• Vancouver Aquarium Virtual Visits — Visit some of our residents at the Vancouver Aquarium through live cams at vanaqua.org — click on educational resources for the live cams, activity centre and ocean inspired craft ideas.

• Virtual Roller Coaster Rides — Virtually visit 34 rides and coasters at Canada’s Wonderland YouTube channel.

• Virtual Tour of Brandon Camera Club Exhibition — Hosted by the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba on Facebook Live. The photographs capture the vivid landscapes, nature, wildlife and urban scenery across Manitoba, with a focus on the Westman region. This exhibition presents hopes and reflections on the significance of home to the Brandon Camera Club members.

• Virtual Tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights — Explore the galleries with a museum guide at humanrights.ca/  Discover the museum’s mobile app and its accessible audio tour. Learn about the exhibits and the museum’s amazing architecture. 

• Virtual Tour of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is available at naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NMNH/z_tour-029.html

• Virtual Tours of Farms — Explore Food and Farms in Canada through virtual tours at farmfood360.ca

• Winnipeg Art Gallery — Browse the collections thematically at wag.ca/art/collections including sections on Canadian Art, Indigenous Art, Contemporary Art, Decorative Art, American and European Art, Photography and Video, Prints and Drawings, and government of Nunavut. 

• Yoga classes are livestreamed via Instagram live on Tour Fit Club’s site. 

• Kids’ bake — A fun opportunity to measure, mix, decorate and, best of all, enjoy the finished project. Sugar cookies or cupcakes, anyone?

• Kids’ code — Create stories, games and animations using Scratch at scratch.mit.edu

• Kids’ create — Design masking tape roads on the floor or on a large piece of cardboard, add parking lots and dig out the car collection.

• Kids’ decorate — Colourful sidewalk art announces the arrival of warmer weather and inspirational pictures and words will help to brighten our walks around the neighbourhood.

• Kids in the kitchen — Put on your chef’s hat, gather the ingredients and help to make your favourite meal for your family. Pancakes? Pizza? Macaroni and cheese? Hamburgers?

• Kids’ play — Board game battle! Take the board games off the shelf and challenge a family member to a championship series of Monopoly, Sequence for Kids, Candy Land, Clue, Jenga or Sorry. 

• Kids’ read — Sitting down with a book is a great way to meet new friends, visit new places, and learn facts that will astonish your family and friends. Some recommended reads include:

— “Crafty Science” by Jane Bull combines arts, craft, and cooking activities with science in 20 fun-filled projects.

— “Inkling” begins life in a sketchbook, but one night he leaps off of the page and the adventures begin. Kenneth Oppel’s inkblot character becomes very real to the family in the novel and to the reader. Inventive, humorous and entertaining, Inkling is also a novel that deals with loss. 

— “Beverly, Right Here” by Kate Dicamillo tells the story of 14-year-old Beverly, whom readers first met in the book “Raymie Nightingale.” This is a story about community and readers will connect to the very real characters that make up this community right along with Beverly. This novel works well as stand-alone read as well as a series title. The other two books in the trilogy are “Raymie Nightingale” and “Louisiana’s Way Home.”

— “Gross as a Snot Otter” by Jess Keating is part of “The World of Weird Animals Series.” Described by reviewers as “book-bait for middle-grade readers that oozes eww appeal,” it is sure to produce lots of groans and giggles from readers as they learn facts about zombie worms, star-nosed moles and others. The other title in this series is “Pink is for Blobfish.”

— “Junior Maker” edited by Sally Beets is a collection of hands-on-activities including experiments, crafts and learning opportunities on topics such as space, nature, history, animals and science.

— “Megabugs” by Helaine Becker describes the very real, very large ancestors of modern-day insects, spiders, crabs and other arthropods. Double-page spreads include descriptions of bugs that grew as big as small crocodiles, dragonflies with wingspans of 76 centimetres and others. Comparative size charts help the reader to visualize the incredible size of megabugs. Presents a lot of opportunities for “did you know” conversations.

— “Ostriches (Superpower Field Guide)” in which readers learn that their “neck helps ostriches run at supersonic speeds. Those skinny legs can kill a lion dead. And that bad attitude? Well now, you can’t be one of the biggest, fastest, fiercest warriors around without having a touch of grumpy swagger.” Other titles in this series detail the superpowers of beavers and moles.

— “The Reader” by Luciana De Luca and illustrated by Cynthia Alonso is about a child who loves to read books of all sorts. As she tells the reader, “books like the wind, carry me far away.” This book provides all the incentive needed to curl up with a book and the let the hours fly by.

— “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart is about the journey taken by a father and daughter and the people that they meet along the way. Authentic voices and memorable characters make this award-winning novel a recommended read.

— “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio has been on the New York Times Bestsellers List for 238 weeks, it is a memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder. 

• Kids’ yoga — Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube has a different kid-friendly themes each episode. Join them for Pokemon Yoga, Frozen Yoga and so much more at youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

• Scholastic learn at home — features stories and activities and is available at scholastic.com/learnathome

• Share a story — Authors of children’s books are sharing stories online for all to enjoy including:

— Mac Barnett, author of “Sam and Dave Dig A Hole,” shares a book a day until the world gets better at Instagram site @macbarnett

— Oliver Jeffers, author of “The Great Paper Caper,” shares a book a day on Instagram @oliverjeffers and on oliverjeffers.com/books#/abookaday

— Susin Nielsen and David A. Robertson present a double feature on Twitter. Nielsen reads a chapter a day from her novel, “No Fixed Address,” on Twitter: twitter.com/susinnielsen starting at noon, and right after, Robertson will read a chapter a day from his not-even-released novel, “The Barren Grounds,” on Twitter: twitter.com/DaveAlexRoberts

— Kenneth Oppel, author of “Silverwing,” reads from his books on his YouTube channel.

— Todd Parr, author of “Love the World,” shares his books on his YouTube channel.

— Dav Pilkey, author of “Captain Underpants” titles, shares stories and virtual drawing lessons for kids on the Library of Congress’ site at loc.gov/engage

— Peter H. Reynolds, author of “The Dot,” offers a Daily Read Aloud on his Facebook page.

— Chris Van Dusen, author and illustrator of “A Camping Spree with Mr. McGee” and illustrator of the “Mercy Watson” tales by Kate DiCamillo, shares stories and drawing lessons on his Facebook and YouTube sites.

— Mo Willems, author of the much-loved “Elephant & Piggie” series, presents Livestream Doodles at kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems

• Stories are available to enjoy on Audible at no charge. Visit stories.audible.com/start-listen 

• Story writing — Writing tips and advice from two-time Newbery Medalist Kate Dicamillo are available at facebook.com/KateDiCamillo 

• Card games — Get out the cards and play a hand or two of “Go Fish,” “Crazy Eights,” “Memory,” “Uno,” “Kings in the Corner,” or alternatively, build a house of cards — how high can you go before it falls?

• Family camp out — Sing camp songs, share stories around the “campfire,” make indoor s’mores in the microwave and get out the sleeping bags for a cosy night’s sleep.

• Family colouring time — Colouring is fun for all ages! Print off colouring sheets online, or get out the colouring books. Display your efforts in your windows as part of your own art gallery.

• Fred Penner concert — Fred Penner is the pre-eminent name in family entertainment and he has an undeniable ability to make you feel good about yourself. A concert is available on the Facebook page facebook.com/FredPennerFB

• Guitar lessons — Faders Music is offering free online guitar lessons on Faders Music’s Facebook page For more info, visit the store’s website at faders.ca

• Harry Potter At Home, at harrypotterathome.com, is a hub of information and activities for parents, children and carers to discover the magic of Harry Potter, by reading or listening on their own or together with loved ones, while staying at home is hosted at WizardingWorld.com

• Homeschool the dog — a project of learning, laughter and love created by Susan Garrett and her team at Say Yes. Pre-register at dogsthat.com/home-school and join in the fun. Program is offered at no charge.

• Jigsaw puzzle — Build an image piece by piece as you match shapes and colours to create a picture of a seaside resort, a lighthouse, a castle, a summer garden or a playful kitten or puppy. This is a great family activity.

• LEGO challenge — Make a Lego pizza, build a robot, design a treehouse, construct the world’s tallest Tower … the possibilities are endless! Suitable for all ages.

• Movie night — Pop some popcorn and settle in for a family movie night. 

• Mural tour — Visit downtown Brandon to view the murals installed on various buildings including “Sun Spectrums” at 921 Rosser Ave. by artist James Culleton. Other murals are located at: 440 Rosser Ave., 630 Rosser Ave., 1126 Rosser Ave., 1233 Rosser Ave., 704 Pacific Ave., 118 10th St., 217 10th St., 315 10th St. and 136 11th St.

• Neighbourhood bear hunt — “We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day. We’re not scared.” Encourage your neighbours to place a teddy bear in one of their windows and then families/individuals go on a bear hunt. How many can you find?

• Playdough — Make playdough using one of the simple recipes found online (example: domesticsuperhero.com/best-homemade-playdough-recipe) and let your child’s imagination take care of the rest. Adults can join in the fun as well!

• Scavenger hunts — Take turns making up clues to challenge your family members to search for objects/places in your home or outside in your yard or neighbourhood. Clues can be words or pictures to make this activity suitable for all ages. 

• Window art — Create your own masterpiece and display it in your window for others to see. Photographs of artwork can be submitted to the Facebook group Brandon Window Gallery — BWG.

• Word puzzle challenge — Word searches, Sudoku, crosswords, wordmaker challenges and cryptograms provide hours of entertainment for all ages. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Today — Home Routes presents “Live from Louisiana” with Courtney Granger at 2 p.m. and Kelli Jones at 3 p.m. The online folk festival continues on Friday and Saturday with performances at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days and an additional performance at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Visit facebook.com/homeroutes for details. 

• Today — Tour Fit Club streams a Yoga class on Instagram Live at 4 p.m. 

• Today — National Arts Centre #CanadaPerforms presents a performance by award-winning children’s musical entertainment duo Sonshine and Broccoli at 10 a.m.; a performance by violinist Jeremy Mastrangeloat at 11 a.m.; and a performance by Serena Ryder at 5 p.m. Visit the National Arts Centre’s Facebook page for complete schedule. Free.

• Friday — Easter Meal in the Park hosted by Father’s Pantry Inc., from 1:30-4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 339 12th St. Tickets are being distributed to the needy by the Loaves + Fishes Feeding Program.  Everyone is welcome and no one will be refused. Social distancing will be in effect. No group gathering. No access to the building. Meals will be distributed outside in take-out containers to be enjoyed at home.

• Friday — “Jesus Christ Superstar” musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber streams on the YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On beginning at 1 p.m. It will remain available for 48 hours.

• Saturday — Gabrielle Papillon with Sean MacGillivray performs at 2 p.m. as part of National Arts Centre #CanadaPerforms. Visit the National Arts Centre’s Facebook page for complete schedule. Free. 

• Saturday — Create paper Easter Eggs and display them in your windows for others to find tomorrow when they go out for a walk/drive around the neighbourhood.

• Sunday — Easter Egg Silly Tricks Hunt — Write silly tricks — such as hop like a bunny — on slips of paper and put in plastic eggs. Hide the eggs around the house. Each time your child finds one of the eggs, he/she receives an Easter treat after performing the silly trick. 

• Sunday — Italian tenor and global music icon Andrea Bocelli will give a solo performance at the historic Duomo, the cathedral of Milan, Italy. The concert “Music for Hope” will be exclusively streamed live globally on the tenor’s YouTube channel uniting the world in the face of a global pandemic. Available at noon local time.

• April 13 — Faders Music offers a free online guitar lesson at 5:30 p.m. on Faders Music’s Facebook page. For more info, and to view previously presented lessons, visit the store’s website at faders.ca

• April 13 — The one-night-only benefit “Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway” will be streamed to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. The stream will be available online at Playbill and on BroadwayCares.org beginning at 6 p.m.

• April 15 — Wheat City Lions Club Blackout Bingo live Wednesdays at 3 p.m. on WCGTV Channel 12. Purchase your cards at CAA, 305 18th St. North. $3 for three cards. For more info, contact Margaret at 204-724-5040. **CANCELLED**

• April 16 — “Hot Docs at Home”, a multiplatform festival-at-home experience providing Canadians with front-row access to feature documentaries from the 2020 Hot Docs Festival, runs on Thursday nights starting tonight. “Hot Docs at Home” is available on CBC, CBC Gem, and on Documentary Channnel. For more info, visit hotdocs.ca/p/hd-home-cbc

• April 17-19 — Manitoba Horse Expo at the Keystone Centre. Trainers Showcase, Spring Fever Horse Sale, trade show, petting zoo/kiddies section, Off-Track Thoroughbred Challenge, $10,000 Manitoba Money Run Barrel Slot Race, Versatility Cow Horse Challenge, clinicians, speakers, Cowboy Church, networking and more.

• April 18 — “Our World Together At Home” event includes appearances by Lady Gaga, Elton John, Keith Urban, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and more. This fundraiser for the COVID-19 Response Fund will be available on Facebook, YouTube, ABC, NBC, CBS and more. Event starts at 7 p.m. 

• April 22 — Celebrate Earth Day. The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.

• April 22 — Mista Jones Almost Famous Tour live at The 40. **POSTPONED**

• April 25 — Gold Leaf Events Spring Craft and Gift Market 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Dome building on the Keystone Centre grounds. Proceeds from this event will go to PAWSitive Pack Animal Rescue Group. **RESCHEDULED to Sept. 19 as a Fall Craft and Gift Market**

• April 25 — Professional Bull Riders perform at the Keystone Centre as part of the Touring Pro’s Division Mazergroup Chute Out. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.keystonecentre.com or in person at the box office. **RESCHEDULED to Nov. 21. Tickets will be honoured at the rescheduled date.

• April 29 — Jordin Tootoo: Inclusivity Matters presentation at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium. **POSTPONED to be rescheduled at a later date.** 

• April 29-May 1 — Mental Health on the Prairies Conference hosted by Brandon University. **CANCELLED**

• April 30-May 3 — The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) will include panel discussions, workshops and networking events for aspiring, emerging and established writers. It will be presented virtually using Zoom and is offered at no charge. For more info, visit thefoldcanada.org

• May 2 —2020 Westman Juried Art Show at the Killarney School. **POSTPONED until Fall 2020 date to be determined. For further information, call 204-726-0493 or 204-728-9147.**

• May 2 — Ten Thousand Villages, 829 Rosser Ave., hosts a Mother’s Day Tea 2-4 p.m.

• May 3 — A Fair Trade Feast fundraising event for the Marquis Project features a three-course meal with fair trade ingredients prepared by Benny’s Restaurant. $50 admission. For tickets, contact Benny’s Restaurant, Ten Thousand Villages or Marquis Project.

• May 7 — The Unusual Suspects 2020 Westman Comedy Tour. For ages 16 and up.**POSTPONED until Aug. 7-16. Tour schedule to be announced at later date.** 

• May 10 — Mother’s Day Quilt Show at the Homesteader’s Village in Austin 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission by donation. 

• May 10 — Mother’s Day Brunch at the International Peace Garden 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• May 12 — A Celebration with ZZ Top at Westoba Place. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.keystonecentre.com or in person at the box office. 

• May 20 — CWE Live at Houstons at 6 p.m. Tickets available online at cwetickets.com Advance tickets available locally at Popeye’s Supplements and Pin-Ups. 

• May 22 — Brandon Beer Tasting Festival 7-10 p.m. at the Victoria Inn (Imperial Ballroom). $30 admission. Tickets available at all Brandon Liquor Mart stores. Tickets purchased for originally scheduled date of March 21 will be honoured.

• May 23 — Relay for Life hosted by the Brandon branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, at the Keystone Centre from noon-6 p.m. Come together for a day full of events and activities, walking the track, food and socializing and raising money for a great cause **CANCELLED**

• May 23 — Streetheart plays The 40 beginning at 8:30 p.m. $35 admission. Tickets available through eventbrite.ca 

• May 27 — “Building Birdhouses,” a make-and-take event, at the Riverbank Discovery Centre from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dave Barnes of the Assiniboine Food Forest will share his knowledge and expertise. $40 admission includes supplies for building one birdhouse to take home. Tickets available through eventbrite. 

• May 29 — High Valley performs at Westoba Place at 7 p.m. $39.95-$65.95 admission. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.keystonecentre.com or in person at the box office.  

• May 30 — Touch a Truck Brandon 2020 at the Keystone Centre 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A family-friendly event where kids of all ages can climb, touch and explore big trucks or all kinds. $5 admission per person, pay at the gate (cash only).

• May 30 — Cold Hard Cash — the Johnny Cash Experience at the Whistling Donkey in Souris at 9 p.m. 

• May 31 — 2020 Westman Dreams for Kids Country Fair at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. 

• June 11-13 — “Frozen Jr.” presented by Mecca Productions at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium. Evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Saturday matinee performance at 3 p.m. preceded by a special children’s event at 1 p.m. For more info, visit wmca.ca. Tickets available online at wmca.ca, by phone at 204-728-9510 or at the box office. 

• June 12-14 — Fire and Fibre Retreat for fibre artists and ceramicists hosted by Wasagaming Community Arts in Riding Mountain National Park. Registration details available at wasagamingcommunityarts.com

• June 16 — Snowed In Comedy Tour featuring four international comedians who come together to create one amazing show, with each bringing a unique and hilarious take providing something for everyone, at 8 p.m. at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium. $45 admission for adults, $35 for seniors, $25 for students.

• June 20 — Apple + Pine Spring Market at the Dome Building, Keystone Centre grounds.

• June 20 — Louisiana Hayride features the best classic country and rockabilly hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s plays at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium at 7 p.m. Tickets available online at wmca.ca, by phone at 204-728-9510 or at the box office. 

• June 21 — Baby Shark live at Westoba Place at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.keystonecentre.com or in person at the box office. **POSTPONED**

• June 21 — Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium at 7 p.m. $69 admission, $36 for children 12 and under. Tickets available online at wmca.ca, by phone at 204-728-9510 or at the box office.

• July 7 — Canadian rock supergroups Big Wreck, Headstones, Moist and The Tea Party team up for the Saints And Sinners 2020 tour this summer, and they’re coming to Westoba Place. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.keystonecentre.com or in person at the box office.  

• July 11 — Race the North Face event in the Brandon Hills featuring five-, 10- and 25-kilometre trail runs. This event is a fundraiser for Westman Trail Association, which maintains the trails year-round for biking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing etc. Registration required. Visit us on Facebook for updates, including registration information. Registration now open through UltraSignup.com 

• July 11 — Minnedosa Fun Fest Outdoor Street Market 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• July 16-19 — Brandon Rock N’ Gem Show featuring more than 41,000 kilograms of hand-selected pieces at the Keystone Centre. Free admission. **rescheduled from original April dates** 

• July 31-Aug. 2 — Rockin’ the Fields in Minnedosa featuring Nazareth, Loverboy, Our Lady Peace and more. Tickets on sale now at rockinthefields.ca or 1-888-330-8333.  

• Aug. 7-8 — Manitoba 150 Celebration at the International Peace Garden.  

• Oct. 13 — Yesterday Once More at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium at 7 p.m. Celebrating the music of ABBA, The Carpenters, The 5th Dimension and The Mamas & Papas. $61.60 admission. Tickets available online at wmca.ca, by phone at 204-728-9510 or at the box office.  

• Oct. 30 — Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show at 7:30 p.m. at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium. $49.50 admission. Tickets available online at wmca.ca, by phone at 204-728-9510 or at the box office.

» Got an event coming up? Send a note to opinion@brandonsun.com by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.