Neepawa studio wins Canada Choice Award

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This article was published 08/02/2024 (686 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Frozen Fire Studios in Neepawa has made a name for itself across the region for the past few years, receiving nominations and winning accolades at various music and business awards as well as raising awareness and providing education on mental health issues.

The studio was nominated and placed as finalists at the Manitoba Loud Music Awards in 2023 and 2024, and won a Canadian Choice Award in the studio category for small businesses last month.

It was a Health 2.0 Youth Leadership Award nominee in 2023 too.

It has been encouraging and gratifying for Jeff Desender, the chief executive officer of Frozen Fire Studios, to be recognized among so many other professionals in the industry.

“Having those accolades makes us more driven and determined to push to new heights to be able to assist further when it comes to artists, venues, fundraisers, festivals and more,” Desender told the Sun.

Desender and studios staff have long been champions of mental health, and are known throughout Neepawa and Westman for their efforts to spread understanding around mental health and chip away at the stigma that exists for those suffering from disorders, illnesses and addiction.

Last June, Frozen Fire Studios hosted an all-ages sober social and fundraiser in Neepawa, located 74 kilometres northeast of Brandon, to bring sobriety and mental health skills front and centre.

The social took place at ArtsForward and featured local bands and artists Midnight Renegade, Vertigo, The Chris Ghidoni Band, Longshot and Robert Andreas.

All the money raised for the event was donated to Miles for Mental health, a non-profit group of community volunteers in Neepawa who are committed to raising awareness about the connection between mental wellness and physical activity.

Desender and his crew are already hard at work planning the second annual sober social, to held on June 7 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Neepawa.

Frozen Fire Studios is currently accepting sponsors for the event in three different tier levels.

“Gold sponsors get to create their own mocktail for the event and gain some added perks,” Desender said.

The event will showcase the mental health, trauma and addictions services, initiatives and organizations that exist in the area.

“[There will be] information pamphlets, and even some founders or representatives will come to the event as well. It’s a safe place to have fun with live music, mocktails, great people of all ages, without any stigma,” Desender said.

The decision to make the sober social an annual event was an easy one for Desender, he said, because more and more people are struggling with their mental health or with addictions, and the stigma around both still exist.

There are many amazing groups around the community that have lots of information for people all across the province. Including that material at the social, and watching people have fun and let loose, is something worthwhile, Desender said.

“It’s always a great feeling for all of us here. That’s what life is about, is to just show love to others however you can. You could change their perspective by just simply helping them or even listening or pointing them in the right direction if they ask for your help,” he continued.

“A smile can change someone’s day so quickly, so imagine what a supportive, non-stigma filled room can do.”

Desender has also hosted weekly TikTok livestreams so people across the world can talk about mental health.

He has also held workshops at area schools about mental health, trauma, addictions and bullying.

In addition, Frozen Fire Studios runs the “What’s Your Story” campaign on social media, where people all over the world can submit their pictures and stories of success beyond mental health struggle.

Frozen Fire Studios is currently collaborating with Red Tie Live for social media-based promotion on its YouTube channel, which is Manitoba’s only professional, full production livestream service fully dedicated to local heavy music, the page’s description says.

At the end of the day, Desender said the best part about running the studio is the impact he and his team have made on their community.

“We at Frozen Fire would like to thank all our friends, family, personal and professional, our local communities and our amazing supporters,” he said.

“These accolades belong to all of you just as much as they do us. We couldn’t do what we love if it wasn’t for all of you.”

» mleybourne@brandonsun.com

» X: @miraleybourne