Who would have thought that on November 24 it would be warm enough to be able to busk in downtown Brandon? With the temperature on the positive side of the thermometer, reaching 3 degrees celsius, we’re definitely above seasonal temperatures for this time in November. Jeff Parrott, born and raised in Brandon, took advantage of the mild weather to provide entertainment for those out and about on Rosser Avenue. His repertoire on the soprano saxophone today included Christmas music with a bit of blues and jazz mixed in. Parrott has been playing music for over 10 years; he started when he was in his early teens. He also plays guitar, the drums, tenor sax and the clarinet.

Visitors to the Sand Hills Casino, in Carberry, will now have the opportunity to win up to $1 million, or more, on a single spin thanks to two new Powerbucks slot machines which were installed recently.  PowerBucks, pictured below, is Canada’s first linked progressive across the country.  Betting between $.50 and $2.99 you could win the set $1 million jackpot.  Those betting $3.00 or higher stand to win the progressive jackpot, which starts at a million dollars and increases as the game is played.  Different bonus games can also be unlocked as players increase their average bet.  The Powerbucks machines are just two of ten new machines installed at Carberry in the last several days.  A further additional ten new games are expected in New Year.  Jeff Melcosky, the Director of Operations for the Sand Hills Casino, tells bdnmb.ca that there will also be 60 new “theme conversions” happening on games in the new year as well.

Four international comedians are coming together to create one amazing show with each bringing a unique and hilarious take providing something for everyone. Just for Laughs winner Dan Quinn is back along with Seattle Comedy Competition winner Damonde Tschritter. The $25,000 great Canadian laugh off winner, Paul Myrehaug, returns this year as well as 5 time Canadian Comedian of the year nominee, Pete Zedlacher. Don’t miss out on the comedy show called “Better than the Just for Laughs tour” and “Delivers a Flurry of Laughs”.   The Brandon show takes place at the WMCA on Tuesday, March the 13th.  Showtime is 8:00 pm. Pete Zedlacher 5-time nominee of the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Stand-up Sirius XM's nation-wide comedy competition earning him the title of Sirius XM's Top Comic 8 appearances at Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival Halifax And Winnipeg Comedy Festival Dan Quinn Winner of Canadian Competition at Just for Laughs Comedy special on comedy network Opened for Rob Schneider, Russell Peters Best of Fest Moncton Comedy Festival TV Special on Check TV Damonde Tschritter Winner of Seattle Comedy Competition Just For Laughs New Faces Comedy Now on CTV The Debaters. Paul Myrehaug CBC’s the Debators $25,000 Great Canadian Laugh off winner Just For Laughs Comedy Now on CTV

Free showing of ‘Polar Express’ Saturday, November 25, 2017 2 p.m. (doors open 1:30 p.m.) Evans Theatre, BU Free (concessions available for purchase) Tree-Lighting Celebration  Saturday, November 25, 2017 4–6 p.m. McMaster Hall entrance (18th Street, behind bus stop) Free Join Brandon University as we light up the campus for the holiday season! Two family-friendly events this Saturday will set a twinkle in many eyes, with a free movie showing, a bonfire with hot chocolate and s’mores, a caroling sing-along with BU School of Music students, and even a chance or two to see Santa Claus. First, a free showing of the movie Polar Express has been organized by the Brandon University Westman Alumni Chapter. It will be shown at the Evans Theatre on Saturday afternoon. Showtime is at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Although there’s no charge for the movie, Evans volunteers will have movie concessions available for purchase. A donation box will also be provided for non-perishable goods to go to the BUSU Food Bank. Once the movie wraps up, a special visit from Saint Nick is planned. Then, starting at 4 p.m., Brandon University will prepare to flip the switch to light up holiday decorations around campus. A fun celebration is planned for the McMaster Hall entrance, just off 18th Street, behind the bus stop, featuring a bonfire with hot chocolate, marshmallows and all the makings for s’mores. Santa is also expected to appear at the bonfire, where his Ho Ho Ho will be joined by students from the BU School of Music who will lead a caroling sing-along. Around dusk, the lights will all be lit up to bring holiday cheer to the campus. That is expected shortly after 5 p.m. The caroling, bonfire and s’mores will continue until around 6 p.m. There is ample street parking available nearby, and Brandon University parking lots are also open and free on Saturday. Please contact BU Communications at Communications@BrandonU.ca with any accessibility considerations.

Back on February the 24th, Snake Oil rocked The 40 and now they are coming back to Brandon to do it all over again.  The show being billed as a "NYE Practice Party" goes Friday December the 29th.  Show time is 8-11 pm at The 40. "Rock Band, Guitar Hero and North American classic rock radio have awakened the masses and their love for the loud rock from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. SNAKE OIL will time warp you to a live ultimate rock show; a night of the Hair Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, and Classic Rock, delivered LOUD and in your face like the Rock shows you have been missing for years. An interactive show completely themed in the genre!" The show Includes the music of: Aerosmith, Ozzy, Motley Crue, Queen, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Van Halen, Journey, Def Leppard, GnR, White Zombie, Megadeth, Motorhead, Twisted Sister, Scorpions and more.