- Dauphin’s Countryfest and the Indigenous Music Development Program at Manitoba Music are shining a spotlight on featured Indigenous artists in Manitoba at the second edition of the Nipin (Summer) Showcase. Running June 28 - 30 at the country music festival, the longest running country music festival in Canada,  the artistic programming features 11 acts including musicians and dancers. The genre-spanning lineup includes established and up-and-coming artists including hard rock band Ash and the Arsonists, the legendary C-Weed Band, JUNO nominated singer/songwriters Desiree Dorion and Renee Lamoureux, Indie-folk/pop artist FONTINE, country roots/rocker Jerry Sereda, fiddle champion and recording artist Jason Lepine & The Metis Spirit Band, and singer/radio broadcaster/actor/author Kimberley Dawn. Three-time JUNO nominated singer/songwriter Don Amero will be a featured act on Main Stage on June 30. Acclaimed “hip hop jig” group the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers and dynamic square dance group United Thunder Square Dancers will also perform. “Indigenous artists continue to make important contributions to the country music scene in Manitoba and beyond. We’re excited to be partnering once again with Dauphin’s Countryfest to amplify some of these incredibly talented Indigenous artists at the 35th anniversary of this venerable festival,” says Cassidy Mann, the Indigenous Music Development Coordinator at Manitoba Music. “We have been working very hard for the past couple years to ensure that festival patrons can take in the talented showcasing of Indigenous artists across Manitoba. There is no shortage of amazing artists in our Province and we are so happy to be able to feature more Indigenous artists than previous years as we work towards having a more culturally diverse festival for many years to come,” says Kamryn Winters, General Manager of Dauphin’s Countryfest. Weekend Schedule Friday, June 28 Credit Union Corral Stage Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers Renee Lamoureux Jason Lepine & The Metis Spirit Band Desiree Dorion C-Weed Band Saturday, June 29 Credit Union Corral Stage United Thunder Dancers Kimberley Dawn FONTINE Jerry Sereda Ash and the Arsonists Sunday, June 30 Main Stage Featured Act Don Amero IMDP was launched in 2004 to support First Nation, Inuit, and Métis artists and music companies develop sustainable careers in the music industry. The program delivers projects and services that respond to the needs of the industry as identified by a steering committee. IMDP is supported by the Province of Manitoba and Manitoba Film & Music. Dauphin’s Countryfest is a three day country music festival running every July long weekend on the edge of Riding Mountain National Park. Since 1989 it has since established itself as a major economic driver within the region generating an economic impact of approximately $9.7 million over the course of the three day event. Revenue generated from the non-profit festival is re-invested into the site as well as community projects around the Parkland Area. The operations of the festival directly benefit numerous volunteer organizations who in turn are able to advance their respective organizational mandates. The festival provides a first class venue to showcase emerging artists of all musical genres, as well as established artists across the entire country music scene.

With a total of 80 million albums sold Foreigner played to a sold out Westoba Place last night. Photos courtesy Scramble Studio The current lineup has no original members but ask the fans if they cared? Trevor Jahns "they sounded so good I wasn't expecting that. " Derek Sobkow "kind of before my time but that was a great night I hope Brandon gets more shows." Crystal Johnson from Virden "I saw them in 99 in Minnedosa, this was a better show." Opening act The Headpins no longer features the iconic Darby Mills. Headpins - Photo Scramble Studio

Geordie Kieffer will be bringing his Bad Girl Tour Tour to Brandon on Friday, October 25. Kieffer is known for viral songs like Red Line, Swinger and ICON KILLER. His Brandon show is slated to take place at Houstons starting at 10pm on the Friday, with the doors for the show opening at 9pm. Tickets for the show are available here. Kieffer, from Los Angeles, last performed in Brandon on Friday, September 22 (2023).

Great news for movie lovers in Westman, the Shamrock Drive In in Killarney recently announced that they are opening for the season on Friday, May 17. They also announced their first feature film for the 2024 season; KUNG FU PANDA 4. The gates open 1/2 hour before sundown, movies typically begin roughly 15-20 min after sundown. Concession includes popcorn, drinks, candy, nachos and cheese and more. The sound is transmitted straight to your car stereo through their FM transmitter on 88.3 FM. The Drive In re-opened in the summer of 2021 after having been closed for repairs/upgrades since May of 2015. For additional information and brief history of the drive in, please visit this link. For upcoming movies/dates/times, please visit their Facebook page here.

This year marks the 12th Annual Brandon Beer Tasting Festival, presented by the Sunset Rotary Club of Brandon. This is a well-established event showcasing over 100 types of beer. The event will be held at the Victoria Inn on Saturday April 27, 2024. Fundraising in support of YWCA Westman Women's Shelter, local youth programs, local scholarships, environmental programs, and other charitable programs. Come and taste all types of beer, network, have fun and have some food, all for the price of $35 per ticket! The Facebook event page is located here. Tickets sold at all local Liquor Marts or their Facebook page or sunsetrotary@hotmail.com.