(March 9, 2017) -- The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is pleased to add two more stellar names to the festival lineup. Tommy Chong, known for his many comedic film roles over the years, will host the Good Neighbours gala on Friday, April 7 at Pantages Playhouse Theatre. Shazia Mirza, one of the hottest comedians on the circuit today, will bring her hit stand-up show The Kardashians Made Me Do It to the West End Cultural Centre on Sunday, April 9.     “I’m delighted to have ‘free radicals’ joining the fest,” says Artistic Director Lara Rae. “Both of these artists have spoken their minds at great personal risk, and I have incredible respect and love for both of them – they make me laugh and think at the same time!” Also added to Sunday afternoon schedule is the FREE show You’re Welcome – ethnic comedy for new and old Canadians, hosted by Martha Chaves, and featuring performances by Fatima Dhowre, Chad Anderson, Mark James Heath and Nile Seguin. The 16th annual Winnipeg Comedy Festival takes place April 3-9, 2017 at venues around Winnipeg. Tickets are on-sale and available online, along with the full festival schedule, at www.winnipegcomedyfestival.com.  

Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School Dinner Theatre will be presenting the musical Rock of Ages, high school edition.  The unforgettable rock anthems will take you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This Tony Award – nominated Broadway musical features the hits of bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, and others. It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, Heavy Metal flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where legendary rocker Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and groupies line up for their chance at an autograph. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). The rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri, and the gang save the strip–and themselves–before it's too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   To accompany the entertainment, the award-winning Crocus Plains Culinary Arts Department will create a delectable three-course meal. Seating is limited to 150 guests per show, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets, at $35 per adult are available at the Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School front office. Please inform us of any special dietary concerns when purchasing tickets. Advance sales only. Dates: April 20-22, 2017 Evening performances: Seating at 6:15 pm. Show starts at 6:30 pm. Saturday matinee performance: Seating at 12:15 pm. Show starts at 12:30 pm. Tickets: $35 per person - tickets are available at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in the main office Location: MNP Hall, Keystone Centre

What do construction trucks, farm equipment, and emergency vehicles have in common? All those vehicles, and plenty more, will be on the grounds of the Keystone Centre, on Saturday, May 27, 2017, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm for Touch-A-Truck Brandon. Touch-A-Truck Brandon in a unique fundraiser that is an interactive, outdoor, family friendly experience, allowing kids to “touch”, climb, explore and discover all kinds of vehicles. The event is a fundraiser for both Kokum's Early Enrichment Program daycares run by the Brandon Friendship Centre! Their pedagogy and motto at both centres is to let kids get dirty and explore their surroundings. Cost is only $5 per person and kids under 2 years of age are free. Facebook event link. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});  

Manitoba-based Flipside Opera, group of young local musicians turned entrepreneurs who are dedicated to growing the diverse music scene in the province, will be hosting a concert event in Brandon on March the 10th. Greeriad, their current production, will take to the stage of the Lorne Watson Recital Hall and will feature Manitoban composer John Greer's music. Taking inspiration from Canadian folk song and prairie poetry, Greer's music is a new twist on well-known stories. You will become part of the action as singers and pianists weave among the audience with story and song. Greeriad, is a nod to the salon concerts popular with composers such as Schubert. John grew up in Manitoba and throughout his music, there was a sense that this music belonged on the prairies. There will be several arrangements of popular Canadian folk tunes, both new and old, performed in ensemble and by soloists. Additionally there will be 2 works featuring piano arrangements for 4 hands. This concert will feature 3 Brandon University Alumni: Laura Loewen, Lisa Rumpel and Judith Oatway. Also on the program are (Minnedosa native) Aaron Hutton, Jessica Kos-Whicher, Elizabeth Hoyt-Surdhar and Matthew Pauls.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});     Tickets are $25.00 for general admission and $15.00 for students and artists. They can be purchased, in advance, through their website. Flipside is in their second full season, and working hard to create roles for musicians in the province. This program, Greeriad, will be heard by audiences in Winnipeg, Brandon and Flin Flon during this tour. Friday, March 10, 2017 Start Time: 8pm Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University 270-18th Street, Brandon  

Earlier this afternoon the organizing committee of Rockin' The Fields Of Minnedosa released a partial list of entertainers who will be at taking part of the annual festival, held on August 4th-6th. The Arkells, won the Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album on the year in 2015, are featured as one of headliners for this years events. I Mother Earth, Big Wreck and the Trews are among the other bands headed to the stage at the shores of Lake Minnedosa. Long time Canadian rockers Glass Tiger, Joey Landreth, Terra Lightfoot, and the Deadflowers round-out the initial lineup released. Additional bands are to be announced in the months leading up to the festival. Early bird pricing is available until March 31, 2017. Passes are available online at rockinthefields.ca or by calling 1-888-333-8333. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});