If you're looking for the best Christmas Light display in Brandon then you owe it to yourself to check out the impressive light and sound show at 239 Princess Ave E. Homeowner, Jason Cross and family, are responsible for this iconic light show, which features 1,776 lights synchronized to some rocking Christmas tunes coming through your very own car radio (104.1 FM). Most of the lights are individually controllable, meaning they have 5,161 channels of lighting to play with. This is the fifth year the Cross family have done a display and they have built it up slowly, over the years, usually adding only one or two new elements per year. This is their first year doing "singing elements" where they have characters (singing light-bulbs) that actually mouth the words to the songs that are playing. He estimates that when you watch one of his four minute songs that it has likely taken at least 40 hours of sequencing (programming) to make it all work. They use specialized software, and program the entire show, one bulb at a time to do whatever they want. Currently they have 2 songs in the show... but are hoping to finish a third one before Christmas. Jason tells BDNMB.CA that he got interested in completing a project like this after “a friend shared a post on Facebook about 6 years ago with the singing pumpkin faces from the states. I saw that and thought it was something I could do, so I spent months researching and making friends on internet forums”. This year alone he figures spending 10 hours per singing light-bulb to cut, drill, push 230 little bulbs through the holes, wire and test. With his experience in tackling these types of projects Jason is now part of a fast growing community of enthusiasts, and hobbiests, that share their knowledge and skills to help people all over the world get into the Christmas lighting spirit. Although they do not have a donation collection box the family does something receive the odd donation in Christmas cards from visitors and all donation received go to Muscular Dystrophy. The Cross' son, Cayden, is turning four and both Cayden, and his mother, suffer from Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy so it is close to their hearts. Show Times: Sunday-Thursday: 5pm until 10pm Friday-Saturday: 5pm until 11pm Show Dates: Dec 2 2016 through Jan 6 2017 Songs: 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser Disco Santa by the Village People Tune your radio to 104.1FM to listen. www.crosslights.ca

               

Brandon's hottest dance party is BACK for one great evening! The 4th installment of Jump City goes live December 23rd at Houston's Roadhouse, in Brandon. Jon 'City Wide' Mazer promises that everyone attending the annual Jump City event will experience something very different than your typical night at the bar. Mazer  tells BDNMB.CA that Jump City has several ideas planned for the evening to get you into the holiday spirit including: guest DJ’s, special effects, and the use of video screens. All of the evenings enhancements are designed to make Jump City a one of a kind party experience in Brandon. According to Spencer Day, one of the event organizers, the night will be unlike anything Houston’s has seen before. To accomplish this feat organizers plan to use CO2, glow bars, and an amazing light and sound show of which one would normally never see in a Brandon bar. Tickets are affordable and only $10.00 at the door. You also you can contact Houston’s 204-728-5775 for your own VIP booth and table. Special guest performers include Jherrad Cumming, and some of Brandon's best local DJs. Ciroc will be on hand promoting some of their newest flavours! You won't want to miss this party!  

According to their web site The Little Mermaid, The Musical is set to make a stop in Brandon for a performance on Wednesday July the 12th. The show, geared towards children aged 1-10, lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and “features many songs as well as numerous decor and costume changes in order to keep young and old surprised and amazed all the way through the show”. More than 10 magical characters are featured throughout the performance including The Little Mermaid, Prince Frederick, Bernard, and Captain Rolf. All performers will be available at the end of the show for a meet and greet with the children. The show is produced by Tohu-Bohu, out of Montreal. Advance tickets, with a special pre-sale offer, are available on their web site. Show time is scheduled for 7:00 pm inside the Keystone Centre Amphitheater.

 "As a result of the Manitoba weather and road closures that prevented the Huron Carole cast and crew from arriving this past Tuesday, it has become a win-win for Westman!! Tom Jackson has offered to fly back from Calgary, at the conclusion of the tour, to perform for us here, in Brandon, on December 20th. This generosity means that the show will be a different one, but certainly a wonderful one! Our local artists are all still on board to delight us for the first half of the show. Then, we have Tom, all to ourselves, for a full, one man, up close and personal concert. Rather like having Tom Jackson singing to you in your living room!! This will be Tom Jackson as we have not had an opportunity to see him for many years! Please hang on to your tickets. If you don't have your tickets yet, please call the WMCA Box Office at 204-728-9510 or visit www.WMCA.ca. Brandon, let's get out and show our appreciation for this Officer of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Governor General's award for lifetime artistic achievement!"