The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is pleased to announce an event with Dr. Satomi Tozawa, We Are Global Citizens: Imagine the Future of Brandon! Satomi recently received her doctorate in Education from Hokkaido University and has been researching community art between Canada and Japan. She will be providing an interactive art workshop and community discussion, with a creative hands-on art project for all ages. Satomi invites all community members of all ages to attend this free talk and workshop at the AGSM and explore ideas about creating a vision for the future of Brandon: “Hometown is a place where your heart belongs. Even if you have grown up in other places, Brandon could be your second hometown if you are currently living here now. As Brandon is becoming more culturally diverse, it is important to explore how to create an intercultural community together, which is one of the goals that current Global Citizenship Education aims for. We are going to discuss what we need to do to make Brandon a better place as global citizens by creating a vision as a group with discussion, images, and words. All ideas will be respected, and everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts through words, visual images, collage, pictures, and more. We will address any issues the city is currently facing and explore solutions together based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Dr. Satomi Tozawa, from Hokkaido, Japan, is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Hokkaido University and a Coordinator for International Cooperation at JICA Hokkaido. She completed a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Literature at Brandon University as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar focusing on contemporary and electroacoustic music. She also received a Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology from the University of Alberta, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Hokkaido University. Her dissertation discussed the function of Socially Engaged Art (SEA) that bridges art and everyday life. Her current research is focused on establishing a curriculum for global citizenship education in life-long learning that employs elements of SEA. She is currently working in the field of Socially Engaged Art and has worked with numerous students in Japan, a hybrid online and in-person exchange class at the AGSM with youth from both Brandon & Japan, and has been learning about community-based work at Art City in Winnipeg. This event is free to attend and is open to adults, families, and youth. Small children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  All art materials are provided. Please register ahead at the AGSM reception desk or call 204-727-1036 or online.

Brandon Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance is hosting a dance competition at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, 205-20th Street. It will be held May 5-7. This event showcases the artistic and cultural expressions of Ukrainian dance in a competition style. This year 1000 dancers and instructors from 29 clubs from throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan will attend! We will showcase more than 330 dances throughout the weekend. The adjudicator for the event, Stefan Kuziw, will be joining us from Toronto, Ontario. The club began hosting this bi-annual event in 2000, however due to the pandemic it hasn’t been held in Brandon since 2018. We’re excited to once again be able to celebrate our Ukrainian heritage through dance. Members of the general public are welcome to attend this community event to enjoy and embrace the Ukrainian culture. There will be various displays and vendors, food, music, and traditional dance. Event Schedule: Friday, May 5: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 6: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission Fees: Day Pass $10 Weekend Pass $25 *Children 10 & under are free.

Kevin Farley is coming to the Amphitheatre at the Keystone Centre on May 12, 2023 with special guests Jordan Welwood, and Mitchell Makoons. Kevin Farley has been bringing his signature brand of upbeat entertainment to fans around the world for over three decades. An internationally recognized talent, he got his start studying at the famous Second City in Chicago. Kevin got his start studying at the famous Second City in Chicago. Soon after he starred in films such as Black Sheep, and The Waterboy (with Adam Sandler), and leading roles in An American Carol and White Knight. He has made guest appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rules of Engagement, Just Shoot Me and Comedy Central's Drunk History to name a few.   Kevin has hosted many live shows and events and has been featured Nationally on The Today Show, The View, Extra, Good Morning America and radio shows from coast to coast. You can currently find Kevin lending his voice to "F is for Family" on Netflix, on his podcast "Kevin Farley on the Road" and performing stand-up comedy at the best comedy venues and theaters nationwide. Doors to the show open at 6pm with a 7pm start time. Tickets can be purchased here.

Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School is thrilled to announce that their production of The SpongeBob Musical is coming to Brandon! This is an exciting new musical featuring irresistible characters and magical music; this deep-sea pearl of a show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old. Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! The SpongeBob Musical is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features the original book by Kyle Jarrow, with songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton, with additional music by Tom Kitt. The musical production was conceived by Tina Landau. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is The SpongeBob Musical performing at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium (WMCA), April 13th, 14th and 15th, 2023. Tickets available now at http://www.wmca.ca/spongebob2023.html

The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is offering spring classes for all ages. Classes run from April 8th to May 27th for children, teens and adults. Kids will have lots of creative projects to choose from when they check out the line-up for Art Saturdays 4 Kids. Every Saturday brings forth new creative exploration for those enrolled, from utilizing found objects to creating kinetic sculptures in Earth Day Extravaganza to painting masterpieces in Colour Pop Painting. The popular Teens Studio class, Spring Swirl, will take place on Thursdays in the Spring session with a new selection of creative projects designed specifically for ages 11 to 17. Adult art classes for the true beginner and for those with experience are also available! Whether it is in clay, drawing, painting or printmaking, there is a creative class for you no matter your skill level. Last but not least for those who want to try something new and creative, Zen Doodling, a new two evening therapeutic workshop open for ages 9-99 yrs. Learn a new drawing method which is relaxing and enjoyable, and will help you unwind after a busy day. The AGSM would like to thank Christie’s Office Plus for the sponsorship of select materials for the Children’s and Teens’ art program.