A new festival is being launched in Brandon, MB.  Hatch is a two day block party style festival taking place on parking Lot 2A of the Brandon University campus.  Surrounded by the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, and Brandon University’s schools of music and education, Hatch features creative site-making as part of its transformation of a school parking lot into a community focused music and art event. Due to the nature of the site, only 500 tickets are available per day.  While taking place on the university campus, the event is for all in Westman.  Knowing that Brandon is a growing city and having a vision for how music, art and community can come together to change lives, Hatch is focused on bringing people together and creating an opportunity for guests to have uplifting, celebratory experiences.  We look forward to Hatch becoming a deeply loved staple in the Westman annual calendar.  The debut lineup of artists includes a collection of celebrated former Brandon artists who have gone on to big things across North America: Field Guide (Dylan MacDonald, formerly of The Middle Coast) Calgary-based Roots/Country trailblazer JJ Shiplett New Orleans-style party outfit The Dirty Catfish Brass Band Producer and songwriter (and formerly of The Middle Coast) Roman Clarke  Other musical performers include JUNO nominated roots powerhouse duo The Small Glories, and up and coming singer-songwriter Cassidy Mann, fresh off a tour with Donovan Woods.  Former Brandon saxophonist Sean Irvine joins Touching for their first performance since putting out two albums, Isolation Blues and littleworlds.  JUNO-nominated Burnstick is a husband-and-wife duo comprised of Francophone-Métis singer-songwriter Nadia, and Jason, a Plains-Cree guitarist.  Contemporary dancers Sophie Milord & Jace Hodges will create an improvised performance in one of Hatch’s creative stage spaces. Visual artist Casey Koyczan’s playful work will surround the audience.  Longtime Montreal-based violist Jen Thiessen has recently returned to Manitoba. Originally from Austin, Manitoba, Jen has traveled the world playing classical new music and is now the Artistic Director of Virtuosi. She will be leading performances by Daily Alice and Classics By Candlelight.  Additional artists will be announced over the coming month.  Hatch partners with landscape architect Mark Bauche (HTFC Planning & Design) for creative site design that enhances guest’s experience with immersive space-making creativity.  Hatch is produced by Michael Falk. Michael's company Head In The Sand is perhaps best known as a record label, from 2009 to 2017 they released albums by Iceland’s Apparat Organ Quartet, Royal Canoe, Rococode, Les Jupes, VIKINGS, Ismaila Alfa, and more. Since then the company shifted its focus to artist management and special events. Recently, Falk has been producing concerts for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (including the WSO’s concerts at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium), and previously produced Jazz Winnipeg’s festival. In 2016, Michael produced SpaceLand, a pop-up block party event that was well-loved, the idea sticking in the back of his mind, wanting a new life. And here we are.  TICKET INFO $30 per day $50 for both days Available at hatchfest.ca Hatch is 18+.

With roughly 5,000 people a night Rockin the Fields 2023 is over.   Thank you to Jeremy Champagne of Scramble Studio for the photos he had taken over the weekend. Thank you Rob and Kamryn for providing prizes and press passes for BDNMB.CA

A one day Summer Multicultural Celebration is taking place today at the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre. Live entertainment from 9 countries, food trucks, free admission, shopping, & more. Activities run until 10pm.

Big Sugar, a rock band formed in Ontario in the late 80’s, was announced as a replacement for Sebastian Bach at Rockin’ The Fields of Minnedosa this year. Earlier in the day, it was revealed that Sebastian Bach will not be playing Rockin The Fields in Minnedosa, MB on 8/4 “Due to last minute, unforeseen scheduling conflicts”. Notable singles from Big Sugar include Diggin a Hole, If I had My Way, All Over Now and Better Get used to it.

Get ready for a finger-lickin’, lip-smackin’ good time, Brandon's Ribfest returns to the Riverbank Discovery Centre for three days in August. The annual event is an opportunity for BBQ lovers to enjoy delicious ribs hot off the rack from award winning and professional circuit BBQ experts. In addition to the ribs an assortment of other tasty items can usually be found on the menu's including juicy chicken, delectable sausages, sweet and savory pulled pork, and a number of accompanying side dishes. Once again, the event will also feature a beer tent, live music and a kids zone. The first RibFest in Brandon was held at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in August of 2017. No word, as of yet, as to who the participating "ribbers" will be. The three day event is being presented by the Brandon Sunset Rotary and takes place August 11-13.  Admission is free. Hours are from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on the Sunday.