The AGSM is proud to announce a new show in the Community Gallery, featuring a selection of paintings by Brandon resident Diarmuid “Derry” Decter, titled Lost and Otherwise Found. The exhibition begins on Thursday, October 28, and will run through December, with a public reception on December 2, at 7 PM. After a decades-long hiatus from artmaking, Decter spent the last five years in a close mentorship with master painter and Brandonite Jan Brancewicz, developing a unique style and a technique. The 57 artworks on display are a mere sampling of Decter’s prolific practice. Over a months-long curatorial process, AGSM curator Lucie Lederhendler and the artist built an exhibition that will take the viewer on a tour of artistic approaches, from saturated portraits to frantic landscapes, soft shading and sharp horizon lines. The exhibition explores themes of displacement, relations, and belonging with an approach to making that is informed as much by chaos as it is scholarship. “Derry’s work is remarkable for being both deeply grounded in academic, art historical knowledge and technique, and at the same time being just accidental, or playful,” says Lederhendler. “Each piece has its very own personality, but when you see them all together, this enormous number of paintings starts to tell a bigger story.” The AGSM Community Gallery is supported by the City of Brandon, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts. (submitted)

Dauphin’s Countryfest is pleased to release the full-line up of artists slated to perform at Canada’s longest running country music festival, taking place July 1 – 3, 2022. General Manager Rob Waloschuk is thrilled to announce an all-Canadian lineup for the return to the hill. “Our fans love their country, and we’ve booked the best Canadian talent to welcome them back to Dauphin’s Countryfest,” said Waloschuk, “and their live shows are always spectacular.” Paul Brandt, Johnny Reid, Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, Terri Clark, Gord Bamford, The Reklaws, Hunter Brothers, Washboard Union, Chad Brownlee, Jess Moskaluke, The Road Hammers, Michelle Wright, Jade Eagleson, Madeline Merlo, Doc Walker, Tyler Joe Miller, Aaron Pritchett, JoJo Mason and Don Amero are booked to perform throughout the weekend. “These artists are some of the most requested by Countryfest-goers.” said Waloschuk. Loyal patrons who rolled over their tickets with Countryfest for the last couple of years will also enjoy an exclusive Thursday Kick-Off Party with Corb Lund and Charlie Major. “Dauphin’s Countryfest has always been about providing a remarkable experience for our patrons,” said President Ann Ransom, “We want our fans to feel safe and have the best time, so we’ve limited our festival capacity to 50% for 2022.” Full guidelines and policies can be found on the website. LIMITED TICKETS & CAMPING REMAINING A limited number of weekend passes, VIPs, camping and seats are available, and can be purchased online at www.countryfest.ca or by calling 1-800-361-7300. Pre-sale for members only is October 25 to November 5. Tickets go on sale to the public November 15 at 9am (Countryfest Release)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman Haunted house returns this year at a new location, 1307 18th St N (next door to Kelleher Ford). The haunted house will have everything from classic horrors to modern to keep one guessing what’s next. All funds raised from this fundraising event stay in our community to benefit local child and youth programs. You must be fully vaccinated to attend and children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Dates: October 21-23, October 28-30 Times: Thursday 6pm-10pm, Friday & Saturday: 6pm-11pm *no scare is from 6-7 Admission: 12+: $8, under 12: $5

It turns out there won’t be a Santa Parade in Brandon for a second consecutive year. Earlier today, the organizing committee released a statement stating the beloved holiday tradition was officially cancelled for 2021, citing concerns over navigating a safe way to hold the parade. Hundreds of families normally flock to the parade sharing the spirit of the holidays with local charities, merchants and schools.

Brandon Riverbank Inc., in partnership with Made in Manitoba, is excited to announce Fall Fest will be taking place this Saturday. The event, geared for the entire family, will be taking place Saturday, Oct. 2 on the Brandon Riverbank grounds and will consist of the season closing Market at the Riverbank event, which includes a variety of different vendors from across the province, as well as family fun, food trucks and a FREE MOVIE at Fusion Credit Union Stage to close out the day! “We’re so excited to be the venue and co-host of the 2021 Fall Fest at the Riverbank,” said James Montgomery, GM of Brandon Riverbank Inc. “We hope to end a summer of great Riverbank markets with one more fantastic day.” “We've had a great experience hosting the Market at the Riverbank this summer and for our final event we are going out with a bang!  We've brought on special co-hosts, Gold Leaf Events, to help us bring the Brandon community our largest market yet.  We have over 40 Manitoba makers and sellers ready to help you get a jump start on your holiday shopping!  With lots of free giveaways and activities throughout the day, it will be a great event for the whole family.  We encourage you all to come out and support local business this Saturday at the Riverbank Discovery Centre." The event kicks off at 10 am with the Made in Manitoba Market at the Riverbank event (wraps up at 2pm). Food trucks will open at noon, while the movie at Fusion Credit Union Stage gets underway at approximately 7pm. The movie is an American stop-motion animated dark fantasy horror film called Coraline. The film is from the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas and was an Oscar nominee for best animated feature film back in 2010. We please ask that those who attend maintain physical distancing. Hand washing stations will be available on-site.