Multiple JUNO, CCMA and CMA award-winning singer/songwriter Gord Bamford will be hitting the road across Canada in 2020 with his #REDNEK Music Fest tour that will showcase a broad range of homegrown country music artists including the hottest emerging acts in Canada. Along with Bamford, the show stars multi-platinum, JUNO Award winner Jess Moskaluke, and an incredible line-up of rising talent including Andrew Hyatt, Cory Marks, Duane Steele, Eric Ethridge, Ghost Boy and JoJo Mason. Concert date: Thursday, March 12, 2020. Tickets go on sale starting Friday, November 15 at tickets.keystonecentre.com.

Nov. 7, 2019 (Dauphin, MB) – Dauphin’s Countryfest celebrates 31 years of bringing the musicto the people, July 2 – 5, 2020! Canada’s Longest Running Country Music Festival will be one for the books – showcasing the legends of country music and celebrating the country stars of tomorrow! Kicking things off on THURSDAY, JULY 2 on the BELL MTS STAGE, Canadian troubadour CORB LUND brings his unique brand of rockabilly honkytonk to the biggest Kick-Off Party in Manitoba. FRIDAY JULY 3 features well-loved Canadian artists who we just can’t get enough of. DALLAS SMITH and DEAN BRODY bring their high energy bro country performances to the CLUB REGENT CASINO & EVENT CENTRE MAIN STAGE. Our SATURDAY JULY 4 lineup is sure to set the stage on fire with a non-stop party, hosted by arguably the greatest showmen in country music history, BIG & RICH. Also taking the stage and the country airwaves by storm, MORGAN WALLEN and CHRIS YOUNG top off the night with shows that will leave you wanting more. JASON MCCOY hosts the famous THROWBACK SUNDAY on JULY 5. JOE DIFFIE, JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY and TRACE ADKINS each perform their brand of traditional country music, and set the stage as THROWBACK SUNDAY takes a twist. JOHN. FOGERTY. The Woodstock-veteran and legendary singer-songwriter will complete your Countryfest experience as he delivers anthems from his iconic career spanning the Creedence Clearwater Revival era to his thriving solo career of today. FRIDAY, JULY 3 Club Regent Casino & Event Centre Main Stage: Jade Eagleson James Barker Band Dean Brody Dallas Smith SATURDAY, JULY 4 Club Regent Casino & Event Centre Main Stage: Hunter Brothers Band Big & Rich - Guest Hosts for the evening Morgan Wallen Chris Young SUNDAY, JULY 5 “BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - THROWBACK SUNDAY” Club Regent Casino & Event Centre Main Stage: Jason McCoy - Guest Host for the day Joe Diffie John Michael Montgomery Trace Adkins John Fogerty “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend an invitation to come celebrate Manitoba’s 150th with us”, says Ann Ransom, President of Dauphin’s Countryfest. She invites one and all to “Feel the energy of past and present artists, including many extraordinary Manitoba performers”. “We wanted the 2020 lineup to pay tribute to the best memories made at Countryfest throughout the years”, says Rob Waloschuk, General Manager for Dauphin’s Countryfest, adding he wants everyone to “Come and celebrate the best of the past with the best of the future.” TICKETS ON SALE: Tickets to Dauphin’s Countryfest 2020 are on sale now. New this year is the ‘Manitoba 150” Party Pack, which offers 10 weekends for the price of 8. The E-Z Pay option is once again available, letting patrons split their payment into seven equal installments. Tickets can be purchased online at www.countryfest.ca or by calling 1-800-361-7300. (submitted)

When it comes to the housing market, we often hear the terms buyer’s market or what might be referred to as the opposite, which is a seller’s market. A buyer’s market is one where the number of houses for sale is plentiful, which keeps the prices down; a seller’s market means there are few houses on the market so the prices tend to be higher. For the past two to three years, Brandon has been in a buyers’ market when it comes to the residential real estate market. Houses were on the market longer than expected and prices have adjusted to the point where they are starting to move again. While the buyer’s/seller’s market is often referencing the purchase of homes, the same principles in market fluctuation also affect the rental market. Vacancy rates for apartments have increased fairly significantly in the last five years. In 2015, the vacancy rate for rentals was 2.5 per cent, it is estimated that by the end of this year the rates will have climbed to 9.8 per cent. In general, this will provide more options for renters when they are looking for accommodations and much of what we’re seeing in the market is based on inflation. The average rental rates have been growing slower than the rate of inflation. This means that if you have a cost of living increase at your work, tied to inflation, you are gaining ground on the rental market in Brandon. *Estimated data based through October 2019 What does this trend mean for renters? If you check the advertisements for apartments on the market, most landlords are offering incentives to fill the vacancies that they have. Some of these incentives include discounted rent on a one-year lease, one month free on a year lease, referral programs offering an incentive to entice your friends or colleagues to rent as well. The opportunity to extend your lease at the current rate (or an even lower rate) for committing to another year. Those looking for an apartment have plenty to choose from. If the market is close to a 10 per cent vacancy rate, you can take your time and select a place that not only fits your budget but has the amenities you’re looking for. As of today, Vionell Holdings has nearly 20 two-bedroom units available for immediate possession for less than $960 per month. The median income in Brandon is $56,694, therefore the affordable rent for the market is defined as $969. This means that not only is there an abundance of available rentals in Brandon, but there are many that fit within the affordable housing criteria as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.   Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has nearly 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. VHP has committed to constructing 128 multi-family residential units in Portage la Prairie. The first 64 units will be ready for occupancy in the coming months. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca.

DJ Red (Jared Weir) has been rocking parties in and around Brandon and the Westman area for more than 19 years. Starting out working for Expressions Entertainment, he cut his teeth doing socials, school dances and wedding receptions. Jared also works for Westman Communications Group as a Tier II, Technical Service Representative. Fast food guilty pleasure: Beef tacos from Taco Time Last three people you followed on Twitter: Chris D' Elia (@chrisdelia), Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) and @AwwwwCats. Career highlight to date: Opening for 2 of my DJ heroes, Skratch Bastid and Grandtheft, or DJing in Churchill (twice) Smallest crowd you ever had to DJ for and the largest crowd as well: I once played at a social where there were less than 20 people in attendance, bride and groom included. Not certain on largest but probably either Sun Of A Beach or Jump City. What movie had the greatest ending: Seven What is on your perennial to-do-list: Loads more traveling. I want to DJ overseas.   What can you not miss on TV: I mostly watch HBO shows. Lately I've been watching the show Barry with Bill Hader How did you make your first dollar: Delivering the Barrie Advance newspaper when I lived in CFB Borden. If you were a cartoon character, what character would you be:  That's a tough one. Maybe a combination of Donatello and Raphael from the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. Can you name three people you would like to throw a dinner party for: Prince, David Bowie, and Tom Petty Most used app on your phone:  Close tie between Instagram, SnapChat, and the Reddit app Can you describe one experience that changed your life: I saw Jack Layton speak at a student leadership conference in Ottawa and it changed the way I looked at Canadian politics and our electoral system What was the first album, or piece of music that you remember buying for yourself: I'm not exactly sure but it would be either Pearl Jam - Ten or Coolio - It Takes A Thief What is one of the most requested songs, at a gig, that you never want to hear again: Currently it's Old Town Road but Call Me Maybe really hurts my ears too. Jennifer Aniston or Jennifer Lawrence, which actress has had the better career: I'm going to have to go with J Law.  She has more range and an Oscar under her belt as well. You've got one day for adventure, what local-ish gem are you going to: Riding Mountain National Park Favourite YouTube channel: The Hydraulic Press channel. It's 2am and the party is winding down, what song do you play to get everyone going again: depends on the setting I guess, but Jump Around by House of Pain or Let Me Clear My Throat by DJ Kool could likely rile them up again. An object you still own from your childhood: A miniature Canada Post box that my Poppa gave me. Least favourite holiday: I don't really have least favourite holiday to be honest, but there's a lot of Christmas music that I really dislike.

The Kinette Club of Brandon will be holding their 11th annual Westman's Got Talent at the Prairie Firehouse. There are 2 shows on November 6 & 7 (November 6 is under 18, and November 7 is over 18). Proceeds from the Under 18 show will go to the Kinette Scholarship Program, and proceeds from the 18+ show to be donated to the Women's Resource Centre. Tickets are only $25 for the diner and the show and they can be purchased at Phillips Insurance, the Brandon Shoppers Mall, or by emailing kinetteclubofbrandon@gmail.com. If you have a talent to share, you can pick up entry forms at Phillips Insurance or at the Brandon's Shopper Mall. A link to the Facebook event page can be found here.