The Westman Multicultural Festival (WMF) Society is pleased to announce that Jim McCrae will be stepping into the position of Chair effective immediately. McCrae, a former local politician, served as both a member of the legislative assembly and as a councillor with the City of Brandon. McCrae has been involved with numerous boards and charitable organizations, as such festival committee members welcome his knowledge and experience. “Mr. McCrae has many local connections and a great deal of experience working with all levels of government and on various boards and committees. We look forward to working with him, knowing that he’ll have a lot to offer the festival,” said Dr. Gautam Srivastava, Festival Secretary and Chair of the Indian Pavilion. The head position was left vacant when chair Richard Bruce, who served the society for several years, decided not to continue in the role when his term expired this past April. McCrae, who is currently serving as chair of Manitoba’s Social Services Appeal Board, is proud to have also served as a Canadian citizenship judge.“As I have been part of many Canadian citizenship ceremonies, I know how important and special it is for immigrants to become Canadian citizens, but I also recognize how much they miss their home countries. The festival provides many people with an opportunity to share their native culture, customs, and traditions with western Manitobans. This has always been one of my favourite events in Brandon, I look forward to being more involved at the grassroots,” said McCrae. The 17th annual event which will be held January 23-25, 2020 will feature 11 pavilions. The festival committee is pleased to welcome back the El Salvadorian Pavilion to this year’s three-day event. The other participating pavilions include England, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mauritius, Métis, Mexico, Philippines, Scotland, and Ukraine. Admission to each pavilion is once again free making this a very popular, inclusive, family event. Details on the festival can be found on the website: www.gotothepavilions.com. Follow them on Twitter@wmmfest, Instagram and Facebook /wmmfest. #gotothepavilions #pavilions2020 (submitted)

High Valley, a Canadian country music duo from Blumenort, Alberta will be in concert at Brandon's Westoba Place on Friday, May 29th. Their album Broken Borders was named Album of the Year at the 2007 GMA Canada Covenant Awards and their song "Back to You" was awarded Country Song of the Year. They will be joined on the road by the multi-platinum Eli Young Band as well as special guests Lindsay Ell and Jade Eagleson. Tickets for the Brandon show at the Keystone Centre go on-sale Dec 5th at 10am. Additional information on the tour and the artists can be found here.

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.