Like all musicians in Brandon and the Westman area, singer/songwriter Emma Peterson has been missing out on performing at live shows and the interaction she shares with those who flock to her performances. "The feeling of connecting through music" is what Emma told bdnmb.ca she misses most about live performances. "The reason I make music is to make other people feel the emotion I’m trying to convey in my music. There is nothing like connecting with others in person." Emma estimates she had to cancel upwards of 20 shows since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, including getting the opportunity to open for High Valley, Manitoba Summer Games and the Manitoba Country Music Association Awards. While she was able to play 2 small shows when restrictions were loosened in the summer, her last major live performance was at Houstons in Brandon opening for Petric (February 28, 2020). Usually in the summer the country music artist expects to plan 10+ shows in Manitoba at different street fairs, family fun weekends, and festivals. As an emerging artist, opportunities often come up last minute and performing is an essential part of building on her craft and connecting with others.  Emma, who has been performing live in Brandon venues for the past 3-4 years, has put her downtime to good use. "Writing, writing, and more writing. The slower year has given me the opportunity to develop musically, but also professionally, behind the scenes" she said. "I have had more time to grow and become a better writer and musician. I have also been able to learn more about the music industry. I think that this time has given me an opportunity to learn and do things I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise." "One of my favourite parts of performing is thanking everyone after the show for coming and hearing how they enjoyed the show" said Emma.  "I hope sometime soon I can do that again! I am thankful for social media and the role it plays in helping me stay connected with everyone."

Brandon, MB – City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services has partnered with Safe at Home MB and Westman Communications Group TV (WCGtv) to deliver the No Blue Mondays Virtual Performance Series on Mondays from March 1 – March 22nd, 2021.  The No Blue Mondays Virtual Performance Series will feature some of Manitoba’s talented artists, including comedians, musicians, and dancers, to name a few.  Each Monday there will be three showings of the performances at 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.  For more details on each week’s unique performance, please visit and follow the City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services Facebook page. WCGtv will be airing these performances via: ·       WCGtv Channel 12 SD* ·       WCGtv Channel 1012 HD* ·       Livestream on westmancom.com/personal/wcgtv/watch-live *Viewers will need a WCGtv subscription to watch the performances on WCGtv channels. However, no subscription is required to view the livestream on WCGtv’s website. WCGtv is a non-profit organization that works hard supporting local communities and sharing their stories. For more info on WCGtv, please visit westmancom.com. No Blue Mondays is supported by the Safe at Home MB Grant Program, which was created to help Manitobans to enjoy active, engaged lives during a period of critical level restrictions in our communities. For more info on Safe at Home MB, please visit safeathomemb.ca.(City of Brandon PSA)

The images below show some of the best Christmas light displays in Brandon for 2020. All photos by Liam Pattison Photography. Memorial Cres Lyndale Drive Sycamore Drive Applewood Bay Cottonwood Cres Garwood Drive 400 block of 4th St Linden Blvd Poplar Drive Christie Bay Almond Cres Imperial Cres 300 block of 26th 239 Princess Ave E 2201 Lyndale Drive

Starting in January 2021, the duo that found success together as morning show co-hosts of the Q Country 91.5 FM (Q Country) Coffee Crew will officially fly solo. Trent B. will return to his roots on air with 94.7 Star FM (Star FM) as the new morning show host on January 4, while Leanne Doty will take Q Country's reins on January 11. The talented Doty looks forward to hosting her own morning show in the new year, "I'm thrilled and excited and very much looking forward to this next new chapter." With Tyler Glen moving away from the microphone and taking on a leadership role as the Program Director of the radio stations, both morning shows will undergo a rebrand for a fresh look and feel in 2021. "As I step away from the microphone, I want to congratulate both Trent B. and Leanne Doty on their new shows," said Program Director, Tyler Glen. "Trent B. will soon be the host of the newly re-named and branded Star Morning Show. Trent B. started his post-college career on Star back in 2006, so it's a bit of a homecoming for him. After four decades working in radio, Leanne has reached the top of her game on-air, and we can't wait to share her talents. 2021 is going to be an exciting year for radio in Westman!" Q Country will be freshly rebranded to "The Q Country Kickstart with Leanne Doty", while Star FM will see itself as "The Star FM Morning Mix with Trent B." Full details below: The Q Country KICKSTART with Leanne Doty (Weekdays 6a-9a) • Q Country Kickstart Good Stuff 6:40 weekdays - Inspiring stories to start your day. • Q Country Kickstart Hollywood Hot Dish 7:10 weekdays - hot entertainment gossip! • Q Country Kickstart Pet's Sake 7:40 Friday - Weekly pet from Funds for Furry Friends • Q The Music with Leanne Doty 8:20 weekdays presented by Super Thrifty • Q Country Kickstart Homegrown 8:40 Tuesday & Thursday - Made in MB Country! • Q Country Kickstart Classic-cut 8:40 Mon-Wed-Fri-Only the best are CLASSICS! The STARFM Morning Mix with Trent B (Weekdays 6a-9a) • Morning Mix Good Start 7:10 weekdays-Only the GOOD NEWS of the Day! • Morning Mix Daily Scoop 6:40 and 7:40 weekdays-Music & entertainment news • Morning Mix Furry Friend of the Week 7:20 Fridays-Morning fur baby adoptable • Morning Mix in the Tube 8:10 weekdays-what listeners are streaming! Hot stuff! • Morning Mix Way Back Play Dat 8:40 Mon-Wed-Fri-80's or 90's? Tune in to GO BACK! Q Country and Star FM look forward to bringing you hot new morning shows in 2021! Be sure to head to Qcountryfm.ca and Starfm.ca to keep up to date with all things Westman and listen live.

The display at 2 Yorkshire Drive in Sprucewoods uses both sights and sounds to create a dazzling array of lights. For the second consecutive year, Mike Wilwand is hosting one of the most amazing Christmas light displays you will see in this area. Currently the setup is running about 25,000 lights, 30 songs, 7 inflatables, 4 arches, 8 mini trees, and 3 pvc framed trees. Most of the props are diy projects. From the warmth and comfort of your vehicle you can "hear" (tune your radio to 89.1 fm) the lights dance, as the show is synchronized to music. Mike is no stranger to setting up elaborate Christmas light displays. In conversation with bdnmb.ca, Mike said he started in Winnipeg 10 years ago with a small display that eventually grew in size to over 36,000 lights. Some of his previous light shows can be viewed on his YouTube channel. "I love to hear how excited everyone gets when they watch the show" said Mike. He relocated to Sprucewoods three years ago and the move provided him with a much larger space to work with. With the move also came a switch to almost entirely LED lights and the addition of several more props. Shows start daily at 6 pm and end at 11 pm.