What began as a way for local filmmakers to have their movies shown, has grown into the Riding Mountain National Park Film Festival (RMNPFF), a well-known Manitoban event, screening 15 movies from across Canada and the United States, July 16 to 21. Celebrating independent film, RMNPFF offers a week of movie-related activities and events, from workshops and screenings, to youth and adult events. Festival Director Steve Langston is pleased to continue to feature films about environmentalism, agriculture, adventure, the local food movement and regionally inspired films. A partnership with Sunrise Credit Union and the Park Theatre in Wasagaming has ensured the second annual Toonie Screening of Life Of Pets 2 at 7 p.m. in North America's largest log cabin theatre is part of the festival. This is a family friendly event where you can watch a modern, inspiring movie in a log cabin theatre for only $2. Also returning is the Assiniboine Community College Digital Media Camp for youth at Wasagaming Community Arts. An incredible opportunity for youth ages nine to 17 to learn from experienced film makers and create a short film over two days, the camp is July 18 and 19. Langston noted there are still a couple spots left, at time of print. The Taste for Film event, where patrons watch a one-of-a-kind film and dine on a selection of chef-prepared plates relating to the film, is set for July 20. The movie Fermented by chef Edward Lee explores fermentation and how it has changed the way society consumes food. “A Taste for Film is kind of our signature event. And just a different, really cool movie this year,” Langston said, pointing out chef Tim Taylor will prepare a culinary experience featuring a rhubarb and Bohosoul Market Kombucha cocktail, walleye tacos and kimchi potato salad accompanied with fermented salsa, curtido, and seasonal garnishes, plus cherry sourdough bread pudding with miso caramel and frozen yoghurt. The festival is rounded out with daily screenings celebrating independent film at the Visitor Center Cinema in beautiful Riding Mountain National Park. “We're really excited to have a great list of movies for this year’s event,” Langston said, urging Manitobans to check out the schedule at www.rmnpfilmfest.ca. Reflecting on the 7th annual film festival, Langston noted support for the inspiring event continues to grow. “For sure more people know about it and more people continue to get involved, so it's great to be a part of it. The venue is obviously great,” he added. “And you know, sometimes it's only once a year that people are watching independent documentaries, but I know that when they show up, they enjoy them. People come up to me over the course of the year and tell me that the movies really changed their perspective on something and that's what it's all about,” he said. RMNPFF kicks off with an opening reception featuring four short documentaries and a live musical performance from Dauphin, Manitoba duet Melisa Stefaniw and Marc Clement at the Visitors Centre Cinema, July 16.

Over the past ten years a group of Onanole musicians known as the Route 10 Collective have staged a summer concert. The Collective consists of seasonal cabin dwellers and full-time residents of the Clear Lake area. Past shows have included The Last Waltz, Monterrey Pop Festival, Neil-fest, the Beatles White Album, Bob-fest, CSNY, Joni Mitchell, Clapton's Rainbow Concert and the Grateful Dead.  Steely Dan is an American rock band founded in 1972 by core members Walter Becker (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and Donald Fagen (keyboards, lead vocals). Blending rock, jazz, traditional pop, R&B, and sophisticated studio production with cryptic and ironic lyrics, the band enjoyed critical and commercial success starting from the early 1970s until breaking up in 1981. Throughout their career, the duo recorded with a revolving cast of session musicians, and in 1974 retired from live performances to become a studio-only band. Rolling Stone Magazine has called them "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies". Steely Dan's most popular records include: Can't Buy a Thrill; Pretzel Logic; Countdown to Ecstasy; Katy Lied; The Royal Scam and Aja. Songs like Reeling in the Years, Rikki Don't Lose That Number and Black Friday will be given the full Route 10 Collective treatment with a horn section, sparkling vocals and stinging guitars. Dates: August 8th, 9th, 10th 2019 Time: 8:00pm (doors at 7pm) Location: Onanole Rec Centre, Onanole, Manitoba Contact:204-848-0336 for more info Cost: Tickets $25 (cash only) in advance at Poor Michael's Emporium in Onanole Facebook event page. This year's version of The Route 10 Collective are:   Natalie Bohrn, Jose Cabral, Iain Edye, Murray Evans, Ingrid Gatin, Don Kille, Ron Kille Tyler Lischynski, Moon Carter-McDermott, Cam McKillop, Colton McKillop, Logan McKillop Dave Oakey, Gerry Perkin, Alana Levandoski, Eric Roberts, Dustin Smith, Don Sullivan and  Pat Sullivan

The Brandon Flight Centre is hosting a fly-in breakfast on Saturday, July 27 that is open to the public as well as their members, and members of flying clubs throughout Manitoba & Saskatchewan. This event usually attracts a large number of private aircraft, and is an exciting event for both families & aviation enthusiasts of all ages. The Brandon Flight Centre is located at 425 Agnew Drive (directly East of the main terminal at Brandon Airport). This year they are hoping to have a couple of aircraft on display, a kids zone, and FREE airplane rides. If you are a seasoned flyer or have never been in a plane, come & experience the thrill of flying. The event is on from 0800 – 1100, and the cost for breakfast is $8.00 per person. This year's menu includes pancakes, eggs, ham, coffee, tea & juice.

The 3rd annual Brandon RibFest will be held August 16-18 on the grounds at the Keystone Centre. Enjoy award winning BBQ from famous BBQ experts including ribs, brisket, pulled pork and more. The three day event is being presented by the Sunset Rotary Brandon. This is an event for the whole family, as in addition to the great eats there will be a kids zone from Tag'Em Entertainment (Saturday and Sunday 12 - 5pm only). For those looking to enjoy an adult beverage there will be beer tents located onsite.  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. The Facebook event page can be found here.

July 1, 2019 [Dauphin, MB] – What a fantastic long weekend on the edge of beautiful Riding Mountain National Park, celebrating Dauphin’s Countryfest 30th Birthday!  “This draws to a close our 30th birthday celebrations. We would like to thank everyone who helped us celebrate this milestone all year long. I am excited that we will soon be able to share some exciting 2020 festival news! Start planning now to attend the longest running country music festival July 2nd to the 5th, 2020!” Sunday’s main stage entertainment lineup brought the crowds out of the campground to fill in the amphitheatre early in the afternoon. Fans spent the afternoon under bright blue skies singing along with country songs from the past decades. After Toby Keith closed out the Main Stage, the party moved to hilltop with Doc Walker. Countryfest by the numbers: Number of festival patrons in attendance: 9000 Number of campsites occupied during the event: 3500 Number of festival week volunteers: 1500 Number of volunteer directors: 11 Number of full time Dauphin’s Countryfest staff: 5 Number of artists: 54 bands on 3 stages over 4 days Number of artist meet-and-greets during the weekend: 13 Number of lucky fans who got to attend meet-and-greets: 325 Pounds of bacon consumed in the bacon eating contest: 16 Number of vendors on-site: 40 Number of meals served in the VIP tent over the weekend: 2700 Daily 50/50 Take Home Totals: $11,427.50 / $16,927.50 / $18,674.00 / $18,442.50 The festival piloted a new and very successful program this year – Trash for Treats. During the weekend, over 300 campsites participated by turning in over 1200 bags of garbage and recycling in exchange for prizes and their chance to win meet and greets with artists. The program will be revised and expanded for the 2020 festival due to its popularity and the enthusiasm of festival patrons. Country music fans can expect announcements in the coming months regarding the 2020 lineup. Tickets for next year’s festival are on sale now at www.countryfest.ca.