Four new and two returning members have been appointed to the board of Manitoba Film and Music (MFM), Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox announced today. “Manitoba is home to thriving film and music communities and MFM plays a critical role in fostering the growth of both of these industries in our province,” said Cox. “The board of directors is dedicated to seeing this province succeed as a production centre and music hub and delivering programs that help these industries serve as important drivers in the Manitoba economy.” New appointments to the MFM board include: Daniel Donahue (Winnipeg) has been appointed as the chair and is a composer, musician, producer and recordist with more than 35 years of experience working in the music and multimedia fields. He has been a self-employed music professional since graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1975, collaborating with the likes of Fred Penner, the University of Manitoba School of Music and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Donahue has also served on various boards, including the Music Professionals of Manitoba Board of Directors, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Board of Directors and the Manitoba Music Board of Directors; Joy Loewen (Winnipeg) is a passionate supporter of the production, promotion and exhibition of Canadian art and artists. She is currently the manager of programs and development at the National Screen Institute and has worked as a broadcast and festival programmer at WTN, CBC and the Gimli Film Festival. Additionally, she was program manager at On Screen Manitoba and executive director at Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre for Young People. She is the past chair of the Balmoral Hall School board and a member of the Yorkton Film Festival and Rainbow Stage board of directors. She also serves as a member of the Gimli Film Festival programming committee and The Winnipeg Foundation's strategic initiatives committee; Rachel Margolis (Winnipeg) is a lawyer with MLT Aikins. Her practice is focused on the entertainment industry with emphasis on film and television, in addition to the corporate and commercial area. She has served on numerous boards including Manitoba Music, On Screen Manitoba, Freeze Frame Manitoba and Food Banks Canada; and Rod Bruinooge (Winnipeg) is the chief information officer for Proximity Mobile and former Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South. He previously served as executive director of the Winnipeg International Film Festival and has done organizational work for the Winnipeg Aboriginal Film and Video Festival and the North American Indigenous Games. His board experience includes the Manitoba Children’s Museum, River View Health Centre and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Council. Returning appointments to the MFM are: Kevin Donnelly (Winnipeg) is the senior vice president of venues and entertainment for True North Sports and Entertainment, where he manages Bell MTS Place and its event calendar. He had a lengthy career as a successful promoter, both independently and with House of Blues Concerts Canada. He is a board member of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Economic Development Winnipeg. He also participates on the Advisory Board of the Venue Coalition, representing more than 50 arenas across North America; and Cameron Clark (Brandon) is the general manager of Westman Communications Group which includes Westman Radio Ltd., 91.5 Q Country FM and 94.7 Star FM in Brandon. His community involvement includes the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum, the United Way of Brandon and District, the Broadcast Association of Manitoba and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. The minister thanked outgoing board members for their service and noted that the total number of board positions is being reduced to six from eight.

This year’s all-day Summer Lights Music Festival is set for Saturday, September 8th at Princess Park.  Confirmed as headliners for the September festival include Valdy, Sheri Ulrich, Red Moon Road, Del Barber, The 204 and more.  Other artists on the bill include Leaf Rapids, Katie McDonald, & Fontine. Advance tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors, and are available beginning Thursday, August 3rd at following businesses: Ted Good Music and Fraser Sneath Coffee.  Tickets are also available at the gate on the day of the festival at a cost of $30 for adults and $25 for students/seniors.  Children under 12 get in free. More information on the 2018 Summer Lights Festival, including a full performance schedule and food and vendor information, can be found at http://summerlightsmusicfestival.com/.

With just over two months left before Brandon's second annual Food Truck Warz, organizers are pleased to announce two food trucks who will be making their first appearance at the event. The Poutine King (pictured above) specializes in 15 kinds of gourmet poutine with fresh home made Montreal style fries and real cheese curds.  Substantial portions is what you can expect at this truck.    They use fresh Manitoba potatoes, cut right on the truck.  The fries are cooked to a golden brown prior to being covered in Montreal cheese curds and gravy.  Be sure to try the Real Canadian which features fresh mushrooms, onions, and bacon. Available as dogs or burgers, Fhat Dogs serves various types of gourmet hot dogs including Japanese,  Korean, Mexican, a Prairie Dog (which will feature bacon), and a Maritime dog utilizing east coast lobster. Veggie Dawgs are also available.  Food from this vendor has been seen on television shows like Carnival Eats, Eat Street, and Anthony Bordain.

Brandon, MB – The first ever community partnership event of the newly-launched City of Brandon 100th Meridian Concerts Program is now just one week away! Organized by staff of the City of Brandon’s Community Development section in partnership with the Brandon Pride Committee, this family friendly evening event is set for Thursday, July 12th on the grounds of the East End Community Centre, located at 405 Park Street. Under the iconic shade of Brandon’s East End Water Tower, the musical event will feature headlining act, Yes We Mystic, an indie-alternative band from Winnipeg, along with opening act, The Young Pixels, a husband-and-wife garage pop duo from Western Manitoba. The event offers FREE admission for people of all ages! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with musical performances scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor music-listening comfort. Complimentary fresh bannock and local honey will be available for those in attendance, with on-site beer gardens also on offer for concertgoers aged 18-plus (ID required). In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to Central United Church, located at 327 - 8th Street. Next month, the City of Brandon 100th Meridian Concerts Program will then shift over to downtown Brandon with an evening concert planned for Thursday, August 9th. In conjunction with the launch of the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba’s continuing Billboard art series, organizers with the City of Brandon and the AGSM are pleased to present Manitoba-born Indigenous singer and recent Juno nominee Iskwé as the event’s headliner, along with Winnipeg-based Indigenous singer-songwriter Sonia Eidse as the event’s opening act. Additional details on the August event will be released in the coming weeks for what promises to be an exciting evening of community art and culture! For more information about the City of Brandon 100th Meridian Concerts Program, including full performer biographies for 2018’s concerts and information about planned artist workshops, visit www.brandon.ca/100thmeridian.

The Wiggles brand new Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle! World Tour is coming to Brandon's WMCA on Monday, October 22nd, and due to popular demand a 2nd show has been added.  The Wiggles are an Australian children's music group formed in Sydney, New South Wales. Show Times: Monday, October 22nd @ 3:30 p.m. Monday, October 22nd @ 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online, by phone 1.888.655.9090, or by visiting the WMCA box office.