Fans of Brandon's Food Truck Warz event will be pleased to hear that several new food trucks have agreed to appear at this year's event. Among the new trucks joining this years fleet is the Red Dot Japanese Cuisine Food Truck. This truck, run by a father and daughter duo, specializes in traditional Japanese food. They serve a variety of assorted sushi trays representing a additional classic taste from Japan (Futomaki Rolls) to the modern day (Californian Rolls) to raw fish (Nigiri), They also serve an Udon Noodle Soup and Shrimp Tempura. You don't want to miss out on one of their famous sushi bento boxes or sushi donuts. Operators of the Red Dot Japanese Cuisine Food Truck tell bdnmb.ca that they will have having a new, adjusted menu for this season as well. In 2017 they made they appearances at major events throughout Winnipeg including: Manyfest, Manitoba Night Market & Festival, Sage Creek Canada Day Celebrations and the Flatlander's Beer Festival. The Red Dot Japanese Cuisine Food Truck is just one of may new food trucks scheduled to make their first appearance at Food Truck Warz 2, featuring title sponsors Westman Communications Group and Vanguard Credit Union.

Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium - Brandon, Canada Friday, Feb 16, 2018 - 6:30PM The MINI POP KIDS are coming to Manitoba for the first time ever this Family Day Weekend. They will be performing to thousands of fans over the three-day weekend with stops in Brandon and Winnipeg, the Hometown of MINI POP KIDS and K-TEL. This nearly sold out leg of the tour will kick off in Brandon on Friday, February 16th at 6:30 pm at Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium. Fans are anxious to SING along, DANCE along, and MAKE IT POP alongside the best-selling children’s POP group in Canada live on stage. MINI POP KIDS LIVE is a high energy, interactive concert that gives anyone, of any age, the chance to party like a POP-star. The 90-minute show is jam-packed with kid-friendly versions of today’s BIGGEST hits by pop stars like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake and so much more. Come catch the all-star cast members that are quickly stepping into stardom like ten-year-old Jaydn Rylee, with over  22.5 million YouTube views. Past MINI POP KID alumni include Vivian Hicks, Ethan Young, Victoria Azevedo and Myles Erlick who are currently competing on the new Hit TV series, The Launch. More than 40 local dancers from both Dance Images and Steppin’ Time will also appear. Come see these stars and more take the stage in one verse specialedition of their MAKE IT POP Tour! Limited tickets are still available for this once in a life-time show. MINI POP KIDS 15 CD, released in November, is still topping the charts, currently as the #1 Children’s Album on both iTunes and Amazon’s Charts. MPK 15 is available online and in stores at most retailers and at minipopkids.com MINI POP KIDS, is the multi-million selling & iTunes children chart topping album series from K-tel. First launched in the 1980’s the original MINI POPS featured talented children singing pops hits of the day. It went on to sell millions of albums worldwide. Now that the original MINI POPS’ fans have grown up and have children of their own, K-Tel re-launched the MINI POP KIDS in 2004 in Canada.

The Westman Multicultural Festival takes place this weekend (February 1-3, 2018) in Brandon at various locations throughout the city.  This year's festival includes two new Pavilions: India & Mexico,  The Metis Pavilion will be returning after taking a brief hiatus for one year.  A map of the pavilions can be found at this link. English: Victoria Inn (3550 Victoria Inn) Entertainment includes cover band the Beetles and the Village Green Morris Dancers. The menu includes “Authentic English Pug Grub” like bangers & mash with veggies and gravy, meat pies,  apple crumble and custard, and blackberry crumble and custard.  A number of English beers, cider, martinis & English cocktails will be among the alcohol served. Honduras: Ukrainian Reading Hall (1005 Assiniboine Ave) Pupusas & Baleadas are on the menu and alcohol is not served.  This will mark their 3rd year participating in the festival.  Performers in colorful costumes serve as the entertainment every hour with each show lasting 24 minutes. India: North End Community Centre (1313 Stickney Ave) This year will mark their first year at the festival.  Entertainment includes various types and ages of dance groups. Butter Chicken with Rice and Naan, Chickpea curry with Rice and Naan, and Gelabi are the featured eats.  While they will not serve alcohol there will be a selection of soft drinks. Ireland: Clarion Hotel & Suites (3130 Victoria Ave) One of more popular Pavilions they serve a wide array of alcohol including beer (Guinness, Harp, Kilkenny, + more), whiskey (Bushmills, Jameson, + more) and liquor (Bailey’s Irish Cream, Irish coffee, Rum, Vodka).  Irish Stew, scones & biscuits and a variety of desserts will be available if you get hungry while watching the live music and dance offered at this Pavilion.   Metis : WMCA (205-20th Street) In their first year back, after taking a brief hiatus for one year, they will be serving up an extensive menu of food items including: bannock, bison stew, elk smokies, bison smokies/burgers and rice pudding.  The Metis Pavilion will offer a variety of Metis Culture through the sharing of traditional music, dance, & food. Mexican: Brandon Shrine Club (1110 McTavish Ave E) "The Mexican Pavilion will showcase the Mexican culture with traditional dancers, music and cultural displays".  Entertainment is coming all the way from Cancun, Mexico for this event.   Traditional food and drinks like pozole soup, tamales (pork / chicken), tacos (veggie / beef / pork), Mexican beer, classic margaritas, and tequila shots will be served throughout the three days. Philippine: St. Mattews Church (403-13th St) "The Philippine/Filipino Pavilion will be the mirror of the Filipino culture and traditions, a showcase of talent in music and dance."  In addition to  dance performances a band will also be performing at the end of each hour to give you a taste of Original Filipino Music.  Alcohol will not be served however they do have a really extensive food menu to chose from including: Pancit (stir-fried noodles with chicken & veggies), Chicken Adobo (chicken cooked in vinegar and soy sauce), steamed rice, spring rolls and for dessert Buko Pandan (dessert with coconut, jello, tapioca pearls and milk). Scottish: Victoria Inn (3550 Victoria Ave)  Haggis Pie with Neeps & Taties (turnips & potatoes) and meat pies are on the menu as well as a shortbread for dessert.  The Scotch Corner Bar will be serving Scottish beers & whisky.  Entertainment includes solo and band performances, rock bands, and traditional dancers.  Now in their 14th year in the festival the Scottish Pavilion will have you tapping your toes to the lively tunes of the fiddle, and singing along to some old favourites. Ukrainian: Ukrainian National Home (1133 Stickney Avenue) Who doesn't love perogies, borscht, cabbage rolls, and koubassa?  Entertained scheduled for the weekend includes 100 Dancers from Brandon Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance, The Stykalo’s & Co., Ukrainian-Canadian Association Tryzub & other bands to be announced.  They will also be serving alcohol including beer and vodka imported from the Ukraine as well as vodka, rye, rum, scotch, beer, wine & coolers. For additional information on the festival please follow this link.    

The 40 is taking it back to the 90's with Wannabe - A Spice Girls Tribute Presents: Spice World 20th Anniversary!! Soo tell me what you want, what you really, really want........The band has sold out various venues already and made a huge hit in Winnipeg, let's show them some Brandon love! "When it comes to celebrations, epic dance parties and conjuring up serious 90's nostalgia, no one does it better than the darlings of Toronto's cover-band scene. This 11-member outfit is a staple in venues, festivals and soft seaters across Canada." Tickets will be sold starting January 25, 2018 at 10am at the Front Desk of the Trails West Inn OR The 40 bar (cash only). Advance tickets are $20 +GST and they will sell until they are SOLD OUT! Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm! The show is 18+ only show, please have ID's ready at the door, no refunds for paid tickets.

On Tuesday, January 23rd at 6:00 pm, our tenth annual “Jazz @ the 40” evening will take place in collaboration with Jazz Groups from: Vincent Massey High School; Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School; École secondaire Neelin High School; Brandon West Middle School Band Program (Grade 8 Students); and Brandon East Side Band Program (Grade 8 Students); Special Guests, the "Allbums" Community Jazz Ensemble This is a very special event for our Jazz musicians as they will have the opportunity to perform in an exciting and more “authentic” venue for this style of music. This evening of great food and music will happen at “The 40”, attached to the Trails West Inn (210 18th Street North). The club will be shut down and closed to regular customers for the evening so that minors can be allowed inside as either performers or audience members; alcoholic drinks will not be served for this evening. This is a great opportunity to hear BSD students perform in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere! A buffet dinner is included as part of the ticket price. Tickets are $20 (in advance only) which covers admission and the meal (fountain drinks are available for an extra charge). Tickets are now available and can be obtained by sending cash or cheque (made to “BWMSB”). Tickets are available in advance at the following locations: Vincent Massey High School 715 McDiarmid Drive, Brandon, MB R7B 2H7 Phone: 204-729-3170 Meaghan Walker – walker.meaghan@bsd.ca Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School 1930 - 1st Street, Brandon, MB R7A 6Y6 Phone: 204-729-3900 Anna Penno – penno.anna@bsd.ca Earl Oxford School 540 - 18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 5B2 Phone: 204-729-3270 Jarrett Fuller – fuller.jarrett@bsd.ca Waverly Park School 3800 Park Avenue, Brandon, MB R7B 3X2 Phone: 204-729-3250 Graydon Cramer – cramer.graydon@bsd.ca