Fans of '90s singer-songwriter powerhouses are in for a treat this fall as Grammy-winner Paula Cole and chart-topping artist Sophie B. Hawkins team up for a co-headlining concert at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. The Brandon stop is part of a special western Canadian leg of the tour and marks Hawkins’ first full Canadian tour in years, celebrating the 30th anniversary of her landmark album Whaler. Known for hits like “As I Lay Me Down” and “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover,” Hawkins brings her distinct blend of pop, rock, and emotional vulnerability back to live audiences in an intimate setting. Joining her is Paula Cole, who broke into mainstream success with the Grammy-winning “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” and “I Don’t Want to Wait”, the latter becoming widely recognized as the theme song for the hit series Dawson’s Creek. Cole’s soul-stirring vocals and genre-defying music continue to resonate with audiences old and new. Together, the duo offers a nostalgic yet fresh evening of music and storytelling, appealing to longtime fans and newcomers alike. Tickets are on sale now through the WMCA box office and online at wmca.ca. In addition to Brandon, the tour includes stops in Winnipeg, Prince Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, Camrose, Calgary, and Vancouver. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see two iconic voices share one unforgettable stage.

The City of Brandon and Brandon Downtown BIZ are excited to announce the launch of a new outdoor art program in downtown Brandon. Funded by the City of Brandon and administered by the Brandon Downtown BIZ, this public art initiative will operate through an open granting process with the goal of enhancing the vibrancy and visual appeal of the city’s downtown core. Developed in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, the program has been in development for several months. It is being led by Amanda Dupuis, Housing and Wellness Programmer for the City of Brandon; Emmy Sanderson, Executive Director of the Brandon Downton BIZ; and Lucie Lederhendler, Artistic Director of the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba. Applications for the task force will open next week through the Brandon Downtown BIZ website at brandondowntown.biz  and will be announced on their social media. Once the task force is in place and the program parameters are finalized, an open call for project applications will be launched by the Brandon Downtown BIZ. In the meantime, artists and property owners are encouraged to start brainstorming ideas so they’re ready to apply when the time comes. Many of Brandon’s beloved murals – such as those created under a 2019 initiative by the Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation – have remained largely untouched by vandalism and continue to be a celebrated feature of the downtown landscape. “This outdoor art program is a direct reflection of City Council’s strategic direction to encourage the revitalization of downtown Brandon,” notes Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “Our partnership with the BIZ and the Art Gallery highlights the strength of our community and reinforces our commitment to building a stronger, more connected downtown.” “The BIZ is very enthusiastic and honoured to be working with the City of Brandon, and other community partners on such an exciting and impactful project for our downtown, and for the city as a whole,” said Sanderson. “Beautification of spaces is part of the BIZ mandate and in addition to creating beautiful spaces, projects like this have far reaching impacts on safety, community building, tourism, economics, and civic pride. We look forward to seeing community driven art come to life and are grateful to the city for entrusting us with this meaningful project.” Dupuis, a visual artist herself, notes that the inspiration for the program came out of the city’s graffiti removal program.  “Instead of focusing on erasing graffiti, I wanted to focus on building something—on creating a positive vision for what we want downtown to look like. This program is about lasting impact and building community.” “Outdoor art is powerful because it has the power to transform the way folks feel about their whole environment,” said Lederhendler. “This program is an exciting opportunity for our community's talented artists to show their stuff to a wide audience. We are happy to amplify the message that downtown Brandon - where we have been located for all of our 117 years - is a really artful place.” Interested participants can reach out to Emmy Sanderson at info@brandondowntown.biz or call 204-717-1380.

The opening of the outdoor Kinsmen pool has been postponed due to mechanical issues. The pool, which is 57 years old, was initially scheduled to open in mid-June. However, prior to the opening day, crews observed a 6-inch loss of water overnight and identified circulation problems. Subsequent tests and inspections revealed multiple cracks in the circulation pipes. Following continued testing and inspections, crews are continuing efforts to repair the pool to try and get it operational for the season. The City will provide updates to the public on potential opening dates. In the meantime, to provide our community more public swim options, two additional public swim times will be offered at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex pool Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m. For a list of all public swim times, visit brandon.ca/parks-recreation/recreation-and-sports/swimming-and-pools. Additionally, several spray parks are open daily in various locations throughout the city. For locations and hours, visit brandon.ca. The City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services offers a range of recreational programs throughout the year. For additional summer programming, check out the Summer Recreation Guide at brandon.ca.

Details are few and far but a 48 unit Hotel / Motel will be built soon in Riding Mountain National Park. Owners and as well when construction will being will be announced soon. Roughly one block from the White House Bakery will be the location.

Dust off your cowboy boots and mark your calendars—rodeo season is coming to town. The Waywayseecappo Gas Bar Rodeo is set to return July 25–26, 2025, with a full weekend of adrenaline-fueled action, live country music, beer gardens, and family-friendly fun. The event has grown into a highly anticipated summer tradition for both locals and visitors. The rodeo features a large number of events like bull riding, bronc riding, team roping, and barrel racing.  A beer garden will be open throughout the weekend, and attendees can expect great food, music, and community atmosphere throughout the  three-day celebration. Fans will be treated to live performances by country duo Downtown Avenue on July 25 & 26. They are best known known for their high-energy acoustic sets and down-home charm. JJ Vos is also set to perform both evenings as well, rounding out the weekend’s entertainment lineup.  Families are welcome, and the event is being held in conjunction with the Waywayseecappo Gas Bar’s annual Customer Appreciation Days. The rodeo grounds are located just off Highway 10 north of Brandon, making it easily accessible for day-trippers and rodeo fans across Westman and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned rodeo enthusiast or looking for a unique summer outing, the Waywayseecappo Gas Bar Rodeo promises an unforgettable weekend of western hospitality, entertainment, and community spirit. For more updates, follow the Waywayseecappo Gas Bar on social media or visit their official event pages.