Recently engaged? Grand Valley Park is a beautiful outdoor wedding venue with dates still available for 2017 & 2018. The park is an excellent location for both ceremonies and receptions, is located only minutes from Brandon, just off the Trans-Canada Highway. This outdoor chapel, nestled in the midst of 50 acres of beautiful oak forest, will provide a breathtaking experience for you and your guests. Owners, Katherine Jeroski and Jordan Ross, took over the lease on the park last spring, and have focused in on using the park as a wedding rental venue for both ceremonies and receptions. Jordan tells bdnmb.ca “ We have received a great response as the park is a beautiful setting with nice amenities, and an easily accessible location only minutes from Brandon. We can accommodate small to large ceremonies, and receptions, at affordable rates.  Prices are based on guest numbers and needs, so people are encouraged to contact them for quotes, at the contact information below. They will also have a booth at the up-coming Westman Wedding Expo on February 5th.     In addition to having an on-site wedding chapel, Grand Valley Provincial Park has a nicely treed campground set in the beautiful Assiniboine River Valley. Their campground has 22 electrical sites and 20 un-serviced sites. The campground has washroom facilities with showers, and water is available at different spots throughout the park. There is also a large cook shack that can be rented for group functions. The cook shack seats up to 80 people and is equipped with a fire place, stove, fridges, freezer and a BBQ.  Depending on the weather, they usually like to get the campground facilities open by May long weekend. Grand Valley Park also has a long First Nation History, and some information signs, explaining some of the history, can be found on the self guided interpretive trail with a look out tower. The park covers nearly 50 acres of beautiful oak forest, which has many summer and winter recreation opportunities. “We are open to discuss all types of usage of the park facilities this summer, including camps, retreats, reunions or any other group functions. Please email or call for more information!” Their plans for the near future are to continue to clean up the property, and invest in some of the facilities that exist already. They hope to work with the Parks Department to develop some plans for existing and possibly new trails throughout the park. Katherine Jeroski & Jordan Ross Grand Valley Provincial Park 204 573-3798 grandvalleyprovincialpark@gmail.com www.facebook.com/grandvalleypark     Owners, Katherine Jeroski and Jordan Ross      

Without question, my two dogs, Pepsi and Curlin, are a huge part of my life.  These two dogs have changed me more than any one thing in my entire life, so in saying that I am a huge dog lover. Recently the movie has come under fire due to the abuse of a stunt dog named Hercules, a German Shepherd.  The handler was trying to get the dog go into the water in a scene in Winnipeg, and when you watch the clip it is obvious the dog is under severe stress and wants no part of being in the water. Then you see the dog basically being forced under the water.  This, of course, has raised lots of questions, and concerns, from the local dog community and as well PETA.  BDNMB did reach out to the Manitoba Film but they did wish to provide any comment. Same can be said for Brandon’s Tyler Wood.  Tyler, who has been featured in Molson Beer ads plus " For the Moment". Recently he was given the opportunity to be part of the upcoming movie A Dog’s Purpose, featuring Dennis Quaid. “I was hanging out in Winnipeg, with Ryan White of the Arizona Coyotes and Dylan Kellington, and all of the sudden my phone started to blow up after this video was released”  BDNMB asked Woods if he witnessed anything disturbing while the movie was being filmed in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Virden. “No, not at all the scenes in Brandon were dog scenes… and the carnival scene was in Virden and the dogs were always treated very well”.  We asked Tyler his personal opinion of this scene “it was horrible I watched it once and never want to see it again”.  Most of the actors – directors and producers are now echoing Tyler’s thoughts and comments.  Woods did tell BDNMB that the stunt dogs do not work long days on set, as each dog in the movie has two backups in case a dog gets tired or hurt. PETA Response talks about the stunt dog Hercules. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiepbQGq-IM Story from The Guardian, in England. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/20/a-dogs-purpose-premiere-video-german-shepherd       (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});    

Since their launch into the local Brandon restaurant scene, the Prairie Firehouse has been quick to the draw playing host to a number of fun and original events. In addition to providing a stage for local musical acts to showcase their talents, they have also been the home to comedy evenings, paint nites and a summertime pig roast. Well they are back at it again, this time hosting a Retro Pyjama Party, being put on by Adrienne Hiebert, and her staff over at The Vintage Costume Company. The festivities are set to take place on Friday, February the 10th, starting at 7:00 pm. The cost to attend is only $80/guest and includes: Costume (Retro Jammies) and Props, Mini Hair & Makeup Session. Vintage Cocktail, and Professional Photography Session & Images. The Prairie Firehouse will also have a band that evening who will be playing retro tunes for some dancing! Retro PJ’s will be supplied for all the guests. They will be carrying all sizes of light cottons and Chiffons to resemble the bedtime styles of the 50’s & 60’S. The Vintage Costume Company have been running the business for almost 4 years out of various venues doing private vintage theme parties for birthdays, bachelorette parties, etc. The Retro PJ Party is just one of awesome themes from their Girls Night Out Package. Adrienne tells bdnmb.ca that “the benefit to running this with the Firehouse is that guests can purchase tickets for any group size from 1 to 2 people, to whatever, while our private group parties have a minimum of 6 people. “   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});     Their goal with the Prairie Firehouse is to host at least one of the fun gatherings every two months, with a different theme each time, which is why they are hoping this goes off wonderfully on their first try. Adrienne says her favorite part of these evenings is “when the guests realize it’s still so fun to play dress up and be someone else for the night! The Confidence these gals feel once they are all made up is amazing, and truly my favorite part. Everyone deserves to be carefree, silly and gorgeous, even for just a night…and that is what our guest’s can expect!”. So far the the response to their first event has been extremely positive. “I’m so thrilled Brandon is as excited about this as we are. Currently we have sold half of our tickets we allotted for that night, with several weeks to go. I’m hoping for a complete sell out!!” said Adrienne. Their goal is to make every guest feel special, not matter what size, age or disability! Bring your girlfriends, mom, nieces, Grandma or whatever for a great night! Call 204-761-5988 to reserve your tickets!  

Ukrainians are proud of their culture and heritage and love to share their customs with others. Being hospitable to a Ukrainian means sharing food and drink, singing, dancing and presenting gifts. That is why the Ukrainian Pavilion is the perfect place for Ukrainians to share their culture with the entire community.   The Ukrainian Pavilion has been part of the Westman Multicultural Festival (formerly the Lieutenant Governor’s Winter Festival) since the inception of the event. This year, the Brandon Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance is proud to have been handed over the reins (so to speak!) from the Ukrainian Catholic Men’s Club and Ukrainian Catholic Ladies League to organize and run the pavilion. As a result, a few things may look a little different for those who have visited our pavilion before, but the same warm and friendly hospitality still exists!   The pavilion will be full of energy with continuous entertainment. The traditional dancing will feature more than six regions of Ukraine and will showcase a variety of costumes with intricate details related to the specific regions. There will be 85 dancers that hit the stage! We will also have live Ukrainian music and singing. Guests are encouraged to dance - so be sure to bring a partner to the dance floor for a polka! In addition, Troika Treasures will have a lovely display of souvenirs, jewellery, art, etc. including beautiful psyanky (decorated eggs).   Our menu will feature delicious, customary food and will include favourites such as perogies, borscht (beet soup) and holubsti (cabbage rolls). This year, we are re-introducing a traditional dessert called Khrustyky, known in english as Sweet Nothings.   We will also have vodka (and beer) imported from Ukraine for our guests to sample, as it is customary in Ukraine to toast with vodka. “Za vashe zdorovya” - a toast to your health!   To end the event and wrap up the festival, the band will play a kolomyjka - a continuous grand finale of fast, lively music for everyone to enjoy. The good times don’t stop until the music does!   For details on time and location, visit: gotothepavilions.com     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2017 - Inspired by Canada's sesquicentennial celebration, the Coalition for Music Education will commemorate Canada's musical heritage with a new Music Monday anthem that celebrates the unifying power of music. Commissioned by the Coalition for Music Education, the new anthem is co-written by award-winning songwriters Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas. Entitled Sing It Together, the new anthem unveiled today is available in various languages and arrangements to be used in this year's Music Monday celebration. Music Monday takes place Monday, May 1, 2017 in cities across the country, anchored by a showcase event in Ottawa, ON. Over the past 12 years, millions of voices have joined together on Music Monday to raise awareness about the value of learning music for children and youth in our schools and communities," says Holly Nimmons, Executive Director, Coalition for Music Education in Canada. "Music lives in every community of our country. It's like a heartbeat across our nation, connecting music makers of all generations and backgrounds. What better way to celebrate the country's 150th year than with a coast-to-coast-to-coast event that unites us as we 'Sing It Together'?"   The 2017 Music Monday sing-along will be led by a live-streamed national showcase concert from our nation's capital in Ottawa, in recognition of the sesquicentennial year. It will also continue last year's #MMC2C2C initiative with a day-long webcast of videos from music programs. This year, the webcast includes the northern coast-line that is home to many indigenous people.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Sing It Together is a collaboration between JUNO award winning, veteran songwriters Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas. Jordan is a singer-songwriter, producer, actor who is Songwriter Chair at the Slaight Family Music Lab, Canadian Film Centre. His songs have been on 35 million CDs, and he has written many hit songs for international artists such as Rod Stewart (currently writing with Stewart for his next album) and Amanda Marshall (Fall From Grace). Co-writer Ian Thomas has many Top 20 records, written for international artists, composed for 22 feature films and been honored witha JUNO Award, four SOCAN classic awards (including 2014 National Achievement Award for excellence in songwriting), and a UNICEF Humanitarian Award.   Focusing on the power of voices, Sing It Together asks us to sing for joy, for truth, for healing and for freedom. The recording and video feature Inuit throat singing, Métis fiddling, indigenous drumming, and children's choirs in celebration of Canadian musical heritages. Creating Sing It Together was a journey of discovery and the songwriters encourage music makers to continue this discovery where music lives in their schools and communities "Music is the landscape of Canada," explains Marc Jordan. "We hope it will be a song that illuminates the mosaic of music and cultures that thrive in every corner of the country". Sing It Together was recorded at Canterbury Music and includes highly-respected, experienced Canadian musicians. It also features Youth4Music musicians and advocates who are part of a national network of youth leaders. Youth4Music promotes the importance of learning, creating, making and valuing music in Canada. Visitors to the Music Monday website (www.musicmonday.ca) can view the video of the original recording of Sing It Together, download music and lyrics, and register to add their voice in the annual celebration.   Those wishing to participate in Music Monday 2017 are invited to visit www.musicmonday.ca for more information and to find ways to get involved, such as learning "Sing It Together" to join in the nationwide sing-along, creating a school or community event, or submitting a video to be included in the nationwide #MMC2C2C webcast on Music Monday. Videos must be from within Canada and relate to Canadian schools, music groups, businesses or community programs. Preference will be given to performances of Canadian music.   Music Monday is made possible with the generous support of the Government of Canada, TD Bank Group, and the NAMM Foundation as well as Titanium level support from Yamaha Canada Music Inc., Long and McQuad and all of our partner organizations. For a full list of sponsors please visit:   JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #MMC2C Twitter: @musicmakesus_ca Instagram: @musicmakesus_ca Facebook: www.facebook.com/MusicMakesUs.ca