Nuit Blanche (things other than the WAG)

Blacksmiths forging a Little Library that will be on display at the Millennium Library

Warming Huts at The Forks

Circuit 

                             

        Side of a building in The Exchange District

Glow-in-the-park(ing lot) at City Place 

Assiniboine Park and Delicious Vegetarian Restaurant

This was supposed to be a post showing you how beautiful the trees are in Assiniboine Park in autumn, but weather isn’t always cooperative. I still made the trip down to Assiniboine Park, but the grey skies didn’t make for scenic photos. On a sunnier day you should check it out, the leaves are changing and they’ll be gone too soon. Go on a little hike, feed ducks, get harassed by some geese then get some ice cream. Do it. Winter is coming!

I want to give a shout out to one of my favourite restaurants for being a warm and friendly place to go after a chilly evening at the park. Delicious Vegetarian Restaurant (1467 Pembina Hwy)

The service at Delicious is great, and the food is amazing.They have vegetarian chicken, fish, beef, and even eel which is made from shiitake mushrooms. I had peanut soup, sweet and sour gluten balls, spicy Szechwan tofu, vegetable chow mein… and a spring roll. I had so much leftover, no regrets.  

If you find yourself down Pembina Hwy, or if you have a craving for some Chinese food it’s worth the trip. It’s a must try for vegetarians and omnivores alike.   

Don’t forget: this Saturday is Nuit Blanche, there will be free entrance to the Winnipeg Art Gallery which is open until 4:00 AM. There will also be free art exhibits at night around Downtown, The Exchange District and St. Boniface.  

Union Sound Hall

On Tuesday I checked out Winnipeg’s newest live music venue, Union Sound Hall.  

 I went to see Mark Webber and BRAIDS. The tickets said doors at 9, show at 10. I got there at 9:40 and I was informed that the doors would not open until 10. Now I know tardiness is to be expected, and this isn’t just Union Sound Hall, but why why why can’t shows ever start on time? It irritates me to no end. I could have spent the twenty minutes I had to wait outside doing something else. Plus it was Tuesday, doors at ten is already pretty late and of course that means the whole show is behind schedule. People have places to be after… like bed. (End rant.)  

Pros: The bar itself was pretty nice though not as underground as expected… because it’s upstairs, ha ha.  There were some black and white photographs of Winnipeg on the tables and walls. Cool and local, I like that.

 Two bars, though only one was in use at the time I was there because it wasn't busy. It’s good to know they can keep the liquor flowing on nights when they’re busier, waiting in line is the worst.

Another big pro is that they have lots of amazing artists choosing to play there. It’s not quite like the Lo Pub yet, but it’s trying.

Their posters are amazing. Their graphic designer(s) are doing brilliant work.

Cons: It was uncomfortably hot. If applicable leave your jacket in the car or at home, though I know that won’t fly mid-December.

No seating! If you’re tired, you’ll have to sit on the floor.

This one isn’t really anyone’s fault but it did irk me: there’s a pole right in the way of the stage. Now I know the pole has an important job, keeping the ceiling up and saving us all from being crushed to death, but seeing more than two thirds of the band at a time would be nice.    

As for the music, Mark Webber and Christian Conner (Blanka) opened. I enjoyed the experience, but not everyone in the audience felt the same.  The two men started with a very minimal, psychedelic song that I can only describe as something that I would like to lull me to sleep. By the end of the set Christian was working away on the guitar with a violin string. I have never seen or heard anything like that before. If you haven’t either, but would like to I made a low quality video for your enjoyment. By the end of the set he was strumming away violently at his guitar with more enthusiasm than skill but it was still danceable. My friend said that she felt challenged (intellectually and emotionally) by the whole experience and I think that may be a perfect description of their performance. It was thought provoking if nothing else.  

BRAIDS, was amazing as I knew they would be. I’m a big fan with a huge bias, so I won’t talk about them too much other than to say I have a huge girl crush on Raphaelle Standell-Preston. If you don’t already listen to BRAIDS, start right now, you won’t regret it.

Overall opinion on Union Sound Hall is that they have awesome performers heading their way so I'll definitely be back. I really do like their vibe and I think it's a much needed venue that's filling the gap the Lo Pub left behind.   

Hypothetical question...

If you were to make a Winnipeg survival kit what kind of stuff would you put in it?

• Mosquito repellent 
• Toque - needed the day after the mosquito repellent is no longer necessary
• Toboggan - useful for transportation and fun 
• iPothole - an app for iphone that tracks and maps potholes 
• Jets paraphernalia 

  

GC Gophers and Mom's Perogies

When I think of Garden City I think of Arcade Fire’s song “The Suburbs”

You know,

“In the suburbs I, I learned to drive and you told me we’d never survive”

 A perfect summary of how I feel about the area. I went to Garden City Collegiate, so the area holds some sentimental value for me. Recently the school got a nice face lift and the buildings that I used to walk between to my classes are now joined as one. Current students will never know the horror of having a schedule of classes alternating buildings in the midst of a cold, harsh Winnipeg winter. West building first period, then east, lunchtime, and my locker is in the west…  

The area is what it is, nothing too special, a somewhat suburban area with cute floral names for streets. If you take a walk around it’s easy to get lost in the maze of houses that look the same. There’s a lot of white, one floor homes. Just thinking about it brings back the nostalgia of biking through those streets to the train tracks to contemplate my high school life.

If you ever find yourself in Garden City maybe the only remarkable thing is the second hand shopping. My lovely friend Vanessa who has lived in the area for 13 years claims it’s the best in the city because of the lack of people scoping it out. I can confirm, I used to get all my sweet threads from around there. Besides, Halloween’s coming up guys! 

Check out:

The Salvation Army Thrift Store (1424 McPhillips Street):

This is usually a better alternative to Value Village, often it’s cheaper and the proceeds actually go back to the community.

But if you didn’t find that tacky grandpa sweater you were looking for stop by the Value Village (942 Jefferson Ave)

A real Garden City must,

Mom’s Perogy Factory (832 Sinclair St)

They carry a lot of take away items for you to make yourself at home, but at least during lunch hour they do offer some deep fried perogy goodness. This place is the cutest, at least half a dozen grandmothers gathered together making perogy magic for you to enjoy at home. 

The Soul Night Experience

Every second Tuesday it’s Soul Night. Head down to the The Cavern to witness the dimly lit, slightly grungy glory. Bonus: even if you’re a broke student you can attend, it’s free! 

Dr. Hotbottom & the Soul Prescription set the mood with blaring horns, groovy guitar and much to my excitement a keytar. 

 By 12:00 the hipsters are rolling in and everyone is busting out their best moves, I even spotted three people doing a t-rex dance that I really hope catches on. Dance the night away, then to complete the experience, spill your heart out on the chalkboard where everyone seems to make their confessions in the graffiti filled bathroom.

 Once you've had your fill step outside and chill with Eric Pyle, better known as Eric the Great. Eric is a local celebrity that has been busking for ten years. You can find him performing with his acoustic guitar in whatever part of the village is most populated. Pick up an album and talk with him for a few minutes, he’s a fascinating character that will give you an earful, and an awful lot to think about.

At the end of your night head next door to A Little Pizza Heaven and grab a slice of delicious pretzel crust goodness before heading home.