Let’s Do Something — Dec. 24, 2024

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Today

• Daily — The City of Brandon Parks and Recreation services announce the opening of the public skating oval at 2020 McGregor Ave. Display of lights around the skating oval will be on from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. nightly throughout the winter season. No public vehicles are allowed in the direct area of the display. The public is encouraged to park in designated areas on McGregor Avenue or Hilton Avenue and walk through the area to view the lights. Music will play from noon to 11 p.m. every day for the season, and there are fire pits for the public to enjoy.

• 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. — Experience the magic of Christmas Eve together at McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church (635 McDiarmid Dr.) in an evening filled with joy, live and togetherness. There will be two services: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• 5:30 p.m. — Join us for an Unplugged Christmas Eve Service at Bethel Temple (440 Richmond Ave.) at 5:30 p.m. Take time this Christmas Eve to focus on who really matters. Bring your family and friends to this coffee-house style service.

• 6 p.m. — A Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will take place at Grand Valley Church (1620 Braecrest Dr.) at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Everyone welcome!

• 7 p.m. — Calvary Temple (620 34th St.) is hosting a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service for those to gather for a truly special and heartwarming service that captures the essence of the season. As we come together in the glow of candlelight, we will take time to reflect on the humble manger and the miraculous incarnation of our Savior King.

WEDNESDAY

• Noon — The Westman & Area Traditional Christmas Dinner will be held again this year in the MNP Hall at the Keystone Centre from noon to 4 p.m. For more information or for a ride, call 204-728-7987 or visit traditionalchristmasdinner.ca.

FRIDAY

• 7 p.m. — The Brandon Wheat Kings meet the Regina Pats at Westoba Place. Tickets available at the Keystone Centre box office.

SATURDAY

• Noon — The Naughty List Chronicles will be held in the Western Manitoba Regional Library from noon to 4 p.m. Join Kendal for a holiday-themed Dungeons & Dragons adventure. Gather your party, don your coziest gear and prepare for a fantastical holiday adventure. Open to ages 17+. All experience levels welcome. Registration is required by emailing programs@wmrl.ca or by calling 204-727-6648.

SUNDAY

• 2 p.m. — Westman Jams will take place at the Fringe on Cove Road in Shilo from 2 to 5 p.m. Play, sing, listen or dance. Have fun and help us raise money for the Reg Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund, which financially assists local students to attend the International Music Camp at the International Peace Garden.

MONDAY

• 10 a.m. — Come and join us for line dancing at Seniors For Seniors (311 Park Ave. East). Level 1: easy beginner, no experience, Mondays 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 6 to 7 p.m.; Level 2: advanced, some experience is recommended, understanding of basic steps and terminology, Mondays or Wednesdays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Drop-in classes or punch cards can be purchased. Members, $3.50; non-members, $4.50. For more info, call Marilyn at 204-679-8081.

• 1:15 p.m. — East End Sunshine Card Club meets Mondays at the East End Community Centre (corner of Victoria Avenue East and Park Street, north entrance) until 4 p.m. Like to play cards? Then please join us. For details, contact Marlene at 204-727-3539.

• 6:30 p.m. — UCT Bingo takes place every Monday at 205 College Ave. Doors open at 4 p.m., with early bird start at 6:30 p.m. and regular games at 7:10 p.m. Canteen available. Proceeds stay in Brandon for needs in the community.

TUESDAY, Dec. 31

• 8 p.m. — Prairie 21 is hosting a New Year’s Eve dance at Seniors For Seniors (311 Park Ave. East) from 8 p.m. to midnight. Live band Prairie Fire. Beef on a bun lunch with potato salad and fresh fruit for dessert. Advance tickets only. Cost is $30 (limit of 70 to be sold). Contact Kareen 204-724-9760 to purchase tickets. Dry bar.

• 9:30 p.m. — Ring in the New Year with Crossfyre at The Whistling Donkey (366 94 S. 1st St, Souris) at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Late lunch provided.

AT THE CLUBS

(Note: Information is subject to change after print deadline.)

• Lady of the Lake (135-B 17th St. North) — On Friday, Open Mic Night is back with the host with the most, Dallas Hulley. Text Dallas to sign up at 204-761-1835. Upcoming, Jan. 3 ReImagined. Tickets $10 at the door.

• Sand Hills Casino (777 Sand Hill Dr., Carberry) — Long Shot entertains at the Oasis Bar & Grill Friday and Saturday with some classic rock. Live and always free. Join us on New Year’s Eve for some party music with Full Flannel Jacket.

• The 40 (210 18th St. North) — Look Music DJs entertain this weekend at The 40. Then join us on Dec. 31 for our New Year’s Eve event with Clubbing Fraggles. Party favours, late lunch. Advance tickets $20 plus taxes and are available exclusively at showpass.com

• The Dock on Princess (1133 Princess Ave.) — New Year’s Eve at The Dock with Mark Ross as Elton John. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Get them in-house or online. Give us a call at 204-726-1234 to book your table.

• Georgie’s Lounge at the Keystone Motor Inn (1050 18th St.) — Every Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight, there is karaoke in Georgie’s Lounge.

• Great Western Roadhouse (1125 18th St. at Canad Inns) — Are you ready for New Year’s Eve? Let’s go on an adventure with a Four Venue Party – The Roadhouse, Playmakers, Tavern and the hallway (licensed for one night only!). Multiple DJs, dance floor, light shows, UV glow party with free hats, 1800 Coconut Tequlia corner! And it is all free to attend. VIP tickets are $40 and guarantee entrance before 10:30 p.m. Starts at 8 p.m. Closes at 3 a.m.

• Eastside Eatery (1451 Richmond Ave.) — LoztWunz Productions are throwing a birthday bash for Kapital Kaye, The Truth and King Dub in the Hall on Friday. Music by DJ Kaotik with guest artist Lyric Chaser. Advance tickets $15. Regular entry free $20. Doors open at 9 p.m. Saturday features a “Not So Silent Night” with two live bands, Turbo Charge Caravan and Along For The Ride. All ages are welcome. Starts at 8 p.m. Then on Sunday, we have Greg Rekus with special guest Carissa and Jade. Must bring ID for alcohol. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7 p.m. $10 at the door.

• The Firehall Event Venue (637 Princess Ave.) — Trident Event Group and the Firehall Event Venue present a night of glitz, glamour and entertainment on New Year’s Eve. Live bank Artisocialites, DJ Red, photo booth, signature cocktails, appetizers, balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Be prepared for other surprises. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. For more information call 204-441-7733.

• Section 6 Brew Company (1126 Princess Ave.) — Section 6 Brewing will be open late on New Year’s Eve. Come join us for a relaxing evening with family and friends.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

• Daly House Museum (122 18th St., Brandon) — Built in 1882, it was the original home of Brandon’s first mayor, Thomas Mayne Daly. Artifacts include a collection of late 19th-century and early 20th-century furnishings, First World War memorabilia. The current exhibit, “Who’s In That Photo? Discovering Brandon’s Polish Roots in Photography,” is on loan from Ottawa genealogist Frank Cedar and features 58 reproduced photos on immigration to Canada and the Prairies in the late 1800s. It focuses on Polish families that came from a small village in southeast Poland called Kazcyce to settle in Brandon and Melville, Sask. On display until April 30, 2025. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. (September to June). Admission: $7 adults; $6 seniors and youth (6-18); family (up to two adults and three children), $13; children under five free. For more info, visit dalyhousemuseum.ca or call 204-727-1722.

• Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (Unit 2, 710 Rosser Ave., Brandon) — Manitoba’s oldest centre for visual art and one of Canada’s first since 1907. The AGSM boasts two exhibition spaces, an art school and gift shop that supports more than 60 local Manitoba artists. In the Main Gallery: 20th Annual Members’ Show and Sale featuring over 60 local artists will be on display until Jan. 10. In the Kayes Community Gallery: “The Eternal Question,” an exhibition with Brandon local artist Tara Leach, on display until Feb. 1. Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; closed on Sunday and Monday. Entry to the gallery inside The Town Centre parkade in the northeast corner. Free admission. For more information, visit agsm.ca.

• 26th Field Regiment RCA/XII Manitoba Dragoons Museum (within the Brandon Armoury, 1116 Victoria Ave. Please use 11th Street door) — Museum is open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed for lunch. Also open by appointment by calling 204-717-4579. Visit our websites: 26fdregmuseum.ca or 12mbdragoons.com.

• Brandon General Museum and Archives (19 Ninth St., Unit 101) — Attractions include the Brandon History Hall, Manitoba Telephone History, the BJ Hales Natural History Collection, and rotating exhibits celebrating Brandon’s roots. Guided visits are Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Admission by donation. Booking in advance is strongly recommended. Phone 204-717-1514 or email bgmainfo@wcgwave.ca.

• Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (CATPM) (Brandon Municipal Airport, Highway 10, 1.6 kilometres north of Brandon) — Canada’s only air museum solely dedicated to the preservation of those who trained and fought for the British Commonwealth during the Second World War. The Museum is excited to announce the arrival of a number of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan aircraft, various aircraft engines and parts, all courtesy of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. The CATPM at the Brandon Municipal Airport has closed for the season but will reopen in the spring of 2025 from 1-4 p.m. (weather permitting). For more information, call the museum at 204-727-2444 or visit us on Facebook.

• Royal Canadian Artillery Museum (Building N-118 Patricia Rd., CFB Shilo) — We opened our new temporary exhibit, marking the 110th anniversary of the start of the First World War. The main features of the exhibit include a trench wall, First World War artillery and two machine-gun pits. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Admission: $10 adults; $5 seniors and students; children under six, free. Phone 204-765-3000 (ext. 3570) or email RCAMuseum@forces.gc.ca.

• Killarney’s Heritage Home for the Arts (44 Water Ave., Killarney) — Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council’s gallery is in the Heritage Home for the Arts. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.; closed all statutory holidays. Special tours can be arranged by calling 204-554-0023. You can also visit Killarney-Turtle Mountain Arts Council on Facebook, @killarneyarts on Instagram or our website at killarneyarts.com

• ArtsForward (293 Mountain Ave., Neepawa) — ArtsForward is the central arts venue in Neepawa in visual, literary, performing and material arts. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday; closed on weekends.

• Virden Pioneer Home Museum (390 King St. West, Virden) — Museum house was built in 1888 by James F. Frame, a hardware and lumber merchant and prominent citizen in the community. The main house depicts how a family in the Victorian era would have lived. There are also two additional annexes and a coach house available for viewing. Currently closed for the season. Tours by appointment only by emailing virdenpioneermuseum@wcgwave.ca, or calling 204-748-1659.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Jan. 1 — The Brandon Wheat Kings meet the Swift Current Broncos at Westoba Place at 2 p.m. Tickets available at the Keystone Centre box office.

• Jan. 4 — Westman Drama Ministries is putting on a fundraiser cabaret with 68 kids (ages 8 to 18) performing songs and dances from “Newsies,” “Peter Pan,” “Greatest Showman,” “Annie,” “Winnie the Pooh” and more. It will take place at McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church (635 McDiarmid Dr.). Tickets are available by donation and must be reserved ahead of time. There are a limited amount, so if you are interested in attending reserve your tickets at buytickets.at/westmandramaministries.

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• Jan. 4-5 — The fifth annual Westman Airsoft Con takes place in the Agricultural Centre of Excellence at the Keystone Centre (905 18th St., west entrance). Indoor Airsoft games and vendors. Airsoft games, target lane, buy, sell or trade. Registration at 9 a.m. One-day pass, $50; two-day pass, $70. Must be a minimum of 12 years of age with parental consent and a parent/guardian present. Ages 15 to 17, written parental consent required.

• Jan. 10 — The Brandon Wheat Kings meet the Portland Winterhawks at Westoba Place at 7 p.m. Tickets available at the Keystone Centre box office.

• Jan. 10 — Central Senior Dance returns for the season at Central Community Centre (529 Fourth St.) every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Music by Prairie Fire. Cost is $15 per person. For more information, contact Pat Anderson at 204-901-1910 or Donald Livesley at 431-763-6470.

• Jan. 10 and 11 — The Brandon University Bobcats basketball teams take on the University of Manitoba at the Healthy Living Centre (2010 Louise Ave.) On Jan. 10, Women’s game at 6 p.m.; men’s at 8 p.m. On Jan. 11, women’s game at 5 p.m.; men’s game at 7 p.m.

• Jan. 10-12 — The Evans Theatre on the Brandon University campus returns after the holiday season. Showing this weekend: “Heretic,” at 7:30 p.m. All seats are $6. All concession items, $2. Save money with a five-movie pass for $25. Cash only please.

• Jan. 11 — PrairieCon Winter Games Day takes place at the Central Community Centre (529 Fourth St.) from noon to 10 p.m. Anyone can come by and drop in to play some tabletop games. Bring any kind of game you want, provided it’s family-friendly. For more information, visit info@prairiecon.com.

• Jan. 11 — Wheat City Nuit Blanche is taking over the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba with “Curious Dialogues: Conversations with Space, Time and Beings.” Join Westman’s most creative crowd in encounters with the unexpected from 5 to 10 p.m.

• Jan. 12 — Elvis’ 90th Birthday Celebration takes place at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium with award-winning Elvis tribute artists Adam T. Elvis and Corny Rempel backed by The Good Rockin’ Tonight Band and The New Covenant Quartet at 2 p.m. Tickets available at the WMCA box office or by calling 204-728-9510.

• Jan. 17 — Toronto-based rock band Sloan takes the stage at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the WMCA box office or by calling 204-728-9510.

• Jan. 17 — Kaleidoscope Concerts Series Neepawa presents the Winnipeg bluegrass supergroup Stanley County Cut-Ups at ArtsForward at 7:30 p.m. From hard-driving banjo solos to four-part harmony singing, blues-infused mandolin breaks and hair-raising fiddle tunes, this quartet covers all the bluegrass bases. Adult tickets $20; K-12 students $5 at the door only.

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