Above photo by Ian Walsh Photography (@_samoscientific on IG) from last year's Nuit Blanche. Be sure to check out his work to see some amazing images of Winnipeg. Every week in Winnipeg there is normally more cultural events than seems plausible for a population of our size.
Our artistic community is filled with proud, productive and innovative peeps who are always striving to make The Peg a more creative place, and at no time will that be more evident than this weekend when Culture Days (September 25-27) envelopes nearly the whole city.
There are so many events that the Culture Days website actually has a search function where you can choose your "where" and "when" fields to find something exact.
On Friday in Winnipeg alone there are 77 events, ranging in everything from belly dancing workshops, to farmers' markets, to intimate performances from members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, to mural painting, to turban tying demonstrations, to open houses at some of the city's coolest shops.
On Saturday there are over 100 events, including Nuit Blanche, the "free all-night exploration and celebration of contemporary art."
Mural painting is a mainstay during Culture Days (Ian Walsh Photography/Instagram @_samoscientific)
It's seriously one of the hippest things that happens in the city (so hip in fact that the symbol is an owl -- which is both wise and so en vogue right now) where thousands will be revelling, talking, creating and all-around increasing their culture capital in Downtown, the Forks, the Exchange District and St. Boniface.
All of the Nuit Blanche events are independently organized, and you can experience everything -- like literally everything, from dudes blacksmithing in Old Market Square; choirs singing; Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancers dancing; people painting everywhere, semi trailers being converted into art exhibits downtown; a pop up shop where you can buy the grooviest handmade goods from Winnipeg's artisans; glow-in-the-dark chipping contests in St. Boniface -- along with an incredible lineup of artistic endeavors at our francophone institutions.
And this is perhaps just 2 per cent of the total activities.
2013 year's Electric Almond event in the Exchange District
Of course, the Winnipeg Art Gallery's free all-night celebration also takes place on Saturday, which is easily one of the most popular parties of the year (so arrive early) where music, dance, film and free access to the galleries is all included.
There are also free shuttles running all over town from The Legislative Grounds, up Main Street and on to St. Boniface that are a grand time in their own regard (map here).
Sunday then sees around 30 different events with music, free walking tours that will introduce you to Winnipeg's coolest public art, to forums where you can have your say in how Winnipeg should continue to get even more awesome in the winter.
So come to The Peg this weekend and see Canada's cultural cradle explode with ideas.
