Posted onOctober 11, 2020|Comments Off on Go, Go Van Gogh: Places
Winnipeg is a very cultural town we love our arts and all types of entertainment. Last week I was lucky enough to score a ticket to the Van Gogh exhibit that is being held downtown at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. It was an immersive show that projected wall sized images of his works onto a variety of screens about the space.
As many of you know Vincent was a troubled soul and lived in virtual poverty. He eventually took his own life at the young age of 37. There is a theory that great art can only come from great personal pain. Without a doubt Van Gogh had both in great abundance. The last years of his short life were prolific in the extreme, it was mentioned that to compare Vincent to Shakespeare would be to say that Shakespeare would have had to written the bulk of his work in under 2 years. Now that is saying something.
So without further ado I give you the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh.
ChairView of AuversChurch at Auvers,Bedroom in ArlesBedroom in ArlesSunflowers SunflowersNight CafeStarry NightStarry NightThe Olive TreesFishing Boats on the Beach at Saintes-Maries
That is just a sample of the wonders of Van Gogh please join me again for Go, Go Van Gogh: People and faces.
Announcing the festivities for Mardi Gras at media night.
Friday, February 13th is Zombie Night. The living dead will be roaming the room at the RBC Convention Centre. Come dressed as one of the living impaired and join the Undead Newlyweds as they seek fun, dancing and brains!! Those who dress to impress the undead get free admission to the Friday the 13th event.
Tom McGouran better eat quick he’s being sized up for lunch by the Zombie Bride!
Don’t have a date or a mate to bring to Mardi Gras on Valentine’s Day Saturday, February the 14th? Don’t worry, you can wear your heart on your sleeve and maybe meet that special someone who will sweep you off your feet and rock the night away. Cut out hearts will be available at the door to pin to your outfit and mark yourself Looking for Love! I can personally attest to hearing some very heartfelt testimonials from people who were looking only to dance the night away and found that special someone to make the night magical.
Even Country Girls like Mardi Gras. Leanne “The Boss Lady” Cater in full plumage at Mardi Gras Media Night
If that’s not enough for y’all, don’t forget The Lindsays will be performing throughout the night. Featuring Sword Swallowing, Juggling and feats that will amaze and surprise young and old alike! Showgirls and yes ladies Showboys will be on display for your roving eye. Of course we can’t forget Beads! Thank goodness it’s an adult party with no children to protect from the giving of Beads! Wink Wink Y’all!
Fresh shucked oysters
Now all that moving and shaking is going to be putting a fierce hunger in that belly. Why not try some of the flavours of Louisiana. The menu this year includes fan favourites such as Deep Fried Pickles and Sweet Potato Fries, screamingly fresh P.E.I Oysters, shucked just for you and of course Peel and Eat Shrimp. New to Winnipeg Mardi Gras, sample Authentic Alligator Fritters, be careful though these may bite back!
Looking for something a little more hearty? Try the Louisiana Style Shrimp with Pasta, French Quarter Gumbo or Bourbon Street Creole Style Jambalaya! I’ve personally tried all the above and they are spectacular.
Jambalaya! Need I say More?
Gentlemen, why not treat your own zombie bride to be or Valentine date to a sweet treat. This year’s desert special is Basin Street Pudding with Bourbon Laced Caramel Sauce.
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
With all of this activity y’all are going to have a mighty powerful thirst going on. Don’t worry, they have you covered. Major drink sponsors include Fireball Canadian Whiskey,Wine O’ Clock, Diabolica, Molson/Coors and Heineken. Naturally, you can’t have a party Louisiana style without Jack Daniel’s or Southern Comfort so they’ll be there as well!
Come visit Kristjana the Fireball Girl at Mardi Gras February 13th at the RBC Convention Centre.
I know that personally I can’t wait for the chance to shake off these winter blues and dance till my feet can’t dance no more. Come join us, it’s going to be one hell-raiser of a good time.
Media Celeberties laugh it up at Mardi Gras Media Night
Authors Note: I do have a few free passes to give away for both Friday and Saturday nights. So to win, leave a comment detailing what night you’d like and what you’ll do to get them. For example, if you want Zombie Night, tell me what your costume plans are. If Valentine’s Day is more your style tell me why you absolutely need to meet that special someone this year. Winnipeg and area only please, I will be in contact with the winners to arrange pick up of the tickets.
Winnipeg has always been a hotbed of musical innovation. From the 60’s community club scene that saw The Guess Who and Neil Young dominating the Rock and Roll charts. To smaller bands like The Jury who never quite got the big break they deserved. Some music scholars have theorized that it’s all part of the isolation Winnipeg enjoys geographically and meteorologically. Let’s face it although Winnipeg is in the center of the continent we’re in the middle of nowhere and our winters can be brutally extreme.
What this does to people is debatable but one thing is for sure it breeds creativity. The Real Love Music festival, happening June 6-8th, is proof of that in spades. Taking place at Gimli Motorsports Park in Gimli, Manitoba The Real Love Festival hopes to give people of all ages and backgrounds an affordable and memorable music experience.
Tonight I just found out about an awesome initiative for teenage girls that just happens to be located minutes away from my home town of Fort Frances, Ontario. Â The I’m awesome and I know it retreat takes place at Sunny Cove Camp, a place I grew up at and know intimately.
How Awesome is this! A place where our stressed out and bombarded female children can just relax and have fun in an awesome natural environment.  The location, Sunny Cove Camp, has been a Fort Frances staple for decades. Comfortable sleeping cabins in a group setting, a main lodge that is as homey as it is practical and a sand beach where generations of area children have learned to swim.
Sunset Country at its best, with the light dropping slowly over Rainy Lake.
To me this program is a home run, anything that empowers our female children to grow up strong and self-confident is right in my books.
For more information on this program please check out
Being a blogger to my mind is its own reward. When I write I normally have something to say or to bring to the attention of the masses, however now and then there are a few side perks that pop up. Last night Dar and I were the guests of RAS Creative who are doing the promotions for the upcoming Winnipeg Mardi Gras celebration. It was a media and blogger night to get a taste of the event, the colours, the atmosphere and of course the food!
Our evening started out simply shaking hands and getting to know the assembled crowd. It turns out that one of Darlene’s co-workers is also a Winnipeg blogger and writes the webpage PegCityLovely. From there our grumbling stomachs lead us on to the amazing food. I decided just to work my way around the room and try a little bit of everything. My partner in crime Darlene humbly accepted the challenge of being the night’s beverage taster since I had to drive us home.
Next up was a stop to my most frequented stand of the evening. Raw shucked Glacier Bay oysters, peel and eat shrimp and the most decadent rich and velvety smooth gumbo this wordsmith has ever eaten. I love a good briny oyster, nothing fancy just meaty slippery goodness. Even more than the taste is watching people’s reactions as you wolf down a dozen or so of these beauties. Revulsion and abject horror often flash through their eyes. Yummy!
Dar seemed to be up for a challenge as we worked our way around the room and was game for a shot of Fireball whiskey. The lovely bartender encouraged her saying that the shot tasted just like a cinnamon heart candy. Dar did the shot like a trooper and even got a souvenir flashing shot-glass to mark the occasion.
One last turn and we were into Dar’s favorite stand of the night the mixed cocktails. liking a sweeter beverage Darlene tried two of the house favorites.  The Agent Orange and the Southern Hurricane. Darlene preferred the Agent Orange due to it’s fruity flavour and deceptive power. “You can’t even taste the booze in this, it’s dangerous” she exclaimed!
But don’t think that’s where Mardi Gras stops as I said the party planners are bringing in top notch entertainment in the form of Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. Playing the best in washboard music and swamp pop that your ears have ever heard. I guarantee!
Come for the food, come for the fun and flamboyance. Come for the Ambiance and the Zydeco, how’s that for an A to Z fun time. Come on down I guarantee you’ll have a great time. It’s taking place at the Winnipeg Convention Center February 14 and 15th
If you live in Winnipeg and are a fan of Exploring Winnipeg and Beyond, I have some free passes to give away. But there is a catch. Comment on this post and tell me how I got my start blogging. It’s easy just go into the archives and look it up. I’m looking for where I went (City) and the reason (event) I went there. Comment on this blog posting an I’ll hook you up with some passes for Mardi Gras at the convention center.
Now do yourself a favor and check out the musical madness of Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers!
Bob
Exploring Winnipeg and Beyond. 