Latest news with #BrendanBerg
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Royal Canoe announces funeral plans after death of bandmate and his partner
Winnipeg band Royal Canoe has announced plans to honour the lives of a bandmate and his partner who died in a highway crash earlier this month. In a social media post, the band said a traditional Catholic funeral for Brendan Berg and Olivia Michalczuk will take place on July 14 at 10 a.m. at the Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral. Royal Canoe notes the cathedral has a capacity of 1,200, plus an overflow area. Attendees are invited to gather at The Forks following the funeral. Royal Canoe also announced that a celebration of life will be held at the Burton Cummings Theatre on July 15. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the event starting at 7 p.m. Berg and Michalczuk died on July 1 in a collision in western Manitoba that killed three people.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg's music community mourns loss of two of its own
Family, friends and fans are mourning the unexpected loss of two influential figures in Winnipeg's music community. Brendan Berg, longtime bassist for indie-pop band Royal Canoe, and his partner Olivia Michalczuk, a community organizer and avid music supporter, died Tuesday in a head-on collision on Highway 10 north of Swan River. The couple was on holiday. Berg, who died on the eve of his 43rd birthday, and Michalczuk, 31, are being remembered for their respective creativity, compassion and ability to form deep bonds with those around them. JULIO ASSIS PHOTO Brendan Berg, 42, and Olivia Michalczuk, 31, died in a car accident on Canada Day. Within hours of sharing news of the tragedy on social media, Royal Canoe had received hundreds of messages from followers around the world recounting meaningful run-ins with Berg. Nobody in the band — which includes Matt Peters, Matt Schellenberg, Bucky Driedger, Derek Allard and Michael Jordan — was surprised at the response. 'He had a good buddy everywhere and it's not really an exaggeration,' Jordan says over a video call. Berg joined Royal Canoe in 2010 as a virtuosic bassist and quickly became an integral member of the group. 'We needed someone who could play bass really well, who could also play keyboards, who could put up with all the neurotic energy in our band and Brendan just fit the bill so, so perfectly. He just charmed us from day one,' Peters says. 'Not only musically, but just in our band organism, he was the one quietly holding it down, steadying us, showing up in really shitty moments with smiles and positive vibes,' adds Driedger. As a musician, Berg played with precision, joy and confidence — making 'maybe eight' onstage mistakes during his 15 years with the band. He was happy performing from the back row, where he could be seen grinning ear-to-ear and soaking up the moment. JULIO ASSIS PHOTO Brendan Berg and Olivia Michalczuk were both involved in Winnipeg's music scene. As a bandmate, he was quick to take on the less glamorous aspects of touring: driving, booking accommodations and loading the van after gigs. The latter was often a drawn-out process, owing to his friendly nature. 'He was always the last one to pack up because he was always visiting after the show,' Jordan says, laughing. He was a serial collaborator, playing with dozens of local bands and musicians, including Tele, Matas Touch, Mason Mele, Reverend Rambler, Begonia, Retro Rhythm Review and many others. Gigs could not interfere with Lumbercats games — a beer-league hockey team formed with friends from the Riverview neighbourhood, where Berg grew up. He gave an equal amount of attention to interests beyond music, from literature to obscure cinema to film photography. Berg was also a foodie. He brought a manual coffee-bean grinder on the road and was known for making gourmet van sandwiches and curating lists of restaurants to visit. Schellenberg often copied Berg's restaurant order: 'He would always order something a little different and slightly more expensive.' JORDAN WOOD PHOTO Brendan Berg joined Royal Canoe in 2010 as a virtuosic bassist and quickly became an integral member of the group. Winnipeg-born, London-based chef Mike Robbins and Berg became fast friends thanks to a shared love of food. When Robbins landed his first head chef job at Sydney's at The Forks, he enlisted Berg as his unofficial menu taster. 'He had a way of delivering the truth in such a gentle way and that's exactly what I needed,' Robbins says. The pair later worked together at Sous Sol, one of several local eateries where Berg was employed. 'He was such a talented guy, an awesome bartender, a very good server and a very versatile musician,' Robbins says. Berg and Michalczuk met nearly nine years ago at X-Cues Café and Lounge on Sargent Avenue, where she was working at the time. 'He was heightened by her and they were very much in love every time you saw them,' Jordan says. Brendan Berg, left, and Matt Peters perform in Royal Canoe. While her partner was widely known for his onstage career, Michalczuk made waves behind the scenes as an avid concert goer, music journalist and general booster. 'She was essential to the Winnipeg music scene,' Jen Doerksen says via email. Doerksen and Michalczuk became best friends after meeting through concert promotion company Real Love Winnipeg and participating as jurors for the national Polaris Music Prize. 'She offered constant encouragement, creative ideas, thoughtful advice, and unfiltered honesty when she thought our ideas missed the mark. That kind of friend and support is rare and invaluable,' Real Love founders Adam Soloway and Gilad Carroll said via email. Michalczuk, a jewelry and visual artist, wrote for The Manitoban and founded Paper Cut Winnipeg — a blog and podcast about the local music scene — with Jared Gauthier. She worked in community development with the Exchange District BIZ, Spence Neighbourhood Association and, most recently, with the Government of Manitoba as a community planner, according to LinkedIn. Olivia Michalczuk, a jewelry and visual artist, wrote for The Manitoban and founded Paper Cut Winnipeg. 'She had strong convictions, but that never stopped her from listening and considering others' experiences, ' Doerksen says of her friend. 'She brought a fire to everything she was part of — warm, loving, but also driven, exciting and illuminating.' Eva WasneyReporter Eva Wasney has been a reporter with the Free Press Arts & Life department since 2019. Read more about Eva. Every piece of reporting Eva produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Inspiring force': Royal Canoe bassist remembered after crash in Manitoba kills 3
Musician Brendan Berg is shown in this undated photo. (Source: Royal Canoe / Facebook) WINNIPEG — Staples in Winnipeg's music scene and beyond offered condolences and tributes Thursday after learning the bassist in a beloved band died in a highway crash with two others. Indie pop band Royal Canoe, on social media, said Brendan Berg died in the crash Tuesday, a day before his 43rd birthday, along with his partner, Olivia Michalczuk. Berg's death has left an 'enormous and sudden hole in the lives of everyone who knew him,' the post said. 'Over the last 15 years of cross-country tours, late studio nights — through the high highs and low lows, Brendan's relentless positivity, big smile, and considerate nature were a stabilizing and inspiring force for us,' the band posted Wednesday. 'He was always the first to volunteer his time to pick up the trailer from the shop or load gear after tour. His generosity and selflessness were legendary.' Mounties responded to the crash north of Swan River in western Manitoba, where two vehicles were found in a ditch. RCMP said a vehicle crossed the centre line and hit a vehicle parked on the edge of the road. They said a 42-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman in the parked vehicle were taken to hospital, where they died. A 29-year-old man who was a passenger in the first vehicle later died of his injuries. The 36-year-old male driver was listed in stable condition. Royal Canoe has been a Winnipeg favourite for more than a decade and has played shows with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. In 2014, the group received a Juno Award nomination for alternative album of the year for 'Today We're Believers.' The same year, they won best independent album at the Western Canadian Music Awards. The band has toured with English rockers Alt-J and Bombay Bicycle Club and played major festivals, including Iceland Airwaves, Bonnaroo in Tennessee and Osheaga in Montreal. 'So sad and sorry to hear this news. Much love to you all,' the Sam Roberts Band said in a response the band's announcement. Songwriter Dan Mangan called the crash 'absolutely tragic and devastating.' 'It's all so fleeting. Love you, guys,' he posted. The Park Theatre said Berg was a fixture at the popular Winnipeg live music venue. 'Whether on stage or in the crowd, he was always present, always smiling and always showing love for the music and community around him,' it said on social media. Not-for-profit promoter Manitoba Music said the deaths of Berg and Michalczuk are a 'deep loss.' 'Both have left an immeasurable mark on the music community and have meant so much to so many for their creativity, kindness and generosity.' Michalczuk, also well-known in the local music scene, was a juror for the Polaris Music Prize, an annual music award that recognizes the best full-length Canadian album. '(Michalczuk) was a strong voice in the Polaris community, having served on the jury since 2019,' said the award group. Royal Canoe said her energy and enthusiasm brought out the best in Berg. 'Her passing is equally as devastating to try to understand.' RCMP spokeswoman Michelle Lissel said charges could be laid against the lone survivor. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025. Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Charges likely in crash that killed Winnipeg musician: RCMP
RCMP may lay charges against the sole survivor of a head-on collision on Highway 10 on Canada Day that killed three people, including the bassist of a popular Winnipeg band and his partner. 'The investigation is ongoing, but charges could be likely against the driver,' Manitoba RCMP spokeswoman Michelle Lissel said Thursday morning. RCMP also announced Thursday a third person critically injured in the collision has died in hospital. The 29-year-old from Swan River was a passenger in the southbound vehicle on that collided head on with another vehicle carrying Brendan Berg, 42, and Olivia Michalczuk, 31, around 3:30 p.m. on July 1, just north of Bowsman. Berg was a bass player for indie pop band Royal Canoe. RCMP previously said the 36-year-old man from Swan River driving the southbound vehicle was transported to hospital with critical injuries. He remains in hospital in stable condition, Mounties said Thursday. The names of the 29-year-old passenger and 36-year-old driver have not been made public. Swan River RCMP were called to Highway 10, about three kilometres north of Bowsman, where they found two vehicles in the east ditch. One of the vehicles was overturned and local paramedics and firefighters were tending to the injured. RCMP said the vehicle heading south on the highway veered over the centre line and collided with the other vehicle, which was believed to be parked, facing north on the east side of the road. fpcity@
CTV News
03-07-2025
- CTV News
Third person dies following Canada Day crash: RCMP
The RCMP logo is seen outside the force's 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Manitoba RCMP says a third person has died following a two-vehicle crash in western Manitoba on Canada Day. The crash occurred on Highway 10 at approximately 3:30 p.m., about three kilometres north of Bowsman. RCMP believe a vehicle being driven south on Highway 10 near Road 224 veered over the highway line and hit a stationary vehicle on the eastern edge of the highway, causing a rollover. RCMP reported Wednesday that a 42-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman died in hospital. They have been identified as Brendan Berg, the bassist for Winnipeg band Royal Canoe, along with his partner Olivia Michalczuk. A 36-year-old man from Winnipeg who was driving the southbound vehicle and a 29-year-old passenger from Swan River were both hospitalized with critical injuries. On Thursday, RCMP said the 29-year-old passenger died from his injuries. The driver has been upgraded to stable condition. RCMP continues to investigate. -With files from CTV's Milan Lukes and The Canadian Press
