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CTV News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Canada Day, Countryfest and Rock of Ages: What's on this weekend in Manitoba
Colleen Bready shares some of the events taking place across Manitoba between June 27 and 29, 2025. Colleen Bready shares some of the events taking place across Manitoba between June 27 and 29, 2025. What's on this weekend in Manitoba: June 27-29 Here are some of the events taking place between June 26 and 29 across Manitoba. Dauphin June 26-29 Dust off the cowboy hat and break out the boots, Canada's longest-running country music festival kicks off the summer with a star studded lineup, including John Michael Montgomery, Lonestar, Josh Ross, Jordan Davis, the Road Hammers and more. Tickets required. Rainbow Stage June 25-July 12 The story of a small-town girl and city boy set to an '80s rock soundtrack that will make you want to sing along. Tickets required. sākihiwē festival Various Venues June 26-29 Four days of performances, block parties, markets and more. Country singer Jade Turner will headline the Central Park Block Party, while Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary with a free concert and BBQ lunch. Tin Whistle Park, Beausejour June 29, 1 p.m. First ever Pride for the Southeastern Manitoba town. Dauphin June 27-29 Chucks and chariot racing, livestock shows, a parade, midway and more. Tickets required. Killarney Ag Grounds June 27-29 A parade, chuckwagon races, kids activities and a whole lot of fun. Tickets required. Miami Ag Grounds June 27-29 The Miami Fair features the Heartland Rodeo, sheep and cattle shows, bouncy castles and more. MacGregor Fair Grounds June 27-29 A cherished event tracing its routes back to 1885, this year's fair includes horse games, live bands, a kids' parade, food booths and even more fun. Flin Flon June 27-July 1 Fishing derby, fish fry, Canada Day parade, fireworks and a regatta are among the events scheduled for this year's Trout Festival. Details subject to change. Loveville Music Festival 2025 Assiniboia Downs June 28 The biggest Afrobeat festival in central Canada. Tickets required. Red River Exhibition Park June 29-30 A celebration of electronic music. Tickets required. The Forks June 22-30 11 days celebrating the cultures that make up Manitoba and Canada. Each day put the focus on a different treaty region. Winnipeg Beach June 28-July 1 Winnipeg Beach gets the Canada Day party started early with family activities, live bands, a road hockey tournament, fireworks and more. Lac Du Bonnet June 27-29 The Lac du Bonnet Lions Club hosts an early Canada Day celebration with a parade, midway, car show, fireworks and more. Canadian Museum for Human Rights June 28, 5 p.m. A free screening of a film taking a closer look at the complex history of LGBTQ2S+ rights in Canada. Attendees will also have the chance to explore the Love in a Danger Time: Canada's LGBT Purge exhibit and take part in a Q and A. Registration required. Gas Station Arts Centre June 28, 6:30 p.m. Plan a pawsitively purrfect evening with 13 films featuring felines. Tickets required. Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail, about 5 km north of Scanterbury June 28, 2025 Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail with ceremony, storytelling, guided tours and a shared meal. Cash donations accepted. WAG-Qaumajuq June 26-29 A showcase of beautifully crafted trees among the art gallery's collection in celebration of The Bonsai Society of Winnipeg's 40th anniversary. Richer June 28 An open-air market on the grounds of a historic site featuring yarn crafts, upcycles treasures, local jewellery, sweet treats and products from local farmers. St. Andrews Rectory & Heritage Centre June 29 Shop a variety of handmade goods from local vendors, take part in some games or tour the museum. Artisans at the Beach Festival Grand Marais June 29 Grand Maris Community Central hosts their 2nd Annual Artisans at the Beach Festival, focusing on local artists and makers. Folkroots Cultural Fest 2025 Centennial Concert Hall June 28, 5 p.m. The 8th Annual Folkroots Cultural Fest features a Punjabi Folk Dance Exhibition, Bhangra, live folk music and more. Tickets required. WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? Centennial Concert Hall June 29, 8 p.m. Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray put their improv talents to the test with witty scenes and audience participation. Tickets required. RISE Musical Theatre presents: The REMIX Prairie Theatre Exchange June 28, 2 & 7 p.m. RISE Musical Theatre Company presents its first-ever choreographed showcase spotlighting 10 local hip hop and dance choreographers and a live singer. Tickets required. Shakespeare in the Ruins: Macbeth Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park June 5-July 5 SIR's new season takes a break from comedies and romances to feature one of the Bard's finest tragedies. Tickets required. Shakespeare in the Ruins: Waiting for Godot Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park June 13-July 6 SIR brings us Samuel Beckett's masterpiece about two men waiting for someone or something. Tickets required. Tommy Mellor Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club Tickets: June 24-28 Calgary comedian Tommy Mellor is known for his deadpan delivery and unique perspectives. Tickets required. Mitch VK, Doug Koning, Max Sheldrick The Basement Comedy Lounge June 27-28 The Hot as Heck Tour features three rising comedians. Tickets required. Winnipeg Sea Bears vs Scarborough Shooting Stars Canada Life Centre June 27, 7:30 p.m. Tickets required. Come cheer on the Sea Bears in elite basketball action. Corydon Ave. & Hugo St. N. June 27, 7 pm Band: The triCorders Corydon Ave. & Cockburn St. S. June 28, 7 pm Band: Vintage Groove Enjoy live music and the other sights and sounds of Corydon Avenue. Winnipeg Beach June 28, 7 p.m. Band: Jesse Bandura Rock & Country June 30, 7 p.m. Band: Jivetown Rock Winnipeg Beach kicks off its summertime Bandstand Performance Series with a pair of performances steps away from the boardwalk. Gimli Harbour June 28, 7:30 p.m. Band: The Nooners June 29, 7:30 p.m. Band: The Biivvers June 30, 7:30 p.m. Band: Damn Straight July 1, 8 p.m. Band: Free Ride Enjoy 4 evenings of live music with Gimli harbour as a backdrop. Pine Fort Days Visitor Centre, Spruce Woods Provincial Park June 27–29 Step back in time and explore a living history camp from the 1700s with cannon and musket displays, fur trading guests and a Choose Your Own Adventure program. Bannock Bake Campfire Talk Gull Harbour June 28, 8 p.m. Learn about the importance of bannock to the Indigenous people and then make some of your own. Forester for the Day Max Lake Group Use Area, Morton June 28, 10 a.m. Learn the history of a unique plantation of softwood trees in the Turtle Mountain area. Wear sturdy walking shoes.
Epoch Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Teachable Moments: John Michael Montgomery's ‘Life's a Dance'
Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said, 'The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.' However, if you ask country singer John Michael Montgomery what the art of living is like, he'd probably disagree. For him, life is all about the art of the dance, and his breakout hit, 'Life's a Dance,' embodies this philosophical outlook. The classic country song provides moral support while guiding listeners on how to gracefully navigate life's ups and downs. Lessons Learned A detail of John Michael Montgomery's 1992 album cover for "Life's A Dance." Internet Archive. Public Domain In the fall of 1992, Montgomery released the leading single and title track to his debut album, 'Life's a Dance.' The folksy country song with a memorable violin riff opens with the narrator missing out on a chance at young love because he was too scared to talk to the girl he fancied. This missed opportunity acts as the catalyst for the message of the song, which is driven home by the chorus lyrics. Life's a dance You learn as you go Sometimes you lead Sometimes you follow. As listeners follow along with the narrator's journey, a coming-of-age story takes place, with many lessons learned, including how to communicate effectively and embrace adversit y. The longer I live the more I believe, You do have to give if you wanna receive There's a time to listen, a time to talk And you might have to crawl even after you walk. From the Back Porch to the Stage The single's gentle nature and lyrical honesty regarding life's highs and lows resonated with country music listeners in the early 1990s. 'Life's a Dance' climbed all the way to the fourth spot on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, creating a solid foundation for the performer. Several number one hits followed, including 'I Love the Way You Love Me,' the follow up to his debut 'Life's a Dance' single. Though Montgomery didn't realize it at the time, songs like 'Life's a Dance' were more milestones than stepping stones—ones that would set him up as a performer of timeless country songs, whose specialty is found in the contemplative and romantic ballad. During an Related Stories 5/7/2025 4/28/2025 'I think back to when I was just playing … in Central Kentucky, and Lexington, I didn't have a clue what was going to happen. I knew I was going to be picking and singing the rest of my life, whether that was on somebody's back porch or on the stage.' He continued, sharing how the tune, penned by songwriters Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin, reflected much of his own life as well. 'I was fortunate enough to be discovered here in Kentucky, and to be able to come up with a song like 'Life's a Dance' to kick the career off, that's pretty much how my life was—my dad was a guitar player and singer, and my mom played drums and sang. … It was a really cool way of growing up.' Included in his musical family is brother Eddie Montgomery, one-half of the country music duo, Montgomery Gentry. In 2017, Troy Gentry passed away in a tragic helicopter accident. Eddie still performs under their band's name in honor of his dear friend and late music partner. A 'Funny Part to the Story' A compact disc insert with John Michael Montgomery's portrait from his 1992 album "Life's A Dance." Internet Archive. Public Domain Despite his unexpected, rapid success with 'Life's a Dance,' there was a time when a fan could hear Montgomery play his hit single for just a few dollars. Even after the song debuted, he fulfilled his show commitments to several modest live music venues in Lexington, Kentucky. He referred to this time during his early performance days as a 'funny part to the story.' 'I had some shows booked off of 'Life's a Dance,' but they weren't until down the road. I've still got to make a living. You could pay five bucks to come in and hear me sing 'Life's a Dance.'' Recently, Montgomery 'I'll never forget the first time I stepped foot on a tour bus for my first show back in 1992, with my first single 'Life's a Dance' just coming out on radio. It was so surreal to me. And of course like any new artist would, I worried about how long it would last and hoped it would not be a 'flash in the pan' career. So every album, every song, and every year of being able to do what I love for so many years, and for the fans who have supported me and my music, I've cherished those moments very deeply.' Whether playing for large arena crowds or an intimate venue, Montgomery views his gifts of making music and sharing it with people as a blessing. 'I'm enjoying my life getting to go up and down the road singing the hits I was fortunate to have, and the fans still seem to enjoy them. I love being on the road picking and singing—that was always my biggest reason for being in the music business and to be able to get up on stage and sing songs for people is something I am blessed to do.' What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
