David Cronenberg’s past futures
As our own reality becomes more and more of a techno-dystopia, Cronenberg’s films offer an exhilarating and disturbing perspective on the intersection between biology and technology.
Arts & Culture
Runnin’ down her dream
In her debut collection of poetry, Indigenous-American author and former University of Manitoba student Michelle Lietz creatively intertwines these two artistic worlds. Occasionally Petty — debuting April 21 and published by the independent, Winnipeg-based At Bay Press — is a selection of poems set to the songs of late singer-songwriter Tom Petty.
Pierre Kwenders, ‘José Louis and the Paradox of Love’ — 4/5 stars
Pierre Kwenders, born José Louis Modabi, has spent nearly all of the past decade breaking down borders in music. The result is a heady mix of genres and languages, incorporating rumba, electronic, hip hop and R&B.
Answering the call with artwork
After closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Gallery in Taché Hall at the University of Manitoba has recently reopened — a step that has restored a sense of normalcy and excitement to school of art students, who are looking forward to exhibiting their work alongside their peers.
Kyla Charter, ‘Edible Flowers’ — 3.5/5 stars
Toronto-based singer Kyla Charter has had an illustrious career as a background singer in the CanCon music machine. Her CV reads like a CBC Radio One playlist, performing with artists like July Talk, Patrick Watson, Rich Aucoin and Alessia Cara. Now Charter is stepping out on her own with her debut album Edible Flowers.
The wait was worth it for North Graffiti
As winter is finally melting into spring and our familiar feathery friends return, live music is also slowly returning to music venues across the city. Not only has it been a long winter, it has been a long two years for local Winnipeg band North Graffiti. To celebrate this return of somewhat normalcy, the band is set to release its album Modern Relics at the Park Theatre on April 9 with opening acts the 12/21 and Mobina Galore.
North Graffiti, ‘Modern Relics’ — 4.5/5 stars
Self-described as adding “modern flare to a vintage aesthetic,” North Graffiti’s album Modern Relics successfully reflects its musical tagline. Just like the album’s cover, the “punk & roll” local group pulls together the fragments of vintage punk and rock past with present instrumentals.
Lunch B.H.A.G.G. performances coming this April
This month, you can catch two new online productions from the University of Manitoba’s theatre program. The first show is Antigone Now by Melissa Cooper and the second is The Theory of Everything by Prince Gomolvilas. The plays are being presented as part of the theatre program’s Lunch B.H.A.G.G. series: “short, one-act shows” that are directed by students and meant to be held during lunch hours, hence the play on the word “lunch bag.”
Stone Cold, a Winnipeg icon
Since its advent in the summer of 2000, the Stone Cold jug has been a budget-friendly option for local drinkers of all sorts. Brewed by the Fort Garry Brewing imprint Two Rivers, the draft is noted for its questionable flavour.
Make way for MOSA
With the easing of COVID-19 capacity restrictions, local bands are beginning to perform, practice and record music with some degree of normality, and MOSA is one of them. Between rescheduling a postponed show and preparing for an album release, the local four-piece grunge band is firing on all cylinders. The Manitoban sat down with rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Hannah Palamer to chat about the band and what the future holds for them.