With so much going on in Winnipeg and abroad this weekend, let the Classic 107 Arts & Entertainment Calendar be your guide!

This weekend is insane with the amount of things to do and see! There is absolutely no excuse to stay home!

Friday night (Sept 26) the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra launches its 2014/2015 season in the city with Russian American pianist Natasha Paremski. The program includes Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, Dvoräk’s New World Symphony and Aaron Copland’s Canticle of Freedom. Natasha will be performing with the WSO for two nights---tomorrow night and Saturday night at 8:00 PM at the Centennial Concert Hall.  Natasha Paremski dropped by the Classic 107 studio Thursday morning to talk with Morning Light host Michael Wolch.

 

 

This weekend marks the 5th Anniversary of the annual Culture Days weekend – a national celebration offering all Canadian from cost-to-coast an opportunity to immerse themselves in the exciting behind-the-scenes world of artists, creators, historians and cultural practitioners of all types. Last year alone, more than 1.7 million Canadians participated in more than 7,500 free activities in 825 communities across the country. Here in Manitoba the activities number more than 350. And include everything from crafts, dance, music, art, history and more – both here in the city and as far south as Morden.

 

 

Things like a free animation workshop at the Forks Friday (Sept 26) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM by Freeze Frame at the Forks, Sifiting for Microfossils Friday (Sept 26) and Saturday (Sept 27) at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden and an Open House at the Centennial Concert Hall Saturday afternoon (Sept 27) from noon until 4:00 PM put on by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Manitoba Opera and Music for Young People. For a list of all the activities going on click HERE. You can even design your own schedule!

One of the big events that makes up Culture Days happens Saturday night (Sept 27). It’s called Nuit Blanche. Every year, this event attracts thousands of people to the downtown area to celebrate and experience art. Their motto is No Sleep. Only Art. Basically, this event is a free all night exploration and celebration of contemporary art. All the events are independently organized by artists and organization and are focussed in three main zones; Downtown, The Exchange District and St. Boniface. Dance, music, film and of course art will all be featured in events happening all night long and wrapping up in the wee hours of the morning. One of the all night Art Parties will take place at the Winnipeg Art Gallery where they will open two new exhibits: Dali Up Close – an exhibit on the famed Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali, which features 3 of the artist’s major works and Masterworks from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery which features one of the finest European collections in Canada. Two unbelievable shows and it is absolutely free from 7:00 PM until 4:00 AM.

Dali Up Close and Masterworks from the Beaverbrook gallery runs until January 25 2015 but Saturday night is the only time you’ll get in for free!

Hey, did you know that in 1943 Salvador Dali and Walt Disney collborated together on a short animated film? It was called 'Destino' but they would never see it to its completion. In 2003 Walt Disney's nephew found the project and finished it.  Take a look below!

 

 

And finally, looking ahead to next week, an event that’s been in the works for more than 2 years finally comes to fruition. This coming Wednesday (Oct 01), the Royal Winnipeg Ballet will open Going Home Star: Truth and Reconciliation. –An original ballet commissioned by the company’s Artistic Director Andre Lewis, this is the story of residential schools in Canada told in dance . Written by award winning Metis writer Joseph Boyden, choreographed by Mark Godden, with a score by Christos Hatzis, this is one of the most powerfull ballet’s you will ever see! The show runs for 5 nights – Oct 01 to Oct 05

 Tune in to the Classic 107 Arts & Entertainment Calendar every Thursday, Friday & Saturday twice a day with Claudia Garcia de la Huerta. Thursdays & Fridays at 7:45 AM and between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM and Saturdays at 11:15 AM and 4:15 PM.