While Travel Manitoba strongly recommends that all tourism businesses adhere to the operating protocols and capacity restrictions allowed by the Manitoba government, we cannot guarantee the compliance of any business featured in our blog content.
We continue to stay safe and stay home now in 2021. Here are ways you can explore Manitoba from the comfort of your home and help to support local.
Looking for more activities to do at home? Be sure to check out Stay Home - Safe at Home Manitoba frequently for content featuring culture, arts, entertainment, fitness and more.
Here are 10 VIRTUAL things to do this week in Manitoba...
1. Watch a free Manitoba Chamber Orchestra concert
Online / hosted on Treaty 1 territory Friday, January 15 | 7:30 pm
The MCO is releasing a full version of their October 4th concert for free on YouTube. It took place originally for a small, distanced gathering at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and featured some of Winnipeg’s talented musicians, including oboist Caitlin Broms-Jacobs, bassoonist Allen Harrington, percussionist Victoria Sparks, violinist Karl Stobbe, and oboist/English horn player Tracy Wright. Audiences were impressed by this concert, and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra wants to share its magic with music-lovers as we all strive to stay connected, and appreciate beauty, from home.
Online/ hosted on Treaty 1 territory Saturday, January 16 | 7:00 pm
Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival is launching its Spirit of Manitoba Winter Concert Series and Open Mic Night, a series of free, local concerts. January through March, the festival will offer six virtual shows, followed by an interactive open mic night where audience members can register in advance to perform. The events are free and will be streamed on Whoop and Hollar’s Facebook page and Youtube channel.
3. Folklorama at Home: The Virtual Experience
Photo credit: Folklorama
Online / hosted on Treaty 1 territory Launches Friday, January 15 | 7:00 pm
Folklorama is offering a series of programs that bring your favourite aspects of the festival into your home. The video series includes online and interactive elements, with Q&As. Some of the workshops will have activity packages that match the theme of the week. All packages will be curated, packaged and delivered by local vendors with all supplies required, at no charge to Manitoba families. Register for free in advance.
January lineup: Friday, January 15 | 7:00 pm – A Voyageur Adventure Friday, January 22 | 7:00 pm – The Songs of the Pow Wow. Sounding the Drum Friday, January 29 | 7:00 pm – For the Love of the Bead
Online / hosted on Treaty 1 territory Saturday, January 16 | 7:30 pm
Enjoy the classic works of Mozart and Strauss with Maestro Daniel Raiskin as principal French horn Patricia Evans takes centre stage as soloist. The WSO’s strings section is highlighted in Mozart’s Divertimento for string quartet and Rossini’s colourful Sonata No. 3. And rounding out the program, audiences will also be treated to Serenade in Eb major for 13 winds by Richard Strauss.
Support the WSO by purchasing a livestream ticket to the concert for $25. Once purchased, you will receive an email the day of the concert with an exclusive link to watch the livestream. The concert will be available for viewing for approximately 72 hours after the first livestream.
5. Join Stitchen' Saturday
Online / Treaty 1 territory Saturday, January 16 | 10:30 am
Stitchen’ Saturdays is a new group for needle-craft enthusiasts, featuring instruction and social crafting time for people of all genders, ages 14 to 30. Hosted by Mentoring Artists for Women's Art, it is an online, creative space for learning and hanging. January 16 is an embroidery workshop were you will learn hand embroidery basics and a variety of stitches that can be adapted and personalized for your own projects.
6. Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba - Virtual exhibition
Join AGSM for a virtual tour of A Prairie Vernacular: Folk & Contemporary Art Narratives of Life on the Canadian Prairies. Meet the gallery's new curator, Lucie Lederhendler who will be in conversation with the Director. Q & A will follow.
Join curators of A Prairie Vernacular exhibition – Jennifer McRorie and Joanne Marion, will discuss the genesis of the exhibition project. Their conversation will focus on the works from their home provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Q & A will follow.
Online / hosted on Treaty 1 territory Weekends in January and February
Winnipeg Studio Theatre, in partnership with Safe at Home Manitoba, presents 26 free sessions of the Made in Manitoba Masterclass series. Instructors are highly trained, hold many impressive accolades and all have strong ties to Manitoba. Open to youth age 9 to 17 with separate sessions for adults, register for the opportunity to learn from outstanding Manitoba talent.
Upcoming sessions: Saturday, January 16 | 1:00 pm - Voiceover Technique Youth Saturday, January 16 | 2:30 pm - Voiceover Technique Adult Saturday, January 16 | 4:15 pm - All Access Dance Adult
Sunday January 17 | 1:00 pm - Theatrical Make-up Sunday January 17 | 2:30 pm - All Access Dance Youth Sunday January 17 | 4:15 pm - Mime & Physical Storytelling for Deaf and Non-Deaf Artists All Ages
8. Celebrate Lohri Mela virtually
Online / hosted on Treaty 1 territory Wednesday, January 13 | 5:30 pm
Lohri is a seasonal festival of North India and is traditionally celebrated by sitting together around the fire, singing the traditional songs, dancing and enjoying time with children, family & friends. This year, the Asian Women of Winnipeg is hosting a virtual Lohri Mela Festival to showcase culture and preserve traditions and heritage. This online event is free and open to all to join and celebrate.
The Manitoba Museum presents DOME@HOME, a video program inviting Manitobans to explore the universe. Join Planetarium Astronomer Scott Young to identify constellations and planets in the real sky, and explore space science with hands-on activities and experiments.
Online / hosted on Treaty 1 territory New episode every Sunday
Winnipeg-based sketch comedy groups HUNKS collaborate with the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and Safe at Home Manitoba to release 10 episodes of The HUNKS podcast. Each week HUNKS, from the safety of their homes, invite a new guest to sit around and be hilarious with.
