Teghan's top 5 things to do in Winnipeg this weekend (Sept. 2-4)
Le Burger Week, Cruel Summer, Wall to Wall and Cool for Cats will keep you busy for cheap
Good news if you're short on cash this weekend but want to eat lots of good food, dance to some great tunes on vinyl and check out some world-class art.
Start things off in the Exchange this weekend by checking out a few galleries — Urban Shaman is always one of my favourites — then grab a burger for Le Burger Week and head down to the kickoff of Wall to Wall for more art and great people.
Then, if you're feeling dancey, you can walk down Sherbrook to the Handsome Daughter for an '80s dance party.
Sunday is a good chance to check out Cool for Cats 'cause Monday is a holiday and Tim Hoover will play you fun songs to dance to.
Oh, and if you can, try to hop into one of your friends' Royal Canoe listening parties. There are only 20 in the city Friday night, but if you can wiggle your way into some with charm and a few libations, it should be a very nice time.
WHAT: ART — First Fridays in the Exchange
When: Friday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.
Where: The Exchange District
Cost: FREE
Explore some galleries for free Friday night before you head out for even more art and food and fun.
First Fridays is back in the Exchange. That means a ton of galleries open their doors for free and there are also free art talks and walks.
Urban Shaman is a staple and a very chill, accessible gallery to go check out first if you're a bit timid. Plus Ace Art is just across the hall and has been doing some cool stuff lately.
Oh and Lennard Taylor is bringing back his living mannequins, which are much more charming than the term "living mannequins" implies.
Best plan is to grab the map on your phone of what's open this month and do a quick foot tour.
WHAT: FOOD — Le Burger Week
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: 59 different restaurants in Winnipeg
Cost: Most burgers around $10-$15
This started off a few years ago with just a dozen or so places, and it's really ballooned out to a ton of spots with some really inventive stuff.
Some come on black buns, some are vegetarian, some are pork and some are chicken. There are a ton of options.
I suggest doing a day tour and splitting as many burgers as you can with a pal.
Bring someone who you aren't afraid of having meat sweats with. Nothing ruins a burger like trying to look like a regular human being while eating one.
WHAT: DANCE — Cruel Summer at The Handsome Daughter
When: Friday, Sept. 2 at 10 p.m.
Where: The Handsome Daughter at 61 Sherbrook St.
Cost: $5
You know when you're at home complaining that no place plays enough '80s music for you and there aren't any more dingy bars where you can dance to epic ballads and electronic music?
Friday night's your night! The Handsome Daughter is doing an '80s dance party with a very sexy name. Cruel Summer sounds very Stranger Things synthwave-y.
The back of the bar is kind of concrete and dark and the dance floor is very dark, so you can dance freely with ridiculous '80s moves and likely only a few people will judge you.
WHAT: ART — Wall to Wall festival
When: Friday and Saturday
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE
They're kicking off their month-long Wall to Wall Mural Festival this weekend.
Friday night, they're doing their usual First Friday after party with DJ AOKS and Zuki at the Tallest Poppy. You can check out some art, drink, have food and enjoy the nice company.
On Saturday, the Tallest Poppy has Brain Freeze with Sarah Anne Johnson and Keir Johnson. They're making "boozy ice cream and take-home sculptural garnishes" from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Why would you not go to this? I'm going.
WHAT: MUSIC – Cool for Cats at The Good Will
When: Sunday, Sept. 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: The Good Will at 625 Portage Ave.
Cost: FREE
Take advantage of the holiday Monday by wiggling your butt on the dance floor at the Good Will Sunday night.
Tim Hoover is DJing with Mean Mike and Cam. There's no cover and they'll play some rock 'n' roll tunes for you. (I remember this being way more hip-hop-y when it was at Bar I but maybe you'll get both?)
Drinks are going to be cheap (it says so on the poster!), and we only need like four people to get a good thing going on the dance floor, so please, come and dance.
