Top 5 things to do in Winnipeg this weekend (July 31-Aug 3)

Hotdogs, fireworks, drive-in movies, Kurt Cobain, free shows in parks – this weekend has it all. No, really. It has all of the things.

Enjoy!

WHAT: FEST – Gimli's Icelandic festival

When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Where: Various locations in Gimli

Cost: FREE

Every year this festival snowballs into something a little bit more impressive.

This year, there are all the usual activities PLUS a stellar lineup of free shows with so many of my favourite local bands.

Friday night check out Basic Nature at 8 p.m., Saturday head to the park for Somebody Language, ATLAAS, Duotang and Attica Riots. Somebody Language starts at 7 p.m.!

Sunday check out SC Mira's set at 11 p.m.

WHAT: DANCE – RWB's Ballet in the Park

When: Friday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Assiniboine Park Lyric Theatre

Cost: FREE

Ballet in the Park is back this weekend with a 7:30 p.m. performance at Assiniboine Park Friday night.

They're doing Waltz of the Hours, Fairie Doll Pas de Trois, Pass the Slipper and a portion of Going Home Star.

There really is nothing like seeing professional dancers (or the symphony!) do a performance in the park.

It's absolutely beautiful, and you can go grab ice cream or a coffee after while it's still light out.

Bring bug spray and try not to get too grouchy at kids running around and yelling and acting crazy.

They're up late on a Friday night, and it really is SO cool.

WHAT: SPORTS – Goldeyes vs. Thunderheads

When: Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m.

Where: Shaw Park at 1 Portage Ave. E.

Cost: $10 to $25 per ticket

Have you been out to see a Goldeyes game yet this year? Did you know tickets are only $10 and you can get amazing ball-park food and sit super close to the action and it'll really be a lot of fun.

They're playing the Amarillo Thunderheads Friday, which I must say is a really cool name for a baseball team, and there will be fireworks! Everyone loves sky-fire and loud noises! Go check it out. I will probably be there.

Hotdogs and fireworks, people. I cannot oversell this.

WHAT: RETRO – Back to the Future 2 at the downtown drive-in

When: Saturday, Aug. 1 at 9 p.m.

Where: Cityplace parking lot at Carlton Street and Graham Avenue

Cost: FREE if walking/biking, $10 for parking

Grab a blanket, some cushions and head to the parking lot behind the MTS Centre Saturday night.

The Downtown BIZ is showing Back to the Future 2 for free (if you don't drive a car there).

So many of the province's drive-in theatres have shut down, so I totally understand the urge to drive, but if you bring some bug spray and something comfy to sit in, you will totally have a good time at this. They'll start showing the movie as soon as it gets dark, so head out early to nab a spot!

Oh, there'll also be food trucks. Let's all go!

WHAT: FILM – Montage of Heck at Cinematheque

When: Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m.

Where: Cinematheque at 304-100 Arthur St.

Cost: $9

Oh Cinematheque, thank you, thank you, thank you for picking up this doc and showing it this weekend!

Montage of Heck was only given a brief run at major theatres, and it's due a lot more than that.

For the uninitiated, the Nirvana/Kurt Cobain doc was made at the behest of Cobain's daughter, Francis Bean, and tracks his life from the time he was a child until he became an indelible figure in the early '90s grunge scene.

There's some amazing archival footage of Cobain, diary entries and some really powerful insights into drug addiction. I recommend hunkering down for the two hours Sunday night at 7 p.m. and checking it out.

Best to bring someone who doesn't talk through movies. (I promise to be quiet during this one!)