Midweek check-in, Winnipeg! 💙
Summer's going quick. Somehow it's August already, and the best thing you can do about that is get outside while it lasts.
So let's help you make some plans.
Grab your coffee, settle in, and let's dive into what's happening around Winnipeg.
Now, in today’s edition:
Your Old University Homework Could Become Part Of History
Giveaway: Win $600 in Tickets to Winnipeg's Biggest Throwback Night
Calgary Is Coming For Winnipeg's Title
Winnipeg's U.S. Consulate Office Is Closing
Multiple events this week & more
— Jas Singh
News
Your Old University Homework Could Become Part Of History
Source: University of Winnipeg
Almost every house has one. A box of old school stuff nobody's opened in years.
The University of Winnipeg would like you to open yours.
The school is building a public collection about a graduation requirement it introduced back in fall 2016, and much of that history is sitting in basements in Winnipeg.
Here's how it works. Every undergrad has to take one course with mostly Indigenous content before they graduate, picked from a long list across history, English, politics and art.
UWinnipeg was one of the first universities in North America to make that part of every degree, and more than 20,000 students have taken one since.
What they're hoping you kept:
Assignments, course outlines and readings
Photos, emails and recorded interviews
Posters, reports and meeting minutes
It's all going into online and in-person exhibits the public can walk through, launching September 24.
So before your next big declutter, have a look. That old folder might be the only copy left.
A Message From Tacos & Tequila Festival!
Win $600 in VIP Tickets to Winnipeg's Biggest Throwback Night
We're five days into August.
Four good weekends left, then it's dark at five and everyone's back inside for eight months.
So what have you got from this summer so far?
Most of us have a handful of walks, a lot of groceries, and a few Saturdays that blurred into each other. Not bad. Just forgettable. Something comes up in the group chat, nobody books it, and the weekend passes on its own.
Here's a fix.
We're giving away a 4-pack of VIP tickets to Tacos & Tequila Festival, worth $600!
It's throwback hip-hop, tacos and tequila at Blue Cross Park, with T.I., Fat Joe, Too $hort, Petey Pablo, Frankie J, Murphy Lee and DJ Ashton Martin all on one stage. Every song you knew every word to in 2007.
Here's what comes with VIP:
Premium viewing up front, no entry line
A dedicated VIP bar with no wait
Margarita vouchers and a taco flight
Four tickets, for you and three friends
Mark it down. Saturday, August 22.
Nothing to plan, nothing to pay. Just a Saturday night you'll actually remember come September.
Entering takes thirty seconds.
Community Spotlight
Calgary Is Coming For Winnipeg's Title
source: 7/11
Winnipeggers don't need an excuse to stop at a Sev. Good thing, because those runs are the only thing holding up one of our best titles.
We've been the Slurpee Capital of the World since 1999. Calgary has been creeping up for years and is now the second biggest Slurpee market in Canada.
How the race actually works:
The title goes by Slurpees sold per person, not total sales
Winnipeg stores usually outsell the rest of Canada's monthly average combined
The next winner gets named in July 2027
And we take this seriously here. So seriously that in 2018 the city renamed part of Rouge Road to Slurpee Way.
But Calgary is closer than it's ever been. Close enough that a few skipped store runs could actually cost us this.
So next time you're talking yourself out of a Slurpee, don't. You're doing the city a favour!
Community Digest
WestJet Flights Resume As Tentative Deal Reached
If you spent the long weekend refreshing your flight status, waiting at the airport, or wondering how you'd get home, there's finally some relief.
WestJet and the union representing about 4,400 flight attendants reached a tentative agreement early Monday, bringing the strike to an end.
Here's where things stand:
Roughly 250,000 passengers had travel disrupted over the weekend
Flights are slowly resuming, but delays and cancellations may continue
The deal recognizes more of the work crews do before and after each flight
Union members have 30 days to vote on the agreement
So while the strike is over, it'll take time for planes and crews to get back where they need to be.
That means the refreshing might not be over just yet. Check your flight before leaving home, and give yourself extra time if you're travelling this week.
And if you know someone still trying to get home, send this their way.
City Updates
Winnipeg's U.S. Consulate Office Is Closing
If you cross the border a few times a year, this one sounds worse than it is.
The U.S. State Department confirmed this week that it's closing its Winnipeg consulate. It'll happen in phases, and the work moves to the U.S. embassy in Ottawa.
Before you think about your next passport or visa:
The Winnipeg office has a small staff and a narrow role
It mainly helps American citizens who run into trouble here
It does not handle visas, U.S. passports or notarial services
Manitobans already use other U.S. offices for those services, mainly the consulate in Calgary, so this closure isn't as big a shift as it sounds.
The State Department confirmed the plan this week and says it will happen in phases, with the work moving to the U.S. embassy in Ottawa. No closing date has been announced.
So if you're planning a trip across the border, very little is expected to change. Keep your documents current and enjoy the trip.
Someone's Walking Out With Free Hearing Aids on Saturday
simplyHEAR opens on St. Anne's Road this Saturday, and they're celebrating in a big way.
One family is walking away with a FREE pair of premium hearing aids and a $250 gift card to Bistro Dansk.
Founder Armando Di Lello has worn hearing aids since childhood. He's been the person asking others to repeat themselves.
He's sat in loud rooms and missed the joke. So he built the space he wishes he'd had growing up: premium care, no runaround, and clear, reasonable pricing.
If the TV volume in your house has been creeping up, or someone keeps saying "what?", this is an easy, low-pressure way to start the conversation.
Come by, drop your name in the ballot box, eat a free lunch from Sorrento's, and if you're up for it, see inside your own ears on the big screen.
The day:
Doors at 11:00 AM with hot coffee and cold frappes
Sorrento's lunch from 11:45 AM on
Ribbon cutting and remarks, 1:30 to 2:15 PM
Winner contacted Sunday at noon
📅 Saturday, August 8, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
📍 980 St. Anne's Road
P.S. Know someone who's been putting this off for years? Forward this to them. Easier to go together.
Events coming up this week:
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
First Friday in The Exchange | August 7 (FREE)
Location: Various businesses in the Exchange District
Description: FIRST FRIDAYS offers a perfect opportunity to explore all the Exchange neighbourhood has to offer.
Come and take part in one of the most engaging and inspiring arts events in our city.
Cars & Bars - Street Party, Car Show, Concert | 5PM, August 7 (Tickets)
Location: Princess Audio Stadium
Description: Cruise through epic rides in the car show, jam to live music at the main stage, and chill with friends at the ultimate auto/music experience
2026 Corydon Avenue Concert Series | 7PM-10PM, Aug 7 & 8 (More Info)
Location: Hugo St North & Cockburn St. N
Performers: Love Letters & BLUE FX w/ STEVEN LAW
Description: Corydon concerts continue to attract thousands of people. Bring a lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the warm Winnipeg nights with the sounds of Jazz, Rock, Pop, Soul and Blues music (or hit the dance floor and practice your best moves).
Mega Island Fest | August 7 & 8 (Tickets)
Location: The Cube
Description: Mega Island Fest 2026 is the ultimate summer destination for every festival fan, featuring a powerhouse lineup of Djs and High-energy performances with non-stop vibes.
8th Annual Winnipeg Tattoo Convention | August 7-9 (Tickets)
Location: Red River Exhibition Park
Description: HIGH-CALIBRE, WORLD-CLASS ART & TATTOOS! 250+ Tattoo Artists, Artists from Around the World, unique art and merch, Music, Market, Beer Gardens, Food Trucks, and more
Ethiopian Basket Weaving Workshop | 3-4:30PM, Aug 8 (FREE)
Location: The Community Canopy
Description: Join Netsanet for one of two summer basket weaving workshops. This beginner-friendly session introduces participants to traditional Ethiopian basket weaving techniques.
Manitoba Harness Racing at The LOOP | August 8 (More Info)
Location: The LOOP at Exhibition Park
Description: Join us at The LOOP at Exhibition Park this summer for heart-pounding action, exhilarating finishes, and unforgettable moments on the track!
The Summer of Locals Market | August 8-9 (More Info)
Location: Outlet Collections Mall
Description: Winnipeg’s biggest outdoor summer market! It's a 2-day weekend celebration of all things local, including food, drink, music, vendors, makers, kids activities and much more.
K-Pop Takeover | 12PM, August 9 (Tickets)
Location: Park Theatre
Description: Get ready for the loudest, brightest, most high-energy K-Pop party the city has ever seen.
Open Corydon – Little Italy | 10AM-8PM, Aug 9 (FREE)
Location: Corydon Avenue between Lilac St and Daly
Description: Open Corydon – Little Italy transforms one of Winnipeg's most popular entertainment districts into a vibrant, car-free destination every Sunday throughout the summer.
Jazz in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden: Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra Ensemble
| 12PM-1PM, August 9 (FREE)Location: Assiniboine Park
Description: Music, movies, fun, and wellness take centre stage at Assiniboine Park's Summer Entertainment Series!
Current Events: Aug 5th - 6th
Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!
Sports 🏀
Live Racing at Assiniboia Downs | 7:30PM, August 5 (Tickets)
Location: Assiniboia Downs
Description: Horse racing, 140 VLTs and fabulous dining - it’s fun you can bet on!
Wellness Wednesdays | 6PM-7PM, August 5 (FREE)
Location: Assiniboine Park Lyric Theatre
Description: You will flow through simple sequences that build a little warmth before settling into restorative postures and a deep, grounding relaxation.
Winnipeg Goldeyes vs Chicago Dogs | August 5-6 ($)
Location: Blue Cross Park
Description: Come cheer on the Goldeyes as they take on the Dogs in great baseball action.
Victory Lanes Speedway | 2:30PM, August 6 (Tickets)
Location: Victory Lanes Speedway
Community Fun🎆
WAG Wednesday Nights: Jazz Meets Art: An Evening of Music Inspired by Chromatic Structures | 5PM-9PM, August 5 (FREE)
Location: Winnipeg Art Gallery—Qaumajuq
Description: Join acclaimed local vocalist Karly Epp, bassist Karl Kohut, and a talented Brazilian guitarist, Emmanuel Bach, for an intimate jazz performance in the Gallery’s Main Hall.
Folklorama 2026 | August 5-15 (Tickets)
Location: Various venues throughout Winnipeg
Description: Travel the world without a passport! Experience world-class entertainment, enjoy delicious authentic cuisine, warm hospitality, and view beautiful cultural displays during Folklorama, the largest and longest-running multicultural festival of its kind in Winnipeg!
Downtown Farmer's Market | 10AM-2PM, August 6 (FREE)
Location: Along Graham Avenue
Description: The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s popular Outdoor Farmers’ Market has been bringing local food and goods downtown for more than 13 years.
Jeudis Franco Thursdays | 5:30PM-11PM, Aug 6 (FREE)
Location: Saint-Boniface
Description: Jeudis Franco Thursdays is a vibrant cultural event series that takes place every Thursday from June to August in the St. Boniface quarter of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Paddle Nights | 6PM-8:30PM, Aug 6 ($)
Location: Fortwhyte Alive
Description: Spend an evening paddling before sunset for the perfect summer night.
Performance 🎭
Ben Walker Comedy | Aug 5-8 ($)
Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club
Description: A three-time semi-finalist for Sirius XM’s Next Top Comic, Ben has performed all over Canada.
That’s Dirty Dancing | August 6 & 8, 9 (Tickets)
Location: Destination Dinner Stage
Description: Pack your bags for Loverman’s Lodge, where summer love sizzles to the beat of your favorite hits, the jukebox spins nonstop, and the dance floor is strictly no corners allowed
Nikki Glaser: The Stunning Tour | 7PM, August 6 & 7 (Tickets)
Location: Centennial Concert Hall
Description: For nearly two decades of sold out shows, and as the host of three hit podcasts, Emmy®-nominated Nikki Glaser has honed her shockingly honest, no-holds barred style, solidifying herself as one of the funniest voices in comedy today.
Summer Concert Series at the Lyric Theatre (FREE)
Menno Simone | August 6
El Leon & The Strangers presented by Folklorama | August 9
Special Events🥂
Prairie Dog Central Themed Train Rides | Prairie Dog Central Railway
Music 🎵
Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!
