Hey Winnipeggers!

Despite the little snow we got on Monday melting away almost as soon as it fell, the sun’s finally showing up and the days are getting longer. While this week might feel a bit slow, trust me, a burst of local events is just around the corner as we roll into summer!

I hope you’re finding a moment to step outside, enjoy the warming weather, and soak in those extra daylight hours. With summer nearing, there’s plenty to look forward to right here in our city. Keep your calendars handy, support our local scene, and get set for some fantastic happenings.

In today’s edition:

• Winnipeg Easter: What’s Open & Closed

• Community Spotlight of the Week

• Government of Manitoba Steps in to Save Lemay Forest

• Downtown Live Music Festival Comes Back for 2025

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Winnipeg Easter: What’s Open & Closed

With the Easter weekend around the corner, it’s good to know what’s open and what’s closed in our city. While Good Friday falls on April 18, keep in mind that Manitoba doesn’t mark Easter Sunday or Monday as official holidays. Here’s a quick rundown to help you plan your weekend:

City Services:

• All civic offices are closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday

• Recycling and garbage are collected as scheduled if it’s your pickup day

• Transit: Winnipeg Transit runs on a Sunday schedule this Good Friday

• Landfills & Depots:

  • Brady Road Landfill is open 5:30 a.m.–6 p.m. on Friday and Monday

  • Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot is open 8 a.m.–6 p.m. on those days

  • Pacific 4R and Panet 4R depots are closed

Libraries:

• Closed on Friday and Sunday

• Open on Monday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at branches such as Millennium, Bill and Helen Norrie, Henderson, Louis Riel, Pembina Trail, St. James-Assiniboia, and West Kildonan

Recreation:

• Indoor Pools & Fitness Centres:

  • Pan Am Pool: open 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Friday and Monday

  • Cindy Klassen Rec Complex: open 2 p.m.–6 p.m. on Friday and Monday

  • Margaret Grant Pool: open 1 p.m.–5 p.m. on Friday and Monday

Museums & Galleries:

• Canadian Museum for Human Rights: open Friday and Sunday (10 a.m.–5 p.m.), closed Monday

• Manitoba Museum: open Friday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), closed Monday

• WAG-Qaumajuq: open Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.–5 p.m.), closed Friday and Monday

Shopping:

• Grant Park Shopping Centre is closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday

• St. Vital Centre, Kildonan Place, Outlet Collection Winnipeg, and Garden City Shopping Centre: open 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Good Friday; closed Easter Sunday

• CF Polo Park: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Good Friday & Easter Sunday

Plan ahead so you can enjoy a smooth, surprise-free Easter weekend. Have a wonderful and stress-free holiday, Winnipeg!

A message from Cleanr Property Maintenance

Get Your Lawn Summer-Ready (Plus $40 OFF!)

Let’s face it. Winnipeg winters aren’t exactly easy on our lawns.

You know the feeling: the snow finally melts, and suddenly your yard looks pretty sad. There’s dead grass everywhere, piles of soggy leaves, and those stubborn patches that just don’t seem ready for summer barbecues anytime soon.

But don’t worry, Cleanr gets it.

They’re a local company that’s helped thousands of Winnipeg homeowners get their lawns back in shape after winter.

Here’s how they do it:

• A proper power raking to clear out dead, tangled grass

• Full cleanup and debris removal (no leftover winter junk or leaves)

• A careful, professional mow so your lawn looks neat and clean.

• And if you want to keep your lawn healthy all summer, you can add their 4-visit Fertilizer & Weed Control program, designed just for Winnipeg yards.

And the best part? Winnipeg Digest readers get $40 OFF when booking both.

So if you’re looking to support a local Winnipeg company, want your yard looking fresh for the summer, or just need one less thing on your to-do list, Cleanr makes it easy and reliable from start to finish.

Click below to see their pricing and get your lawn ready for summer. And if you think you don’t need it but know a family member or friend who might, be sure to share it with them!

Community Spotlight

Manitoba Government Invests $1.5M in New Recovery Centre

The Manitoba government is pledging $1.5 million to build and launch the new Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre. A safe space for women facing addiction, where they can focus on healing while keeping their children close by.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Capital Investment:

  • $1 million supports the construction of a 75,000 sq.-ft. facility

  • The centre will house 50 to 70 treatment beds and include a licensed child-care facility so mothers can stay close to their children during recovery

• Additional Funding:

  • And the rest $500,000 in startup funding will help expand detox beds and other treatment options for those overcoming addiction

• Community Initiative:

  • The project is led by the Bruce and Anne Oake Memorial Foundation, which aims to raise $25 million (with $13 million already raised as of September 2024)

This is a real investment in the lives of women and the future of our community. So, If you want to support the recovery centre, you can donate directly HERE, or you can also get involved by attending the Fight for Charity event on April 26th. At the event, twenty committed Manitobans will be putting their fists up in front of over 1,000 people, all to raise $50,000 for the recovery centre!

Click Here: To learn more about the Fight for Charity

City Updates

Heads Up: Winnipeg Starts Controlled Burns in Natural Areas

Here’s a heads up for all our nature lovers. Our annual controlled burns are starting this week, weather permitting, and will run until about June 14. These planned burns help our tall grass prairies stay healthy by reducing weeds and returning essential nutrients to the soil. It’s all about keeping our natural spaces vibrant and thriving.

• What’s Happening: Controlled (or prescribed) burns will take place in selected natural areas.

• Why It Matters: These burns mimic natural wildfires from the past, clearing out invasive species and encouraging fresh, abundant wildflower growth.

• Safety First: Burns will be conducted only when wind conditions are just right, with proper fire guards in place.

• A Longstanding Practice: We’ve been managing our prairies this way since 1986, a proven method to preserve our local ecosystem.

Keep an eye out for updates, and enjoy knowing that our efforts are keeping Winnipeg’s outdoors healthy and beautiful for everyone!

Click Here: For more info on the controlled burns!

Government of Manitoba Steps in to Save Lemay Forest

As reported by CBC News, Lemay Forest in south Winnipeg is set to be preserved for everyone’s benefit. Instead of being cleared for a 5,000-bed assisted living facility, the province will now purchase the land at market value to protect our natural space.

Premier Wab Kinew announced this step, responding to strong local calls to keep the chainsaws at bay.

Here’s what this means:

• Government Action: The province is buying the land at its current market value to prevent developers from clearing the forest.

• Community Response: Local groups and protestors have rallied together, urging an end to deforestation and a shift toward preservation.

• Future Vision: Instead of an assisted living facility, Lemay Forest will be turned into a provincial park. A green space for everyone in Winnipeg to enjoy.

This move reflects our community’s commitment to protecting our environment and ensuring a green future for everyone.

Community Digest

Burt Block Parties 2025: Downtown Live Music Festival

Burt Block Parties are back this year, and they’re set to add even more excitement to our already packed Winnipeg summer. Starting on August 14, this four-night event outside the Burton Cummings Theatre is perfect for enjoying live music with friends and family.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Kicking Off: The first night features country star Dean Brody, along with local favorites Owen Riegling, Hailey Benedict, and Manitoba’s own Brandi Vezina.

• Friday Night: Look forward to headliner Marianas Trench, with additional acts Down With Webster and Fefe Dobson.

• Saturday Lineup: Saturday brings alternative rockers The Glorious Sons, ‘90s favorite Everclear, and Juno award winner JJ Wilde.

• Sunday Finale: Wrap up the series with Canadian classic rock from artists like Kim Mitchell, Chilliwack, and Harlequin.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, with options for VIP and four-day passes. Don’t miss out on this must-have summer event in Winnipeg!

Click Here: To learn more about the music festival!

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!

• Nelly Concert | 7PM, April 18 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Multi-platinum, multi-diamond-selling, 3x Grammy-winning music superstars coming for his Where The Party At Tour! Featuring artists such as Ja Rule, St. Lunatics, Jermaine Dupri, and Chingy.

• Winnipeg Comedy Showcase #39 | 6:30PM, April 18 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Park Theatre

  • Description: Featuring an all-star lineup of hilarious talent, including Paul Rabliauskas, Tyler Penner, Mike Green, Tim Gray, Jeff Sinclair, and Jeff Gobeil.

• Easter Weekend GPS Egg Hunt | 10AM - 4:30PM, April 18-20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Oak Hammock Marsh

  • Description: Visit the marsh this long weekend and try your hand at Bunny Bingo and participate in their GPS Egg Hunt.

• Goodfellas Comedy Tour! | 8:30PM, April 18-19 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: A night filled with laughter from two of the funniest rising Canadian comedians Jordan Policicchio and James Cummins.

• Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt | 10AM, April 19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Lower Fort Garry

  • Description: Join Life a Little Sweeter Cafe & Friends of Lower Fort Garry for a stress-free Easter brunch! And make the experience extra magical with their Children's Easter Egg Hunt.

• Bachman-Turner Overdrive Tour | 6:45PM, April 19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Their 1970s catalogue included seven top-40 albums and 11 top-40 singles in Canada!

• 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt | April 19 (Free/More Info)

  • Location: 15-1599 Dugald Rd

  • Description: Ages 12 & under are welcome. We Have 1000's of Easter Eggs! BONUS: After The Kids Have Scooped Up All Of The Eggs, Get A Free Picture With The Easter Bunny.

• Wild Rivers Concert | 8PM, April 19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Wild Rivers, the indie trio of Khalid Yassein, Devan Glover, and Andrew Oliver, is returning to Winnipeg after their amazing performance at the 2022 Folk Fest. (Almost sold out)

• Earth Days @ Manitoba Museum | April 19-20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Manitoba Museum

  • Description: Explores the important role water and ice play in life on Earth – influencing climate, shaping the lands, and sustaining and challenging people, plants, and animals.

Exciting Events: April 16th & 17th

Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance.

Sports🏒

• Winnipeg Jets vs Anaheim Ducks | 6PM, April 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Family Fun🎆

• Winnipeg Public Library Pop-up| 9AM-12PM, April 16

  • Location: The Leaf

  • Description: A free monthly pop-up where guests can sign up or renew their library cards in The Leaf. Plus, guests can check out curated books themed to The Leaf’s changing displays in the Babs Asper Display House or seasonal themes.

• Frisky and Agile | April 16-19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Cercle Moliere

  • Description: A seasoned puppeteer and fabulous storyteller, Jocelyn Sioui has fun bringing colorful, larger-than-life characters out of the shadows. The show is in French, but English subtitles are available.

• Broadway Across Canada presents STOMP | April 17-19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: Stomp is like a party hosted by eight different and compelling personalities ranging from intense and ferocious to deadpan and sarcastic. There is some audience participation, though no one is singled out.

Special Events 🎨

• Beeps 'n' Bops Winnipeg | 6-11PM, April 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Park Theatre

  • Description: A concert of video game music performed by live bands.

• The Leaf After Dark: Adults Only Nights | 7-9PM, April 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf

  • Description: Enjoy an adults-only atmosphere with live musical entertainment, plus wine and beer.

• Murder for Two Musical | April 16-19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre

  • Description: A blend of classic musical, comedy, and murder mystery, where two actors play a dozen characters and a piano. Settle in for this witty homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries.

• Sean Lecomber Comedy | April 16-19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Sean Lecomber is a stand-up comedian from Fort Saskatchewan with a unique perspective. His comedy is refreshingly based on words and story rather than movement and expression.

• Louis CK | 7:30PM, April 16-18 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: A six-time Emmy Award and three-time Grammy Award winner. He has released over ten stand up specials including his most recent Louis C.K. at the Dolby, Sorry, and Sincerely.

Music 🎵

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!

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