Happy Monday, Winnipeggers!

I hope you got a chance to step outside this weekend and maybe even made it down to the Canada Rally at the Legislative Building. It was a great turnout, with people coming together to show support, wave flags, and bring some real energy to the heart of the city.

Now grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s jump in!

Now, in today’s edition:

• Tourism Winnipeg Turns April Fool’s Idea Into Reality

• Restaurant of the Week (Music Cafe)

• The Winnipeg Whiteout is Back!

• Winnipeggers Help Raise Over $131K for Special Olympics

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Tourism Winnipeg Turns April Fool’s Idea Into Reality

Growing up here, you kind of get used to Winnipeg being the city people skip over. We’re not flashy. We’re not the first choice. But you know what? That’s exactly what makes us great. We’ve got grit, heart, and a sense of humour that can only come from being underestimated.

And now, Tourism Winnipeg is leaning into that with a new campaign that paints us as Canada’s middle child: quirky, funny, and resilient.

• The campaign started as an April Fools’ joke, but the response was so positive that they’re making it official this summer

• The campaign will run in cities like Thunder Bay, Regina, Calgary, and Edmonton to bring more Canadians our way

The full campaign officially launches on May 1st, just in time for summer travel plans.

It’s fun, it’s cheeky, and honestly, it feels like us. We may not be the loudest in the family, but we’ve got stories, soul, and a whole lot to show off!

And hey, who said being the middle child was a bad thing?

A message from St.Amant!

Provide a Safe and Supportive Home with St.Amant

Sometimes, all it takes is one home to change a life.

Not a perfect home. Just a kind one. The kind where someone feels safe to be themselves. Where they can laugh, grow, and finally feel like they truly belong.

And that’s what St.Amant is looking for. They’re hoping to find someone willing to open their home to an adult with a developmental disability. Someone who wants to feel included, supported, and part of a community but just needs the right place to start.

And yes, this is a compensated opportunity. So, you’ll receive ongoing support and financial compensation because what you’re doing truly matters.

Here’s what a good fit looks like:

• A well-maintained home with a private bedroom and bathroom

• A willingness to offer support, mentorship, and meaningful activities

• Access to a vehicle and strong communication skills

• Ideally, a male provider in the south end of Winnipeg (but they’re open to others too!)

So, whether you’re opening your own home or know someone who might be the right fit, St. Amant makes the whole process easy and supported from start to finish.

If you’re looking to help someone in need, make some meaningful extra income, or be part of something truly special, this is a great place to start.

To apply or for more information on compensation or any questions, please reach out to:
Roxanne Kozak – Home Share Coordinator
📧 [email protected]
📞 (204) 256-4301, ext. 3354

P.S. Looking to advertise in the Winnipeg Digest? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Restaurant of the Week: Frenchie's Records & Coffee

Great music and good coffee just belong together, and Frenchies Records & Coffee at 260 Tache Ave proves it. If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping coffee while browsing through your favourite records, this cozy spot has you covered.

They’re a unique music café serving great coffee, matcha, and more. All while letting you flip through shelves packed with everything from classic Beatles vinyl and '60s jazz to the newest hip-hop and R&B releases from SZA or Kendrick Lamar.

And it’s not just vinyl, you’ll also find CDs and even old-school cassettes, both new and used.

• What to expect: Vinyl, CDs, and cassettes in just about every genre imaginable.

• Don’t miss out: Keep an eye out for their album-listening parties. It’s a perfect way to discover new favourites or just hang out with fellow music lovers.

They’re open all week, but hours vary, so double-check before you head over!

Stop by, grab a coffee, and discover your next favourite album.

Community Digest

The Winnipeg Whiteout is Back!

Every year, when playoff hockey rolls around, I get chills seeing Winnipeg dressed in white. Honestly, there's a magic to how our whole community comes together, friends, families, even strangers high-fiving on the streets. It feels like we're all part of something special.

And this year, with the regular season wrapping up in less than 10 days, True North is gearing up again. They're inviting everyone down this week to announce all the exciting details for the Whiteout Street Parties coming up!

Here’s what you need to know:

• When: Tuesday, April 8, starting at 11:30 a.m. (the big reveal happens around 12:15 p.m.)

• Where: True North Square Plaza

• What’s to do: Hear about the Whiteout details, grab lunch downtown, pick up new Whiteout gear at the Jets Gear trailer, listen to some great music, and look out for free goodies!

• Special Guests: Mayor Scott Gillingham, Premier Wab Kinew, and Kevin Donnelly from True North will also be speaking.

And since our Jets are dominating this year, sitting at the very top of the NHL with 108 points, the excitement downtown is already building up fast.

Winnipeg, start grabbing your white gear. As it’s almost time to celebrate again!

Winnipeggers Help Raise Over $131K for Special Olympics

When you live in a place nicknamed Winterpeg, you learn to embrace the cold. It’s just part of who we are. So when it comes to jumping into a tank of icy water, especially for a good cause. We don’t even think twice.

As reported by CTV News, this weekend, Winnipeggers showed up in full force for the annual Polar Plunge at True North Square, raising money for Special Olympics Manitoba. It was cold, it was chaotic, and it was full of heart.

Here’s what went down:

• 82 Winnipeggers took the plunge on Saturday, marking the final stop of this year’s tour

• More than $131,000 was raised across all plunge events

• With that money helping athletes train and compete at events like the 2025 Provincial Summer Games, happening in Winnipeg from June 20–22

The cold might last a few seconds—but the support this brings to local athletes will be felt for a long time. And in true Winnipeg fashion, it’s the warmth of the community that makes it all unforgettable.

City Updates

Spring Safety Update: What RRC Students Should Know

Red River College just shared their Spring Safety Update. And, if you're a student, or know someone who is, make sure to pass this along.

It’s easy to take campus life for granted with all the hustling between classes, grabbing coffee, and trying to find a decent seat. But behind the scenes, there are people quietly working to keep everyone safe. And RRC Polytech’s Safe Ride and Safe Walk programs are a big part of that.

Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s President and CEO, recently joined the team for a ride-along to see it in action and left with even more appreciation for the folks making this happen.

Here’s what to know:

• Two Safe Ride vans now run at the Exchange District Campus, offering around 180 rides a day

• Services run 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at EDC and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at NDC, with evening rides available by request

• Call 204-949-8305 (EDC) or 204-632-2323 (NDC) to request a ride or escort

Whether it’s early morning classes or late-night study sessions, these services are there to make sure you feel safe getting around. It might seem like a small thing, but knowing someone is looking out for you makes campus feel a little more like home.

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!

• The Leaf Unplugged | 7PM, April 9 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park

  • Description: Step away from the constant buzz of technology and the demands of daily life, grab your yoga mat and book and come to The Leaf Unplugged.

• The Story of Taylor Swift | 7PM, April 9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Featuring your favourite Taylor Swift hits, this show is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and artistry. Hear the stories behind the songs and discover how Taylor has inspired millions.

• Manitoba Opera - La Boheme | 7PM, April 9 & 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: Be Swept Away into a World of Young Love & Romance

• The Locals Spring Market | April 10-11 (More Info/Free)

  • Location: St. Boniface Hospital

  • Description: 2 days of local shopping in the atrium of one of Winnipeg's biggest hospitals. Staff, patients, visitors, and community members will be there to shop local first.

• Quilt Show and Competition | April 11-12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre

• Rampup Weekend 2025 | April 11-13 (More Info)

  • Location: 100 Innovation Drive

  • Description: Pitch tech-enabled, science-based, or advanced manufacturing business ideas, form teams, and build a startup over the course of three days. It’s an opportunity to bring your idea to life, meet potential co-founders, and compete for amazing prizes.

• ​Glass Tiger - The Island Earth Tour | 8PM, April 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Casino

  • Description: Canadian rock band from Newmarket, Ontario that formed in 1983. The band has released five studio albums. Its 1986 debut album, The Thin Red Line, went quadruple platinum in Canada and gold in the United States.

• Brett Young Back To Basics World Tour | 8PM, April 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

• Lucky Girl Spring Pop Up Market | 11AM - 5PM, April 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: 140+ local vendor market!

Exciting Events: April 7th & 8th

Sports🏀

• Winnipeg Jets vs St. Louis Blues (Parkinson's Awareness Night) | 6:30PM, April 7 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Music 🎵

• Talise | 12-2:45PM, April 7

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall (1212 Nairn Avenue)

• U of M Jazz Ensemble | 7:30PM, April 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain

• Scott Nolan (Songwriter Night) | 7PM, April 8

  • Location: Royal George

• Central Sound Wave | 12-2:45PM, April 8

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall (1212 Nairn Avenue)

Family Fun🎆

• Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical! | April 7-13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry (1824 Pembina Hwy)

  • Description: Saddle up for a wild ride as Destination Dinner Stage takes you on a hilarious journey through the wilderness of family drama, and a hearty dose of cowboy humor.

• Casey and Diana Play | April 7-12 (Tickets)

  • Location: John Hirsch Mainstage

  • Description: Inspired by Princess Diana’s historic visit to Toronto’s Casey House in 1991, Casey and Diana is a tremendously moving and surprisingly funny portrait of the men at the heart of the AIDS crisis, their devoted caregivers, and the ‘People’s Princess’.

• Spring Book Fair | April 7-9 (More Info)

  • Location: Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba

  • Description: Hundreds of used books in genres like Romance, Mystery, Young Adult and Kids!

• Toddler Tuesdays at The Leaf | 9:30-10AM, April 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Mediterranean Biome at The Leaf

  • Description: Your little one will enjoy music and games while discovering the joy of movement!

Special Events 🎨

• Murder for Two Musical | April 7-19 (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.

• Raised by Women Play | April 7-13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange

  • Description: Raised by Women is Barker’s tale of the lessons he learned through the women in his life.

• FLASH Photographic Festival | 7PM, April 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Winnipeg Art Gallery

  • Description: Presented by The FLASH Photographic Festival, join us for a screening of All the Beauty and the Bloodshed by Laura Poitras.

• Mike Green Comedy | April 8-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: He's been to Just for Laughs Montreal as part of the New Faces of Comedy Showcase, and you can watch him on season 3 of the CBC's New Wave of Standup!

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