After I checked into my hotel and dropped by bags off, I headed down Portage street with a Peppermint Mocha in my hand and a huge smile on my face. In fact, I think I was basically 'beaming' to the point that I think a few people looked at me like "what are you so happy about."
About an hour later I got a call from the photographer from the Winnipeg Free Press. I had spoken to one of their writers last week about my trip. The photographer wanted to come by and take some photos of me all bundled up on the streets of Winnipeg with my Weakerthans tickets in hand. Wow. What a nice way to start the evening.
I then took a walk through the Exchange District where lots of Weakerthans references live and where the first show will be held. Although Albert Street is only a few blocks long, it has somehow made it's way into many Weakerthans song (Wellington Wednesdays, Phampleteer).
I stopped by Mondragon for dinner, which had been recommended by several people. I am happy to know there are good vegetarian restaurants here. Just to be humorous, I had the "Southern Fried Tofu" sandwich, which was delish. In Georgia, you might be kicked for using the terms "Southern Fried" in a sentence with Tofu!
I then headed to what I think is "Exchange Park" (a reference to Paul Toughs article on his visit to Winnipeg) and then over to King Head Pub for a glass of red wine and by the Burton Cummings.
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| Seeing the Uptown Article in print for the first time. |
Before heading back to the hotel I had to see this place called the Giant Tiger Canadian discount store. Which is gonna need it's very own blog post it was so colorful!
I'm sure you'll have enough music with The Weakerthans but you need more - this is a pretty complete listing of what's happening in town.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.manitobamusic.com/
Just check the Live Music Calendar.
DM
Welcome to Winnipeg, Andy! Winnipeg is my hometown, but I have lived outside it for the past 28 years. (Lived by Birds Hill Provincial Park northeast of the city for 25 years, and for the past 3.5 years have lived in Matlock, one hour north of the city on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. It's fabulous, and still close enough to the city for cultural outings, etc.
ReplyDeleteToo bad you weren't here in the summer when the weather is nicer - and when The Weakerthans documentary was screened ON THE BEACH at the Gimli Film Fest. Awesome! Take a look at my blog for more on that at:
http://doreenisthewizardofwords.blogspot.com/2010/07/time-off-for-summer-fun.html.
Hope you're enjoying the concerts and your time here. We REALLY are Friendly Manitobans! (Read the license plates.)
Doreen Pendgracs
"Exchange Park" is called Old Market Square. It housed a farmers market in the old days and is now home to many summer festivals. The cube stage is part of a facelift gone horribly wrong.
ReplyDeleteYou know what I missed about winnipeg when I was travelling around the southern US? Cheap Ethiopian restaurants. I have no idea why I had such a hard time finding them when I was gallivanting about down there, but it sure was nice to come back to cheap delicious filling Ethiopian food every 2 blocks. Stop in at Kokeb (just down from the Giant tiger) or any of the dozen on sargent just north of there. The Black Sheep Diner (Ellice and Langside, a 10-15 minute walk east of the exchange) is a great breakfast spot.
ReplyDelete