Exploring the ELA, paintings by Audrey Lute
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-27 | 210 Gallery, 210 Princess Street, Winnipeg, R3B1L4
From May 2 to May 27, the 210 Gallery will feature an exhibition called, Exploring the ELA, ] a series of acrylic paintings created by Audrey Lute during her time as an artist-in-residence at the IISD–Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), a globally unique freshwater research facility near Kenora, Ontario. The ELA encompasses 58 small lakes and their surrounding watersheds, providing a living laboratory for vital ecological research.
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Audrey’s residency took place in June and October 2024. Immersed in this remarkable setting, she observed environmental science in action—from exploring the lakes and forests to visiting labs and weather stations. Her work reflects both the real-world research she encountered and her personal, imaginative response to the landscape and its stories.
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The resulting paintings are intimate 6” x 6” works, mounted on 8” x 8” supports—small in size but rich in detail and emotion. The format was chosen for ease of travel to and from the site, and to invite close, personal engagement from viewers.
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Opening Reception – May 2, 2025
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Join us for a special evening as part of First Fridays in the Exchange:
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Artist Talk by Audrey Lute
Guest Talk by Noelle Wood (Education & Relations Officer, IISD–ELA)
Make Your Own Watercolour Bookmark workshop led by the artist at 7:30 PM

Exchange District Annual Spring Spruce Up
2025-05-02 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Winnipeg) | Bijou Park, 492 Main St, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B1B7, Canada
We hope to see you at our 7th annual Exchange District Spring Spruce Up on Friday, May 2nd!
When: Friday, May 2nd from 10am – 1pm.
Where: Bijou Park – 492 Main St (beside Old Market Square)
Pastries and coffee will be provided for anyone who participates in the Spruce Up.
Come out, support your community and help take care of our small corner of the planet! Gloves, cleaning supplies and litter pickers will be provided.
All volunteers will receive a voucher for a FREE beverage to Nonsuch Brewing for post-clean up celebrations!

Dispelling Misconceptions: A Fresh Perspective on AI
2025-05-02 18:00 - 19:00 | 100 Arthur St., 100 Arthur St., Winnipeg, R3B1H3
Attendees are encouraged to join the discussion, ask questions, and explore their own thoughts on the intersection of AI and creativity in a collaborative and welcoming environment.
In partnership with Harbour Collective and First Fridays, artist and mentor Erika Jean Lincoln invite us to reflect on AI and how it has evolved. Through storytelling and critical insights, she’ll challenge common misconceptions and open up a dialogue on the technology’s artistic potential.
AI Mentorship Residency: Breaking the System participants, Aderemilekun “Oluuji” Olusoga and Kris Snowbird will bring their unique perspectives to the conversation with a dynamic show-and-tell. They’ll share their initial encounters with AI, key takeaways from their residency, how AI has shaped their artistic practices, and the challenges they’ve navigated along the way.
Attendees are encouraged to take part in the discussion—ask questions, share thoughts, and engage in an open exploration of AI’s intersection with creativity. This final presentation serves as both a celebration of artistic discoveries and the closing event of AI Mentorship Residency: Breaking the System.
The Art Talk will be followed by a guided Art Walk to a selection of galleries, artist-run centres and artist studios open late for First Fridays in the Exchange.
Join us in-person at Video Pool Media Arts Centre, THE PIVOT, Room 203 or online for what is sure to be an engaging discussion. Walk-ins are welcome!
Photo Credit: Erika Jean Lincoln Bananas are Cats – A Walk in the Forest: A Convo w/ A.I. #10 2024. A collaborative drawing between the artist and a drawing machine. Hand written text in black ink and machine drawn generative AI path of a rambling walk in green ink.

First Friday Bike-In
2025-05-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Old Market Square, 275 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1H9, Canada
Biking to the Exchange is easier than you think! Join us with Bike Winnipeg on the first Friday of each month for a friendly and safe ride to show you the best routes to the Exchange from all areas of the city into Old Market Square.
Take part in a group bike ride into the Exchange District! You will discover the safest and most convenient routes from numerous neighbourhoods throughout Winnipeg. This ride will give you the confidence to feel comfortable riding throughout the city.

May 2 – Linden Wood / CrescentwoodJune 6 – Valour Community Centre / West EndJuly 4 – Millennium Gardens / Chief Peguis Trail GreenwayAugust 1 – St George School / RiverviewSeptember 5 – Edmund Partridge / Point DouglasOctober 3 – Assiniboine Park / Wolseley

Sign up: https://exchangedistrict.org/first-fridays-bike-in/

What’s on this First Friday in the Exchange: https://www.firstfridayswinnipeg.org/

BREATH / JAZZ / POETRY
2025-05-02 19:00 - 22:30 | Saintuary Cafe, 123 James Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0N8, Canada
BREATH / JAZZ / POETRY is an immersive multimedia event showcasing some of Winnipeg’s best artists. Featuring a breathwork facilitator, four-piece jazz band, twelve poets, and a DJ, plus Saintuary’s brand new nighttime food and drinks menu, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Shows are at 7:00 pm and 8:45 pm.

Shaping Light: Projection Mapping with MadMapper
2025-05-03 13:00 - 2025-05-24 14:30 | Video Pool Media Arts Centre, Arthur Street 100, Winnipeg, Winnipeg, R3B 1H7, Canada
Shaping Light: Projection Mapping with MadMapper
Workshop Dates: Saturday May 3, 10, 17, 24, 2025, 1-2:30 pm.
Video Pool Media Arts Centre, The Pivot, Room 203-100 Arthur Street (Artspace building)
Step into the transformative world of projection mapping with artist jaymez, where light and creativity converge to redefine space and perception. This workshop series introduces projection mapping as a dynamic art form, from the basics of setup to some advanced techniques for larger-scale exhibitions.
This workshop is designed for creators eager to explore new dimensions of light, art, and technology. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your projection mapping skills, this program promises an engaging, exploratory dive into immersive or not so immersive, digital visuals.
Participants will get hands-on experience with MadMapper, learn to map simple shapes, automate cues, and layer multiple projections. Practical applications for video playback in gallery settings will be covered. Learn how to evaluate and select the right projector for various settings while experimenting with complex visuals and spatial projections. Jaymez will also touch on advanced techniques in projection design, focusing on architectural mapping and large-scale installations. These sessions emphasize hands-on learning, culminating in a project where participants showcase their own mapped works.
Participants will need a computer with at least 300 MB of disk space and at least 2 GB of RAM and any GPU compatible with OpenGL 3.3.
* Thanks to MadMapper, for the duration of the course, MapMapper Licenses will be provided for all students.
* It is highly recommended for those online to find a projector in their respective community to complete the hands-on application of MadMapper. VP has consolidated information across Canada to help you find one.
Please visit our website for more information about the course and how to register.
#madmapper

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra: Celebrating Gwen Hoebig
2025-05-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main St, Winnipeg
Join us as we celebrate the illustrious career of long-serving WSO Concertmaster, Gwen Hoebig, with a concert that showcases her exceptional talent and musical legacy. She is joined by her talented family of musicians for this special occasion: husband and pianist David Moroz, violist Alexander Moroz, and cellist Juliana Moroz.
Acclaimed as one of Canada’s top violinists, Hoebig has led the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster for 37 seasons! Alongside her orchestral role, she shines in solo performances, chamber music, and teaching, captivating audiences with her mastery of new music and dedication to nurturing young talent globally.
The program opens with two lesser-known gems by iconic composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Sinfonia Concertante and the Concerto for Violin and Piano. Both works will highlight the remarkable musical abilities of the Hoebig family.
The second half of the program features the WSO’s full orchestral splendor with Claude Debussy’s La Mer, a masterpiece that vividly depicts the sea in all its moods. You can almost hear the waves crashing and feel the sea breeze!
The evening concludes with Richard Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks), a tone poem that portrays the mischievous adventures of the titular character through thrilling and imaginative orchestration. This work brings a whimsical end to the evening, with Gwen’s violin leading the mischief.

Mother’s Day Pop Up Market at Two Macaws
2025-05-11 10:00 - 14:00 | 68 Albert Street, 68 Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1E7, Canada
Celebrate mothers and maternal figures in your life with fresh, locally grown blooms!
Join us for a special Mother’s Day pop-up on Saturday, May 11th from 10 AM to 2 PM at Two Macaws Concept Store – 68 Albert Street.
Pick up a beautiful bouquet and explore a curated selection of thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts—perfect for showing your love and appreciation.
Support local and make this Mother’s Day extra special!

Doors Open Winnipeg 2025
2025-05-24 08:00 - 2025-05-25 21:00 | Manitoba
Heritage Winnipeg is proud to present Doors Open Winnipeg 2025, celebrating our great city’s built heritage treasures, cultural institutions and historic streetscapes. Explore Winnipeg’s past through open buildings, fun events and exclusive tours! Volunteers will answer questions while guided tours will maximize the immersive experience. Fascinating history and breathtaking architecture is yours to discover for one weekend a year, completely free. We hope you can join us in celebrating the stories our buildings tell! Learn more online at http://www.doorsopenwinnipeg.ca.

The Island Lake Paintings (Treaty 5): Solo Exhibition by Tim Schouten
2025-05-29 18:00 - 21:00 | 65 Albert St, Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1G3, Canada
Exhibition runs May 29 – June 12, 2025. Opening reception to be held Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 6-9pm.
Artist Statement:
On August 13, 1909, an Adhesion to Treaty 5 was made at the “Old Post” on Linklater Island in Island Lake, long a summer gathering place for the clans.
On September 29 last year I travelled by plane and boat to Linklater Island to attend a Treaty 5 memorial gathering and the inauguration of the new Island Lake Tribal Council (Anisininew Okimawin) Grand Chief, Michael Birch.
The paintings in this exhibition come out of that trip and ongoing conversations and research on the northern Treaty 5 Adhesions made between 1908-1910.
The exhibition will comprise seven or eight large scale encaustic paintings on canvas, several smaller encaustic paintings on panel and a number of watercolor studies, all painted in the last year.
I gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the Manitoba Arts Council, and the Winnipeg Arts Council, and the kind assistance of Anisininew Okimawin (Island Lake Tribal Council), and the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.
Tim Schouten, February 2025

Impressions Jazz Group's Global Jazz Jam, Live at The Cube Stage
2025-06-05 18:00 - 20:30 | Old Market Square, 275 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1H9, Canada
All are welcome to join the jam!
We will play two sets of jazz and world-based improvised music, in addition to jazz standards.
Please bring a chair if needed.
If rained out, please come to the next available date.

Instagram: @impressions_jazz_group
Youtube: @danielhollenberg3337

Code & Canvas: Art and Design with TouchDesigner
2025-06-14 13:00 - 2025-07-05 14:30 | Video Pool Media Arts Centre, Arthur Street 100, Winnipeg, Winnipeg, R3B 1H7, Canada
Code & Canvas: Art and Design with TouchDesigner
Saturdays, June 14, 21, 28 and July 5, 2025, 1-2:30 pm
Video Pool Media Arts Centre, The Pivot, Room 203, 100 Arthur Street (Artspace building)
Unlock the fusion of art and technology with Code & Canvas: Art and Design with TouchDesigner—a comprehensive four-session workshop hosted by Video Pool Media Arts Centre and led by instructor JJ (Jia Jia). Designed for artists, designers, and creative technologists, this course offers hands-on experience in creating real-time generative visuals and interactive media using TouchDesigner.
By the end of this workshop, participants will have a solid foundation in TouchDesigner, enabling them to create captivating generative visuals, develop audio-reactive animations, and design interactive media.
Join us for Code & Canvas and embark on a journey where coding meets creativity, and technology becomes your artistic tool.

Exchange Summer Fitness - Yoga in Stephen Juba Park
2025-06-17 12:00 - 12:45 | Stephen Juba Park, 130 Galt ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, RR3B 0M3, Canada
YOGA: This class will focus on building a strong foundation or yoga and everyday life. You can expect to learn proper form, breathing techniques, while creating a strong mind and body with each session. All you need is a mat or towel to participant, all levels are welcome!
Location – Stephen Juba Park
Break up your day and join the Exchange District BIZ and Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre for FREE fitness classes three times a week. Grab your coworkers and a water bottle for some light movement and waterfront park views.
Full Schedule: https://exchangedistrict.org/summerfitness/

201 Talks: Honey Bees Buzzing with Purpose
2025-06-18 12:00 - 13:00 | 201 Portage Conference Centre, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, R3B 3K6
Join us for an engaging and close-up look at the fascinating world of honey bees! This interactive presentation features a live observation hive – completely enclosed for safety – so you can see bees in action. Golden Bay Honey will go over the stages of a honey bee’s life, their vital role in our ecosystem, and the incredible skills they use every day. Attendees will also receive a gift from Golden Bay Honey, and there will be time for questions at the end. It’s a fun and educational experience for all.
FREE
https://201talkshoneybees.eventbrite.ca

Savour the Exchange Food Tour
2025-06-18 18:00 - 20:30, 2025-06-25 18:00 - 20:30, 2025-07-02 18:00 - 20:30 | The Exchange District, The Exchange
Home to over 50 unique local restaurants, the Exchange District is an inspired community of culinary creativity. Savour a few of these one-of-a-kind dining experiences on a food tour hosted by the Exchange District BIZ.
On this year’s food tour you will sample drinks and delicacies at Blu Fish, Amsterdam Tea Room, and Deer + Almond.
Tours run on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, from 6pm to 8.30pm. Advance booking is required.

201 Summer Concert: Shay Wolf
2025-06-19 12:00 - 13:00 | 201 Portage Plaza, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 3K6, Canada
Join us at the 201 Portage Plaza on Thursdays in June, July, and August for our summer concert series from noon to 1 pm. (Rain location: 201 Concourse).
Shay Wolf is an alt-pop dream weaver, crafting vibrant, ethereal soundscapes that shimmer with emotion and imagination. Born on the wide-open prairies and based in Winnipeg, Shay’s haunting vocals and luminous stage presence draw listeners into a world where reality blurs with reverie.
A classically trained pianist turned singer-songwriter, Shay blends cinematic textures with soaring pop melodies, balancing introspective vulnerability with bursts of joyful defiance. Inspired by the likes of Charlotte Cardin, AURORA, and Lana Del Rey, as well as the vast, untamed beauty of her prairie roots, her music captures both stillness and movement, longing and wonder.
Her songs explore the tender chaos of being human—loss, hope, transformation—always with a sense of curiosity and quiet magic. With each note, Shay invites listeners to lean into the unknown and find beauty in the in-between.
Following the release of her debut ‘Stay EP’ in 2023, Shay is now preparing to unveil Sunny Days—a radiant anthem of renewal, joy, and hope. As her artistic vision continues to bloom, Shay Wolf remains a magnetic force: a dreamer whose music shimmers with feeling and lingers like sunlight, long after it fades.

ALLEYWAYS LOUNGE
2025-06-20 17:00 | 100 Arthur St., 100 Arthur St., Winnipeg, R3B1H3
Join us in the Artspace Drayway on Friday July 19th for the second instalment of ALLEYWAYS In the Exchange 2024
5pm – 10pm
Drayway at 100 Arthur St
Bar featuring Nonsuch and Patent 5 products
Free entry!

Alleyways Lounge is part of Alleyways in the Exchange, a monthly summer event that explores different alleys in the Exchange District though audio and dance performances, a makers’ market and art lounge.
Friday, June 20 | Friday, July 18 | Friday, August 22

ALLEYWAYS MARKET
2025-06-20 17:00 - 22:00 | Elgin Ave. & Bertha St., Elgin Ave. & Bertha St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
In partnership with The Exchange District BIZ, Alleyways Market is a distinctly Exchange take on summer markets! Part maker pop-up & part food market, the outdoor market will be set up over 3 Fridays this summer just behind the Concert Hall. In tandem with Alleyways in the Exchange, the Alleyways Market is set up once a month from 5pm to 10pm on the 2nd last Friday evening throughout June, July and August.
The alleyways of Elgin Ave. & Bertha st. will be filled with an enjoyable mix of handmade goods, ready to eat snacks and fresh, locally produced food to take home. This market is well known for its amazing summer night vibe that is a popular favourite with both the neighbourhood, vendors and beyond!
Friday, June 20 | Friday, July 18 | Friday, August 22
Alleyways Market is part of Alleyways in the Exchange, a monthly summer event that explores different alleys in the Exchange District though audio and dance performances, a makers’ market and art lounge.

ALLEYWAYS TANGO
2025-06-20 18:00 - 21:00 | 65 Albert St, Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1G3, Canada
Get carried away by the rhythm as an unassuming Albert St lane transforms into a dynamic dance floor. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a curious spectator, experience the fervor of classic Argentinian tango dancing with Tango Nuevo Winnipeg.
5-10pm
In the alley next to 65 Albert St
Alleyways Tango is part of Alleyways in the Exchange, a monthly summer event that explores different alleys in the Exchange District though audio and dance performances, a makers’ market and art lounge.
Friday, June 20 | Friday, July 18 | Friday, August 22

ALLEYWAYS SOUNDS
2025-06-20 19:30 | 189 Bannatyne Ave, Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0R4, Canada
Free and outdoors at 7pm!
Alleyways Sounds is part of Alleyways in the Exchange, a monthly summer event that explores different alleys in the Exchange District though audio and dance performances, a makers’ market and art lounge.
Friday, June 20 | Friday, July 18 | Friday, August 22

201 Talks: Mindfulness For Work and Productivity
2025-06-24 12:00 - 13:00 | 201 Portage Conference Centre, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, R3B 3K6
Take a mindful break from your busy workday and discover how a few simple techniques can improve focus, productivity, and well-being.
In just 60 minutes, learn how mindfulness can help you work smarter—not harder—so you can feel more engaged, energized, and effective at work.

Exchange Summer Fitness - Bootcamp at the 201 Portage Plaza
2025-06-25 12:00 - 12:45 | 201 Portage Plaza, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 3K6, Canada
BOOTCAMP: Get ready to move, sweat and have fun training outdoors! These full-body workouts will incorporate functional movement using minimal equipment while building strength and improving your fitness. All you need is a water bottle and a mat or towel to participate, all levels are welcome!
Location – 201 Portage Plaza
Break up your day and join the Exchange District BIZ and Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre for FREE fitness classes three times a week.

Full Schedule: https://exchangedistrict.org/summerfitness/

201 Summer Concert: HAVS ft. Ruiz
2025-06-26 12:00 - 13:00 | 201 Portage Plaza, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 3K6, Canada
Join us at the 201 Portage Plaza on Thursdays in June, July, and August for our summer concert series from noon to 1 pm. (Rain location: 201 Concourse).
HAVS – HAVS is an alternative R&B/Pop singer, songwriter, and producer known for her ethereal vocals and genre-defying sound. With a fluid approach and a magnetic honesty that defines her sound, she blends strong R&B influences with evocative storytelling to deeply resonate with listeners. Her self-written songs are crafted to inspire connection and self-alignment, harnessing the power of words and melodies to create vivid, immersive worlds.
RUIZ – Terence Ruiz is a Producer, Songwriter, and Audio Engineer at Private Ear Recording. Ruiz started in the basement, a teenager piecing together a home studio with a love for Rap music. Over the years, Ruiz continues to bring a certain edge that feels homegrown, and you can feel that energy when Ruiz steps on stage. More recently, he opened CTRL Space Records as a co-owner along with Derek Benjamin. Terence has been working with hundreds of artists over the past decade to develop his skills as a Producer, Engineer & Writer to be able to leave clients happy when they receive a finished piece of work. Although he started learning and working on his own music, he quickly made a buzz in the music scene, which connected him with many like-minded individuals who wanted to work and create something special.

FIRST FRIDAYS in the EXCHANGE
2025-07-04 17:00 - 21:00 | The Exchange District, The Exchange
On the 1st Friday of each month, Galleries, Artist-Run Centres, Studios, Shops + Museums stay open late at this free event in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.
On July 4, with over 51 Arts and Culture destinations, make the night the way you want it to be!
The link takes you to the What’s ON page with all the fine details and images + the printable Tour Map.
Enjoy!

ART TALK/ART WALK: Rooted in Resourcefulness
2025-07-04 17:30 - 21:00 | 100 Arthur St., 100 Arthur St., Winnipeg, R3B1H3
ART TALK/ART WALK is a series of monthly informal, moderated, 45 minute Art Talks followed by a guided Art Walk to a selection of galleries, artist-run centres and artist studios open late for First Fridays in the Exchange.
On July 4:
Moneca Sinclaire, a Nehinan (Swampy Cree) artist from Northern Manitoba, transforms discarded materials into vibrant works of art inspired by the teachings of her Nohkom (grandmother). Her sustainable practice blends ancestral knowledge with contemporary methods, inviting all ages to see beauty in what we often overlook. Moneca’s work is a celebration of creativity, culture, and care for the Earth.

Cross Portage and Main with US!
2025-07-08 11:00 - 2025-07-09 14:00 | Portage and Main, 201 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
On Tuesday, July 8, we’re coming together with partners from all four corners of Winnipeg’s most iconic intersection for an afternoon celebrating culture, community and connection, featuring a group high-five with an aerial photo and custom public arches by Storefront Manitoba.Enjoy a range of activities across the intersection:

Group high-five + aerial photo at 12:30 PM (gather at 12:15 to coordinate)
201 Portage: Meet the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Goldie, games and giveaways
Richardson Plaza: MadeHere Market, Humane Society dogs, trivia, Downtown Sounds Concert Series featuring The Love Letters, and Fairmont’s Back Door Burgers
333 Main (MMF): Guided walking tours every 30 minutes, an indoor museum exhibit, and a beadwork photo wall
All Four Corners: Steel arches symbolizing portals and the four elements

We hope to see you there!

Winnipeg Goldeyes Meet & Greet at 201 Portage!
2025-07-08 11:30 - 13:00 | 201 Portage Plaza, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 3K6, Canada
Step up to the plate for an afternoon of fun! The Winnipeg Goldeyes are coming to 201 Portage for a special Meet & Greet event you won’t want to miss.
Join us on the plaza for a fun-filled afternoon featuring:
📸 Autographs and photos with members of Winnipeg Goldeyes team
🎁 Prizes and giveaways
🍿 Free popcorn
🎯 Yard games
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just in it for the summer vibes—bring your friends, bring your family, and don’t miss out on the fun!
