Top Five "Must-Attend" Shows This February

Skip dinner-and-movie: take your valentine to see Lindi Ortega (above) at the Park Theatre on February 14th. 

Welcome to a new regular feature on Painting over Silence that previews the month ahead on the Winnipeg concert front: each month we'll be spotlighting five local shows deemed as "must-attend." This month's "must-attenders" were selected by contributor Stefani-Raine Allan, and, without further adieu, here are the five she selected, in chronological order:

New Music Festival: Pop Nuit presents Royal Canoe 

Pantages Playhouse 

Saturday, February 2nd

11 p.m.

Royal Canoe takes the stage for the NMF wrap-up party at the Pantages Playhouse, performing music from Beck’s Song Reader. Song Reader is the iconic artist’s latest work, available only as sheet music, that allows musicians to put their own spin on the album without offering any preconceived ideas about how it should sound. Add in Montreal video artist Tasman Richardson, who took part in WNDX last September, and it’s an evening of unique artistry not to be missed. Get a glimpse of Tasman’s work at www.tasmanrichardson.com - or for those of you who are more ambitious, Song Reader music can be found at songreader.net.

Tickets are $16.50. Available at Music Trader / Into The Music / WSO Box Office / Ticketmaster              

Manitoba Music Showcase 

Feat. Flying Fox and The Hunter Gathers, Salinas, french press, and Mise En Scene

Windsor Hotel

Saturday, February 2nd

9 p.m.

If Beck doesn’t wet your proverbial whistle, quadruple your fun at the Windsor instead! As part of their Hook, Line, and Singer: Song Listening Session held earlier in the day (Manitoba Music Resource Centre, 1 p.m.), Manitoba Music presents an evening of four local acts: Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers, Salinas, french press, and Mise En Scene. The bands will be performing for a panel of esteemed professionals to gain feedback on their production and songwriting;they’ll round out the day with a performance at one of Winnipeg’s well-loved venues, the Windsor Hotel. If you’re able to attend both events, the behind the scenes peek into the workings of the music industry is sure to add a measure of depth to the sounds you already know and love. Not too shabby for 7 bucks, eh?

Register for Hook, Line, and Singer at www.manitobamusic.com/workshops. $40
Showcase tickets $7, door.

Whitehorse
w/ Del Barber

Burton Cummings Theatre

Friday, February 8

8 p.m.

With Valentine’s Day only a week later, this show might be the perfect catalyst to your romantic celebrations, since these Canadian folk darlings are a match made in heaven - on and off the stage, really. Tying the knot back in 2006, singers-songwriters Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland both enjoyed successful solo careers before teaming up in 2011 to make music under the moniker Whitehorse. The group has been generating buzz and garnering accolades ever since and are in town to promote their sophomore album, The Fate of the World Depends on This Kiss.

Tickets are $27.50 (plus fees). Available at Ticketmaster, WECC, Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store

Lindi Ortega
w/ Dustin Bentall & The Smokes

Park Theatre

Thursday, February 14

8 p.m

If romance ain't yer thing, ditch the patented Valentine’s Day dinner-and-a-movie and check out this genre-bending musician instead. Armed with her guitar and signature red boots, Lindi Ortega draws upon her love of old-time country music in her melodies while her all-powerful voice is reminiscent of country-folk luminaries Dolly Parton and Nancy Sinatra. Alt-country has been an up and coming for years and if you’re not firmly on the bandwagon yet, the Juno-nominated Ortega might be the artist to get your on board.

Tickets $17 (plus fees). Available at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store and Ticketmaster

Festival du Voyageur

Multiple Venues

Friday, February 15 - Sunday, February 24

Festival du Voyageur has been kicking winter’s derrière in Winnipeg since 1969, and this year will be no different. Stand in awe at the snow sculptures. Try your hand foot at snowshoeing. Take a sleigh ride. Be amazed and simultaneously repulsed at the beard-growing contest. And when the sun finally goes down, take refuge in a tent, shed your winter gear and get ready to dance the night away to some of our fair city’s hottest acts: Imaginary Cities, The Noble Thiefs, Red Moon Road, The F-Holes, The Lytics, Trio Bembe, JD Edwards, Enjoy Your Pumas, Flying Fox, The Crooked Brothers, and as always, The Dust Rhinos. You should probably go buy a ticket now. CARIBOU!

Day Pass $15
10 Day Pass $25
Visit www.heho.ca for a complete music schedule.

Now it's your turn, Dear Readers: What Winnipeg shows in February are getting *you* out of the house?