Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Folklorama Kick-Off

The Folklorama season is nearly upon us, and there’s no better way to ignite the cultural spirit than with the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Folklorama Kick-off, which will be hitting the Scotiabank Stage on July 27 with a full day of cultural activities and entertainment.

The fun gets going at 4:00 p.m. with the MTS Ethnic Market, which brings more than a dozen ethnic vendors together, stocking ingredients, household items and other goods from around the world for sale. Kids’ activities and giveaways will also be set up throughout the day, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to do.

1031 Virgin Radio’s Chrissy Troy and CTV’s Karen Rocznik host the mainstage show, which gets underway at 7:00 p.m. with a dazzling display of colour and culture as more than 180 Ambassadors from all 46 of Folklorama 2013’s pavilions take the stage in the Ambassador Parade.

Following the Ambassador Parade, settle in for an evening of vivid cultural entertainment with local and international performing groups from nine different Folklorama pavilions, including Manitoba Korean Dance Group (Korean Pavilion), Beatriz Barceló and Sol de España Spanish Folk Dancers (Pabellón de España – Spain Pavilion), Africa Pavilion Dancers (Africa Pavilion), Tamil Pavilion Dancers (Tamil Pavilion), Chile Lucha y Canta (Chilean Pavilion), Rozmai Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion), Brady Academy of Irish Dance (Celtic Ireland Pavilion), and Viva Brasil (Brazilian Pavilion). Spanish songstress Osdalgia and her band Voces Mixtas will also be arriving directly from Cuba to round out the evening. The Festivities will conclude with a presentation from Archangel Fireworks at 10:45 p.m.

For more information on the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Folklorama Kick-off and the 2013 Folklorama Festival, visit www.folklorama.ca.

Chez Sophie on the Esplanade Riel

                              

Have you been to Winnipeg's fabulous and new French restaurant yet?  Okay, Chez Sophie is not exactly new, rather its location on the beautiful Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge is.  The locally owned bistro decided to expand to a second location when opportunity arose to fill what was previously the Salisbury House on the Esplanade.  And we are so happy they did!

                               

                               

My husband and I went for dinner there this past weekend on our date night (very rare occasion!) after checking out the 100 Masters exhibit at the WAG (a must-see if you haven't already been).  If you're looking for a fun and unique dining experience, I highly recommend Chez Sophie.

The menu features a variety of traditional French dishes such as moules et frites (which we had for a starter), veal in cream sauce (I ordered this) and filet mignon with a balsamic sauce (he ordered this).  As well as some delicious sounding salmon, pickerel and vegetarian dishes.  Our server was a lovely young francophone woman who was prompt and friendly with her service at our cozy little table for two along the banquette.  I was a little dissapointed that we were unable to sit at a window table overlooking the river.  To avoid this next time I think I'll try to request a window seat when making my reservation.  Although had we been sitting at a window seat, we'd never have met the lovely French couple next to us celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary!

All entrees were served with soup of the day, a petite salade and delicious French bread (which I'm sure came from the fabulous Le Croissant on Tache).  There's also a cute little gift shop in the back of the restaurant selling jewelry and gifts, which I thought was a nice touch.

I've not yet been to Chez Sophie for lunch, but I hear the menu is excellent. My colleague and friend who is always one of the first to check out new bistros and restuarants around town said that the goat cheese salad was lovely, and her lunch date raved about the quiche of the day, both photographed below.

Be sure to call ahead (204-942-4142) and make reservation so that you're guaranteed to get a spot.  Chez Sophie is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 11pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm and closed on Monday.

Summer at The Forks

Canada Day has come and gone and summer is in full swing at The Forks.  The July 1st celebrations were a huge success and we want to thank everyone who came out and made it a party to remember!

Canada Day at The Forks is part of our Scotiabank Summer Concert Series, a collection of four large scale events held on site during the months of June and July.  We kicked off the concert series with Pride Day celebrations, then APTN's Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration and, most recently, Canada Day.  If for some crazy reason you missed all three of those events, not to worry, we have one more coming your way!  The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Folklorama Kickoff will be hitting the Scotiabank Stage and Festival Field on July 27.  Watch for an upcoming blog post on that.

Looking for something to do at The Forks THIS weekend?  Why not spend the afternoon hanging out on the beach in the Historic Port?  The beach is an interactive installation of art and architecture that is part of Cool Gardens, summer's answer to the now famous Warming Huts.

Feeling the heat from all that beach sitting?  Zip on up to Neon Cone at The Forks Market and grab and ice cream cone or gelato to cool you off while you kick back and relax on the Splash Dash River Tour.  Waterbus tours run daily with pick ups and drop offs right in The Forks Historic Port.

If all that leisure and relaxtion has made you thirsty why not enjoy a cold bevvy in the shade at the Muddy Waters port side patio.  Excellent views of the river and The Forks site make it one of the most appealing patios in town.

Remember we have plenty of places to lock up your bike, so why not leave the car at home next time you head down to The Forks?

If you're looking for more information on any events happening at The Forks, you can always visit our Calendar of Events on theforks.com.  Thanks for stopping in.  Stay cool, Winnipeg!