Student Day for Culture Days Manitoba

There is no telling what you will experience at The Forks this year for Culture Days Manitoba. This year's annual Student Day at the Forks, which falls on Friday, September 27th will host over 500 students and counting from all over Winnipeg. Students from Grades 1- 12 will attend The Forks to take part in the inaugural weekend of free, interactive and participatory arts and cultural events that make up Culture Days Manitoba.

Students will have the opportunity to listen to music and watch performances all day long underneath the canopy. Returning acts like the Shaftesbury Jazz Band and the Gabrielle Roy School Band will bring a sense of familiarity to the event, while the Saint John Brebeuf Choir is a welcome addition. The charming sounds of El Sistema Orchestra, directed by elementary students from 7 Oaks School Division will be sure to warm your heart on an autumn day. Performances under the canopy are not restricted to music. In fact, this year we have three dance performances all displaying a variety of cultural backgrounds which represents the mosaic of cultures here in Winnipeg. Delight in performances by the Ensemble Folklorique de la Rivière Rouge, Maples Collegiate Bhangra Dance Group and Maples Collegiate Filipino Mabuhay Dance Ensemble. Cap off the performances with an all out fiddle fest and public jig with music by students from Music for All Alliance.

  

As the music plays, wander into The Forks Market for great activities and information. If you're hungry, head over The Forks demonstration kitchen where the North End Food Security will be cooking up 3 sisters stew and teaching you how to make it too! Stick around for a free sample and information about how to make a great meal. For dessert, browse through the Manitoba Honey Festival which will be displaying the products of proud Manitoba honey producers. After you've filled your belly, head over to Film Training Manitoba for an interactive directing workshop with skilled instructors. Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre will also hosting collage and animation workshops to contribute to your cinematic streak.

                     

If you're interested in how to improve your language skills, take in some information about Spanish Immersion programs and then learn about Fair Trade products at the Fair Trade Manitoba Booth. But if all this exhausts you and you just want to create something special for the winter months, join in the RAM Wools Knitting Circle. They will teach you how to knit and show you how to make those winter mitts you've always wanted. Still working with your hands, head over to the Maples Collegiate Asian Heritage Club Arts and Crafts stand. There you can make traditional lanterns and other crafts to decorate your home.

If you're going green, or environmental that is, visit Generation Green and help celebrate their one year anniversary! Green Action Centre will be hosting a bike blender activity (you bike and your motion blends your food!) and other environmental activities. If you are so excited by these great and just need to run around, sign up for the K.I.D.S Soccer Workshop and learn about the unifying spirit of sport. To cool down, find calm in guided Qiqong sessions with instructor Kelly Whelan-Enns.

In the end, you can lounge in the Warming Huts, or take in the Cool Gardens installations. You might like to watch blacksmith Matt Jenkins create incredible designs with a traditional technique, or you might want to learn from and contribute to chalk artist Shawn Fedora's chalk art outside The Forks Market. You might find Graffiti Gallery's Art Mash Up in the Skate Park is more your style, with live art and DJing all afternoon.

Whatever your taste, it's clear that there is something for everyone at this year's Student Day at The Forks. We look forward to seeing you there on Friday, September 27th from 10:00am- 2:30pm.

Michelle RosnerCommunications and Events Coordinator 
MB Culture Days