Festival du Voyageur on the Red River Mutual Trail

February 14 to 17, join us at the Rendez-vous on Ice on the Red RiverMutual Trail, where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet, to celebrate Manitoba’s French heritage in style! There are many fun activities lined up for the first weekend of the festival that will keep visitors entertained at the Forks.

Come on down in the evening of February 14 and take part in the Torchlight Walk presented by Manitoba Hydro. Join the cheerful crowd as they walk from the Rendez-vous on Ice to Voyageur Park for an exceptional stroll lit by hundreds of candles and torch lights.

(photo credit: Winnipeg Free Press)

Fashionistas will get a nice treat on February 16 during the Fashion on Ice fashion show. This spectacular outdoor fashion show will be presenting winter looks by local retailers and fashion designers. A truly unique event you will not want to miss.

Let’s not forget Family Day! Taking place on Louis Riel Day (February 17), it will feature free games, activities and adventures for the young and old alike!

And in case you get thirsty or hungry, we will be offering drinks in our outdoor bar as well as delectable French-Canadian cuisine. 

See you there! For more information, visit www.heho.ca. 

~Jean-Luc LaFlèche, Communications Assistant, Festival du Voyageur

Local Artists Bring Music to Warming Huts Along the Red River Mutual Trail

On Louis Riel Day Weekend last year along the frozen ice of the Assiniboine River, a dozen or so brave Manitoba musicians donned their best winter wear for an acoustic afternoon of live music at the innovative warming huts. Manitoba Music On Ice warmed up thousands of chilled visitors on the world's longest natural skating trail.

Produced by some of Winnipeg's acclaimed festivals and presenters, the event was such a success that organizers The Forks and ManitobaMusic are heating up the ice again this year, and almost doubling the line-up along the Red River Mutual Trail.  

From 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, music fans can celebrate the Year of Music in Manitoba with the sounds of homegrown talent courtesy of roots outfit The Bros. Landreth; Neil Watson's jazz trio; singer/songwriters Andrew Neville, Claire Morrison, and Cassidy Mann; hip hop act Chris Bennett & DilltheGiant featuring live art by Brian G; indie pop/rockers Federal Lights; and the turntable talents of DJs Nathan Zahn and Kasm. 

Presenters offering up the diverse line-up of local talent include: Aboriginal Music Week, Big Fun Festival, BreakOut West, Festival du Voyageur, MEME Festival, Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club, West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg Folk Festival, and Winnipeg International Jazz Festival.

Festival du Voyageur will be bringing the party onto the ice with special programming around The Trading Post bar and its Rendez Vous on Ice, including a day of music featuring performances by Sol James, Red Moon Road, Dirty Catfish Brass Band, L'ensemble musical Pierre Freynet, and DJs RPG and Colin Shots.

Stay tuned for the complete schedule at www.manitobamusic.com!