Midweek check-in, Winnipeg! 💙
Lots to get through today, and it ends with free tickets to a festival this Sunday!
Grab your coffee, settle in, and let's dive into what's happening around Winnipeg.
Now, in today’s edition:
Canada Hits Back on New U.S. Tariffs
A Different View of Monday Night's Storm
Manitoba Is Building a New Place for Women and Kids Leaving Violence
A $65 Wine and Music Party, Free for Our Readers
Multiple events this week & more
— Jas Singh
News
Canada Hits Back on New U.S. Tariffs
We try to keep things local around here. But this one affects every Winnipegger and just about every business in the city, so we're making an exception.
Let's get you caught up.
Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. fell apart late Friday night. No deal. New American tariffs of up to 50% came into effect on Canadian goods over the weekend.
So yesterday, Canada hit back:
Counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of American products, starting September 8
50% on smartphones, furniture, clothing, perfume and makeup
25% on large kitchen appliances and seafood
15% on air conditioners and hand tools
And it's not just tariffs. There's $7.5 billion in support coming too, including $3.5 billion for EI.
Now, none of us got a say here.
We can't call Ottawa. We can't call Washington. Prices will do what they do.
But we do get a say in where our money goes.
So let's show up for the local businesses that show up for us. The clothing shop on the corner. The bakery you drive past every morning. The guy who fixed your furnace last winter.
That money stays in Winnipeg. It pays a neighbour's mortgage. It keeps a kid in hockey.
So let's keep it that way.
Winnipeggers have never needed a reason to look after each other. But if you wanted one, here it is.
Click here: To hear what Premier Wab Kinew had to say.
A Message From Canlan Sports!
Hockey Season Starts Here…
September fills up quickly… Supplies, schedules, tryouts. And somewhere in there, your kid steps on the ice for the first time since spring.
Good thing there's still time to shake the rust off first.
Canlan Sports has one more camp before school starts, August 31 to September 4.
Five days on the ice before the season begins. Power skating, shooting, stickhandling and game skills, so their first skate isn't at tryouts.
And Canlan doesn't stop once the season starts. They're set up to help your kid keep getting better all year, with plenty of other programs to pick from:
Preseason clinics run September 8 to 24, right up to the start of the season
Fall and winter programs begin September 28, and registration is open now
Learn to Skate, Skills and Drills, Level Up and more, all running out of 1871 Ellice Avenue
There's something here for every kid.
The one who's never had skates on. The one who just wants to keep up with friends. And the one trying to level up their game before tryouts.
Whatever your kid is working on this season, Canlan has a spot for them.
The camp is the part that can't wait, though. It starts Monday, it's the last one of the summer, and it's a good head start before the season really begins.
Community Spotlight
Source: Anthony Urso IG
A Different View of Monday Night's Storm
If you were home Monday night, you probably watched that storm roll in through a window. Local videographer Anthony Urso put a drone up into it.
We've watched it three times now. The whole sky lights up from the inside, like someone's flicking a switch in there.
It's the same city you drive through every day, just from an angle you never get to see it from.
So if you want to see Winnipeg in a whole new way, this one's worth 30 seconds of your day.
Click here: To watch the full video!
Community Digest
A New Playground Is Coming to Lavallee School (and 42 Others)
Kids at Lavallee School on St. Anne's Road are getting a new playground, and it should be ready by the end of October.
The old equipment comes out in the next few weeks. And the $200,000 price tag is getting split three ways:
$100,000 from the province's new playground fund
$50,000 from St. Vital councillor Brian Mayes' ward allowance
And $50,000 from the Louis Riel School Division
Which is a bit of a change from how these usually get built.
For years, whether a school got a new playground came down to how well its parents could fundraise. The province put $3 million aside this spring to take that pressure off and let schools actually plan for it.
That money is going to 43 playgrounds across Manitoba this year, and Lavallee is just one of them.
City Updates
Manitoba Is Building a New Place for Women and Kids Leaving Violence
Leaving is the hardest part. Deciding, packing a bag, getting the kids in the car.
And then you're out. And you need somewhere to be by bedtime.
In Winkler, that somewhere is Genesis House. They've been doing this work for over 40 years. But their emergency shelter has five bedrooms. Five, for Winkler, Morden and the towns around them.
Now, that's finally about to change.
The province is putting $2.4 million into a new transitional housing complex in Winkler called Clearwater Place. Construction is already underway and it should open in April 2027.
Here's what's going in:
25 units with 57 beds for women and children
A play area for the kids, plus indoor and outdoor common space
Counselling and programming rooms on site
Run by Genesis House, alongside the shelter they already have
And here's why this kind of housing matters. A shelter is somewhere to stay for a few nights. But finding your own place, on one income, with kids, takes months. And that's what this housing is for. The time in between.
So come 2027, for the woman who just got her kids in the car, the answer stops being five bedrooms and starts being 57 beds.
Click here: To read more about the project!
A $65 Wine and Music Party, Free for Our Readers
Summer's basically done. School starts next week, and that group chat where everyone said "we should do something" never turned into anything.
You've got one Sunday left. So we made it FREE.
Rosé Disco is in Winnipeg this Sunday, August 30. Tickets are $65. Winnipeg Digest readers get in for $0. No promo code needed.
So what do you actually get?
30+ wineries pouring local and imported wine, plus a souvenir cup to keep
Food from Winnipeg kitchens, picked to go with the wine
Felix Cartal DJing the main stage, with a second stage going all afternoon
It runs 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Red River Exhibition Park, 3977 Portage Ave. It's 19 and up, the dress code is pink and white, and it's on rain or shine.
Nine hours of wine, food, and music. All for FREE!
P.S. Send this to the group chat before you forget.
Events coming up this week:
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
SPEED WORLD 2026 | August 28 (More Info)
Location: Red River Exhibition Park
Description: Car Show, drifting, contests & prizes, food trucks, massive artist lineups and more!
Downtown Family Movie Night | August 28 (FREE)
Location: Bonnycastle Park
Description: Browse the Sunset Artisan Market, enjoy delicious eats from local food vendors, and take part in family-friendly activities before settling in for the Downtown Family Movie Night feature film, Night at the Museum under the stars.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs Montreal Alouettes | 7:30PM, August 28 ($)
Location: Princess Audio Stadium
Movies in the Park: Monsters Inc & The Princess Bride
| 6:30PM & 8:45PM, August 28 (More Info)Location: Lyric Theatre
Description: The Lyric Theatre concession will be serving popcorn, ice cream treats, and other tasty snacks.
An Must Be Nice - Indigenous Comedy Festival | August 28 & 29 (Tickets)
Location: Devil May Care Brewing Company
Description: The Must Be Nice Indigenous comedy tour finally makes it to Winnipeg! A 2-day comedy showcase featuring Indigenous comedians from all over!
Summer Rap Festival | 3PM, August 29 (Tickets)
Location: Red River Exhibition
Description: Join thousands of fans for one massive day of live music, culture, food vendors, activations, VIP experiences, and festival energy. Outdoor Hip-Hop festival featuring NAV, DaBaby, Roy Woods, Casper TNG + more!
Manitoba Harness Racing at The Loop | 1PM, August 29 (FREE)
Location: Red River Exhibition Park-The Loop
Description: Join us at The LOOP at Exhibition Park this summer for heart-pounding action, exhilarating finishes, and unforgettable moments on the track!
Deep Purple with Special Guest Kansas | 6:45PM, August 29 (Tickets)
Location: Canada Life Centre
Description: Having sold more than 100 million albums and filled global stadiums and arenas for decades.
Winnipeg prairie card & collectibles expo! | 9AM-6PM, August 29 (More Info)
Location: Deer Lodge Community Club
An Oddly Curious Market ~ Winnipeg 2026 | August 29 & 30 (Tickets)
Description: Join us for a TWO DAY indoor oddities market featuring curated vendors, a canteen, psychic readings and death defying entertainment. Explore Taxidermy, Dark Art, Horror Art, Creepy Accessories, Specimens, Alternative Clothing & more!
Rose Disco Party | 2PM-8PM, August 30 (FREE Tickets)
Location: Red River Exhibition Park
Description: Show up in your best pink fit, link your crew, and lose track of time between the music, the sunshine, and the rosé. Every corner’s a photo op — golden-hour glow, glass in hand, vibes immaculate. .
Jazz in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden: Erin Propp & Larry Roy
| August 30 (FREE)Location: Leo Mol Sculpture Garden
Description: Jazz in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is presented by Park Café as part of Assiniboine Park's Summer Entertainment Series.
Made in Naija TradeFest | 12PM-7PM, August 30
Location: Le Marché St. Norbert Farmers’ Market
Description: Join us on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Le Marché St. Norbert Farmers’ Market for a day filled with authentic African cuisine, unique vendors, cultural showcases, live entertainment, business networking, and family-friendly activities.
“Weird Al” Yankovic – The Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour | 7:30PM, August 30 (Tickets)
Location: Canada Life Centre
Description: Weird Al brings his legendary full-production multimedia comedy rock show back to the concert stage with the BIGGER & WEIRDER 2026 Tour.
Current Events: Aug 26th - 27th
Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!
Sports 🏀
Live Racing at Assiniboia Downs | 7:30PM, August 26 ($)
Location: Assiniboia Downs
Description: Horse racing, 140 VLTs and fabulous dining - it’s fun you can bet on!
Wellness Wednesdays | 6PM-7PM, August 26 (FREE)
Location: Assiniboine Park Lyric Theatre
Winnipeg Goldeyes vs Kansas City Monarchs | August 26-27 ($)
Location: Blue Cross Park
Description: Come cheer on the Goldeyes as they take on the Monarchs
Victory Lanes Speedway | 2:30PM, August 27 ($)
Location: Victory Lanes Speedway
Community Fun🎆
Botanical Bounty: Edible and Helpful Plant Walk | 6:15-7:45PM, August 26 ($)
Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park
Description: Join us for a walk in Assiniboine Park to discover edible plants, and learn about foraging and conserving urban wild spaces with an expert guide.
Corn Maze @ A Maze In Corn | August 26 - End of Oct (More Info)
Location: A Maze in Corn
Description: Enjoy the country views while wandering through the corn maze, climb the giant bale pyramid, and visit the petting zoo. Concessions available for a refreshing drink or yummy snacks.
WAG STUDIO Pottery Throwdown | 6PM, August 27 (Tickets)
Location: WAG-Qaumajuq
Description: Inspired by the beloved pottery competition show, this one-night-only event brings clay, creativity, and friendly competition to the Gallery.
ArtWalk: Public Art in Context | 5:30PM, August 27 (FREE)
Location: St Boniface
Description: This walking tour will explore public art that looks at how art exists in conversation with its surroundings, architecture, and context
Jeudis Franco Thursdays | 5:30PM-11PM, August 27 (FREE)
Location: Saint-Boniface
Description: Jeudis Franco Thursdays is a vibrant cultural event series that takes place every Thursday from June to August in the St. Boniface quarter of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Performance 🎭
Legally Blonde The Musical | August 26-30 (Tickets)
Location: Rainbow Stage
Description: A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.
Kellen Erskine | August 26-29 ($)
Location: Rumors Comedy Club
Description: He has garnered over 30 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy.
That’s Dirty Dancing | August 27, 29, & 30 ($)
Location: Destination Dinner Stage
Description: Pack your bags for Loverman’s Lodge, where summer love sizzles to the beat of your favorite hits, the jukebox spins nonstop, and the dance floor is strictly no corners allowed
Summer Concert Series at the Lyric Theatre (FREE)
Lilith Fair Tribute | August 27
The Funky Miracles | August 30
Special Events🥂
Latin, Hip-Hop & Hustle Night | 7PM, August 27 (More Info)
Location: Cargo Bar Southwood - Markham Rd. & Sidney Smith St.
Description: Performances, lessons, social dancing, DJs and more!
Music 🎵
Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!
