Free Press Head Start for Aug. 1, 2025
🏀 The Winnipeg Sea Bears host the Saskatchewan Rattlers at 7:30 p.m. at Canada Life Centre.
🏈 The Winnipeg Blue Bombers play the Toronto Argonauts at 7:30 p.m. at Princess Auto Stadium.
🍿 Assiniboine Park's Lyric Theatre will screen The Lion King followed by Mufasa. Showtimes for the free event are 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
🌊 The 136th annual celebration for the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, also known as Islendingadagurinn, takes place in Gimli this weekend with a four-day schedule featuring food, drink, music, art, special guests and various entertainment at venues throughout the lakeside community. For a complete list of events and for more information see icelandicfestival.com. Today's must-read
At age 41, Gene Malcom doesn't take freedom for granted — not after spending more than four years collectively in solitary confinement.
Beginning when he was 14 at the Manitoba Youth Centre and continuing over the next 23 years at various provincial correctional facilities, Malcom has tallied a total of 1,600 days in segregation. The longest stretch lasted 159 consecutive days.
Today, he says he sometimes opens and closes his home's front door just to remind himself what it's like to be free.
Widespread use of solitary confinement in Manitoba correctional facilities is the subject of a class-action lawsuit that is scheduled to go to trial in November.
Matthew Frank has the story.
A segregation cell at the Manitoba Youth Centre. (Supplied) On the bright side
Canadians are staying home in droves this summer.
According to a June Leger poll, 77 per cent of travellers are heading east, west and north across the country, but definitely not south. Only 10 per cent plan to travel to the U.S.
With that in mind, Free Press writers and editors reflect on some of their favourite Canadian haunts, destinations and memories from years gone by. Read more.
A view from the canoe on the South Saskatchewan River. (Russell Wangersky / Free Press) On this date
On Aug. 1, 1961: The Winnipeg Free Press reported the city might get a new early-closing bylaw that could see the rules dealing with closing hours thrown out, or a revised version of the existing bylaw that would allow late opening one night per week instead of Friday and Saturday. Amid the Berlin Crisis, United States secretary of defence Robert McNamara said nuclear bombs would be used if necessary to respond to 'Soviet aggression.' The six nations of the European Common Market agreed to open negotiations with the United Kingdom's government for Britain's entry into the economic community.
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Winnipeg Free Press
21 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Riveting wartime read next for book club
The Free Press Book Club and McNally Robinson Booksellers are pleased to welcome Vancouver-born, New York-based author Jack Wang to the next virtual meeting on Tuesday, August 26 at 7 p.m. to read from and discuss his historical-fiction novel The Riveter. Published by House of Anansi Press in February 2025, The Riveter explores the life of Josiah Chang, a Chinese-Canadian living in Vancouver in 1942. Because Chinese people were not allowed to join the army at that time (or become Canadian citizens, for that matter), Josiah is unable to enlist to serve in the Second World War, and instead becomes a riveter working on parts for cargo ships. Shortly after, he meets Poppy Miller and the two begin a whirlwind romance that is just as swiftly halted when Poppy's father expresses his disapproval. Holman Wang photo Jack Wang In order to prove his worth, Josiah figures out a way to get himself enlisted, and volunteers for the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, who jumped into Normandy on D-Day; he is one of few Chinese Canadians in the army at this time. Fighting battles on the field, as well as his own complex emotional battles — navigating a relationship with Poppy half a world away, dissecting feelings about his late father and examining his own place in Canada as a non-citizen putting his life on the line — Josiah presses on to find his way back home, wherever that means to him. In her Free Press review of The Riveter, Zilla Jones said the novel 'disrupts expectations of war novels, introducing us to a unique and unforgettable main character from a community whose contributions to Canada's war effort have too often been minimized or ignored' and called Wang's writing 'clear and confident; the story is compelling. 'It's also extremely relevant — a Canadian story by a Canadian author about a time when Canadians, if only temporarily, put aside their differences to fight a greater enemy. The Riveter is a riveting must-read for our times.' Wang will join Free Press literary editor Ben Sigurdson, McNally Robinson Booksellers co-owner Chris Hall and Free Press audience engagement manager Erin Lebar. He'll read from The Riveter, discuss the book and field questions from viewers and readers. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. Copies of The Riveter are available to purchase at McNally Robinson Booksellers; there's no cost to join the book club or virtual discussion. Video of the meeting will be available for replay on the Free Press YouTube channel following the event. To join the Free Press Book Club and for more information on current and future book picks, visit Book Club.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg's Folklorama cultural festival is chockablock with cultural activities for kids
When it comes to activities to occupy children, this year's Folklorama is packed with engaging experiences to keep young visitors entertained and inspired. Strap on virtual-reality goggles and step into the 500-year-old Madurai Meenakshi Hindu temple, nestled in the heart of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, South India, at the Tamil pavilion. Learn the art of lion dance, steeped in history dating back to China's Han Dynasty, from skilled performers weaving a story of good fortune and prosperity. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Mayor Scott Gillingham greets pavilion ambassadors at the official Folklorama kickoff Wednesday at the Leaf. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Mayor Scott Gillingham greets pavilion ambassadors at the official Folklorama kickoff Wednesday at the Leaf. Week 1: August 3 – 9 British Isles Chinese Egyptian Italian Métis Pabellon de Espana Spirit of Ukraine Week 2: August 10 – 16 Africa/Caribbean Greek Modern Chinese Pearl of the Orient Phillipine Romanian Ukraine Kyiv Get your hair braided or twisted, Cuban style, design your own Egyptian Shabti, try to write your name in different scripts or learn simple phrases in different languages. With a little bit of planning, you'll find there's more than enough to keep kids busy during the annual two-week cultural celebration. At the Ukraine Kyiv pavilion, children can create a swallow — a symbol of Ukraine and hope. Each swallow will feature wings decorated with a vyshyvanka-style ornament representing traditional Ukrainian embroidery. Once complete, the swallows will be hung from string to form a mobile called Nadiya (Hope) — reminding visitors that light and goodness always overcome darkness. 'This year's kids' activity area reflects a conscious and thoughtful approach to family engagement — combining creative exploration, cultural education and fun in a well-balanced and welcoming setting,' says pavilion co-ordinator Yury Kruk. 'It's an opportunity for young guests to connect with Ukrainian heritage in meaningful ways and for families to enjoy quality time together in a calmer, more intentional space.' JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Performers at the Brazilian pavilion demonstrate their musical and physical skills at Folklorama 2024. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Performers at the Brazilian pavilion demonstrate their musical and physical skills at Folklorama 2024. Now in its 54th year, the annual summer event — recognized as the world's largest and longest-running multicultural festival — runs from tomorrow to Aug. 16. This year there are 43 pavilions at venues across the city, including two new spots: Modern Chinese and Mabuhay Phillipine. 'The Mabuhay pavilion showcases Luzon, the largest of the three main islands in the Philippines, while the Modern Chinese pavilion will introduce visitors to the global Chinese community in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan,' says Folklorama's executive director Teresa Cotroneo. Visitors are advised to plan early and book ahead of time to not miss out — tickets for earlier performances sell fast so it's best to buy in advance. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Folklorama kicked off its 54th season at a launch party with all the pavilion ambassadors dressed in their cultural clothing at the Leaf on Wednesday. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Folklorama kicked off its 54th season at a launch party with all the pavilion ambassadors dressed in their cultural clothing at the Leaf on Wednesday. 'Get there early, get your food, enjoy the show and then take time to go through the display and the children's activities after the show so you can have an immersive experience,' advises Cotroneo. Admission is free for children 12 and under, but they still need their own ticket. For those who would rather not wait in line for their food, some pavilions are offering the option of booking dinner reservations. Proceeds from each pavilion are channelled back into the community so the next generation can learn and carry on the traditions and customs that make up their culture. Tickets to each pavilion are $7.50 plus fees at Book early to secure showtimes — popular pavilions sell out ahead of time. Plan your route — use the map on pages 28 and 29 of the Travel Guide to plan your night based on pavilions close to one another. Save on bulk ticket purchases — buy the multipack of 10 tickets and save $10 compared to buying individual tickets. Combo tickets — Want to check out the last show of the night and the late-night party? Opt for a combo ticket at the discounted price of $13.50. Pavilions with late-night parties are: Week 1: Caribbean Chile Lindo Mabuhay Philippine Week 2: Brazilian Cuban German Scotland Travel like a VIP – book a VIP Tour to skip the lines, enjoy a meal and take in a guided tour of the cultural display with your own private tour guide. AV KitchingReporter AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV. Every piece of reporting AV produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
‘Black history is Canadian history': How Manitoba is marking Emancipation Day
Black History Manitoba's Nadia Thompson shares how the organization is commemorating the abolition of slavery A free event coming to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is set to celebrate the abolition of slavery in our country. Black History Manitoba is hosting the event on Aug. 1 which is Emancipation Day. It commemorates the abolition of slavery within the British Empire, including Canada. It came into effect with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act on Aug. 1, 1834. It has been marked in Manitoba since 2021, after the legislature unanimously passed a bill spearheaded by MLA Jamie Moses. Black History Manitoba program director Nadia Thompson said it's important to continue to celebrate, acknowledge and educate about this day. 'Just making sure that that education is out there for everybody to understand the meaningful impact in Canadian history,' Thompson said. Friday's event begins with a free reception followed by a program hosted by Natalie Bell a.k.a. Peg City Lovely. The national anthem will be sung by One Voice with spoken word by Ralph Bryant. There will also be a short film and a drumming session with Drum Café. Moses is also expected to make a special appearance. 'We try to advocate for the fact that Black history is Canadian history, and it's also acknowledged and recognized in our community all through the year.' Space is limited, so folks are asked to register ahead of time. More information can be found on Black History Manitoba's website. (hyperlink) - With files from CTV's Ainsley McPhail
