Winnipeggers will soon have the chance to see the plays of George Bernard Shaw, the man who is said to have revolutionised British drama.

Winnipeggers will soon have the chance to see the plays of George Bernard Shaw, the man who is said to have revolutionised British drama.

Winnipeggers will soon have the chance to see the plays of George Bernard Shaw, the man who is said to have revolutionised British drama.

Winnipeggers will soon have the chance to see the plays of George Bernard Shaw, the man who is said to have revolutionised British drama.

Winnipeggers will soon have the chance to see the plays of George Bernard Shaw, the man who is said to have revolutionised British drama.

This workshop is a partnership between the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library and the Martha Street Studio. The two organizations are cooperating to offer a workshop that blends craft and printmaking, where you will have the opportunity to learn how to design and print your own designs on fabric yardage.

Well-traveled pianist Derek Yaple-Schobert guides newcomers to classical music as well as experienced concertgoers on memorable musical journeys nuanced with his own engaging corinentary. His memorized programs include breathtaking Scandinavian musical landscapes, innovative contemporary works as well as music which inspired Yaple-Schobert to dedicate his life to the piano and share this passion with audiences. BRAVO! Television featured him on the Classical Now highlighting "the best of next generation of classical musicians". Yaple-Schobert has won prizes, received grants and has performed in seven countries from house recitals to large venues. UNIVERSAL distributes his Edvard Grieg CD which Toronto's "The Whole Note" qualifies as "a delight!", Having completed a Doctorate in Piano Performance, Yaple-Schobert enthusiastically gives masterclasses to aspiring pianists of all ages.

*Tickets $25 from McNally Robinson Booksellers (credit cards accepted) and at the door (cash or cheque only). Students $5 at the door only.For a season brochure or to order a subscription phone: (204) 944-9431. WMC is a member of Musicnet.

Based on the love story from Virgil's Aeneid, this English baroque tragic masterpiece features magnificent music, potent drama, and remarkable intensity.

Featuring the Theatre of Early Music Ensemble under the direction of Daniel Taylor, with the Ensemble-in-Residence, Baroque Institute, Conservatoire de musique de Montreal, this semi-staged production will be presented in the intimate setting of Westminster United Church.

The program will also include a short concert of early music.

The Story

Dido and Aeneas tells the tale of the legendary Queen of Carthage, Dido, and the Trojan refugee prince, Aeneas. When Aeneas and his crew become shipwrecked in Carthage, he and the Queen fall in love. In the meantime, witches plot Dido's destruction. The Sorceress has one of her coven impersonate Mercury who tells Aeneas he must leave Dido and found the new Troy (Rome). Forced to choose between passion and duty, Aeneas and his sailors prepare to leave, much to the witches' delight. Dido, who cannot live without him, is absolutely heartbroken and awaits death.

Based on the love story from Virgil's Aeneid, this English baroque tragic masterpiece features magnificent music, potent drama, and remarkable intensity.

Featuring the Theatre of Early Music Ensemble under the direction of Daniel Taylor, with the Ensemble-in-Residence, Baroque Institute, Conservatoire de musique de Montreal, this semi-staged production will be presented in the intimate setting of Westminster United Church.

The program will also include a short concert of early music.

The Story

Dido and Aeneas tells the tale of the legendary Queen of Carthage, Dido, and the Trojan refugee prince, Aeneas. When Aeneas and his crew become shipwrecked in Carthage, he and the Queen fall in love. In the meantime, witches plot Dido's destruction. The Sorceress has one of her coven impersonate Mercury who tells Aeneas he must leave Dido and found the new Troy (Rome). Forced to choose between passion and duty, Aeneas and his sailors prepare to leave, much to the witches' delight. Dido, who cannot live without him, is absolutely heartbroken and awaits death.

Bring the little “folks” out for a Saturday of singing and dancing!

Winnipeg Folk Festival presents Folk For Families
Millennium Library
Show at 1:30 PM
Free
 

Student choreographers from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division are in studio creating a dynamic repertoire for the 22nd annual First Steps Choreographic Competition. You can catch a glimpse of the future of dance from February 14 to 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the RWB Building (380 Graham Avenue, Founders’ Studio). Admission for competition performances is by donation.

This exciting choreographic competition has been entrancing Winnipeg audiences since 1990. The week-long competition and closing Gala grew out of a desire on the part of RWB School students for an opportunity to express themselves through their own work. Returning this year as co-coordinators are RWB School faculty members Gabriela Rehak and Scott Andrew. As in previous years, the students participating in First Steps have complete creative control over the steps and movements for their piece and are also responsible for all artistic decisions related to the presentation of their creation such music selection, casting, costuming and lighting.

Acclaimed choreographer Peter Quanz, whose innovative piece is headlining the RWB Company’s Pure Ballet in May, and whose company, QDance continues to push the boundaries of dance worldwide. Quanz is just one example of a young artists who began honing his skills in First Steps. Three-time choreographic competitor, Philippe-Alexandre Jacques would love to follow in Quanz’s footsteps. “[First Steps] gives me a chance to show what I can do without choreographic limitations,” says Jacques, a Level 7 student from Ottawa. “I have also learned about more than just choreography. I’ve learned about time management and about how to be in charge and work with my peers in a new way. Each year I learn something new about myself, as well as about how to work with music, costumes, lighting, media and everything else that goes with being a choreographer.”

Jacques’ love of choreography started a long time before he took his First Steps, but he says that the experience has taught him that professional choreography is definitely an avenue he’d like to pursue in future. “First Steps is a competition that really does define pretty quickly if it is something you are meant to do.” Jacques’ piece this year is a story of revenge inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe Story, and he admits it is quite dark, and he is looking forward to some thought-provoking feedback from the jurors, his peers and the audience.

The jurors will have an interesting job this year, with an eclectic selection of pieces from 12 student choreographers. Sitting on this year’s First Steps jury panel are: Jenna Khan, Weather & Traffic Specialist/Entertainment Reporter, Breakfast Television; Simon MacDonald, Violinist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Shannon Lovelace, Milliner, Decorator and Artist; Casimiro Nhussi, Artistic Director of Nafro Dance Productions; Arlene Minkhorst, Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School; Stephane Leonard, Director of RWB School Aspirant Program and former RWB Soloist; Maritel Centurion, RWB School Artistic Faculty; and Chelsea Lindsay, former RWB Company Second Soloist.

Winners of the choreographic competition will be presented at the First Steps Gala Performance & Awards Ceremony on February 18 at 7:30 pm. Admission for the competition performances February 14-17 is by silver collection, and tickets for the Gala on February 18 are $25. Tickets for this event are on sale now at RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue (Mon-Fri, 10-5 pm) or by calling (204) 956-2792.

The RWB School is fortunate to have the continued support of CIBC for the First Steps Choreographic Competition.

Student choreographers from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division are in studio creating a dynamic repertoire for the 22nd annual First Steps Choreographic Competition. You can catch a glimpse of the future of dance from February 14 to 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the RWB Building (380 Graham Avenue, Founders’ Studio). Admission for competition performances is by donation.

This exciting choreographic competition has been entrancing Winnipeg audiences since 1990. The week-long competition and closing Gala grew out of a desire on the part of RWB School students for an opportunity to express themselves through their own work. Returning this year as co-coordinators are RWB School faculty members Gabriela Rehak and Scott Andrew. As in previous years, the students participating in First Steps have complete creative control over the steps and movements for their piece and are also responsible for all artistic decisions related to the presentation of their creation such music selection, casting, costuming and lighting.

Acclaimed choreographer Peter Quanz, whose innovative piece is headlining the RWB Company’s Pure Ballet in May, and whose company, QDance continues to push the boundaries of dance worldwide. Quanz is just one example of a young artists who began honing his skills in First Steps. Three-time choreographic competitor, Philippe-Alexandre Jacques would love to follow in Quanz’s footsteps. “[First Steps] gives me a chance to show what I can do without choreographic limitations,” says Jacques, a Level 7 student from Ottawa. “I have also learned about more than just choreography. I’ve learned about time management and about how to be in charge and work with my peers in a new way. Each year I learn something new about myself, as well as about how to work with music, costumes, lighting, media and everything else that goes with being a choreographer.”

Jacques’ love of choreography started a long time before he took his First Steps, but he says that the experience has taught him that professional choreography is definitely an avenue he’d like to pursue in future. “First Steps is a competition that really does define pretty quickly if it is something you are meant to do.” Jacques’ piece this year is a story of revenge inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe Story, and he admits it is quite dark, and he is looking forward to some thought-provoking feedback from the jurors, his peers and the audience.

The jurors will have an interesting job this year, with an eclectic selection of pieces from 12 student choreographers. Sitting on this year’s First Steps jury panel are: Jenna Khan, Weather & Traffic Specialist/Entertainment Reporter, Breakfast Television; Simon MacDonald, Violinist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Shannon Lovelace, Milliner, Decorator and Artist; Casimiro Nhussi, Artistic Director of Nafro Dance Productions; Arlene Minkhorst, Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School; Stephane Leonard, Director of RWB School Aspirant Program and former RWB Soloist; Maritel Centurion, RWB School Artistic Faculty; and Chelsea Lindsay, former RWB Company Second Soloist.

Winners of the choreographic competition will be presented at the First Steps Gala Performance & Awards Ceremony on February 18 at 7:30 pm. Admission for the competition performances February 14-17 is by silver collection, and tickets for the Gala on February 18 are $25. Tickets for this event are on sale now at RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue (Mon-Fri, 10-5 pm) or by calling (204) 956-2792.

The RWB School is fortunate to have the continued support of CIBC for the First Steps Choreographic Competition.

Video - The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright

This engaging biographic portrait traces the evolution of his unique vision of space sculptured to create living and working environments in harmony with nature.

Student choreographers from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division are in studio creating a dynamic repertoire for the 22nd annual First Steps Choreographic Competition. You can catch a glimpse of the future of dance from February 14 to 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the RWB Building (380 Graham Avenue, Founders’ Studio). Admission for competition performances is by donation.

This exciting choreographic competition has been entrancing Winnipeg audiences since 1990. The week-long competition and closing Gala grew out of a desire on the part of RWB School students for an opportunity to express themselves through their own work. Returning this year as co-coordinators are RWB School faculty members Gabriela Rehak and Scott Andrew. As in previous years, the students participating in First Steps have complete creative control over the steps and movements for their piece and are also responsible for all artistic decisions related to the presentation of their creation such music selection, casting, costuming and lighting.

Acclaimed choreographer Peter Quanz, whose innovative piece is headlining the RWB Company’s Pure Ballet in May, and whose company, QDance continues to push the boundaries of dance worldwide. Quanz is just one example of a young artists who began honing his skills in First Steps. Three-time choreographic competitor, Philippe-Alexandre Jacques would love to follow in Quanz’s footsteps. “[First Steps] gives me a chance to show what I can do without choreographic limitations,” says Jacques, a Level 7 student from Ottawa. “I have also learned about more than just choreography. I’ve learned about time management and about how to be in charge and work with my peers in a new way. Each year I learn something new about myself, as well as about how to work with music, costumes, lighting, media and everything else that goes with being a choreographer.”

Jacques’ love of choreography started a long time before he took his First Steps, but he says that the experience has taught him that professional choreography is definitely an avenue he’d like to pursue in future. “First Steps is a competition that really does define pretty quickly if it is something you are meant to do.” Jacques’ piece this year is a story of revenge inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe Story, and he admits it is quite dark, and he is looking forward to some thought-provoking feedback from the jurors, his peers and the audience.

The jurors will have an interesting job this year, with an eclectic selection of pieces from 12 student choreographers. Sitting on this year’s First Steps jury panel are: Jenna Khan, Weather & Traffic Specialist/Entertainment Reporter, Breakfast Television; Simon MacDonald, Violinist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Shannon Lovelace, Milliner, Decorator and Artist; Casimiro Nhussi, Artistic Director of Nafro Dance Productions; Arlene Minkhorst, Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School; Stephane Leonard, Director of RWB School Aspirant Program and former RWB Soloist; Maritel Centurion, RWB School Artistic Faculty; and Chelsea Lindsay, former RWB Company Second Soloist.

Winners of the choreographic competition will be presented at the First Steps Gala Performance & Awards Ceremony on February 18 at 7:30 pm. Admission for the competition performances February 14-17 is by silver collection, and tickets for the Gala on February 18 are $25. Tickets for this event are on sale now at RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue (Mon-Fri, 10-5 pm) or by calling (204) 956-2792.

The RWB School is fortunate to have the continued support of CIBC for the First Steps Choreographic Competition.

Student choreographers from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division are in studio creating a dynamic repertoire for the 22nd annual First Steps Choreographic Competition. You can catch a glimpse of the future of dance from February 14 to 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the RWB Building (380 Graham Avenue, Founders’ Studio). Admission for competition performances is by donation.

This exciting choreographic competition has been entrancing Winnipeg audiences since 1990. The week-long competition and closing Gala grew out of a desire on the part of RWB School students for an opportunity to express themselves through their own work. Returning this year as co-coordinators are RWB School faculty members Gabriela Rehak and Scott Andrew. As in previous years, the students participating in First Steps have complete creative control over the steps and movements for their piece and are also responsible for all artistic decisions related to the presentation of their creation such music selection, casting, costuming and lighting.

Acclaimed choreographer Peter Quanz, whose innovative piece is headlining the RWB Company’s Pure Ballet in May, and whose company, QDance continues to push the boundaries of dance worldwide. Quanz is just one example of a young artists who began honing his skills in First Steps. Three-time choreographic competitor, Philippe-Alexandre Jacques would love to follow in Quanz’s footsteps. “[First Steps] gives me a chance to show what I can do without choreographic limitations,” says Jacques, a Level 7 student from Ottawa. “I have also learned about more than just choreography. I’ve learned about time management and about how to be in charge and work with my peers in a new way. Each year I learn something new about myself, as well as about how to work with music, costumes, lighting, media and everything else that goes with being a choreographer.”

Jacques’ love of choreography started a long time before he took his First Steps, but he says that the experience has taught him that professional choreography is definitely an avenue he’d like to pursue in future. “First Steps is a competition that really does define pretty quickly if it is something you are meant to do.” Jacques’ piece this year is a story of revenge inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe Story, and he admits it is quite dark, and he is looking forward to some thought-provoking feedback from the jurors, his peers and the audience.

The jurors will have an interesting job this year, with an eclectic selection of pieces from 12 student choreographers. Sitting on this year’s First Steps jury panel are: Jenna Khan, Weather & Traffic Specialist/Entertainment Reporter, Breakfast Television; Simon MacDonald, Violinist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Shannon Lovelace, Milliner, Decorator and Artist; Casimiro Nhussi, Artistic Director of Nafro Dance Productions; Arlene Minkhorst, Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School; Stephane Leonard, Director of RWB School Aspirant Program and former RWB Soloist; Maritel Centurion, RWB School Artistic Faculty; and Chelsea Lindsay, former RWB Company Second Soloist.

Winners of the choreographic competition will be presented at the First Steps Gala Performance & Awards Ceremony on February 18 at 7:30 pm. Admission for the competition performances February 14-17 is by silver collection, and tickets for the Gala on February 18 are $25. Tickets for this event are on sale now at RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue (Mon-Fri, 10-5 pm) or by calling (204) 956-2792.

The RWB School is fortunate to have the continued support of CIBC for the First Steps Choreographic Competition.

Join thousands of Winnipeggers at the first big party of the New Year. Experience the tastes, sights and sounds of Louisiana and beat the winter blues – without leaving town!

WINNIPEG MARDI GRAS
February 17 & 18, 2012
6:00pm to 2:00am nightly
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Must be 18 years of age or older
Tickets $16 at Ticketmaster (+taxes and agency fees)
www.winnipegmardigras.com
 

DESIGNATED CHARITY FOR 2012
Winnipeg Mardi Gras believes in supporting the community, and has once again partnered with a designated charity. This year’s charity is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A portion of all tickets sold to Winnipeg Mardi Gras will benefit this organization.
 

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!
Back by popular demand is one of the greatest living Zydeco bands in the world. Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters are returning to Winnipeg with their one-of-a-kind dynamic show. Straight from Louisiana, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. (pronounced Doop' see) performs Zydeco with the same conviction and authenticity of his legendary father, the late Rockin’ Dopsie Sr. Considered the best ‘rub board’ player in the world, Dopsie Jr. is a charismatic and electrifying performer. Never a dull moment when Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. is in the room, his high-energy antics make for an unforgettable night. His mission is to keep the audience up on their feet, dancing to the highly infectious Zydeco beat. (www.rockindopsie.com)
 

LARGEST OYSTER BAR NORTH OF LOUISIANA!
Pull up a seat at the Food, Oyster and Wine Bar to indulge in Mardi Gras specialty foods like freshly shucked oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and melt-in-your-mouth alligator fritters. Don’t forget to try the Louisiana crab cakes, southern fried Cajun pickle spears. Also on the menu are other Mardi Gras favourites including po’ boy sandwiches, chicken creole, gumbo, spicy sausage, and sweet potato fries.
 

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
You never know what you’re going to see at Winnipeg Mardi Gras. Keep an eye out for aerial acrobatics, painted bodies, stilt walkers, showgirls, drag queens, impersonators, body builders, jugglers, and more. Heck, you might even see a tiger or panda bear in the crowd!!?? Come in your own costume, or buy some accessories onsite and join the parade.
Stroll about the booths on Bourbon Street where you'll find hats, beads, boas, jewelry, novelty items, and more. Strut your stuff in front of the crowd on the “Fashion Walk” and get beaded all night long. It’s the best place north of Louisiana to officially show off your Mardi Gras costume, beads, boas, and… whatever…

Student choreographers from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division are in studio creating a dynamic repertoire for the 22nd annual First Steps Choreographic Competition. You can catch a glimpse of the future of dance from February 14 to 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the RWB Building (380 Graham Avenue, Founders’ Studio). Admission for competition performances is by donation.

This exciting choreographic competition has been entrancing Winnipeg audiences since 1990. The week-long competition and closing Gala grew out of a desire on the part of RWB School students for an opportunity to express themselves through their own work. Returning this year as co-coordinators are RWB School faculty members Gabriela Rehak and Scott Andrew. As in previous years, the students participating in First Steps have complete creative control over the steps and movements for their piece and are also responsible for all artistic decisions related to the presentation of their creation such music selection, casting, costuming and lighting.

Acclaimed choreographer Peter Quanz, whose innovative piece is headlining the RWB Company’s Pure Ballet in May, and whose company, QDance continues to push the boundaries of dance worldwide. Quanz is just one example of a young artists who began honing his skills in First Steps. Three-time choreographic competitor, Philippe-Alexandre Jacques would love to follow in Quanz’s footsteps. “[First Steps] gives me a chance to show what I can do without choreographic limitations,” says Jacques, a Level 7 student from Ottawa. “I have also learned about more than just choreography. I’ve learned about time management and about how to be in charge and work with my peers in a new way. Each year I learn something new about myself, as well as about how to work with music, costumes, lighting, media and everything else that goes with being a choreographer.”

Jacques’ love of choreography started a long time before he took his First Steps, but he says that the experience has taught him that professional choreography is definitely an avenue he’d like to pursue in future. “First Steps is a competition that really does define pretty quickly if it is something you are meant to do.” Jacques’ piece this year is a story of revenge inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe Story, and he admits it is quite dark, and he is looking forward to some thought-provoking feedback from the jurors, his peers and the audience.

The jurors will have an interesting job this year, with an eclectic selection of pieces from 12 student choreographers. Sitting on this year’s First Steps jury panel are: Jenna Khan, Weather & Traffic Specialist/Entertainment Reporter, Breakfast Television; Simon MacDonald, Violinist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Shannon Lovelace, Milliner, Decorator and Artist; Casimiro Nhussi, Artistic Director of Nafro Dance Productions; Arlene Minkhorst, Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School; Stephane Leonard, Director of RWB School Aspirant Program and former RWB Soloist; Maritel Centurion, RWB School Artistic Faculty; and Chelsea Lindsay, former RWB Company Second Soloist.

Winners of the choreographic competition will be presented at the First Steps Gala Performance & Awards Ceremony on February 18 at 7:30 pm. Admission for the competition performances February 14-17 is by silver collection, and tickets for the Gala on February 18 are $25. Tickets for this event are on sale now at RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue (Mon-Fri, 10-5 pm) or by calling (204) 956-2792.

The RWB School is fortunate to have the continued support of CIBC for the First Steps Choreographic Competition.

Join thousands of Winnipeggers at the first big party of the New Year. Experience the tastes, sights and sounds of Louisiana and beat the winter blues – without leaving town!

WINNIPEG MARDI GRAS
February 17 & 18, 2012
6:00pm to 2:00am nightly
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Must be 18 years of age or older
Tickets $16 at Ticketmaster (+taxes and agency fees)
www.winnipegmardigras.com
 

DESIGNATED CHARITY FOR 2012
Winnipeg Mardi Gras believes in supporting the community, and has once again partnered with a designated charity. This year’s charity is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A portion of all tickets sold to Winnipeg Mardi Gras will benefit this organization.
 

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!
Back by popular demand is one of the greatest living Zydeco bands in the world. Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters are returning to Winnipeg with their one-of-a-kind dynamic show. Straight from Louisiana, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. (pronounced Doop' see) performs Zydeco with the same conviction and authenticity of his legendary father, the late Rockin’ Dopsie Sr. Considered the best ‘rub board’ player in the world, Dopsie Jr. is a charismatic and electrifying performer. Never a dull moment when Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. is in the room, his high-energy antics make for an unforgettable night. His mission is to keep the audience up on their feet, dancing to the highly infectious Zydeco beat. (www.rockindopsie.com)
 

LARGEST OYSTER BAR NORTH OF LOUISIANA!
Pull up a seat at the Food, Oyster and Wine Bar to indulge in Mardi Gras specialty foods like freshly shucked oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and melt-in-your-mouth alligator fritters. Don’t forget to try the Louisiana crab cakes, southern fried Cajun pickle spears. Also on the menu are other Mardi Gras favourites including po’ boy sandwiches, chicken creole, gumbo, spicy sausage, and sweet potato fries.
 

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
You never know what you’re going to see at Winnipeg Mardi Gras. Keep an eye out for aerial acrobatics, painted bodies, stilt walkers, showgirls, drag queens, impersonators, body builders, jugglers, and more. Heck, you might even see a tiger or panda bear in the crowd!!?? Come in your own costume, or buy some accessories onsite and join the parade.
Stroll about the booths on Bourbon Street where you'll find hats, beads, boas, jewelry, novelty items, and more. Strut your stuff in front of the crowd on the “Fashion Walk” and get beaded all night long. It’s the best place north of Louisiana to officially show off your Mardi Gras costume, beads, boas, and… whatever…

Not your typical concert – a great way to see musicians up close and personal. 90-minute sessions.

Winnipeg Folk Festival In The City Workshop Series
Millennium Library
Show at 1:30 PM
Free
 

Canada's biggest Lebowski event returns to Downtown Winnipeg! Lebowskipalooza 2012 is a fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Fans of the 1998 cult movie 'The Big Lebowski' will gather at the Garrick Centre on February 25 for a film screening, movie trivia and lobby games. Tickets $10 at Movie Village, online at www.diyobo.com, and at the door. Doors at 6 p.m., event at 7 p.m.

Bill Clinton was President when Chicago native Michael Flatley created and launched Lord of the Dance (www.lordofthedance.com). Sixteen years later, the world’s highest grossing Irish Dance show is still selling out arenas and theatres around the world. Generations of audiences - more than 60 million people from 68 countries - have seen Lord of the Dance. Presented by MagicSpace and Global Entertainment Group, the Lord of the Dance tour will perform 1 show at the Centennial Concert Hall on February 26 at 7:00.  Tickets are $48, $58 and $68 and are available at the Concert Hall Box Office, www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 855-985-5000.

Lord of the Dance is a classic tale of good versus evil, based on Irish folklore that brings a passionate love story to life. Flatley, along with Dance Director Marie Duffy-Pask, hand picked the cast of over 40 dancers; each has achieved individual recognition as a national or worldwide dance champion. Described by the New York Post as "fascinating, rewarding and above all, entertaining," and by the Los Angeles Times as "a showpiece extravaganza," Lord of the Dance is a mesmerizing blend of traditional and modern Celtic music and dance.  The story is based upon mythical Irish folklore as Don Dorcha, Lord of Darkness, challenges the ethereal lord of light, the Lord of the Dance.  Battle lines are drawn, passions ignite and a love story fueled by the dramatic leaps and turns of dancers’ bodies begins to build against a backdrop of Celtic rhythm.  The action is played out over 21 scenes on a grand scale of precision dancing, dramatic music, colorful costumes and state-of-the-art staging and lighting.

Speaking on the success of the show, Flatley says, “It is really about our fans who are always hungry for Irish Dance.” Flatley, also the Artistic Director who oversees all aspects of the production says, “Our dancers connect with the audience and have captivated a new generation. Fans appreciate that our dancers deliver a stunning interpretation of Ireland’s most famous legends via an eclectic blend of dance styles rooted in traditional Irish dance.”

Lee Marshall, president of MagicSpace, the tour promoter and veteran of blockbuster entertainment events agrees.  “The championship dancers in our cast manage the impossible every night. Their collective spirit and energy takes audiences to a time and place that is as imaginative as it is inviting.”

Flatley conceptualized and staged the show in a mere 16 weeks but also paid particular attention to the costumes, lighting and staging which are cinematic in scope. “Irish dance lovers and music fans alike will experience the engaging, rhythmic adventures that has helped catapult Celtic dance mania and Irish dancing into the global spotlight,” says Flatley. No wonder Lord of the Dance has jettisoned its ticket sales to more than $800 million worldwide.

For more information, tickets or memorabilia, please visit www.lordofthedance.com. Find Lord of the Dance on Facebook at http://facebook.com/MichaelFlatleysLordoftheDance.