8/25/2018 What's Up - Winnipeg Free Press

What's Up
Posted: 05/24/2018 3:00 AM

Yousuf Karsh Photo / Karsh Estate

Marshall McLuhan grew up in Winnipeg, but unlike many other celebrities, the city seems remiss in claiming him.

Film explores Marshall McLuhan’s under-celebrated Winnipeg

connection

Who are we quick to claim as our own as a city — and who do we forget?

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Those questions are at the heart of McLuhan Unclaimed: I Am A Winnipigeon, a feature-

length documentary that explores Marshall McLuhan’s under-celebrated connection to
Winnipeg.

McLuhan, of course, is the late Canadian philosopher and theorist who coined the
phrase "the medium is the message." He’s regarded as the father of communications
and media studies and is said to have predicted the Internet.

What might be less known, however, is that McLuhan grew up in Winnipeg. But despite
the fact McLuhan spent his childhood and young adulthood here, Winnipeg’s never laid
claim to him in the way it has, say, Neil Young — another tremendously in uential
person who spent his formative years in Winnipeg but who many people cheerfully call a
"Winnipegger."

Other than the University of Manitoba’s McLuhan Hall, which was dedicated in 2004,
there are no streets or public facilities named in his honour. What would have been his
100th birthday, in 2011, went virtually unacknowledged by the city.

"My main interest in doing (the lms) was a feeling there was more to the relationship
between Marshall McLuhan and Winnipeg than what Winnipeg has so far o ered,"
Altman says. "How could such an in uential person be so seemingly invisible in the place
he was formed? He lived in Winnipeg from the age of 4 to 23, and while biographies do
provide some day to day details, a lm could provide even more, so in a McLuhanesque,
exploratory fashion, I’ve done my best at doing that." (In fact, Altman is working on a
second lm, McLuhan Unclaimed: Occidental Optimist.)

McLuhan Unclaimed: I Am A Winnipigeon screens tonight (May 24) at 8 p.m. at Forth (171
McDermot Ave). Admission is free.

— Jen Zoratti

Hearing Trees release Quiet Dreams

Though local indie-rockers Hearing Trees released their debut full-length record, Quiet
Dreams, in early March, they had to wait to host their hometown release party until this
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Greg Gallinger Photo

Hearing Trees frontman and founder Graham Hnatiuk says the newest incarnation of the band is an ‘incredible’ group of
musicians.

week.

The band — brainchild of Graham Hnatiuk — has been on a lengthy cross-country tour
since the album’s release, but will nally make a stop in Winnipeg on May 25 at the Good
Will Social Club.

Formed in 2009, Hearing Trees have two EPs under their belts. Quiet Dreams is a
continuation of the "ambient and anxious rock" sound they have been cultivating since
the beginning, with Hnatiuk’s cryptic and poetic songwriting providing a solid foundation
at its core.

The band itself has seen many musicians come and go, with Hnatiuk remaining the only
consistent member, but that open-door policy is something Hnatiuk says has helped
Hearing Trees evolve and ourish.

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"This album was the result of several iterations of the band, the sound and voice trying
to nd itself and all the growing pains a young band may go through. I happen to be the
common element pushing it forward and willing it into existence by sheer willpower and
determination and resolve. And that process has turned into a beautiful thing. The
newest version of the band is incredible. Everyone is on board to record and tour and
work together, so we’re together for the foreseeable future. I’ve never had that kind of
stability before," Hnatiuk said in an email to the Free Press.

The Perms, Micah Erenberg and Sophie Stevens share the bill with Hearing Trees Friday
night. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and music starts at 10 p.m.

— Erin Lebar

Doors Open Winnipeg

Few North American cities can boast a built history as rich and diverse as Winnipeg’s.
From the many Exchange District gems to museums old and new to West End murals
and beyond, there are stories to be discovered both within the city’s diverse architecture
as well as in outdoor public spaces.

On May 26 and 27, curious Winnipeggers will be able to

explore a wide range of buildings not typically accessible
to the public as part of the 15th annual Doors Open
Winnipeg. Presented by Heritage Winnipeg, it’s a chance
to see the city from new perspectives, places and spaces.

Most participating buildings and spaces o er free

Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press les
The Vaughan Street jail is again a part of guided tours of facilities that o er plenty of additional
Doors Open Winnipeg’s lineup of historic information. In addition to Doors Open favourites such
structures open to the public.
as the Vaughan Street jail (pictured), city hall, the
Millennium Centre and Saint-Boniface Cathedral, this
year’s lineup includes a wide range of buildings new to the event including Clifton
Studios Co-op, 17 Wing’s military community chapel, the Archbishop of St. Boniface
residence and C2 Centre for Craft.

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There are also plenty of outdoor events and tours connected to Doors Open Winnipeg.
Joining tours such as the "ghost signs" excursion are a cycling tour of historic Winnipeg
buildings, a "downtown Winnipeg ashback" tour and an Exchange District "greatest
hits" tour.

All Doors Open Winnipeg tours and events are free; for more information including a
complete list of times that the buildings and spaces can be accessed (as well as those
that are wheelchair accessible), visit doorsopenwinnipeg.ca.

—Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson

Measha Brueggergosman sings the Songs of Mahler

Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman marks her eagerly anticipated return to the
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra stage to perform the soulful songs of Gustav Mahler as
the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra wraps up its milestone 45th season. The one-night-
only concert, being led by longtime music director Anne Manson, will be held May 24 at
7:30 p.m. at Westminster United Church.

"We are so fortunate to have Measha as our guest artist-

in-residence. She is a wonderful singer, an amazing
personality. It’s just an incredible privilege to have her
with the MCO," Manson says. "And this concert features
one of my very favourite works ever by Mahler, the
Lieder eines Fahrenden Gesellen."

The internationally renowned singer rst appeared with

the MCO in Sept. 2001, two weeks after 9/11, still in the
dawn of her skyrocketing career. She has since graced
Supplied
its stage six times, as well as having recorded with the
Measha Brueggergosman will perform
orchestra for its Juno-nominated CD So Much To Tell for May 24 at Westminster United Church.

CBC Records in 2005.

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Many music lovers will recall the harrowing health crisis that the Fredericton, NB-born
artist grappled with nine years ago at the age of 31. The mother of two young sons with
German husband Marcus Brügger underwent emergency open-heart surgery that
ultimately saved — and changed — her life.

"When my aorta exploded and I almost died in 2009, I told myself three things: that I
would live closer to my parents in the Maritimes; that I would have kids; and that I would
sing more Mahler," Brueggergosman, lauded for her charisma, dramatic stage presence
and powerful vocals both on opera stages and in concert halls around the world, says in
a press video. " I never say no to Mahler."

Mahler composed the four-song cycle sung in German and translated as Songs of a
Travelling Journeyman in 1884-85 based on his own texts, and in the wake of his
unrequited love for soprano Johanna Richter whom he met while conducting in Kassel,
Germany.

The eclectic program also features the world premiere of Winnipeg-based composer
Heidi Ouellette’s Turtles all the Way Down for string orchestra with ute, clarinet, piano
and percussion based on local author/illustrator Jon Klassen’s winsome children’s book
We Found a Hat, as well as works by Kalinnikov and Turina.

Also being performed is Tchaikovsky’s eternal Serenade for Strings that quickens the heart
with its lush harmonies and inspired American choreographer George Balanchine’s
signature ballet, Serenade, o cially ending the MCO’s 2017/18 season on a high,
shimmering note.

The concert takes place tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster United Church. For tickets or
further information, visit: https://www.themco.ca/

— Holly Harris

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8/25/2018 What's Up - Winnipeg Free Press
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