{"id":634641,"date":"2026-04-28T18:15:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/634641\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T18:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:15:09","slug":"from-steel-drums-to-choirs-manitoba-music-lovers-festival-showcases-winnipeg-talent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/634641\/","title":{"rendered":"From Steel Drums to Choirs: Manitoba Music Lovers Festival showcases Winnipeg talent"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beginning Sunday, May 3 and running through Thursday, May 7<\/a>, Winnipeg\u2019s community music scene will once again take centre stage as the Manitoba Music Lovers Festival<\/a> transforms the United Church in Meadowood<\/a> into a lively gathering place for performers and audiences alike. Located at 1111 Dakota, the venue will host five evenings of music, with three performances each night, offering what organizers describe as a sweeping cross-section of the province\u2019s rich and varied musical life.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The festival promises an experience that is as diverse as it is welcoming, bringing together 15 local ensembles and inviting audiences to explore everything from steel drums to brass bands, choirs, and ukulele groups.<\/p>\n

With its relaxed atmosphere and emphasis on accessibility, the festival continues to carve out a unique place in Winnipeg\u2019s cultural calendar, one rooted not in professional polish, but in passion, participation, and community.<\/p>\n

Honouring a Vision: The Festival\u2019s Origins<\/p>\n

The Manitoba Music Lovers Festival has its roots in a simple but powerful idea: to create a space where community musicians could be heard and celebrated. According to festival executive Rick Sellwood, that idea dates back more than a decade.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, the festival has been around since about 2012, and it was started by a colleague of mine who’s since passed away. His name was Howard Mar,\u201d Sellwood explained. \u201cHoward was very active in the community band programs within the city. He played in several bands, organized lots of events as well. And he decided that he would start this festival, and it would be an opportunity for people to attend and just see the massive variety of music, choirs, ensembles, bands in the city of Winnipeg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mar\u2019s vision was both inclusive and ambitious. \u201cThat was his dream. So he put this festival together, and it’s been running consistently since 2012, with the exception of COVID, of course, we had to shut down. But we bought it back on board.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Lineup Full of Surprises<\/p>\n

One of the defining features of the Manitoba Music Lovers Festival is its remarkable variety. Each evening offers a different mix of performers, ensuring that no two nights feel the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all of us on the committee are active in the band, in the band scene, the community band scene in Winnipeg,\u201d Sellwood said when asked how performers are selected. \u201cSo we know of all these orchestras. We’ve either seen them or we’ve heard of them. Sometimes they’re referred to us, but usually we have some first-hand knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, audiences can look forward to several new additions. \u201cWe have 4 new groups this year that we’ve haven’t had before, includes the steel drums orchestra, that’ll be fantastic. That’s going to be our opening act,\u201d Sellwood noted. \u201cWe have Prairie Aloha.<\/a>\u00a0It’s a large ukulele group. And it’s going to be lots of fun. And then we have a wonderful acapella choral group called Women of Note.<\/a> And it’s their first time here. And they’re well known in the city. They do some wonderful acapella work. And then we have the Haskins Street Classic Rock Band.\u201d<\/p>\n

From traditional ensembles to more unexpected acts, the festival thrives on contrast and discovery, giving audiences a rare chance to encounter groups they might not otherwise hear.<\/p>\n

Music for the Joy of It<\/p>\n

At its heart, the Manitoba Music Lovers Festival<\/a> is less about performance and more about participation. The musicians involved are largely amateurs, brought together by a shared love of playing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s an opportunity for family members and friends of all the bands, you know, and choirs to come out and provide support,\u201d Sellwood said, reflecting on the festival\u2019s enduring appeal. \u201cMost of the time, these groups perform in 55 pluses, legions for special occasions, Christmas concerts, various places throughout the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that the act of making music remains central, regardless of audience size. \u201cBut most of us are there to play the music. And honestly, if we didn’t do any gigs at all, we’d still get together and play the music. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

The accessibility of community ensembles is also key to their vibrancy. \u201cLike you could literally play in a different band every night of the week,\u201d Sellwood said. \u201cNow most of the bands, there’s no audition. You just call them up and say, I haven’t played the trumpet for about 15 years. I’d like to come out. Is there any kind of an audition? Nope. Just come on out. We’ll find a spot for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

That openness, he suggests, is part of what makes Winnipeg\u2019s music scene so special.<\/p>\n

Highlights and Personal Favourites<\/p>\n

With so many ensembles participating, choosing highlights can be difficult, even for those involved in organizing the festival. Still, Sellwood points to a few groups that stand out for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely. Well, one of my favorite is the Mandolin Orchestra<\/a>,\u201d he said. \u201cMandolin Orchestra has been, you know, on our kind of playlist for orchestras throughout the years. It’s the oldest orchestra in Manitoba. It was formed over 100 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group\u2019s longevity and repertoire make it a unique presence. \u201cIt plays mainly traditional music, but also some modern music and there’s actually people that actually arrange music for mandolin orchestras and they try it out on this band. So they’re very good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sellwood also highlights ensembles he performs with himself. \u201cThe Executive Big Band<\/a> is one of them,\u201d he said. \u201cHad its 50th anniversary last year. We had a big celebration at the Park Theatre. It went really, really well. And really good players in this band. I’m fortunate to be able to play in it really.\u201d<\/p>\n

And for those looking for a lively conclusion to the festival, he points to one final act. \u201cAnd the\u00a0German band<\/a>. We finished with the German Blas Kapelle band. Well, most people have seen them at Folklorama<\/a> and things. Well, this band gets together. I have the pleasure of on occasionally subbing with them. And that will kind of finish the show with lots of dancing, lots of polkas. And it’s great.\u201d<\/p>\n

An Open Invitation to Winnipeg<\/p>\n

Beyond the performances themselves, the Manitoba Music Lovers Festival is designed to be accessible and welcoming to all.\u00a0 Options are straightforward, making it easy for audiences to attend as much, or as little, as they like.<\/p>\n

So this year, you can buy a ticket at the door. They’re $10 per evening. Or you can buy a pass for $25 and attend every evening if you want,\u201d Sellwood explained. \u201cNow, the tickets are available on showpass.com under Manitoba Music Lovers Festival.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

For those who prefer spontaneity, there\u2019s no barrier to entry. \u201cI can tell you there’s no problems with just dropping by at the last moment. We have lots of tickets, lots of room.\u201d<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve also expanded their online presence and added new features for attendees. \u201cAnd we’ve also done something different. We’re going to have a program for each night. Before, we just didn’t have a program. We had the one poster we used as a program. But now you’ll get a program and we’ll explain about the orchestra and a few things.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Manitoba Music Lovers Festival returns from May 3 to 7, it offers more than just a series of concerts, it invites Winnipeg audiences into the very heart of their city\u2019s musical community. With its welcoming atmosphere, remarkable variety, and the unmistakable joy of people making music simply because they love it, this is a festival where every note feels personal. Whether you come for a single evening or immerse yourself in all five nights, you\u2019ll leave with a renewed appreciation for the passion, talent, and spirit that define Manitoba\u2019s music scene, and perhaps already looking forward to next year.<\/p>\n

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