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2024 Music ‘N’ Mavens Brochure
A big thank you to our sponsors: Babs Asper Centre for Cultural Arts, The Asper Foundation, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, Lampe Family Fund, United Way Winnipeg, Winnipeg Free Press and Classic 107.
Music ‘N’ Mavens is produced by Karla Berbrayer
2024 Music ‘N’ Mavens Lineup – Concerts and Speakers
Tuesday & Thursday Afternoons – 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 9 – Speaker
Leaders I Have Known
Thomas Axworthy served as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and was a key strategist on repatriation of the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He is currently the Chair of Public Policy at Massey College and a distinguished senior fellow at both the Munk School of Global Affairs and Massey College. He is the author of numerous books and articles of which the best known is Towards a Just Society, co-authored with Pierre Trudeau.
Thursday, January 11 – Concert
Tapestry: Mal Magorel Sings the Music of Carole King
This five-piece band led by Mal Magorel recreates Carole King’s signature album. Released in 1971, Tapestry is one of the biggest selling albums of all time, earning four Grammy awards. Experience the record from beginning to end, including such hits as I Feel the Earth Move, So Far Away, Beautiful, It’s Too Late, and Natural Woman.
Tuesday, January 16 – Speaker
Reflections on My Relationship with Peter C. Newman and the Writing of Non-Fiction in Canada
Allan Levine is an award-winning author and historian who has written sixteen books, including Miracle at the Forks: The Museum that Dares Make a Difference, which he co-wrote with Peter C. Newman. Dr. Levine’s articles and reviews have appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Star, Winnipeg Free Press, Maclean’s and Tablet, among other publications.
Thursday, January 18 – Concert
Cross-Country Cabaret with Gabi Epstein
Join multi award winning stage and cabaret artist Gabi Epstein for an intimate afternoon of songs and stories from her almost 20-year career of cross-country performances. Accompanied by the outstanding Mark Camilleri, audiences will enjoy songs from the many shows Gabi has had the pleasure of performing in, such as Funny Girl and Little Shop of Horrors, as well as her own arrangements of jazz/pop classics featured on her two studio albums. Presented in collaboration with Winnipeg Jewish Theatre.
Tuesday, January 23 – Concert
The Clarinet Summit
Clarinetists Myron Schultz (of FINJAN, Black Sea Station and Mayors of Sambor fame) and Naoum Gomon (soloist, teacher and technician) are doubling down on the fun. In a concert of duos, trios and quartets, they present a wide range of classical and traditional inspired music highlighting the history and versatility of the clarinet. Joined for this event by Chris Wolf (musician, teacher and Music Director at Classic 107) and a surprise guest, this group is sure to enthrall.
Thursday, January 25 – Speaker
Climate Change and the Working Class.
Dr. Mark Hudson is Professor in the department of Sociology & Criminology and Coordinator of the Global Political Economy Program at the University of Manitoba. He is the author and co-author of several books and articles on topics including community economic development, ideology in economics, and welfare state policy, as well as a Research Associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives of Manitoba.
Tuesday, January 30 – Speaker
Crime, Drugs, and Social Disorder in Winnipeg: What Can We Do Better?
Katharina Maier is a criminologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Winnipeg. Her research interests focus on punishment, prisoner reentry, social marginalization, drug use, and public health. She is currently co-leading a multi-year, multi-side study investigating homelessness, drug use, and victimization across Canada.
Thursday, February 1 – Speaker
Putting Housing First in Supporting Persons Experiencing Homelessness in Canada.
Jino Distasio is a professor of Urban Geography at the University of Winnipeg. His research over the past 25 years has focused on topics including housing and homelessness. He was the lead investigator on the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s At Home/Chez Soi project which was a $110 million trial of Housing First. This project helped support 1000 Canadians transition from homelessness into housing.
Music ‘N’ Mavens Takes a Break
Tuesday, February 20 – Speaker
The Architectural Signature of Winnipeg’s Max Blankstein.
Murray Peterson, principal of Peterson Projects, writes about Canadian history, its people, buildings and important events. From Indigenous research to family genealogy to published institutional histories and interpretive panels and displays, Murray has successfully completed a wide range of projects for government departments, companies, groups and individuals. He is an award-winning author who can also be found in the classroom sharing his knowledge with students of all ages.
Thursday, February 22 – Concert
Erin Propp presents Paul McCartney and Wings Album Band on the Run
Erin Propp brings her signature joy and precision to the stage, but with a decidedly new sound in the presentation of the 1973 album Band on the Run. Leading an all-star Winnipeg cast of Karly Epp, Karl Kohut, Joyce German, Kasey Kurtz, and Graham Carter, Erin delivers a vocal-heavy, highly satisfying set that befits the genius of Paul McCartney at his peak.
Tuesday, February 27 – Concert
Rapt in Rachmaninov
Father and son duo, Yuri Hooker, principal cello for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Ari Hooker, accomplished young pianist and winner of the 2023 Women’s Musical Club Scholarship, will team up for this Music ‘N’ Mavens recital. Featuring Sergei Rachmaninov’s Sonata in G Minor for Cello and Piano, this piece first premiered in Moscow in 1901.
Thursday, February 29 – Speaker
The Challenge of Separatist Movements to Spain’s National Identity.
Meir Serfaty was born and grew up in Melilla, Spain and developed a passion for studying politics as a youth during the Franco regime. Lack of political freedom led him to pursue his university education abroad. Dr Serfaty was Professor of Political Science at Brandon University, where he held numerous administrative posts including Director of International Activities, and Vice President Academic and Research, prior to his retirement in 2019.
Tuesday, March 5 – Concert
From Bach to AC/DC
The Luminous String Quartet, led by Artistic Director Karen Barg, offers a highly diverse repertoire spanning the classical music eras as well as custom arrangements of popular music. Made up of two violins, viola and cello, this eclectic string quartet will span musical history from the baroque to present day in a decidedly non-conventional way. Featuring highlights from Bach and Vivaldi, to Neil Young and AC/DC, expect many surprises along the way.
Wednesday, March 6 – Concert
Onna Lou Sings Songs of Latin America.
Onna Lou came to Winnipeg from Buenos Aires in 2016. She is a singer-songwriter and producer known for her heartfelt lyrics, and unique way of blending traditional folk genres with a contemporary fresh style. With Julian Vidal on vocals and percussion, this duo will take you on a journey through South America.
1:30 pm at Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre – 1588 Main Street
Call Gwen Secter at 204.339.1701 to register
Thursday, March 7 – Speaker
Housing Shortages in Northern Canada: Cargo Airships are the Answer
Dr. Barry Prentice is a Professor of Supply Chain Management, at the I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, and Director of the Transport Institute. He is the President of ISO Polar Airships, a not-for-profit research institute to promote the use of airships as sustainable transport for the northern latitudes.
Tuesday, March 12 – Concert
Tom Jobim: Where’s the Love?
Nova Brasil Collective showcases the work of the most influential Brazilian composer of all time, Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim. Featuring classics from early Bossa Nova, such as The Girl from Ipanema, and One Note Samba, as well as later works inspired by nature; Nova Brasil captures the breadth of Jobim’s life as a composer. Sung in Portuguese and English, this large ten-person ensemble of musicians from Brazil and Canada portrays the sonority of Jobim’s original musical ensemble.
Thursday, March 14- Concert
Groovin’ Through the 60s and 70s
The Family Planners are a Winnipeg funk/soul group that have dedicated themselves to the groove, to making people move, to live music – and all the magic it brings. Performing a collection of covers and originals, with tight rehearsed parts to organic improvisation, this concert includes the music of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elton John, The Commodores, Burton Cummings … too many great songs to list.
Tuesday, March 19 – Speaker
The Covid 19 Pandemic: Science and Pseudo-Science
Dr. Rachel Krause is an Associate Professor of Biology at Canadian Mennonite University. She holds a PhD in Parasitology from McGill University. Her teaching is in the areas of ecology, evolution and global health. She conducts research in Canada and Panama focused on disease ecology of wildlife and human populations.
Thursday, March 21 – Concert
In Tribute to Tony Bennett
The fabulous duo of Aaron Hutton, singer, and Danny Carroll, piano, pay tribute to the great American jazz and traditional pop singer, known professionally as Tony Bennett. A winner of twenty Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, Bennett sold more than 50 million records worldwide. The world lost this great singer in July 2023. Savour some of his best-known songs such as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, and Stranger in Paradise.
Tuesday, March 26 – Concert
Lady Muse & The Inspirations
Join Lady Muse for a glamourous drag performance featuring covers of everything from pop diva hits to vintage cabaret gems. Her live musical show features The Inspirations – a band made up of some of Canada’s best – and best looking – musicians. Together, they play funky covers of songs by classic divas, updates of vintage cabaret gems, creative renditions of pop goddess anthems, and just enough rock and roll to make you feel all the good and happy feels.
Thursday, March 28 – Concert
A Trip to New Orleans
Dirty Catfish Brass Band closes out our season with a blast. Invoking the sounds of brass bands and funk ensembles, the collective dares to reimagine the streets of a prairie city as one that is hot, alive and brimming with soul. The crew strives to pay homage to the New Orleans tradition by giving it a new audience in an unsuspecting locale. But mostly, they just want you on your feet. Get ready to move!