Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 18, 2024, Winnipeg, Manitoba SUMMER 2024 ISSUE DON’T MISS THE Read online at winnipegfreepress.com/fp-features Available at Manitoba Liquor Marts - while supplies last! P i c k u p y o u r c o p y t o d a y ! Great Outdoors Comedy Festival brings Tom Segura, Bill Burr, Nate Bargatze and friends to Assiniboine Park L OCAL standup enthusiasts will venture beyond the city’s basement rooms and dimly lit lounges into a verdant outdoor venue this weekend for the Winnipeg debut of a popular Canadian comedy festival. The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival got its start in Edmonton in 2021 and has since attracted some of the biggest names in the business while expanding to eight North American cities — in- cluding a three-day stint at Assiniboine Park featuring headliners Tom Segura (Friday), Bill Burr (Saturday) and Nate Bargatze (Sunday). Pre-pandemic, event founder Mike Anderson was in the midst of organiz- ing an ill-fated outdoor comedy show at an Alberta amphitheatre. “When the world had other plans for us, we sat down and re-invented the whole experience,” says the president of Trixstar Entertainment. That pivot included purchasing 1,400 folding tables in an effort to bring the comedy club experience outside for a massive, socially distanced event. More than 8,000 people attended the inaugural two-day affair, which featured the likes of Nikki Glaser and David Spade. According to Anderson, Spade enjoyed the performance so much he suggested the company start touring the concept. And so they did. As the festival hit the road, orga- nizers sought out large, picturesque locations. In Winnipeg, an estimated 25,000 people — roughly 8,000 per night — are expected to attend the event over the weekend. “For us to come to a city, there’s got to be one of the most stunning places on the planet to host an event, and Assiniboine Park checked all those boxes,” Anderson says. The festival will take over the Lyric Theatre field with a large stage, food trucks, a bar and merch tent. One pan- demic-era carry-over is the seating for- mat. Seating is first-come-first-served for general admission attendees, who are responsible for bringing their own chairs or blankets. Tables and chairs will be set up closest to the stage for VIP ticket holders, who receive priority entrance and table-side bar service. “We put barcodes on every table and people can scan it, put their drink order in, pay for it and five minutes later, the drink shows up at your table,” Anderson says. “What was once used as a tool to keep people from congregating at the bar has become one of the greatest VIP experiences.” EVA WASNEY SYDNEY BUTTERS PHOTO More than 8,000 people attended the first Great Outdoor Comedy Festival in Edmonton in 2021 to see the likes of Sam Morril (above). Winnipeg’s three-night stop on the now multi-city tour will draw an estimated 25,000 spectators. LOL AT THE LYRIC Great Outdoors Comedy Festival schedule Doors open for VIP and general admis- sion-plus ticket holders at 5:30 p.m., followed by general admission rush seating at 6:30 p.m. The mainstage show runs from 7:30 to 11 p.m. throughout the weekend. Limited tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday at greatoutdoorscomedyfestival.com. Friday Tom Segura, Bobby Lee, Jessica Kirson Host: Dale Ward Saturday Bill Burr, Nate Craig, Bianca Cristovao Host: Benji Rothman (Note: Audience members will be required to lock up their phones upon arrival to the site and during Burr’s set) Sunday Nate Bargatze, Gerry Dee, Derrick Stroup Host: Jordan Welwood SUPPLIED Tom Segura (above) headlines the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival’s Winnipeg debut Friday, supported by openers Bobby Lee and Jessica Kirson. ● CONTINUED ON C3 THURSDAY JULY 18, 2024 ● ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: JILL WILSON 204-697-7018 ● ARTS@FREEPRESS.MB.CA ● WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM ARTS ● LIFE SECTION C CONNECT WITH THE BEST ARTS AND LIFE COVERAGE IN MANITOBA ▼ GONE FRINGIN’ 2024 FRINGE FESTIVAL Twenty-five stages of life in dance, drum, drama and more from the fringe THE streets of Winnipeg have once again come alive with creativity, ener- gy and a diverse array of performanc- es as the 37th annual Winnipeg Fringe Festival kicks off. Until July 28, theatre lovers can in- dulge in a festival that boasts the title of the second-largest fringe in North America. With 25 venues, this year’s festival offers almost 150 indoor shows and 1,250 performances, ensuring there’s something for almost everyone. The fringe is known for its vibrant mix of performances spanning cul- tures and styles, and this year is no ex- ception. Among the many new shows, some highlights promise to captivate audiences. One of these is Seasons of Life, a theatrical presentation in the flamen- co dance style by the Brandon-based group Flamenco on the Prairies. This performance tells the story of the con- nection between an older and younger dancer, tracing the seasons from joyful spring to sorrowful winter. Vibrantly costumed and emotionally resonant, Seasons of Life marks the group’s debut at the festival and will be at the Tom Hendry Warehouse (Venue 6). “The seed of it all started during COVID when I was doing lots of online flamenco classes,” says Christine Pen- ner, one of the dancers and a retired music teacher. “I had been dancing flamenco with Maritel Centurion, who’s from Winnipeg. We had gone to Spain before COVID, and then Maritel retired as well during COVID, and I got asked to teach flamenco.” Penner emphasized the importance of live music in flamenco, especially after seeing it done in Spain. “It’s an interaction between musi- cians and the dancers,” she says of the artform that originated in Andalusia. Thanks to Brazilian jazz guitarist Emmanuel Bach, violinist Caitlin Baker, flamenco guitarist George Bajer-Koulack and guest percussionist Ramiro Sepulveda, Penner brings her dream to life. “We’ve performed at outdoor festi- vals and bars, but we’re really excited about the idea of fringe because we could have several shows in a row,” she says, adding she is enjoying the fun relationship with her dance partner, Anna Osterbeck. THANDI VERA SUPPLIED Christine Penner and Anna Osterbeck star in Seasons of Life. ● CONTINUED ON C3 FESTIVAL PREVIEW WINNIPEG FRINGE FESTIVAL ● July 17-28 ● 25 venues around town ● Tickets and schedule at winnipegfringe.com ;