Southeast Manitoba Festival kicks off

The region’s top talent in a variety of disciplines is on display in Steinbach for six weeks through the Southeast Manitoba Festival.

This year looks different for organizers in the wake of a merger between the festival and the Steinbach Arts Council in 2025.

More than 700 entries across multiple disciplines have already seen people gracing stages across the community.

Cassandra Kornelsen, manager of community programs at SAC, said it’s important to host events like this.

“Providing early performance experiences is essential for artistic development,” she said. “By bringing students together to perform and receive feedback, we are helping build the next generation of leadership within our arts community.”

Kornelsen added that the community comes together to host this event.

“We’re grateful to our community partners and local venues for opening their doors to host these disciplines where our participants can have a place to share their talent and passion,” she added.

Both vocal and dance competitions have already taken place.

The next few weeks will see junior piano, musical theatre, choral, strings and senior piano.

This year the SEMF gala awards night on March 25 will cap off the festival.

Full schedule details are available at semf.ca and the public is welcome to attend any of the performances.

Admission is only $3.

The upcoming schedule includes:

• Junior Piano: March 2 to 5 at the Evangelical Fellowship Church

• Musical Theatre: March 6 at the Evangelical Fellowship Church and March 7 to 8 at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School

• Choral: March 10 to 11 at the Blumenort Community Church

• Strings: March 12 to 13 at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre

• Senior Piano: March 16 to 20 at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre

• SEMF Gala Awards Night: March 25 at the SRSS theatre.