Summer heats up in the city

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/06/2016 (3293 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach’s largest summer festival, Summer in the City, will fill the town’s Main Street with performers and patrons from all over Manitoba this weekend.

Headlining this year’s festival, which runs from June 17 to 19, are American country rock group Blackjack Billy and 1960s British invasion cover band Replay.

Other main stage performers include local artists Quinton Blair, Karen-Lynn Smith, and 5acres. Recently-formed alternative rock band The Cheese, consisting of 11 and 12 year olds from Sanford, will make their Summer in the City debut. Kendra Kay, the Manitoba Country Music Association’s female artist of the year for 2015, will also perform.

Don’t forget to grab a drink at Patio in the City, located in the main stage compound. Happy hour runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All patio proceeds will go to the Steinbach Arts Council.

Kids in the City activities include crafts, a fishing pond, bouncy boxing, puppetry and theatre games, and mini pony rides. Balloon Man John, Mr. Richards the Magician, Dr. Sprocket and Friends, and Chris without the Hat will provide entertainment. Rapunzel and Batman will also make an appearance.

Children’s television channel YTV will give a behind-the-scenes look at The Zone with a 360 degree virtual reality tour Saturday. Patrons can also take their photo onset, meet the show’s hosts, and provide live coverage of Summer in the City.

Youth Sports in the City will host three different sports tournaments Saturday—two of which are new to the festival this year. A ball hockey tournament will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at TG Smith Centre. A beach volleyball tournament takes place on the outdoor rink at the TG Smith Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A basketball tournament also runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the backstage basketball court.

Art demonstrations from local artists will run throughout the weekend. Local artists include Arlene Enns (acrylics), Alexandra Smith (watercolor and photography), Becky Mendelson (pottery), Anna Berg (celebrity portraits), Margaret Brook (textile and fiber arts), and Diamond Doug Keith (acrylics and sketching). Artwork will also be available for purchase at the Artists in the City tent.

Hip Hop in the City will feature two hip hop dance battles. XCO junior all styles hip hop battle, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday night, will be judged by Stedroy Crump (Legacy Crew), Eugene “Genie” Buffoe (B.O.S.S. Crew), and Shaneil “Sheezy” Lawrence. Saturday’s XCO all styles battle begins at 3 p.m. There will also be a graffiti art demonstration on Friday and Saturday.

Culture in the City will showcase food from around the world. These dishes are not available at restaurants—only at the festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Worship in the City takes place at KR Barkman Park Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Jim Harms from Youth for Christ will speak and The Color will perform.

Tickets for Replay’s performance are $20 for rush seating and $50 for VIP seating. Tickets for Blackjack Billy are $25 for rush seating and $50 for VIP seating.

Wonder Shows midway wristbands cost $30. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $45. On Sunday, fathers will receive wristbands at half price if accompanied by their family.