Yarn December 2018 – January 2019

The end of the year is upon us, and the final Yarn of 2018 is upon us.

Here is the message from the Editor:

The month of November heralded several momentous events: the Melbourne Cup, the US mid-term elections and the DUCW’s Annual Meeting, to name a few. More seriously, of course, it was the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. Here in Canada, “Remembrance Day” is commemorated more like ANZAC Day is downunder – the 11th of November is a public holiday, there are dawn services as well as larger gatherings at 11:00 around cenotaphs in most towns, Veterans, active service personnel and cadet units parade while pipers and bands play and march, speeches are delivered and prayers are offered, the Fallen are remembered in the moment of silence between the Last Post and Reveille. A very informative site to visit regarding the Armistice is: https://armistice-museum.com/understanding-the-history/the-armistice-of-1940/ Thank you again to all who have contributed to this issue of the Yarn – we may even be running to 8 pages! For insight into other historical events regarding the Armistice, read on!

Welcome to our Annual General Meeting!

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“Welcome!” is exactly what we will say when you join us on November 30 at 7:00 pm for our annual general meeting.

It will be held at the Scandinavian Cultural Centre, 764 Erin St, and we are hoping for a good turnout of members.

The AGM is a fantastic opportunity to:

hear all about our events in the past year,
find out what’s ahead next year,
offer suggestions for Club activities,
put your name forward for the new executive,
vote in the new executive,
catch up with fellow members,
participate in some lively conversation, and
enjoy snacks and drinks from the bar.

But the most important reason to attend the AGM is to meet those on the executive who have worked tirelessly to make this Club what it is. They put in many hours to organise events, put together and design and mail out the newsletter, manage dues paid and balance the budget, keep track of members, and do whatever else is necessary to ensure the DUCW remains a vibrant and welcoming organisation for all of us.

So make a point to drop in. Even if you don’t want to be on the executive, this is your opportunity to support those who do and to be part of our future.

Rob Knaggs’ final Winnipeg performance … for now

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Known as a cellist and whale whisperer, Aussie muso Rob Knaggs is heading back to Oz after several years in Churchill. But before he leaves, he’s doing one last performance at The Handsome Daughter on Sherbrook on December 8. If you are looking for some fine music with a downunder flavour, here is more information about Rob and the upcoming performance.

After four years of calling Manitoba home, whale-whispering cellist Rob Knaggs is heading back to Australia for the indefinite future. Before his departure, Rob Knaggs is teaming up with Stonewall folk darlings, Two Crows for Comfort, for a double headline show on December 8^th at the Handsome Daughter in West Broadway.

“Since I got back from Churchill, Erin, Cory (of Two Crows…) and I have been chatting about doing a show together and it just so happened we both have a new release to celebrate. As it’s my last show in Canada, we’re treating this show like a party and everyone’s invited! Expect balloons!”

Recorded in Winnipeg’s West End at Collector Studio and mastered by Birgir Jon Birgisson of Sigur Ros’ home studio Sundlaugin, the new EP titled Foreshore is a continuation of Rob’s cello driven compositions that are equal parts cinematic soundtrack and enchanting post rock. Influenced by the ethereality of Bjork and the epic orchestrations of Arcade Fire, Knaggs runs his cello through an array of effects and a loop station to compose his works that have sent shivers down the spines of audiences across Australia and North America.

Filled with rich harmonies, genuine, heart-warming (and breaking) lyrics, folk-roots duo Two Crows for Comfort spins stories into songs and songs into stories. Though debuting in early 2017, the Two Crows are no strangers to the stage. Having played in several popular Winnipeg groups, Erin Corbin and Cory Sulyma – often joined on stage by local, notable musicians Ben Mak-Wiebe and Lachlan McLean – finally joined forces to begin a journey of their own. After a soft release in the summer, Two Crows are excited to officially celebrate their debut full- length record, 17 Feet.

Rob Knaggs and Two Crows for Comfort are performing two shows at the Handsome Daughter, 61 Sherbrook Street, on December 8^th, first performance is SOLD OUT, but can still catch the later show at 10pm.

Tickets are $15 and will be available from Rob’s website and Two Crows’ website or visit the event page on Facebook.

Aussie Author Book Event

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You are invited to an Aussie author book event on Saturday October 20 at 7:00 pm at McNally Robinson (Grant Park).

One of the world’s most acclaimed authors of thriller fiction, Aussie Michael Robotham will be in conversation with Terry MacLeod, after which he will sign his latest book “The Other Wife” (Little, Brown and Company).

Childhood sweethearts William and Mary have been married for 60 years. William is a celebrated surgeon, Mary a devoted wife. Both have a strong sense of right and wrong.

This is what their son, Joe O’Loughlin, has always believed. But when Joe is summoned to the hospital with news that his father has been brutally attacked, his world is turned upside down. Who is the strange woman crying at William’s bedside, covered in his blood – a friend, a mistress, a fantasist or a killer?

Against the advice of the police, Joe launches his own investigation. As he learns more, he discovers sides to his father he never knew – and is forcibly reminded that the truth comes at a price.

This event is being co-presented by the DUCW, and we would love to have a big turnout of members and friends to welcome Michael and hear about his work. You might even see a familiar face introducing Terry before he introduces Michael. How exciting!

Michael has been an investigative journalist in Britain, Australia and the US. His series of psychological thrillers featuring psychologist Joe O’Loughlin have sold millions of copies around the globe. Robotham lives in Sydney with his wife and three daughters.

Host Terry MacLeod is an independent Emmy-nominated journalist, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipient, and former CBC Radio and TV host, presenter and producer.

For more information about the event, check out the write-up on the McNally Robinson website.

Yarn October-November

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The Autumn (October-November) 2018 version of The Southern Yarn greets us with the arrival of chilly weather and colourful leaves, and some early snowfalls. Read it all here!

All our back issues are available at the Yarns page, too, of course.

Editorial:
Lots of bits of news for your reading pleasure again this issue. While browsing, the persistent story that kept coming up was the drought that is affecting widespread parts of Australia, as well as New Zealand. Folk have even resorted to rain dances! While it is a good example of typical Aussie humour in the face of hardship, it could be taken as a bit too light-hearted for such a critical issue. I believe the “performers” are dead serious and desperate to get the attention of the public and the politicians any way they can. For many, it is past the point of rain now providing relief: they need financial and emotional assistance. And in the longer term, some new strategies to mitigate the hardships of future prolonged extreme dry seasons. Obviously great minds have been at work addressing this challenge for some years. A good summary of one such effort is the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) publication: “The science of providing water solutions for Australia” [available online here]. For our part, we catch what spring run-off we can and pump it into barrels for use on the garden. This year there was precious little (yes, Manitoba experienced a drought, too), so plan B was drip-irrigators, sprinklers and buckets. My thanks, on your behalf, to the other contributors to this Yarn: Jenny, Ed, Peter, Judy, Murray, Brian and our advertisers! Enjoy, Charlie.