Highlighting Manitoba’s vibrant performing arts community


ball stadium north of Polo Park, Ex organizers introduced what was heralded at the time as Canada’s first ever Teen Fair. Situated in the east parking lot of the Arena, Teen Fair was the brainchild of Barney Shane and Al Blanc, two enterprising young local


The 1965 Teen Fair B


ack in 1965 when the annual June Red River Ex- hibition summer fair (sadly cancelled for this year) was held around the Winnipeg Blue Bombers foot-


entrepreneurs who sought to tap into the bur- geoning youth market at the height of Beatlemania and catch the excitement local live bands generated. In a fenced in circular


area on the Arena east side parking


John Einarson Local Music Spotlight


lot, some forty


booths were set up offer- ing various teen-oriented activities and promotions. Opening each day at noon, the


real attractions were


the three stages boasting non-stop live bands from 6 pm to midnight. Spon-


sored by radio station CKRC, IGA Foods, and Monarch Wear, whose locally-produced Tee Jay blue jeans were the hippest threads in town, the entertainment featured some of the city’s top bands including The Quid, Crescendos, Shondels, Vaqueros, Pallbearers, and D.G.N. and the Un- chained. “As kids we had all gone to the Ex, so it was a real thrill to be playing at the Ex,” recalls Vaqueros singer Ron Si- menik. The format fostered a bit of competition between the groups.


“It was a strange situation because they had bands fac- ing each other and it felt like a battle of the bands,” laughs Crescendos drummer Vance Masters. “It was fast-paced because while one band was playing, the other would be setting up. There were lots of kids and everyone was hav- ing fun.” A dance area was designated in front of each stage allowing teens to boogaloo to the beat. Ex organiz-


activities. Kicking off September 25th and running until October 25th, Cul- ture Days invites everyone to partici- pate in and show appreciation for arts and culture in their own communities and nationwide!


C


In Manitoba, plans for 2020 Culture Days are moving forward with events


Crescendos at the Teen Fair. Pallbearers Band at the Teen Fair.


ers estimated some 20,000 teens took in the Teen Fair be- tween June 18 and 26 despite the occasional downpour. “It was a huge boost to the local talent to have that exposure,” states Crescendos singer Glenn MacRae, “not only for people from the city but for all the rural people who came in for the Ex and didn’t otherwise get a chance to see all these local bands. It really helped the ‘star appeal’ of the local groups.” As Gloria Benoit remembers, “Everyone went to see the bands. My friends and I went every night and would all stand in front and watch them.” Besides the music, the Teen Fair included a tomato


throw (five tosses for a quarter), a slot car racing track op- erated by Cross Country Raceways, and the ever-popular car bash where teens, armed with sledgehammers, took out their frustrations on three dilapidated jalopies. But it wasn’t all mindless thrills. Various businesses and educa- tional institutions like the Manitoba Commercial College, the Canadian military, and Junior Achievement manned information booths.


A nightly draw of a transistor radio was offered as well as a chance to win the grand prize, a Ducati motorcycle. CKRC radio personalities including Doc Steen, Boyd Ko- zak and Harry Taylor served as rotating hosts each eve- ning giving away dozens of 45s. The station also ran a


contest, the coveted prize up for grabs: the four Beatles’ autographs procured during the Fab Four’s brief refueling stop in Winnipeg the previous summer. Seventeen-year- old Benoit was the elated winner. “I probably put my name in the drum about a hundred times,” she chuckles. “They made the draw the next day on the radio and Boyd Kozak showed up at my house that morning with the autographs.” On the final day, popular CJAY television show Teen


Dance Party broadcast live from the site. There was even a beauty pageant culminating in the crowning of Miss Teen Fair. Teen Fair returned the following year though on a slightly smaller scale with three bands – The Orfans, Shondels, and Toronto band The Secrets – on one stage and fewer booths and displays. Monarch Wear used the event to promote their new line of Tee Kay jeans (“J is out, K is in!”) with the opportunity to meet Miss Tee Kay, diminutive local singer Lucille Emond, in person. Miss Community Club was crowned on the final night. Renamed Shindig-A-Go-Go in 1967, the magic was


gone. Although the Ex continued to feature local bands in various locations over the next few years, they never recaptured the excitement of the Teen Fair. “It was a very unique event,” reflects Glenn MacRae.


Culture Days extended Sept. 25 - Oct. 25; New manager at the helm Centre,


ulture Days is extending the traditional Culture Days Week- end to a four-week schedule of


indoors, outdoors, and online. Jennifer Cheslock, formerly of the


Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, will be joining the organization as the new general manager. Culture Days co-chairs Nicole Ma- tiation and David Pensato noted that Jennifer’s background is a perfect fit for leading Manitoba’s participation. “We’re very excited to have Jenni- fer come on board to bring Culture


Days Manitoba into its next stage of growth” said David. “Celebrating the creativity, arts and culture of Manito- bans will be especially important in these times, and Jennifer’s ability to bring the community together is an excellent fit as we move forward to- gether,” added Nicole. Jennifer's management of the Winni-


peg Fringe Theatre Festival connected her with artists from across Manitoba,


Jennifer


Canada and around the world. As out- reach manager for the Royal Manitoba Theatre


connected


audiences, students, and theatre artists with the magic of live entertainment. To suit the times, Culture Days 2020 will have expanded options for involvement, with online opportuni- ties for participants to discover live- streamed performances and other digi- tal presentations.


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