Slither around with the snakes in Narcisse, hike the dunes of Spruce Woods, smell the burnt rubber in Gimli, fight off desperados on the Prairie Dog Central, or explore the universe at the Planetarium — those are just a few of the fun things you can do in Manitoba this weekend.

Narcisse Snake Dens

Open daily | Narcisse
Manitoba is alive with snakes! Spring is a hotbed of activity at the Narcisse Snake Dens in the Interlake. It’s here that you can see more snakes at a glance than anywhere else in the world.

Planetarium

Open daily | The Manitoba Museum
With Chris Hadfield’s return to planet Earth, space exploration couldn’t be cooler. The Planetarium has a number of shows playing that will have you exploring the stars, planets and galaxies.

Björn Thoroddsen

May 17 | Aspire Theatre, Gimli
Catch a special performance by critically acclaimed Icelandic Jazz guitarist Björn Thoroddsen! Tickets are $15 and available at Tergesen’s, New Iceland Heritage Museum or at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m., concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Listen to some of Björn’s music here.

Guided hike of the Spirit Sands

May 18 | Spirit Sands Trailhead, Spruce Woods Provincial Park
Explore the sandy dunes of Spruce Woods on this guided hike with a park interpreter. Discover the unique ecosystem and the plants and animals that call the Spirit Sands home. The hike is from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Interpretive events are FREE for everyone. For more information, email Jennifer.Bryson@gov.mb.ca.

Please wear proper hiking footwear and bring drinking water for this 3 km hike.

Interlake Dragway

May 18 to 20 | Gimli Motorsports Park, Gimli
For you power-filled, engine-roaring fans, head out to Gimli to catch the drag races. Enjoy the loud noises, good food and friendly environment while watching the cars race at break-neck speeds.

Birdtail Valley Pasture Pickin’ Jamboree

Best of Beth fashion show

May 18 | George P. Buleziuk Centre, Russell
Grab a front-row seat to the catch the historic Beth Naylor clothing collection! Tickets are $20 and available at Russell Town Office, MAFRI, Russell & District Library, MALA or APED. For more information, call 204-773-4792.

Great Train Robbery – Cowboy’s ‘n Gals

May 19 | Prairie Dog Central Railway, Winnipeg
Word has it that the train robbers on horseback are at it again! Be vigilant you never know when this gang of desperados will strike so prepare to take part in an old-fashioned “hands up” robbery during this entertaining and interactive trip to the rural community of Grosse Isle. It’s a fun filled ride capped off with a much needed peaceful stopover.

Home-grown flying heritage tours

May 19 |  Western Canada Aviation Museum, Winnipeg
Throughout May, take a tour focused on Manitoba’s home-grown flying heritage at the Western Canada Aviation Museum. The tour starts at  2:00 p.m. and is free with paid admission.

100 Masters: Only in Canada at the WAG

May 11  to Aug 18 | Winnipeg Art Gallery
Works by some of the world’s greatest artists will be gathered under one roof for the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s 100 Masters: Only in Canada! This blockbuster exhibition of “One hundred masterpieces to commemorate the WAG’s one hundred years” includes paintings by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, and Warhol.

The art scene in May

Various locations across Manitoba
Spend an afternoon or evening enjoying some of Manitoba’s diverse arts offerings. Here’s a handful of great exhibits you don’t want to miss this month.

Have a fabulous May long weekend everyone!

On May 15, Lindsay hit the set of BT Winnipeg to talk about the latest and hottest additions to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Watch the clip here.

Watch more episodes.

Manitoba is alive with snakes! Spring is a hotbed of activity at the Narcisse Snake Dens in the Interlake. It’s here that you can see more snakes at a glance than anywhere else in the world.

Beginning with the first few warm days of spring, tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes emerge from their dens and gather in large numbers to perform a fascinating mating ritual. Following a two to three week frenzy of mating activity, snakes disperse to nearby marshes for the summer. By early fall they return to their dens, wintering in fissures and crevasses of the limestone bedrock below the frozen ground.

Travel tip: Sunny days are always best for snake viewing.

For more information, visit Narcisse Snake Dens, check the current activity or locate it on a map.

When Maurice becomes lost in the woods on the way to the fair, he seeks shelter in an old castle, but the master of the castle is a horrible beast that takes him captive. Maurice’s daughter, Belle, must then give up her freedom to save his life. Belle’s taming of the unfortunate Beast and his ultimate transformation back into a handsome prince is a beloved fairy tale about very different people finding strength in one another and learning how to love.

May 23 to 24, 2013
Vagabond Theatre Company, Binscarth

For more information or to find tickets, visit Vagabond Theatre Company.

This June, get ready to engulf yourself in the tantalizing smells, bright lights and big excitement of the Manitoba Summer Fair in Brandon!

The fair has all your favourites – midway rides, concerts, fair food, horse shows, petting zoo, demo derby, KidZone, Aboriginal Showcase, and much more.

June 5 to 9, 2013
Keystone Centre, Brandon

For more information on all to do and see at the fair, visit Brandon Fairs.

The rhythms and sounds of Step Afrika, the strange tricks of Kamikaze Fireflies, the acrobatic prowess of the Mat Velvet & Charlie Show, and the banjo picking and harmonica blowing of Eric Litwin are among the headliners of Kidsfest 2013 –Winnipeg International Children’s Festival.

This annual extravaganza of fun and imagination takes place on the banks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers at The Forks. Numerous venues, including “big top” tents, will showcase world class entertainment, from theatre, to music, to storytelling, to dance to hands-on activities with local, national and international artists.

June 6 to 9, 2013
The Forks, Winnipeg

For more information, visit Kidsfest.

New fashions meet old Masters for The Collection: A Fashion Show at the Gallery Shop in the Winnipeg Art Gallery. This year’s event, inspired by 100 Masters: Only in Canada, has the WAG’s exhibition spaces transformed into a fashion runway.

Taking inspiration from the largest exhibition in the WAG’s 100-year history featuring work by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, and Warhol – models will walk the galleries, showing off the latest spring looks from Winnipeg’s finest shops. The clothes will be paired with extraordinary jewelry by Canadian artists available for purchase in the Gallery Shop. A number of the jewellers will be on hand at the event, offering the audience a unique opportunity to interact with designers.

The evening includes a champagne reception and the chance to do some serious shopping.

Wednesday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Admission is $40 for WAG members and $50 for non-members.

For more information or to find tickets, visit The Collection: A Fashion Show.

Check in for a luxurious and relaxing stay at the Lakeview Hecla Resort! Located on 360 acres in Hecla Grindstone Provincial Park, the resort is a uniquely contemporary and comfortable destination.

Explore nature right outside your window; rejuvenate and relax; make time to check out the outdoor biking and hiking trails; taste a delectable treat or sip a beverage in our on-site restaurant and lounge – Seagulls, or many of the numerous other attractions nearby. Hecla has more for you to simply enjoy!

Opening May 3, 2013
Fantastic introductory rates now available. Rooms starting at $99 per night!

For more information and to book your stay, visit Lakeview Hecla Resort.

Works by some of the world’s greatest artists will be gathered under one roof for the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s 100 Masters: Only in Canada! This blockbuster exhibition of “One hundred masterpieces to commemorate the WAG’s one hundred years” includes paintings by Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, and Warhol from thirty museums across Canada and the U.S.

The selection of the artwork is divided evenly between Canadian and non-Canadian works; among the loans there are fifty Canadian works and a combination of fifty European and American works spanning six centuries, from 1500 to 2010.

“How this beautiful gallery is celebrating its centennial speaks eloquently of just how special a place Winnipeg is. 100 Masters: Only in Canada is a party for all of us. In a way, we are all in Winnipeg to celebrate, not only one city’s cultural maturity, but also our own general excellence, our own coming of age. Aside from its many pleasures, surprises, and old fondnesses, this festive exhibition is an elegant gesture, a warm and smiling wave of solidarity from one Canadian art-loving city to all the others.”
Marc Mayer, Director and CEO, National Gallery of Canada

May 11 to August 18, 2013 
Winnipeg Art Gallery

For more information, visit 100 Masters: Only in Canada.

Get up close to penguins at the Assiniboine Park Zoo! For a limited time, you can visit African black-footed penguins at the new HUB Horizon Insurance Penguin Cove and experience these very active and engaging animals.

Through newly created interpretive displays, learn about the plight of penguins in the wild and the conservation efforts currently taking place to preserve their future existence. The exhibit space also features a penguin-themed gift shop.

May 10 to September 30, 2013
Assiniboine Park Zoo

For more information, visit Assiniboine Park Zoo.