From the Peg to My Heart

Raced back downtown from an obligatory event in Streetsville to catch the last few minutes of The Weakerthans at the Harbourfront Centre.

(psssttt... note to "Lewk" the webmaster for the official band site, it's friggin annoying, so I didn't link to it in an effort to not irritate my readers any more than absolutely necessary)

But the real event started at 11pm: The 9th Annual Winnipeg Social. Sheena had attended one a couple of years back when it was held at the 360 aka the Ukrainian Legion on Queen. The first one had more of an authentic feel to it given the venue, but last night's party was more fun.

Hosted by "DJ Old Dutch", the tunes and the beers flowed nicely until it was time for the live entertainment. (No, to my Winnipeg readers: No Club, No Standard, No Lab Lite. Had to alternate between Keith's and Kokanee. Also note: plenty of Old Dutch on the tables, but no kielbasa and no cheese cut into perfect 1" cubes. So authenticity was a little lacking, I agree).

A survivalist themed mystery band took the stage and delivered a kick ass set ranging from the Guess Who, to Neil Young, solo Burton, HARLEQUIN!, and what blew the minds of El Chaperone and myself: The Stretch Marks . How could I have forgotten the way "Woof Woof, It's a Dog's World", shaped my teenage punk flirtations. Whatever happened to Joe Puke and the Chunky Bits, anyways?

The set was performed against a very funny and moving video montage that was eerily reminiscent of Winnipeg Babysitter (SheenaVision passim). Snippets from Survivor Man, Early '80s Crimestoppers ads. Nick Hill and his Kern-Hill Furniture Co-op ads were lightyears ahead of Mel Lastman's rants. And who didn't secretly wish Hunky Bill was their Gido.

Is it really worth the trip to Steinbach? Is it true that, you got it? Park Pontiac? Does Domo still Jump to the Pump, for You? Were they ever able to top that ad campaign of a free Kielbasa in a Glass with every fill up? Will NHL hockey ever return to the frozen floodplain?

These questions, and more... to be answered Next Week, when Sheena Goes Home for A Visit.