Teghan's top 5 things to do this weekend in and near Winnipeg (Aug. 4-7)

The weather should be less blistering andmore tolerable this weekend, so spend some time outside in Gimli or at The Forks for the two festivals that are on.

If you still want to hang out indoors, First Fridays is on in the Exchange andtwo comedy nights are going head to head while Ivan Decker performs at Rumor's.

Later this weekend, Folkloramastarts with about a dozen pavilions.

WHAT: ART First Fridays in the Exchange

When: Friday, Aug. 4, 5-9 p.m.

Where: Exchange District

Cost: Free to $15

There are about a dozen galleries open for First Fridays in the Exchange District this weekend, and the Alleyways Market is back as well.

The market has produce and a whole bunch of handmade stuff to buy from local artists/artisans.

A few standouts on the walking tour this month are at Platform Gallery, which has an opening reception for the show Revisions, Graffiti Gallery's youth art show and Forth's video installation from Ray Fenwick.

Forth is also having a little after party on their rooftop bar with DJs.

WHAT: COMEDY Winnipeg Comedy Showcase

When: Friday, Aug. 4, 9 p.m.

Where: The Park Theatre,698 Osborne St.

Cost: $10

The Winnipeg Comedy Showcase is back for its 15th run at the Park Theatre Friday night.

Jordan Welwood, Benji Rothman, Kate Schellenberg, Dan Goldberg, John B. Duffand Chris (Keener)Dougherty are all on the bill, with Jared Story hosting.

Welwood is my top pick from this lineup, but he and everyone else in this show will be going head to head with Women's Open Mic Comedy at Wee Johnny's and a set from Ivan Decker at Rumor's.

Dana Smith is hosting the free open mic night, with a to-be-determined lineup.Her show is a bit cheaper, though there's no cover charge, drinks are $5 and pizzas are $6.75.

WHAT: FESTIVAL Islendingadagurinn

When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Where: Gimli, Man.

Cost: Free to $20

The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba is back on in Gimli this weekend, and it looks like it's going to be one of their biggest years so far.

There's going to be music, rides, a sandcastle contest, beach volleyball, Islendingadunk (you should absolutely Google this), a Viking battle, fireworks, a marathon, a parade and a bunch of stuff just for kids.

For music, Stefanie Blondal Johnson, Slow Spirit, rhe Middle Coast and Bright Righteous are playing across a few different stages.

Most of this stuff is free but some of it will cost you. I would also plan a same-day ride to and from because hotels and campsites near Gimli will likely be pretty full for the weekend.

WHAT: FAMILY Folklorama

When: Sunday and Monday

Where: Multiple locations

Cost: $6 per pavilion

Folklorama starts as the weekend ends with pavilions opening up Sunday and Monday.

The Cuban, Ethiopian, First Nations, German, Polish and Tamil pavilions all open this weekend as well as a bunch of others.

The best strategy I've heard of so far is planning a bike tour to a few pavilions that are close to each other.

This one continues next weekend, so if you can't make it out in the next few days, there's still lots of time.

WHAT: MUSIC Royal Canoe

When: Monday, Aug. 7,8 p.m.

Where: The Forks, 1 Forks Market Rd.

Cost: Free

There is a lot more music happening at The Forks this weekend for the Canada Games Festival.

Friday you can see Lanikai, Saturday there's Mariachi Ghost and Sunday there's the Sheepdogs and Buffy Sainte-Marie, but the really big day is Monday.

Faouzia, William Prince, Sierra Noble, the Crash Test Dummies and Royal Canoe are all playing the main stage.

You can catch Royal Canoe's set at about 8 pm., but it'll be a short one so don't be late.

After they're done go see DJ Co-op on the satellite stage.