Top 5 things to do in Winnipeg this weekend

Theres snow on the ground now, so its time to take in great shows, load up on delicious Manitoba food and keep warm with a few glasses of whiskey.

Its a quintessential Prairie weekend with freezing cold temperatures, a new whiskey bar on top of 83 Garry St. and a Ukrainian bake sale in the east end.

Shad, a major Canadian hip hop star, will be at Union Sound Hall this weekend and nature nerds can get their trivia on in the warmth of the Oak Hammock Marsh interpretive centre.

Have a good one, Winnipeggers.

WHAT: MUSIC Shad at Union

When: Friday, Nov. 22 at 10 p.m. for Shad

Where: Union Sound Hall at 110 Market Ave.

As usual, Union Sound Hall is booking great acts this weekend with Shad on Friday night and Chic Gamine on Saturday night.

Shad, the Juno-winning, super likeable Canadian hip hop star is back in Winnipeg after the October release of his fourth album Flying Colours.

Tickets are $25 at the door, and the show starts at 10 p.m. with We Are the City, a sweet little indie outfit out of Kelowna.

Shads brand of super-smart, accessible hip hop is great for actual hip hop fans and indie-lovers. Even if youve never heard a single song by him, it'll be a great time.

My only quibble is the price, but its not bad for someone as talented as Shad, especially when coupled with We Are the City.

Big ups to the people behind Jazz Fest who convinced the uber-talented artist to come back to the winter city for a November show.

WHAT: DRINKS Prairie 360s whiskey bar

When: Friday or Saturday night

Where: Prairie 360 at 83 Garry St.

Cost: Depends what you order (on the expensive side)

Winnipeg has a brand new spot to get dressed up fancy and try elaborate cocktails with other civilized folk.

Prairie 360 is now open on the top of 83 Garry St. where the revolving restaurant used to be. It still revolves, but now it has new owners, a great new Manitoba-themed menu and perhaps best of all, a new whiskey bar.

The new lounge looks pretty cozy and has over 150 whiskeys for you to sample.

As far as costs, its about on par with other similar restaurants in the city like Peasant Cookery, Mise and Fusion Grill on Academy Road.

During the last Jets game, the restaurant invited people to come and drink late, so you could see a good crowd on Saturday night when the team takes on the Minnesota Wild.

WHAT: FOOD Baba's Borscht Caf (Ukrainian bake sale)

When: Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church at 35 Marcie St.

Cost: Depends what you buy (on the affordable side)

College dorm kids, bachelors and generally lazy people take note: Ukrainian babas are holding a bake sale this weekend so you dont have to eat frozen pizzas and Kraft dinner the whole holiday season.

The super-adorable and delicious bake sale with maybe the best name ever is on this Saturday morning.

You can pick up cabbage rolls, perogies, Perishke and a whole bunch of Ukrainian baking at the sale.

Not only does Ukrainian food freeze really well for later eating, but its a staple of any Winnipegger or Manitobans diet.

Plus there's nothing like Ukrainian food made by an actual Ukrainian baba. This is like winter version of a farmers market and is totally worth getting up early for.

WHAT: GAMES Trivia night at Oak Hammock Marsh

When: Saturday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Oak Hammock Marsh at 1 Snow Goose Bay on Hwy. 220

Cost: $10

Oak Hammock Marsh is hosting its second annual trivia night to raise money for its operations on Saturday, and for just $10, you and a bunch of your friends can vie to be king and queen of the nerds.

The wildlife preserve divides groups into four and six, so bring as many of your smart friends as possible. Extra points to anyone who knows a wildlife biologist, as the trivia questions are going to be nature based.

Bar trivia is a rad wayto pass time during the crappy, eight-month winters we get stuck with every year, and I strongly suggest checking it out at this beautiful out-of-town spot.

Plus, itll be over in time to drown your sorrows over losing or glee over winning in all the beer in the world when you get back to the city.

Only downside is they ask you to preregister, so you really need to be a joiner and guilt as many people as possible into committing before you go.

WHAT: FILM Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Fest

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Where: Multiple locations throughout Winnipeg

Cost:$5 per screening or eventor $40 for a full fest pass

It feels like too long since the last film fest in Winnipeg, and this weekend will be a welcome break from the big box office.

The Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Fest is on all weekend with screenings of aboriginal music videos, short films and feature films. There are also a few parties on to celebrate local film makers.

The Globe and The Garrick are holding a range of screenings from local and international filmmakers with everything from emotional dramas to tense horror flicks on the bill.

The fest is amazingly well priced so grab a friend, wear something cozy and settle in for a night of movies at The Globe this weekend!