Ethero Events launches a new festival to celebrate all things local.

Laid out across Era Bistro’s table are postcards and pins flashing the festival’s title and tagline ‘Sips. Sounds. Art. Eats.” People are encouraged to take them to promote the future event. / REBECCA DRIEDGER

By Rebecca Driedger

The planners of the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade, Table for 1200 More, and Nuit Blanche are bringing something new to Winnipeg’s festival scene.

Monica Derksen, the founder of Ethero Events, gathered supporters and partners on Oct. 8, 2019, to announce Winnipeg’s newest music festival: CURRENT.

The launch was hosted at Era Bistro and celebrated local with a DJ, Winnipeg musicians, and catering.  

“There are so many festivals bringing outside talent and audiences to the city,” said Derksen, “but I want local people to see our local talent.”

Supporters mingle as they wait for the big announcement./REBECCA DRIEDGER

People cheered and whistled as Derksen announced CURRENT would not have the same downfalls as other festivals in and around the city, like unsanitary portable toilets, lack of shade, and lack of showers. Instead, Ethero is invested in creating a comfortable and stylish festival experience.

The festival’s tagline, ‘Sips. Sounds. Art. Eats.,’ refers to their partnerships and entertainment.

The festival will feature local beer and spirits, and musical talent coordinated by Michael Falk, formerly the Artistic Director of Jazz Winnipeg. Artists and builders from the Winnipeg area will create interactive installations. Food from top restaurants and chefs in the city will be organized by Chef Ben Kramer.

“I’m excited to see this come to life,” said Tessa Whitecloud, who attended the launch. “Winnipeg has such an amazing music scene.”

Festivals in and around Winnipeg have thrived on tourist attraction and brought in well-known artists, like Death Cab for Cutie and Kacey Musgraves at Winnipeg Folk Festival this past summer.

Monica Derksen speaks to supporters at Ethero Event’s launch party for CURRENT, hosted by Era Bistro. The launch music and art festival will debut on August 14-16, 2020. / REBECCA DRIEDGER

CURRENT is all about supporting local, regardless of industry, and the festival is targeting one demographic: Winnipeg.

This love letter to the city is meant to attract a wider audience than just those who are avid festival goers.

“Music isn’t really my thing, but if it’s promoting local breweries and things like that, I would definitely go with some of my friends to check it out,” said Adrian Uliczko, a Business Administration student at Red River College.

So far, there have been no announcements regarding performers or artists, but the inaugural festival is planned to take place at The Forks from Aug. 14 to 16, 2020.

Follow the festival on all social media platforms @currentwpg, or sign up for updates directly from their website, currentfestival.ca.