This week's installment takes us on a Winnipeg-inspired musical journey into the NFB vaults.

Film junkies: prepare to have your mind blown.

The NFB archives are online and streamable.

I know, RIGHT?!

<<As a tech-incapable person, I haven't figured out how to embed the videos in these posts yet. Rather than blaming our tech guy for not calling me back, just forgive me and click on the titles of the videos to watch them at nfb.ca.>>

As someone who spent the majority of her childhood in Canada, I have always had an incredible appreciation for the National Film Board. My favourite music-themed short of all time has to be Richard Condie's 1979 animated short Getting Started (featuring the music of Claude Debussy and a guy who just can't focus on practicing it).

But back to the point: WINNIPEG

After being out of town for a couple of weeks, I've been indulging in a little bit of a Winnipeg love-in. I found myself talking to people in Lebanon who have travelled the world and opened their minds to the microcosm of cultural amazingness that we call home. Most commonly, I offered reassurance that humans can survive in sub-zero temperatures and that bears didn't often wander into the city. A friend of mine there is seriously afraid of bears.

A bit of Manitoba magic I've recently come across is a 20-minute film from 1945 by Winnipeg born filmmaker Gudrun Parker. Her documentary Listen to the Prairies a stunning portrait of Winnipeg in the 40s and the deep musical roots of this charming city. The Men's Musical Club of Winnipeg initiated Manitoba's first annual music festival in 1919, inviting young vocalists and instrumentalists to share their music and compete for merit-based prizes. The 2016 Winnipeg Music Festival just completed its 98th cycle; provincials will be held in Brandon at the end of May. This documentary features performances from a handful of choirs of various ages, vocalists, a pianist, a violinist, and a spot of G&S for good measure.

As an aside: if anyone can identify any of the musicians or the venue, e-mail me! I'm convinced SOMEONE will see a familiar face. Maybe a (great-)grandparent?

Looking for more vintage Manitoba in the National Film Board's archives, I happened upon another short documentary about Winnipeg's Polish community from American ethnomusicologist Laura Boulton. Polish Dance (1944) explores the origin of traditional dances and their interpretation by our local Polish cultural ambassadors. Ever wonder how to dance to your favourite Chopin Mazurka? Well, here's your chance to learn!

Speaking of wicked Polish music, you can see some live at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church (525 Wardlaw) performed by Winnipeg's Polycoro on Wednesday, May 18th. Górecki, Penderecki, and a brand new work from Norbert Palej. Polish is a beautiful and complex language. We just had our first rehearsal; I think we're getting the hang of it. The music is wicked cool. Come join us!

Tune in next Wednesday for another exciting edition of Mid-week Musicology on Classic107.com!