The West End Cultural Centre Gets A New Artistic Director

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There's about to be a new guy behind the artistic vision of one of Manitoba's most acclaimed music venues. The West End Cultural Centre has announced the appointment of new artistic director Mike Petkau, who will start his new job on January 4.

Petkau is no stranger to Manitoba's music scene. As a producer, mixer, and recording engineer, he has worked with Paper Moon, Twilight Hotel, Mahogany Frog, Todd Hunter, and Ian La Rue, among others. Petkau did the sound design and co-wrote the score for Cattle Call, which won Best Experimental Film at South by Southwest, and showcased at the Sundance and Toronto International Film Festivals.

Last year, Petkau launched his groundbreaking community-building recording project, the Record of the Week Club, which was nominated for Pop Recording of the Year at the 2009 Western Canadian Music Awardss, where he was also nominated for Recording Engineer of the Year.

Petkau also co-produced live productions of the Dark Side of the Moon for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and The Last Waltz for the WECC.

He is currently a member of Winnipeg bands The Liptonians, who picked up a 2008 WCMA for Outstanding Pop Recording, and Les Jupes

Petkau takes the reigns from longtime artistic director Dominic Lloyd. Lloyd left the WECC in November to join the Cultural Capital 2010 staff as Project Manager.

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