Manitoba Music & Winnipeg Folk Festival to Launch New Open Mic Nights at Maw's Eatery, March 17

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Raine Hamilton

After a little winter break, Manitoba Music and the Winnipeg Folk Festival are excited to announce that their popular open mic night will return this month in a new location. The free monthly evenings will move to popular new Exchange District haunt, Maw's Eatery, on the third Tuesday of every month. 

Singer/songwriter Raine Hamilton will host the first of the new iteration of open mic nights on March 17. Hamilton is no stranger to the stage. With a Western Canadian tour under her belt, she landed a coveted showcase spot at Folk Music Ontario in the fall, two spots in The Great Canadian Journey video series, and some media attention with her EP, Small Packages

Manitoba Music and the Winnipeg Folk Festival first teamed up in 2008 to co-present the open mic nights, which quickly earned a reputation as one of the best in Winnipeg for the listening room atmosphere and a rotation of acclaimed local hosts. Over 50 diverse Manitoba artists have taken the stage to host, and to encourage and inspire emerging acts, including Ruth Moody, Keri Latimer, JP Hoe, Tracy Bone, Chic Gamine's Andrina Turenne, Del Barber, The Crooked Brothers, Sweet Alibi, Red Moon Road, Leonard Sumner, Slow Leaves, Erin Propp, Cara Luft, and even music legend Fred Penner.

"We're excited to continue partnering with our friends at the Winnipeg Folk Festival on open mic nights, and to find a new home at the wonderful Maw's Eatery. Open mics are where emerging performing songwriters go to cut their teeth. They're a great way for young performers to make a first step on stage or for established singer/songwriters to try out new material, and above all, a fantastic opportunity to build community," says Manitoba Music's executive director, Sean McManus.  

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