Top 5 things to do in Winnipeg this weekend (Aug. 7-9)

If I could personally plan your night on Friday, it would look a little bit like this: head over to Assiniboine Park for around 9 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets as well as bug spray and snacks. Have a little cry over Eddie Redmayne's really quite nice portrayal of Stephen Hawking. Head to the Osborne Village legion around 11:30 p.m. to have a very affordable beer and watch some of my favourite new DJs in the city play some amazing sets. Shake off the post-epic-sad-movie blues. Around 1 a.m., head to The Tallest Poppy for a night cap and a little bit of art making with some very nice people.

I am not actually in charge of your Friday night, but I really think if you do those things you'll have an excellent time. And you can stop by to say hi to me because I'll be doing those fun things!

As for Saturday and Sunday, I highly recommend fitting in Wild Tales or Montage of Heck at Cinematheque.

WHAT: DANCE – Casual Friday at the Osborne legion

When: Friday, Aug. 7 at 10 p.m.

Where: ANAF Club 60 at 3-433 River Ave.

Cost: $5

I probably will never get over how much I enjoy these events.

Mama Cutsworth's DJ Academy for All Women has created a kind of spin-off night organized by the DJs themselves at the Osborne Village legion.

For $5 you get a night of DJs who are spinning seriously different stuff from what you're hearing everywhere else, and it is awesome.

Plus beers are absurdly cheap, there's air conditioning and a cozy patio. I haven't even gotten to the shuffleboard and pool table yet.

This weekend is DJ Tanner (Meghan Menzies will always have a special place in my heart for spinning Snoop with the Full House theme song on her debut performance on Corydon), Lil Win, LORZE and DJ Firewall.

My only complaint about this night is people seem to be a little chicken to dance. Can we dance this weekend, guys? Will someone come dance with me?

WHAT: FILM – The Theory of Everything at Assiniboine Park

When:  Friday, Aug. 7 at 9:15 p.m.

Where: Assiniboine Park Lyric Theatre at 55 Pavilion Cres.

Cost: FREE

I know, I know. Two movie recommendations in one column seems like I'm being lazy, but I think both of these are uniquely fantastic.

This one is pretty nice because it's outside at night in a big park under the stars and who even cares what movie they're showing because there's just a real sense of community and niceness at these things!

Also, The Theory of Everything is a fantastic pick for the Assiniboine Park movies. I suggest bringing chairs (lest you get stuck with a whiney complainer who not unreasonably thinks sitting for almost three hours with no back support is uncomfortable), a blanket (it's getting cold at night now!), bug spray and some snacks.

The Theory of Everything is not really a movie for kids, so if you have little humans in tow, you could always take them to the earlier screening of Big Hero 6 at 7 p.m.

WHAT: ART – Postcard making with Baba Yaga

When: Friday, Aug. 7 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: The Tallest Poppy at 103 Sherbrook St.

Cost: FREE

Synonym Art Consultation is teaming up with the Rainbow Trout Music Festival for their First Friday after party at Tallest Poppy this weekend.

Baba Yaga will be doing a DJ set, and Synonym's going to have a whole thing to make post cards. It's going to be a RTMF post office!

There's no cover, you can buy drinks or food and you can make some art. Maybe do a little dance or two.

There will also be some postcard artists to give you some help and guidance, so don't feel nervous. Go have all the fun.

WHAT: FESTIVAL - Folklorama

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Where: Various locations

Cost: $6 per pavilion

You all know what this is and what to do. Lots of pavilions with lots of cool things to see and do and eat and learn. Cool thing to take out-of-towners to or your grandparents. Cool thing to go to if you want to have "exotic beer" and then end up without a cab and taking a 45 to 95 minute walk home when if you had actually just waited for a cab you'd be home by now.

Sometimes there's neat stuff to buy, and other times you accidentally run into someone you haven't seen since high school. Think of the breathless fun you'll have being unsure which will happen! 

WHAT: FILM – Wild Tales at Cinematheque

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Where: Cinematheque at 100 Arthur St.

Cost: $9

This is the kind of movie you tell all your friends who like movies to go see. It's smart and funny and moves along quickly and is really just a lovely, brilliant watch.

The film is a whole bunch of short vignettes on revenge. And, because it's not some big budget Hollywood movie packed with obnoxious cameos, they don't all tie in together at the end! Hurrah!

This is a foreign-language film, so if you're subtitle-averse, check out Montage of Heck instead.

It was recommended to me by someone who said the film reminded them of me. You'll see why that's so insulting if you watch it. Despite that, I still really loved the movie. I think you will too.