The Watson Arts Centre exists to foster the arts in the Parkland.
The Dauphin & District Allied Arts Council was created by Dr. Vernon Watson in 1972. The facility was renamed the Watson Arts Centre in the mid-1990s.
More than 50 years of showcasing arts in the Parkland. It's been a tremendous more than five decades, and Cam Bennet is thrilled to be a part of it.
54/40 and the Sheepdogs both performed at the Watson. Bennet says the Watson is an absolute gem of a place.
"I hear it all the time. People stop me on the street and say how appreciative they are of having the Watson in the community," said Bennet. "We've expanded our programming a fair bit in the past years. People really appreciate that."
The Manitoba Country Music Association announced its award nominees, and the Watson made the list.
The facility is nominated for Venue of the Year. Bennet found out when he got a text from the MCMA vice-president. They're up against Belle's Kitchen & Music Hall, The Park Theatre, The Royal George Hotel, Silver Spike Saloon, and Times Change (d) High and Lonesome Club.
Cam says it's an honour to be nominated.
"I know we have been nominated in the past, the odd time," said Bennet. "To be recognized now after expanding our programming, it's pretty special. I am particularly proud of the fact that we are the only non-profit venue in that group and the only venue outside of Winnipeg."
The Watson is one of many nominations coming from the Parkland. For the full list of nominees, head here.
The Watson is now preparing for the 2026-27 Concert Series. It begins next Saturday with the 'I Heart Zeppelin - A Tribute to Heart & Led Zeppelin'. Chest Fever - The Band's "The Last Waltz" is on October 24. The Stanley County Cutups hit the stage on January 23.
Concert four is Murray Kinsley and Wicked Grin on March 13. The Sean Taylor Band is the fifth concert on Saturday, May 15. You can get a series pass for just $191.68. That gets you into every concert.
Individual concert tickets go on sale on Saturday.
"It's a really great lineup. All sorts of different performers," said Bennet. "We've got some other shows outside of our Concert Series. Sean McCann from Great Big Sea is coming in April. I've got a few other ones up my sleeve that I haven't announced publicly."
Here is the full list of upcoming events.
