About

Mission

Building Community and the Arts

Our venue isn't just a building – it's a living, breathing, dynamic testament to the transformative power of performance and creative expression.

As you explore our story, you'll come to understand why the Manitou Opera House stands as a beacon of culture, creativity, connectedness and inclusiveness in the Pembina Valley. From its humble beginnings to its present-day role as a cherished gathering place, every chapter of our history reflects our unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of all who enter our doors.

We believe in the power of the arts to inspire, uplift, and unite. Our welcoming message echoes this sentiment, extending a warm embrace to all.

Join us on a journey of discovery and celebration as we honor our past, embrace our present, and eagerly anticipate the future that lies ahead. Welcome to the Manitou Opera House – where every visitor is cherished, every story is valued, and where we weave the tapestry of meaningful connection between us all as we share what the arts mean to us.

Vision

To serve as a multi-generational community hub, embracing inclusivity and acceptance, nurturing educational experiences, and celebrating artistic diversity.

Our commitment to the community extends beyond the arts. We are a pivotal space for cultural and civic events that bring our community together.

Remembrance and Celebration
We provide a space for the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Remembrance Day Service and the vibrant annual Christmas Ministerial Concert with local choirs.
Local Crafts and Culture
Our auditorium hosts the Annual Christmas Craft Sale, showcasing local crafters, and also serves as a polling station during elections. Our multiple art galleries feature traveling art exhibitions, while our various meeting spaces accommodate a wide range of community group meetings.
Festivals
Each Fall, we collaborate with the Coffeehouse Musicians and the Honey, Garlic, and Maple Syrup Festival (HGMS Festival) Committee for a featured concert held in our building as part of the festivities. Every April, our building proudly hosts the Pembina Valley Music Festival, showcasing talents in piano, speech arts, vocal, and band disciplines. Our building has also hosted interdenominational church services during local celebrations including the Manitou Ag Fair and HGMS Festival.
Fundraisers
During the winter months, our auditorium hosts Coffeehouse put on by the Coffeehouse Musicians, providing a platform for local artists to perform and organizations to fundraise by sponsoring evenings filled with music and refreshments.

Our Journey

1885

1905

1908

1930

1930s - 1990s

1993

2016

Present

1885

Manitou has had numerous community halls and gathering places since 1878. The earliest ones were on the second floor of businesses in the community. In particular, the Loyal Orange Lodge built the first dedicated Town Hall around 1885.

1905

The Manitou Town Council passed a motion, moved by Wes McClung, to build a community hall at 325 Main Street. As such, it was built during the time that Wes McClung was mayor of Manitou and represented the kind of community spirit which Wes and Nellie McClung were long known for. The importance of the arts was consistently noted by the couple no matter where they lived. Their promotion of public speaking clubs, band programs, reading rooms, and concerts had a positive effect on the growth and attitude of the Manitou community.

1908

When the new building was built, a grand sign was displayed on the front of it designating it as the Town Hall. Within a week, confusion reigned. No one knew which Town Hall was hosting events. As a result, within a month of the opening of the new town hall, it was being advertised as the Manitou Opera House, and it has been so called ever since. Over the next twenty years the building was the site of many entertainment events including a Chautauqua Festival and readings by local novelist and social activist Nellie McClung.

1930

A fire on January 16, 1930, destroyed the previous building and led to the building of the second Manitou Opera House in the summer of 1930. During the Opening Ceremonies for the new building, a moment of silence remembered the fireman, Robert A. J. Brown, who had died while fighting the fire. The new Arts and Crafts style building was built on the foundation of the previous one by Blackburn Construction at a cost of $15,000. While the town could gather in the auditorium above, the town constable had offices in the basement along with a vault and two prisoner cells.

1930s - 1990s

The Manitou Opera House served the community well over the next sixty years and the list of events that happened within its walls is a glimpse into times past. Imagine the laughter and applause for musical comedies, operettas, memorial services, bazaars, ghost shows, band concerts, arts festivals, Collegiate variety nights, school choral workshops, Hospital Auxiliary Teas, Neighbour Nites, dinner theaters, and drama performances. Later on other facilities were built in the area and entertainment bookings at the Manitou Opera House dropped off. The Opera House was used for other purposes, such as housing government offices and a clothing factory.

1993

By the early 1990s, with major restoration needed, members of the Town Council felt the best way to address the problem was to invite local entertainers to spearhead a revival and manage the building. Three groups were instrumental in its comeback: the Coffeehouse Musicians, the Borderline Singers, and the Candlewick Players. The Coffeehouse Musicians held their first coffeehouse in the Opera House in 1993. The Manitou Opera House Foundation was established in 1996. An upgrade included in the restoration of the building was the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system in 1995.

2016

Although a variety of restoration projects happened over the next twenty years, it was the Manitou Opera House Accessibility Project that moved the building into the 21st century. After a year of fundraising for the 1.3 million dollar project, major construction began in April 2015. The new facility was added onto the existing in a seamless manner, echoing the grand details of the original building. There was an accessible addition with adequate washrooms on the main floor, a berm entrance way giving direct access to the performance level and a major backstage area to improve the performance space. The grand opening was held on April 23, 2016. Many other spaces within the building have been upgraded since, creating an entertainment facility second to none.

Present

The Manitou Opera House continues to be a multi-purpose hub in the Manitou Community. A wide variety of arts entertainment and education is provided by the many stakeholders and volunteers who have a passion for the facility. Post-Covid we are back to providing dances, dinner theaters, dramas, coffeehouses, art shows, dance lessons, and concerts for a whole host of enthusiastic patrons. Beyond the arts, the facility provides casual renters with a space for family gatherings, community and business meetings, and vendor markets. We are expanding on the original idea of the Manitou Opera House being a community hub, as was established over 100 years ago.

The Manitou Opera House is proudly managed by the dedicated volunteers of the Manitou Opera House Foundation Board (MOHF). Our achievements are made possible thanks to the invaluable support of our 'Friends of the Opera House' volunteers.

Get Involved

When I first had the opportunity to get up on the stage at the Manitou Opera House many years ago, I at once noticed the wonderful acoustics, something that has been commented on by everyone, including professional groups.

Landon Booker

We are very grateful to have had the Manitou Opera House for our Coffeehouse venue for over 30 years. Our children, and now our grandchildren are so fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to make music at coffeehouses and music festivals at our beautiful opera house.

Anonymous

We have lived in Manitou for 47+ years and I have attended so many wonderful events at the Opera House over the years. It's such a beautiful place with amazing character and of course the best sound of any venue around.

Debbie Stiwich

I have spent so much time at the Manitou Opera House over the years it’s almost like a second home to me. It’s been a place to try new things, challenge myself, have fun, and to meet new friends and build an amazing community of others who are as passionate about the arts as I am.

Anonymous

It’s the place in which laughter has echoed long after the show is done and the sets are put away. It’s the place that you WANT everyone to see and enjoy. It’s the place that makes you smile the second you walk in the door.

Chuck Fefchak

About

Mission

Building Community and the Arts

Our venue isn't just a building – it's a living, breathing, dynamic testament to the transformative power of performance and creative expression.

Vision

To serve as a multi-generational community hub, embracing inclusivity and acceptance, nurturing educational experiences, and celebrating artistic diversity.

Our commitment to the community extends beyond the arts. We are a pivotal space for cultural and civic events that bring our community together.

Remembrance and Celebration

Local Crafts and Culture

Festivals

Fundraisers

Our Journey

1885

1905

1908

1930

1930s - 1990s

1993

2016

Present

The Manitou Opera House is proudly managed by the dedicated volunteers of the Manitou Opera House Foundation Board (MOHF). Our achievements are made possible thanks to the invaluable support of our 'Friends of the Opera House' volunteers.

When I first had the opportunity to get up on the stage at the Manitou Opera House many years ago, I at once noticed the wonderful acoustics, something that has been commented on by everyone, including professional groups.

We are very grateful to have had the Manitou Opera House for our Coffeehouse venue for over 30 years. Our children, and now our grandchildren are so fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to make music at coffeehouses and music festivals at our beautiful opera house.

We have lived in Manitou for 47+ years and I have attended so many wonderful events at the Opera House over the years. It's such a beautiful place with amazing character and of course the best sound of any venue around.

I have spent so much time at the Manitou Opera House over the years it’s almost like a second home to me. It’s been a place to try new things, challenge myself, have fun, and to meet new friends and build an amazing community of others who are as passionate about the arts as I am.

It’s the place in which laughter has echoed long after the show is done and the sets are put away. It’s the place that you WANT everyone to see and enjoy. It’s the place that makes you smile the second you walk in the door.

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