Begonia with Dana Lee @ West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos and review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photo | February 27 2020
For most people February 27th 2020 was just an average Thursday, but for the 300 plus people who packed Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre the day will live on as something more. It was shortly after 9pm when Winnipeg’s Begonia took to the dimly lit, glitter fringe draped stage and the buzzing crowd fell silent, not wanting to miss a second of a show to which tickets had been purchased in late 2019. Tickets to the first 3 of 5 shows at the intimate venue had sold in hours, 2 more shows were later added and sold equally as fast, to say these were the hottest tickets in town would be a massive understatement.
Begonia, the solo project of Chic Gamine’s Alexa Dirks, has been on the rise since her EP “Lady in Mind” dropped in 2017. Hot off a tour in support of “Fear”, her first full length album, Dirks was visibly happy to be home celebrating the album’s release and all of Winnipeg welcomed the band with open arms. Dirks took to the stage in a light purple ballerina style dress which was almost as dramatic as the light on stage and began singing Otherside acapella, joined mid-song by backup singers Heather Thomas and Kenzie Jane. Later in the evening Alexa spoke about trying to find a balance between being emotionally vulnerable and strong as hell, something she achieved with the flow of the night’s setlist. Intimate, quiet moments, a stripped down version of fan favorite Hot Dog Stand and a haunting duo performance of Dead Flowers in the encore, flowed into all out bangers The Light, Out Of My Head and Fear, tracks on which the power of Alexa’s voice really shines.
With a set designed by Winnipeg artist Seth Woodyard and band outfits designed by local designer Tony Chestnut, the city of Winnipeg’s best and brightest creative minds came together to create a live experience that doesn’t happen often. An evening full of emotion, drama, and beauty with sprinkles of humour and goofiness.
Alexa Dirks has found her voice with Begonia. Her lyrics are deeply personal and she leaves it all on the stage with her commanding live presence. She is a force to be reckoned with and it won't be long before Begonia is a household name in Canada and beyond.
Winnipeg singer songwriter Dana Lee played a lower key opening set. Lee's sweet, sultry voice was a perfect juxtaposition to Alexa's powerful vocals and the band's groovy pop sound eased the crowd onto the main event.
