A summer in the city centre

It's time to sharpen your pencils and open up your textbooks. Summer, like a hunger pang, has come and gone and the educational grind has finally been reinstated.

Spending another summer in the Exchange District has definitely opened my eyes and diversified my taste palette. There was never a shortage of festivals to attend, new restaurants to dine at and chic boutiques to stare hopelessly into.

In the spirit of celebrating the end of the season, here are a few of my summer highlights:

• Festivities at The Forks
• Yoga & Zumba in the Park
• Let's Do Lunch Downtown
• The Winnipeg Fringe Festival
• The TD International Winnipeg Jazz Festival
• The Chinatown Street Festival
• Heck, all the festivals!
• ... And did I mention food?

 Burger and fries from Boon Burger down Sherbrook

A mixed greens salad from Deer + Almond in the Exchange

An assortment of empanadas from Corrientes Argentine Pizzeria in the Exchange

Lahmaçun (Turkish yoghurt pizza bread) from Arkadash Bistro & Lounge on Portage

Vegetarian nacho platter from La Bamba on Portage

Needless to say, my summer was nothing short of amazing - and I hope yours was, too. Here's to another eventful school year, and an upcoming collection of interesting tidbits straight from downtown Winnipeg from your Downtown Dweller.

Get your jazz hands ready

Jazz Fest is back for yet another year featuring an incredible array of performers. And for those of you who don't fancy jazzy tunes, there's much more than your typical sexy sax solos in this year's line-up.

photo courtesy of jazzwinnipeg.com

The TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival will be held from June 14 to 23 all around downtown. The festival will not only feature local artist, but has also brought in national and international singing sensations such as Janelle Monáe, Ramsey Lewis and The Hold Steady.

photo courtesy of http://www.interviewmagazine.com/

Join the festivities on opening weekend for four straight days of free entertainment at Old Market Square. From June 14 to 17, listen in on some rhythm and blues, jazz, indie rock, fund and more.

Photo courtesy of http://uk.phaidon.com/

Nearly 100 performers will be featured at this year's event, and tickets are selling quick. If you're interested in attending any of the upcoming concerts, you can purchase tickets at jazzwinnipeg.com, or call the Jazz Winnipeg office at (204)989-4656.

For a complete list of performers, visit this link.