Sing songs & spark friendships at Tune-Up Café
Experience the positive benefits music can bring to those living with dementia.
Welcome to Tune-Up Café
Submitted by Sherry Heppner, Development Coordinator at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg
At Tune-Up Café, you’ll find a warm and comfortable place where folks gather to sing, connect and enjoy a cozy “cuppa” afterwards.
Every second Tuesday, an amazing group of people who are living with memory changes gather at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg along with their care partners, for an evening of song and chatter. The program began in May 2024, and with a break here and there, the group is back singing strong!
Music brings calm, happiness, and smiles to the residents and the guests of Tune-Up Café. Thanks for the music and songs, and the staff at The Convalescent Home.
Joyce – Care Partner & program participant
Why a singing café? 🎶
Music can stimulate the brain, evoke emotions, express feelings and unlock memories — think of singing as a joyful workout for your brain.
Your host for Tune-Up Café is Sherry Heppner, Development Coordinator at The Convalescent Home. Sherry knows firsthand the joy that music can bring. She remembers seeing her mom sitting and holding hands with a friend when living in a personal care home: the two were sharing one iPod, a pair of earbuds and singing way off key — but simply enjoying the moment of happiness and normalcy that music brought them.
What you’ll experience
Tune-Up Café is all about singing for the sheer joy of it. No pressure, just pleasure!
There’s no cost to attend Tune-Up Café, but because space is limited, pre-registration is required. Here’s some additional information about the program:
Location: Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, 276 Hugo Street N, Winnipeg, MB
Dates and times: Bi-weekly on Tuesdays, 6:15 – 8 pm
To register or for further information, call 204-771-3809 or email Sherry at tuneupcafe276@gmail.com.
(Colton McKillop pictured centre & Sherry Heppner far right)
Tune-Up Café welcomes both seasoned singers and those who simply love to hum along. By coming together with like-minded folks, you can grow your social circles and spark new friendships.
The music is provided by a very talented musician, Colton McKillop, who is associated with the Artists in Healthcare Manitoba organization. The Café offers an eclectic selection of songs from Gordon Lightfoot, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Hank Williams and more.
Tune-Up Café is proud to be considered a community partner program with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Sherry says she would love to see similar cafés pop up all across the province.
“It’s great to have a place to go where you are just accepted and can experience joy through listening or singing along to some favourite tunes,” she says. “Folks living with early to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners can feel welcomed, enjoy music and share a warm drink.”
