Carman is a small agricultural town of about 3,000 people that lies in the Pembina Valley Region of southern Manitoba. Carman is located at the junction of Highways 3 and 13, just 40 minutes southwest of Winnipeg (the capital city of Manitoba). It is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Dufferin. Carman is situated in the heart of a rich prairie agricultural belt, only 60 kilometres north from the American state of North Dakota.CultureCarman has several arts events. Each year in early August Carman holds the Carman Fiddle Festival, previously known as the Winston Simpson Fiddle Festival. In February (vocal/choral/speech arts and band/instrumental) and April (piano/strings and dance), Carman hosts the Tempo Festival of the Arts. This includes speech arts, strings, vocal, choral, piano and band classes in association with the Association of Manitoba Music Festivals. One of Manitoba's longest existing choral groups is the Sonatrice Singers. The group has been meeting and performing for over thirty years. This choir has earned bronze and silver at choralfest Canada as well as Manitoba Provincial honors. The current leader is Cindee Broeska with 40 singers. Their spring concert takes place in early May every year. In addition to this, the Sontrice Singers sing to support the Carman/area Christmas cheer board, Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life, seniors homes, hospitals, schools and other places.