The weather is getting cooler, but there’s lots of excellent music heating up the venues of Peterborough and area. Here are some shows I highly recommend you check out throughout November (and a couple of end-of-October shows that I didn’t include in last month’s column).
Doug Paisley at Gordon Best in Peterborough on October 30
Doug Paisley, one of Canada’s great new folk singer-songwriters, hits the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) on Thursday, October 30th at 8 p.m.
Paisley’s work is sentimental, meaningful, and just really nice to listen to. He will be celebrating the release of his latest record Strong Feelings, which features greats like Garth Hudson, Mary Margaret O’Hara, and Bazil Donovan (from Blue Rodeo). Opening the show will be local Nick Ferrio and the brilliant Jenny Whiteley.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, available at The Only Cafe (underneath the Gordon Best).
“Strong Feelings” – Doug Paisely
Zachary Lucky and L’il Andy at The Spill in Peterborough on October 31
Halloween may be a spooky time for some, but for others it’s about heading out to a club with over-the-top drinks, decorations and good music. Saskatchewan’s Zachary Lucky teams up with Montreal’s Li’l Andy on Friday, October 31st at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167).
These two country and roots troubadours will sing songs about loneliness, travel, and the real stuff that makes up life. Smooth voices, great stories, and plenty of presence.
Tickets are available at the door, and the show begins around 9 p.m.
“My Proud Mountains” – Zachary Lucky
Mayhemingways with Matthew Hornell at Pig’s Ear in Peterborough on November 1
I admit right off the the bat that I’m biased on this one: I’m in Mayhemingways. However, hear me out: our show at the Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255) on Saturday, November 1st is going to be extra special. We’re playing at one of our favourite haunts in town and will be joined by our really good friend and most excellent musician Matthew Hornell.
Originally from Newfoundland, Matthew’s tunes are personal yet universal and always catchy. He has a certain “X” factor that many musicians wish they could attain. Come for Matthew and stay for Mayhemingways.
The show begins at 10 p.m. with the usual Pig’s Ear $3 cover.
“Red Crescent” – Matthew Hornell and Andrew Sneddon
L-CON at The Garnet in Peterborough on November 6
The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) will be a hip place for live music on Thursday, November 6th.
Toronto-based group L-CON will bring their stirring strings, ethereal vocals, and electronic drum programming. The group, headed by Lisa Conway, have a real great sound.
Joining the bill are locals Caylie Staples, with her pleasantly melancholic tunes, and Peterborough synth-master ELMS.
The show will start around 10 p.m., with tickets available at the door.
“The Stirring Within” – Lisa Conway
Coco Montoya and Victor Wainwright at Showplace in Peterborough on November 7
Blues masters Coco Montoya and Victor Wainwright team up on Friday, November 7th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469), as part of the Elite Blues Series.
Sweet guitar leads, boogie-woogie piano, and soulful vocals will all be featured in this show, with Victor backed up by acclaimed band The WildRoots. Check out our feature story.
The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $32, available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
“Gotta Mind to Travel” – Coco Montoya
“Big Dog’s Runnin’ This Town” – Victor Wainwright & The WildRoots
Dub Trinity and The Muddy Hack at the Red Dog in Peterborough on November 8
Here’s an exciting event on Saturday, November 8th for fans of The Clash: Peterborough’s excellent dub/reggae band Dub Trinity teams up with The Muddy Hack for “London Street Calling”, a tribute to The Clash, at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710)
The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.
“Let Them Know” – Dub Trinity
Caitlin Currie at The Spill in Peterborough on November 12
Young Peterborough songstress Caitlin Currie will be celebrating the release of her first full-length album Waking Up at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Wednesday, November 12th.
Opening the show will be Good Ghost and Brock Mattsson & the Moonlight Sinners.
The show starts at 9:30 p.m and costs $5 at the door.
“Love and War” – Caitlin Currie with Andrew Shedden
Drew McIvor and the Soul Drivers at The Spill in Peterborough on November 15
While the Night is Young (WTNIY) has been a revelation for many people. The concert series, coordinated by Laurie Davis, has been running for a full year now. It features monthly shows that begin early with lively, fun music. Think of it as a dance party for those who want to be home before it gets too late.
On Saturday, November 15th, this will surely be the case as world-beat, funk, and folk group Drew McIvor and the Soul Drivers take the stage at at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167). An excellent mix of tunes for your enjoyment. Like every WTNIY show, it begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10 in advance (available at The Spill) or $12 at the door.
“45’s and 33’s” – Drew McIvor
Soda Pony at The Garnet in Peterborough on November 15
There’s a cool breeze of creative and dance-y rock and roll coming to Peterborough from Whitehorse, Yukon.
The excellent new band Soda Pony are at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Saturday, November 15th at 10 p.m..
The two-piece band features Aiden Tentrees on vocals, guitar and lead synth and Patrick Hamilton on vocals, drums, and bass synth.
We’ll be hearing much more from Aiden and Patrick in the future — you’ll be able to say you saw them perform in a small bar.
“Astronaut” – Soda Pony
Harry Manx at Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton on November 15
Folks in the Haliburton Highlands are in for a treat! On Saturday, November 15th, Harry Manx, master of “Mystic-ssippi” blues, is at Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion (in the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, 5358 Haliburton County Road 21, Haliburton).
Manx plays a one-of-a-kind instrument, the Mohan Veena — a 20-string sitar/guitar hybrid. The instrument’s combination of sitar and guitar somewhat explains his “East meets West” style.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $45 for Haliburton County Folk Society members and $50 for non-members. You can get tickets online at www.madeinhaliburton.ca or at Halco Electronics/The Source (160 Highland St., Haliburton, 705-457-1590) and Organic Times (134 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden, 705-286-1424).
“Crazy Love” – Harry Manx
Blackie and The Rodeo Kings at Academy Theatre in Lindsay on November 20
Blackie and The Rodeo Kings — one of my favourite acts and a kawarthaNOW favourite as well — are back in the area on Thursday, November 20th at Lindsay’s beautiful Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111).
They’re a fantastic Canadian roots-rock supergroup featuring Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Lee Harvey Osmond), Stephen Fearing, and Colin Linden (Emmy Lou Harris, Bob Dylan, etc.), along with a world-class rhythm section of Gary Craig (Bruce Cockburn) and John Dymond (K.D. Lang and many more). The group was originally formed in 1996 as a tribute to Peterborough’s great singer-songwriter and mandolin virtuouso Willie P. Bennett, who passed away suddenly in 2008. The band features great tunes, high energy, and amazing musicianship.
The show begins at 8 p.m. and costs $40. Tickets are available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca. As I’m writing this, lots of great seats are still available!
“Driftin’ Snow” – Blackie and The Rodeo Kings
Geoff Berner and Rae Spoon at The Spill in Peterborough on November 21
Now here’s a cool show. A double bill of acclaimed performers Geoff Berner and Rae Spoon is coming to The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Friday, November 21st at 8 p.m.
Geoff Berner is hard to pin down. He’s one part Klezmer accordion player, one part sentimental songwriter, and one part comedian — and then there’s his political side. If you saw Berner at the Peterborough Folk Festival, then you’ll know what I mean. The Vancouverite is simply inspiring.
Rae Spoon is also quite the performer. He brings all sorts of variables to the stage, mostly capped by incredible songwriting.
I could list all of their accolades, or you could just go to the show! Tickets are $12 at the door.
“When DD Gets Her Donkey, Everything Will Be Alright” – Geoff Berner
Sam Roberts Band at Showplace in Peterborough on November 24
Sam Roberts, an excellent example of Canada’s rich music scene, needs no introduction. Playing rock and roll is one thing, but the Sam Roberts Band has been exploring some other sonic zones. On their new album Lo-Fantasy, they’ve meshed their own rock sound with something from the past.
On Monday, November 24th at 8 p.m., they’ll be at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469). Tickets are $69 in the orchestra section and $49 in the balcony and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org
“Shapeshifters” – Sam Roberts Band
