While there are a great number of excellent holiday-related shows happening in the Peterborough area (including some benefit concerts for worthy charities), I’ve have also included some concerts that will be great even without the holiday shine.
The Barra MacNeils at Academy Theatre in Lindsay on December 4th
Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111) plays host to Atlantic Canada legends The Barra MacNeils with “An East Coast Christmas” on Thursday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m.
This holiday show is described as “a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites.”
Tickets are $50 and are available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca
Auld Lange Syne – The Barra MacNeils
Dan Fewings Community Christmas in Peterborough on December 6th
Right after the Peterborough Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, December 6th, it’s time again for the 3rd Annual Dan Fewings Community Christmas at PCVS Auditorium.
In support of Teachers for Kids, this show features local music, comedy, and great vibes to carry you into the holiday season. Performers include Melissa Payne, Lonely Parade, Shai Peer, Bowskill and Fewings, Maggie Self, The Great Spontini, Tiny Davis, and more.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and children 10 and under get in free. Tickets are available in Peterborough at Ashburnham Ale House (128 Hunter St. E., 705-874-0333), The Spill (414 George St. N., 705-748-6167), and Bluestreak Records (444 George St. N., 705 742-6078).
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m. There will be free mulled apple cider before the show!
“Somebody Loves You Darlin'” by Ralph Stanley – Bowskill and Fewings
“Cold Out There” – Melissa Payne
I, The Mountain and San Felix at The Spill in Peterborough on December 8th
Get ready for some indie, folk, and rock music at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Monday, December 8th.
Local dudes I, The Mountain will team up with BC’s San Felix. The show begins around 9 p.m. with a cost of only $5.
“Land” – I, The Mountain
The Strumbellas at The Venue in Peterborough on December 10th
A Juno Award winning group with a Lindsay connection, The Strumbellas come to town as part of their “Ride On North America” tour at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-876-0008) on Wednesday, December 10th at 7 p.m.
Opening will be my friend Sam Cash & The Romantic Dogs from Toronto.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at www.venueptbo.com and Moondance Music (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
“Sailing” – Strumbellas
Al Tuck at The Garnet in Peterborough on December 11th
Excellent Prince Edward Island songwriter Al Tuck returns to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Thursday, December 11th at 10 p.m.
I’ve written about him in this space before and with good reason: his songs as clever and heartbreaking as they are deep and funny.
“Stompin’ Tom Connors Dot Com” – Al Tuck
“In From the Cold” at the Market Hall in Peterborough on December 12th and 13th
A Peterborough holiday tradition continues with the 15th annual In From the Cold: The Heart of a Peterborough Christmas. The concert runs on two consecutive nights, on Friday, December 12th and Saturday, December 13th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146). Both shows begin at 8 p.m.
The concert features music from Carried Away, The Convivio Chorus, Curtis Driedger, Michael Ketemer, Tanah Haney, and more.
Tickets are $17 with all proceeds going to Peterborough’s Youth Emergency Shelter. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Ticket are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George N, Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
Red Dog Olde Christmas Pageant at the Red Dog in Peterborough on December 13th
On Saturday, December 13th, Sam Tweedle presents the Red Dog Olde Christmas Pageant at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) beginning at 9 p.m..
Musical talent includes Union City, Chelsey Bennett, Missy Knott and Brian Mehlenbacher, Kate Suhr, Caitlin Currie, Scarlett Grace, Carling Stephen, and more.
The show is $5 at the door, with proceeds going to the Homegrown Homes charity.
“Take Me To Church” by Hozier – Kate Suhr and Chelsey Bennett
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy at Showplace in Peterborough on December 18th and 19th
A triple display of fiddle brilliance by Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy takes place at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).
The wife-and-husband duo are playing three shows: Thursday, December 18th at 8 p.m. and Friday, December 19th at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets are $47.50 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy at Hugh’s Room
Union Duke at The Spill in Peterborough on December 19
These shows are great for audiences who want to dance, but also want to get home before they turn into a pumpkin. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins promptly at 8 p.m..
Tickets are $10 in advance at The Spill and $12 at the door.
“Dime Store Shirt” – Union Duke
Ugly Xmas Sweater Party at The Pig’s Ear in Peterborough on December 20th
Mayhemingways will host Peterborough’s only official Ugly Xmas Sweater Party on Saturday, December 20th at the Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255).
Also joining Mayhemingways will be Ottawa’s Brock Zeman and the lovely Melissa Payne.
Music will begin around 9 p.m. and is only $3 at the door. Prizes awarded for the best and worst sweater!
“Walking in the Dark” – Brock Zeman
Joe Hall and Tiny Davis at Gallery in the Attic in Peterborough on December 21st
Peterborough musical gems Joe Hall and Tiny Davis (The Omittments) will be playing an intimate and mostly acoustic show on Sunday, December 21st at Gallery in the Attic (140-1/2 Hunter St. W.
Peterborough, 705-740-1162).
The show takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. and costs $5-10. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
“New Frontier” – Joe Hall with Tiny Davis and Pat Walsh
The Rocket Revue at Market Hall in Peterborough on December 27th
Get on out and dance to local big band The Rocket Revue at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 27th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Their repertoire covers 88 years of blues, rock, soul, and R&B! Members of the band include Brent Bailey, Al Black, Andy Pryde, Gary Peeples, Buzz Thompson, and Shea Bailey on rhythm and Jim Usher, Rob Roy, Steve McCracken, and Greg Weichel on horns.
Tickets are $27 in advance for general admission or $37 in advance for reserved table seating, or $37 at the door for general admission only. You can get tickets at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Ticket are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George N, Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
Good Rockin’ Daddy – The Rocket Revue with Jane Archer
Noosa Al-Sarraj at The Garnet in Peterborough on December 28th
Noosa Al-Sarraj returns to her hometown after travelling all over Canada and living in B.C., the Yukon, and more.
She’ll be playing at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Sunday, December 28th.
Catchy tunes with true meaning — that’s what Noosa brings to the stage.
“I Like It This Way” – Noosa Al-Sarraj
Party @ the LAB at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon on December 31st
On New Year’s Eve, head out of town to Globe Theatre’s Party @ the LAB at the Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Rd., Bobcaygeon, 705-738-2037).
From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., there’ll be dancing and live music with cover band Avalanche featuring Aaron Solomon.
Tickets are $50+HST per person, which includes an all-night buffet and a ride home after the show! To research tickets, call 1-800-304-7897.
The Sandy Pockets at The Spill in Peterborough on December 31st
Another New Year’s Eve show features rockabilly and jazzabilly band The Sandy Pockets as they present “Twin Peaks New Year’s V.II” at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167).
This is perfect event for lovers of the off-beat ’90s TV show, and also for those who like western swing, jazz, and beyond.
The show begins around 9 p.m. with tickets available at the door.
“(You don’t know) How Glad I Am” – The Sandy Pockets (fan-made trailer)
