Welcome to 2015! Peterborough and the Kawarthas continues to grow as a musically creative region, with great local talent, visiting acts, and no shortage of excellent venues. Here are my picks for some shows coming up in January.
The Staveley Project at The Garnet in Peterborough on January 9th
Fuzzy rock and roll tunes will merge with real emotion when the The Staveley Project takes to the stage on Friday, January 9th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).
Jill Staveley and her band take grunge and make it beautiful again. Local indie girl-rock band Lonely Parade will also be on the bill. The show begins around 9 p.m.
The Staveley Project at The Montreal House
Mudmen at Market Hall in Peterborough on January 10th
Tickets are $20 (plus fees) for general admission and $25 (plus fees) for reserved table seating, 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).
Bring your kilt for this one!
“Drink and Fight” – Mudmen
roboteyes at Gordon Best in Peterborough on January 10th
roboteyes are something new and a flashback all in one, featuring ’80s synth with soaring vocals and atmospheric guitar alongside catchy tunes. They will be releasing a brand new EP entitled “True Love in Modern Stereo” at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) on Saturday, January 10 at 10 p.m. Opening the show will be DJ Steven Hancock and Toronto band The Nursery.
Tickets are available at the Gordon Best and The Only (underneath the Gordon Best) at a cost of $10.
“Supernatural” – roboteyes
Weber Brothers at the Red Dog in Peterborough on January 16th
The amazingly talented Weber Brothers are back (finally!) for a show at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Friday, January 16th.
If you have yet to see Sam and Ryan and the band, then I implore you to come to this show. Harmonies rise, rhythms drop, and melodies weave as a true love for music emits from the stage. The night will also feature poet PrufRock Shadowrunner and Emily Burgess.
The show begins around 9 p.m. at a cost of $15. Tickets are available at the Red Dog while supplies last (which won’t be long)!
“I Still Believe” – The Weber Brothers
Diamond Dave & The Smoke Eaters at The Garnet on January 17th
Gather at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Saturday, January 17th for a night of alt-country music with Diamond Dave & The Smoke Eaters. The band is made of up several excellent local musicians, including Matt Greco, Sean Conway, Matt Fines, Benj Rowland, and lead singer Dave Russell. Music should start around 10 p.m.
“Blacked Out Again” by Diamond Dave Russell & The Smoke Eaters
Alan Doyle at Academy Theatre in Lindsay on January 22nd
One of Canada’s most positive and uplifting performers, Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea, brings tunes from his new solo album to Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111) on Thursday, January 22nd at 8 p.m.
The Newfoundlander performs, produces, and has even composed music for a popular Nintendo DS game. His new album So Let’s Go and is getting good reviews and has been sitting high on the CBC Radio 2 charts as well.
Tickets are $55 and are available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca.
“So Let’s Go” – Alan Doyle
Pipes & Drums of Lindsay at The Cat and Fiddle in Lindsay on January 24th
The show will feature piping and drumming as well as Highland dancing and more. Entry is $20 plus tax and includes a traditional Haggis dinner. The evening begins at 6 p.m.
The Lohrwoods at the Red Dog in Peterborough on January 24th
Peterborough rockabilly trio The Lohrwoods will grace the stage at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Saturday, January 24th.
Their line-up is simple — stand-up bass, electric guitar, and drums — but their sound is full and chalk full of fun. The show begins around 10 p.m. and is $5 at the door.
“Treat Me Right” – The Lohrwoods
Mayhemingways at the Pig’s Ear in Peterborough on January 24th
Peterborough duo Mayhemingways play the Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255) on Saturday, January 24th.
Old-time music merges with something new, featuring accordion, banjo, guitar, bass pedals, and percussion on top of two-part harmonies. They say there’s no dancing at the Pig’s Ear, but they say a lot of things.
The show costs $3 at the door and begins at 10 p.m.
“CDs I Didn’t Sell” – Mayhemingways
Daddy Mack Blues Band at Showplace in Peterborough on January 29th
The “down-home and funky” Memphis-based Daddy Mack Blues Band performs on Thursday, January 29th at The Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).
Active since the 1970s, these gents have been the house band at the Center for Southern Folklore on the famous Beale Street.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $32 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
Daddy Mack Blues Band at The Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis
Carlos del Junco & The Blues Mongrels at Market Hall in Peterborough on January 31st
Cuban-Canadian harmonica icon Carlos del Junco and his band The Blues Mongrels play the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Saturday, January 31st at 8 p.m.
Carlos is an acclaimed musician who blurs the lines between the blues and jazz genres and delivers “a no-holds-barred display of fun and melodic virtuosity.”
Tickets are $31 (plus fees) for general admission and assigned table seating and 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).
Carlos Del Junco at the 2012 Rick Fines and Friends concert at Showplace Peterborough
Dub Trinity at the Red Dog in Peterborough on January 31st
It has become a Peterborough-tinged tradition for local reggae/dub band Dub Trinity to celebrate the February 6th birthday of Bob Marley at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).
This year the celebration happens on Saturday, January 31st, and will feature Marley’s tunes, tunes inspired by him, and a whole lot of groove. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.
Dub Trinity at Caribbean Festival 2013 in Peterborough
