February is definitely a month in which the dog days of winter hide in snowbanks and icy sidewalks. However, the hope of warmer weather begins to surface. There is so much good live music this month, why not get out and enjoy it? Your spirit will be warmed and before you know it there will be buds on the trees.
Here are some excellent events coming up in Peterborough. My top pick of the month is kawarthaNOW’s presentation of Stephen Fearing and Andy White at the Market Hall on Friday, February 13th (Jimmy Bowskill and Dan Fewings are opening). See the details below or read my story about Fearing & White.
Bryce Jardine at The Spill in Peterborough on February 4th
Toronto’s Bryce Jardine is quickly gaining a reputation as a singer-songwriter to watch. As part of his Winter Troubadour Tour, he’s playing at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Wednesday, February 4th.
Jardine’s first solo album The Kids Are Gone included appearances by Millbrook’s Serena Ryder, Derek Downham of The Beauties, and Aaron Goldstein of City and Colour. He recently spent some time at Hawksley Workman’s studio recording an EP with his band The Parlour Birds.
The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $8 at the door. Local band I, the Mountain will be opening.
“Lean Years” – Bryce Jardine
Lindsay Barr Band at The Black Horse in Peterborough on February 6th
The Lindsay Barr Band is back at The Black Horse Pub (452 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-0633) on Friday, February 6th.
With her powerful raspy voice and stage presence, Lindsay always puts on a great show.
There’s no cover and the show begins at 8 p.m.
“It’s A Long Road To Travel” – Lindsay Barr
Stephen Lewis and His Big Band of One at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 7th
How funky can one man get? Pretty damn funky when it’s Stephen Lewis and His Big Band of One.
The Fredericton artist comes to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Saturday, February 7th. Using a looping device and tons of talent, Lewis weaves sonic magic with guitars, bass, beat-boxing, and more.
Get ready to party, Peterborough! The show begins around 10 p.m.
“We Could Be” – Stephen Lewis
Craig Cardiff at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on February 12th
Canadian folk singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff is back in town on Thursday, February 12th for a double-header at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884).
Cardiff sings songs that expose the human condition and folk icon Gordon Lightfoot has called him “a songwriter who needs to be heard.”
The first show begins at 7 p.m. and the second show at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Love Is Louder – Craig Cardiff
Fearing & White with Bowskill & Fewings at the Market Hall in PEterborough on February 13th
Warm up your winter and your Valentine by seeing a couple of singer-songwriters who also happen to be good friends.
Fearing & White will be delighting the audience with upbeat tunes, love songs, and wild card tunes (with stories to boot) on Friday, February 13th at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
The duo is made up of Stephen Fearing (Juno-award winning solo artist and member of Blackie and the Rodeo King) and singer-songwriter Andy White (an award-winning Irish musician who now calls Australia home). They’ll be joined by master drummer Gary Craig (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn, Kathleen Edwards).
Opening the show will be Peterborough’s own Bowskill & Fewings. Jimmy Bowskill and Dan Fewings perform bluegrass and folk tunes with musical chemistry forged over more than a decade in the halls of PCVS and beyond.
The show begins at 8 p.m. 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).
“Under The Silver Sky” – Fearing & White
“Somebody Loves You Darlin” by Ralph Stanley – Bowskill & Fewings
The Sadies at Showplace in Peterborough on February 13th
Some bands defy genre. This is so true about Ontario’s The Sadies. Alt-country, Americana, garage rock, old style rock and roll, bluegrass, surf, and believe me, I could go on.
The band hits Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Friday, February 13th at 8 p.m. Opening will be The Devin Cuddy Band.
Tickets are $35 ($30 students), available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
“Cut Corners” – The Sadies
Melissa Payne and The Platonic Lovers at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on February 14th
Valentine’s Day at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) is going to be a hot one. Beautiful songstress Melissa Payne and her band The Platonic Lovers hit the stage on Saturday, February 14th.
Rock, country, fiddle tunes and more: how can you go wrong with this show? Music begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (at The Only, underneath the Gordon Best) or $15 at the door.
Expect some special guests as well!
Toque Session – Melissa Payne
Celebrating Willie P. Bennett at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 15th
The late great Willie P. Bennett is widely celebrated as one of the greatest songwriters Canada has ever produced. Emmy Lou Harris sang one of his tunes. Canadian roots supergroup Blackie and the Rodeo Kings is named after one of his songs and originally began as a Willie P. tribute band.
“Blue Valentine”, an annual Peterborough celebration of the music of Willie P., takes place on Sunday, February 15th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).
The event is hosted by one of Willie’s close friends Washboard Hank, with performances by Pat Temple, Dan Fewings, and many more. The show is a matinee from 2 to 6 p.m.
“Blackie & The Rodeo King” – Willie P. Bennett
Frank Deresti and The Lake Effect at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 18th
The city of Sault Ste. Marie does not get talked about enough for its vibrant music scene. One of the great acts hailing from there is Frank Deresti and The Lake Effect. These gents roll into The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Wednesday, February 18th.
The band performs great tunes in the folk-rock vein. Frank writes meaningful tunes that are fun to listen to, and are as smart as they are catchy. A guaranteed fun evening of music!
“Palpable” – Frank Deresti and The Lake Effect
Karen Andrew at The Spill in Peterborough on February 21st
Powerhouse soul singer Karen Andrew will be performing this month at the While The Night is Young (WTNIY) event on Saturday, February 21st at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167).
Karen will have you dancing along with her talented band. R&B influences, soul, as well as more straight-ahead upbeat folk and rock are all a part of her set.
Tickets are $10 in advance, available at The Spill, and $12 at the door. The show begins at 8 p.m. sharp. Enjoy!
Karen Andrew
Pat Temple at the Pig’s Ear in Peterborough on February 21st
After the WTNIY event, you can head just down the road to the Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255) for the album release of the great Pat Temple‘s new LP Day for Day.
Pat will be joined by the always-awesome The Lohrwoods and Evie Blue. There will surely be special guests as well.
The show begins at 10 p.m. and is only $3 to get in, leaving you with money to buy the new album! Check out Pat’s new record at www.pattemple.com.
“Say So” – Pat Temple and the Hi Lo Players
The February Folk Folly in downtown Peterborough on February 21st
Among other great things happening on Saturday, February 21st is The February Folk Folly, where the Peterborough Folk Festival presents a series of “pop-up” shows at businesses in downtown Peterborough. All performances during the day are free to the public and all ages.
Sam Allison will perform at Bluestreak Records (444 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-6078) at 1 p.m., Blues in the Bottle plays at Needle in the Hay (385 Water St., Peterborough, 705-740-0667) at 2 p.m., Kennedy Cult will be at Plush Boutique (384 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-741-1812) at 3 p.m., Melissa Payne appears at Le Petit Bar (399 Water St., Peterborough, 705-775-7384) at 4 p.m., and Sean Conway performs at Sam’s Place (188 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-1900) at 5 p.m.
There’ll also be an after-party show at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) featuring Sean Conway and His Post Modern Cowboys. That show is also all ages and will begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.
“She’s All Mine” – The Sean Conway Band
Rick Fines at the Market Hall in Peterborough on Feburary 28th
One of Peterborough’s favourite sons, Rick Fines, will release his long-awaited new album Drive Home on Saturday, February 28th at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
The album features Fines playing electric guitar, a neat departure from his excellent bottleneck and acoustic guitar work on previous albums and projects. The show will feature his full band, including Rob Phillips on piano, Alec Fraser on bass, John Crown on drums, and Kevin Goss on sax.
Visit www.rickfines.ca for more info.
Tickets are $30 including fees and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org.
“My Mistake” – Rick Fines Trio
