It may be hard to believe, but winter will be over soon! While we’re waiting for spring to arrive, here’s a sampling of great shows happening in Peterborough and the Kawarthas that’ll keep you warm.
ZZ Top at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on March 4th
I don’t need to say much about ZZ Top. One of rock and roll’s most recognizable bands hit the Peterborough Memorial Centre (151 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough, 705-743-3561) on Wednesday, March 4th.
If you can’t get tickets before they’re sold out, but you could still try and get autographs with the bearded wonders and beardless drummer Frank Beard.
I just had to include the best of all power trios!
“Sharp Dressed Man” – ZZ Top
Jill Barber at Showplace in Peterborough on March 5th
The wonderfully rich and nostalgic sounds of Jill Barber and her band will warm up Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Thursday, March 5th at 8 p.m.
With Jill’s music, jazz meets soul meets something completely original. I had a chance to chat with her in early February: take a look at what she’s been up to.
Tickets are $39.50 for adults and $22.75 for students, and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
“Broken For Good” – Jill Barber
The Kruger Brothers at Showplace in Peterborough on March 6th
The Kruger Brothers will be at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Friday, March 6th at 8 p.m.
The Kruger Brothers are a truly fantastic group. Born in Switzerland, brothers Jens and Uwe came to live in America after befriending country-folk legend Doc Watson. They stretch bluegrass and bring something incomparable to it. Amazing banjo, lightning-fast guitar, and steady bass by New Yorker Joel Landsberg all combine to bring high quality musicianship to the stage.
Tickets are $35 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
My band Mayhemingways will be playing before the show and during intermission in the Nexicom Studio.
“Shady Grove” – Doc Watson and The Kruger Brothers
“Forever and a Day” – The Kruger Brothers
Manitoba Hal at The Garnet in Peterborough on March 6th
Ukelele has become a popular instrument, with both skilled musicians and folks who are brand new to music.
On Friday, March 6th, head down to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) and see ukelele bluesman Manitoba Hal.
Tickets are available at the door and the music starts around 10 p.m.
“Poulet Shack” – Manitoba Hal
Yacht Rock at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on March 6th
There is surely a LOT going on on Friday, March 6th in Peterborough. But there will be nothing quite as smooth as the Yacht Rock show at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884).
Peterborough’s new favourite cover band will play the smoothest hits of the ’70s and ’80s soft-rock era. This band is made up of a bunch of great local talent from other projects: Dave Tough (Blues in the Bottle, The Silver Hearts), Kelly McMichael (RENDERS, The Gloss), Daniel Banoub, Andy Cragg, and Marcus and Ryan Browne (The Weber Brothers). These folks will be joined by some special guest vocalists.
Tickets are $10 and period outfits are highly encouraged.
Brock Zeman and Diamond Dave and the Smoke Eaters at The Spill in Peterborough on March 7th
Get ready for a big-time country-tinged bonanza when Ottawa Valley’s Brock Zeman and our own Diamond Dave and the Smoke Eaters hit The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Saturday, March 7th.
These two acts come together for a hoe down like no other. There’ll be fun songs, spooky songs, and (of course) cold beer. Brock Zeman will be joined by his longtime sideman Blair Hogan. Diamond Dave’s band is full of great players and will feature Benj Rowland (Mayhemingways), Sean Conway, Mathew Fines, and Matt Greco (Lohrwoods and more).
You don’t want to miss it! The show begins at 9 p.m. and will be $10 at the door.
“Dreamland Motel” – Brock Zeman
Woodworker, Nick Ferrio, and Charles Glasspool at The Garnet in Peterborough on March 7th
Another great show on Saturday, March 7th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) will feature Grey County’s two-piece scrappy lo-fi folk/rock band Woodworker, local favourite Nick Ferrio (who has a new album primed for release in May), and last but not the great Charles Glasspool of The Silver Hearts.
The show begins at around 10 p.m. so you should be able to hit The Spill and The Garnet for both shows.
“St. Christopher, St. Peter” – Woodworker
Bill Bissett, David Bateman, and The Silver Hearts at The Garnet in Peterborough on March 13th
Get lucky on Friday, March 13th with a full night of entertainment at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).
There’ll a poetry reading and performance from 7 to 10 p.m. with Toronto’s Bill Bissett and one-time Peterborough resident David Bateman. [UPDATE: The Bissett and Bateman show will take place at The Garnet on Friday, March 20th at 8 p.m.]
After their performances, the evening will continue with music from the latest incarnation of Peterborough musical heroes The Silver Hearts. Their music is a mixture of tin-pan alley, dark roots, and beyond. You will not want to miss either show. Why not stay and enjoy a full evening of brilliance?
“Sleep Walk” – The Silver Hearts
Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils at the Dominion Hotel in Minden on March 14th
On Saturday, March 14th at 8:30 p.m., Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils take the stage at the Dominion Hotel (113 Main St., Minden, 705-286-6954), one of Canada’s oldest operating hotels.
A polished group with excellent musicianship, they came onto the Toronto music scene in 2011 and made a name for themselves interpreting the music of New Orleans. Singing blues, funk, R&B, jazz, latin, and soul, Irene has been called one of the fastest rising young stars on the Canadian music scene.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. There’s also a pre-show buffet available for an extra fee.
“Sticky Fingers” – Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils
“Coming Home” – Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils
The Losing Hand at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on March 14th
There was a time when cassettes were all the rage: mixed tapes, boom boxes … you get the picture. On Saturday, March 14th, head to the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) to enjoy the cassette tape release of local band The Losing Hand.
The album is called … wait for it … “Tapes”. The Losing Hand recorded the album themselves and its their debut release. To listen to the tunes and buy the album, visit thelosinghand.bandcamp.com.
Opening the show will be Beef Boys. After the live music, there’ll be some DJ-ing as well. Sounds like a good time!
Tickets are $10 and are available at The Only (underneath the Gordon Best).
Russell deCarle at Showplace in Peterborough on March 20th
One of Canada’s great country music singer-songwriters, Russell deCarle (formerly of Prairie Oyster) hits the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Friday, March 20th.
He will be joined by Steve Briggs (guitar and vocals) and Denis Keldie (piano, accordion and vocals). Together they make up the Russell deCarle Trio, which released Live at Loud Mouse Studios last July.
Russell is a decorated Canadian musician having won numerous JUNO awards, Canadian Country Music Awards, two SOCAN Song of the Year awards, as well as gold and platinum singles both individually and as part of Prairie Oyster. He was a good friend (and co-writer) of Peterborough’s late great Willie P. Bennett. Steve Briggs is best known as part of the western swing band The Bebop Cowboys, and performs and records with other fine musicians. Denis Keldie is a master of the Hammond B3 organ and accordion who has recorded and performed with many artists including Etta James, Natalie McMaster, Jeff Healey, and Colin James.
Tickets are $29 and available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
“Baby Don’t Come Round Here Anymore” – Russell deCarle
Andria Simone at The Spill in Peterborough on March 21st
While the Night is Young (WTNIY) continues to draw lovers of music and dancing, who can enjoy tunes beginning at 8 p.m. sharp. These events are held the third Saturday of each month at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) and feature hand-picked acts by WTNIY promoter Laurie Davis.
On Saturday, March 21st, Andria Simone — whose music is best described as “funkadelic blues” — makes her Peterborough debut. Tickets are $10 in advance at The Spill, or $12 at the door.
“Nothing Comes Easy” – Andria Simone
24-Hour Music Project at The Red Dog in Peterborough on March 21st
Imagine the best and brightest of Peterborough’s music scene coming together as brand new bands to play 20- to 30-minute sets of songs written, rehearsed, and performed in 24 hours. That’s right, it’s back: the fifth edition of the 24-Hour Music Project takes place on Saturday, March 21st, at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).
This year’s writers include James McKenty, Missy Knott, John Ellis, Lindsay Barr, Chris Culgin, Aaron Cavon, Rob Wilkes, Matt Crowley, Karol Orzechowski, and Matt Lamers. Writers are paired off and then the fun begins.
Tickets are $10. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. Don’t miss it!
“Where’s Frank?” – 2014 24-Hour Music Project
The Stellas at The Red Dog in Peterborough on March 25th
The Stellas from Whitby will be performing at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Thursday, March 25th.
Although “new country” is not my cup of tea, there is something a little different about The Stellas. Husband-and-wife team Brad and Marylynne Stella started working on country after years of playing other genres. Some of you may know that their two talented daughters Lennon and Maisy star as Maddie and Daphne Conrad in ABC TV’s Nashville.
Two other great reasons to check out this show will be the support acts on the bill. Tim Chaisson is a well-travelled and accomplished musician from PEI who has great stage presence, good tunes, and a delightful person. Also on the bill are locals Express and Co., headed by Dylan Ireland — this band just keeps getting better.
Tickets for the show are $20 — which is a little steep perhaps, but good value for country fans.
“Gravy” – The Stellas
“Riding In The Back Seat” – The Stellas
