While Peterborough and the Kawarthas always has an excellent selection of music events, August is filled with an incredible number of indoor and outdoor concerts and music festivals. It’s truly mind-boggling how lucky music lovers are this month! Here are my top picks.
Peter Robinson Festival at Morrow Park in Peterborough on July 31 and August 1
The inaugural Peter Robinson Festival launches this year on Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st in Morrow Park (151 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough). It’s a celebration of Irish and Scottish heritage in the Peterborough area and will be a two-day event featuring music, historical reenactments, games, and more.
The musical line-up on Friday includes area bands Roy Boys and Family Tyes. Saturday will feature Celtic-rocker headliners The Mahones, Fiddling Jay and Benj Rowland playing old-time flavoured tunes from Ireland and beyond, Missy Knott playing sweet originals, Clear Stone with their unique rock sound, Grier Coppins and Taxi Chain‘s combination of bagpipes and funk, powerful ladies Lindsay Barr and Melissa Payne, and comedian Sean Cullen.
For ticket information and concert times, visit www.probinsonfest.com.
“Drunken Lazy Bastard” – The Mahones
Dave Gunning at the Lock 32 Gazebo in Bobcaygeon on August 6
An East Coast musical favourite is making his way to Bobcaygeon on Thursday, August 6th. Dave Gunning is remarkably acclaimed and for good reason. He writes great songs and with six East Coast Music Awards he has been well recognized.
The show is part of the “Concerts in the Park” series taking pace at the Gazebo at Lock 32 (1 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon).
Admission is completely free and the show runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
“These Hands” – Dave Gunning
Bet Smith, Richard Laviolette, and Evangeline Gentle at The Garnet in Peterborough on August 7
A night of three distinct and talented songwriters takes place at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Friday, August 7th at 10 p.m.
Bracebridge’s own Bet Smith presents “carefully crafted songs with beautifully phrased lyrics.” Richard Laviolette is a Guelph-based musician whose voice “can swing from a delicate whisper to a guttural bark in the same breath.”
Evangeline Gentle is originally from Scotland but moved with her family to Peterborough some years ago. Evan is not even 19 and yet has a solid career under way with two albums of heartfelt songs that ring bright and true.
Tickets are available at the door.
“Loose Ends” – Bet Smith
Hootenanny on Hunter Street in Peterborough on August 8
The Hootenanny on Hunter Street has become a summertime staple in downtown Peterborough. The entirely free day of music takes place on Hunter Street between Aylmer and George Streets on Saturday, August 8th.
From folk to metal and western swing to rock ‘n’ roll, this year’s fifth installment features The Weber Brothers, The Burning Hell, Norman Blake of Scottish indie legends Teenage Fanclub, Mokomokai, Ben Rough and Melissa Payne, The Lonely Parade, The Kayla Howran Band, and Toronto western swing favourites The Double Cuts.
Music begins around noon. There’ll be vendors of all sorts and the patios in the Hunter St. Café District are a great place to watch the show and enjoy beverages and great food.
Take note! After the Hootenanny, The Burning Hell will also be playing at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) with Nick Ferrio.
“Grown-Ups” – The Burning Hell
Stephen Lewis at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene on August 10
New Brunswick one-man band and funkster extraordinaire Stephen Lewis will play at the Monday Music Series at Elmhirst’s Resort (1045 Settlers Line, Keene, 705-295-4591 or 800-461-1940) on Monday, August 10th.
Stephen loops and plays all sorts of instruments and has groove to spare.
The series takes place every Monday evening beginning at 7 p.m. and it’s free.
“I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy – Stephen Lewis
David Archibald and The Wolfgang Brothers at Head Lake Park in Haliburton on August 11
The Rotary Club of Haliburton presents Music in the Park on Tuesdays throughout the summer at Head Lake Park (13 York Street, at York and County Road 21, Haliburton).
On Tuesday, August 11th, there will be a double bill of folk and hillbilly jazz with David Archibald along with The Wolfgang Brothers. Two talented acts in a beautiful outdoor setting!
Shows begin at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation.
“Sensible Shoes / This Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore” – The Wolfgang Brothers
Havelock Country Jamboree in Havelock from August 13 – 16
The Havelock Country Jamboree is back for another year and takes place Thursday, August 13th to Sunday, August 16th at #10 County Road 48 in Havelock.
One of the biggest weekends of the year for country music fans, the line-up features more than 25 performers including Clint Black, Gord Bamford, Tanya Tucker, Corb Lund, The Stampeders, Russell deCarle, The Good Brothers, and many more.
Check out www.havelockjamboree.com for all the details.
“Killin’ Time” – Clint Black
The Kruger Brothers at Peterborough Musicfest at Del Crary Park on August 15
On Saturday, August 15th, The Kruger Brothers are at Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough) for Peterborough MusicFest.
The show is free and the band begins at 8 p.m. Do not miss these guys!
Steve Martin and The Kruger Brothers on Late Night with David Letterman
Peterborough Folk Festival at Market Hall and Nicholls Oval from August 21 – 23
The festival remains a free event, except for the opening night gala on the Friday when Canadian blues/folk powerhouse Matt Andersen takes the stage at Market Hall to kick it off. The show begins at 7:15 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets are $25, available online (tickets are not yet available at the Market Hall).
For the first time this year, Saturday and Sunday of the festival are both happening in Nicholls Oval. There’s an exciting assortment of artists on both days.
Saturday runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will feature headliners Rural Alberta Advantage, Matthew Barber, The Wilderness of Manitoba, Terra Lightfoot, Jadea Kelly, Zachary Lucky, Folly and the Hunter, and Leaf Rapids. The day is rounded out by talented locals Kayla Howran, Chris Culgin Band, and Pine Box String Band.
Sunday runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is stacked with amazing performers like Joel Plaskett, Mo Kenney, Quique Escamilla, Irish Mythen, and gospel with Kim Doolittle — with more to be announced.
“I Lost My Way” – Matt Anderson
The Rural Alberta Advantage at Massey Hall
“She Finds Me” – Irish Mythen
Jimmy Bowskill and Clayton Yates at Port Hope Memorial Park on August 27
The Town of Port Hope puts on a really cool Summer Bandshell Concert Series and on Thursday, August 27th they present the ultra-talented Jimmy Bowskill and Clayton Yates.
Look for a mix of rockabilly, blues, and folk sure to please all ages. The show happens at Port Hope Memorial Park (56 Queen St., Port Hope) beginning at 7 p.m. and is free. Bring a lawn chair!
“Long Hot Summer Days” – Jimmy Bowskill
Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan at The Garnet in Peterborough on August 27
On Thursday, August 27th, The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) will feature the fuzzy and spooky folk/rock sounds of Brock Zeman and his consummate sideman Blair Hogan.
Zeman sounds like the creepy love child of Guy Clark and Tom Waits: sometimes brooding, sometimes surprisingly sentimental, and always entertaining.
The show begins around 10 p.m. and will be the Peterborough release of Zeman’s new album.
“Walking In The Dark” – Brock Zeman
