There are some seriously excellent concerts and events coming up in Peterborough and the Kawarthas in February. We’re so lucky to have such high-quality live music in our area. Get out and forget it’s winter, while taking in a wide variety of good sounds. Here’s just a snippet of some of the great things going down.
A few weekly gigs with Winona Wilde, Sean Conway, Benj Rowland, and more
The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) features two residencies in the month of February.
Two Mondays during February will feature talented Peterborough-bred country/folk/Canadiana artist Winona Wilde (Noosa Al-Sarraj). Her music swings, sometimes wildly, from sentimental to funny to catchy. Her shows begin at 10 p.m. and you can catch her February 1st and February 8th before she heads back out on tour.
The other Garnet residency will be hosted by new wave/alt-country artist Sean Conway and takes place each Wednesday in the month and will feature a local guest each week as well. The first night on Wednesday, February 3rd will feature versatile artist Kelly McMichael’s one-woman act Renders. All shows begin at 10 p.m. Future guests will include Evan Gentle, Nick Ferrio, and Benj Rowland.
Every Saturday in February, Elmhirst’s Resort (1045 Settlers Line, Keene, 705-295-4591 or 800-461-1940) features music from 3 to 5 p.m. in their Wild Blue Yonder Pub. It’s a beautiful setting to listen to some music and enjoy craft beers, tasty wines, and a roast beef buffet shortly after the music. Head out on Saturday, February 6th to hear Peterborough Farmers’ Market mainstays Benj Rowland (Mayhemingways) with Fiddlin’ Jay Edmunds. Other acts in February include Winona Wilde, Mayhemingways, and Al Black and Gary Peeples.
“Pop & Chips for the Apocalypse” – Winona Wilde
“You Got Your Way” – Sean Conway
“Cotten Eyed Joe” – performed by Drift (Benj Rowland and Jay Edmunds)
Matthew Hornell with Fewings and Son at The Spill in Peterborough on February 2
Will the groundhog see its shadow? Will there be a shorter amount of winter coming our way? Who knows? Who cares! Talented Newfoundland songwriter Matthew Hornell and Fewings and Son (my dad Dan and I) will be performing at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Tuesday, February 2nd.
Pints are only $4 and admission is pay what you can. Humour, mixed with storytelling and a bunch of great tunes.
“Midnight” – Matthew Hornell
Amanda Rheaume and Melissa Payne at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 5
Two beautiful female singer-songwriters join forces to play The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Friday, February 5th.
Ottawa’s Amanda Rheaume and Ennismore’s Melissa Payne will entertain with songs in the roots/folk vein. Great voices and songs about being lost, found, and in love. Should be a great show. Tickets available at the door, and the show begins around 10 p.m.
“Open Door” – Amanda Rheaume
Hurricane Charlie at The Spill in Peterborough on February 11
Old-fashioned rock and roll will be the order of the night when Hurricane Charlie, made up of local music veterans Pat Walsh and Jill Staveley, hit the stage at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Thursday, February 11th.
These two used to be in The Diplomats and they bring their chemistry and musical acumen together again with a vengeance. Two dollar punk night fellow and acoustic punk sensation Wayne Kennedy opens the show.
Music begins around 9 p.m.
“Gimme Hell” – The Diplomats
Lee Harvey Osmond (Tom Wilson), Thompson Wilson, and Mayhemingways at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on February 12
You will not want to miss the irreverent-yet-cool stage presence and excellent songwriting of Tom Wilson (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse) when his band Lee Harvey Osmond plays an intimate show at Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) on Friday, February 12th.
Wilson’s songs drift stylistically, yet his baritone and his bravado never do. Opening the show will be Mayhemingways and Tom’s own son (and former Harlan Pepper band member) Thompson Wilson. The show, presented by kawarthaNOW, begins at 8 p.m.
Advance tickets are $30 and available at Bluestreak Records (444 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-6078) online at ticketscene.ca.
“Loser Without Your Love” – Lee Harvey Osmond (Tom Wilson)
Mitch and the Professor at the Dominion Hotel in Minden on February 12
The town of Minden will be rocking to the blues of two great musicians and their band on Friday, February 12th at the Dominion Hotel (113 Main St., Minden, 705-286-6954) as Mitch and the Professor hit town for an 8 p.m. start.
These two — Mitch Lewis and Scott Cushnie — are Canadian blues legends who have played with the likes of Ronnie Hawkins, Diamondback, Chris Whiteley, John Hammond Jr., The Mamas and the Papas, Murray McLaughlin, Sylvia Tyson, and more. Should be a dynamite night!
Order advance tickets at eventbrite.ca.
“Baby What You Want Me to Do” performed by Mitch and the Professor
Blue Rodeo tribute at the Pig’s Ear in Peterborough on February 13
A tribute to one of Canada’s most popular and successful bands takes place on Saturday, February 13th at the Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255) when some Peterborough musicians come together for Lost Together Vol. 1: A Valentine’s Tribute to Blue Rodeo.
The band will feature Matt Greco, Brandon Humphrey, Josh Fewings, Alisha Embury, and Steve Pooley with special guests Matt Diamond, Shai Peer, James McKenty, Nick Ferrio, Dylan Ireland, Kayla Howran, Crocky Teasdale, Melissa Payne, and Dawson McManus. Come to hear some of Blue Rodeo’s best-known hits and a few from the back catalog.
The show begins at 10 p.m. and doors open at 9 p.m. Get there early to make sure you get in!
“Lost Together” – Blue Rodeo
“Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” – Blue Rodeo
Blue Valentine tribute to Willie P. Bennett at The Garnet on February 14
The next day, an excellent tribute happens for a fallen Canadian music icon. The late great Willie P. Bennett will be celebrated at the annual Blue Valentine show at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14th from 3 to 6 p.m.
Washboard Hank hosts a wide variety of guests and friends of Willie’s. Anyone is welcome to get up and play one of Willie’s many songs. This year, all participants will receive a mastered copy of Willie’s posthumous recording.
“Blackie and the Rodeo King” – Willie P. Bennett
“Patience of a Working Man” – Willie P. Bennett
Corb Lund at The Venue in Peterborough on February 16
Canadiana hero and hurtin’ Albertan Corb Lund arrives in town on Tuesday, February 16th to play The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-876-0008). He’s touring in support of his latest album Things That Can’t Be Undone.
Lund has made a name for himself in his native Canada and also in the United States, where he has enjoyed some success. Opening the show will be Peterborough’s Melissa Payne.
Tickets are $31.50 and are available at ticketmaster.ca.
“Time to Switch to Whiskey” – Corb Lund
“I Wanna Be In The Cavalry” – Corb Lund
Artists for the Academy blues fundraiser at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay on February 21
One of the area’ great theatres will host its own fundraiser on Sunday, February 21st as Howard Ross presents Artists for the Academy at Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111).
The concert features a who’s who of blues talent including Jack de Keyzer, Rick Fines, Terry Blankley, Howard Ross, Linda LeBlanc, Alan Black, Rick and Gailie, and more. Money is being raised for much-needed upkeep and renovations.
There will be two different shows, one from 3 to 6 p.m. and the other from 7 to 11 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for an all-day pass or $20 per show, available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca.
“Voodoo Boogie” – Jack de Keyzer
David Leask at Trinity United Church in Bobcaygeon on February 21
Bobcaygeon Music Council brings folk/rock/country artist David Leask to Trinity United Church (42 William St., Bobcaygeon, 705-738-5135) on Sunday, February 21st.
The Scottish-born musician blends words and song with some groovy arrangements for an excellent sound. Tickets are $30 each (youth get in free). The show begins at 2 p.m.
“All My Love” – David Leask
Dusk Scored Dark with ELMS and garbageface at The Spill in Peterborough on February 26
Things will be dark and gritty on Friday, February 26th at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) as jazz weirdos — I mean that in the best way — Dusk Scored Dark play with electronic dark wizard ELMS and doom rap specialist garbageface.
The show begins around 9 p.m. and the cost is $8 to get in.
“Dirt Off Your Grave” – garbageface
February Folk Folly in downtown Peterborough, featuring The Sadies at the Gordon Best, on February 27
The Peterborough Folk Festival has hosted and presented some excellent shows over the fall and winter, proving it’s not just relevant for one week in the summer.
On Saturday, February 27th, they will put on the February Folk Folly. Various downtown Peterborough businesses will host music from 1 to 5 p.m., with a great variety of artists including Terra Lightfoot, Rick Fines, Wayne Petti (Cuff the Duke, Grey Lands), Mayhemingways, Evan Gentle, and more. The exact locations and times are to be announced.
The after parties for the event are very exciting, with the wonderful band The Sadies performing at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) at 7:30 p.m., with Express and Co.’s Dylan Ireland opening.
The other after party at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) will be a little later, at 10 p.m., with Terra Lightfoot and Grey Lands.
Tickets for The Sadies are $25 (available online at ticketscene.ca) and for Terra Lightfoot’s show are $8 (also available at ticketscene.ca).
“Cut Corners” – The Sadies
“Never Will” – Terra Lightfoot
