Here are but a few of the amazing live music events happening in Peterborough and the Kawarthas in March: folk, rock and roll, big bands, small bands, and solo acts.
For more upcoming music events, remember to check out our Concerts & Live Music and Pubs & Clubs pages.
David Francey at Showplace in Peterborough on March 3
Scottish-born Canadian folk music favourite David Francey returns to Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Thursday, March 3rd at 8 p.m..
Francey is a multiple award winner and is renowned for his thoughtful songs, which have been covered by the likes of The Del McCoury Band, The Rankin Family and more.
Tickets are $29 and are available at Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
kawarthaNOW, which is presenting the concert, also has several pairs of free tickets to giveaway. To win, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
“Empty Train” – David Francey
Elizabeth Ann Barlow at Grafton Community Centre on March 5
Port Hope’s Elizabeth Ann Barlow brings an evening of traditional folk music with instruments like the harp, dulcimer, guitar and her lovely voice to the Grafton Community Centre (718 Station Rd., Grafton) on Saturday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m.
The evening will be full of “songs sweet and bittersweet from the British Isles, Scandinavia, and North America.”
Tickets are $20 and are available at the door.
“Serving Girl’s Holiday” – Elizabeth Ann Barlow
Sarah MacDougall and Ben Kunder at The Garnet in Peterborough on March 6
Two great acts will play at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Sunday, March 6th.
Sarah MacDougall is a Swedish-born artist who lives in the Yukon when she’s not touring Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Her unique voice combines with some inventive and rich production. Her new album Grand Canyon pushes new boundaries sonically from earlier releases, with more programmed beats and synths.
Joining her will be Canadian singer/songwriter Ben Kunder. His voice is smooth and his songs are catchy but with depth.
Tickets are available at the door. The show begins around 9 p.m.
“I Want To See The Light (Lost From Our Eyes)” – Sarah MacDougall
“Night Sky” – Ben Kunder
Matt Andersen at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope on March 8
Blues and roots powerhouse Matt Andersen was last in the area at the Peterborough Folk Fest Gala Night in August and he returns to the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope, 905-885-1071) in Port Hope on Tuesday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m.
Andersen, who is originally from New Brunswick, is known for his blistering solo guitar work, passionate vocals, and commanding stage presence. For this show, he’ll be performing with his band the Bona Fide in support of his new release Honest Man.
Opening the show is special guest Donovan Woods.
Tickets are $45 and are available at the Capitol Box Office or online at www.capitoltheatre.com.
“Let’s Get Back” – Matt Andersen
“Leaving Nashville” – Donovan Woods
The Sheepdogs at The Venue in Peterborough on March 12
A few years removed from their appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone, rock and roll revivalists The Sheepdogs will rock The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-876-0008) in Peterborough on Saturday, March 12th.
The new-yet-classic rock band is touring in support of their latest album Future Nostalgia. The band features a new face on guitar as well, as Bailieboro native Jimmy Bowskill has been filling in on guitar for several months now and will be playing the Peterborough show with the band.
Tickets cost $35 and are just about sold out. Doors open at 8 p.m., with the show starting up around 10 p.m. Get tickets online at ticketscene.ca.
“Downtown” – The Sheepdogs
“I’m Gonna be Myself” (acoustic version) – The Sheepdogs
Cairdeas at The Loft in Cobourg on March 17
St. Patrick’s Day is often a blur for many. Green beer, bar hopping, big green hats — in other words, a pretty shallow and pitiful excuse to get sloshed. But the Loft (201 Division St., Cobourg) presents a show with some real musicianship and class on Thursday, March 17th with Cairdeas in concert.
Cairdeas (“friendship”) is made up of multi-instrumentalist Saskia Tomkins, Steafan Hannigan, and vocalist Marsala Lukianchuk.
The celebration of Irish and Celtic music begins at at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 905-372-2210.
“Calling or The County Down” – Cairdeas
Ellen Froese and Kendall Sullivan at Gallery in the Attic in Peterborough on March 19
Gallery in the Attic (140-1/2 Hunter St. W., Peterborough) presents a night of “soulful, hip-swinging folk music” with Saskatoon’s Ellen Froese and local lady Kendall Sullivan on Saturday, March 19th at 8:30 p.m.
Froese’s vibrato-filled voice and superb songwriting combine on her first solo release Get On With the Blues, while Kendall Sullivan merges folk with soul, blues, and even some hip-hop sounds.
Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Sounds like a fun night!
“You Don’t Know My Mind” – Ellen Froese
24 Hour Music Project at The Red Dog in Peterborough on March 19
It’s 24 Hour Music Project time again: the 6th annual celebration of Peterborough music features five brand new bands with 20-minute sets of original music — all composed, rehearsed and performed within 24 hours.
This year, the show takes place on Saturday, March 19th at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) starting at 9 p.m.
Writers this year are Beau Dixon, Kelly McMichael, Sarah Decarlo, Michael Bell, Rob Wilkes, Rob Swales, Nick Ferrio, Kayla Howran, Dave Robertson, and Kate LeDeuce.
This is always one of Peterborough’s best nights of live music since it is created and performed within 24 hours and features never-before heard combinations of musicians. Buckle up!
The Glory Plant (from the first 24 Hour Music Project)
Amelia Curran at the Market Hall in Peterborough on March 20
Folk Under The Clock presents Juno award winner Amelia Curran at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Sunday, March 20th at 4 p.m.
This will be a great show with the St. Johns Newfoundland artist bringing several albums worth of great material with her, including her latest record They Promised You Mercy.
Poignant lyrics are layered on harmonious melodies in Curran’s music. Do yourself a favour and see what I mean in person.
Assigned-seating tickets are $35 for adults or $25 for students, and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets for Row C and tables 9, 8, 15, 16, and 17 are available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
“I Am The Night” – Amelia Curran
“The Mistress” – Amelia Curran
Fortunate Ones at Showplace in Peterborough on March 22
Juno-nominated Newfoundland pop-folk duo Fortunate Ones will hit The Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Tuesday March 22nd at 8 p.m.
Fortunate Ones is made up of singer/pianist/accordion player Catherine Allan and singer/guitarist Andrew James O’Brien. While slightly more pop-influenced than music I usually listen to, I have to admit they both have great voices and bring a lot of great melodies and hooks to the stage.
Tickets are $25 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
“The Bliss” – Fortunate Ones
“Lay Me Down” – Fortunate Ones
Buffy Sainte-Marie at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay on March 24
Canadian legend Buffy Sainte-Marie plays at the Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111) on Thursday, March 24th at 8 p.m. as part of Women’s Resources 2016 Marquee Fundraiser.
Her career began in the 1960s and continues to flourish, as she won a 2015 Polaris Music Prize for her latest record Power in the Blood. Her honesty and talent shine through in her songs and her continued love of performing and singing.
There are still some tickets available for this amazing show. The cost is $75 and they are available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca.
“Power in the Blood” – Buffy Sainte-Marie
