There’s always a lot of great music happening in the Kawarthas and this month is no exception, with a wealth of performances at the two big venues in downtown Peterborough (Showplace and Market Hall). Collabro, Fred Eaglesmith, Philip Sayce, De Temps Antan, The Stampeders, and Séan McCann are some of the big names appearing in Peterborough in November. And don’t forget about the smaller venues in the area, where bands like The Sadies, The Wooden Sky, Rick Fines Trio, and Tasseomancy are performing.
New rehearsal and recording studio in downtown Peterborough
This isn’t a concert obviously, but I wanted to let local musicians know about a new rehearsal and recording studio downtown Peterborough. The fully equipped Guerrilla Studios (140 Simcoe St., Peterborough) is based on the share economy model, with a focus on community and learning.
The stage room can accommodate a five-piece band. It’s a do-it-yourself space, but they’ve got a sound engineer available (Don Mawbey), who’ll be providing some workshops on recording basics.
Five three-hour sessions are available per day from 9 a.m. to midnight. Cost is $25 per hour for full use of the facility and equipment for video/audio recording and rehearsal. There’s also a membership option available that discounts the rate to $20 an hour.
For more details including equipment specs, check out the Guerrilla Studios Facebook page at www.facebook.com/guerrilla.studios.ptbo
The Sadies at the Red Dog, Nick Ferrio’s new band at The Pig’s Ear, and The Wooden Sky at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on November 5
Three great shows a couple of blocks away from each other on the same night? This is definitely nothing new for Peterborough — amazing music at several venues on the same night.
On Saturday, November 5th, The Sadies roll into The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710). They’re one of Canada’s best bands, playing a potent mix of surf, rock and roll, and spaghetti western (Iggy Pop just hailed them!). Dylan Ireland will be opening. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Only a slapshot away at the Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255) will be Nick Ferrio‘s new-ish rock trio featuring Sean Conway, Brandon Munro, and Gratia Leitch, along with folk duo Hurtin’ for Certain featuring Julia Fenn and Megan Kendrick. The music begins at 10 p.m. with a $3 cover.
And a block away it’s Canadian indie/folk rockers The Wooden Sky at Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884). They’ll be playing some tunes from their upcoming release, as well as songs from their previous four albums. Doors open at 7 p.m. for this all-ages licensed show, with tickets $20 plus fees.
Does anyone else think it might be time for a one-price multi-show pass? Having great music at different venues on the same night is great — when they get packed with people. I worry there’s only so much money to go around. Perhaps nights like this one would be even better with an option to see a few shows (or parts of them) for a slightly reduced price.
VIDEO: “Lay Down Your Arms – Translucent Sparrow – Another Year Again” – The Sadies
Rick Fines Trio at the Cobourg Legion Auditorium on November 5
An alternative for the night of Saturday, November 5th is to head to the Cobourg Legion Auditorium (136 Orr St., Cobourg) to see the Rick Fines Trio.
The band will be performing songs from the iconic roots/blues guitarist’s latest album, Driving Home, as well as other favourites. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $25, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Northumberland Humane Society. Tickets are available at Zap Records at 45 King Street in Cobourg and and My Sister’s Closet at 41 John Street in Port Hope, or contact Bryan Marjoram at bryan.marjoram.23@gmail.com.
VIDEO: “Ridin’ The Rails” – Rick Fines
Collabro at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on November 6
Back in 2014, a group of working class lads from England formed an acapella band named Collabro and, only a month later, won Britain’s Got Talent.
Billed as a “musical theatre boy band”, Collabro has since gone on to appear on TV, perform for the Royal Family, and tour internationally, selling out venues like The Royal Albert Hall. Their debut album Stars debuted at number one in the UK.
You have a rare chance to see Collabro perform live on Sunday, November 6th at 8 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).
Tickets are $45.40 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
VIDEO: “Stars” from Les Misérables performed by Collabro
Tas Cru in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on November 10
Showplace continues its excellent Elite Blues Series this fall with bluesman Tas Cru performing at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 10th in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).
Living Blues Magazine says “the vivacity and sheer joy with which Cru plays is intoxicating”. Cru is releasing his latest record Simmered & Stewed — a return to his “acoustic-ish” blues roots — the day after his Peterborough show.
Tickets are $32 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org. Showplace is offering a special 10% discount if you buy tickets for the Tas Cru show and the Elite Blues Series presentation of Peterborough’s own Rezonator and Al Black on December 17th.
VIDEO: “Black Cat Bone” – Tas Cru & The Tortured Souls
The Lenni Stewart Jazz Quartet at The Loft in Cobourg on November 11
Celebrate Remembrance Day with a nostalgic musical revue, “1945 – The Songs That Won The War”, featuring The Lenni Stewart Jazz Quartet at The Loft (201 Division St., Cobourg).
On Friday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m., jazz vocalist Lenni Stewart along with Howard Baer, Michael Monis, and Rob Phillips, will perform the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Louis Jordan, Vera Lynn, Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford, Dinah Shore, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Gracie Fields, Deanna Durbin, Dinah Shore, The Andrews Sisters, and more. Lenni’s voice has been described as “beautiful, sensual and vibrant.
Tickets are $20 and are available in advance at the Victoria Hall Box Office (905-372-2210).
VIDEO: Lenni Stewart Sings Billie Holiday
Fred Eaglesmith and Tif Ginn at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on November 12
North America’s hardest-working troubadour returns to Peterborough for the first time in several years to play Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Saturday, November 12th at 8 p.m..
If you haven’t heard Fred Eaglesmith before, it’s definitely time. Heartbreakingly good tunes, knee-slapping stories, and great songwriting.
I could go on and on about Fred, but here are some brief facts. He’s released 22 studio albums. He has a big number of devoted fans called “Fredheads”. He’s been touring for 42 years. He’s owned 11 buses. His songs have been covered by Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, and Todd Snider. That’s barely scratching the surface. Look for a full interview with Fred on kawarthaNOW.com soon.
Opening the show and joining Fred will be his talented and beautiful wife Tif Ginn.
This is alt-country songwriting at its finest folks. Tickets are $31, available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
VIDEO: “Trucker’s Speed” by Fred Eaglesmith
Philip Sayce at the Market Hall in Peterborough on November 17
Attention all guitar heads! Welsh-born Philip Sayce, described as “the most underheralded guitar hero on the circuit,” performs at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Thursday, November 17th at 8 p.m.
The Toronto-based guitarist’s style is heavily influenced by his guitar heros including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jeff Healey, and Mark Knopfler. At the age of 16, Sayce started playing at blues jam nights at Grossman’s Tavern in downtown Toronto, where legendary guitarist Jeff Healey heard him and invited him to join his band. He later went on to record and perform live with Melissa Etheridge. In 2013, he performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival at New York’s Madison Square Garden. In 2015, Sayce released Influence, his major label album debut, and scored a top 20 hit at rock radio in Canada with his rendition of Ten Years After’s “I’d Love To Change the World”.
Tickets are $25 plus fees and are available the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
As a bonus, when you order a ticket for this show, you get a digital download of his forthcoming album, Scorched Earth: Volume 1.
VIDEO: “I’d Love To Change The World” by Ten Years After performed by Philip Sayce
De Temps Antan at the Market Hall in Peterborough on November 18
Quebec’s long and storied musical tradition comes to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Friday, November 18th.
De Temps Antan will blow your mind as part of Folk Under the Clock’s continuing 30th season. Eric Beaudry, Andre Brunet, and Pierre-Luc Dupois are all former members of the world-famous Quebec band La Bottine Souriante. They perform high-energy tunes featuring fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar and more with a distinct Quebecois feel.
Dancing shoes highly recommended!
Assigned seating tickets are $35 plus fees ($25 for students) and available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets for Row C and Tables 8 & 9 are available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
VIDEO: De Temps Antan promo
Tasseomancy at The Garnet in Peterborough on November 21
The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) has consistently been a venue for excellent music of all genres.
On Monday, November 21st, the experimental music of creepy and beautiful twin sisters Romy Lightman and Sari Lightman will fill The Garnet as Tasseomancy performs.
The Toronto-based duo combines the lyrical and vocal traditions of folk music with the experimental approaches of psychedelia, new wave, and new age music.
VIDEO: “Missoula” – Tasseomancy
The Stampeders at Showplace in Peterborough on November 24
Fans of Canadian classic rock will love the fact that The Stampeders are coming back to Peterborough on Thursday, November 24th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469)
Their hits, including “Sweet City Woman”, “Wild Eyes” and “Carry Me”, will be ringing through town. You have to applaud a band that is still rocking after breaking onto the scene in the 1970s.
Tickets are $55, available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org
VIDEO: “Wild Eyes” – The Stampeders
Séan McCann at the Market Hall in Peterborough on November 26
Former Great Big Sea frontman Séan McCann makes a special appearance at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Saturday, November 26th at 8 p.m.
Presented by Market Hall and the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge as “an evening of song and story”, McCann’s appearance is the final stop in his 2016 Road to Recovery tour.
Since leaving the highly successful Great Big Sea in 2013, McCann has been reaching out to a whole new audience by speaking out and singing about mental health and his struggles with addiction. He talks about how his alcoholism was a way to deal with the trauma of childhood sexual abuse by his parish priest while he was growing up in Newfoundland (the same priest also introduced him to alcohol).
“I lived with a secret for 32 years and it almost killed me,” he says. “I know firsthand the value of talking about your problems and facing them, and not keeping them inside.”
Tickets are $35 ($43 for cabaret-style seating) and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
VIDEO: “You Know I Love You” – Séan McCann
VIDEO: Séan McCann Speaks
