A trifecta of local talent this weekend in downtown Peterborough
Anyone working in the music and entertainment business in our area will tell you that one of their challenges is the number of stellar entertainment choices happening on the same evening. A glance of any of the poster boards in downtown Peterborough will confirm this fact. Last weekend was fully loaded with local concert fundraisers. This weekend is no exception with local talent abounding on three local stages.
I’m here to remind you about this trifecta of amazing local talent happening at three top venues in downtown Peterborough — all within four blocks of each other — on Saturday, December 17th. But here’s the thing — these three concerts will probably sell out. And therefore I’m also here to remind you to get your tickets now. And to support local music. I recommend all of the following:
Al Black and Rezonator start their show at 8 p.m. in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough). Rezonator is a classic rock band with a bluesy edge featuring Frank Watt, JP Hovercraft, Brent Farrow and Chris Hiney as well as Al Black. Al is best known to Peterborough as the backbeat of some of the best blues, R&B and rock bands including Jackson Delta, Buzz Thompson and Max Mouse and the Gorillas. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online at www.showplace.org.
The Weber Brothers present “When Christmas Falls on Peterborough” at 8 p.m. at the Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). The Weber Brothers are promising a Christmas show like no other when they introduce a multimedia presentation of their new film, five years in the making and directed by local filmmaker Rob Viscardis. General admission tickets are $25 plus fees in advance, $30 plus fees at the door. For more information and for tickets, visit www.markethall.org.
VIDEO: “When Christmas Falls on Peterborough” – The Weber Brothers
The Silver Hearts presents Silver Hearts XMAS and CD Release Party from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough). Their new album is finally ready to share, just in time for the giving season. And you will also enjoy the opening guests Mayhemingways — it will be a perfect evening for some “Hunter Street Blues”. This one is selling fast, so don’t delay! Tickets are available at www.thegordonbest.ca.
Family winter fun leading into holiday time – skating, theatre, solstice light hunters and more!
This Friday and Saturday are the final performance dates for Little Red Riding Hood & the Very Big, Very Bad Wolf by Globus Theatre, from 8 to 10 p.m. on both evenings at Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Rd., Bobcaygeon). Full of laughter, songs, and audience participation, this is a comic retelling of the classic tale and is fun for adults and children alike! Dinner is available prior to show by reservation, so if you happen to be planning to shop in Bobcaygeon and supporting local on Saturday — make an evening of it too! Cost is $22.50 per adult and $14.50 per child (plus HST). For more information please call the box office at 705-738-2037, or visit www.globustheatre.com.
For families looking for skating options now and over the holidays, you must check out our skating column for events happening indoors (and outdoors when conditions are safe). Our listings are regional, include maps, and are updated regularly.
If you haven’t selected your real holiday tree yet, check out our feature story on local tree farms. A real trees is environmentally friendly and buying a locally harvested tree supports local farm families. Our story includes a map to Kawartha-area tree farms and some tips for caring for your freshly harvested tree.
How about pictures of your pets for a good cause? This Friday, December 16th from 4 to 6 p.m, Burnham Mansion Vet Services presents Santa Paws 2016 at Burnham Mansion Vet Services (2235 Keene Road, Peterborough, K9J 6X9). Bring your pet for pictures with Santa, and proceeds will go to the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society. Please bring a donation of pet food as an entry fee.
Light Hunters’ Promenade will welcome the return of the light on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, on December 21
Celebrate the winter solstice with Light Hunters’ Promenade, which takes place for the first time on Wednesday, December 21st and has all the potential to become a popular annual event. Join Atelier Ludmila and friends (best known for their Artsweek and local outdoor theatre productions) along with local artists, drummers, performers, business owners, and a host of light seekers, as they create a paper lantern-lit procession through the streets of downtown Peterborough. This lovely and creative event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning at the Peterborough Square courtyard behind Market Hall. Bring your own lantern or meet them at 5 p.m. to buy a lantern of your very own. The event is based on timeless ceremonies celebrating the return of the light on the winter solstice. Members of Old Men Dancing, Peterborough Academy for Circus Performers will join the procession. The event is free to the public, but donations are gratefully accepted (the suggested donation is $10 per family). For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Give the gift of music and performance this season and warm your January
You may have caught our feature article this week on some really unique ways to give local and support the community. I’d like to give you my top picks for warming up your January and giving the gift of music and performance at the same time.
Tom Wilson is bringing his act and band Lee Harvey Osmond back to the Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) on Thursday, January 19th. Along with some other stellar musicians, Tom’s son Thompson Wilson (formerly of Harlan Pepper) will also appear. If you’ve seen Tom as part of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, you know what to expect. Tom can be even more entertaining as Lee Harvey Osmond and I personally guarantee a night of stellar Canadian “acid folk funk”. You can’t get a better guarantee than that, can you? Watch for our upcoming exclusive story about Tom soon. Tickets are $32 in advance and are available at www.markethall.org..
The very next night (Friday January 20th), New Stages Peterborough is presenting their popular Cabaret Night, also at the Market Hall. This year it’s being billed as “Broadway Gender Benders” — a night to laugh, cheer, and be thrilled by some of Canada’s (and Peterborough’s) finest musical theatre performers, singing songs from roles they would never be cast to play! This promises to be one of the most exciting and unique nights of theatre all year. The event sells out every year, so avoid disappointment and get your tickets now! They also have a great Christmas promotion on now for gift giving, see the poster below.
Save these dates for an amazing lineup of entertainment coming this spring
It’s going to be an amazing spring for music and entertainment starting in March 2017. Several exciting shows have been announced just this week. All of these concerts are already selling quickly, so don’t delay buying tickets!
On Friday, March 24th, the Peterborough Folk Festival presents Basia Bulat at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). If you’re a regular CBC listener, you’ll know Basia’s distinctive voice. She’s a star on the rise with a Polaris Music Prize nomination this year and a Juno Nomination. She’s a multi-instrumentalist and fun to watch perform. Not to be missed. Tickets are $25 plus fees and already selling briskly, so buy them now.
VIDEO: “Fool” – Basia Bulat
The Market Hall is excited to present The Writes of Spring on Thursday, April 27th featuring renowned Canadian musicians Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta), Amelia Curran (Juno Award winning singer-songwriter from St. John’s, Newfoundland), Donovan Woods (renowned and highly awarded singer-songwriter), and Hawksley Workman (inimitable singer-songwriter). They have collectively created a short limited edition tour that’s sure to be a unique evening of music and conversation. Tickets are $39.50 plus fees and are available at www.markethall.org.
Last but not least, Matt Andersen returns to Peterborough on Sunday, March 26th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough). Matt is truly a powerhouse performer and his voice will resonate throughout Showplace and awe the audience until you can hear a pin drop. He’s also a precision guitarist armed with stories from his home on the east coast and his travels across Canada. Matt’s quickly gaining renown across the country and, with over 10 million views on YouTube, independent album sales topping 30,000, a European Blues Award, Maple Blues Awards, and Best Solo Performer at the Memphis Blues Challenge, he shows no signs of slowing down. Tickets are $45 and are on sale now at www.showplace.org.
VIDEO: “Let’s Get Back” – Matt Andersen
If you’d like to have your event considered as a top pick, your first step is to make sure to submit it to our event system.
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