January may not be the nicest month of the year, but there’s still lots of great music to warm the soul in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Here are my picks for the first month of 2017.
Battle of The Bands at The Ganny in Port Hope on Fridays
Area bands face off in Port Hope on Fridays in January during The Battle of the Bands at The Ganaraska Hotel (30 Ontario St., Port Hope, 905-885-9254).
On January 6th, Peterborough’s The Ramblers take on Belleville’s HD Suppy. On January 13th, it’s Hot Knives versus Electric Catfish. On January 20th, The Canadians face off against Rye and Silence. And, on January 27th, The Stagecoach Riders battles the Tyler Cochran Band. Another battle takes place on February 3rd, with Jeremiah TaylorX againt Wining It, with the finals on February 10th.
As always, The Ganny also hosts live music on Saturdays, with January’s line-up featuring Quick Shifters on January 7th, Gator James Band on January 14th, Blue Print on January 21st, and Marty and the Mojos on January 28th.
VIDEO: “Blue Dress” – The Ramblers
Winter Music Series at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene on Saturday afternoons
Elmhirst’s Resort on Rice Lake near Keene has been hosting great, mostly local, live music during the summer for a couple of years now. This year they’ve launched a winter music series, running every Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the resort’s Wild Blue Yonder Pub (1045 Settlers Line, Keene, 705-295-4591 or 800-461-1940). It’s a beautiful rural setting to see and hear great acts while enjoying excellent food, micro-brewed beers, and other fine beverages.
Their lineup in January is excellent: January 7th features the colourful country of Washboard Hank, January 14th is excellent songwriter Evangeline Gentle, January 21st has the old-time blues and stomp of Pine Box String Band, and on January 28th it’s “fuzz-folkers” Mayhemingways.
VIDEO: “Bring Another Half Pint” – Pine Box String Band
Little Fire, James Burrows, David Newberry, and Rachel Cardiello at The Garnet in Peterborough on January 7
Lots of great music is coming to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Saturday, January 7th with an early show and a late show.
First up from 5 to 7 p.m. is the relatively new Peterborough band Little Fire. The group is made up of some members of bands from yesteryear, like Scratch and the Loud Sisters. Their sound merges folk with alt-rock while wandering through fields of spoken word. The band may have their first recordings at the show available as well!
Later on that evening there’s a triple bill featuring some very talented folks. James Burrows brings his songwriting skills to the stage, along with well-travelled folk-smith David Newberry. Topping off the evening will be the talented and beautiful Torontonian Rachel Cardiello and her band, bringing their brand of indie pop/folk.
VIDEO: “Bullets” – Rachel Cardiello
Mayhemingways at Kawartha Coffee Co. in Bobcaygeon on January 13
Bobcaygeon’s Kawartha Coffee Co. (49 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon, 705-738-1500) will feature Peterborough duo Mayhemingways on Friday, January 13th at 7:30 p.m. The venue features a great variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Admission is by donation and all money collected goes towards the band.
Mayhemingways play a mix of bluegrass, Cajun, Celtic, and also been described as “fuzz-folk”. This spring, the band will be touring with Nova Scotia songwriter Joel Plaskett and his father Bill and their next show in the Kawartha Lakes will be at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre in May.
VIDEO: “End Up This Way” – Mayhemingways
Roosevelt Dime with The Adjustments at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on January 14
Warm up with a night of great bluegrass-inspired tunes on Saturday, January 14th at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) as New York State’s Roosevelt Dime return to town.
Their music stretches beyond bluegrass, as tinges of R&B and other elements of Americana are there as well. You’ll dance, you’ll smile, and you’ll likely even knee slap along to this talented group. Opening the show will be local band The Adjustments.
The show begins at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or at www.ticketscene.ca.
VIDEO: “Down on Your Luck” – Roosevelt Dime
Mudmen at the Market Hall in Peterborough on January 14
Also taking place on Saturday, January 14th is the return to Peterborough of long-time Celtic rockers Mudmen to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
This one is for lovers of bagpipes and rock and roll — Mudmen always put on a great show!
Tickets are $20 ($25 for assigned cabaret-style seating) and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets for tables nine and 12 are available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
VIDEO: “Where I Came From” – Mudmen
Lee Harvey Osmond featuring Tom Wilson at the Market Hall in Peterborough on January 19
A favourite of kawarthaNOW, Tom Wilson will be back in town with Lee Harvey Osmond on Thursday, January 19th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Tom is a multi-faceted artist who’s a member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and was a member of rock and roll group Junkhouse. He’s done everything you can imagine in the music business and it comes out in his unique stage presence and in his music.
Lee Harvey Osmond’s music is cool yet untamed; roots with a big twist of psychedelia and story-telling. The band also features Tom’s musician son Thompson, pedal steel player Aaron Goldstein, and drummer Ray Farrugia.
Tickets are $35 for regular seats ($28 for students) and $43 for cabaret seating. You can purchase them at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets for tables nine and 12 are available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
VIDEO: “Dreams Come And Go” – Lee Harvey Osmond
Billy Joel and The Piano Men at The Capitol in Port Hope on January 20
If tickling the ivories tickles you, you’ll want to check out Billy Joel and The Piano Men at Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope, 905-885-1071) on Friday, January 20th at 8 p.m.
Featuring Bruce Tournay on piano and vocals, this unique show combines live performance with costumes, humour, and interesting stories relating to the music and artists being performed. Backed by the Memphis Cats Band, Tournay will perform classic piano tunes by Billy Joel, Elton John, Burton Cummings, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Nat King Cole, Liberace, Fats Domino, Floyd Cramer, and more.
Tickets are $39 and are available at the Capitol Box Office or online at www.capitoltheatre.com.
VIDEO: Bruce Tournay Live Promo
Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels Quartet at the Market Hall in Peterborough on January 21
Blues fans will rejoice as harmonica wizard Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels Quartet take the stage at at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Saturday, January 21st.
Known as one of the world’s best harmonica players, Del Junco and his band go beyond just the blues and get into grooves like swing, Latin, hip-hop, and even swampy roots rock. The show begins at 8 p.m. Be prepared to be amazed and musically satisfied.
Tickets are $35 and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Heddon Tadpolly Spook” – Carlos del Junco and The Blues Mongrels
Harpdog Brown with Al Lerman at Showplace in Peterborough on January 26
Another great Canadian harmonica player comes to town on Thursday, January 26th as Harpdog Brown performs in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).
Blues fans will love this show as Brown will be joined by the great Al Lerman, known by many as the leader of the two-time Juno Award winning band Fathead.
Tickets are $26 and are available through the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
VIDEO: “Ain’t That Lovin’ Ya” – Harpdog Brown and The Travelin’ Blues Show
Tokyo Police Club at the Red Dog in Peterborough on January 27
Indie/pop-rock band Tokyo Police Club play The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Friday, January 27th.
The well-known group continues to tour hard and their show will bring a little light to the cold, dark winter. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the show starting around 10:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and are available in advance at www.ticketscene.ca.
VIDEO: “Miserable” – Tokyo Police Club
Hannah Georgas at the Gordon Best in Peterborough on January 28
Peterborough Folk Festival will present another great show in town as pop/rock/electro artist Hannah Georgas plays the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) on Saturday, January 28th at 8 p.m.
Georgas has steadily made a name for herself by constantly evolving and capturing fans who enjoy a variety of genres and musical styles, and she has numerous Juno nominations to show for it.
The show is $20 plus service fees and will begin around 8 p.m. General admission tickets are available at www.peterboroughfolkfest.com.
VIDEO: “Evelyn” – Hannah Georgas
