May is full of warm weather and great music! Here are just a few listings of live music that are sure to please just about everyone’s taste in music.
Civil Wray and Joel Parkes at The Spill in Peterborough on May 2
Head to The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-6167) on Tuesday, May 2nd for a great show, with proceeds from the door benefitting the New Canadians Centre.
The show features the clever lyrics and dancey-pop sound of Civil Wray. It’s a cool project headed up by Andrea De Boer, a Toronto-based artist who likes to mix genres. Her music twists and turns — a little bit jazzy, a little bit of a new wave vibe — are always sung with passion.
Opening the show is Joel Parkes, a local songwriter who has penned some big pop hits but performs in an honest and understated manner.
Tickets are available at the door with the show beginning around 9 p.m.
VIDEO: “Numb” – Civil Wray
Joel and Bill Plaskett with Mayhemingways on May 3 at Academy Theatre in Lindsay and on May 7 at Market Hall in Peterborough
Great Canadian songwriter Joel Plaskett and his father Bill Plaskett play two shows in the Kawarthas in early May. The first is on Wednesday, May 3rd at Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111) and the second is Sunday, May 7th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Joel has been a staple of the rock scene in Canada since the early 1990s from his work with Thrush Hermit. Fast forward to today, and he’s made a ton of solo records, records with his rock trip The Emergency, and now he’s made a folk/rock record with his father Bill. These shows are not to be missed.
Peterborough’s Mayhemingways (Benj Rowland and yours truly) will be opening and playing as the Plasketts’ band at both shows.
Tickets for the Market Hall are almost sold out, but there may be a few seats left (check at markethall.org).
Good seats are still available for the Lindsay show. Tickets are $34.50 and are available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca.
VIDEO: “The Next Blue Sky” – Bill and Joel Plaskett with Mayhemingways
Spring Revival at Church-Key Brewing in Campbellford on May 6
Music, food, and beer. Those three great things will combine on Saturday, May 6th at the annual Church-Key Brewing Spring Revival 2017.
The brewery, located just outside of Campbellford at 1678 County Road 38, hosts bands from the area playing a wide variety of genres. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the performers include Jonny & Jane with David Frey, Broken Harmony, Crowes Feat, Melissa Payne, Tubourg Cindy & Scott, Ken Tizzard, Janet Jeffery Band, Tastes Like Chicken, Jana Ried, Muddy Hack, Madmans Window, Antixx, Sean Conway, and E.L.E.
The event is a chance to try some great craft-brewed beer and to check out the brewery as well. It’s free to attend, with beer and food available for purchase.
VIDEO: Church Key Brewing (Spring Revival at 1:21 mark)
East Coast Music Celebration at The Red Dog in Peterborough on May 6
There will be a celebration of East Coast music for a good cause at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Saurday, May 6th.
The event, which features North Atlantic Drift, Clan Hannigan, and McCallum’s Reach, is a benefit for the Camp Kerry Ontario, which offers a family bereavement retreat.
Authentic Maritime music and a kitchen party like atmosphere should make for a great time. There will also be door prizes, raffles, and a silent auction, and a raffle.
Tickets are $20 at the door, or available in advance (cash only) at Black Honey (217 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-750-0024).
The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
VIDEO: Clan Hannigan
The Northern Pikes at The Venue in Peterborough on May 10 and at The Lions Centre in Cobourg on May 12
Canadian rock band The Northern Pikes celebrate their 33rd anniversary with a tour stop at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-876-0008) on Wednesday, May 10th.
Best known for their 1990s radio hit “She Ain’t Pretty”, the band continues to make records and rock hard.
Tickets are $45 are available at The Venue. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m..
The band is also performing n Cobourg at The Lions Community Centre in Cobourg on Friday, May 12th. Tickets are $45 for that show too.
VIDEO: “She Ain’t Pretty” – The Northern Pikes
Peterborough LIVE Music Festival in downtown Peterborough from May 10 to 14
Peterborough LIVE Music Festival is back! The festival takes place from Wednesday, May 10th to Sunday, May 14th and features more than 100 acts at 23 venues across downtown Peterborough.
There are far too many performers to list here but, with rock, folk, metal, punk, hip hop, rap, jazz funk, R&B, country, bluegrass, DJs, and (new this year) dance, poetry, and comedy, there’s literally something for everyone.
All-access passes for the festival are $15 and single-show tickets are $5 and are available online at www.ticketscene.ca/series/469/. You can also get passes directly from the performers and venues, and passes and single-show tickets at the door for each show.
For more information on who’s playing when and where, check out peterboroughlive.ca.
“Songs in the Key of Cree” featuring Tomson Highway at the Market Hall in Peterborough on May 11
Living legend and Cree-Canadian playwright, songwriter, composer and pianist Tomson Highway performs “Songs in the Key of Cree” on Thursday, May 11th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
The evening will feature songs and compositions from five of Highway’s musicals written over the past 30 years. Joining him on stage will be Marcus Ali on saxophone and Peruvian-Canadian singer Patricia Cano.
This will be a special night featuring lively cabaret music and songs with Cree, English, and French lyrics by the trilingual Highway.
The concert is a fundraiser for Public Energy and the final show of the performing arts organization’s current season.
Tickets are $40 plus fees and there are special VIP cabaret seats for $100 plus fees that include a food and drink and a pre-show talk with Highway. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: Tomson, Patty and Marcus rehearsing “Songs in the Key of Cree”
VIDEO: Playing with Tomson Highway
Ian Foster at Catalina’s in Peterborough on May 15 and at The Loft in Cobourg on May 25
Newfoundland songwriter Ian Foster brings his clever tunes to Catalina’s (131 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-5972) on Monday, May 15th at 8 p.m.
Fosters’ writing contrasts living in a modern world with some elements of songcraft handed down by Ron Hynes and company. Tickets are available at the door.
Foster is also performing at The Loft (201 Division St., Cobourg, 905-372-2210) at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 25th.
VIDEO: “An Open Letter From the Island” – Ian Foster
DUNES at The Garnet in Peterborough on May 19
DUNES from Sudbury brings their hip garage rock sound to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Friday, May 19th.
The band’s sound has elements of ’90s alternative rock that weave through their tunes, while sounding current and fresh. Cool stuff. DUNES will be joined by Peterborough (and beyond) favourites The Lonely Parade and Peterborough garage pop band Prime Junk.
The show begins around 10 p.m. with tickets available at the door for $5 to $8 or pay what you can.
VIDEO: “Alright” – Dunes
Hillsburn at The Loft in Cobourg on May 21
Halifax band Hillsburn have been getting a buzz across Canada with their infectious pop/folk sound. Layered vocals, lush arrangements. and powerful performances are their trademarks. They have garnered a number of award nominations and their star is quickly on the rise.
Catch them at The Loft (201 Division St., Cobourg, 905-372-2210) on Sunday, May 21st for a matinee show at 2 p.m.. For more information, call 905-372-2210 or email kenprue@gmail.com.
VIDEO: “Bury My Heart” – Hillsburn
Mairi Rankin and Allie Robertson at the Market Hall in Peterborough on May 26
Mairi Rankin, of Nova Scotia’s famous Rankin Family, will bring her wealth of traditional Cape Breton music to the stage at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Friday, May 26th at 8 p.m.
Also performing is Scottish-born Allie Robertson on the harp. This is a double bill that will be full of Celtic magic.
Tickets are $20 plus fees for general admission ($17 plus fees for students) or $25 plus fees for an assigned cabaret table seat. Get your tickets at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
VIDEO: Mairi Rankin (with Quinn Bachand)
VIDEO: “Swerving for Bunnies” – Allie Robertson
Bobby Dove with Bobby Watson at The Garnet in Peterborough on May 29
Montreal cowgirl crooner Bobby Dove returns to Peterborough to play The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Monday, May 29th and will be joined by the great Bobby Watson on guitar.
Dove’s music is from the heart and combines her influences of great songwriters with personal anecdotes and moments in time that resonate with her audience. The show begins around 9 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.
VIDEO: “Another Doggone Day” – Bobby Dove
Save the date: Country Wild Music Festival at Victoria Park in Cobourg on June 3
On Saturday, June 3rd, head down to Cobourg’s Victoria Park for the town’s first-ever country music festival.
Cobourg locals Matt Williams and J Andrew Hall of Cobourg Music Festivals Inc. have lined up nine Canadian bands to perform at the one-day festival, including headliners Cold Creek Country.
Runaway Angel, Gentlemen Husbands, Kansas Stone, Colin Amey, Sacha, Sawmill Road, SweetGrass Band, and Marc Ekins will also be performing at the festival, which takes place from 3 to 10 p.m. (gates open at 2 p.m.).
It’s an all-ages event, but alcohol will be available.
General admission tickets are $35 (plus tax) and are available online at ticketfly.com. Visit countrywild.ca for more information.
VIDEO: “Run Angel Run” – Runaway Angel
