What’s that saying about March? “In like a lamb, out like a lion” and other variations. Live music events are certainly in like a lion this month, and they go out like a lion too!
There are some big shows taking place in Peterborough, including several concerts presented by the Peterborough Folk Festival as part of their Peterborough Winter Folk Festival. a slightly different version of the previous February Folk Folly. The music festival takes place from March 2nd to 10th with events take place in various locations around the city, and there’s a little something for everyone.
Downchild Blues Band at the Market Hall in Peterborough on March 2
Get the blues real bad on Friday, March 2nd with the legendary Downchild Blues Band at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Originally formed in 1969, the sextet inspired the Blues Brothers (actor Dan Aykroyd is a huge fan) and has done just about everything a blues band can do, including recently releasing their 18th studio record.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door, available 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: “Mississippi Woman, Mississauga Man” – Donwchild Blues Band
Fred Penner at Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough on March 3
On Saturday, March 3rd there’s a big treat in store for families and kids (including kids who never quite grew up).
Fred Penner will be performing a free show in the Lansdowne Place Mall (645 Lansdowne St, Peterborough) along with local songstresses Melissa Payne and Kate Suhr.
Penner is a hard-working children’s performer most famous for his television show from the 1980s, Fred Penner’s Place. The show runs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the mall’s Centre Court.
VIDEO: “The Cat Came Back” – Fred Penner
The Sheepdogs at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on March 6
Saskatoon retro rock and rollers The Sheepdogs return to Peterborough on Tuesday, March 6th for a concert at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).
The band is touring their new record Changing Colours, which features some new sonic territory for the band. The record still rocks, but also features some old-time/roots touches. It also features some great multi-instrumental playing by Bailieboro’s native son Jimmy Bowskill.
The show begins at 8 p.m. with openers Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs, a six-piece rock outfit from Toronto.
Tickets are $47.75 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online.
VIDEO: “I’ve Got A Hole Where My Heart Should Be” – The Sheepdogs
VIDEO: “Nobody” – The Sheepdogs
VIDEO: “Talk 2 Her” – Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs
Randy Bachman at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on March 7
Speaking of rock and rollers from the Prairies, Randy Bachman will be performing on Wednesday, March 7th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).
The former member of The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive will bring stories and songs to the stage from his illustrious career spanning five decades. He will also be playing songs from his new album By George By Bachman to be released on March 2, 2018.
The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $61.25 and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online.
VIDEO: “No Time” – Randy Bachman
VIDEO: “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” – Randy Bachman
Latchford & Greig at The Garnet in Peterborough on March 9
You will want to hear and see Latchford & Greig from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 9th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).
Unlike the other shows mentioned so far, this one isn’t part of the Winter Folk Festival officially, but it’s a good chance to get out to a local pub and hear some beautiful music in the midst of the festival.
Diane Latchford and Jean Greig are a great local duo with beautiful harmonies and a wide selection of tunes from all over the musical map.
VIDEO: “Wishing Well” – Latchford & Greig
My Son The Hurricane at the Red Dog in Peterborough on March 9
It will be a high-octane dance-filled night at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Friday, March 9th when My Son The Hurricane returns to town.
The 14-piece band is an amalgam of funk, hip-hop, New Orleans jazz, and rock and roll. Practice your dance moves and head on down to check them out.
Tickets are $10 at the door and the show beings around 9 p.m.
VIDEO: “Birthday Cake” – My Son The Hurricane
VIDEO: “Ain’t My Style” – My Son The Hurricane
Mayhemingways at The Mount in Peterborough on March 10
The last show of the Winter Folk Fest is the vinyl/CD release of Skip Land by my own band, fuzz-folk duo Mayhemingways, on Saturday, March 10th in the auditorium at The Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd, Peterborough).
Over the past year, Benj Rowland and I have toured across Canada several times, including with Joel and Bill Plaskett, and we also travelled to Europe for the first time. Skip Land is our second and latest full-length effort.
The show is all ages/licensed and there will be a cash bar. Tickets are only $10 in advance, available at The Mounty and at Bluestreak Records (444 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-6078), or you can purchase them online at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20308/.
VIDEO: “Frances the Truck Driver” – Mayheingways
The Real McKenzies at the Market Hall in Peterborough on March 11
Perhaps a great unofficial after-party for the Winter Folk Festival comes a day later, when Vancouver Celtic punkers The Real McKenzies roll through town on yet another tour. The show takes place on Sunday, March 11th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
The band has been around since 1992, with front man Paul McKenzie the last remaining original member. Described as a “ferocious troupe of insanely talented travelling minstrels”, this group goes beyond being a basic Celtic punk band.
The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Get them now through 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: “One Day” – The Real McKenzies
Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers at The Capitol in Port Hope on March 18
Celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day weekend with music and laughter when Newfoundland musical comedy heroes Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers plays the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope, 905-885-1071) at 2 p.m.on Sunday, March 18th.
Wayne Chaulk, Kevin Blackmore, and Ray Johnson have been a staple of Canada’s music scene for decades, bringing their mix of traditional Newfoundland music and humorous live show with them. They’re on their farewell tour.
The trio is also performing at the Capitol on Saturday, March 17th, but that show sold out, so a Sunday matinee show was added.
Tickets are $45 and are available at the Capitol Box Office or online at www.capitoltheatre.com.
VIDEO: “Anti-Terrorism” – Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers
B.A. Johnston at the Red Dog in Peterborough on March 23
If you haven’t been to a B.A. Johnston show, then you’ve been missing out. Well, wait no more: on Friday, March 23rd, B.A. returns to Peterborough to perform at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).
B.A.’s songs tend to be full of characterizations about common societal things. Drive-thrus, tight pants, Nintendo metaphors … it’s like one of those retro flea markets that have all of the parts of your youth on a shelf. “Oh look, there’s a copy of Mario Bros. 2!” or “Hey, is that a pack of Dr. Pepper gum?” I haven’t even touched on his legendary encores in the bathroom at the end of his shows.
Guest bands will be Muddy Hack and Beef Boys. It’s only $4 to get in before 10 p.m. and $8 after.
VIDEO: “Gonna End Up Working in Fort McMurray” and more – B.A. Johnson
VIDEO: “Drivethru Beef” – B.A. Johnson
Karyn Ellis and and PK Tessmann at the Garnet on March 31
It will be a beautiful night of songs and stories when former Peterborough resident Karyn Ellis and PK Tessmann come to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Saturday, March 31st as part of their spring tour.
The two songwriters met at a songwriter’s workshop at a festival in B.C. and knew they would tour together at some point soon. Karyn is an engaging songwriter with hints of humour and a lot of smarts, and PK is a Vancouver Island artist whose work is described as “beguiling, potent, and unpretentious”.
The two will be trading songs and stories all night long. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
VIDEO: “Careful & Kind” – PK Tessmann
VIDEO: “Be My Girl” – Karyn Ellis
