With spring just around the corner, the days are getting longer and the sun is getting warmer, so it’s time to get out of the house and experience some great live music.
Here are just a few of the excellent concerts coming up in Peterborough and the Kawarthas in March.
Winter Folk Festival in Peterborough from March 5 to 13
The Peterborough Folk Festival presents another edition of its annual Winter Folk Festival with a week’s worth of delightful concerts mainly in downtown Peterborough. Here’s a quick list of what’s happening:
Mother Mother and Said The Whale at The Venue on March 5
Two Vancouver bands bring indie rock to The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-876-0008) when Mother Mother perform with Said The Whale at 7 p.m. Mother Mother is on tour promoting their latest record, Dance and Cry. Tickets are $34.50 plus fees, available at ticketmaster.ca.
Too Many Zooz and Five Alarm Funk at the Red Dog on March 6
It’ll be a high energy funk blowout at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) with Too Many Zooz and the always awesome Five Alarm Funk. Tickets are $25 and are available at ticketscene.ca.
VIDEO: “Bedford” – Too Many Zooz
Dylan Ireland, Melissa Payne, James McKenty, and Karl Lawson at the Twisted Wheel on March 7
There’s a triple bill of talent coming to The Twisted Wheel (379 Water St., Peterborough): Dylan Ireland (ex Express and Co.), Melissa Payne, and James McKenty (The Spades) will all share the stage along with Karl Lawson. Admission is free to this show, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m.
VIDEO: “Shake Me” – Melissa Payne and James McKenty
International Women’s Day concert at The Garnet on March 8
A special International Women’s Day concert takes place from 8 to 11 p.m. at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107), featuring performances by Jess and Tanah, Kim Doolittle, Saskia Tomkins, Charlie Earle, Kerry Jayne, and Little Fire Unplugged. Admission for this show is pay what you can.
B.A. Johnston, The Beef Boys and Television Rd at The Red Dog on March 8
It’ll be a ton of fun when B.A. Johnston, The Beef Boys, and Television Rd perform at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710). The show begins around 10:30 p.m. and is $6 at the door before 10 p.m. and $10 after.
VIDEO: “This Hangover Has Got Legs, and It Will Run Me Down”
Ben Rough & The North Winds and Rachel Beck at The Twisted Wheel on March 9
Local band Ben Rough & The North Winds performs along with PEI’s Rachel Beck at The Twisted Wheel (379 Water St., Peterborough). The show begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free.
VIDEO: “Hearts On Fire” – Rachel Beck
My Son the Hurricane with Katey Gatta at The Red Dog on March 9
Rap/rock/funk band My Son the Hurricane performs at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) with opener Katey Gatta. The show begins at 10 p.m. and tickets are $20, available in advance at ticketscene.ca.
Mundy with Kate Suhr at The Publican House on March 10
Peterborough’s own Kate Suhr joins Irish artist Mundy, who once performed for President Barack Obama, in a matinee show at The Publican House (100 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-874-5743). The concert starts at 3 p.m. and costs $25 plus fees. You can purchase tickets at peterboroughfolkfest.com.
VIDEO: “Galway Girl” – Mundy with Sharon Shannon
Jimmy Bowskill with Dan Fewings at The Garnet on March 10
Bailieboro musician and member of The Sheepdogs and Blue Rodeo, Jimmy Bowskill, performs two shows at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107). Seating is very limited: the first show at 7 p.m. is long sold out, and there are only a few tickets left for the 9:30 p.m. Dan Fewings, who has previously performed with Jimmy in their duo, opens both shows. Head to the Garnet to get an advance ticket for $20.
VIDEO: “I’m Gone” – Jimmy Bowskill
Melissa Payne and Kate Suhr at Lansdowne Place Mall on March 13
The very last show of the Winter Folk Festival takes place at Lansdowne Place Mall (645 Lansdowne St, Peterborough)and features a free kids’ show with local musicians Melissa Payne and Kate Suhr. The show runs from 11 a.m. to noon.
CANCELLED – Digawolf at The Garnet in Peterborough on March 17
Editor’s note: This show has been cancelled as of March 15.
For those looking to escape green beer, drunk patrons, and tacky oversized green hats, there’s an excellent show at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107)t on Sunday, March 17th (aka St. Patrick’s Day). Yellowknife band Digawolf will bring their unique, raw brand of modern Canadian rock to town.
The band’s front man Diga, who sings in both Tlicho and English, and is from the Tlicho capital of Behchoko in Northwest Territories. The band is working to redefine indigenous music for modern audiences and does so influenced by Neil Young, Tom Waits, and Kashtin, among others.
Tickets are $10 at the door. This will be an early show with an 8 p.m. start.
VIDEO: “Same Fire Burns” – Digawolf
The Three Martinis at The Garnet in Peterborough on March 19
kawarthaNOW favourite The Three Martinis will perform their musical improv comedy at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Tuesday, March 19th.
The group takes titles written by audience members and then performs off-the-cuff songs based on those titles. Lead singer Dan Fewings (full disclosure, he’s my dad) and piano player Rob Phillips have been delighting audiences for over 10 years with zany fun-filled shows. I will be joining Dan and Rob as the third Martini.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins around 8 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. Bring your creativity and your sense of humour — it should be a fun night.
VIDEO: The Three Martinis Promo
Bahamas at Showplace in Peterborough on March 25
There are still a few tickets left for Grammy Award nominee and Juno Award winner Bahamas at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Monday, March 25th, presented by the Peterborough Folk Festival.
Bahamas is the stage name of Afie Jurvanen, who writes well-crafted songs with atmosphere galore.
Tickets range from $42.50 to$55 are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org
The show begins at 8 p.m.
VIDEO: “Way With Words” – Bahamas
Megan Bonnell at the Market Hall in Peterborough on March 28
The Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) has been hosting some amazing shows lately and this continues on Thursday, March 28th when Megan Bonnell brings her appealing tunes and deep, rich songwriting to Peterborough.
Her latest record Separate Rooms has been described as a “timely and bold statement of a self-assured woman navigating an increasingly dark and perplexing world.”
Opening the show is Peterborough’s own Evangeline Gentle, whose music, voice, and songwriting are worth the price of admission alone.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for cabaret seats and $20 for general admission, available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Separate Rooms” – Megan Bonnell
The Sadies at The Red Dog in Peterborough on March 29
Canada’s best band The Sadies returns to Peterborough in a blaze of glory after a kick-ass tour with indie sensation Kurt Vile. The band hits The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Friday, March 29th.
Their musical experience and genres could span the Grand Canyon, swerving from surf rock to old-school punk to spaghetti western to bluegrass. Brothers Travis and Dallas Good play guitars like they were born with them, while the rhythm section of Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky drive the ship.
Tickets are available in advance at the Red Dog or at the door.
VIDEO: “Through Strange Eyes” – The Sadies
Rick Fines at the Pastry Peddler in Millbrook on March 30
Whenever I get a chance, I’ve written about Rick Fines in this column and with good reason. The Peterborough-born and raised musician is a true musical icon.
On Saturday, March 30th, there’s a great chance to hear his blues-inspired tunes in an intimate space at the Pastry Peddler (17 King St. E., Millbrook, 705-932-7333). Also on the bill is Matthew Macleod
Tickets are $25 and the show begins at 7 p.m. Drop by the Pastry Peddler or call to reserve your tickets.
VIDEO: “Riley Wants His Life Back” – Rick Fines with Suzie Vinnick
Fred Penner at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay on March 31
As far as Canadian children’s entertainers go, Fred Penner tops the list. His television show Fred Penner’s Place on CBC in the ’80s and early ’90s made him a household name among children and parents. Those children are now parents themselves, and thus there’s a new wave of appreciation for the bearded singer from Winnipeg.
You can see the Juno Award winner yourself live at Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111) on Sunday, March 31st. The show is a matinee, beginning at 2 p.m., so you’ll want to bring the kids.
Tickets are $24 for the balcony and $29 for orchestra (plus fees) and are available at ticketmaster.ca
VIDEO: “The Cat Came Back” – Fred Penner
