Two events are happening this weekend to commemorate the life of Peterborough musician Charlene Earle — one organized by Peterborough’s musical community and the other by her family and friends.
The 33-year-old vocalist, who performed under the names Charlie Earle and Charlie Maine, passed away suddenly sometime last Friday (July 19).
Police discovered her body in the Otonabee River in Peterborough and the Ontario coroner is now investigating her death.
Peterborough musicians Rob Foreman (The Lohrwoods, The Quickshifters) and Ryan Weber (The Weber Brothers), who were friends and musical collaborators with Earle, were interviewed on CBC Radio’s Here and Now on Tuesday (July 23).
They discussed the upcoming celebration of life taking place on Sunday (July 28) at the Historic Red Dog in downtown Peterborough — the same venue where, the night before she died, Earle had delivered the final performance of her life.
“Getting the news this had happened was not even 24 hours from the concert that she had just done,” says Weber, who had invited Earle to perform at the weekly music series presented by his and his brother Sam’s music production company.
“Her concert was nothing short of triumphant. She obliterated the room (and received) a standing ovation — I actually call it a jumping ovation because it really was. That’s the kind of performer and singer she was, from her first note it was game over. You could really feel what she felt.”
“After the way that that night went, I thought she’ll be selling out theatres in no time … She was feeling pure joy up on stage and pure joy afterwards. She was really glowing afterwards.”
Earle was best known for her powerful voice, and was particularly fond of singing blues and rhythm and blues in the style of some of the musicians who influenced her, including Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Tina Turner. She also wrote and sung her own original songs, “reminiscent of the blues and of jazz and folk in a way”, according to Foreman.
In the CBC interview, Weber says Earle’s final performance at the Red Dog was recorded, so the Peterborough music community will be able to come together and “make the album she would have wanted to make with this concert.”
As for Sunday’s celebration of Earle’s life at the Red Dog (189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough), which runs from 1 to 11 p.m., many of the musicians with whom Earle collaborated and performed will be on stage. While there are already set times for those musicians, a sign-up sheet is available so that anyone who wants to perform will have the opportunity.
While the Red Dog event will celebrate Earle’s contributions to Peterborough’s music community, her family and friends are also hosting an event at 7 p.m. on Saturday (July 27) at Confederation Park in downtown Peterborough.
The “ancestral candlelight vigil” will honour and celebrate Earle’s entire life.
“Charlene was a beautiful black woman who always showed up in support of her community whenever needed,” the Facebook event reads. “She was a talented singer painter and all around good human who will be missed greatly by many.”
“This night is about connecting with Charlie’s ancestors, we ask for her safe passage, for her easy rest, for her to never yearn for anything in the afterlife. There will be different performers, rituals, and art pieces done in order to honour her memory. She will know that it is safe to join her ancestors in the afterlife.”
“There will be a space for BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of colour) folx to perform a piece to honour her memory or share a ritual that is traditionally done in your culture to honour a person’s passing, or help them move on to the next life.”
“Please bring candles, flowers, pictures, her paintings or food offerings for her and her ancestors to help aid her in her journey.”
In addition to the vigil, Earle’s mother has set up a crowdfunding campaign so the family can lay Earle’s spirit to rest in British Columbia.
“Our family plans to take Charlene to the top of Mount Albert Edward in BC. She was so proud of that climb. She was on top of the mountain there and that’s where she will be set free.”
To donate to the campaign, visit www.gofundme.com/f/charlene-earle
The original version of this story incorrectly identified the date of the vigil as July 26.
