Happy holiday season, everyone! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, this is a great time of year to spend some quality time with family, friends, and loved ones.
This can be a time of extremes, with bustling days making way for cozy nights. However, it’s also a fantastic time to take in some live music.
There is a little something for everyone in Peterborough and the Kawarthas this month! Here are just a few of the shows.
Heather Rankin at the Market Hall in Peterborough on December 5
On Thursday, December 5th, there’ll be a ton of Christmas spirit in the room when Nova Scotia’s Heather Rankin brings her “Picture Perfect Christmas” show to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Rankin, part of the acclaimed family band The Rankin Family, performs a mix of seasonal tunes and original songs as well. “Picture Perfect” is the name of a tune from Rankin’s 2018 Christmas album Imagine.
Full of ‘rollicking East Coast charm’, the show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $35 for general admission and $40 for an assigned cabaret table seat. You can purchase tickets the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Picture Perfect” – Heather Rankin
The West End Riverboat Band at the Garnet in Peterborough on December 5
There will be a delta speakeasy feel at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Thursday, December 5th when The West End Riverboat Band takes the stage at 10 p.m.
The trio — John Williams (clarinet, harmonica, vocals), Ben Lee (tenor banjo, guitar, vocals), and Chris Adriaanse (stand-up bass) — performs old folk jazz and blues in a stompin’ New Orleans style.
It’s going to be a perfect night to enjoy some drinks and feel the music. Tickets are $10 (or pay what you can) at the door.
VIDEO: “Fidgety Feet” – The West End Riverboard Band
In From The Cold Christmas concert at the Market Hall in Peterborough on December 6 and 7
In From the Cold, one of Peterborough’s most-beloved musical holiday traditions, returns for its 20th year to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th.
A fundraiser for YES Shelter for Youth and Families, the annual Christmas concert features Celtic and contemporary carols and seasonal songs. Musicians include Carried Away (John Hoffman, Susan Newman, and Rob Fortin), The Convivio Chorus, Enrique “Roy” Claveer (aka Curtis Driedger), fingerstyle guitarist Michael Ketemer, and Celtic harpist Tanah Haney.
Get into the Christmas spirit by heading to Market Hall for one of the two performances. Tickets are $20 for general admission ($15 for students/children). Get them at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “In From The Cold” by Rodney Fuentes (2016)
Sultans of String at Victoria Hall in Cobourg on December 8
Folks in the Cobourg and Port Hope area can also get into the spirit of the holidays when Sultans of String brings their “Christmas Caravan” show to The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W., Cobourg, 1-855-372-2210) on Sunday, December 8th at 3 p.m.
The 2015 Juno award winners serve up a hot eclectic mix of music ranging from fiery fiddle tunes to Turkish-inspired songs to Caribbean sleigh ride songs — and even Django Reinhardt-inspired Gypsy jazz.
Tickets are $39 plus fees and you can get them online at tickets.cobourg.ca.
VIDEO: Christmas Caravan – Sultans of String
The Weber Brothers at the Red Dog in Peterborough on December 14
Peterborough residents and long-time adopted favourites The Weber Brothers present their Weber Brothers Christmas concert at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Saturday, December 14th.
Sam and Ryan Weber first moved to the area from Maryland to perform with Ronnie Hawkins around 2000, and have since toured Canada and beyond countless times. This show will be full of their high-octane energy and musicianship and is sure to include some special guests.
Tickets will be available at the door and the shows begins at 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be going to the Brock Mission.
P.S. There will be a screening of The Weber Brothers’ holiday film When Christmas Falls On Peterborough at the Galaxy Cinemas in downtown Peterborough at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th. Tickets are free and available in advance at the theatre box office, but a donation to the Brock Mission on the evening of the screening would be appreciated.
“When Christmas Falls On Peterborough” – The Weber Brothers
Pays d’en Haut at The Garnet in Peterborough on December 21
Check out some awesome Cajun-inspired tunes on Saturday, December 21st at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) with Peterborough’s own Pays d’en Haut.
The group includes Curtis Driedger, Benj Rowland (Mayhemingways), Matt Watson, Jim Gleason, and Leslie McGrath. They perform classic Cajun tunes that are perfect for dancing on a cold night — which happens to be the first night of winter.
Tickets will be available at the door and the show runs from 8 to 11 p.m. Aiiieee!
VIDEO: “Tit Galop Pour Mamou / Bayou Noir” – Pays d’en Haut
Blue Rodeo with Elliott Brood at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on December 27
Bailieboro’s own Jimmy Bowskill will join Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor, and the rest of Blue Rodeo on Friday, December 27th when the band returns for the second year in a row to perform at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (151 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough, 705-743-3561).
This will be a killer show full of their best tunes. Who wouldn’t want to sing along with hits like “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet”, “5 Days in May”, “Til I Am Myself Again”, and “Lost Together”?
Opening the show will be “death-grass” band Elliott Brood.
Tickets range from $45 to $89.50 and area available at the Peterborough Memorial Centre or online at tickets.memorialcentre.ca.
VIDEO: “I Can’t Hide This Anymore” – Blue Rodeo
VIDEO: “Lost Together” – Blue Rodeo
The Rocket Revue at the Market Hall in Peterborough on December 28
It’s been a couple of years since The Rocket Revue treated Peterborough to their full big-band rhythm and blues, rockabilly, and blues sound.
On Saturday, December 28th at 8 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146), the band gets back together for a celebration of 20 years and also as a tribute to former bandmate and friend, the late Buzz Thompson.
There’ll be familiar faces like Bobby Watson, JP Hovercraft, Rob Phillips, Greg Weichel, and more. Musical guests include The Weber Brothers, Jerome Godboo, Bridget Foley, and Jane Archer.
You’ll dance, you’ll sway, and everything will be okay at this super fun show. Tickets are $45 for general admission and $50 for assigned cabaret seats. Get them the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder performed by The Rocket Revue
Dub Trinity at The Garnet in Peterborough on December 30
Just before New Year’s Eve, Dub Trinity brings their reggae, ska, and dub stylings to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Tuesday, December 30th.
The band has been a going concern in Peterborough’s music scene for many years now. Let the bass go through you as you enjoy originals, Bob Marley tunes, and many other great selections from the world of reggae.
It’s a perfect way to dance away 2019. Tickets will be $10 at the door and the show will begin around 8 p.m.
VIDEO: Dub Trinity at the Red Dog
