encoreNOW is a bi-weekly column by Paul Rellinger where he features upcoming music, theatre, film, and performing arts events and news from across the Kawarthas.
This week, Paul highlights summer family film screenings in Port Hope, Cobourg, and Bobcaygeon, a tribute to the music of Sir Elton John in Fenelon Falls, 4th Line Theatre’s second summer production at the Winslow Farm, Gabi Epstein’s personal journey through the music of Barbara Streisand, Westben’s welcoming of Campbellford-raised singer Seyblu, and a Memorial Centre three-act rock explosion with Billy Talent at its centre.
Pass the popcorn: free family movie nights in Port Hope, Cobourg, and Bobcaygeon
VIDEO: Movies in the Park – Port Hope
Many families habitually enjoy hunkering down to enjoy a movie together as a great alternative to letting Dad win at Monopoly yet again.
Camped on the couch and cuddling under a warm blanket, watching a movie brings a certain comfort, particularly during the winter season. But there’s also something to be said about taking in a movie together in the great outdoors during the summer months.
In Port Hope at quaint Memorial Park off Queen Street, every other Wednesday night sees films screened at 8 p.m., sponsored by Port Hope Rotary and Cameco Corporation. Admission is free.
There are just three dates remaining: July 24 featuring How The Grinch Stole Christmas, August 7 featuring Elemental, and August 21 feautring Trolls Band Together.
Cobourg’s themed Movies In The Park series is ongoing at Victoria Park. Again, admission is free, with remaining dates being August 3 (“Family Night”) featuring IF and August 24 (“Date Night”) featuring Fall Guy. Hosted by Experience Cobourg, films start at 8:30 p.m.
Not to be outdone is Kawartha Settlers’ Village in Bobcaygeon, which is presenting Movies In The Barn every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. until the end of August. With admission by donation, the remaining schedule sees Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie screening on July 24, Mrs. Doubtfire on July 31, Rumble on August 7, The Goonies on August 14, Barbie on August 21, and Wonka on August 28.
It’s hello, not goodbye, to the yellow brick road at The Grove in Fenelon Falls
VIDEO: “A Musical Tribute to Elton John” trailer
Even those remotely interested in pop music of the past half century are familiar with at least one Elton John/Bernie Taupin song.
There’s a reason for that. With more than 300 million albums sold, Sir Elton remains one of the top selling recording artists of all time. Then there was the boost to his popularity via the 2019 bio pic Rocketman and his three-year worldwide farewell tour that wrapped up last year. And who can forget his performance of “Goodbye England’s Rose” at the 1997 funeral of Princess Diana — a gutsy appearance that was beamed to all corners of the globe.
Fenelon Falls’ Grove Theatre knows full well that the music of the longtime British songwriting duo has enduring wide appeal, bringing A Musical Tribute to Elton John to its venue for multiple dates.
The theatre’s summer ensemble is performing John’s most popular hits — “Your Song,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Candle In The Wind,” “Crocodile Rock” … the list goes on and on. It all adds up to a celebration of an unparalleled music career with a bigger-than-life personality at its centre.
The Grove Theatre’s tribute show has proved so popular that it’s been extended into mid-August, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on July 23, 26 and 30, and August 3, 7, 15, and 23. Tickets cost $56.50. Visit www.grovetheatre.ca to order.
Fearless Jean ‘Jim’ Watts takes us on an action-filled adventure in Millbrook
If you still need proof that summer flies by way too quickly, here we are with details of the second play of 4th Line Theatre’s two-play summer season.
Running at the Winslow Farm near Millbrook Tuesdays to Saturdays from July 30 to August 24 with preview nights on July 30 and 31, Jim Watts: Girl Reporter is an exploration of trailblazing youth who, in the mid 1930s, illegally flocked to Spain to fight fascism in attempt to stop its spread across Europe.
Written by award-winning playwright Beverley Cooper and directed by longtime 4th Line managing artistic director Kim Blackwell, the central character of the world premiere is Jean “Jim” Watts, the only female member of the MacKenzie-Papineaus, the lone Canadian regiment in Spain.
Action filled, the play takes its audience from Toronto to Madrid, from political rallies to battlefields. And as if often the case with 4th Line productions, there’s a local connection in the form of Jim Higgins, a Peterborough union organizer who figures prominently in the story.
If you’ve never been to Robert Winslow’s scenic country property off Zion Line, do yourself a big favour and take in this play. There’s something about an outdoor theatre setting that an indoor venue can’t match.
Performance dates are July 30 to August 3, August 6 to 10, 13 to 17, and 20 to 24, with curtain at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 ($45 for children and youth ages five to 16), with $38 tickets available for preview nights. To order tickets, visit www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca.
Gabs knows her Babs and takes on a journey in the process in Port Hope
VIDEO: “Don’t Rain On My Parade” – Gabi Epstein
Yet another iconic singer is paid tribute, this time at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre where cabaret performer Gabi Epstein shares the tale of her own creative journey via the music of Barbra Streisand.
Billed as “a love letter from one artist to another,” Gabs Sings Babs will see Epstein, accompanied by pianist Mark Camilleri, give full evidence of why she’s referred to as Canada’s Barbra Streisand.
Conceived by Epstein, debuted at the Toronto Jazz Festival and since brought to stages across the country, Epstein released an album version of the show in 2022 — each track a reimagined and rearranged version of Streisand’s signature songs.
Epstein is also an accomplished actress. Her credits include Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at Stratford and Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at Montreal’s Segal Theatre. She shared a Dora Mavor Moore Award with the cast of Once at Toronto’s Mirvish Theatre.
But for all Epstein’s acting credits and resulting praise, Gabs Sings Babs is her calling card; a deeply personal exploration of her own trajectory that only a seasoned and confident performer can pull off so very well.
Performance dates in the Capitol’s intimate Bob Sculthorpe Theatre are July 31, August 1 to 3, and 8 to 11. Tickets for cabaret-style seating are $45 ($35 for those under $30), with a special $70 shop, dine, & show package that also includes vouchers at participating retail shops and restaurants in downtown Port Hope. Purchase tickets online at capitoltheatre.com.
Westben welcomes one of Campbellford’s own to The Campfire
VIDEO: “Honest” – Seyblu
What’s going on at Westben that continues to attract such great acts to the Campbellford venue? Whatever it is, it’s far from broke with no fixing required.
A summer season that has already brought us The Barra MacNeils, Angela Hewitt, Steven Page, and Sarah Slean to Westben continues to impress, presenting a terrific jazz double bill on Saturday, August 3rd.
The 2 p.m. matinee in The Barn, featuring the dynamic Holly Cole, is sold out but tickets remain on sale for the 8 p.m. nightcap featuring Seyblu at The Campfire, an intimate outdoor space featuring — you guessed it — a campfire.
Seyblu is the stage name of Campbellford-raised Chelsey Bennett, a singer who, for years now, has skilfully integrated jazz and R&B into her songwriting. Many will recall her local performances with longtime stage collaborator Rob Phillips on piano.
This pared-down acoustic performance will feature unique arrangements of Seyblu’s favourite songs, such as “Backwards,” “17,” and “Honest,” as well as newly released music.
Seyblu is now rooted in Toronto, making this a homecoming well worth catching. Tickets, at $35 — $33 for seniors, $30 for under 30, and $5 for under 18 — can be ordered online at westben.ca but don’t delay as seating is limited.
Billy Talent et al will get hearts pumping in Peterborough
VIDEO: “Rusted From The Rain” – Billy Talent (2010)
For a band that has amassed seven Juno Awards from 22 total nominations, Billy Talent has strangely flown under the radar for many.
It’s not like the rock quartet hasn’t been at it for a while. Led by lead singer Benjamin Kowalewicz, the Mississauga export formed in 1993, starting as Pezz before becoming Billy Talent in 1999.
On Tuesday, August 6th, Billy Talent will headline at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, joined by Juno Award-winning duo Crown Lands from Oshawa and all-female Quebec band Nobro.
Tickets to the 7 p.m. show cost $60.99 to $90.99, and can be purchased at the box office or online at www.memorialcentre.ca.
This promises to be a head banger’s dream, with Billy Talent drawing from material featured on its six studio albums — the most recent being 2022’s Crisis of Faith. Punk rock, alternative rock, pop punk — whatever your preference, it’ll be on the menu with generous helpings. Not for the faint of heart, for sure, but that’s what will make it an event in every sense of the word.
Encore
- With the 2024 inductees to Peterborough’s Pathway of Fame now known, it’s so great to see music and the arts again well represented. Three of the 10 inductees — Melissa Payne, Earl Wilfong, and Glen Caradus — have made entertaining us their life mission. Also in the mix is artist Spencer J. Harrison and John Lewis, the latter bringing countless local musicians into our living rooms via his YourTV programs Junction 28 and The Skinny. Hats off to all the inductees, and to the Pathway of Fame for continuing to press home how much we need those who sing, play an instrument, paint, dance and act in our collective lives.
- With Beau Dixon’s July 20th appearance at Del Crary Park, Peterborough Musicfest hit the halfway mark of its 37th 16-concert summer schedule. How did that happen? It seems like it was yesterday that we gathered in Millennium Park for the line-up reveal. There’s still a load of great music until the August 17 closer featuring David Wilcox, with the remaining schedule posted at www.ptbomusicfest.ca. If you haven’t been in a bit, make a point of taking in a show. It’s free admission, and it’s fun. Late festival founder Fred Anderson is smiling somewhere. Bet on it.
