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 a racy Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts’ Valentine’s treat at Market Hall, Northumberland Players’ staging of Something Rotten! In Port Hope, a Bob Seger tribute as only Against The Wind can deliver, Performing Arts Lakefield’s presentation of Buzz Brass, a unique convergence of music and art at The Theatre On King, and the opening event of the second annual Brand New Stages Festival.
Spice up your Valentine’s date night with Cirquelesque 6(9) at Peterborough’s Market Hall
Valentine’s Day has seen you do all the “right” things to show your partner your love — the flowers, chocolates and an intimate dinner for two, and of course, a card. Don’t forget the card. That’s a hard lesson I learned a long time ago.
Now, in Monty Python parlance, it’s time for something completely different in the form of “Cirquelesque 6(9) – Sexy Time.”
Presented by the Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts (PACA) for a sixth year, the cabaret-style show brings a fusion of circus and burlesque theatre to Peterborough’s Market Hall on February 14 and 15.
Featuring a feast for the eyes in the form of aerial and fire arts, acrobatics and puppetry, the age 18+ show explores time travel while playing with the “irresistible warping of 6 into 69.”
Intrigued? You should be.
Now its 10th year, PACA sprung forth from its founders’ love for circus arts and commitment to sharing that affinity with the world. With Thomas Vaccaro and Opal (Jennifer) Elchuk at the helm, the non-profit organization’s primary focus is education-driven through the provision of recreational programs via classes and workshops.
Anchoring PACA’s mission is the fact that circus arts, be it aerials, acrobatics, balancing or object manipulation, is linked to positive outcomes in physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth and development. All that aside, it’s just plain fun.
Advance tickets for the 8 p.m. revue cost $51 for cabaret seating, $38.50 for general admission seating ($44 at the door), and $24 for students, the underwaged, and artists ($29 at the door). Visit www.markethall.org to order.
There’s something rotten at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, and that’s a good thing
VIDEO: “Something Rotten!” promo
When talk turns to regional theatre companies that have done good, the Northumberland Players have earned a prominent place in that conversation.
Incorporated in October 1977, the theatrical performance troupe has since entertained thousands — a journey greatly furthered by its 1985 securing of Cobourg’s historic Second Street Firehall as its home.
That said, the Northumberland Players have a fine home away from home in the form of Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre where, from February 21 to March 2, the musical comedy Something Rotten! will be staged as part of the company’s 2024-25 season.
Featuring a live orchestra, colourful costuming, and ambitious dance numbers, the musical takes us back — way back — to the 1590s and introduces us to the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel.
Desperate to write a hit play, they are stuck in the shadow of one William Shakespeare. However, when a soothsayer predicts that the future of theatre lies in the simultaneous presentation of singing, dancing, and acting, the brothers switch gears to write the world’s first musical.
Directed by Jack Boyagian, with music direction by Anna Mastin and choreography by Alina Adjemian, Something Rotten! is a proven favourite. After it opened on Broadway in April 2015, it hung on for more than 700 performances. That saw it nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, with Christian Borle winning for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. from February 21 to 23 and February 27 to March 1, with 2 p.m. matinees on February 22 and 23 and March 1 and 2. Tickets cost $42 ($34 for those under 18) and are available at capitoltheatre.com.
Against The Wind bringing Bob Seger’s music to Peterborough’s Market Hall
VIDEO: Against The Wind promo
As I typically do when writing, I turned to Spotify for some company when crafting this edition of encoreNOW. More specifically, I revisited the music of Detroit-born rocker Bob Seger.
There was a method to my madness, with Against The Wind returning to Peterborough on February 22, bringing what’s billed as “The Ultimate Bob Seger Experience” to the Market Hall.
Founded in 2013 by drummer Jeffrey Dean Goldstein, the internationally acclaimed tribute act is fronted by singer Ty Wilson backed by a full and very talented band. It takes a special performer to seamlessly emulate Seger’s trademark raspy blues-soaked vocals. By all accounts, Wilson has that down pat.
There’s certainly no shortage of material to choose from. After putting together the Silver Bullet Band in 1973, Seger arrived in a very way three years later with the release of his breakout album Night Moves, with its huge singles “Rock and Roll Never Forgets,” “Mainstreet,” and the title track.
That marked the beginning of what was a remarkable hitmaking run that brought us the likes of “Still The Same,” “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “Like A Rock,” and “Against The Wind.” That impressive song list only scratches the surface of a career that has spanned six decades and earned Seger induction into Cleveland’s hollowed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. Now 79, Seger held his farewell tour in 2018 and 2019.
I consider myself very fortunate to have caught Seger in concert at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens following the release of Night Moves. It was powerful in every sense of the word. I expect Wilson et al will be no less dynamic, especially in a smallish venue.
Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. concert cost $59 at www.markethall.org.
Another Performing Arts Lakefield treat courtesy of Buzz Brass
VIDEO: Famous Inspirations – Buzz Brass
It’s difficult to not admire Performing Arts Lakefield (PAL) for its consistent presentation of world class entertainment since 1981.
The late Alasdair Wallace was on the mark when he reached out to the Ontario Arts Council for help presenting a seasonal offering of professional touring artists. Since The Tapestry Singers opened the first series, PAL has brought a litany of acclaimed singers, dancers, comics, and actors to local audiences. Loreena McKennitt, Valdy, Murray McLauchlan, Michael Kaeshammer, Guido Basso, Rod Beattie and Lorne Elliott have all made the trip to the village.
That tradition of performance excellence continues on February 23 when PAL presents Buzz Brass at Lakefield United Church on Regent Street.
Since 2002, the quintet has traveled the globe, recorded eight albums and earned numerous awards while giving close to 2,000 performances, both alone and with guest musicians. For the “Famous inspirations” PAL concert, Sylvain Lapointe, Frédéric Gagnon, Sylvain Arseneau, Gabriel Trottier, and Blaise Margil will present turn-of-the-20th-century pieces by Debussy, Ravel, Dvorak, Liszt and others, including an inspired take on Khachaturian’s celebrated “Sabre Dance.”
Tickets to the 3 p.m. concert cost $40 ($15 for students) and are available at performingartslakefield.org. Tickets are also available at Happenstance Books & Yarns in Lakefield.
Want art with your music? Brushstrokes & Jazz at Peterborough’s The Theatre On King is the answer
VIDEO: “Last Letter To a Friend” – Carling Stephen with Rob Phillips on piano
What happens when two completely different art forms collide?
On February 25 at The Theatre On King, we’re going to find out when Brushstrokes & Jazz is presented at the intimate downtown Peterborough performance space.
As pianist Rob Phillips and singer Carling Stephen perform jazz melodies, an acclaimed painter, inspired by their soulful and captivating rhythms, will create a masterpiece. Who’s the artist? Well, that’s a surprise, and will remain so right up until the event, but if you want different, this checks all the boxes and then some.
Full disclosure here. I’m an unabashed Phillips fan — an adulation that, while rooted in his huge talent, has as much do with his patience. Back in the day, for a column I was writing, he assured me he could teach me how to play piano in but a few weeks. That didn’t go well. Some people are simply unteachable. My fumbling fingers no doubt caused Phillips to muse ‘What was I thinking?’ but, to his immense credit, he smiled and carried on undaunted.
Phillips and Stephen have performed as a duo numerous times, most frequently at the Black Horse. Peas and carrots, as they say. With the added element of a visual art creation taking shape in real time, this really is something different, and different is always good.
Part of New Stages Theatre’s Brand New Stages festival, Brushstrokes & Jazz begins at 9 p.m., with doors open at 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets are pay what you can ($20 suggested) and are available at eventbrite.com/e/1230544595009.
Robert Munsch stories kick off New Stages Theatre’s Brand New Stages Festival at Peterborough’s Market Hall
VIDEO: “Fireside Munsch” trailer
After a successful inaugural Brand New Stages Festival last year, New Stages Theatre is bringing back a new and expanded festival back to Peterborough from February 25 to March 2, the centrepiece of which is the staging of four plays at the Market Hall.
Full details of the festival are available at www.newstages.ca, but I’ll focus on the first here, that being Fireside Munsch on February 25.
Adapted and performed by accomplished actor, writer, and teacher M. John Kennedy, this theatrical retelling of classic Munsch stories, such as “Paperbag Princess” and “Mortimer,” has been presented across the province, including in Toronto where it was nominated for an impressive eight Dora Mavor Moore Awards. As you’d imagine, with Munsch in the title, it’s a family-friendly show that’s suitable for anyone age 5 to 95.
An American-born Canadian author, the 79-year-old Munsch has written and published numerous books, and is known as much for his exuberant storytelling style as for the words he crafts on paper. A member of the Order of Canada, Munsch won a 1985 Juno Award for his portrayal of “Murmel, Murmel, Munsch: More Outrageous Stories.” More telling of his enduring popularity is the fact that his books are listed as among the most stolen from the Toronto Public Library.
Tickets to 7 p.m. show cost $22 ($11 for children) plus a venue fee, and are available at www.markethall.org.
Encore
- I’ve been meaning for a while now to put a plug in for the Jethro’s Blues Jam held each Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m., at Jethro’s Bar + Stage on Hunter Street West. For those who like their live music in a close setting and are looking to be introduced to up-and-coming musicians and singers, this is an event in every sense of the word. You just never know who you’re going to bump into. There are worse ways to spend a late Sunday afternoon, believe me. It doesn’t hurt matters that jam founder Al Black, one of my favourite humans, is in the mix each week as a member of the host band. Young musicians need a cheerleader. Al certainly fits the bill. Check it out and, when you do, take notice of the tip jar.
- New music from two Peterborough-based musicians and songwriters has caught my attention, in the form of Tom Eastland’s “Rest Your Head” and Sarah-Jayne Riley’s “Comeback Kid.” Tom’s single was recorded with help from Ryan and Sam Weber, Marcus and Rico Browne, and John Baker. That’s pretty good help. Sarah-Jayne’s song, meanwhile, is a feel-good listen during a time when we do need to feel good about something. Taken together, both songs offer further proof of the breadth of talent that has called Peterborough home for as long as anyone can remember.
