Last month, a sold-out crowd of 300 people filled The Venue in downtown Peterborough for a sobering yet inspiring evening with former MP, activist, musician, and author Charlie Angus.
The October 15 event, co-hosted by Justin Sutton and Danielle Turpin, brought people together around a shared concern for democracy, truth, and community at a time when division is spreading, while also helping to reduce and prevent homelessness among youth and families.
With support from sponsors including the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, the Peterborough and District Labour Council, Home Care Workers Cooperative, Andrea Laforet Consulting, and kawarthaNOW, the evening raised $4,300 for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.
Tickets sold out in just 13 days, and half of all the attendees voluntarily paid higher-tier prices, a gesture that reflects the community’s generosity and commitment to caring for their neighbours.
The night began with a grounding and inclusive welcome from Healing with Drums, whose songs and smudge invited the audience into a space of reflection and connection.
Local singer-songwriter VanCamp (Calvin Bakelaar) followed with a stirring performance of Woody Guthrie’s “All You Fascists Bound to Lose,” setting the tone for Angus’s keynote address.
VIDEO: Charlie Angus in Peterborough
After Angus took the stage, he spoke about the growing threat of authoritarianism and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
Drawing on 20th-century Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, he described our current period as an “interregnum” — a time when the old world is breaking down and a new one struggles to be born.
His central message was the need to rebuild solidarity and civic cooperation from the ground up to stop the politics of fear and division and build a country rooted in truth and care.
“This event was meant to bring people together to resist the bots and algorithms that are working so hard to divide us,” said co-organizer Justin Sutton. “Many people told me that being in that space helped them feel less alone, which is deeply meaningful to me. And in a wonderful gesture of solidarity, we raised a significant amount of money for a charity doing crucial frontline work in our community.”
Co-organizer Danielle Turpin said Angus’s message struck a chord with many attendees.
“Charlie reminded us that democracy isn’t something we can take for granted — it’s something we keep alive by working at it, side by side,” she said. “This night was proof that people are hungry for connection and ready to stand up for one another.”
Sara Mountenay, fundraising and communications lead at YES Shelter for Youth and Families, said the $4,300 donation will have a real and immediate impact.
“We’re so grateful for this contribution and for the spirit behind it,” Mountenay said.
“The YES Shelter provides safety, stability, and hope for young people and families facing crisis. To see the community come together in this way, to raise funds, share ideas, and stand for compassion, that’s exactly the kind of collective action that helps us build a more welcoming community for everyone.”
The event was organized entirely on a volunteer basis by Sutton and Turpin, with on-site support from a team led by Ryan Kerr, founder of The Theatre on King. All artists, performers, and technical staff were paid for their work. Take Cover Books was also on site to sell Angus’ books.
Following Angus’ keynote, local artist and novelist Kate Story joined him for a thoughtful conversation on organizing, hope, the power art has to unite us, and the work of rebuilding community.
The discussion then opened up into a lively audience Q&A, closing the night with a sense of shared purpose, and proof that solidarity can thrive, even in difficult times.
