This spring, Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough continues to present an eclectic range of shows in its 20th year.

There’s alt-rock, Celtic music for the entire family, iconic Canadian folk, classic ’60s rock, tributes to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Carol Burnett, and more.

Here’s a selection of upcoming shows this spring at Showplace:

The Piano Men starring Jim Witter on Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m.

The Piano Men is a critically acclaimed musical show that takes you on a time machine through the 1970s.

While pianist Jim Witter and his band play the classic hits of Billy Joel and Elton John — year by year and hit by hit — the era’s news headlines, people, fashion, cars, TV, movies, and pop culture memorabilia are displayed on a giant screen behind the performers.

VIDEO: The Piano Men starring Jim Witter

In this fundraiser for Showplace, you’ll hear tunes such as “My Life”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Rocket Man”, “Just the Way You Are”, and many more. Jim’s personal memories and easy-going on-stage presence add to a remarkable evening of nostalgia.

Tickets are $45, available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.

Matthew Good on Tuesday, March 14th at 8 p.m.

Canadian rock musician Matthew Good comes to Showplace to celebrate the release of his new EP, I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight Revisited.

Matthew was the lead singer of the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada’s most successful alt-rock bands of the 1990s (they broke up in 2002). In 1999, the band released Beautiful Midnight, their most commercially successful album. It sold over 300,000 units in Canada alone and won the 2000 Juno Award for Best Rock Album.

VIDEO: “Suburbia” – Matthew Good

In the years since, Matthew has pursued a successful solo career and established himself as a political and mental health activist. Recently, he recorded new versions of selected songs from Beautiful Midnight and has released them as an EP. On his current tour, he’ll be performing Beautiful Midnight in its entirety.

Tickets are $49.50, available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.

As an added bonus, when you buy a ticket, you’ll receive an email with a code to download a digital copy of I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight Revisited.

Next Generation Leahy on Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m.

Most people have heard of Leahy, Lakefield’s famous Irish-Canadian musical family who have been recording and touring since the 1980s (originally The Leahy Family, they rebranded as Leahy in the late 1990s and subsequently won two Junos, for Best New Group and Best Instrumental Artist, in 1998).

Next Generation Leahy is, as the name implies, the next generation of the musical family. One of the original members of Leahy, Doug Leahy, together with his wife Jennifer and six of their eight children, are keeping the family’s musical traditions alive through music, song, and dance.

VIDEO: Next Generation Leahy at the 2016 Mariposa Folk Festival

In a Next Generation Leahy show, fiddle, cello, french accordion, piano, singing and (of course) French-Canadian step-dancing all find a place on stage. With their parents leading the action on stage, the children — ranging in age from 5 to 13 — bring to life the high-energy and infectious Celtic music people associate with the Leahy heritage.

The Leahy children are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists with a level of musical mastery rarely seen in a group so young, and they have the remarkable ability to enamour audiences of all ages — making this the perfect show for the entire family.

Tickets are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, and $30 for students. You can get them at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.

Danny Bronson presents The Essential Lightfoot on Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m.

Peterborough’s own Danny Bronson has been a professional musician and entertainer for over 39 years. A regular with The Citiots Improv troupe, as a musician he’s performed with the likes of Colleen Peterson and Sylvia Tyson — not to mention his work as an actor, musical director, jingle writer, studio musician, teacher, and much more.

On Friday, April 7th, Bronson will be celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary with a concert of tunes from Gordon Lightfoot, one of our country’s best-loved folk singer-songwriters.

Along with Bill Crane, Barry Haggarty, John Roynon, and Alison Porter, Bronson will perform the classic songs of Lightfoot that have helped define our Canadian identity, including “If You Could Read My Mind”, “Sundown”, “Rainy Day People”, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, and many more.

Tickets are $28 and are available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.

Classic Albums Live: The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Are You Experienced on Saturday, April 8 at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, April 8th, the popular series Classic Albums Live returns to Peterborough with a note-for-note re-creation of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s seminal album Are You Experienced.

Are You Experienced was the debut studio album by the English-American rock band led by electric guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Released in 1967, the record was an immediate critical and commercial success. Music critics widely regard it as one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock and roll.

The professional musicians of Classic Albums Live will perform the entire record live on stage, cut for cut and note for note. Guitarist Clifton David Broadbridge has worked extensively to perfect the electric feedback and distortion technique emblematic of Hendrix’s playing.

You will hear some of Hendrix’s best-known tunes, including “Manic Depression”, “Hey Joe”, “The Wind Cries Mary”, “Fire”, “Foxy Lady” and, of course, the iconic “Purple Haze”.

VIDEO: Clifton David Broadbridge plays Jimi Hendrix

Tickets are $35.50 and can be purchased at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.

“Broadway Bound with Andrew Lloyd Webber” on Monday, June 12 at 2 p.m.

The Legendary Icons Series is back for 2017 with a restaging of “Broadway Bound with Andrew Lloyd Webber” in the Nexicom Studio at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 12th.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most prolific musical theatre icons of all time, and Peterborough’s Beth McMaster will take you on a musical journey through many of his accomplishments and music. Beth will tell the story of the young British upstart who crossed the pond to take Broadway by storm and establish record breaking runs with his hit shows, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats and more.

Local performers Kate Suhr, Bob Trennum, Wayne Robinson, Gillian and Paul Wilson, and more will sing the songs of the legendary composer, including favourites such as “Memory” from Cats, “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita. The show will also feature selections from Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and other shows.

The music will be intertwined with the history of the times and the songwriters who influenced Andrew Lloyd Webber’s story, supported with images selected by Stuart McMaster.

This show sold out quickly in 2016, so don’t wait to get your tickets. Tickets are $20, and are available from the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.

“Carol Burnett: This Time Together” on Tuesday, June 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Legendary Icons Series continues the very next day with “Carol Burnett: This Time Together”, with performances in the Nexicom Studio at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13th.

In this new show, Beth McMaster tells the remarkable story of Carol Burnett, the American actress, comedian, singer, and writer, whose career spans six decades of television.

Burnett is best known for her variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, which premiered in 1967 and ran for 11 seasons. The show, which won 25 primetime Emmy Awards, featured performances by regulars Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, Tim Conway, and Dick Van Dyke.

With images selected by Stuart McMaster, Beth will lead you on Burnett’s journey from her childhood home in Hollywood, through the magic and memories of her fabulous variety show, to her continued popularity today. Burnett’s best-loved songs will be performed by Kate Suhr, Bob Trennum, Wayne Robinson, Gillian and Paul Wilson, and more.

You’ll hear “The Impossible Dream”, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “Send in the Clowns”, “The Way We Were” and many more songs intertwined with the history of the times and the people who influenced Carol’s amazing career.

Tickets are only $20, and are available from the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.

Other upcoming shows this spring at Showplace

If you’re looking for something different at Showplace, there are a lot more performances happening this spring. Here are links to buy tickets to other upcoming shows at Showplace:

• Foley’s Irish Pub: Part 2 in the Nexicom Studio on Sunday, March 12th at 3 p.m. (sold out)
• “A Life’s Work” by the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, March 25th at 7:30 p.m.
• Matt Andersen with special guest Steve Hill on Sunday, March 26th at 7:30 p.m.
• Bubble Guppies Live! on Tuesday, March 28th at 6:30 p.m.
• “Hank Williams – The Lonesome Tour” starring Jason Petty on Tuesday, April 4th at 7 p.m.
• Gerry Dee Live on Thursday, April 6th at 7:30 p.m.
• “Oh What a Night!” featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Wednesday, April 26th at 7 p.m.
• “Ones – #1 Hits of The Beatles” on Friday, April 28th at 8 p.m.
• “A Tribute to Elvis in Concert” featuring Pete Paquette and Chris Connor on Wednesday, May 3rd at 7 p.m.
• “The Best of the Best: All Star Legends Tribute” featuring the music of Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, and Buddy Holly on Thursday, May 11th at 8 p.m.

Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, March 9 to Wednesday, March 15.

If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.

There’s an extravaganza of entertainment to welcome the first month of spring at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).

Musical theatre fans can say goodbye to the final week of winter with The Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s production of “Bare: A Pop Opera”. Then you can have your mind blown by experiencing magician Spidey’s amazing performance of mentalism.

If you’re a fan of classic American rock from the ’70s and ’80s, you won’t want to miss “Against The Wind – Canada’s Bob Seger Experience”. If classic British rock is more your thing, you’ll want to hear guitarist Martin Barre and his band perform the songs of Jethro Tull and more.

Roots enthusiasts have a rare chance to enjoy back-to-back nights of the blues in April, with gritty electric blues from the critically acclaimed duo Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer (Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers), followed by the reuniting of Peterborough’s own acoustic blues trio Jackson Delta (Rick Fines, Al Black, and Gary Peeples).

Finally, for the more spiritually minded among us, Peterborough City Church continues its weekly service of inspirational messages and music each Sunday morning.

The Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents Bare: A Pop Opera on March 10, 17, at 7 p.m. and March 11, 18 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Since marking its arrival in 1971 with the staging of Anne of Green Gables, The Anne Shirley Theatre Company has strived to remain true to its stated mission: provide opportunities for Trent University students to experience all aspects of theatre, both on and off the stage.

Well, it’s mission accomplished for the student-run theatre troupe, which has served up a diverse menu of stage productions since adopting the name of Anne of Green Gables’ central character as its calling card. With artistic director Kalene Upton at the helm, that success story continues unabated with the staging of Bare: A Pop Opera on March 10th and 17th at 7 p.m., and March 11th and 18th at 2 and 7 p.m.

Based on the book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo — they combined on the music and lyrics as well — the musical premiered in October 2000 at Hollywood’s Hudson Mainstage Theatre. What followed were numerous critically acclaimed runs in the United States and across the big pond in Wales and Ireland.

The story follows the experiences of a group of high school students as they navigate their final year at St. Cecilia’s, a Catholic high school. Like most all teens, they experiment and party their way through school, all while dealing with pressures courtesy of their parents, their church and their peers. In the end, facing obstacles, the students are forced to decide on what, and who, they will place their faith in.

Tickets are $20 ($15 for students and seniors) and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

Market Hall presents Spidey: Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind on March 25 at 8 p.m.

When you’re a hypnotist, illusionist and magician and Penn and Teller profess to be blown away by your performance, you know you’re doing something special.

Since beginning his career 10 years ago, Spidey has enthralled audiences around the globe as well as millions online, wowing the judges on America’s Got Talent and Canada’s Got Talent to achieve finalist status on both. Combine that with nominations for Canadian Magician of the Year and Canadian Variety Artist of the Year and, well, you get the idea — this guy knows how to entertain.

It’s clear that Spidey isn’t disappearing anytime soon, although he could if he wanted to, and right before our unbelieving eyes.

VIDEO: “Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind”

Market Hall Performing Arts Centre presents Spidey’s acclaimed mind-reading show, Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind, on March 25 at 8 p.m. The same show has been featured on Entertainment Tonight and The Discovery Channel, the latter describing Spidey’s wizardry as “ridiculous … just crazy.” Now a local audience can experience what all the fuss is about.

General admission tickets are $25 ($20 for students and seniors) and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425). Cabaret-style table assigned seating is available for $30.

Rock-N Entertainment presents “Against The Wind – Canada’s Bob Seger Experience” on March 31 at 8 p.m.

When it comes to classic blue-collar rock, few musicians have done it better than Detroit’s Bob Seger. Following a string of hits from his 1976 breakout album Night Moves as well as 1978’s Stranger in Town, he released Against The Wind in 1980 — his first and only #1 album on the Billboard album chart.

In 2015, in honour of the 35th anniversary of that record, drummer Dean Goldstein formed “Against The Wind – Canada’s Bob Seger Experience”. The band is dedicated to honouring Seger by performing selections from his albums from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and beyond.

You have a chance to experience “that old time rock and roll” when Against The Wind comes to Peterborough for a 27-song, two-set performance at the Market Hall on Friday, March 31st at 8 p.m.

The band features John Jamieson (musical director/keyboards), Jerry Dean Goldstein (drums), David Forbes (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Gerry Strother (lead guitar), Chris “Fish” Bishoop (bass guitar), Kevin Cato (sax/keyboards), Cyndi Richards and Amanda Rose (background vocals), and Josh Gordon (guitars).

VIDEO: “Old Time Rock and Roll” – Against The Wind

VIDEO: “Hollywood Nights” – Against The Wind

You can expect to hear all of Seger’s hits, including “Like a Rock”, “We’ve Got Tonight”, “Against The Wind”, “Hollywood Nights”, “Night Moves”, “Still The Same”, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”, “Beautiful Loser”, “Katmandu”, “Turn The Page”, and, of course, “Old Time Rock and Roll” — the 1978 tune that became famous when Tom Cruise lip-synched to it in his underwear in the 1983 film Risky Business.

General admission tickets are $25 plus fees, available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

Market Hall presents Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Band on April 11 at 8 p.m.

While you may not know Martin Barre by name or face, if you’re a fan of the music of classic British rock band Jethro Tull, you are most familiar with his talent.

The guitarist joined Jethro Tull for its second album Stand Up in 1969 and, with Ian Anderson, anchored the band’s progressive sound over the next 45 years. But it was Barre’s contribution to the album Aqualung — his work on the title track has been voted among the top rock guitar solos of all time by a number of music industry magazines — that he remains best known for.

Barre also played flute and mandolin with Jethro Tull, again adding to the band’s trademark sound that brought it a Grammy Award and album sales of more than 60 million.

VIDEO: “Song for Jeffrey ” – The Martin Barre band

If he wasn’t busy enough, Barre launched a solo career in the early 1990s and subsequently recorded four albums, the latest being 2015’s Back To Steel.

Market Hall Performing Arts Centre presents Barre April 11 at 8 p.m. as part of as extensive tour of Canada and the United States. Joining him will be singer Dan Crisp, drummer George Lindsay and bassist Alan Thomson. Expect a healthy dose of signature Jethro Tull songs as well as performances of Barre’s solo work.

Tickets are $35 and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets for Row C and Tables 8 and 18 are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425). Cabaret-style table seating is available for $30 while VIP table seats cost $75 and include a meet-and-greet with Barre, complimentary refreshments, and a signed poster.

Market Hall presents Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer on April 14 at 8 p.m.

After meeting by chance at a jingle recording session in 2006, Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers discovered they had a mutual love for folk and blues music. That led to their forming a duo, Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, and a wide acclaim for their live shows.

Singing and playing guitar, harmonica and foot percussion, the duo has recorded four studio albums and been a major player on the festival circuit across Canada. The music industry has sat up and taken notice as well, evidence of that including a Juno Award nomination for their 2014 album, A Real Fine Mess, as well as a Sirius XM nod in 2013 for Blues Artist of the Year.

VIDEO: “Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To” – The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer

Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer will be performing at the Market Hall at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 14th. General admission tickets are $25 ($20 for students) and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425). Cabaret-style table assigned seating is available for $30.

Jackson Delta: Slight Return on April 15 at 8 p.m.

If you had to name one legendary Peterborough band, there’s little doubt Jackson Delta would come to mind.

The musical trio of Rick Fines, Alan Black, and Gary Peeples first formed in the 1980s to create their own blend of rootsy acoustic blues. They toured extensively across North America and the U.K. in the ’80s, performing at every major folk, blues, and jazz festival. They provided back up for Colleen Peterson, Ann Rabson, Pinetop Perkins and many others. Among their albums, they recorded two Juno-nominated records: Acoustic Blues and I Was Just Thinking That.

VIDEO: Jackson Delta – Slight Return

VIDEO: “Sink or Swim” – Jackson Delta

The trio last reunited in October 2014 for “Jackson Delta – Revisited” at the Market Hall, and now they’re coming together again at the Market Hall for “Jackson Delta: Slight Return” on Saturday, April 15th at 8 p.m. Make sure you don’t miss this chance to hear “the best acoustic blues north of the Mason/Dixon Line.”

General admission tickets are $30 plus fees, and assigned cabaret-style table seats are available for $40 plus fees. You can purchase tickets from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

Sunday morning services with Peterborough City Church

When you think of the Market Hall, you probably imagine performing arts rather than religious services. But the latter is one of the more innovative uses of the venue this year, after the formation of Peterborough City Church a year ago this month.

Pastors Chad Trivett and Sasha Trivett hold services every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at Market Hall as part of their non-denominational church.

Both Trivetts are ordained with the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, a pentecostal Christian association. They met at Toronto’s Tyndale University College and Seminary and eventually married. Just after getting married, they moved to Tokyo in Japan, where they started an international, interdenominational church.

In 2007, after spending six years in Tokyo (where their son Ari was born), they moved back to Sasha’s hometown in Peterborough to be closer to family, and decided to form another interdenominational church. Peterborough City Church was born.

But the Trivetts needed a location to hold their weekly services, and realized the Market Hall would be an ideal space. There’s also a connection between the church and the performing arts: Chad is in a band that performs contemporary music at the church.

Peterborough City Church offers “inspirational messages and music in an educational and engaging atmosphere where each can worship, pray and learn at their own pace.” For a calendar of Sunday services at the Market Hall, including topics and special speakers, visit www.ptbocitychurch.com.

With files from Paul Rellinger.