September has some great music coming to Peterborough and the area. Lots of shows to go out and see and festival season isn’t even over yet. September has two great festivals happening. Get out there and check out some great tunes!

Shelter Valley Folk Festival in Vernonville from September 2 to 4

Shelter Valley Folk Festival is the last summer fest before we head into the unofficial beginning of the fall season. The festival takes place on Labour Day weekend (September 2nd to 4th) on the Henkel Family Lavender Farm near Vernonville, Ontario.

Shelter Valley has a great lineup of folk, roots, and music that goes a little beyond those genres. Acts include Jenn Grant, Scott Cook, Lennie Gallant, Irish Mythen. and more.

For more information, check out www.sheltervalley.com.

“I’ve Got Your Fire” – Jenn Grant

Nhapitapi at the Arlington Hotel in Maynooth on September 3

Check out a six-piece ensemble of Zimbabwean musicians at The Arlington Hotel (32990 Highway 62, Maynooth, 613-338-2080) on Saturday, September 3rd at 9 p.m.

The group is called Nhapitapi. Their music weaves ancestral rhythms and melodies with contemporary African music.

Tickets are $15 at the door.

“Pangu Pangu” – Nhapitapi

High and Lonesome at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene on September 4

Rice Lake’s beautiful Elmhirst’s Resort (1045 Settlers Line, Keene, 705-295-4591 or 800-461-1940) has been hosting music for over a year now.

Their second summer of music will close out with a matinee performance on Sunday, September 4th by High and Lonesome, featuring the great Bobby Watson and Kate Kelly.

The duo present a unique melding of music, poetry and song in their show. Completely free and all ages, the show will be on the beautiful boardwalk on Rice Lake and begins at 3 p.m.

“Grass in the Cracks/For What It’s Worth” – High and Lonesome

The Jellyman’s Daughter at Catalina’s in Peterborough on September 7

Scottish eclectic acoustic duo The Jellyman’s Daughter will play at Catalina’s (131 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-5972) on Wednesday, September 7th.

With cello, guitar and great vocal work, Emily Kelly and Graham Coe bring influences from bluegrass to post-rock to the stage. Stirring vocal harmonies and layered instrumentation bring unique aspects of The Jellyman’s Daughter to the forefront.

Ticket are $5 and available at the door, and doors open at 8 p.m. The duo are also playing at Shelter Valley Folk Festival at the beginning of the month.

“All That’s Been” – The Jellyman’s Daughter

East Coast Love Story at The Garnet in Peterborough on September 9

Having toured Canada so often, it’s truly a great feeling when friends from a city I have played in a dozen times finally make it to MY town. On Friday, September 9th, The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) will host Moncton’s up-and-coming alt-country/rock band East Coast Love Story.

These guys have been working hard for years to get on the road and this is their first big tour. I can’t say enough about this band.

The show will begin around 10 p.m. and will feature opener Lee Dodington, along with Richie Young.

“Cold Cold World” – East Coast Love Story

All-Canadian Jazz Festival in Port Hope from September 9 to 11

Port Hope is hosting a couple music festivals in September and one of them is the All-Canadian Jazz Festival, taking place September 9th, 10th and 11th in Port Hope’s Memorial Park.

Musicians performing include legendary pianist Oliver Jones (his next-to-last stop on his farewell tour), John MacLeod & the Rex Hotel Orchestra, Amanda Martinez, Dione Taylor, Brass Transit, “Coltrane! Kirk MacDonald & Pat LaBarbera”, Tia Brazda, Marianne Trudel Quartet with Kevin Turcotte, The Jive Bombers, Red Hot Ramble, The Quickshifters, and Chelsey Bennett.

There’ll also be food, wine, and beer available. Friday night’s entertainment featuring Chicago tribute band Brass Transit with local band The Quickshifters is free, and it’s $30 to see four acts on Saturday and Sunday afternoon ($10 for youth and free for kids under 12). A weekend pass is $100.

For more details and tickets, head to www.allcanadianjazz.ca.

Oliver Jones performing with Oscar Peterson

Grier Coppins at Catalina’s in Peterborough on September 10

Peterborough favourite Grier Coppins will be returning to town to play a matinee at Catalina’s (131 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-5972) on Saturday, September 10th at 3 p.m.

This time he brings a different project into town as The Urban Highlanders make their debut here. There are still bagpipes, but now also with some percussion brining some other beats and a slightly African feel to Coppin’s music.

Tickets are available at the door. Get a fancy cocktail, peruse the beautiful vintage things at Catalina’s, and check out the music.

“Kidogo” – The Urban Highlanders with Grier Coppins

Mayhemingways at The Pig’s Ear in Peterborough on September 17

Time to shamelessly plug my band. Mayhemingways will be playing at The Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255) on Saturday, September 17th.

Come usher in another collegial year with Trent students. Peanut races, trays of beer, great service, and music at one of the city’s great old-school bars.

Admission is $5 and the show begins at 10 p.m.

“Finnish Polka/Salmontails Up the Water” – Mayhemingways

David Simard at the Market Hall in Peterborough on September 18

There was a time when you could see David Simard play at The Spill in Peterborough any given week. Born in B.C. but a Peterborough resident for several years, especially during high school, Simard honed parts of his craft as a student at PCVS and in some downtown venues.

On Sunday, September 18th he will be bringing a full band to play at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146). He will also have a brand new album in hand: The Heavy Wait is his sophomore release. Filled with quiet intensity and a range of emotions, both musical and lyrical, Simard’s talent as a musician and songwriter will be on full display.

Opening the show will be local great Tiny Davis, a founding member of The Silver Hearts.

The general admission show begins at 7 p.m. and costs $18 including fees. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

“I’m Bad” – David Simard

Breabach at the Market Hall in Peterborough on September 23

What a milestone! Peterborough’s great Folk Under the Clock series, run by MIke and Sonja Barker, has reached its 30th anniversary. How else would they celebrate other than with a great concert featuring world class music?

On Friday, September 23rd at 8 p.m. head to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) to check out Scottish group Breabach.

The group has garnered international attention as one of the UK’s “most dynamic and exciting bands.” Traditional instruments merge with a high-energy performance. This should be a great show and a great celebration of Folk Under the Clock.

Tickets are $37.50 plus fees and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets for Row C and Tables 8 & 9 are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

“Scotland’s Winter/Farley Bridge” – Breabach

Corb Lund, Basia Bula, Good Lovelies and more at Cultivate in Port Hope from September 23 to 25

What goes better with music than food and drink? Not a whole lot. Cultivate in Port Hope is the best combination of those three things in September.

The festival runs from September 23rd to 25th and features a huge lineup of great bands including: Corb Lund, Donovan Woods, Melissa Payne and more on Friday, and Basia Bulat, Wooden Sky, Union Duke, Mayhemingways and more on Saturday. Sunday features another great lineup with Good Lovelies, Catherine MacLellan, Justin Rutledge, and more.

You can still get a weekend pass for $70. Tickets for Friday and Sunday are $30, while tickets for Saturday are $40. Kids under 12 get in for free. Check out www.cultivatefestival.ca for more details.

“Washed-Up Rock Star Factory Blues” – Corb Lund

Porchapalooza in Peterborough’s East City on September 25

Porchapalooza, where neighbourhood porches in Peterborough are transformed into live music stages, is back for another year on Sunday, September 25 from 3 to 7:30 p.m.

Presented by Artsweek, this year’s event takes place in the neighborhood square block of Hunter, Mark, Douro, and Rogers Streets in Peterborough’s East City.

Musicians will play 25-minute sets on different porches, with “tours” at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m.

Here’s this year’s line-up, curated by Washboard Hank and Sweet Muriel:

• Hannamars Bridal and Rick Fines (blues) at 406 Mark St.
• Evangeline Gentle (alt folk) at 442 Mark St.
• Paul Clark White (classical) at 498 Mark St.
• High & Lonesome (Bobby Watson & Kate Kelly, roots soul) at 496 Rogers St.
• Pays d’en Haut (cajun) at 459 Rogers St.
• The 3 Martinis (comedy song) at Ashburnham Ale House (128 Hunter St. E.).

Keith Hallett and Emily Burgess at The Garnet in Peterborough on September 27

A wicked double bill will be filling The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Tuesday, September 27th at 10 p.m.

The show will feature East Coast blues/rocker Keith Hallett. Hallett is an acclaimed artist who relentless takes his high energy show across Canada. Hot guitar licks and powerful vocals are a trademark of his show.

Speaking of hot guitar licks, The Weber Brothers band member Emily Burgess is also playing that evening.

Tickets are available at the door. It doesn’t get any better than this on a Tuesday night!

“Cattle Call” – Keith Hallett

Bernie Martin tribute featuring Jay Swinnerton and Benj Rowland at The Garnet in Peterborough on September 29

For those who don’t know, the late great Bernie Martin was a true artist. Songs sketched out, framed, and even in their imperfection felt whole. Jay Swinnerton and Benj Rowland will play some of his music as the kickoff for a weekend-long tribute to Bernie Martin in Peterborough.

The show is Thursday, September 29th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107). The evening is entitled “Weekend at Bernie’s” and culminates with a few other events.

Tickets are available at the door and the show begins around 9 p.m.

“Some Things Never Seem To Change” by Bernie Martin performed by Phillip (Pip) Kummel

Globus Theatre is bringing its summer season to an end with Funny Farmers by Kevin Riordan. Directed by Sarah Quick, Funny Farmers is a charming spoof on rural life and the modern farming industry that will appeal to anyone who has ever lived or worked on a farm, as well as city slickers who’ve never stepped on one.

Written by Canadian playwright Kevin Riordan, Funny Farmers is a relatively new production that’s only been performed a handful of times.

James Barrett plays Gary, a failed NHL goalie who decided to take on the task of running his family farm. However, due to a number of unfortunate incidents, Gary has lost the farm and is working at Wal-Mart. Now living next door to the farm that his family owned for generations, Gary watches in horror as Jerry (Connor Thompson) — an American lawyer with no farming experience — purchases the property with ideas of becoming an organic farmer.

As Jerry suffers one disaster after another, Gary eventually takes pity on the wannabe farmer and steps in to assist in pulling the farm out of ruin.

Can one failed farmer and a man who has no idea what he is doing create a farming empire?

It takes some big ideas and a lot of heart to make it work. From goats with chlamydia to an unwanted marijuana crop, Gary and Jerry become a mismatched odd couple trying to beat the odds in this good-natured comedy of hard work and rural living.

Now I can’t help but go into a comedy with a bit of cynicism when it has the word “funny” in the title — just how funny will the show actually be? In the case of Funny Farmers, the show lives up to its name. It’s a screwball comedy that stays smart and likeable without becoming too silly or slapstick.

Although some of the situations are outrageous, such as Gary and Jerry’s trip to Toronto in the second act, the show is a character-driven piece that never takes itself very seriously. The result is lots of laughs in a light-hearted comedy.

The success of the show lies in the juxtaposition of the relationship between the two lead characters: two men who at first seem to have nothing in common. Gary is filled with resentment over this city lawyer who is ruining the family farm, which is only inflamed as Jerry hilariously continues to say and do all the wrong things in an attempt to bond with his surly neighbour.

The rivalry turns into a friendship and finally a partnership, as the two men find common ground in their attempt to keep the farm alive. A tale of two underdogs trying to be successful, the audience can’t help but root for Gary and Jerry to keep the farm alive.

There is no doubt that the audience loves James Barrett as Gary. As the narrator of the show, just his presence alone in the opening scenes creates a warm and inviting energy. Often cast in roles where he plays sensitive characters, James goes against type in the role of Gary.

Far more stoic and rough around the edges than the characters that James usually plays, Gary has a good sense of humour when addressing the audience, but comes off much tougher and removed when interacting with the characters in the show. However, James brings natural warmth to any character he plays, and smoothly guides the audience into the world of Ontario farming.

Connor Thompson brings a nervous energy to the role of Jerry. With high but unrealistic ideals, Jerry comes into farming with no clue of what he’s doing and sees idea after idea fail. Interestingly, while Jerry is supposed to be the more sophisticated of the pair, he becomes the comic relief while Gary is the straight man. More comedy is created by the fact that Gary is an American living in rural Ontario.

Jerry becomes the ultimate outsider who’s in over his head while trying to make the best of a losing battle. From resisting his desire for venison beef jerky when he decides to go vegetarian to developing relationships with all of his animals, Jerry is a loveable fool stuck in a misguided dream.

Sarah Quick (James’ real-life spouse) also appears in the show as Gary’s wife Deanna. Known for her terrible cooking, Deanna has a lot to worry about when it comes to Gary. Although supportive of him after he loses the farm, she worries about his happiness, as well as where he goes at night when he skips dinner.

Kelly Holiff co-stars as Jerry’s suffering wife Melissa. After only six months of marriage, Jerry brings his wife to the farm — but neglects to tell her he has shut off the power, water, heat, phone services, and internet in an attempt to go back to a simpler way of life.

A strong woman with more common sense than her husband, Melissa wants to skin her idiot husband alive, but quickly falls in love with the community in her role of county doctor.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to escape his wife’s cooking, Gary strikes up an unlikely friendship with Melissa after she secretly begins to feed him — in return for the secret chores Gary does in the night to undo Jerry’s farming mistakes.

Ultimately, Funny Farmers is a show about two underdogs who come together to beat the odds. It’s a perfect way to end what has been a wonderful theatrical season for Globus Theatre at the Lakeview Arts Barn.

I’ve had a wonderful time driving out to Bobcaygeon every three weeks this summer to visit such a warm and beautiful space, to see old friends, to make new ones, and be around good people. If you’ve yet to visit the Lakeview Arts Barn this summer, Funny Farmers is a perfect reason to do so.

Funny Farmers is on now until September 3rd at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcayeon. The show starts at 8 p.m., with two matinees at 2 p.m. on August 27 and September 1. Dinner is available by reservation before evening performances at 6 p.m. For more information and tickets, call the Globus box office at 705-738-2037 or visit www.lakeviewartsbarn.com

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, August 25 to Wednesday, August 31.

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.

The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is holding auditions for area musicians who would like to play with the orchestra during its 50th anniversary season.

PSO Music Director and Conductor Michael Newnham will be auditioning volunteer musicians on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The pre-scheduled auditions will take place at Trinity United Church (360 Reid St., Peterborough).

Interested musicians can reserve a timeslot by calling the PSO at 705-742-1992 or emailing info@thepso.org. Musicians will receive further details about what to prepare for the auditions at the time of reservation.

Musicians auditioning for the PSO should be capable of performing at a level equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 7, and be available during the performance season to practice their individual part and attend weekly rehearsals with the orchestra during the 2016/17 season from from November 2016 through May 2017.

The PSO, a non-profit charity located in downtown Peterborough at 159 King Street, is comprised of 40 volunteer musicians and professional string section leaders.

For almost 50 years, the orchestra has been a cultural cornerstone of the Peterborough community and has a reputation as one of the finest community-based orchestras in Canada. PSO musicians are the heart of the organization and are essential to its success.

For more information, visit www.thepso.org.

If you still require proof the summer that is will all too soon be the summer that was, the dawning of Peterborough Musicfest’s final presentation of its 19-concert schedule provides all the evidence you need.

It seems like only yesterday that Serena Ryder opened the concert series’ 30th anniversary season. At the time, August 24 and the series finale featuring High Valley was a distant thought. But now here we are, with the critically acclaimed country music brother duo of Brad and Curtis Rempel set to take to the Fred Anderson Stage.

Born and raised in a Mennonite community in Blumenort, Albert, the Rempel boys — with third brother Bryan originally in the mix — were destined to remain together in some form. As Brad told Gayle Thompson of www.theboot.com just this past June, family was, and remains, at the centre of the brothers’ universe.

“We love getting together,” Brad says. “We grew up singing a lot together, singing in church and every Christmas.”

“When I was four years old, our family made a little gospel record at our church. Our dad was pulling the engine out of a tractor on the farm and the phone rang, and it was some scam artist, basically, from Nashville, saying, ‘Hey, I saw your boys on MP3.com and for $60,000, if you wire me the money, I can turn them into big stars.’ Dad always says, ‘If he would have seen the tractor I was working on, he never would have asked me for $60,000.'”

“But it got the wheels turning,” Brad admits. “Mom and Dad mortgaged their farmland and flew us down here (Nashville) and spent a lot of money on helping us record and stuff.”

That investment paid off handsomely in 2007 with the release of Broken Borders, High Valley’s debut album, which claimed Album of the Year and Country Song of the Year (“Back To You”) Covenant Award honours from the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of Canada.

Three years later, that early momentum morphed into something even more special as High Valley’s follow-up self-titled album garnered a 2012 Juno Award nomination for Country Album of the Year as well as an astounding five GMA awards.

Just two years later, the busy brothers released their third studio album, Love Is A Long Road, with the single “Have I Told You I Love You Lately” charting well. But it remains 2014’s County Line that has made High Valley a household name in country music circles.

With Bryan having departed the group to focus on family, leaving the duo of Brad and Curtis to carry on, County Line produced six Top Ten country radio singles, including “Make You Mine”, which was awarded gold record certification by Music Canada. It didn’t hurt matters that the single features the talents of Ricky Skaggs.

“Make You Mine” – High Valley

“One could argue the picture this duo paints is too familiar but their arrangement (of Make You Mine) makes this an urgent listen,” wrote music critic Billy Dukes for www.tasteofcountry.com. “It’s fun that touches your soul and that is very rare on country radio.”

“The first time we ever played it live, it was special and we knew that we had something,” Brad says of the single.

“Now we feel that we can do what we’ve always done but somehow people are calling it progressive, or they’re calling it throwback, or they’re calling it the new sound, or whatever. To us, it’s just what we’ve always done but yet it’s brand new at the same time, and that’s what makes us the most excited about it.”

“If we were doing something that was making people excited but it didn’t feel like what we had always done, it would be a little bit of a letdown. This feels like we’ve taken all those years and what we’ve done to bring it to 2016. It just feels right.”

Anchored by the strong reception to “Make You Mine”, County Line was nominated for a 2012 Juno Award in the Country Album of the Year and also won High Valley a Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) award as Group or Duo of the Year. The latter marked the brothers’ ninth CCMA award nomination since 2010 and second win, the first coming in 2013 as Interactive Artist of the Year.

High Valley arrives in Peterborough on the tail end of an extensive tour that has featured numerous dates in Canada and across the border. Prior to kicking off that journey, Brad expressed the brothers’ anxiousness to get out there.

“We’re very excited. People were already starting to sing Make You Mine back to us. We were like, ‘Man, this is the real deal.'”

“County Line” – High Valley

Peterborough Musicfest has presented 19 free-admission concerts during its milestone 30th anniversary season.

Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”

For more information on this concert and/or the 2016 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.