On December 6, 2016 at 1:21 a.m., members of the Northumberland detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a suspicious person peering in the window of a home on Baldwin Street (an area commonly known as Gosport) in Brighton.
Upon being discovered by the homeowners, the suspect fled on foot.
Several officers attended the area in an attempt to locate the suspect. They were assisted by the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Canine Unit. Police conducted an extensive search that included (but was not limited to) the Gosport area west to Cedar Street but were unable to locate the suspect. Forensic Identification Services attended the scene to assist with the investigation.
The suspect is described as being heavy set, 5 10″ wearing dark-coloured overalls, a white mask, and carrying what appeared to be a stick or pole approximately three feet in length.
Police are asking area residents to be vigilant and aware of strangers in their neighbourhood and report any such sightings to police immediately by using the emergency 911 system.
Northumberland OPP is asking for the public’s assistance with this ongoing investigation and ask that anyone with information on this crime call the Brighton OPP detachment at 613-475-1313 or toll free 1-888-310-1122.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Peterborough/Northumberland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 and not have to appear in court.
Get your Christmas shopping done and support local artists! The Finer Things Show and Sale on December 10 is one of two local arts and crafts shows happening this weekend. (Graphic: Sprigg Collective)
This is the second week for this new column and I’m starting to understand how Santa feels. It’s tough to pick the best of the best in any category — especially when talents abound in our local communities.
This week I’m focussing on where I want to be, what I want to attend, and where my “retail therapy” will be happening. My recommendations this week include top-level local artisans, family fun, theatre, and music.
Love our local artists and Keep It In The Kawarthas: Finer Things and Focus Fair
This weekend there are two events that will showcase local artists, crafts, and artisans who you need to meet and know more about. They’re all local and beyond abundantly talented. Supporting these events directly supports our community and allows these amazing people to continue to create. Rearrange your plans for both days this weekend — trust me on this. These are one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your shopping list (including you)!
The Finer Things Show and Sale on December 10
On Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sprigg Collective presents The Finer Things Show and Sale, which will be held in the lovely auditorium at Seeds of Change (downstairs at the George Street United Church, 543 George St. in Peterborough).
Showcasing the talents of 19 artisans from the area, this show offers a wide range of art, jewellery, hooked rugs and textiles, to colouring books, gift cards, Christmas ornaments, cards, and much more. The Hard Winter Bread Company will be on site selling coffee, tea and treats.
Admission is $2 and children under 12 get in free. The first 50 households through the door will receive free tote bags designed by Sarah Crane.
kawarthaNOW kudos to Annie Schertz of Studio Luma and Sarah Crane of Frolic art and Design who have organized the Sprigg Collective to promote an eclectic group of local artists. Browse their website at www.experiencesprigg.ca for more details on the artists and artisans.
Focus Fair Holiday Arts & Crafts Show on December 10 and 11
Focus Fair runs Saturday and Sunday at The Spill in downtown Peterborough (graphic: Focus Fair)
kawarthaNOW kudos also go out to the Focus Fair Collective who have, for the past 11 years, organized this stellar art and craft show of local creatives.
Focus Fair is an event that’s renowned for great local Christmas shopping. It takes place over two days, so you will have plenty of time to browse and do some serious local shopping.
Focus Fair happens at The Spill (414 George Street North in downtown Peterborough) where you can sip coffee or beer, or enjoy a tasty snack in the festive and friendly atmosphere of The Spill. This year’s show features a wide variety of treasures, handcrafted by local artists, bakers, gardeners, and crafters.
The show runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 10th and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 11th.
Craig Cardiff returns to the Market Hall on December 8
Canadian folk musician Craig Cardiff (publicity photo)
Once you’ve experienced a Craig Cardiff concert, you’ll be a fan for life. The Juno-nominated musician’s insightful stories and lyrics, and his connection to the audience, will leave you wanting more. Special guest Melodi Ryan will be opening the show.
Advance tickets are $20 ($15 for students) and 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) or at the door for $25.
We’re giving away a couple of pairs of tickets tomorrow (December 7th) to see the concert. For your chance to win, sign up for our VIP Enews.
VIDEO: “Love is Louder” – Craig Cardiff
A weekend of local music: JT’s reminders for In from the Cold, Cozy Christmas, and The Three Martinis
Rob Fortin performing at In From The Cold in 2015 (photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW)
Last week I wrote about three amazing top-level local performances. I’m here to remind you that they’re happening this weekend and you can in fact plan to attend all three! If you do, you’ll be supporting local performances and some very worthy causes.
Amber Coast Theatrical presents “First Date” – A Musical Comedy at The Gordon Best until December 11
Amber Coast Theatrical presents its debut production at the Gordon Best Theatre until December 11 (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
It’s been an amazing year on local stages and several local theatrical companies and venues are flourishing. This is good because our theatre columnist Sam Tweedle likes to have a full calendar. Well, it seems there is room for more companies and more theatre as the Amber Coast Theatrical debuted last week with their first production “First Date” – A Musical Comedy at Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, K9H 2L2).
Sam loved it and I really can’t do it more justice than he has when he wrote “First Date: The Musical and the birth of Amber Coast Theatrical are a Christmas gift to Peterborough. The show is clever, relevant, cutting edge, and romantic. The cast is talented, vibrant, sexy and fun.” You can read his full review here .
The show wraps up this weekend with two evening performances on December 10th and 11th at 8 p.m., and one matinee show on December 11th at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.thegordonbest.ca or at the door for $16.
JT’s picks for family fun this weekend: The Reluctant Dragon and Carolling with the Donkeys
Peterborough Theatre Guild presents “The Reluctant Dragon” until December 11
Three of the young actors performing in “The Reluctant Dragon” at Peterborough Theatre Guild (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
The Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of Kathryn Schultz Miller’s family play “The Reluctant Dragon” opens tonight (December 6th) and runs until Sunday, December 11th. Adapted from the story by Kenneth Grahame (and the inspiration for the animated film How To Train Your Dragon), The Guild has taken its production in a new direction by setting it within an 8-bit video game!
This innovative new script is lively, fun and fast-paced; full of comedy and audience participation! The production features a cast of talented young actors, along with three adults. Performances happen at 7 p.m., except for 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are only $5 and are available at the Peterborough Theatre Guild box office (364 Rogers St., Peterborough) or by calling 705-745-4211.
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary presents Carolling with the Donkeys on December 11
Two of the donkeys who call PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary home (photo: PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary)
The PromRose Donkey Sanctuary is a special place and that makes carolling with the donkeys a very special seasonal event.
This Sunday, December 11th you can tour the barn and sanctuary, purchase Christmas cards to support the donkeys, and enjoy complimentary refreshments.
Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, see the Facebook event.
You can find the sanctuary at 1296 Bowmanton Rd. in Roseneath.
Save the date! Three concerts featuring local talent on December 17
The Silver Hearts are having a Christmas party celebrating the release of their new record “Golden Favourites” at the Gordon Best on December 17 (photo: Katie Gilray / Facebook)
Next weekend it’s a trifecta of local talent and music happening on Saturday, December 17th at some of the best venues in Peterborough. All local, all amazing, and all typically sold out — choose one and support local.
Al Black and Rezonator start their show at 8 p.m. in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough). Rezonator is a classic rock band with a bluesy edge featuring Frank Watt, JP Hovercraft, Brent Farrow and Chris Hiney as well as Al Black. Al is best known to Peterborough as the backbeat of some of the best blues, R&B and rock bands including Jackson Delta, Buzz Thompson and Max Mouse and the Gorillas. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online at www.showplace.org.
The Weber Brothers presents “When Christmas Falls on Peterborough” beginning at 8 p.m. at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). The Weber Brothers are promising a Christmas show like no other when they introduce a multimedia presentation of their new concert film, five years in the making and directed by local filmmaker Rob Viscardis. Tickets are $25 plus fees in advance, $30 plus fees at the door. For more information and for tickets, visit www.markethall.org.
VIDEO: “When Christmas Falls on Peterborough” – The Weber Brothers
The Silver Hearts presents Silver Hearts XMAS and CD Release Party from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough). Their new album is finally ready to share, just in time for the giving season. And you will also enjoy the opening guests Mayhemingways — it will be a perfect evening for some “Hunter Street Blues”. This one is selling fast so don’t delay! Tickets are available at www.thegordonbest.ca.
If you’d like to have your event considered as a top pick, your first step is to make sure to submit it to our event system.
Iif you want to be in the know about what’s coming up (and maybe win tickets!), you should subscribe to our VIP Enews which will arrive in your inbox every Wednesday morning — along with the most recent version of this column. Sign up for our VIP Enews here.
Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think by posting a comment below.
Faith Dickinson launched Cuddles for Cancer in 2012 when she was only nine years old. Since then, she has provided more than 2,500 fleece blankets to people undergoing cancer treatment as well as soldiers and veterans. (Supplied photo)
Lakefield’s Faith Dickinson of Cuddles for Cancer needs your help to make 300 of her Cuddle blankets for children at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto in December.
The 14-year-old philanthropist has launched her 4th Annual Kids at Christmas Campaign and is asking families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organizations to sponsor a blanket for $50. Your donation allows a child admitted to PRHC over the Christmas season to receive a Cuddle blanket on December 23rd.
Following the delivery of blankets to PRHC, Faith will visit Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and deliver Cuddle blankets to children on the Oncology Unit. Last year, enough donations were raised to also donate Cuddle blankets to children on the Bone Marrow Unit.
To help Faith reach her goal of 300 blankets in December, you can make a $50 donation in one of three ways:
In person at Fabricland Peterborough at Portage Place (1154 Chemong Rd., Peterborough)
By mail to Cuddles for Cancer, PO Box 1317, Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0 (cheques can be made out to Cuddles for Cancer).
The name of the sponsor will be included on the letter that accompanies the Cuddle blanket.
Faith Dickinson in 2015 with Craig Kielberger, a Canadian activist for the rights of children and co-founder of the ME to WE Awards. Faith won the 2015 ME to WE ME to WE Youth In Action Award. (Photo: Cuddles for Cancer / Facebook)
When Faith was just nine years old, she made a fleece-tie blanket for her Aunt Lyndi in Alberta who was fighting breast cancer. After her aunt told her she got very cold during cancer treatments and the blanket helped, Faith came up with the idea of making fleece blankets for other cancer patients undergoing treatment. She and her mother Carrie founded the non-profit organization “Cuddles for Cancer”.
In the past four years, Faith has made more than 2,500 Cuddle blankets and distributed them to people across Canada, the United States, England, France, Australia, Africa, Germany, Poland, the Ukraine, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Brazil. In addition to making blankets for cancer patients, she has also made blankets for overseas soldiers as well as for veterans.
In addition to her charitable work, the grade nine student at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School has also embarked on a modelling and acting career — although Cuddles for Cancer remains her main passion.
Ennismore native Alli Bunting has been working for a community-based organization in Jinja, Uganda called Arise and Shine. Here she learns how to play netball with primary students at the Arise and Shine Primary School in Kibuye village in Uganda. (Photo: Alli Bunting)
Since June, I have been working for a community-based organization in Jinja, Uganda called Arise and Shine. I am here through the Government of Canada’s International Youth Internship Program. Working in a small yet dynamic non-profit office, I have been exposed to multiple facets of project management, including finding donors (otherwise known as “resource mobilization”).
I have seen how some non-profit organizations are forced to cater to potential donors, tugging at donors’ heart-strings, proving financial accountability, and (often) playing into stereotypes and misconceptions in order to break issues down into bite-size, palatable pieces.
As people gear up for the holiday season, organizations are campaigning for donations. Not all organizations are created equal, and it is important to be purposeful when choosing which organization to donate to. To help navigate, here are some questions to ask.
1. What are you passionate about?
When choosing where to donate, decide what you are passionate about. Environment? Youth? Education? Health care? Disaster response?
Having a target population in mind will be helpful in making sure that your donations match your purpose and you feel satisfied that you are contributing to a greater goal.
2. Where do you want your money to go?
When possible, consider donating to organizations that partner with local organizations overseas (with local staff), as they will be the most knowledgeable about their own community or country.
It is worthwhile doing research to find an organization that is trusted by the communities they work in and have a proven track record.
3. What type of organizations do you want to donate to?
Some organizations, like World Vision or Plan Canada, focus on hand-outs and fall within a charity model of aid. This can create real change in the lives of individuals; however, it does little to address underlying causes of poverty or oppression.
Instead, look for organizations, such as USC Canada or InterPares, that are involved in advocacy work, work in solidarity with communities, and help hold governments accountable for realizing human rights.
4. How does the organization represent the people they are working with?
Remember the Live Aid video of “Do They Know it’s Christmas Time?” about famine in the “country” of “Africa”? Or the infomercials with children who look sad and have flies in their eyes?
Avoid organizations that play into what is called the “white saviour complex”, using words or phrases such as “save”, “help”, “give hope”, “provide them with”, or “rescue.”
Ask yourself: would this work if it was covering poverty in Canada? Can I hear the voices of people who actually live in that country, or is it all a voice-over? Is there the possibility that there is more to this story? Read up on the Radi-Aid awards for some examples of bad charity ads.
5. What type of donor will you be?
If you can only donate $60 a year, consider donating $5 every month instead. While many organizations solicit for larger one-time donations around Christmas, most organizations provide a monthly donor option.
Becoming a monthly donor is beneficial for organizations because they can plan ahead, as they know how much money they will have each month. It also means that they can dedicate less time to searching for donors and more time running programming or doing advocacy work.
Support organizations that respect the privacy of the people they are helping. Donate to organizations that shows people as more than just their poverty. Give to organizations that respect the rights and dignity of the people they claim to be helping.
For inspiration, here are some really wonderful local and international organizations:
Parking overnight is prohibited in most Kawartha municipalities during the winter season
With last night’s snowfall and more snow in the forecast for this week, motorists should remember that winter overnight parking restrictions are now in effect until the spring in communities across the Kawarthas.
The restrictions allow for safer, more efficient, and less expensive snow clearing of streets.
Here are overnight parking restrictions in selected communities across the Kawarthas:
In the City of Peterborough, parking is prohibited on all city streets, including streets in the downtown, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. between December 1st and April 1st. The fine for a violation is $25.
During a snowstorm when snow-clearing operations are underway (usually between midnight and 8 a.m.), no stopping of a vehicle is permitted on any city street.
The fine is $80 for this violation and your vehicle will be towed. Vehicles that are parked north of Parkhill Road will be towed to Milroy Park located at 242 Milroy Drive, with all other vehicles being towed to Morrow Park located at 171 Lansdowne Street West. after 24 hours, all unclaimed vehicles will be towed to an impound yard at the owner’s expense.
Parking is normally permitted throughout the day and evening during snowy weather. However, in the event of extreme weather, the city may require motorists to remove their vehicles from city streets during the day or evening.
Free overnight parking is permitted at all municipal parking lots, the King Street Parkade, and Simcoe Parking Garage. Vehicles parked overnight at either parking garage can obtain a gate arm ticket upon entry to the garage to be used for a free transit trip home.
County of Peterborough
Parking is prohibited on county roadways and highways between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. from October 15th to May 15th.
Motorists in violation will be subject to a fine and/or towing of their vehicles.
City of Kawartha Lakes
Parking is not allowed on city streets between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. from November 1st to April 30th.
Parking is prohibited in the following downtown areas from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.:
Lindsay on Kent St. W. from Lindsay St. to Victoria Ave.
Bobcaygeon on Bolton St. from King St. to Canal St.
Fenelon Falls on Colborne St. from Water St. to Bond St., on May St. from Water St. to Francis St., and on Francis St. W. from Colborne St. to May St.
Omemee on King St. from Queen St. to Sturgeon Rd.
Overnight parking is also prohibited in municipal parking lots from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. from November 1st to April 30th, unless covered by a permit in Lindsay.
If a vehicle is left parked on a city street or in a municipal parking lot, it may be impounded and fines may be levied.
Port Hope
There is no parking on designated snow routes between December 1st and March 15th from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.
A list of designated snow routes is available from the Municipal Development Team Office at 905-885-2431 or by referring to By-law 39/2008, available on the Port Hope Police Service website.
Cobourg
From November 1st to March 31st between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., you cannot park overnight on designated collector and arterial roads. These include any major roadways within the town of Cobourg as well as certain residential streets.
For a list of streets that you cannot park on overnight, see the Winter Parking By-law.
Trent Hills
There is no parking on any street between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. from November 15th until April 15th. Vehicles will be ticketed and may be towed.
Minden
Overnight parking on municipal roadways and parking lots is prohibited between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. from November 1st to April 30th. Vehicles parked in these areas that prohibit the removal of snow will be towed away and/or ticketed at the owner’s expense.
Other municipalities
Most other municipalities in the Kawarthas also have winter overnight parking restrictions. Contact your local municipality for more information.
The bricks of the soon-to-open Publican House Restaurant in downtown Peterborough are being repainted by The Brick Painters (photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW)
Publican House Restaurant
The Publican House Restaurant is starting to take shape. The iconic building at the corner of Charlotte and Rubidge in downtown Peterborough is undergoing a complete renovation with an opening planned for early in the new year.
The wood fire pizza oven just arrived last week, and the beer-friendly menu is being developed with advice from Brad and Katie Watt of the Rare Grill House.
Meanwhile, the exterior of the building is getting special attention from Peter Woodworth of The Brick Painters. Peter specialises in the restoration of brick buildings using a system that sees every single brick painted in a faux finish that is durable, long lasting, and inexpensive. Take a drive by and check it out or visit www.thebrickpainters.com for more information
Oasis Mediterranean Grill
Kenzu Abdella (left) and new Canadians Mohammad and Randa Alftih have partnered to open a new restaurant in downtown Peterborough in December (supplied photo)
Congratulations to Mohammad Alftih and Randa Karboutley on the opening of their new restaurant in downtown Peterborough.
The family has come from the very epicentre of the conflict in Aleppo in Syria to Peterborough, where their brilliantly named OMG – Oasis Mediterranean Grill is serving up traditional middle eastern fare, including falafel, hummus, sambousek, samosas, shawarma, kebabs, kafta and more.
The grand opening is today (Monday, December 5th). Give it a try at 460 George Street North, just north of the Black Horse.
Peterborough Business Exchange
The Christmas PBX Christmas Social & One-Stop Gift Shop takes place on December 6 (graphic: Peterborough Chamber)
Don’t miss the Peterborough Chamber’s annual Christmas PBX.
This year the Chamber has lined up a number of small local vendors to help you with your Christmas gift list, and the United Way will be there to wrap them up for you.
It’s upstairs at Riley’s tomorrow (Tuesday,December 6th) from 4 to 7 p.m. To register, vist www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas
The book cover of “Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas” by Elwood Jones and Matthew Griffis, available now at local bookstores and Trent Valley Archives (photo: Trent Valley Archives)
And you can add Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas to your Christmas wish list.
Authors Elwood Jones and Matthew Griffis have cleverly chosen over 100 postcards from 1900 to 1945 to help highlight and illustrate some of our early history. It includes views of residential and downtown streets, architectural landmarks, special events, people and places.
It’s available at Trent Valley Archives or a number of local bookstores. For more information, visit www.trentvalleyarchives.com.
Katherine Mason as Widget, Samuelle Weatherdon as Mortimer the Dragon, and Emily Keller as Hairytoes at a dress rehearsal for "The Reluctant Dragon", the Peterborough Theatre Guild's annual holiday family play which opens on December 6 (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
For the past number of years, the Peterborough Theatre Guild has pushed the envelope in creating intelligent and well-produced family theatre for their annual December show.
However, this year director Derek Weatherdon is planning to push the envelope even more when he presents a brand new high-concept version of Kathryn Schultz Miller’s play The Reluctant Dragon, based on the book by Kenneth Grahame.
Peterborough Theatre Guild presents The Reluctant Dragon
When: Tuesday, December 6 to Friday, December 9, 2016, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 2 p.m. Where: Peterborough Theatre Guild (364 Rogers St., Peterborough) How much: $5
Written by Kathryn Schultz Miller based on the book by Kenneth Grahame. Directed by Derek Weatherdon with stage management by Nicole Roy. Starring Aimee Gordon, Samuelle Weatherdon, Katherine Mason, Emily Keller, Josh Butcher, Issac Maker, Kelsey Gordon-Powell, Zarla Nelson, Lydia Etherington, Libby Duncan, Annabelle Campbell, Lena Ross, Grace Jacobs, Tristan Cruise, Emma Meinhardt, Cecily Gordon, Aisling MacQuarrie, Abbie Dale, Ava Wilson, Karolina Szajkowski, Quinn Vandermey, and Sylvie Dasne. Costumes by Heather Ross. Set design by Amy Keller and Scot Mason. Lighting design by John Robinson. Original music by Tripsonic. To order tickets, phone the box office at 705-745-4211 (leave message if needed) or visit on Thursday and Friday evenings from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Featuring a cast of more than a dozen young performers joined by three adult actors, Derek is reimagining the story in the form of an 8-bit video game that will appeal to audiences of all ages.
“We were really lucky that we selected a script that came with editing rights,” Derek says. “That gave us the opportunity to make all the changes that we wanted to”
“I didn’t rewrite the plot or the dialogue,” he adds. “The story is the same. You’ve got a kid, a dragon, and a knight. That doesn’t change. But how we present the story is a little more novel. Our story takes place inside of a video game. This is our big clever hook.”
In the spirit of video games like The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy, Derek and his company create a magical world of villagers and shepherds, knights and soothsayers, and a misunderstood dragon.
When video game characters Widget (Katherine Mason) and Hairytoes (Emily Keller) discover a friendly dragon named Mortimer (Samuelle Weatherdon), their discovery soon alerts the town’s cruel Prince Scumworth (Issac Maker) who calls upon the fabled dragon slayer Saint George (Josh Butcher) to come out of retirement for one last battle.
With their new friend in peril, Widget and Hairytoes must find a way to save Mortimer, who has little desire to fight for her life.
Josh Butcher as Saint George the Dragon Slayer, one of only three adult actors in the play, faces off against Samuelle Weatherdon as Mortimer during a dress rehearsal (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
As an added element to the drama, the play takes place inside of a video game controlled by a character called Gamer Girl, played by Aimee Gordon. Described by Aimee as being unlike any of the characters within the play, Gamer Girl was developed as a unique way to create multiple points of contact between the audience and the actors.
Aimee Gordon as Gamer Girl during a dress rehearsal for “The Reluctant Dragon”. Her character plays the video game in which the play’s action takes place and she addresses the audience. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
“While everybody else is in the video game, I’m the one who’s playing it,” Aimee explains. “So I watch what’s going on and I make commentary that has nothing to do with the plot. I’m the character the audience can relate to, because they really can’t relate to video game characters.”
This is a departure from the original script, which calls for five narrators who tell the audience what is happening.
“I don’t like narrators,” Derek says. “It takes you out of the moment of the drama. So what I did was bring all of those narrators together and give the lines to a character who is playing the game.”
Aimee explains why she enjoys her role as Gamer Girl.
“I’ve always played characters that are sweet girls who are nice to everyone,” Aimee says. “I like this role because she’s sassy and she just says what she’s thinking.”
Although this is his first year directing the Guild’s Christmas family show, Derek has also directed a number of productions at Queen Elizabeth Public School where he teaches. In fact, Derek convinced a number of students he worked with in past productions, as well as adults who worked on sets for the show, to come work on The Reluctant Dragon.
“One of things I wanted to do in directing this play was bring some of the talented youngsters I have worked with at Queen Elizabeth Public School with me to the Guild,” Derek says. “Young talent deserves the chance to shine and grow, and working on a larger scale like this is the logical next step.”
Director Derek Weatherdon addresses the cast (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
Katherine Mason and Emily Keller, who plays the show’s two central characters Widget and Hairytoes, are not only former students of Derek’s, but they’ve worked together on his previous shows and are real-life best friends. This makes for a natural chemistry between these two young performers making their debut on the Theatre Guild stage.
“I’m a kid with an unfortunate name,” says Emily of her character Hairytoes. “Basically I meet the dragon and I think he’s pretty awesome. I like the dragon because he plays Scrabble.”
Samuelle Weatherdon, who plays Mortimer the Dragon, with Sam Tweedle (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
“The dragon isn’t so keen on me though,” adds Katherine. “She likes Hairytoes more than me, and I don’t like that I’m losing my friend to the dragon.”
In the role of Mortimer the dragon is Samuelle Weatherdon, who takes on different voices as well as engaging in stage fights to perform the role.
“To become a dragon you have to abandon all sense of humanity,” Sam says with a coy grin. “You just can’t be human. You just have to be a dragon. You walk weird and you talk weird.”
What is different this year is that adult actors, who were absent in the past two previous shows, are returning to the stage for this production. Although greatly outnumbered by the young actors, The Reluctant Dragon features the talents of local favourites Josh Butcher, Kelsey Gordon-Powell, and Sylvie Dasne.
“If you’re going to have children playing adults, that’s great in an elementary school,” Derek says. “But when you’ve got access to adults, let them play the adults. There are also great opportunities for mentorship there, and you create a more realistic theatre experience for new actors.”
“I’ve always loved working with a younger cast, and this bunch is one of the best casts I’ve ever worked with,” says Josh Butcher of his young co-stars. “They are very focused, very attentive, and very talented, and lots of fun to work with.”
“I think we really lucked out with some of our casting,” Derek adds. “We have a variety of experience, from multi-page resumes to having never been on stage before, and everyone has done a great job of buying in to what we are trying to do.”
Stage manager Nicole Roy with director Derek Weatherdon (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
Derek and his company are seeking to create a theatrical experience that’s not considered a family show, but a piece of theatre that families can enjoy together.
“Despite the fact we are the family show at the Guild, and that traditionally means an all or mostly youth cast, we don’t see this as a kid’s show,” Derek points out. “It’s a show, period. It’s for kids and by kids, but it’s a show. We don’t want anyone leaving saying ‘That was a great show … for a bunch of kids’. We want them saying ‘That was a great show.’ Full stop.”
Both Aimee and Samuelle agree with Derek.
“Usually when people think of a children’s show, they think of people bringing in their own costumes and not having a set and being done on a school stage,” Aimee says. “This is not like that.”
“In most children’s shows, nobody grows and nobody changes,” Samuelle adds. “This isn’t a kid’s show. This is just a show that has kids in it.”
“It has ups and downs. People grow. People change. That’s what you want from a good play. You don’t want a character to do a bunch of stuff and then nothing changes. You want a group of people who do stuff and make changes. You want to feel for the characters. You want to understand their challenges and how they create the solutions to those problems. You want to see that happen.”
Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of “The Reluctant Dragon”, reimagined as an 8-bit video game, takes place December 6 to 11 (poster: Peterborough Theatre Guild)
Filled with clever dialogue, inside gamer jokes, and a young and vibrant cast of new faces, The Reluctant Dragon is a smart and highly original show that both adults and children can enjoy together.
“This is going to be a fantastic show,” Josh says. “It’s not going to be just laughs and funs and video game lulz. This is going to have everything in it. It’s going to be an emotional rollercoaster ride.”
A favourite holiday tradition for families in the Kawarthas, the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s family show always delivers and this year is no exception. Derek and his company have created something pretty fantastic.
Tickets for the annual show go fast, so make sure to purchase your tickets from the box office as soon as possible. This is a show that you don’t want to miss out on.
The Reluctant Dragon runs from Tuesday, December 6th to Sunday, December 11th at The Peterborough Theatre Guild. Shows start at 7 p.m., except for 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5.
"Lightshower" by photographer Roz Hernant is currently on display at Hexagon Studios in Peterborough as part of the "Winter" exhibition (photo courtesy of Lemotif Collective)
December is here and the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is upon us. This month there are a number of group art shows around the area, featuring a variety of works with the Christmas shopper in mind.
Accordingly, we also see art and craft shows springing up — a great way to support the local economy as you buy gifts for your friends and family!
The theme this month is community and the coming together of artists and artisans, bringing a diverse selection of artwork and wide selection of goods to the public for the Christmas season.
Artspace hosts The Artspace Holiday Toast with a dance party kick-off
“Holiday Toast” poster by Jeff Macklin and Sarah Gibeault, printed by Jackson Creek Press (photo courtesy of Artspace)
Artspace, Peterborough’s Artist Run Centre, will be hosting The Artspace Holiday Toast, a show and sale of small works by your favourite artists.
Running from December 3rd until December 17th, this show will be kicked off by a dance party on Saturday, December 3rd featuring DJs Billy the K and Johnny Q, Peterborough’s fave 45 spinners. If you can make it out, it promises to be a great time!
Artspace is located at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough and offers free admission during regular open hours: Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is available in the municipal lot on Hunter Street between Aylmer and George. For more information, call 705-748-3883 or visit artspace-arc.org.
Christensen Fine Art presents 2016 Christmas Group Show
“Bowl of Apples”. This lovely watercolour by Joan Zageris will be on display in the Christmas Group Show (photo courtesy of Christensen Fine Art)
Christensen Fine Art is pleased to present a Christmas Group Show featuring a collection of work by gallery artists.
An opening reception will be held on Friday, December 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m , with many of the artists in attendance. The show will continue until the end of the month and will be an exhibition in progress as pieces find new homes for Christmas.
Christensen Fine Art is located at 432 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 10a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
For further information, please contact Peer Christensen at 705-876-9623.
The Leitmotif Collective presents “Winter”
“Solstice” painting by Meg Ward (photo courtesy of the Leitmotif Collective)
The Leitmotif Collective, active since 2015, is made up of a group of five artists from the Peterborough area. The respective members are: Roz Hermant, photographer and mixed-media artist (find her online at www.rozhermant.com), Lisa Martini-Dunk illustrator, printmaker, painter, and scratchboard artist (www.limmaginaria.com), Rob Neizen, painter and printmaker (www.robneizen.com), Victoria Wallace, painter and mixed media artist (www.victoria-wallace.com), and Meg Ward, painter and mixed media artist (www.megward.ca).
Sample their work online by following the links above, or visit Hexagon Studios to see what their current show “Winter” has to offer. This show is a reflection on the winter season that draws on impressions memories and feelings both subjective and objective, that represent winter and things associated with it.
The show will be on display until December 31st.
Hexagon Studios is located at 1179 Chemong Road in Peterborough. Showings are available by appointment. To arrange a visit to Hexagon Studios, please call Meg at 705-733-8726 or e-mail her at meg@hexagonstudios.ca. You can also visit Hexagon Studios online at www.hexagonstudios.ca.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio presents member’s show “Warm in the Cold”
“Winter Radiance” by Pat Gouette (photo courtesy of The Kawartha Artist’s Gallery and Studio)
Artist’s cooperative the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio (KAGS) presents “Warm in the Cold,” a member’s show and sale featuring work depicting warm and cool subject matter, in the spirit of the winter season.
The show will be on display from November 30th until December 18th. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, December 4th from 1 to 4 p.m. with refreshments provided. In case you can’t make it in December, the show will re-open on January 4th and run until the 15th.
KAGS is a not-for-profit artist’s co-operative, exhibiting original art by local artists since 1990, located at 420 O’Connell Road in Peterborough.
Gallery hours are from Wednesday to Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is free. For more information, visit www.kawarthaartists.org or call 705-741-2817.
Acme Art and Sailboat Company hosts “Xmastime Show and Sale”
Xmastime Show and Sale (photo courtesy of the Acme Art and Sailboat Company)
The Acme art and Sailboat Company will be hosting a group show featuring a wide selection of local artists working in different styles and mediums. The work of artists Paul Oldham, Gillian Turnham, Joe Stable, John B. Boyle, Michael Morritt, Alex Bierk, and Tim Merrett will be on display.
Opening night will be Friday, December 9th from 6 until 10 p.m., with many artists in attendance. Other studios and galleries in the building will also be open to the public on opening night.
The gallery will be open on Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, December 11th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Sunday the 11th, at 2 p.m., musician Joe Hall will be playing in the Gallery. This would be a great time to stop by if you find yourself looking for some excitement on Sunday Afternoon.
Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located at 129-1/2 Hunter Street in downtown Peterborough.
Ashburnham Ale House Hosts Group Show
“Provoking Lake” (detail) by painter Paul Nabuurs (photo: Shannon Taylor)
The group show craze continues in a local restaurant! This December if you happen to be dining at the Ashburnham Ale House, you will be able to take in a selection of work by a number of artists. Paul Nabuurs, Gail Smith, Victoria Wallace and Julie Gagne are some of the artists who will be showing at the Ale House this December.
The show begins on Sunday, December 5th and continues for the rest of the month.
Ashburnham Ale House is located at 128 Hunter Street East in Peterborough. Hours of operation are from Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11. P.m. Contact them at 705-874-0333.
Tonic Hair Studio Features Artist Joanne Calderone
“Yes!” (detail). A detail from one of Joanne Calderone’s paintings currently hanging at Tonic Hair Studio (photo: Shannon Taylor)
If you have yet to see the work of painter Joanne Calderone, then you should get a haircut; consider it an early Christmas present to yourself.
Her precise paintings range from stills from Wes Anderson films to artful depictions of dancers and bodies in motion, such as the painting pictured above, and will be on display for the month of December.
Tonic is located at 466 George St. North in downtown Peterborough. Their hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Drop by the Monocle centre for the Arts and see what local craftspeople have to offer (picture courtesy of The Monocle)
On Sunday December 4th, The Monocle will be hosting a craft sale from 12 noon until 5 p.m.. Drop by and get a head start on your Christmas shopping and support local artisans at the same time!
The Monocle is located at 140 Simcoe St. Upper in Peterborough. For more information, call 705-748-6167.
Sprigg hosts Finer Things Show and Sale at Seeds of Change
Check out the Finer Things Show and Sale December 10th (picture courtesy of Sprigg)
On Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Finer Things Show and Sale will be held in the beautiful auditorium at Seeds of Change (543 George St., Peterborough). Entry fee is $2 and children under 12 get in free.
Showcasing the talents of 19 artisans from the area, this show offers a variety of items from jewellry, fine art, hooked rugs and textiles to colouring books, gift cards, Christmas ornaments and much more. There will also be serving coffee, tea and treats from the Hard Winter Bread Company available for purchase.
The first 50 households through the door will receive free tote bags designed by Sarah Crane.
This show is organised by Sprigg, formed in 2015 by Annie Schertz of Studio Luma and Sarah Crane of Frolic art and Design. These two creative entrepreneurs aim to connect creative individuals and build a support network, and do so in endeavours such as the Finer Things Show and Sale. Passionate about creativity and fine craft, Sprigg looks forward to hosting future workshops and artisan shows.
Annual Focus Fair Show and Sale held at The Spill Cafe
The Annual Focus Fair will be held on December 10th and 11th at the Spill Cafe (picture courtesy of The Focus Fair Collective)
This cozy art and craft show has been an annual event in downtown Peterborough for the last 11 years! Organised by a dedicated group of local creatives, it is worth checking out.
Drop by and sample the wares of local area artists and craftspeople while you sip on a coffee or beer, or enjoy a tasty snack in the festive and friendly atmosphere of The Spill.
Featuring a wide selection from tasty treats to seeds, leather accessories, ceramics, fine art, gift cards toys and textiles you just might be able to make a serious dent in your Christmas list!
The 2016 Focus Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 10th and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 11th.
The Spill Cafe is located at 414 George St North in downtown Peterborough. For more information, call 705-748-6167.
WBN members browse silent auction items at the 2015 Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser. For this year's gala, the organization has raised it fundraising goal to $20,000 in response to the urgent need in the community to support women and their children escaping situations of violence and abuse.
The Women’s Business Network (WBN) of Peterborough is raising the stakes at its annual Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser on Wednesday, December 7th at the Holiday Inn Waterfront in support of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s Crossroads Shelter.
WBN presents Holiday Gala & Auction Fundraiser
When: Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. Where: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George St, Peterborough)
This event is sold out, but WBN is still seeking donations for the live and silent auction. Items will be accepted at the YWCA office at 216 Simcoe Street in Peterborough until Tuesday, December 6.
As final touches are being made in preparation for the gala which will be attended by nearly 170 members and guests from the business community, the organization has its sights set on reaching $20,000 from the live and silent auctions — an increase of $5,000 over last year’s goal.
“For years the WBN has been deeply committed to supporting the important programs at the YWCA Crossroads Shelter,” says WBN program director Louise Racine. She adds that the $5,000 increase over the 2015 goal is a response to the urgent need for the support of women and their children in escaping situations of violence and abuse.
“As women, most of us cannot imagine what it would be like to go without food or shelter for ourselves and our children,” Racine says.
Under the theme “Christmas around the World,” the gala will provide a unique and fun opportunity to bring attention to a very serious subject, and every dollar raised will go directly to helping women and children who are victims of family violence receive healthy food, supplements, and vitamins. In addition to receiving healthy meals for themselves and their children, women also learn about meal planning, food preparation, and the principles of nutrition.
Donations to the WBN gala will be accepted at the YWCA office at 216 Simcoe Street until Tuesday, December 6.
Last year was the busiest on record for the YWCA with Crossroads Shelter, providing 9,433 safe nights’ sleep and 26,331 meals for women and children. With the need for services continuing to exceed the level of funding that the government provides, as well as increasing food costs and increased occupancy at the shelter, the cost to provide these services is expected to be even higher this year.
“The festive season is a time of joy for most of us, as we look forward to being home for holiday celebrations with family and friends. But for many women and children, being home for the holidays isn’t a happy or safe option,” said Jen Cureton, Director of Philanthropy & Communications at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
Research shows that domestic violence surges during the holiday season with calls to Ontario women’s shelters increasing by as much as 30 percent.
“This, combined with the fact that the demand for all of our services is growing each year, means many more women and children are turning to the YWCA, now and throughout the year,” Cureton explains. “To be there for them 24/7, the need for community support has also increased. We’re so happy to be working with WBN again this year and to be the beneficiary of their generosity.”
Selwyn Township Mayor Mary Smith donated a lunch for two for the silent auction at last year’s WBN Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser. The organization is still seeking donations of items, gift cards, or services for the live and silent auctions for this year’s event on December 7.
Even with the Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser sold out, the WBN is continuing to reach out to members of the community to support their fundraising efforts on behalf of the YWCA by donating items, gift cards, or services to the gala live and silent auction. Donations will be accepted at the YWCA office at 216 Simcoe Street until Tuesday, December 6th.
Since 2005, WBN has raised a total of $252,100 for the Crossroads Shelter. For more information about WBN, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net. For more information about YWCA Crossroads Shelter, visit www.ywcapeterborough.org.
All photos courtesy of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough.
Keely Wilson and Erik Feldcamp are wonderful as Casey and Aaron in Amber Coast Theatrical's production of "First Date - The Musical" (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
Right in time for the holidays, Peterborough’ newest theatre company, Amber Coast Theatrical, launches their premier production, First Date: A Musical Comedy, at the Gordon Best Theatre.
Directed by Lucas DeLuca, First Date is made up of past members of The Anne Shirley Theatre Company and Cordwainer Productions, and brings back the type of production that’s been sadly missing from the Peterborough theatrical landscape in 2016. While edgier than a typical romantic comedy, this production is clever and relatable and it makes you want to go out and fall in love all over again.
Written by Austin Winbsberg, Alan Zachary, and Michael Winer, First Date made its debut in Seattle in 2012 before finding its way to Broadway in August 2013. Yet, despite its cleverness, the show only had a short run of five months. But in that time, it developed a cult following and additional productions opened in Japan, Austria, and Australia with mixed success.
Amber Coast Theatrical presents First Date: A Musical Comedy
When: December 1, 3, 10 and 11, 2016 at 8 p.m.; December 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. Where: Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough) How much: $16
Written by Austin Winbsberg, Alan Zachary, and Michael Winer. Directed by Lucas DeLuca. Starring Keely Wilson, Erik Feldcamp, Elizabeth Moody, Lucas DeLuca, Caitlin Currie, Christina Pidgeon, Mark Hiscox, Taylor Beatty. Music by Justin Hiscox, Braydon McGregor, and more.
The plot of First Date is pretty much exactly what the title implies.
The show revolves around a blind date between uptight and nervous business man Aaron (Erik Feldcamp) and artistic and hip photographer Casey (Keely Wilson). Horribly mismatched, the pair sit for a few drinks and, through a series of songs and vignettes, go through all the foibles and mistrials of dating.
Adding to the dialogue are figures from the pair’s lives who they converse with through their subconscious, including Casey’s sister Lauren (Elizabeth Moody), Aaron’s best friend Gabe (Lucas DeLucas), his ex-fiancé Allison (Caitlin Currie), and his workaholic mother (Christina Pidgeon). Meanwhile, a colourful waiter (Mark Hiscox) and Casey’s clingy best friend Reggie (Taylor Beatty) add flavour to the night’s neurotic festivities.
From first impressions to family expectations to disastrous past relationships to the dreaded “friend zone,” modern dating is dissected through song in this highly entertaining show. Will it be a love connection? In all honesty, this show will keep you guessing.
In late 2015 and early 2016, Peterborough saw a mass exodus of young performers as they moved on with their careers in other locations. While it’s a good thing talented people can evolve in their careers, this left a void in Peterborough. However, cutting-edge musical theatre may not be dead in Peterborough as Amber Coast Productions has the potential to fill the gap left behind.
Lucas DeLuca has managed to bring back to the stage some of my favorite performers who haven’t been in the spotlight this year. His cast is young but experiences. For the most part, they’re seasoned pros who I’ve enjoyed in a dozen or more productions over the past four years — but now the spotlight has shifted to new faces. The result is something familiar yet completely brand new.
Aaron and Casey face “the social media”: Lucas DeLuca, Christina Pidgeon, Caitlin Currie, Mark Hiscox, Elizabeth Moody, and Taylor Beatty (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
I’m a longtime admirer of the supporting members of the cast but, while watching Keely Wilson and Erik Feldcamp in the lead roles of Casey and Aaron, I kept asking myself where these two wonderful talented performers came from and why haven’t I encountered them before. The pair are absolutely brilliant, lovable, and filled with huge talent. They are completely delicious and First Date is the perfect spotlight to introduce both Keeley and Erik as major players in Peterborough’s theatrical community.
Erik Feldcamp has been a background player in a number of shows, from Spring Awakening to American Idiot. Aaron is his first starring role, and this is not a performer who should be left in the background. Loveably awkward and genuinely funny, Erik plays a character who says and does all the wrong things when confronted with a woman who may be a bit out of his league. It’s painfully funny to watch, especially for those who know what it feels like to have their foot permanently stuck in their mouths.
But Erik is also an amazing vocalist, and gives both strong comedic and emotional performances. An energetic and likable actor, Erick’s leading role in First Date will be the first of many to come. He is leading man material and I can’t wait to see him on stage again.
As for Keely Wilson, there’s so much that can be said but little space to say it. To keep it simple, Keely could be the best new talent in Peterborough this year. If you haven’t encountered her yet, as I hadn’t, you are going to have your mind blown. As beautiful as she is funny, Keely’s character Casey creates the tension in the show by constantly intimidating poor Aaron, usually intentionally. Casey is damaged and cynical, but underneath just confused and misunderstood.
Elizabeth Moody as Lauren, Keely Wilson as Casey, Erik Feldcamp as Aaron, and Lucas DeLuca as Gabe (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
Yet while Keely is a natural actress who makes the audience believe in her character, where she really delivers is with her vocal performance. My goodness, this girl can sing! In fact, her performance of “Safer,” in which she explains why she fears commitment, is so powerful that I was stunned stupid. That performance itself is worth the ticket price of this show alone. Keeley made a fan out of me in this show, and she’s someone I’d go back to see again and again. In fact, I probably will go back and see her in First Date again before the show closes. I can’t wait to see what she does next and I’ll be looking for her again through 2017.
As for the rest of the performers in the show, I could write a love letter to each of them. These are performers that I’ve come to love and admire for years, and in a lot of cases, most of them were missing from the theatrical landscape in 2016.
Lucas DeLuca’s character Gabe is one of those pals most men have — that over confident “bro” who seems to be better with women than we are and always has our back. Like an obnoxious angel on Aaron’s shoulder, Gabe is in constant battle with the devil on Gabe’s other shoulder, which is his memory of his ex-fiancé Allison (played by Caitlin Currie). It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Caitlin. But in this show — and I say this with love — Caitlin has this strange ability to go from being completely desirable to absolutely revolting in just a matter of lines, depending on how Gabe manipulates Aaron’s memories of her.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Moody brings the heart to the production as Casey’s well-meaning and sensible sister Lauren, who is trying to help her sibling leave her wild ways behind and meet a nice and stable man. Afraid for her sister’s emotional instability and attraction to “bad boys,” Lauren really does want the best for her sister — but her sensible advice often gets ignored. I also want to mention Liz’s other hilarious performance as Aaron’s Jewish grandmother in the song “The Girl For You”, which left me laughing until my gut hurt.
Christina Pidgeon during the show’s holiday-themed preshow, with Justin Hiscox on keyboard and Braydon McGregor on guitar (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
One of the really funny recurring moments of the show is a series of vignettes featuring Casey’s best friend Reggie, which gives Taylor Beatty a chance to get into the spotlight. Calling Casey on her phone to give her a “bail out” on the date, Reggie is sassy, high energy, and clingy, giving Taylor some of the biggest laughs of the night.
Mark Hiscox also gives a warm and wonderful supporting performance as the couple’s waiter, who serves the pair with wit, sass, and song, including a wonderful midpoint performance called “I’d Order Love.”
I want to give a special shout out to Christina Pidgeon who appears on stage throughout the entire show as the restaurant’s hostess, and gives a small but important performance as Aaron’s mother. Where Christina really melts the audience is in the opening moments of the show, when she gets the night started with a preshow performance of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The preshow continues with Mark taking the stage for a charming rendition of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”. It’s a great way to open the show, connecting the holiday season to this production. These pre-show performances are a perfect way to spotlight Christina and Mark’s talents, and gets the audience in the mood for romance and fun.
Lastly, I want to mention the brilliant musical leadership of Justin Hiscox and the talents of his seven-member band. I always get a kick when I can actualy see the musicians in front of me, and Justin’s connection to and his enthusiasm for the performers becomes alive when he lets out the occasional holler of approval from his place at the keyboard. It creates a certain joyous energy that continues the excitement of the show. I could feel the energy of the music throughout the performance.
First Date: The Musical and the birth of Amber Coast Theatrical are a Christmas gift to Peterborough. The show is clever, relevant, cutting edge, and romantic. The cast is talented, vibrant, sexy and fun. But most of all, Peterborough needs these kinds of shows, and Amber Coast Theatrical has the potential to bring back people I love to watch in the kinds of musicals I love to see.
If you have someone you love in your life, buy a ticket and bring them to see First Date. If you don’t have anybody, then find someone and bring them — you can fill the awkward conversation of your first date talking about how much you loved this show. And trust me: you are going to love it. It’ll be impossible not to.
First Date: The Musical is performed on December 1st, 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th at The Gordon Best Theatre. Show times start at 8 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on December 11th. Tickets are $16 and available online at www.thegordonbest.ca or at the door.
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