Meet Walter Mariga, visiting sculptor at ZimArt

This August, amble through an outdoor sculpture garden to your heart’s content while soaking up the sun. ZimArt’s Rice Lake Gallery, just about 20 minutes out of Peterborough (855 2nd line, Bailieboro, 705-939-6144), is a sculpture garden in a picturesque rural setting. After a lovely drive, you will be warmly welcomed and encouraged to explore the grounds.

I had the opportunity to visit ZimArt and meet curator Fran Fearnley and artist Walter Mariga. ZimArt will be a hub of activity this August. The summer show will be opening on Saturday, August 6th. Don’t miss this opportunity to soak up live Zimbabwean music and a festive atmosphere!

There will be workshops and even dance classes throughout the month and you can call and register anytime for a curator’s talk and tour. Just in case you miss the opening party, there will also be a closing party on September 4th, with more live music and festivities.

As I investigate the sculptures, sunlight dances across the grass as trees above blow in the wind. One stone woman is carved from an interesting looking mottled green stone: it is “Confident Woman” by sculptor Walter Mariga, carved from leopard stone found exclusively in the mountains of Zimbabwe.

Walter mentions that this sculpture took about 10 years to complete! His creative process sometimes involves a lot of time contemplating the stone to get it just right. After all, once you carve into the stone, there is no going back.

Walter’s face lights up as he describes his first experiences carving stone under the stern tutelage of his father, sculptor Joram Mariga.

“At first, he tried to discourage me,” Walter says. “He gave me the hardest most difficult stone to work with. But I was in love with art … I could not stop.”

It was onwards and upwards from there and, today, a seasoned sculptor himself, Walter is here in Ontario for a residency at ZimArt, where he will be teaching a number of classes and giving demonstrations of his process.

Conducting a short demonstration, Walter sits down before a hunk of stone and grabs a pair of safety glasses. “Safety first,” he says, grinning. First he chisels the stone using a tool resembling a fork; as the fork is hammered across the surface, it leaves behind lines in the stone which he then removes with a flat chisel.

Walter then expertly chops off irregularities in the stone using a “chasing hammer”. Finally, he sands the stone down using finer and finer grades of sandpaper. To create the glossy finish, Walter explains he pours wax over the hot stone and then polishes it.

“At home we build a fire and heat up the stone to open up the pores of the rock.” At this point, hot wax is poured onto the stone, which is absorbed into it and is then polished with a cloth, revealing the colours and marbled designs within the stone.

The rocks are graded on a scale representing hardness; typically, the stones used are very hard. If soapstone is a one and diamonds are a 10, then these rocks from Zimbabwe are 7.5 or 8 on the scale. Walter says this might be roughly equivalent to granite.

If you have any interest in working with stone, avail yourself of this wonderful opportunity. Walter has been sculpting since the age of 12. Learning how to work with the materials at an early age, he is also skilled at instructing others. The creative process however, will be up to you!

ZimArt’s 17th annual exhibition and sale of Zimbabwean stone sculpture will feature the work of the late Joram Mariga (known as the father of Shona sculpture), five members of his family who were all mentored by him (including Walter), as well as the 50 plus artists ZimArt represents.

The public opening of the exhibition is on Saturday, August 6th from 3 to 6 p.m., with live Zimbabwean music by Nhapatipi. The exhibition continues until Sunday, September 4th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with a closing party on September 4th from 2 to 5 p.m., also featuring live Zimbabwean music by Nhapatipi. Admission is free.

Art Gallery of Bancroft presents Finding Critical Mass, a show of Algonquin Art and Culture

Now for a show about cultural traditions closer to home.

The Art Gallery of Bancroft (10 Flint St., Bancroft On. 613-332-1542) will be hosting a show celebrating Algonquin culture. The opening on Friday, August 5th is a great opportunity to celebrate and learn about Algonquin traditions.

Curated by Algonquin sculptor Robin Tinney, the show brings together a diverse group of Algonquin artists working in a number of disciplines. For some, it will be their first exhibition.

The show runs from Wednesday, August 3rd to Saturday, September 3rd, with an opening reception on Friday August 5th at 7 p.m. The gallery’s hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Proximity Fine Art features Beth McCubbin

At Proximity Fine Art, you will find the sculptures of ceramic artist Beth McCubbin featured this month.

Beth’s work will be on display until the Sunday of the September long weekend, when Proximity Fine Art will close, marking the end of the 2016 summer season. All the more reason to go while you still can!

Proximity Fine Art is located upstairs at Carveth’s Marina (426 Carveth’s Marina Rd., Lakefield). It’s open from noon to 5 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday or by appointment. For more information, contact Christy Haldane at 705-931-0855.

Peterborough Poetry Slam: the art of the spoken word

Have you ever seen a spoken word performance live? You might be surprised to know that Peterborough has a burgeoning scene that is worth checking out.

Enjoy the dimly lit laid back atmosphere of The Spill (414 George St. North, 705-748-6167) and while you sip on your choice beverage — be it coffee or alcohol, or perhaps a milkshake (yes, they have it all) — watch and listen to a variety of artists perform spoken word pieces. Or just maybe you will get up on stage yourself!

On Thursday August 5th, a Peterborough Poetry Slam will be happening at The Spill featuring Dave Silverberg. As a spoken word artist, he has performed across Canada and is the editor of Canada’s only spoken word anthology, Mic Check (Quattro Books). He is also the founder and artistic director of the Toronto Poetry Slam.

Come out and become a part of this growing scene, share your narratives and hear the talented voices this city has to offer. Sign-up is at 7:30 p.m. and the slam starts at 8 p.m. Cost is $5 or pay what you can.

Kawartha Arts Network: Exhibit of photography and photo-based work

The Kawartha Arts Network will be having their annual show of photography and photo-based work running from August 4th until August 27th.

The event takes place at Art on Kent (41 Kent St. W., 2nd Floor, Lindsay).

There will be a reception on Saturday, August 6th from 1 to 3 p.m., with artists in attendance.

Don’t mess with a good thing, they said, and Peterborough Musicfest’s organizers heard them loud and clear.

Back on July 16th, the free summer concert series presented a double shot of country music acts, welcoming headliner Cold Creek County with opener The Reklaws.

Del Crary Park was jammed as country music fans showed their typical over-the-top loyalty to the genre.

Now, less than three weeks on, that winning script will be repeated on Wednesday, August 3rd at 8 p.m., as Musicfest welcomes rising country music star and Bowmanville native Meghan Patrick with Peterborough’s MacArthur Clark opening.

“I was drawn to playing guitar so I could start writing music to go along with the words I was writing … I wanted to be self-sufficient as a creative artist,” says Patrick on her website at www.meghanpatrickmusic.com.

Before striking out as a solo act, Patrick, 29, was lead singer for The Stone Sparrows, a roots music band that enjoyed some success, releasing an EP and a full-length album.

After its second appearance at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival in 2013, The Stone Sparrows disbanded amicably, band members going their separate ways. For Patrick, that cleared the road for her to pursue her music full-time.

Having signed a recording contract with Warner Music Canada and inking a publishing deal with Olé Nashville, Patrick took to the road, working at a number of recording studios in Canada and the United States, including a stop in Nashville. That brought her in contact with a number of top producers, among them Justin Niebank (Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes).

“Bow Chicka Wow Wow” – Meghan Patrick

“Grace & Grit” – Meghan Patrick

The fruits of that labour were fully realized just this past April with the release of her debut album, Grace & Grit. Among its 13 tracks is the album’s first single, “Bow Chicka Wow Wow”, which Patrick co-wrote with Chad Kroeger of Nickelback fame. He’s just one of a number of songwriters who worked with Patrick — the list also including Chantal Kreviazuk, Gord Bamford and Grammy Award-nominated Rodney Clawson.

“I have to feel connected to the music, especially when I am playing live,” says Patrick of the autobiographical and personal feel of her songs.

“The emotions I write about are real and audiences know when you are being true to yourself. Performing my own music and forming a bond with my audience is what I do this for. And that’s the most enjoyable thing in the world.”

Equally adept at playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar or banjo, Patrick will return to the Boots and Hearts Music Festival immediately after her Musicfest gig — this time as a solo act with a second single, the album’s title track, having been released as a follow-up to “Bow Chicka Wow Wow”.

Meanwhile, for opening act MacArthur Clark, Musicfest serves up some home cooking.

Founded by frontman Travis Berlenbach, the Peterborough-based band brings a traditional country music sound mingled with R&B and gospel.

After years performing with a number of artists such as Three Days Grace, Thousand Foot Krutch and USS, Berlenbach took a leap of faith and struck out on his own. MacArthur Clark is the result of that effort.

After its Musicfest debut on Wednesday, MacArthur Clark will be returning to the Boots and Hearts Music Festival after having debuted there last year.

“Goin’ Gone” – MacArthur Clark

Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 19 free-admission concerts during its milestone 30th anniversary season, each staged Wednesday and Saturday nights.

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.

August definitely has some of the bigger music events in the area, as street festivals and folk festivals add to the already busy month of music. Here’s just a snapshot of some of the great musical happenings to check out in Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and beyond.

Rick Fines at Head Lake Park in Haliburton on August 2

When it comes to local blues musicians, you’d be hard pressed to find one as talented, dedicated, and kind as Rick Fines. The Peterborough born and bred guitarist, singer, and songwriter is a local icon having recorded and performed for several decades.

On Tuesday, August 2nd, Rick will take the stage at Head Lake Park (23 York St., Haliburton). Presented by The Rotary Club of Haliburton, the show starts at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation.

“Richmond Woman Blues” – Rick Fines

Fiesta Peterborough Summer Street Festival in downtown Peterborough on August 4

The New Canadians Centre and more present the first Fiesta Peterborough Summer Street Festival on Thursday, August 4th from 4 to 10 p.m. on Hunter St. between George and Water.

In the past, a similar event took place with a Caribbean theme. This year, the event is a little different featuring Latino culture, food, music and dance — but still with great food and music.

Performers include Mistura Fina, Eleye, Rumba Salsa Dance Crew, and much more. Great local food and family fun for everyone. The event is free to attend!

Bobby Watson Birthday Bash at the Market Hall in Peterborough on August 7

Another great Peterborough musician is Bobby Watson. Tasty guitar work and a whole lot of soul have defined his career.

SLAB Productions is presenting a big birthday bash for Bobby at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Sunday, August 7th at 7:30 p.m.

Featured performers include Juno-nominated Jackson Delta Electric (Rick Fines, Gary Peeples, and Al Black) who will be joined by Andy Pryde, and The Session Hounds (Andrew Affleck, John Crown, James McKenty, and Steve O’Connor).

Proceeds for the night go to the Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association, a local organization supporting musicians during times of need.

Tickets are $30 or $45 for cabaret seating. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at www.markethall.org.

Jackson Delta at the Market Hall

Bill Durst at Holiday Inn in Peterborough on August 12

If you like rippin’ guitar and a tight band, then check out multiple award winner and hard traveller Bill Durst at the Riverside Grill & Gazebo at Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront (150 George St., Peterborough, 705-743-1144) on Friday, August 12th. The show is from 6 to 10 p.m.

A beautiful view, rockin’ tunes, and cold beverages. That’s a big part of what summer is all about. Cover is $10.

“Your Love” – Bill Durst

The Hootenanny On Hunter Street in Peterborough on August 13

The Hootenanny On Hunter Street continues to be something to look forward to each and every summer. Music all day, vendors with all sorts of arts, crafts and food, and the satisfaction of a pedestrian-only Hunter Street.

This year the Hoot happens on Saturday, August 13th beginning at noon, and as always it will be on Hunter between George and Aylmer Streets and is free to attend.

The music is always stellar and this year is definitely no different with a mix of local and big touring acts. Canadian rock heroes Sloan will headline this year and will be joined by Melissa Payne and her band, the soul sounds of Slips and the High Fives, Tarantino soundtrack big band Jack Rabbit Slims, the one-man-band awesomeness of Bloodshot Bill, New Grease Revival, Bluegrass Menagerie, alt-country band Diamond Dave and the Smoke Eaters — and opening up the event will be the lovely and talented Kate Suhr.

This is going to be a heck of a day!

“If It Feels Good Do It” – Sloan

“Bring Me Back” – Melissa Payne

Sarah Burton at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene on August 16

Elmhirst’s Resort continues to be a great place to watch music as their summer-long series of music on the boardwalk happens every Tuesday throughout the summer.

On Tuesday, August 16th, alt-rock/roots/country/folk singer-songwriter Sarah Burton will be performing. Sarah’s music has been described as “acoustic, rock, bluesy, torch, indie jive, country psychedelic, soul-baring beautiful”.

The show will begin at 7 p.m. and there is no cover. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Note: Trish Robb was originally scheduled to perform on this date.

Sarah Burton

Peterborough Folk Festival at Showplace and Nicholls Oval in Peterborough from August 19 to 21

The Peterborough Folk Festival weekend is always a special time in Peterborough. It signals the home stretch of summer and features a wide swathe of musical talent over three days. Taking place from August 19th to 21st, the Folk Fest is celebrating its 27th year.

On Friday, August 19th at 8 p.m., Juno Award winner Bahamas will be the feature act for the gala concert, which takes place this year at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469). Opening the show will be Nick Procyshyn, the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist for 2016

The gala concert is the only part of the weekend with a cost. Tickets for the gala are $30 (plus fees) and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.

“Lost In The Light” – Bahamas

The rest of the festival takes place at Nicholls Oval, is free, and features a long list of great acts.

Saturday, August 20th will feature Born Ruffians, Yukon Blonde, Reuben and the Dark, Cris Derksen, Express and Co., Tim Moxam, New Grease Revival, Lonely Parade, The Kents, Charlotte Cornfield, Catfish Willie, Evangeline Gentle, Kunle, Megan Bonnell and more.

“Needles” – Born Ruffians

“POW_WOW_WOW_” – Cris Derksen

Music begins around 11 a.m. and continues until about 11 p.m.

There will be an after-party at the Pig’s Ear Tavern (144 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-745-7255) featuring Steelburner (members of Burning Hell and United Steelworkers of Montreal) and Mayhemingways. Cost to get in is $3.

Sunday, August 21st has more great music as Dan Mangan, Royal Wood, The Slackers, Fred Penner, My Son the Hurricane, Craig Cardiff, Missy Knott, James McKenty, Kate Suhr, Dub Trinity, and more take the stage.

My Son The Hurricane

“Good To Be Young” – Royal Wood

Carolyn Mark at The Garnet in Peterborouigh

The “Queen of Vancouver Island” Carolyn Mark returns to Peterborough on Friday, August 26th to play The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).

Carolyn is a great songwriter and performer who has worked with the likes of Neko Case, NQ Arbuckle, and Geoff Berner over the years. Her quirky sense of humour and musical prowess shine through in her songs and have earned her many fans across Canada.

Tickets are at the door and the show will begin around 10 p.m.

“Not a Doll” – Carolyn Mark & Her New Best Friends

One half of Peterborough-based fuzz-folk alt-country duo Mayhemingways, Josh and bandmate Benj Rowland embarked on a cross-Canada tour from Peterborough to St. John’s to B.C.

This is Josh’s final report from the road. Read part one, part two, and part three.

It is so nice to be writing from home. After a month on the road, there is nothing like your own bed, your loved one, and familiar coffee shops.

I must say, without sounding too dramatic, that this is a crazy life we lead. Town after city after town. Meeting new friends and seeing old ones all over this vast country. Different beds each day. Four hour drives being routine. Cutting across wide swathes of Canada and seeing the bits and pieces of this big, diverse and beautiful land.

It’s hard work (yes, it is work!) but we love it. Glamorous? No. Satisfying? Yes.

Reflections on the Badlands

I was lucky enough to have my partner Alisha fly out for a part of our trip. She got to meet some very good friends of ours out there and to see some unique and beautiful parts of Alberta.

One of the coolest places we got to visit together was Twin Butte. Home of the Twin Butte General Store — a Mexican restaurant, venue, post office, and liquor and convenience store. Among musicians, it is a gem of touring. Where the prairies meet the mountains. Where the owners Jeny and Phil treat every touring musician like gold. And you get to stay at a bunkie overlooking the Rockies with views of a coulee, golden hills, and horses.

We also decided to take a road through the foothills to the Cowboy Trail. We drove our rental car to beautiful vistas and winding roads. This was ranching country where cows still roam and the landscape inspires “wow” moments with each turn.

Lastly we got a chance to check out the stark, layered beauty of the Badlands. Specifically we drove to Drumheller and the surrounding area.

We took the opportunity to go to the Royal Tyrell Museum as well. It features one of the best collections of dinosaur fossils in world, many of them from that area or just further southwest from Dinosaur Provincial Park.

Stampede, Sheepdogs, and Recordland

I’ve been to Calgary a number of times, but this was the first time being in town for a big chunk of the Stampede. What I hadn’t realized in the past is that it’s basically a 10+ day bender with a bunch of rodeo events.

Stampede breakfasts happen all over the city, with hotels usually offering up alcoholic beverages as early as 7 or 8 a.m. By noon there are some happy people walking around Calgary, and by evening it’s definitely a party.

We had an off day on the same day that the Sheepdogs, currently featuring Bailieboro’s Jimmy Bowskill, were playing the Stampede. I got in touch with Jim and we were able to hang pre-show. We went record shopping at one of Canada’s best record stores, Recordland. Rare LPs, CDs, cassettes, and they currently feature a $1 vinyl sale. Four huge shelves, maybe 40 feet long with records from floor to ceiling. All for $1. I could have spent days and still been finding gems. It was amazing.

After the Sheepdogs show, I was able to get backstage and hang with the boys for a few beers. As I was entering the backstage area I heard someone say, “Josh?” It turned out my cousin Misty was working security for the stage area. What a small world.

Then we ventured to new-country artist Brett Kissel’s trailer in the backstage area of the Stampede and continued on to some other “VIP” areas. It’s a bit of a blur at this point, but it was a whole other side of The Stampede … and it sure was great to see Jimmy and the boys.

Final thoughts

Every time I go to Western Canada, it captures a little bit of my heart. I’m not sure why it does that, exactly. It could be the prairies, the mountains, the people, or maybe a combination of these and more. One thing that they certainly get out there is the appreciation of live music and the musicians who bring it to them.

Touring Canada can be exhausting. The sheer distances between destinations could make some folks crumble. But I like the challenge. It comes with rewards. There were a lot of thankful people on this tour; thankful that we overcame distance and the inherent difficulties.

In return, I am so grateful for audience members who support live music. The reward for us is the grace and hospitality we are showed at most of our stops. It’s rejuvenating and reminds me why I choose this crazy occupation.

Thank you to everyone who supports us at home and on the road. Until the next time!

Ennismore Homestead Theatre has been on my radar each summer but until this year I’ve never been able to go — because getting a ticket to one of their shows is much like getting one of Willie Wonka’s golden tickets.

Theatre patrons to the theatre reportedly begin lining up at 5 a.m. to purchase tickets when they go on sale, and tickets sell out within a matter of hours. I’ve never been a morning person, so I considered myself very lucky when I was invited by Paul Crough to sit in the audience for the opening of his new original play Paper Planes.

Directed by Bea Quarrie in her first production for Homestead Theatre, Paper Planes has a powerhouse cast of local talent and Paul’s well-crafted script takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster of laughter and tears. It’s a story about a son remembering his father, a father remembering his mother, and the struggle to remember anything at all.

Narrated by Eliot Greenwood (Maximillian Czmielewski), Paper Planes is the young man’s telling of the difficult times his family faced during the summer of 2006. As family patriarch Kai Greenwood (Paul Crough) struggles to finish his latest novel, he becomes more and more emotionally removed from everyone around him — especially his wife Nicole (Megan Murphy).

Things become more complicated when Kai’s unstable brother Russel (Kevin O’Neill) comes to live with the couple when he finds himself with nowhere to go.

As the communication between Kai and Nicole continues to break down, it becomes apparent that Kai has a secret that only Nicole’s best friend Janine (Kate Brioux) knows. Entering into couple’s therapy, truths begin to rise to the surface as Kai begins to remember long-repressed memories from his childhood involving his mother Helen (Lisa Devan) and a traumatic night when she and her sons made paper airplanes.

An emotional family drama, Paper Planes‘s success finds itself in the delicate balance between drama and humour. Although it’s too dramatic to be called a comedy, the show is often quite funny. Bea Quarrie builds up the tension in a scene, only to tear it back down with laughter.

The result is a powerful emotional experience, both on the stage and in the audience, that continues to intensify as the play reaches its conclusion.

At the centre of the show is Paul Crough as Kai Greenwood. Although his character is involved in his own head, Paul still manages to create a powerful emotional dynamic with whomever he is on the stage.

Whether fighting with his son, trying to connect with his wife, or repressing himself to a childlike stage in his memories with his mother, Paul brings emotion and meaning to the character he creates while fully giving himself to the other actors.

Kai can be a frustrating character to watch at times, and it’s initially easier for the audience to sympathize with his suffering wife Nichole. But as truths begin to emerge in the show, Kai becomes the most beloved of characters. Paul Crough gives a powerful performance of a difficult character.

Whereas Paul’s character is often emotionally removed, Megan Murphy’s character Nicole wears her heart on her sleeve. The emotional crux of the show, Megan creates a woman who is strong and independent, but very much alone in a marriage with a man she doesn’t recognize anymore. Trying to find meaning in her marriage, Nicole will do anything to make it work again. However, when she delivers an ultimatum to her husband, life seems to get in the way again.

Once again, the emotional connection between Megan and Paul is unmistakable and the two of them are wonderful together on the stage.

After a four-year absence from the Peterborough theatre community, Lisa Devan returns in the role of Kai’s mother, Helen Greenwood. A lovely woman with a thick southern accent, Helen works hard and tries to be a good mom to her two boys. However, that doesn’t mean she always does the right thing and she doesn’t always know what to do.

A woman with a shady past who is running from something, Helen is a tragic figure filled with love and sadness and cloaked in mystery. Lisa Devan gives a lovely performance of a fallen angel who lives in the fragmented memories of a son who struggles to remember her.

Maximillian Czmielewski gives an interesting performance as Eliot Greenwood, the son of Kai and Nicole. As the narrator of the drama, Maximillian plays the same character at different stages of his life, in 2016 and 2006. The result is that in an instant Maximillian changes his character from being an introspective and well-spoken young man to a cocky and privileged punk.

Playing characters much older than he really is, the frame of the show is put on the shoulders of this 15-year-old actor — who carries it without any struggle.

The show’s comedic relief is provided by Kevin O’Neill as Kai’s brother Russel and Kate Brioux as Janine Riverton. Once again, Paper Planes is all about balance, and Kevin and Kate provide the comedy whereas Paul and Megan provide the drama.

Perfectly coming in to a scene to relieve dramatic tension, Kevin and Kate can break the audience up with their bigger-than-life personalities and comic timing. Kate breaks the fourth wall on more than one occasion, and the liveliest musical numbers of the night fall to this pair.

Paper Planes also features Mike Judson in a small but important role in the show. A spectre from Kai’s past, Mike plays a cruel and overbearing figure named Shane Purvis. The jovial Mike Judson that we know from television is long gone in this role — it’s Mike as you’ve never seen him before.

Mike has really found a place for himself on the Peterborough stage and is proving himself to be a very good actor. It was great to see Mike in a dramatic role and hopefully we’ll be seeing Mike in more shows of this caliber.

While Paper Planes is not a musical, it does feature four original songs by Mac Morin and Paul Crough. Although the musical numbers seem temporarily jarring, the performances work — especially given the huge vocal talents of performers like Kate Brioux and Paul Crough.

Kate’s performance of “J’adore Paris” is easily the musical moment of the night, although the ’80s pop-inspired “Russell Revolution” featuring Kevin and Kate was my favourite number.

I want to give a quick shout out to the people involved in the set for Paper Planes, designed by Todd Willis, Michael Mott, and Paul Crough with Ellen Lueck, Colette Swift, and Lindsay Unterlande. The stage crew managed to put a modern living room and kitchen into an old barn.

This multi-level set looks nicer than my own apartment, and I felt that I could have just moved onto the Paper Planes set quite comfortably. The play’s set design is itself a work of art.

Paper Planes is a moving piece of drama created by some of Peterborough’s favorite performers. Bea Quarrie uses the wonderful talents of her cast to pull out all the emotional stops. Paper Planes is a show that will sit heavy in the hearts of the audiencehope and hopefully fully will be performed again and again.

For more information on Ennismore Homestead Theatre, visit their website at www.ennismorehomesteadtheatre.com.

All photos courtesy of Ennismore Homestead Theatre.