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Tourism operators in Kawarthas Northumberland can apply for Regional Tourism Organization 8’s business mentorship program

Sky Haven Equestrian Centre & Retreat in Bethany is one of the tourism-related businesses in Kawarthas Northumberland that has taken advantage of the Acceler8 personalized business mentorship program from Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8). Refreshed for 2025, the program is now accepting applications in advance of the upcoming tourism season. (Photo: Sky Haven Equestrian Centre & Retreat)

Just in time for the tourism season, tourism business owners and operators in Kawarthas Northumberland can “Acceler8” their chances for a stellar summer by applying for support from a mentor.

Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) has opened a new intake for Acceler8, a personalized business mentorship program designed to support tourism operators across Kawarthas Northumberland, which includes the City of Kawartha Lakes, the City and County of Peterborough, and Northumberland County.

Refreshed for 2025, Acceler8 is tailored to help tourism businesses navigate today’s evolving market and economic conditions. Through one-on-one coaching with experienced tourism professionals, participants will receive strategic support to overcome specific business challenges, streamline operations, and identify new opportunities for growth, a press release noted.

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Acceler8 program manager Joe Rees shared his thoughts about the new intake stream, and what businesses can expect from the program, with kawarthaNOW.

“Acceler8 offers one-on-one coaching for small business with experienced professionals, but as part of our refresh, the process has been restructured so that participating businesses will receive immediate strategic support to overcome a specific business challenge or need,” Rees said.

“This could include creating new experiences, bringing a product to market, streamlining operations or identifying new opportunities for growth. As we rapidly head into a season where Canadians are expected to travel closer to home, it is critical to be ready to host visitors with the best product possible, and that is what the Acceler8 program is geared to do.”

VIDEO: RTO8 Acceler8 – Blades of Glory Testimonial

Acceler8 is open to tourism-related businesses in accommodations, retail, attractions, experiences, and food and beverage sectors. Participants will be matched with seasoned professionals who bring not only deep industry knowledge but also regional understanding, accounting for differences in municipal by-laws, visitor expectations, and available resources.

“Tourism is a major economic driver in our region, and we’ve got an incredible range of experiences and operators,” Rees said. “Acceler8 connects those on the ground with mentors who understand the landscape and can help navigate it strategically.”

Operated in partnership with local economic development offices and destination marketing/management organizations across the region, Acceler8 provides a unique regional perspective that “goes beyond cookie-cutter solutions,” he added.

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“Our hope is that in this very challenging business environment, RTO8 can provide critical support to tourism businesses,” Rees said. “By actively engaging with them and providing professional guidance, Acceler8 hopes to create even more reasons for people to visit Kawarthas Northumberland.”

“With another busy travel season on the horizon and growing interest in Canadian getaways, now is the perfect time for tourism businesses to tap into expert guidance. Acceler8 is all about helping tourism businesses thrive, not just survive.”

For more information and to apply, visit rto8.com/acceler8/.

Lindsay community mourns sudden passing of Linden ‘Lindy’ Mackey

On May 5, 2025, Mackey Funeral Home announced that prominent Lindsay citizen Linden "Lindy" Mackey has passed away. (Photo: Mackey Funeral Home)

The Lindsay community is mourning the sudden passing of Linden “Lindy” Mackey, one of Lindsay’s most prominent citizens, at the age of 58.

The co-owner of Mackey Funeral Home and the sole Mackey still involved in the three-generation family business, he was also the co-owner of Mackey Celebrations and Stoddart Funeral Home Inc.

On Monday afternoon (May 5), Mackey Funeral Home posted a statement on their Facebook page about his passing.

“Today, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary family man, dedicated businessman, and cherished member of our community. Linden was the heart and soul of our business, carrying forward the legacy of his father and grandfather with humility, grace, and pride. He never sought the spotlight — his kindness spoke for itself. Linden was generous to a fault, always putting others before himself.”

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“As a community, we grieve the loss of a beloved friend, mentor, and leader,” the statement continues. “Linden’s absence will be deeply felt, but his impact will live on. Let us honour his memory by reflecting on all he has given to this community and the lives he touched along the way.”

“Life is sweet because of the friends we have made – Lindy Mackey.”

Born and raised in Lindsay, Mackey became a licensed funeral director in 1987. He was actively involved in the community through many local agencies and was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes Business Hall of Fame last year.

VIDEO: Linden Mackey – JA City of Kawartha Lakes Business Hall of Fame Inductee 2024

“Linden was a constant, friendly presence in our downtown, and his kindness, compassion, and warmth touched everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him,” states the Lindsay Downtown Business Improvement Area on its Facebook page. “He operated his businesses with these same qualities, supporting so many of us in our most difficult times. Linden’s contributions to our community have been immeasurable, and his absence will be deeply felt.”

The statement on Mackey Funeral Home’s Facebook page has almost 900 reactions and over 450 comments, with many local residents, businesses, and organizations sharing their condolences and memories of Mackey. Many of the comments note Mackey’s kindness, compassion, and generosity.

“Linden leaves an immense hole in our community but his legacy as a remarkable businessman, leader and kind soul carries on eternally,” reads a comment from the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce.

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“We mourn the loss of a great friend, mentor and leader of our time,” reads a comment from Olympia Restaurant.

“As a long-time supporter and friend of Community Care, Lindy exemplified what it means to care deeply for your neighbours and showed steadfast compassion, generosity, and commitment,” reads a comment from Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes. “We are deeply grateful for all he gave to our community.”

“Linden brightened our lunch table each month — giving generously of himself, his profession to our estate planning council,” reads a comment from the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes. “He was a remarkable community leader and offers a strong legacy.”

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“Lindy was not only a generous theatre sponsor and dedicated board member, but also a passionate advocate for the arts and a true community builder,” writes FLATO Academy Theatre on its Facebook page. “He devoted countless hours to the theatre — helping with sets, performing on stage, cheering on loved ones in productions, announcing dance recitals, contributing in countless other ways.”

Mackey leaves behind his wife Stephanie, owner of Lindsay Dance Studio, and their four children Sophia, Thomas, Joey, and Natasha.

Information about funeral arrangements is not yet available.

 

This story has been updated with additional comments and a Business Hall of Fame video about Mackey.

Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) will now represent businesses in East City

Light post banners on Hunter Street East in Peterborough's East City installed by the volunteer-led East City Village Business Improvement Area, which is merging with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area as part of a one-year pilot agreement. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

For the first time in its 44-year history, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has expanded its boundaries to include businesses in Peterborough’s East City.

The Peterborough DBIA announced on Tuesday (May 6) that the East City Village Business Improvement Area (VBIA) has joined the DBIA under what is described in a media release as “a one-year pilot merger agreement” that took effect in April.

Under the agreement, the East City VBIA — which represents businesses on Hunter Street East, east of the Hunter Street bridge — has merged its operations with the Peterborough DBIA.

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“We’re thrilled to welcome East City’s vibrant business community into the DBIA,” says Peterborough DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum in the release. “East City has always been a beloved and essential part of Peterborough with a strong sense of place.”

“We’re excited to bring together two really vibrant and connected communities to elevate our collective impact and work together to strengthen our local economy. This merger will create even more opportunities for businesses to thrive. I think this is a really exciting next step in Peterborough’s story.”

Established by the City of Peterborough in 1981 to support and revitalize the downtown core, the Peterborough DBIA’s boundaries have always encompassed the traditional commercial grid west of the Otonabee River.

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The Peterborough DBIA’s boundaries — north to Murray Street, west to Bethune Street, south to Dalhousie Street, and east to the Hunter Street Bridge — did not include East City, historically known as the Village of Ashburnham, because of its distinct geography and character on the other side of the river.

East City businesses created their own volunteer-led business improvement area to advocate for area improvements, while maintaining a separate identity and operation.

The merger of the East City VBIA with the Peterborough DBIA means East City businesses will now have the opportunity to participate in programs and promotions run by the DBIA, such as the Boro gift card program and the annual Holiday Shopping Passport program, which previously only applied to businesses located in the downtown core.

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“This merger represents an opportunity for East City to access new tools and larger resources, while still celebrating the charm and community that makes our side of the river so special,” says East City VBIA chair Cassia Piper.

“The Village BIA has been shaped by neighbours who care deeply about their community. Merging with the DBIA builds on that legacy. It opens new doors and offers more chances to be a part of the big-picture vision for downtown.”

According to the release, the merger of the two organizations also creates the potential for expanded collaboration in local events, beautification projects, and shared advocacy for small business priorities within the city.

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The merger also aligns with the City of Peterborough’s official plan, which considers both the downtown core and East City to be part of the city’s central area.

During the one-year pilot project, both organizations will “evaluate how best to integrate programming and representation moving forward,” while the Peterborough DBIA will “work closely” with East City business owners to ensure local priorities are recognized, supported, and celebrated.

“This isn’t about dissolving identities, it’s about strengthening them,” Mazloum says. “We believe this partnership will amplify what makes East City unique while connecting these unique communities through shared opportunity.”

The Peterborough DBIA represents over 400 businesses in the downtown core, with the city collecting a levy totalling $362,045 in 2025 through commercial and industrial property taxes from within the DBIA boundaries to fund the organization.

Innovation Cluster helps tech entrepreneurs scale their businesses and thrive

Andrew Nokes, founder of Creativity by Code and ReziLink, shakes hands with Eduard Yonathan, founder of SanoStrategy. Both tech entrepreneurs are clients of the Innovation Cluster, which serves early-stage small and medium-sized businesses in the cleantech, agritech, health and medical tech, nuclear, and digital tech sectors. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster

Tech entrepreneurs become clients of the Innovation Cluster to access expert guidance, industry connections, and resources essential for their success.

Fresh off the heels of the non-profit organization’s rebrand, the Innovation Cluster is offering eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access to dedicated business mentors, coaching sessions with more than 30 experts in residence, unlimited workshops, discounts on bootcamps and masterclasses, meeting space, and more.

Priced at $200 per month, the client package delivers a $2,000 per month value.

To be eligible, innovative businesses must be based in Eastern Ontario and working in specific industries (cleantech, agritech, health or medical tech, nuclear, or digital tech), have a minimum viable product (MVP) ready or in market, and have a business plan in place.

Hiawatha First Nation entrepreneur Barry Payne is one of more than 30 experts in residence that Innovation Cluster clients can consult to benefit from their knowledge and expertise in areas including intellectual property, finance, product development, marketing, and more. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)
Hiawatha First Nation entrepreneur Barry Payne is one of more than 30 experts in residence that Innovation Cluster clients can consult to benefit from their knowledge and expertise in areas including intellectual property, finance, product development, marketing, and more. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)

“People think launching the MVP is the challenging part of the business, but it’s actually everything that comes after,” says Innovation Cluster program lead Zahra Shafiei. “While entrepreneurs have lots of good ideas, they need to know what the next step for them is and that’s where we can help.”

Clients are paired with a seasoned expert business advisor based on their industry, with whom the businesses can schedule up to two meetings per month.

“This knowledge is not coming from books — as the advisors have worked in SMEs, they’re going to share the knowledge and expertise they have gained from real-life experience,” Shafiei says. “And it’s not you and your team going to the advisor with a couple of questions when you have a problem — it’s going to be you working through the problems with your mentor and achieving the milestones together.”

Along with a dedicated business advisor, Innovation Cluster clients can also draw upon more than 30 experts in residence from across the country with knowledge and experience in intellectual property, finance, product development, marketing, and more. Clients can meet with one expert of their choosing per month, with additional sessions available.

“This roster of experts has been built to serve SME tech businesses that are ready to scale,” says Innovation Cluster marketing director Loretta Eldridge.

“They’re all experienced and nothing is new to them, as they’ve been through that growth themselves. It’s this perfect collaboration and ecosystem for companies that are dealing with all these things for the first time. It’s so much easier to deal with a problem when you’re learning from someone who’s already been through it.”

Creativity by Code Inc. founder Andrew Nokes has developed ReziLink, a new SaaS platform for non-profit organizations. Through the support of the Innovation Cluster, Nokes has been able to scale up his business by learning about intellectual property and financing and networking opportunities. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)
Creativity by Code Inc. founder Andrew Nokes has developed ReziLink, a new SaaS platform for non-profit organizations. Through the support of the Innovation Cluster, Nokes has been able to scale up his business by learning about intellectual property and financing and networking opportunities. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)

“On average, in 45 days, we start to see significant change with our clients moving forward in their business,” adds Innovation Cluster program lead Zahra Shafiei. “Our partners can help a client find a site for testing their prototype in a real-life situation, or make referrals for a client.”

This was the case for Andrew Nokes, founder of Creativity by Code Inc., a custom software development company. With guidance from the Innovation Cluster, the Omemee-based entrepreneur has been developing ReziLink, a software as a service (SaaS) platform built in close collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Gateway North in Bracebridge.

Nokes first became involved with the Innovation Cluster when participating in the LevelUP business accelerator program in 2024, and has since continued on as an Innovation Cluster client.

“I had experience running a custom software business, but I didn’t have the skills or knowledge for a startup and that’s where the Innovation Cluster was crucial,” he says, noting he has gained support in critical areas for scaling like intellectual property, branding, and market validation. “All of these things were skills I didn’t even know I needed, but they served me to get things off the ground and it built a lot of confidence.”

By becoming clients of the Innovation Cluster, tech entrepreneurs can scale up their business with guidance from industry advisors and experts in residence. Entrepreneurs can achieve significant advancement in their businesses through education and skill building, the development of local and industry connections, access to funding programs, and other scaling opportunities. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster
By becoming clients of the Innovation Cluster, tech entrepreneurs can scale up their business with guidance from industry advisors and experts in residence. Entrepreneurs can achieve significant advancement in their businesses through education and skill building, the development of local and industry connections, access to funding programs, and other scaling opportunities. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster

Under the one-on-one mentorship of the Innovation Cluster, Nokes has received essential guidance from his business advisors. He has also been introduced to important financing opportunities, including a fund for developers that pays a portion of wages to hire additional staff and access $10,000 worth of Amazon Web Services credits.

“I could conduct my own research, but having someone who’s already been there and done this and knows exactly what I need builds confidence going in, so that I know I’m doing this properly,” he says.

Between the LevelUP program and continuing to access support as a client, Nokes says the Innovation Cluster has been “extremely valuable.”

“Without the Innovation Cluster, I certainly wouldn’t be this far along and this organized,” he says. “It’s nice to know that the Innovation Cluster is there when I need something.”

Clients of the Innovation Cluster receive many benefits, including 25 per cent off immersive bootcamps and masterclasses and unlimited free workshops. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)
Clients of the Innovation Cluster receive many benefits, including 25 per cent off immersive bootcamps and masterclasses and unlimited free workshops. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)

For Bowmanville-based entrepreneur Mark Trypuc, making connections in the cleantech industry was one of his main motivations for wanting to become an Innovation Cluster client. As the founder of SCHEG Corp, which has developed an innovative home generator powered by water, Tyrpuc is working with the Innovation Cluster to build his business network.

“The Innovation Cluster is focused on on-on-one development and I thought it would be a really good opportunity to see if they could help out and guide us to the next level,” he says. “Just having someone else to take a step back and say, ‘Maybe you should try this route’ is one benefit of working with them.”

As an Innovation Cluster client, Trypuc has made connections with countless industry experts, including academics at Fleming College, and those who have specific expertise in alternative energy.

“The Innovation Cluster has a huge network of people you can be introduced to — it puts you in the right direction a lot faster,” he explains.

“When you’re working with just one other person and you’re trying to develop something, and you’ve been at it for 18 or 20 months, it can sometimes feel like it’s just you. But when you start talking with resources at the Innovation Cluster who want you to succeed and who see real value in what you’re doing, it gives you a bit of a breath of fresh air and pumps up your tires a little more.”

In addition to having access to mentors and advisors, clients of the Innovation Cluster have free access to coworking space, conference and meeting room space, and print and mail services. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)
In addition to having access to mentors and advisors, clients of the Innovation Cluster have free access to coworking space, conference and meeting room space, and print and mail services. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)

According to Innovation Cluster marketing director Loretta Eldridge, the services offered by the Innovation Cluster are filling a gap for early-stage small and medium-sized tech businesses that can have a “huge impact” on the economy in Peterborough and the Kawarthas as well as in Ontario and Canada.

“It’s about finding companies within our region and helping them to grow roots here, create jobs here, and help all of us in the region have a better future,” she points out. “It grows exponentially from there.”

For more information on becoming an Innovation Cluster client and scaling your tech business faster, visit innovationcluster.ca/become-a-client.

PDF: Become a Client of the Innovation Cluster
Become a Client of the Innovation Cluster

 

This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

Kirkfield Road at Lake Dalrymple Bridge in Kawartha Lakes to be closed for six months for bridge replacement

Located on Kirkfield Road across the narrows of Lake Dalrymple in Kawartha Lakes, Lake Dalrymple Bridge was built out of timber with a concrete deck circa 1970 and needs to be replaced due to continued deterioration of wood, concrete, and asphalt as well as erosion. (Photo: Tatham Engineering)

The City of Kawartha Lakes has announced the timelines for the full replacement of the Lake Dalrymple Bridge, including the closure of Kirkfield Road in the area of the bridge for six months from May to October.

The bridge was built around 1970 out of timber with a concrete deck. Although it was rehabilitated around 1990, the bridge has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced due to continued deterioration of wood, concrete, and asphalt, as well as erosion. The municipality has allocated $4.7 million in capital funding for the bridge replacement.

As the bridge structure type and geometry is not conducive to the standard approach to construction, where half the bridge is closed for work and the other half remains open to traffic, the road needs to closed for replacement of the bridge.

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The bridge replacement will result in long detours using Lake Dalrymple Road to County Road 45 in the north, and Kirkfield Road to Brechin Road and County Road 47 in the south.

To reduce speeding on Lake Dalrymple Road and improve safety for residents, temporary speed humps will be installed on the road. An alternate detour route for truck traffic will be in place to reduce pressure on the road.

With increased traffic, the condition of detour roadways will be assessed before and after the bridge construction, with repairs completed as needed to restore the roadways to their original or improved state.

The location of Lake Dalrymple Bridge in Kawartha Lakes. (Map: City of Kawartha Lakes)
The location of Lake Dalrymple Bridge in Kawartha Lakes. (Map: City of Kawartha Lakes)

To mitigate the impact of the bridge closure on emergency services, paramedic units will be dispatched using the coordinated automatic dispatch system, which automatically assigns the closest response units based on real-time road conditions and detours.

As needed, Simcoe County Paramedic Service from the Township of Ramara and Region of Durham Paramedic Service will supplement paramedic response coverage during the bridge closure.

Township of Ramara Fire Services will assist in providing fire protection services to the portion of the municipality impacted by the bridge closure.

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Construction preparation will take place during the week of May 19, when the contractor will mobilize equipment and prepare the site. During this time, sections of Kirkfield Road may be reduced to one lane with flagging operations.

From May 26 to October 24, Kirkfield Road will be closed to all traffic while the bridge is removed and replaced. Detour signage will be installed at least two weeks in advance of the closure. Access to the public boat launch west of the bridge will be maintained.

After the bridge has been reopened to traffic, final work will be completed between October 24 and November 25. During this period, sections of Kirkfield Road may be reduced to one lane with flagging operations.

For updates during the construction project, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/majorprojects.

encoreNOW – May 5, 2025

encoreNOW for May 5, 2025 features (from left to right, top and bottom) The Traveling Milburys, Peterborough Singers, The Plowboys, The Lowest of the Low, "You Can't Take It With You", and "Alice in Wonderland". (kawarthaNOW collage)

encoreNOW is a bi-weekly column by Paul Rellinger where he features upcoming music, theatre, film, and performing arts events and news from across the Kawarthas.

This week, Paul highlights the Traveling Milburys at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre, a season-ending homage by the Peterborough Singers to Mozart’s Requiem, traditional country music in Bancroft courtesy of The Plowboys, the sound-and-sight explosion that is The Lowest of the Low, the Lindsay staging of a near 90-year-old Broadway hit and two-time Oscar-winning film, and Bad Hat’s reimagining of Alice in Wonderland at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre.

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Traveling Milburys at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre pay tribute to a one-off that exploded

VIDEO: The Traveling Milburys

The pop music universe is replete with examples of great things that evolved from intended one-off collaborations.

Take, for example, what transpired when Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Bob Dylan came together to record a bonus track for intended European release by Harrison. The record company loved what they heard and instead inked the quintet to record a full album, with that song, “Handle With Care,” among its tracks.

Released in October 1988, Traveling Wilburys’ debut album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 was a critical and commercial success, earning a 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Group or Duo on the strength of the additional singles “End of the Line” and “Heading for the Light.”

That was followed in 1990 by the intentionally misnumbered Traveling Wilburys No. 3, which was dedicated to Orbison who died suddenly in December 1988.

It was inevitable that the Traveling Wilburys’ short but impactful tenure would be paid homage to. Following Petty’s passing in 2017, Toronto musician John Cassano thought putting together a tribute to the supergroup would work. He did just that, and the Traveling Milburys have been a thing since, consistently playing to sold-out houses.

On Friday (May 9) at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre, the Lynne-portraying Cassano will be joined by Jerry Boyer as Harrison, Gerry Parsons as Petty, Gavan Rousseau at Orbison, and Virgil Kinsley as Dylan (backed by a rhythm section featuring Mike Berardelli on bass, Danny Sandwell on drums, and Rick Hyatt on keyboards) when the Traveling Milburys perform not only the music of the Traveling Wilburys but also select hit songs recorded by each as individual artists.

Back in 2019, I caught the Traveling Milburys at Market Hall and came away wholly entertained. Their vocals were spot-on and their musicianship was top rate. We can expect this go-round will be no different. Tickets to the 7:30 pm concert cost $62 at flatoacademytheatre.com.

 

Mozart’s Requiem gets the full Peterborough Singers treatment

VIDEO: Mozart/Durham Cathedral Music Concert featuring conductor Syd Birrell

When Mozart died in December 1791, a Requiem mass he was commissioned to compose by Count Franz von Walsegg to commemorate the first anniversary of his wife’s passing was left unfinished.

The following year saw Austrian composer Franz Xaver Sussmayr complete the work started by Mozart and it was performed at a benefit for Mozart’s widow. All these years later, the piece is still considered the hallmark of Mozart’s genius. Now, to close out its 2024-25 season, the Peterborough Singers’ will provide evidence of that.

On Saturday (May 10) at Emmanuel United Church in downtown Peterborough, the choral group will headline Mozart Requiem, featuring Ian Sadler (organ), and soloists Lesley Bouza (soprano), Lillian Brooks (mezzo soprano), David Walsh (tenor), and Christopher Dunham (bass).

Not only will the audience be treated to Mozart’s mastery, it will also hear selections from the Singers’ upcoming summer cathedral tour to Durham, England in the form of classic anthems by Parry, Stanford, Mendelssohn, Faure, and Wood.

General admission tickets to the 7 p.m. concert are $40 ($10 for students) and are available at www.peterboroughsingers.com as well as at Pammett’s Flower Shop, Ashburnham Foot and Ankle Centre, and Happenstance Books and Yarns in Lakefield.

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Traditional country music fans rejoice — The Plowboys are coming to Bancroft

VIDEO: The Plowboys promo compilation

During the 1990s, country music saw a huge revival when too-many-artists-to-count introduced a more mainstream pop feel to their country-influenced lyrics. Think Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, and Alan Jackson.

But through those years, the country music purists never went away and, in fact, dug in their heels and did their damnedest to ensure that more traditional offerings of the genre got their due in the face of the “new country” movement.

In the end, the ways of the steel guitar prevailed, with millions still pledging allegiance to the Nashville sound as it was first intended to be presented and heard.

On Saturday (May 10) at the Bancroft Village Playhouse, The Plowboys — rhinestone-studded suits and all — will perform country music as many still remember and regale it.

Formed in 2016, the quintet — Scott Haggerty (lead vocals/guitar), Al Torrance (lead guitar), Jim Haggerty (bass), Brad Baldwin (drums), and Andy Schick (steel guitar) — has gained quite a loyal following with its stellar performance of traditional country songs by the likes of Buck Owens, Ray Price Haggard and Jim Reeves, to name but a few.

The band’s self-titled debut album, released in 2024, saw the song “Out of Luck Out Of Time Out Of My Mind” reach #10 on the Canadian Indie Top 150 Country Countdown Chart.

Tickets to the 7 p.m. concert are $33.50 plus tax and are available at www.villageplayhouse.ca.

 

The Lowest of the Low bringing its high energy to Peterborough’s Market Hall

VIDEO: “On A Bad Day” – The Lowest of the Low

When The Lowest of the Low formed in 1991, little did its members know the lasting influence their music would have on the Canadian alternative music scene.

Not hurting matters in terms of the band’s legacy was the success of its debut album, Shakespeare My Butt. Selling just short of gold status, the album became one of the best-selling independent releases in Canadian music history.

The band was originally formed by Ron Hawkins (vocals, guitar), Stephen Stanley (guitar, vocals), and David Alexander (drums) — all members of the band Popular Front — as a side project at a time when their other band was going through internal tensions that eventually led to its breakup. While performing as a trio in folk clubs, they met John Arnott (bass), who became the band’s fourth member.

After breaking up in 1993, the band reunited in 2000 for a five-show tour, and subsequently released the live album Nothing Short of a Bullet. Dylan Parker replaced John Arnott in 2002, and the band released Sordid Fiction. After touring that record, the band went on an extended hiatus before announcing they were breaking up for good in 2007. They reunited again in 2010, with Stanley leaving the band three years later, and subsequently released 2017’s Do the Right Now, 2019’s Agitpop, and 2021’s Taverns and Palaces , with the band’s latest release 2023’s Welcome to the Plunderdome.

Along with founding members Hawkins and Alexander, the band’s current lineup includes Lawrence Nichols (keyboards, harmonica, vocals), Greg Smith of The Weakerthans (bass), and Michael McKenzie (lead guitar).

Known for socially conscious lyrics and raw folk-punk performance energy, The Lowest of the Low remains a tour de force, drawing fans of its earliest work to new converts — a combination of which will no doubt be at Peterborough’s Market Hall on Thursday, May 15 as the band takes to the stage, with Montreal power poppers Danny Laj and The Looks opening.

Tickets to the 8 p.m. concert cost $36 and are available at www.markethall.org.

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A good story has its place, and that place is the Academy Theatre in Lindsay

VIDEO: “You Can’t Take It With You” film trailer (1938)

In the live theatre realm, there’s something to be said for a good story.

Close to 90 years after it premiered at Philadelphia’s Chestnut Street Opera House, the comedy You Can’t Take It With You has well withstood the test of time as a good story.

Written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the play subsequently enjoyed 838-performance run on Broadway, won a 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and was adapted for the silver screen in 1938 directed by Frank Capra and starring Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, and Edward Arnold, with the film adaptation ultimately winning two Academy Awards, including the Best Picture Oscar.

The story introduces us to the eccentric and free-spirited Sycamore family, whose unconventional lifestyle clashes with that of the more rigid upper-class Kirby family when their children fall in love.

Featuring themes of individualism, happiness and the pursuit of passions over material wealth, it ultimately delivers the still relevant message that life is best enjoyed when lived on one’s own terms as opposed to conforming to societal expectations.

Directed by Andrew Archibald and Alli Merritt and featuring local actors, You Can’t Take It With You will be staged Friday and Saturday May 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre, with an added 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets cost $32 at flatoacademytheatre.com.

 

Alice like you’ve never experienced her, before Port Hope-bound

VIDEO: “Alice in Wonderland” trailer (2023 Soulpepper Theatre production)

Since its founding in 2015, Toronto-based theatre company Bad Hats Theatre has enthralled audiences far and wide with its new and fun spins on popular theatre productions. Among them is its reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, which earned the troupe six Dora Mavor Moore Awards presented annually to the best in Toronto theatre.

Now Bad Hats is bringing its music-laced spin on Lewis Carroll’s children’s novel to Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre from May 16 to June 1.

Featuring music by Landon Doak and Victor Pokinko, the family musical was staged to terrific reviews and sold-out audiences at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre. Now Alice In Wonderland is on the road, with the first performances being this run in Port Hope, followed by a July 9 to 20 run at the Bancroft Village Playhouse.

Directed by Sue Miner, the touring cast features Colleen Furlan in the title role with the remaining cast of eight playing multiple roles: Dave Ball as Mr C. and the White Rabbit, Rosie Callaghan as Nicola and the Unicorn, Eden Chiam as Ruby and the Red Queen, Chris Fulton as Tod, Tweedle Dee, and the March Hare, Ben Kopp as Douggie and the Dodo, Chelsea Preston as Todd, Tweedle Dum, and the Mad Hatter, Emry Tupper as Buddy and the Caterpillar, and Anika Venkatesh as the Cheshire Cat.

Bad Hats co-founder and artistic director Fiona Sauder, who penned the adaptation, told kawarthaNOW that what’s “especially cool” about this production is the cast also performs the music, not only taking on multiple roles but playing multiple instruments.

When all is said and done, this is an opportunity for local audiences to enjoy the work of one of Toronto’s most lauded theatre companies. That’s an opportunity too good to pass up.

Curtain is 7:30 p.m. on May 16 and 17, May 23 and 24, and May 29 to 31, with matinee performances at 10:30 a.m. from May 20 to 22 and May 27 to 29 and at 2 p.m. on May 18, 24, 25 and 31, and June 1. Other than the pay-what-you-can preview on May 16, tickets are $48 for adults, $40 for ages 13 to 30, and $22 for ages 12 and under, and are available at the Capitol Theatre’s box office at 20 Queen Street (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday), by phone at 905-885-1071, or online at capitoltheatre.com.

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Encore

  • Like many of you, I was sad to hear Peterborough’s klusterfork entertainment is calling it a day as of the end of May. In a world in dire need of a good laugh, the work of the Peterborough-based producers and presenters of improv comedy shows will be sorely missed. It was back in November 2019 that Linda Kash, Pat Maitland and Ian Burns launched klusterfork via a sold-out Christmas-themed improv comedy show at Market Hall. A number of performances followed, along with the training of wanna-be improv performers via a number of offered workshops. On a more personal level, I can’t recall ever coming away from an interview with Linda et al without a huge smile on my face. klusterfork did it up right.
  • It’s not enough that the local Irish community has a day all its own to celebrate its heritage — now it has a whole week courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest. As we await word of the free summer concert festival’s full lineup, we continue to be teased, the latest announcement being the staging of three Irish-themed concerts staged in conjunction with the bicentennial of the 1825 Peter Robinson emigration of Irish settlers to the Peterborough region. On August 2, the Toronto-based U2 tribute band Acrobat will take to the stage in Del Crary Park, followed on August 6 by Celtic rockers Mudmen with local fiddler Irish Millie opening. Then, on August 9, The Celtic Tenors arrive from Ireland to perform. Should be quite a week. Stay with kawarthaNOW for details of more 2025 concerts as they become known.

Lindsay ReStore volunteer Kevin Deuchars honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal

Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR), presented Lindsay ReStore volunteer Kevin Deuchars with the King Charles III Coronation Medal at a special volunteer celebration hosted at Omemee Coronation Hall on April 30, 2025 during National Volunteer Week. (Photo: Habitat PKR)

Spending time with people who devote themselves to the cause of increasing access to affordable housing is an inspiration for Holly O’Connor.

As the marketing and communications manager for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR), she’s now had the opportunity to help recognize three of the organization’s outstanding volunteers with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

“It’s honestly so inspiring to have the privilege to be surrounded by volunteers who devote so much of themselves to Habitat PKR’s work,” O’Connor told kawarthaNOW. “I’m constantly in awe of the heart behind their motives. These are people who show up, consistently, simply because they care about building affordable housing and investing right back into their community.”

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One of those individuals is Kevin Deuchars.

Last Wednesday (April 30), during National Volunteer Week, Habitat PKR presented the devoted Lindsay ReStore volunteer with his King Charles III Coronation Medal at a special volunteer celebration hosted at Omemee Coronation Hall.

During his acceptance speech, Deuchars acknowledged the efforts of each of his fellow volunteers, show attended the event along with his friends and family.

“The main reason I will always volunteer at the Lindsay Habitat ReStore, for as long as I possibly can, is because of the incredible people who surround me and inspire me every single day,” Deuchars said.

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The King Charles III Coronation Medal is awarded to fewer than 30,000 people across the country, and recognizes exceptional service and civic dedication — “qualities Kevin demonstrates daily,” Habitat PKR noted in a media release. “A valued member of the Habitat PKR since 2021, Kevin has made a lasting impact on the Lindsay ReStore and the broader community.”

At the Lindsay ReStore, Deuchars manages the lighting department with “enthusiasm and expertise.” Known for his reliability, problem-solving skills, and positive spirit, he became “a go-to volunteer and trusted peer among staff and volunteers alike,” the release stated.

“Volunteers like Kevin embody the spirit of service, and I don’t think people always realize just how much time, skill and heart goes into what they do,” O’Connor said. “They work so hard behind the scenes and are always humble and purpose-driven. They are the backbone of not just our organization, but our whole local community.”

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Originally from Hamilton and raised in east Toronto, Deuchars moved to Lindsay in 2003 and has dedicated his retirement years to service and community building, the release noted.

“Kevin is not only a dedicated volunteer — he embodies the spirit of community,” said Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat PKR, in a statement.

“His commitment to Habitat PKR goes far beyond his time in the ReStore. He actively invests in the local community and believes deeply in our mission to build safe, decent, and affordable housing. Kevin’s contributions help create brighter futures for families across our region.”

In addition to his medal, Deuchars also received a legacy award from Habitat PRK recognizing his completion of over 2,200 volunteer hours.

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Back in March, Habitat PKR held a special celebration brunch at the Lakefield Restore to honour two other volunteers — Cindy Windover and Harry Pearson — who also each received the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Windover, a long-standing board member, has played a key role in shaping the organization’s vision and supporting fundraising initiatives, in addition to her advocacy work. Pearson, a boots-on-the-ground volunteer of more than 18 years, fulfills a crucial role in Habitat PKR’s deconstruction program, helping to remove more than 100 kitchens and salvage materials for Habitat PKR ReStores, in addition to his building work.

Both Windover and Pearson have also worked on Habitat PKR build sites in the Lakefield community, and were key members of the steering committee for the homes built on Fitzgerald Street and other local projects.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada. Eligible candidates must meet requirements that include having made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region, or community of Canada, or having made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Six elementary school students spell their way to success at Peterborough Rotary’s 11th annual spelling bee

The winners of the Rotary Club of Peterborough's 11th annual spelling bee on May 3, 2025 at Whetung Theatre at Fleming College were, in the junior division (grades 4 to 8), Kieran Scerri (2nd), Verna Conlin-Hanley (1st), and Olivia Best (3rd) and, in the intermediate division (grades 7 and 8), Tyler Phillips (2nd), Shreyas Balakrishnan (3rd), and Henry Sharpe (1st). (Photos courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough)

Six students from Peterborough elementary schools spelled their way to success at the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s 11th annual spelling bee on Saturday (May 3) at Whetung Theatre at Fleming College, earning prizes for themselves and their schools.

Earlier this spring, more than 4,000 students from grades 4 to 8 in schools across Peterborough County competed in qualifying spelling bees at their schools, with the top spellers competing in the regional spelling bee championship, which featured a junior division for students in grades 4 to 6, and an intermediate division for students in grades 7 and 8.

Verna Conlin-Hanley from St. Anne Catholic Elementary School was the top speller in the junior division, with Kieran Scerri of Kawartha Montessori School placing second and Olivia Best of Queen Elizabeth Public School coming in third.

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In the intermediate division, Henry Sharpe from Adam Scott Intermediate Public School placed first, with Tyler Phillips of St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School coming in second and Shreyas Balakrishnan of Kaawaate East City Public School placing third.

The top spellers won prizes that include a week at Trent Excalibur Camp, a week at Camp Kawartha, bikes from Canadian Tire, lessons at the Art School of Peterborough, a party at Zap Attack Laser tag, tickets for local events courtesy of Miskin Law, cash for their schools’ literacy programs, and more.

“Literacy is one of the seven areas of focus for Rotary International, and the Rotary Club of Peterborough believes that the excitement for reading and writing generated by the annual Spelling Bee encourages children’s interest in improving their literacy skills and also helps to develop poise under pressure and public speaking skills,” reads a media release.

‘Handbags for Hospice’ raises $121,000 to Support Ed’s House and hospice services in Northumberland County

Members of the Handbags for Hospice committee celebrate the $121,000 that the April 10 event raised in support of Community Care Northumberland's hospice services offered at Ed's House in Northumberland County. (Photo: Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre)

A recent fundraiser in Cobourg that brought together 270 guests for fun, fashion, and the opportunity to bid on luxury handbags, is supporting hospice care and services in Northumberland County.

Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation announced on Thursday (May 1) that its popular “Handbags for Hospice” event, held on April 10, netted $121,000 for Community Care Northumberland’s Ed’s House.

In addition to bidding on the handbags, there were mystery bags, a “purse of possibilities,” and a golden ticket draw for attendees of the event. The fundraiser featured a live auction, and guests also had the opportunity to snap a photo with a real Birkin bag, “making the night even more memorable,” according to Community Care Northumberland (CCN).

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“The success of this year’s Handbags for Hospice event is a testament to the incredible support we have received from our community,” Jan Rosamond and Pam Trumper, Handbags for Hospice committee co-chairs, shared in a statement.

“It’s heartwarming to see everyone come together for such a meaningful cause. We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished together as a committee, and we look forward to continuing our work to support hospice care in Northumberland.”

The committee is giving a shout-out to its sponsors, with special recognition to signature sponsor Tony Pulla and pearl sponsor Jacqueline Pennington of Re/Max Hallmark.

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The committee also thanked the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre for hosting the event, and to Wendy Ito, who served as the event’s “compassionate speaker,” sharing a personal story about her father’s end-of-life care at Ed’s House.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from our sponsors, volunteers, and community,” said CCN CEO Trish Baird.

“Many thanks also to the Handbags for Hospice committee who were able to deliver a fun, entertaining, and memorable evening for all.”

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The money raised will help support clients in Northumberland County with health system navigation, volunteer in-home visiting, supportive care and grief and bereavement support, along with 24/7 end-of-life care provided at Ed’s House at no cost to individuals and their families.

This year, the “Give a Gift from the Heart Campaign” helped the foundation reach its fundraising goal. Local ‘Physicians with Heart’ pledged $15,000 in matching donations, which helped raise $31,915.

This money will go directly to providing care for families at Ed’s House, ensuring that those in need receive the care they deserve during life’s most difficult moments, CCN noted.

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Chelsea Rankin, communications specialist for CCN and Ed’s House, earlier told kawarthaNOW about her aspirations for the event.

“The best possible outcome for this year’s Handbags for Hospice event would be to raise vital funds for Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre while also shining a light on the services we offer.”

The event was successful on both fronts.

For more information about Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, visit edshouse.northumberlandhospice.ca.

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra welcomes three Canadian soloists to ‘Step into the Light’ for 2024-25 season finale

The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is inviting three Canadian soloists to join them at the Emmanuel United Church in Peterborough on May 24, 2025 for "Step into the Light", the final concert of the 2024-25 season. Duo harpist Valérie Milot and cellist Stéphane Tétreault (pictured) will join the PSO for Kelly-Marie Murphy's award-winning Double Concerto, while soprano Christina Raphaëlle Haldane will be joining the orchestra for Gustav Mahler's Fourth Symphony. (Publicity photo)

Gustav Mahler, the 19th-century Austrian Jewish composer, famously stated that “A symphony must be like the world — it must embrace everything.”

On Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will aim to embrace everything at the Emmanuel United Church, when the musicians play Mahler’s Fourth Symphony for “Step into the Light,” the final concert of the PSO’s 2024-25 season.

“The Emmanuel United Church is a great venue to do concerts, and especially acoustically because we’ll have a vocalist, and sung music sounds really great — so warm and so inviting,” PSO music director and conductor Michael Newnham tells kawarthaNOW. “It will be a great-sounding concert that we’re looking forward to.”

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While the season finale will feature the largest orchestra the PSO has seen this season, Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 is one of his shortest at just under an hour with four movements (though an early version of it had six). Composed from 1899 to 1900, the symphony remains one of Mahler’s most popular.

“The music itself is really different and has a feeling of lightness, nostalgia, and this floating feeling,” says Newnham. “There are also moments where there’s an amount of dream quality in the music.”

In the fourth and final movement, a soprano soloist comes in to sing a song based on Des Knaben Wunderhorn, a collection of German folk poetry. The movement was composed in 1892, originally intended to be use in Mahler’s Third Symphony. The soprano represents a child with a naive and carefree vision of heaven that depicts music, dancing, and the preparation of a feast.

“It’s all about life and our place in the world, and how nature works and what God has to do with everything, and this simply is how a child would see these kinds of things,” explains Newnham. “These are timeless issues and people tend to really love this symphony.”

VIDEO: Mahler’s Symphony no. 4, IV featuring Sabine Devieilhe

New Brunswick-based soprano Christina Raphaëlle Haldane will be joining the PSO for the performance. With a career spanning the globe, Haldane has interpreted many lead opera roles across opera houses such as the Finnish National Opera, the Royal Opera Covent Garden, and Musica Viva Hong Kong.

She has also worked with PSO general manager Christie Goodwin on the East coast, and will be visiting family in Peterborough when she joins the “Step into the Light” concert.

“This is the thing she does — Mahler,” says Newnham. “She’s coming from halfway across the country to do this.”

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In a special treat for the season finale concert, two more soloists will join the PSO for the recital of Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy’s award-winning Double Concerto for cello and harp.

Titled “En el Escuro, es Todo Uno” (“In the Darkness, All is One”), the piece explores the music of Sephardic Jews of the Iberian Peninsula and how it impacted other cultures as the diaspora settled in Morocco, Tunisia, and parts of Europe. The piece was composed for the Azrieli Foundation after Murphy was awarded the 2018 Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music.

“I thought it was just fantastic and really fresh and fun to listen to,” Newnham says. “We’re really grateful to be able to perform this music.”

VIDEO: Excerpt from Kelly-Marie Murphy’s Double Concerto for Cello & Harp

Playing the cello will be Stéphane Tétreault who, among several other awards, is the recipient of the prestigious 2019 Virginia Parker Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts and was a nominee for the Oscar Morawetz Award for Excellence in Music Performance from the Ontario Arts Council. He is also the laureate of the 2022 Prix Opus for “Performer of the Year”, awarded by the Conseil québécois de la musique.

Tétreault has previously performed with the PSO, and Newnham has since been “looking for ways of getting Stéphane to come back.”

New to the PSO will be harpist Valérie Milot, an award-winning musician who is a professor of harp and chamber music at the Montreal Conservatory of Music. She is also the instigator of the Harpenning series of concerts and workshops that aim to increase the discoverability of the harp. She and Tétreault often perform as a duo.

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“They’re a really exciting duo, and it’s always nice to work with people who already work together because there’s even more of an energy and interplay,” says PSO general manager Christie Goodwin.

Goodwin adds how special it is to have three soloists coming from across Canada for the concert.

“It’s really important to support and amplify our own artistic talents, and it brings the world here,” she says. “I think that’s why it’s important to have a regional orchestra, because you get these lovely people who are performing on huge stages all over the world and they come to Peterborough and share their talent with us. It’s inspiring for the other musicians in the orchestra.”

New Brunswick-based soprano Christina Raphaëlle Haldane will be joining the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra as a vocalist during the fourth movement of Gustav Mahler's "Symphony No. 4" during the orchestra's "Step into the Light" concert at the Emmanuel United Church on May 24, 2025. (Publicity photo)
New Brunswick-based soprano Christina Raphaëlle Haldane will be joining the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra as a vocalist during the fourth movement of Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 4” during the orchestra’s “Step into the Light” concert at the Emmanuel United Church on May 24, 2025. (Publicity photo)

Goodwin notes that having performers like Tétreault, who audiences might be familiar with, helps them feel a “connection.”

“This is all about creating community and we can do that by bringing in somebody from Montreal, and we feel like we know him because we heard him on our radio,” she says, adding, “we’re so grateful to the Azrieli Foundation for giving us this opportunity to play Murphy’s concerto.”

To open the concert, Newnham has chosen “Fratres” (“Brothers”), written by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt in 1977. At the time of its writing, Pärt was facing constraints and creative censorship from the Soviet Union, making the work not initially well-received.

“It’s this 20th-century imitation of what monks chanting in a monastery in the mountains might sound like and it’s a very spiritual piece,” Newnham says. “It signalled a huge change politically for the Soviet Union, because a composer was brave enough to write something that sounded like liturgical music and then it exploded (in popularity) — especially during the nineties after the fall of the Berlin Wall.”

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Before the concert, Newnham will host a “Meet the Maestro” talk at 6:45 p.m., and guests will have the opportunity to get a preview and learn more about what’s in store for PSO’s 2025-26 season.

Goodwin promises “really different and interesting things” for the next season, including a collaboration with the Peterborough Singers.

“I think people will find it pretty new and unique,” she says. “We’ve got a lot of things that are going to satisfy everybody who likes their Mozart and beyond.”

VIDEO: “Si Veriash a la Rana” by Kelly-Marie Murphy with Stéphane Tétreault & Valérie Milot

“Step into the Light” follows what was to be the penultimate concert of the season on March 29, “Spring Sunrise.” Ironically, it was cancelled due to the severe ice storm.

While Goodwin says the PSO is “so grateful to everyone who donated the value of their tickets” instead of asking for a refund, as this allowed the orchestra to still pay the musicians despite the last-minute cancellation, she also remains hopeful that “Step into the Light” will make up for the cancelled concert.

“It’s going to be the biggest orchestra of the season,” she says. “The sound in the church is going to be so beautiful, and it’s just going to float right up. I think it’s beautiful and will be inspiring and energizing.”

Tickets are $33, $48, or $55, depending on the seat you choose, with student tickets costing $12 for all seats. Tickets are available at thepso.org/step-into-the-light.

 

kawarthaNOW is proud to be a media sponsor of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 season.

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