Ukrainian-Canadian comedy superstar Luba Goy is the special guest host of "A Concert of Surprises", the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra's final concert of its 2021-2022 season on May 28, 2022. She will bring her distinctive wit and comedy to a program of joyous music, including Czech composer Antonín Dvorak's Opus 46 No. 1 in C major. (Publicity photo)
For what’s billed as ‘A Concert of Surprises’ late in May, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will deliver, bringing together not only the most musicians on stage since its March return to performing but the added surprise of beloved Canadian actress and comedian Luba Goy serving as concert host.
Peterborough Symphony Orchestra presents A Concert of Surprises
When: Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Where: Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: $45 adults, $10 students
Featuring guest host Luba Goy and conductor Michael Newnham. A Maestro Chat is included in each performance. Tickets available at the Showplace box office or online at tickets.showplace.org.
Set for Saturday, May 28th with performances at 2:30 and 7:30 pm, the 2021-22 season finale will see the orchestra, conducted by music director Michael Newnham, perform, among other pieces, Antonin Dvorak’s Opus 46 No. 1 in C major (Furiant).
The piece is one of a series of 16 composed by the Czech composer in 1878 and 1886, following Johanne Brahms’ 1877 recommendation that Dvorak be commissioned to write Slavonic dances for four hands at the piano. Inspired by Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Dvorak’s pieces are still considered today to be his most memorable works.
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Tickets for A Concert of Surprises cost $45 ($10 for students) and are available in person at the Showplace box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday or online at tickets.showplace.org or at the box office. Audience members will be required to wear a mask.
In enticing Goy to be involved, the PSO has checked all the boxes towards its goal of “sharing an experience of laughter and delight” with its audience.
For Goy, the opportunity arose in part from her longtime friendship with PSO board member Nancy Westaway who, when president of the Bradford Symphony Orchestra back in the 1980s, asked Goy to help with a fundraiser for that orchestra.
Czech composer Antonín Dvorak with his wife Anna in London, England in 1886. Dvorak composed a series of 16 orchestral pieces known as the Slavonic Dances in 1878 and 1886, which were published in two sets as Opus 46 and Opus 72 respectively. (Public domain photo)
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“We maintained contact and became friends, then she moved to Peterborough,” notes Goy, adding ‘She called me and said ‘Nancy here. I need you to host the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.”
Goya adds it was no-brainer for her to agree to be involved.
“Michael (Newnham) is a genius,” she says, noting she met with him more than two years ago before COVID emerged to discuss this concert.
“Not only that, he’s easy on the eyes. Can I say that? He’s very handsome. He calls me by my Ukrainian name, which is very nice. And I call him Michael.”
“I’m going to host it with all my various characters. Of course, the Queen, her Majesty, will be there — ‘It’s a pleasure to be anywhere Camilla is not.’ I’m very much looking forward to it.”
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During her guest appearance, Goy will do what she does best: keep things light with the trademark wit and character acting skills that she honed and perfected to the delight of Canadians coast-to-coast-to coast as one of the original members of the long-running CBC radio and television comedy troupe Royal Canadian Air Farce.
In 1973, Goy, alongside Roger Abbott, Dave Broadfoot, John Morgan, Martin Bronstein, and Don Ferguson, formed the original cast of Royal Canadian Air Farce. Their weekly CBC Radio series ended in 1987 while the CBC Television series ran from 1993 to 2008 and, over the years, featured guest appearances by anybody that was a somebody at the time. When a particular show needed a ‘guest’ for a particular sketch, Goy delivered her over-the-top takes on a number of luminaries, from Hillary Clinton to Sheila Copps to Rita MacNeil to Kim Campbell, to name but a few.
In 1998, the original cast members, Goy included, received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts. In 2000, Royal Canadian Air Farce was awarded a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. There was even a Juno Award in 1979 for Comedy Album of the Year.
Luba Goy (bottom left) with the original cast of Royal Canadian Air Farce in 1979. Also pictured beside Luba is Roger Abbott, with Don Ferguson, Dave Broadfoot, and John Morgan in the back row. (Photo: Royal Canadian Air Farce)
Reflecting on what made Royal Canadian Air Farce work so well for so long, Goy points to what she terms “a pact” made between the cast members.
“As long as we’re having fun, we’ll stay together. There were times when we would travel and if anybody displayed any kind of diva thing going on, that person would be put in the doghouse. We just loved each other. We were a family.”
Born in Germany to Ukrainian parents and raised in Belgium, Goy came to Canada at age five with her family in 1951. She later graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1969, performing in Stratford productions before joining The Jest Society — a comedy troupe from which Royal Canadian Air Farce evolved — in 1971.
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With her heritage, events transpiring in Ukraine are never far from her thoughts.
“My parents’ homeland is being needlessly butchered … it’s hard for me to go more than a day without weeping,” says Goy, whose only visit to Ukraine was in 1990 for a film in which she was cast.
“One journalist who lives in Kyiv has been writing Thoughts From Kyiv every single day since the war began. He writes from his point of view, how he feels and how the people feel. It has really taught me so much about my parents’ homeland.”
VIDEO: Dvorak’s Opus 46 No. 1 in C major performed by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Goy is particularly grateful to the PSO for allowing her to use the concert as a platform to appeal for funds to aid humanitarian efforts in Ukraine — an appeal that will take the form of an ad in the concert program.
Now living in Hamilton, a proud mother and grandmother, Goy remains deeply grateful to have been able to do something she loves to do — entertain — in the company of some very special in her life, past and present.
“I never take my success, if you want to call it that, for granted,” she says. “I once said to Roger (Abbott), ‘Oh, this secretary is irreplaceable.’ He looked at me and he said ‘Everyone is replaceable.’ I thought ‘Is he looking at me?'”
“One of the things I’ve always said, when I’m asked which one of the group (Royal Canadian Air Farce) I am, is ‘I’m the funny one.'”
For more information on the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, including its history and mandate and performance announcements, visit thepso.org.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a media sponsor of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s 2021-22 season.
The late David and Liz Bierk of Peterborough in an undated photo. Advocates for the arts, their legacy lives on through the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough's Bierk Art Fund. The annual Bierk Art Fund Bursary Program offers $1,000 bursaries to two graduating high school students who are pursuing post-secondary education in the visual arts.
Applications are now open for the annual Bierk Art Fund Bursary Program, which offers two $1,000 bursaries to graduating high school students in the City or County of Peterborough or Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations who are pursuing visual arts studies at a provincially accredited post-secondary institution in the 2022-23 academic year.
Administered by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3), the Bierk Art Fund is an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough that was established in 2006 through public donations to honour the lives and work of the late Peterborough arts champions Liz Bierk and her husband, artist David Bierk.
“David and Liz Bierk were generous and dedicated arts supporters who believed wholeheartedly in the potential of local artists and the value of arts education,” says EC3 executive director Su Ditta. “As tuition costs continue to rise, this program provides crucial financial support to promising young artists.”
Eligible students who complete an application will present their work to a jury comprised of respected local arts professionals. The bursaries will be awarded to two students whose work demonstrates great promise (artistic merit) and who have a serious commitment to pursuing further studies in the visual arts.
The two successful candidates will be announced on Tuesday, June 7th and will be celebrated at this year’s Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts in Peterborough on Friday, September 30th.
Marnie Callaghan is one of the volunteers with the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Associatiom recognized with an Environmental Hero from the City of Kawarthas Lakes for their work in 2021 to create a pollinator garden at Reaboro Park in Reaboro, between Omemee and Lindsay. (Photo: Elayne Windsor)
The City of Kawartha Lakes’ Environmental Advisory Committee recently announced its 2021 Environmental Heroes Awards.
The awards, which were announced at council’s May 3rd committee of the whole meeting, recognize residents, organizations, and businesses who are committed to improving the wellness of the environment in Kawartha Lakes.
“This past year we saw a variety of nominations and efforts for more sustainable garden projects, tree canopies, sustainable products, waste reduction, and education programs,” said Tracy Richardson, deputy mayor and member of the environmental advisory committee council. “But most importantly, we’re seeing people doing things in their communities and we thank you for that and thank you for being such amazing stewards for the City of Kawartha Lakes.”
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The awards are presented in three categories: Environmental Hero, Environmental Business Hero, and Environmental Youth Hero.
In the Environmental Hero category, the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association led by Marnie Callaghan, Sherry Sutton, and Elayne Windsor was recognized for creating a pollinator garden at Reaboro Park in Reaboro, between Omemee and Lindsay. The garden supports a wide diversity of life and provides a spot of interest along the trail.
Richard and Sadie Gauder were recognized for for starting the organization Plant A Forest to work with landowners, farmers, and conservation areas to plant indigenous plants and help create biodiversity. John Ireland was recognized as the founder of the non-profit organization Canopy Project Kawartha Lakes, a volunteer-led community group whose goal is to increase the urban canopy in the community.
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In the Environmental Business Hero category, Jenny Connell and Jessica Moynes — owners of Unwrapped in downtown Lindsay — were recognized for providing hundreds of environmentally friendly products that has saved thousands of tonnes of plastic waste from going to the landfill. Julia Taylor from the Country Cupboard in Fenelon Falls was recognized for her efforts to teach people to stop using plastic bags, providing recyclable vessels for bulk items, replacing plastics with environmentally friendly products, and giving trees away annually.
Potash Creek Farms, a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm northeast of Omemee run by Dan Vanderzwet, was recognized for its sustainable operations, including planting two or three-year seedlings each April. Three Forks Farm, a family farm south of Bobcaygeon owned by Elecia and Jarod Chinnick, was recognized for its sustainable farming practices and growing local food. Field Sparrow Farms, a family farm in Bobcaygeon led by Henry and Sarah Bakker, was recognized for its responsible and innovative farming strategies, including producing premium meats in ecological and sustainable ways.
In the Environmental Youth Hero category, the 6th Lindsay Brownies were recognized for their efforts to learn about local beekeepers and pollinators, doing seed workshops, and for being out on the trails furthering environmental education.
Anna’s Perennials Nursery & Gardens, located in Kawartha Lakes between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon, is one of the 10 gardening businesses featured on this year's Peterborough and Area Garden Route. Anna’s Perennials specializes in perennials, and welcomes visitors to walk through their gardens several times a season, as there is always something new in bloom. (Photo courtesy of Anna's Perennials)
With gardening season finally here, it’s a perfect time to tour the Peterborough and Area Garden Route at gardenroute.ca.
Most people have heard of a fall studio tour, where you take a self-guided tour of local artist studios and even watch them at work. The concept of the Garden Route is similar, except it’s a self-guided tour for those who want to buy plants from local specialty growers, browse garden boutiques, and see some stunning display gardens.
More than 10 years ago, several garden business owners in the Peterborough area decided to work together to promote gardening in the community and, in turn, each other’s businesses. It was a natural collaboration, as garden lovers regularly travel to find the “best of the best” when it comes to plant species and varieties and gardening décor.
As a result, the Peterborough and Area Garden Route was born — a self-guided driving tour highlighting some of the best garden centres and garden boutiques the Peterborough area has to offer.
A new addition to the Peterborough and Area Garden Route this year is Rocky Meadows Lavender near Indian River, a local specialist on lavender varieties that grow well in our area. (Photo courtesy of Rocky Meadows Lavender)
The Garden Route features garden centres that grow many of their own plants, including The Greenhouse on the River and Griffin’s Greenhouses near Lakefield, Gardens Plus in Donwood, Anna’s Perennials in Kawartha Lakes (between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon), and Keene On Gardens near Keene. New to the Garden Route this year is garden business Rocky Meadows Lavender near Indian River.
The Greenhouse on the River, Keene on Gardens, and Griffin’s Greenhouses offer a good mix of annuals and perennials, while Anna’s Perennials and Gardens Plus specialize in low-maintenance perennials. Rocky Mountain Lavender is a local specialist on lavender varieties that grow well in our area.
Some of the garden centres also offer display gardens, where you can take a pleasant walk to stretch your legs, admire beauty, and get some planting ideas.
Look out for the Peterborough and Area Garden Route logo to let you know when you’ve arrived at a stop along the route. (Graphic: Peterborough and Area Garden Route)
Of course, gardening is about more than just plants. If you’re looking for gardening supplies and accessories and home and garden décor, or you or want to find a unique gift for your favourite gardener, you’ll want to stop by the two garden boutiques along the route.
Garden Style Bridgenorth carries garden-themed wall art for both indoor and outdoor decorating, as well as garden-inspired pieces for home décor. The shop also has a large selection of items to add interest to your garden, as well as locally made soy candles, bee houses, wooden flower stakes, pincushions, and more.
The Avant-Garden Shop in downtown Peterborough carries both functional and decorative accessories for your home and garden, as well as ornaments, wall art and statuary, premium garden tools and supplies, wind chimes, mailboxes, address plaques, and more, with a focus on Canadian-made items. The shop also carries the best selection of bird feeders and accessories in Peterborough, as well as bird seed.
The Avant-Garden Shop, open year-round in downtown Peterborough, offers a wide range of garden tools and accessories, bird feed and supplies, and home and garden décor. (Photo courtesy of The Avant-Garden Shop)
If you are interested in houseplants, you’ll also want to check out two new businesses on the Garden Route this year: Plant Goals and Burley’s Gardens.
Plant Goals is a young and funky specialty houseplant shop on Water Street in downtown Peterborough.
Burley’s Gardens on Television Road, just east of the city, specializes in unique houseplants and also offers seasonal outdoor garden products too.
A new addition to the Peterborough and Area Garden Route this year is Plant Goals, a young and funky specialty houseplant shop on Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Plant Goals)
The Peterborough and Area Garden Route is a free self-guided tour available whenever participating businesses are open. While garden centres are open seasonally, garden shops are open year-round.
For more information, including details about each location on the route, visit gardenroute.ca.
One of the many highlights of Public Energy Performing Arts' Erring at King George multi-arts festival is this spectacular sculpture of the head of English author and poet Edward Lear, which features in one of the four chapters of "The Lear Project" by actor-puppeteer Brad Brackenridge and dance-theatre artist Dreda Blow. The festival runs from May 6 to 8 and 13 to 15, 2022, at the former King George Public School in Peterborough's East City. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
After more than four years in the making, Public Energy Performing Arts’ Erring at King George opens Friday (May 6), and kawarthaNOW got a sneak peek of what you can expect to see at the multi-arts festival that runs all this weekend and next at the former King George Public School in Peterborough’s East City.
Public Energy hosted a VIP preview of the festival on Thursday night, with invited guests gathering on the front lawn of the school where they witnessed the conclusion of a dress rehearsal for Spirit Week — Kate Story’s immersive theatre work (already sold out for this weekend) that travels through the building — as Daniel Smith emerged from the building to the accompaniment of music by the McDonell Street Gospel Quartet.
Following an land acknowledgement by Public Energy’s general manager and marketing director Eva Fisher and a sponsor welcome from artistic producer Bill Kimball, attendees were offered a copy of the festival program — cleverly designed by Rob Wilkes to resemble a school yearbook.
Public Energy Performing Arts hosted a VIP preview of the Erring at King George multi-arts festival on May 5, 2022. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Attendees were then invited to roam the three floors of the building, browsing 25 art installations, listening to spoken word performances broadcast over the school’s PA system, and watching a selection of the film and live performances running during the festival.
The performances included all four chapters of The Lear Project (by Dedra Blow and Brad Brackenbridge), Care (by Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, and Morgan Johnson), and Dancers Playing Basketball (by Deanna Peters and Katie Lowan). Films included The Fewings 16mm Educational Film Collection (by Josh Fewings) and One Day in December (by Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, and LA Alfonso).
The festival runs from May 6 to 8 and May 13 to 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. We’ve supplied a festival schedule and festival program below, but make sure to visit Public Energy’s website at publicenergy.ca/erring-at-king-george-festival-schedule/ for a comprehensive look of all the art installations and performances, including descriptions and artist bios, and for a printable PDF schedule.
Public Energy’s artistic producer Bill Kimball speaks to invited guests as general manager and marketing director Eva Fisher looks during a VIP preview of the Erring at King George multi-arts festival on May 5, 2022. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Here’s a video and a selection of photos by kawarthaNOW from the festival’s preview night.
VIDEO: A taste of “The Lear Project” by Brad Brackenridge and Dreda Blow
Erring at King George Schedule
For a comprehensive look of all the art installations and performances, including descriptions and artist bios, and for a printable PDF schedule, visit Public Energy’s website at publicenergy.ca/erring-at-king-george-festival-schedule/.
Friday, May 6
Box Office opens at 6:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. Capacity is limited for indoor performances, please arrive early.
Pre-Show Event (SOLD OUT)
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Spirit Week Kate Story (Box Office)
7:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Installations open for viewing
Scheduled Events
7:00 – 7:45 p.m. – Music – Kyle Chivers (Front Lawn)*
7:00 – 9:30 p.m. – New-Growth Forest – CM Duffy (3E)*
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Experimental Filmmaking Drop-in – CIIC (1B)*
7:15 – 7:25 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 1 – Jasher (P.A. System)
7:30 – 7:45 p.m. – Dancers Playing Basketball – Deanna Peters, Katie Lowen (1Gym)*
7:30 – 7:41 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 1: How Pleasant to Know Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3Hall)
7:40 – 8:00 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
7:45 – 8:00 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
8:00 – 8:20 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
8:25 – 8:31 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 2: How Unpleasant to Be Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (1Hall)
8:35 – 8:45 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 2 – Jasher (P.A. System)
8:45 – 9:00 p.m. – Dancers Playing Basketball – Deanna Peters, Katie Lowen (1Gym)*
8:50 – 8:58 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 3: Uncle Arly and the Two Old Men – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (2Hall)
9:00 – 9:15 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
9:00 – 9:20 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
9:00 – 9:45 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Selections From the Collection (1B)*
9:15 – 9:35 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
9:35 – 9:45 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 4: The Owl, The Pussycat, The Nonsense – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3D)
*A drop-in event you can visit when you like during the time indicated.
Saturday, May 7
Box Office opens at 2:30 p.m. and doors open at 3 p.m. Capacity is limited for indoor performances, please arrive early.
Pre-Show Event (SOLD OUT)
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Spirit Week Kate Story (Box Office)
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Installations open for viewing
Scheduled Events
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. – Music – Lotus Wight (Front Lawn)*
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. – For Our Childhood – Casandra Lee (2Hall)*
3:15 – 3:25 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 1 – Saleem Ansari (P.A. System)
3:30 – 3:45 p.m. – Dancers Playing Basketball – Deanna Peters, Katie Lowen (1Gym)*
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Audience Choice (1B)
3:30 – 3:41 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 1: How Pleasant to Know Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3Hall)*
3:45 – 4:05 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
4:00 – 4:15 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
4:05 – 4:25 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
4:25 – 4:31 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 2: How Unpleasant to Be Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (1Hall)
4:35 – 4:45 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 2 – Saleem Ansari (P.A. System)
4:45 – 5:00 p.m. – Dancers Playing Basketball – Deanna Peters, Katie Lowen (1Gym)
4:50 – 4:58 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 3: Uncle Arly and the Two Old Men – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (2Hall)*
5:00 – 5:20 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
5:00 – 5:45 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Selections From the Collection (1B)*
5:15 – 5:30 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
5:15 – 5:35 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
5:35 – 5:45 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 4: The Owl, The Pussycat, The Nonsense – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3D)
*A drop-in event you can visit when you like during the time indicated.
Sunday, May 8
Box Office opens at 1:30 p.m. and doors open at 2 p.m. Capacity is limited for indoor performances, please arrive early.
Pre-Show Event (SOLD OUT)
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Spirit Week Kate Story (Box Office)
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Installations open for viewing
Scheduled Events
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. – Music – Marsala and the Imports (Front Lawn)*
2:15 – 2:25 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 1 – Niambi Tree (P.A. System)
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. – Dancers Playing Basketball: Nogojiwanong Edition – Deanna Peters (1Gym)*
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Audience Choice (1B)*
2:30 – 2:41 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 1: How Pleasant to Know Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3Hall)
2:40 – 3:00 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
3:00 – 3:20 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
3:25 – 3:31 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 2: How Unpleasant to Be Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (1Hall)
3:35 – 3:45 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 2 – Niambi Tree (P.A. System)
3:45 – 4:00 p.m. – Dancers Playing Basketball – Deanna Peters, Katie Lowen (1Gym)*
3:50 – 3:58 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 3: Uncle Arly and the Two Old Men – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (2Hall)
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Selections From the Collection (1B)*
4:00 – 4:20 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
4:00 – 4:15 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
4:15 – 4:35 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
4:35 – 4:45 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 4: The Owl, The Pussycat, The Nonsense – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3D)
*A drop-in event you can visit when you like during the time indicated.
Friday, May 13
Box Office opens at 6:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. Capacity is limited for indoor performances, please arrive early.
Pre-Show Event (SOLD OUT)
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Spirit Week Kate Story (Box Office
7:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Installations open for viewing
Scheduled Events
7:00 – 7:45 p.m. – Music – Shahrazi (Front Lawn)*
7:00 – 9:00 p.m* – Experimental Filmmaking Drop-in – CIIC (1B)*
7:10 – 7:20 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 1 – D’Scribe the Poet (P.A. System)
7:20 – 7:45 p.m. – Anatomy of a Trio – Justin Million, Bennett Bedoukian, Irèni Stamou (2F)
7:30 – 7:41 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 1: How Pleasant to Know Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3Hall)*
7:45 – 8:05 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
8:00 – 8:15 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
8:05 – 8:25 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
8:15 – 8:23 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 3: Uncle Arly and the Two Old Men – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (2Hall)
8:25 – 8:35 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 2 – D’Scribe the Poet (P.A. System)
8:35 – 9:00 p.m. – Anatomy of a Trio – Justin Million, Bennett Bedoukian, Irèni Stamou (2F)*
8:50 – 8:56 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 2: How Unpleasant to Be Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (1Hall)
9:00 – 9:20 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
9:00 – 9:45 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Selections From the Collection (1B)*
9:15 – 9:30 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
9:15 – 9:35 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
9:35 – 9:45 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 4: The Owl, The Pussycat, The Nonsense – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3D)
*A drop-in event you can visit when you like during the time indicated.
Saturday, May 14
Box Office opens at 2:30 p.m. and doors open at 3 p.m. Capacity is limited for indoor performances, please arrive early.
Panel Discussion (free admission)
11:00 am – 12:30 p.m. – Art of Accessibility (1Gym)
Pre-Show Event (separate ticket required, must be purchased in advance)
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Spirit Week Kate Story (Box Office)
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Installations open for viewing
Scheduled Events
Note: A special accessible festival day with additional programming (shown in bold text) available on the first floor to welcome visitors who require a stair-free Erring experience.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. – Music – Ále Suárez (Front Lawn)*
3:15 – 3:25 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 1 – Sarah Lewis (P.A. System) 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Audience Choice (1B)* 3:30 – 3:41 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 1: How Pleasant to Know Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (1Hall)
3:40 – 4:00 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
3:45 – 4:00 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A) 4:00 – 4:20 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (1Hall) 4:25 – 4:31 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 2: How Unpleasant to Be Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (1Hall) 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Circus Repurpose – Pocket Collective (1C)*
4:35 – 4:45 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 2 – Sarah Lewis (P.A. System) 4:45 – 5:05 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (1B)
4:50 – 4:58 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 3: Uncle Arly and the Two Old Men – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (2Hall)
5:00 – 5:15 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
5:00 – 5:20 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F) 5:05 – 5:50 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Selections From the Collection (1B)*
5:15 – 5:35 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
5:35 – 5:45 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 4: The Owl, The Pussycat, The Nonsense – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3D)
*A drop-in event you can visit when you like during the time indicated.
Sunday, May 15
Box Office opens at 1:30 p.m. and doors open at 2 p.m. Capacity is limited for indoor performances, please arrive early.
Pre-Show Event (separate ticket required, must be purchased in advance)
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Spirit Week Kate Story (Box Office)
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Installations open for viewing
Scheduled Events
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. – Music – Pays D’en Haut (Front Lawn)*
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Inclusive Dance Workshop – Propeller Dance – separate ticket required (1Gym)
2:15 – 2:25 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 1 – clifton joseph (P.A. System)
2:30 – 2:41 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 1: How Pleasant to Know Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3Hall)
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Audience Choice (1B)*
2:45 – 3:05 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
3:00 – 3:15 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
3:05 – 3:25 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
3:25 – 3:31 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 2: How Unpleasant to Be Him – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (1Hall)
3:35 – 3:45 p.m. – Spoken Word Part 1 – clifton joseph (P.A. System)
3:50 – 3:58 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 3: Uncle Arly and the Two Old Men – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (2Hall)
4:00 – 4:20 p.m. – No Elevator to Success – Jen Elchuk, PACA (2Hall)
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. – Fewings 16mm Films – Selections From the Collection (1B)*
4:15 – 4:30 p.m. – Care – Peyton Le Barr, Alexandra Simpson, Morgan Johnson (3A)
4:15 – 4:35 p.m. – One Day in December – Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, LA Alfonso (3F)
4:35 – 4:45 p.m. – The Lear Project Part 4: The Owl, The Pussycat, The Nonsense – Dreda Blow, Brad Brackenridge (3D)
*A drop-in event you can visit when you like during the time indicated.
Erring at King George Program
Click to view the program full screen, and use the arrows to navigate through the program.
This story was created in partnership with Public Energy Performing Arts.
Canadian alt-rockers Texas King will perform at The Red Dog in downtown Peterborough on Saturday, May 7 in support of their new EP "Changes", with special guests Motherfolk, Loviet, and Revive The Rose. (Publicity photo)
Every Thursday, we publish live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, May 5 to Wednesday, May 11.
If you’re a pub or restaurant owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
Saturday, June 4 7:30pm - Jim Love "Last Man Standing" CD release w/ Slinky and The Boys
Dr. J's BBQ & Brews
282 Aylmer St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5717
Coming Soon
Saturday, May 21 2-4pm - PMBA presents Wylie Harold and Out On Bail ($100 for table of 4, $150 for table of 6, $25 bar seat by e-transfer to . All proceeds help musicians in need)
5-7pm - Rob Foreman & Nicholas Campbell; 9pm - Diamond Dave and the Smoke Eaters
Tuesday, May 10
8pm - Live music TBA
Wednesday, May 11
8pm - Undercover Wednesdays tribute night ft songs of Tom Petty (sign-up in advance at )
Coming Soon
Wednesday, May 18 8pm - Undercover Wednesdays tribute night ft songs of Neil Young (sign-up in advance at )
The Locker at The Falls
9 Lindsay St., Fenelon Falls
705-887-6211
Sunday, May 8
2-5pm - Acoustic Sunday ft Kelly Burrows
Mainstreet Landing Restaurant
1939 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn
(705) 657-9094
Thursday, May 5
CANCELLED - 7-10pm - Ty WIlson
Saturday, May 7
7pm - Karaoke
Coming Soon
Thursday, May 12 7-10pm - Ty WIlson
McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery
13 Bridge St.. N., Hastings
(705) 696-3600
Thursday, May 5
7-10pm - Karaoke
McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Friday, May 6
9pm - Live music TBA
Saturday, May 7
9pm - Live music TBA
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Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Sunday, May 8
6-9pm - Bruce Longman
Pie Eyed Monk Brewery
8 Cambridge St. N., Lindsay
(705) 212-2200
Coming Soon
Friday, May 27 7-11:30pm - Music At the Monk 2 ft Looking For Heather, Phil Heaslip, Cassie Noble, Nathan Truax, SJ Riley ($10 in advance at www.eventbrite.ca/e/273028785447)
If Douro-Dummer wins Kraft Hockeyville 2022 Canada, the township will use the $250,000 grand prize to upgrade the Douro Community Centre and Arena, including with new facilities for girls' change rooms and to upgrade accessibility across the entire arena. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
Update – May 7
Sydney in Nova Scotia has been crowned Kraft Hockeyville Canada 2022. As one of the three second-place winners, Douro-Dummer will receive $25,000 in arena upgrades and $10,000 in brand new hockey equipment from the NHL Players’ Association Goals & Dreams Fund for deserving youth in the community.
If you want to see Douro-Dummer Township in Peterborough County voted the winner of the 16th annual Kraft Hockeyville contest, register now at www.krafthockeyville.ca and start voting at 9 a.m. on Friday (May 6).
Voting continues until 5 p.m. on Saturday, with the community receiving the most votes declared the winner.
Once you create an account, you can vote as many times as you like.
Douro-Dummer is one of four finalists, competing for votes against Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in Quebec, Sydney in Nova Scotia, and Princeton in British Columbia.
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This is the second year in a row a community in the Kawarthas has been a finalist in Kraft Hockeyville. Bobycaygeon was in the running last year, but lost out to Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick.
If Douro-Dummer wins this year’s contest, the community will receive $250,000 to upgrade the Douro Community Centre and Arena and the chance to host an NHL pre-season hockey game there.
The upgrades would include new facilities for girls’ change rooms and upgrade accessibility across the entire arena.
VIDEO: Why Douro-Dummer should be Kraft Hockeyville 2022 Canada
The three second-place communities will each receive $25,000 for arena upgrades, along with $10,000 in brand new hockey equipment from the National Hockey League Players’ Association’s Goals & Dreams Fund for deserving youth in the community.
To get ready to cast your votes for Douro-Dummer, register now at www.krafthockeyville.ca. Voting opens at 9 a.m. on Friday and closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Douro Minor Hockey and Douro-Dummer Township will be hosting a Kraft Hockeyville watch party at the Douro Community Centre and Arena on Saturday. The celebration will include food, a cash bar, and a big screen to watch the announcement of the winner and then some NHL playoff hockey. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the free event.
On the same day the provincial election campaign began, Peterborough’s medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott and two other regional medical officers of health sent a joint letter to Ontario’s chief medical officer of health asking him to temporarily resurrect the provincial masking mandate in workplaces, schools, and grocery stores and pharmacies.
The May 4th letter to Dr. Kieran Moore, signed by Dr. Piggott along with Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji of Niagara Region and Dr. Shanker Nesathurai of Windsor-Essex, points out the Ontario Science Table has reported persistently high amounts of COVID-19 in the wastewater, a key marker of transmission, along with increased hospitalizations.
“Consistent with this, in each of our respective health units, we continue to see significant impacts that are not relenting,” the letter reads.
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“In Peterborough Public Health region, we see hospitalizations of persons with COVID-19 recently exceeding any previous wave. In Niagara, for the past three weeks, hospitalizations have remained equivalent to the peaks of wave two and three, requiring our main hospital system to ramp down surgeries to 70 per cent. On Monday this week, our overstretched hospital systems had 100 patients admitted, but without a bed.”
A provincial masking mandate currently only remains in effect until June 11 for high-risk indoor settings including public transit, healthcare settings (including hospitals, doctors’ offices, and home and community care), long-term care and retirement homes, and shelters and other congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals.
The joint letter asks Dr. Moore to temporarily expand the masking mandate to include other indoor settings including workplaces, schools, college and universities, ans “essential service settings” such as grocery stores and pharmacies.
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“To be fully effective and clear in communication to Ontarians we believe this is needed at a provincial, not a local level,” the letter reads.
The letter also states that the pandemic is “exacerbating inequalities in our society,” with those who have the worst social determinants of health subject to more infections, more hospitalizations, more isolation from work and school, more lost income due to isolation, and more risk of long-term disability with long COVID.
“The return of masking could help protect those with inequities and vulnerabilities, relieve the pressures on our hospitals, and most importantly protect the health of the people we serve,” the letter concludes.
A t-shirt from the 2017 Peterborough Children's Water Festival featuring "Water is Life" in three languages, including Ojibway. Although the 20th annual Peterborough Children's Water Festival returns in a virtual format for the second year in a row, the festival will continue to use traditional Indigenous teachings to help students understand their essential relationship to water and to the earth. (Photo: Karen Halley)
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Karen O’Krafka, Education Programs Coordinator at GreenUP.
“There’s water in the sea and there’s water in me.
There’s water flowing down the old Otonabee.
Sitting by the water what a peaceful sound.
It’s a never-ending cycle going round and round and round.
It’s time for Water Wednesday Hip Hip Hooray.
Let’s make a big splash what do you say?
Flowing through Peterborough down the water way.
Hip Hip Hooray for Water Wednesday.”
This week we begin a month of Water Wednesdays. The new Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF) theme song penned by the Paddling Puppeteer Glen Caradus perfectly encapsulates the magic of our second virtual festival.
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Recorded beside the fast-flowing spring melt of Jackson Creek, the video of Glen’s song captures both the energy and the themes of this May’s online water education celebration.
Like last year’s festival, each week will begin with banjo fingers flying and tongue twisting around the rich and diverse themes of water education. The fully booked festival will welcome 100 Grade 2 to 5 classes from across Peterborough City and County to tune in for a weekly injection of local water education.
Glen’s sing-along will launch each day of our incredible 2022 festival line-up. Our line-up features local water heroes and familiar faces. Elder Dorothy Taylor from Oshkigamong/Curve Lake First Nation and Shaelyn Wabegijig from Kawartha World Issues Centre will begin the festival in a good way.
VIDEO: Water Wednesday Theme Song by Glen Caradus
Students will be inspired by many other engaging appearances during the four weeks of programming, including the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, Otonabee Conservation, the Atlantic salmon education team at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Riverview Park and Zoo education team, the Peterborough Utilities Water Treatment Plant, and the City of Peterborough Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Last May, we launched our first-ever online Peterborough Children’s Water Festival. It was a huge success, attended by 1,500 students. That success is because the virtual festival offers a unique opportunity for students to get to know local water experts.
“In addition to the practical knowledge that students obtained from presentations, I believe the variety of speakers provided the opportunity for students to hear from others who have a passion for water,” shares Tanya Hunter from Roseneath Public School. “These experts presented many different aspects of the importance of water. This is valuable because students don’t always get to hear from people who are truly passionate about a cause; this can be the spark to ignite their own passions, and if not a career with water, they see modelled how people make careers of passions.”
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“The magic of the festival every Wednesday,
Meeting water heroes throughout the month of May.
Culture, Conservation, Science Protection too
Each week a new adventure with Julius and crew.”
Host Julius the Turtle welcomes water heroes from across the region. A highlight of this second annual online festival will be virtual field trips across the Otonabee Watershed, including a stop at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) located in Peterborough.
Julius and all our Grade 2 to 5 students will join Wendy, the OTCC’s education coordinator, for a backstage tour of the OTCC’s vital efforts to protect and conserve Ontario’s native turtles and their habitat. Students will discover what really happens at a turtle hospital that treats, rehabilitates, and releases injured turtles.
A visit to the OTCC is not the only new addition to this year’s festival. Also new this year, the magic of the festival is enhanced with classroom kits for registered classes. With the incredible coordination of PCWF steering committee members Shawna Corcoran and Cathy Mitchell, zoo volunteers assembled 100 classroom kits for distribution. These kits support learning in tangible ways and invite reflection on our water festival pillars.
Elder Dorothy Taylor of Oshkigamong/Curve Lake First Nation (seated) is one of the participants in the virtual 2022 Peterborough Children’s Water Festival. Here, as part of a pre-COVID watershed tour with GreenUP’s Wonders of Water program, she explains to St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School students the materials she uses to perform an Anishinaabe Water Ceremony at the confluence of Jackson Creek and the Otonabee River. (Photo: Leif Einarson)
“In Ojibway it’s Nibi in French it’s L’eau.
We all live downstream in a never-ending flow.
Water gives us life, yes this we know
A solid, liquid, gas called H2O.”
Grounding students’ understanding that “Water is Life” is vital to inspiring our love and protection. Each classroom kit contains a book celebrating Indigenous water protectors. The book Water Walker celebrates Josephine Mandamin. Elder Dorothy Taylor is a local water walker who joined with Josephine on a number of walks hosted by the Sacred Water Circle. She will share with students her understanding of the life force of Nibi and the need to take action, including offering daily gratitude for water.
As we water young minds at the festival, Grade 2s and 3s will be watering seeds to reveal the life-giving forces of water. They will monitor soil moisture with moisture metres donated by the Peterborough Utilities Group.
Grade 4s and 5s will try a water treatment experiment, using alum like that used at water and waste water treatment plants to help flocculate suspended solids out of water. They will be able to share their successes with Kent Keeling, chief environmental officer for the City of Peterborough and long-time PCWF steering committee member.
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“Racing through the watershed to Lake Ontario
Creeks streams and rivers through our watersheds they flow.
Peterborough County, Nogojiwanong
Let’s celebrate Nibi with our Water Wednesday song.”
The injection of learning over the course of a month also provides an opportunity to become more aware of our local watershed. This awareness reinforces important learnings and inspires behavioural change. We will wrap up each festival day with an invitation for students to explore their own relationship to water, equipped with more knowledge to improve their impact on water.
The festival works in partnership with educators, water quality and quantity specialists, community volunteers, conservation groups, as well as representatives from industry and government to create a festival full of activities that are educational and fun.
Shaelyn Wabegijig, Program and Outreach Coordinator with Kawartha World Issues Centre, will be helping to begin the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival in a good way. (Photo: Genevieve Ramage)
This year’s festival is possible thanks to an amazing list of supporters and benefactors, including the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Utilities, TD Friends of the Environment, Kawartha Credit Union, Siemens, Ontario Power Generation, Trent University, Herb Lang Drilling, and other festival donors.
To find out more or to financially support the festival, please visit pcwf.net or email info@pcwf.net.
Butterflies, bees, and flowers adorn the window of creative hub Watson & Lou at 383 Water Street in downtown Peterborough. The window display is part of a fundraiser for Monarch Ultra, a local organization that aims to raise awareness for monarch butterflies by organizing long-distance running events. (Supplied photo)
If you stop by creative hub Watson & Lou at 383 Water Street in downtown Peterborough, you’ll notice a new window display that celebrates the monarch butterfly and other pollinators.
The window display is part of a fundraiser that launched on Wednesday (May 4) to support Monarch Ultra, a local organization that aims to raise awareness for monarch butterflies by organizing long-distance running events.
During May, you can purchase a $10 raffle ticket for a grand prize that includes pollinator-friendly plants, a butterfly house, a monarch painting, a monarch book, and other pollinator-inspired items.
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The items for the grand prize, which is valued at $250, were donated by local businesses Anna’s Perennials, Johnston’s Greenhouse, Griffin’s Greenhouses, Avant-Garden Shop, Watson & Lou, and
Bluestreak Records.
One grand prize winner will be announced on Friday, May 20th — just in time for the May long-weekend, so the winner can plant the butterfly-friendly plants in their garden.
The Watson & Lou window display, which was created by members from Monarch Ultra and Peterborough Pollinators, pays tribute to the monarch butterfly.
The grand prize for the Monarch Ultra fundraising raffle includes pollinator-friendly plants, a butterfly house, a monarch painting, a monarch book, and other pollinator-inspired items. (Supplied photos)
In a media release, Monarch Ultra co-founder Carlotta James explains the monarch butterfly’s annual migration, which she calls “one of nature’s greatest spectacles,” is at risk of disappearing due to vanishing habitats, extreme weather, and increased use of pesticides.
“I am excited to celebrate the beauty of monarchs by turning Watson & Lou’s store window into a captivating art installation,” James says. “This will also serve as a platform to raise awareness of important issues such as monarch population decline.”
Children are also invited to create their own native flower or pollinator art and drop it off at Watson & Lou, who will then add it to the window display. Every creation that children bring in will count as one entry for the raffle draw.
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“Kids care so much about creatures big and small,” says Anna Eidt, co-owner of Watson & Lou. “Through this community engagement project, they can help protect the very special local flowers and pollinators who make Peterborough a beautiful and healthy place to live for us all.”
Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 each at Watson & Lou or online at www.watsonandlou.com.
Pollinator advocate and Monarch Ultra co-founder Carlotta James displays a butterfly house in front of the window display at Watson & Lou in downtown Peterborough. It’s part of a pollinator-inspired grand prize valued at $250. (Photo courtesy of Monarch Ultra)
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