What has become a signature United Way campaign event — a celebratory coming together of community and local musicians — is returning for a sixth time.

“Peterborough Performs VI: Musicians United To End Homelessness” will be held Thursday, February 26 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.

From 7 to 11 p.m., 14 acts will entertain — six on the David Goyette Stage in the Erica Cherney Theatre, which will be emceed by Ella Bates, and eight in the more intimate Cogeco Lounge — with event proceeds going towards United Way-supported shelters and partner agencies on the front lines of homelessness relief.

Making their Peterborough Performs debut are VanCamp, The Detention Club, Mark Beatty, and Maggie Sabyan with Mike MacCurdy, while The Hippie Chicks — which has performed as an acoustic trio at every past Peterborough Performs — returns as a full band called The Hippie Chicks and Company.

Also returning to Peterborough Performs VI are The Weber Brothers Band, Sarah Jayne Riley, Rick ‘n’ Gailie’s Peterborough All-Star Band (featuring Rick and Gailie Young), Tom Eastland, Georgia Rose, Alyssa Morrissey and Kyler Tapscott, Dan Hick, Lagan & Derelict (Phil Stephenson and Glen Caradus with Ron Kervin), and Jacques Graveline.

General admission tickets, which allow holders to seamlessly go between the main theatre and the lower-level lounge as they please, cost $50 each, but a two-tickets-for-$80 deal is back — a perfect Christmas gift for the music lovers on your shopping list.

Tickets are available now at www.showplace.org or by dropping by the Showplace box office at 290 George Street North in downtown Peterborough Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Financial sponsors remain a work in progress — to sponsor the event at any one of a number of levels, phone the United Way at 705-742-8839 — but, to date, they include Desjardins Insurance, Billyard Insurance Group, Shirley Turner – Exit Realty Liftlock, and Rellinger Writing Services. Returning as in-kind sponsors for a sixth year are kawarthaNOW, Long & McQuade, and We Design Group.

Also back is a virtual silent auction, sponsored by LLF Lawyers. Full details, and a listing of the auction items, will be released in February.

Since its inception in March 2020, Peterborough Performs has grown, both in popularity and in the amount raised for homelessness relief agencies and shelters. The inaugural event saw $23,669 raised for its benefactors, while Peterborough Performs V this past March brough in $36,375, bringing the total raised to date to $149,458.

It all started in late 2019 when then United Way campaign chair David Goyette met with Paul Rellinger to brainstorm his concept for a fundraiser featuring multiple musical acts performing simultaneously on two stages at Showplace. Tasked with pulling together the musical lineup, Rellinger did just that, securing commitments from a number of local music acts.

Since that first Peterborough Performs in March 2020, Rellinger has remained the event’s principal organizer, with continued support from United Way staff and volunteers. This year’s event has added significance for Rellinger, as he is chair of the United Way Peterborough and District’s 2025-26 campaign.

United Way CEO Jim Russell says Peterborough Performs has grown into “a signature event,” both in terms of the annual campaign and its bringing together of community.

“It’s a really amazing bang-for-your-buck event,” says Russell. “Paul delights in saying, dollar for dollar, you’re getting more entertainment value than at any other event in in the community. I agree. I fantasize that it will be around 20 years from now. It’s got that kind of stature.”

“It not a stuffy gala where people are wearing tuxedos and eating roast beef. It’s pretty laid back and has a grassroots vibe. You can go upstairs or downstairs (at Showplace) and there’s music happening. That’s a really rich experience.”

Musicians Ryan Weber, Sarah Jayne Riley, and Dan Hick exemplify the extraordinary giving spirit that the Peterborough music community is well known and respected for. Weber, with his brother Sam, has played at all Peterborough Performs since day one, and the 2026 event will mark a third return for both Riley and Hick.

“I had people come from Toronto and they told me they were blown away,” Hick recalls of Peterborough Performs V. “Not only by the talent, but also how this community pulls together in such a positive way in support of the musicians and, more importantly, those in need.”

“Being a part of this amazing concert gives me a huge sense of pride knowing that the performers, the United Way and, especially the concertgoers, have made a huge impact for positive change in our community,” says Hick, who will be joined this time around by singer and guitarist Lucy Ferrill. “Peterborough Performs is, by far, my favourite show of the year.”

Weber, meanwhile, says supporting the cause is paramount for him, his brother, and their bandmates.

“Homelessness is an issue it seems just about everybody has an opinion on how to solve it, how to alleviate it,” he says. “The truth of the matter is, for all our opinions, we don’t yet know how to solve it, otherwise we would have done so by now. However, there is one thing I know we all agree on — it gets pretty darn cold in the winter. The thought of anybody out on the streets in a deep freeze is startling for anyone to contemplate.”

“Though we don’t know just how to solve it (homelessness) yet, a night like this raises awareness, discussion and, of course, funds to further good intentions, and to continue striving until we get to the solutions.”

VIDEO: “Wild as the Wild Dogs” – The Weber Brothers (Peterborough Performs III, 2023)

Meanwhile, Riley says “these types of events will be needed more and more” as long as “a society that celebrates and centres capitalism” is in place.

“As an artist, I’m considered a financially unstable person,” she notes. “Without a safety net and privileges, I would also most likely be in the same situation as some unhoused people. It really puts homelessness into perspective. It’s so easy to turn your head and look away, but everyone is somebody’s someone.”

“There is enough in the world for everyone to have everything. Capitalism hurts people who aren’t good at capitalism. Some people, like me, are meant to just worry about art and not divert their attention. That’s why I’m so passionate about this event. It makes a difference. Giving back is the only thing I can do at the moment. If my music can make a difference, I’m all for it.”

For his part, Rellinger says Peterborough Performs remains what he and Goyette originally envisioned: “an opportunity to stand up and declare we can do better, and must, in terms of helping facilitate the safety and wellbeing of those in need.”

“There’s a tendency to think that’s there’s nothing we can do to reverse homelessness or ease the plight of those who are affected, for whatever reason,” he adds..

“Peterborough Performs offers a way we can all do something in the face of that frustration. By buying a ticket, 95 per cent of the cost goes exactly where it needs to go and has an immediate impact. The noise over why anyone finds themselves homeless is a conversation for another day. Finger pointing and stigmatization has no place at Peterborough Performs. Love of community does. That’s always a very good reason to come together.”

“I can’t say enough about the musicians who step up, year after year. Although we provide each with an honorarium, their gift of their time and talents exceeds anything we can do. I remain infinitely humbled by, and grateful for, their boundless giving spirit. It’s as inspiring as it gets.”

Watch kawarthaNOW for more details on Peterborough Performs VI as the event date draws nearer.

kawarthaNOW is proud to be exclusive digital media sponsor for Peterborough Performs VI.

The Kawartha Youth Orchestra (KYO) is presenting a winter concert called “Going Home for the Holidays” on Sunday evening (December 7) in downtown Peterborough, with donations supporting the non-profit organization’s programs to nurture the next generation of musicians.

Featuring the KYO’s senior, intermediate, and junior orchestras as well as the jazz band and percussion band, the evening includes works from Czech composer Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, also known as the New World Symphony, as well as some holiday favourites.

“This concert has lots of music centered around the idea of home,” KYO lead conductor Murray Lefebvre told kawarthaNOW. “Many composers over the years have written about their home countries and try to evoke that feeling through the sound of an orchestra.”

As well as performances throughout the concert of excerpts of movements from Dvorak’s New World Symphony, the concert will conclude with a joint performance from all three orchestras of “Goin’ Home”, an alternate title to symphony’s second movement.

Audience members will also “get to feel the coziness of a wintery evening at home through some holiday favourites,” Lefebvre said.

“Our KYO musicians have been working very hard since September on this concert, and we are proud that they continuously work hard to become better musicians,” he added. “We have also seen our numbers increase in all levels of the orchestras, showing how eager people are to participate in the joy of music.”

The concert takes place in Wesley Hall at the KYO’s new home at the New Canadians Centre on Romaine Street (the St. James United Church building), with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for at 6 p.m. start.

All KYO concerts are pay what you can, with proceeds supporting the KYO’s bursary and fee subsidy programs and the Upbeat! youth program, which makes music accessible to children and teenagers in Peterborough.

“Come out to see us in our lovely new space, as well as to support music education in the Kawarthas,” Lefebvre said.

Through the December 7 concert, the KYO hopes its students gain confidence and experience they can use going forward by participating in a multi-orchestra performance of this kind.

In addition, another successful outcome of the event would be a great turnout by the Peterborough community, said Samantha Haggstrom, administrative assistant and Upbeat! program coordinator.

She hopes “many members of our community will come out and see the thriving, impactful youth music programs that the KYO provides and that funds raised via donations at the door will keep music programs accessible and affordable for youth in our community.”

That includes KYO’s Upbeat! after-school music program, which is still going strong because of community support. Upbeat! offers musical education, childcare, meals, and instrument access for young musicians in grades 3 to 8.

Upbeat!’s string classes, two ensembles, and the Upbeat! choir will also be performing a winter concert in Wesley Hall on Tuesday (December 9).

KYO welcomes donations ahead of the concerts and contributions from those who want to support musical education but can’t attend an event. For more details and to donate, visit www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/8845.