On Sunday, November 10th, New Stages Theatre Company returns to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough when director Randy Read presents a staged reading of Bang Bang by award-winning Toronto playwright Kat Sandler.

A dark comedy dealing with complicated social issues including mental health, police brutality, and gun violence, Bang Bang also explores artistic responsibility and the pitfalls of creative license. For this special presentation, Randy brings together a superb cast of Toronto-based performers, including two members of the original critically acclaimed 2018 production at Toronto’s Factory Theatre.

Bang Bang is about playwright Tim Bernbaum (Andrew Chown), who reads a news story about a rookie police officer who shoots an unarmed black man. Without ever meeting the police officer (who is also black), Tim writes a play about the incident, although he changes multiple details to make the story more exciting. The play becomes a hit, prompting a film studio to option it for a film, but the producers want to change the main character from a woman into a man and have cast former teen idol Jackie Savage (Tarick Glancy) for the part.

Feeling that he should finally meet the female police officer he immortalized in his script, Tim discovers that Lila Hines (Khadijah Roberts-Adbullah) has left the force and moved in with her mother (Ordena Stephens-Thompson), where she is suffering from depression and alcoholism triggered both from the trauma of the incident and the notoriety she received following the success of Tim’s play.

With Jackie Savage and his bodyguard, former cop Tony Cappello (Richard Zeppeir), on their way to interview the officer, Lila and Tim square off about artistic responsibility and the meaning of the phrase “based on a true story.”

“Bang Bang is quite dark but also quite funny,” says New Stages artistic director Randy Read. “It plays around with the idea of ‘inspired by true events’. I always get annoyed when I see a film that is supposed to be the story of something we know about, but they take liberties with it. I know sometimes it’s necessary, but it annoys me when they change the chronology or the characters.”

Randy says the humour in the play comes from the fact that playwright Sandler is such a good writer.

“She writes dialogue like people really speak,” he explains. “If we are in a tense situation, we don’t wait for the person speaking to finish. I love it when we go to the theatre and actors talk over each other.”

For the role of fictional playwright Tim Bernbaum, Randy is bringing actor Andrew Chown to Peterborough. As well as from his stage credits including Shakespeare In Love, Romeo and Juliet, Vimy, and Merry Wives of Windsor, audiences might also recognize Andrew as Shane Crawford in the past season of CBC television’s Burden of Truth.

“What’s interesting about Tim is he feels that, as a dramatist, he is within his rights to change whatever he wants to make it more interesting or exciting,” Randy says of Andrew’s character. “It’s done all the time all around us — but sometimes people suffer because of it.”

For the roles of former police officer Lila Hines and her mother Karen, Randy secured actresses Khadijah Roberts-Adbullah (who reprises her role from the original Factory Theatre production) and Ordena Stephens-Thompson.

Khadijuah’s previous roles have included Lady Macbeth in Hip Hop Macbeth and Laertes in Hamlet, while Odrena will recognized for her role as Frances the Martha in the critically acclaimed Hulu series The Handsmaid’s Tale and as Novelette “Letty” Campbell in the short-lived Canadian sit-com ‘Da Kink in My Hair.

Khadijah and Ordena are joined by Richard Zeppeir as Tony. As well as performing in the role in the original production of Bang Bang, Richard has also appeared on stage as Dr. Garbage in 6 Essential Questions, The Guard in My Fellow Creatures, and Lance in Beyond Mozambique, as well as appearances in TV series including Lost Girl, Rookie Blue, and Suits.

In the role of Jackie Savage, Randy has recruited Tarick Glancy, who most recently performed the role in a Thunder Bay production of Bang Bang.

“The part of Jackie Savage is hard to cast because he has to be believably mixed race — his mother is white but his father is black,” Randy says of Tarick’s character.

“It’s a fun role because Jackie is a movie star, but was a teen idol who had a big career and is now struggling to break out of that. He wants to play the cop, and the studio says he can. So he shows up to try to talk to Officer Hines and learn all about her and get in her head. Of course, she wants nothing to do with him at all.”

New Stages’ staged readings at the Market Hall are popular with audiences, providing an accessible and affordable way to watch professional actors from larger cities perform thought-provoking scripts in a setting where a larger production would not be possible. However, while staged readings normally make up much of New Stages’ yearly program, Bang Bang will be the final reading this season, making way for three full stage productions in 2020.

Don’t miss the opportunity to watch a fantastic line-up of professional actors perform this complex and topical show written by one of Canada’s premier female playwrights.

Bang Bang will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough). General admission tickets are $25 ($15 for students, art workers, and the under waged) and are available in person at the Market Hall Box Office or by phone at 705-749-1146 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) or online anytime at markethall.org.

Early bird passes and opening night tickets are now available for the 2020 ReFrame Film Festival, which opens on Thursday, January 23rd and runs until Sunday, January 26th at various venues in downtown Peterborough.

Limited online sales began on Monday (November 4) at reframe.tickit.ca/events/7731, with a discounted price of $50 for a festival pass (providing access to all festival films and events) and $10 for a ticket to the opening night screening of a yet-to-be-announced film at Showplace Performance Centre.

Once early bird passes and opening night tickets are sold out, a festival pass will cost $60 ($50 for students, seniors, and the underwaged), opening night tickets will cost $15 ($10 with a festival pass), and day passes (all films on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) will cost $25.

Regular in-store ticket sales will open on Monday, December 2nd in Peterborough at the GreenUP Store (378 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough, 705-745-3238) and Watson & Lou (383 Water St., Peterborough, 705-775-7568), and in Lakefield at Happenstance Books and Yarn ()44 Queen St., Lakefield, 705-652-7535).

As always, rush pay-what-you-can tickets will be available at the door for every screening (subject to availability).

This is the 16th annual festival, a community celebration of documentary film and media art that has taken place in downtown Peterborough each January since 2005.

Festival director Jay Adam says the 2020 festival received more than 200 submissions from filmmakers around the world.

Now that the festival’s programming committee has completed its review process, the list of accepted films will be announced in December, with the complete schedule available in early January.

“I am so excited about this year’s program,” says Amy Siegel, ReFrame’s creative director. “It highlights political and social struggles here in Canada and around the world, honours the work of trailblazing activists, and challenges the traditional documentary form. We can’t wait to share these incredible stories.”

Both Seigel and Adam came on board for the 2019 festival, which was ReFrame’s most successful to date. Almost 17,000 people attended last year’s sold-out festival, which featured 71 films from 20 countries, including 41 Canadian films and 12 local films. For more details, read the festival’s 2019 annual report.

As well as reviewing film submissions and planning logistics for the 2020 festival, the ReFrame team has spent the last six months developing a strategy to guide the festival over the next five years.

The strategy, which was developed with the assistance of local firm Laridae Management Consultants and with feedback from 400 members of Peterborough’s arts and culture community, will be published soon.

Highlights includes improving processes and increasing the festival’s capacity to carry out its work by building strong community partnerships, building upon the existing model to expand and diversify festival programming throughout the year, and revamping the festival’s volunteer program to ensure engaging and valuable opportunities and to better recognize the work of volunteers, 146 of whom contributed 5,360 hours to the festival last year.

If you’re a film lover who’d like to volunteer for the 2020 festival to contribute your time, skills, and enthusiasm, email volunteers@reframefilmfestival.ca.

ReFrame also has sponsorship opportunities for community organizations and local businesses to connect with ReFrame audiences by co-presenting films or hosting post-film discussions. For more information, email info@reframefilmfestival.ca.

Local food businesses can also take advantage of the large volume of downtown foot traffic during the festival weekend by participating in ReFrame’s ReFresh & ReFuel program. Email info@reframefilmfestival.ca for details.

You can also support ReFrame by making a tax-deductible donation to the festival’s REACH for ReFrame campaign. Donations help ReFrame, a non-profit Canadian charity, keep ticket prices low so everyone in the community can attend the festival. To donate, visit reframefilmfestival.ca/support/donate/.

Make sure to visit the ReFrame Film Festival website at reframefilmfestival.ca for festival updates. You can also follow ReFrame on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

kawarthaNOW is proud to be a sponsor of the 2020 ReFrame Film Festival.

If you’re thinking of doing “something cool” with your friends, keep in mind the possibility that venture could grow into something more fulfilling than you could have possibly imagined.

John-Michael Erlendson certainly knows that.

Back in 2010, the Toronto native and choral music performer took his love of singing a huge step further and, with Aaron Jensen, put out a call for singers “looking for something different … something that really pushed the boundaries of what it meant to be part of a vocal group.”

Close to a decade later, “something cool” is coming to Peterborough in the form of Countermeasure, a 13-member multi-award winning a cappella ensemble that has earned accolades worldwide for its innovative arrangements of pop music favourites, classic jazz songs, and original pieces.

Clearly what seemed like a good idea at the time remains so.

“We like to call it a hobby that got out of control,” says Erlendson.

“We have grown from very humble beginnings — from sitting around a kitchen table saying ‘I think we should get some friends together and sing’ — to something we’ve been able to sustain, finding homes around the world with loving fans, and fantastic viewers and connectors online.”

Countermeasure’s home on Friday, November 29th will be Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469). Tickets to the 8 p.m. performance cost $34 and are available in person at the Showplace box office, by phone at 705-742-7469, and at showplace.org.

VIDEO: Countermeasure Promo

The concert will mark a homecoming of sorts for members Daniel Boyle and Nina Mason, both from Peterborough. They no doubt had some influence in bringing Countermeasure to the city for the first time.

According to Jensen, for most Canadians a cappella generally conjures up thoughts of barbershop quartets or The Nylons, a Toronto-born quartet that achieved considerable commercial success over a 30-year span.

“What we bring to the table is quite unique,” says Jensen, who is Countermeasure’s artistic director, arranger, and composer.

“You’ll hear shades of pop and soul and choral and a lot of jazz. We sing a lot of original music and we also do a lot of interesting covers. We’ll sing songs people know but with a lot of special little twists.”

Also distinguishing Countermeasure from other musical groups is an innovative use of live looping, instrument imitation, and vocal percussion, as well as a focus on the visual presentation of the music.

“Ever since we developed our concert show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival a few years back, we’ve really switched gears and have built not just a collection of songs that we perform, but we’ve worked with stage directors and lighting designers,” explains Jensen, whose roots are in musical theatre. “It’s a theatrical experience as well as a musical experience.”

That approach has proven to be a sound one as Countermeasure’s resumé overflows with accolades and awards, including the 2017 Best A Cappella Album honour from the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards for Made To Measure, the group’s second and most recent album.

In addition, YouTube videos for the songs “Life Is Fine” and “Fox In The Field” have generated close to 500,000 views and counting. Along the way, there have also been numerous television appearances. And then there’s a very ambitious touring schedule that taken Countermeasure across North America and overseas.

VIDEO: “Fox in the Field” – Countermeasure

VIDEO: “Life Is Fine” – Countermeasure

“There’s something very special about the human voice,” assesses Jensen of Countermeasure’s success. “We find it’s very disarming and very personal and very powerful, with the potential to reach audiences, to make them feel joy, and to bring them to tears — the whole spectrum. It’s quite a special thing.”

Reflecting on the germ of an idea that gave birth to Countermeasure, Erlendson says that while he knew there were “people out there” interested in vocal music, he was surprised that those who came forward were so willing to dedicate themselves wholly to the project — sacrificing time spent with family and juggling their day job responsibilities.

“When touring, we spend three or four weeks together in close proximity, doing a show every day,” he notes. “That would certainly takes it toll if we didn’t have such a deep care and respect for each other.”

VIDEO: “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” (Bruce Cockburn) – Countermeasure

“The one thing that we are dedicated to is to grow in some way every year, exploring new parts of the world or seeking out new and exciting collaborations, or just expand what it is we do without resting on our laurels,” Erlendson adds.

To that end, Countermeasure has been in the studio collaborating with a number of other musicians, The Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith among them, for its third album, titled Guest Sessions.

The new songs will be released in November and some of them have been reworked for Countermeasure’s current concert set.

“We’re going with a bit of an exploration (for Guest Sessions),” says Jensen.

“We decided the concept of this album is I would write 10 different original works for Countermeasure plus solo guest instrumentalists. The idea is to discover what opportunities open up by taking a solo voice and combining that with a specific solo instrument.”

“Some of our tracks in the studio have grown into huge epic pieces with more than a hundred different tracks of voices forming a complex wall of sound and then, in other cases, stripping it down and singing something as a pure four- or five-part arrangement that really gets to the kernel of what the piece is about. Identifying what makes each song special and bringing that to the fore in a recording is very exciting as a producer.”

With an East Coast scheduled for next year and, in 2021, a major collaboration with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Countermeasure’s plate is brimming with new projects. Erlendson says that’s part and parcel of offering each member “a challenge.”

“What we offer our audiences is an exciting opportunity to see something they’ve never seen before,” he adds.

“There’s a cool thing you can do with us. Come along. If you take a chance on Countermeasure, you’re going to find some incredible things you’ve never heard before and learn a lot about the (a cappella) genre and about music, and also enjoy a really dynamic theatre show.”

While Countermeasure’s continued success has more than validated Erlendson’s acting on his idea, he remains in awe of what has transpired.

“We could not have expected this to happen 10 years ago. We were just trying to do something cool with our friends,” Erlendson says. “What ended up happening was we built something that will hopefully last for 10 more years.”

For more information on Countermeasure, visit www.countermeasuremusic.com

With the weather turning towards winter, there’s a lot of great music to warm you up at venues across Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

It’s a great month for music! Here are just a few of the great concerts that are in store for music lovers in the area, from folk music to rock and beyond.

Washboard Hank and Reverend Ken with the McDonnel Street Gospel Quartet at the Market Hall in Peterborough on November 3

It will be a blast from the past on Sunday, November 3rd at 7 p.m. as Reverend Ken (Ramsden) and Washboard Hank (Fisher) bring their ‘Church of the Open Bottle’ reunion to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146)

This show will be a revival of the “Red Dog Howls” that used to take place every Wednesday night in the late 1980s and early 1990s at the Red Dog Tavern in downtown Peterborough. Ken and Hank will perform lively songs, both original and traditional, along with Washboard’s band The Wringers featuring guitarist Sean Conway and bassist Tyson Galloway.

The evening will feature an opening set by Curtis Driedger’s McDonnel Street Gospel Quartet, and a special screening of Terry McEvoy’s 1980 film Amateur Night: A True Story about the Red Dog. Radio personality “Sunshine” Sean Eyre, who just celebrated his 80th birthday on November 1st, will be the master of ceremonies.

Tickets are $25 including fees and can be purchased at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Amelia Earhart” – Washboard Hank and Reverend Ken

Daniel Romano with Steve Lambke at The Garnet in Peterborough on November 8

Few Canadian artists have been as prolific over the last 10 years as Welland’s Juno-nominated Daniel Romano. Having steered his career through eclectic musical styles like country, folk, and rock, he continues to produce original and mind-blowing albums.

On Friday, November 8th, Romano takes to the stage at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107). Opening the show is singer-songwriter Steve Lambke, from the Guelph-based indie rock band Constantines.

Tickets are available for $15 in advance at The Garnet, or $20 at the door on the night of the show. This is a a great opportunity to check out what Romano is up to now as his career continues to evolve.

VIDEO: “When I Learned Your Name” – Daniel Romano

VIDEO: “Fireworks” – Steve Lambke

Annie Lou at Colborne Street Gallery in Fenelon Falls on November 10

Head to Fenelon Falls on Sunday, November 10th for a concert with Annie Lou at the Colborne Street Gallery (44 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls, 705-887-0997).

Annie Lou is the stage name of Anne Louise Genest, a composer, songwriter and performer steeped in the traditional of vintage folk traditions.

The late afternoon show begins at 5 p.m. and costs $20 in advance at the gallery. There is limited seating.

VIDEO: “Tried and True” – Annie Lou

Cassie Noble with Blond Wolf at the Cork and Bean in Peterborough on November 12

Free show alert!

Head to downtown Peterborough to the Cork and Bean (382 George St. N., Peterborough, 705- 742-0144) at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12th when up-and-comer Cassie Noble brings her mellow folk-rock tunes full of thought and feeling.

Opening the show will be the modern folk music of Blonde Wolf (Brandon Patitucci).

This show is sure to feature tunes perfect for a chilly November evening in a coffee house-like atmosphere.

VIDEO: “Lost At Sea” – Cassie Noble

VIDEO: “Truth” – Blond Wolf

Hollerado at The Red Dog in Peterborough on November 14

Formed in Ottawa in 2007, indie rockers Hollerado are touring one last time before they disband for good.

The Juno-nominated band’s final show in Peterborough will be at 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 14th at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).

Full on rock and roll anthems will be the order of the night. Tickets are $20 available in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/24633/ and at the door.

VIDEO: “Americanarama” – Hollerado

Corin Raymond with Mike Kerr at The Garnet in Peterborough on November 17

Corin Raymond, one of Canada’s great songwriters and deliverers of beautiful and clever narratives, returns to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Sunday, November 17th.

Raymond has been making records for almost two decades, and his latest album Dirty Mansions has just been released along with a beautiful accompanying book. His songs take you from tears to laughter in the turn of a phrase and the switch of a chord.

Joining Raymond will be the great Mike T. Kerr, who is an excellent lead player and a gifted songwriter himself.

Tickets are $20 plus fees in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4415391 and $25 at the door. The show begins around 7:30 p.m.

VIDEO: “Hamilton” – Corin Raymond

VIDEO: “Working On It” – Mike Kerr

Colin Linden at the Market Hall in Peterborough on November 20

A kawarthaNOW favourite, Canadian blues/roots musician Colin Linden comes to Peterborough on Wednesday, November 20th at 8 p.m. to perform at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

The singer-songwriter and slide guitar virtuoso, who performs in Blackie and the Rodeo Kings along with his friends Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing, is also an accomplished producer having over 70 albums to his credit as producer. He has been a sideman to such talented folks as Bruce Cockburn, Tom Wilson, Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, and more.

VIDEO: “Sometimes It Comes So Easy” – Colin Linden with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

Linden has won nine Junos and multiple Maple Blues Awards, and was nominated for a Grammy. He was also the musical director during all six seasons of the hit TV show Nashville, where he has lived since the 1990s.

Excellent guitar work and spirited tunes drive Linden’s live show to high heights. This is a rare opportunity to see one of Canada’s true musical icons.

Tickets are $28 general admission or $33 for assigned cabaret table seats (all fees included). Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Smoke ‘Em All” – Colin Linden

VIDEO: “Rich in Love” – Colin Linden

Countermeasure at Showplace in Peterborough on November 29

If you’re a fan of a capella music, you won’t want to miss the Toronto group Countermeasure, who perform for the first time in Peterborough at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 29th.

Led by award-winning composer/arranger Aaron Jensen, Countermeasure features 13 of Canada’s top vocal talents — including two members from Peterborough — who have received critical acclaim and standing ovations around the world for their innovative arrangements of pop favourites, classic jazz standards, and original songs.

Their shows also incorporate live looping, instrument imitation, and vocal percussion, as well as flawless harmonies and dramatic choreography.

Tickets are $34 and are available now in person at the Showplace box office, by phone at 705-742-7469, and online.

VIDEO: “Life Is Fine” – Countermeasure

The Traveling Milburys at the Market Hall in Peterborough on November 29

I don’t often promote tribute shows in this column, however I’m pretty excited about one on Friday, November 29th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146), as The Traveling Milburys take the stage at 8 p.m.

This is of course a tribute to one of the music’s best supergroups, The Traveling Wilburys, who were originally made up of Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne.

With members selected from the best tribute bands in Canada (Jerry Boyer as George Harrison, Roy Leblanc as Roy Orbison, Gerry Parsons as Tom Petty, John Cassano as Jeff Lynne, and Matt Greenberg as Bob Dylan), The Traveling Milburys recreates the look and sound of the Wilburys, backed up by Danny Sandwell on drums, Rick Hyatt on keyboards, and Mike Berardelli on bass.

This show will feature a collection of the Wilburys’ best-known tunes, along with hit songs from the individual artists who made up the band. Tickets are $35 including fees and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: The Traveling Milburys

Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas 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, October 31 to Wednesday, November 6.

If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.