Evan Lizotte, a fire information officer with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources' Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES), provided an update on wildland fires in the Kawarthas region during a virtual media briefing on August 12, 2025. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
Although three wildland fires are continuing to burn out of control in the Kawarthas region as of Tuesday (August 12) — including fire HAL018 in Hastings County and fires HAL019 and OFR001 in Kawartha Lakes — fire-fighting crews have been successful so far in preventing the fires from spreading.
That includes HAL019 east of Burnt River and south of Kinmount, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) during a virtual media briefing held by the City of Kawartha Lakes on Tuesday.
“The fire has been tied in, meaning that the suppression efforts intended to secure the fire’s perimeter have been secured,” said Evan Lizotte, a fire information officer with MNR’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES).
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Lizotte said the fire, which grew from five acres when it started on Saturday to 27 hectares by Sunday, is not yet under control. However, measures such as hose line, fire guard, or natural boundaries including shorelines and bodies of water are assisting “in preventing it from advancing further.”
MNR has assigned five ground crews to HAL019, supported by air attack as required.
A road closure remains in effect on County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green until further notice.
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As for fire HAL018 in Hastings County, located on Crown land in the Municipality of Marmora and Lake south of Coe Hill in Wollaston Township and east of Aspley in North Kawartha Township, MNR has three crews on the ground who are using various suppression tactics, supported by water bombers.
The fire, which also started on Saturday and has grown from 11 to 12.8 hectares in size, has been surrounded by hose lines by MNR crews, according to North Kawartha fire chief Jesse Lambe, who provided North Kawartha Township council with an update on the fire on Tuesday morning due to its proximity to the township.
Lambe said that, due to the hot conditions and lack of precipitation, fires are “burning deep” — meaning that they can spread through root systems and require a considerable amount of time to put them out.
In response to a question from Mayor Carolyn Amyotte, Chief Lambe said MNR has not accepted offers of assistance from fire crews in the townships of North Kawartha and Marmora and Lake. North Kawartha also offered the MNR use of its fire station and heli-pad for logistics in fighting HAL018, but MNR does not need them.
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A third fire around six kilometres southwest of Kirkfield in Kawartha Lakes, which MNR has labelled as OFR001 (for “outside of fire region,” referring to the MNR’s Haliburton fire management region), is a grass fire located just east of Prospect Road and north of Eldon Station Road. The fire began on Monday afternoon and grew from five to 33.5 hectares.
Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Service requested the MNR’s assistance in fighting the fire, and MNR has assigned five ground crews supported by air attack, with five Kawartha Lakes fire stations also responding to the fire.
Prospect Road is closed from south of 1304 Prospect Road to north of 1375 Prospect Road while crews continue to fight OFR001.
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During Tuesday’s City of Kawartha Lakes media briefing, Lizotte also noted a safety issue with “media aircraft flying over and around the active wildland fires.” He reminded media that Canadian aviation regulations prohibit unauthorized aircraft from operating over or within five miles of a forest fire and at an altitude of less than 3,000 feet.
Kawartha Lakes mayor Doug Elmslie echoed Lizotte’s comments, asking all residents and visitors, including the media, to stay away from fire areas.
“Even if you go up there, the fire is so deeply embedded in the forest that you wouldn’t be able to see anything, or get any good photo shots, because there’s nothing to see,” the mayor said. “You can’t even see smoke because the overhanging trees are keeping it more towards the ground.”
He reminded residents not to operate drones in the area of the fires, as it is both illegal to do so and a safety risk.
Mayor Elmslie added that a total fire ban is in effect for the entire municipality, and said “we will be policing that very stringently” and that there will be “zero tolerance for burning.” He asked any residents that see smoke to report it immediately to Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Service at 705-324-2191.
He advised households to have an emergency kit easily accessible should evacuation becomes necessary.
“I stress at this time there is no evacuation order, and there is no thought at the moment of evacuation,” he said.
In response to a question from The Weather Network about the impact of debris from the spring ice storm on fire fighting efforts, Mayor Elmslie said the fallen trees and branches have made it more difficult.
“What I’m told by the fire fighters on site is that the forest is so thick and, with the debris on the ground, they can’t actively access it — it is very difficult for them,” he said.
A CBC reporter asked MNR whether a province-wide fire ban is being considered.
“We are not having conversations provincially or in either of the regions for a restricted fire zone at this time,” said Dayna Drouin, provincial coordinator of the information unit at AFFES, noting that a “lot of factors” are considered when implementing a restricted fire zone, including the province’s ability and resources to respond to fires.
“Right now we’re feeling confident that we have the resources available to respond to the current fires on the landscape as well as what’s potentially forecasted in the near future,” she said.
English Islands, an AI-powered reading platform that boosts literacy by giving real-time feedback as students read aloud and tracking performance gains, is one of the 21 tech companies participating in the fall 2025 cohort of the Innovation Cluster's LevelUP business accelerator program for Ontario-based growth-stage companies in the hard and soft technology sectors whose products have reached the minimum viable product (MVP) stage and beyond. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of English Islands video)
An AI-powered reading platform that boosts literacy and non-invasive cancer detection sensors for earlier diagnosis are but two of the innovations from tech companies accepted into the latest edition of the Innovation Cluster’s LevelUP business accelerator program.
On Monday (August 11), the Peterborough-based organization announced the roster of 21 tech companies taking part in the fall 2025 cohort of the program for startup businesses that are ready to scale.
“The most exciting thing about this cohort is the quality of the companies,” Innovation Cluster board vice-chair Christine Crandell told kawarthaNOW. “Equally interesting is that the majority of the companies are from across the region and the GTA, not just Peterborough and the Kawarthas. They heard about the accelerator program through word of mouth.”
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Free for all who are selected to participate, LevelUP is open to Ontario-based growth-stage companies in the hard and soft technology sectors whose products have reached the minimum viable product (MVP) stage and beyond.
LevelUP kicks off on Wednesday (August 13) with a 12-week intensive program with expert-led support in branding, revenue models, product development, customer acquisition, go-to-market strategy, and investment readiness.
It wraps up with a pitch competition on October 30 sponsored by Matrix Venture Studio, LaunchPath, Innovation Venture Farm Inc., and ANC, where eight finalists competing for a $10,000 cash prize will be judged by a panel of four experienced angel investors.
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“The momentum behind LevelUP continues to grow with each cohort,” said Innovation Cluster program lead Zahra Shafiei in a media release. “Each cohort brings together innovative thinkers who are ready to scale, and we’re eager to support their development through practical strategy, expert mentorship, and a strong peer network.
The 21 tech companies participating in the fall cohort of LevelUP, along with descriptions of their MVPs, are listed below.
Abroadin – AI-powered platform that streamlines international university applications, combining mentorship and automation for programs, applications, and visas.
Ad Suite AI – Digital marketing software for small businesses with free ad tools, AI campaign automation, and done-for-you execution.
Artitent Atelier Inc. – Community-driven platform for local and amateur artists to showcase and sell work, collaborate, and engage with studios and art events.
Beyond Role Plays – AI-powered soft skills training platform using lifelike simulations and real-time feedback for leadership development.
BiosphereAI – AI-powered biodiversity mapping tool using satellite, drone, and ecological data to locate species globally.
Cura Connect Inc. – Platform to find and transition to high-quality, private home care services.
DynaGaunt – Smart, wearable app that monitors wrist movements to detect early signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and provide prevention exercises.
elerGreen Industry Corporation – Patented electrolyzers converting waste and pollutants into valuable products using renewable electricity.
Enabled Talent – AI-powered inclusive hiring platform connecting businesses with skilled individuals with disabilities via anonymized profiles and accessibility tools.
English Islands – AI-powered reading platform that boosts literacy by giving real-time feedback as students read aloud and tracking performance gains.
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FN Nano Canada Inc. – Titanium oxide-based nanocoatings that purify air, protect surfaces, and reduce pollutants through a UV-activated process.
Grainguru Technologies Inc. – Autonomous AI and IoT robotic system for grain storage monitoring to prevent spoilage and boost farm profitability.
GreenFuel 2.0 – AI-powered system that converts organic waste into clean biofuel using smart sorting, fermentation monitoring, and machine learning.
Hadiware Inc. – AI-powered routing platform that optimizes delivery operations with real-time monitoring and advanced analytics.
Jessy Salomi – Social discovery app connecting immigrants, travellers, and locals through shared interests, group meetups, and exploration.
LulAI Inc. – Retail AI platform for deploying intelligent brand-controlled agents across channels to improve customer service, sales, and engagement.
Maplexcellence Inc. – SaaS energy and carbon management platform helping organizations cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
One-Tech Innovation – A biotechnology company developing highly sensitive, non-invasive cancer detection sensors for earlier diagnosis.
Platform Streamlining Estate Planning – Legal platform streamlining estate planning, corporate securities, and mutual funds with expert guidance.
Tokentir Inc. – Blockchain-powered marketplace enabling anyone to invest in tokenized U.S. real estate starting at $50, offering secure and transparent access.
17082606 Canada Corporation – AI search engine unifying web content, personal files, and business apps for accurate, transparent answers.
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The Innovation Cluster is a non-profit business accelerator supporting entrepreneurs in agriculture technology, clean technology, health and medical technology, nuclear technology, and digital information technology.
The organization offers co-working and meeting space in downtown Peterborough as a hub for business leaders to collaborate in person and also works virtually with entrepreneurs around the world.
For the second year in a row, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra is partnering with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to combine music and nature at Tecasy Ranch in Trent Hills in Peterborough County. On September 6, 2025, field guides will walk participants through an easy forested trail walk that will be interspersed with ensembles of music performances. Pictured are Jaye Marsh on flute and Jennifer Burford on violin during the inaugural event in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
The hills of Tecasy Ranch in Peterborough County will be alive with the sound of music on Saturday, September 6 when the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents its second annual Musical Nature Walk.
Held in partnership with the Peterborough Field Naturalists, the Musical Nature Walk invites families and individuals of all ages to join an easy trail walk to various ensemble performances while learning about the flora and fauna of the region.
With last year’s inaugural event selling out a week in advance, this year’s walk at the 550-acre forested property — located 40 minutes north of Peterborough between Buckhorn and Burleigh Falls — will see two start times at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
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“It brought in people who were interested in interacting with classical music in such a different way and in a more casual event,” says PSO general manager Christie Goodwin of last year’s inaugural event. “The Tecasy Ranch is absolutely beautiful, and it combines an interest with nature and an interest in music, and I know guests particularly loved that each of the groups were playing different styles of music.”
At the start of the event, guests will be split off into smaller groups and paired with a Tecasy Ranch staff member and a field naturalist who will tell them about the natural world they are exploring. Along the way, there will be interspersed resting and listening segments where PSO musicians will perform ensemble compositions.
“Bird song is really the first music, so there’s always been music in nature,” says Goodwin. “Different composers have always been inspired by nature. Beethoven took long nature walks, and I know Sibelius was the same, and it inspired them to write music. I think there is a meditative quality to both the natural world and to music, and it just seems to me like a lovely pairing — like good food and wine.”
Between ensemble performances from members of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, guests on the Musical Nature Walk on September 6, 2025 will be guided down the trails of Tecasy Ranch by members of the Peterborough Field Naturalists. Participants will be able to ask questions and learn all about the flora and fauna that makes up the forested area. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
There will be six different musical stations throughout the event, including solo harpist Liane James who will be welcoming guests at the pavilion as they begin the walk.
Along the trail, Bryan Allen will be stationed playing the solo marimba, Victoria Yeh will be performing jazz-inspired compositions on the violin alongside principal bassist Fil Stasiak, principal violinist Jennifer Burford and principal cellist Zuzanna Chomicka-Newnham will be performing together, and principal violist Adriana Arcila Tascón and oboist Nancy Vanderslice will also perform as a duo.
As an extra special treat, audiences will see PSO maestro Michael Newnham away from his usual place at the conductor’s podium and instead performing trombone duets with David Archer.
“I think people loved seeing the instruments out of their regular context and even sonorously combined in different ways,” Goodwin says. “You aren’t always able to focus in on one particular sound (during an orchestral concert), so I think it allowed people to get right up close and ask some questions and hear some things in a different way.”
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While the PSO has already received a request for at least one of the groups to play Bach, the musicians will mostly be choosing the compositions they will play and how they will play them.
“The musicians have quite a bit of artistic license, which is really neat to see, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with,” Goodwin says. “I’ve asked them all to go with their instincts on different styles of music, so we should have a real variety.”
This year, the event has a special ticket price including fees of $16.50 for children 12 and under to match the amount of family interest the walk garnered last year. General admission tickets for adults are priced at $70 including fees. The walk is not recommended for children under six.
Jane Cook (left) plays the French horn with Ruth Alton and David Archer on trombone for an audience during the inaugural Musical Nature Walk hosted by the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and the Peterborough Field Naturalists in 2024. David Archer will once again be performing during the 2025 walk on Saturday, September 6, when he will be joined by PSO maestro Michael Newnham, who is stepping away from the conductor’s podium to also perform on trombone. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
“It’s the perfect event for a family to come out to because you don’t have to sit and be quiet and attentive — you can interact in your own way,” says Goodwin. “It was really nice to see the kids’ amazement and interest and have them running and playing a little bit throughout.”
The trail is also family friendly, rated “easy” and suitable for “casual hikers.” However, there are some uphill and downhill sections and the terrain is uneven with rocks and tree roots, so suitable footwear and comfortable apparel are highly recommended and hiking poles are encouraged if needed. The event is not suitable for people who use mobility devices.
“The staff do such a beautiful job of keeping the trails trimmed and prepared for us,” says Goodwin.
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Goodwin adds that the PSO is also grateful for the effort the staff at Tecasy Ranch put into making it a comfortable space for the performers and audience members by organizing wildflowers on the picnic tables and setting up tents and seating. Light refreshments will be available for purchase during the event.
“It’s just amazing the amount of work that Tecasy Ranch folks put into this for us,” Goodwin acknowledges.
Also new this year, businesses can sponsor some of the musical stations along the trail, where they will be able to access donor benefits like speaking to the audiences and engaging with the public. Interested sponsors can email Goodwin at admin@thepso.org.
While the Tecasy Ranch trails that will be used during the Musical Nature Walk on September 6, 2025 are all marked “easy” and suitable for casual hikers, there are some areas of elevation that are rocky or covered in roots. Guests are encouraged to bring proper footwear and walking sticks if required. The event is not suitable for people who use mobility devices. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
As with most of the PSO’s outreach events, the hope is that by going out into the community, the organization can inspire even more people to appreciate the sounds of the symphony orchestra and come to a concert.
“It helps overcome the myth that the symphony is so formal and so inaccessible, by being incredibly organic and accessible,” says Goodwin. “It lets us be out and part of the community and meet the community where they are. It’s really neat to hear the music with all the bird song and the wind rustling through the trees — it’s a completely different experience. I think it satisfies a lot of people’s curiosity.”
The PSO’s 2025-26 season of five concerts begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough with a concert called “Bright Lights” that includes works by Rossini, Wijertane, and Mozart and features guest artist Shawn Mativetsky, who will join the PSO for the first time to perform on tabla. It will also be the first time the hand percussion instrument, used in Hindustani classical music, has been featured at a PSO concert.
Season subscriptions are available now at thepso.org/subscriptions, with single tickets for individual concerts available soon.
kawarthaNOW is proud to return as a media sponsor for the PSO’s 2025-26 season. Stay tuned to our website for an overview of the upcoming season and also stories about each of the concerts throughout the season.
An out-of-control brush fire began burning south of Kirkfield in Kawartha Lakes on August 11, 2025. Prospect Road is closed from County Road 48 to Eldon Station Road for emergency services to control the fire. (Photo: Ontario Provincial Police)
Crews are battling a new out-of-control fire in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The brush fire is located off Prospect Road south of County Road 48 in Kawartha Lakes, just north of the community of Eldon and around six kilometres southwest of the village of Kirkfield and around four kilometres southeast of the village of Bolsover as the crow flies.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), which has labelled the fire as OFR001 (for “outside of fire region”, referring to the MNR’s Haliburton fire management region), the fire has grown from five hectares in size to 35 hectares since it started on Monday afternoon (August 11).
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According to a social media post, the City of Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were alerted to the fire at around 2 p.m. because of smoke. The OPP say fire crews are on scene battling the fire, with water bombers drawing water from Canal Lake.
Prospect Road is closed from County Road 48 to Eldon Station Road for emergency services to control the fire. Farms are actively moving their animals to safety. The OPP is asking people to avoid the area.
This is the third out-of-control fire in the Kawarthas region since Saturday. Crews are continuing to fight a forest fire east of Burnt River in Kawartha Lakes, as well as a forest fire in the Municipality of Marmora and Lake in Hastings County.
encoreNOW for August 11, 2025 features (from left to right, top and bottom) "Shirley Valentine" at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon, the Peterborough Folk Festival at Nicholls Oval Park in Peterborough, the Buckhorn Festival of the Arts at the Buckhorn Community Centre, Kerry Griffin and Linda Kash at the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Traill College in Peterborough, the Port Hope Jazz Festival at various venues in Port Hope, and "Rez Gas" at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre. (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 return of Shirley Valentine to Bobcaygeon’s Globus Theatre, the 36th annual Peterborough Folk Festival, the Buckhorn Festival of the Arts, improv artists Linda Kash and Kerry Griffin at the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre, the Port Hope Jazz Festival’s return, and the world premiere of the original musical Rez Gas at the Capitol Theatre.
Globus Theatre bringing “Shirley Valentine” back to Bobcaygeon from August 13 to 23
Sarah Quick in a promotional photo for the 2021 restaging of Willy Russell’s one-woman play “Shirley Valentine” at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon. For the fourth time in her career, Quick is reprising the role of the working-class housewife from Liverpool who goes on a life-changing trip to Greece when Globus Theatre presents the play once again by popular demand for 11 performances from August 13 to 23, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Globus Theatre)
I have nothing but endless admiration for anyone who can command a theatrical stage on his or her own. It’s one thing to have a cast around you to carry the load, but it’s quite another to be the sole centre of audience attention where a good review rests on your shoulders alone.
So it is that I’m spotlighting Globus Theatre’s restaging of Shirley Valentine, which will see once again see theatre co-founder and artistic director Sarah Quick portray the play’s lone character.
Written by English playwright Willy Russell, the comedy-drama premiered in 1986 at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, with Noreen Kershaw in the lead and only role. Three years later, Shirley Valentine made it to the big screen, winning Pauline Collins the Best Actress in a Leading Role statue from the British Academy Film Awards.
The story centres around Shirley, a working-class Liverpudlian housewife who, bored with her life, dreams of adventure and drinking a glass of wine “in a country where the grape is grown.”
She eventually packs her bags for a fortnight in Greece, marking what turns out to be a life-changing adventure. Along they way, Russell-injected British humour and memorable one-liners make for one hilarious and uplifting story of how newfound confidence can change one’s life for the better.
With Quick in the lead role, Globus is pretty much assured of a great run. She has performed in more 40 productions with the Bobcaygeon-based company. In addition, as a playwright, she has penned several plays that have been commissioned for stagings.
Curtain is 8 p.m. from August 13 to 16 and 19 to 23, with 2 p.m. matinees on August 16 and 21. For tickets, visit www.globustheatre.com, where an optional dinner before evening performances is available.
Peterborough Folk Festival on August 16 and 17 features 30-plus musical acts on three stages
VIDEO: “High Summer” – Joel Plaskett
When you lay claim to being Canada’s longest-running free admission folk festival, the pressure to stage a multi-day event worthy of that status is unrelenting.
Since 1989, organizers of the Peterborough Folk Festival have delivered in a big way, and by the looks of the lineup for the 2025 affair from Thursday to Sunday (August 14 to 17), this go-round will be no different.
While the festival kicks off Thursday at 7 p.m. with a ticketed concert at Market Hall featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter Basia Bulat as the headliner, joined by festival Emerging Artist of the Year Jeanne Truax (tickets available at markethall.org), followed by another ticketed event at 8 p.m. on Friday at Sadleir House, with Nixon Boyd (of Hollerado), VanCamp, and I, The Mountain doing the honours (tickets available at www.ticketscene.ca/events/55033), the main event takes place in Nicholls Oval Park on Saturday and Sunday, where three stages will be home to more than 30 musical acts, with 13 local performers in the mix.
The full schedule for the free-admission weekend is available at peterboroughfolkfest.com, but let me name-drop a few, in the form of Joel Plaskett, Whitehorse, Jeremie Albino, Goldie Boutilier, Shub, Bells Larsen, Colin Linden, and My Son The Hurricane. The list goes on and on.
Good on festival chair Rob Davis et al for keeping what is a Peterborough cultural institution relevant and fresh in its 36th year. And good on the festival’s many sponsors, kawarthaNOW among them, for ensuring its free admission status remains in place.
Take all that music, and toss in 45-plus artisans, the children’s village, and food providers, and there really is no other place to be this upcoming weekend, if even for a bit.
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Buckhorn Community Centre hosting its perennially popular Festival of the Arts on August 16 and 17
The annual Buckhorn Festival of the Arts takes place at the Buckhorn Community Centre on August 16 and 17, 2025. (Photo: Buckhorn Festival of the Arts)
There are a lot of great reasons to pay a visit to Buckhorn but, since 1978, thousands have found the Buckhorn Festival of the Arts to be the impetus to do just that.
First held as a fundraiser to help pay the mortgage on the original buildings and land that comprise the Buckhorn Community Centre, the festival annually attracts thousands to view the work of professional artists from across Canada. This year’s event on Saturday and Sunday (August 16 and 17) will prove no different.
Besides the featured artists — visit www.buckhorncommunitycentre.com/events/buckhorn-festival-of-the-arts/ for the full list — there’s an amateur art competition, an art activity zone, a youth art showcase and performances by a number of musicians, including Peterborough legend of sorts, Ken Ramsden.
Admission is by donation, with the festival running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Linda Kash and Kerry Griffin make with the funny at Traill College on August 21
Kerry Griffin (left) performs an unconventional kind of therapy on Mark Rostrup as Janet Van Der Graaff, Linda Kash, and Naomi Snieckus look on during klusterfork’s “School’s Out!” improv show at the Market Hall in July 2023. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
If you’ve ever wanted to experience improv comedy, but haven’t yet found or made the time to do so, what better introduction than a show featuring not one but two of Canada’s best and most accomplished improv artists?
On Thursday, August 21 at Traill College’s lovely Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at 315 Dublin Street, Linda Kash and Kerry Griffin will join forces to present Kash & Kerry: A Night at the Improv.
Along with being one very funny lady, Kash is an accomplished actress, having appeared in episodes of Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Fargo, not to mention several movie roles, along with her high-profile commercial role as the Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese Angel. An alumnus of Second City, she has been performing improv for decades, and performing it very well.
Toronto native Griffin, meanwhile, is also a Second City alumnus and a multiple Canadian Comedy Award recipient, both as a solo performer and as a member of the comedy troupes Slap Happy and Monkey Toast. He has performed with Kash several times, the result nothing short of hilarity all round.
As a bonus, the venue is spectacular — one of those hidden gems that’s becoming increasingly less hidden. Intimate as all get out, the amphitheatre is home each summer to a number of performances by local talents, thanks to the generous support of the William and Nona Heaslip Foundation.
Kash & Kerry: A Night at the Improv is co-presented by New Stages Theatre, which has partnered on four performance this season. The fun begins at 7 p.m., with free admission, but be aware that seating is limited.
All that jazz returns to Port Hope with a jam-packed lineup from August 21 to 24
VIDEO: “Flight” – Jeremy Ledbetter Trio
It’s hard to believe, but five years ago, we were in the ugly grip of the COVID-19 pandemic and all that entailed. It wasn’t a good time for many reasons, but for many longstanding cultural events, forced cancellation led to the end of the road for good.
Fortunately for local jazz music fans, the All-Canadian Jazz Festival staged at locations throughout Northumberland and the Kawarthas weathered the storm. After a two-year break, 2022 saw its rebirth as the Port Hope Jazz Festival, and here we are, days away from the 2025 edition.
First held in 2001 under its former name, the festival was held in Port Hope’s Memorial Park for 15 years before 2017 saw it adopt a series of road shows. It returned post-COVID with a new name and format, moving to a series of indoor shows offered as part of Arts Month.
With the simple but sincere mission of “delivering the best of Canadian jazz to residents and visitors in Port Hope,” Port Hope Jazz volunteers have put together a full schedule of performances from Thursday, August 21 to Friday, August 24, including Angela Pincente Big Band, Jeremy Ledbetter Trio, Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti, Molly Johnson Quartet, Oakland Stroke, Alison Young Sextet, and many more.
Visit www.porthopejazz.com for the full lineup of events and related ticket details.
Whether you’re a fan of the jazz genre, or simply would enjoy getting out on a late summer day and touring the best that Port Hope has to offer, the Port Hope Jazz Festival checks all the boxes.
Musical “Rez Gas” makes world premiere at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre from August 22 to September 7
VIDEO: “Rez Gas” promo
We’re in Port Hope now, so let’s stay there, with news of yet another world premiere set to open for an 18-performance run at the Capitol Theatre.
Billed as “a beautiful expression of Indigenous joy with a hip-hop infused score,” Rez Gas, a musical written by Alderville First Nation singer-songwriter Cale Crowe and Cobourg’s Genevieve Adam, is best described as Corner Gas meets Come From Away.
Directed by Herbie Barnes, it relates the story of Destin who, after moving away from his home reservation to pursue a music career, stumbles back into town due to car trouble and finds himself at the Wide Wigwam, a diner at the centre of the community. It is there that he encounters many of those he left behind, each of whom is anxious to remind him of his history and his place in the community.
The writing of music for a stage production is a first for Crowe, but he has a lot of people in his corner, including Capitol artistic director Rob Kempson, who had the foresight to enlist him in 2021 for this project, and subsequently facilitated the partnership with Adam. Anyone who chats with Crowe (stay tuned for my interview in kawarthaNOW) will sense his excitement as opening night nears. Simply put, it’s hard not to root for him.
The cast of Rez Gas features Vinnie Alberto, Dillan Meighan-Chiblow, and John Walmsley as the friends at the centre of the action. Also appearing are Michelle Bardach, Jonathan Fisher, Nicole Joy-Fraser, and Emma Rudy. Orchestrations and music supervision is by Jeff Newberry, with a band comprised of Kia Rose, Emry Tupper, and David Schotzko led music director Sarah Richarson.
This project has seen Crowe put many of his music pursuits on hold, but his most recent recording, titled Burn Blue, is available for listening at www.calecrowe.com, which is also home to tracks from his first two albums, Stars and Promises and Til I Let You Go, as well as performance videos.
Curtain for Rez Gas is 7:30 p.m. from August 22 and 23, 27 to 30, and September 3 to 6, with 2 p.m. matinees on August 24, 27, 30 and 31, and September 2, 3, 6 and 7. Visit capitoltheatre.com for tickets.
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Encore
I’ve been meaning to do this for some time, but I have to give a huge shout-out to my pal Ken John Jones, better known in these parts as Jonesy. He recently presented the 200th episode of his Jonesy Corner podcast, which can be found on Facebook under his name and on Instagram @jonesys_corner_podcast_. Jonesy habitually interviews local musicians, particularly those of the up-and-coming variety, and, more than anyone I know, attends local shows to show his support. He is an unabashed ambassador of the local music scene, with his only reward being your eyes and ears, and the satisfaction of doing something he clearly loves to do. As someone who has appeared several times as a grateful guest on his podcast, I can vouch for Jonesy’s passion for all things Peterborough music. Lord knows we need more of his type.
Something pretty special is planned for Monday, August 25 at the Black Horse Pub. Details are forthcoming, but suffice to say if you’re a local music fan, or simply something who admires anyone who sticks with it year after year, you want to be at the George Street North pub. Get there by 6 p.m. and you won’t miss a thing. That’s all I have to say. For now.
Incoming Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) Auxiliary president Rick Riley and Jennifer Gillard, NHH's vice-president of patient experience, public affairs, and strategic partnerships, present flowers to outgoing NHH Auxiliary president Selena Forsyth (right) at the auxiliary's annual meeting on July 24, 2025 at the Cobourg hospital. (Photo: NHH)
Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) in Cobourg is celebrating its ability to attract and retain volunteers in a sector that’s witnessing a growing decline in volunteerism in Canada.
According to Statistics Canada, the total number of volunteer hours has decreased significantly across Canada during recent years, particularly in sectors related to hospitals. In 2018, the total number of volunteer hours in sectors related to hospitals dropped by 47 per cent, followed by sports and recreation associations (down by 34 per cent), education and research (down by 30 per cent), and religious organizations (down by 23 per cent).
Despite these statistics, the hospital in west Northumberland County continues to maintain a healthy number of volunteers — more than 325 — who are part of the NHH Auxiliary.
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“I really think it is a mix of many factors, but a big one is the fact that we have evolved a shared governance approach involving a very dedicated auxiliary board supported by a dedicated hospital staff lead to support volunteers with their day-to-day needs,” Jennifer Gillard, NHH’s vice-president of patient experience, public affairs, and strategic partnerships, told kawarthaNOW.
“It has taken some years to get back to pre-pandemic levels, but with steady effort and a very engaged community keen to give back, we’re on the right track and feeling very grateful.”
The NHH Auxiliary hosted its annual meeting in late July in the Peter B. & Mary T. Smith Community Education Centre at NHH. According to a media release, the meeting had a strong turnout of attendees that included auxiliary volunteers, volunteer coordinators, board members, NHH senior leadership, and representatives from the boards of directors of both NHH and the NHH Foundation.
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Current auxiliary president Selena Forsyth hosted the meeting, which marked the conclusion of her three-year term at the helm. Attendees heard about the following achievements during of the auxiliary during the past year.
Recruitment and retention and operational support
With the support of a dedicated staff member provided by the hospital, the auxiliary now has more than 325 volunteers who support in-hospital and retail activities with all coordinator positions filled, communication channels strengthened, and a new mechanism for monitoring volunteer experience and feedback.
Retail and fundraising achievements
Through its two retail operations, the Little Treasure Shop in the hospital and Petticoat Lane, a thrift shop on Munroe Street in Cobourg, the auxiliary donated $225,000 in the past fiscal year to NHH to support the purchase of new privacy curtains that surround patient beds. This donation was made in addition to the board’s annual Dixie Mikel Scholarship for an exemplary student volunteer. Exceeding its target, the donation went down as the auxiliary’s second largest annual donation to the hospital in its 101-plus year history.
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Auxiliary governance
In addition to growth and succession planning across the board of directors (which now includes representation from both retail and patient care contributors), the board was supported by local governance expert Pam Went to complete a review of auxiliary bylaws. Approved by members at the meeting, the review ensures compliance with governance best practices.
Joint communication and community engagement
Forsyth expressed appreciation for the auxiliary’s continued participation in NHH’s joint communication and community engagement working group, alongside representatives from NHH, NHH Foundation, and the patient and family advisory council, “supporting consistent and timely communication and engagement across the inter-related teams and the community to ensure all are rowing in the same direction.”
Forsyth concluded her remarks by reflecting on her experience with the auxiliary.
“This year, I will mark 23 years of service to the auxiliary,” she said. “I started at the legacy Cobourg site and spent the majority of my volunteer time here at NHH. In that time, I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer in almost every area of the hospital. I have an immense gratitude for all I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer with.”
Forsyth formally welcomed Rick Riley, who was announced as the incoming president of the NHH Auxiliary.
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Following the outgoing president’s remarks, NHH’s Gillard provided an update on volunteer operations and the hospital’s unique shared governance model, thanking Graeme Bakker, NHH’s interim manager of volunteers, for the work completed in recent months to introduce standard operating procedures to support volunteer recruitment, orientation, onboarding and day-to-day operations. She also welcomed Rachael Milne, who assumes the role of interim volunteer lead this month.
“Volunteer support of this magnitude is, sadly, on the decline at many Ontario hospitals,” Gillard said. “Here at NHH, volunteers and, particularly, auxiliary volunteers, are literally everywhere.”
According to Gillard, the estimated auxiliary commitment to NHH during the past year, measured in terms of hours of time volunteered, now sits at more than 42,000 hours — an average of 129 hours per year per volunteer, or 10 hours per month by each volunteer.
Other highlights from the auxiliary’s board’s year-end financial report included The Little Treasure Shop increasing its annual sales by 11 per cent for an overall contribution of $67,000 in the last fiscal year, and Petticoat Lane’s annual sales increasing by six per cent for an overall contribution of $155,000 in the last fiscal year.
According to NHH, the NHH Auxiliary has collectively raised $5.4 million for the hospital during its 101 years in existence.
An open house for the City of Peterborough's 2012 Municipal Cultural Plan (MCP) held in the fall of 2010. (Photo: 2012 MCP)
The City of Peterborough is hosting three open houses over the coming week to prepare for the process of developing the city’s new Municipal Cultural Plan (MCP) for 2027.
The city is inviting artists, cultural workers, and community members who want to help shape the future of arts and culture in Peterborough to attend the open houses and to complete an online survey.
“The open houses will feature interactive activities designed to spark conversation about how the city can better support a vibrant, inclusive and accessible cultural sector,” reads a media release from the city issued last Friday (August 8).
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The three open houses take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday (August 12) at the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N.), on Thursday (August 14) at the Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent St.), and next Tuesday (August 19) at Peterborough Museum and Archives – 300 Hunter St. E.).
“The open houses will feature interactive activities designed to spark conversation about how the city can better support a vibrant, inclusive and accessible cultural sector,” reads the media release.
According to the city’s new cultural services division, the open houses are part of an initial community consultation called “Create the Culture You Want,” which also includes the online survey running until August 25.
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The city notes that the open houses and online survey are an “initial phase of engagement” and that a more extensive and in-depth consultation process will take place later this year once a consultant has been retained to help develop the new 10-year MCP.
“As a newly established division, this is also our opportunity to introduce ourselves, connect with the community, and begin building strong, collaborative relationships,” reads a statement on the city’s website. “Your input will help ensure that our work reflects your priorities.”
The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) has issued an urgent appeal for residents to take part in the open houses and to complete the online survey. First established as a signature recommendation of the City of Peterborough’s 2012 MCP, EC3 is an independent, arm’s-length, not-for-profit corporation with a mandate to champion the development of the arts and culture community for the people of the city and county of Peterborough.
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“This Municipal Cultural Plan will be used to determine how and where and how much the city will invest in the arts,” reads a media release from EC3 issued on Monday.
EC3 states that the consultations “are a critical opportunity to let the city know what they can do to strengthen a strong arts infrastructure for the municipality,” including increasing financial investments in local arts organizations and local individual artists, providing sustained funding to qualified groups, supporting the arts council (EC3) and its peer-assessed programs and advocacy, providing funding for DEI initiatives and emerging artists, supporting pathways to arts activities in all wards, creating affordable living and working spaces for artists, and supporting performance and rehearsal space that is accessible.
Crews responding to a forest fire east of Burnt River in Kawartha Lakes on August 9, 2025. The fire has grown from five hectares in size to 27 hectares. (Photo: Patrick Porzuczek / Facebook)
Two forest fires in the Kawarthas region remain out of control as of Monday (August 11), two days after they started.
Crews are continuing to fight the two fires, one just east of Burnt River in Kawartha Lakes and the other in Marmora and Lake in Hastings County.
The Burnt Lake forest fire, which the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has labelled HAL019, started at 5:03 p.m. on Saturday. It grew from five hectares in size on Saturday to 27 hectares on Sunday.
While the cause of the fire has not been determined, Ontario Storm Watch posted on Facebook that a lightning strike was recorded in the area from a thunderstorm on August 8.
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According to a media release from the City of Kawartha Lakes on Monday, MNR has seven fire crews on site working to contain the fire. The size of the fire remains at 27 hectares as of Monday.
“An air attack was conducted yesterday and is available today if required,” the media release states. “Crews are making headway; however, hot and dry conditions persist, and potential for wind could worsen the situation.”
While no evacuation is necessary, the municipality is urging residents and visitors to avoid the Burnt River area to allow crews to safely continue working. A road closure remains in effect on County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green until further notice.
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The Hastings County forest fire, which the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has labelled HAL018, also continues to burn out of control.
Located on Crown land in the Municipality of Marmora and Lake south of Coe Hill in Wollaston Township and east of Apsley in North Kawartha Township, the fire started at 11:42 a.m. on Saturday and has grown from 11 hectares in size to 12.8 hectares as of Monday.
According to an update on Monday morning from the Municipality of Marmora and Lake, three MNR crews are on site fighting the fire. Water bombers used on Sunday have assisted in managing the fire on the ground. The MNR has a hose line around the fire, but the fire continues to burn.
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“We ask that the public avoid these areas to allow our staff to conduct their operations safely,” states the MNR in a social media post. “If you see a water bomber approaching a body of water, please move to the shore to allow for a safe scoop. Any disruption in operations can lead to delays in suppression activities.
The MNR is also reminding residents not to operate drones within nine kilometres active fire areas. Not only is it illegal, but it poses serious risks to both aerial and ground crews. To avoid the risk of a collision, water bombers will not fly if a drone is in the area.
Complete fire bans remain in effect in both the City of Kawartha Lakes and the Municipality of Marmora and Lake.
Taking in the expansive view of the Indian River from the scenic lookout trail at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground is just one of many outdoor adventures you can enjoy when road tripping through the Township of Douro-Dummer in Peterborough County. (Photo: Otonabee Conservation)
In central Peterborough County, all sorts of hidden rural treasures can be found by following the winding roads through the farmland, drumlins, and diverse landscapes of the Township of Douro-Dummer. It’s said that “all roads lead to Douro” and, with the township’s Irish roots, those roads have some stories to tell.
This year, people from near and far are visiting the community of Douro to mark the 200-year anniversary of the arrival of 60 Irish settler families to the region in 1825, with many descendants of these families still residing in the area today.
Along with the township’s rich culture and heritage, the dramatic formations of the Warsaw Caves, the serene Indian River, and Clear Lake and Stoney Lake along the Trent-Severn Waterway are a few of the attractions that draw visitors back to Douro-Dummer time and time again.
“Whether you enjoy summer outdoor recreation or winter outdoor recreation, you can get out and experience nature,” says Douro-Dummer Mayor Heather Watson. “It’s so interesting to look at the topography of the region and see water, Canadian Shield, and farm fields all mixed and mingled with small little hamlets.”
“But also there’s so much to do when it comes to appreciating the arts, culture, and heritage of our community. There’s just so much to see and explore.”
Morning: Eats and ecology
Begin your road trip in the southwestern corner of Douro-Dummer with a stop Kawartha Sweets and Eats just off Highway 28, where you can enjoy mouth-watering buttertarts from the Kawartha Buttertart Factory tarts along with scones, cookies, pies, and other baked goods. Right next door, you’ll find creamy frozen yogurt and premium ice cream at The Little Frozen Yogurt Company. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
Kick off your road trip in the southwestern corner of the township at Kawartha Sweets and Eats, located off Highway 28 and easily accessible from county roads in all directions. This take-out spot made its claim to fame by serving Kawartha Buttertart Factory tarts, but the scones, cookies, pies, and baked goods are just as satisfying for your sweet tooth.
Right next door, you’ll find The Little Frozen Yogurt Company where creamy frozen yogurt or premium ice cream piled with decadent toppings awaits. If you’ve forgotten to stock up on snacks, drinks, sunscreen, or any other essentials for your Douro-Dummer road trip, they also have you covered. You’ll want to plan a return trip — and start working on your putt — because this roadside destination will be unveiling an all-new mini-golf course in 2026. From butter tarts to frozen yogurt to family activities, it’s a hole-in-one.
For a hearty lunch, head over to the Douro Arena to indulge in slow-smoked meats from Mammoth Barbeque. As its name suggests, the food truck’s menu is colossal, complete with brisket, ribs, pulled pork, blackened chicken, and even — for the inner child in you — Dino Nuggets.
Learn about at-risk turtle species and what you can do to help them at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Douro-Dummer. You can also shop for a variety of turtle-related merchandise as a souvenir of your road trip through Douro-Dummer while helping to support the registered charity committed to protecting and conserving Ontario’s native turtle populations and their habitats. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
After lunch, take a short drive along County Road 8 and down Douro 5th Line to find the Robert Johnston Ecoforest Trails, which feature five kilometres of family and pet-friendly trails through forests and wetlands as well as a drumlin — an elongated tear drop-shaped hill formed by glacial ice. With names like the Wildlife Trail and the Birdwatching Trail, these trails will bring joy to the nature lovers in your crew.
Nature lovers also won’t want to miss a visit to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, located on Television Road just east of the City of Peterborough. This registered charity is committed to protecting and conserving Ontario’s native turtle populations and their habitats by operating a turtle hospital, conducting research, and running educational and outreach programming.
Learn about at-risk turtle species and what you can do to help them at the Education Centre, and don’t forget to stop at the store to shop a variety of turtle merchandise as a souvenir of your road trip through Douro-Dummer.
Afternoon: Agriculture and the Great Outdoors
Leahy’s Farm & Market just off Highway 28 in Douro-Dummer is renowned for its freshly harvested local corn and also offers other locally grown vegetables and fruits, cut flowers, beef, and freshly baked goods on a vast property with stunning views. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
From shopping local foods to a one-of-a-kind agritourism experience to exploring caves or paddling down a river, there are many ways to spend an afternoon outdoors in Douro-Dummer.
Head north on Highway 28 and you’ll be greeted with an abundance of farmlands and farm animals that make up Leahy’s Farm & Market. At this 45-year-old landmark, you’ll find locally grown produce and beef, freshly made baked goods, fresh cut flowers, and stunning views. The farm is also home of Canada’s Juno award-winning musical family Leahy, whose Celtic music proudly reflects their Irish heritage.
Just a few minutes around the corner, you can make some new furry friends at Wanderlight Alpaca Experience, a year-round destination like nowhere else in Ontario. Not only can you go on private walks through acres of rolling hills with an alpaca by your side, but you can join the alpacas for stargazing, dining, parties, and even to do an outdoor escape maze. Be forewarned: it might not be easy to say goodbye to these gentle, intelligent animals at the end of your adventure!
At Wanderlight Alpaca Experience in Douro-Dummer, guests can book a private walking tour with the intelligent, gentle creatures all year round. The agritourism destination also offers stargazing events and an outdoor escape maze. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
Whether you prefer to spend your time outdoors swimming, casting a line, paddling, or even spelunking, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground has it all. Having celebrated 60 years of being open to the public last year, this park gets its name from a series of seven limestone bedrock caves formed thousands of years ago during the last ice age.
The conservation area also has 15 kilometres of trails weaving through forests and across open limestone plains, with a lookout offering scenic views of potholes, kettles (a depression caused by glaciers), and the Indian River valley.
“You get this appreciation for the strength of Mother Nature,” says Mayor Watson. “It’s great for connecting with places within the Canadian Shield that you can’t typically access by car or trail. It’s so peaceful and always great to be out and exploring it.”
The Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground is a personal favourite place to explore for Douro-Dummer Mayor Heather Watson. Having celebrated its 60th year last year, the area offers hiking trails, paddling routes, and seven distinct caves formed during the last ice age that you can explore. (Photo: Otonabee Conservation)
Explore another one of Mayor Watson’s favourite spots in the conservation area by renting a canoe or kayak and going for a beginner-friendly paddle down the Indian River through the Indian River Descent Route.
Douro-Dummer Mayor Heather Watson’s Must Do’s
Explore Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground and paddle down the Indian River.
Enter the quilt raffle during Douro Doings over the Labour Day weekend.
“You’ve got the caves on one side so it feels expansive but constrained at the same time — there’s that cool juxtaposition,” she says. “It’s a nice, easy paddle and not busy with jet skis and boats, so it’s great for a novice paddler. If someone is a little bit more seasoned, they can go further down the channel and go right through Warsaw and beyond. There’s just so much of that untouched ruggedness you will see.”
For a pre-planned getaway with some friends, a camp for the kids, or a group or team-building retreat, check out the facilities at the award-winning Camp Kawartha & Outdoor Education Centre located on Clear Lake. This non-profit organization offers a broad range of year-round programming, workshops, and community development to foster stewardship and showcase sustainable living.
Evening: A peaceful lakeside night in Douro-Dummer
Accessible by car or by boat, Hobart’s Lighthouse in Douro-Dummer serves up homemade comfort meals and specialty cocktails you can enjoy from a patio that overlooks Stoney Lake. (Photo: Hobart’s Lighthouse)
To round out a family-fun afternoon of exploring, have dinner on the shores of Stoney Lake at Hobart’s Lighthouse, accessible both by car and by boat. Enjoy an extensive menu of options from burgers and sandwiches to pastas and vegetarian dishes to pair with a local brew or specialty cocktail. With a lakeside patio offering views of the passing boats, this restaurant is suitable for everything from family dinners to intimate date nights.
Not ready for your fun in Douro-Dummer to end? Whether you prefer to stay in contemporary resorts or private accommodations, the township has something for you — and it likely comes with lakefront views.
Pine Vista Resort is a four-star, family-owned destination with views overlooking the scenic Stoney Lake. From abundant gardens to towering pines, this resort is a nature-lover’s dream combined with modern conveniences. As an extra special perk, all guests of the resort will receive complimentary passes to the exclusive Wildfire Golf Club.
Located on Lake Katchewanooka in Douro-Dummer, the award-winning Lake Edge Cottages makes environmental sustainability a priority without compromising on quality or comfort. During your stay, you can enjoy watercraft and family-friendly outdoor games and activities and even book a scenic cruise of the lake with Captain Steve. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
For a pet-friendly option, check out the award-winning Lake Edge Cottages, which, as you might guess from the name, is right on the water’s edge at Lake Katchewanooka. With naturalized shorelines, rainwater collection, extensive recycling programs, and energy-efficient technology, this resort makes sustainability a priority without compromising on quality or comfort. You can enjoy watercraft and family-friendly outdoor games and activities — and don’t miss out on taking a scenic cruise of the lake with Captain Steve!
Another welcoming accommodation in the township is Clearview Cottage Resort, an LGBTQ+-friendly retreat destination that’s been family owned for more than 50 years. Located on the water between Stoney and Clear Lakes, Clearview Cottage Resort provides all guests with access to beach volleyball, a bonfire, a boat launch, a sandy beach, and much more.
An all-new accommodation option in The Kawarthas, Englewood Villas gives you year-round access to recently rebuilt and modernized villas with panoramic views of Lake Katchewanooka. Each villa comes with a full kitchen and a furnished deck with a barbeque to ensure Douro-Dummer feels like your home away from home.
Since 1929, the community of Douro in Douro-Dummer has celebrated Labour Day with Douro Doings. Among the many activities at the family-friendly festival is the annual quilt raffle, a personal favourite of Douro-Dummer Mayor Heather Watson. (Photo: Township of Douro-Dummer)
You’re in luck, because there’s plenty more to do in Douro-Dummer regardless of the season. Here are just a couple of reasons to plan a return visit.
Get a taste of the vibrant community of Douro at the Douro Doings festival, held annually over the Labour Day weekend. For 95 years, this celebratory festival has been a destination full of family fun featuring baseball games, a 10-kilometre run, a car show, children’s races, a tug-of-war, a home-cooked community meal, and the quilt raffle — one of Mayor Watson’s favourite parts of the weekend.
“The people who make the quilts are so incredibly talented and put so much effort into creating these quilts that are significant to the community,” she says. “Every year there’s 20 or more quilts available, and it’s quite a frenzy and badge of honour to win one. I have not won one yet, but I’m hoping one year will be my year!”
For a festive holiday tradition, visit the township during the annual Douro-Dummer Santa Claus Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Taking place on the last Saturday of November, the parade goes through the Hamlet of Warsaw, located in the centre of the township. The parade concludes with a tree lighting ceremony at Millennium Park, complete with cookies, hot chocolate, festive carols, and visits from the holly jolly man himself.
Road Tripping in The Kawarthas is a partnership between kawarthaNOW and the Peterborough County Tourism and Communications Division, created to showcase the unique and distinct townships of The Kawarthas.
This series supports the regional Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) campaign by inviting locals and nearby neighbours to rediscover the places, people, and businesses that make this region unforgettable. Every visit to The Kawarthas supports our local economy — and adds another chapter to your Kawarthas story.
After leading the Peterborough Musicfest audience in an epic sing-along of hits from the 1980s on August 14, 2024, Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman of Choir! Choir! Choir! are returning to Del Crary Park on August 13, 2025 to do the same with the hits of Queen in a free-admission sing-along concert. (Photo: Peterborough Musicfest / Facebook)
You can dance like no one’s watching, or you can sing like no one’s listening, or you can throw caution to the wind and tackle both actions at the same time.
Since 2011, Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman (aka Dabu) have emboldened thousands of pop music fans to do the latter by facilitating a shared musical experience, the success of which is wholly reliant on the enthusiastic participation of their audience.
Now, almost a year to the day that the pair left a huge Del Crary Park crowd hoarse but happy after an epic sing-along of hits from the 1980s, Choir! Choir! Choir! is returning to headline Peterborough Musicfest on Wednesday (August 13).
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Peterborough Musicfest presents Choir! Choir! Choir! – We Will Choir You: An Epic Queen Sing-Along
When: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 8 p.m. Where: Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: Free admission
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets (lawn chairs are available to rent). VIP seating available for sponsors. No smoking, alcohol, or pets permitted. There’s no public parking at Del Crary Park, but there’s neighbourhood street parking nearby and ample parking in downtown Peterborough.
Admission to the 8 p.m. concert, as always, is free, thanks to the continued support of several longtime sponsors, kawarthaNOW among them.
If you’ve ever wondered what “We Will Rock You” would sound like when sung by thousands upon thousands of people, this concert will provide the answer.
Billed as “We Will Choir You: An Epic Queen Sing-Along,” the concert will see Goldman and Adilman invite Musicfest attendees to find and release their inner Freddie Mercury as they sing hits recorded by the mega-successful English rock band that the late singer fronted from 1970 until his death in 1991.
Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman of Choir! Choir! Choir! leading the Peterborough Musicfest audience in an epic sing-along of hits from the 1980s on August 14, 2024. The pair are returning to Del Crary Park on August 13, 2025 to do the same with the hits of Queen in a free-admission sing-along concert. (Photo: Peterborough Musicfest / Facebook)
There is no such thing as a bad singing voice at a Choir! Choir! Choir! concert, as there’s a part for everyone willing to participate, which most invariably do.
Those who want in on the choral fun receive lyric sheets and Goldman and Adilman lead a rehearsal of the various harmonies and then, with Goldman on guitar and Adilman conducting, the rehearsed song is performed en masse. The effect is nothing short of uplifting, and the sense of achievement inevitably overpowering.
As Goldman and Adilman noted in a February 2023 interview with Greg Stewart of Theatre Weekly, “Choir! Choir! Choir! is a party where singing is the excuse to hang out in a room full of strangers and connect.”
“You’re going to laugh, you’re going to dance, you’re going to find yourself sharing intimate details of your life, you’re going to meet people you would never have before, and yes, you’re also going to sing harmonies to some of the greatest songs of all time.”
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The result is a wholly interactive concert experience that leaves audiences energized and, frankly, surprised at just how good they sound in unison.
“Though it’s all about singing, you don’t need a perfect voice,” Goldman and Adilman said. “We’ll teach you everything you need to know at the show. You can be super young, super old, an extrovert, an introvert, a complete cynic … whoever you are, by the end of this you’ll be buzzing. Honestly, it’s almost embarrassing how joyful you’ll feel. But you’ll take that vibe with you into your week and you won’t be able to stop singing.”
“Every single person is the show. The biggest hurdle for us is to light that match and get everyone on board so they’ll naturally give all their energy: sing at full volume, yell at us, share, lose their minds.”
VIDEO: “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey at Peterborough Musicfest (2024)
The seeds of what became Choir! Choir! Choir! were planted in 2008 when Goldman and Adilman, with their friend Amanda Burt, got a small choir together to sing at a birthday party for a mutual friend, Canadian musician and actor Matt Murphy.
In a March 2019 interview with Bailey Richardson of People & Company, Adilman said they asked two years later, via Facebook, if anyone wanted to sing as part of a choir.
Based on the response, they prepared some simple arrangements for The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man” and Pilot’s “Just A Smile.” The initial gathering was held at a friend’s real estate office in February 2011.
“We thought maybe some friends would show up and we’d just have a couple of beers,” recalled Adilman, adding “It was kind of extraordinary what happened. People we didn’t even know showed up.”
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“I got a phone call from Eye Weekly saying ‘We want to take a photo of what you guys are doing.’ I told that to Daveed and he’s like ‘We don’t even know what we’re doing. What are they coming for?’ But it was indicative of what was to follow because, at the end of the night, people were so happy. They were so into what we did, which was very little, but they loved it and they wanted us to do it again the next day.”
Buoyed by that success, Goldman and Adilman — the latter a multi-credited Canadian television actor and writer — brought people together twice weekly to sing popular songs as a group at Toronto’s Clinton Tavern.
Come 2016, Choir! Choir! Choir! was centre stage at much bigger venues. A performance of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” drew close to 2,000 participants to Massey Hall. Another at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square saw Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” performed at a memorial vigil following the Orlando nightclub shooting. And, in 2017, again outside Toronto City Hall, a tribute to the late Gord Downie saw several Tragically Hip songs sung by the audience.
VIDEO: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics at Peterborough Musicfest (2024)
Travelling the globe since to create harmony with strangers and friends alike, Choir! Choir Choir! has been joined by some very big pop music names, including Patti Smith, David Byrne, Brandi Carlile, Rick Astley, Rufus Wainwright, Sarah Harmer and, at New York City’s Lincoln Centre, Kermit the Frog.
“The thing about singing is it happens naturally, just like dancing happens naturally,” Adilman told Richardson.
“You just start dancing with people and you feel a certain rhythm at different points. It kind of locks in step and the whole room is dancing to literally the same beat. You lock into it and it feels really, really good. It’s great when you can have those moments without having to explain anything to anybody. The over-intellectualization of feelings is the death of that feeling, so it’s nice when everyone feels it, but you don’t have to say it.”
Asked by Theatre Weekly what the highlight of the Choir! Choir! Choir! experience is for them, Goldman and Adilman noted there are several, but narrowed it down to one.
“It’s the greatest when everyone has their parts down, huge smiles on their faces, dancing around, and filling the space with harmonies. That’s when we know they’ve caught the Choir! Choir! Choir! bug that bit us.”
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Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 16 free-admission concerts during its 38th season, each staged on Wednesday and Saturday nights until Saturday, August 16.
Overseen by executive director Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
For more information on this concert or the 2025 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2025 season.
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