Soap bubbles helped celebrate the United Way Peterborough & District's official launch of its 2025-26 community campaign on September 25, 2025 at the Healthy Planet Arena, where the organization unveiled its $1.6 million campaign goal. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)
The United Way Peterborough & District has officially launched its 2025-26 community campaign with the theme “Building Community, Changing Lives” and an ambitious goal of raising $1.6 million.
The official launch took place at noon on Thursday (September 25) at a fundraising event at the Healthy Planet Arena in Peterborough that included a catered lunch. According to a media release from the United Way, the event broke records with its highest ticket sales in years.
“This incredible turnout demonstrated the enthusiasm across Peterborough and the county for the work that we do together,” said United Way CEO Jim Russell. “The dollars raised through this campaign directly support frontline non-profits and ensure vital services are available to those who need them most, from food security and housing to mental health supports and education.”
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At the launch event, the United Way revealed its $1.6 million campaign goal, which is $100,000 more than last year’s goal of $1.5 million — a goal the organization met for the first time in over 10 years and then exceeded.
“With strong early momentum, record-breaking launch attendance, and innovative new initiatives, the United Way is confident the community will once again rise to the challenge,” the release states.
One of those new initiatives is The United Way Ultimate Burger Battle, running during the month of November, where local restaurants will compete to craft the “Ultimate Burger,” with $2 from every burger sold supporting United Way programs. The event has already been proven to be a successful fundraiser for other United Way affiliates across Canada.
United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell laughs as 2025-26 campaign chair Paul Rellinger speaks at the podium during the official launch of the United Way’s 2025-26 community campaign on September 25, 2025 at the Healthy Planet Arena. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)
Another new initiative is monthly 50/50 draws, held entirely online to make it easy to participate, with the first draw scheduled to take place on Friday, October 31.
Thursday’s launch event also highlighted the importance of individual workplace campaigns to the success of the United Way’s annual campaign.
GM Financial in Peterborough shared the success of their workplace campaign last year, which raised $38,795 for the United Way including through fun events such as Jeopardy, and capped it off with a surprise performance by one of their staff members, local drag artist Miss Divalicious, demonstrating how a little creativity and a lot of joy can be powerful drivers of fundraising.
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“These events highlighted how our community is coming together in innovative ways,” said the United Way’s 2025-26 campaign chair Paul Rellinger, who himself has supported the United Way for many years, most notably by organizing five annual Peterborough Performs: Musicians United To End Homelessness benefit concerts that have raised almost $150,000, with the latest concert this past March raising a record amount of $36,375.
“Fundraising can be inspiring and energizing, but what matters most is the impact: every dollar raised helps to improve lives right here in our community,” he added.
“And when we say community, we mean both the city of Peterborough and the county, because many of the partner agencies we fund serve residents across our entire region. The dollars raised here, stay here, supporting programs and services that our neighbours rely on every single day.”
The United Way Peterborough & District unveiled its 2025-26 community campaign goal of $1.6 million during the campaign’s official launch on September 25, 2025 at the Healthy Planet Arena. (Photo: Jordan Lylall Photography)
Funds raised through United Way support critical services across the city and county of Peterborough, addressing key socioeconomic and health issues including food insecurity, housing, mental health, and other essential needs.
The $1.51 million raised during last year’s campaign meant 234,042 meals were provided, more than 450 students received essential school supplies, and 28,125 social inclusion and wellness checks were made for vulnerable residents.
For more information about the United Way Peterborough & District and to donate, visit www.uwpeterborough.ca.
United Way Peterborough & District’s 2025-26 campaign chair Paul Rellinger (middle) helps promote the new Ultimate Burger Battle fundraising intiative announced during the official launch of the United Way’s 2025-26 community campaign on September 25, 2025 at the Healthy Planet Arena in Peterborough. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)Local drag artist Miss Divalicious gave a surprise performance during the United Way Peterborough & District’s official launch of its 2025-26 community campaign on September 25, 2025 at the Healthy Planet Arena. Miss Divalicious is a staff member at GM Financial, which raised $38,795 for the United Way during the company’s workplace campaign last year. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)
Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough County OPP inspector and detachment commander Chris Galleazza, and representatives from Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) gathered at the Peterborough police station on September 26, 2025 for an announcement of $426,860.34 in funding over the next two years under the province's Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Enhancement Grant. (Photo: Peterborough Police Service)
The Ontario government is providing $426,860.34 in funding to support Peterborough region police providing specialized support to people who experience a mental health or addictions crisis.
Both the Peterborough Police Service and the Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are receiving funding over the next two years under the province’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Enhancement Grant, with the Peterborough Police Service receiving $240,000 and the Peterborough County OPP receiving $186,860.34.
The funding was announced at a media event on Friday (September 26) at the Peterborough police station, attended by Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough County OPP inspector and detachment commander Chris Galleazza, and representatives from Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR).
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Friday’s announcement follows a provincial announcement on September 12 of $9 million in funding under the MCRT Enhancement to 36 police services and OPP detachments across Ontario in 2025-2026 and 2026-27.
Along with the funding for Peterborough Police Service and Peterborough County OPP, that announcement also included $239,933 for the Northumberland OPP.
Mobile crisis response teams consist of police officers and crisis workers working together to respond to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers can assess if a person should be sent to an emergency department for immediate treatment or whether a referral is needed to community programs that support mental and physical well-being.
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The $240,000 in funding for the Peterborough Police Service will allow for the re-establishment a Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) with PRHC, consisting a registered practical nurse and a qualified officer. The team will be embedded within the police service and provide immediate and follow-up responses to those experiencing mental health and addiction crises.
An MCIT partnership with PRHC originally began in November 2022, but was only funded by a provincial grant until March 31, 2023.
The origins of the Peterborough Police Service’s first MCIT go back to 2011, when a CMHA HKPR outreach worker began working out of the Peterborough police station. The outreach worker rode along with police officers, attending mental health calls and following up on the calls. The MCIT was born in 2018 when a police officer was added to the unit.
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A second MCIT partnership with CMHA HKPR was supported by surplus funds re-allocated by the City of Peterborough in the Peterborough Police Service’s 2021 budget. The funding to CMHA HKPR was renewed in 2024 for an additional two years.
CMHA HKPR also participates in MCIT’s with OPP detachments in Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County, in addition to its team with the Peterborough Police Service.
According to the Peterborough Police Service, officers responded to 3,140 mental health and addictions occurrences between January 2022 and December 2024 — a 38 per cent increase over the previous three years.
Participants walk to the Gdinuhwendimin "We Are Related" Friendship Garden at Bobcaygeon Beach Park following a Remembrance Ceremony held by the Truth and Reconciliation Community Bobcaygeon and the Mishkoden Centre for Indigenous Knowledge at Boyd Heritage Museum on September 30, 2024. (Photo: John MacLennan)
With Tuesday (September 30) marking the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, communities across the greater Kawarthas region will be honouring and recognizing the Indigenous victims and survivors of Canada’s residential schools, as well as their families and communities. It is also a day for Canadians to educate themselves about the heritage, culture, stories, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The federal statutory holiday was created in 2021 to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 “94 Calls to Action.” These polices outline recommendations for acknowledging the horrifying history of the school system and advancing the process of reconciliation.
The date aligns with Orange Shirt Day, a day that has been commemorated since 2013 when Phyllis Webstad of Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation shared her experience of attending a residential school in B.C. in 1973. When she first arrived at the school as a six-year-old child, she was stripped of her new orange shirt by school authorities and it was never returned.
For most of her life, Webstad was unable to wear orange as it would remind her of the terrifying experiences she had at the school but, after Webstad shared her story as a survivor and eventually founded the Orange Shirt Society, the orange shirt has come to symbolize the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem that many Indigenous children experienced.
Community members are invited to wear orange when participating in the following activities taking place across the greater Kawarthas region before or on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
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Learn about wild rice at the sixth Annual Mnoominkewin Gathering at Curve Lake First Nation
Sarain Fox and her daughter Maamaatesiinh planting Mnoomin (wild rice) during the 2022 Mnoominkewin Gathering. (Photo: Nadya Kwandibens of Red Works Photography)
On Saturday (September 27) the Mnoominkewin Wild Rice Festival is presenting the sixth annual Mnoominkewin Gathering, a day-long event beginning at 7 a.m. at Curve Lake First Nation’s Lime Kiln Park.
This free family-friendly celebration of mnoominkewin (wild rice) will kick off with a sunrise ceremony before launching into an afternoon of keynote addresses and talks from Winona Laduke, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Chandra Maracle, and Rick Hill.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn to plant, gather, and process Mnoomin into food, as well as partake in kids’ activities, Anishnaabemowin language lessons, art demos, pontoon boat rides, round dances, and community meals by Shawn Adler.
For more information, to register, and to see the full schedule, visit mnoominkewin.com.
Make Orange Shirt Day crafts at the Haliburton County, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes libraries
VIDEO: “On Orange Shirt Day” by Phyllis Webstad
Residents of Haliburton County can drop in to any library branch until Saturday (September 27) to participate in the free drop-in “Hearts & Hands” craft station. To symbolize your commitment to reconciliation and learning, write or draw a message of reflection on an orange paper heart or trace your handprint and add it to a wall display.
In Peterborough, children can create origami orange shirts and decorate the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer Street). There will be two shirt designs available to choose from during library open hours until Monday (September 29). Adults are invited to reflect on and record one actional intention of truth and reconciliation they will work towards.
Drop in to any Kawartha Lakes library branch during open hours on Saturday (September 27) and Tuesday (September 30) to make your own bookmark in honour of survivors and in remembrance of those impacted by residential schools.
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“Canindian: A Celebration of Truth and a Celebration of Reconciliation with Tom Jackson and Friends” at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre
VIDEO: “Lost Souls” by Tom Jackson (2021)
The Municipality of Port Hope will honour Indigenous culture, history, and healing with an evening of song, storytelling, and performances from Tom Jackson and local Indigenous leaders at the Capitol Theatre (20 Queen St.) beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (September 30)
Jackson is an accomplished actor, musician, and activist with Cree roots known for television roles in North of 60, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Law & Order, and Sullivan’s Crossing and roles in films including Cold Pursuit, Deadfall, Mee-Shee: The Water Giant, and Grizzly Falls.
The event will include traditional drumming and dancing and feature a vendors’ market with jewelry, scarves, moccasins, and paintings available for purchase.
Admission is free but $30 donations are suggested, with all proceeds supporting the Rice Lake Legal Personhood initiative. Jackson will be matching up to $5,000 in donations.
Gathering for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in Peterborough
Join the Peterborough Urban Indigenous Working Group for a family-friendly gathering on Armour Hill at the Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter St E.) on Tuesday (September 30). Everyone is welcome to attend.
The rain-or-shine event will begin with a sunrise ceremony at 7 a.m. and will include opening remarks from Elders, guest speakers, cultural teachings, and reflections. The gathering will continue until 1 p.m. with children’s activities, door prizes, a round dance, storytelling, traditional music, a sacred fire, and more.
In honour of Orange Shirt Day, participants are encouraged to wear an orange shirt as a visible sign of solidarity and to help spark important conversations about the ongoing impacts of the residential school system.
Parking at the Peterborough Museum and Archives may be limited so Peterborough Transit will be running a shuttle bus from the Peterborough Transit Terminal (190 Simcoe St.) to the museum. The shuttle will depart from the terminal every 30 minutes beginning at 8:05 a.m., and the last will leave the Peterborough Museum and Archives at 12:15 p.m.
The Peterborough Urban Indigenous Working Group consists of representatives from the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, City of Peterborough, Lovesick Lake Native Women’s Association, Lakelands Public Health, the Peterborough Community Health Centre, and community members.
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Watch “Bones of Crows” with the Town of Cobourg
VIDEO: “Bones of Crows” trailer
The Town of Cobourg is inviting residents to watch Bones of Crows, a film by award-winning Métis playwright and director Marie Clements, in the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.) on Tuesday (September 30), with free screenings at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Unfolding over 100 years, the film follows a Cree musical prodigy’s survival of the residential school system, and her family generations spent fighting against systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. Admission is free, though the film is rated 14+ and portrays difficult moments.
From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will also be historical prompts and conversational pieces stationed outside Victoria Hall and moved to the lobby for the evening. Visitors are invited to leave messages of reflection on two orange Adirondack chairs which will be relocated to the harbour and placed near the Waterfront Wisdom Pathway.
Join the Alderville First Nation “Every Child Matters” Walk
Some of the participants in Alderville First Nation’s Every Child Matters Walk on September 30, 2022. (Photo: Oralie George / Facebook)
Beginning at 10:45 a.m., Alderville First Nation will host the annual “Every Child Matters Walk” beginning at Alderville Health and Social Services (8467 Highway 45, Roseneath).
Participants will walk north to the Alderville First Nation Community Centre and be returned by bus.
Participants are encouraged to wear orange shirts and stay for the welcoming ceremony following the walk.
Reflect at the Remembrance Ceremony at the Boyd Museum in Bobcaygeon
The Truth and Reconciliation Community Bobcaygeon and the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge will be hosting an annual Remembrance Ceremony at the Boyd Heritage Museum (21 Canal St. E.) to commemorate the history and ongoing impact of residential schools.
Beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday (September 30), the ceremony will be followed by a walk to the Gdinuhwendimin “We Are Related” Friendship Garden at Bobcaygeon Beach Park.
Three members of Curve Lake First Nation — drummer and musician Janet McCue, former City of Peterborough poet laureate Sarah Lewis, and educator Brittany Taylor — will also be present. Donations will go to the school at Curve Lake First Nation.
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Browse the “Art + Waste in Panniqtung” Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Peterborough
VIDEO: “Art + Waste in Panniqtuuq”
Before October 5, head to the Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent St.) to see the “Art + Waste in Panniqtuuq” exhibition, created by an ad hoc collective of artists aiming to bring awareness to the urgent waste crisis in the Arctic community of Panniqtuuq, Nunavut.
The climate crisis is causing the permafrost to melt in the remote community and, as demand for natural resources increases, unprecedented volumes of waste and contaminants are causing dramatic changes and damage to the land, sea, and ice.
Inuit artists featured in the exhibit include Madeleine Aasivak Qumuataq, Jupa Ishulutak, Kawtysie Kakee, Annie Kilabuk, David Kilabuk, Talia Metuq, Oleepika Nashalik, and Malaya Pitsiulak, alongside settler artist and researcher Micky Renders.
Related events include a speaking circle on environmental racism from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday (October 1) at Trent University, an artist talk by David Kilabuk from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday (October 2) at The Canadian Canoe Museum, an artist talk by Madeline Aasivak Qumuataq at 11 a.m. on Saturday (October 4) at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, and a soapstone carving workshop with Jupa Ishulutak and Malaya Pitsiulak from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday (October 5) at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.
Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty is selling 100 high-quality prints of her composite photo "Women in the Windows," inspired by the famous 1960 photo by photojournalist Ormond Gigli, and donated a portion of the proceeds to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)
Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty is launching a limited run of 100 prints of her “Women in the Windows” composite photo, with partial proceeds from sales of the prints supporting area women in need of a safe haven and related services.
Doughty will offering 16-by-20-inch prints of the photo for $55 each, with $15 from each sale being donated to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s “HER Journey of Care” program, which provides comprehensive support to women healing from the impacts of gender-based violence.
“The YWCA — its dedicated staff and volunteers — has always had my heart,” Doughty told kawarthaNOW. “They work tirelessly on the front lines to provide support and resources to women, children and gender diverse individuals so that they have a safe place to live, food to eat, and the opportunity to have a joyful life.”
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She’s hopeful to sell as many prints as possible to make the endeavour a success.
“My biggest hope for the fundraiser would be that we sell the entire 100 prints so that a total donation of $1,500 can be given to the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s HER Journey of Care program.”
Back in 2023, Doughty was inspired by the famous “Girls in the Window” photograph taken in 1960 by New York photojournalist Ormond Gigli. The photo showed 41 finely dressed women — including Gigli’s own wife — with their arms outstretched in the empty windows of a New York City brownstone that was demolished the next day.
Photojournalist Ormond Gigli’s famous 1960 photo “Girls In The Windows,” showing 43 finely dressed women in the windows of a New York City brownstone, (Photo: Ormond Gigli / Archival Pigment Photograph)
“I photographed the window of a local historical brick building, had the image blown up to life size, and then installed it in my studio,” Doughty explains in a media release.
Doughty then extended a call to the community for models, and more than 100 women applied to take part in the project. From there, she held a lottery, and 48 women were chosen as the models for the final photo.
Doughty further collaborated with local businesses to help bring her vision to life, with Statement House Vintage and Neighbourhood Vintage providing clothing, La Beauty Bar providing makeup, and Beauty by Leigh styling the hair of the participants.
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Over the course of three days, she photographed each of the women in the life-size window set-up and then painstakingly created a composite photograph of all the women in their windows.
After unveiling the image this past March, Doughty said she was “struck by the positivity, the joy, and the overall good vibe that the beautiful women in the photo projected.”
“I was not happy to let the photo be a one-and-done. So I came up with an idea — what if we harnessed the power of positivity and the beauty of community and we raised some funds for a very deserving organization?”
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Copies of the print will go on pre-sale starting Monday (September 29) and the sale will continue until October 31. The photo will be printed at 16 by 20 inches on archival cotton, signed and numbered and ready for framing.
Doughty will also be showcasing the work 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday (October 3) during the First Friday Peterborough art crawl in her studio on the second floor of the Commerce Building at the corner of Hunter and Water streets in downtown Peterborough.
“It would be amazing to have a bunch presold for pick up at that time,” Doughty said.
Bigger and better this year, the fourth annual Cancer Takedown spirit-raising fundraiser is returning with a second show of song, stories, and solidarity to shine a light on the mental burden of cancer. The fundraiser for cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre will be held at Lindsay's Flato Academy Theatre on November 4, 2025 and returning to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in Peterborough on November 5, 2025. (Graphic and photos courtesy of Amy Kemp)
What was supposed to be a one-time spirit-raising fundraiser in support of regional cancer care is returning for the fourth year, and this time it’s throwing a bigger punch than ever before.
Branded as an “uplifting evening of song, story, and solidarity,” Cancer Takedown is returning for two dates this year to gather more people and raise more proceeds for cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). The two shows will be staged at Flato Academy Theatre in Lindsay on Tuesday, November 4 and Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, November 5.
“We took the lead from the community response,” says Cancer Takedown co-founder Amy Kemp. “People are reacting well to the event itself and the ambition of talking about mental health as it relates to cancer, and it feels like there’s a need for it, so the next natural step for us was to bring it to more people and more communities.”
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Amy founded Cancer Takedown in 2022 alongside her husband Rick Kemp, who has his own firsthand experience with the disease. Rick was treated at PRHC following two cancer diagnoses — metastatic kidney cancer and, later, CNS lymphoma — and, after years of treatment including a stem cell transplant, he felt inspired to find a way to give back to the community.
Cancer Takedown was created with the goal of bringing to light the mental and emotional burden that comes with cancer.
“In our personal experience, it was a bit of a surprise,” Amy says of that burden. “You realize that this is happening and it’s going to take its toll mentally, but I don’t think we realized the extent to which that happened.”
“There’s a lot of positivity around cancer and a lot of ‘you can do it’ and battle cries and rally cries, and that’s all very important. But there’s also such a roller coaster of emotions and a really dark side to that journey. In our experience, when we’ve shared that with people and when people have felt comfortable enough to talk about it, it’s very healing and it’s necessary.”
Melissa Payne and Kate Suhr are among the performers who will be returning to the stage during the annual Cancer Takedown fundraiser in Lindsay and Peterborough on November 4 and 5, 2025. Raising spirits and funds for cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, both evenings will feature live music and stories from three women who were diagnosed with cancer before the age of 40. (Photo courtesy of Amy Kemp)
The goal of Cancer Takedown, Amy says, is to create more inviting and comfortable places for people to talk about these burdens more “openly and freely.”
“It’s healing for the people who it affects directly and it’s helpful for the people that are indirectly affected, like friends and family members,” she says. “It helps you realize this is the human side of cancer.”
Both shows will see the return of music from the likes of local musicians Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr, The Weber Brothers, Nicholas Campbell, Anthony Bastianon, and more.
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Though all past shows have been co-hosted by Megan Murphy and Linda Kash, prior obligations have left Kash unavailable to lend her talents this year. Fortunately, another comedic powerhouse, Denise Oucharek, who previously performed for the fundraiser, will step into her velour tracksuit to host alongside Murphy.
On both evenings, three women who all heard the words “you have cancer” before the age of 40 will be sharing their stories and speaking to the mental and emotional challenges they faced and overcame.
“Cancer is becoming more and more prevalent among younger people,” says Amy. “These women have all been diagnosed at a relatively young age. It came as a complete shock, and they all have careers and young kids. Navigating that is overwhelming to say the least. We thought we would share stories from that angle this year.”
Jeanne Beker is a trailblazing Canadian journalist, media personality, and fashion icon who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She will share the story of her journey when Cancer Takedown comes to Lindsay for the first time at the Flato Academy Theatre on November 4, 2025. (Photo: Jeanne Beker / Instagram)
Audiences at the Lindsay show will also hear from special guest and breast cancer survivor Jeanne Beker, a Toronto-based trailblazing journalist, media personality, writer, and fashion icon. Also harbouring a soft spot for Lindsay since she got her golden doodle Hamish from Lakewood Ranch, Beker has always been vocal and used her platform to normalize conversations around cancer.
“The most precious gift that we can give one another are our own personal stories,” she said in a 2022 interview with Etalk about her 2022 diagnosis and subsequent decision to make public her journey.
While the goal of Cancer Takedown is to explore stories of cancer and to highlight the mental burden that goes along with it, as a “spirit raiser” there will still be lots of lighthearted moments of joy and laughter.
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“Because the contents can be so heavy obviously, we thought ‘How do we bring some lightness to this and make it fun and funny and set a tone for Cancer Takedown?’,” Amy recalls of the inaugural show.
“How do you fuel spirits? We do it through music, which is incredibly powerful and healing; we do it through storytelling, which is the same; and we do it through the comradery in the room. For that to happen, the right tone has to be set. It was intentionally meant to take a humorous and lighthearted approach and meet it with the realistic roller coaster that is cancer and hopefully that resonates with people. So far it has.”
Amy says it’s “shocking” that so many audience members have come up to them to thank them for organizing Cancer Takedown over the years.
“We’ve had some strong positive reaction from absolute strangers,” says Amy. “Cancer is so prevalent that there are so many other people going through this mental and emotional battle with cancer and the more we can bring attention to it, the more helpful it will be for a wider group of people.”
VIDEO: Cancer Takedown 2023
When they launched the inaugural event in 2022, the Kemps couldn’t have imagined it would have touched as many people as it has or that it would turn into what it has, now expanding into two shows in two communities and still garnering the same interest from musicians, storytellers, and audiences.
“It’s really the community around us that has kept it going,” says Amy. “It’s become an important part of our own healing and coping and processing. The fact that the community’s involved and we can rally people at the same time is awesome. It’s huge.”
Tickets for the Lindsay show are $42 including fees and can be purchased at www.flatoacademytheatre.com. For the Peterborough show, tickets are $44 including fees ($54 including fees for cabaret table seating) and can purchased at www.markethall.org.
Montreal alt-pop singer-songwriter Maïa Davies, whose album "Lovers' Gothic" won the 2025 Juno Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year, performs at Jethro's Bar + Stage in downtown Peterborough on Friday night with Toronto singer-songwriter Andy Stochansky. (Photo: Jen Squires)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, September 25 to Wednesday, October 1.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
12-9pm - Brewfest benefit concert in support of Right to Heal ft Ty Wilson, Brad Renaud, Sarah Jayne Riley, Jeanne Truax & Emily Burgess, Joslynn Burford, Bon Jovi Forever, Monkey Wrench, and more
Amandala's
375 Water St., Peterborough
(705) 749-9090
Sunday, September 28
6-8pm - Dinner & Jazz featuring Mike Graham and Victoria Yeh (reservations recommended)
Arthur's Pub
930 Burnham St., Cobourg
(905) 372-2105
Thursday, September 25
8-10:30pm - Open mic w/ Bruce Longman
Friday, September 26
8-11pm - Matt Marcuz
Saturday, September 27
8-11pm - Ryan Forsythe
Monday, September 29
7:30-9:30pm - Local talent night ft Ryan Scott
Bancroft Eatery and Brew Pub
4 Bridge St., Bancroft
(613) 332-3450
Friday, September 26
7-10pm - Jimmy Covers
Black Horse Pub
452 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-0633
Thursday, September 25
7-10pm - 12th anniversary Jazz & Blues Night ft. Carling Stephen & Rob Phillips
Friday, September 26
5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 9pm-12am - High Waters Band
Saturday, September 27
5-8pm - Chad Wenzel; 9pm-12am - Odd Man Rush
Sunday, September 28
4-7pm - Tami J Wilde
Monday, September 29
7-10pm - Crash & Burn w/ Rick & Gailie
Tuesday, September 30
6-10pm - Open mic w/ Joslynn Burford
Coming Soon
Friday, October 3 5-8pm - Charlie Horse; 9pm-12am - Mike MacCurdy's Dirty Birdies
Saturday, October 4 5-8pm - Brennen Sloan; 9pm-12am - The Hippie Chicks
Sunday, October 5 4-7pm - Rocky Islander
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The Blue Room Coboconk
6666 Highway 35, Coboconk
613-553-4699
Coming Soon
Saturday, October 11 8pm - Tres Hombres ($10 cover)
Saturday, October 18 5pm - Will Gillespie Music and Lotus Wight perform MINE! True Stories and Legends of the Porcupine Gold Rush
Boshkung Social - Boshkung Brewing Co.
20 Water St., Minden
705-809-0512
Thursday, September 25
6pm - Cam Galloway
Boston Pizza Lindsay
435 Kent St. W., Lindsay
705-328-0008
Thursday, September 25
8-11pm - Open mic and karaoke
Friday, September 26
8-11pm - Live music TBA
Claymore Pub & Table
95 King St. W., Cobourg
905-372-5231
Thursday, September 25
7-10pm - Karaoke Night w/ Crazy Ray
Coach & Horses Pub
16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006
Thursday, September 25
9pm-1am - Karaoke w/ DJ Ross
Saturday, September 27
10pm-2am - Karaoke w/ DJ Ross
Crook & Coffer
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
705-876-0505
Thursday, September 25
7-9:30pm - OG open stage w/ Diamond Dave (originals only, no covers)
Friday, September 26
7:30-10:30pm - Cam Fraser
Saturday, September 27
2:30-4:30pm - The Skelligs; 7:30-10:30pm - Derrick Seed
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Ganaraska Brewing Company
33 Mill St., Port Hope
905-885-9029
Friday, September 26
4-6pm - The Easy TImes Band
Saturday, September 27
7-9pm - 2B Fair
Sunday, September 28
2-5pm - Open mic w/ Matt Marcuz
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Saturday, September 27
2-5pm - Blueprint
Coming Soon
Friday, October 31 8pm - Buck Tingley w/ Roxanne Potvin on bass and Tim-Jim Baker on drums ($20)
6-8pm - Newberry Family Hour(s); 8-10pm - Todd & Robyn; 10pm-12am - Stephen Stanley & Graven w/ Melissa Payne & Chris Bennett ($25 in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1564053539239)
Sunday, September 28
3pm - Blues Jam
Wednesday, October 1
9pm - The Space Heaters
The John at Sadleir House
751 George St. N., Peterborough
705-742-3686
Coming Soon
Saturday, November 1 CANCELLED - 8:30pm - Pulsar w/ After the Horizon, Mourning Wood
Kawartha Country Wines
2452 County Road 36,, Buckhorn
705-657-9916
Sunday, September 28
1-4pm - A Pint of Blarney (no cover)
Kelly's Homelike Inn
205 3rd Street, Cobourg
905-372-3234
Friday, September 26
7:30-11:30pm - Karaoke w/ Cait Sheppard.
Saturday, September 27
4-8pm - Marty & The Mojos
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Mainstreet Bar & Grill
1939 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn
(705) 657-9094
Friday, September 26
7pm - Karaoke hosted by DJ Ross
McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Friday, September 26
9pm-1am - Cale Crowe
Saturday, September 27
9pm-1am - Davey Boy
Sunday, September 28
8pm - Karaoke and open mic
Tuesday, September 30
8pm - Joanna & Danny Bronson
Wednesday, October 1
8pm - Kevin Foster
Moody's Bar & Grill
3 Tupper St., Millbrook
(705) 932-6663
Coming Soon
Wednesday, October 8 8-10pm - Open Mic Night hosted by Cameron Von
The Muse Gallery & Cafe
23 Bridge St., Bancroft
613-332-1573
Friday, September 26
7-11pm - Nephton Ridge Runners
Pig's Ear Tavern
144 Brock St., Peterborough
(705) 745-7255
Friday, September 26
10pm - K Stew, Sara VDB, Cheyenne Buck
Saturday, September 27
4-7pm - The Wild Cards (PWYC); 9pm - Howlin' Circus
Tuesday, September 30
9pm - Open stage
Wednesday, October 1
9pm - Karaoinke
Rolling Grape Vineyard
260 County Rd 2, Bailieboro
705-991-5876
Thursday, September 25
5:30-8:30pm - Nolan Hubbard
Saturday, September 27
1-4pm - Sean Jamieson & Catherine Noelle
Sunday, September 28
2-5pm - Homestead Elite
Royal Crown Pub & Grill
4 King St. E., Colborne
905-355-1900
Saturday, September 27
8pm - Cale Crowe (no cover)
Scenery Drive Restaurant
6193 County Road 45, Baltimore
905-349-2217
Saturday, September 27
5-7:30pm - Kathleen Lovett
Tap & Tonic Pub & Bistro - Campbellford
18-22 Bridge St. W., Campbellford
(705) 947-2333
Thursday, September 25
7-10pm - Night Hawk
Tap & Tonic Pub & Bistro - Marmora
16 Forsyth St., Marmora
613-666-9767
Thursday, September 25
7-10pm - Mike Tremblett
The Thirsty Goose
63 Walton St., Port Hope
Friday, September 26
8pm-12am - Jacob Henley
Saturday, September 27
8pm-12am - Bruce Longman
The Venue
286 George Street North, Peterborough
(705) 876-0008
Métis actor, musician, philanthropist, and activist Tom Jackson will be joined by local Indigenous leaders for "Canindian: A Celebration of Truth and a Celebration of Reconciliation" at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope on September 20, 2025. Hosted by the Municipality of Port Hope, the evening of music, storytelling, and more will mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. (Photo: Craig Koshyk)
Stay tuned to kawarthaNOW for our story about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events across the greater Kawarthas region.
Métis actor, musician, philanthropist, and activist Tom Jackson will be participating in a special event in Port Hope to recognize Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Tuesday (September 30).
Currently living in Port Hope, Jackson is the featured guest at “Canindian: A Celebration of Truth and a Celebration of Reconciliation” at the Capitol Theatre at 20 Queen Street in downtown Port Hope. He will be joined by esteemed local Indigenous leaders for an evening of song, storytelling, and performances that explore the heart of Indigenous heritage.
The evening was initiated by Municipality of Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky as a way to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
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“By welcoming Tom, along with learning and sharing from other leaders from our surrounding Indigenous communities, we hope the event will encourage people to take time to reflect on the significance of the day and deepen their understanding of truth and reconciliation,” Hankivsky told kawarthaNOW.
The municipality expects attendees will be moved by Jackson’s “soulful voice and his heartfelt narratives” that have inspired countless communities across generations.
“Canindian invites all community members to unite in a spirit of shared understanding and respect, and Tom is giving this concert to the community with love in the spirit of healing and reconciliation,” Hankivsky said.
VIDEO: “Lost Souls” by Tom Jackson (2021)
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the evening will celebrate Indigenous culture and history while also honouring the collective journey towards healing.
The event also involves Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson, Elder and Knowledge Keeper Melody Crowe of Alderville First Nation, and Marsha Smoke, Southeast Regional Chief for the Anishinabek Nation, each of whom will contribute to the ongoing dialogue of truth and reconciliation.
Along with Jackson’s performance, guests will enjoy traditional Indigenous drumming and dancing. The event also features a vendors’ market, offering items for purchase such as jewellery, scarves, moccasins, and paintings.
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While admission is free, a suggested donation of $30 will support the Rice Lake Legal Personhood Initiative, an endeavour to grant Rice Lake legal personhood with the aim of protecting the lake’s rights, resources, and its future.
Hankivsky said a successful outcome for the event would include raising $10,000 for the project, noting Jackson has said he will match up to $5,000 in donations.
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With an acting career that spans more than four decades, Jackson has appeared on TV shows including CBC Television’s North of 60, Shining Time Station, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Law & Order, Red Earth Uncovered, Outlander, Cardinal, Supergirl, and CTV/CW network’s Sullivan’s Crossing. His film roles include Cold Pursuit, Deadfall, Mee-Shee: The Water Giant, and Grizzly Falls.
Jackson is also a longtime singer-songwriter, with his musical recordings including The Essential Tom Jackson, and he received the Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences at the 2007 Juno Awards. He is renowned for his humanitarian work, notably The Huron Carole concert series, which has raised more than $250 million in funds and in-kind value for food banks, charities, and disaster relief across Canada.
Jackson also served as chancellor of Trent University in Peterborough from 2009 to 2013 and is the recipient of 11 honorary degrees from universities across Canada. His contributions have earned him the Companion of the Order of Canada, the Order of the Red Cross, multiple humanitarian awards, and recognition as one of the country’s most respected and inspiring cultural leaders.
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In June 2021, the Canadian government established National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as an annual statutory holiday on September 30 in response to the Call to Action #80 from the 2015 final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. As well as remembering and honouring those lost to residential schools and the thousands of survivors, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for Canadians to educate themselves about the heritage, culture, stories, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, when Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of the tragic legacy of Canada’s residential school system. The date was chosen for Orange Shirt Day because it is the time of year when Indigenous children were taken from their homes to residential schools.
The orange shirt and the slogan “Every Child Matters” originated as a result of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and reunion events in 2013 in Williams Lake, BC, when residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band) shared her experience when she arrived at the residential school. Her grandmother had taken her shopping to buy a new outfit for her very first day at the school, and Webstad picked out a bright orange shirt — which school authorities promptly confiscated from her when she arrived along with all her other clothes, which were never returned.
Through the City of Peterborough's Rain Garden Subsidy Program, eligible homeowners receive up to $1,000 toward the cost of designing and installing a rain garden, with support from GreenUP. The pilot program is coming to a close in fall 2005. Pictured is a rain garden at the east-end home of Peterborough resident Sheila Day, who took part in the program. (Photo: Yvonne Hollandy / GreenUP)
Rain gardens come in all shapes, sizes, colours, and textures, yet they share a few common features: a shallow bowl, gently sloped berms, and clear inlets and outlets for water.
The people who tend them also vary — different homes, neighbourhoods, and gardening goals — but they often share a bright smile when talking about their gardens and the joy they bring.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Laura Keresztesi, Neighbourhood and Residential Programs Coordinator, GreenUP.
GreenUP partners with the City of Peterborough in delivering the Rain Garden Subsidy Program. The pilot project, ending this fall, offers eligible residents up to $1,000 to offset the cost of design and installation of a rain garden.
This summer, GreenUP visited a few local rain gardeners to see how their landscapes are blooming.
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Elaine Day: Helping veggies with a side of pollinators
Elaine Day kneels in her rain garden in the east end of Peterborough. She took part in the City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program to help retain water for her vegetable gardens using natural methods. Elaine now enjoys the wildlife and pollinators the garden attracts. (Photo: Yvonne Hollandy / GreenUP)
Elaine Day is an avid vegetable gardener in Peterborough’s east end. Her terraced garden sits on a sun-soaked slope that helps her veggies grow, but also dries out the soil quickly.
To tackle this, Elaine installed a rain garden which helps keep soil moist by slowing and absorbing water instead of letting it rush away as runoff. Moist soil improves water retention, meaning more water is available to all plants — even during dry spells.
“My main reason was to help my vegetables,” Elaine says of the reason she installed a rain garden. “But now I love watching it come to life in the spring and seeing all the pollinators it attracts.”
Her garden now bursts with colour from native plants like Black-eyed Susan, Wild Bergamot, and New England Aster.
Elaine’s rain garden tip: “It takes a lot of digging, but it’s totally worth it.”
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Robert Brown: Water harvesting and low maintenance
Robert Brown stands by his rain garden installed through the City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program. Robert’s yard slopes toward the street, so by strategically placing his rain garden at the top of the yard, his garden catches and slowly releases water into the gardens below. (Photo: Yvonne Hollandy / GreenUP)
Robert Brown lives on a corner lot in the west end of Peterborough, where he’s been steadily replacing his lawn with gardens. He’s motivated by both aesthetics and function.
“I don’t want to spend my time cutting grass, but time in the garden is always a pleasure,” he says.
His yard slopes toward the street, so he placed his rain garden at the top, where it can catch and slowly release water into the rest of his garden. He combines this with additional rainwater harvesting, directing overflow from a rain barrel into the garden.
Robert also applies rain garden strategies like berming in other parts of his garden. Around his tomato plants, small berms hold water in place, helping it soak in slowly to where roots need it most. It saves time and conserves water.
Robert’s rain garden tip: “Just dig in and do it … then keep experimenting.”
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Sheila Holliday: Curb appeal and constant discovery
An existing rain garden appealed to avid gardener Sheila Holliday when she was house hunting. Since taking ownership of the home and its rain garden, Sheila has experimented with the height and colour of the native plants, offering her a constant cycle of discovery. (Photo: Yvonne Hollandy / GreenUP)
Sheila Holliday didn’t build her rain garden — it came with her house.
“When I was house hunting, the little rain garden out front caught my eye,” she says. Already an experienced gardener, Sheila loved the idea of a native plant garden designed to manage stormwater. Since moving in, she’s made it her own.
“Some plants prefer the edge of the berm, like Dense Blazing Star and Nodding Onion,” says Sheila. “It’s a process of discovery to find plants that thrive in the wetter parts of the bowl. I’m currently trying Foxglove Beardtongue, False Indigo and Cardinal Flower.”
Sheila also experiments with colour and height through the seasons. In early spring, Prairie Smoke adds a soft texture at the front of the garden. By midsummer, it’s bursting with the yellows of False Sunflower and the purples of Wild Bergamot and Purple Coneflower. Come August, Great Blue Lobelia and Flat-top Aster take over with cool blue and white tones.
“I love that people stop and ask about it,” she says. “It’s unique, and it’s always changing.”
Sheila’s rain garden tip: “I encourage others to take advantage of the city’s rain garden subsidy and have fun experimenting.”
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Rain gardens are more than beautiful: they reduce flooding, filter stormwater, support pollinators, and add curb appeal. They’re also a great way to learn about local ecology. Native species like Canada Anemone, Wild Columbine, and Joe-Pye Weed not only thrive in our region’s conditions, they also provide food and habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies.
Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program, offered through GreenUP and the City of Peterborough, helps residents with the cost of materials and expert advice to get started. With a bit of space and curiosity, residents can enjoy a rain garden that gives back in many ways: providing exercise, beauty, habitat, and climate resilience — all in one.
For rain garden resources — including step-by-step guides and videos on how to get started — and to apply for the City of Peterborough Rain Garden Subsidy, visit greenup.on.ca/rain-garden-subsidy-program. The subsidy is open to residents of Peterborough until later this fall, and is awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
Kelly and Tony Doyle share a moment with their youngest child, 11-year-old Max, who received life-changing treatment at Five Counties Children's Centre as a baby. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)
Every month, Five Counties Children’s Centre provides a story about the work of the charitable organization. This month’s story is by Tony and Kelly Doyle, a family whose son has received care at Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Our family was not overly familiar with Five Counties Children’s Centre when we were first introduced to it in 2014. That followed our son Max’s first discharge from hospital after serious challenges following his birth.
What became quickly obvious to us about Five Counties was that it was an organization that did life-changing work with children, while also providing love and support for families.
Whenever we share Max’s health journey with others, we make sure people understand the level of support Five Counties extends to families.
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At one of Max’s first appointments with Five Counties, Kelly remembers walking into the Infant Development room with Max and bursting into tears. She was tired and scared.
There were no words exchanged in that moment. The Occupational Therapist at Five Counties who was helping Max took him from Kelly’s arms, while Max’s Speech and Language Pathologist gave her a hug.
Five Counties staff weren’t just Max’s therapists; at that moment, they quickly became an extension of our family … and we will be forever grateful for them.
Now 11 years old, Max is thriving after receiving treatment at Five Counties Children’s Centre for serious challenges he experienced as a baby. In this recent photo, he attended a Blue Jays baseball game in Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)
After a few appointments at Five Counties, we were strongly encouraged by therapy staff to take Max to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, as they knew something was seriously wrong with his ability to swallow.
Max’s team from Five Counties joined us for one of his throat scans to better learn of his condition. It was amazing to have them there as additional support for us.
Often times, we would bring our older children to Max’s therapy appointments at Five Counties when they fell on a school PA Day. Everyone was amazing to involve Max’s siblings in his care, from explaining the purpose of the exercises to how they could do them at home with Max. The team at Five Counties truly made our children feel that they were just as important in Max’s development as they were.
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After two intense years of weekly appointments, Max was able to learn how to swallow, sit up on his own, walk, climb stairs, and achieve all the development milestones that we were told in his early days of life that were not likely to occur.
Today, Max is an incredibly active 11-year-old who enjoys a range of activities and tires us out as we try to keep up with him.
And if you want to consider further legacy beyond the loving care he received at the Centre, consider that our oldest daughter did her high school placement at Five Counties and has started a master’s degree in occupational therapy so she can help others one day.
Max takes in some of the fun and activities held as part of a 50th birthday bash held in Lindsay by Five Counties to mark five decades of the Centre providing care to kids and youth in the region. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)
Our other daughter is studying to become a social worker and recently started volunteering in the emergency department at Sick Kids so she could support other families as they deal with their own crises.
We have no doubt that the supports our family received at Five Counties influenced their career aspirations.
How do you say thank you to a caring organization of individuals who have changed the course of your child’s life and so positively impacted your family? It’s nearly impossible.
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However, we have tried to stay involved through volunteering at the Centre (there are many opportunities to do so). We are proud to have established a monthly donation plan (it is simple for anyone to set up and makes a cumulative difference over years), and we speak about our experiences at Five Counties whenever we can.
By doing so, we hope to inspire as many people as possible to support this incredible organization.
Congratulations Five Counties on 50 years of life-changing work!
With the help of local musician and producer John Crown (left), longtime Peterborough singer-songwriter Mark Beatty (right) has released his debut album "Audiodacity" at the age of 65, recording 12 original songs from among the 3,000-plus he has written during his career. Two of the songs on the album were produced and mixed by Peterborough native and LA-based Grammy award-winning producer Greg Wells, with the remaining songs produced and mixed by Crown and James McKenty. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
When longtime Peterborough singer-songwriter Mark Beatty wrote “If You Know About Love,” his self-assessment of the song was muted.
“It was okay,” he told kawarthaNOW in August 2022 — but local musician and producer John Crown and Grammy award-winning producer Greg Wells begged to differ.
The duo named Beatty’s original song the winning entry of round five of their Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective (DSMMC) songwriting contest, which saw the track recorded by Peterborough producer James McKenty before it was shipped to Wells for final mixing and mastering at his Los Angeles studio.
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At the time, Wells said Beatty’s song “just felt great from the very first bar,” adding “I could tell he really knows what he’s doing. It’s beautiful; really quite moving.”
That’s a pretty good endorsement from the Peterborough native who has produced albums for a number of popular music heavyweights — Adele, Céline Dion, Rufus Wainwright, and John Legend among them — as well as contributed to the multi-awarded soundtracks for The Greatest Showman and Wicked films.
Fast forward to late summer 2023 when Beatty contacted Crown and expressed a desire to record a full-length album of his music — his first such project after decades performing live as a solo artist and with his band House Brand.
Two years in the making, Audiodacity is the result, with “If You Know About Love” among its 12 tracks. Available for digital purchase at markbeatty.bandcamp.com/album/audiodacity, the album was produced and mixed by Crown and McKenty at their respective studios, with two of the tracks mixed by Wells.
“I call it my second debut album,” said Beatty, joined by Crown for a recent coffee shop sit-down. “I did do another album but it never got finished. I kind of ran out of money and life just got in the way, much the way it did with this album. Circumstances were different back then and I couldn’t get back to it.”
Reflecting on the impact of his winning DSMMC entry, Beatty said that proved to be everything in terms of what followed, particularly in regard to putting his songwriting and performance talent on the radar of both Crown and Wells.
Peterborough native and LA-based Grammy award-winning producer Greg Wells, who produced and mixed two of the songs on Mark Beatty’s debut album “Audiodacity,” talks about producing the music for the hit film “Wicked.” (kawarthaNOW screenshot of Avid Pro Tools video)
“I had this one song and it was all professionally done, but it wasn’t 100 per cent what I wanted out of the song,” recounted Beatty of “If You Know About Love.”
“I was talking to Bruce Francis, one of my bandmates at the time. He brought up John’s name and said ‘You should have had John help you with the arranging of the song.'”
“John and I were acquaintances. We didn’t know each other that well. Bruce played me a couple of things that John had done and I was like ‘Wow, that’s pretty good stuff.’ So, I reached out to John and said ‘Hey, I’ve got this song now and I want to do an album’ and then I told James (McKenty) as well.”
Providing Beatty further encouragement was Wells’ earlier assurance that if he did move forward on making a full album, Wells would mix the material free of charge.
Having written some 3,000 songs and counting, Beatty had no shortage of material to draw from, despite his self-assessment that “most of them are crap.”
Beatty says choosing what songs to focus on and which to discard outright was a process aided by soliciting the opinion of friends with whom he shared songs he was considering for the album.
“They gave me feedback and helped me whittle down the initial list,” he said.
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The journey from concept to finished product is a story on its own.
The plan early on, related Crown, was to produce a “stripped-down record, with mostly acoustic instruments. The mandate was economy and minimalism.”
“I began receiving MP3s of Mark’s songs in demo form,” Crown recalled. “They were mostly rough sketches that loosely pointed toward what the finished pieces might be.”
Crown imported those MP3s into his recording software and worked on possible arrangements. Greatly helping that process along, he says, was “cutting-edge software” that allowed for the extraction of the vocal from the instrumentation.
“I could take the lead vocal from Mark’s demos and build an entirely new instrumental arrangement for it to live in, building up the music the way I thought might best suit each particular song.”
That, says Crown, was when “our original concept of acoustic instruments and minimalism swerved off the road.”
“Actually, it drove off a cliff,” he said.
Starting to hear Beatty’s songs “through a more modern lens” rather than “trying to fit such an eclectic variety of tunes into a singular approach, I built my own demo templates according to where it felt each song was leading.”
In September 2023, recording began at McKenty’s In Record Time Studio. That process continued through the winter into spring 2024.
Four tracks were sent to Wells for mixing. The album was taking shape, but then “life just got in the way” when Beatty was forced to deal with health issues. By the summer of 2024, he says he had lost “a shocking” amount of weight.
During the overdubbing process, which sees a vocal or instrument recorded over a section of an existing track, it was discovered that Beatty’s voice had changed.
According to Crown, “He sounded like two different singers. It was impossible to match the two performances (the original vocal track and the new vocal track). The project had to be shut down.”
“That was crazy to me — I thought I was fine,” recalls Beatty, with Crown noting Beatty’s voice change made it impossible to do lyrical revisions to existing vocal tracks.
“We were trying to match a vocal that was done months earlier and it became glaring that the timbre of his voice was completely different,” adds Crown.
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As 2024 wound down, seeing some improvement in his health, Beatty was able to get one song recorded before his voice started to wane. Things were looking good. Then, another setback — this one affecting Wells and his family.
In early January 2025, the Pacific Palisades community of Los Angeles was ravaged by wildfires. Wells and his family were safe, but they lost their home and his mixing studio. With Wells faced with having to pivot to work on music for Wicked 2, the mixing of Beatty’s album fell to Crown and McKenty.
Come March 2025, Beatty was back in form with his health having rebounded and the race was on to have all of the album’s tracked mixed by the end of June. That deadline was met, the tracks were mastered at Grey Market Mastering in Montreal and the album, so very long in the making, was done.
The cover for Peterborough singer-songwriter Mark Beatty’s debut album “Audiodacity.” (Artwork: Mark Beatty)
“I am absolutely over the moon that we’ve seen it to the finish line,” said Beatty. “There was a point there where I didn’t know if I was going to come back. I was becoming aware of John’s time and James’ time and the burden I was putting on them. I’m really excited that I got better and we were able to see it across the line.”
“Two years, 12 songs … it’s a double-edged sword kind of thing. I’m really excited that it’s out and people can listen to it, buy it, do whatever they want with it, but on the other hand, I’m so sick of these 12 songs. This is common. You often hear artists say they just want to move on and do something different.”
With Audiodacity featuring musical contributions from Greg Wells as well as a number of local musicians — Crown, James McKenty, Melissa Payne, Jimmy Bowskill, Carling Stephen, and Victoria Yeh among them — Beatty feels “blessed” for the support that members of the local music community habitually show each other.
For his part, Crown said the diversity of Beatty’s music “is what made it interesting for me right off the bat.”
“You want to be working with someone who’s pushing your creative buttons. The music that came across my desk, there was something in there. It might have been a melody. It might have been a lyric. There was something in there that was interesting.”
“That’s all you can ask for when you’re producing a record. Otherwise, you’re just chasing your tail. If something is boring, it’s just going to be boring. You can’t un-bore boring.”
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As both Beatty and Crown await the arrival of 200 hard copies of the album — details of their arrival, and where and how they can be purchased will be announced on Beatty’s Facebook page — it’s not lost on them that what’s most important came through the process intact.
Despite creative disagreements over the past two years, they remain friends, able to come together in a downtown coffee shop and laud what each brought to the table to the great benefit of what Beatty describes as “our album.”
The album’s title, says Beatty, is a word he made up that refers to “a bold and daring act of sound.” Now, releasing his first album at the age of 65 after decades as a musician, Beatty fully admits to having being bitten by the recording bug.
“I think there will be a second album, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Local musician and producer John Crown and Peterborough singer-songwriter Mark Beatty ham it up during a chat about Beatty’s debut album “Audiodacity.” Despite setbacks and creative disagreements over the past two years while the album was being arranged, produced, and mixed, they remain friends. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
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