Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, April 4 to Wednesday, April 10.

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

The popular First Friday Peterborough art crawl returns to downtown Peterborough, running on Friday night (April 5).

Most events run from 6 to 10 p.m.

Here’s a list of everything that’s happening and where. Also check out the location map below by local artist Jeff Macklin that lists most of the events.

1. The Commerce Building (129-1/2 Hunter Street West)

The hub of artistic endeavours in downtown Peterborough features several artist-run studios:

• Acme Art & Sailboat Company presents “un-sensored F8-shutter FIZZLE”, a group photography show featuring Alex Pendergast, Wayne Eardley, Davey Warren, Wayne Ferguson, Scott Cisco, Marlon Hazlewood, Esther Vincent, and Paul Hodgkinson. In The Copper Closet, Acme owner and artist Joe Stable will be presenting his new fish-themed work.
• In Studio #7 (accessible via Acme), Julie Francey is hosting an open studio with guest artist Freestyle Pat Lewis.
• At the Atelier Ludmila Gallery (Studio #1), Leigh Macdonald will be showing her paintings in an exhibit called “Limn”.
• Other open studios include The Drawing Room (Studio #5), Stephen Hayes, McLoughlin Studio Gallery, and Alex Bierk.

2. Watson & Lou (383 Water Street)

Oksana Hawrylak and Olenka Kleban of Folk Camp Canada, a not-for-profit organization that provides folks arts programming, will be demonstrating how to make “Pysanky” (Ukrainian Easter eggs) using the wax-resist “batik” method, in which designs are drawn or written onto the egg with beeswax, and then submerged in a series of dyebaths. While you’re there, sign up for one of the Pysanky workshops Folk Camp is hosting at Watson & Lou over the weekend.

Also check out the latest work from Madderhouse Textile Studios, Sweet Song Herbal Studio, and check out illustrator Jason Wilkins’ open studio at Wilkins Illustration.

3. By the Bridge (382 Water Street)

By the Bridge is hosting a retrospective of the art of Ann Cossar, who uses pen and ink, oils, watercolours, and pastels to explore land/water scapes and the human figure, as well as the abstraction of both. The exhibit will include some of her portrait work as well, dating back to the 1960s.

4. Caffeina Espresso Bar (144 Hunter Street West)

Caffeina owner and documentary and wedding photographer Andreas Avdoulos will be displaying his work.

5. META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery (164 Hunter Street West)

META4 is hosting the opening reception for Christopher Thorpe’s photography exhibit “Curves”, part of the SPARK Photo Festival. The reception will also feature free photography activity in the studio.

6. Next Door (197 Hunter Street West)

In conjuction with First Friday, cocktail bar Next Door will be hosting a free concert from 9 to 11 p.m. featuring Lauryn Macfarlane with Dar Kimble on guitar.

7. Green Lemon Gallery (219 Hunter Street West)

Green Lemon Gallery, a new intimate gallery located beside Black Honey, will be hosting a group show with paintings by Shannon Taylor and sculpture by Charlotte Di Carlo.

8. Black Honey (221 Hunter Street West)

Black Honey is hosting a reception for its current exhibit, “Nature’s Restorative Gift”, featuring oil paintings by Christine Campbell (who will be in attendance). The exhibit runs until May 4th.

9. Mike’s Tattoo and Piercing (345 George Street North)

Mike’s Tattoo and Piercing will be featuring the work of graphic artist and Cobourg tattooist Todd Strong, who has designed artwork for bands, posters, album covers, and more.

10. You’re Welcome (410 George Street North)

Adult boutique You’re Welcome is hosting an exhibit by Toronto-based oil painter Stephanie Camille.

11. Frameland Frame It For U Gallery (426 George Street North)

Frameland Frame It For U Gallery is hosting an opening reception for local photographer Peter Curley’s “Waterscapes 2019” exhibit, part of the SPARK Photo Festival.

12. Art School of Peterborough (174A Charlotte Street)

The Art School of Peterborough’s Launch Gallery is hosting a preview of “Festa Carnevale”, its masquerade-themed annual art auction fundraiser, as well as a free mask-masking workshop.

The Launch Gallery is also the location for “Bronson & Cole” by photographers Heather Doughty and Katie Ellement, part of the SPARK Photo Festival (the opening reception happens next Friday, April 12th).

13. Artspace (378 Aylmer Street)

“A Guest A Host A Ghost”, an installation by Sylix Nation artist Krista Belle Stewart, will be on display at Artspace during the First Friday art crawl (the exhibition, which opened in March, continues until April 18th).

14. The Trend and Bagnani Hall at Traill College (310 London Street)

The Trend is hosting a book launch and readings for Chickenscratch, an anthology of student writing, and Bagnani Hall is hosting Cultural Studies Day, a celebration of fine arts produced by students throughout the year.

15. Pappas Billiards (407 George Street North)

Pappas Billiards is hosting the opening reception for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families photography exhibition, part of the SPARK Photo Festival, with live music by Bree Taylor.

16. Write On The Street Community Studio (388 George Street)

Write On The Street Community Studio is hosting live writers writing live in the windows. Beginning at 10 p.m., Janette Platana will rewrite Leda and The Swan. Note: this location is not shown on the map below.

Location Map

For updates on First Friday Peterborough, follow FirstFridayPtbo on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

There’s going to be a huge celebration of the performing arts happening in downtown Peterborough on Saturday, May 25th — including a party at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) — as Public Energy Performing Arts wraps up its 25th anniversary season.

Public Energy, the not-for-profit charitable organization and supporter of innovative contemporary performing arts in Peterborough, announced the details of “The P(art)y Ball” earlier today (April 3) in the atrium at Peterborough Square in downtown Peterborough. The announcement featured former Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown, ballet dancer and contortionist Lisbeth Mikoleit, champion hoop dancer Nimkii Osawamick, and more.

The 25th anniversary celebration in May will feature artists from every era of the history of Public Energy, which executive director Bill Kimball founded in 1994 as Peterborough New Dance to fill the void after Artspace was forced to abandon its performance programming component due to a lack of funding. Kimball later expanded the organization’s mandate from dance to also include theatre and other forms of performance and changed the organization’s name to Public Energy.

The May 25th event will feature pop-up performances throughout the day in downtown Peterborough, including the world premiere performance of a piece involving 50 community members choreographed by internationally celebrated choreographer Bill Coleman.

Free Afternoon Pop-Ups

As well as the ticketed main stage performance at Market Hall, there’s also a full afternoon of free pop-up events on Saturday, May 25th in downtown Peterborough (sponsored by the Peterborough DBIA):

• “Transcendence”, an outdoor dance piece performed by an ensemble of 30+ community members at 12 p.m. at the corner of Hunter and Queen Streets (if it rains, the performance will be moved to Peterborough Square)
• “Utki”, a celebratory performance of classical Indian dance and Bollywood by Mithila Ballal and Ensemble at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the atrium at Peterborough Square (lower level, bottom of the escalators)
• “Served: Counter Culture”, a performance of female shapes from classical paintings and experiences from the serving industry by Naomi Duvall, outside eye Anne White at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the Peterborough Square Food Court
• “Elements: Air and Water”, an aeriel silk performance by Jennifer Elchuk (Opal), Kayla Stanistreet, and Nicole Malbeuf at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Millennium Park fountain (if it rains, this performance will be cancelled)
• “Crutch”, a duet between a dancer and his crutches acts as a farewell to trauma and addiction (mature content), performed by Wes Ryan with accompaniment by Patrick Walsh at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at 172 Simcoe Street (the alleyway next to Buck or Two Plus just west of George St.).

Free Late Night Party

There will also be a free late night after-party from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Theatre on King (171 King St., Peterborough) featuring a remix by veejay Lester Alfonso of 25 years of dance and theatre video from the Public Energy archives, a protechnic performance by The Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts, and Deejay Helen-a spinning vinyl.

At 6:30 p.m., there will be a VIP reception at the Market Hall, which includes a meet-and-greet with former Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown, followed by a performance at 7:30 p.m. in the lobby.

The main event will begin at 8 p.m. on the Market Hall stage (details below), followed by an after-party at 10 p.m. at The Theatre On King (171 King St., Peterborough), where veejay and filmmaker Lester Alfonso will use 25 years of historic performance footage to create a spectacular visual effect.

Here are the confirmed artists who will be performing at The P(art)y Ball at Market Hall on May 25th:

Debra Brown

Debra Brown, known around the world as the original choreographer for Cirque du Soleil, won an Emmy in 2002 for her choreography on the 74th Academy Awards. She is also a dancer and performed in Apogée, a work she choreographed and directed that was co-commissioned by Public Energy as its first-ever presentation in 1994. Debra will bring some new circus dance acts never seen before.

Evelyn Hart and Bill Coleman

Evelyn Hart and Bill Coleman will perform a duet choreographed by James Kudelka from Kudelka’s full-length work Love, Sex and Brahms. Hailing from Peterborough, Evelyn Hart, is the former prima ballerina for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and continues dancing on international stages. Bill Coleman has been bringing his dance works to Peterborough since before Public Energy was founded, and was the 2018 winner of the most prestigious dance award in Canada, The Walter Carsen Prize. James Kudelka, one of Canada’s greatest living choreographers, has had his work presented by Public Energy on numerous occasions, most memorably with his collaboration with opera singer Daniel Taylor in 2006.

Anandam Dancetheatre

Anandam Dancetheatre will reprise its site-specific work Divergent Dances Peterborough, first performed on the outside of Peterborough Square during Artsweek in September 2018. This combination of aerial dance and ground work is being reimagined for the Market Hall’s main staircase by its choreographer, Brandy Leary, with collaborators from Peterborough’s circus arts community including Thomas Vacarro and Jen Elchuk.

Cherish Violet Blood

Cherish Violet Blood (Blackfoot) will perform her powerful monologue Be a Babe. Cherish’s wide-ranging career as an actor, musician, and writer has taken her around the world, including appearing as Annie Cook in the Peterborough production of Rez Sisters in 2009.

Deepti Gupta

Deepti Gupta, one of Canada’s most innovative South Asian choreographers, will perform her solo Kathak dance Static, with video by Peterborough’s Lester Alfonso. Deepti’s most recent appearance with Public Energy was with the world premiere of her newest work Snowangels in 2018.

Ryan Kerr and Kate Story

The Theatre On King’s Ryan Kerr and Kate Story will remount Snow Day, their hit dance work from the Emergency #11 festival in 2003. Among the most prolific artists working in Peterborough’s independent theatre and dance scene, Ryan and Kate’s most recent collaboration with Public Energy was 2017’s hit play-with-song-and-dance damned be this transmigration.

Nicole Malbeuf

Nicole Malbeuf, a Peterborough-based aerial artist with Trellis Arts & Entertainment, will perform her newest aerial hoop routine. Nicole has performed her imaginative aerial and circus work with numerous groups in Peterborough, Toronto, and smaller circus communities around Ontario. With Public Energy, she performed in the 2018 Max’s Cabaret and took part in the Alternating Currents development process for new work in 2017.

Old Men Dancing

Old Men Dancing will perform a new dance made specially for the P(art)y Ball. This talented group of men of a certain age got its start through Public Energy in 2002, have had some of Canada’s best contemporary dance creators create work for them, and have performed in Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo as well as Peterborough.

Nimkii Osawamick

Nimkii Osawamick (Odawa, Wikwemikong Unceeded Reserve, Wolf Clan) is a Peterborough-based singer, hoop dancer, and champion powwow dancer. Nimkii will perform his powerful high-energy dance accompanied by one of Canada’s leading deejays. He has danced extensively with indigenous artists, inclouding cellist Cris Derksen’s Trio and Orchestral Powwow, and was last seen with Public Energy performing in Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s The Honouring in 2015.

Wes Ryan

Peterborough slam poet Wes Ryan will perform a new spoken-word piece created specially for Public Energy’s 25th anniversary. Wes’s track record with Public Energy is the longest in duration of any artist on the P(art)y Ball program, with more than 15 shows to his credit going back to the very first season. His first Public Energy work was “Kitten on a String with Fish Hooks” for the Emergency #3 festival in 1995, and his most recent was “The Caregiver” with Becca Partington for Emergency #22 in 2018.

Lester Alfonso

Peterborough documentary filmmaker Lester Alfonso (Birthmark, Twelve) will draw on 25 years of video documentation from Public Energy’s archives to create visuals for the dance party.

Tickets for The P(art)y Ball are $25 general admission ($75 for the party and the VIP reception) and are available in person at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.

April is here, we are finally out of winter’s cold certainty, and the signs of spring abound. Heading out for a night on the town doesn’t feel anymore like a possible life-risking trip into the depths of subzero weather.

Take advantage of the warmer weather by heading out to enjoy one of the many live music events across Peterborough and the Kawarthas this month. Here are just a few of them:

Fred Eaglesmith and Tif Ginn at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 5

There are few singer-songwriters in Canada quite like Fred Eaglesmith. His 40+-year career has been built on relentless touring, top-notch songs, and a frontier spirit that extends well beyond the usual limitations of the music industry.

On Friday, April 5th, Eaglesmith and his wife Tif Ginn bring their duo show to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

Eaglesmith has done just about everything one can hope for in music, including having his songs covered by huge country stars in the U.S., performing on the David Letterman show, and releasing numerous critically acclaimed records. His is a style that can shift in mere moments from the saddest song to something laugh-out-loud funny to deep storytelling.

Singer-songwriter Tif Ginn, originally from Texas and now living with Eaglesmith in Canada, is a big talent in her own right. She released three critically acclaimed albums with her sister Brit as The Fabulous Ginn Sisters before launching a career as a solo artist. She’s just released her second solo album Moving Day, named after her move from Texas to Canada, which includes a number of tunes co-written with Eaglesmith.

Don’t miss this show, folks. Tickets are $33 for a general admission seat and $35 for assigned cabaret-style seating, available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “I Like Trains” – Fred Eaglesmith and Tif Ginn

Hot Garbage with Rhys Climenhage, Kelly McMichael, and Carew at The Garnet in Peterborough on April 6

It is a full-on evening of music at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Saturday, April 6th. A four-headed monster of awesomeness. Headlining the show is Toronto band Hot Garbage. Their music is among some of the coolest psychedelic rock I’ve heard in a while.

Joining them will be local talent Rhys Climenhage, who continues to write and perform music beyond his years. Also on the bill is the always awesome Kelly McMichael (Renders) who is home from St. John’s for a spell and brings her awesome voice and killer pop/rock/dance tunes with her. And last but not least is Toronto band Carew, who bring their grunge/pop/rock sound to Peterborough for the first time.

Tickets are $10 at the door and the music starts shortly after 8 p.m.

VIDEO: “Harpoon” – Hot Garbage

Lemon Bucket Orkestra at Bryan Jones Theatre in Lakefield on April 12

I’ve been around music a fair amount folks, and I know for a fact that their haven’t been many bands described as a “guerilla-punk-balkan-folk-bass band.”

Well, that’s exactly what Lemon Bucket Orkestra sounds like. The Toronto band was born from four original members who became well-known buskers in The Big Smoke. They have evolved over the years to be about a dozen strong.

Performing Arts Lakefield brings the group to the stage at Bryan Jones Theatre at Lakefield College School (4391 County Rd. 29., Lakefield, 705-652-3324) on Friday, April 12th. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs $35 to attend.

For more information and for advance tickets, head to www.performingartslakefield.org.

VIDEO: “Freedom” – Lemon Bucket Orkestra

Kate Suhr at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 14

Peterborough songstress Kate Suhr has enjoyed a pretty multi-faceted career so far. Musical theatre, theatre, and music have all been in her wheelhouse as she continues to flourish and expand her repertoire.

On Sunday, April 14th, she takes to the stage at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) to debut with her first solo cabaret show entitled “Guts, Guile and a Few Showtunes.” The family-friendly show will also feature musical director and pianist Anthony Bastianon and Saskia Tomkins on strings.

“In a night of story and song you will hear everything from musical theatre and pop to folk and a few original songs,” the show’s description reads. “It will be an eclectic evening of music, loose conversation, some wonderfully awkward jokes and very special guests.”

Tickets are $25 general admission ($20 for students, $18 for children 13 and under) or $30 for assigned cabaret-style seats and can be purchased at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Time To Go” – Kate Suhr

Tokyo Police Club at the Red Dog in Peterborough on April 19

Batten down the hatches! High-energy rock band Tokyo Police Club is coming to The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) on Friday, April 19th at 10 p.m..

Every show this band plays is worth heading to. Tickets are $25, available in advance at ticketscene.ca

VIDEO: “Outtatime” – Tokyo Police Club

Max Mouse and the Gorillas at Moody’s in Millbrook on April 20

Millbrook residents are in for a treat when Max Mouse and the Gorillas bring their uptempo R’n’B-tinged rock to Moody’s Bar & Grill (3 Tupper St., Millbrook, 705-932-6663) on Saturday, April 20th.

The band is led by the inimitable Cris Cuddy on vocals along with a stellar cast of Peterborough-area musicians including Bobby Watson, JP Hovercraft, and more.

Showtime is 2 p.m. and there is no cover.

VIDEO: “Steppin’ Out” – Max Mouse and The Gorillas

Jackson Delta at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 20

Later in the evening on Saturday, April 20th, a true Peterborough fave, Jackson Delta, performs at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

Jackson Delta is Rick Fines, Al Black, and Gary Peeples performing acoustic blues of the highest quality. Mostly active in the late ’80s and ’90s, the boys come together for a big reunion show from time to time in their hometown.

Tickets are $35 for general admission and $45 for assigned cabaret seats, available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

This is sure to be a fun night full of nostalgia, great onstage comraderie, and excellent blues music.

VIDEO: “Junco Partner” – Jackson Delta

Ron Sexsmith at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 23

Canadian songwriting legend-in-the-making Ron Sexsmith takes the stage at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Tuesday, April 23rd.

Since his debut in 1995, Sexsmith has a track record that stretches for miles with album after album of great tunes. His songs have been covered by the likes of Feist, Emmylou Harris, and many more. His latest album The Last Rider was self-produced along with his long-time collaborator, friend, and Rheostatics member Don Kerr.

Tickets are $38 and can be purchased at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Secret Heart” – Ron Sexmith

Nathan Truax at The Garnet in Peterborough on April 26

Check out some old school country-influenced tunes at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Friday, April 26th when Nathan Truax takes the stage.

His is a throwback style steeped in nostalgia and enough vibes to fill a farmer’s field. Truax is a former member of indie band Said the Whale and now calls Peterborough home.

The show begins at 9 p.m. and costs $10 at the door (or pay what you can).

VIDEO: “Oh, What Are You To Do” – Nathan Truax

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque at The Market Hall in Peterborough on April 28

On Sunday, April 28th, International Jazz Day Peterborough is bringing five-time Juno Award winner and three-time Grammy nominee Jane Bunnett and her band Maqueque to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146)

Bunnett started Maqueque five years ago as a project to record and mentor young Cuban female musicians, and it’s turned into one of the top groups on the North American jazz scene. In the last year, they have played in major jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey, been featured on NPR’s program Jazz Night in America, were nominated for a Grammy Award for their newest release Oddara and, most recently, were voted as one the top ten jazz groups by the prestigious DownBeat magazine’s critics poll.

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque features Jane Bunnetton on soprano saxophone and flute, Danae Olano on piano and vocals, Tailin Marrero on acoustic and electric bass and vocals, Melvis Santa on lead vocals and percussion, Mary Paz on percussion and vocals, and Yissy Garcia on drums.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 ($23 for students) and are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Little Feet”, “Maqueque”, “25 New Moves” – Jane Bunnett and Maqueque