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, May 30 to Wednesday, June 5.

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.

With June comes the beginning of summer, and longer days and warm nights herald the beginning of the outdoor live music season, including the Peterborough Musicfest free concert series. Peterborough and the Kawarthas are full of excellent music in June, and there’s no better time of year to get out and take it all in. Here are just a few of the great shows happening in the area:

The Pine Saps and The X-Pollinators at The Garnet in Peterborough on June 1

The month begins on Saturday, June 1st with a feel-good show featuring The Pine Saps and The X-Pollinators, a pair of bands of veteran musicians performing at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).

The X-Pollinators (Curtis Driedger, Lachy Baro, Rodney Fuentes, David Berger, and Mark Paton) will musically travel all over the cultural map of the Americas and The Pine Saps (Andrew Bigg, David Berger, and Curtis Driedger) will perform toe-tapping gospel sounds. Both bands deliver a rootsy acoustic vibe that is sure to please.

The show begins nice and early at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at the door, for $10 or pay what you can.

VIDEO: The X Pollinators

WE Thursdays Concert Series at the Red Dog in Peterborough beginning with Lance Isaacs on June 6

Known for their own musical pursuits, The Weber Brothers are now also entering into the realm of promoting and assisting the careers of other artists. In June, Ryan and Sam Weber are presenting the WE Thursdays Concert Series, a month of concerts every Thursday night at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) featuring their talented friends.

The series kicks off on June 6th with local songster Lance Isaacs. On June 13th, it’s talented singer and keyboard player Tony Silvestri. The series continues on June 20th with songwriter Brock Zeman and superb sideman and guitar player Brock Hogan. And last but not least on June 27th will be Juno award winner and critically acclaimed bluesman Paul Reddick.

The shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.

VIDEO: “Heart Shaped Box” by Nirvana performed by Lance Isaccs

Busker Festival in downtown Cobourg on June 8

Get out and enjoy the Busker Festival in downtown Cobourg on Saturday, June 8th.

The free, family-friendly event features a variety of buskers entertaining from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can expect music, magic, dancing, and much more. Acts include Bex in Motion (a hula hoop fire show), magician Nathaniel Rankin, and “The Funner Waiter” John Parks.

Red Dirt Skinners at the Bancroft Village Playhouse on June 8

Also on Saturday, June 8th, you can head to Bancroft for an exciting folk-roots show featuring the UK’s Red Dirt Skinners at the Bancroft Village Playhouse (5 Hastings St. S., Bancroft, 613-332-8014).

Described by Roots Music Canada as “The Pink Floyd of folk music,” Red Dirt Skinners is the multi-award winning husband-and-wife team of Rob and Sarah Skinner.

Lovely harmonies combined with Sarah’s soprano saxophone solos form their unique sound resulting in a highly entertaining and original show.

Tickets are $25 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.boxofficebancroft.com

VIDEO: “Idabel Blues” – Red Dirt Skinners

Valdy at Showplace in Peterborough on June 9

Canadian folk legend Valdy returns to Peterborough to perform an “intimate” afternoon show at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Sunday, June 9th at 3 p.m.

Valdy is best known for his hit “Rock and Roll Song” and has been making music for over four decades,one of the original figures in Canadian folk music. The show will feature great tunes and excellent stories from a brilliant career.

Tickets are $35 ($30 for students and seniors) and are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.

VIDEO: “A Good Song” – Valdy

This Frontier Needs Heroes at The Garnet in Peterborough on June 12

If you love music with Americana tinges, witty lyrics, and simple yet pleasing production, you will want to check out This Frontier Needs Heroes on Wednesday, June 12th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).

This is the moniker of Brad Lauretti, who hails from Nashville, Tennessee. He will be performing solo and his tunes like “I Love Immigration” and “Colorado Camping Conspiracy” are sure to please. Check out his album Real Job and you will see what I mean. Great stuff!

Tickets are $10 at the door (or pay what you can) and the show begins around 8 p.m.

VIDEO: “Long Gone” – This Frontier Needs Heroes

Bruce McGregor Trio with Andy Sparling at the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall in Cobourg on June 18

With its breezy and warm days, June feels like a month made for jazz. Head to downtown in Cobourg on Tuesday, June 18th for a performance by The Bruce McGregor Trio, part of the Jazz in the Afternoon series at The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W., Cobourg, 905-372-2210).

The trio, featuring Bruce McGregor on piano, Daryl Knox on drums, and Howard Baer on bass, will be accompanied by Andy Sparling on trombone for a show called “Swing Gold from The Jazz Trombone”. You’ll hear smooth sounds from the days of the Big Bands and beyond.

The show begins at 2 p.m. and tickets are $18+HST for general admission seating. Advance tickets are available online.

Royal Wood at the Market Hall in Peterborough on June 20

Royal Wood is a stalwart of the Canadian music scene and the Lakefield-raised musician returns to Peterborough to perform at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 20th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

His original pop and folk-rock songs featuring piano and guitar ring as true as any great ones out there. Royal is a two-time Juno Award winner and his latest record California Nights has been critically acclaimed since its release last year. The album musically sits in the classic styles of Tin Pan Alley and Laurel Canyon.

This show is a fundraiser for Christian Horizons and proceeds will support the needs of people who experience disabilities.

Tickets are $55 for a regular assigned seating and $60 for an assisgned cabaret table seat. Lots of good seats are still available for this show at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Make Up Your Mind” – Royal Wood

The Ring Fingers at Academy Theatre in Lindsay on June 27

Expect an evening of eclectic music at the Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111) on Thursday, June 27th as The Ring Fingers bring a mix of country-style ballads, toe tappers, and favourites from jazz to folk, classical to the blues with interpretations of classic songs.

Along with some original tunes, Stacy Anderson and Marc Novoselec will perform their interpretations of Joni Mitchell, Tragically Hip, Cole Porter, Burt Bacharach, Leonard Cohen, The Beatles, and more. There will be something for everybody.

The concert will take place upstairs in the Guild Room, with seating limited to 50 people.

The show begins at 7 p.m. and costs $20 plus service charges. Tickets available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca.

City and Colour at Del Crary Park in Peterborough on June 29

Peterborough MusicFest’s 2019 season opens in style on Saturday, June 29th at Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough with City and Colour performing a solo acoustic show.

The stage name of Dallas Green, City and Colour is an indie alt-rocker who has earned three Juno Awards over the years and has topped charts across the country.

As always, Peterborough Musicfest shows are free thanks to sponsors. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

Tip: Musicfest sponsor kawarthaNOW.com will be giving away VIP seats to this and all other Musicfest concerts this summer. You are guaranteed a chair near to the stage for the best view. For your chance to win, sign up for our weekly e-news at k-n.ca/subscribe.

VIDEO: “Waiting” – City and Colour

In June, we have new shows as well as quite a few interactive workshops and events happening in the area.

There’s the ninth annual Artathon at the Art School of Peterborough, an evening children’s program at the Peterborough Museum & Archives, new work by visually impaired artist Lynda Todd at Paul’s Frame & Art Gallery, a show by Peterborough expatriates Gillian Turnham and Michael Morritt at Acme Art & Sailboat Co. during the First Friday art crawl, a multimedia group show at Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, and textile-based classes as Madderhouse Textile Studios.

In other news, congratulations are in order to the recipients of the second annual Peterborough Arts Awards!

The 9th Annual Artathon is happening at the Art School of Peterborough on June 1

The Art School of Peterborough’s 9th annual Artathon takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1st, duringh the Taste of Downtown event on Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough, presented by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.

This is an endurance event for artists of all ages and disciplines! The challenge is to work for six hours straight and help raise some funds for the Art School of Peterborough. Participating artists include Dorothy Cruickshank, Rob Niezen, Lisa Martini Dunk, Jenni Johnston, Janet McGillis, and more.

If you want to give it a try, contact the Art School to register and get friends, family, and whoever you can to sponsor your art-making marathon! If you can’t take part or attend, you can sponsor one of the participating artists online at artschoolptbo.org/9th-annual-art-athon/.

The Art School of Peterborough is located at 174A Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough.

Peterborough Museum & Archives hosts ‘Kids Only – Discovery After Dark!’ on June 1

In conjunction with the Peterborough Museum & Archives latest exhibit, ‘Ice Age Mammals’ (on loan from the Canadian Museum of Nature), ‘Kids Only – Discovery After Dark!’ offers a fun creative and educational evening where children ages four to six will explore and learn about archaeology and the ice age.

Fossil digging, casting, and scavenger hunts are a few of the activities planned for the evening. Children will see real specimens at the museum, as well as large murals on fabric panels by Yukon Paleoartist George ‘Rinaldino’ Teichmann.

This program takes place on Saturday, June 1st from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Advance registration is required by calling 705-743-5180, and the cost is $20 per child.

The “Ice Age Mammals” exhibit is also worth a look during regular hours. It will on display until Sunday, September 8th.

The Peterborough Museum & Archives is located at 300 Hunter Street East in Peterborough. Regular hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $10 suggested per family. For more information, visit peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca.

Paul’s Frame & Art Gallery features Lynda Todd’s ‘From Dark to Discovery’

Lynda Todd is both legally blind and partially colour blind, but has nonetheless come into her own as an artist by experimenting with paint pouring techniques.

He pieces are colourful and full of texture. In her latest series of larger-scale work entitled ‘From Dark to Discovery’, on display at Paul’s Art & Frame Gallery, she has brought her painting to a new level.

“Born into a family of artisans, I always had an affinity to art, although did not take myself seriously as an artist as I was born legally blind and mostly colour blind,” she writes. “On the encouragement of Valerie Kent of Cavan Art Gallery, I started acrylic abstract pouring. My desire to explore and express creativity has resulted in unique colour choices, melded with an interesting use of texture. This way of working blends strongly with my desire to communicate my visual world.”

The exhibit (and sale) runs from Saturday, June 1st to Sunday, June 30th, with an opening reception from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 8th. Drop in, meet Lynda, and see her latest pieces in person.

To see more of Lynda’s previous work visit her online at www.lyndatodd.com.

Paul’s Art & Frame Gallery is located at 588 Monaghan Road in Peterborough. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday). There is an accessible entrance at the back of the building.

Acme Art & Sailboat Co. presents ‘Sevilliana’ by Gillian Turnham and Michael Morritt on June 7

During the First Friday art crawl on June 7th, Acme Art & Sailboat Co. will feature ‘Sevilliana’, work made in Spain by dynamic duo Gillian Turnham and Michael Morritt, as well as new work by Joe Stable in the Copper Closet.

Gilliam and Michael are Peterborough expatriates who moved to Spain in 2017. Gillian works in metal wood and stone to create intricate sculptural work, and Michael is an acclaimed editor, filmmaker, and photographer.

Gillian will be presenting new captivating pattern works and Michael will be presenting portraits of trees as well as a series on the Semana Santa parades in Andalucía.

Drop in to the opening reception on June 7th and say hello to Gilliam and Michael, who are visiting from Spain and will be in attendance.

You can also sample the rest of the Friday Friday festivities in downtown Peterborough from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday June 7th. For more information about First Friday, follow First Friday Peterborough on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio presents ‘Multimedia Extravaganza’

‘Multimedia Extravaganza’ at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio is a group show featuring the work of seven very different artists: Jann Teng, Tristan Teng, Carolyn Anstee, Jodie Hames, Lorraine Staples, Daniel Marlatt, and Carolyn Boyer.

Their materials range from metal, wood, and ceramics to floral and abstract painting.

See the work in person and meet the artists during the opening reception from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 2nd.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio is a not-for-profit artist’s co-operative, located at 420 O’Connell Road in Peterborough. Hours of operation are Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.kawarthaartists.org.

Artspace holds is annual general meeting on June 18

Artspace welcomes all members of the public to attend the organization’s annual general meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th.

This is an excellent opportunity to find out what happens at Artspace, specifically in 2018, and to get involved if you are interested.

The meeting is open to all, but only members in good standing will be eligible to vote and run for a position on the board. Memberships can be purchased or renewed online at artspace-arc.org/product/artspace-membership/ or in person at Artspace.

Artspace is located at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough and offers barrier-free access (to all but Gallery 2) and free admission during regular open hours: Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is available in the municipal lot on Hunter Street between Aylmer and George. For more information, call 705-748-3883 or visit artspace-arc.org.

Madderhouse Textile Studios offering introductory sewing course and wet-felted jewellery workshop with local makers

If you aren’t yet familiar with Peterborough’s newest textile studio, Madderhouse Textile Studios is fully set up for silkscreening and is currently offering a number of introductory courses.

The latest upcoming workshops are not silkscreening but ‘Machine Sewing 101’ with Kathryn Bahu (Wednesdays in June at 6 p.m. from June 5th to June 26th) and ‘Wet-Felted Jewellery’ with Christianna Ferguson (Sunday, June 9th from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.)/

Madderhouse Textile Studios is accessed through Watson & Lou, located upstairs at 383 Water Street in downtown Peterborough. For more information about the studio or to register for an upcoming workshop, find them online at www.madderhouse.com or email leslie@madderhouse.com.

Second annual Peterborough Arts Awards awarded in recognition of artists and arts supporters

The 2019 award winners were Charlie Werger (Arts Champion), Nimkii Osawamick (Outstanding Emerging Artist), Beau Dixon and Patti Shaughnessy (sharing the Outstanding Mid-Career Artist Award), Alice Williams (Outstanding Senior Artist), Hilary Wear (Outstanding Achievement By An Indigenous Artist), and Ryan Kerr (Arts Catalyst).

Each winner received a $2,000 cash award, sponsored by local businesses and individuals who have each made a five-year commitment to the awards. Outstanding Emerging Artist is sponsored by Tim and Shelley Barrie of Merit II Realty Limited. Outstanding Mid-Career Artist is sponsored by Betty and Bill Morris, Outstanding Senior Artist is sponsored by Paul Hickey of Outpost379 (previously known as BrandHealth), Outstanding Achievement by an Indigenous Artist is sponsored by LLF Lawyers, Arts Champion is sponsored by Paul Bennett/Ashburnham Realty, and Arts Catalyst is sponsored by Kate and Alex Ramsay.

In addition to the Peterborough Arts Awards, EC3 presented the Bierk Art Fund Bursary Awards to two graduating high school students. Alexina St.Pierre-Farrow and Payton Urbach each received a $1,000 bursary for their post-secondary education in the visual arts.

Congratulations to all the winners and the finalists!