What is it about Canada’s East Coast that has brought us so many talented singers and musicians?

Is it something in the water? Could be. There’s enough of it. Or is it the storied tradition that has seen fiddle reels and an unbridled love of music as a time honoured family ritual passed on from grandparents to parents to children? That’s more likely. Whatever the case, there’s no denying the result.

Peterborough Musicfest organizers are certainly on board. This summer, the annual free summer concert series is embracing East Coast-born music in a big way, welcoming Newfoundland native Alan Doyle along with Nova Scotia’s Wintersleep and, first up this Wednesday, The Trews — returning to the Fred Anderson Stage at Del Crary Park for the first time since the band’s inaugural visit in 2006.

VIDEO: “Not Ready To Go” – The Trews

Gifted with five Juno award nominations, 17 East Coast Music Award nominations which have brought forth seven wins, and numerous top 10 albums and singles, The Trews — founding members and brothers Colin MacDonald (lead vocals/rhythm guitar) and John-Angus MacDonald (lead guitar), and Jack Syperek (bass), along with current drummer Chris Gormley and long-time touring keyboardist Jeff Heisholt — have little, if anything, to prove at this stage.

It’s pretty much a case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ and that sits very well with fans of the Antigonish-born band, currently based in Hamilton. As John-Angus says in a 2017 interview with Jason Setnyk of The Cornwall Seeker, the band has evolved and yet remained the same over the past 21 years.

“Life happens — marriages happen, marriages fall apart, kids happen, bad habits develop, band members come and go, the business changes, you get better in some ways and worse in others — but all the while we are the same people committed to this band and writing songs and playing music together,” he explains.

Since forming in 1997 — the band’s original name was One I’d Trouser, a line taken from a song in the Monty Python film The Meaning of Life — this consistency has worked out very well for The Trews.

In early summer 2002, after winning a talent search contest sponsored by a St. Catharines radio station, the band was signed to a recording contract and released its debut album House Of Ill Fame the following year.

That brought immediate results, with the album achieving gold record status while producing the number one hit single “Not Ready To Go”, and bringing the band two Juno Award nominations including New Group of the Year.

VIDEO: “Yearning” – The Trews

“We had no idea it would be a big hit,” recalls John-Angus of “Not Ready to Go”.

“In fact, when we hit the road for that album, before it was released as a single we rarely played it. It was just one of our riffs that we played in the jam space and made up a simple song to. I don’t like to think of the eventual result of a song while writing it. I think it stifles creativity and takes away the organic nature of the process.”

The band’s 2005 follow-up Den Of Thieves was also certified gold in Canada and gave The Trews their second number one single with “Yearning”. That success had the band’s name on the lips of rock music fans across the country. The Trews were clearly not another one-hit wonder.

VIDEO: “Hold Me In Your Arms” – The Trews

The Trews premiered “Hold Me In Your Arms” — the first single from the band’s third album, 2008’s No Time For Later — during the 2007 Grey Cup pre-game show. It received a lot of traction when it hit number one on MuchMusic the following April.

“That was cool,” John-Angus says. “MuchMusic meant so much in those days and having your video on ten times a day certainly didn’t hurt.”

“Hold Me In Your Arms” solidified the band’s standing, earning gold status in Canada and earning the band two more Juno Award nominations in 2009. Another would come in 2010 for the DVD from The Trews’ second live album Acoustic – Friends & Total Strangers.

Two more studio albums followed — Hope And Ruin in 2011 and The Trews in 2014 — but it was the single “Highway Of Heroes” that lifted the band to yet another level and brought them fans from a much wider demographic in the process.

VIDEO: “Highway of Heroes” – The Trews

Inspired by the 2006 death of Captain Nichola Goddard — the first Canadian female soldier killed in Afghanistan and a schoolmate of members of the Trews — the song refers to the stretch of Highway 401 between CFB Trenton and Toronto, where hundreds gather on bridges and overpasses to mourn soldiers killed in Afghanistan as the bodies of the fallen soldiers are transported from Trenton to the coroner’s office in Toronto’s downtown core.

Made available on iTunes in Canada only, with all proceeds from sales going to the Canadian Hero Fund, “Highway Of Heroes” was certified gold in Canada with sales of more than 40,000 digital downloads.

In 2016, The Trews released Time Capsule, a compilation album of its hit music.

“The honest answer is contractual obligation,” says John-Angus of the album’s release.

“It was part of our record contract, that after so many releases they would put one out. We were a little resistant to the idea at first cause we didn’t want to send a signal that we were packing it in or anything, but once we embraced it as a new project and started doing new tracks and digging out old ones, it got kind of fun.”

“We’ve written hundreds of songs since our last full length album back in 2014,” John-Angus says. “Some of those showed up on Time Capsule. We’re pretty happy with where things are at creatively and have been debuting new material at our shows.”

VIDEO: “Vintage Love” – The Trews

VIDEO: “The New Us” – The Trews

The Trews are preparing for the September 14th release of the band’s sixth studio album Civilianaires, with the two new singles “Vintage Love” and “The New Us” from the upcoming album released earlier this year, so expect to hear some new material at the Peterborough Musicfest concert.

Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 18 free-admission concerts featuring a total of 20 acts during its 32nd season — each staged on Wednesday and Saturday nights at Del Crary Park.

Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”

For more information on this concert or the entire 2018 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.

July is a fantastic time to get out to see and hear live music in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. There are many free shows all over the place, and there are others that may not be free but are entirely worth heading out to. Here are just a few of the shows that are taking place in this neck of the woods. Enjoy!

The Jerry Cans at Peterborough MusicFest in Del Crary Park on July 1

Celebrate Canada Day with a really fun and diverse show from Peterborough MusicFest on Sunday, July 1st at Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough) with The Jerry Cans from Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Their music tells a myriad of stories about living life in Canada’s Far North and offers glimpses of experiences in the Arctic. Their music dips and dives with their own style of Inuktitut alt-country, and folk with influences of reggae and Celtic music. High-energy drums and guitars merge with fiddle, accordion, and traditional Inuit throat-singing.

The band has been traveling around the world and had a triumphant performance as this year’s Juno Awards. Their music is infectious and meaningful, catchy and deep. The show begins at 8 p.m. and is free for all. Stick around after the concert for a fireworks show.

VIDEO: “Northern Lights” – The Jerry Cans

Phoxy Music at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene on July 3

Elmhirst’s Resort (1045 Settlers Line, Keene, 705-295-4591 or 800-461-1940) continues its Tuesday Live Music on the Boardwalk series on Rice Lake throughout July.

On July 3rd, catch Campbellford area duo Phoxy Music, Phil Smith and Roxanne (Flagler) Smith (filling in for the originally scheduled Kelly McMichael).

Their tune selection makes for a perfect evening on Rice Lake with feel good songs and classics. They begin around 7 p.m. and there will be a Texas-style offered up as well for a fee.

The public is welcome to check out other shows as well. The rest of the schedule in July includes: Singer-songwriter Ty Wilson on July 10th, the folk-inspired tunes of Cellar Door on July 17th, Fred Stillman on July 24th, and roots-rock cover band Odd Man Rush on July 31st. All shows are free to attend.

VIDEO: “Cool Breeze” – Phoxy Music

Pat LePoidevin at The Garnet in Peterborough on July 11

Pat LePoidevin is not necessarily your average singer of folk/rock tunes. He is also a teacher in Windsor, Nova Scotia, and one of his classes recently worked on creating a video game with him.

He will be on stage at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Wednesday, July 11th. I’m pretty sure he’ll be playing his tunes, not the brand new game called Captain Myles and the SPR which is also the title of his new record.

LePoidevin has a great voice, sort of in the Chad Van Gaalen mold, and he writes earnest tunes. This should be a good show.

Tickets will be available at the door and the show begins around 9 p.m.

VIDEO: “Broadcast” – Pat LePoidevin

Mimi O’Bonaswin at The Garrnet in Peterborough on July 12

Mimi O’Bonaswin is a Northern Ontario born roots songstress who is steadily making a name for herself in Canada’s music scene. She celebrates her Abénakis and French-Canadian heritage and her songs have a pretty ethereal quality.

Check out her show at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Thursday, July 12th. She recently took home two awards at the Toronto Independent Music Awards and has shared the stage with the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie and Crystal Shawanda as the latter’s own career takes off.

The show will begin around 9 p.m. with tickets at the door.

VIDEO: “Connected” – Mimi O’Bonaswin

Five Alarm Funk and My Son The Hurricane at the Red Dog in Peterborough on July 16

I can guarantee this will be the most insane dance party of the whole summer, or at least the most insane one on a Monday night! It’s a double bill of esepcially funky proportions as Five Alarm Funk and My Son The Hurricane perform on Monday, July 16th at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).

Both bands are big and so is their energy level. Blasting horns, pumping drums, powerhouse vocals, and much much more are infused within the vibes and sounds of these groups.

Tickets are $20 in advance at ticketscene.ca and the Red Dog. The show begins around 9 p.m.

VIDEO: “We Play the Funk” – Five Alarm Funk

VIDEO: “Ain’t My Style” – My Son The Hurricane

Wintersleep at Peterborough MusicFest in Del Crary Park on July 21

It will be a beautiful night in Peterborough at Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough) on Saturday, July 21st as celebrated indie rock band Wintersleep, originally from Yarmouth Nova Scotia, takes the stage for Peterborough Musicfest.

Their music is alt-rock with a ton of interesting elements, layers, and a sound that captivates and entertains.

The show is free and music begins at 8 p.m.

VIDEO: “Sleep” – Wintersleep

Sarah Harmer at Westben Arts Festival Theatre in Campbellford on July 27

Influential Canadian artist Sarah Harmer is performing at The Barn at the Westben Arts Festival Theatre (6698 County Road 30 North, Campbellford) on Friday, July 27th.

There are not a lot of tickets left, so you will want to purchase them in advance now. Harmer has been on the music scene in Canada for several decades now. Her band Weeping Tile brought a new sound to Canadians in the early ’90s and since then she has had a very successful solo career, with her breakout album You Were Here putting her on the map for good and earning her a Juno in 2001 as Best New Solo Artist. She has also been a frequent colloborator with many excellent Canadian artists.

There will be a farm-fresh barbeque from 5 to 7 p.m. before the show, with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $5 for youth to $55 for adults and are available online at www.westben.ca.

VIDEO: “Lotta Love” by Neil Young performed by Sarah Harmer with Choir! Choir! Choir!

Wendell Ferguson at Head Lake Park in Haliburton on July 31

Here is a great show for those who like some great guitar picking and a little humour in their live music. Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Wendell Ferguson performs at Head Lake Park (13 York St., Haliburton) on Tuesday, July 31st at 7 p.m.

Ferguson has been a career musician with more than five Canadian Country Music Association for ‘Guitarist of the Year’ and numerous Juno nominations, and countless collaborations with some of Canada’s best country and folk artists.

Admission is by donation with proceeds going to Rotary community service. The show is family friendly and it’s recommended to bring a blanket or chair for maximum enjoyment.

VIDEO: “Throw Another Fiddle” – Wendell Ferguson

If the weather forecast holds, Canada Day will be an absolute scorcher. So it’ll be a perfect Sunday evening at Del Crary Park to experience a taste of Canada’s Far North when The Jerry Cans perform a free concert at Peterborough Musicfest.

The roots-rock quintet, which hails from Iqaluit in Nunavut, received two nominations at this year’s Juno Awards and performed their song “Ukiuq” live at the televised ceremony. Combining traditional Inuit throat singing with folk, alt country, rock, and reggae music, the band’s repertoire including songs written in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit people.

Since forming in 2012, members Andrew Morrison (vocals/guitar), Gina Burgess (violin), Nancy Mike (accordion/throat singing), Brendan Doherty (bass), and Steve Rigby (drums) have been staunchly committed to helping preserve the Inuktitut language, as well as the uniquely Inuit musical tradition of throat singing.

Normally consisting of two women singing a duet in a close face-to-face formation with no instrumental accompaniment, The Jerry Cans have found a way to fuse Inuit throat singing into the contemporary music of settlers. The band has become known for their high-energy live performances

In a 2017 interview with Digital Drum, lead vocalist Andrew Morrison says that growing up “as a white dude in Nunavut” created an experience and perspective that differed from that of his Inuit friends.

VIDEO: “Ukiuq” (Inuktitut version) – The Jerry Cans

Still, he claims, that doesn’t make him any less qualified to understand and interpret their thoughts and feelings.

“Part of the challenge for (Inuit) youth is constantly being told that the southern ways of doing things are cooler and superior,” Morrison says. “Whether it’s how you speak, how you dress, or how you relate to each other, it often conflicts with more traditional values up here.

“Youth up here are constantly being told that they are insufficient, not good enough, and that they need to adopt the southern white ways of doing things to be successful. We try to challenge this big time.”

VIDEO: “Northern Lights” (English version of “Ukiuq”) – The Jerry Cans

Another goal of The Jerry Cans is to challenge common misconceptions about Canada’s North from the perspective of actually living there, says Morrison.

“We don’t claim to have solutions but I know living up here, being a part of the community and talking about these things, that raising our kids to speak Inuktitut, love their land and love themselves, is an important part of a very complex puzzle.

“There are lots of little revolutions taking place all the time up here. It’s important to remember that in this increasingly challenging world.”

VIDEO: “Paniarjuk” (Inuktitut version) – The Jerry Cans

Morrison and Mike formed the band with Doherty and Rigby, with Burgess coming on board after visiting Iqaluit as part of a cultural exchange program. That union resulted in The Jerry Can’s debut album Nunnavuttitut in 2012. After throat singer Tanya Tagaq won the 2014 Polaris Music Prize, more attention came The Jerry Cans’ way.

“We used to play lots of English rock/punk rock music but decided to start writing music in Inuktitut, about things we saw in our communities,” Morrison says. “it was really a game changer for us.”

A second album, Aakuluk, followed in 2014, along with more tour dates.

VIDEO: “Iqaluit” (Inuktitut version) – The Jerry Cans

“The first time we sang in Inuktitut was hilarious,” Morrison recalls. “I was so nervous and tentative, and the crowd was also super tentative, but by the end of the song both the crowd and the band had a moment of figuring out how to react before bursting out in laughter and applause. I don’t think any of us knew how to react right away.”

That early apprehension aside, subsequent music industry recognition has cemented The Jerry Cans’ place on the Canadian music landscape.

Two years after Mike won a Canadian Folk Music Award for Songwriter of the Year, the band garnered two nominations at the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Then, just this past March, two Juno Award nominations came the band’s way in the categories Breakthrough Group of the Year and Contemporary Roots Album of the Year for the band’s 2017 album Inuusiq/Life.

VIDEO: “Ahead by A Century” – The Tragically Hip (performed in Inuktitut by The Jerry Cans)

Also in 2017, The Jerry Cans’ Inuttitut language cover of The Tragically Hip’s “Ahead By A Century” received plenty of attention, bringing The Jerry Cans a new wave of fans.

“We will continue to push to prove that there’s a market for Inuktitut music and the stories behind the music,” Morrison says. “”We want to reflect life in Nunavut, but also want to challenge some of the stereotypes associated with the North.”

A Canada Day fireworks display will follow the concert. There’s no public parking at Del Crary Park, and the following streets will be closed from 4 to 11 p.m. on Sunday: Lock Street, Perry Street and Lake Street (from the east side of George to the west side of Crescent), and Crescent Street (from the north side of Romaine to the south side of Perry). If driving, you may wish to park at a municipal lot in downtown Peterborough and walk to Del Crary Park, or else take public transit. A free trolley service will also run from downtown Peterborough to Del Crary Park before the concert, but space is limited and priority will be given to people with mobility issues, seniors, and expectant mothers or parents with young children.

Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 18 free-admission concerts featuring a total of 20 acts during its 32nd season — each staged on Wednesday and Saturday nights at Del Crary Park.

Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”

For more information on this concert or the entire 2018 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.

This July, there are new exhibits at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, featuring sculptor Rod Mireau, painter and sculptor Ivan Eyre from the permanent collection, and a selection of work representing the 33 artists participating in the upcoming Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour.

Works by the late Moses “Beaver” Amik will be featured at the Art Gallery of Bancroft, Artspace is gearing up for an evening of mural viewing and fine dining on July 19th, and a series of new shows will be on display during the First Friday Art Crawl.

There will also be video by Simon Benedict at Evans Contemporary, Stan Olthius at Star X, Ann Jaeger’s ‘Majorette’ at Coeur Nouveau, and works by Wayne Eardley and Joe Stable at Acme Art and Sailboat Company.

Art Gallery of Bancroft presents ‘Above Looking Down’ by Moses “Beaver” Amik

This retrospective exhibition features a selection of work by the late Indigenous artist Moses “Beaver” Amik. An artist since childhood, Beaver was encouraged to explore his creativity and used his painting to represent his personal experiences and culture.

During the course of his career, cut short by his untimely and tragic death in 2017 at the age of 56, he directed his energy towards art and education, providing workshops in many schools in northern communities as well as here in southern Ontario. He taught students about Indigenous culture and spirituality though his art and encouraged them to be creative.

Beaver also illustrated a couple of books with his paintings, An Aboriginal Carol as well as Whispers of the Ancients: Native Tales for Teaching and Healing in Our Time.

The retrospective will be on display from Wednesday, July 4th until Sunday, July 29th, with the opening reception to be held on Friday, July 6th at 7:30 p.m.

The Art Gallery of Bancroft is located at 10 Flint Avenue in Bancroft. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday (the gallery is also open on Mondays from mid-May through mid-October). For more information, visit www.artgallerybancroft.ca.

Art Gallery of Peterborough presents ‘Signs of Life’ by Rod Mireau

In this recent series of beautiful sculptures, sculptor Rod Mireau looks to the industrial and the natural for inspiration. Constructions of wood and metal present us with interesting organic and geometric forms that play with scale and gravity.

Drop by the opening reception Friday, June 29th at 7 p.m. to see the show and meet Rod Mireau in person. The show will be on display until Wednesday, October 3rd.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.

Art Gallery of Peterborough presents ‘Peeling’, a selection of work by Ivan Eyre

Ivan Eyre is known for his paintings and sculptures that contain complex spatial structures and fragmentations. The Art Gallery of Peterborough houses a number of pieces of Eyre’s work in its permanent collection, and has made a selection from this collection to display for this exhibition.

The opening reception will be held on Friday Junr 29th at 7 p.m., and the show will run until Monday, October 8th.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.

Art Gallery of Peterborough presents ‘Selections: Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour’

The Kawartha Autumn Studio tour is coming up on the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the workspaces and work of 33 regional artists in Peterborough and the surrounding area. Brochures are now available at the Gallery and participating arts organisations.

A show sampling the work of participating artists will open along with the other exhibitions this Friday, June 29th and will remain on display until Monday, October 8th.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.

Evans Contemporary presents video by Simon Benedict

This month, Evans Contemporary will be showing video by Simon Benedict from his latest series. This series explores the relationship between humans and technology.

The opening reception will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 6th, as part of the First Friday Art Crawl.

Evans Contemporary is located at #2 Banker’s Common in downtown Peterborough. For more information, visit www.evanscontemporary.com or contact Paolo Fortin at evanscontemporary@gmail.com.

Star X presents Stan Olthius

The work of Stan Olthius showing at Star X is brightly coloured and full of texture. Inspired by weathered city surfaces, Stan works with paint, gesso and found objects (such as remnants of billboard posters) and a variety of scrapers and power tools to create his work.

This mixed-media method creates interesting effects and visceral textures. Drop in and see his work for yourself on July 6th, during the First Friday Art Crawl, from 6 to 11 p.m.

Star X is located at 129-1/2 Hunter St. West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough. Regular hours of operation are Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m.

Coeur Nouveau presents ‘Majorette’ by Ann Jaeger

Couur Nouveau will feature a new series of pieces by Ann Jaeger entitled ‘Majorette’.

This body of work consists of colourful abstracted paintings and sculptures, visually interesting and full of texture and movement.

Drop in and see this new exhibit as part of the First Friday Art Crawl on July 6th from 6 to 11 p.m.

Coeur Nouveau is located on the 2nd floor of the Commerce Building at 129-1/2 Hunter St. West in downtown Peterborough.

Acme Art & Sailboat Co. features photos of Egypt by Wayne Eardley and work by Joe Stable

This month drop into Acme Art & Sailboat Co. for a look at the photography of Wayne Eardley, who will be showing photos of Egypt, as well as the latest works by Joe Stable.

The exhibit will open during the First Friday Art Craw on July 6th from 6 to 11 p.m.

Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located at 129-1/2 Hunter Street West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough.

Artspace hosts Al Fresco: an Outdoor Dining Experience

Join in the fun on Thursday, July 19th at 6 p.m. as Artspace puts on an outdoor dining experience under the Hunter Street Bridge in Peterborough. You can dine in style, listening to music from the DJ booth while viewing the bright and colourful large-scale murals that now adorn the underside of the historic bridge.

A three-course meal will be served, featuring a roasted heirloom tomato soup followed by coffee-rubbed, 12-hour-slow-smoked beef brisket served with a horseradish crema, roasted fingerling potatoes, and summer squash. For dessert, there will be make-your-own ice cream sandwiches and sundaes!

This sounds like a wonderful summer evening. Tickets are $100 each will be for sale soon online (check artspace-arc.org), or to reserve ahead of time you can email bec@artspace-arc.org.

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, June 28 to Wednesday, July 4.

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.