This capture of a majestic bald eagle by Dave Ellis was our top post on Instagram for December 2019. (Photo: Dave Ellis @dave.ellis.photos / Instagram)
For those of us emerging from the holiday fog during the first deep freeze in January, we have to be grateful that December 2019 was easy on us in terms of winter weather.
One of the things that I love about this column is reviewing the top photos as a retrospect of the month. Although our top selections are actually chosen by our followers through impressions and likes, it always seems to work out that the top nine for any given month is a perfect synopsis of what the month truly represented.
In the case of December, we had the return of snowy owl and bald eagle sightings, pond (or lake!) hockey, twinkle lights and snow, a touch of ice storm, a Santa parade, and sunsets. As always, the Kawarthas are perfect in any season! Stay warm in January our #kawarthapeeps.
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Do you want to get on our top photographers list? All you need is an Insta account and to tag us using our hashtag #kawarthanow when posting your photo.
We share photos from across our readership area, which is the five-county area surrounding Peterborough which includes Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Hastings (we sneak in the occasional Algonquin Park picture as well, particularly if it’s by a Kawartha photographer).
To see our daily shares of photos, follow us on Instagram @kawarthanow and check out our feed’s highlight reels for recaps of every month of the year.
Environment Canada has issued both rainfall warnings and freezing rain warnings for the Kawarthas, as a moisture-laden low from Texas brings a significant heavy rainfall event to southern and eastern Ontario on Saturday (January 11).
Heavy rain will continue on Saturday, with the following amounts expected to fall by Saturday evening: 40 to 60 mm in Northumberland, 30 to 50 mm in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes, 20 to 40 mm in Haliburton, and 20 to 30 mm in Hastings Highlands. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
The rain will turn into freezing rain by early Saturday evening, with an extended period of freezing rain — possibly mixed with ice pellets — likely before precipitation comes to an end on Sunday morning.
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The following amounts of ice accumulation are possible by Sunday morning: 10 to 20 mm for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton, and 5 to 10 mm in Hastings Highland and Northumberland.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots will become icy, slippery, and hazardous. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
Power outages may be caused by ice accumulation on power lines or other electrical equipment along with nearby tree limbs. Ontario Hydro crews are prepared to respond.
“We have been tracking this weather system and are getting crews and equipment ready in the areas anticipated to be hardest hit,” says Lyla Garzouzi, vice president of distribution for Hydro One. “We encourage everyone in these areas to be prepared with an emergency kit.”
Hydro One crews on site after an ice storm. (Photo: Hydro One / Facebook)
Garzouzi says Hydro One is getting crews in position to assess damage in order to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. An estimated time of restoration will be determined for each outage once damage has been assessed.
For detailed information on outages and estimated restoration times, visit stormcentre.hydroone.com or download the Hydro One free mobile app. Outage tools are updated every 10 minutes as information comes in from the crews on-site.
Hydro One advises people to stay clear of any fallen power lines. If you spot a fallen line, keep at least 10 meters back, even if it does not appear to be live. Report it to the police and call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.
Peterborough-born country music artist Tebey will be performing with Matt Lang at The Venue in downtown Peterborough on January 29, 2020. (Publicity photo)
In this month’s music column, we feature a mix of indie folk-pop, Latin-infused soul and pop-rock, jazz, country, and classic rock.
Our regular musicNOW writer Josh Fewings will return next month.
I, The Mountain at That Little Pub in Campbellford on January 11
Indie folk-pop band I, The Mountain is performing at That Little Pub (formerly the Church-Key Pub, 26 Bridge St. W., Campbellford, 705-653-0001) on Saturday, January 11th.
Formed in 2012 in Peterborough and now based in Kitchener, I, The Mountain will be performing as a five-piece band (Matthew Lamers, Matthew Rappolt, Matthew Morgan, Allison Dyjach, Rory McLachlin) for the first time in Campbellford.
They’ll be delivering a mix of covers and originals. The show starts at 8 p.m.
VIDEO: “I Swam” – I, The Mountain
Two Strangers at the Loft in Cobourg on January 18
Hamilton indie folk duo Two Strangers (Nathan Rideout and Amy Pinkus) are coming to The Loft (201 Division St., 2nd floor, Cobourg, 905-372-2210) on Saturday, January 19th for their official EP release concert.
They’ll be performing their original tunes with a full band, including Caleb Grant and Dermott Shepherd. Bruce Longman and Fiona Milne will be opening the show, which runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Alex Cuba at the Market Hall in Peterborough on January 18
Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alexis Puentes, better known by his stage name Alex Cuba, returns to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) for a concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 18th.
The critically acclaimed Cuba will be performing his Latin-infused soul, rock, and pop music, which has earned him more than 20 awards and nominations, including two Juno Awards, four Latin Grammys, and three Grammy nominations.
Tickets are $33 for general admission or for assigned cabaret table seats (all fees included), available in person at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org. Tickets at the door are $38 (including fees).
VIDEO:”Ciudad Hembra (La Habana)” – Alex Cuba
Look Ahead at Bryan Jones Theatre in Lakefield on January 26
Performing Arts Lakefield is presenting the premiere concert by jazz combo Look Ahead at the Bryan Jones Theatre at Lakefield College School (4391 County Rd. 29, Lakefield) on Sunday, January 26th.
Look Ahead features Juno award winners Robi Botos and Paul Novotny on piano and bass (the band is named after their 2016 album), Daniel Barnes on drums, Juno nominee Allison Young on sax, and Alana Bridgewater on vocals.
VIDEO: “My Favorite Things” performed by Paul Novotny and Robi Botos
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Jocelyn Gould at the Black Horse in Peterborough on January 26
Jazz guitarist and singer Jocelyn Gould will be appearing at the Black Horse Pub (452 George St. N., Peterborough) on Sunday, January 26th.
Based in New York City and Toronto, Gould has performed internationally with Grammy-nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, trumpeter Etienne Charles, and trombonist Michael Dease. She has appeared at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival and the TD Toronto Jazz Festival.
Her influences include jazz guitar greats such as Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, and Kenny Burrell.
The show runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and there’s no cover.
VIDEO: “You’ve Changed” by Jocelyn Gould
VIDEO: “Four on Six” by Wes Montgomery performed by Jocelyn Gould
Tebey with Matt Lang at The Venue in Peterborough on January 29
If you’re looking for a double shot of country, you’ll want to head to The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough) on Wednesday, January 29th when Tebey performs with opener Matt Lang.
The 36-year-old Peterborough native (born Tebey Ottoh) signed a development deal with a major Nashville record label when he was only 15 years old. Now living in Nashville, Tebey since gone on to become a performer as well as a professional songwriter whose songs have been recorded by musicians such as One Direction and Cher. His latest album, 2018’s Love A Girl, was nominated in 2019 as the CCMA Album of The Year.
Tebey’s hometown show is part of his first-ever Canadian headlining tour, promoting his latest single (with Marie Mai) entitled “The Good Ones”. Opening will be Quebec native Matt Lang (born Mathieu Langevin), a rising Canadian country music star whose His debut single “Love Me Some You” has over 1.6 million Spotify streams and 2.7 million all-time streams, kickstarting his Canadian country music career in English Canada.
Tickets are $30 general admission (plus fees), available online at eventbrite.ca.
VIDEO: “The Good Ones” – Tebey and Marie Mai
VIDEO: “Love Me Some You” – Matt Lang
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Classic Albums Live performs Fleetwood Mac at Showplace in Peterborough on January 31
The ever-popular Classic Albums Live series returns to Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) with a performance of Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest Hits album on Friday, January 31st at 8 p.m.
Founded in 2003 in Toronto by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live features a variety of musicians who perform a classic rock album in its entirety, “note for note, cut for cut”.
Tickets are $42 plus fees, available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.
VIDEO: Classic Albums Live performs Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours”
Peterborough-born indie folk-pop band I, The Mountain is playing at That Little Pub (formerly Church-Key Pub) in Campbellford on Saturday, January 11th. (Photo: I, The Mountain / Facebook)
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, January 9 to Wednesday, January 15.
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.
Thursday, January 16 7:30-11:30pm - Rob Phillips Trio w/ Marsala Lukianchuk
Friday, January 17 5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 9pm - Emily Burgess & The Emburys
Saturday, January 18 5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 9pm - Tungsten
Sunday, January 19 3-6pm - Tom Eastland Triage; 6:30-9:30pm - Hillary Dumoulin
Boiling Over's Coffee Vault
148 Kent St. W., Lindsay
(705) 878-8884
Friday, January 10
7-9pm - Morgan Rider
Coming Soon
Friday, January 17 8-9pm - Open mic
Friday, January 24 7-9pm - Adam Crossman
Canoe & Paddle
18 Bridge St., Lakefield
(705) 651-1111
Saturdays
8pm - Live music
Castle John's Pub & Restaurant
1550 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough
705-740-2111
Saturday, January 11
9pm - High Waters Band
Champs Sports Bar
203 Simcoe St., Peterborough
(705) 742-3431
Thursdays
7pm - Open mic
Chemong Lodge
764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth
(705) 292-8435
Thursdays
5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)
Wednesdays
5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)
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Coach & Horses Pub
16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006
Thursdays
10pm - Open Mic
Fridays
9:30pm - Karaoke Night
Wednesdays
7-11pm - Live music
Dominion Hotel
113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954
Saturday, January 11
7-10pm - Jeff Moulton
Coming Soon
Saturday, January 18 7-10pm - Hellfire Hal and the Hot Tub Hussies
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.
4 May St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 215-9898
Coming Soon
Friday, January 17 7-10pm - Open Mic Night hosted by Andrew Bain (first come basis, sign-up starts at 6pm, each musician has up to 3 songs and 15 minutes in total, all skill levels welcome)
Fiddler's Green Pub & Grub
34 Lindsay St. St., Lindsay
(705) 878-8440
Coming Soon
Saturday, January 18 9pm - Joker
Ganarascals Restaurant
53 Walton St., Port Hope
905-885-1888
Coming Soon
Saturday, January 18 7:30-10pm - Aven, BUSM, Emo Dad ($10, call 905-885-1888 to reserve your ticket)
Friday, February 14 7-10pm - St. Valentine's Day w/ Steve Marriner ($20)
9pm - Live music hosted by Tony Silvestri and Greg Caven
Fridays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Saturdays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Sundays
8pm - Open stage hosted by Ryan Van Loon
Mondays
9:30pm - Trivia Night hosted by Cam Green
Wednesdays
9pm - Live music hosted by Kevin Foster
The Mill Restaurant and Pub
990 Ontario St., Cobourg
(905) 377-8177
Thursday, January 9
7pm - Two Strangers
Coming Soon
Thursday, January 16 7pm - Wendy Meadows Trio
Next Door
197 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(647) 270-9609
Saturday, January 11
9pm - Dylan Ireland
Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Sundays
5:30pm - PHLO
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Pappas Billiards
407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 772-9010
Coming Soon
Friday, January 17 10pm - Joel Parkes
Pastry Peddler
17 King St., Millbrook
(705) 932-7333
Coming Soon
Friday, January 24 5:30pm & 7:45pm - Jazz Dinner Night ft Carin Redman performing music of Sarah Vaughn w/ Michael Monis and Howard Baer ($45 per person)
Police stop a motorist on Highway 401 in the Port Hope area who was driving at 178 km/h, one of five drivers charged by police with stunt driving in a six-hour period on January 8, 2020. (Supplied photo)
The Ontario Provincial Police report they charged five drivers with stunt driving on Highway 401 in the Port Hope area in a six-hour period on Wednesday (January 8).
All five drivers were speeding at least 50 kilometres over the speed limit, with speeds ranging from 153 km/h to 178 km/h.
Two of the charged motorists were novice drivers with a Class G2 licence.
All five drivers are now facing stunt driving charges under the Highway Traffic Act for travelling at excessive speeds and are scheduled to appear in Cobourg court on scheduled dates in March 2020.
All drivers also received a seven-day licence suspension and the vehicles they were driving were towed and impounded for seven days.
You take small steps in 2020 that will have big impacts on the environment. Making a conscious decision to take local vacations at unique destinations like the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area east of Peterborough can dramatically reduce pollution and CO2 emissions, while leaving you with more money in your bank account and more time to actually enjoy your destination. (Photo courtesy of Otonabee Region Conservation Authority)
The new year marks a new decade and the first major milestone in our resolution toward the 2050 climate action goals. In the 2020s, we resolve to reduce global pollution by 45 per cent. While the global situation demands dramatic changes, New Year’s resolutions are most successful when they are realistic, measurable, and specific.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Matthew Walmsley, GreenUP Ecology Park Education Programs Coordinator.
With that in mind, I’d like you to consider three small but significant changes in 2020. These changes can be good for you and for our shared environment — and that’s the point. To maintain our quality of life, we each need to maintain both our personal health and the health of our planet.
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2020 Challenge #1: Eat a plant-based diet one more day each week
I think it was Arnold Schwarzenegger who said that “abs are made in the kitchen” not necessarily in the gym. That’s an important reminder that your diet is fundamental to how healthy and strong you feel.
Choosing plant-based proteins more often can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancers. Eating more beans and other legumes can also boost fibre intake, helping you feel satisfied after meals.
Shifting toward a plant-based diet also reduces your impact on the environment. According to the Earth Day Network, if a family eats one more plant-based meal per week for a year, “it would be the equivalent of taking your car off the road for five weeks.”
Canada’s food guide recommends eating a variety of healthy foods each day. Choosing more plant-based proteins can be healthier for you and better for the environment. (Photo: Government of Canada)
You can also pair a more plant-based diet with cooking from scratch more often.
“Eating food made from basic ingredients is often healthier and lower in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, which Canada’s Food Guide recommends limiting,” shares Lauren Kennedy, registered dietitian at Peterborough Public Health. “Taking steps to cook more often and eat more plants can help improve your health and overall well-being, while also benefiting our planet.”
2020 Challenge #2: Commute by bike one more day each week
“Riding your bike more often is one resolution that has direct benefits to you and to the climate,” suggests Tegan Moss, executive director of B! KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop.
“In Canada, personal transportation accounts for 27 per cent of CO2 emissions, so each trip that you take by bicycle is a simple way you can directly reduce your carbon emissions. Not only is riding good for the climate, but riding more means spending more time outside, more time exercising, and more time enjoying the feeling of freedom that comes from being on two wheels.”
In many ways, Peterborough is also ideally suited to a bike-based lifestyle.
Peterborough and the Kawarthas are a popular destination for cyclists of all sorts. Local residents who are able to can resolve to bike instead of drive with the bonus of enjoying great cycling routes while also reducing their carbon pollution. (Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Cycling Club)
“Our community covers a small area and many of your destinations are closer than you think,” Moss points out.
With 35 per cent of local car trips being less than five kilometres in distance, there are many opportunities to shift toward bikes. The Institute for Transportation and Design Policy suggests that if global ridership of bikes grows from seven per cent to 23 per cent, urban CO2 emissions would be reduced by seven per cent.
If the idea of biking in the winter seems daunting, B!KE has tips and resources to help you feel safe and secure. For more information, visit communitybikeshop.org/winterwheels/
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2020 Challenge #3: Localize your vacations this year
Vacations can be a healthy and enjoyable escape from the everyday. But vacations can also be a stress on your personal budget with the costs of tickets, hotels. and meals.
The impacts of air travel are also unaffordable for the planet. A return flight to the United Kingdom, for example, contributes carbon pollution that is the equivalent to 40 per cent of the average carbon emitted by driving for a whole year.
Travelling more locally is a brilliant solution to both of these problems. We often overlook the gems that are in our backyard for flashy amusements thousands of kilometres away.
The Warsaw Caves Conservation Area is a unique destination less than 30 kilometres east of Peterborough that offers caves, hiking trails, canoeing, and more. The area takes its name from a series of seven caves formed during the last ice age. (Photo courtesy of Otonabee Region Conservation Area)
“Nearly half of the three million visitors we welcome to Peterborough and the Kawarthas each year are visiting friends and family,” says Kelly Jessup, corporate marketing officer for Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development.
“The most important things we as residents can do to help support sustainable economic growth in tourism is first, to familiarize ourselves with the incredible volume and variety of experiences we have here in the region, and second, to incorporate those experiences into your time with family and friends — whether it’s enjoying a meal at a restaurant using local ingredients, visiting a local attraction or attending a festival, fair or concert.”
“The positive impacts these small actions would have on this community are incredibly valuable.”
Within only an hour’s drive or bike, you will find destinations you have never visited. There are a number of driving tools (such as OALLEY) that can provide you with a radius of how far you can go in a specified amount of time.
In 2020, spoil yourself with higher quality, shorter distance vacations. Swap international flights for domestic, and domestic flights for road trips, and road trips for trips by bike or by foot! Less time spent in busy airports and on the road means you are maximizing your precious time away from work or school.
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As we welcome the possibilities and challenges of 2020, I encourage you to make your own realistic goals to improve your health and the health of our environment.
Share your 2020 Challenges with GreenUP on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Feel great knowing that you are contributing to a better life for yourself and a better planet for everyone.
On January 8, 2020 at the Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront, Women's Business Network of Peterborough president Grace Reynolds (right) and program director Danielle McIver (middle) present a cheque for $10,380 to Ria Nicholson of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for the organization's Crossroads Shelter for local women and children fleeing violence. (Photo courtesy of Women's Business Network of Peterborough)
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has donated $10,380 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
The funds were raised through the networking organization’s annual holiday gala held in December at The Mount Community Centre.
For more than 30 years, WBN has supported the YWCA Crossroads Shelter, a service that protects local women and their children from violence and abuse while providing them with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
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“We are proud to partner with the YWCA for another year to raise funds for their Safe Nights Program,” says WBN program director Danielle McIver. “The work they do for women and children in our community is indispensable and we are always happy to work with them to raise awareness and money for this great local community initiative. Thank you to the generosity of our WBN members, guests, volunteers and local businesses for their support in making this gala a success.”
WBN revealed the final donation amount on Wednesday (January 8) at its monthly members’ meeting at the Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront, where McIver and WBN president Grace Reynolds presented a cheque to Ria Nicholson, major gifts officer with the YWCA.
“The WBN’s immense compassion and dedication to women and children in the community continues to inspire us here at the YWCA, year after year,” Nicholson says. “Their combined efforts have helped make another 160 Safe Nights at YWCA Crossroads Shelter possible. On behalf of the women and children whose lives will be touched by this act of kindness, we extend our most heartfelt appreciation.”
The funds raised from the WBN Holiday Gala will support the YWCA’s Safe Night’s Sleep Program at Crossroads Shelter, which provides emergency shelter, meals, counselling and personal care supplies for women and children.
Last year, YWCA Crossroads Shelter and Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace provided 9,171 safe nights for women and children. One safe night at YWCA Crossroads Shelter costs $45.96, typically beyond what government funding provides, and includes everything from the physical safety of a private room and 24-hour support, to nutritious meals, linens, clothing, and personal care items.
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WBN is a networking channel for women who wish to enhance and expand their business contacts and grow their businesses. Formed in 1961 as the Peterborough Chapter of the Canadian Advertising and Sales Association, the network has evolved into a dynamic and growing membership of women with diverse backgrounds and careers who meet to share their knowledge and experience and promote their businesses.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for all of southern Ontario, including the Kawarthas, as a significant winter storm is expected to arrive on Saturday (January 11).
A low pressure system will affect southern Ontario this weekend, possibly bringing rain, freezing rain, and snow.
Significant rainfall amounts are expected for areas north of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Freezing rain is forecast for most areas, from east of Lake Huron to eastern Ontario, with significant ice build up possible.
Significant snowfall amounts are also expected for areas east of Georgian Bay.
There is still uncertainty as to which areas will be the most affected by this system. Environment Canada’s team of meteorologists at the Ontario Storm Prediction Centre in Toronto is closely monitoring the situation.
Environment Canada may issue weather warnings later in the week.
Singer Michael Bell will be joined by special musical guests for "The Bowie Lives", a multimedia tribute spanning the career of the late British rock icon David Bowie, at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on January 10, 2020. (Photo: JC Velvet)
While it would be a stretch to suggest Michael Bell was pre-ordained to bring David Bowie’s music to the masses, there’s no question the longtime Peterborough entrepreneur is right where he belongs at this stage of his life.
That’s front-and-centre on performance venue stages, bringing the iconic music of the late glam rock-pop singer to life for longtime fans, and those who are just now discovering the immense and diversified talent of arguably one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
The Bowie Lives
When: Friday, January 10, 2020 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $38 general admission, $43 assigned cabaret table seats, $48 at door (all fees included)
Featuring Michael Bell and his band with special musical guests Lindsay Barr, Matt Diamond, Ian Kurz, and Lizeh Basciano. Meet world-famous rock photographer John Rowlands in the lobby. Tickets available in person at the Market Hall Box Office or by phone at 705-749-1146 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) or online anytime at markethall.org.
The Bowie Lives, which Bell debuted in 2017, comes to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) on Friday, January 10th. Tickets to the 8 p.m. performance cost $38 ($43 for assigned cabaret table seats) and are available in person at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, and online at markethall.org.
Opening with guest solo acoustic appearances by Lindsay Barr, Ian Kurz, Matt Diamond and Lizeh Basciano — each will perform a favourite Bowie song — The Bowie Lives is a sequential presentation of Bowie’s extensive catalogue, ranging from his early hits such as “Ziggy Stardust” and “Suffragette City” through the 1980s and 1990s when hits such as “Fame”, “Golden Years”, “China Girl”, “Modern Love”, and “Let’s Dance” dominated music charts around the globe.
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That the Market Hall show is being presented on the fourth anniversary of Bowie’s passing from liver cancer is by design, explains Bell.
“This is an event I’m going to be holding every year somewhere,” he says. “I really want to build an annual remembrance regardless of whether it lands on a Tuesday or whatever and, through that, build a bigger show with a bigger offering.”
“As we’ve grown the show, rather than a tribute, I’m calling it a Bowie spectacular. It’s a happening. It’s an immersive experience. The multimedia offering has an educational bent to it. The show itself is chronological, starting with Space Oddity and ending with Lazarus.”
“It’s a progression. People watching the show will recognize the progression of fashion, the progression of the music and the progression of the sound.”
VIDEO: The Bowie Lives promo video
There is no shortage of material to cover.
Born David Robert Jones in Brixton, England in 1947, Bowie embarked on a musical career in 1963 (he changed his stage name from Davy Jones in 1965 to avoid confusion with singer Davy Jones of American rock band The Monkees). He zoomed to a huge following with the 1972 release of the single “Space Oddity” and never looked back, selling an estimated 140 million albums worldwide on the strength of 11 number one charting albums.
In addition, Bowie was an actor in several films and stage productions, his first major film role being his critically acclaimed portrayal of an alien from a dying planet in the 1976 film The Man Who Fell To Earth. In 1996, his diversified and game-changing sound earned him induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
British singer-songwriter David Bowie at the beginning of his career in 1965, when he changed his stage name from Davy Jones to avoid confusion with the name of the lead singer of American rock band The Monkees. (Photo via Brian Eno / Twitter)
As for Bell, a Peterborough resident since moving to the city at a young age, his passion for music flourished as a student at Adam Scott Collegiate. With high school pals John Crown, Rick Kemp, and Alex Stangl, he formed and fronted new wave/punk band Strobic Axe in 1980.
After that band broke up, Bell found himself in Toronto, first performing as one half of a folk music duo before fronting club bands Trixie Goes Hollywood and Eye Eye — the latter winning the highly touted Q107 Homegrown Contest in 1984. What followed was his first go-round doing the Bowie thing.
“The (Bowie) show in the 1980s was a bit of weirdo show,” recalls Bell. “My heart wasn’t really into doing the show. It was the idea of my agent. I had just won the Q107 thing and then it was like ‘OK, what are we going to do in the midst of waiting for a record deal?’ The tribute thing was just starting to happen in a big way. My agent was booking a lot of stuff, so I went with it.”
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Weirdo show or not, that experience gave Bell a growing and greater appreciation of Bowie’s music and its influence on pop culture — something he’s still in awe of to this day.
“The thing about Bowie that was super clever is how he reinvented himself,” says Bell. “He comes out of Berlin and he’s working with Brian Eno, so he picks up a whole generation of new fans. In the 1980s, he reinvents himself by picking up Nile Rogers who’s producing all the top dance stuff of the day.”
“He then reinvents himself in the 90s again with Nine Inch Nails. He was playing with a classic rock band, comes to America and does an R&B album, surrounding himself with people in that genre. A lesson I’ve taken away from his life is find good people, let them do their thing, and fit in to what they’re on about.”
Michael Bell performing David Bowie in The Bowie Lives. (Photo: Glenn Tindale)
Following his musical adventures of the 1980s, Bell found himself back to stay in Peterborough, where he met and married Michelle.
He founded The Wire MEGAzine, a monthly tabloid that tackled various political and social issues head on while providing articles and information on Peterborough’s bustling arts scene. Outside of a lengthy hiatus early on, The Wire has been published every month since.
“When I left the music business, I left it to be with my wife and raise a family,” says Bell. “Starting The Wire was a way to stay in the business but stay home. I vowed to myself when my kids (daughters Jessica and Bianca) are good and they’re gone, I’m going to go back out.”
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Before that occurred, there were serious diversions, including two federal election runs as Peterborough’s Green Party candidate and extensive involvement with Transition Town Peterborough, a movement aimed at strengthening the local economy via a number of innovative strategies and approaches. But never, ever, far from his mind was his first passion: music performance.
“I knew people loved Bowie but the question was ‘Am I going to be able to have a band that’s capable of doing this?'” he recalls thinking when he first broached the idea of The Bowie Lives.
Marsala Lukianchuk and Michael Bell channeling David Bowie in a photo shoot for The Bowie Lives. This photo appears on the cover of the January 2020 edition of The Wire, the monthly tabloid Bell founded in Peterborough in the 1980s. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks)
“There’s a reason there aren’t a lot of Bowie tributes. There’s an even bigger reason why a lot of the Bowie tributes out there just focus on the Ziggy period — that material is a lot easier to play.”
“It’s not hard to find somebody who can be (longtime Bowie guitarist) Mick Ronson and play Ziggy Stardust. That’s a pretty easy song. But once you get into stuff like Young Americans and Ashes To Ashes, there’s a lot of stuff going on.”
“When I put the show together the first time in the 1980s, my problem was I wasn’t connected enough. I didn’t know where to look for players.”
Enlisting musical director Michael Beauclerc, this second Bowie go-round features a stellar band in the form of I, Mother Earth bassist Chuck Dailey, guitarist Jason White, saxophonist Matt Lagan, keyboardist Sandor Schwisburg of The Abrams fame, and Beauclerc on drums.
“I had been off the road forever so it was really a start over thing for me,” says Bell. “We got together for a couple of rehearsals in Peterborough. It was ‘Here’s the YouTube channel, here’s the arrangements … learn them.’ When we add a new song now, we do it during the sound check. That’s as much rehearsal as a new song gets.”
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Almost immediately, The Bowie Lives earned critical acclaim, including a rare five-star rating from Richard Crouse, host of Pop Life on CTV. He deemed the show “unbelievable” after catching a performance at Toronto’s famed Cadillac Lounge.
“Doing Bowie has really pushed me,” says Bell. “I’ve got big chops. On a good day, I’ve got a full three-octave range. I’m singing stronger now than I’ve ever sung. I don’t want to sound flippant, but it’s effortless for me.”
In addition to a generous helping of Bowie’s music, the Market Hall show will also offer the opportunity to meet legendary Canadian music photographer John Rowlands. He will be in the lobby with samples of his iconic work, sharing stories of his many encounters with music’s biggest names while autographing copies of his book.
VIDEO: The Bowie Lives debuts at Oshawa Music Hall in 2017
“The guy has spent his whole life chasing tour buses around the world and has shot everybody, from The Beatles to Elvis and on and on and on,” says Bell, noting his list of subjects includes capturing Bowie during various phases of his career.
A documentary titled Being David Bowie, described as “a feature-length documentary film archiving the ups and downs of David Bowie tribute artist Michael Bell”, is scheduled for release in late spring/early summer.
Huge Shops Ontario has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to open a cannabis retail store at 225 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. The Toronto-based cannabis retailer originally proposed a store to be located at the plaza at Fowlers Corners in Kawartha Lakes but decided to move the proposed store after municipal zoning issues were identified with that location. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
Every week, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
This week’s business news features Toronto-based cannabis retailer Huge Shops applying to open a store in downtown Peterborough, the Ontario government reducing the small business corporate income tax rate to 3.2 percent, applications now open for next intake of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program, the Digital Transformation Grant application deadline extended to January 10th, and Jennifer McLauchlan being appointed interim executive director of Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.
New regional business events added this week include include Venture13 hosting “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” in Cobourg on January 23rd, Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management presenting a “Women and Wealth” seminar in Peterborough on January 27th, and the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce presenting “Power Hour” (a chat with elected officials) in Peterborough on February 13th.
Toronto-based cannabis retailer Huge Shops applies to open store in downtown Peterborough
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is currently reviewing an application from Huge Shops Ontario to open a “Grower’s Retail” cannabis retail store at 225 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. A notice was posted in the window of the proposed store on December 20, 2019. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Huge Shops Ontario Inc. has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to open a cannabis retail store at 225 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.
In August 2019, AGCO authorized Huge Shops to open “Grower’s Retail”, a cannabis retail store in the Coffee Time plaza at Fowlers Corners in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Huge Shops is a Toronto-based cannabis retailer that has a strategic alliance with Chairman’s Brands, parent company of Coffee Time.
After zoning issues were identified with the Fowlers Corners location, Huge Shops applied to move the location to downtown Peterborough, near the corner of George and Sherbrooke streets (across from Greg’s No Frills). AGCO is currently reviewing the application.
Cannabis grower FSD Pharma, which is headquartered at the former Kraft plant in Cobourg where it operates a 25,000-square-foot cannabis cultivation facility, invested $14 million in Huge Shops in 2018. On Thursday (January 9), FSD Pharma will begin trading on NASDAQ under the symbol “HUGE” (the company is already listed under that symbol on the Canadian Securities Exchange).
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Ontario reduces small business corporate income tax rate to 3.2 percent
The Ontario government has reduced its small business corporate income tax rate from 3.5 percent to 3.2 percent, effective January 1st.
According to a release from the Ministry of Finance issued on Monday (January 6), the reduction will provide tax relief of up to $1,500 annually to over 275,000 businesses.
The small business (non-eligible) dividend tax credit rate has also been reduced from 3.2863 percent to 2.9863 percent, corresponding to the reduction in the small business corporate income tax rate.
The 470,000 small businesses in Ontario represent almost 98 percent of all businesses in the province, and provide about one-third of private-sector employment — just over two million jobs.
Applications now open for next intake of P Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program
Nicole Cooke of Organized by Design was one of six businesses in Peterborough & the Kawarthas that were the latest Starter Company Plus recipients. Each received a $5,000 grant to support growth in their business. Applications for the next intake of the program are open until January 20th. (Photo: Alyssa Cymbalista/ PKED)
Applications for the next intake of Starter Company Plus, a program offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Government of Ontario, are now open.
The program is designed to provide business training for aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough, who are either launching a new business or expanding an existing business that has been operating for five years or less.
VIDEO: PKED Starter Company Plus Introduction
Applications close at 4 p.m. on Monday, January 20th. All successful program participants must be able to attend a series of five workshops taking place in February and March.
Digital Transformation Grant application deadline extended to January 10
The deadline for applications for Digital Main Street’s Digital Transformation Grant program has been extended to Friday (January 10).
The application deadline, for $2,500 grants for small main street Ontario businesses to purchase and adopt digital tools and technologies, was originally December 31, 2019.
Visit digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario/ to register, take the digital assessment, complete the online training and develop and submit a digital transformation plan and application form.
Jennifer McLauchlan appointed interim executive director of Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society
Jennifer McLauchlan. (Supplied photo)
Jennifer McLauchlan has been appointed interim executive director of Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society effective last Thursday (January 2).
McLauchlan, director of corporate services for the child protection agency, replaces former executive director Jennifer Wilson, who will be retiring in February after eight years.
McLauchlan has 25 years of human resources experience primarily in the public sector. She joined Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society as director of human resources in 2012 and was promoted to director of corporate services in 2015, overseeing human resources, finance, IT, administrative services, property, and quality assurance.
Prior to joining Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society, she worked at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre holding various positions in human resources.
Peterborough Chamber hosts networking event in Peterborough on January 7
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) of 2020 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7th at the Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough).
The wellness-themed event will be about goals and resolutions, from physical to mental wellness for staff and for business.
The free event is open to everyone.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts business planning workshop in Peterborough on January 9
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting a “Business Fundamentals: Business Planning” workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
The session is designed to give entrepreneurs a strong foundation in business planning and to emphasize the importance of a comprehensive business plan. Tools will be made available for creating a business plan as well as top tips for creating a plan ready to share with banks and funding agencies to secure financing.
Farms at Work hosts egg grading discussion in Peterborough on January 9
Farms at Work is hosting “Egg Grading for the Local Market”, a discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th at VentureNorth (270 George St., Peterborough).
The this evening discussion will share the issues and conclusions from Farms at Work’s feasibility study for a local community-based egg grading facility, egg grading options in this region, and information on a new egg grading facility in southwestern Ontario and how they propose to help producers across the province.
Haliburton Chamber hosts breakfast session on mental health in the workplace in Haliburton on January 14
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breakfast Club from 7 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at Maple Avenue Tap & Grill (172 Highland St., Haliburton).
Jack Veitch of the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge will speak on the topic “Mental Health and the Workplace”.
Peterborough Chamber hosts Chamber AM breakfast meeting in Peterborough on January 14
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Chamber AM breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Networking begins at 7 a.m., with breakfast orders taken at The Edison at 7:30 a.m. At 7:45 a.m., you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room), followed by a mystery guest speaker at 8 a.m.
There is no cost for the event (order what you like and pay for what you order).
Northumberland Chamber hosts networking event in Cobourg on January 14
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next “Meet and Greet” business networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at MASS Environmental Services (210 Willmott St., Unit 5B, Cobourg).
MASS Environmental Services will share information about reducing the environmental footprint of your business and related subjects.
Innovation Cluster and Cleantech Commons host Electric City Talks with Jason Wight in Peterborough on January 14
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas and Cleantech Commons are hosting “Electric City Talks: An Evening with Jason Wight” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough)
Jason Wight is director of engineering at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and founder of for Ontario Power Generation’s only accelerator X-LAB. He will discuss nuclear energy, its role in the current climate crisis, and how innovative technologies are changing to adapt to a world that emphasizes clean and sustainable energy.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with introductions at 6:30 p.m. and the keynote at 6:45 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
Port Hope Chamber hosts a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson in Port Hope on January 15
The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Railside Restaurant (112 Peter St., Port Hope).
Mayor Sanderson will provide an update on municipal affairs, strategic planning, and business within the municipality of Port Hope.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members or $30 for non-members (includes breakfast and tax and gratuity). Registration is required by January 10th by emailing admin@porthopechamber.com or calling 905-885-5519.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts Trent-Severn Trail Town information session in Hastings on January 16
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting an information session on the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16th at the Hastings Civic Centre (9 Albert St., Hastings).
Presented by the Hastings and Campbellford Trail Town Committees, the session will provide information about the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative — designed to increase regional tourism — and the “Trail Town Friendly” business certification program.
This event will benefit businesses in the designated Trent-Severn Trail Town communities of Hastings and Campbellford. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Peterborough Chamber hosts lunch seminar on international students in Peterborough on January 22
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next “Lunch Box Learning” session takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22nd at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Tracey McConnery (Manager of English Programs & International Student Services, Fleming College) and Paul Longhurst (International Student Advisor, Trent University) will present on how international students can help you meet your labour needs and will discuss opportunities for collaboration.
The free event is open to Chamber members and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
Venture13 hosts “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” in Cobourg on January 23
Venture13 is hosting “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The discussion, featuring a panel of guests speakers, will cover how the development of “Smart Cities” presents new opportunities and advances in artificial intelligence and data science, which can be applied to manufacturing, health care, communications, transportation, and digital and physical infrastructure.
Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management presents “Women and Wealth” seminar in Peterborough on January 27
Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management is presenting “Women and Wealth” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 27th at Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The in-depth seminar that will explore the unique financial concerns and opportunities facing women today. From wealth creation to retirement, estate planning, business success and charitable giving, the seminar will share expert insights.
Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosts Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario information sessions in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls on January 28 and 29
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is hosting information sessions on the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28th at the Lindsay Recreational Complex (133 Adelaide St. S., Lindsay) and from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th at Fenelon Falls Community Centre (27 Veteran’s Way, Fenelon Falls).
Kawartha Lakes CFDC will be accepting applications for projects that support small and medium-sized enterprises to foster innovation, technology adoption and digital connectivity in Kawartha Lakes. Priority sectors include advanced manufacturing, clean tech, digital industries, and agri-food and food processing. Minimum project size is $50,000, with the ability of participants to provide a 50 per cent ($25,000) matched cash contribution.
Peterborough Chamber presents “Power Hour” in Peterborough on February 13
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting “Power Hour” from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 13th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterorough).
The annual chat with elected officials is an interactive lunch event and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, and Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones. A moderator will present questions from the audience.
Peterborough city and county councillors and chief administrative officers, as well as First Nations leaders, will also be invited to attend.
More information will be provided closer to the event date.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
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