2018 Maple Blues Award winner Emily Burgess with brothers Rico and Marcus Browne in their trio The Emburys. The Toronto Blues Society named Burgess as New Artist/Group of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards ceremony on February 4, 2019. (Photo: Karol Orzechowski)
Peterborough musician Emily Burgess has won the 2018 Maple Blues award for New Artist/Group of the Year.
The awards were presented by the Toronto Blues Society last night (February 4) at Koerner Hall in Toronto.
The singer-songwriter and guitarist, who is now on her way to the U.S. for a tour with her band The Emburys, posted about the win on her Facebook page. As a nominee, she said she was planning to attend the awards but then got a surprise call.
“I gotta say, yesterday was pretty nuts,” she writes. “I thought we were just going to go to the MBA’s and enjoy the show. Then at 1 pm, while still in Peterborough, got the call to fill in a performance spot at the awards and had to get to Toronto ASAP.”
She went on to thank her community.
“Thank you to the land of dreams called PETERBOROUGH and the incredible music community we have here.”
Damn this thing is heavy! Emily Burgess & The Emburys are so honoured to have received the New Artist/Group Maple Blues…
According to the Toronto Blues Society, “The New Artist or Group of the Year is awarded to any group or individual, new to the national blues scene, who has made considerable advances artistically and/or commercially during the eligibility period.”
Burgess’ fellow nominees in the category were Cootes Paradise, Dan Doiron, Deb Rhymer, and Elliott & The Audio Kings. The winner was selected through online voting.
Burgess is well known to Peterborough residents for her solo performances, as well as playing with The Weber Brothers since 2014 and more recently her own trio The Emburys (with brothers Rico and Marcus Browne on bass and drums respectively).
Emily Burgess performing with Ryan Weber in The Weber Brothers Band in 2015. (Photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW)
She grew up in Mississauga and began taking piano lessons as a child but switched to guitar at the age of 14. Burgess majored in guitar at Humber College and graduated at 22 years old.
She then began touring with the 24th Street Wailers, writing two songs and playing guitar on the band’s 2015 Juno-nominated album Wicked. She started playing guitar and touring with The Weber Brothers in 2014 and then formed The Emburys.
In November 2017, she released her debut solo album Are We In Love?, produced by The Weber Brothers. The Emburys are currently touring in support of the album, heading to the U.S. for a string of dates in February.
VIDEO: “Til I Get To Call You My Own”
Here’s the complete list of winners of the 2018 Maple Blues Awards:
Male Vocalist of the Year – Colin James
Female Vocalist of the Year – Angel Forrest
Drummer of the Year – Lindsay Beaver
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year – David Vest
Blues Booster Award – The Hornby Island Blues Society
Acoustic Act of the Year – Big Dave McLean
Electric Act of the Year – Colin James
Horn Player of the Year – Shirley Jackson
Harp Player of the Year – Steve Marriner
Guitarist of the Year – Sue Foley
Bassist of the Year – Laura Greenberg of the JW-Jones Band
The Cobalt Prize for Contemporary Blues Composition – Ann Vriend – “It’s Happening”
B.B. King International Artist of the Year – Buddy Guy
Recording Producer of the Year – Dave Meszeros for Colin James’ Miles to Go
Nominations are now open for the Women's Business Network of Peterborough's (WBN) Judy Heffernan Award for a female entrepreneur, mentor, or student. The award honours the memory of the late Judy Heffernan, a long-time member of WBN and former general manager of the Peterborough Community Futures Development Corporation. Nominations are also open for the WBN's Women In Business Award. Both awards will be presented on April 9, 2019. (Photo: Christina Robertson)
This week’s round-up of business news includes the opening of nominations now open for the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough’s Judy Heffernan Award and Women In Business Award, an investment of $12.3 million by the Ontario government to expand natural gas access in Kawartha Lakes, a donation by the City of Peterborough and HotSpot Parking of $16,256 in parking fees to Kawartha Food Share, the County of Peterborough seeking nominations for its 2019 Recognition Awards, and Robin Binèsi Cavanagh joining The Canadian Canoe Museum as the new Director of Indigenous Peoples’ Collaborative Relations.
Every week, our managing editor collects business-related news and events from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your business news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
New regional business events added this week include the Innovation Cluster hosting a tax preparation workshop with Gauvreau & Associates in Peterborough on February 19th and Trent University’s Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre presenting Drew Dudley in Peterborough on February 28th.
Coming in March, Harvest Haliburton is hosting a Food and Agriculture Economic Development Forum in Minden on March 5th, the Lindsay Chamber is hosting its annual general meeting in Lindsay on March 6th, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosting the inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference in Peterborough on March 28th
Nominations now open for Women’s Business Network of Peterborough’s Judy Heffernan Award and Women In Business Award
Louise Racine, owner of Thirteen Moons Wellness in Norwood, was the 2016 recipient of the Judy Heffernan Award. She used the proceeds from the award to launch the first International Women’s Day conference in Peterborough. (Photo: Ash Naylor Photography)
Nominations are now open for the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough’s annual Judy Heffernan Award and the Women In Business Award.
The Judy Heffernan Award is named in honour of the late Judy Heffernan, a long-time member of WBN and former general manager of the Peterborough Community Futures Development Corporation. She was a tireless promoter of the entrepreneurial dreams and passions of women and acted as a catalyst who empowered and motivated women to have the courage to pursue their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.
The award will be given to an entrepreneur, mentor, or student who embodies Heffernan’s legacy of humbly helping others succeed. Previous recipients include Louise Racine (2016) and Sofie Andreou (2015).
The Women in Business award will recognize a woman who demonstrates leadership which has led to job creation, innovation, and increased business acumen. The award will also recognize the recipient’s impact on the community at large, including fundraising, volunteering, and other contributions.
Previous recipients include Gwyneth James of Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants (2016), Amy Simpson of MicroAge (2015), Kerri Davies of Canadian Mental Health Association HKPR (2014), Kyla Gutsche of Cosmetic Transformations (2013), Sally Harding of Nightingale Nursing (2012), Sheridan Graham of The County of Peterborough (2011), Jean Grant of The Toy Shop (2010), Kathy Windrem of BDO Canada (2009), Mary LaRocque of Marlin Travel (2008), Tina Johnston of Fandango Spa (2007), Kim Paget of Paget Dental (2006), Jeannine Taylor of kawarthaNOW.com (2005), Helen Hamilton of Costume King (2004), and Gail Courneyea of Angels of Flight (2003).
Originally created by the Peterborough Examiner, the awards were not presented in 2017 or 2018. The two awards are now being organized and presented by the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. The deadline for nominations is 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 16th. Nominees will be announced after March 17th, and the awards will be presented at a dinner on Tuesday, April 9th at the Parkway Place Banquet Hall.
Province of Ontario invests $12.3 million to expand natural gas access to Fenelon Falls, Cameron and Cambray
Ontario infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton speaks with Cornerstone Furnishings co-owner Diane McNamara in Fenelon Falls. (Photo: Office of Monte McNaughton)
The Ontario government is investing a total of $12.3 million to expand natural gas access to Fenelon Falls, Cameron, and Cambray.
Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton and Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock MPP Laurie Scott made the announcement in Fenelon Falls last Friday (February 1).
The expansion project is already underway, led by Enbridge Gas Inc. So far, 32 homes and one business have already been connected. When completed, the project will allow an estimated 1,370 households and 155 businesses access to natural gas in Fenelon Falls, Cameron and Cambray.
Depending on their current fuel source, households and businesses can save up to $1,050 per year on energy costs by switching to natural gas.
“Switching from oil to natural gas would bring the store’s annual heating bill down from about $9,000 to $3,500,” says Diane McNamara, co-owner of Cornerstone Furnishings in Fenelon Falls.
The project will allow an estimated 1,370 households and 155 businesses access to natural gas in Fenelon Falls, Cameron, and Cambray. So far, 32 homes and one business have already been connected.
After making the announcement in Fenelon Falls, McNaughton also visited Peterborough to tour the renovated Peterborough Public Library along with the waste water treatment plant.
City of Peterborough and HotSpot Parking donate $16,256 in parking fees to Kawartha Food Share
City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien (third from left) presents a cheque for $16,755.99 to Kawartha Food Share. The donation includes $16,256 in parking fees raised during the December two-hour free parking campaign in downtown Peterborough, along with a $500 donation from the campaign’s sponsor, HotSpot Parking. (Photo; City of Peterborough)
Last Monday (January 29), the City of Peterborough and HotSpot Parking announced a donation of $16,256 in parking fees to Kawartha Food Share.
The funds were raised in December by people who opted to pay for parking during the two-hour free downtown parking campaign during the holidays.
The donation will allow Kawartha Food Share to purchase $100,000 worth of food.
This year’s campaign was sponsored by HotSpot Parking, a service launched in Peterborough in December that allows people to pay for parking using an app on their phone. Since HotSpot launched, 1,602 drivers have registered to pay for parking using the HotSpot app.
HotSpot also announced an additional $500 donation to Kawartha Food Share.
County of Peterborough seeking nominations for its 2019 Recognition Awards
The County of Peterborough is seeking nominations for its 2019 Recognition Awards, which recognize residents or groups in the County of Peterborough who has raised the profile or made an extraordinary contribution to the community.
There are 10 award categories: Accessibility Recognition, Acts of Heroism, Agricultural Leadership, Business Leadership, Community Volunteer of the Year, Environmental/Sustainability Recognition, Heritage Preservation, Leadership in Arts and Culture, Sporting Excellence, and Youth.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 15th. Nomination forms are available online at ptbocounty.ca/awards, at the County of Peterborough offices located at 470 Water Street in Peterborough. and from any local municipal office, township fire chiefs, local police service boards, schools, libraries, area chambers of commerce, and community care organizations.
Award recipients will be announced in May and the awards ceremony will take place on Friday, May 24th at the Ennismore Community Centre.
Robin Binèsi Cavanagh joins The Canadian Canoe Museum as the new Director of Indigenous Peoples’ Collaborative Relations
Robin Binèsi Cavanagh. (Photo courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum)
Last Wednesday (January 30), The Canadian Canoe Museum announced that Robin Binèsi Cavanagh in the new position of Director of Indigenous Peoples’ Collaborative Relations at the museum.
According to a media release, the new position reflects the museum’s commitment to build and foster relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in the planning for the new 85,000-square-foot facility beside the Peterborough Lift Lock. Around one third of the museum’s collection is of indigenous origin, which includes birch bark and dugout canoes and skin-on-frame kayaks from communities across Canada.
Cavanagh, who resides in Young’s Pint, is a member of Sagamok First Nation. He will play a key role in facilitating collaborative relations at the museum.
“I am honoured to be a helper, and a facilitator, and to join the museum at this exciting time in its evolution,” Cavanagh says. “Guided by the artifacts in the collection and with the canoe as the connector, we will be building on the relationships the museum has in regions across Canada.”
Haliburton Highlands Chamber hosts breakfast meeting with MPP Laurie Scott in Haliburton on February 5 (Postponed)
Note: This event has been postponed due to expected poor weather.
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next “The Breakfast Club” event from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5th at McKeck’s Tap and Grill (207 Highland St., Haliburton).
Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock MPP and Minister of Labour Laurie Scott is the guest speaker. She will talk about her role as Minister of Labour and what she is planning on for 2019.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members.
Peterborough Chamber PBX at Peterborough Business Hub on February 5
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5th at Peterborough Business Hub (398 McDonnel St., Peterborough).
The PBX networking event is a great opportunity for the business community, employers, consumers, and community agencies to make valuable connections.
RBC Dominion Securities hosts workshop in Cobourg on February 7
RBC Dominion Securities is hosting a workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 7th at Venture13 Innovation Centre (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The workshop is intended for investors concerned about recent market volatility. The event will help you understand the options, risks, and opportunities that exist in today’s capital markets.
The workshop is free and refreshments will be served.
Peterborough Chamber hosts breakfast meeting with Dr. Doug Lukinuk in Peterborough on February 12
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce “Chamber AM” breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12th at Carousel Restaurant & Tavern (116 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough).
Dr. Doug Lukinuk of Peterborough Max Living Chiropractic Centre will speak on the topic “Stress Overload and the Entrepreneur”.
Networking begins at 7 a.m., with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. (when you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room), followed by the speaker at 8 a.m.
There is no cost for the event (order what you like and pay for what you order).
Peterborough Chamber presents Power Hour with local elected officials on February 12
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting its annual “Power Hour” featuring Peterborough’s elected officials from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12th at The StoneHouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough).
The Power Hour is a lively interactive dinner and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien.
Peterborough City and County councillors, along with the Chief Administrative Officers of the City and County of Peterborough and First Nations leaders, will be invited to join individual tables.
The event will be recorded for broadcast on Cogeco’s YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay.
Tickets are $65 per person or $450 for a table of seven for Chamber members, and $75 per person or $525 for a table of seven for non-members.
Kawartha Chamber annual general meeting in Lakefield on February 13
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is holding its annual general meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13th at The Village Inn (39 Queen St., Lakefield).
The meeting will feature highlights from 2018 and the election of the 2019 board of directors. The 2017-18 annual report will be circulated to members before the meeting.
Nomination deadline for Haliburton Chamber’s Business & Community Achievement Awards on February 14
Nominations are being accepted for the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s 13th Annual Business & Community Achievement Awards until Thursday, February 14th.
There are awards in 11 categories: Business Achievement, New Business, Customer First Business, Customer First Employee, Tourism & Hospitality, Innovation & Creativity, Skilled Trades & Industry, Young Professional of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Not-For-Profit of the Year, and Highlander of the Year.
The awards gala will be held on Saturday, March 30th at the Pinestone Resort & Conference Centre.
Innovation Cluster hosts tax preparation workshop with Gauvreau & Associates in Peterborough on February 19
The Innovation Cluster is hosting “Hands-ON: Tax Prep with Gauvreau & Associates” from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19th in the large ground floor boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Tyler Powers CPA of Gauvreau & Associates will provide attendees with information on business structures (sole proprietor vs. corporation), structure of the tax return for sole proprietors, and the importance of bookkeeping in preparing the Statement of Business Activities for your tax return. The workshop will also cover accrual vs. cash, recording revenue, deductible business expenses, capital assets, and more.
Port Hope Chamber holds its annual general meeting in Port Hope on February 26
Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th in the Sculthorpe Theatre at Cameco Capital Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope).
Trevor McPherson, vice president of member services at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest speaker.
The meeting will also feature the election of new board members, review and approval of by-law revisions, new style guidelines and marketing materials, and more.
Agilec hosting spring hiring fair in Peterborough on February 26
Employment services company Agilec is hosting a multi-employer hiring fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).
Numerous employers looking to hire part-time, full-time, and seasonal positions will be in attendance.
For more information, contact Arlayna Curtin at Agilec at 705-740-2577 ext. 5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca.
Trent University’s Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre presents Drew Dudley in Peterborough on February 28
The Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre (ESIC) at Trent University is presenting leadership guru Drew Dudley from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 29th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Dudley is the founder and chief catalyst of Day One Leadership, Inc., which helps organizations around the world increase their leadership capacity. His clients have included some of the world’s most dynamic companies and organizations, including McDonald’s, Dreamworks Animation, JP Morgan Chase, and over 75 colleges and universities.
This event is run in collaboration with the Royal Bank of Canada and the Innovation Cluster.
Harvest Haliburton hosts Food and Agriculture Economic Development Forum in Minden on March 5
Sustainable food association Harvest Haliburton is hosting the Food and Agriculture Economic Development Forum from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th at the Minden Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden).
The forum is a chance for interested residents, food producers, farmers, retailers, restauranteurs, elected politicians, municipal staff, and others to learn about the exciting food and agriculture-related projects underway in Haliburton County. Participants can also discover how they can support and shape the future of the local food sector.
Staff from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will deliver a keynote address on the tools and strategies available to help the area’s local food sector thrive. There will also be discussion topics including selling and branding local food, culinary and food tourism, municipal food planning, and more.
The forum is free to attend and includes a lunch showcasing ingredients from many of the area’s primary food producers.
Lindsay Chamber hosts its annual general meeting in Lindsay on March 6
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th at The Auk’s Lodge on Fleming College’s Frost Campus (200 Albert St. S., Lindsay)
You can view the Chamber’s activities and successes of the past year, learn about Chamber initiatives for the year ahead, and review the 2018 financial statement. A motion will be passed for member to accept the next slate of board members.
Refreshments will be provided by The Olympia Restaurant and a cash bar will be available.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference in Peterborough on March 28
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is bringing together business owners from across Peterborough & the Kawarthas for the inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
This is a must-attend event for entrepreneurs looking to learn from industry thought leaders, network with like-minded professionals to develop partnerships and collaboration, and grow and improve their business. Keynote speakers are Nikki Pett on the topic “Relationship Marketing” and Darrell Keezer on the topic “Digital Disruption”, wiht special guest speaker George Anastasopoulos.
There will be an afternoon panel on customer service in the digital age features local business people include Katie Dempsey of Blind Ambition, Bob Gauvreau of Gauvreau & Associates, Mike Watt of Providence/S.O.S./Flavour Fashion, Scott Murison of Wild Rock, and Nicole Truman of Fox Law.
Early bird tickets $40+HST until February 15th ($55 after February 15th) and include breakfast and lunch.
Otonabee Conservation has issued a water safety statement for the entire Otonabee watershed region.
A water safety statement is issued when conditions, such as high flows and unsafe banks, pose a serious safety risk.
Warm air temperatures and rain are expected throughout the Otonabee watershed region over the next two days. Rainfall is expected to begin Monday evening (February 4) and continue into the early hours of Tuesday morning. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 millimetres are expected.
The mild air temperatures will reach a maximum of 10°C this afternoon and stabilize at 6°C overnight, before dropping below zero by Tuesday afternoon.
Otonabee Conservation is advising area residents to keep away from all water bodies and watercourses, as well as dams, culverts, bridges, and other water conveyance structures, and to also observe extreme caution anywhere water can be seen to be accumulating and ponding.
The water safety statement remains in effect until Wednesday, February 6.
The Otonabee Conservation watershed region. (Map: Otonabee Conservation)
A serious two-vehicle accident on February 3, 2019 on Highway 28 on the hill between Big Cedar Lake Road and Mt. Julian Viamede Road. (Photo courtesy of Geri-Lynn Cajindos)
Highway 28 north of Burleigh Falls was closed on Sunday (February 3) due to a serious head-on collision between two vehicles.
The accident occurred at around 2 p.m. on the hill between Big Cedar Lake Road and Mt. Julian Viamede Road south of Woodview.
Peterborough County OPP closed Highway 28 between Northey’s Bay Road and Big Cedar Lake Road until around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night, detouring traffic onto Northey’s Bay Road.
Police have closed Highway 28 between between Northey’s Bay Road and Big Cedar Lake Road, and are detouring southboad traffic onto Northey’s Bay Road. (Photo courtesy of Geri-Lynn Cajindos)
Geri-Lynn Cajindos, who was returning home with her family from Apsley, tells kawarthaNOW that emergency services had to partially dismantle one of the vehicles to extricate at least one person.
A media release issued by the OPP on Monday (February 4) states that a vehicle was travelling southbound when it crossed the centre line and collided with a northbound vehicle.
A female passenger in the northbound vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to a Toronto area hospital by Ornge Air Ambulance. The drivers were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Highway 28 was closed so police could document the accident scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
As for Cajindos, the trip home for her and her family, normally a 45-minute drive, took two-and-a-half hours.
A vehicle also went off the road on County Road 6. (Photo courtesy of Geri-Lynn Cajindos)
While taking the Northey’s Bay Road detour, she also encountered another accident on County Road 6. She says the people appeared to walk away from the accident.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland.
Patchy dense fog will develop this evening (February 3) and will become more widespread near midnight, resulting in visibility near zero at times.
The dense fog will persist into Monday morning and is expected to become patchy Monday afternoon.
Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero. Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.
Environment Canada issues fog advisories when near-zero visibility in fog is expected or occurring.
Public Energy is bringing two dance performances by Austrailian indigenous artists to Peterborough in February, including the dance troupe Djuki Mala from a remote island off the tip of northern Austrailia. The five dancers fuse their traditional Yolngu culture with pop culture, dance, clowning, and storytelling in a February 5, 2019 show at Showplace that appeals to audiences of all ages. On February 19, 2019, dance artist Victoria Hunt presents her solo dance work "Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka" at the Market Hall. (Supplied photo)
In February, Public Energy Performing Arts is taking Peterborough audiences on a trip down under with two dance presentations from Australian indigenous artists Djuki Mala and Victoria Hunt.
These dance artists, who bring fresh ideas and energy to the stage as well as insightful views to indigenous Australia and New Zealand, have been selected for Public Energy’s main stage season by curator Patti Shaughnessy.
Djuki Mala at Showplace Performance Centre on Tuesday, February 5th
First up is the acclaimed dance company Djuki Mala, who will be performing at Showplace Performance Centre on Tuesday, February 5th.
The five dancers come from Elcho Island, a remote community off the northern tip of Australia owned by the Yolngu, an indigenous people who have lived there for at least 50,000 years.
VIDEO: Zorba the Greek Yolngu style – The Chooky Dancers
Originally calling themselves the Chooky Dancers (“chook” is Australian slang for chicken), the group came to prominence in 2007 when they posted a YouTube video of 10 dancers performing a routine to the tune of “Zorba the Greek” on a basketball court in Ramingining in Australia’s northern territory.
Within 12 weeks, the YouTube video had 500,000 views (it now stands at almost 2.9 million views), and the dance troupe immediately found themselves in demand.
Since then, Djuki Mala — they changed their name in 2014, with “djuki” being an adopted word for chook and “mala” meaning people who share a common feature — has created a number of shows that fuse traditional Yolngu culture with pop culture, dance, clowning, and storytelling.
Djuki Mala fuses traditional Yolngu culture with pop culture, dance, clowning, and storytelling in a family-friendly performance. (Publicity photo)
Dressed in traditional costumes and ochre, with gaga (spears) and galpou (spear thrower), Djuki Mala creates an exciting spectacle that appeals to all ages.
They have performed to sold-out audiences around the world, including China, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
As much as the traditional dance, the comedic element that makes up a Djuki Mala performance has its origins in Yolngu culture; in fact, clowning has been part of Yolngu culture longer than many of the traditional dances themselves.
VIDEO: Djuki Mala in performance
The show tells the genesis of Djuki Mala, interspersed with multimedia, and gives audiences the opportunity to experience some of the more intimate moments and turning points that have shaped them.
The family-friendly performance takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough) and will be followed by an on-stage question-and-answer session with the artists.
Tickets are $22 ($12 students and underwaged, $7 high school students) and are available in person at the Showplace Box Office, by phone at 705-742-7469, or online at www.showplace.org. There is an additional $3 ticketing fee when buying online.
Victoria Hunt at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, February 19th
In “Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka”, Australian dance artist Victoria Hunt interweaves her experience of reconnecting with her Maori heritage with the story of Hinemihi, an ancestral Maori meeting house that was relocated from its New Zealand home to England in the 19th century. (Supplied photo)
A completely different dance performance takes place two weeks later, when Victoria Hunt presents her solo show Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, February 19th.
A dance artist based in Sydney, Australia, Hunt’s heritage is Maori, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. In 2003, Hunt went to Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand) and met her relations for the first time. She was taken to Tarawera mountain and lake and introduced to tribal stories and ceremonial practices.
There, she heard the story of the 1886 volcanic eruption that displaced her ancestors from their land. Over 150 people died in the eruption of Mount Tarawera, but others were protected from the ash and mud by sheltering themselves in a meeting house built in 1880 from native totara wood by two local carvers. The meeting house was named Hinemihi after a noted female ancestor, renowned in Maori legend for keeping the company of a giant lizard.
Maori meeting house Hinemihi after the eruption of Mount Tarawera in New Zealand in 1886. The building, which sheltered Victoria Hunt’s ancestors during the eruption, was dismantled and transported to England five years later. (Photo: A A Ryan / Hinemihi Collection)
After the eruption, the survivors relocated to a nearby community and Hinemihi was left behind, almost buried in debris. In 1892, William Hillier Onslow — the Fourth Earl of Onslow and retiring Governor of New Zealand — purchased Hinemihi for 50 pounds as a memento of his time in New Zealand. He had Hinemihi dismantled and shipped to his home in Surrey, England, where she remains to this day under the care of the National Trust UK.
Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka interweaves the journey of Hinemihi with Hunt’s own experience of finding family, of reconnecting with culture, and of learning from land, ancestors, and peers.
Using sophisticated special effects and evocative sound, with beautifully suggestive dancing and her native Maori language, Hunt and her collaborators have created a world of rupture and foreboding and of resilience and joy.
“Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka” uses sophisticated special effects and evocative sound, along with beautifully suggestive dancing and the Maori language. (Photo: Heidrun Lohr)
Hunt’s production of Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka will be performed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) and will be followed by an on-stage question-and-answer session with the artists.
Tickets are $25 ($15 for students and the underwaged and $10 for high school students) and are available in person at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Copper Promises: Hinemihi Haka” – Victoria Hunt
The annual Blue Valentine tribute to singer-songwriter Willie P. Bennett, who died of a heart attack in his Peterborough home on February 15, 2009, takes place at The Garnet in downtown Peterborough on Sunday, February 10, 2019. (Photo: Willie P. Legacy project)
As we crawl slowly towards the end of winter, we can rejoice in knowing that soon the cold weather will shift towards spring. Although the weather will remain mostly frigid for the month, there is a lot of excellent live music in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here are just a few of the shows happening this month.
TakeFive Ensemble at The Loft in Cobourg on February 3
Classical fans will love to take in the TakeFive Ensemble at The Loft (201 Division St., Cobourg, 905-372-2210) on Sunday, February 3rd.
Chamber classics by Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, Handel-Halvorsen, and Dvorák will be performed by violinist Lynn Kuo (assistant concertmaster of the NBC Orchestra), violinist Csaba Koczó (assistant principal second violin of the COC Orchestra), violist Theresa Rudolph, assistant principal viola of the TSO), cellist Emmanuelle Beaulieu Bergeron (associate principal cellist of the TSO), and Shoshana Telner (the renowned pianist who made her solo orchestral début with the National Arts Centre Orchestra at the age of 16).
Tickets are $25 plus fees and HST and the show begins at 3 p.m. Advance tickets are available at the Victoria Hall Box Office at 905-372-2210 on online at concerthallatvictoriahall.com.
VIDEO: Shoshana Telner plays Liszt
The Watched Pots at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 7
The Watched Pots bring their tunes to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Thursday, February 7th.
This relatively new local project is described as “a three-piece female band from Nogojiwanong who have reclaimed the sounds and experiences of the kitchen to combine feminist topics with humour. The band strives to make music more accessible for those who typically consider themselves to be non-musicians.”
The group is debuting some new songs off of their upcoming album. Tickets are available at the door with a sliding scale of $5 to $10. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Erin Clancy, Demi Mathias, and Melissa Hennig are The Watched Pots. (Photo: The Watched Pots)
Pine Box String Band at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 8
Let me paint a picture for you: it’s Friday, you just finished the work week, you’ve got tickets for the Lee Harvey Osmond show, but you want something to do before dinner as a buffer from the week. Well, head to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) for a happy hour show from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring Peterborough’s own Pine Box String Band.
You’ll hear old-timey blues tunes played with soul and a whole lot of good vibes. Bring some cash, as the show is a pass-the-hat gig, and get ready for some Friday fun.
VIDEO: “Bring Another Half Pint” – Pine Box String Band
Tom Wilson as Lee Harvey Osmond at the Market Hall in Peterborough on February 8
kawarthaNOW and Peterborough favourite Tom Wilson returns for an album release show of his new Lee Harvey Osmond record Mohawk on Friday, February 8th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Wilson may be best known for his role in Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and also as the frontman in ’90s Hamilton rock band Junkhouse, but Lee Harvey Osmond may be among his finest work. The tunes are moody and truthful and full of musical layers that bring the listener into Wilson’s world one note at a time. Each show is seething with a depth rarely found in live performance.
The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $33 for general admission and $38 for cabaret table seats (for an extra $15, you can get an autographed copy of Mohawk on vinyl), available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Forty Light Years” – Lee Harvey Osmond
Blue Valentine tribute to Willie P. Bennett at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 10
Folk music legend and former Peterborough resident, the late great Willie P. Bennett, will be honoured on Sunday, February 10th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).
Blue Valentine is an annual show featuring some friends of Willie P. and other Peterborough musicians who love his music, paying tribute both with his songs and songs about the brilliant songwriter who passed away 11 years ago, on February 15, 2008.
Musical acts will include Pat Temple, Benj Rowland, Charlie Earle, David Berger, Sweet Muriel, Kim Doolittle, Dennis O’Toole, event host Washboard Hank, and many more.
This is always a very special event and admission first come, first served. Thee show runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and a musical appreciation bucket will be passed around.
VIDEO: “Blackie And The Rodeo King” – Willie P. Bennett (1977)
VIDEO: “Patience of a Working Man” – Willie P. Bennett (1993)
VIDEO: “Willie’s Diamond Joe” – Willie P. Bennett (2001)
Matt Mays at the Market Hall in Peterborough on February 15
Nova Scotia rock and roller Matt Mays brings old favourites and songs from his new record Twice Upon a Hell of a Time to Peterborough for a stripped-down show on Friday, February 15th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Mays is a Juno award-winning artist whose discography is acclaimed and numerous. For this show he will be touring with bandmates Adam Baldwin and Ryan Stanley. And the rumours are true: our vrey own Melissa Payne will be joining Mays onstage as part of his band for this concert.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 for general admission seats and $40 for a reserved spot at a cabaret table, available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Station Our of Range” – Matt Mays
Whitehorse at the Market Hall in Peterborough on February 21
It’s hard not to love husband-and wife-band Whitehorse. Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet have carved out a fabulous career together with numerous albums under their belt and a sound that is all their own.
On Thursday, February 21st, they return to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) to perform tunes from their latest record The Northern South Vol. 2, along with songs from their previous albums.
You can describe them many ways. Ethereal folk. Space cowboy twang. Intergalactic blues. There may not be enough adjectives to pull together a cohesive description of their chameleon-like musical vibes and brilliant on-stage chemistry. Oh, and the Juno Award winners were just nominated this month for another Juno: Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for their 2018 Christmas album A Whitehorse Winter Classic.
The show, which begins at 8 p.m., is almost sold out, with just a few general admission tickets remaining for $38. Get yours now at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Baby, Scratch My Back” – Whitehorse
Lunar Bloom, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind, and Mary-Kate Edwards at The Garnet in Peterborough on February 22
There will be a triple bill of excellent acts at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Friday, February 22nd as Toronto group Lunar Bloom and their lovely harmonies take the stage along with Newfoundland’s Jessica Pearson and the East Wind, with local Mary-Kate Edwards opening the show.
A mix of folky vibes with deep lyrics and a whole lot of fun will be on tap for the evening. Tickets are $10 or pay what you can at the door. The show begins at 9 p.m. sharp.
VIDEO: “Monster” – Lunar Bloom
VIDEO: “Cleaning Up My Mess” – Jessica Pearson and the East Wind
Russell deCarle at the Market Hall in Peterborough on February 23
Russell deCarle, best known as the lead singer and founding member of country-roots group Prairie Oyster, performs at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Saturday, February 23rd at 8 p.m.
deCarle is a talented singer-songwriter who’s latest album Alone in This Crowd has a certain vintage feel to it. It sits somewhere between country and soul, chock full of rich and compelling tunes all sung with his wonderful voice.
Joining deCarle for the evening will be guitarist Steve Briggs (Bebop Cowboys, Sylvia Tyson, Murray McLauchlan, Carroll Baker, Leon Redbone), pianist John Sheard (Vinyl Cafe, Rita MacNeil, Ian & Sylvia Tyson, Rita Coolidge, Olivia Newton-John, Celine Dion), and bassist John Dymond (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn, Lindi Ortega, k.d. lang, Colin Linden).
Tickets are $30 for general admission and $35 for cabaret-style seats. You can order tickets at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Shooting Star” – Russell deCarle with Steve Briggs and Denis Keldie
Juno award-nominated blues trio Jackson Delta (Rick Fines, Al Black, and Gary Peeples) are reuniting once again for "Jackson Delta: Bringing It All Back Home", a concert on Saturday, April 20th at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of SLAB Production)
Sitting down over hot chocolate at Haaselton’s in downtown Peterborough, local musician Al Black had ample reason to smile the smile of a contented man.
Trudging through the snow to keep this early afternoon appointment was anything but a chore for the self-professed aficionado of the winter season; a love of all things cold and fluffy that features snowshoeing and long walks in the wintry wilderness at its centre.
Jackson Delta: Bringing It All Back Home
When: Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough) How much: $35 general admission, $45 assigned cabaret table seat
Tickets available in person at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
And then there was the principal subject of the conversation to come: music and, specifically, the April 20th concert at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre featuring Jackson Delta, of which he is an original member alongside Rick Fines and Gary Peeples.
As if that wasn’t enough to brighten the sparkle in Black’s eye, in from George Street walks bandmate Fines. Black asked him to join us and Fines did just that.
“I don’t want him telling you all the lies,” joked Fines of his motivation. “I want to tell some too.”
Fibs and tall tales aside, there’s one undeniable truth at play here: Jackson Delta’s acoustic blues sound remains as musically relevant today as it was when the trio headlined music festivals across North America and the U.K. while earning two Juno Award nominations during the mid to late 1980s and into the following decade.
VIDEO: “Sink or Swim” – Jackson Delta
Billed as “Jackson Delta – Bringing It All Back Home”, the April 20th return to Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) marks the band’s first performance since SLAB Productions brought them together for an intimate performance last November.
The Market Hall is a favourite venue of the trio, having first reunited there in October 2014 for a show called “Jackson Delta – Revisited”, and then again in April 2017 for a show called “Jackson Delta: Slight Return”.
Tickets to the 8 p.m. concert on Saturday, April 20th cost $35 ($45 for cabaret-style seating) and can be ordered in person at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
“The three of us make one hell of a one-man band,” assesses Fines, a nod to the fact that all three — Fines and Peeples on guitar and Black on drums and harmonica — alternate on lead vocals. What’s old isn’t new again, notes Black. It simply works and that’s good enough for each.
“We all like to sing but it’s also fun to play behind someone else, doing a song you might not have chosen for yourself.”
Saying “We weren’t crossing paths” back in the day, Black still marvels that the trio came together at all. Fines agrees fate was at play.
“I just happened to see Gary going into a house with these really cool guitars and amps,” Fines recalls. “He had a handlebar moustache and I thought ‘This guy is into Duane Allman’. I was into Duane Allman too and I was only 17. So I just walked over and talked to him. When Alan and I met up, it was because we were both hired by Mike Langford to be in his band.”
Rick Fines, Al Black, and Gary Peeples recording their first Jackson Delta record, “Delta Sunrise”, at Sun Studio in Memphis in 1988. (Photo courtesy of Jackson Delta)
Almost immediately, Fines, Black, and Peeples discovered they had a common interest in, and love for, the blues. That led to their getting together at each other’s houses to refine their craft — “a hobby” of sorts, according to Fines.
“When we started playing, there was that unplugged thing happening,” says Black. “There was already a shift there and we were fortunate to be a part of that. It surprised us more than anybody. When you think of 1980s music now, you certainly don’t think of Jackson Delta.”
Blending acoustic roots music with traditional blues, Jackson Delta quickly made a name for itself. Coffee house gigs morphed into large venue shows. Recording wise, the band’s debut recording Delta Sunrise was done in 1988 at landmark Sun Records in Memphis — a collector’s item as only 250 copies were pressed.
That record was followed by 1989’s Acoustic Blues (nominated for a 1990 Juno for best roots/traditional album), Lookin’ Back, and I Was Just Thinking That (a live recording with pianist Gene Taylor at the Ultrasound Showbar in Toronto in 1991, which brought the band its second Juno nomination).
VIDEO: “Back Up From Zero” – Jackson Delta
But come the new millennium, with each member looking to pursue other projects, Jackson Delta faded into the sunset … but not from people’s memories.
“When people come and see us now — some haven’t seen us for 20 years — they’ve made up their mind that they want things to be right back to where they were 20 years ago … it’s nostalgia,” says Fines, with Black adding “Where there’s music, there are memories.”
What’s clear from the get-go for anyone who has caught a Jackson Delta performance, whether that was 30 years ago or as recently as last fall, is the friendship between Fines, Black, and Peeples that anchors their common love of playing music.
Jackson Delta last performed at an intimate concert hosted by SLAB Productions in November 2018. (Photo courtesy of SLAB Production)
“There’s a thing that happens with music that’s beyond just words and beyond the standard level of intimacy that happens between men in our society,” Fines says.
“When you play music together, there’s something else that happens there between you that sort of raises that bar. You drop some of your boundaries and your pretenses and you share something that’s emotional and personal.
“We love each other and we love our music and we love playing each other’s music. We love playing music together. We love playing music for our friends.”
VIDEO: Jackson Delta promo video for “Jackson Delta: Slight Return” in 2017
For Black, that Jackson Delta is able to come together so seamlessly after long periods of absence is indicative of “just how easy it is” — a reality strengthened by the respect each member has for the others.
“We talk a lot … there’s lots of catching up to do,” says Black of the rehearsal sessions that precede each live show reunion.
“They (Fines and Peeples) talk way too much about guitars for me but that’s okay. We get caught up in terms of whom we’ve been listening to, pass around CDs, and bring out new things we’ve learned.”
For the Market Hall show, Black says the plan is to “freshen things up a bit. we’ll go over our repertoire and look for something we haven’t done for awhile. We don’t want it to be a blueprint of the last show.”
AUDIO: “T.V. Mama / Bad News Blues” – Jackson Delta (live)
While performing live has been nothing new for Black and Peeples — Black remains a staple on the Peterborough live music scene fronting his Steady Band and performing with numerous other acts while Peeples, along with Black, has been a mainstay with The Rocket Revue — Fines has, by choice, limited his live performance activity. That’s all the more reason he’s excited for the Market Hall show.
“I spend too much of my time playing alone but that’s the way I write and come up with things,” says Fines, who has made several cross Canada treks leading blues workshops, most notably with the Blues In The Schools program.
While both Fines and Black have material for new album projects — Fines had just recorded demos for what he says is an upcoming acoustic album — both are leaving the door open for a new Jackson Delta album project. In addition, the three have talked about possibly playing shows outside of Peterborough.
“We’ve been asked but we have to feel really comfortable about it,” says Black.
As for the name of the April 20th show, “Bringing It All Back Home”, Black says it’s just a nostalgic reference to the band’s history.
“I had to come up with a name for this show. There’s no hidden message here. They’ve all had some reference to looking back, like a memory. We’ve been out there and done it, but we really enjoy playing for folks here at home.”
New York City roots-blues trio Daddy Long Legs is performing at The Twisted Wheel in downtown Peterborough with a late-night post-Superbowl show on Sunday, February 3rd. (Publicity photo)
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 31 to Wednesday, February 6.
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.
Friday, February 15 9pm - Olias, People You Meet Outside of Bars, Light Organ, Of Doom ($10-12 or PWYC)
Frank's Pasta and Grill
426 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-2727
Thursday, January 31
5:30-8:30pm - Morgan Rider
Friday, February 1
9pm-12am - Karaoke; 12am - DJ
Saturday, February 2
9pm - Street Latin Social Dance; 11:30pm - DJ
Wednesday, February 6
8-11pm - Open Mic
Ganarascals Restaurant
53 Walton St., Port Hope
905-885-1888
Saturday, February 2
7pm - Mayhemingways ($15)
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Friday, February 1
8pm - Ontario Street Theatre presents Fridays at The Ganny: Stand-Up Comedy ft Chris Gibbs, Cathy Boyd, Taylor Rivers, & 7 more ($20)
Saturday, February 2
2pm & 10pm - Baz Little Rock Band
Coming Soon
Friday, February 8 8pm - Ontario Street Theatre presents Fridays at The Ganny: "An Ode to Tom Petty 2" Northern Hearts, Joyce and Perry, Emily Ambrose, Stacy Doherty, Lauren Miller & more ($20)
Saturday, February 9 2pm & 10pm - Tamin Thunder
The Garnet
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-0107
Thursday, January 31
9pm - Evan LeBlanc w/ Mary-Kate Edwards ($8 or PWYC)
Friday, February 1
5-7pm - Forselli Friday w/ Wyatt Burton & Ben Rough; 8pm - Nick Ferrio, Zinnia ($10)
Saturday, February 2
9pm - Mattie Leon & Brother Mike, St Homer, Lance Isaacs ($10 or PWYC)
Sunday, February 3
9pm - Mattie Leon & Brother Mike, St Homer, Lance Isaacs ($10 or PWYC)
Coming Soon
Thursday, February 7 9pm - The Watched Pots ($5-10 or PWYC)
Sunday, February 10 3-6pm - Blue Valentine (remembering Willie P. Bennett) ft Benj Rowland, Charlie Earle, Sean Conway, David Berger, Pat Temple, Sweet Muriel, Washboard Hank, Rob Foreman, Tom Eastland, Brian Landry, Kim Doolittle, Dennis O'Toole
Golden Wheel Restaurant
6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838
Wednesday, February 6
6:30-8:30pm - Line Dancing w/ Marlene Maskell ($7)
Coming Soon
Saturday, February 9 9pm - Dinner and dance ft Close Enuff ($20 includes dinner)
Junction Nightclub
253 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 743-0550
Friday, February 1
10pm - Y2K Flashback w/ DJ Bill Porter (no cover)
McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery
13 Bridge St.. N., Hastings
(705) 696-3600
Friday, February 1
8pm - Mayhemingways
Mckecks Tap & Grill
207 Highland St., Haliburton
(705) 457-3443
Coming Soon
Thursday. February 14
6pm - Valentine Day's Dinner ft Bethany Houghton
Friday, February 22 6-9pm - Tamica Herod (no cover)
McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Thursdays
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 31
7pm - Liz Alderton
Moody's Bar & Grill
3 Tupper St., Millbrook
(705) 932-6663
Coming Soon
Thursday, February 7 9pm - Open mic
Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Sundays
5:30pm - PHLO
Pappas Billiards
407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-9010
Thursday, January 31
7-10pm - Open Mic
Saturday, February 2
1-3pm - Shipwrecked Saturdays
Pattie House Smokin' Barbecue
6675 Highway 35, Coboconk
(705) 454-8100
Saturday, February 2
8pm - B&B Blues Band (no cover)
Publican House Brewery
300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743
Friday, February 1
8-10pm - Rob Phillips
Saturday, February 2
8-10pm - Steve Stacey
Coming Soon
Friday, February 8 8-10pm - Bobby Watson
Saturday, February 9 8-10pm - House Brand
Red Dog Tavern
189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400
Friday, February 1
8pm - Brandon Humphrey Birthday Bash ft Broken Harmony, Nicholas Campbell, Jane Archer, Hillary Dumoulin and more ($10 or PWYC)
Saturday, February 2
9pm - HOLA Organization for Hispanic And Latino Awareness presents Heart Breaker dance ($5 in advance, $7 at door)
Tuesday, February 5
9pm - Open mic hosted by Davey Mac
Coming Soon
Friday, February 8 8pm - Kerry Jayne "Romance of Many Dimensions" CD Release Party ($10 at door)
Friday, February 15 9pm - Haus of Accounting & Co. presents "The Love Ball" Drag Queen Show & LGBTQ+ Dance (PWYC in advance, $5 at door)
Warren Moore as the Frog Prince and Jesse Jamieson as the Princess, with Mary Grace Murphy as the narrator in Anne Shirley Theatre Company's production of "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon", Don Zolidis' comic retelling of 209 of the Brothers Grimm's 19th-century fairytales. The show runs from January 31 to February 2, 2019 at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough, and the following weekend at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
On Thursday, January 31st, Trent University’s student-run the Anne Shirley Theatre Company (ASTC) makes their long overdue return to The Theatre on King (TTOK) stage with their production of Don Zolidis’ The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.
Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
When: Thursday, January 31 to Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 7 p.m. Where: The Theatre on King (171 King St., Peterborough) When: Friday, February 8 to Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 7 p.m. Where: Peterborough Theatre Guild (364 Rogers St, Peterborough) How much: $15
Written by Don Zolidis. Directed by Kate Mills. Starring Mary Grace Murphy, Jordan Shabsove, Shae-Lynn Reesor, Victoria Arbour, Warren Moore, Emma Lee, Jesse Jamieson, and Hannah Lash. Tickets available at door and in advance during business hours outside of Wenjack Theatre and in the TCSA Office until February 8th.
Directed by first-time director Kate Mills, the show features elements from all 209 of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s legendary 19th-century fairy tales, with all of their whimsy and horror, in a fast-paced comedy full of fresh new performers and a truckload of zeal.
There is little production history available online on The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, other than that it was written by American playwright Don Zolidis, a former middle and high school teacher who has published almost 100 plays produced more than 10,000 times in 61 countries.
However, I want to just say how pleasantly surprised I was to watch this very clever and laugh-out-loud show produced by a very talented and vibrant cast of young performers who, for the most part, I have never seen on stage before.
Simply put, The Grimm Brothers Spectaculathon is the best show I’ve seen done by the ASTC in a number of years now, and one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve ever seen to come out of Trent University.
In The Brother Grimm Spectaculathon, two narrators (Mary Grace Murphy and Jordan Shabsove) take the audience through all 209 stories collected by the Brothers Grimm in one show. Furthermore, the pair does so in trying to prove that all the stories are interconnected in one common continuity.
Sure, they take a few liberties here and there, and touch only briefly on some of the more obscure stories, but all your favourite characters are here: Hansel and Gretel, The Frog Prince, Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Snow White (or is it Sleeping Beauty … and does it matter?), Cinderella, and Lean Lisa. What? You’ve never heard of Lean Lisa? Oh, you soon will.
In “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”, narrators Jordan Shabsove and Mary Grace Murphy take the audience through all 209 stories collected by the Brothers Grimm. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
As a collective, eight performers (including the above mentioned narrators along with Shae-Lynn Reesor, Victoria Arbour, Warren Moore, Emma Lee, Jesse Jamieson and Hannah Lash) brilliantly bring more than 50 unique characters to life. There is a lot going on in this show, and it’d be impossible to give you a play-by-play of everything you are going to see (and honestly, you don’t want me to give away the surprises), but just some of the highlights you can expect include deals with the devil, a satanic road trip, crab people, a woman fighting a dwarf, cannibalism, awkward dating practices, and a series of bad parenting decisions.
The show takes the stories that you grew up with, strips away the sugar-flavoured Disney versions you remember, and turns them on their head with some modern real-life sensibility and occasional moments of social commentary. It’s a lot to take in, but that just means non-stop fun from beginning to end.
I cannot contain my enthusiasm for this wonderful ensemble cast of primarily newcomers to the Peterborough theatrical community. I always love seeing faces I don’t recognize take centre stage, and this show contains a feast of fresh performances. By playing a multitude of different characters, the performers show a great amount of versatility and every one of them get a chance to shine with their own place in the spotlight throughout the show, making every player a star during their own moment.
Warren Moore as Prince Charming and Hannah Lash as Rapunzel. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
At the head of the show are narrators Mary Grace Murphy and Jordan Shabsove, who guide the audience through the zany madcap world of the Brothers Grimm. Jordan is wacky and enthusiastic, while Mary Grace maintains a certain amount of grace and poise. However, the pair is allowed to change characters, with Jordan playing the Big Bad Wolf, and Mary Grace portraying a vain and ditzy sorceress.
Other outstanding performances include Victoria Arbour as Rapunzel’s bad-decision-making mother, Warren Moore as the Frog Prince, Emma Lee as an incel king, Shae-Lynn Reesor as Little Red Riding Hood’s profanity-spewing grandmother, and Jesse Jamieson in a series of charming performances including the magic fish, Satan’s grandmother, and Little Red Riding Hood.
But possibly the performance of the night goes to Hannah Lash, who not only plays an angry cannibal dwarf and a cynical teenage Rapunzel but also performs the entire cast of Cinderella (including the animals) in one madcap solo performance.
Hannah Lash as Rapunzel with Emma Lee and Victoria Arbour as her parents. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Together this fantastic cast is completely irresistible. I’d think that one of them gave my favourite performance of the show, only until the next performer took their moment in the spotlight.
Again, there is a lot going on in this very fast-paced show, so it is impossible to give out a shout-out for every performance, except to say that you will be delighted by what you see this vibrant cast can do. Whoever cast these performers together did an amazing job.
Hannah Lash plays both of Cinderella’s stepsisters with Emma Lee as Cinderella. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
I also can’t express how truly funny this show is. The acting is deliciously over the top, but it works for this type of play. The jokes are both obvious and subtle, and the comedic timing by the cast hits each target. Honestly, anybody can read a funny line, but it takes skill and timing to have that line make an impact, and the performers in this show hit the mark again and again and again.
Part of the success of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is due to its whimsical sense of charm and fun. In the cold bleak months of winter, sometimes it’s just good to watch something that can be silly yet smart at the same time. Not every show needs to be filled with metaphysical monologues or joyless and pretentious melodrama. Sometimes the best show you can bring to the stage is something that’ll make the audience laugh.
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is a bright turning point for the ASTC. I’d like to thank the people who had a part in selecting this show for the 2018-2019 lineup.
It’s been a long while since ASTC has been at TTOK, but their return is truly a triumph. It’s going to be a cold few days in Peterborough this weekend, and nobody wants to be outside. Instead, head to TTOK and warm up your soul with this wonderful show. You will be disappointed if you miss it. It won’t be the cold that will make your face hurt — it’ll be from all the laughing you’re going to do.
Jesse Jamieson, Hannah Lash, and Warren Moore act out a scene from ‘Snow White’ as narrator Jordan Shabsove watches from the back. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Congratulations to Kate Mills and her fantastic company. They have something to be very proud of with The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. I can’t wait to see what they put on next.
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon runs from Thursday, January 31st to Saturday, February 2nd at TTOK, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. The show continues for three additional performances the following weekend on the Peterborough Theatre Guild stage.
Tickets are $15 at the door, and will also be sold in advance during business hours outside of Wenjack Theatre and in the TCSA Office at Trent University until February 8th.
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