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, March 29 to Wednesday, April 4.

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

It may not feel like it yet, but spring is here folks! There are no more excuses of snowy nights or your car not starting not to head out and support live music at local venues.

Here are just a few of the shows happening in Peterborough in April, with Market Hall hosting a great week of concerts later in the month.

Samson Wrote at The Garnet in Peterborough on April 4

Head to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Wednesday, April 4th when Guelph ‘unorthodox multi-instrumentalist’ and ‘experimental’ folk-rock musician Samson Wrote (Sam Boer) brings The Paper Map Tour to town.

Checking out some of his music, I really dig the recorder/acoustic guitar combo. Could the recorder be THE instrument of 2018?

Opening the show will be last year’s Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist Mary-Kate Edwards. Tickets are $10 or pay what you can at the door and the show begins at 9 p.m.

VIDEO: “Her and I” (Live by the River) – Samson Wrote

Brock Zeman & Blair Hogan at The Red Dog in Peterborough on April 5

Hit the weekend one day early on Thursday, April 5th as Ottawa valley songwriter Brock Zeman and his trusty sideman Blair Hogan return to The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710) for a show with locals Diamond Dave and the Smoke Eaters.

Zeman and Hogan have toured across Canada and the US to wide acclaim and for good reason. In-depth songwriting and some really tasty guitar work make for a great night out. Add Diamond Dave Russell and his band’s country-rock stylings and you have the makings of an early weekend.

Tickets will be available at the door, with the music starting around 10 p.m.

VIDEO: “Walking In THe Dark” – Brock Zeman

Hearing Trees at The Garnet in Peterborough on April 6

Check out a nice eclectic show on Friday, April 6th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).

Winnipeg indie rockers Hearing Trees, who to me sound like a merging of The Tragically Hip and early U2, will grace the stage as part of their eastern Canada tour.

The group just dropped their latest new studio record, Quiet Dreams, on March 2nd. The Spill Magazine says “Coupled with sometimes cryptic, always captivating poetry, Hearing Trees offers a true masterclass in sweet-sounding catharsis.”

Also appearing will be the rootsy fun group Paper Shakers and local young gun Rhys Climenhage. Tickets at the door, and the show begins at 9 p.m.

VIDEO: “Telling Peter” – Hearing Trees

Hillary Dumoulin at The Red Dog in Peterborough on April 7

Peterborough singer-songwriter Hillary Dumoulin will release her full-length album Fools Gold on Saturday, April 7th at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).

Hillary is an up-and-comer with an excellent voice and some great tunes. Tickets are $10 at the door or in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20577/.

Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m.

VIDEO: “7 Months” – Hillary Dumoulin

Lindsay Barr performs Janis Joplin at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 13

Often I steer away from tribute shows in this column, but Friday, April 13th features an evening celebrating one of the great artists from the 1960s performed by a local favourite.

“A Musical Journey with Janis Joplin” will be presented at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) with Peteborough-based singer Lindsay Barr performing a bunch of Joplin’s most famous tunes.

The evening will also include multimedia clips of Joplin’s bandmates, festival and TV appearances, and more. This sounds like an interesting night full of the slendour and passion for music that Janis Joplin represented.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $25 for regular seats and $30 for cabaret table seats (all tickets include fees). Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

VIDEO: Lindsay Barr Reel

James Keelaghan and Tony McManus at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 15

Folk Under the Clock presents an excellent double bill on Sunday, April 15th at 4 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

James Keelaghan is a fine Canadian songwriter with a distinctive voice, whose rich career includes nine studio records and a track record of masterful storytelling. Tony McManus is a Scottish guitarist who is often considered one of the world’s leading guitarists in Celtic music; however, he also delves into other territory with his repertoire.

This shall be an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $40.50 for regular and $28 for students (including all fees). Get your tickets at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

VIDEO: “Hillcrest Mine” – James Keelaghan

VIDEO: “Kalyana / Le Tourment” – Tony McCanus

Stephen Fearing at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 17

One of kawarthaNOW’s favourites, Stephen Fearing returns to Peterborough on Tuesday, April 17th to perform a rare solo show at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

Fearing is an accomplished solo singer-songwriter and guitarist, and also a member of Canadian roots supergroup Blackie and the Rodeo Kings as well as Fearing and White. His songs bring stories and anecdotes to life with rich lyrical content and a lot of deft guitar work. He is touring in support of his latest record Every Soul’s A Sailor.

You can read about his new album, his creative process, and more in my February interview with Stephen.

Tickets are $33 (includes all fees) for general admission and cabaret style table seating, available the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

VIDEO: “Blowhard Nation” – Stephen Fearing

Whitehorse at the Market Hall in Peterborough on April 19

When Whitehorse comes to town, you have to make sure to tell everyone about it: they will be at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Thursday, April 19th.

The well-known Canadian duo (and couple) Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland have been working together for a few years now and, with each album. they expand their sound with new elements and pieces of other genres. It’s not as simple as rock, and it’s not merely psychedelic surf or spy music. Ultimately, it’s just good music and always a great show.

The show starts up at 8 p.m. and tickets are $38, available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

Tickets are $43 at the door but there may not be any available as the show is almost sold out.

VIDEO: “Nighthawks” – Whitehorse

Skye Wallace at Gilmour Street Music Hall in Peterborough on April 20 and 21

House concert venue Gilmour Street Music Hall in Peterborough is closing out its 2017/18 season with two performances by folk-rock artist Skye Wallace and her four-piece band at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20th and Saturday, April 21st.

Skye Wallace is what happens when a classically trained singer with east coast roots discovers punk rock in her youth. Skye’s sound is exciting, dynamic, gritty, and beautiful. This truly powerful performer is known for her fun live shows backed by a band of top-notch players.

Seats are a $25 donation, with all proceeds all going to the musicians. Seating is very limited, and tickets are only available in advance by emailing gilmourstreetrob@gmail.com.

“Blood Moon” – Skye Wallace

International Jazz Day Peterborough with Brandi Disterhef at the Market Hall on April 29

Celebrate International Jazz Day the right way on Sunday, April 29th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) with Juno Award winning bassist, singer, and composer Brandi Disterheft with her quartet.

Disterheft, who relocated to New York City for an apprenticeship under Miles Davis’ bassist Ron Carte, is bringing three of the hottest jazz musicians in New York City (saxophonist Vincent Herring, drummer Carmen Intorre, and pianist Alex Minasian) for her one-night-only show in Peterborough.

As part of the celebrations there will also be a jazz workshop in the main auditorium before the show from 2 to 4 p.m., as session leaders Sean Hully (woodwinds); Mike Graham (guitar and bass), and Brandon Munro (percussion) help musicians explore and develop improvisational skills. There’s no charge for the public to attend and listen to the workshop.

Before the show, local jazz band The PWB Trio (Christopher Parnis, Ian Webster, and Aaron Blewett) will be playing cocktail hour in the Market Hall foyer.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for cocktail hour and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are $30 including fees, available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “If Dreams Come True” – Brandi Disterhef