Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is in Orono for the filming of the action thriller "Polar", a Netflix production based on the graphic novel by Victor Santos. Mikkelsen, who is best known for his roles as villains in Casino Royale, Doctor Strange, Rogue One, and Hannibal, portrays the world's top assassin Duncan "the Black Kaiser" Vizla. (Publicity photo)
The village of Orono east of Toronto has been transformed into the fictional town of Triple Oak, Montana for the filming of Polar, a new movie starring Mads Mikkelsen and Vanessa Hudgens.
Film crews have been in the village, located in Clarington on the southern stretch of Highway 35/115, for the past couple of days. Both Mikkelsen and Hudgens have been spotted in the area.
The film is based on the graphic novel “Polar: Came From The Cold” by Victor Santos, which tells the story of the world’s top assassin Duncan “the Black Kaiser” Vizla. Vizla is about to retire when his former employer marks him as a liability to the firm.
Against his will, Vizla soon finds himself being hunted by an army of younger, faster, ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to have him silenced. Having no choice but to return to the shadowy life he thought he’d left behind, he must use his arsenal of deadly skills to outsmart his enemies and protect an innocent woman.
In the film, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Doctor Strange, Rogue One, Hannibal) portrays Vizla and Vanessa Hudgens (Sucker Punch, Spring Breakers, High School Musical) portrays femme fatale assassin Camille.
Grammy award-winning Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund (a former heavy metal drummer best known for directing music videos) is also working on the film, based on a script by Jayson Rothwell. The Netflix/Constantin collaboration is being produced by Hartley Gorenstein and Jeremy Bolt.
“Mads Mikkelsen was born to play the world’s best assassin,” Bolt says. “He is totally believable as the Black Kaiser in Polar and Jonas’ unique, vibrant but grounded and darkly comic style will set Polar apart as an unforgettable tale.”
The 52-year-old Mikkelsen is best known for his role as Hannibal Lecter in the NBC television series Hannibal. He also played the Bond super-villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, Benedict Cumberbatch’s antagonist Kaecilius in Doctor Strange, and Galen Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Polar is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Netflix in early 2019.
VIDEO: “Polar Came from the Cold” by Victor Santos
Brown Bag Tour Company offers a Northumberland craft beer tour with lots of personality. (Photo: Anna Kowalski)
This month, Eva Fisher discovers Northumberland’s finest craft beers, tastes authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken, finds a beer inspired by Kawartha Dairy ice cream, and checks in at a new restaurant with a huge variety of wings.
Taste local craft beer with Northumberland’s Brown Bag Tour Company
Looking for an exciting taste tour? Try brown bagging it. Brown Bag Tour Company (PO Box 702, Cobourg Ontario, 1-877-519-2483) offers tours to craft breweries throughout Northumberland.
The Brown Bag Tour Company was founded by Andrew Hall and Doug Bates in September 2017. According to Operations Manager Anna Kowalski, the two founders were sitting over burgers when they came up with the idea.
“They landed on beer as something that was, forgive the pun, untapped. They saw an opportunity to highlight Northumberland’s craft beer experience.”
Guests on the tour can visit William Street Beer Co., Northumberland Hills Brewery, Church-Key Brewing and Empire Cider Co. (Photo: Anna Kowalski)
Tours visit William Street Beer Co. (975 Elgin St W, Cobourg, 888-524-2337), Northumberland Hills Brewery (1024 Divison Street, Cobourg, 289-435-2004), Church-Key Brewing (1678 County Rd 38, Campbellford, 705-653-9950), and Empire Cider Co. (222 Old Wooler Rd, Codrington, 613-438-3791)
Anna says that Northumberland is a great destination for a craft beer tour because of the type of people who make beer there.
“The due diligence. The care. The artisanal craftmanship. When you know how much somebody cares about something it really draws you in to caring about it as well.”
Because Northumberland is a rural area, brewers are able to work directly with farmers.
“It really is farm to beer here. There are a lot of places that get their hops from local farms.”
Brown Bag Tour Company Tours can be customized to suit your own interests and tastes. (Photo: Anna Kowalski)
Tours can be customized to suit your interests.
“We want to give people an immersive experience where they’re not only trying new beer but they’re experiencing Northumberland and getting to know the people behind the beer.”
To book a tour, visit brownbagtour.ca. For a custom tour call 1-877-519-2483.
Caribbean Sizzle heats up George Street in downtown Peterborough
Minitha Brown Thomas of Caribbean Sizzle serves authentic Jamaican food from her George Street location. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW.com)
Caribbean Sizzle (427 George Street N., Peterborough, 705-743-9320) is bringing a menu of authentic Jamaican cuisine to downtown Peterborough. Owner and chef Minitha Brown Thomas opened the restaurant this January.
The menu includes the national dish of Jamaica, Ackee and codfish. Ackee and codfish is a sautee of boiled ackee with cod. The ackee becomes almost like scrambled eggs. Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and is related to a lychee. At Caribbean Sizzle it’s served with plantain or provisions, which includes banana and dumpling.
Minitha learned to cook ackee and codfish as a child growing up in Jamaica (“My mom taught me in the kitchen”). Now it’s one of the signature dishes in her restaurant.
Ackee and Codfish, the national dish of Jamaica, served Peterborough style. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW.com)
Caribbean Sizzle also offers authentic Jerk chicken.
“Jerk chicken is straight from Jamaica. If you get jerk chicken anywhere else, it’s not the real thing.”
It’s served with a spicy sauce that contains scotch bonnet peppers and allspice, but Minitha insists that there’s more to it than that.
“There’s a secret to making jerk chicken which I might not tell you right now.”
You can also choose from curried goat, Festival, steamed fish, oxtail, Jamaican fruit cake, and even jerk chicken poutine.
Caribbean Sizzle is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. You can also find them online at caribbeansizzle.ca or on Facebook.
Kawartha Dairy ice cream inspires new Salty Caramel Truffle Beer
Salty Caramel Truffle by Muskoka Lakes Brewery is a beer that’s destined to be paired with ice cream. (Photo: Muskoka Lakes Brewery)
Kawartha Dairy’s (89 Prince S.t W., Bobcaygeon, 705-738-5123) latest collaboration is a decadent treat, but you probably won’t want to serve it in a waffle cone.
Muskoka Lakes Brewery has released a new salty caramel truffle beer, inspired by the dairy’s popular ice cream flavour.
The bock-style beer is brewed with Caramel 60 malt and Chocolate Malt, which produce distinct notes of chocolate and caramel. The recommended pairing for the beer is, of course, Kawartha Dairy’s salty caramel truffle ice cream.
The can for Muskoka Lakes Brewery’s new Salty Caramel Truffle is also inspired by Kawartha Dairy. (Photo: Muskoka Lakes Brewery)
Shannon Mulligan, public relations and social media lead at Muskoka Lakes Brewery, says that choosing an ice cream to brew with wasn’t easy — but then, when you’re picking an ice cream at Kawartha Dairy, it’s often a tough decision.
“Kawartha Dairy has a great selection of premium flavours. Narrowing it down was tough. We wanted to go with an ice cream that offered a challenge to our brewers and was different in flavour profile than any other beer we’ve produced. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that Salty Caramel Truffle is a fan favourite!”
In celebration of this collaboration, Kawartha Dairy and Muskoka Lakes Brewery have plans to team up to support local improvement projects. Shannon says that they are still determining which causes to support.
“Right now we’re still in talks with Kawartha Dairy on what the projects will be, but they’ll closely align with our values of environmental stewardship and helping to better our communities.”
You can find Muskoka Brewery Salty Caramel Truffle at select grocery stores and at the LCBO.
Wing House serves over 150 varieties of wings at a fresh new location
Wing House is open in the restaurant space by Galaxy Cinemas on Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW.com)
Owner Arul “Suji” Siva has brought a Wing House franchise to Peterborough.
Wing House (320 Water St., Peterborough, 705-874-7555) serves over 150 flavours of wings, including traditional wings, creamy wings, and wings inspired by a variety of international destinations, from Croatia to Guyana to Scandinavia to Tokyo.
Suji says that the Garlic Parmesan, Honey Barbecue, Texas Homicide and Knockout Garlic are some of the top sellers. His pick, the Texas Homicide, is tossed in their spicy “third degree” hot sauce, then drizzled with ranch dressing and sprinkled with taco seasoning.
When I asked him what sets his wings apart from other wing restaurants, Suji had two answers, and both were pretty fresh.
“We do fresh wings, we prep every single day and we don’t do frozen… and I guess we’re better looking.”
Started in Mount Albert, Wing House now has five locations throughout central and eastern Ontario (Mount Albert, Midland, Cobourg, Penetanguishene, and Peterborough) with restaurants opening soon in Cannington and Port Hope.
Veteran stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, humour coach, and author Judy Croon is one of three keynote speakers at the Peterborough's second annual International Women's Day Conference on March 8, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Judy Croon)
When it comes to relieving stress, laughter really is good medicine. It’s no joke.
Scientifically, when we laugh our bodies release endorphins and dopamine, our brain’s feel-good chemicals. The result? We can better cope with stress, boost our immune systems. and lighten our moods.
If more chuckles, giggles and hearty belly laughs is exactly what the doctor ordered, Judy Croon wants you to have a double dose of it. The Toronto-based comedian, motivational speaker and humour coach says being able to laugh at yourself is instrumental to surviving difficult times.
“Laughter is a powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing tension when emotions are running high,” Croon says.
Thirteen Moons Wellness hosts International Women’s Day Conference
When: Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Where: Ashburnham Reception Centre (840 Armour Rd., Peterborough) How much: $145
Featuring keynote speakers Samra Zafar, Linda Silver Dranoff, and Judy Croon and six 75-minute workshops. Ticket price includes three keynote speakers, your choice of one morning workshop and one afternoon workshop, and lunch and refreshments. For more information and to register, visit www.iwdptbo.ca.
Making humour a stress-reducing tool is one of the goals of Croon’s keynote to be delivered at the Peterborough’s second annual International Women’s Day Conference, hosted by Thirteen Moons Wellness, on Thursday, March 8th.
Everyone can find humour in every tough situation we encounter, says the comedian who has opened for celebrities like Jon Stewart, Joan Rivers, Lewis Black, and Robert Klein.
She would know. Croon’s aspirations of becoming a veterinarian became less of a reality after a biology experiment went terribly wrong during her second-year studies at university.
Her academic dreams were punctuated by struggle and loss when the eight generations of fruit flies that she had been studying managed to escape out the lab window.
The great fruit fly getaway resulted in a failed semester — the catalyst behind her decision to drop of out school.
“I thought, this is a sign that I really shouldn’t work with animals,” Croon says, laughing.
Her misfortunes didn’t come without a backup plan. Looking for a clear-cut answer for what to do next, she packed her bags, jumped in her car, and drove from Calgary to Los Angeles to try her hand at standup comedy.
“I held my feet to the fire when I had my fruit fly nervous breakdown and ended up making this huge career change to do standup full-time,” she says. “I don’t know what got into me, honestly! I just wanted to try something fun.”
Croons credits brash comedian Joan Rivers who, she says, provided a model for her decision to become an aspiring comic.
“I remember seeing Joan Rivers hosting The Tonight Show on TV and I thought, wow that is so cool; what a neat profession.”
Judy Croon interviews the late legendary comedian Joan Rivers for River’s show “Can we Talk?” at Roy Thomson Hall in 2011. Rivers was an inspiration for Croon to pursue a career as a stand-up comic. (Photo courtesy of Judy Croon)
Croon quickly learned that there was no easy way to automatically break into standup comedy. Regardless of her focus and perseverance, the comedy club scene was a harsh reality.
“It was a really good wake-up call going from zero experience in comedy to doing standup all of a sudden. I took spots at The Comedy Store (a comedy club located in West Hollywood) and I did improv. In LA, you’re just another number onstage. You could be asked to hit the stage right after Jerry Seinfeld or Chris Rock. I’ve had great sets and super scary sets where it was like crickets.”
After three months of performing segues and punchlines on the Sunset Strip, Croon packed her bags again and drove her car north across the border, eventually settling in Toronto where she did standup comedy shows with Yuk Yuk’s for seven years.
That was followed by radio show gigs for many years in Ottawa and Montreal.
Croon admits her background as one of three daughters who lived and worked their way across the country with her “hilarious” Guyanese mother and “quirky” Dutch father for his insurance job, made her ripe to develop a great sense of humour and adaptability. For her, those years were idyllic.
“My mom was really funny and the life of the party. I definitely grew up in a household where jokes and humour were appreciated, so that was fostered in me since I was a kid.
“My parents are very much the pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps kind of people. My dad grew up during World War II where his family basically had pots over their heads underneath the basement stairs, and my mom grew up during a depression in Guyana. They had a no-nonsense attitude, but a lot of laughter. Sometimes laughter gets you through some dark times.”
Croon adds that even though it’s a well-known fact that stress increases our chances of developing chronic illnesses, it’s also shrinking our noggins too. The good news?
“When we laugh, we relax. When we relax, we learn,” she says.
The flavour of her keynote on March 8 will be “fun and energetic, with a ton of laughter” she says. Also expect a lot of takeaways as she explores a variety of stress-relieving ingredients.
“I’m hoping people will have this big aha moment. Maybe it’ll add a few extra minutes, hours, days, or even years to your life. If it does, I’ve done my job.”
Tickets are still available for the International Women’s Day Conference Peterborough. For more information about the conference and to register, visit www.iwdptbo.ca.
Last year's winners of the Bears' Lair entrepreneurial competition, Tim and Dan Waggoner of Loch Effects and Alex Bushshell and Steve Wright of Lab Improvements, have some advice for entrepreneurs entering the 2018 competition, along with four other past winners and finalists of the competition. The deadline to apply for this year's Bears' Lair is February 15, 2018. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks Photography)
With the deadline fast approaching for this year’s Bears’ Lair entrepreneurial competition, six past winners and finalists are sharing their experiences with others who want to apply for the competition.
Applications for the 2018 competition are due by midnight on Thursday, February 15th. Six finalists will selected to pitch their business to an established panel of judges and the local community for a chance to win cash and business support prizes.
There are two categories in which you can enter: the innovation stream and the goods and services stream. Anyone with a registered business is encouraged to apply by posting a photo to the Bears’ Lair Facebook page and submit a business plan and completed cash flow template through the Bears’ Lair website at www.bearslairptbo.ca.
Lab Improvements (Alex Bushell & Steve Wright), 2017 Innovation Winner
Lab Improvements is the manufacturer of CapTrack, a portable, benchtop-sized device that manages refrigerated inventory and recaps specimen tubes for medical laboratories. The company’s patent pending technology uses a combination of robotics, process control, and software to save time and money, increase the quality of laboratory results, and reduce risk.
How did Bears’ Lair help you on your business journey?
Bears’ Lair gave our company a huge boost with the local publicity generated from the win allowing us to gain a bigger reputation. This resulted with us bringing on more engineering work which in turn changed the overall direction of our company.
What advice would you give to young, up and coming entrepreneurs?
That there isn’t a person in the world who knows everything and trying to start and run a company by yourself is nearly impossible. You need to find your key partners whether they take an active role in the business or just act as mentors/advisors.
What is your favourite business quote?
“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t”. There are a lot of scarifies made when you decide to start your own company, but if things go well then it will all be worth it.
What was your favourite part of the Bears’ Lair competition?
The $5000 prize money of course! Steve and I really enjoyed filming the promotional video and have used it as our main company video ever since.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Since Bears Lair, we’ve spun our company as we have received so many requests to do engineering and prototyping services for other people/companies. We soon discovered that this is one of our biggest strengths and something we excel at. We soon discovered that people are willing to pay good money for this service!
Loch Effects produces high quality and sustainable eye wear and fashionable accessories made from 500-year-old timber reclaimed from the depths of Canadian waters.
How did Bears’ Lair help you on your business journey?
Bears’ Lair opened up many more doors locally than we expected. From retail opportunities to business support groups there has been a lot of value created for Loch throughout the Peterborough area.
What advice would you give to young, up and coming entrepreneurs?
Having a passionate vision is key. Don’t force it. If you don’t have an inspired vision of what you are trying to achieve, take a few step backs and regroup. I have found our biggest successes have come when we have had a vision and aspired to it. Likewise, in doing post-mortems of failed activities, one common factor has been a lack of vision.
What was your favourite part of the Bears’ Lair competition?
The pitch was a blast. Being able to showcase our product and knowledge of our business to savvy business people was an exciting and rewarding experience.
Did any business support organizations help you before/during/or after the competition, and how?
Start at the Innovation Cluster and work your way out from there. There is so much support available it scares me to think we almost didn’t access it. From the NRC/IRAP to the Community Futures and EODP we have accessed all sorts of resources — the Innovation Cluster set us on the right path.
Do you feel there is an entrepreneurial spirit in Peterborough?
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive in well in Peterborough. Not only do we have a wealth of business resources at centres such as the Innovation Cluster, but there is a well-established social network that makes it much easier to find and access support services, mentorship and funding. Peterborough is a fantastic hub for new business and Loch has benefited greatly from operating in this area.
Entomo Farms accepting their Sustainable Development award at the 2015 Ontario Regional Startup Canada Awards. (Photo: Startup Canada)
Since 2014, Entomo Farms has raised and harvested crickets and mealworms for human food and animal feed. Insects as food and feed are not only delicious and nutritious, but sustainable too. The company produces whole roasted insects, both plain and flavoured, and offers a gluten-free and gluten-free organic option as well. Entomo Farms also produces cricket powder and mealworm powder, which can be incorporated into baking or cooking.
What advice would you give to young, up and coming entrepreneurs?
If you were blessed with the entrepreneurial spirit then you know that no matter what, you are always thinking about new ideas. Always keep dreaming, always keep thinking, always share your ideas with those you trust, and keep brainstorming. Once you have your plan set, keep your eye on the goal; this is sometimes easier said than done!
Being an entrepreneur is probably one of the most challenging characteristics a person can have. Challenges and doubts will come up, but your passion, perseverance and keeping your eye on the goal, will help you get through the hard times.
What is your favourite business quote?
Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech for Stanford in 2015. The entire speech is inspiring and incredible, and I listen to it often and recommend others to listen to it. And of course Jobs’ famous line, “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”
VIDEO: Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005
What was your favourite part of the Bears’ Lair competition?
The energy in the room at the Bears’ Lair competition was unlike anything we had ever experienced before. The excitement and passion of the competitors was tangible and contagious. It is an amazing experience to listen to others talk about something that moves and drives them to evoke change and disrupt the norm.
Who was your inspiration when starting your business?
Back in 2013, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations put out a white paper entitled: Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Feed and Food Security. We had already been farming insects for reptile food and after reading this paper, we knew what we had to do. We started researching what we needed to change in our farms to start producing human-grade insects for people to start eating. This paper outlined a need, and we knew that we could help fulfill that need. The timing was perfect.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
We know how easy it is to incorporate the healthy goodness of insects into your daily diet — we’ve been doing it for years now, and continue to experiment in the kitchen.
We can envision a time in the not-so-far future, when everyone has a little shaker of cricket powder next to the stove, to add into whatever they are cooking, a bag of powder in the fridge or pantry to add into that batch of cookies, or mix into that pasta sauce, and snack bags of whole roasted seasoned insects to pop into the kids’ lunches. Imagine heading into your local grocery store, and being able to select cereal, bread, pasta etc. that is enriched with cricket powder. Change is coming, and it’s coming soon!
Escape Maze is an entertainment facility focusing on live and interactive gaming such as escape rooms, outdoor adventure trails, and a spooky haunted experience.
How did Bears’ Lair help you on your business journey?
Bears’ Lair was great for teaching us the beginning steps to starting a business. Even though our business was already running, we missed some of the most important steps that should have been done before starting our business.
What advice would you give to young, up and coming entrepreneurs?
Have patience for your plans to work out, while you are working like crazy to make it happen.
What is your favourite business quote?
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
What was your favourite part of the Bears’ Lair competition?
We loved getting to know so many people from the community. We met great business contacts to do business to business ventures, as well as met new customers. But overall, Bears’ Lair put us on the map quickly by exposing our business to the Peterborough business world.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
We see Escape Maze expanding into other entertainment ventures, bringing new exciting experiences to our region, which will then bring more visitors to the Peterborough area. We also want to help others who want to start their own entertainment business by designing games for them.
BlushDrop is a website where brides and grooms safely collect smartphone video shot by friends and family, which is then edited by the company’s skilled video team.
How did Bears’ Lair help you on your business journey?
Bears’ Lair was the catalyst to take my scattered business idea and create a proper business plan. Everyone has an idea for a small business, but very few take the step to write it down and make it happen. Bears’ Lair and other participants pushed me in the direction to succeed.
Is there anything you would have done differently while competing in Bears’ Lair?
I wouldn’t have changed a thing. The coaching I received from the Innovation Cluster and other participants helped me create a winning pitch. I didn’t know I could do it.
What was your favourite part of the Bears’ Lair competition?
By far my favourite part of the Bears’ Lair competition is the camaraderie and mutual belief that we are all a success.
Do you feel there is an entrepreneurial spirit in Peterborough?
There’s a definite entrepreneurial spirit in Peterborough. The next step is to take my mentor’s advice, and now think bigger. Peterborough is a safe cocoon to incubate with measurable community support. The challenge is to take some hard knocks but grow beyond imagination.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
We’ll definitely be the Vistaprint of wedding videos; reliable, inexpensive, loved, and referred to by our customers. By the way, that will be in 2 years. In five years, we’ll be a $10 million dollar company and be courted by the likes of Snapchat and Facebook for acquisition.
To learn more about Blush Drop, visit blushdrop.com.
Treewell Limited – That Dam Tea (Tyler Steeves), 2017 Goods & Services Finalist
That Dam Tea is a beverage business that produces medicinal iced tea with natural ingredients.
How did Bears’ Lair help you on your business journey?
Bears’ Lair helped me to focus on building a solid business plan that later allowed me to get financing with the bank as well as a loan from Futurepreneur.
What advice would you give to young, up and coming entrepreneurs?
Done is better than perfect.
What is your favourite business quote?
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Did any business support organizations help you before/during/or after the competition, and how?
Peterborough Economic Development helped me by looking over my business plan and giving me advice on which steps to take next.
To learn more about TreeWell Limited, visit thatdamtea.com.
All photos supplied by Bears’ Lair except where noted.
Last year's inaugural FrostFest saw large crowds attending, with families and businesses creating more than 50 snow sculptures. The event returns to the park at Lock 32 in Bobcaygeon from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Impact 32)
Impact 32, a volunteer committee made up of local business owners and community organizers in Bobcaygeon, is bringing back FrostFest for the Family Day Weekend.
The second annual celebration of winter, which encourages families and businesses to create snow sculptures, takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 18th at the park at Lock 32 beside the swing bridge in Bobcaygeon.
Last year’s inaugural event saw large crowds attending, with participants creating more than 50 snow sculptures. Attendees enjoyed gallons of hot chocolate and hundreds of homemade cookies donated by local businesses and volunteers. Impact 32 volunteers also ran fun games with prizes for every child, and mascot “Bobbie Constellation” circulated among the crowds.
“It’s the perfect way for families to get outside and spend time together,” says Councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan, a founding member of Impact 32.
“Building a snow sculpture can be very easy for younger children, or as challenging as the older ones and adults want to make it. Plus it’s totally free, and a good chance to meet and chat with other families.”
Attendees at last year’s FrostFest enjoyed hot chocolate and homemade cookies donated by local businesses and volunteers, while Impact 32 volunteers ran fun games with prizes for every child, and mascot “Bobbie Constellation” circulated among the crowds. (Photo courtesy of Impact 32)
Impact 32 will again be offering $100 gift certificates for the best snow sculptures in the categories of “Family/Group” and “Businesses/Community Organization”.
The winners will be determined through on-site ballots and online votes on photographs of the sculptures volunteers will post on the Impact 32 Facebook page. The gift certificates will be redeemable at the Bobcaygeon retailer of your choice.
You can build your snow sculpture any time you like, but volunteers will be taking photos from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
If your family or business is interested in creating a snow sculpture for FrostFest, Impact 32 has provided some handy tips:
At last year’s FrostFest, the Mahoney family won for their “Unicorn” snow sculpture (pictured) and the Mitchell family won for their “Mitchellsaurus” sculpture in the Family/Group category. (Photo courtesy of Impact 32)
Get inspired
To inspire your imagination, search online or through books or magazines to get ideas for a sculpture. When you find one, bring a picture of it with you. The picture will help you stay on track, especially if it’s a group project. Remember, fun and easy is best for first-timers.
Dress warmly
Stay warm and dry with a cozy coat, snow pants, and a hat. Bring some spare mittens and gloves. Rubber gloves will help keep your hands dry, and some sculptors might even like to wear knee pads for comfort while carving. Sunscreen on your face is a good idea. As of the date of this story, the weather forecast for Sunday, February 18th is a high of -1°C with a mix of sun and cloud.
Collect your snow
For easier sculpting, shovel the snow you think you might need into a mound. Stir it up a bit to warm the snow and remove excess ice chunks.
At last year’s FrostFest, New Deal Realty won in the Business category for their “Canada’s 150th” snow sculpture. (Photo courtesy of Impact 32)
Build a strong foundation
Even temporary art must start with a firm foundation. To keep your design from collapsing, use your hands to pack each layer of snow down hard before adding more. Sometimes sculptors pack the snow into a cardboard box and then remove the box and carve away the extra snow.
Carve your masterpiece
Remove enough excess snow to make a rough outline of your basic shape. Begin by carving snow away at the top on the more fragile parts, then work your way towards the bottom. Have fun finding different tools to carve and decorate your masterpiece, like garbage can lids, milk cartons, spatulas, chisels, ice cream scoops, and more.
Water it
Spray small amounts of water on dry snow so it easily clumps together in your hands, then use it to build up parts of your sculpture. You can use wet slush as “glue” to attach additions to your sculpture.
At last year’s FrostFest, Myah Heacock won in the Kids Under 10 category for her “Marshmallow Heart” snow sculpture. (Photo courtesy of Impact 32)
Colour it
If you want to add colour to your snow sculpture, just mix food colouring with water and spray it on the sculpture. It might take several coats but be careful — too much water could make it melt faster.
Glaze it
On really cold days, once your sculpture is done you can lightly spray water all over your masterpiece to glaze it.
In "Great Great Great", Sarah Kolasky (who also co-wrote the film) stars as Lauren and Daniel Beirne stars as Tom, a couple who have a "just fine" relationshp until Lauren becomes hungry for something more. The film screens at Peterborough's Market Hall on February 15th and Sarah and co-writer and director Adam Garnet Jones will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A with the audience. (Photo: GirlBoy Productions)
Award-winning Canadian independent cinema returns to Peterborough on Thursday, February 15th when A71 Entertainment presents a special screening of Great Great Great at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough.
A71 Entertainment presents Great Great Great
When:Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $10 general admission
Featuring a Q&A with writer/director Adam Garnet Jones and actress/writer/producer Sarah Kolasky. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office, by calling 705-749-1146, or online at www.markethall.org (a $3 box office service fee applies). Save on ticket prices with Canadian Indie Film Series movie bundles.
Called one of the top ten Canadian films of the year by The Globe and Mail, Great Great Great is a dark comedy about a young couple whose wedding engagement threatens to break them apart.
The film was written by Indigenous filmmaker Adam Garnet Jones (best known for his 2015 feature-length film Fire Song) and newcomer Sarah Kolasky, who also plays the film’s central character Lauren.
Both Sarah and Adam, who also directed the film, will be attending the Market Hall screening for an interactive question-and-answer session, which will be moderated by Peterborough-based movie blogger Addison Wylie.
Released in 2017 at the Canadian Film Fest in Toronto, Great Great Great went on to win some of the festival’s top prizes, including best feature, best screenplay, and best feature film performance for Sarah. The film has also been nominated for best original screenplay at the sixth annual Canadian Screen Awards, will be held on March 11, 2018 in Toronto and broadcast on CBC.
Great Great Great is not a love story; it’s something a lot more complex. The film takes a look at the reality of long-term relationships rarely represented on the big screen: it’s not about the passionate beginning and it’s not about the painful end. Instead, it’s about that middle period of a relationship, when boredom sets in and a couple must decide to take things to the next level or go their separate ways. Great Great Great is about a relationship at a crossroads, where nothing is especially good or especially bad.
Lauren (Sarah Kolasky) is in a five-year relationship with unemployed urban planner Tom (Daniel Beirne). They’ve never had a fight, their sex life is fine, and everything points to marriage. (Photo: GirlBoy Productions)
Sarah plays Lauren, an ambitious woman living with her long-term boyfriend Tom (Dan Beirne). When Lauren’s parents suddenly tell her they are getting a divorce, she begins to take a look at the non-extraordinary life she and Tom live. While Lauren goes to work every day, Tom, an unemployed city planner, stays at home creating Lego structures. Encouraging Tom to go to the gym and search for work, Lauren tries to find a way to spice their life up. However, familiarity and boredom seems to have set into their relationship, leaving Lauren unsatisfied.
Things start to heat up when Lauren’s place of employment hires David (Richard Clarkin) as the head of the office. An older man she met before she knew Tom, Lauren’s new boss begins to make advances on her, relighting the sexual flame she can no longer find within her safe and comfortable life at home. Lauren’s world is turned upside down as she makes one erratic decision after another, trying to find the life that she wants — although she doesn’t seem to know exactly what that is.
Sarah Kolasky’s performance as Lauren is a complex one. Caught between stability and sexual desire, her decisions are understandable and her mistakes are relatable. Lauren tries to make things work, but constantly makes conflicting decisions that impact her life and the lives of those around her. This creates a complicated relationship between the viewer and her character.
When Lauren (Sarah Kolasky) meets her new boss David (Richard Clarkin), an older man she knew before she met Tom, she finds something missing from her stable and safe relationship with Tom. (Photo: GirlBoy Productions)
With so much of the film focusing on her story and because she is so easy to identify with as a character, the viewer forms a bond with Lauren, although it is often difficult to accept the things that she does. As her situation grows more and more complicated, the reaction of viewers to Lauren will vary from those who want life to work out for her to those who will want her to reap what she sows.
Sarah manages to create a highly relatable character who at different times can be smart, foolish, sexy, vulnerable, desirable, and pathetic. In Sarah’s character, viewers will recognize moments and realities from their own lives — although they may not want to admit it.
Dan Beirne is a charmer in the role of Tom. He’s funny, soft spoken and creative, with a boyish charm and a wide grin. He’s the classic “nice guy”: steady, reliable, and safe. But safe can also means boring. While Tom is the kind of guy a women might want to marry, he’s not the kind sexual fantasies are made of. A terrific actor, Dan creates the most likeable character in the film, which is why it’s so painful for the viewer to watch his relationship with Lauren hit the point of crisis that it does in the film.
VIDEO: “Great Great Great” Trailer
Richard Clarkin’s role as Lauren’s boss David is a different type of beast altogether. The ying to Tom’s yang, David is everything that Tom is not. He is the archetype of the alpha male bad boy. Older, successful, sophisticated and over confident, David is a walking and talking sex fantasy. Richard creates a character who is absolutely repulsive in nature, but provides a comparison to Lauren’s lackluster relationship with Tom.
There’s an added element of insidiousness watching David’s character in our post-Weinstein climate of sexual misconduct. Many of the scenes between Lauren and David are extremely uncomfortable to watch, and there is an unnerving predatory nature to David that threatens Tom and Lauren’s life, whether it is a good life or not.
The most compelling aspect of Great Great Great is how uncomfortably accurate the film is in regards to relationships. Anyone who has ever fallen in or out of love, be it a past relationship or a current one, will find this film instantly relatable. The problem with most relationships is that the sizzle eventually turns to a fizzle, and when that happens a partner’s attention can begin to stray.
Co-writers Sarah Kolasky (who stars as Lauren) and Adam Garnet Jones (who also directed the film) on the set of “Great Great Great”. (Photo: GirlBoy Productions)
Although the audience may not always agree with everything Lauren does in the film, most will be able to relate to her — goodness knows I did. There doesn’t seem to be an easy solution to Lauren’s situation, and some of Lauren’s mistakes may prompt viewers to take a closer look at their own relationships.
Great Great Great is a well-written and produced piece of Canadian cinema that deserves to be seen and celebrated. It is always a treat when A71 Entertainment brings these wonderful independent films to Peterborough and creates an opportunity for the audience to get close and personal with the people who make these films — in this case by bringing Sarah and Adam to the screening to discuss the film with the audience.
This is a one-night-only opportunity to see something a bit different from the usual spandex- and explosion-filled big-budget films that come to Peterborough, and to hear directly from the filmmakers.
“Great Great Great” writer/director Adam Garnet Jones and actress/writer/producer Sarah Kolasky will attend the Market Hall screening and participate in a Q&A with the audience.
A provocative yet relatable film, Great Great Great is the movie to see in Peterborough this week. The film screens at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) on Thursday, February 15th at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 at the door or are available in advance at the Market Hall Box Office, by calling 705-749-1146, or online at www.markethall.org (a $3 box office service fee applies).
The Burnham family of Cobourg will receive the 2018 James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce (NCCOFC) and the Town of Cobourg. Pictured are award sponsor Hillary Allen of Cobourg Orthopaedic and Sports Injury Clinic with members of the Burnham family (Mark, Anne, Jen, Katie, Amy, and Paul) with Cobourg community events coordinator Jackie Chapman Davis and past NCCOFC chair Tonya King. (Photo courtesy of Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce)
This week we feature a lifetime achievement award for one of Cobourg’s founding families, awards for two local economic development organizations, development plans for land at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club, and upcoming business events including a community meeting hosted by Nexicom, a webinar about online security, a session on how Bill 148 affects the construction industry, and more.
Cobourg’s Burnham family to receive lifetime achievement award on February 23
Last Thursday (February 8), the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Cobourg announced the Burnham family of Cobourg are the recipients of this year’s James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award, which recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to the business community, is named after James Crossen, founder of Cobourg Car Works and one of Cobourg’s earliest and most successful entrepreneurs.
One of Cobourg’s founding families, the Burnhams began farming when they arrived in the area in 1798, and have been cornerstones of the agricultural community ever since. Current owners Paul and Anne Burnham expanded the property in 1994 with the purchase of adjacent farmland and opened the Burnham Family Farm Market.
The Burnham Family Farm Market in Cobourg is open from May 1st to December 23rd. (Photo: Kawarthas Northumberland / RTO8)
Today, Paul and Anne along with their four children grow nearly 2,000 acres of cash crops, with another 40 dedicated to market gardens. Katie co-manages the Burnham Family Farm Market with Anne, Amy focuses her attention on fruit and vegetable production, Mark and Paul are partners in the crop and market side of the operation, and Jen runs a horse boarding and riding operation.
The Burnhams are also strong community supporters, with Paul being a past chair of the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the local Federation of Agriculture. He and Anne are also long-time supporters of the Northumberland United Way (they were campaign chairs in 2014) and the entire Burnham family volunteers in local agricultural and arts organizations.
The Burnhams will officially receive the award at the Business Achievement Awards Gala, which takes place on Friday, February 23rd at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
In addition to the James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award, the gala will present The Mayor’s Award and the Chamber Chair’s Award as well as awards in nine different business categories. Tickets are $85 per person and are available at the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce (278 George St., Cobourg) or online at nccofc.ca.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development wins EDCO award for Peterborough Lift Lock dining experience
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development won the Special Events award at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario 2018 Awards of Excellence for “Under Water Dining at Lock 21”, where visitors dine at the Peterborough Lift Lock. (Photo: Michael Hurcomb)
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) received an award last Wednesday (February 7) at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) 2018 Awards of Excellence.
The organization received the Special Events Award for the “Under Water Dining at Lock 21” experience, which previously won the Culinary Tourism Leadership Award at the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence last November.
Launched last year, the hands-on historical dining experience takes visitors through, inside, and under the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock featuring a locally inspired menu by Tres Hombres.
The experience was developed in partnership with Parks Canada (Trent-Severn Waterway) and The Canadian Canoe Museum, with the support of Regional Tourism Organization 8 and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport.
This is third consecutive year PKED has received an Economic Developers Council of Ontario Award of Excellence. In 2017, the organization won the marketing award in the advertising category for their food and agriculture video. In 2016, PKED received the award for public-private private Partnership for the development of the area’s first official road cycling routes.
Eastern Ontario Leadership Council wins EDCO award for cross-border collaboration
Representatives of the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council with their Collaboration & Partnership Award from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario on February 7, 2018. (Photo: Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus / Twitter)
The Eastern Ontario Leadership Council (EOLC) also won an award at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) 2018 Awards of Excellence last Wednesday (February 7).
EOLC, a multi-organization partnership tasked with advancing regional economic development opportunities, received the Collaboration & Partnership Award in the category of “Regional and Cross-Border Collaboration”, representing populations of 250,000 and greater.
Formed in 2015, the council has five major partners: the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, the Ontario East Economic Development Commission, and Community Futures Ontario East.
“The Eastern Ontario Leadership Council is a unique organization in Ontario,” says EOLC Co-Chair Leslie O’Shaughnessy, Mayor of the City of Cornwall. “Founded on the principle of promoting regional economic development in collaboration with the many municipalities and stakeholders across our entire region, our territory includes more than 110 municipalities, which together represent about 1.2 million residents.”
Local developer plans to build a retirement residence on land acquired from Kawartha Golf and Country Club
The Kawartha Golf and Country Club will use proceeds from the sale to AON Inc. of a 23-acre parcel of land along Clonsilla Avenue to help revitalize the golf course and facilities. AON plans to build a retirement residence and more on the land. (Photo: Kawartha Golf and Country Club)
Local developer AON Inc. has entered into a conditional purchase and sale agreement with Kawartha Golf and Country Club for a 23-acre parcel of land along Clonsilla Avenue.
According to AON president Brad Smith, long-term plans for the site include a full-service retirement residence, luxury seniors apartments, and a mix of apartment and condominium housing.
Proceeds from the sale of land will help Kawartha Golf and Country Club proceed with its plans to revitalize the golf course and facilities, including building a new clubhouse, an expanded driving range and practice area, and two new replacement holes designed by golf course architect Ian Andrew.
AON will complete a due diligence period with the goal of finalizing the purchase late in 2018, while beginning the approval process with the City of Peterborough to expedite official plan and zoning approvals.
AON has a portfolio of residential apartment properties and commercial space in Peterborough, as well as apartment holdings in Houston, Texas, and a residential development and golf course in Port Hope. The company owns and operates two licensed long-term care homes in Millbrook and Tweed, in addition to the “Gardens of Peterborough” retirement residences including Canterbury Gardens, Royal Gardens, Princess Gardens, and Empress Gardens.
Nexicom holding community meeting in Warsaw on February 13
Millbrook-based telecommunications provider Nexicom is hosting an informal community meeting from 12 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13th at the Warsaw Town Hall (894 South St., Warsaw).
Nexicom will share information about its future plans for technological improvements and upgrades to existing internet services and infrastructure. All local area residents and business owners, along with current Nexicom residential and business customers, are invited to attend.
Network operations and wireless internet specialists from Nexicom will be there, and complimentary refreshments and snacks will be provided.
MicroAge hosts webinar on protecting your business from online security threats on February 15
MicroAge is hosting a webinar on how to protect your business from online security threats including malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and viruses.
The webinar, intended for business owners and anyone who has the responsibility for making a business secure, takes place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 15th. The seminar will provide information on layering your security to avoid or minimize becoming the victim of an attack.
The webinar is free, but space is limited. For more information and to register, visit www.microage.ca
Nomination deadline for Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce 12th Annual Business & Community Achievement Awards – February 15
Nominations for the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s 12th Annual Business & Community Achievement Awards are open until 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 15th.
Award categories are Business Achievement, Customer First, Business, Customer First, Employee, Entrepreneur of the Year, Innovation & Creativity, New Business (1-3 years), Young Professional of the Year, Not-for-Profit of the Year, Skilled Trades & Industry, Tourism & Hospitality, and Highlander of the Year.
The awards gala will be held on Saturday, March 17th at Pinestone Resort (4252 Haliburton County Rd 21, Haliburton).
Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Annual General Meeting on February 21
The 2017 Chamber AGM at The Village Inn in Lakefield. This year’s AGM also takes place at The Village Inn on February 21.
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, February 21st, at The Village Inn (39 Queen St, Lakefield).
The meeting will include highlights from the past year, and the nominating committee will present the slate of directors for the coming year.
Networking and refreshments will begin at 5 p.m. The meeting will run from approximately 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Peterborough Chamber “Power Hour” evening with elected officials returns on February 21
MP Maryam Monsef, County Warden Joe Taylor, Mayor Daryl Bennett, and MPP Jeaf Leal listen to a question from moderator Sandra Dueck at the “Power Hour” event hosted by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce on January 25, 2017. (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Power Hour” — an evening with Peterborough’s elected officials — returns on Wednesday, February 21st.
The event takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m at The Venue in downtown Peterborough.
There will be a full hour of questions and answers with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, MPP Peterborough Jeff Leal, County of Peterborough Warden Joe Taylor, and City of Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett.
Tickets cost $65 for Chamber members and $75 for non-members (or $450 for a table of seven for members and $525 for non-members). HST will be added to the ticket price. Register here.
GE employees career fair on February 23
A career fair where employers can explore potential opportunities with more than 300 employees transitioning from GE in Peterborough is taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 23rd at the Evinrude Centre (911 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough).
Employers will have the opportunity to showcase their companies and employment opportunities while meeting with GE employees from a wide range of fields including engineers, programmers, production workers, lab technicians, and much more.
Bill 148 and the construction industry breakfast session on February 27
The Great Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and the Peterborough Construction Association are hosting a breakfast session about the impact of Bill 148 on the construction industry.
The session takes place on Tuesday, February 27th at Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront (150 George St., Peterborough).
Experts from Sherrard Kuzz LLP will discuss changes to employment law resulting from Bill 148 and what they mean to the construction industry.
This presentation will go beyond changes to minimum wage to address all aspects of the new law and how it impacts business.
The breakfast buffet opens at 7 a.m. with speakers presenting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. There will be time for questions after the presentation.
The 10 finalists in the 2018 Win This Space entrepreneurial competition. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
The finale of this year’s Win This Space entrepreneurial competition takes place on Thursday, March 1st at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
Ten businesses are competing to win a storefront for one year lease-free in downtown Peterborough, along with other prizes.
The 10 finalists are The Bicycle Museum by Dandyhorse Media, Bonita’s Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio, The Willow’s Bark, StayFit LifeStyle, Argania Natural Health Clinic, Alexander Frames, Best Wishes in a Basket, Baby Bop Teething Accessories, Escape Maze, and Scars and Strops Ltd.
The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and networking from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by the finale from 6 to 8 p.m.
“Bridges Out of Poverty” workshop for employers on March 7
The City and County of Peterborough Social Services, along with Agilec, Employment Ontario, Employment Planning & Counselling, Fleming Crew Employment Centre, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge, are hosting a free workshop for employers on “Bridges out of Poverty”.
The Bridges out of Poverty framework, which originated in the U.S. and has been adopted by other communities in Canada, aims to help people who grew up in poverty and educate the agencies who assist them. The workshop will provide information on the framework as well as the variety of financial incentives available for employers in the community. It will also provide information on understanding and retaining employees.
The free workshop takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7th at Agilec Peterborough office (Brookdale Plaza, 863 Chemong Rd, Unit 20-A). Refreshments will be served.
According to a public post on Facebook, Cody Wellman of Peterborough was assaulted early on Sunday morning outside The Social pub in downtown Peterborough, suffering a broken jaw and nose among other injuries. (Photo: Aimee Wellman / Facebook)
Peterborough police are investigating the assault of a local man outside a downtown Peterborough pub early on Sunday morning.
According to police, at around 1:20 a.m. on Sunday (February 11), a man in his 20s became involved in an argument with an unknown male outside the establishment.
During the argument, it was reported that the unknown male assaulted the victim. When the victim’s friend attempted to intervene, the friend was assaulted by a second unknown male.
Police and EMS attended the scene and the victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment to his injuries.
A description of the first unknown suspect is a black male, approximately 6’2″ tall with a thin build, a flat top haircut, and wearing a gold chain and black clothing.
While police have not identified the victim, the man who was assaulted is Cody Wellman of Peterborough, according to a public Facebook post made by his sister Aimee Wellman.
She says the assault happened outside The Social pub at 295 George St. N. and that five men were involved in the assault. She also reports that her brother suffered a broken jaw and a broken nose among other injuries. Her Facebook post has been shared more than 6,400 times.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.stopcrimehere.ca
Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot is performing at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on November 23, 2018.
Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot is returning to Peterborough for a one-night-only concert at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday, November 23rd.
Tickets prices range from $45.50 to $99.50 plus taxes and service fees and are available at the Collins Barrow Box office at the PMC, by phone 705-743-3561, or online at memorialcentre.ca.
This past December, Lightfoot was at The Canadian Canoe Museum to donate three of his canoes to the museum, including the yellow canoe that was the subject of his song “Canary Yellow Canoe.”
Lightfoot is known world-wide for his songs “Sundown”, “If You Could Read My Mind”, “Carefree Highway”, “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald”, “The Circle Is Small (I Can See It In Your Eyes)”, “Rainy Day People”, “Ribbon of Darkness”, “Talking In Your Sleep”, and “”Dream Street Rose”.
In 1971, he earned his first international top 10 hit with “If You Could Read My Mind”. In 1974, his single “Sundown” went to number one on the American charts, followed two years later by “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, which reached number two on the U.S. Billboard charts.
His music career has spanned more than five decades, producing more than 200 recordings. He helped define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s, with his songs recorded by artists such as Bob Dylan, Gene Clark, Dan Fogelberg, Jimmy Buffett, Jim Croce, Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand and, Johnny Cash.
Lightfoot has won 15 Junoa awards and has been nominated for five Grammy awards. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. In May 2003, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada and is also a member of the Order of Ontario. In 2004, he was induced into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and, in 2012, into the U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Lightfoot last performed at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on May 8, 2014.
Measha Brueggergosman, The Sheepdogs, The Jim Cuddy Band, Pavlo, Alan Doyle, and Brett Kissel are only a few of the acts that Showplace Performance Centre has lined up from February to April 2018. (Graphic: Showplace Performance Centre)
Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough has a packed line up over the next few months and, as usual, has something for everyone — from musical theatre to comedy to children’s shows to a wide range of concerts featuring world music, classic and modern rock, soul, roots, country, and more.
We’re featuring details of some of the upcoming shows at Showplace, including several “Showplace presents” performances, where proceeds from ticket sales go to support the operation of the non-profit charitable organization. These shows include guitar virtuoso Pavlo performing on March 1st, two Classic Albums Live concerts on March 2nd and April 7th, Menopause the Musical on March 8th and 9th, and the Jim Cuddy Band on March 19th.
We’ll also featuring Motown Soul on March 26th and two show by local performers: Foley’s Irish Pub on March 11 and Danny Bronson on April 27th. And we’ve also included a list of all the other shows scheduled so far at Showplace from February to April.
You can purchase advance tickets for any of the upcoming shows in person at the box office (290 George St. N.) or by phone at 705-742-7469 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, or anytime online at showplace.org.
Pavlo presents his guitar-based instrumental “Mediterranean music” at Showplace on March 1st. (Publicity photo)
Juno-nominated guitarist virtuoso Pavlo Simtikidis, who goes by the stage name of Pavlo, has released 10 albums and sold more than 500,000 records over his 20-year career.
Born in Toronto to Greek immigrants, Pavlo has made a name for himself by offering a musical fusion of Greek, Spanish Latin, and pop music he calls “Mediterranean music.”
When Pavlo was 10 years old, he spent hours hidden away practicing his guitar. When his parents realized he loved playing, they encouraged him to follow his musical dream. “Have the courage to do what you love, and the drive to do it well,” his father told him.
Following years of guitar lessons from classical to flamenco, Pavlo began playing in rock groups and wedding bands. He wrote his self-titled debut album in 1998 but, after record company executives passed on a record deal (they called it “too ethnic”), he created his own record label and marketed himself. By playing endlessly at cafes and festivals, he found his audience.
Since then, Pavlo’s instrumental music has since taken him all around the world, where he’s performed for royalty including Prince Charles and has worked and toured with artists such as José Feliciano, Jon Secada, Olivia Newton-John, and The Tenors.
In 2015, he collaborated with Remigio Pereira of The Tenors for Guitarradas, and in 2009 with fellow guitar masters Rik Emmett and Oscar Lopez for Trifecta, which was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2010 Junos. His albums Pavlo and Fantasia are certified gold in Canada, with the latter nominated for a Juno award in 2001.
Pavlo’s March 1st performance at Showplace follows his February tour of the U.S., and is the first show of a cross-Canada tour during March and April.
Classic Albums Live: Creedence Clearwater Revival – Chronicle, Vol. 1
Friday, March 2nd at 8 p.m. ($38)
Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1968: Tom Fogerty, Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and John Fogerty. (Photo: Public domain)
Founded by Craig Martin in Toronto in 2003, Classic Albums Live is a concert series in which musicians perform a classic rock album in its entirety, cut for cut and note for note. For each album, the musicians go to great lengths to faithfully recreate every sound on the original album.
It’s one of the most popular series at Showplace, and Classic Albums Live returns on March 2nd to deliver Chronicle, Vol. 1, the 1976 greatest hits album by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).
VIDEO: “Long As I Can See The Light” – Classical Albums Live – CCR Chronicle Vol 1
The best swamp/blues rock band to come out of the U.S., CCR produced hit after hit, fronted by songwriter and lead guitarist and vocalist John Fogerty with his brother Tom on rhythm guitar along with bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford. After four years of chart-topping success, the band disbanded acrimoniously in late 1972.
At this Classic Albums Live concert, you will hear all 20 tracks from Chronicle, Vol. 1: “Susie Q”, “I Put a Spell on You”, “Proud Mary”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Lodi”, “Green River”, “Commotion”, “Down on the Corner”, “Fortunate Son”, “Travelin’ Band”, “Who’ll Stop the Rain”, “Up Around the Bend”, “Run Through the Jungle”, “Lookin’ Out My Back Door”, “Long as I Can See the Light”, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”, “Hey Tonight”, “Sweet Hitch-Hiker”, and “Someday Never Comes”.
Menopause the Musical
Thursday, March 8th and Friday, March 9th at 8 p.m. ($55.85)
Jayne Lewis, Michelle White, Janet Martin, and Nicole Robert star in ShaggyPup Productions’ production of “Menopause the Musical” at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on March 8th and 9th. (Publicity photo)
The world-wide smash hit Menopause the Musical is coming to Showplace for two performances only!
Written by Jeanie Linders, the musical parody debuted in the U.S. in 2001 and went on to an off-Broadway production in 2002 that saw more than 1,500 performances. Since then, the musical has been produced in 11 other countries around the world, and is the longest-running scripted musical in Las Vegas history.
The musical follows four women shopping for lingerie at a Bloomingdale’s sale who seem to have nothing in common — until they realize they are all going thhrough “the change”. The characters sing 25 songs related to menopause — chocolate cravings, hot flashes, loss of memory, nocturnal sweats, wrinkles, and sexual predicaments — set to the tunes of classic hits of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.
The all-star Canadian cast — Janet Martin (Iowa Housewife), Nicole Robert (Earth Mother), Jayne Lewis (Soap Star), and Michelle White (Professional Woman) — has done an impressive 513 consecutive performances to date.
Did you know 6,000 women enter menopause each day and there are 1.7 billion menopausal women worldwide? That’s why millions of women have laughed at loud at this hilarious parody of “the change” for the past 17 years. But it’s not only a show for women — men who have been perplexed by what happens to their mothers, wives, sisters or partners as they enter middle age will be able to relate and laugh right alongside the women in the audience.
Foley’s Irish Pub
Sunday, March 11th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Nexicom Studio ($20 adults, $10 students)
Irish stories, music, food, and beverages will transform the Nexicom Studio into Foley’s Irish Pub on March 11th. (Photo: Theresa Foley)
For the third year in a row, the Nexicom Studio at Showplace will be transformed into a typical pub in Ireland when Foley’s Irish Pub returns for two performances on March 11th.
Storyteller Hugh Foley will weave facts and humour together in his light-hearted Irish tales. Live Irish music will be provided by 4 Front (Terry Finn, Theresa Foley, Sheila Prophet, and Norma Curtis) along with Ron Kervin, Fiddling Jay, Amelia Foley, and special guest singer and guitar player Fr. Damian Smullen.
Irish Stew and soda bread will be available to purchase at intermission, and the bar will be stocked with all your favorite Irish drinks.
Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and everything Irish at Foley’s Irish Pub, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (the afternoon show is nearly sold out).
4 Front (Theresa Foley, Norma Curtis, Sheila Prophet, and Terry Finn) and special musical guests will be supplying the Irish music. (Photo: 4 Front)
The Jim Cuddy Band
Monday, March 19th at 8 p.m. ($58.50)
The Jim Cuddy Band (Steve O’Connor, Bazil Donovan, Joel Anderson, Jim Cuddy, Anne Lindsay, and Colin Cripps) performs at Showplace on March 19th. (Publicity photo)
Jim Cuddy released his fourth solo album Constellation in January and is touring across Canada with his band, including stop in Peterborough on March 19th, to support the new record.
The 62-year-old Cuddy, best known as the co-frontman of Blue Rodeo, continues to produce well-crafted country-pop songs delivered with his unique and instantly recognizable vocals. The songs on Constellation are primarily about loss and leaving, and were heavily influenced by the 2017 passing of Cuddy’s close friend Rob Gray following a battle with cancer (Cuddy wrote the title track about Gray).
VIDEO: “You Be The Leaver” – Jim Cuddy
Cuddy’s previous solo albums include All in Time (1998), The Light That Guides You Home (2006), and Skyscraper Soul (2011). He continues to perform with Greg Keelor in Blue Rodeo, which has released 15 studio albums since 1984, with the latest being 2016’s 1000 Arms.
Performing with Cuddy in his band are fellow Blue Rodeo members Bazil Donovan on bass and Colin Cripps on guitar, along with violinist Anne Lindsay, keyboardist Steve O’Connor, and drummer Joel Anderson.
Every ticket purchase for the March 19th concert at Showplace includes a copy of Constellation.
Motown Soul
Monday, March 26th at 7 p.m. ($39-$49)
Amoy Levy, Cathy Borges, Marlene O’Neil, and Grady Harrell will be performing classic Motown hits at “Motown Soul” on March 26th at Showplace. (Publicity photo)
Paquette Productions is bringing the classic Motown sound to Peterborough with “Motown Soul”, a tribute show at Showplace on March 26th.
Motown is the style of soul-pop music named after Motown Records, the music label founded in Detroit, Michigan by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959. The label was the driving force behind some of the biggest names in music, including Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and The Jackson 5. No other record company in history has exerted such an enormous influence on both the style and substance of popular music and culture.
Berry Gordy Jr., founder of Motown Records, in front of Motown’s Hitsville U.S.A. studio in Detroit in 1964. (Publicity photo)
“Motown Soul” features the exquisite vocal harmonies of The Tonettes (Cathy Borges, Marlene O’Neill, and Amoy Levy) performing alongside special guest vocalist Grady Harrell from Las Vegas. The singers will be backed by The Rockin’ Royals band.
You’ll hear classic Motown songs including “Ooh Baby Baby” (Smokey Robinson), “Lonely Teardrops” (Jackie Wilson), “I’ll Be There” (Jackson 5), “My Girl” (The Temptations), “Heatwave” (Martha and the Vandellas), “Be My Baby” (Ronettes), “Natural Woman” (Aretha Franklin), and “You Can’t Hurry Love” (Supremes).
VIDEO: Motown Soul Promo
Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
Saturday, April 7th at 8 p.m. ($38)
Led Zeppelin (John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant) in front of their private airliner The Starship in 1973. (Photo: Bob Gruen)
Founded by Craig Martin in Toronto in 2003, Classic Albums Live is a concert series in which musicians perform a classic rock album in its entirety, cut for cut and note for note. For each album, the musicians go to great lengths to faithfully recreate every sound on the original album.
It’s one of the most popular series at Showplace, and Classic Albums Live returns on April 7th with Houses of the Holy, the 1973 album by English rock band Led Zeppelin.
VIDEO: Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
The band’s fifth studio album, Houses of the Holy was their first record comprising entirely original material. It also represents a turning point in musical direction for the band, featuring more complex production techniques, including layering of Jimmy Page’s guitar riffs, and an expansion of musical influences such as eggae and funk.
At this Classic Albums Live concert, you will hear all tracks from the album: “The Song Remains the Same”, “The Rain Song”, “Over the Hills and Far Away”, “The Crunge”, “Dancing Days”, “D’yer Mak’er”, “No Quarter”, and “The Ocean”.
Danny Bronson presents The Music of Glen Campbell
Saturday, April 27th at 8 p.m. ($30)
Peterborough’s own Danny Bronson will be performing songs by Glen Campbell on April 27th. (Photo: Clifford Skarstedt Jr.)
After his very successful concert at Showplace last year performing the songs of Gordon Lightfoot, Peterborough’s own Danny Bronson returns to present “The Music of Glen Campbell: Songs from the Goodtime Hour.”
Glen Campbell, who died last August at the age of 81, is best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting a music and comedy variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television from 1969 to 1972. Over his 50 year career, Campbell relased more than 70 albums, accumulating over 45 million record sales worldwide, including 12 gold albums, four platinum albums, and one double-platinum album.
Bronson will be performing some of Glen Campbell’s best-known and loved songs, including “Rhinestone Cowboy”, “Wichita Lineman”, “Gentle on my Mind”, “Galveston”, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”, and many more.
VIDEO: “Gentle on My Mind” – Glen Campbell
All upcoming performances at Showplace (February to April 2018)
February 14-17 – St. Peter’s Secondary School presents Beauty and the Beast
February 18 – Brett Kissel
February 20 – Alan Doyle (SOLD OUT)
February 22 – Ron James
February 23 – The Musicals of Andrew Loud Webber
February 24 – Frozen in Time: The Musical
March 1 – Pavlo
March 2 – Classic Albums Live: CCR – Chronicle
March 6 – The Sheepdogs
March 7 – Randy Bachman
March 8 & 9 – Menopause the Musical
March 10 – Singing Legends
March 11 – Foley’s Irish Pub
March 12 – Letterkenny (SOLD OUT)
March 19 – The Jim Cuddy Band
March 26 – Motown Soul
March 27 – Four by Four
March 31 – Mini Pop Kids
April 4 – Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy
April 12 – Music from the Movies: Beth Hunt, Bob Trennum and Lee Batchelor
April 25 – Ron James
April 26 – Shopkins Live!
April 27 – Danny Bronson: The Music of Glen Campbell
April 28 – Measha Brueggergosman
April 29 – High Valley
Tickets for all shows are available in person at the box office (290 George St. N.) or by phone at 705-742-7469 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, or anytime online at showplace.org.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
