Precarity – a precarious existence, lacking in predictability, job security, material or psychological welfare. The social class defined by this condition has been termed the precariat.

Already in full swing, local arts organizations are participating in the Precarious Festival, a look at the delicate economic situation faced by local artists living and working in Peterborough.

Throughout the month of November and early December, the Precarious Festival brings together a number of local groups — including Fleshy Thud, Artspace, Trent Radio, Nourish Peterborough, The Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Trent Community Research Centre, Electric City Culture Council, Evans Contemporary, and Public Energy — as a way to open discussion between local artists of all disciplines through a number of events including art installations, panel discussions, dance performances, coffee houses, theatrical performances, public art displays, mentorships, and other events.

Building off of last year’s successful Bernie Martin Festival, the Precarious Festival is the brainchild of Kate Story and Ryan Kerr of The Theatre on King (TTOK). They came up with the idea after talking to local art workers while looking for a potential theme for the second city-wide festival.

“Basically we had the Bernie Martin Festival and we thought it went really well, so we wanted to do something like that again,” Kate says. “We went around talking to different artists to get a sense of what a theme might be, and the word that everybody seemed to be using was ‘precarious.’ That’s how people are feeling.”

Although many factors play into the theme of “precarious” within the festival, a large part of the focus is the fact that most working artists are not able to make a livable income from their art, and changes within our city are making this even more difficult.

“Peterborough is really at a crossroads,” says Kate. “For a long time Peterborough was an industrial town and the core got hollowed out. It didn’t work in terms of employment levels, but it meant that there was a lot of cheap rent in the downtown core. But now with the 407 extension and the move to gentrify the downtown, that could change things.

“There’s all these people that get excited about these one-roof projects, but I think that they should stop trying to organize us and put us in a ghetto. Just let us live and work where we want to live and work. All we need is financial support or rent that’s affordable. It’s hard to make a case for this for some reason, which is mysterious to me. Governments will put a huge amount of money into business. They’ll subsidize businesses, subsidize mining, and even subsidize banks.

“But for some reason to give money to the arts, or even giving grants to artists, is like a hand out. You have to be so accountable for that money. I don’t have any problem with that. I just think that bankers should have to be just as accountable for that money as artists are. I have a lot of feelings about that.”

“A lot of people who show up to Peterborough know that there is a great arts scene,” adds Ryan. “It’s just that the arts scene isn’t supported.”

“We’re far enough away from Toronto that we don’t just go there, but we’re small enough so we’re excited when new artists come into town,” Kate says. “We’re large enough to create and interesting and varied scenes, and there is a lot of collaboration that happens here. But I think, again, with this looming gentrification we are looking at a precarious situation right now. I would love to see this city get more behind the support of the arts, and a more sophisticated understanding of the arts and economy.

“And I’m not just saying that the arts is important just because of economic impact. But that’s the language we have to use when talking to some of these people. Every study shows that part of having a healthy community is having a healthy arts scene. Yet somehow it seems difficult to sell this idea.”

At the centre of the Precarious Festival is an online survey created by the Electric City Culture Council, which is aiming to collect data about working artists living in Peterborough and the surrounding areas. The first of its kind, the survey can be taken at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XNHGHH8.

“There has never been a survey done of Peterborough artists,” Kate points out. “A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into getting this thing up. A lot of the data is demographics to compare the makeup of our local population, but it’s also about economics as well. It’s about how much money that you make in a year, and how much money is in your arts practice, and how much money is spent on your art.

“This survey is a vital thing to have people to fill out, because the data will give us the information we need to make a case for support to the city, to the province, and to the federal government as well.”

While advocating for economic viability for local artists is an objective of the Precarious Festival — and there are several discussions and talks during the festival on this topic — it’s also about presenting art.

There are far too many individual events to cover here (see the Precarious Festival website at ttok.ca/precarious-festival/ for a listing of all the events), but I want to highlight three brand new locally created theatrical performances making their debut during the festival.

The first of these performances, titled Neighbours/Voisons, is presented by the Ring O’Rosie Collective at Artspace. Developed by Lillian Ross-Millard, Miranda Jones, and Anne White, Neighbours/Voisons is inspired by Norman McLaren’s 1952 stop-motion animation film using live actors called Neighbours. Running at ten minutes in length, the performers will present the piece multiple times over the course of the evening.

“Neighbours/Voisons explores conflict, interiors, and the challenge of real bodies moving in stop motion,” explains Ring O’Rosie’s Miranda Jones. “It’s going to be a little bit chaotic, and we encourage people to stay and see the second performance because you’ll never catch everything otherwise. Its ten minutes long and runs on a loop every ten minutes.”

Neighbours/Voisons will be performed at Artspace in ten minute cycles from 6 to 8 p.m. on November 13th and 14th, and from 12 to 2 p.m. on November 15th. Admission is $10 or pay what you can.

On Sunday, November 26th, Eryn Lidster presents an original piece called Invisible at TTOK, which explores the backstage work often unseen by theatre audiences. Eryn is a familiar face in the theatre community and Invisible is her first directorial work. Working on a framework developed by Eryn, the piece has come together through the input and improvisation of her actors ( Lindsay Unterlander, Dan Smith, Samuelle Weatherdon, and Robyn Smith) during rehearsals.

“When I think about precarity, I think about the collaborative nature of the backstage work,” explains Eryn. “But getting all the people in the same room at the same time can be difficult because we are all so busy. We’re trying to support all these theatre projects, but that can be difficult from an economic standpoint — to support yourself and these projects.

“I’m trying to put in some of the funny stuff — like when you are working so hard that you often get sick — and I think some of those issues come into question, like whether or not this kind of working environment creates good art. But there is a flip side to it too, and that’s all of the beautiful things that happens as part of the backstage theatre that the audience doesn’t get to see. There’s some really amazing moments that only the cast and the people involved in it get to experience.”

Invisible will be performed at TTOK from November 26 to 28th at 8 pm. Admission is $15 or pay what you can.

Finally, on Thursday, November 30th, The Nervous System presents a new show written by Kate Story called Festivus Rattus 2035. A post-apocalyptic retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Festivus Rattus 2035 features Brad Brackenridge, Sylvie Dasne, Naomi Duvall, Derek Bell, Rob Fortin, Ryan Kerr, Shannon McKenzie, Mike Moring, Susan Newman, and Robyn Smith.

“Fairy tales are always interesting because they can be used on so many levels as a narrative,” Kate says of her new show. “In all the versions I read of the Pied Piper, the promise of money to the piper that is then taken away is quite accurate. A specific number is always mentioned: fifty thousand florins, then a thousand florin, then five florins. So I find that the money is kind of the key.

“But then he takes the children, which is quite creepy. So I was wondering if the story is kind of a grizzly warning of what happens if the artist doesn’t get paid. On some psychological level, I feel our society is quite like that. If we think of children as a metaphor for our community, I do feel that by not supporting the arts we are robbing ourselves of our own sense of community.”

Festivus Rattus 2035 runs from November 30th to December 2nd at TTOK. Shows start at 8 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, November 2nd. Note that the show has strong themes and is not recommended for young audiences.

Throught the theatrical presentations, art installations, panels, talks and other events during the Precarious Festival, Ryan and Kate hope that a solid discourse about the fragile economical state of our artistic community can be created by both artists and the greater community.

“A lot of artists, such as visual artists, might not see anybody for a week or two,” Ryan says. “Working in isolation make you feel that nobody understands and nobody gets you. But at the same time, having a discussion where you realize you’re not the only one having these problems, and that you are not alone, is very empowering, and makes you take a different look at your work.

“If you’re working all depressed, it’s probably going to show in your work. But if you know that you’re not alone, then you know there is hope.”

The Precarious Festival runs until December 2nd with events happening throughout the downtown core. For a full calendar of events, visit the Precarious Festival website at ttok.ca/precarious-festival/.

Showplace Performance Centre has announced Blue Rodeo singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy will be performing with his band at the venue in downtown Peterborough in March 2018 in support of his upcoming record Constellation.

The just-announced concert is one of several “Showplace Presents” shows coming up in 2017/18, along with previously announced shows including comedian Lorne Elliott, chanteuse Patricia O’Callaghan, Celtic musical family Next Generation Leahy, world music guitarist Pavlo, and three Classic Album Live concerts for Rush, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Led Zeppelin. There’s also an evening of discussion featuring TVO’s Steve Paikin and the annual Cozy Christmas concert and fundraiser.

For most of these “Showplace Presents” shows, proceeds from ticket sales will go to support the operation of the non-profit charitable organization. So, if you want to support Showplace, make sure you buy tickets to one or more of these upcoming shows.

You can purchase advance tickets in person at the box office (290 George St. N.) or by phone (705-742-7469 or toll free at 1-866-444-2154) 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.

An Evening With Steve Paikin – Tuesday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Steve Paikin, best known as the host of TVO’s flagship current affairs program The Agenda with Steve Paikin, is one of the most celebrated observers of political life in Ontario.

He has also authored seven non-fiction books, including Paikin and the Premiers: Personal Reflections on a Half Century of Ontario Leaders and his latest book, an authorized biography of former Ontario premier Bill Davis entitled Bill Davis: Nation Builder, And Not So Bland After All.

Davis, Ontario’s 18th premier, is remembered as the father of the college system, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), and TVO as well as being a key player in the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Steve will be coming to Peterborough to shares stories behind the creation of his best-selling book on Davis in a discussion with local writer David Goyette in the intimate Nexicom Studio. Tickets are $35.

VIDEO: Nam Kiwanuka interviews Steve Paikin about Bill Davis

Lorne Elliott – Friday, November 24 at 8 p.m.

Comedian, musician, author and award-winning playwright Lorne Elliott has performed from Newfoundland to New York City, Los Angeles to Australia and many points in between.

Lorne started performing in 1974 as a folk musician on the East Coast. During this time, he continued to write fiction, songs, monologues and side-splitting one-liners.

Lorne will be performing his original, captivating, and hilarious take on contemporary trends and politics in the Nexicom Studio. Tickets are $30.

VIDEO: “The Night We Got Grannie Plastered” – Lorne Elliott

Patricia O’Callaghan – Thursday, December 14 at 8 p.m.

Classically trained soprano Patricia O’Callaghan has been performing for more than 15 years and has recorded six solo albums, including her most recent, a Christmas record called Deepest December.

A speaker of French, Spanish, and German, her early recordings focused on European cabaret, and she has performed with Soulpepper Theatre Company, Edmonton Opera, and Vancouver Opera, to name a few. She has sung with some of the world’s great ensembles and artists (Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Don Byron Quartet, Bryn Terfel), and has performed in venues that range from London’s Royal Opera House to New York’s Noho cabaret Le Poisson Rouge.

One of Patricia’s most unique talents is the ability blend a variety of languages and musical genres seamlessly together in her concerts, completely embodying whatever style she is singing at any given moment.

Patricia will be performing in the Nexicom Studio with her band (Lori Gemmell on harp and the keen and Kevin Fox on cello and guitar). Tickets are $35.

VIDEO: “Carol of the Bells” – Patricia O’Callaghan

Classic Albums Live: Rush 2112 – Saturday, December 16 at 8 p.m.

Classic Albums Live — performing classic rock albums note for note, and cut for cut — performs 2112, the 1976 album by the iconic Canadian progressive rock band Rush.

Its centre piece is a 20-minute title track, a futuristic science-fiction song in seven parts, with five individual tracks on side two. 2112 remains the band’s second highest selling album with over 3 million copies sold in the U.S. It is listed in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, and ranked second on Rolling Stone’s reader’s poll.

Tickets are $38. You can save 10 per cent if you purchase tickets for all three Classic Albums Live concerts (Rush 2112 on Decmeber 16th, Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicls on March 2nd, and Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy on April 7th).

VIDEO: Classic Albums Live prepares for Rush’s 2112

A Cozy Christmas – Sunday, December 17 at 2 p.m.

For the 14th year, the Foley family and friends bring “A Cozy Christmas” back to Showplace.

The annual Christmas show and silent auction features storyteller Hugh Foley with performances by Bridget Foley and the Gospel Girls, Colleen Anthony (Foley), Theresa Foley, 4 Front, The Stage Café Band, Lizzeh Basciano, Matt and Kryn Vandermey, and more.

Sponsored by Showplace and Humanwave.com, this event is a fundraiser to pay for one month’s wages for teachers at a school in a small village in Liberia, West Africa.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.

VIDEO: Cozy Christmas 2010

Next Generation Leahy – Thursday, December 21 at 7 p.m. and Friday, December 22 at 2 p.m.

Most people have heard of Leahy, Lakefield’s famous Irish musical family who have been recording and touring since the 1980s (they rebranded as Leahy in the late 1990s and won two Junos, for Best New Group and Best Instrumental Artist, in 1998).

Next Generation Leahy is, as the name implies, the next generation of the musical family. Doug Leahy, together with his wife Jennifer and six of their eight children, are keeping the family’s musical traditions alive through music, song, and dance.

In a Next Generation Leahy show, fiddle, cello, french accordion, piano, singing and (of course) French-Canadian step-dancing all find a place on stage. With their parents leading the action on stage, the children (all under the age of 16) bring to life the high-energy and infectious Celtic music people associate with the Leahy heritage.

The Leahy children are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists with a level of musical mastery rarely seen in a group so young, and they have the remarkable ability to enamour audiences of all ages — making this the perfect show for the entire family.

Tickets are $50.50 for adults, $46.50 for seniors, and $26.75 for students.

VIDEO: Next Generation Leahy at the 2016 Mariposa Folk Festival

Pavlo – Thursday, March 1 at 8 p.m.

Born in Toronto to Greek parents, Pavlo Simtikidis (Pavlo) is a guitarist who performs what he calls “Mediterranean music” — a blend of Greek, flamenco, Latin, and Balkan music fused with contemporary pop.

Over his 20-year career, Pavlo has released 11 albums of his own music along with two collaborations, including 2015’s Guitarradas with Remigio Pereira and 2009’s Trifecta with fellow guitar virtuosos Rik Emmett and Oscar Lopez.

Along with selling more than 500,000 records, Pavlo has performed around the world, including for royalty (Prince Charles), and he has worked and toured with artists such as José Feliciano, Jon Secada, Olivia Newton-John, and The Tenors.

Tickets are $45.

VIDEO: Suenos Del Mar – Pavlo & Remigio

Classic Albums Live: Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicle – Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m.

Classic Albums Live — performing classic rock albums note for note, and cut for cut — performs Chronicle Vol. 1, the 1976 greatest hits album by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).

CCR (John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford) played their unique style of roots rock, swamp rock, and blues rock in the late 1960s and early 1970s until the band broke up in 1972. Their music remains a staple of radio airplay and the band has sold 26 million albums in the United States alone.

Also known as Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits, Chronicle Vol. 1 includes some of CCR’s biggest hits, including “Susie Q”, “Proud Mary”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Fortunate Son”, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”, “Green River”, “Down on the Corner”, and many more.

Tickets are $38. You can save 10 per cent if you purchase tickets for all three Classic Albums Live concerts (Rush 2112 on Decmeber 16th, Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicls on March 2nd, and Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy on April 7th).

VIDEO: “Long As I Can See The Light” – Classic Albums Live

The Jim Cuddy Band – Monday, March 19 at 8 p.m.

Best known as a member of Blue Rodeo, singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy has also had a successful solo career with three albums, 1998’s All in Time, 2006’s The Light That Guides You Home, and 2011’s Skyscraper Soul.

Cuddy will release his fourth solo album, Constellation, on January 26, 2018 and — in support of the new record — the Jim Cuddy Band is embarking on a 30-date cross-Canada tour in February 2018.

Showplace in Peterborough is one of the stops on the tour and, as a special bonus, tickets for participating dates on the tour will include a copy of Constellation.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, November 10th at 10 a.m.

VIDEO: “Everyone Watched The Wedding” – Jim Cuddy Band

Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy – Saturday, April 7 at 8 p.m.

Classic Albums Live — performing classic rock albums note for note, and cut for cut — performs Houses of the Holy, the fifth studio album by the English rockers Led Zeppelin.

Containing some of the band’s most famous songs, including “The Song Remains the Same”, “The Rain Song”, and “No Quarter”, 1973’s Houses of the Holy became a commercial success. In 2012, the album was ranked #148 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Tickets are $38. You can save 10 per cent if you purchase tickets for all three Classic Albums Live concerts (Rush 2112 on Decmeber 16th, Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicls on March 2nd, and Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy on April 7th).

VIDEO: Classic Albums Live performs Houses of the Holy

Other upcoming events at Showplace

In addition to the “Showplace Presents” shows, there are a lot more theatrical and musical events happening in 2017/18 at Showplace, including:

• Mary Poppins by St. James Players (November 10 to 18)
• The Last Waltz – A Musical Celebration Of The Band (November 25)
• Oh What A Night Christmas! (November 28)
• Another Buble Christmas with Michael Bell in the Nexicom Studio (November 30)
• Christmas With The King Elvis Tribute Concert with Matt Cage (Decemeber 2)
• The Jungle Book by Arbor Theatre (December 7 and 8)
• Hollywood For The Holidays with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (December 9)
• Serena Ryder (December 15)
• Jeremy Hotz (January 10)
• Dirty Dishes in the Nexicom Studio (January 25)
• Paris Bustle & Blues with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (February 3)
• Gord Bamford (February 6)
• Alan Doyle (February 10)
• The Musicals Of Andrew Lloyd Webber (February 23)
• Letterkenny Live! (March 12)
• Motown Soul (March 27)

For an up-to-date list of all the shows coming to Showplace and to purchase tickets, visit www.showplace.org/coming-soon/.