As fall gets underway this month, there are several new art shows and events happening in the area.

The Whetung Ojibwa Centre Thanksgiving art show is coming up on October 7th and 8th; a six-person art show at Artspace, based on Peterborough’s history as a test market, opens on the 13th; there’s a striking conceptual photography show at Evans Contemporary and Star X gallery; the abstracted atmospheric paintings of Rebecca Last and Janet Read are on display at Christensen Fine Art; and ‘Dots on a Line’, geometric patterns ‘Dots on a Line’ by Gwyneth Fischer, opens at Acme Art and Sailboat Co.

There’s also abstract work by Carol Forbes at the Kawartha Artist’s Gallery, Andrew Cripps’ ‘Careful what you wish for’ series of abstracted paintings at Coeur Nouveau, and a whole new set of shows are on display at The Art Gallery of Peterborough — not to mention their annual fundraiser gala coming up on October 28th. There will be a ‘First Friday Art Crawl’ on Friday, October 6th, featuring a number of galleries (mentioned above) in the downtown core, so mark that Friday on the calendar as well!

Finally, there’s a new initiative in Lakefield to look at turning an unused Parks Canada property into an arts and culture hub, which could include studio space and a public art gallery.

Evans Contemporary and Star X present Mamoru Tsukada’s ‘The Exhausted Sky’

Evans Contemporary and Star X Gallery will both be showing the latest work by photographer Mamoru Tsukada. ‘The Exhausted Sky’ is presented in the two gallery spaces as a series of 112 black and white photographs, presented in a grid formation at Evans Contemporary, and another series of 250 colour photographs lining the floor of the Star X Gallery.

These conceptual works have been digitally layered to include traces of the mushroom cloud from the Hiroshima nuclear attack, as well as images of the sky from two other related sites: Berlin and the Trinity test site in New Mexico. The images are beautiful and striking, as the sky is said to have been after the nuclear bomb that devastated Hiroshima.

The work is focused on the sky, but at its core is about humanity as a whole, and points to a glaring lack of humanity, which as a species we have both caused and encountered throughout history. The sky itself, our atmosphere, is something we all share and rely on regardless of social class or nationality, and is a fitting vehicle for the message encrypted in this series of pictures.

The opening reception will be held on Friday, October 6th from 6 p.m. until midnight and will run until October 28th.

Evans Contemporary is located at #2 Banker’s Common in downtown Peterborough. For more information, visit www.evanscontemporary.com or contact Paolo Fortin at evanscontemporary@gmail.com. Star X is located at 129-1/2 Hunter St. West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough. Hours of operation are Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Coeur Nouveau presents ‘Careful What You Wish For’ by Andrew Cripps

In ‘Careful What You Wish For’, colourful paintings by Andrew Cripps “explore civilization’s inability to understand that picking fights with nature is futile.”

This series looks at things which have not worked out as planned. Unforeseen complications and unknown factors causing unexpected negative results, which is indeed what we often see over time as new innovations prove problematic in unforeseen ways.

The title phrase ‘Careful what you wish for’ is emblematic of instances where you find yourself getting what you wished for literally, yet the change somehow results in unpleasant circumstances.

The opening reception will be held on Friday, October 6th from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Coeur Nouveau is on the 2nd floor of the Commerce Building at 129.5 Hunter St. West in downtown Peterborough.

Christensen Fine Art features recent work by painters Janet Read and Rebecca Last

Painters Rebecca Last and Janet Read approach the canvas with very different methods of working, though they both find inspiration in water, cloud and light; the resulting abstracted works are each their own.

The show is on display now at the gallery at Christensen Fine Art until October 28th.

In addition to regular business hours, the gallery will be open for viewing on the evening of the First Friday Art Crawl on Friday, October 6th, so don’t forget to stop by and see these beautiful pieces for yourself.

Christensen Fine Art is located at 432 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit www.christensenfineart.com.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery & Studio presents Carol Forbes’ ‘Out of My Head’ and group show ‘Rural Outlook’

This October, the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery & Studio (KAGS) will feature ‘Out of My Head’, a series of colourful abstract paintings by Carol Forbes. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, October 15th from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., with the show on display from October 11th until October 22nd.

Later in the month, a collection of paintings by KAGS’ outdoor painters’ group called ‘Rural Outlook’ will open. The show will be on display from October 25th until November 12th, with an opening reception on Sunday, October 29th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio is a not-for-profit artist’s co-operative, located at 420 O’Connell Road in Peterborough. Hours of operation are Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.kawarthaartists.org.

Three new exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Peterborough continue until January

‘Pushing It’ by Becky Welter-Nolan is a performative project featuring a roughly 200-pound quilted soft-sculpture “boulder” pushed uphill in true Sisyphean style. While Becky’s two public performances of ‘Pushing It’ took place in September, her show continues at the Art Gallery of Peterborough until January 7th, 2018.

Also on display is a retrospective of work by artist Brenda Francis Pelkey, known for her contributions to contemporary photography since the 1980s, and a group show ‘Public/Private’ that includes work by Anne Meredith Barry, Sheila Butler, Brian Kipping, Hugh Mackenzie, Waltraud Markgraf, and William Vazan. Both shows also continue until January 7th, 2018.

And don’t forget that the It’s all about ART! Gala Auction, the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s annual fundraiser, is on the horizon — scheduled for Saturday, October 28th.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.

Acme Art and Sailboat Co. presents Gwyneth Fischer’s ‘Dots on a line’

Drop by and check out these geometric works by multi-disciplinary artist Gwyneth Fischer. The opening reception for this show will take place on Friday, October 6th from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located at 129-1/2 Hunter Street West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough. Hours of operation are Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Artspace presents ‘A National Test Market’ featuring works by various artists

Running from October 13th until November 17th, this six person show makes reference to Peterborough’s history as a test market. It is a interesting fact the demographics here are representative of those in other settler communities across Canada.

‘A National Test Market’ features work by artists Meagan Christou, Charlotte DiCarlo, Callista Durose Moya, Robin Love, Amber Helene Muller St Thomas, and Jemma Woolidge. The opening reception will be held on Friday, October 13th from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. and there will be a curator’s talk on Wednesday, November 1st at 7 p.m.

Artspace is an accessible space located at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough. Regular hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is available in the municipal lot on Hunter Street between Aylmer and George. For more information, call 705-748-3883 or visit artspace-arc.org.

Whetung Ojibwa Centre presents their Thanksgiving Art Show

Get out and see the Thanksgiving art show at the Whetung Ojibwa Centre at Curve Lake First Nation! The show will be held on Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

With artists in attendance demonstrating their skills, this should be a fun event to attend. Also, if you live in the surrounding area, you can enjoy a nice fall drive on your way over.

The Whetung Ojibwa Centre is located at 875 Curve Lake Rd. in Curve Lake. For more information, call 705-657-3661 or visit www.whetung.com.

Creating an arts and culture hub in Lakefield

Residents of Lakefield will be familiar with the waterfront property at 2 Smith Street, owned by Parks Canada and previously the Trent-Severn Waterway maintenance yard. The building hasn’t been used for a long time and the windows and doors are boarded up. For the past few months, the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has been meeting with Parks Canada staff, community members, and the Township of Selwyn to find out how the property could be better used.

A group of local artists led by Kay Gregg has been discussing the potential of making it an arts and culture hub, which might include a studio space, a public art gallery, and a location where visiting artists can give talks and seminars. The group has connected with Akin Collective, a Toronto-based arts organization that has spearheaded similar projects. The Kawartha Chamber is partnering with the local artists and Akin to apply for funding to conduct a feasibility study and prepare a business plan.

Akin is taking the lead on the application and report writing and is seeking public input through a brief online survey available at akincollective.com/lakefield.

“I feel bad for my mom,” says actress and director Caitlin O’Connor. “I always do shows that my mom wouldn’t want to watch. She saw Cabaret, where I was a Kit Kat girl, which is sketchy. Then she saw me do Spring Awakening, which is sketchy. Now she’ll see me doing Evil Dead The Musical.”

A relative newcomer to the Peterborough theatrical community, Caitlin — along with producer Barb Mills and musical director Ryan Browne — is bringing the cult musical Evil Dead The Musical to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough) for four shows between October 18th to 20th.

The inaugural show for Caitlin’s theatre company, Killer Tree Productions (a name inspired by the show itself), Evil Dead The Musical has already created an incredible buzz, making it the hottest show of the season.

Based on the cult splatter Evil Dead films written and directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell as the lead character Ash Williams, Evil Dead The Musical is a modern Canadian entertainment success story.

First developed by four Queen’s University students (Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris, and George Reinblatt) for a musical theatre class project, Evil Dead The Musical made its debut at a Kingston comedy club.

However, when the group got the approval of Raimi and Campbell, they moved it to Toronto for a well-received production in 2003, and revived it as part of the Montreal Comedy Festival in 2004.

Winning audience approval as well as a quick cult following, the show moved to New York in November 2006, where it was performed eight shows a week at the New World Stage until February 2007. Since then it has returned home to Toronto many times, and has been performed throughout Canada and the US, including a North America touring group in 2014-2015.

Caitlin first saw a midnight performance of Evil Dead The Musical in Detroit.

“I went into school in Windsor for music theatre performance, and we went to Detroit for a midnight showing of Evil Dead, which blew my mind,” she says. “When I was in my final year we had to produce an entire scene, with lights, makeup, stage and everything, and I produced The Necronomicon. It’s become my dream to do this show, because it is my favorite show. It’s a weird, kooky, cheesy, hammy thing.”

To create the musical stage version of Evil Dead, Caitlin (who plays Ash’s girlfriend Linda in the show) has pulled together an interesting group of performers including Lindsay Barr as Cheryl, Lance Issacs as Scotty, Carly Evans as Shelly, Meisha Browne as Annie, Addisson Wylie as Ed, Brandon Remmelgas as Jake, Kat Shaw in various roles, and Andrew Little as the show’s larger-than-life hero Ash.

But what makes this cast so interesting is that, with the exception of a few performers, most have had little experience in musical theatre but are better known in Peterborough as musicians. The result is a cast of fresh faces instead of all the usual suspects.

“I want to focus on bringing in people who are not necessarily musical theatre driven,” Caitlin explains. “I love being in a show with people who are musical theatre driven, but there is something about watching Lindsay grow in her amazement and her love for this. Or someone like Lance and watching him get into his role.

“I love seeing people grow into something they would never normally do. I’ve been that person. Everybody has been there, where it’s their first show and they feel a little out of place. I want that to be a good place, and I want it to be fun.”

“This has truly converted me,” says Lindsay Barr, who is making her acting debut in Evil Dead The Musical. “It’s answered a lot of performance questions in me that I cannot access through playing music in a bar situation, or with a traditional rock band. The possibilities is endless in being able to play another character, and being able to be super creepy without anybody telling me to shut up is amazing. I feel that this is the beginning of a musical theatre journey for me.”

“It’s been a cool fusion between live theatre and live music performance,” adds Addison Wylie. “It’s been a flawless between the two worlds.”

The show has given actress Carly Evans, who has appeared in shows locally with the Anne Shirley Theatre Company, a look at the other side of performance through the influence of her cast mates.

“This has been a way to connect with people that are in the straight up music field, because I’ve been involved in only musical theatre,” Carly says. “I now want to do some open mic nights.”

VIDEO: Evil Dead The Musical in the Media

While the majority of the cast has some wiggle room in developing their characters for the show, Andrew Little has some very big shoes to fill in recreating the role of Ash for the musical stage.

“The main thing that has been challenging to me is to pay homage to the classic character that has this massive cult following, without mimicking Bruce Campbell at all,” Andrew says. “I want to put my own spin on the character, but at the same time there is so much expectation, and so many iconic lines.”

“The more I watch the movies, the more I realize that Ash is an attitude as opposed to a delivery or physicality. What makes Ash to me is the attitude. His bravado. His machismo. Without it the character falls flat. He’s larger than life.”

Starting with a quiet buzz on Facebook this summer, Evil Dead The Musical has quickly become one of the most anticipated shows of the current theatrical season, partly due to its cult status, but also due to the fact that the show seems to have emerged out of nowhere. Originally planned for three performances, with advance ticket sales being so positive (the opening night is nearly sold out), the company was able to add a fourth midnight performance on October 20th.

Furthermore, Market Hall and the Trent Film Society will be cross promoting the show with a screening of Evil Dead 2 on October 11th at 8 p.m.. The cast of Evil Dead The Musical will be meeting at Millennium Park for a “deadite” walk to Market Hall, and will be giving a sneak peek of the show before the film.

“You don’t really see shows like this in Peterborough very often,” says Lance Issacs who, like Lindsay Barr, is making his theatrical debut in the show. “Part of the reason I really wanted to get involved is because it’s so weird. I think that’s what has attracted a lot of people. Whatever life we can breathe into the arts community in Peterborough, we are doing that.”

VIDEO: Evil Dead (1981) – Trailer

Although this is her first time directing a show in Peterborough, Caitlin acknowledges the great support the community has given her in helping an unconventional production like Evil Dead The Musical become a reality.

“We don’t have a rehearsal space, so the support from this community has been amazing,” Caitlin states. “Long & McQuaide has given us rehearsal space for some nights. We’re at Revolutions Dance Studio because they have offered us rehearsal space. Gorilla Studios gave us space. We’ve done houses, and anyone who will have the Evil Dead cast. It’s been a really supportive endeavor.”

But mainly the focus on the creative side of Evil Dead The Musical has been to have fun. Filled with comedy, action, gore, and Kandarian demons, Evil Dead The Musical is one of the funniest and freshest shows I’ve ever seen, not to mention the only show I’ve ever seen four times.

“I’ve never seen anybody come out of this show without the biggest grin,” says Caitlin. “If I can have three people leave this show and have them say ‘I want to do something like this,’ I’ve met my goal.”

Evil Dead The Musical runs from October 18th to 20th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. Shows start at 8 p.m., with a special midnight performance on Friday, October 20th. Advance tickets are $23 general admission ($28 at the door), $18 for students, and $33 for seats in the “splatter zone” (front-of-the-theatre seating where the audience gets splattered with demon blood throughout the performance — dress accordingly).

October is a beautiful month: falling leaves and a crispness in the air that is usually mild enough, yet hints at winter. It’s also a month with some amazing shows in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, featuring some all-time favourite kawarthaNOW acts and much more. Here are just a few shows that I think are well worth getting out of the house for.

Sarah DeCarlo and Lacey Hill at The Garnet in Peterborough on October 5

A couple of very talented ladies take the stage on Thursday, October 5th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).

Peterborough’s Sarah DeCarlo brings her catchy songs that move in and out of rock, folk, and pop, and Six Nations’ songstress Lacey Hill brings her emotionally wide-ranging songs to the stage.

This will be a great double bill of fantastic songwriting. The show begins around 9 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.

VIDEO: “Wind and Feathers” – Lacey Hill

Chloe Charles at the Market Hall in Peterborough on October 5

Speaking of talented ladies, another great option on Thursday, October 5th is Canadian singer-songwriter Chloe Charles, who makes her first-ever Peterborough appearance at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

From Uxbridge, Charles has received a lot of critical acclaim overseas and here at home, but isn’t yet well known among the general public. But she’s a huge talent, with her original sound mixing the folk, soul, pop, jazz, and classical genres. She’s also an accomplished guitarist (Guitar World called her one of the “10 female guitarists you should know”).

The show starts at 8 p.m., and general admission tickets are $25 including fees ($15 including fees for students) or $30 including fees for assigned cabaret seating. You can get them at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org. General admission are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

VIDEO: “Black & White” – Chloe Charles

Richard Inman at The Garnet in Peterborough on October 5

Go see Richard Inman on Monday, October 9th at The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107).

Just a few words about this show: he’ll inspire you while he breaks your heart. The Winnipeg artist is one of the best young songwriters out there, walking the path that artists like Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark have before him.

Tickets are available at the show and it begins around 9 p.m.

VIDEO: “Redemption” – Richard Inman

Peter Katz at the Market Hall in Peterborough on October 14

Excellent Toronto singer-songwriter Peter Katz is touring in support of his new sonically rich record We Are The Reckoning and will be coming to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Saturday, October 14th at 8 p.m.

Katz has had Juno nods, been named Best Male Vocalist in NOW Magazine, toured relentlessly, and worked on songs for his new record for two solid years.

Tickets are $25 for general admission seats ($20 for students) and $30 for cabaret table seats. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “Brother” – Peter Katz (featuring Royal Wood)

The Silver Hearts at The Red Dog in Peterborough on October 14

Also on Thursday, October 14th will be another great show featuring Peterborough’s own The Silver Hearts at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).

The legendary local band has gone through some changes over the years, but they still play their rag-tag brand of jazz meets Tin Pan Alley meets rock and roll.

The show begins at 10 p.m. and goes all night. Tickets are available at the door.

VIDEO: “One Kind Favour” – The Silver Hearts

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings at the Market Hall in Peterborough on October 21

Only a few tickets are left for Canadian roots-rock supergroup — and one of the best live bands you’ll ever see — Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, who return to Peterborough on Saturday, October 21st to play at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).

The band, originally formed as a one-off to make a tribute album of the songs of Willie P. Bennett, includes great Canadian musicians Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Lee Harvey Osmond), Stephen Fearing, and producer/guitarist extraordinare Colin Linden. It’s a three-headed monster of roots music.

Their rhythm section, made up of Gary Craig and John Dymond (currently touring with Bruce Cockburn), drive the music home with masterful drums and bass respectively. I can’t say enough god things about this band. Willie P. would be proud.

The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $48 for floor seats. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

VIDEO: “White Line” – Blackie & The Rodeo Kings

Elliott Brood at The Red Dog in Peterborough on October 21

Starting pretty much as soon as the Blackie show is done, and around the corner on Hunter Street, Canadian stomping roots artists Elliott Brood take the stage on Thursday, October 21st at The Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W, Peterborough, 705-750-1710).

The band is touring their latest record Ghost Gardens and they just keep getting better. Opening the show will be Odd Years.

Tickets are $20, available in advance at wwww.ticketscene.ca/events/18330/, and the music starts at 10:30 p.m.

VIDEO: “Dig a Little Hole” – Elliott Brood

Barenaked Ladies at Showplace in Peterborough on October 24

Check out Barenaked Ladies in a relatively intimate atmosphere on Tuesday, October 24th when they perform at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469), beginning at 8 p.m.

The band is on their “Canada 1 Five 0 Tour” across the country. You can be sure they will play a bunch of their hits and much more, including songs from their 16th studio album Fake Nudes.

The regular ticket price is $95.53 but, if you’re a big BNL fan, VIP tickets are still available for $205.64 and $303.51 which gives you a premium seat, pre-show soundcheck access, swag and more. More details as well as tickets are available at the Showplace Box Office or online at www.showplace.org.

VIDEO: “Bringing It Home” – Barenaked Ladies

Johannes Linstead at Cameco Capitol Arts Centre in Port HOpe on October 27

Acclaimed guitar player Johannes Linstead brings his genre busting show to Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope, 905-885-1071) on Friday, October 27th at 8 p.m.

Linstead has won a ton of awards, including “Best Album”, Canada’s “Guitarist of the Year” and “People’s Choice” in the UK, and he has had six albums on the top 10 Billboard charts in the U.S.. His music drifts from Afro-Cuban to Spanish and beyond and his band features congas, bongos, accordion, and more.

Tickets are $39 and are available at the Capitol Box Office or online at www.capitoltheatre.com.

VIDEO: “Djunga” – Johannes Linstead

Elton Lammie at The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall in Cobourg on October 29

Fans of country music are in for a treat on Sunday, October 29th at 2 p.m. as British Columbia artist Elton Lammie takes the stage at The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W., Cobourg, 905-372-2210).

Lammie has a wide background in music, including extensive radio and TV credits. He is a multi-instrumentalist who is as comfortable at a drum set as he is with a guitar.

Tickets are $20+HST for reserved cabaret-style seating, and can be reserved by calling 905-372-2210 or 1-855-372-2210.

VIDEO: “We Should Find Out” – Elton Lammie