This Friday (May 12), comedians Tamara Bick and Drew Antzis are looking to a Peterborough audience to save their marriage when they bring their web series Settle This Thing live to the stage at The Theatre On King (TTOK).

Although the couple hasn’t create any new Settle This Thing videos in nearly three years, the pair feels that it is time again to figure out their marriage.

“We are bringing Settle This Thing back in full force,” Drew says. “We have to. We really have to.”

“There are just so many things we need to settle once and for all,” Tamara agrees. “We’ve been married eleven long, torturous years. It feels like I’m shoving flaming bamboo shoots under my fingernails.”

“Some people might consider that a spa treatment,” Drew replies.

As writers, producers, and directors at their own production company, Bick/Antzis, Drew and Tarmara are successful filmmakers, primarily creating web commercials for companies such as VISA, Zurich, Whole Foods and ABC. Together, they have worked with a variety of big-name celebrities including Alex Baldwin, Will Farrell and, most recently, Mike Myers.

A veteran of Second City, Tamara was raised in Peterborough but relocated to pursue comedy in Los Angeles, where she met Drew (who was working for the popular website Funny or Die) during a trip to Burning Man. Eventually, the pair began collaborating.

“We started working together at Funny or Die,” Drew tells of their partnership. “I was the first staff director there and Tamara was in a lot of the videos. Soon we started writing and directing together.”

“We also wrote a short black comedy called Coma together,” Tamara adds. “I was the writer and he was the director. But we were really doing everything together, so we have been doing things as a team effort since then.”

While finding success creating video content, eventually Drew and Tamara brought the camera into their home for a series of two-and-a-half minute videos called Settle This Thing.

The premise is that the couple would take one of their many disagreements and present it to the YouTube audience. Asking for the viewers to vote on who they thought were right, Drew and Tamara would then settle the argument based on the viewer responses. The verdict would be presented at the end of the next video.

From kids’ birthday parties to fart etiquette, major disagreements were solved forever via the power of YouTube.

“Those issues have been resolved and we live by those resolutions,” Tamara reveals. “We stick by the vote.”

However, upon relocating from Los Angeles to Peterborough two and a half years ago so that they could be closer to Tamara’s family, Settle This Thing has been sitting in limbo.

“We took a break because we were moving from California from Peterborough and we figured we’d take a year to move,” Drew explains. “We took over a month just to get here. We camped across the country with the kids. So while we were doing that, we didn’t do any work. We figured we’d take a break from Settle This Thing and get our bearings and figure things out from there. Finally we got to the point where — ”

“To cut to the chase, we were getting along really well,” Tamara interrupts. “It was not necessary to do it. Now things have all descended into hell and we need an audience to settle the arguments we are having.”

“We didn’t move to Canada to break up,” Drew adds. “We did it to enhance our lives.”

Just how serious is the situation with Drew and Tamara’s marriage? In all honesty, it’s hard to tell. When sitting down with the couple, I found the rapid fire back and forth between the two both hilarious and biting.

Drew sets up the situation as the optimistic straight man, while Tamara knocks him down with a cynical, although somewhat realistic, retort. Drew then responds with a clever quip. The result is something very funny.

“The great thing about marriage is that you get this instant criticism,” Drew says while looking at his wife.

“It’s feedback,” Tamara responds.

“She’s this no-holds-barred mean critic,” Drew says.

“I’m just trying to make you a better person,” Tamara explains to Drew. “I’ve got your back. But that means that I’m talking behind your back.”

Although the original Settle This Thing videos are under three minutes, Drew and Tamara have found it easy to expand on the live show for TTOK and want to make the performance an ongoing series.

“It’s the first time we’re doing it live, and we’re trying to find out what working this out in front of a live audience is going to be like,” Tamara says. “Even though we might not be sure that our own marriage is surviving very well, we’re trying to figure out what a marriage is, and if we are masters of it or if we are disasters.

“In the meantime, as we’re trying to keep it together. We need help. This is the premise of the show. Do we want you to think that the end of our marriage is really the case? Yes, we really want you to think that.”

“We’re taking a scientific approach about this,” Drew says. “We’re looking at what it takes to be a master at relationships or why there are disastrous ones.”

“We are exploring the science of relationships,” Tamara adds. “Our relationship happens to be marriage, or co-parents, or partners. Well, I do the majority of everything.”

“What I do is so rich, it kind of balances out,” Drew replies.

“Yeah, the three per cent you do is so full and rich and it matters so much,” Tamara mocks.

“If I quit what I was doing, it would collapse,” Drew objects.

That’s just one sample of the feuding couple’s repartee.

“It’s like a game of Jenga,” Tamara explains. “It’d be like pulling out the one little block that is apparently holding our marriage all together. You know what? I say pull the thing out and let’s see what happens.”

VIDEO: “Front Seat Driver” – Episode 6 of Settle This Thing

Although they have been living in Peterborough for a number of years, Drew and Tamara continue to shoot commercials primarily in the United States. Their revival of Settle This Thing is their first foray into live performance in Peterborough, although the couple tested the material at The Gordon Best in February before a Citiots performance.

“We opened for the Citiots last February,” Drew recalls. “We showed a video and interacted with the audience. It went well. They didn’t throw anything at us.”

“We set the bar low and then go from there,” Tamara adds. “That’s also what I do with my marriage.”

With their cutting off-the-cuff banter, Drew and Tamara are extremely funny to listen to. Is their marriage truly in peril, or is it all a good-natured act? In all honesty I couldn’t tell, but I also couldn’t stop laughing. It’s possible the TTOK audience could hold the cards for the future of Tamara and Drew’s marriage.

“We think that potentially we could do Settle This Thing once a month,” Tamara says. “Perhaps do it enough in front of an audience so we can figure out if it’s something we want to do regularly.”

“We need to figure out if it’s saving our marriage,” Drew adds. “We want it to work.”

One husband, one wife, one argument. You decide. Come out to TTOK on Friday, May 12th and help Drew and Tamara resolve their marital issues with Settle This Thing. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and admission is $5 or pay what you can.

There’s a saying that goes something to the effect that if you try to please everybody, you are destined to fail in the attempt.

Fortunately for live music fans, both local and from across Ontario, Peterborough Musicfest has, since 1987, adopted and followed the advice of another well-worn expression as its guiding principle: nothing ventured, nothing gained.

On Tuesday morning (May 9) at the Silver Bean Café in Millennium Park, the organization revealed its 2017 lineup of free concerts at Del Crary Park; a 17-concert marathon that begins Canada Day with Canadian rock music icon Kim Mitchell and ends Saturday, August 26 with country music recording artist Jason McCoy.

Sandwiched in between, on Wednesday and Saturday nights, is a diverse menu of music genres, represented by some of the biggest names in Canadian music.

“The toughest part is pleasing everybody. You’ve got 17 nights to get it wrong,” admits Musicfest general manager Tracey Randall, suggesting you don’t even try. Instead, she said, “You work really hard to get the (music) genre and hope that’s enough to form the basis of a line-up that has wide appeal”.

The 2017 lineup is indeed as diverse at it is talent-laden. Following the series-opening performance by Kim MItchell on July 1st are:

• world music guitarist/composer Jesse Cook (July 5)
• classic rock artist Tom Cochrane with Red Rider (July 8)
• pop music singer and songwriter Ruth B (July 12)
• the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra paying tribute to the music of Star Wars (July 15)
• a double dose of rock with The Stephen Stanley Band and Lindsay-based The Kents (July 19)
• Journey tribute band Absolute Journey (July 22)
• a cappella country quintet Home Free (July 26)
• Elton John tribute artists Elton Rohn (July 29)
• Our Lady Peace with Coleman Hell and River Town Saints (part of ONtour concert series) (August 2)
• a cappella pop quintet Eh440 (August 5)
• country music band Washboard Union (August 9)
• Canadian rock icons The Philosopher Kings (August 12)
• Saskatoon-born rock band The Sheepdogs (August 16)
• 1980s music tribute acts Abbamania and Night Fever (August 19)
• Dave Bidini-led indie rock band Rheostatics (August 23;)

Closing out the season on August 26th, with a country music vibe, is the aforementioned Jason McCoy.

“We have to make money to spend it,” noted Randall in her opening comments.

“I think a lot of people think we work for the City and that the money just comes to us but we have go out there and work it. We feel that this event is your event. It’s our sponsors’ event, it’s the community’s event, and we would really like to see it continue for free. Artists’ fees are increasing, there are a lot of big-ticket festivals, but we’re one of the longest-running free concert series in the country. We’re really proud of that.”

Putting together and finalizing the lineup for Musicfest’s 31st season was, according to Randall, the challenge it has always been.

“There’s other festivals and events in town, so you don’t want to compete with those. We really need to raise the money in order to get these artists that are charging more. The bigger the festivals are getting throughout the country, the harder it is to book these big acts because they’re making more money at the other festivals. Other festivals have $400 ticket prices and a beer tent. We only run for 90 minutes.

“The reason it’s easy for us to work hard on a free concert series is because Peterborough is an arts town. It’s full of music and artisans. I think people within Ontario know that, so when I’m going to book bands, they’ve heard of us.”

From his perspective, Musicfest board chair David Feeley liked what he saw and heard Tuesday.

“I don’t think there’s anybody that can’t find something they like but I challenge them to come down to the park anyway. This is for Peterborough. It’s all put on by our sponsors, a very small staff, and a very dedicated board. Come down and enjoy what we’ve done.

“There are a lot of businesses being tapped for support in this community. This is their chance to give back to the community but to do something that’s out of the norm. Taking it for granted is really something we have to ensure we don’t do.”

It was back on July 1, 1987 that Musicfest — then known as the Peterborough Festival of Lights — debuted with jazz great Moe Koffman headlining. At the forefront of the concert series for 17 years was Fred Anderson, whose vision of a free summer concert series led to it becoming a fixture on the Peterborough summer calendar.

After Anderson died in February 2006, the stage which has been, and continues to be, home to visiting performers was named after him in tribute to his vision and his work organizing and promoting the concert series.

“I know he would be proud because we’ve just grown so much from his dancers and trampolines and magicians,” said Randall.

“It’s amazing that we can bring such great artists to our stage. Honestly, where are you going to see The Sheepdogs and Tom Cochrane for free? Everybody knows where to go on a Wednesday or Saturday night. Eight o’clock at Del Crary Park. That’s where it’s at.”

On Saturday, May 27th, at the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s dramatic 50th anniversary season finale “The Planets”, members from two of Peterborough’s cultural cornerstones will perform together for the first time in over a decade.

Sponsored by Scotiabank, the PSO’s fifth and final concert of 2016/17 will take audience members on a vivid musical adventure. Through the music of Grieg, Liadov and Stravinsky, the classical elements of earth, water and fire will be explored. Then the concert will leave terra firma for outer space, where Holst’s large-scale orchestral suite The Planets will be the guide for a melodic tour of the galaxy featuring the Women’s Chorus of the Peterborough Singers.

The Peterborough Singers formed in 1990 in association with the PSO, and were known then as the Peterborough Symphony Singers. By 1993, they had grown to the point where it made sense for the Singers to become their own organization. Now almost 30 years on, the Peterborough Singers boast upwards of 100 voices and are well known locally and nationally as a highly regarded choral group, led by founding Artistic Director Syd Birrell.

Since the separation of the two groups in 1993, the PSO and the Peterborough Singers have collaborated several times. The last occasion was in March 2005, when the Singers joined the orchestra to perform Dvorak’s beautiful Stabat Mater. Now both organizations are looking forward to working together again. This time, 40 female singers will perform with the orchestra as the Women’s Chorus of the Peterborough Singers.

Syd Birrell explains the interesting role the Women’s Chorus plays in The Planets, and how much fun the Singers are having being a part of the concert.

“We were thrilled when PSO conductor Michael Newnham asked if we could provide a women’s choir for the famous Holst Planets,” Syd says. “How often do the women get a chance to do that? They sing in the Neptune movement only, and immediately dubbed themselves ‘The Neptones’ and had t-shirts made. Collaborating with other arts groups in our community is always a priority, and we are delighted to be working with the PSO once again.”

The Women’s Chorus will perform the haunting, ethereal wordless meditations of Neptune, known as the Mystic in Holst’s portrayal of the astrological characters of seven of the solar system’s planets.

PSO Music Director & Conductor, Michael Newnham, says that preparing for The Planets is also an exciting experience for the musicians.

“The Planets is a spectacular orchestral piece which English composer Gustav Holst wrote in 1913 in order to show off all of the technical possibilities of a symphony orchestra in his time,” Michael explains. “Through its range of colours, rhythms and sheer force of invention, this is one of the standard works by which any orchestra is judged today.

“It is a thrilling experience to work on this challenging piece with the PSO. This orchestra throws itself into the rehearsals with gusto and relishes the opportunity. Everyone wants to be involved in this. We even have three very talented members of the Kawartha Youth Orchestra who are bolstering the ranks of our ensemble and getting the chance to play this well-loved work.”

“The Planets” will conclude a fabulous 50th year for the PSO, which has gained a reputation as one of the finest community-based orchestras in Canada. Under the banner of ‘Celebrate the journey’, the organization has marked its important milestone throughout the 2016/17 concert season by honouring the journey of the organization itself, and exploring the idea more figuratively in the themes of its programming.

This season the PSO cultivated new partnerships with other local organizations, increased its outreach into the community, hosted world-class guest artists with their own interesting life stories and connections to the PSO, and performed increasingly challenging music written about experiences and places near and far, including a piece commissioned especially for the PSO’s 50th anniversary.

“This season has been the most significant and enjoyable one for me since I began my tenure with the PSO,” Michael says. “The orchestra is playing magnificently and the community support for us has increased dramatically. We really feel the excitement of our audience and the civic pride behind its orchestra. This concert will be a spectacular ending to an exceptional year.”

VIDEO: The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra perform “Neptune” from Holst’s The Planets in a 2009 Proms performance

General admission tickets for “The Planets” are available from the Showplace Performance Centre box office at a cost of $38.50 for adults, $10 for students. Visit the box office in person (290 George St. N., Peterborough), online at www.showplace.org or call 705-742-7469 to purchase tickets.

Please note that this concert will not take place at Showplace, but at Emmanuel United Church East, formerly known as George Street United Church (534 George St. N., Peterborough). Concert ticket holders are invited to attend Meet the Maestro, a pre-concert chat with the PSO’s Maestro Newnham, in the church at 6:40 p.m. before the concert at 7:30 p.m.

Current PSO season subscribers will receive the PSO’s 2017/18 season brochure in the mail ahead of the May 27th concert. Subscribers are encouraged to fill out the order form included in the season brochure and hand it in with payment to PSO volunteers at “The Planets”.

Subscriptions can also be renewed by mail (PSO, PO Box 1135, Peterborough ON, K9J 7H4). Current subscribers’ seats will be held for renewal until June 19, 2017. After this deadline, seats will become available for sale to the general public.

This May, check out Dylan Miner’s multi-media show “Waawaashkeshi // Anikoobijigan” at Artspace, where you will also find a series of music shows happening this month. Also, the Annual 50/50 Artspace fundraiser is coming up on Saturday, May 6th at 7 p.m.

In other locations this month, Proximity Fine Art opens for another season, Christensen Fine Art presents a series of new paintings by Marilyn Goslin, The Arts and Heritage Centre present Ann Jaeger’s “your house is on fire”, Acme Art and Sailboat Co. shows “New Shapes” by Joe Stable, the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon presents “Vernissage” paintings by Lorraine Thayer and, last but not least, Seeds of Change will be hosting weekly pop-up Art Hives!

Proximity Fine Art opens for another season!

Proximity Fine Art continues to show work on the shore of Stony Lake. Gallery operator Christy Haldane has passed the torch to recent OCAD graduate Robert Rachfalowski. He is going to be operating the gallery this summer. Robert is familiar with the terrain, having already worked with Christy in the gallery for a summer, and subsequently for Carveth’s Marina. Robert is himself a cottager on Stony Lake and knows the local community, and he is also an artist and drawing instructor at Durham College.

Proximity Fine Art will be hosting a reception to mark the beginning of the summer season on Saturday, May 20th from 2 until 4 p.m. Drop by to meet Robert and take in a selection of new work from artists in the area.

At the moment Robert is accepting submissions for the summer season. Please e-mail him for further information at robertrachfalowski@gmail.com.

Proximity Fine Art is located upstairs at Carveth’s Marina (426 Carveth’s Marina Rd., Lakefield). It’s open from noon to 5 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday or by appointment. For more information, email Robert Rachfalowski at robertrachfalowski@gmail.com.

Artspace presents Dylan Miner’s “Waawaashkeshi // Anikoobijigan”

“Waawaashkeshi // Anikoobijigan” represents Dylan Miner’s latest exploration in an ongoing project. This project looks at Dylan’s gichi-aanikoobijigan (grandfather’s grandfather) and his experience of being arrested in November of 1906 for hunting deer in the Georgian Bay Territory.

The project has evolved above and beyond the initial reclamation of his family’s story of injustice and their fight for rights to subsistence hunting and harvesting. He explores further family connections in this latest body of work comprised of a film and video of Dylan’s trip to Parry Sound that coincides with the release of a related publication.

The opening reception will be held on Friday May 26th, from 7 until 10 p.m. and the show runs until July 14th.

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

Artspace is also hosting three live music events this May.

Artspace hosts Fiver performing Audible Songs from Rockwood

Drop by Artspace on Thursday, May 11th at 8 p.m. to listen to Fiver play selections from Audible Songs from Rockwood

Fiver is the solo project of Toronto-based singer-songwriter Simone Schmidt, known for fronting The Highest Order and acclaimed country band One Hundred Dollars. Her latest album Audible Songs From Rockwood is a series of 11 fictional field recordings, gathered from case files of patients at the Rockwood Asylum for the Criminally Insane between 1854 and 1881. The album is accompanied by a book written by fictional ethnomusicologist, Simone Carver, written in the style of the liner notes of Smithsonian Folkways compilations.

Pay what you can at the door.

VIDEO: The Writing of Audible Songs from Rockwood

Artspace presents Cover me Badd — the ultimate cover band challenge

On Friday, May 12th at 8 p.m., the Cover Me Badd cover band challenge will begin!

Drop by and see what hidden talents this town has to offer and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see your friends and acquaintances rock out on stage!

The actual cover for this event is $10 or pay what you can.

Artspace hosts Bry Webb with Bird City

Bry Webb, the lead singer of popular band The Constantines, teams up with lap steel guitarist Rich Burnet and Jenny Mitchell (aka jenny omnichord) of Bird City, for a performance at Artspace.

This event takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 14th and admission is $10 at the door.

Christensen Fine Art presents Marilyn Goslin

Marilyn Goslin is a prolific painter known for her bold colour schemes and striking brushwork. Her colourful paintings represent towns cities and parks throughout Canada with a focus on Ontario, where she spends most of her time.

Working both in her studio and on site, Marilyn has amassed a large collection of new work which will be on display at Christensen Fine Art for the month of May.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 5th from 6 until 9 p.m.. Come out and meet the artist while viewing her latest paintings in person. The show will be on display in the gallery until May 31st.

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 or call Peer Christensen at 705-876-9623.

The Arts and Heritage Centre Presents Ann Jaeger’s “Your House is on Fire”

This series of black-and-white acrylic painting, collage and hand-stitching on tarp, displayed alongside sculptures of papier mache and fabric, are the artist’s response and reaction to problems facing society today.

“Whether we are witnesses or victims, what language can describe and help us process the 21st-century diet of collective trauma and powerlessness we experience, along with a side of banal entertainment?” asks artist Ann Jaeger.

The show will be on display at the Arts and Heritage Centre of Warkworth from Friday, May 5th until May 28th, with an opening reception on Saturday, May 6th from 2 until 4 p.m..

On Sunday, May 14th from 1 to 2 p.m., Ann will be giving a talk at the centre about her work.

Ah! Arts and Heritage Centre of Warkworth is located at 35 Church Street in downtown Warkworth. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For more information, please contact Rebecca Baptista, Arts Administrator, at info@ahcentre.ca or 705-925-4450.

Acme Art and Sailboat Co. presents “New Shapes” by Joe Stable

Another art crawl is planned for Hunter Street in downtown Peterborough and artist Joe Stable is showing new work and some paintings from 2007.

Drop by and see what is on display from 7 p.m. onwards on Friday, May 5th.

Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located at 129-1/2 Hunter Street West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough.

Culinary Celebration and Art Exhibit at the Lakeview Arts Barn

Local artist Lorraine Thayer’s series “Vernissage” will be on display at the Lakeview Arts Barn from Wednesday, May 10th until Saturday, May 13th. Join in the opening reception on May 10th from 2 to 7 p.m. Complimentary canapés will be served as the finishing touches are put on the exhibition.

If you happen to be attending Globus Theatre’s Culinary Celebration, also coming up at the Lakeview Arts Barn from May 11th to 13th, you can appreciate Lorraine’s work as you sample delicious delicacies with a local flavour and dance the night away in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

The Lakeview Arts Barn is located at 2300 Pigeon Lake Road in Bobcaygeon and can be contacted via phone at 705-738-2037 or 1-800-304-7897 or by e-mail at info@globustheatre.com. You can visit them online at www.globustheatre.com .

Seeds of Change hosts Art Pop-Up: Peterborough Art Hive

During the months of May and June, the Peterborough Art Hive is partnering with Seeds of Change to run a weekly Pop Up Art Studio intended to foster creativity and creativity.

People are to gather every Friday at Seeds of Change (534 George St. N., Peterborough 705-874-3553) from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m and pursue creative projects together. You will be welcome to work either on group projects, or whatever you are working on by yourself in the shared space. This “art hive” will encourage community building as well as creativity.

This is for people of all ages, all orientations, all abilities, all walks of life. No art experience necessary and supplies will be provided. The event is free of charge but donations are welcome.

For more information, visit www.seedsofchangeptbo.org.

Celebrate Canadian country music on the shores of Lake Ontario at the Country Wild Music Festival on Saturday, June 3rd in Cobourg.

Ontario natives Cold Creek County — who were nominated for the 2017 Juno Awards Breakthrough Group of the Year — are headlining the one-day festival, which takes place from 3 to 10 p.m. at Victoria Park.

Other bands performing during the festival are Runaway Angel, Gentlemen Husbands, Kansas Stone, Colin Amey, Sacha, Sawmill Road, SweetGrass Band, and Marc Ekins.

The festival has been organized by Cobourg locals Matt Williams and J Andrew Hall of Cobourg Music Festivals Inc., which aims to be a partner in music-inclusive events in Northumberland County and to promote Cobourg as a thriving musical destination.

Country Wild Music Festival is the first large-scale event hosted by the organization.

“Cobourg has a unique landscape and we are thrilled to bring a new music themed event to the Town,” says Williams, who is himself a country music artist. “As a musician and fan, I feel blessed to be able to bring that passion to my hometown and celebrate the incredible talent of my fellow Canadian musicians.”

The festival is showcasing Canadian country music in recognition of Canada’s 150th birthday year celebrations.

“This is the first event of its kind to take place in Cobourg and we are thrilled to debut during Canada’s 150th celebration year,” says Hall. “We hope this event will excite country music fans and draw a crowd that will allow us to continue to grow each year, bringing new Canadian and international talent to the festival.”

General admission tickets for the festival are $35 (plus tax) and are available online at ticketfly.com. VIP tickets are already sold out.

For more information about the Country Wild Music Festival, visit countrywild.ca.

Cold Creek County

Getting their start in Brighton, country rock group Cold Creek County were nominated for the 2017 Juno Awards’ Breakthrough Group of the Year. The band has toured with Dallas Smith, Emerson Drive, Kira Isabella, and Jason Blaine. Their 2015 debut single “Our Town” reached the top 10 on the Billboard Canada Country chart, and their debut album Till the Wheels Come Off was released in October 2015.

Current band members are Ches Anthony (vocals and acoustic guitar), Doug Oliver (drums and vocals), Trevor MacLeod (lead guitar), Josh Lester (guitar and vocals), Justin Lester (bass and vocals), and Jordan Honsinger (banjo and vocals). The band has been nominated for four Country Music Association of Ontario awards: Single of the Year for “Beer Weather”, Album of the Year for Till The Wheels Come Off, Group or Duo of the Year, and Fans’ Choice.

Runaway Angel

This power trio of female musicians from the GTA (Cadence Grace, Ann Chaplin, and Stacey Zegers) has been nominated for eight Ontario Country Music Awards since 2015. They have rocked the crowds at major festivals like Boots & Hearts, Havelock Jamboree, Kipawa Countryfest, and Lucknow’s Music in the Fields, opening for mega country acts like Dierks Bentley, Dallas Smith, Tim Hicks, Chad Brownlee, Doc Walker, Emerson Drive, and Jason Blaine.

Gentlemen Husbands

Cobourg’s own Gentlemen Husbands (Ryan Hutcheson, Dan Farrell, Derrick Ballard, and Jed Atkinson) have built an expansive sound around compelling lyrics influenced by such artists as Counting Crows, Ryan Adams, and Bruce Springsteen. They have toured with Matthew Good and performed with The Tragically Hip, Arkells, Ron Sexsmith, Alberta Cross, Hollerado, and more. They were signed to Universal Music Canada in 2013.

Kansas Stone

Ontario’s Kansas Stone (Brian Vain, Matt Davey) is a high-energy country band with a sound that covers old and new country, blues, rock, and more. Their original songs are influenced by musicians like Waylon Jennings, Garth Brooks, Alabama, Johnny Cash, and more.

Colin Amey

Marmora native Colin Amey has released four records since 1998, with two of his singles reaching the Top 20 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada. He has performed with such leading country artists as Shenandoah, Bryan White, Joe Diffie, Wade Hayes, Pirates of the Mississippi, Perfect Strangers, and the Wilkinsons.

Sacha

Sacha was the winner of The Next Country Music Star 2016, a competition that made way for her to perform at Havelock Country Jamboree among acts such as The Band Perry, Terri Clark, The Good Brothers, Tebey, and more. Top pick by the Country Music Association of Ontario placed her on the Artist Spotlight stage during Lucknow Music In The Fields festival, a line up which featured major Canadian and American country artists. She kicked the new year off as one of the openers for Brett Kissel’s “Ice Snow 30 Below Tour” at the Rose Theatre in Brampton. Currently, Sacha just
released her new single to country radio called “Small Town History”.

Sawmill Road

Northumberland County’s Sawmill Road was formed in 2006 by Rob Hood and Duane Eddy. After performing only a handful of shows on their own, the band was hired by Canadian country music star John Landry to perform as his stage band. Sawmill Road has since shared the stage with big name Canadian acts such as The Corb Lund Band, Amanda Wilkinson, Tara Lynn Hart, Tommy Cash, and Julian Austin. In 2013, the band (which now also includes Dane Perry) released their debut record Cryin’, Lovin’ & Drinkin.

SweetGrass Band

Hailing from Alderville First Nation, Cobourg, and Peterborough, SweetGrass Band (Jimbob Marsden, Ginny Mcilmoyle, Mike Del Mastro, Lorne Lean, and John Partridge) are a bluegrass band with an edge. In 2014, they were nominated as the Most Promising Group at the Central Canadian Bluesgrass Awards.

Marc Ekins

Lindsay native Marc Ekins has opened for Canadian artists such as Great Big Sea, The Road Hammers, Aaron Pritchett, Chris Cummings, Julian Austin, and Amy Skye just to name a few. With his eclectic mix of music (country, rock, blues, folk, Celtic, and swing), he’s a high-energy performer who works hard to get the audience dancing and singing along. His original songs have gotten rave reviews from fair and festival goers all over North America.