Home Blog Page 955

Roads and rivers aren’t meeting in Peterborough

"Where roads and rivers meet" won't be appearing on any signs for Peterborough. Public response to the new proposed tagline was largely negative, so the city will be looking at alternative taglines.

The people have spoken, and they didn’t like it.

So it’s back to the drawing board for the City of Peterborough’s proposed new tagline “where roads and rivers meet.”

The proposed tagline was the result of a community brand consultation that began in March 2017, with two public meetings and two online surveys that asked people how they would describe Peterborough. Local agency BrandHealth was selected to work on the branding process.

After reviewing 600 responses, BrandHealth presented the proposed tagline “Peterborough — where roads and rivers meet.” to Peterborough city council on Monday, July 24th.

After the proposed tagline became known, it was widely criticized on social media. The city made an online survey available so residents could provide feedback, and 891 responses were submitted.

It appears there was enough negative feedback that the city has decided to revisit the proposed tagline. BrandHealth will be working on developing an alternative tagline.

Peterborough’s Wes Ryan debuts his new trauma-informed theatrical production

Slam poet, artist, dancer, choreographer, and actor Wes Ryan. (Photo: Erin Murphy)

Because as a child, trauma used to visit me between the sheets. – From “Coping” by Wes Ryan

For years, local performer Wes Ryan has been very candid about his past substance abuse, being a survivor of sexual abuse, and living with a brain injury.

However, when Wes felt his story was misinterpreted on stage late last year by a theatre group, he was prompted to create These Are Horizon Days, his first full-length show in 15 years, which runs from August 3rd to 5th at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough.

In These Are Horizon Days, Wes reclaims his own story while looking at the way sensitive topics are presented on stage, as well as shared with the community, in a safe way.

"These Are Horizon Days" runs from August 3rd to 5th at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough.
“These Are Horizon Days” runs from August 3rd to 5th at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough.

“About a year ago I got really busy traveling around Ontario and doing spoken word on top of studying at Trent,” Wes says. “As the workload increased, I wasn’t quite on top of things that I should be, such as my brain injury which has its own challenges.

“I shared my abuse story with a theatre group for part of a show about sexual assault and the justice system, but the way they presented my story was traumatic for me.

“I soon realized I did not possess the resilience needed to deal with the situation. These are Horizon Days is, in part, an exploration of that experience while reclaiming my personal narrative. It’s a way for me to explore resilience and to also engage the audience on a discussion about how we stage sensitive stories — how we deal with traumatizing content in front of an audience.”

Alongside Wes, These Are Horizon Days also features actress Hilary Wear and musician D. Dmuchowski on cello.

Wes Ryan performing at The Venue in Peterborough. (Photo: Kristine Webster)
Wes Ryan performing at The Venue in Peterborough. (Photo: Kristine Webster)

“Horizons are a bit frustrating,” Wes says, explaining the title of the show. “We say that things are ‘just over the horizon’, or ‘reach for the horizon’, or ‘shoot for the horizon’. While those statements are encouraging, you can never reach the horizon. As soon as you do, the horizon is beyond you again. So it’s something that you have to always go after.

“Recovering from trauma is a lot like that. You get to a place where you feel grounded and stable and then events can happen and, depending on your adaptability and your stamina at the time, you can falter.”

For Wes, the creation of art and performance has always been a way to deal with the difficulties that he has faced throughout his life. These Are Horizon Days is a very bold and very public way to open up about not only his past, but also his present.

“The through line in all my life has been art making. As a kid it was a defense mechanism, and it was also a way to interrupt the violence in my home. As an adult I put on shows so we can talk about social issues, such as domestic violence, abuse, addiction, poverty and mental health. This is what I do. I’ve done some funny pieces, but most of the stuff I do is serious.

“I have a long history of presenting what I call trauma-informed theatre. When people from vulnerable backgrounds want to tell their stories, one has to be aware that much of the content could be triggering for that one person and it can be triggering for the audience.

“So you have to create a rapport and create safety and trust in the environment. As you work on the production, it’s key that you collaborate all the way through to show awareness about trauma.”

In These Are Horizon Days Wes speaks about various aspects of his past, but focuses on the sexual abuse he experienced when he was younger.

Wes Ryan performing in 2011. (Photo: Sean Ogorman / Fadebook)
Wes Ryan performing in 2011. (Photo: Sean Ogorman / Fadebook)

“I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, as well as many of the repercussions that come with that. I had a long history of addiction and I’m now thirteen years sober. Although the show is about my experiences, about what happened in my early childhood, about what happened in my adolescence — and goes through right to testifying about one of my abusers — the story is told in fragments. It’s told as though the audience is watching the show being assembled.

“One of the challenges is how I make some of this content humorous. There’s a lot of absurdity in my life, with a lot of it linked to my past. Trying to live with and move through a traumatic history, you encounter a lot of comic irony. For instance, it’s quite common that people who try to do this type of theatre can get harmed. You’re always vulnerable on stage, although for me it’s probably the safest space.”

One of the unique aspects of These Are Horizon Days is that Wes has developed the show using a variety of different performance techniques including theatre, spoken word, music, and dance. Wes explains how he uses these performance techniques on a daily basis as a way to focus on and remember material.

“I have a brain injury,” Wes reveals. “I am also on the Asperger’s scale and I am neurodivergent. So when I’m researching for an essay, I’ll be seeing dance. When I’m writing out what I’m going to say, I’ll be hearing music in the background. Because of my brain injury, in order for me to remember something I need to condense it into poetry. I’m trying to present this show compassionately, and in different forms of art because that’s how my brain works.

VIDEO: “Coping” – Wes Ryan at the 2013 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Montreal

“There are sequences where I have choreography to explore trauma. Then there are sequences where I tell my story in a spoken word format. For one of those, I am backed up by a cello. Then there are scenes with dialogue between me and Hilary Wear’s role of ‘The Drama Scourge’ who represents that self-talk voice we have. The show has elements of vaudeville and physical comedy, theatre, contemporary dance, and verbatim dance.”

One of the centrepieces of the show is a verbatim dance performance Wes has created around the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) questionnaire used to measure degrees of trauma and abuse experienced by both children and adults alike.

“It’s being utilized in the United States right now, and more and more in Canada. So if kids are acting out in school, you might ask them these ten questions. What they are finding out is that the higher that the kids rate out of these ten questions, the more likely it is that they will face various challenges including physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. I score ten out of ten on the questionnaire. How often is it that we are perfect at something?

Wes Ryan at Peterborough Musicfest earlier this summer. (Photo: Peterborough Musicfest)
Wes Ryan at Peterborough Musicfest earlier this summer. (Photo: Peterborough Musicfest)

“One of the reasons I’m going to dance in this production is because trauma is felt in the body and dance is expressed through the body. It’s impossible not to be dancing on this planet. If you are breathing you are dancing. It’s impossible to be static. You are always dancing.”

But These Are Horizon Days is not just a way for Wes to present his story. The most important part of the performance is creating a discussion about how sensitive material should be presented on stage.

“It’s my story but the subject of childhood sexual abuse, and how we present dramatic stories on stage and approach these kinds of narratives, is what I’m inviting other people’s input on.”

While preparing his performance, Wes has kept the well-being of his audience in mind — especially those who have also experienced abuse or trauma during their life. He will have a counsellor present at every performance, as well as support information available at the theatre for those audience members looking for more help.

“I recognize a certain percentage of the audience will have their own trauma history. The show acknowledges this while striving to create a safe and trusting environment to explore trauma and resilience. The audience will have a choice about participating during the collaborative portion — collaboration being a key element of the trauma-informaed approach — and there will be support people on site.”

Although there will only be three performances of These Are Horizon Days, Wes reveals that he has bigger plans for the show.

VIDEO: “Icarus” by Wes Ryan (film by Michael Morritt, music by Jonathan Dowdell)

“I am presenting the audience a pitch for a longer show. I am hoping that this is the beginning of being able to bring this show to its proper staging, which would be a large stage with multiple performers.

“Moving forward, I want the show to be a venue for other people to tell their stories and explore their stories artistically. I want it to be a venue for service providers to feel that they can engage artists in this conversation, so we can better represent the issues they want covered. But more than anything, I want this to be accessible to people.”

These Are Horizon Days will be performed at The Theatre on King at 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 3rd and Friday, August 4th and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 5th. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered in advanced by email at thesearehorizondays@gmail.com or by phone at 705-875-4239. For more information, visit thesearehorizonday.wixsite.com/mysite.

Our Lady Peace still getting it done 25 years on

Our Lady Peace headlines Peterborough Musicfest with openers Coleman Hell and River Town Saints in a free ONtour concert on August 2. (Publicity photo)

Local fans of one of Canada’s most popular rock bands would certainly agree that the result was well worth the wait.

Earlier this year, they were among many waiting for confirmation of the headliner for the August 2nd date of Peterborough Musicfest’s 17-concert schedule.

When ONtour announced it was bringing Our Lady Peace to Del Crary Park as part of its 2017 offering of 23 free concerts province wide, their wait was over and anticipation began in earnest.

With opening acts Coleman Hell and River Town Saints, the four-time Juno Award-winning quartet takes to the Fred Anderson Stage, capping a rare tripleheader for the free summer concert series.

Those planning to attend should note the special start time of 7 p.m., with the VIP seating section opens at 5:30 p.m.

Note that VIP seating will be relocated to the east side of the stage for this concert, and seat location will be allotted on a first come, first served basis.

The host for the evening is Sudbury beatboxer Emilie Carrey aka Sparx (she took second place at the World Beatbox Championships in 2015). She will be on stage from 7 to 7:15 p.m. River Town Saints perform from 7:15 to 8 p.m., followed by Coleman Hell from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Headliners Our Lady Peace perform a 75-minute set from 9:45 to 11 p.m.

VIDEO: “Starseed” — Our Lady Peace

Formed in Toronto in 1992 and still headed by co-founder and lead singer Raine Maida — Our Lady Peace’s name is taken from a Mark Van Doren poem of the same name — the band has since sold millions of albums worldwide, taking home four Juno Awards and 10 MuchMusic Video Awards in the process.

Our Lady Peace’s debut album Naveed was released in March 1994 and immediately paid a huge dividend in the form of a Canadian tour supporting I Mother Earth and 54-40 and, south of the border, opening for Van Halen on tour. The album’s title track and “Starseed” charted high, the latter included on the soundtrack for the film Armageddon.

VIDEO: “Superman’s Dead” — Our Lady Peace

Seven studio albums followed, the latest being 2012’s Curve, but it was the early 1997 follow-up to Naveed that took Our Lady Peace into a whole other stratosphere. Featuring the singles “Superman’s Dead”, “Automatic Flowers” and the title track, Clumsy achieved diamond-certified status on the strength of one million sales in Canada alone.

While subsequent album sales remained strong, the new millennium brought several changes to the band’s lineup, including the departure of original guitarist Mike Turner in early 2002.

“The last two records we’ve been yearning for a guitar player that can really stand up and have a strong voice and Mike (Turner) just wasn’t that kind of guitar player,” says Maida in a subsequent Winnipeg Free Press article, hinting at dissension in the ranks.

VIDEO: “Somewhere Out There” — Our Lady Peace

Gravity, Our Lady Peace’s fifth album, featured a more mainstream sound. While many fans and critics jumped on that, the album’s chart-topping single “Somewhere Out There” was, and remains, the band’s biggest international hit. After nearly breaking up during the recording of Healthy In Paranoid Times, the band’s sixth album, Our Lady Peace took a break, returning with Burn Burn in 2009 followed by Curve three years later.

However, as noted in an interview with Andrea Warner posted on www.cbcmusic.ca on the 20th anniversary of the release of Naveed, that first studio album still holds a special place in Maida’s heart.

“It was basically made out of naiveté,” says Maida.

“We didn’t know anything about the music business. It was probably the most pure piece of music we’ve ever made because of that.”

With the departure of original drummer Jeremy Taggart in June 2014, Our Lady Peace arrives in Peterborough with Steve Mazur (lead guitar), Duncan Coutts (bass guitar), and Jason Pierce backing Maida’s lead vocals.

In Coleman Hell and River Town Saints, Musicfest’s audience will be treated to two very different sounds.

Thunder Bay's Coleman Hell. (Publicity photo)
Thunder Bay’s Coleman Hell. (Publicity photo)

Thunder Bay’s Coleman Hell released his debut single “2 Heads” in October 2015 and followed that up exactly year later with Top 30-charting Summerland, his first full-length album from which two singles, “Fireproof” and “Devotion”, also charted high.

VIDEO: “2 Heads” — Coleman Hell

VIDEO: “Fireproof” — Coleman Hell

The producer, singer, and songwriter brings an interesting mix of pop-rock, electronic, and rap music genres to the table with equally interesting results — “2 Heads”, for example, features a banjo-infused R&B dance sound.

Ottawa's River Town Saints. (Publicity photo)
Ottawa’s River Town Saints. (Publicity photo)

Ottawa’s River Town Saints was originally founded in 2013 as Labelle by Chris Labelle, Chris McComb, and Jeremy Bortot. With the addition of Jordan Potvin and Daniel DiGiacomo, the quintet released its first single “A Little Bit Goes A Long Way” in November 2015.

However, it was the follow-up single “Cherry Bomb” that turned heads, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Canadian Country chart and bringing the band a 2017 Country Music Association of Ontario Award for Single of the Year.

VIDEO: “Cherry Bomb” — River Town Saints

VIDEO: “Bonfire” — River Town Saints

River Town Saints’ self-titled debut full-length album was released just this past June, featuring “Bonfire”, the band’s first Top 10 hit.

Our Lady Peace with Coleman Hell and River Town Saints is sponsored by Ashburnham Realty, Fairstone, Home Hardware, Package Plus, Porter Sound and Marj Tellis.

Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 17 free-admission concerts featuring a total of 22 acts during its 31st season — each staged every Wednesday and Saturday night until August 26th.

Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”

For more information on this concert and/or the 2017 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.

Goin’ to the barn and we’re gonna get married

"Wedding guests" Sam Tweedle and Michelle Foster (right) with bride Shannon McGee (Shannon McCracken) and mother of the bride Flossie McGee (Anna Black) in Globus Theatre's unique dinner theatre comedy "Raising the Barn" at Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon until August 5th. (Photo: Shelby Camman)

In their newest production Raising the Barn, Globus Theatre invites you to Bobcaygeon’s social event of the year: the marriage of Shannon McGee to Brandon Jones.

Tearing down the wall between fantasy and reality, Raising the Barn is a brand new comedy written by Globus Theatre founders James Barrett and Sarah Quick, and features the largest cast ever assembled for a Globus production. What makes the show even more special is that it’s a tribute to the Lakefield Arts Barn and its special place in the Bobcaygeon community.

This year, the Lakeview Arts Barn celebrates 50 years as a community space for the town of Bobcaygeon. Originally a working cattle barn, in 1967 owner Fabien O’Neil transformed the barn into a dance hall to host local events. Since then the barn has been used as a hall for celebrations of all sorts, but most notably for weddings.

When James and Sarah purchased the space in 2006 they transformed it into a theatre, although they still have continued its tradition of hosting weddings, dances, and other events.

Raising the Barn is a loving tribute to the Lakeview Arts Barn itself, as much as it is about the zany small-town characters and celebratory shenanigans of a local wedding gone awry.

While Verona had the Montagues and Capulets and Tug River Valley had the Hatfields and the McCoys, Bobcaygeon has the McGees and the Joneses. For generations, the McGees and the Joneses have owned the two grocery stores in Bobcaygeon: Food-Mart and Valueland.

Despite a long history of animosity towards each other, the two families are putting aside their feud (albeit badly) on the wedding day of the youngest members of their clans: Brandon (Brandon Swann) and Shannon (Shannon McCracken). Their wedding, of course, takes place at the Lakeview Arts Barn.

However, while the day should be all about the bride and groom, the tension between Brandon’s mother Jolene Jones (Jennine Profeta) and Shannon’s father Mayor Randy McGee (Dave Pearce) seeps through the celebrations, creating havoc and shenanigans to the dismay of the bride and groom and the amusement of the wedding guests assembled at the barn.

Brandon Swann and Shannon McCracken as star-crossed bride and groom Shannon McGee and Brandon Jones in "Raising the Barn". (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
Brandon Swann and Shannon McCracken as star-crossed bride and groom Shannon McGee and Brandon Jones in “Raising the Barn”. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)

The term “guests” is dubious because the Lakeview Arts Barn has a double booking that night. Local director Jim Barnett (James Barrett — see what they did there?) was to stage his production of Romeo and Juliet before Mayor McGee bought out the owners of the barn for his daughter’s wedding. So, instead of wedding guests, the people in attendance (which is the actual audience for Raising the Barn) are there for the show rather than for the wedding.

The only person who doesn’t know this is the bride, and the entire cast of characters decides to keep this from her. The result is a night of fun, games, secrets, reveals, romance, music, and laughter in Globus’ biggest and most experimental theatrical production to date.

James and Sarah have called Raising the Barn “a dinner theatre experience” which is the perfect way to describe it. The entire performance takes place around the audience within the special dining area at the Lakeview Arts Barn before, during, and after the dinner. The show is a play set in reality, with a wedding taking place just as if it really were taking place, and with the audience very much becoming part of the set itself. There is a bit of audience participation, and lots of improvisation alongside the actual performance.

But what is most unique about the show is that the cast is made up of many of past performers who have become Globus Theatre regulars. Just as you are reunited with old friends and family at a wedding, in Raising the Barn you are reunited with many of the theatre’s most familiar faces.

Real-life married couple Dave Pearce and Jennine Profeta steal the show as business rivals Mayor Randy McGee and Jolene Jones. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
Real-life married couple Dave Pearce and Jennine Profeta steal the show as business rivals Mayor Randy McGee and Jolene Jones. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)

Alongside James, Jennine, and Dave are other members of the Globus family of performers including Anna Black as Randy’s wife and town lush Flossie McGee, Mark Whelan as cousin Adrian O’Keel, Sarah Quick and Kevin Sepaul as Globus actors Sara Click and Kevin Sopeal, Shelby Camman as Lexi the photographer, and Chris Gibbs as the master of ceremonies and wedding officiant Keely O’Keel. It’s a virtual reunion of Globus favourites in a huge show full of surprises.

As in an actual wedding, while bride and groom Shannon and Brandon should be the centerpiece of the play, Jennine Profeta and Dave Pierce steal the show as feuding grocers Jolene Jones and Mayor Randy McGee. A real-life married couple, the two have a natural chemistry with each other and bounce quips off one another with a quick and believable rapport. Their wild conflict and growing tension become the comedy of the piece; each time they interact, hilarity ensues.

Another dimension of their characters is that they become a parody of small-town elitism and politics, with Jolene as the tough businesswoman and Randy as the local political power (and he will remind you he is the mayor every chance he gets). Jolene and Randy are the typical big fishes in a small pond who would probably get buried outside of Bobcaygeon. Their own self-importance is hilarious to watch, making them the true stars of the show. Their performances are priceless.

In "Raising the Barn", Globus Theatre founders and playwrights James Barrett and Sarah Quick parody themselves as director Jim Barnett and actress Sara Click.  (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
In “Raising the Barn”, Globus Theatre founders and playwrights James Barrett and Sarah Quick parody themselves as director Jim Barnett and actress Sara Click. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)

But let’s not forget the bride and groom. Brandon Swann brings a sort of sweetness to the show as hapless groom Brandon, who finds himself in over his head marrying his sweetheart Shannon. A nice kid with an overbearing ambitious mother, Brandon just wants the day to go right and wants his bride to be happy.

I’ll admit I kind of fell for Shannon McCracken as Shannon. A true product of her parents, Shannon is pretty and proper and knows how to work a room and exactly what to say. However, as the mayor’s daughter, she is also spoiled, explosive, and lacking in emotional maturity, which also creates a lot of the most memorable moments of the show. Shannon is a delight to watch as the bride and became my favourite character.

Together Brandon and Shannon are fantastic, especially for their musical finale that moved audience members to tears. Gifted singers, Brandon and Shannon do make wonderful music together.

A shout out to Chris Gibb as Keely O’Keel who is easily the audience favourite. As the master of ceremonies at the wedding, Keely is filled with small-town wit and good humour, and keeps the other characters and the audience engaged with one another. It’s a fun performance glueing together the pieces of the play.

Although Globus normally allows the audience to pick between two tickets options — one that includes dinner and the show and one for the show only — Raising the Barn is only available as dinner theatre due to the nature of the show. However, it’s totally worth every penny. The buffet-style three-course meal is decadent and is finished off with Sarah Quick’s famous Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert.

Raising the Barn is a unique evening of theatre unlike anything I’ve experienced in the Kawarthas in the time I’ve been writing theatre reviews. There is much more to the show I am not allowed to reveal, only to say that you need to experience it for yourself. But promise me when I say that it is something you need to see.

I’d even go one step further to say that Raising the Barn is one of the highlights of the 2017 theatrical year, a phenomenal show and the best I have seen so far all summer. Another hit for James and Sarah, it’s a great reason to visit Globus Theatre at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon this summer.

Raising the Barn runs until August 5th at the Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Road, Bobcaygeon). Tickets are $65.50 ($54 for students) and include a three-course buffet dinner. The show starts at 6 p.m., with a special noon performance on August 3rd. For tickets, call the Globus box office toll free at 1-800-304-7897 or or 705-738-2037.

New distillery opening in Peterborough’s East City

The product line of Black's Distillery, a new distillery opening in Peterborough's East City in fall 2018. (Photo: Black's Distillery)

A new local distillery is opening this fall in East City in Peterborough.

Black’s Distillery will be opening at 99 Hunter St. E., at the corner of Hunter and Mark Streets, in the location formerly occupied by Video 99.

The location, which is close to both Reggie’s Hot Grill and Ashburnham Ale House, has been vacant since Video 99 went out of business.

According to its Facebook page, Black’s Distillery “celebrates the taste of the Kawarthas through its organic spirits, crafted traditionally, using locally grown heritage grains. Our products are handcrafted and made in small batches on site.”

They’ll be producing small batch whisky, gin, vodka and rye.

Black’s Distillery applied to the City of Peterborough to use the location as a distillery earlier this year. According to the application, the main floor will be used for the distillery and the basement will be used as a storage facility.

Because of the small size of the distillery, it was considered similar to a restaurant or bakery and permitted under current zoning.

For more information, visit blacksdistillery.com.

Raise your glass to yet another 4th Line Theatre world premiere

In The History of Drinking in Cavan, 4th Line Theatre's founding artistic director Robert Winslow looks at alcohol consumption or the lack thereof in the local area over the past 200 years, sharing the stories of local residents alongside his own life experience. (Photo: Caitlin McGill / 4th Line Theatre)

When confronting an issue that hits close to home it doesn’t hurt to be, well, close to home.

Home for Robert Winslow has always been the quaint farm property on Zion Line near Millbrook where, in 1992, he established 4th Line Theatre as its founding artistic director. It’s where he was raised and, over the last 25 years, it’s where his creative juices have flowed to produce numerous original theatre works that have both delighted and challenged audiences each and every summer since.

With The History of Drinking in Cavan set to premiere next month, home is also where the play’s writer, director, and lead actor is finding some much-needed comfort, as he confronts alcohol-soaked demons from his past as part of the play’s storyline.

“I’m excited but also very vulnerable because of the personal nature of some parts of the play,” Winslow says. “There’s a scene in the second act which is very personal and very painful — probably the most painful moment of my whole life.”

His voice quivers as he explains the scene that sees him go back in time to the 1980s to visit his mom Jean, “to try to resolve things with her.”

“We all have stories about our lives. We want to think everything is positive but there are difficult things that people experience. I hope people will relate to some of these issues.”

The History of Drinking in Cavan tackles the history of alcohol consumption and its prohibition in Cavan-Monaghan Township over the past 200 years. Having grown up in the township, Winslow lived that experience.

“As a teenager, I drank a lot. My friends did too, and eventually some of them got into drugs. We’re talking about the 1970s.

“As the play evolved in my mind, and I got older and I had my own issues around my family and stuff, it became a little bit more than just fun time stories. It’s personal and that’s very hard for me. I think it’s very hard for any family member where there is alcoholism involved to face some of this stuff, whether it’s yourself or somebody close to you.

“It’s hard to know how to deal with it. It’s hard to know how to behave. It’s hard to know how to figure things out. Sometimes you can’t. What is the age-old slogan, about God give me strength to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the things I can’t?”

Along with Robert Winslow, the play stars professional actors Edward Belanger, Cyndi Carleton, Justin Hiscox, Mark Hiscox, and Shelley Simester and community actors Kiana Bromley, Maude Rose Craig, Tristan Cruise, Emma Khaimovich, and Gary Reker. (Photo: Caitlin McGill  / 4th Line Theatre)
Along with Robert Winslow, the play stars professional actors Edward Belanger, Cyndi Carleton, Justin Hiscox, Mark Hiscox, and Shelley Simester and community actors Kiana Bromley, Maude Rose Craig, Tristan Cruise, Emma Khaimovich, and Gary Reker. (Photo: Caitlin McGill / 4th Line Theatre)

Winslow, playing himself as well as his alter-ego King, the town drunk, is part of a small cast comprised of five other professional actors — Edward Belanger, Cyndi Carleton, Justin Hiscox, Mark Hiscox, and Shelley Simester — working alongside community actors Kiana Bromley, Maude Rose Craig, Tristan Cruise, Emma Khaimovich, and Gary Reker.

Winslow notes that a reminiscence held in February 2011 at the Millbrook Legion during which “people told stories” proved pivotal in the play’s development. That has resulted in “verbatim theatre” which uses other people’s words verbatim as opposed to the playwright’s.

Terming the play “a dramedy”, Winslow notes “there’s an awful lot of funny stuff” in the play but adds “if it was just all comedy, that would be disrespectful to the seriousness of the issues. It’s a real ride. It’s a play that’s as much about theatre as it is about stories, so things will transform and become something else.”

For her part, 4th Line Theatre Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell describes The History of Drinking in Cavan as “very confessional.” While she is taking a rare day off with this production, Blackwell hasn’t been idle in terms of closely monitoring the impact of the play’s content on its creator.

“I was very aware, as we developed the play over the last seven years, of wanting to make sure that he (Winslow) did what he wanted to do in terms of exposing his own story in a very honest and authentic way,” Blackwell says. “But I also wanted him to protect himself … there’s some stuff in the early drafts that isn’t in the piece we’re producing.

“As he’s been going through the painful journey of Robert the character in the piece, I’ve been checking in with him to make sure that he’s okay. The thing about Robert that is so extraordinary, that I am so in awe of, is so many times over the 26 seasons of the theatre he has used his own life, his own family, as a window into everybody’s lives, the struggles and the pain.

“This is probably his most personal piece, because he looks at himself and his mom and their relationship and her struggles. Why Robert is so good at what he does is that it’s a survey piece about the history of alcohol consumption and production in the township, so it’s great fun and he has made it incredibly entertaining.”

Blackwell adds her gauge for measuring the success of each 4th Line production is rooted in the presence of the three Es — Educate, Entertain, and Enthrall — noting “this play does all three.”

Speaking to the play’s small cast, Blackwell notes 4th Line’s employment of community actors is a story in itself, allowing the theatre, in this case, “to create an epic piece with a handful of people” as it carves out a unique niche.

“There is no other theatre company in this country that puts community members on stage in important, pivotal roles alongside professionals,” says Blackwell, her pride in that mission clear.

Among the play’s six professional actors is Justin Hiscox, a 19-year 4th Line veteran who is also serving as the play’s musical director. He says the lyrics for play’s songs were written first and then handed over for him to do his thing.

“I look at what kind of emotion or mood the lyrics portray. If the lyrics are about drinking and partying, then I compose something more upbeat. If it’s ‘Oh, I’ll never drink again … I’ve learned my lesson’, the music goes slower.”

Hiscox says his 4th Line work remains a welcome change from his regular gig playing with orchestras and bands, where “they hand you a book and it’s full of notes someone else has written and you’ve got to play them the exact right way.”

“That makes you a very good musician, but it doesn’t do anything for your creativity. Out here, once it’s set, you have to do that too but here I’m doing the setting. I really like a play like this because it has so many different styles of music.”

When all is said and done, Winslow’s hope for The History of Drinking in Cavan is not unlike that he has had for every production staged at 4th Line.

“I hope people in the audience will relate to their own parents or siblings where there has been a complex struggle,” he says.

“Sometimes the connections are made through the difficult way rather than the fun times way. I wish it was all fun and games. I wish everything I did out here was light and happy but right from The Cavan Blazers to The History of Drinking in Cavan, there’s always been that element of struggle as well as fun.”

Helping him through each staging will be thoughts of home and, more notably, memories of his mother.

Robert Winslow plays himself as well as his alter-ego King, the town drunk. It's his most personal play, because he examines his relationship with his mother and her struggles. (Photo: Caitlin McGill  / 4th Line Theatre)
Robert Winslow plays himself as well as his alter-ego King, the town drunk. It’s his most personal play, because he examines his relationship with his mother and her struggles. (Photo: Caitlin McGill / 4th Line Theatre)

“My mom was an amazing person. She was a great singer, a piano player, the leader of the church choir, and the leader of the high school choir. She sang at people’s weddings and was loved in this community, absolutely adored. The whole spirit of 4th Line being welcoming is really from my mom’s spirit. Anybody that came here she greeted them with extreme warmth. Her spirit is really at the heart of the play.”

Does her son sense that she’s still watching over him, perhaps from a second-floor window of the neighbouring family home?

“It (her presence) comes in weird ways at weird moments. There are little guidances here and there.”

With song lyrics by Winslow, musical composition and direction by Justin Hiscox, costume design by Meredith Hubbard, and fight direction by Edward Belanger, The History of Drinking in Cavan sees choreographer Monica Dottor serving as intern director.

Curtain is 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday from August 7th to 26th. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 705-932-4445, online at www.4thlinetheatre.ca, or at 4th Line’s box office in Millbrook at 4 Tupper Street and in Peterborough at the Peterborough Museum and Archives, 300 Hunter Street East (atop Armour Hill).

Curve Lake First Nation receives $142,000 from federal government for school feasibility study

Curve Lake First Nation Chief Phyllis Williams (left) with Minister Carolyn Bennett, MP Maryam Monsef, and members of Curve Lake Council and staff at the funding announcement at Curve Lake First Nation on July 28. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)

Earlier today (July 28), the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, announced funding of $142,000 for a school feasibility study for Curve Lake First Nation.

“We are pleased with the support from the Government of Canada, which will allow us to continue to deliver high quality education for our children,” said Chief Phyllis Williams. “This support will advance our obligation to provide programming that is culturally viable and vital for the success of our youth, our future.”

Curve Lake First Nation, located 25 kilometres northeast of Peterborough, operates the Curve Lake First Nation School which provides kindergarten to grade 3 classes.

“Children thrive when they have pride in their school and their education promotes a secure, personal and cultural identity,” said Minister Bennett. “We are honoured to be working with Curve Lake First Nation to ensure vibrant futures and the academic success of their youth.”

The study, which will be undertaken by First Nations Engineering Services Ltd., will identify the best approach to support the highest quality learning environment for the community’s youth. The study is expected to be complete by July 2018.

The Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs has provided almost $1 million to nine other First Nations in Ontario for school feasibility studies, including Kasabonika Lake, Wunnumin, North Caribou Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Pic Mobert, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation, Beausoleil, Mississaugas of The Credit, and Chippewas of Georgina Island.

Peterborough native vying to become Canada’s best comic

Born and raised in Peterborough, Michelle Shaughnessy has been pursuing her career in stand-up comedy in Toronto since she was 18 years old. (Photo: Michelle Shaughnessy)

Peterborough native Michelle Shaughnessy is vying to be crowned the best comic in Canada.

Shaughnessy is one of 18 semi-finalists in SiriusXM’s Top Comic for 2017 competition.

Beginning today (July 28) and over the next three weeks, Canadians from across the country will vote for their favourite performance videos from all the semi-finalists. The six comics with the most votes will become finalists, along with two wild cards.

All eight finalists will perform live at the SiriusXM Top Comic Comedy Finale during JFL42, Toronto’s comedy festival, on September 28th. A panel of judges will select one winner to be crowned SiriusXM’s Top Comic, who will take home $25,000 to support their comedic career development.

Shaughnessy, who was born and raised in Peterborough, moved to Toronto at the age of 18 to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. She’s landed television appearances on The Comedy Network, W Network, Bite TV, CBC, iChannel, and MTV. She’s performed in the Sudbury Comedy Festival, Moncton Comedy Festival, Global Vancouver Comedy Festival, and both CBC’s Winnipeg Comedy Fest and Halifax Comedy Fest.

Below is Shaughnessy’s performance video for the SiriusXM competition. To vote for her, visit topcomic.siriusxm.ca/comic/michelle-shaughnessy/. You can vote for one comic, once per day.

VIDEO: SiriusXM’s Top Comic 2017 – Michelle Shaughnessy (Absolute Comedy – Toronto)

Note: contains graphic language

Tax scam continues to circulate in Peterborough area

The Peterborough Police Service is warning residents not to fall victim to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax scam.

Within the past two days, the police have received around 10 complaints about the scam, in which a caller pretends to be a representative from CRA and demands some form of payment for outstanding taxes fictitiously owed to the federal government.

On June 27th, a person received a phone call from someone pretending to be with the CRA. The caller told the victim he owed $3,500 and, if he did not pay it by that afternoon, his assets would be seized and they would come and arrest him. Believing the threats to be real, the victim then made five money transfers totalling $2,400 using Flexpin, a money-wiring service. The victim then called back the number and provided the fake CRA agent with the security PINs to release the money.

More recently, on July 24th, a 71-year-old Cavan-Monaghan woman received a fraudulent phone call from someone stating she owed the CRA money. The caller instructed the woman to go to a local store to purchase $800 in gift cards. The victim purchased the gift cards and then relayed the numbers back to the caller. She was also told to get a loan from a bank to provide further money, but the loan application was denied and the call was later reported to police.

Variations on the CRA scam involve callers pretending to be other authority figures and demanding payment of taxes allegedly owing.

On July 26th, a 71-year-old Peterborough woman received a phone call from a man identifying himself as a police officer. The man told the woman she was behind on her taxes and owed money. The male then explained to the woman that she would be in trouble with “the law” if she didn’t pay.

The woman was told to go to her bank and withdraw cash then purchase gift cards and that another man would come by her house the next day to collect the money and gift cards. The woman obtained more than $5,000 in cash and gifts cards, but grew suspicious about the call and reported the incident to police.

Remember, the Canada Revenue Agency will never use aggressive language or tone, threaten to arrest you or send police if you owe taxes, or request payment by prepaid credit cards or gift cards. For more information on how to recognize CRA telephone or email scams, visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/fraudprevention/.

If you receive a call from someone pretending to be from the CRA, do the following:

  • Do not take any immediate action.
  • Hang up and verify the information. Call a trusted family member, friend, or your bank to get a second opinion on the call.
  • Verify the caller’s ID and the request by calling the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281.
  • Verify the status of your account by either going online at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/myaccount/ or calling the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.

Elderly people are often most vulnerable to this type of scam. If you have an elderly parent, relative, or friend who you think could fall victim to this scam, share this information with them and ask them to call you if they ever receive a phone call or email from someone claiming to be from the CRA.

The Beach Report for July 28, 2017

As of August 2, 2017, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:

  • Beavermead – Peterborough City/County
  • Rogers Cove – Peterborough City/County
  • Centennial Park West – Eldon Township Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
  • Omemee Beach – Emily/Omemee Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
  • Norland Bathing Area – Laxton Township Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
  • Bond Street – Fenelon Falls Area – City of Kawartha Lakes

Here are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County.

In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.

Peterborough Public Health samples the water quality of popular city beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day during the summer. The health unit will post signage if a beach is unsafe for swimming, such as this sign at Rogers Cove from last year. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Peterborough Public Health samples the water quality of popular city beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day during the summer. The health unit will post signage if a beach is unsafe for swimming, such as this sign at Rogers Cove from last year. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

Important note

The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.

You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.

While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.

 

Peterborough City/County

Backdam – SAFE

BeavermeadUNSAFE

Belmont Lake – SAFE

Buckhorn – SAFE

Chandos – SAFE

Crowe’s Line – SAFE

Curve Lake Henrys Gumming – SAFE

Curve Lake Lance Wood Park – SAFE

Douro – SAFE

Ennismore – SAFE

Hiawatha – SAFE

Jones Beach – SAFE

Kasshabog Lake – SAFE

Lakefield – SAFE

Norwood – SAFE

Quarry Bay – SAFE

Rogers CoveUNSAFE

Sandy Beach – SAFE

Selwyn – SAFE

Squirrel Creek – SAFE

Warsaw Caves – SAFE

White’s Beach – SAFE

 

City of Kawartha Lakes

Bexley Township Area

Blanchard’s Road Beach – OPEN

Bobcaygeon Area

Beach Park – OPEN 

Riverview Beach Park  – OPEN

Eldon Township Area

Centennial Park West  – POSTED

Emily/Omemee Area

Omemee Beach – POSTED

Fenelon Falls Area

Birch Point – OPEN

Bond Street – POSTED

Sturgeon Point Beach – OPEN

Laxton Township Area

Head Lake – OPEN

Norland Bathing Area – POSTED 

Mariposa Township Area

Valentia Beach (aka Sandbar Beach) – OPEN

Somerville Township Area

Burnt River Beach – Unavailable

Somerville – OPEN

Burnt River Four Mile Lake  – OPEN

Verulam Township Area

Centennial Beach  – OPEN 

Verulam Recreational Park – OPEN 

 

Haliburton County

Algonquin Highlands Area

Dorset Parkette – OPEN

Elvin Johnson Park (aka Stanhope Beach) – OPEN

Dysart et al Area

Eagle Lake Beach – OPEN

Haliburton Lake South Bay – OPEN

Sand Point (aka Indian Point) – OPEN

Pine Lake Beach – OPEN

Sandy Cove Beach – OPEN

Silver Lake (aka Kashawigamog Lake) – OPEN

Highlands East Area

Gooderham Beach – OPEN

Paudash Lake Beach – OPEN

Lake Wilbermere Beach – OPEN

Glamour Lake Beach – OPEN 

Minden Hills Area

Bissett Beach – OPEN

Little Horseshoe Lake Beach – OPEN

Minden Rotary Lagoon Beach – OPEN

Minden Rotary Main Beach – OPEN

Twelve Mile Lake Beach – OPEN

 

Northumberland County

Brighton Area

Cedardale – OPEN

Little Lake – OPEN

Campbellford Area

Crowe Bay Fun Park – Unavailable

Hastings North – OPEN

Hastings South – OPEN

Seymour Conservation Area – OPEN 

Port Hope/Cobourg Area

Bewdley Beach – OPEN

Harwood Beach – OPEN

Port Hope Beach East – OPEN 

Port Hope Beach West – OPEN

Sandy Bay Park – OPEN

Victoria Beach (Cobourg) – OPEN

Wicklow Beach  – OPEN

Become a #kawarthaNOW fan

32,022FollowersLike
25,739FollowersFollow
17,623FollowersFollow
4,676FollowersFollow
3,768FollowersFollow
3,125FollowersFollow

Sign up for kawarthNOW's Enews

Sign up for our VIP Enews

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.