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What’s coming up at Peterborough’s Market Hall this spring

Peterborough's legendary acoustic blues trio Jackson Delta (Rick Fines, Alan Black, and Gary Peeples) are reuniting once again for a one-night only performance at the Market Hall on April 15 (photo: Jackson Delta)

There’s an extravaganza of entertainment to welcome the first month of spring at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).

Musical theatre fans can say goodbye to the final week of winter with The Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s production of “Bare: A Pop Opera”. Then you can have your mind blown by experiencing magician Spidey’s amazing performance of mentalism.

If you’re a fan of classic American rock from the ’70s and ’80s, you won’t want to miss “Against The Wind – Canada’s Bob Seger Experience”. If classic British rock is more your thing, you’ll want to hear guitarist Martin Barre and his band perform the songs of Jethro Tull and more.

Roots enthusiasts have a rare chance to enjoy back-to-back nights of the blues in April, with gritty electric blues from the critically acclaimed duo Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer (Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers), followed by the reuniting of Peterborough’s own acoustic blues trio Jackson Delta (Rick Fines, Al Black, and Gary Peeples).

Finally, for the more spiritually minded among us, Peterborough City Church continues its weekly service of inspirational messages and music each Sunday morning.


The Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents Bare: A Pop Opera on March 10, 17, at 7 p.m. and March 11, 18 at 2 and 7 p.m.

The Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents six performances of "Bare: A Pop Opera" in March (photo: Terry Lipton)
The Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents six performances of “Bare: A Pop Opera” in March (photo: Terry Lipton)

Since marking its arrival in 1971 with the staging of Anne of Green Gables, The Anne Shirley Theatre Company has strived to remain true to its stated mission: provide opportunities for Trent University students to experience all aspects of theatre, both on and off the stage.

Well, it’s mission accomplished for the student-run theatre troupe, which has served up a diverse menu of stage productions since adopting the name of Anne of Green Gables’ central character as its calling card. With artistic director Kalene Upton at the helm, that success story continues unabated with the staging of Bare: A Pop Opera on March 10th and 17th at 7 p.m., and March 11th and 18th at 2 and 7 p.m.

Bare: A Pop Opera
Bare: A Pop Opera

Based on the book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo — they combined on the music and lyrics as well — the musical premiered in October 2000 at Hollywood’s Hudson Mainstage Theatre. What followed were numerous critically acclaimed runs in the United States and across the big pond in Wales and Ireland.

The story follows the experiences of a group of high school students as they navigate their final year at St. Cecilia’s, a Catholic high school. Like most all teens, they experiment and party their way through school, all while dealing with pressures courtesy of their parents, their church and their peers. In the end, facing obstacles, the students are forced to decide on what, and who, they will place their faith in.

Tickets are $20 ($15 for students and seniors) and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

 

Market Hall presents Spidey: Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind on March 25 at 8 p.m.

Mentalist and magician Spidey will freak you out with his eerie demonstrations bordering on the supernatural (publicity photo)
Mentalist and magician Spidey will freak you out with his eerie demonstrations bordering on the supernatural (publicity photo)

When you’re a hypnotist, illusionist and magician and Penn and Teller profess to be blown away by your performance, you know you’re doing something special.

Since beginning his career 10 years ago, Spidey has enthralled audiences around the globe as well as millions online, wowing the judges on America’s Got Talent and Canada’s Got Talent to achieve finalist status on both. Combine that with nominations for Canadian Magician of the Year and Canadian Variety Artist of the Year and, well, you get the idea — this guy knows how to entertain.

It’s clear that Spidey isn’t disappearing anytime soon, although he could if he wanted to, and right before our unbelieving eyes.

VIDEO: “Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind”

Market Hall Performing Arts Centre presents Spidey’s acclaimed mind-reading show, Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind, on March 25 at 8 p.m. The same show has been featured on Entertainment Tonight and The Discovery Channel, the latter describing Spidey’s wizardry as “ridiculous … just crazy.” Now a local audience can experience what all the fuss is about.

General admission tickets are $25 ($20 for students and seniors) and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425). Cabaret-style table assigned seating is available for $30.

 

Rock-N Entertainment presents “Against The Wind – Canada’s Bob Seger Experience” on March 31 at 8 p.m.

The nine-piece band Against The Wind will perform 27 of Bob Seger's best-loved tunes (publicity photo)
The nine-piece band Against The Wind will perform 27 of Bob Seger’s best-loved tunes (publicity photo)

When it comes to classic blue-collar rock, few musicians have done it better than Detroit’s Bob Seger. Following a string of hits from his 1976 breakout album Night Moves as well as 1978’s Stranger in Town, he released Against The Wind in 1980 — his first and only #1 album on the Billboard album chart.

In 2015, in honour of the 35th anniversary of that record, drummer Dean Goldstein formed “Against The Wind – Canada’s Bob Seger Experience”. The band is dedicated to honouring Seger by performing selections from his albums from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and beyond.

You have a chance to experience “that old time rock and roll” when Against The Wind comes to Peterborough for a 27-song, two-set performance at the Market Hall on Friday, March 31st at 8 p.m.

The band features John Jamieson (musical director/keyboards), Jerry Dean Goldstein (drums), David Forbes (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Gerry Strother (lead guitar), Chris “Fish” Bishoop (bass guitar), Kevin Cato (sax/keyboards), Cyndi Richards and Amanda Rose (background vocals), and Josh Gordon (guitars).

VIDEO: “Old Time Rock and Roll” – Against The Wind

VIDEO: “Hollywood Nights” – Against The Wind

You can expect to hear all of Seger’s hits, including “Like a Rock”, “We’ve Got Tonight”, “Against The Wind”, “Hollywood Nights”, “Night Moves”, “Still The Same”, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”, “Beautiful Loser”, “Katmandu”, “Turn The Page”, and, of course, “Old Time Rock and Roll” — the 1978 tune that became famous when Tom Cruise lip-synched to it in his underwear in the 1983 film Risky Business.

General admission tickets are $25 plus fees, available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

 

Market Hall presents Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Band on April 11 at 8 p.m.

Former Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre (photo: Martin Barre)
Former Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre (photo: Martin Barre)

While you may not know Martin Barre by name or face, if you’re a fan of the music of classic British rock band Jethro Tull, you are most familiar with his talent.

The guitarist joined Jethro Tull for its second album Stand Up in 1969 and, with Ian Anderson, anchored the band’s progressive sound over the next 45 years. But it was Barre’s contribution to the album Aqualung — his work on the title track has been voted among the top rock guitar solos of all time by a number of music industry magazines — that he remains best known for.

Barre also played flute and mandolin with Jethro Tull, again adding to the band’s trademark sound that brought it a Grammy Award and album sales of more than 60 million.

VIDEO: “Song for Jeffrey ” – The Martin Barre band

If he wasn’t busy enough, Barre launched a solo career in the early 1990s and subsequently recorded four albums, the latest being 2015’s Back To Steel.

Market Hall Performing Arts Centre presents Barre April 11 at 8 p.m. as part of as extensive tour of Canada and the United States. Joining him will be singer Dan Crisp, drummer George Lindsay and bassist Alan Thomson. Expect a healthy dose of signature Jethro Tull songs as well as performances of Barre’s solo work.

Tickets are $35 and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets for Row C and Tables 8 and 18 are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425). Cabaret-style table seating is available for $30 while VIP table seats cost $75 and include a meet-and-greet with Barre, complimentary refreshments, and a signed poster.

 

Market Hall presents Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer on April 14 at 8 p.m.

Shawn "The Harpoonist" Hall (right) and Matt "The Axe Murderer" Rogers (publicity photo)
Shawn “The Harpoonist” Hall (right) and Matt “The Axe Murderer” Rogers (publicity photo)

After meeting by chance at a jingle recording session in 2006, Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers discovered they had a mutual love for folk and blues music. That led to their forming a duo, Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, and a wide acclaim for their live shows.

Singing and playing guitar, harmonica and foot percussion, the duo has recorded four studio albums and been a major player on the festival circuit across Canada. The music industry has sat up and taken notice as well, evidence of that including a Juno Award nomination for their 2014 album, A Real Fine Mess, as well as a Sirius XM nod in 2013 for Blues Artist of the Year.

VIDEO: “Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To” – The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer

Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer will be performing at the Market Hall at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 14th. General admission tickets are $25 ($20 for students) and are available from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146 or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425). Cabaret-style table assigned seating is available for $30.

 

Jackson Delta: Slight Return on April 15 at 8 p.m.

Rick Fines, Al Black, and Gary Peeples recording as Jackson Delta at Sun Studio in Memphis in 1988 (photo: Jackson Delta)
Rick Fines, Al Black, and Gary Peeples recording as Jackson Delta at Sun Studio in Memphis in 1988 (photo: Jackson Delta)

If you had to name one legendary Peterborough band, there’s little doubt Jackson Delta would come to mind.

The musical trio of Rick Fines, Alan Black, and Gary Peeples first formed in the 1980s to create their own blend of rootsy acoustic blues. They toured extensively across North America and the U.K. in the ’80s, performing at every major folk, blues, and jazz festival. They provided back up for Colleen Peterson, Ann Rabson, Pinetop Perkins and many others. Among their albums, they recorded two Juno-nominated records: Acoustic Blues and I Was Just Thinking That.

VIDEO: Jackson Delta – Slight Return

VIDEO: “Sink or Swim” – Jackson Delta

The trio last reunited in October 2014 for “Jackson Delta – Revisited” at the Market Hall, and now they’re coming together again at the Market Hall for “Jackson Delta: Slight Return” on Saturday, April 15th at 8 p.m. Make sure you don’t miss this chance to hear “the best acoustic blues north of the Mason/Dixon Line.”

General admission tickets are $30 plus fees, and assigned cabaret-style table seats are available for $40 plus fees. You can purchase tickets from the box office at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).

 

Sunday morning services with Peterborough City Church

Peterborough City Church was formed in January 2016
Peterborough City Church was formed in January 2016

When you think of the Market Hall, you probably imagine performing arts rather than religious services. But the latter is one of the more innovative uses of the venue this year, after the formation of Peterborough City Church a year ago this month.

Pastors Chad Trivett and Sasha Trivett hold services every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at Market Hall as part of their non-denominational church.

Both Trivetts are ordained with the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, a pentecostal Christian association. They met at Toronto’s Tyndale University College and Seminary and eventually married. Just after getting married, they moved to Tokyo in Japan, where they started an international, interdenominational church.

In 2007, after spending six years in Tokyo (where their son Ari was born), they moved back to Sasha’s hometown in Peterborough to be closer to family, and decided to form another interdenominational church. Peterborough City Church was born.

Pastors Chad and Sasha Trivett (photos: Peterborough City Church)
Pastors Chad and Sasha Trivett (photos: Peterborough City Church)

But the Trivetts needed a location to hold their weekly services, and realized the Market Hall would be an ideal space. There’s also a connection between the church and the performing arts: Chad is in a band that performs contemporary music at the church.

Peterborough City Church offers “inspirational messages and music in an educational and engaging atmosphere where each can worship, pray and learn at their own pace.” For a calendar of Sunday services at the Market Hall, including topics and special speakers, visit www.ptbocitychurch.com.

With files from Paul Rellinger.

OPP reports fatal snowmobile accidents have doubled to 20 in 2017

With fatal snowmobile incidents now more than double the number this time last season, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are dismayed to see the same behaviours drive the numbers up at an alarming rate.

Fatal snowmobile incidents and resulting deaths now sit at 20 for the 2017 season, compared to eight such incidents and 11 deaths this time last year.

Seventeen males and three females, including a 16-year-old and an 11-year-old girl, have been killed to date. According to OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, the prominent demographics among the deceased may come as a surprise to some and are telling in terms of the attitudes and behaviours among some Ontario snowmobilers.

“Men in their fifties and sixties make up the majority of this season’s snowmobile deaths, with 15 of the 20 deceased within these age groups,” Blair says. “What snowmobilers and their families need to take away from this is that even those with considerable driving experience — be it on a snowmobile or in a road vehicle — are equally vulnerable to the inherent risks associated with this popular, yet high-risk recreational sport.”

Thirteen of the deaths have occurred within the past six weeks. The causes and contributing factors clearly reflect snowmobilers’ ongoing disregard for their own safety and that of their fellow riders and passengers:

  • Twelve of the deceased either collided with a tree, a rock, a snowbank, a road vehicle or another snowmobile.
  • Speeding excessively, too fast for the conditions and/or losing control of their snowmobiles were actions in nine of the incidents.
  • Four of the snowmobilers were travelling on frozen waterways. Three of them encountered open water and the fourth fell through the ice. Sadly, in one of those incidents, a young passenger died.
  • Driver inattention was the primary cause of four fatalities.
  • A lone snowmobiler died of hypothermia after her snowmobile became stuck in the snow — a harsh reminder of what can happen when you do not pack an emergency kit for each ride.

“A snowmobiler impacting another vehicle or a tree isn’t an ‘accident’,” says Paul Shaughnessy, Executive Director of the OFSC. “It’s a preventable incident, often the result of excessive speed and operator inattention. Some snowmobilers do not appreciate that they are operating a motor vehicle, machines that are capable of reaching significant speeds. They need to drive with due care and control.”

The OPP is urging snowmobilers to stay off lakes and rivers, the conditions of which are deteriorating rapidly in many parts of the province.

Family members are also encouraged to help their loved ones make smart decisions before they head out, to help ensure a safe return home from their ride.

The OPP and OFSC are reminding snowmobilers to check for trail status and conditions at www.ofsc.on.ca before each ride.

22-year-old man charged after weekend incident that closed streets in downtown Peterborough

A 22-year-old man is facing several charges including assault with a knife and uttering death threats following an incident over the weekend at a home in downtown Peterborough.

At around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night (March 4), police responded to a 911 call that the man had threatened the victim, a woman in her twenties, with a knife and had barricaded himself in a Rubidge Street home.

After the Peterborough Police Service’s Emergency Response Team and uniformed officers arrived, the victim left the home but the accused remained barricaded in the home.

Police cordoned off several blocks around the home at Rubidge and Sherbrooke Streets and asked people to stay out of the area. Peterborough police called in the Durham Regional Police Service to assist with the situation.

At around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning (March 5), police entered the home and arrested the man without further incident.

Police have charged the accused man with assault with a weapon (knife), uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (knife), and five counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

He is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court later today (March 6).

Police are not releasing the name of the accused man to protect the identity of the victim. The accused man does not live at the home and his relationship with the victim is unknown.

The Business Beat for March 6, 2017

Patrick Poell with his dad Ed of Poell's Bike Shop, which recently moved to 366 George Street in downtown Peterborough

Poell’s Bike Shop

Poell’s Bike Shop recently moved from Aylmer Street to downtown Peterborough.

Owner Ed Poell and his son Patrick specialize in used bikes. They can sell you a bike, purchase yours, take yours in on a trade, or make repairs. The new location is at 366 George Street; that’s in the former Tango location.

Call 705-808-4544 or find them on Facebook.


Kawartha Surveillance

 Kawartha Surveillance installed this dome camera installed under soffit, with the cable running through the attic crawlspace (photo: Kawartha Surveillance / Facebook)

Kawartha Surveillance installed this dome camera installed under soffit, with the cable running through the attic crawlspace (photo: Kawartha Surveillance / Facebook)

Kawartha Surveillance recently launched in Peterborough.

Covering the Kawarthas and the GTA, owner Rob Whiteside offers video surveillance for home, business or farm, alarm monitoring, alarm systems, repairs and upgrades, and home and building automation. Wireless solutions are also offered.

Call 705-243-6947, visit www.kawarthasurveillance.ca, or find them on Facebook.


Pita Pit Lansdowne

Matt and Stephanie Brown, owners of Pita Pit Lansdowne, recently raised $2,800 for Five Counties Children's Centre
Matt and Stephanie Brown, owners of Pita Pit Lansdowne, recently raised $2,800 for Five Counties Children’s Centre

The Pita Pit Lansdowne opened recently at the corner of Lansdowne and the Parkway.

Owners Matt and Stephanie Brown are proud to be a part of the local business community and immediately set about to raise nearly $3,000 for Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they offer their classic and famous pita menu, as well as salads and sides. Sit-ins, walk-ins, take out and catering are all welcome.

Call Pita Pit Lansdowne at 705-743-7482 or find them on Facebook.


Ball Real Estate Inc.

 Greg Ball, Judy Ball, and Dominic Cole have formed  Ball Real Estate Inc.

Greg Ball, Judy Ball, and Dominic Cole have formed Ball Real Estate Inc.

Congratulations to Greg and Judy Ball and Dominic Cole, who have formed a unique collaboration in Lakefield to create Ball Real Estate Inc.

Billed as a boutique brokerage focusing on innovation and service quality, Ball Real Estate hits the ground running with Lakefield natives and well-known local realtors Judy and Greg Ball, an equally accomplished Dominic Cole, and a number of agents.

They are operating out of the upper level of 38 Queen Street in Lakefield, across from the Village Inn, but watch for a grand opening of their new offices at 36 Queen Street in April.

For more information, visit www.ballrealestate.ca or call 705-651-2255.

All photos supplied except where noted.

Twitter’s Joy Ding comes to Peterborough for photography presentation on March 20

SPARK Photo Festival is bringing Twitter product development manager Joy Ding to Peterborough, where she will speak about the impact of social media on photography, as well as current and expected technological advances in photography on mobile devices (photo: Maurizio Pesce)

If you want to find out how both social media and technology are impacting photography now and into the future, you’ll want to attend a special event at the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on Monday, March 20th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

SPARK Photo Festival is bringing Joy Ding, a product development manager at Twitter in San Francisco, to Peterborough for a keynote presentation, followed by a panel discussion that includes former software developer Rich Helms and Peterborough’s own digital media publisher Jeannine Taylor.

In an industry still dominated by men, Joy Ding is a role model for young women considering careers in STEM  (photo: Joy Ding)
In an industry still dominated by men, Joy Ding is a role model for young women considering careers in STEM (photo: Joy Ding)

If you’ve ever quoted someone on Twitter, uploaded a video to Twitter, or used Google Maps, Google Drive, or Google Doubleclick for Publishers, you’ve come into contact with Joy’s work.

In an industry still dominated by men, the 29-year-old Harvard graduate in computer science is considered a role model for young women who are considering careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

In her keynote presentation, Joy will speak about the impact of social media on the practice of photography. She’ll also address the current state of technology in photography, particularly with respect to advances on mobile devices. Her presentation will feature an overview of currently available features and products, and what to expect on your mobile devices in the near future — including image-based machine learning.

In her current job at Twitter, Joy was responsible for revamping and launching the “quote tweet” upgrade in 2015 — the feature that allows Twitter users to quote other user’s tweets while adding their own comments. Also in 2015, she also helped launch the functionality allowing users to capture, edit, and share videos right from the Twitter app.

While at Harvard pursuing her degree in computer science, Joy Ding studied photography with Chris Killip, whose approach to portraiture remains a strong influence. (photo: Joy Ding)
While at Harvard pursuing her degree in computer science, Joy Ding studied photography with Chris Killip, whose approach to portraiture remains a strong influence. (photo: Joy Ding)

Prior to joining Twitter, Joy worked as a product development manager for four years at Google Maps, where she lead a team of 17 engineers to develop new infrastructure for offline map rendering, search and directions, for both Android and iOS devices. She also worked at Google on the iOS Google Drive app as well as on DoubleClick for Publishers, Google’s free ad management solution for digital publishers.

As well as her experience working at Twitter and Google, Joy is an accomplished photographer. While at Harvard University, she studied photography with Chris Killip, whose approach to portraiture remains a strong influence. Joy’s own photography and multimedia work combines traditional techniques in unexpected ways and attempts to embody the intimacy and preciousness of mundane living.

In addition to her work at Twitter, Joy Ding is also an accomplished photographer. Here's one photo in a "levitation" series she created in 2015. (Photo: Joy Ding)
In addition to her work at Twitter, Joy Ding is also an accomplished photographer. Here’s one photo in a “levitation” series she created in 2015. (Photo: Joy Ding)

Following Joy’s keynote presentation, she will participate in a panel discussion with Rich Helms and Jeannine Taylor as well as a question-and-answer session with the audience.

A former software developer, Rich Helms has over 35 years in computer research and development. He spent 22 years in various positions at IBM and two years as the Vice President of R&D for Electronics Workbench in Toronto. In 1986 he developed CARES (Computer Assisted Recovery Enhancement System) for the Metropolitan Toronto Police, the first computer system in the world for aging missing children.

Peterborough’s own Jeannine Taylor, publisher of kawarthaNOW.com, has more than 30 years of experience in marketing, media and communications, spending the last 20 years specializing in internet marketing and web development. She launched the area’s first community information website (Quid Novis) in 1996, which she rebranded as kawarthaNOW in 2006. Her company has continued to expand, now reaching a weekly readership of 160,000 across four counties with more than 30,000 followers on social media.

UPDATE March 17: this event has been cancelled. Tickets for Joy’s presentation and the panel discussion are $15 for adults ($10 for students) and available online at www.sparkphotofestival.org/presentations/joy-ding-presentation/.

International Women’s Day conference set to inspire and empower 150 women to action

"Inspire. Empower. Act!" is the theme of the International Women's Day Conference in Peterborough, which takes place on March 8 at Ashburnham Reception Centre. The conference is now sold out.

Inspire. Empower. Act.

On Wednesday, March 8th, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) hosts the city’s first International Women’s Day conference, featuring a full day of workshops and speakers designed to bring women of all walks of life together to dream, learn and plan.

Whether it’s a lifelong passion or an inkling of an idea, whether it’s a desire to connect or a need to be independent, the conference promises to ignite or re-ignite passion, uncover strength and confidence, and shape achievable plans.

While the history of International Women’s Day is firmly rooted in the last century — the first IWD was observed in 1914 — the spirit of this conference is to create new opportunities for the future.

And judging from the response to the conference (it’s now completely sold out), Peterborough-area women are embracing that spirit.

For the woman whose notion it was to create this event in Peterborough, the day is full of hope.

“I want people to leave feeling like this was the best day they’d ever spent doing something,” says Louise Racine. “I want it to be significant. I want it to be inspiring and I want people to be motivated to make changes and build community.”

Racine, whose job as the owner of Thirteen Moons Wellness includes providing opportunities for women to reflect, recharge, and regroup, says the idea came to her as she travelled back from a similar conference in Guelph last year.

“I thought, ‘Why did I have to drive six hours to go to a conference? Why does Peterborough not have this? I sat with it, and it kind of bugged me, until eventually I took the idea to the Women’s Business Network. I knew I would need that kind of support to pull this off.”

Local business owner and WBN board member Louise Racine conceived of the idea of a local conference on International Women's Day after receiving the Judy Heffernan Award at the Women in Business awards in June 2016 (photo: WBN / Facebook)
Local business owner and WBN board member Louise Racine conceived of the idea of a local conference on International Women’s Day after receiving the Judy Heffernan Award at the Women in Business awards in June 2016 (photo: WBN / Facebook)

The WBN climbed aboard Racine’s train, and the engines fired up. The train is pulling into the station at 7:30 a.m. on March 8th, when the conference opens it doors at the Ashburnham Reception Centre on Armour Road.

Unlike similar events that feature a single speaker, Monday’s event features three keynotes, each with a unique brand of humour and a passionate message.

Feminist comedian Candy Palmater headlines the day with a message promising to reveal some of the secrets to finding that spark within and allowing it to burn.

Career expert Sarah Vermunt offers a trove of tools to help tend that newfound passion.

And, to cap off the day, Peterborough’s own veteran actor and improv performer Linda Kash drives it home by magically taking away some of the barriers that prevent inspired and empowered people from taking action.

The conference features keynotes from CBC radio host and feminist comic Candy Palmater, professional coach and career expert Sarah Vermunt, and veteran actress and improv performer Linda Kash
The conference features keynotes from CBC radio host and feminist comic Candy Palmater, professional coach and career expert Sarah Vermunt, and veteran actress and improv performer Linda Kash

Between the keynotes, there are two banks of workshops from which to choose — three in the morning, three in the afternoon; participants have the opportunity to attend one in each bank.

On top of all this, breakfast and lunch are included. And Racine says there are a few surprises that are being kept under wraps until the big event.

And there’s been a bit of a surprise in terms of who will attend the event. Racine says participants are come from Ottawa, Toronto and beyond. From within the Kawarthas, attendees come from all walks of life — from students in high school, to community activists, professionals, entrepreneurs, and new moms. There’s even at least one man attending the event.

The new community that will be created on Wednesday is part of Racine’s dream.

“I hear a lot of women who dream and say they have big beautiful ideas, but this is about being driven to do something with those ideas,” she says.

“My thing is act. I hope that the conference inspires actions. I want 150 women to leave there with a notebook of things they’re committed to doing for themselves, or their families, or their communities.”

World-class pianist Janina Fialkowska returns to Peterborough on March 25

World-class pianist Janina Fialkowska, declared "one of the Grandes Dames of piano playing", returns to Peterborough to perform with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra as part of her 65th birthday tour. Janina has two connections to Peterborough: she spent her first year of life here and her brother Peter Fialkowski was a well-known face on television as the weatherman on CHEX for more than 30 years. (Photo: Peter Schaaf)

Just a month ago the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) wowed its audience at Showplace Performance Centre with a sold-out 50th anniversary gala concert featuring acclaimed local and international guest artists, a legendary violin and the world premiere of new music.

The excitement surrounding the organization’s 2016/17 concert season continues this month as the orchestra prepares to present A Life’s Work, sponsored by Bryston. On Saturday, March 25th, PSO audience members will again be treated to a world-class performance featuring an internationally revered soloist.

The incomparable Janina Fialkowska, “one of the Grandes Dames of piano playing” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, July 1, 2015), will join the PSO on stage at Showplace for the fourth concert in the PSO’s 50th anniversary season celebrating “the journey”. A Life’s Work will honour the personal journey of musical artists with Janina’s appearance in Peterborough as part of her 65th birthday tour, itself a celebration of the talent and skill developed through years of dedication to her craft.

Sponsored by Bryston, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra presents "A Life's Work" on Saturday, March 25 at Showplace Performance Centre. This is the fourth concert in the orchestra's 50th anniversary season. (Graphic: Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
Sponsored by Bryston, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra presents “A Life’s Work” on Saturday, March 25 at Showplace Performance Centre. This is the fourth concert in the orchestra’s 50th anniversary season. (Graphic: Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)

Born in 1951 in Montreal to a Polish father and a Canadian mother, Janina spent the first year of her life in Peterborough. Her parents had settled in the city in 1947 after meeting in Scotland during the war. Janina’s father worked as an electrical engineer at General Electric, but when her grandfather passed away in 1952, the family returned to Montreal so her father could take over the estate.

At four years of age Janina began piano studies at home with her mother. She later studied in Montreal with Yvonne Hubert, then in Paris with Yvonne Lefébure, and in New York with Sascha Gorodnitzki at Juilliard.

In 1974, Janina’s professional piano career launched when she won Polish piano great Arthur Rubinstein’s inaugural Master Piano Competition. Himself a master of Frederic Chopin’s music, Arthur called Janina a “born Chopin interpreter” and became her mentor. Now known as “Canada’s first lady of Chopin” (Classical.net, 2012), Janina explains her lifelong identification with the composer, influenced by an upbringing where her Polish heritage was celebrated:

The incomparable Janina Fialkowska will perform Chopin's Piano Concerto no. 1 with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra on March 25 (photo: Julien Faugère / ATMA)
The incomparable Janina Fialkowska will perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto no. 1 with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra on March 25 (photo: Julien Faugère / ATMA)

“There was an emphasis that one should not forget where one came from. We always celebrated Polish Christmas, things like that… I am pre-disposed to like [Chopin] because I have a Polish father. If you have a smidge of Polish blood in you, you would be excommunicated if you don’t love Chopin. He does use a tremendous amount of Polish rhythms in mazurkas and polonaises. I believe that I do have this in me. I’ve never had a problem trying to find the inflections there. They come naturally to me.” (Ottawa Citizen, July 27, 2016)

The PSO’s Maestro Michael Newnham also feels uniquely connected to Poland. He lived there in his twenties while completing his Master’s degree in conducting at the Chopin Academy of Music, then began his professional conducting career at the Warsaw Chamber Opera. Michael is a recipient of the “Order of Merit” from the Republic of Poland and was recently granted the Turzanski Award for his services promoting Polish music and culture in Canada.

Piano was Michael’s first instrument, and he has had a lifelong fascination with the piano world. He has always particularly loved performing the music of Chopin with great pianists. But it wasn’t until he lived in Poland that Michael truly understood how symbolic the composer’s music is for the country’s citizens. Echoing Janina’s account of Chopin’s characteristic Polish folk music beats, Michael describes his rhythms as “an example of music that truly represents a specific nation.”

When Michael moved to Peterborough 16 years ago to lead the PSO, he knew of Janina’s connection to the city from her childhood as well as through her brother, long-time CHEX Television personality Peter Fialkowski. Michael wondered then if the associations might someday lead to an opportunity to perform Chopin with Janina, “one of Canada’s finest gifts to the international piano world” (Ottawa Citizen, August 5, 2012), in Peterborough.

Performing the music of Chopin with a renowned Chopin interpreter will be a thrill for Maestro Michael Newnham, as well as the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra's musicians (photo: Wayne Eardley)
Performing the music of Chopin with a renowned Chopin interpreter will be a thrill for Maestro Michael Newnham, as well as the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s musicians (photo: Wayne Eardley)

Last year, Michael’s hope to have Janina return to Peterborough began to take shape as a real plan when her husband Harry Oesterle contacted Michael ahead of the 65th Birthday Tour. Harry explained that the international tour would bring Janina to Canada where she wanted to perform in cities that she felt a connection to.

Janina’s return to Peterborough on March 25, when she will share her own Life’s Work, performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto no. 1 accompanied by the PSO under the baton of Maestro Newnham, will be a beautiful nod to the personal journeys of musicians everywhere.

VIDEO: An interview with Janina Fialkowska

The performance will be a thrill not only for the community and conductor, but for the orchestra’s musicians. Michael explains that Piano Concerto no. 1 is one of the most demanding concerti for orchestras to play with a soloist.

“It’s treacherous because of the rhythms characteristic of this type of music,” he says, referencing rubato tempo, another musical quality Chopin is known for. This free speeding up and slowing down of the music’s tempo by the soloist expresses the feeling and sound of going backward and forward, and is a challenge for accompanists to match. The Concerto’s performance will be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

In addition to Chopin’s Piano Concerto no. 1, Ludwig van Beethoven’s powerful Egmont Overture and Franz Schubert’s lyrically graceful Symphony no. 4, “Tragic”, will be performed at A Life’s Work. The latter is a special favourite of Michael who first conducted it as a student in Poland almost 25 years ago. This concert marks his first time presenting it with the PSO.

Concert tickets for A Life’s Work are available now from the Showplace box office by phone (705-742-7469), online (www.showplace.org) or in person at 290 George Street North. Adult tickets are $48.50, $38.50, or $20, and student tickets are $10. Ticket buyers are also invited to attend “Meet the Maestro”, a free pre-concert chat with Maestro Newnham in the Showplace theatre at 6:40 p.m.

Janina Fialkowska's brother Peter Fialkowski (second from left) brought weather forecasts to Peterborough-area residents on CHEX Television for more than 30 years (photo: CHEX TV / Facebook)
Janina Fialkowska’s brother Peter Fialkowski (second from left) brought weather forecasts to Peterborough-area residents on CHEX Television for more than 30 years (photo: CHEX TV / Facebook)

A dollar well invested is a dollar well spent

As Community Futures Peterborough member Gord James looks on, Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef speaks at a March 2nd showcase highlighting successes under the Eastern Ontario Development Program, a federal grant program to advance economic development in rural eastern Ontario. In the Peterborough area, Community Futures Peterborough administers the program that has benefited 557 organizations and businesses over the past 14 years. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

While it’s a terrific starting point, having a sound business idea isn’t enough on its own to get things off the ground. There’s the little matter of money.

Having loaned $28 million to more than 700 businesses since its inception in 1985, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has provided much-needed dollars for start-up or expansion. While that alone is very impressive, a showcase of Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) funding recipients held Thursday (March 2) at the Ashburnham Reception Centre shone a light on the CFP-administered program that has benefited another 557 initiatives over the past 14 years.

Managed by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, EODP funding is non-repayable — it’s a grant, not a loan — but accountability on the part of recipients is paramount.

“They are required to deliver on what they committed to do and report,” noted CFP board member Gord James in his opening podium remarks.

Peterborough Mayor Darryl Bennett explains how EODP funding is an investment in the local economy (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Peterborough Mayor Darryl Bennett explains how EODP funding is an investment in the local economy (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

“No one should think that just because it’s a non-repayable contribution that every one of the dollars we deliver to these programs is not respected. I picture the dressing down I’d get from my 88-year-old mom if she thought we were being frivolous with even one of her tax dollars. That quickly clarifies things for me.”

While presented as a “celebration” of EODP success stories, the event had a secondary purpose: to urge advocacy for the program with its end scheduled for December 31, 2018.

“This is a good program working and it is working,” said James. “We will disburse about $300,000 this fiscal year. That is not insignificant. What we need to do is be making the case for this program and its positive effect. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Pick up a pen and write a letter to the Minister (of Innovation, Science and Economic Development).”

Later, James expressed his optimism that EODP funding will be extended beyond the looming end date, saying “We need to ensure that the minister and his staff understand the benefit. If we do that job well, I’m comfortable the right decision will be made.”

Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef describes how $80 million has been invested in more than 7,600 businesses and community development projects in eastern Ontario as of 2016  (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef describes how $80 million has been invested in more than 7,600 businesses and community development projects in eastern Ontario as of 2016 (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

A key voice in that effort will be that of Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef. Along with Mayor Daryl Bennett and Peterborough County Deputy Warden Mary Smith, she pledged her support of the program, noting $80 million has been invested in more than 7,600 businesses and community development projects in eastern Ontario as of 2016.

For his part, Mayor Bennett termed EODP funding one of the most worthwhile endeavours ever taken on by any level of government, adding, “this is (not only) an expenditure of tax dollars, this is an investment.”

But the proof remains in the pudding and this day saw plenty of pudding dished out. Along with the opportunity to view displays and several recipients of EODP dollars, four business owners sang the praises of the funding their initiatives received.

In 2015, Publican House Brewery in Peterborough struggled with manual packaging, challenging their ability to meet the demand for their products. EODP funding allowed the business to purchase their first bottling machine and they have since doubled their bottling efficiency while reducing waste by over nine percent. (Photo: Publican House Brewery / Facebook)
In 2015, Publican House Brewery in Peterborough struggled with manual packaging, challenging their ability to meet the demand for their products. EODP funding allowed the business to purchase their first bottling machine and they have since doubled their bottling efficiency while reducing waste by over nine percent. (Photo: Publican House Brewery / Facebook)

“Traditional funding institutions are only prepared to do so much,” noted Marty Laskaris, co-owner of Publican House Brewery at Charlotte and Rubidge streets.

“In 2015, speaking to the folks at Community Futures, they suggested we take a look at the EODP program. At the time, we were really struggling with packaging. It was all manual at the time. We produced a lot of waste; it was slow and expensive and it was the key contributor in our inability to meet demand.

“Shortly after being advised that our application had been approved, we went out and bought our first bottling machine. The results that we’ve got from this machine as a result of the funding has been exceptional for us. We’ve more than doubled our bottling efficiency. We’ve reduced our waste from over 10 per cent to less than 1 per cent. That alone has meant thousands of dollars to our bottom line.”

Laskaris also pointed to the “non-measurable benefits” of the EDOP funding that Publican House received.

“We gave our employees a better working environment. So, rather than them getting frustrated trying to do something on a machine that wasn’t designed to do it originally, they saw us invest, and the community invest, and the government invest, in a machine that was going to help them do their jobs better.”

Also speaking was Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) executive director Terry Guiel, who noted EODP dollars enabled the recent Win This Space initiative to get off the ground. Guiel was joined by Tina Bromley of Tiny Greens, the winner of a one-year lease for a downtown Peterborough storefront.

Tiny Greens owner Tina Bromley chats with Peterborough DBIA executive director Terry Guiel and Peterborough Mayor Darryl Bennett at a showcase celebrating successes under the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP). Bromely recently won a year-long lease for a downtown Peterborough storefront in the DBIA's Win This Space contest, which was supported with funding from the federal program administered by Community Futures Peterborough. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Tiny Greens owner Tina Bromley chats with Peterborough DBIA executive director Terry Guiel and Peterborough Mayor Darryl Bennett at a showcase celebrating successes under the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP). Bromely recently won a year-long lease for a downtown Peterborough storefront in the DBIA’s Win This Space contest, which was supported with funding from the federal program administered by Community Futures Peterborough. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

“With the funding we got, we were able to secure $60,000 in sponsorship, 35 sponsors,” Guiel said. “We were able to include 10 different (lease) locations, 10 different landlords.

“Not only is Tina going to be announcing soon where she’s going to open, but some of the others who didn’t win are already negotiating (with those landlords) and you’ll see some of them open as well. Wow! All from a small investment.

“Years ago, in order to get to work, I needed to get a car, so I went to my dad and he gave me the $2,000. We knew we wanted to do Win This Space, but we needed a ‘dad’. It started with our dear friends and an incredible organization, Community Futures Peterborough. I am their greatest champion. I’ve seen what it does in the community.”

Also relating their EODP funding experiences were Andi Van Koeverden with The Mount Community Centre and Karen Jopling with the County of Peterborough, who is working on a three-year EODP-funded contract as project manager for the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building to open this September at Lang Pioneer Village.

“We have secured more than $2.5 million, created three full-time contract jobs and 15 sub-contract jobs, engaged more than 50 investors, and have engaged more than 50 youths at Fleming College” since that funding was received, Jopling noted, adding, “don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you grow. We have sown so many seeds.”

In addition to commercial enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, aboriginal organizations, and post-secondary institutions have received for funding under EODP (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
In addition to commercial enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, aboriginal organizations, and post-secondary institutions have received for funding under EODP (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

For his part, Noblegen president Eric Howe noted the company received EODP funding early on its growth for lab development and “to find a product we could actually start to commercialize.” He added that without EODP funding, Noblegen “never would have had the opportunity to move to the next stage” of its business plan.

“Leverage your government contacts,” he advised any business seeking financial assistance. “There’s lots of funding out there to help corporations depending on the sector you’re in. You need to get your name out there; you need to have your contact network to really leverage that.”

James concurred, advising EODP funding applicants to “think it through” before applying.

“There has to be some logic to it. We have to see that they understand the various aspects of the project, what’s going to make it work; but also the risks that they could face. We also have to really understand the long-term benefit for the community: good jobs that are going to stay over the long run.”

For more information on EODP funding guidelines, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca/eodp/.

artNOW – March 2017

A detail from one of the works at Olivia Whetung's show "tibewh", opening March 3 at Artspace (photo courtesy of Artspace)

Peterborough’s Artspace takes the cake this month: a gold star goes to Artspace for they have a lot going on during the month of March.

There are also openings at the Bancroft Art Gallery, Acme Art and Sailboat Company, Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, as well as Warkworth’s Arts and Heritage Centre — including a project encouraging the public to submit stories.

Also, photographer Mike Taylor is seeking artists and artisans for a portrait project, and the City of Peterborough is looking for artists to design a monument for the new urban park planned for downtown.

No excuses now that the robins are back, and the weather is mainly bearable even to the most whiney of the winter complainers (you know who you are). This March, you can take in the sweet songs of spring along with some art shows.


Artspace Presents “tibewh” by Olivia Whetung

This beadwork by Olivia Whetung is a representation of bodies of water along the Trent Severn Waterway (photo courtesy of Artspace)
This beadwork by Olivia Whetung is a representation of bodies of water along the Trent Severn Waterway (photo courtesy of Artspace)

in Anishinaabemowin, the word “tibewh” refers to the shoreline if one is out on a body of water or in the water. It is a word that places the speaker in relation to the land. English does not have many, if any, words like this, being quite cut and dried in the sense that a shoreline is a shoreline, end of story. In English, the individual is generally separated from whatever environment they inhabit, in terms of basic wording and sentence structure.

This is a trick of language, yet this structure can say something about the culture itself. Of course, no one is truly separate from the rest of the world. We are all part of the world — inextricably so. There is a real beauty to relational words such as tibewh which include the speaker in the description of the scene.

Olivia Whetung’s latest work reflects the land and the water, and her own historical and cultural relation to these. This will definitely be an interesting show, with many ideas to ponder and beautiful beadwork to behold! You might even learn a few new words. Also, don’t miss out on the beading workshop to be held on March 25th.

The show opens on Friday, March 3rd, with a reception at Artspace from 7 to 10 p.m. In conjunction with this exhibition, Whetung will be leading a beading workshop and drop-in session on Saturday, March 25th from noon until 4 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Jon Lockyer, Director of Artspace, at 705-748-3883, or by e-mail jon@artspace-arc.org.

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.

 

“Ex Libris” at Artspace

Ex Libris displays the work of 14 contemporary printmakers (photo courtesy of Artspace)
Ex Libris displays the work of 14 contemporary printmakers (photo courtesy of Artspace)

Ex Libris, Latin for “library of”, denotes small printed plates used inside the front leaf of books to show who the owner is (or was, since they were largely used in the past by the well-to-do book owners of the day). Today, bookplate collecting is more the thing to do.

Artspace is currently hosting a show of work by contemporary printmakers Wendy Cain, Phoebe Cohoe, Rebecca Cowan, Josh Dannin, Genna Kusch, PamLoebb, Peter Mennacher, Chrissy Poitras, Otis Tamasauskas, Larry Thompson, Kyle Topping, Jessica Veevers, Terry Veeversm and Jan Winton. The work is on display until Saturday, March 11th.

This show is located in gallery 2, so please stop in before March 11th and see what they have to offer.

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.

 

Artspace Hosts Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon

Drop by Artspace and help set Wikipedia straight (graphic: Art+Feminism)
Drop by Artspace and help set Wikipedia straight (graphic: Art+Feminism)

Calling all feminists, women, and supporters of women to the 3rd Annual Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon! It turns out the content of Wikipedia is skewed because, shockingly, the number of female contributors is likely under 10%.

Artspace aims to help right this discrepancy in what is becoming an increasingly important repository of knowledge. On Saturday, March 4th, grab your laptop and power cord and head to Artspace for a group Wikipedia editing session. Don’t forget to bring along a few ideas of what you would like to contribute. The focus will be on entries related to art and feminism.

The session furns from noon to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be available, as well as references for the beginner Wikipedian. For more information call Bec Groves, Associate Director, at 705-748-3883 or e-mail Bec at bec@artspace-arc.org.

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.

For more information about Art+Feminism, visit www.artandfeminism.org.

 

"Homestead Winter Evening" by Allan O'Marra, Oil on canvas, 30"x45" (photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Bancroft)
“Homestead Winter Evening” by Allan O’Marra, Oil on canvas, 30″x45″ (photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Bancroft)

Allan O’Marra, born and raised just north of Bancroft, will reveal his new series of paintings “Magical-Mythical-Mystical” at the Art Gallery of Bancroft.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, March 3rd at 7:30 p.m. and the show continues until Sunday, April 2nd.

Allan will also be teaching a portrait painting workshop on Sunday, March 12th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Please contact the Art Gallery of Bancroft in order to reserve a spot. They can be reached by phone at 613-332-1542 or e-mail at agb@nexicom.net.

The Art Gallery of Bancroft is located at 10 Flint Avenue in Bancroft. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m from Tuesday until Saturday. You can find the gallery online at www.artgallerybancroft.ca.

 

The Arts and Heritage Centre of Warkworth presents artist Fred Gottshalk and the Cenotaph Project

Fred Gottschalk's exhibition "Bee-Cause and Effect" runs until March 26 (graphic courtesy of Arts and Heritage Centre)
Fred Gottschalk’s exhibition “Bee-Cause and Effect” runs until March 26 (graphic courtesy of Arts and Heritage Centre)

There’s a double exhibition happening this month at Warkworth’s Arts and Heritage Centre.

“Bee-Cause and Effect” is really a collaborative work between artist Fred Gottshalk and some bees. Gottshalk reconfigures deconstructed hives to emphasize the different characters of each hive, playing with the differences between the man-made exteriors and the fascinating interiors of the beehives.

This looks like it will be an interesting exhibit. Drop by the opening reception on Saturday, March 4th at 7 p.m. The show continues until Sunday, March 26th with an artist’s talk being held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25th.

One of many Cenotaph photographs that will be on display from March 3rd until March 26th (graphic courtesy of Arts and Heritage Centre)
One of many Cenotaph photographs that will be on display from March 3rd until March 26th (graphic courtesy of Arts and Heritage Centre)

The Cenotaph Project is a beautiful series of Northumberland Cenotaph photographs and stories mapped out in the County of Northumberland, reflecting the generous spirit of the communitiy coming together to honour the memory of its soldiers.

Photography by the Northumberland Photography Club, on loan from the Art Gallery of Northumberland, will be on display and visitors will be encouraged to write down their own stories of connections to individual soldiers. These documents will be archived and donated to the Northumberland County Archives.

If you have some stories to contribute, please drop by and write a few lines about your own experiences. A good time to do this might be at the opening reception on Saturday, March 4th at 7 p.m. The show runs until Sunday, March 26th, with talks by special guest speakers to be announced.

The Arts and Heritage Centre 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.

 

Mike Taylor seeks subjects for his Artists and Artisans Portrait Project

Painter Rob Neizen at work in his studio (photo courtesy of Mike Taylor)
Painter Rob Neizen at work in his studio (photo courtesy of Mike Taylor)

Mike Taylor is taking on the studios and workshops of Peterborough County to produce a series of photographic portraits featuring the artists and artisans in the area.

The project has just begun, and Mike is currently on the lookout for practicing artists and craftspeople within Peterborough County.

If you would like to be involved in this project please contact Mike Taylor at 705-931-9623 or via e-mail at miketaylorpics@gmail.com.

 

Acme Art and Sailboat Co. presents Cherlyn Greig

Check out the watercolours of Cherlyn Greig at the Acme Gallery, along with Joe Stable's most recent work in the Copper Closet (photo courtesy of Joe Stable)
Check out the watercolours of Cherlyn Greig at the Acme Gallery, along with Joe Stable’s most recent work in the Copper Closet (photo courtesy of Joe Stable)

Cherlyn Greig’s new watercolour paintings are on display at the Acme Art and Sailboat Co., artist Joe Stable’s gallery in downtown Peterborough.

There will be an opening reception for the show on Friday, March 3rd from 6 to 10 p.m., so drop on by and check out Cherlyn’s new paintings. While you’re there, have a peek into the Copper Closet to see some of Joe’s latest.

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

 

"Raven Haven" by Dorothy Conlin, one of the artists whose works will be on display in the Diversity show (photo courtesy of Kawartha Artists' Gallery and Studio)
“Raven Haven” by Dorothy Conlin, one of the artists whose works will be on display in the Diversity show (photo courtesy of Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio)

On Sunday, March 19th, drop by the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio for an opening reception for their “Diversity” show, featuring work by executive members of the Gallery.

The opening happens from 1 to 4 p.m. on the 19th and the show will continue until Sunday the 26th of March. This show will feature work by executive members of the Gallery.

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.

 

City of Peterborough issues call for proposals for design of UN Peacekeepers monument at new urban park

Concept drawing of the planned Charlotte Street Urban Park in downtown Peterborough (illustration:  AECOM)
Concept drawing of the planned Charlotte Street Urban Park in downtown Peterborough (illustration: AECOM)

Here’s an exciting opportunity for artists and designers! The City of Peterborough’s Public Art Program has issued a call for proposals to design a United Nations Peacekeepers monument, which is to be installed near the entrance of the new Charlotte Street Urban Park in downtown Peterborough, planned to be completed in 2018.

The design competition is open to emerging and established professional artists and designers across Canada who are permanent residents of Canada. The budget for the project in $95,000, and the deadline for submissions is Monday, April 3rd.

Complete details, including submission guidelines, are available at www.akimbo.ca/akimbos/?id=104225.

If you have any questions about the project, please email Wendy Trusler, Public Art Coordinator for the City of Peterborough, at wendy@wendytrusler.ca.

Snow sculpture winners at Bobcaygeon’s Family FrostFest

Hundreds of people turned out at the first annual Family FrostFest in Bobcaygeon on the Family Day long weekend to create and admire snow sculptures.

Bobcaygeon celebrated its first annual Family FrostFest last weekend, hosted by Impact 32, a volunteer committee made up of local business owners and community organizers.

Kids of all ages were encouraged to head on down to the park at Lock 32 and create their very own snow creation. Hundreds of people turned out to build and to admire the snow sculptures, which ranged from dragons to unicorns and from beaver lodges to octopuses.

Claire Kimble Mahoney and family won in the Family/Group category for "Unicorn".
Claire Kimble Mahoney and family won in the Family/Group category for “Unicorn”.

“We served up gallons of hot chocolate donated by Tom and Wendy Hunt and provided by Kawartha Coffee Company, and a small mountain of home-baked cookies,” says Marketing committee chair Bonnie Harris. “All the planning and hands-on work to run the 3-day event was done by our local volunteers, from inventing games to manning our mascot and baking cookies, our volunteers shouldered the work and shared the laughs that made this three-day event so much fun.”

The winners of the snow sculpture contest were announced on February 25th after a week of voting by both paper ballot and Facebook “likes”. The competition was stiff, with many excellent sculptures.

Myah Heacock was the winner in the Kids Under 10 category for "Marshmallow Heart".
Myah Heacock was the winner in the Kids Under 10 category for “Marshmallow Heart”.

In the Kids Under 10 category, the winner of the $100 gift certificate was Myah Heacock for “Marshmallow Heart”. Several other awards were made to the children in this group and can be seen on the Impact 32 Facebook page in the comments beside each picture.

Two families won the Family/Group category and each receives a $100 gift certificate: Claire Kimble Mahoney and family for their “Unicorn” snow sculpture and Michelle Mitchell and family for “Mitchellsaurus”.

Michelle Mitchell and family won in the Family/Group category for "Mitchellsaurus".
Michelle Mitchell and family won in the Family/Group category for “Mitchellsaurus”.

In the Business category, the winner was Kelly James and Tom Wood of New Deal Realty for “Canada’s 150th”. The runner-up was was Happy Days Houseboats with their creation, “Boat hair, don’t care”.

“Impact 32 congratulates these winners and thanks everyone involved for making this event a happy memory for our local families,” says Impact 32 Steering Committee Chair and founding member Carly Poole.

“I’d specifically like to say a big thank you to volunteers Ann Adare, Lou Andrews, Nicole Campbell, Michele Dames, Bonnie Harris, Carol Kimmerly, Theresa Nelson, and Catherine Pentiricci. Of course, as always it’s a wonderful feeling to know we can count on the support of our community and everyone who came to FrostFest. We hope see you all again next year!”

Kelly James and Tom Wood of New Deal Realty won in the Business category for "Canada's 150th".
Kelly James and Tom Wood of New Deal Realty won in the Business category for “Canada’s 150th”.

All photos courtesy of Impact 32.

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