Peterborough Folk Festival Celebrates Two Grants Totalling $35,400 From Ontario Government

The Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) is celebrating two Capital grants from 2023 and 2024 totalling $35,400 from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), announced at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Friday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“The support from the province of Ontario via the Ontario Trillium Foundation has enabled the Peterborough Folk Festival to acquire essential items needed for the festival's operation, ensuring they can keep delivering this vital event for our community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

Funds from the most recent grant, $19,500, awarded this past summer, allowed the purchase of new portable stage platforms and signage.

Last year, PFF received a $15,900 Capital grant from OTF to purchase more equipment, such as electrical cords and cable mats, needed to run the stage performances and to purchase more canopy tents and folding tables.

“This helps us make our festival more sustainable for us,” said Rob Davis PFF Chair. “All of this helps set us up to be more successful in the future.”

The free-admission music and arts festival has been active in the City of Peterborough since 1989. They are a registered charity organization led by a volunteer board of directors.

“Buying this equipment means a lot less borrowing and renting,” said Davis. “It ensures that we always have high-quality equipment.”

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Peterborough Musicfest Releases 2025 Edition of Diner's Book to Discover Local Restaurants

Saving at local restaurants has become easier with the return of Peterborough Musicfest’s Diner’s Book for 2025, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The book is available starting Friday and costs $30. This year’s edition features 80 dining offers from restaurants, cafés, pubs, and other food venues across Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and Northumberland County (new this year).

The Diner’s Book, valued at over $1,000 in savings, contains ‘buy one entrée, get the second half price’ deals and more. Anyone can get the ‘Buy three Diner’s Books Get one Free deal’ with all proceeds towards Peterborough Musicfest.

“This year’s Diner’s Book isn’t just a way to save on incredible meals; it’s a way to give back and help keep free admission music alive for everyone to enjoy,” says Tracey Randall, Peterborough Musicfest executive director. “It’s also the perfect gift for the foodie in your life or that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. With something for every palate, it’s a gift that keeps giving all year long!”

The Books are available to purchase at Lansdowne Place (Customer Service Desk) and online.

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Harmony for Healing Announces Second Benefit Concert ‘Wish You Were Here' For Suicide and Mental Health Awareness

Harmony for Healing has announced the return of its annual event, ‘Wish You Were Here,’ a benefit concert dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, announced at The El(P) on Wednesday morning.

(From left to right) Wade Hamblin; ReMax Hallmark Eastern Realty; Ellen Watkins CMHA HKPR CEO; Phillip Jolicoeur, Harmony for Healing Founder and Tracy Graham, CMHA HKPR Director of Programs and Services. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The concert is part of Harmony for Healing’s goal of raising $50,000 over five years to provide critical mental health resources. It will be held on Feb. 20 at Market Hall Performing Centre and is meant to transport people back to the sounds of the 1970s.

The goal is to raise at least $10,000 to support the life-saving Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention program.

“I've ran hundreds of events and there's always community support on some level but for Harmony for Healing last year and then again this year, the amount of people that jump on (not just the support, the cause and the initiative) have their own stories to share is really what thrives an event like this,” said Phillip Jolicouer, Harmony for Healing founder. “Businesses and supports can align themselves with mental health because we're all dealing with it so it means a lot to me more than just the financial aspect.”

Last year's sold-out concert, ‘Spirit In the Sky’ raised $13,500 on Feb. 22 at Market Hall Performing Centre.

Joilcouer says this year, he wanted to amplify his mission through a four-pillar approach.

His four pillars of impact approach are as follows:

1. Awareness: Shedding light on mental health challenges and suicide prevention through personal stories and signs to watch for.

2. Prevention: Empowering our community with tools to foster mental resilience, strengthen support networks, and promote access to mental health resources.

3. Intervention: Sharing guidance on what to do when someone is in immediate crisis, including local support options and crisis hotlines.

4. Post-Vention: Supporting survivors and those impacted by suicide through grief counselling, support groups, and outreach.

Jolicouer’s mother had unexpectedly taken her own life on Nov. 30 and the series of shows is a tribute to her memory.

“My mom loved people. She loved local music and music in general,” explained Jolicouer. “You could see her front row in any of the local venues around town so my connection to her with this was to make a local event to hire local musicians, put on a phenomenal rock concert that I could picture my mom where I could picture her up front dancing and enjoying herself and bringing a message that you're not alone. I want to spread that as loud as possible and through music.”

Registration for the event can be found online.

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Bachman Turner Overdrive Returns to the Stage and Hits the Peterborough Memorial Centre On April 29

The Peterborough Memorial Centre is ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ as they are hosting Bachman Turner-Overdrive (BTO) as part of the Back In Overdrive Tour 2025 on April 29, announced on Friday morning.

Photo courtesy of Missing Piece Group.

Multi-platinum fellow Canadian rock bands April Wine and Headpins will open for the shows.

The band will perform hits from The Guess Who, the classic rock group Bachman co-founded with Burton Cummings.

“Years ago, BTO rocked Canada coast to coast, sharing the stage with acts like ZZ Top,” said Bachman. “Now, we're excited to return, bringing along Canadian rock legends April Wine and Headpins. Get ready for a night of 70's classic rock that continues to dominate the airwaves. I'll be playing all the Guess Who and BTO hits with my band, BTO, and with April Wine and Headpins joining us, it's going to be an unforgettable evening. Crank up the hits! Canadian rock is back and BTO is back."

Bachman has earned over 120 gold and platinum album/singles awards worldwide. His songwriting has garnered him the coveted #1 spot on radio playlists in over 20 countries and throughout his career, he has sold over 40 million records. A broad range of artists has recorded Randy’s songs and have been placed in dozens of TV shows, films and commercials.

Tickets go on sale next Friday.

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Bailieboro Country Music Star Jade Eagleson Performs at World-Famous Grand Ole Opry In Nashville

Bailieboro and country music star Jade Eagleson stepped into the historic circle, performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. for the first time on Friday night.

Photo courtesy of Austin Chaffe.

“I've dreamt about this moment my entire life,” said Eagleson. “To stand on the biggest stage in country music in front of all of my family, friends and country music fans was an incredible honour and a memory I will cherish forever. Thank you to the Opry for having me and I hope to be back on that stage very soon.”

The Grand Ole Opry is considered one of country music’s prestigious stages. The multi-platinum artist performed ‘Rodeo Queen’ and an emotional tribute to his wife and sons with his #1 track, ‘She Don't Know’ according to a press release.

The multi-platinum artist also shared new music as part of his Worth The Double two-pack: ‘Worth The Double’ and ‘Welcome To Rock Bottom.’

Eagleson will perform at several events in the United States before the end of the year including the Dallas Country, Folk and Red Dirt Festival, Red Dirt BBQ Festival Victoria, and Stoney's Rockin' Country in Las Vegas.

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Peterborough Concert Band Performing In Benefit Concert Fundraiser for the New Canadians Centre On Oct. 27

The Peterborough Concert Band (PCB) will perform in a fundraising concert with all proceeds to benefit the New Canadians Centre (NCC) on Oct. 27 at Market Hall from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the NCC.

In 2023-2024, NCC reports that more than 2,000 newcomers received assistance from their organization. It was a 50 per cent increase over the previous year and was the highest number of clients ever. The number included 1216 new clients according to the NCC.

“While Canada remains a global leader in welcoming newcomers, we are sobered by the local and global challenges and conflicts affecting all of us and often the newcomer community even more acutely. The services the NCC provides to clients are making resettlement in Peterborough a little more bearable. The top 10 countries from which newcomers arrive are Syria, Ukraine, India, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Philippines, Iran, Mexico, and Pakistan,” according to a statement from the NCC.

The Peterborough Concert Band is one of the longest-running concert bands in Canada. Their Juno-nominated conductor and composer, Saman Shahi, will lead the band through selections ranging from classical to contemporary.

Following the performance, a reception will be organized by NCC.

Tickets are available through the Market Hall box office, their website or Peterborough Concert Band.

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Peterborough Musicfest Seeks Volunteer to Join Board of Directors

Peterborough Musicfest is seeking a volunteer to join as a Director for its Board of Directors.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The term is for three years and starts in February. The role is roughly 25 hours per year.

The following are the roles of the director:

• Shape the future of Peterborough Musicfest by contributing to strategic goals and decision-making.

• Support the festival’s financial planning and help secure key sponsorships and donations.

• Be an ambassador for the festival within the community, forging connections with stakeholders, artists, and sponsors.

• Bring your leadership and vision to ensure the festival thrives for years to come!

Applications can be emailed to Tracy Condon, Board Chair at info@ptbomusicfest.ca by 4 p.m. on Oct. 25.

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Folk Under the Clock Concert Series to Perform Final Season After 38 Years

The 38th and final season of Folk Under The Clock Concert Series is hitting Peterborough at Market Hall and someshows at Showplace Performance Centre.

Photo courtesy of Folk Under the Clock.

The series has operated since 1986 and has brought world-renowned folk artists to Downtown Peterborough.

“After 38 seasons I have decided to wrap up the Folk Under The Clock concert series,” said Mike Barker. “It's been an amazing journey, meeting and working with so many incredible musicians and patrons. I feel honoured to have played a role in the Peterborough cultural scene for so long.”

On Sept. 17, Scottish folk band Talisk kicks off the event at 8 p.m. Miscellany of Folk arrives a month later on Oct. 17 while Breabach hits the stage on Oct. 20. Scottish-born Canadian David Francey rounds out the list on Nov. 28. All four performances are at Market Hall.

The spring concert date and time has yet to be announced. Acts will include artists such as Dougie Maclean, Spirit of the West, Tom Paxton, Stephen Fearing and more.

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Hometown PTBO: Ian Kurz of KISS Tribute Band "Destroyer" Playing at The Venue to Benefit Right to Heal PTBO On Sept. 7

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Ian Kurz, lead singer of KISS tribute band DESTROYER Canada about joining the group, the experience of being in a tribute band and playing in a benefit concert for Right To Heal at The Venue Peterborough on Sept. 7.

Tickets can be purchased online by following this link.

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Local Musician Victoria Yeh Launches 2024-25 Orchestral Season

Local Peterborough musician, Victoria Yeh, has launched her schedule for the 2024-25 orchestral season.

Photo courtesy of Victoria Yeh.

Yeh recently received grants from EC3 and RTO8 Kawarthas Northumberland Tourism.

This winter, her annual production ‘Timeless’ is being featured with an 11-piece Spirit Awakens string orchestra and her original jazz quartet at Peterborough’s Market Hall on winter solstice, Dec. 21.

The same production will show for the first time at Meaford Hall on Dec. 19. This year, in celebration of the many unsung contributions of women in music, the orchestra will feature a full lineup of leading Canadian female musicians including conductor Cheryll Chung and concertmaster, Natalie Wong.

‘Timeless’ sees Yeh’s violin through the ages of classical baroque to romantic to original jazz fusion. Each year features a refreshed music program, with a similar format - the evening opening with the Spirit Awakens string orchestra, followed by Yeh’s full band in the second half. An eclectic concert that is both grande and intimate, classical and modern, Yeh continues to be approached by fans raving about the shows featuring music ranging from Vivaldi to Chick Corea.

“People have approached me year round saying they attended ‘Timeless’ because they were either drawn in by the band or by the classical orchestra - and in every case, they were surprised and delighted by the other half of the concert,” said Yeh. “That’s exactly the gift I want to share with my audience. The gift of discovering music that you would never have thought to seek out yourself, but that you fall in love with unexpectedly.”

If her season didn’t sound busy enough, Yeh will also perform as a soloist with the Summerhill Orchestra in Toronto while serving her third year as Concertmaster for the Northumberland Orchestra Society in Cobourg.

The season of orchestral concerts include:

• Dec. 14 - Northumberland Orchestra Christmas concert, with Conductor Dan Tremblay and Concertmaster Victoria Yeh at Trinity United (Cobourg)

• Dec. 19 - Victoria Yeh’s “Timeless” at Meaford Hall (Meaford)

• Dec. 21 - Victoria Yeh’s “Timeless” at Market Hall (Peterborough)

• Feb. 1 - “Music of our Time” Parkdale Orchestra, with Conductor John Kraus and soloist Victoria Yeh (Ottawa)

• March 3 - Summerhill Orchestra, with Conductor Sarah John, and soloists Victoria Yeh and Natalie Wong (Toronto)

• April 4 - “Spring Into April” Georgian Bay Symphony, with Conductor Jeffrey Pollock and soloist Victoria Yeh (Owen Sound)

• May 3 - Northumberland Orchestra Season Finale with Conductor Dan Tremblay and Concertmaster Victoria Yeh at Trinity United (Cobourg)

In addition to these concerts, Yeh continues to perform with Shipyard Kitchen Party’s original folk musical productions, ‘100 Years From Now’ and ‘Tom Thomson’s Wake,’ with the jazz fusion band Paul DeLong’s One Word, and with various other groups across Ontario.

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