It was a special night at The Venue wine bar Friday as former I Mother Earth band members Brian Byrne (vocals) and Christian Tanna (drums) played covers ranging from U2 to Ozzy to Johnny Cash to Led Zeppelin in their cover band The Flaming Hoops (see pics below), which mixes rock with a country twang. Their cover of U2's "Bad" was a highlight of the night. Christian's brother, Jag Tanna, guitarist from I Mother Earth, was also in attendance (Jag resides here in Peterborough). It had been rumoured throughout the day that I Mother Earth was going to reunite to play a set at The Venue, but that didn't happen. Both Jag and Brian told us the band is working on new material, but it remains unclear when they will play again in public. Also in attendance was the Toronto hard rock band Easy Sleezy, who are working on a new album.

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There has been talk around the Patch about creating a designated "Entertainment District" down around Showplace, Market Hall and The Venue in the hopes of drawing even more townsfolk—and tourists—downtown. Optics mean a lot, and a branded "Entertainment District" might help.

We asked our new Mayor Daryl Bennett what he has to say about this. "There will be a focus on the need to cultivate the entertainment district," Bennett tells us, adding that he will be gathering more intel on the Municipal Cultural Plan that is already underway, as well as attending its visioning forum and public open house (which is happening today, November 29th). "The information gathered through this process will assist as we move ahead with the central core of our city," he adds.

The Venue's manager Christian Tanna told the Examiner recently that "Within a few years I think you are going to see this block have a bit of a renaissance from a business standpoint. It kind of in a way becomes Peterborough's new entertainment district."

Downtown stores have been branding this "Fashion District", so why not a create a "Entertainment District"? Go downtown and shop, eat and then take in a show.

Thoughts?

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