Photos: Seniors Entertained As Trent Valley Archives Brings Peter Robinson's Story to Life With 'Tide of Hope' Production at Royal Gardens

Tales of famed politician Peter Robinson came to life in a live production of ‘Tide of Hope’ put on by Trent Valley Archives Theatre production at Royal Gardens Retirement Residence on Thursday night.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Michael Ketemer as the Musician.

Nathan Govier as Lord Kingston (left) with Lucas Pronk as Peter Robinson (right).

Drew Mills (left) as David and Lauren Murphy (right).

Pronk with June Govier (middle) as Elizabeth and Elaine Day (right) as The Descendant.

Brogan McKeller (left) as the Stage Manager with the cast members as the production has a play within itself.

Carling Dulder (left) as Lady Margaret/Midnight as Govier receives a knife from her.

The play depicts actor The Descendant in the forthcoming Trent Valley Archives Theatre production. She is a Peter Robinson settler descendant while her ancestor, John Heffernan, was a poor gardener on Lord George Kingston's estate.

It follows the trials and tribulations of two families who are forced to flee Ireland and emigrate to Upper Canada in 1825 to escape hardships and violent rebellion. It commemorates the bicentennial of the Peter Robinson immigration. He played a pivotal role in organizing the migration and settlement of Peterborough.

The play commemorates the 200th anniversary of the arrival of roughly 2,024 Irish settlers to Peterborough as part of the British government’s assisted emigration program for destitute Irish families.

Live productions are available to the public at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. for school groups on Wednesday.

Tickets can be found on Market Hall’s website.

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Trent University Celebrates Public Sculpture At Campus Entrance

Trent University celebrated the art piece, ‘Potential,’ three pinecone sculptures at the entrance of the Symons Campus and was created by artist Floyd Elzinga.

Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent's president and vice-chancellor (left); Floyd Elzinga (middle) and Suzanne Bailey, Trent’s associate dean of graduate studies (right) with ‘Potential.’ Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The art piece was completed in April of last year. Elzinga took about a year to complete them. The sculptures were made of weathering (Corten) steel which adds a uniqueness to their colour from a scientific standpoint.

“It's a specific alloy of steel that develops rusty oxidized patina but that patina actually prevents it from deteriorating so that 'rust' actually prevents it from corroding further which is an 'irony,’” explained Elzinga.

‘Potential’ is appropriate for a campus with pine cones being the theme for the piece according to the Beamsville, Ont. artist.

“One of these pinecones would have 100 or more seeds in it and the potential refers to is that each of those seeds, the potential that they have inside them to become 100 trees that could go elsewhere,” said Elzinga. “It's that metaphor representing so much more life that can come out of it and I think it reflects well on the University. Students come to learn things and they are those seeds that take that knowledge to set their roots where that is.”

Family, friends and Trent faculty were on hand to celebrate the occasion of Elzinga’s accomplishments.

The sculpture was originally announced on National Philanthropy Day (Nov. 15), is the latest addition to the University’s Public Sculpture Initiative (PSI) which offers a nationally significant collection of public art, supported by philanthropy. 

Trent’s PSI was initiated by David James and his wife, Lili de Grandpré, and is supported by Jalynn H. Bennett's legacy gift and other donors and artists according to the University.

The work was commissioned after Suzanne Bailey, Trent’s associate dean of graduate studies, suggested Elzinga to Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent's president and vice-chancellor. The latter was immediately on board.

“Suzanne reached out to me on behalf of Leo and said, ‘we would love to see something by Floyd,’” said Elzinga. “It was at a point in my career that this was something I could afford to do and I think it's a great solution for that University to build a collection.”

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Hometown PTBO: Actress Nancy Towns About Her Family's Douro Legacy and Upcoming Productions Including 'Girl in the Goldfish Bowl'

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with actress and singer Nancy Towns about her family's legacy in Douro especially with P.G. Towns & Sons, her upcoming production 'Girl in the Goldfish Bowl' with the Peterborough Theatre Guild and some of her favourite all-time concerts.

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Electric City Players Inaugural Production Brings Shakespeare to Life With 'MacBeth' at Market Hall On May 23 - 25

The Electric City Players is taking William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Macbeth, to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre for its inaugural production on May 23 - 25.

Photo courtesy of Electric City Players.

Andrew Loeb, a seasoned Shakespeare professor from Trent University, and Jacqueline Barrow, a respected figure in local theatre with notable acting credits and directorial experience will helm the production.

"Like all great endeavors, it began in a pub," said Loeb. “It was something like a dare: 'what if we…?'" This spirit of bold experimentation infuses every aspect of their debut production.”

"We wanted to choose a play that was accessible to a wide variety of audiences and that could be reimagined for a modern audience,” said Barrow. “We think Macbeth was the perfect place to start.”

“We hope people come to the show not because it’s Shakespeare but rather to hear it speak to the urgent crises that we face now—that we have always faced," said Loeb. “Something wicked this way comes.”

For tickets, visit the Market Hall website.

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Peterborough Museum and Archives Announce New Exhibit With Fleming College

Fleming College students and Peterborough Museum & Archives have launched a new exhibit ‘Words & Beyond: How Communication Brings Us Together’ that started Saturday.

File Photo.

The Peterborough Museum & Archives is curating the exhibit by Fleming College’s Museum Management and Curatorship program students that explores how communication has shaped Peterborough and the surrounding area.

Everyone is invited to visit the exhibit to discover how we connect and the wider world.

It opened in the Heideman exhibit space on Saturday and continues until June 16. The official exhibit will open on April 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., featuring music, snacks and activities.

“We’re excited to share this fun, new exhibit by the talented up-and-coming museum professionals from Fleming. Communication shapes our lives now more than ever, but has also played a key role in our local history,” said Susan Neale, Peterborough Museum and Archives director. “There’s so much to say so come talk about it.”

Admission is by donation. The PMA is wheelchair and stroller-accessible and free parking is available.

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Peterborough Theatre Guild Announces 10 Performances For May Production: Girl in the Goldfish Bowl

The Peterborough Theatre Guild has announced its May production of ‘Girl in the Goldfish Bowl’ slated for 10 shows from May 3 to 18.

pHOTO courtesy of the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

The production is directed by Kim Blackwell with Lindsay Wilson playing the lead role of Iris.

The comedy is set in the ocean-side, fishery town of 1960s Steveston, British Columbia; Iris takes us back to her 12-year-old self and what she describes as ‘the last few days of her childhood.’

Preoccupied with the impending Cuban Missile Crisis and the obvious strain in her parents’ marriage, Iris is convinced that the death of her goldfish, Amahl, must have brought on these troubles.

Shows are running on May 3, 4, 5*, 9, 10, 11, 12*, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m. except for matinee dates.

*denotes matinee show at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online or by calling (705)745-4211. They are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors and $20 for students.

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Art Gallery of Peterborough Releases Event Lineup To Celebrate Its 50th Anniversary

To celebrate the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s (AGP) 50th anniversary, they have launched their event lineup to commemorate the gallery’s founding in 1974.

director Celeste Scopelites marvels at the piece, “Comfort, Eyes That Speak” by Don Kwan. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

“This is a chance for us to recognize and thank our community, our artists, our volunteers, our talented staff and our partners at the City of Peterborough who have been supporting the Art Gallery of Peterborough for 50 years,” said Debbie Keating of AGP Board of Directors. “The Art Gallery of Peterborough Board sees this year as an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the future of the gallery.”

“A gallery is a pretty major establishment for the continuance of the culture from the perspective that it operates all throughout the year consistently,” said Celeste Scopelites, AGP director. “It becomes a hub for people to come and participate in various things for other kinds of events to be connected with it or an education stream for all ages. It becomes a place of engagement.”

On March 15, 1974, the AGP received its Letters Patent from the Province of Ontario, incorporating the AGP as a not-for-profit charitable organization.

In 1977, the AGP’s Board expanded on these aims and objectives.

“This gallery recognizes that, in a changing environment, its role is not static, but must be open to change; that it must reach out to its community; that it must be both a permanent institution and a ‘museum without walls’,” according to a press release statement.

The following are the announced events to celebrate AGP’s 50th anniversary:

Current Exhibitions: Seams and Strata

Nov. 23, 2013 – March 17

Reflecting on the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s 50th Anniversary in 2024, this juried exhibition invited artists to submit original works of art that resonate with themes of legacy, archives, nostalgia, ghosts, memory, survival and growth.

For Posterity: works from the Permanent Collection

Feb. 17 – March 24

Gathering works from the gallery’s early acquisitions, For Posterity reflects important gifts from key supporters and past exhibitions of the Art Gallery of Peterborough. The works from these early acquisitions chart the path of a nascent and savvy institution, driven primarily by women, dedicated to the creation of something strong and stable. It is a gift to future generations.

Galleria Extravaganza: The Best Sale of the Last (Half) Century

Opening Event: April 5, 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Sale Continues: April 6 – 7, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This weekend event is inspired by a fundraising sale hosted annually by the dedicated group of volunteers who supported the Art Gallery of Peterborough through its first decades. In celebration of the gallery’s 50th anniversary, this sale will offer a collection of artful items donated by members and volunteers, making it a great opportunity to find some treasures.

A selection of special items will be available through an Online Auction which begins March 22. Bidding closes April 7 at 9 p.m. during the opening event. Browse the selection in the AGP’s Main Gallery all weekend as the in-person sale continues: April 6 – 7, from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Proceeds from this sale will be directed to the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s Acquisition Fund from which artwork is purchased for the Permanent Collection. The AGP presents changing exhibitions curated from the Permanent Collection in dialogue with current exhibits each year.

50th Anniversary Celebration

August 20

McDonnel Street Community Centre

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is celebrating 50 years of accomplishments and is hosting a gathering at the McDonnel Street Community Centre. Gallery Director Celeste Scopelites invites the public to join AGP as they indulge in reminiscence and look towards thier future.

Special guests will include founders and key members of our community who have made significant contributions the gallery and its ongoing successes.

It’s All About ART Fundraising Auction

Oct. 26, 7:00 p.m.

The Venue

The Art Gallery of Peterborough's annual fundraising auction, It’s All About ART, is an initiative of the Board of Directors. Each year, they raise funds to support the gallery’s outstanding exhibitions and education programs. In honour of the decade of the gallery’s origin, they will be celebrating with a 70s theme.

Upcoming Exhibitions: Exhibitions during the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s 50th anniversary are rooted in intergenerational dialogue, reflecting the AGP’s 50 years of commitment to contemporary artists and emerging practices. This Spring, the AGP will present work by two Peterborough-based artists. Antoine Mountain’s Ets’ehchi’I: Traditional Dene Burial Practices opens with a special event on March 23rd from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Stan Olthius’ Interconnected includes large-scale kinetic sculpture with dance performance and sound to explore relationality, duality and exchange.

Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour – 40th Anniversary

Sept. 28 – 29

The Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour is a two-day event that offers the public a unique opportunity to connect with local artists and makers from Peterborough and the Kawarthas and to learn about their artistic practice with a behind-the-scenes look into the artist’s studio.

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Hometown PTBO: Anne Shirley Theatre Company's 'Catch Me If You Can' Production at Market Hall For March 8-23

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with some of the cast and crew of the Anne Shirley Theatre Company and their upcoming production, 'Catch Me If You Can' at Market Hall from March 8 to 23.

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City of Peterborough Selects Artist For Miskin Law Community Complex Public Art Installation

First Nations artist Vanessa Dion Fletcher has been awarded a commission to create artwork for the Miskin Law Community Complex including a twin-pad arena and a library branch.

Dion Fletcher is a Lenape and Potawatomi neurodiverse artist; her family is from Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiitt (displaced from Lenapawking) and European settlers. She graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2016) with a Master of Fine Arts in performance and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University (2009). Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Dion Fletcher will create the focal point for the impressive two-storey atrium, featuring an east-facing, floor-to-ceiling window at the main entrance to the Miskin Law Community Complex at Lansdowne and Park streets.

The artwork will build on the City’s commitment to create awareness of Indigenous cultures, peoples, and heritage. The commissioned work will provide insight into First Nations teachings, ethos and spirit of sport and the role sport plays in building relations. 

The new work, entitled Analogous Harmony (working title), is composed of three hoops or rings, painted with the visual texture, pattern and colour of quillwork. The rings are abstract forms that invite the viewer to see their experience with sport. The circular form evokes balls, tracks, hoop dancing, and the earth.

“I began by engaging with lacrosse sticks, hoop dancers, and canoes as forms of inspiration. I related these images to the feelings of movement that are evoked by my two-dimensional quillworks…,” said Dion Fletcher. “I now see my quillwork as an invitation to look and see what is within one's own heart and spirit.”

The artwork unveiling will coincide with the grand opening of the community complex this fall.

“Whether it was learning to ride a bike, paddle across a lake, run cross country or playing soccer, for me, sport is a conversation with oneself, the environment, and the creator,” said Dion Fletcher.

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Holy Cross Secondary School Brings Literature to Life With Production of 'Shakespeare In Love The Play' For Three Shows

The students of Holy Cross Secondary School in grades 9 to 12 are putting on the production of 'Shakespeare In Love The Play' for three dates on Feb. 28, 29 and March 1.

Photo courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

The play is based on the screenplay by Marc Norman, and Tom Stoppard was adapted for theatre by Lee Hall.

It is being produced by Holy Cross teacher Serena McKenna as it is her 24th production.

“There are a number of staff members and students involved behind the scenes which speaks to the supportive relationships that exist at Holy Cross,” she said. “Shakespeare said a good heart never changes and I see this in the staff and students here. We can always count on each other.”

Ella Doris is taking the female lead in playing the role of Viola DeLesseps.

 “Having been involved in the previous productions at Holy Cross, I am very excited to see how this show is evolving and being involved in a performance of this size is an overwhelmingly tremendous experience,” she explained. “I am looking forward to opening night and feel proud and grateful of the work that has been put in by the cast and crew.  This has been a great experience to have in my Senior year.”

Only one Grade 9 student has an acting role in the production as this play is Xy Pascual's first-ever time taking the stage.

“Being the only Grade 9 in this play is a bit stressful but thankfully I have formed a new relationship with my castmates and I have been made more comfortable in stepping out of my comfort zone,” she said “I am already excited to be involved in the next Holy Cross Production.”

The play is open for the public to watch for all three dates with ticket prices at $20 for adults and $15 for students at the door.

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