This was a cocktail party for ladies only and had appetizers, dancing, a fashion show from local online apparel boutique TiaStar.com, and numerous wares from local businesses for women. Partial proceeds went to the YWCA Crossroads Shelter.
When you think of iconic places in the Patch, what are some of the things that come to mind? There are so many possibles to choose from in this great city of ours.
In 2009, 72 talent routines competed against each other to find the best act in Peterborough. Carter Mahoney won with a fantastic juggling act. This year, Peterborough's rising talent has grown even further.
That's what organizers of a peaceful rally and discussion held at Peterborough's Confederation Park on Sunday afternoon wanted the crowd of roughly 100 people who turned out for an afternoon of information and entertainment to know.
Barb Woolner and Leah Finity, two Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) board members who attended the rally together, each expressed frustration about the media coverage the G20 protests in Toronto had received in the mainstream media—specifically the emphasis on the acts of violence at the expense of the important messages being carried by the protesters.
"I don't think that's what people are looking for from the media—not if they are critical observers. They are waiting, waiting, waiting for those other stories about why those peaceful demonstrators were out there," said Woolner. "The media has twisted what it means to be a demonstrator. They've lost sight of what makes the movement so rich. We're not all saying the same thing."
—video and text byAnn Douglas,PtboCanada contributor
The Little Lake Musicfest (formerly The Festival of Lights) will soon kick off another season of music at Del Crary Park. What better way to while away a summer evening with like-minded music fans.
It would seem to be the focus of the Little Lake Musicfest to appeal to a wide audience. A rambling array of musical genres are on the lineup, with some tribute acts mixed in there too.
The festival kicks off the season with a concert this Saturday (June 26th), featuring Canadian country and western favourite George Canyon. From there on, the season continues with shows from the likes of Valdy (July 7th), Trooper (July 31) and The Blues Brothers Review (August 14).
Great local music gets dropped into the mix on Thursday, July 1, with a Canada Day show featuring The Weber Brothers. The second half of a local double whammy comes on Saturday, July 3, when the spotlight falls on blues sensation Jimmy Bowskill.
While the Canada Day show falls on a Thursday because of the holiday, most shows follow a Wednesday/Saturday rotation. The season comes to a close with former Monkee, Davy Jones, taking the stage on Saturday, August 28th.
In the first part of this interview with Canadian folk singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing (from Blackie & the Rodeo Kings) after a recent gig at PCVS, Fearing speaks fondly of all of the old buildings in Peterborough. He marvels at the old PCVS auditorium in particular, calling it "easily one of the best venues I've ever played."
And here's video from Fearing's performance at PCVS:
Peterborough's Lyall Brownlee—whose bio on his Twitter page reads "I like to draw pictures and paint on things and write stuff and ride skateboards"—explains to PtboCanada in his own words how he got started as an artist (scroll down to see some of his works below) and what his inspirations were growing up:
"When I was a kid, I always spent a lot of time drawing. My interest in art was first really stoked in high school though—being kind of quiet, I guess I tried to express my individuality through my 'weird' drawings. I was pretty into skateboarding and through that culture, I was introduced to a lot of the 'lowbrow' art that was going on.
Juxtapoz Magazine was founded about this time in the mid-90s and I loved it—what I was exposed to in Juxtapoz and skateboard graphics/ads, etc. formed my early ideas about art. Now that I am older, I've developed a greater appreciation for art history and such but I still read the magazine every month and my 'flat' aesthetic still hints at those graphic influences for sure.
Some of the artists that have had an influence on me are Ed Templeton, Jim Houser, Dalek, Barry McGee, Margaret Killgalen, Jeremy Fish, Chris Johanson, Mark Gonzales, Porous Walker and Matt Furie.
I've been showing my paintings for the last five years or so in Peterborough, Toronto and Vancouver. Things are busy in my studio as work is currently underway for a new solo show in Peterborough."
They Say Wizards Can't Be Trusted - Acrylic on wood platterUntitled - Acrylic on woodStephen Sleeps Alone - Acrylic on wood panelUnicorns Lie - Acrylic on wood panelUntitled - Acrylic on canvasMy Other Ride Is A Tall Ship - Acrylic on canvas
Public Energy and O'Kaadenigan Wiingashk bring the third annual Ode'min Giizis (The Strawberry Moon Festival)—see promo video above—to Peterborough's downtown and Del Crary Park from June 16 to 21, with more than 200 Indigenous artists participating.
The city of Peterborough lies on the traditionally lands of the Anishinaabe. These lands have been long known as a meeting place among the rapids where ideas and knowledge were exchanged. Hence, it’s the perfect home base for a cultural festival like Ode'min Giizis.
The festival takes its name from the sweet and generous strawberry, which is harvested at this time of year. It is said to also represent the human heart. As well, the festival falls on the longest day of the year: the summer solstice.
Ode'min Giizis is a diverse six-day festival of indigenous art which marks the beginning of summer. The festival takes its shape via a selection of multi-disciplinary arts spread out across multiple venues (Historic Red Dog, Artspace, The Art Gallery of Peterborough, Gordon Best Theatre, Kubo Lounge and Confederation Park, to name a few) in the downtown area. Featured is a cross section of disciplines, including visual art, dance, film, storytelling, music and theatre.
Opening ceremonies on Wednesday, June 16th, kick off with a traditional gathering and Powwow at Del Crary Park. One of the featured performers there will be Mihirangi, otherwise known as the “Queen of Loops”. Singing in both Maori and English, Mihirangi blends sultry jazz, ska and rap with her incredible vocal range. Mihirangi’s music has taken her around the world, and that experience, and energy, will be ours to witness during this festival.
Among the other artists taking part include the likes of musician Lester Alfonso, artist Jason Baerg, musician Samantha Crain and local musical personality Sean Conway.
On the Saturday night (June 19th), the stars come out to Del Crary for a night of music and dance. Featured performers include local musician Missy Knott and world renowned throat singer Tanya Tagaq.
The event comes to an end with a wonderful Powwow on June 21st at Del Crary Park. This gathering takes the form of a procession which makes its way from City Hall down George Street to Del Crary Park for more music and festivities. The parade will feature many dancers, large puppets and music.
[If you are interested in volunteering for the festival, call 705.740.9189 or email volunteer@okw-arts.ca. The festival headquarters are located at 400 Hunter St.]
Ruth Greig of Plan to Inspire thanks everyone for a lovely evening.Thursday night at The Junction, local business Plan to Inspire: Conference and Event Management presented "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". 
