Nominations Open For The 2023 Peterborough Poet Laureate
/Nominations are now open for the 2023 Peterborough Poet Laureate Program, announces the Electric City Cultural Council (EC3).
Photo courtesy of EC3.
Peterborough Blogs
Local Artists Receive Funding Through New Grants For Individual Artists Program
/20 local artists have been awarded a total of $47,720 through the Grants for Individual Artists program from the City of Peterborough and the Electric City Culture Council.
File photo.
The program’s open call is said to have received 40 applications. A peer assessment jury awarded grants to 20 artists, including 11 artists in component one (totalling $16,500) and nine artists in component two (totalling $31,220). This program is funded by both EC3 and the City of Peterborough and is designed and administered by EC3.
The Grants for Individual Artists program is divided into two components. Component one is mini development grants of up to $1,500 for for individual professional artists’ research, development, workshopping etc. of original new works, as well as for professional development and mentorship opportunities.
Component two is project production and presentation grants of up to $3,500 for the production and presentation of specific projects, and supports costs such as artist fees, production materials, venue rentals, technical equipment, costumes, publication etc. for individual professional artists. Artists working in every discipline and medium were eligible to apply.
“We are grateful to the City of Peterborough for their ground-breaking support of this program. These investments in the work of our very talented and hardworking artists means more artists can realize their visions, contribute to our cultural and social well-being and make Peterborough a more vibrant, dazzling city for all of us,” said Su Ditta, executive director at EC3.
Grants for Individual Artists 2022 grant recipients:
Component One: mini development grants for individual professional artists
Kim Blackwell - The Auction
Development of a theatrical new work exploring hording, difficult relations between a father and daughter set against a backdrop of 1970s nuclear proliferation, the Cold War and the soundtrack to "Jesus Christ Superstar."
Kathryn Durst - First Lady of the Accordion: Mine White Research Project
Biographical and visual research about Canadian folk music icon Minnie White of Newfoundland, with the goal of illustrating a new book based on her life.
Lesley Givens - Moving: Beyond Comfort Zones
Veteran arts educator revives her personal practice, building upon her body of work as a visual artist with dance and movement to create a new performance work. “To occupy space with my 50-year-old body is an authentic and powerful expression of freedom.”
Sarah Elise Hall - Stacks
An accomplished sculptor and installation artist explores the state of our environment, pollution, climate change and our global future, using recycled and discarded plastic containers to create large sculptural pieces that reflect natural minerals and erosion.
Jon Hedderwick - One City Community University: Storytelling and Spoken Word as Advocacy
Outreach to those experiencing homelessness, precariously housed and economically marginalized members of our community to engage in writing, storytelling and recording.
Julia Huỳnh - nhạc xuân, ở đây và ở đó (Spring Music, Here and There)
Exploring Vietnamese migration and cultural preservation through re-imagined archives, photography, sound, and plants, leading to the creation of sound and video works.
Nicole Malbeuf - Aerial Arts: Hair Suspension Practice
Circus artist explores techniques in ‘hair suspension,’ acts flying high in the air suspended only by the performer’s long hair, through professional instruction, culminating in a workshop performance of a new performance piece.
Justin Million - Carry It All (Poetry Manuscript)
Following years of performing and releasing chapbooks with the Show and Tell Poetry Series, the artist will research and write their first book-length poetry collection of unpublished work.
Ireni Stamou - Media, Medusa, Cassandra Unearthed
Experimenting with texts and devised theatre for a new choreographic creation inspired by feminine archetypes found in Ancient Greek theatre and mythology.
Kate Suhr - Grace
Development of a new autobiographical show that uses music and storytelling to describe the effects of addiction on children in the home.
Ziysah von Bieberstein - Manuscript Mentorship
Engaging professional edits, revisions and consultation for the artist’s next manuscript and publication process, while simultaneously mentoring an emerging poet to develop their first self-published chapbook.
Component Two: production and presentation grants for initial professional artists
Brad Brackenridge - The Lear Project
Dance, puppetry, and song come together for a theatrical production based on the life and work of Victorian nonsense poet Edward Lear (for presentation at the Market Hall).
Jennifer Elchuk - Weathering and Waiting
Evolving their work with the flying ‘aerial canoe,’ including expansion of technical and narrative techniques, culminates in a circus arts performance at the Canadian Canoe Museum's grand opening.
Karol Orzechowski - Enantiodromia
Local musician Garbageface (Karol Orzechowski) releases a new album, exploring the polarized nature of our society, with a unique, one-time, live performance at The Theatre On King in Fall of 2023, which will be documented for later digital release.
Kaz Rahman - Experimental Documentary Film: Digital Dervish (working title)
An experimental documentary featurette that mixes performance footage of the internationally touring Digital Dervish dance performance, with interviews, verite-style sequences and animated shots.
Elisha Rubacha - Loop
Workshop process and work-in-progress performance at The Theatre on King for a stage play about ambiguous family history, intergenerational trauma, mental illness, and fascism.
Matt Snell - Fortune Cookie
In this unique and comedic short film, a man attempting to live without a smartphone, finds himself increasingly addicted to fortune cookies instead. A new work from this award-winning director.
Kate Story - Anxiety
A one-person devised theatre/dance performance work from this GG nominated artist exploring the Old English epic poem “Beowulf,” the current rise of white supremacy, language, the artist’s childhood and her father’s work as a Newfoundland lexicographer
Lynda Todd - Tap: Please Touch (Tactile Art Project)
Creating accessible, tactile art designed for diverse audiences, including blind and visually impaired audience members, with a live exhibition at The Mount Community Centre, online, and on social media.
Gillian Turnham - Interlaced
Visual artist shares her explorations of traditional Islamic geometric art with three non-gallery popup exhibitions, connected to an online gallery with instructions on drawing each pattern using ruler and compass.
Electric City Culture Council Cancels Upcoming Artsvote Meeting
/The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) has cancelled the Artsvote Peterborough candidates meeting for this Tuesday due to COVID-19.
Open Mic poetry at the Silver Bean Café on May 4. Photo courtesy of EC3 and Andy Carroll.
This decision comes as Peterborough Public Health raised the COVID-19 Risk Index to ‘very high’ on Wednesday and recommends people avoid indoor social gatherings.
EC3 staff are currently dealing with COVID-19-related illnesses.
Due to the nature of the event, where the public and candidates sit together face-to-face to have discussions, EC3 says they felt it is best to make this call.
EC3 and the Artsvote Peterborough Coalition are currently developing an alternate plan for candidates to speak on these important issues, with more details to come.
The Electric City Culture Council is a not-for-profit organization supporting the arts and culture community in Peterborough.
They provide strategic leadership, research, grants, professional development and partnerships that build and strengthen the arts sector in our community.
Fall for Dance North Sparks Magic with Return of Stunning Outdoor Performance Series: Heirloom
/Fall for Dance North is back at the end of September to the Peterborough Square Courtyard with their performance series Heirloom.
Photo by Bruce Zinger.
In partnership with Public Energy Performing Arts, Fall for Dance North (FFDN) brings Toronto’s premier international dance festival to Peterborough.
Featuring performances from Montreal artists Zack Martel and Santiago Rivera, the show is set to include dance, juggling and musical performances from The Royal Conservatory musicians.
“What was born out of creative necessity in 2021, due to indoor gathering restrictions dictated by the global pandemic, grew into an inspirational and acclaimed outdoor performance series that we are all incredibly proud to be a part of,” said Fall for Dance North artistic director Ilter Ibrahimof. “We are overjoyed to return with a new highly imaginative, full-length performance that promises to delight the senses in a beautiful new outdoor space in downtown Peterborough.”
Attendees can experience this pay-what-you-can contemporary art experience at the Peterborough Square Courtyard at 340 George St. N. on Sept. 25 at 4 p.m.
Peterborough Theatre Guild Announces Line Up For 2022/23 Season
/Peterborough Theatre has released their full 2022/2023 season of shows and are now selling tickets.
File Photo.
After two years of COVID restrictions, cancelled shows and a quiet stage, Peterborough Theatre guild has announced a full season of live theatre and music.
Constellations by Nick Payne (a staged reading) – September 16, 17, 18(M)
Our Place by Terry Gabbard (one act) – October 14, 15, 16(M) / 20, 21, 22, 23(M)
Rumors by Neil Simon - November 4, 5, 6(M) / 10, 11, 12, 13(M) / 17, 18, 19
The Little Prince, book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, adapted by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar – December 2, 3(M), 4(M) / 6, 7, 8, 9, 10(M)
The Crucible by Arthur Miller – January 20, 21, 22(M) / 26, 27, 28, 29(M) / February 2, 3, 4
Gibson and Sons by Kristen Da Silva – February 24, 25, 26(M) / March 2, 3, 4, 5(M) / 9, 10, 11
Something Rotten! by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick (Musical) – April 28, 29, 30(M) / May 4, 5, 6, 7(M) / 11, 12, 13
The Long Weekend by Norm Foster – July 5, 6, 7, 8, 9(M) / 12, 13, 14, 15(M), 15(E)
*M = Matinee Performance * E = Evening Performance
Ticket prices:
Full Length: Adult $25.00, Seniors $22.00, Students $15.00
Musical:
Adult $32.00
Seniors $28.00
Students $20.00
One-Act:
All Tickets $15.00
Family:
All Tickets $10.00
Tickets for all shows are available now for season subscription holders. Individual show tickets available approximately six weeks before opening night.
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Photos: 33rd Annual Peterborough Folk Festival Rocks Nicholls Oval Park
/Following ticketed events at Market Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings, free performances were held throughout the weekend in Nicholls Oval park as part of Peterborough Folk Festival.
Nathan Truax and band performs during Peterborough Folk Festival 2022. Photo by Luke Best
First organized in 1989 as part of the now defunct Peterborough Arts Umbrella, the festival became a not-for-profit organization in 2001 and a registered charity in 2018.
The mandate of the festival is to promote folk music and arts within the Peterborough community as well as provide safely accessible venues and diverse audiences for both local and Canadian touring musicians.
The 2022 edition of Folk Fest featured acts such as the Sudbury string band, Murder Murder.
I, The Mountain from Kitchener played through sunset and into the evening.
Afie Jurvanen, known by his stage name, Bahamas headlined the show with a packed performance on Saturday Night. Jurvanen was born in Toronto and raised in Barrie.
On Sunday the 12-piece band from the Niagara area, My Son The Hurricane performed during the day. Lead singer Jacob Bergsma, wore a Zellers smock to commemorate the announcement that the Canadian company would be returning.
In addition to the performances, the festival featured an artisan village, a food village and valet bicycling parking provided by B!KE Community Bike Shop. Reusable dishes were used by food vendors and a team of volunteers washed and returned them to keep the festival as eco-friendly as possible.
The Peterborough Folk Festival is a volunteer-run, non-profit, registered charity organization and relies on the generosity of sponsors and donors to keep the event free.
If you’re interested in making a donation or learning more: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/peterborough-folk-festival/
4th Line Theatre Announces 2022 Young Company Members
/4th Line Theatre, Trent University’s Traill College and Lakefield College School have announced the 2022 Young Company, a group of young, diverse regional artists and performers, who will work with industry professionals to produce livestream virtual play readings and performance pieces this summer.
2021 Young Company.
This announcement comes as part of the Emerging VOICES Youth Apprenticeship Program.
“We are so pleased to support 4th Line Theatre’s Young Company program,” said Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School and Foundation of Lakefield College School. “As an independent school with a robust co-curricular arts program, we have seen first-hand how important the performing arts can be in a young person’s development, offering a venue for them to express themselves creatively and build confidence, both on and off the stage. We hope to see more young performers flourish at 4th Line Theatre.”
Following the success of 2021 Young Company, 4th Line Theatre have partnered with Lakefield College School to further develop the exciting Young Company initiative. Young Company members will train with industry professionals Victoria Cutler, Pat Maitland, Rebecca Birrell, Simone Georges and Melissa Wotherspoon to bring scripts to life and create original work.
The 2022 Young Company is led by Young Company Coordinator Rebecca Birrell and its members are: Mackenzie Airhart, Norah Appleby, Sarah Bubteina, Jack Chesla, Zoe Dunaway, Aimee Gordon, Ava Imeson, Laurin Isiekwena, Annie Mancini, Sidney Moon, Ivy Morgan, Neveah Taylor and Bunni Verbal.
4th Line Theatre Celebrates 30th Anniversary With New Show And New Administrative building
/4th Line Theatre is kicking off their 30th anniversary with ‘The Great Shadow’ running until July 23, and has just purchased a new administrative building.
Photo from The Great Shadow, a show set in the 1920’s. Photo by Wayne Eardley - Brookside Studio.
After years at the 4 Tupper Street location, 4th Line Theatre will begin a new chapter at 9 Tupper Street, which the company purchased in May 2022. The company will move its box office and administration centre to the new building later this year.
“After two slightly furloughed years, we are back in a big way,” said Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “We have wanted our own administrative building for several years now. And with the acquisition of 9 Tupper, our administration will be centred in the Village of Millbrook for many years to come.”
The theatre will continue to operate at the Winslow Farm.
Until further notice, tickets, gift certificates and picnics for 4th Line Theatre productions can still be purchased 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office at 4 Tupper Street or by phone (705-932-4445), online at 4thlinetheatre.on.ca.
Director That Documented Balsam Lake Tragedy In 1926 Makes A Stop At Aron Theatre In Campbellford
/Brotherhood, a film depicting the 1926 tragedy on Balsam Lake, was screened at The Aron Theatre in Campbellford on Thursday morning for high school students, and will show again at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Director Richard Bell and actor Gage Munroe. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
