Peterborough Blogs
In From the Cold Christmas Concert to be Livestreamed This Year
/The 22nd Annual In From the Cold Christmas concert will be livestreamed from St. James United Church on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.
File Photo.
The annual concert has been a mainstay of the Peterborough Christmas season since its inception in 2000, having raised over $150,000 for the YES Shelter of Peterborough over the years.
Last year’s audio retrospective, broadcast on Trent Radio, raised a record total of almost $13,000.00 through an online Canada Helps fundraiser.
“A year ago I never would have guessed that, this year, we would not be back at the Market Hall performing to a full house, once again,” said concert organizer, John Hoffman. “But, although things are much better with the pandemic, there were still some uncertainties around safety when we had to make decisions about staging the concert.”
Given the livestreaming possibilities that were developed by the St. James Players over the past 20 months, Hoffman and his colleagues decided to take the show online for this year. Performers will be playing live at the church, and people can watch the concert on the internet by going to stjamesplayers.ca/live
In From the Cold 2021 will feature a mix of traditional, Celtic and contemporary Christmas and winter songs performed by perennial In From the Cold hosted folk band Carried Away and their musical friend Curtis Driedger. What’s different this year that, for the first time, the Convivio Chorus will not be part of the show.
“We just couldn’t be certain enough about everyone’s safety and comfort,” explains Hoffman.
Driedger will not be appearing as Enrique “Roy” Claveer, but rather as a member of The McDonnel St. Gospel Quartet, who will render some Christmas songs in spirited country gospel style.
“This concert creates a warm and supported feeling for all of us at the YES Shelter for Youth and Families,” said Brooke Erickson, Development Lead at YES. “People experiencing homelessness in Peterborough can sometimes feel forgotten by their community. In From the Cold is an annual reminder that Peterborough is a city that comes together in support of their neighbours that are profoundly struggling.”
Tickets will not be sold for this event. The livestream is available free-of-charge but viewers and supporters are encouraged to donate to the In From the Cold fundraiser for YES at the following link when they enjoy the show.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/in-from-the-cold-peterborough-2021/
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The Verandah Society and Irish Millie Team Up for Barnyard Benefit Concert
/The Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation and Century 21 United Realty Inc. are joining together to present the Barnyard Benefit Concert, in support of the Salvation Army Toy Drive and Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation’s Santa’s Sleigh, on Sunday, Nov. 7.
The Barnyard Benefit Concert will be held at Hollowbrook Highlands in Bethany Hills, formerly South Pond Farms. The Verandah Society with Kate Suhr and Megan Murphy will perform with special musical guest Irish Millie.
“For so many years we’ve participated in the Salvation Army Toy Drive as a company,” said Vanessa Oakehogan, owner of Century 21. “ We do our best to raise money as a team so we can go buy gifts to donate.”
Attendees can enjoy music all afternoon, as well as trail walks, a silent auction, chili by campfire and a cash bar.
The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation’s Santa’s Sleigh, takes place at Walmart on Chemong Road in Peterborough from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6.
Participants choose a child’s name from a Christmas tree, shop, then drop gifts off in Santa’s Sleigh. The donated toys are delivered by Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society social workers for children to open on Christmas Day.
The Barnyard Benefit Concert is sponsored by Holiday Ford Lincoln.
Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at the door or by emailing vanessaoakehogan@gmail.com.
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Peterborough Singers Prepare to Deck the Halls with Yuletide Cheer Concert
/Peterborough Singers have announced that their annual Yuletide Cheer concert will take place on Nov. 27.
Yuletide Cheer Concert 2016. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Singers.
Hosted at Emmanuel United Church, George St.N, Concert go-ers will hear seasonal repertoire, including instrumental music from the brass ensemble Venabrass, and the Peterborough Singers premiere performance of ‘To be continued …’, a commissioned piece by Len Ballantine.
The concert will be approximately 75 minutes long and will not include an intermission.
All tickets must be purchased online.
All audience members are required to wear a mask at all times and must be fully vaccinated. Choir members will also be masked.
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British Music Tribute Becomes Theme For Crime Stoppers Benefit Concert
/Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers will host a benefit tribute concert on Feb. 5, 2022 at the Stonehouse Hall-Peterborough Curling Club announced on Thursday.
Crime Stoppers has been serving the community since 1987. Photo Courtesy of Crime Stoppers.
The show is called “The British Legends”, featuring tributes to David Bowie, Rod Stewart and Adele.
This event is presented in partnership with Connect Marketing and will benefit Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers.
Tickets are available at the door while they last for $38. Discounts available in advance. Advance tickets are available at www.BenefitShow.net or by calling or Event & Ticket Line 1-800-516-5810
Crime Stoppers’ mandate is to assist the police in solving crimes. The program encourages members of the community to call anonymously with information that assists in solving or preventing crimes.
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Country Rock Band Blue Rodeo Makes Return to Peterborough Memorial Centre
/Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo is returning to the stage at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) for a concert for Dec. 27 announced on Monday.
The show date is exactly two years since their last performance at the PMC. Image courtesy of Peterborough Memorial Centre.
In 2019 before they walked off the stage after performing in front of a near-capacity crowd for more than two hours, Greg Keelor, singer of Blue Rodeo, announced to the fans, “We’ll see you next year Peterborough.”
“This annual holiday Blue Rodeo show has become a highlight in our event calendar, for obvious reasons we weren’t able to do the show last year but we are so excited to be in a position to be welcoming the guys back for another unforgettable December night in 2021,” said Jeremy Giles, PMC Facility Manager.
Since forming 30 years ago, Blue Rodeo has sold over 4 million albums, won countless Juno awards, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, been named to the Order of Canada and have been honoured with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.
"Blue Rodeo is truly one of Canada's great treasures, our community has formed such a special bond with this band, Blue Rodeo’s sound and energy is like a warm familiar blanket that can keep us all warm and comfortable on a cold December night after a hard couple of years,” said Giles. “This will be our third time having Jim Cuddy at the venue in the last 15 months and he just continues to amaze us with his talent and storytelling, we encourage fans to buy their tickets early. This is one show you will not want to miss.”
Tickets are on sale Friday in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office inside the PMC, by phone at 705-743-3561 and online at www.memorialcentre.ca. The exclusive pre-sale for PMC Scoop members happens Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
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The Peterborough Memorial Centre Celebrates a Successful Summer Concert Series
/As summer comes to an end the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) is celebrating the success of their PTBOLive Summer Concert Series, hosted at the Enbrige Energy Stage.
Giles says that the Mini Pop Kids concert on August 15 had the highest attendance. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
Jeremy Giles, Facility Manager at The Peterborough Memorial Centre said that while restrictions made it difficult to gather, the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it the need to do just that.
“Our whole existence is to be a meeting place for the community and for the city of Peterborough and for the people who live there,” he said. “Our industry is an escape, it’s something for people to do and come together and celebrate and have fun and let loose a little bit.”
Throughout the summer the PMC hosted 18 events with thousands of attendees passing through the venue safely.
Giles said through PTBOLive summer series, the project was able to support ten local businesses.
Companies involved included Porter Sound, That’s A Wrap Catering, Til Death BBQ, Peterburgers, The Entertainment Group, Market Hall, Showplace, Peterborough Museum and Archives, Peterborough MusicFest and Don on the Job.
By collection donations through ticket sales PTBOLive donated $580 to Peterborough Arts Alive Fund, which provides financial assistance to charitable arts organizations.
The PMC is now transitioning back to indoor events as COVID-19 restrictions lift. Giles says he hopes that next summer is business as usual at the PMC, but the success of this summers concert series proved that they can adapt as needed.
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New Foundation Music For Minds to Host Fundraiser at The Venue
/Local musician Maxwell McWilliams is launching his new mental health foundation, Music for Minds, with a live performance at The Venue on Sept. 11.
Photo courtesy of Maxwell McWilliams
McWilliams started his journey as a local musician when he was 11 years old. He played in local bars and at Market Hall, opening for Max Gomez from Taos, NM.
In February 2020, McWilliams launched his solo headline campaign ‘The Maxwell McWilliams Music Administration for Mental Health Awareness’ which sold out Market Hall.
After his success in last year, McWilliams plans to continue fundraising for mental health.
“Mental health doesn’t stop regardless of what is going on in the world,” he said.
On Sept.11 at 7:30 p.m. McWilliams will perform at The Venue to kickstart his new foundation.
Music for Minds aims to improve the lives of young people suffering from mental illness through the power of music, says McWilliams.
“We just saw the tip of the iceberg with community support and raising awareness last year when we ran our campaign,” he explained. “We can’t stop at one show and one donation when there are so many seeking support in our local communities.”
This is an all-ages event with limited ticket sales due to COVID-19 restrictions.
To purchase tickets call the ticket hotline number at (705) 768-7036.
There are event sponsorship opportunities available, call the ticket hotline to inquire.
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Peterborough Memorial Centre to Host “A Celtic Family Christmas”
/The Peterborough Memorial Centre will host “A Celtic Family Christmas” featuring Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy for the PMC announced on Monday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
The performance is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 17 for one night only.
MacMaster and Leahy are joined with their seven children for their acts as they will play music, show their unique way of life with Christmas traditions still honoured and celebrated.
This show will feature some traditional and original music with the family, special numbers with their own incredible band as well as a few personal stories and candid moments from the MacMaster/Leahy setting.
“Last year, the Leahy family invited us into their home for a virtual Christmas experience. Fans fell in love with the music and traditions that this exceptional family displayed,” said Jeremy Giles, PMC facility manager. “We are so excited to be able to welcome fans back to the facility this December to experience the love, the family and the magic of the holiday season that only the Leahy’s can provide.”
Tickets for A Celtic Family Christmas at the Peterborough Memorial Centre are on sale Thursday, Aug. 19, in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office inside the PMC, by phone at 705-743-3561 and online at www.memorialcentre.ca.
The exclusive pre-sale for PMC Scoop members happens Monday, Aug 16 at 12:00 p.m. Tickets are $45.00, $65.00 and $75.00 (plus applicable fees).
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Stony Lake Private Island Concert Raises $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charity
/A local couple, Bruce and Susan Hodges hosted Spoons, a JUNO award winning band, and Images in Vogue, at their island property on Stony Lake to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House charity on Saturday.
Spoons and Images in Vogue pose with Bruce and Susan Hodges. Photo by Andrew Clowater.
The Spoons perform at an annual concert for the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) but had to cancel in 2020 due to COVID.
“They needed to raise money for Ronald McDonald House and couldn’t. So we wanted to help out,” said Hodges.
RMHC gives families with sick children a place to stay closer to the hospital their child is receiving care at. According to their website over 26,000 families received assistance last year.
A recent study found that RMHC programs saved families a total of $48.3 million in out-of-pocket expenses like lodging, food, and other essentials in 2019.
In 2020 Hodges contacted the band and hosted them at their island on Stony Lake. Due to COVID restrictions at the time it was a small event and they were able to raise a few thousand dollars, according to Hodges.
Because of the success of last years concert the Spoons returned for a second concert this year.
“People had a great time, so this year we decided to do it again - make it the second annual,” Hodges said.
In hopes to make this years concert bigger and better Hodges brought in an opening band, Images in Vogue. He also invited guests to watch from a second island while both bands played on a barge in the lake. This allowed more ticket sales, while still complying with the provinces COVID restrictions.
Hodges announced on Saturday that this will be an annual event, and has already booked the band Honeymoon Suite for next year.
This years concert raised $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charity and Hodges hopes that they are able to maintain that donation every year.
Spoons pose with Bruce and Sandy at Saturdays concert. Photo by Andrew Clowater.
