The International Dragon Boat Festival Was Simply Amazing

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This weekend, I had the honour and privilege to be a part of the Gala celebrations held at the Evinrude Centre for all the participants of the International Dragon Boat Festival being held in Peterborough. I was a volunteer at the event, and never have I been so moved by the courage and strength that stood in one room.

These ladies, and men too, were absolutely remarkable as they made memories with their "sisters". This was the 3rd International Dragon Boat Festival, but the first time a Gala event such as the one I was at has taken place.

This evening was truly special to these paddlers, and I was filled with emotion as breast cancer survivors approached me to hug me and thank me for my contribution to making the evening a reality—and also to tell me how hospitable and welcoming Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, has been to them, and how wonderful our city is. I very much agree.

I hope you all, at some point over the weekend, had a chance to take in the energy that surrounded Little Lake over those three days.

—Julie Morris, PtboCanada contributor 

[All photos by PtboCanada Creative Director Evan Holt]

[Survivors Abreast; International Dragon Boat Festival]

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Spotlight: Peterborough Singer-Songwriter Andrea Gauster

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Singer-songwriter Andrea Gauster, who attended St. Peter's Secondary School in Peterborough, is now recording her first full length album—it's due out early August—and an Eastern Canada tour will follow in August, along with a CD Release Party at Supermarket in Toronto on August 26th.

Gauster, who is also in med school at Queen's University, explains to PtboCanada how her music career got started:

"I always played guitar and sang but rarely did so publicly (major stage fright)... until my sister asked me to sing at her wedding, for which I wrote my first song, 'I Knew', in 2008. The recording studio Euphonic Sound in Toronto was offering free studio time... I went in to record 'I Knew' so my sister could have a tangible copy of the song.

I met James Pew (my producer) at the studio and he liked what he heard, asked for more, and encouraged me to do an EP with him. My first album Reverie was born! The rest is history."
Gauster, who's back in Peterborough for the summer (when not recording or touring), says it's tricky juggling her music career with school but plans to continue to pursue both. In September, she returns to Kingston to begin her second year of med school but hopes to continue playing live shows within Ontario until next summer when she can tour again.

Here's a promo video that looks at the making of the new album:



And here's this cute song, "Follow Me", Gauster wrote about Twitter that we're totally digging:



[Andrea Gauster back in the studio; Follow Me - Andrea Gauster's Twitter Tune; Andrea Gauster on Twitter; Andrea Gauster on Facebook; Andrea Gauster on MySpace; Andrea Gauster - CBC Radio 3; YouTube - andreagauster's Channel]

[Related: Peterborough's Music & Arts Scene Rocks (Exhibit A: Bear Trees)]

PtboCanada Review: Sarah Harmer's Gig at Gordon Best Theatre

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Sarah Harmer
Gordon Best Theatre
June 11, 2010

Intimate shows are a real treat for fans, especially when they happen as a warm-up to a bigger tour. It's a sneak peak which affords fans the chance to see new songs performed, old songs rekindled and personal connections to be formed between artist and fan.

Last night, Canadian roots-rocker Sarah Harmer took the stage with a full band for the first of two live shows at the Gordon Best Theatre, just days before the release of her new album Oh Little Fire. Since this was Harmer's first live gig in a while, the night was a chance for presenting all her new songs in a live setting. And I can tell you, the new songs didn't sound the least bit unpolished.

The lively lead single from the new album, "Captive", was very well received. Other new songs of note from last night's show included the brooding "The Marble In Your Eye" and the self-confessed most political new track on the collection, "Washington".

New songs might have been the order of the day, but it was the older songs generously peppered throughout the two-hour long set that garnered the best response from the enthusiastic crowd.

Harmer opened the show with "The Hideout," a gem of a song culled from her early album You Were Here. Others which seemed to pull people from their seats included the bluegrass flavoured "I'm A Mountain" and fan favourite "Basement Apartment". 

The closing of the main set had the entire centre portion of the floor filled with couples sashaying to the lovely and lilting song "Open Window". It was a summertime moment to behold and one I will cherish.

Harmer wasn't going to go out so sweetly though. A bang was in order. Responding to what had to be the most requested song of the night, Harmer and her band launched into a smoldering take of her classic track "Lodestar", finishing the show in real rock and roll style.

—Jeffrey Macklin, PtboCanada contributor

[Related: Sarah Harmer's New Album "Oh Little Fire" Is Coming Out (And She Plays Peterborough This Weekend!; Sarah Harmer performs to sold-out crowd at Gordon Best Theatre]

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What is this strange van driving around our city?

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Big Brother is watchingThere is a van that has been driving around the Patch that has numerous cameras mounted on the roof (we took this photo of it at left).

So we checked out the Twitter link that's displayed on the back of the van—@iLOOKABOUT—where they recently tweeted this:

Peterborough, ON - We are currently driving in this area and have been contracted to do so.

iLOOKABOUT's Twitter page lead us to their website, iLOOKABOUT, which states: "We’re iLOOKABOUT and our business is geo-spatial imaging. Simply, that means we produce and deliver geo-coded images to businesses and governments that rely on accurate, integral visual data for their operation."

Maybe we'll all find out soon who iLOOKABOUT has been contracted by locally.

[iLOOKABOUT website; iLOOKABOUT Twitter]

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Peterborough's Sean Cullen Playing Smee in Stratford's Peter Pan

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As the Examiner reports, actor/comedian/singer/author Sean Cullen—who was born here in the Peterpatch August 29th, 1965, and is a graduate of PCVS—is playing Smee in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of Peter Pan, which is opening this Saturday at the Avon Theatre. Here's some production clips with Cullen from the play:

 



And below is a great interview conducted with Sean where he talks about his idea of perfect happiness, his greatest fear and more:

[Peter Pan with Sean Cullen opens at Stratford Saturday; Sean Cullen's website; Sean Cullen on Twitter]

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Spotlight: DAVIDsTEA at Lansdowne Place

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Located at the top of the escalator at Lansdowne PlaceWhen I heard that Peterborough was getting a DAVIDsTEA, I was ecstatic. Although we have lovely little local tea shops such as the Teeny Tiny Tea Room and The Magic Rolling Pin in town, the nearest shop that offers a huge selection of loose-leaf tea is an hour and a half away.

I showed up when DAVIDsTEA opened their doors last Saturday (June 5th) at Lansdowne Place to buy some Kinrin Matcha, as I was almost running out. Although it is fairly expensive, it is far and wide the best tasting of the Matchas.

The friendly staff at DAVIDsTEA offered me a sample of the tea of the day and let me take in the aroma of any of their teas on display.

They had plenty of tea accessories for sale as well—travel mugs (with integrated tea press), kettles, mugs, glasses and natural sweeteners such as honey and agave nectar. You can purchase single teas, 50g bags or 100g tins. You also get a discount off your next purchase if you bring your tin(s) back in.

I’m sure to be a frequent visitor, especially when I’m in need of my favorite fix. Earl Grey. Hot.

—Evan Holt


 

 

 

Take in a huge whiff of any of their delicious teas

Free taste samples of their tea of the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DAVIDsTEA; Lansdowne Place]

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PtboPic: Big Welcome to the International Dragon Boat Festival Teams From Around the World

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Sarah Harmer's New Album "Oh Little Fire" Is Coming Out (And She plays Peterborough This Weekend!)

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Sarah Harmer's new album Oh Little Fire is coming out June 22, and she's starting her new tour in—where else!?—Peterborough, with gigs here this Friday and Saturday (June 11 and 12th) at the sold-out Gordon Best Theatre.

For those lucky enough to have tickets to hear her play her new and old material, enjoy!

 


Here's an excellent YouTube video where she talks about the making of Oh Little Fire :

  

And here's some of her music!



[Sarah Harmer's website; Sarah Harmer on Twitter]

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Construction has begun at former Rock Haven location

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Rock Haven will be missed.The Rock Haven, which opened on November 17, 1959, has been fully demolished. Construction has begun there on a new location for Shoppers Drug Mart.

The Rock Haven was another important part of Peterborough's history. What are your memories of it? 

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PtboPics: The Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival

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