June 23, 2010

The Peterborough Little Lake Musicfest 2010 Season Starts This Saturday

June 23, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

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.

For more details on the festival, click here.

—Jeffrey Macklin, PtboCanada contributor

[Peterborough Little Lake Music Festival: website, on Facebook, on Twitter]

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June 15, 2010

Ode'min Giizis Festival (Strawberry Moon Festival) June 16 to 21 in Peterborough

June 15, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

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 21^st 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.

—Jeffrey Macklin, PtboCanada contributor

[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.]

[Ode'min Giizis 2010; Ode'min Giizis - Strawberry Moon Festival]

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June 14, 2010

The International Dragon Boat Festival Was Simply Amazing

June 14, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

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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June 11, 2010

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

June 11, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

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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June 09, 2010

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

June 09, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

June 06, 2010

Construction has begun at former Rock Haven location

June 06, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

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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June 03, 2010

Must See: Peterborough Dragon Boat Festivals

June 03, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

This Saturday (June 5th) will mark the 10th Anniversary of Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Del Crary Park on Little Lake.

More than 100 community teams are participating in this year's event, which is a fundraiser for the PRHC's Breast Assessment Centre.

The following weekend, from June 11 to 13, breast cancer survivor teams from around the globe will be here participating in the International Dragon Boat Festival on Little Lake.

Peterborough's Survivors Abreast is hosting this worldwide event, which is meant to raise breast cancer awareness internationally and encourage participation from breast cancer survivors.

Make sure to come out and support these wonderful events. Fun to watch and a great cause!

A team practice for the Dragon Boat Festival

[Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival; International Dragon Boat Festival; Survivors Abreast]

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June 01, 2010

Every Hump Day: The Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market!

June 01, 2010/ PTBOCANADA

Don't forget to check out the Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market on Wednesdays (8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). It's at a new location this year in the Louis St. Parking Lot, just off of Charlotte between Louis St. and Aylmer St. N.

Market-goers can find a wide assortment of local produce and meats, coffee, fresh-cut flowers, perennial and annual plants, veggie and herb seedlings, lunches to go and much more from the 30 or so vendors.

For more on the downtown market, check out this excellent YouTube video:

[Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market]