Peterborough Musicfest Announces Joel Plaskett Fundraiser Performance at Market Hall

Peterborough Musicfest announces that Canadian singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett will be performing at Market Hall on Feb. 23 as a fundraiser for the 2023 summer concert season. 

photo courtesy of peterborough musicfest.

The Nova Scotia native gained traction in the early 1990’s as a member of the alt-rock band Thrush Hermit. Come the new millennium, he started touring under own name back by his band The Emergency. All the while, he has been busy in studio on his many self-produced albums. 

Plaskett’s latest recorded project, 44, is described as his “most detailed musical weave” to date. A box set comprised of four 11-song albums connected visually and thematically, the collection serves up an imaginative rumination on slowing down; but still growing up in a rapidly accelerating world.

Plaskett also oversees the console at his New Scotland Yard recording studio in Dartmouth, where he has partnered with Halifax mainstay Taz Records to offer a curated selection of records for music fans. 

Accolades have numbered many for Plaskett, a Juno Award recipient who has also been honoured by the East Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards and Music Nova Scotia. He’s also been shortlisted twice for nomination for a Polaris Music Prize.

Ticket’s for Plaskett’s Market Hall performance can be purchased for $45 at the box office, or ordered online. Proceeds from this event will go directly to Peterborough Musicfest’s 36th season this coming summer in Del Crary Park.

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"Sondheim, A Celebration" To Honour Late Musical Theatre Figure Stephen Sondheim

On the one-year anniversary of his death, join New Stages in celebrating Stephen Sondheim’s life, music and influence on the industry with “Sondheim, A Celebration” at Market Hall on Nov. 25.

Photo courtesy of New Stages.

Sondheim’s list of prolific and iconic work goes on, from Into the Woods to A Little Night Music, or Sweeney Todd to Sunday in the Park with George. These works all feature Sondheim’s works and show his profound influence on musical theatre and music composition.

Written and narrated by Beth McMaster, “Sondheim, A Celebration” is a one-night performance of storytelling and song that is set to take the audience on a journey through their own memories.

The show will feature a cast of local performers such as Kate Suhr, Shannon McCracken, Linda Kash and Geoff Bemrose.

Founder Randy Read and assistant director of News Stages Mark Wallace will also take the stage, along with Peterborough’s Indigo Chesser, the 11-year-old who starred in 4th Line Theatre’s production of The Great Shadow this past summer. 

Henry Firmston from Chicago’s Stratford Festival stage, along with acclaimed musical director Benjamin Kersey will also be taking the stage. Kersey made his Mirvish debut this summer with the award-winning production of & Juliet.  

Tickets are $35 for regular or cabaret seats, and can be purchased at https://www.markethall.org.

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"Cancer Takedown" Event to Fundraise for Cancer Care Coming to Market Hall

“Cancer Takedown” is fundraising for local cancer care through performances and storytelling on Nov. 16 at Market Hall Performance Centre.

Linda Kash is well-known for her role as the Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese Angel. File photo.

Cancer Takedown is an evening of song, story and solidarity, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to Cancer Care at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

The night will be MC’d by m Linda Kash and Megan Murphy, featuring stories shared by people with cancer and performances from local musicians Kate Suhr, Melissa Payne and their bands, musical director Anthony Bastianon and Denise Oucharek. It will be an opportunity to rally the community and provide hope.

Cancer Takedown is organized by husband and wife Rick and Amy Kemp. Rick has been a patient of PRHC since 2019 when he was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer. In May 2021 his battle doubled as he was diagnosed with a second primary cancer, central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.

For Rick and others living with cancer, there are good days, and there are days when the battle is much more emotional than physical. The Kemp’s idea for Cancer Takedown was born out of those darker days, even referring to the show as being a “spirit-raiser” as much as a fundraiser.

“The goal of Cancer Takedown is twofold. One is to raise funds. The other is to raise spirits for those battling cancer and the people helping them in their journey,” said Rick.

Tickets are $30 for general seating, and $50 for cabaret and can be purchased at: https://www.markethall.org.

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Oh! You Pretty Things! The Bowie Lives: A Bowie Spectacular Returns To Market Hall

The Bowie Lives: A Bowie Spectacular is returning to Market Hall after performing to a sold out crowd in January 2020.

Michael Bell, an award-winning vocalist, will channel the sound and styles of David Bowie with the help of an all-star band, theatre and costumes.

While the music may be enough to transport the crowd to a true Ziggy performance, those in attendance are invited to arrive in costume.

From Ziggy Stardust to Halloween Jack - any and all personas that Bowie portrayed throughout his career are welcomed.

Bell says his tribute shows attract fans young and old that want to witness the eclectic style that is Bowie.

At each concert, Bell says the band makes a point to invite local musicians to open the show. On Saturday local artists S.J Riley and Marsala Lukianchuk will begin the night with their own rendition of an iconic Bowie song and open the show.

Tickets for Saturday nights show are still available online.

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Public Meeting On Heritage Conservation District Study Being Held At Market Hall

An in-person public meeting on the Heritage Conservation District Study for Downtown Peterborough will be held at Market Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 17.

Photo by Luke Best.

The City of Peterborough is considering creating a Heritage Conservation District to preserve the heritage features of the City’s historic downtown.

As the first step in the process, the City is doing a Heritage Conservation District Study for the downtown. Following the Study, a plan with guidelines for preserving the heritage features of the downtown would be created and go to City Council for its consideration for approval.

The Study will research and document the historic commercial core’s heritage character and assess its heritage resources. The information from the Study would be used to determine the suitability of a Heritage Conservation District designation for the area and other appropriate tools to preserve its heritage.

Historic areas or neighbourhoods form part of the City's evolution and identity. Their careful management and protection contributes to the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Heritage Conservation Districts are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and are a valuable tool for guiding change and managing growth in a way that is sensitive to an area’s heritage and history of development.

The Heritage Conservation District Study includes:

• A review and analysis of existing land use, zoning, planning and heritage policies

• A survey and research of the historical, architectural and landscape features of the study area

• An analysis of prevailing conditions (setbacks, building materials, tree canopy, height, etc.)

• An evaluation of the downtown’s overall historic character

The meeting on May 17 is the second of two public consultation meetings. The first meeting was held on April 6 to give an overview of the Heritage Conservation District Study process, present initial findings about the heritage survey and research work to date, and provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions and provide feedback.

Learn more at https://www.connectptbo.ca/downtown-heritage

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Séan McCann The Shantyman Will Take To The Stage At Market Hall For A Night Of Irish Celebration

Séan McCann, dubbed The Shantyman, will take to the stage at Market Hall on March 20 for a celebration of Irish song.

“I love Peterborough,” said McCann. “I’ve always had a great time at Market Hall. I really look forward to coming back, it’s a great little room.”

McCann, who co-founded the band Great Big Sea with Alan Doyle, recalls playing at Market Hall both with the group and as a solo act.

McCann released his album ‘Shantyman’ on Sept. 6, 2021, labor day.

“Sea shanties are historically songs designed to help people do difficult things, by working hard and by working together,” he said. “I’ve been The Shantyman my whole life, I’m very fluent in these songs and I felt like they really had a place today. There’s no way we’ll get through the pandemic, hopefully we’re almost there, but the only way to get it done and to get through it is to do it together. And that’s what sea shanties were meant for.”

On March 20 McCann will be celebrating St. Patrick’s day at Market Hall with both Great Big Sea hits and his own shanties.

“Expect a high energy performance,” he said. “"St Patrick’s day is really St Patrick’s month where I’m from in Newfoundland. The bands are born during St Patrick’s celebrations.”

McCann, who is 10 years sober, notes the heavy presence of alcohol that surrounds both ‘Newfie’ culture and Irish culture, especially during St. Patrick’s day.

“We loose sight of how great Irish music can be. For many years I stayed away from this date, but I feel strong enough now. Just because I’m sober doesn’t mean I can’t sing these great songs. The songs are beautiful, and I’m coming armed with some great Irish songs and some Great Big Sea hits and my own. It’s going to be a great night.”

‘The Shantyman Sings for the Saint: A Celebration of Irish Song with Séan McCann’ is a solo two set acoustic performance featuring traditional Irish singalongs and stories.

Tickets are available online at tickets.markethall.org.

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Kate Suhr Will Take To The Stage At Market Hall After Two Years Without Indoor Concerts

After two years of postponements, Kate Suhr will take to the stage at Market Hall Performance Centre to perform her new cabaret “The Song Goes On.”

Photo by Mary Zita Payne.

“It just feels like it’s time,” said Suhr. “I feel so hopeful about this, I think because of the spring - there's a rebirth and with all that's going on in the world right now especially we need music and art.”

Suhr’s cabaret was initially planned for 2020 but when COVID hit it was put on the back burner.

“The show itself has adapted because there's been so much change,” she said. “Some songs I had chosen don’t seem as applicable now as they did two years ago.”

The evening will feature Musical Director Anthony Bastianon as well as Saskia Tomkins, Sybil Shanahan, Sam Quinn and Curtis Conkwright. Other special guests include Linda Kash, Megan Murphy, Shannon McCracken, Geoff Bemrose, Melissa Payne and Kate Brioux.

“I am feeling hopeful that the community will open their arms to coming back to the theatre and I’m excited because I know how powerful art is, it has the power to heal and help us process.”

The performance will take place on March 25 at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.markethall.org.

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Public Energy Makes A Return To Market Hall With In-Person Shows Beginning February 17

Public Energy Performing Arts is coming back to the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre for in person shows beginning on Feb. 17.

Melika Dez Photography.

After a 23-month period in which Public Energy presented just two events in their busiest venue, they are back with three major presentations over three months.

From Feb. 17 to April. 20 audiences will be able to enjoy cutting edge artists from across Canada with works of dance, theatre and interdisciplinary performance.

Being aware that this is a time of particular financial difficulty for many, and with a goal of eliminating cost as a barrier to attending the performing arts, Public Energy is instituting a pick-your-own-price policy for these three events.

Audiences can pick a price according to their ability to pay, starting at $5 and going up to $30. Tickets available through the Market Hall website: markethall.org or by email to admin@publicenergy.ca or phone 705-745-1788.

On February 17 and 18 is the urban dance company Ebnflōh from Montreal, the hotbed of Canadian dance.

The second show in Public Energy’s Market Hall season is the hard-hitting OUFF from Montreal transdisciplinary artist Alexis O'Hara on March 24. Tackling themes of white privilege, late capitalism and perimenopause with humour and a disconcerting honesty.

The final show in Public Energy’s Market Hall season is Deafy by Edmonton actor and playwright Chris Dodd, being presented April 19 and 20. Deafy is a poignant and humorous storytelling piece blending ASL, the spoken word and surtitles which reflects on the experience of what it is like to be a Deaf person in a hearing world.

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Musician Maxwell McWilliams Playing Show At Market Hall To Raise Funds For PRHC Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit

Peterborough-based country musician Maxwell McWilliams is headlining a fundraising concert on Saturday, February 29th, 2020 at Market Hall, with proceeds going directly to PRHC Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit.

Maxwell McWilliams

“Mental Health is a cause that is close to my heart,” says Maxwell, a Grade 12 student at Lakefield College School who has been performing in the area for several years.

“Mental Health is a topic that is becoming more accepted to talk about, but we’ve got a long way to go,” adds Maxwell, founder of The Maxwell McWilliams Music Administration for Mental Health Awareness. “My mission is to improve the lives of youth suffering from mental illness”.

Tickets for this all ages event go on sale November 1st. Tickets are $20 each, and are available starting Friday, November 1st through Market Hall. There are also a few Table Sponsorships remaining as well for the show. For further information, email Maxwell here.

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Don't Miss The Smart City Readiness Project Summit At Market Hall In Peterborough

On Wednesday, September 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Market Hall, there is a Smart City Readiness Project Summit taking place.

This is an active working group that will help the City of Peterborough prepare an application and proposal for the Canadian Smart Cities Challenge—a competition held by Infrastructure Canada. It is open to all municipalities, local or regional governments, and Indigenous communities across Canada.

This challenge empowers communities across the country to address local issues such as sustainability and economic growth through new partnerships and a smart city approach.

Finalists will receive support to develop their Smart Cities proposals. Winning communities will be awarded with prize money up to $50 million to help implement their programs.

The Smart City Readiness Project is the working group that will help Peterborough prepare an application and proposal for this challenge.

Speakers at the information summit include:

• Paul Bedford, former chief planner for the City of Toronto, will talk about the development of new planning values, policies and processes to guide the next generation of city building

• Alex Speigel, from Windmill Development Group, will share about The Baker District Project in downtown Guelph

• Anthea Foyer, project lead for Mississauga’s Smart City Master plan, will share about Mississauga’s Smart City submission

Go to smartcityptbo.ca for more info, and get your FREE tickets here for the event at Market Hall on September 18th.

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