Photos: Gob Takes Centre Stage With Their Punk Rock Antics at Peterborough Musicfest
/The Vancouver punk rock stylings of Gob hit the Musicfest stage to rock out with the Peterborough crowd at Del Crary Park on Saturday night.
Peterborough Blogs
Preston Pablo, The Spades & Weber Brothers and More Round Out Peterborough Musicfest Lineup
/The stage is set for the 38th season of Peterborough Musicfest as the rest of the lineup has been filled, announced on Wednesday morning.
(from left to right) Vince Bierworth, event emcee; Brian Ellis, MUSICFEST BOARD CHAIR and TRACEY RANDALL, Musicfest Executive Director, showing off this year’s lineup of acts. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
Rounding out the rest of the lineup include Preston Pablo with special guest Noelle on July 5; The Jim Cuddy Band on July 9; The Spades & The Weber Brothers on July 26 and country music star Jess Moskaluke on July 30.
This year also features a special Canada Day concert on July 1 featuring Neon Nostalgic with a live retro video dance party, followed by fireworks over Little Lake provided by The City of Peterborough.
“We’re so excited to bring another vibrant summer of barrier-free live music to the community” said Tracey Randall, Musicfest executive director. “With new programming, exciting performers, and more reasons to come early, this season has something for everyone.”
New this year is a second stage showcasing emerging local artists starting at either 6:15 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. on select nights, with a full schedule to be released.
With support from the Government of Canada’s Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Musicfest brings ‘Woven Stories: A Night of Indigenous Music, Culture, and Celebration.’
This year also features expanded food vending, with many vendors offering Happy Hour specials from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Peterborough Musicfest 50/50 Raffle also returns for another season.
The following is this year’s Musicfest schedule:
June 28: Serena Ryder
July 1: Neon Nostalgic (Retro Rock Tribute)
July 2: William Prince
July 5: Preston Pablo with special guest noelle
July 9: The Jim Cuddy Band
July 12: Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies)
July 16: Sloan
July 19: Gob
July 23 ABBAMania + Night Fever (Bee Gees)
July 26: The Spades & The Weber Brothers
July 30: Jess Moskaluke
Aug. 2: Acrobat (U2 Tribute)
Aug. 6: Mudmen w/ Irish Millie
Aug. 9: The Celtic Tenors
Aug. 13: Choir! Choir! Choir!
Aug. 16: Kim Mitchell
Canadian Rocker Kim Mitchell to Close Out Peterborough Musicfest On Aug. 16
/Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell returns to Peterborough Musicfest as the closer for the 2025 season, taking the stage on Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. at Del Crary Park, announced on Thursday.
Mitchell was known as the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before pursuing a solo music career. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.
This is Mitchell’s fifth appearance on the Fred Anderson Stage for Musicfest. He made appearances in 1997, 2002, 2012 and a special 2017 performance celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday.
“I’m all about customer service. People are coming out to hear certain songs and hear me playing them,” said Mitchell. “But they have been morphing and going through some changes. So ‘Go For A Soda’ sounds a little different the way we play it on a given night. And we will start to jam out on some of the songs and be a little freer with the arrangements. I like to give people what they want.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Kim Mitchell back to Musicfest for our closing night, said Tracey Randall, Musicfest executive director. “He’s a Canadian rock legend, and we know this will be an incredible show. In times when the news is often heavy, it’s great to have something like Musicfest to look forward to. Being able to offer world-class live music to our community—completely free of charge thanks to our sponsors—is something we are incredibly proud of.”
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United Way Brings Fifth-Annual Homelessness Benefit Concert With 'Peterborough Performs' For United Way at Showplace On March 26
/Showplace Performance Centre is hosting United Way’s fifth-annual ‘Peterborough Performs, Musicians United to End Homelessness’ fundraiser for homelessness initiatives announced Wednesday morning.
Singer-Songwriter Georgia Rose is one of 14 acts joining ‘Peterborough Performs."‘ In 2024, United Way partner agencies served 742 people in finding housing, and another 1,754 people were supported to prevent losing their housing and becoming homeless. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The one-night event takes place on March 26 at Showplace (290 George St. N.) at 7 p.m. with tickets for $50 or two for $80.
In September, United Way had a goal of raising $1.5 million. They are $27,000 away from hitting their mark as this event could put them over the top, according to Jim Russell, United Way CEO.
“We are at 98 per cent of our goal of $1.5 million,” he explained. “We are so proud of how our community has shown up to support our most vulnerable neighbours. Peterborough Performs marks the end of our annual campaign, and we believe that the community’s support will make it possible to achieve our goal for the first time in many years.”
The event has generated over $100,000 since its establishment in 2021. This funding goes towards United Way’s 20 partner agencies, specifically those who provide services to people experiencing homelessness or in immediate need of support in their housing situations.
Event coordinator Paul Rellinger is back for the event. He has been a longtime member of the United Way’s Campaign Cabinet and looks forward to help the show running smoothly as United Way is at the homestretch of its $1.5 million goal.
“I have never not been in awe of the power of people united behind a common cause, project or initiative,” he said. “Therein lies my delight to again be entrusted with organizing Peterborough Performs. Besides speaking to my love of locally presented music and those who bring it to us, the fundraiser inspires and energizes me, reminding me of what I love most about this place I call home. It’s the people I’m fortunate to work with on projects such as this, specifically their unselfish willingness to roll up their sleeves and get busy when an identified need deserves our full attention.”
“Great music and a great cause,” said David Goyette, Peterborough Performs founder. “With Peterborough Performs, we are building a terrific tradition that continues to prove its value to the community. Thanks to all who make it happen.”
The following are the acts performing at this year’s concert:
The Spades
The Weber Brothers Band
Rick ‘n’ Gallies Peterborough All-Star Band
Little Fire Collective
Kate Suhr & Melissa Payne with Nicholas Campbell, Kate Brioux, Paul Craough & Brandon Monroe
Michael Bell & Lizeh Basciano (Michael Bublé & Adele Tribute)
The Hippie Chicks
Dan Hick
Bread & Soul
Phil Stephenson & Glen Caradus
Jacques Graveline
Alyssa Morrisey & Kyler Tapscott
Georgia Rose
Danny & Joanna Bronson
An online virtual auction with roughly 40 items runs until March 6 at 10 p.m. Local businesses, sponsors and organizations have donated all the lots for the auction. Winners who are in attendance can pick up their prizes at Showplace on March 26. Otherwise, they can pick up their prize from the United Way Peterborough & District office at 277 Stewart St.
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Millbrook's Serena Ryder to Headline 2025 Musicfest Opening Night
/Millbrook-born Serena Ryder has been named to headline Peterborough Musicfest’s opening night for its 38th season scheduled for June 28 at Del Crary Park, announced on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.
The singer-songwriter has headlined the opening night of Peterborough Musicfest in 2016. This is her fifth appearance on the Fred Anderson stage and her seventh performance for Peterborough Musicfest.
Ryder graduated from Peterborough Collegiate’s Integrated Arts Program She gained national acclaim with her ballad Weak in the Knees in 2007. She won the first of her seven Juno Awards the following year, taking home Best New Artist of the Year in April 2008. By July 2010, she was performing at the Lilith Fair. In February 2011, she toured across Canada with none other than Melissa Etheridge.
Peterborough Folk Festival Celebrates Two Grants Totalling $35,400 From Ontario Government
/The Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) is celebrating two Capital grants from 2023 and 2024 totalling $35,400 from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), announced at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Friday afternoon.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“The support from the province of Ontario via the Ontario Trillium Foundation has enabled the Peterborough Folk Festival to acquire essential items needed for the festival's operation, ensuring they can keep delivering this vital event for our community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.
Funds from the most recent grant, $19,500, awarded this past summer, allowed the purchase of new portable stage platforms and signage.
Last year, PFF received a $15,900 Capital grant from OTF to purchase more equipment, such as electrical cords and cable mats, needed to run the stage performances and to purchase more canopy tents and folding tables.
“This helps us make our festival more sustainable for us,” said Rob Davis PFF Chair. “All of this helps set us up to be more successful in the future.”
The free-admission music and arts festival has been active in the City of Peterborough since 1989. They are a registered charity organization led by a volunteer board of directors.
“Buying this equipment means a lot less borrowing and renting,” said Davis. “It ensures that we always have high-quality equipment.”
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Peterborough Musicfest Releases 2025 Edition of Diner's Book to Discover Local Restaurants
/Saving at local restaurants has become easier with the return of Peterborough Musicfest’s Diner’s Book for 2025, announced on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The book is available starting Friday and costs $30. This year’s edition features 80 dining offers from restaurants, cafés, pubs, and other food venues across Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and Northumberland County (new this year).
The Diner’s Book, valued at over $1,000 in savings, contains ‘buy one entrée, get the second half price’ deals and more. Anyone can get the ‘Buy three Diner’s Books Get one Free deal’ with all proceeds towards Peterborough Musicfest.
“This year’s Diner’s Book isn’t just a way to save on incredible meals; it’s a way to give back and help keep free admission music alive for everyone to enjoy,” says Tracey Randall, Peterborough Musicfest executive director. “It’s also the perfect gift for the foodie in your life or that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. With something for every palate, it’s a gift that keeps giving all year long!”
The Books are available to purchase at Lansdowne Place (Customer Service Desk) and online.
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Harmony for Healing Announces Second Benefit Concert ‘Wish You Were Here' For Suicide and Mental Health Awareness
/Harmony for Healing has announced the return of its annual event, ‘Wish You Were Here,’ a benefit concert dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, announced at The El(P) on Wednesday morning.
(From left to right) Wade Hamblin; ReMax Hallmark Eastern Realty; Ellen Watkins CMHA HKPR CEO; Phillip Jolicoeur, Harmony for Healing Founder and Tracy Graham, CMHA HKPR Director of Programs and Services. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The concert is part of Harmony for Healing’s goal of raising $50,000 over five years to provide critical mental health resources. It will be held on Feb. 20 at Market Hall Performing Centre and is meant to transport people back to the sounds of the 1970s.
The goal is to raise at least $10,000 to support the life-saving Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention program.
“I've ran hundreds of events and there's always community support on some level but for Harmony for Healing last year and then again this year, the amount of people that jump on (not just the support, the cause and the initiative) have their own stories to share is really what thrives an event like this,” said Phillip Jolicouer, Harmony for Healing founder. “Businesses and supports can align themselves with mental health because we're all dealing with it so it means a lot to me more than just the financial aspect.”
Last year's sold-out concert, ‘Spirit In the Sky’ raised $13,500 on Feb. 22 at Market Hall Performing Centre.
Joilcouer says this year, he wanted to amplify his mission through a four-pillar approach.
His four pillars of impact approach are as follows:
Awareness: Shedding light on mental health challenges and suicide prevention through personal stories and signs to watch for.
Prevention: Empowering our community with tools to foster mental resilience, strengthen support networks, and promote access to mental health resources.
Intervention: Sharing guidance on what to do when someone is in immediate crisis, including local support options and crisis hotlines.
Post-Vention: Supporting survivors and those impacted by suicide through grief counselling, support groups, and outreach.
Jolicouer’s mother had unexpectedly taken her own life on Nov. 30 and the series of shows is a tribute to her memory.
“My mom loved people. She loved local music and music in general,” explained Jolicouer. “You could see her front row in any of the local venues around town so my connection to her with this was to make a local event to hire local musicians, put on a phenomenal rock concert that I could picture my mom where I could picture her up front dancing and enjoying herself and bringing a message that you're not alone. I want to spread that as loud as possible and through music.”
Registration for the event can be found online.
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Bachman Turner Overdrive Returns to the Stage and Hits the Peterborough Memorial Centre On April 29
/The Peterborough Memorial Centre is ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ as they are hosting Bachman Turner-Overdrive (BTO) as part of the Back In Overdrive Tour 2025 on April 29, announced on Friday morning.
Photo courtesy of Missing Piece Group.
Multi-platinum fellow Canadian rock bands April Wine and Headpins will open for the shows.
The band will perform hits from The Guess Who, the classic rock group Bachman co-founded with Burton Cummings.
“Years ago, BTO rocked Canada coast to coast, sharing the stage with acts like ZZ Top,” said Bachman. “Now, we're excited to return, bringing along Canadian rock legends April Wine and Headpins. Get ready for a night of 70's classic rock that continues to dominate the airwaves. I'll be playing all the Guess Who and BTO hits with my band, BTO, and with April Wine and Headpins joining us, it's going to be an unforgettable evening. Crank up the hits! Canadian rock is back and BTO is back."
Bachman has earned over 120 gold and platinum album/singles awards worldwide. His songwriting has garnered him the coveted #1 spot on radio playlists in over 20 countries and throughout his career, he has sold over 40 million records. A broad range of artists has recorded Randy’s songs and have been placed in dozens of TV shows, films and commercials.
Tickets go on sale next Friday.
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Bailieboro Country Music Star Jade Eagleson Performs at World-Famous Grand Ole Opry In Nashville
/Bailieboro and country music star Jade Eagleson stepped into the historic circle, performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. for the first time on Friday night.
Photo courtesy of Austin Chaffe.
