Peterborough Musicfest Announces Concert Dates For Its 39th Season
/Peterborough Musicfest has announced the dates for its 39th season as a summer of free live music returns to Del Crary Park from June 27 to Aug. 19.
file photo.
Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Folk Festival Kicks Off 37th Year With Celebration Concert and Emerging Artist Award Submissions
/The Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) has opened its Emerging Artist Award submissions, kicking off its 37th year with a celebration concert featuring previous award recipients at Market Hall.
Previous award RECIPIENTS (from left to right): Jeanne Truax (2025), VANCAMP (2024) and Irish Millie (2023). photo courtesy of the peterborough folk festival.
The PFF Emerging Artist Award strives to invest in upcoming local talent in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. The award has helped launch the careers of Canadian names such as Serena Ryder, Kelly McMichael, Benj Rowland, Irish Millie, Calvin Bakelaar (VANCAMP) and Jeanne Truax.
The Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (PMBA) supplements the award with the $1,000 PMBA Lynn Morris Memorial Award, and the Electric Alchemy Recording Studio provides the artist with recording and production of a single.
Submissions for PFF’s Emerging Artist Award are being accepted online until Feb. 20.
Celebrating the impact of the PFF Emerging Artist Program, PFF is hosting a concert Jan. 23 at Market Hall. The event will feature performances from recent award recipients Irish Millie (2023 recipient), VANCAMP (2024 recipient) and Jeanne Truax (2025 recipient).
Tickets are available on the Market Hall website.
Youth Mental Health Awareness an Emphasis For Third Annual Harmony for Healing's Fundraising Concert On Feb. 19
/Harmony for Healing has announced the third consecutive year of its annual event with ‘Power of Love: Voices of Youth’ as a locally produced mental health awareness campaign and live concert fundraiser to be held at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Feb. 19.
(From left to right) Wade Hamblin; ReMax Hallmark Eastern Realty; Callie Lorente, CMHA HKPR Manager of Integrated Crisis Services; Phillip Jolicoeur, Harmony for Healing Founder and Caitlin O’Connor, musician. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
This year’s initiative places an even stronger focus on youth mental health, connection and hope. Harmony for Healing creator and producer Phillip Jolicoeur had his mother pass away from suicide in 2022, with the event serving as a tribute to her.
“Harmony for Healing started as a way to turn pain into purpose,” he said. “This year feels especially close to the heart as we lift up youth voices and remind them they matter, they are heard, and they are not alone. These stories and moments are created locally by people who truly care.”
Harmony for Healing has raised over $29,000 to date, including $15,744 raised last year alone, toward its five-year goal of $50,000. All proceeds support the Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention Program (AOSP) through CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, providing life-saving support to individuals and families in crisis.
The event has sold out in the first two iterations, which blend music with meaningful conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.
This year’s awareness campaign centres on stories from local youth, sharing their lived mental health experiences through a professionally produced video series.
@ptbo_canada Harmony for Healing returns for its third consecutive year with a youth-centred mental health awareness campaign and live concert Power of Love: Voices of Youth 💜 #ptbocanada #peterboroughontario #mentalhealth ♬ Vittra - Kasbo
The youth are involved through:
Production and behind the scenes roles
Youth storytelling and creative contributions
Volunteer opportunities
Live show participation
Collaboration with up and coming local youth artists
‘Power of Love’ celebrates iconic 1980s anthems performed by 100 percent local musicians, creating an atmosphere of connection, compassion, and community.
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Rocklands Entertainment Pays Tribute to Country Music Legends at Market Hall With "Megastars of Country Music" Show Set For Marcg 29
/Rocklands Entertainment is bringing a tribute to country star legends with the Megastars of Country Music to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre announced for March 29 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Market Hall.
The concert features tributes to country music’s most legendary singers and songwriters. It features Larry Turner and Doug Brewin paying homage to the incredible careers of such as Alan Jackson, George Strait and Brooks & Dunn.
Tickets are available in person at Market Hall, located at 140 Charlotte Street on the third floor. The box office is open Monday to Friday from Noon until 5 p.m. Call 705-749-1146 or visit tickets.markethall.org.
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Peterborough Musicfest Launches 2026 Diner's Book to Be Available Friday
/Peterborough Musicfest has released the 2026 version of their Diner’s Book, available on Friday, for food lovers to support free live music in the community.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.
The $30 book features 85 dining offers deals from restaurants, cafés, pubs and other food establishments across Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and the surrounding region.
All proceeds support Peterborough Musicfest.
“This year’s Diner’s Book isn’t just a way to save on incredible dining experiences; it’s a way to give back and help keep free admission music alive for everyone to enjoy,” says Tracey Randall, Executive Director of Peterborough Musicfest. “It’s also the perfect gift for the foodie in your life or that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. ”
The 2026 Diner’s Book will be available for purchase at:
Lansdowne Place (Customer Service Desk)
Cogeco Customer Centre- 1111 Goodfellow Rd.
Online
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Peterborough Singers Artistic Director to Retire After 35 Years
/Peterborough Sings artistic director Syd Birrell is performing his final concerts after 35 years as he has announced his plans for retirement on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough Singers.
“As you can imagine, making the decision to retire was extremely difficult,” explained Birrell. “For the past 35 years, the Peterborough Singers has occupied so much of my thoughts, my time, and my affections. However, after much reflection, I concluded that the time has come to pass the reins to a new, younger director.”
As Birrell’s last request before calling it, he asks the public to donate to Peterborough Singers’s newest campaign, ‘Syd’s Legacy Fund,’ to raise $100,000 by Dec. 31 and $250,000 by the end of this concert season. The funds raised are to support the Peterborough Singers and ensure a smooth transition with a new artistic director, as the organization requires roughly $200,000 annually to run, according to Birrell.
“The immediate aim of Syd’s Legacy Fund is to guarantee that the choir will transition smoothly to a new director,” he explained. “It will also allow the new director to focus his or her energy on what matters most: making great music.”
Part of the proceeds are going towards searching for and hiring emerging young Canadian artists, commissioning original Canadian compositions and hiring world-class Canadian soloists.
Candidates for the artistic director position are currently being selected, with an announcement to be expected within the new year.
Birrell concludes that he has truly treasured his 35 years with the Peterborough Singers.
“I will especially miss that magical moment when the choir sings the first notes at the start of a concert. There’s nothing like it. That first burst of song can take your breath away,” he said.
26th Anniversary of "In From The Cold" Benefit Concert Returns In Support of YES Shelter
/The ‘In From The Cold’ benefit concert is celebrating its 26th anniversary with two performances at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Dec. 5 and 6 in support of the YES Shelter.
Photo courtesy of Yes Shelter.
The shows run on at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 6.
The performances gather local musicians to perform holiday music with a blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas and winter songs.
This year's lineup features:
Carried Away – an acoustic string and vocal band known for rich harmonies and creative arrangements of seasonal favourites.
Convivio Chorus – a dynamic choral ensemble whose performances fill the hall with warmth and joy.
The Claveer Cousins – bringing lively, heartfelt energy to the stage.
Special guest Benj Rowland – nationally known, locally-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who brings a haunting voice and an innate gift for melody to his unique brand of alt-folk music.
“I’m so pumped to have Benj join us this year,” says John Hoffman, In From the Cold co-founder. “His take on any song is always interesting and distinctive so he fits right in with our ongoing passion to present great, rootsy seasonal music you won’t hear at any other Christmas show. I know our audience is going to love what Benj brings to the table.”
The proceeds go to YES Shelter for Youth and Families, to help provide safe shelter, support and hope for youth and families experiencing homelessness in our community.
In From The Cold tickets are available for purchase at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre or online.
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Legendary Punk Rock 'The Offspring' Hit Peterborough Memorial Centre On Feb. 17 With Bad Religion
/Renowned punk rock band The Offspring is coming to town as part of their Supercharged Worldwide ’26 tour at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Feb. 17, announced on Monday morning.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
Fellow punk rock band Bad Religion are joining as special guests for the event.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
An exclusive PMC Scoop Presale will take place online only on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., using promo code ‘WORLDWIDE.’
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m. online, by phone at 705-743-3561 ext. 2 or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office.
Prices range from $149.50 to $61.50 (prices are subject to change) and are available at various seating levels throughout the arena. Capacity is limited to 4,144, and a ticket limit of eight per order will be in place.
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Peterborough Folk Festival Releases 2025 Performance Schedule
/The 36th annual Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) has unveiled its lineup of 30 artists for this year’s free event, taking place from Aug. 14 to 17 at Nicholls Oval Park.
Photo courtesy of PFF.
The four-day celebration kicks off on Aug. 14 at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre with singer-songwriter Basia Bulat and PFF Emerging Artist of the Year, Jeanne Truax.
On Friday, at 8 p.m., another kick-off concert will be held at Sadleir with Nixon Boyd (of Hollerado), PFF 2024 Emerging Artist VANCAMP, and Guelph-based quintet I, The Mountain.
The following is the Saturday schedule:
Children’s Village
10:30 a.m. - Village opens
10:40 a.m. - Story Time by the Peterborough Public Library
11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Miskin Law Main Stage
Noon to 5 p.m. - Activities, crafts and games
Food Village
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Food Village open
Artisan Village
Noon to 7 p.m. - Artisan Village open
Children’s Village
10:30 a.m. - Village opens
10:40 a.m. - Story Time by the Peterborough Public Library
11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Miskin Law Main Stage
Noon to 5 p.m. - Activities, crafts and games
Miskin Law Main Stage
11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Main Stage & Opening Ceremony
11:45 a.m. - Songs of Scratch Garden
12:35 p.m. - Benj Rowland
1:30 p.m. - Grievous Angels
3:00 p.m. - My Son the Hurricane
4:50 p.m. - Shub presented by Hiawatha First Nation
6:30 p.m. - Joel Plaskett
8:15 p.m. - Goldie Boutilier
9:45 p.m. - Jeremie Albino
Nicholls Oval Pavilion Stage
1:10 p.m. - Caitlin Currie
2:15 p.m. - Jeanne Truax
4:00 p.m. - Doghouse Orchestra
5:45 p.m. - The Silver Hearts
7:45 p.m. - Swindlers
9:20 p.m. - Tapes in Motion
Generation Solar Stage
11:45 a.m. - TBA
1:00 p.m. - Lancelot Knight
2:15 p.m. - Joel Plaskett x Benj Rowland
3:15 p.m. - Sister Ray
4:35 p.m. - Grievous Angels x Swindlers
5:45 p.m. - Bells Larsen x Sister Ray x Jeremie Albino
6:50 p.m. - Quinton Barnes
7:45 p.m. - Bells Larsen
The following is the Sunday schedule:
Miskin Law Main Stage
11:15 a.m. - Children’s Parade to the Main Stage & Opening Ceremony
11:30 a.m. - Round Dance with Kelli Marshall
11:45 a.m. - Sharon, Lois & Bram Singalong with Sharon & Randi
12:50 p.m. - Colin Linden x Jethro’s Blues Jam All-Stars
1:55 p.m. - Inn Echo x Benj Rowland x Irish Millie
2:50 p.m. - Beau Dixon
4:15 p.m. - Lemon Bucket Orkestra
5:45 p.m. - A Special Thank You
5:50 p.m. - Whitehorse
Nicholls Oval Pavilion Stage
1:35 pm - Sue & David Newberry
2:25 pm - Kay Silver
3:35 pm - Inn Echo
5:15 pm - Beau Dixon x Babe Chorus x Michael Cloud Duguay
Generation Solar Stage
11:45 a.m. - The Colton Sisters
12:40 p.m. - VANCAMP x Kay Silver x Tapes in Motion
1:45 p.m. - Babe Chorus
2:40 p.m. - Fittonia
3:35 p.m. - Whitehorse x Jeanne Truax
4:45 p.m. - Colin Linden
The PFF after parties start in Downtown Peterborough at 11 p.m. at the following locations:
Jethro’s Bar + Stage - The Jet Airliners featuring Jeanne Truax
Pig's Ear Tavern - The Silver Hearts - $5 at the door
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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.
The band consists of Tom Thacker (vocals and lead guitar), Theo Goutzinakis (rhythm guitar and vocals), Gabe Mantle (drummer) and Steven Fairweather (bassist).
@ptbo_canada Tom Thacker) (left) and Theo Goutzinakis (right) of Gob rock out at Peterborough Musicfest before a huge crowd at Del Crary Park. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #ptbomusicfest ♬ Punk rock for sports, battles, OPs(1407616) - Cheng Lee
