4th Line Theatre Adding Additional Performance of The Cavan Blazers For This Monday

Due to multiple sellouts of the show, 4th Line Theatre has added an additional performance of The Cavan Blazers slated for this Monday at 6 p.m.

Patrick and Anne arguing during a production of The Cavan Blazers. Photo courtesy of 4th Line THeatre.

The production, written by Robert Winslow and directed by Kim Blackwell, is in its seventh iteration over the past 32 years.

The play is a gritty, intense play that has the audience on the edge of its seat from start to finish. This drama chronicles the religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant Irish settlers in Cavan Township in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Violence erupts when a Protestant vigilante gang known as the Cavan Blazers tries to stop a Catholic settlement from being established as stated by a press release.

The theatre is featuring local music under the big tent and Black Honey Bakery will be present with power bowls with vegan options and snack packs. The concession stand and BBQ will also be open.

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Hometown PTBO: Dwayne Gretzky's Nick Rose and Tyler Kyte About Performing and Growing Up With Musicfest and Their Notable Television Appearences

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to Nick Rose and Tyler Kyte of Dwayne Gretzky about becoming staple performers at Peterborough Musicfest, their memories of the free-concert series growing up and their filmography that you may recognize from the late 90s.

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The City’s Public Art Program Announces Selected Poets for the Renaissance on Hunter Poetry Gardens

The City of Peterborough Public Art Program has announced the selection of poets commissioned as part of the Renaissance on Hunter Poetry Gardens Project.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

From mid-July to mid-October the Renaissance on Hunter Poetry Gardens will feature works by local poets; Laurie Graham, Jen Cole, Bruce Whiteman, Jon Hedderwick, Justin Million, PJ Thomas, Chantel Daniels, Bon Scott, Esther Vincent and Laura Murray.

The poems are installed in the temporary planters adjacent to the Renaissance on Hunter Road Murals on Hunter Street between George and Aylmer streets, and will change monthly over the course of the summer.

In June the gardens featured poetry by the 2023 Poet Laureate, Ziysah von Bieberstein and Peterborough’s first Poet Laureate, Sarah Lewis.

As part of the project, GreenUp was commissioned to design and install the gardens that form the backdrop for the poems. The gardens feature an array of perennial native plantings that are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun. Plantings include purple coneflower, yarrow, hairy beardtongue, anise hyssop, brown-eyed Susan and nodding wild onion, as well as a selection of prairie grasses. Many are now in full bloom.  

This announcement coincides with the completion of the 2023 road murals, created through the Road Mural Mentorship Program.  

The road mural artist teams by site are:

Site 1: Odoonabii II by mentor Aaron Robitaille, with mentees Kelly King, Em Farquhar Barrie, and Holly Edwards.

Site 2: Glacial Formation II by mentor Josh Morley, with mentees Sarah St. Pierre and Bethany Davis.

Site 3: Flight of the Pollinators II by mentor Brooklin Holbrough, with mentees Justine- Marie Williams and Deanna Henry.

Site 4: Nothing Out of Reach II by mentor Nuin-Tara Morin, with mentees Aryan Bhagat and Cassandra Shaw.

Twenty-three local artists were commissioned as part of the Renaissance on Hunter public art projects this year. For more information about the projects and the artists visit the City’s Public Art website.

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The Faculty Art Exhibition Returns to the Haliburton School of Art + Design

An annual art exhibition celebrating the creative talents of faculty at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD) will return to the school this summer.

photo courtesy of fleming college Haliburton School of Art + Design.

‘Hand of the Maker’ runs from June 26 to August 18. 

The exhibit features thirty pieces of work from Haliburton’s faculty in a wide range of mediums, including ceramics, painting, jewelry, and metal work.  

An opening reception takes place July 3 from 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Great Hall.  

Both the reception and the exhibit are open to the public and free to attend. 

Other events at HSAD:  

Art Talk, July 5 – Aug. 9 in the Great Hall  

Running each Wednesday evening, Art Talk is a series of focused discussions touching on everything from Mad Comics to the history of seed beads.  

Live Music in the Great Hall, July 6 to Aug. 10  

Join us Thursday evenings for some live entertainment. Doors open at 4 p.m., and guests are welcome to walk around HSAD, meet faculty and learn about the art created by our multitalented students.  

More information on Haliburton’s programming, summer activities and faculty can be found here.  

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Public Art Project Renaissance On Hunter 2023 Is Underway

The 2023 Renaissance on Hunter public art projects are underway, with the installation of a series of road murals and poetry gardens on Hunter Street between George and Aylmer.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough

Now in its third year, Renaissance on Hunter is a public art initiative that is coordinated through the City of Peterborough public art program with support from the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and GreenUP.

The Poetry Gardens Project

Designed and installed by GreenUP, the gardens were planted in late May, with prairie grasses and native flowering plants. The meandering wildflower meadow will serve as a backdrop for a rotation of poetry from June to September. This month the gardens feature works by the 2023 Poet Laureate, Ziysah von Bieberstein, and Peterborough’s first Poet Laureate, Sarah Lewis. The names of the nine poets whose work will be featured over the summer will be announced at the end of the month.

The Road Mural Project

The 2023 road murals are being installed through a mentorship program. Ten artists were selected to be mentored under the artists who created the 2022 road murals. The teams will work together to refresh the 2022 murals and incorporate elements designed by the mentees. Road murals are expected to be completed by the end of June, weather permitting.

Artist teams by site

Site 1: Odoonabii II by mentor Aaron Robitaille, with mentees Kelly King, Em Farquhar Barrie, and Holly Edwards.

Site 2: Glacial Formation II by mentor Josh Morley, with mentees Sarah St. Pierre and Bethany Davis.

Site 3: Flight of the Pollinators II by mentor Brooklin Holbrough, with mentees Justine- Marie Williams and Deanna Henry.

Site 4: Nothing Out of Reach II by mentor Nuin-Tara Morin, with mentees Aryan Bhagat and Cassandra Shaw.

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TASSS Students Bringing 'The Wizard of Oz' Musical To Life After Three-Year Hiatus

After being unable to cast a theatrical production for three years, students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) are back on the stage, putting on ‘The Wizard of Oz’ musical scheduled with four public shows in June.

TASSS students Izzy Lloyd (left) and Aimee Simmons (right) playing Tin Man and Scarecrow in a rehearsal for their musical production of The Wizard of Oz. 50 students are involved in the production with actors in Grades 11 and 12 while Grade 10 students work as stage hands. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The school was unable to put on a play for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a long hiatus, the students are eager to get on stage and perform before a live audience according to Michaela Hetherington, TASSS music director.

“The anticipation and the excitement is really building as we get closer,” she said.

Roughly 50 students are involved in the musical production. Grade 10 students are stagehands while Grades 11 and 12 are performing in the production.

Auditions began back in February and students have been working tirelessly to be ready for showtime in June.

“We have students that help out on their first and second-period spares when they don't have class, lunchtime rehearsals and after school,” explained Hetherington. “They've made costumes, set pieces and painting. If you can think of something that goes into a production, they've done it.”

The production is directed and choreographed by Bryanna Ostrander who is also an instructor at Imagine Studios. Justin Hiscox is the music supervisor of the production.

Dates for the shows are as follows:

• June 1, 7 p.m.

• June 2, 7 p.m.

• June 3, 2 p.m.

• June 3, 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through School Cash Online or at the door at TASSS for $20.

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Art Gallery of Peterborough Temporarily Closed for Building Maintenance

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed from Wednesday, May 24 to Friday, May 26 to accommodate building maintenance. 

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

It will partially reopen with access to the Gallery Shop only on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The Gallery’s regular hours will resume on Wednesday, May 31. 

An Opening Reception to celebrate new exhibitions will be held starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7 at the Gallery (250 Crescent St.) Admission is free. 

Visit the Gallery’s website to learn more about the Gallery and its programs as well as to find information on current and upcoming exhibitions. 

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Students Display Their Art Skills In the 10th Annual Paint a Peterborough County Snow Plow

Teachers and students of Peterborough County got to put their creative side on display as they got to participate in the 10th Annual Paint a Peterborough County Snow Plow.

Photo courtesy of the County of Peterborough.

Snowplow blades were delivered the schools in early May where they were painted with their custom designs. Chemong Public School, St. Martin Catholic School, Millbrook Public School, Norwood District Public School, Rhema Christian School and Buckhorn Public School participated in the painting event.

“This is our 10-year anniversary engaging with our local schools to paint our plows,” said Bill Linnen, General Manager Public Works Division “They have fun and get to share their creativity with us and we enjoy displaying them along Hwy 28 and sharing them with the greater community.” 

They are being displayed at the Douro Public Works Depot at the corner of Hwy 28 and County Road 4 upon completion. They will remain there until they are needed next winter for plowing operations.  

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Electric City Culture Council and the 2023 Artsweek Team Present LOOK OUT!

The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and the 2023 Artsweek Team are pleased to present LOOK OUT! a suite of works by 4 local visual and media artists popping up in unexpected places in downtown Peterborough from May 8 to 14.

photo courtesy of ec3.

Artsweek brings some of Peterborough’s most engaging artists down from the walls and out of the galleries to appear on city streets and sidewalks. Curated by Artsweek Executive Producer Su Ditta this project introduces both established and emerging artists to the public with work that is evocative, cheeky and thought provoking. Look Out! and check out artists: Sioux Dickson, Cassandra Lee, LA Alphonso/Age of Moss (Paul Moss) and Sammy Tangir.

Project: Shadow Selves
Artist: Sioux Dickson
Description: A photographic conversation about being a part of and apart from.
Date: Opens May 8.
Location: 210 Hunter St. West, front window of PBO Kawartha (Prosthetics, Bracing, and Orthotics).

Project: An Ode to Trees
Artist: Casandra Lee
Description: “An Ode to Trees involves hanging painted tree cookies on five of my favourite trees in our urban landscape of downtown Nogojiwanong-Peterborough. Trees intrigue me whenever I am outside and are an important point of interest for me. I want to share the joy I feel from seeing a beautiful tree. The installation is an invitation to the public to pause and take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the life of the trees we live amongst downtown. The artwork will be placed at various heights and tied to the trees in a non-harmful way. Cookies will be cut from a fallen cedar tree that was a victim of the May 2022 Derecho. The paintings will be colourful depictions of spring.”
Date: Opens May 8.
Location: Trees in downtown Peterborough:

· Tree to the right of the Peterborough Public Library (in front of the parking lot, 345 Aylmer St N).

· Tree in front of Sandy's Variety Store (near the corner of Aylmer St and Hunter St W).

· Tree behind Black Honey Café in the courtyard (through the alley off of Hunter St W, or the driveway off of Aylmer St next to GreenUP).

· Tree between La Hacienda and Sam’s Place (on Hunter St W).

· Tree in front of Kit Coffee (on Hunter St W between George St and Water St).

Project: POV
Artists: LA Alfonso, Age of Moss (Paul Moss)
Description: In places that act as a default audio/visual history archive, video artists LA Alfonso and Age of Moss (Paul Moss) infiltrate and activate the site’s media file systems for random ephemeral public consumption.
Date: May 8 from 10 pm to Midnight, and then May 9 to May 12, from 9 pm to Midnight.
Location: Paradigm Pictures, 161 King Street.

Project:  Winter Weeds and Spring Shoots
Artist: Sammy Tangir
Description: Winter Weeds is intended as a spark of inspiration to notice plants at a time of year when they are not growing and are likely to be passed by and underappreciated.  This takes form as a zine with a collection of photos of plants in their winter wares! Spring Shoots is an activation that brings the intention of Winter Weeds into the present environment, inviting people to explore and notice the great diversity of spring plants thriving amongst the concrete around Water and Charlotte Street. 
Date: Tuesday May 9th and Wednesday May 10th from 4:30-6:30pm.
Location: Outside Ministry of Natural Resources 300 Water St.

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Grand Opening of Peterborough's Artisanal Retail Store, Handmade Heaven Hits Lansdowne Place

Lansdowne Place is now the home of an artisanal retail store, Handmade Heaven as lots of shoppers were lined outside the storefront for its grand opening on Monday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store features goods from over 70 different local businesses — including junior makers — that make 100 per cent of the sales in exchange for paying rent to use the retail space.

Local artisans that want to rent space in the store must fill out an application online.

“I know there's a huge artist community around here. I just did a calling and all the makers, the artists and all the talent basically did the rest and had an overflow of applications,” said Sam Milne, Handmade Heaven owner.

The first 65 shoppers that arrived at the grand opening received a free gift bag. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Milne has family connections with the ‘The Nooks,’ a chain that is a similar concept to what he is doing for Peterborough with Handmade Heaven. It has seen success with 18 locations in Canada including Vaughan Mills.

The storefront is located across from Dollarama on the upper floor. Milne had announced on his Instagram that Lansdowne Place that he was setting up shop in mid-March.

“As soon as I saw this location, I knew instantly that this was going to be the store,” explained Milne. “It's absolutely perfect, I know the people of Peterborough are going to come out and support. It's been above and beyond what I expected so far.”

Roughly over 50 people were lined up outside prior to the opening. Milne says the store is a great outlet for local artisans to be recognized and supported. Artists get up-to-date notifications on when their product gets sold in the story.

“(I) really try to get people out to support their local makers and see all the beautiful things there's handmade artists have actually made,” said Milne. “Every time one of these makers sells something with their hard work involved, they (customers) have no idea how much it means to these people when they see their sales.” 

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