Peterborough Symphony Orchestra Announces First Full Season In Three Years

For the first time in three years, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra is offering a full five-concert season in 2022-2023.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.

The season opens on November 5 with “Welcome Back” which pairs Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with guest soloist Snow Bai performing a Canadian composition on the traditional Chines erhu.

A tradition returns on December 10 with “A Holiday Welcome” of classical and popular seasonal music featuring baritone James Westman.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early with “An Intimate Welcome” on February 4 – a concert of smaller ensemble delights.

On April 1 the PSO is ready to “Welcome Spring” with Sibelius and Tchaikovsky, featuring virtuoso pianist Alexander Panizza.

To cap off the season the PSO will share the stage with Poet Laureate Sarah Lewis for “Welcome to the Dance” – an evening of words and music including “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.”

All performances are at 7:30 p.m. and take place at Showplace Performance Centre.

Season subscriptions are now available with prices ranging from $105-$235 depending on seating and only $10 per concert for student subscriptions. Regular single tickets will go on sale in mid-July with prices from $33 - $55 and single student tickets at only $12.

A new initiative for this season is the “Rush Ticket” program. On concert day only, as availability allows, seats will be available online for only $20.

Contact the PSO at 705-742-1992 for tickets.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Jann Arden Will Hit The Stage This Long Weekend At The Memorial Centre

Jann Arden, who is no stranger to Peterborough, says she’s ready to hit the Memorial Centre Stage in a city made for performing.

“I think Peterborough has grown a lot,” said Arden. “You’ve got options for venues, you’re in good shapes I think you’ve got lots of good shows coming your way.”

Arden has performed in Peterborough a few times. She recalls once in the 90’s, crossing the street downtown and being struck by a car.

She, surprisingly, remembers the moment fondly.

“A brand new 16 year old driver with his dad, he was mortified,” she said. ”That was the first and only time I’ve ever been hit by a car and I’ll never forget it, people were so kind. I had a show that night and it made for a great story.”

Now, years after she is back in town, after two years of not performing.

While Arden notes how horrible the pandemic has been for many people, she counts herself lucky to have been able to enjoy the break from her usual busy life.

“For thirty years I’ve travelled for 250 days a year, so to be able to stay home and work from home - I was very happy to just be at home and reevaluate things,” she said. “I was able to think about how I wanted to work and how I wanted to go forward.”

Arden will perform at the Memorial Centre on Sunday. Tickets are still available on the Memorial Centre website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Bryan Adams So Happy It Hurts Tour To Make A Stop In Peterborough

Bryan Adams will go on tour to promote his 15th album ‘So Happy It Hurts’ and grace the stage at The Peterborough Memorial Centre on October 18.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Bryan Adams has countless accolades and awards including three Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations and a Grammy Award. Bryan Adams is a Canadian singer / songwriter who continues to tour the world playing his music which has become a mainstay on rock radio.

Tickets will be on sale at livenation.com on May 27 at 10 a.m.

They will range from $75 - $115 plus taxes.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Brett Kissel Kicks Off Tour In Peterborough After Winning Juno Country Album Of The Year

Country artist Brett Kissel is more than ready to kick off his tour at The Peterborough Memorial Centre after winning Juno Country Album of The Year.

Photo by Luke Best.

“Are you congratulating me on my Juno win or on my Oilers win?,”

The Alberta singer was busy setting up his stage at the Memorial Centre on Tuesday in preparation for his Thursday night concert, still buzzing from both a successful night at The Juno’s and an exciting night for Edmonton Oilers fans.

2022 has been a monumental year for Kissel. In addition to winning Country Album of The Year, he was also nominated alongside Justin Bieber and The Weeknd for Single of The Year, with his song ‘Make A Life, not A Living’.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by B R E T T K I S S E L (@brettkissel)

Now, he’s kicking off his first tour since the pandemic shut down the music scene at The Memorial Centre, a venue he says he’s always wanted to play.

“We love playing in this area, myself and my band,” he said. “To get back in the saddle, especially at an arena like this with such a storied franchise with The Petes, we’re so excited.”

Thursday night will be his first time singing many of his new songs in person, after not touring during COVID.

“There could be two people at Thursdays show and I would still give it my all because of the level of gratitude I have to be playing in front of people again is just off the charts.”

Kissel says this is his biggest tour to date, with stops all over Canada, a few in the U.S and even headlining at a music festival in Italy.

“I think they’re intrigued with a Canadian cowboy coming over wearing a cowboy hat and singing his songs,”

After Peterborough’s show Kissel will head to Ottawa, Toronto and then London for the long weekend.

Tickets are still available for Thursdays show, which will feature singer Jess Moskaluke as opener. Tickets can be purchased here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Three Years Ago: Snoop Dogg Lit Up the Peterborough Memorial Centre

It was a concert that Peterborough would never forget as record producer, singer and rapper Snoop Dogg lit up the Peterborough Memorial Centre three years ago on May 16, 2019.

File Photo.

Snoop Dogg came on stage wearing a Peterborough Petes jersey that let out a big cheer from the crowd.

The concert was part of his Snoop Dogg & Friends Tour that marked 25 years of performing. Ajax hip hop star Peter Jackson was the opening act

Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., has 17 Grammy nominations — with 96 career nominations — and won 27 awards with his hit songs such as "Drop it Like It's Hot" and "Gin and Juice.”

He was nicknamed Snoop Dogg after his mother since she thought he looked like Snoopy from the famous ‘Peanuts’ cartoon.

His debut album, ‘Doggystyle’ (1993) was created following appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992).

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Randy Bachman And Burton Cummings Will Stop In Peterborough During Their First Tour In over A Decade

Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings have announced a new date in their cross-Canada reunion tour titled ‘Together Again, Live In Concert’. The two will perform at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario on July 17.

Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Memorial Centre.

‘Together Again, Live In Concert’ sees Bachman and Cummings sharing the stage for the first time in over a decade, and will celebrate the music of The Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive and Burton Cummings.

Tickets are on sale starting Thursday at 10 a.m. online at www.memorialcentre.ca, over the phone at 705-743-3561 on weekdays from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office. The Box Office is open for in-person sales from Wednesdays to Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Prices range from $59.50 to $119.50 plus applicable taxes.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Tynomi Banks Makes History As First Canadian Drag Performer To Sign With Major Agency And Is Coming To Peterborough To Celebrate

Tynomi Banks, a Canadian Drag Performer, has signed with APA, one of the largest talent agencies in the world. Banks will perform at The Peterborough Memorial Centre on June 24.

Photo courtesy of Tynomi Banks.

This deal makes Banks’ the first Canadian drag performer to be signed by a major agency in Canada, joining APA’s elite roster of talent which includes Arkells, Walk off the Earth, Nickelback, Mo Heart and Lights.

“I feel like a lot of the stuff I want to do, a lot of the goals I want to meet this year, it’s going to happen, I’m just in great spirits,” she said.

The APA announcement comes as Banks announces her 2022 tour dates across Ontario and California, including a show in Peterborough on June 24.

“You know when you get so excited you get nervous? That’s how I feel about coming back to Peterborough. I need to top my last performance.”

Banks performed in Peterborough in 2021 at the first ever Drive-N-Drag show.

“That show was so amazing. We did it and they said ‘ ok when this is over we’re getting you back indoors,” said Banks. “I’m so excited to come back. Even though it was raining that night it was the best, amazing, everyone was raving about it.”

Now, Banks will return to Peterborough with Synthia Kiss, Virgo Queen, SahiraQ, Ivory Towers and more.

To buy tickets, visit tickets.memorialcentre.ca.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor Is Ready To Return To Peterborough After COVID Restrictions Got In Their Way

Blue Rodeo will return to Peterborough after an over two-year hiatus, and is ready to hit the stage at The Peterborough Memorial Centre.

File Photo.

The April 13 show will be their fourth attempt at playing in Peterborough due to changing restrictions and health scares.

Now, back on tour with a healthy band and crew, Blue Rodeo is ready to return to Peterborough with new songs and new energy found over two years of lockdown.

Keelor recorded two solo albums, and Blue Rodeo recorded a new album over the last two years.

“Not being on the road meant I had a little time to rest, and to write,” he said. “Seldom have I ever had that much time off to just write songs. It sort of worked for me. The darkness that is in the world and the death that came from COVID is very upsetting, but I managed to have a very creative time.”

They’re looking forward to joining fans in Peterborough to make music, and hopefully invite the audience to let go for the evening, says Keelor.

“I’m very lucky that whatever God-given talent I have makes me able to deal with the world better, in this strange state,” said Keelor. “The shared experience of singing and sharing music and getting the response of the audience - it’s a vibrational thing and it raises your resonance in your mind and body and soul.”

Tickets are still available to the show here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Selwyn Dentist Celebrates Wedding Day On Stage With Carrie Underwood

Selwyn dentist and newlywed Courtney Toms got the experience of a lifetime on stage at a Carrie Underwood concert in Las Vegas, hours after her wedding.

Toms, who practices at and owns Selwyn Family Dental, married her husband James Peterson on April 2 in Las Vegas.

According to Karen-Lee Toms, Courtney’s mother and office manager, the two decided to escape the hustle and bustle of work, head to Las Vegas alone and get married.

To celebrate the two went to a Carrie Underwood concert, where Toms wore a sash that read ‘Bridgenorth ON’ in hopes someone from Underwood’s team would recognize the hometown of the singers husband - the plan worked.

Toms was spotted by Underwood’s team before the show and asked to go on stage.

“Carrie Underwood has been Courtney’s idol since she was very young,” said Karen-Lee. “She knows everything that she does, knows every word to every song.”

When she got on stage, Underwood joked that she was now her Maid of Honour and the two sang Underwood’s popular ‘All-American Girl’ together.

Carrie Underwood posted a photo of the two to social media.

“It was the perfect wedding for Courtney.”

“They’ve been dating since they were 17,” said Karen-Lee. “But Courtney’s been so busy with school, with a new practice, they put themselves on the backburner for a bit and then COVID came, they said it’s not worth the stress so they went to Vegas and were going to whoop it up just the two of them.”

Karen says Courtney had never even been on an airplane before this trip.

“It’s so nice for people to see good things happening to small-town people,” said Karen-Lee. “Courtney is a sweetheart and all the staff and all her patients have taken so well to her.”

Comments on Selwyn Family Dental’s social media post were filled with praises for Dr Toms, celebrating the exciting news.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Alice Cooper Rocks the Peterborough Memorial Centre With Energetic Performance

The “Godfather of Shock Rock” Alice Cooper had a packed audience on their feet at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) with a lively rock performance Sunday night.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee made a stop in Peterborough as part of his 2022 “Monsters of Rock Cruise” spring tour as special guests Buckcherry with Ace Frehley opened the show.

“We’re going to bring it. It’s going to be a show like you’ve never seen,” said Cooper in a past interview with PTBOCanada. “Everybody walks out of there with fake blood on them, glitter, confetti or streamers.”

Cooper dazzled the audience with several fan-favourite hit songs such as School’s Out, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Billion Dollar Babies, Poison, Hey Stoopid and more.

He last played at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Oct. 3, 2004, with a 23-song setlist. His prior performance since that year was on Dec. 29, 1989.

@ptbo_canada @Alice Cooper performs an awesome show at the Peterborough Memorial Centre since his last appearance in 2004! #ptbo #ptbocanada #alicecooper #rockstar #rock #pmc #peterborough #music #rockshow #concert #schoolsout #nomoremrniceguy #heystoopid #billiondollarbabies ♬ Hey Stoopid (Live) - Alice Cooper

Cooper was scheduled to play in Peterborough at the PMC in 2020, on the “Ol’ Black Eyes is Back” tour but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.