Grassboots Theatre Company Launches First Ever Play

Peterborough’s newest theatre company Grassboots Theatre—created by Peyton Le Barr and Chris Whidden—is set to debut their first ever performance, Repatriation to the Moon, a new work inspired by theatre created by the underground Polish resistance during the WW2.

In Repatriation to the Moon playing at Artspace, a janitor and an engineer fall in love in a shoe factory. One is Polish, the other Italian. The play, set in a time of war, is a comical and heartwarming story of two lovebirds who attempt to escape persecution in the most absurd way imaginable.

Stars Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr (show photo by Andy Carroll)

The story was written by Whidden and the play created and performed by Whidden and Peyton Le Barr. The Havelock-based tandem are currently renovating a hobby farm to become a new theatre space and artists’ retreat.

Chris has written multiple plays performed in Toronto including Roaring Robert, which was presented by Shadowpath Theatre to a soldout run at the Toronto Fringe. This will be his first production in Peterborough.

Repatriation to the Moon is inspired by a performance from the 1940s by Polish artist Wladyslaw Dutkiewicz, who created dozens of plays for the underground Polish resistance including a work titled Repatriation to the Moon.

Show photo by Andy Carroll

Repatriation to the Moon runs from August 14th to August 17th at Artspace, with performances starting at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets cost $15 and are available here.

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The 9th Annual Hootenanny Returns To Hunter Street This Saturday

The 9th Annual Hootenanny returns to Hunter Street this Saturday, August 10th, with an amazing lineup including…

-> Paper Shakers at noon

-> The Lohrwoods at 1:15 p.m.

-> Dylan Ireland at 2:30 p.m.

-> House of David Gang at 3:45 p.m.

-> Crystal Shawanda at 5 p.m.

-> Lindsay Barr at 6:15 p.m.

-> Stacey Kay at 7:30 p.m.

-> The Dreamboats at 8:45 p.m.

-> The Jonny Trash Super Group at 10 p.m.

Photo courtesy DBIA

Hootenanny runs from noon to 11 p.m. on Hunter Street West between George and Aylmer streets, and admission is free. This year’s event features a selection of downtown vendors and activities along Hunter Street.

The Jonny Trash Super Group will be a surprise collective of various musicians connected with the late Jonathan Hall. Known endearingly by his friends as Jonny Trash, this group will pay tribute to their friend who passed away suddenly earlier this year at the age of 44. 

Photo courtesy DBIA

Stacey Kay, who performs at 7:30 p.m., was a finalist on America’s Got Talent, won the Canadian Songwriters Award for best Adult Contemporary/Pop song of 2018 with “Weight On My Shoulders,” and gained recognition with a spontaneous performance of one of Busta Rhymes’ fastest raps in a South Carolina Walgreens that went viral with over 40 million views. 

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Cozy Home, Sustain, The Food Shop & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Cozy Home: Designs by Lacey recently opened at 183 Charlotte Street. Owner Lacey-Kristen Klatt has filled the shop with recycled home decor, handmade decor and gifts, as well as refinished furniture! A professional interior painter for the last 10 years, Lacey also offers colour consultations, and assistance with interior decorating. You’ll find Cozy Home Designs by Lacey on Facebook here and Instagram here.

Lacey from Cozy Home

Sustain, Your Eco Living and Building Store, winners of the DBIA’s Win This Space competition, are settling into their rent-free space at 418 George Street. Owners Jonathan and Celine MacKay also operate a similar shop in Huntsville. The product offering covers everything from building products, flooring, kitchens, countertops, paint and stain, to cleaning products, baby products, personal care products and more. plus they offer a full renovation and custom kitchen service. You’ll find Sustain on Facebook here.

Sustain owners Jonathan and Celine MacKay with kids

And yet another new store to come out of the Win This Space process, The Food Shop is open at 372 Water Street. Offering a farmer’s market experience every day of the week, owners Anthony and Samantha Lennan carry locally grown and produced food with a direct connection to suppliers. Produce, meats, cheeses, fruits and more, it’s a great option for those who love local.

Evolution Automotive recently moved to a larger location. Now located at 2629 Lakefield Highway next to Kyoto Coffee, owner Tyler Warmington offers general automotive repairs, computer diagnostics, 4x4 repairs, custom fabrication, diesel mods and more for all makes and models. You’ll find Evolution Automotive on Facebook, or call 705.930.1178.

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Vibrant New Rainbow Crosswalk Installed At Water & King Near Millennium Park

The City of Peterborough installed a rainbow crosswalk at Water & King this week to celebrate inclusiveness and diversity in the community.

Celebrating inclusiveness and diversity. Rainbow crosswalk being installed at Water and King in downtown Ptbo near the entrance to Millennium Park. @PTBOPride @downtownPtbo #community pic.twitter.com/GjuAL4iFFf

— City of Peterborough (@CityPtbo) July 31, 2019

Photo courtesy DBIA

City of Peterborough Councillor Kemi Akapo tweeted about its impact along with these photos…

If you head down to Millenium Park, you’ll notice some extra colour on your way there! The rainbow sidewalk has been painted to signify love and acceptance of everyone, especially our LGBTQIA+ community. Official unveiling at Pride in September. #loveislove #webeenhere pic.twitter.com/UGlsksVgSC

— Kemi Akapo (@kemi_akapo) July 31, 2019

The crosswalk has garnered positive reaction from the community.

“I’m so proud of our city for the message this makes. #LoveisLove🌈,” says Kate Wells on a DBIA Facebook thread regarding the new crosswalk.

”This is awesome ... any little step to make everyone feel welcome in this city will help it grow in a positive way,” adds Martin Boruta in the same thread.

Photo via @kemi_akapo

Some commenters mentioned they’d love to see more crosswalks painted in these vibrant colours (there is one other rainbow crosswalk in Peterborough on the campus of Fleming College). Christine Densmore had this to say: “Well don't just color one Crosswalk, color them all in Peterborough! It looks super cute! Happy and bright❤ Creative! 😃”

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Central Smith Creamery Ice Cream Social Raises $13,420.25 For PRHC Foundation

Central Smith Creamery has announced that their Ice Cream Social on July 20th raised $13,420.25 for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation.

“The hospital has always been near and dear to our hearts,” says Jenn Scates, Vice-President of Marketing for Central Smith Creamery. “We are so fortunate to have a state-of-the-art, accredited hospital right in our community. The doctors and nurses are so committed and passionate about helping people get better. This is our way of saying thank you for the great care!”

Cheque presentation at Central Smith (photo courtesy PRHC Foundation)

With all proceeds from the day being donated to the PRHC Foundation, ice cream eaters were encouraged to say thank you for great care to the doctors and nurses at Peterborough Regional Health Centre by purchasing a $2 tribute card at the checkout, among other fundraising activities at the event. A whopping 1,500 tributes were generated.

On Thursday, July 25th, staff at Peterborough Regional Health Centre were in for a real treat when Central Smith arrived in the cafeteria over lunch hour to scoop free ice cream. The local ice cream company wanted to personally say thank the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to deliver great care to the community.

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The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper Announced By 4th Line Theatre As December Production

4th Line Theatre in Millbrook has announced a brand new off-season production for Christmas 2019 called The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper.

Written by Lindy Finlan and directed by Kim Blackwell, The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper is a Nancy Drew-style mystery. Set in the 1960s in Millbrook, a church congregation is divided when props and costumes for the upcoming Christmas concert go missing. The Needlers, a band comprised of local young people, are accused of being the culprits. Tensions mount and The Needlers take to the streets of Millbrook to solve the mystery and clear their names.

Lindy Finlan: Playwright, The Fool of Cavan: A christmas caper (Photo by Tristan Peirce Photography)

Like previous 4th Line off season productions, The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper will take audiences on an adventure through the streets of Millbrook as they try to solve the mystery. 

The production will have a 10-performance run beginning on December 3rd and closing on the 14th. Audiences attending the performances on December 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 14th will have the added treat of a Christmas-themed music concert after the show.

Kim Blackwell: Director, The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper

The plays are not performed at the Winslow Farm. The production travels up and down dark paths and over uneven terrain for approximately 1 km. 4th Line asks each patron to dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear and bring a flashlight with them to the performance. The performances will go on rain, snow or shine. 

DETAILS:

The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper

Written by Lindy Finlan

Directed by Kim Blackwell

Location: St. Thomas Anglican Church (16 Centre Street, Millbrook)

Tickets are on sale now. Call 705-932-4445 or 1-800-814-0055

4THLINETHEATRE.ON.CA

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Kit Coffee, Taso's Restaurant And Pizzeria & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Last year Swish Maintenance and their Charlotte Products division introduced a camera that can identify invisible pathogens. Called OptiSolve, the camera can reveal invisible contamination on surfaces. It might look clean, but is it really clean? It’s an amazing technology that can help your company or institution perform an audit and establish cleaning systems that can not only elevate your standards, but give you a competitive edge. Diane Richard of Diatom Consulting has been contracted by Swish to bring Optisolve to market. If you are in the healthcare, food, office, or hospitality sectors, check it out at diatomconsulting.ca or optisolve.net.

Lots of recent activity in Peterborough’s Downtown core with the opening of several new businesses, including Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria. A family owned Greek and Italian restaurant, you’ll find their Homemade Signature Pizza, Pasta, Gyro, Fresh Ground Burgers, an eight-layer lasagna and lots more. Daily Specials, Gluten-Free and Vegan options are also available. Located across from Showplace, you can find Taso’s on Facebook.

Taso’s 8-layer lasagna

Illume Room Cosmetic Teeth Whitening owner Emma Pineo was one of the DBIA's Win this Space Top 10 contestants. Her new shop is located at 414 George Street in the former Spill location. Emma offers laser teeth whitening, spray tanning and a complete retail product line as well. Call 705.768.5130 or go online at illumeroom.com.

Illume Room owner Emma Pineo

At Kit Coffee Espresso Bar & Bake shop at 144 Hunter Street, owner Helen McCarthy offers an espresso bar and bakeshop in a cozy, bright space, serving everything from traditional cafe eats and drinks to Vegan, gluten free, dairy free, plant based, and kid friendly options. Go to Kitcoffeeptbo.ca for more info.

Kit Coffee owner Helen McCarthy

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Feature Film Beacon Street Shooting Scenes In Downtown Millbrook

The beautiful town of Millbrook near Peterborough, which is often used for scenes on TV series and movies, has once again been transformed into a set for Beacon Street, a new feature film in production being filmed on location there for several days.

Many of the stores and cafes in town have been transformed for scenes in this Netflix movie, including the local Home Hardware, which is now Rudolph’s Dry Tack & Hardware…

The Millbrook Business Improvement Area posted to their Facebook page video of all the people from the film production supporting business in the community, including the Pastry Peddlar…

Here are a couple more pictures from the set…

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22 Nations Competing At World Lacrosse U19 Championships In Peterborough

The opening ceremonies of the 2019 World Lacrosse U19 Women’s Lacrosse Championships at Trent University will honour the origins of the sport within Indigenous nations alongside 21 additional teams.

The ceremony on Wednesday, July 31st at 6 p.m. at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent officially opens the U19 Championships. Over the next 10 days, 22 nations—including the Haudenosaunee—will compete in games at Trent and at Fleming College. Canada will defend its 2015 World Championship with Team Canada alumnus Allison Daley on the bench as associate coach.

The modern game of lacrosse originated with the Haudenosaunee and has been played among them for centuries. It is known as Teiontshihkwa:’eks (pronounced Day yoo chee gwa ecks), meaning the “ball and stick” game, as well as Tewa’a:raton (pronounced Day wa awe law doo), meaning the “netted stick” in the Mohawk language. It was passed among different Indigenous nations including the Anishinaabe as a way to settle disputes and heal the body and mind.

“As a reflection of Indigenous communities who began this sport, we are opening our event with a focus on the people who first played this great game,” says co-chair Cheryl MacNeill, a Team Canada alumnus from 1987, who referees the sport around the world. “We are looking forward to seeing teams come together from six continents, many of them for the first time at games of this calibre.”

Field lacrosse is now one of the fastest growing sports in North America, with a record number of teams playing in the women’s U19 games this summer. When Peterborough hosted this event in 2007, 11 teams competed. Now, twice as many teams will take to the field.

The Haudenosaunee will lead the teams entering the stadium, followed by 20 visiting teams in alphabetical order, accompanied by bagpipers. Team Canada will enter last. All teams will be introduced in English, French and Anishinabemowin, then circle the stadium around the Armour Hill drum group.

The opening ceremonies are free for the public to attend. Seating will be limited so guests are encouraged to come early to participate.

Additional games will be played at Fleming College as well and the event’s final banquet will be hosted there on August 10th.

The full schedule for the games is available here.

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