Folk Under the Clock Concert Series to Perform Final Season After 38 Years

The 38th and final season of Folk Under The Clock Concert Series is hitting Peterborough at Market Hall and someshows at Showplace Performance Centre.

Photo courtesy of Folk Under the Clock.

The series has operated since 1986 and has brought world-renowned folk artists to Downtown Peterborough.

“After 38 seasons I have decided to wrap up the Folk Under The Clock concert series,” said Mike Barker. “It's been an amazing journey, meeting and working with so many incredible musicians and patrons. I feel honoured to have played a role in the Peterborough cultural scene for so long.”

On Sept. 17, Scottish folk band Talisk kicks off the event at 8 p.m. Miscellany of Folk arrives a month later on Oct. 17 while Breabach hits the stage on Oct. 20. Scottish-born Canadian David Francey rounds out the list on Nov. 28. All four performances are at Market Hall.

The spring concert date and time has yet to be announced. Acts will include artists such as Dougie Maclean, Spirit of the West, Tom Paxton, Stephen Fearing and more.

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Hometown PTBO: Ian Kurz of KISS Tribute Band "Destroyer" Playing at The Venue to Benefit Right to Heal PTBO On Sept. 7

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Ian Kurz, lead singer of KISS tribute band DESTROYER Canada about joining the group, the experience of being in a tribute band and playing in a benefit concert for Right To Heal at The Venue Peterborough on Sept. 7.

Tickets can be purchased online by following this link.

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Local Musician Victoria Yeh Launches 2024-25 Orchestral Season

Local Peterborough musician, Victoria Yeh, has launched her schedule for the 2024-25 orchestral season.

Photo courtesy of Victoria Yeh.

Yeh recently received grants from EC3 and RTO8 Kawarthas Northumberland Tourism.

This winter, her annual production ‘Timeless’ is being featured with an 11-piece Spirit Awakens string orchestra and her original jazz quartet at Peterborough’s Market Hall on winter solstice, Dec. 21.

The same production will show for the first time at Meaford Hall on Dec. 19. This year, in celebration of the many unsung contributions of women in music, the orchestra will feature a full lineup of leading Canadian female musicians including conductor Cheryll Chung and concertmaster, Natalie Wong.

‘Timeless’ sees Yeh’s violin through the ages of classical baroque to romantic to original jazz fusion. Each year features a refreshed music program, with a similar format - the evening opening with the Spirit Awakens string orchestra, followed by Yeh’s full band in the second half. An eclectic concert that is both grande and intimate, classical and modern, Yeh continues to be approached by fans raving about the shows featuring music ranging from Vivaldi to Chick Corea.

“People have approached me year round saying they attended ‘Timeless’ because they were either drawn in by the band or by the classical orchestra - and in every case, they were surprised and delighted by the other half of the concert,” said Yeh. “That’s exactly the gift I want to share with my audience. The gift of discovering music that you would never have thought to seek out yourself, but that you fall in love with unexpectedly.”

If her season didn’t sound busy enough, Yeh will also perform as a soloist with the Summerhill Orchestra in Toronto while serving her third year as Concertmaster for the Northumberland Orchestra Society in Cobourg.

The season of orchestral concerts include:

• Dec. 14 - Northumberland Orchestra Christmas concert, with Conductor Dan Tremblay and Concertmaster Victoria Yeh at Trinity United (Cobourg)

• Dec. 19 - Victoria Yeh’s “Timeless” at Meaford Hall (Meaford)

• Dec. 21 - Victoria Yeh’s “Timeless” at Market Hall (Peterborough)

• Feb. 1 - “Music of our Time” Parkdale Orchestra, with Conductor John Kraus and soloist Victoria Yeh (Ottawa)

• March 3 - Summerhill Orchestra, with Conductor Sarah John, and soloists Victoria Yeh and Natalie Wong (Toronto)

• April 4 - “Spring Into April” Georgian Bay Symphony, with Conductor Jeffrey Pollock and soloist Victoria Yeh (Owen Sound)

• May 3 - Northumberland Orchestra Season Finale with Conductor Dan Tremblay and Concertmaster Victoria Yeh at Trinity United (Cobourg)

In addition to these concerts, Yeh continues to perform with Shipyard Kitchen Party’s original folk musical productions, ‘100 Years From Now’ and ‘Tom Thomson’s Wake,’ with the jazz fusion band Paul DeLong’s One Word, and with various other groups across Ontario.

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David Wilcox Peterborough Musicfest Concert Rescheduled to Wednesday After Saturday Cancellation

Following last Saturday’s unexpected weather conditions and power outage, Peterborough Musicfest has rescheduled the David Wilcox concert for this Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Del Crary Park.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

Wilcox made the following statement on his social media account regarding the cancellation:

“We are heartbroken. Yesterday afternoon thunderstorms knocked the power out at the Peterborough Musicfest and we couldn't play. Many of our friends were there and we got to say hello to some of them. We're hoping to come back as soon as possible to rock out with you. Can't wait!”

This is the final concert for Musicfest for the season.

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Hometown PTBO: Calvin Bakelaar Named As Peterborough Folk Festival's Emerging Artist of the Year

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist of the Year Calvin Bakelaar about holding the distinction, performing at the event with VANCAMP and transitioning from drummer to singer/songwriter.

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The Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival Returns to Isabel Morris Park This Saturday

The Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival returns to Isabel Morris Park at 20 Concession St. in Lakefield from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival

Admission is $10.00 per person, with tickets available at the gates (cash or debit only).

With a day full of jazz music, there are colourful works for sale by artisans and crafters, local food and beverage vendors including Publican House Brewery.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their water bottles and cutlery for use during the festival and at the on-site water refill station.

A free shuttle bus is available on Saturday while the festival is open, stopping at the regular Link bus stops in the Village of Lakefield.

The following is this year’s lineup:

• 11:00 a.m. Zing

• 12:50 p.m. Duncan Hopkins

• 2:40 p.m. The Adi Braun Quartet

• 4:30 p.m. Mark Kelso & The Jazz Exiles

• 6:20 p.m. Heavyweights Brass Band

• 8:10 p.m. Groove Authority

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Hometown PTBO: Tracey Randall's New Role As Executive Director of Peterborough Musicfest and This Year's Lineup

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Tracey Randall about her new role as the executive director of Peterborough Musicfest, this year's lineup and more dream acts she would love to come to town.

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35th Peterborough Folk Festival Releases First Wave of Acts; Calvin Bakelaar Announced as Emerging Artist of the Year

Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) has stated its first wave of artists, declaring Calvin Bakelaar Emerging Artist of the Year for the 35th annual event which will run from Aug. 15 to 18, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

New acts announced for the event include Greg Keelor, co-lead singer of Blue Rodeo, Brooks & Bowskill, Melissa Payne, Boy Golden Kalàscima featuring Andrea Ramolo, Jadea Kelly, Meredith Moon and Sonshine and Broccoli.

Other confirmed artists include Odario Williams, Polky, Quote The Raven, Mr. Sauga, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Evan Redsky and a Sharon Lois and Bram singalong with Sharon and Randi.

“We've got some big stars coming to play here at Nicholls Oval Park for free over the weekend,” said Rob Davis, PFF chair. “(There are) lots of regional-scale and national-scale artists. We really like to mix it up in terms of not only diversity and inclusion but also in terms of the genres of the music and appeal to a wide audience.”

Other festival highlights include the Children’s Village, Artisan Village, and Food Village. Activities at the Children’s Village include face-painting, family yoga, storytime and musical performances from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

The Artisan Village and Food Village includes items from over 50 local artisans, food vendors and community groups.

A second wave of artists will be announced on July 22, including the headliner for Aug. 17 and performers at downtown venues on Aug.15.

Bakelaar is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter based in Peterborough. Originally from Listowel, he moved to town while he was still in high school. Since coming to the city, he has been a consistent attendee of the Festival and is honoured to be on the other side this year.

“It's the culmination of a lot of work learning and constantly trying to improve myself so it's a really incredibly opportunity and I'm really grateful for it,” explained Bakelaar.

He is the voice behind indie folk act VANCAMP. Originally a drummer, he learned to play guitar and write songs in 2020.

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Free Summer Concerts Hitting Outdoor Amphitheatre For Trent University's Music on the Hill Series

Trent University’s Catharine Parr Traill College is hosting its Music on the Hill series of free summer concerts at the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre. 

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The concerts begin on June 13 and are held every second Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. They are open and free to the public.

The William and Nona Heaslip Music on the Hill series features six summer concerts featuring an eclectic mix of jazz, classical, and folk-rock music.

“We think it’s a great way for the family to come and hear some great music at a great venue,” said Dr. Michael Eamon, Catharine Parr Traill College principal.

Explore the life of a young J.S Bach through stories and musical interludes in J.S. Bach’s Long Walk in the Snow, presented by CBC’s Tom Allen on July 11.  Enjoy a homecoming of sorts of Trent alumni playing folk-rock – think Mumford and Sons – in I, The Mountain on July 25. Or take in a performance of more than 50 local musicians in the Peterborough Concert Band on August 8. 

“We like to think of it as a nexus, a community gathering place,” said Eamon. “Where the local community meets the University to experience music and culture.” 

Many of the concerts feature performers from the Peterborough community, Trent alumni, and even some Trent staff and faculty. The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, which supports the arts and education, provided funding for the series. 

Rounding out the program are Carpe Noctem, featuring a local jazz group, on June 13; a chamber ensemble from the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, on June 27; and a two-part concert featuring musicians from the Peterborough Concert Band including Clarintella, a clarinet quintet, and Manorhill, a jazz quartet, on Aug. 22.

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Country-Pop Sensation Lindsay Ell Hitting the Peterborough Musicfest Stage On Aug. 10

Calgary-born country-pop sensation Lindsay Ell was named the Aug. 10 act for Peterborough Musicfest in her first-ever appearence, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

Famed Canadian musician Randy Bachman discovered Ell at the age of 15 and she has been an award-winning singer, songwriter and philanthropist since then. She has been playing guitar since age eight and songwriting since age ten.

Ell has been nominated for numerous awards including:

• ACM Award for New Female Vocalist (2019)

• New Female Vocalist (2020)

• Music Event of the Year (2020)

• CMT Awards (Social Superstar (2015)

• Collaborative Video of the Year (2019)

• CMA Awards (Musical Event of the Year (2019)

• JUNO Awards (Country Album of the Year (2021)

• 20 CCMA Awards

Lindsay reached the Top 5 on the US Billboard charts with her hit duet with Brantley Gilbert, ‘What Happens in a Small Town.’ Last year, she earned her first Canadian Screen Award nomination (Best Host or Presenter, Factual or Reality/Competition) for her role as host of Canada's highest-rated reality TV program, Canada's Got Talent.

In December 2013, her first official single, ‘Trippin' on Us,’ debuted as the most-added song on country music radio in Canada and the United States, with over 50 first-week adds.

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