A brand new music and literature festival … plus more local events

Take Cover Books filled with concert goers during a Miracle Territory show last year. (Photo: Luke Best, courtesy of Miracle Territory)

You’re reading the January 30, 2025 edition of the Peterborough Currents email newsletter. To receive our email newsletters straight to your inbox, sign up here.

Good morning and welcome to the arts and community newsletter from Peterborough Currents. I’m Alex, and I send this newsletter every week to catch you up on what’s happening in Peterborough.

In the newsletter this week:

New music and literature festival coming to Peterborough
Amigos Birthday Party next Sunday
Twelfth Night treats audiences to both live music and a play
And as always, some happenings around town this weekend

Let’s get started!

New festival will feature music and literature at local bookshop

Since opening in 2023, East City’s Take Cover Books has become a go-to spot for author readings and other literary events, including a monthly book club.

But the bookstore is also becoming known as a cozy live music venue, regularly hosting local and out-of-town acts for small shows between the stacks.

The shop will take that blending of books and tunes to the next level in February, by hosting the first-ever Highly Likely Festival of Music and Literature. Running from Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 2, the new festival will pair author readings with live music performances.

Take Cover Books co-owner Andrew Fitzpatrick said there’s something compelling about bringing live music to a “non-traditional performance space” like a book store. “It engages people a little differently than putting on a show at a theatre or a bar,” he said.

Fitzpatrick is organizing the festival alongside his brother and business partner Sean Fitzpatrick and Peterborough musician Michael Cloud Duguay. The lineup will include local acts like 3C84, Jos. Fortin, Yackbard, Caylie Staples, Justin Hiscox, Cormac Culkeen, and others, Duguay shared in an email.

Among the events Andrew is most looking forward to is a music performance by Peterborough’s Kathryn Durst, who is best known for her work as an artist and illustrator, but is also an accomplished musician. She’ll also launch a new children’s book she illustrated as part of her event, he said.

Tickets to each event will be $30, with full festival passes going for $75. Check out the festival website for more details.

Amigos Birthday Party breaks down barriers to social inclusion

Volunteers at the cupcake decorating station during last year’s Amigos Birthday Party. (Photo courtesy of Heads Up for Inclusion)

Lyle Saunders’ two youngest children often go to birthday parties and sleepovers on weekends. But invitations are few and far between for Saunders’ oldest son, Austin, who has autism.

“It’s kind of heartbreaking,” Saunders said.

A few years ago, the heartbreak he felt for his son prompted Saunders to throw a big party for other people in the community who face barriers to social inclusion.

Now an annual event, the third edition of the Amigos Birthday Party takes place Sunday, February 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Balsillie Family YMCA. It’s organized by the Peterborough non-profit Heads Up for Inclusion, whose mission is “encourage full and meaningful community participation and belonging of any individual facing barriers to inclusion,” according to its website. Saunders is the organization’s interim executive director.

The free event will include games, team-building activities, snacks, a DIY cupcake decorating station, a quiet space for colouring, and more. Siblings and parents are also welcome.

Saunders first got involved with Heads Up for Inclusion after his son joined its school-based program for kids with intellectual disabilities, Amigos, about four years ago. Amigos matches students with intellectual disabilities with supportive peers to help build friendships and foster inclusion.

Register for the party at the Heads Up for Inclusion website.

Twelfth Night hits the stage this weekend at Market Hall

Jason Shulha as Orsino in the Electric City Players’ production of Twelfth Night. (Photo: Will Pearson)

When a new production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night opens at the Market Hall tonight, Thursday, January 30, Peterborough actor Jason Shulha will deliver the play’s famous opening line: “If music be the food of love, play on.”

The music that feeds love in this particular production of the Elizabethan-era rom-com isn’t a bunch of 17th-century ballads, as you might expect.

Instead, the actors will be joined on stage by a full band playing live covers of songs by contemporary artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Radiohead and Mazzy Star.

Adding in modern music is one way directors Andrew Loeb and Jacqueline Barrow, with the Electric City Players theatre arts collective, have tried to freshen up the bard’s immortal words.

“It’s a really cool way to prove to people how we can modernize Shakespeare,” Barrow said. “We can mold it and fit it to work for a modern audience.”

Twelfth Night’s band includes vocalist Shelby Crawford, guitarist Jeremy Kirkland, and pianist Maya Raval, along with Calvin Bakelaar on drums and Liam Parker on bass guitar.

Twelfth Night runs from tonight, Thursday, January 30 to Saturday, February 1. Tickets are available on Market Hall’s website.

I attended the play’s dress rehearsal to learn about the music of Twelfth Night. Read the full story on the Peterborough Currents website.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Downtown Indian fusion fast food restaurant Induca House is hosting a Bollywood Night this Friday, January 31 starting at 9 p.m. Guests are welcome to dress up for a night of glamour, traditional dance, music, and lots of food. Tickets are $17.31 and pre-registration is required.

Artspace hosts the latest edition of its monthly print-making event Print Club this Saturday, February 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants can try different print-making techniques including embossing and inkless printing, under the guidance of local artist and printmaker Nevan Hinks. Pre-registration is required.

The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra presents a concert for film lovers this weekend at Showplace Performance Centre. Conductor Michael Newnham will guide expert musicians through memorable songs from films like The Godfather, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. Catch it on Saturday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday, February 2 at 3 p.m. Limited tickets are available for both shows.

Otonabeats is back at The EL (P) this Saturday, February 1 for Garden Groove, an evening of high-energy dance and multi-genre music with special guest Bell Curve, a New York City-based DJ, producer, and media artist. Tickets cost $27.96, and guests are invited to dress in their finest floral-themed attire.

Ennismore Community Centre hosts the annual PolarFest this weekend, with free community activities including a candlelight skate, Lakefield Trail night hike, ice sculptures, fireworks, food, and the BEL Rotary Polar Plunge.