What’s on: Comedy cabaret, downtown patio dance party, and more

You’re reading the August 9, 2024 edition of the Peterborough Currents email newsletter. To receive our email newsletters straight to your inbox, sign up here.

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Good morning and welcome to the arts and community edition of the Peterborough Currents newsletter. My name is Alex, and I send this email every Friday to catch you up on what’s happening in the community.

This week:

• At a farm in Douro-Dummer, horses serve as “strong and steady” companions to people with disabilities
• Saturday morning dance party at a downtown patio
• Dozens of vendors expected at PAC’s summer market this Saturday
• The Theatre on King to host a raucous celebration of femininity

Let’s get started!

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Bringing the benefits of horseback riding to people with disabilities

At a peaceful farm in Douro-Dummer, a local organization is making the benefits of horseback riding accessible to people with disabilities.

Founded in 1970, the mission of PARD Therapeutic Riding is to “provide the physical, social, and psychological benefits of therapeutic riding” to people in the area — regardless of ability.

So, twice weekly throughout the summer, volunteers at the Wendon Hills Equestrian Centre groom and tack up horses. Then, there is a palpable sense of excitement as riders leave their families at the gate to mount their horse and begin their ride.

“It’s so good for her,” says Lori Steers, whose daughter Helena rides with the program. “You think, oh, she’s just sitting on a horse, but it’s more than that, it’s helped her posture, her muscle tone, her communication and her language, since she’s not very verbal. She loves it.” 

As for Helena, when asked which horse she rides a look of delight crosses her face. “Sassy!” she sings out.

Local freelance writer and horse enthusiast Li Robbins visited PARD one evening this summer and wrote about the program for Currents. You can read Li’s story on the Currents website.

PARD is hosting a fundraiser for its program this weekend. There will be riding demonstrations, costumes, and a BBQ serving up brunch and lunch. It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday August 11 at the Wendon Hills Equestrian Centre. More information here.

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A summer patio dance party at La Hacienda

Dance and fitness instructor Ana Maria Zapata has partnered with the Mexican restaurant La Hacienda to bring outdoor Latin dance parties to Hunter Street this summer. The morning events are called Rise and Dance, and the final one of the season is tomorrow, August 10. Starting at 10:30 a.m., Zapata will be at the patio to teach dancers of all ages some basic salsa and merengue steps. 

“We wanted to do something really fun and exciting just for the summer, to enjoy the sun,” said La Hacienda owner Sandra Lennox. “It’s open to families and people of any age, but for the adults we include a margarita afterwards.”

Instead of the margarita, kids can have a complimentary soft drink after the one-hour dance party. Water and chips with salsa are also included in the ticket price of $25.

“It’s a perfect way to let the music dictate the mood of another non-long weekend of the summer,” Zapata said. “It’s a great workout and so much fun.” Get tickets here.

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Dozens of vendors expected at summer art market this weekend

Clara Paquette’s introduction to the Peterborough Arts Collective (PAC) happened by chance when PAC founder Jason Wilkins and director Kevin Gallagher wandered over to her booth at an art show in 2022. 

She was displaying her hand-tufted rugs and it was only her second time exhibiting as an artist. “Next thing I knew I was going to artist roundtables and meet-ups every week, and running art shows,” Paquette said with a laugh. 

Now Paquette is PAC’s event coordinator, responsible for organizing this Saturday’s PAC summer market. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. artists will gather at Millennium Park to showcase their work and meet fellow art-lovers.

Paquette said her favourite thing about coordinating arts events like this one is the diversity of the art and creatives involved.

“I just love that so many different outlets can all be celebrated in the same space,” she said. Paquette was referring not only to the dozens of vendors who will set up booths, but also the variety of artists doing live performance during the market.

“This year we will have live painting and spraypainting, jewelry-making, and live music too,” she noted. There will also be a beer garden, with brews served up by Bobcaygeon Brewing Company.

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A raucous celebration of femininity in all its forms

Inspired by one of the biggest hit pop songs of the summer, Chappell Roan’s “Femininomenon,” three artists will take to the stage next week to perform in a comedy cabaret at the Theatre on King (TTOK).

“We thought it would be a great title for our show,” said Toronto-based actor Christel Bartelse, who will perform alongside Peterborough drag queen Betty Baker and Peterborough born and raised genderqueer guitar comedian Lou Currie. “We’re celebrating women, including those who identify as women. But the show is for everyone and we hope you’ll find it phenomenal.”

Bartelse is in Peterborough next week to teach at the Laugh More, Worry Less comedy day camp for kids, which also takes place at TTOK.

The Femininomenon Comedy Cabaret will start at 8 p.m. on August 15, featuring Bartelse’s comedic storytelling, Currie’s musical comedy, and Baker’s drag performance. “This show is going to be a wonderful, high energy, hilarious evening of comedy, with a variety of of disciplines, so something for everyone,” Bartelse said. The trio will also come together to do some improv comedy and “keep us on our toes.”

Tickets to the show are available online for $20, with a pay-what-you-can option.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Full Tilt Cycle welcomes spin cyclists back for the first time since break-in

Full Tilt Cycle co-owners held a reopening party for staff and patrons August 8, coming together at the 188 Hunter Street West spin stationary bike fitness studio for the first time since the space was broken into on July 29. “It was hard… I wasn’t able to come in here for over a week,” said co-owner Sadie Cavanagh, adding that she is still shaken up from the experience of coming into work one morning to find the studio “ripped apart.” Cavanagh said although they are happy to be back in the space, there is still much to replace including electronics, workout equipment and studio merchandise, along with cyclists’ shoes, and towels. (Photo: Alex Karn)

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