The Buzz - August 2020

AUGUST 2020

Michelle MacCallum (detail)

Anne of Green Gables, Anne Shirley, Gilbert Blythe,

Gables Heritage Place

Montgomery

of Green Gables Museum

Profile: Tamara Steele by Jane Ledwell

Giving voice

The surging Black Lives Matter movement across North America called on Tamara Steele to trade a microphone for a megaphone and an audience of dancers in the street for thousands of marchers protesting anti-Black racism and oppression. The singer and president of the Black Cultural Society is using her voice to bring PEI together in new ways.

We still work an interview time around her rehearsal with ten-piece world music band I and the Village, but performing has “taken a backburner” for Tamara, not only because of pandemic cancellations but also because of the demands on the Black Cultural Society. “Every day, it’s a new request and a new opportunity,” Tamara says. “We do have a network that is growing, but we’re still a volunteer board and it can

moved to PEI to attend UPEI and (still underage) was singing in bars on her own recognizance, leading her first band, The Groove Gurus. “That was a great old time, that band,” she remembers with a chuckle.

After university, Tamara wasn’t happy with the degree she had and took some time to work and think about what to do next. She took a job at the erstwhile coffee counter in the Confederation Centre and when a position came open for an administrative assistant in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, she applied. She took the job thinking she would stay three years—“I thought, three years looks good on a resume,” she says—and thirteen years later she is still there. While music is her medium, being surrounded by visual art certainly inspires. “If you get stressed out about something in your work, you can step out and be in a gorgeous art gallery,” she says.

Creativity and inspiration inform her work as president of the Black Cultural Society. Founding members tried recruiting her when the Society first incorporated in 2016, but it took until early 2019 for Society co-founder Scott Parsons, Tamara, and three other new recruits to get together in the right place at the right time to organize events for Black History Month 2019. “Scott was there but largely had stepped back and let us design the month. It went so well. I think he loved seeing us work,” she recalls.

be overwhelming.” Giving voice comes naturally to Tamara. She says, “My dad said I came out singing.” Her mother told a different story, but there’s no disputing the musicality she added to her Nova Scotia family. Her music-loving mother; her musician father; her church-organist grandmother who taught Tamara to play the piano. From the time she was young, Tamara would pick up “any spoon or remote” and use it as a microphone, singing along with the radio.

“My dad’s band rehearsed at my house, and I hung around, secretly waiting for them to ask me to sing,” she smiles. The call never came, because her father was not going to drag his underage daughter into bars on school nights. Soon enough, Tamara

The team of four that worked on Black History Month 2019 became the board for the Society into 2020, and they topped the previous year’s accomplishments this February with the fullest, most successful Black History Month in PEI history. They were on a roll towards exciting strategic planning for the Society—when George Floyd was murdered and his death by violent racism galvanized a movement to protest anti-Black racism and oppression of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour.

Tamara’s voice was called on, for activism. “People are listening right now, and there’s a certain population committed to seeing change,” she says. “Maybe on the other side, (the Black Cultural Society) will see membership and programming development, fun things, supportive things, services, and advocacy…” But, she says, “There were so many people who didn’t know we were here…” Speaking out, organizing, feels more urgent.”

For the remainder of 2020, Tamara wishes for “Strength. Persistence. Perseverance. There is a lot of work to be done, and I hope we get it done.” In the meantime, Tamara says, “I want to be doing the work. I’m where I want to be, with the Society, doing the work.”

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

Creative Obsessions

Contemporary craft in PEI exhibit—Aug 8 to Jan 3

A new exhibition titled Creative Obsessions: A Look at Contemporary Craft in Prince Edward Island will be showing August 8 to January 3, at the Confedeartion Centre Art Gallery (CCAG) in Charlottetown.

Fine craft is equal parts tradition and innovation, passion and obsession, filtered through the skills and the sensibilities of artisans. Making craft is a form of thinking, a communication across generations.

In this new exhibition, Island artisans respond to the theme of “creative obsessions” with innovative works drawing on craft traditions to mark Craft Year 2020. It is organized by the CCAG in collaboration with the PEI Crafts Council, and is guest curated by Ray Cronin and Sarah Maloney.

Fine craft has always had an element of obsession. The artist has to master varied techniques, often difficult materials, and do so in a manner that keeps them engaged in the long hours from conception to production, all while striving to make something that viewers will find equally compelling.

Participating craftspeople include Jim Aquilani, Nancy Cole, Jamie Germaine, Arlene MacAusland, Rilla Marshall, Melissa Peter Paul, Jody Racicot, Ayelet Stewart, Jane Whitten and Bette Young.

The artists in Creative Obsessions have been challenged by the increased isolation, interruptions in their supply chains for materials and the

disruption of their normal routines. Some artists have chosen to respond directly to the issues of our day, while others have redoubled their focus on their materials and the specific technical and historical processes in which they practice.

Creative Obsessions highlights the probing questioning—of techniques and materials, of local and global issues, of historical and cultural contexts—that define the work of ten of the Island’s fine craftspeople.

Jody Racicot: Record Player, 2019; concrete, arbutus, maple, ebony, plywood, Formica, steel, electronics.

Rilla Marshall, Walking Nap, 2019; 50” x 32” handwoven, cotton, hand-spun wool.

Our history redressed

July 11

Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown

Ebb and Flow: Tides of Settlement on PEI is momentous as it reveals and celebrates the art of generations of Islanders historically erased from institutionalized narratives about PEI.

Stories are delivered by a mainstay cast and weekly featured artists through ensemble and solo performances of music, poetry and storytelling.

Vince The Messenger’s autobiographical hip-hop expresses growing up as a black man on PEI through his songs “Sand Stone” and “Black Sheep.”

Each artist was asked to share music, poetry, prose or movement that represented their identity and their personal and cultural relationship to PEI.

Haley Zavo and Amanda Mark provide musical accompaniment and contribute their family settlement stories.

The animations of Teresa Kuo provide geographical and symbolic contours to the non-linear echoes of settlement on the traditional and unceeded territory of the Abegweit Mi’kmaq First Nation.

With resonant vocals and pulsing percussion, Mi’kmaq poet laureate Julie Pellisier-Lush articulates dispossession: “I sing for my sisters, what else can I do?”

Recent immigrant, Tiffany Liu gently introduces Chinese folk songs rendered on the pipa, then shifts gears and concludes with “Ambush,” a mesmerizing war song.

Special guest, opera singer Vhikthor Vholkhem, delighted spectators with dance and operatic arrangements of Mexican folk songs.

Tamara Steele and Mona Nasrallah perform writings by Yvette Doucette and Emily Nasrallah, which poetically narrate matriarchal courage, kinship ties to place and the experiences of Lebanese and Jamaican immigrants.

Teresa Kuo and Jason Kun recount their experiences growing up in iconic local family restaurants which are entrenched in our landscape but omitted from food tourism itineraries.

The cast and creators acknowledge the divisions created by our differences and invite audiences to imagine new ways of relating and collective place making. “We are particularly concerned with presenting the complicated reality of emigrating to and from PEI,” explain creators Laurie Murphy and Amanda Mark. “While we love the Island, there is also a dark side to the history and culture here. We want our voices to be fresh, unexpected and above all, real. We see this project as a living thing—something that will continue to develop, become more powerful, honest and reflective of the people of the Island in all their complexity.”

This summer Beaconsfield Carriage House is the stage for a collection of fragments which destabilize Island mythology by centring experiences that have traditionally been obfuscated. A map projection of Montague area reorients this place by identifying the farm lot of Dembo Sickles (17611845), a slave stolen from Africa, and the farms of his children. Dembo was brought to PEI and eventually achieved freedom, property and thousands of descendants. His story is punctuated by the sandstone markers of a nearby pioneer cemetery which has entombed the bones of Black Island settlers for hundreds of years.

Destination Georgetown

Kings Playhouse gives plenty of reasons to visit this summer

Kings Playhouse in Georgetown is bringing stories to life in a different way this summer with creative opportunities to enjoy local art, share a treat and tea with friends, learn about history and hauntings, and tap into some youthful fun.

Kings Playhouse fine art gallery features paintings from Carolyn Hessinger, Sandi Komst, Mary MacLean, Connie O’Brien, Cheryl Richards, Kathy Stuart, Lorraine Vatcher and Margaret Sutton Wailes.

New this summer, the Kings Playhouse offering a Brass Rubbing Experience. Using traditional brass tablets, visitors can print their own ancient images to take home. Tea and biscuits included.

Act! Dance! Create! summer camps take place August 3–7 and 17–21. Each week children will have the opportunity to explore their creativity through theatre, dance, puppetry, outdoor exploration and visual art.

Theatre for Young Children is presented on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 am in the Playhouse Gardens. Seated in the grass, little ones are invited to enjoy two reimagined fairytales, The Princess & The Pea and The Princess & The Frog

Celebrate the A.A. Macdonald Gardens weekly for Sunday Afternoon High Tea. Expect traditionally inspired, locally infused High Tea with sandwiches and sweets—fancy hats and a game of croquet is optional.

Also new this summer are Picnics in the Park. Order a picnic lunch with local soda, charcuterie and seasonally inspired sweets. Blanket provided.

Haunted Georgetown walks through the historic town are available daily by reservation only and are offered in English and French.

1-888-346-5666 kingsplayhouse.com

Songs of Anne & Gilbert

Experience the songs from the musical Anne & Gilbert in the family-friendly concert production The Songs of Anne & Gilbert—The Musical at The Guild in Charlottetown until October 25.

Featuring a live band, singers and dancers, the performance will include the most memorable songs and dance numbers from Anne & Gilbert

As a bonus, the show will also include numbers that were written for the musical but were never performed, and additional numbers about Anne of Green Gables written by Atlantic Canadian songwriters.

Children under 4 are not permitted. The Guild is located at 111 Queen St, Charlottetown. Tickets: anneandgilbert.com, theguildpei.com, 1-877-566-3346.

Rob Gray and Avery Rusin enjoy a Sunday afternoon High Tea at Kings Playhouse.

• Province of PEI • City of Charlottetown

• Canadian Heritage

• The Joan & Regis Duffy Foundation

• Rodd Hotels • TicketPro

Founding member of the Professional Theatre Network of PEI Sponsors

2020 GUILD PRESENTS

The Songs of Anne & Gilbert:

July 28 - October 25

Aladdin & Alice in Wonderland

August 3 - 24

Snow White & Hansel and Gretel

August 4 - 27

Beyond COVID: Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors

August 5 & 19

Popalopalots: Live Improv Comedy

August 8

Amazing Tales of the Atlantic

August 11 & 25

I and I - Celebrating Togetherness Through The Arts

(In partnership with BCSPEI) - August 12

Unfinished Business - A night of plays in development

By Benton Hartley - August 15

Phase II and Friends

August 22

Song Rise

Hosted by Patrick Ledwell, featuring Tara MacLean and her closest friends. August 26

The Guild Music Theatre School Summer Camps Spots still available! Register today! Gallery @ The Guild: This Love is New but it’s ProjectionsEvan Furness and Jordan Beaulieu On display until August 14

Island Drive-In Festival

Pre-recorded

The Island Drive-In Festival, a project of Small Halls Inc., is a twist on the classic drive-in experience. It will feature over 30 Island artists and run weekly at the Brackley Drive-In in Brackley until mid-Septermber.

Three different pre-recorded performances, featuring Island musicians, comedians, and storytellers, will be shown throughout the Festival this summer. Each show features a theme based on the core values of Small Halls Inc., community, culture and love. The performances were recorded in various locations across the Island that would normally host live entertainment shows.

The Drive-In Festival will also pop up at locations from tip to tip throughout the summer, with multiple screening dates. Islanders and visitors will have plenty of opportunities to experience PEI ‘s talents uniquely and safely this summer.

Film one: Our Culture, featuring The College of Piping, Tiffany Liu, Logan Richard, Vince The Messenger, Lennie Gallant, Irish Mythen, TzuCheng Wang, Inn Echo, Shane Pendergast, Julie Pellissier-Lush, Nick Doneff, Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors,

Tim Chaisson and Vishtèn, will be on screen August 2 at Green Park in Tyne Valley and August 6 at Brudenell Park in Brudenell.

Visit driveinpei.com or follow The Island Drive-In @driveinpei on social media for tickets and upcoming dates.

Tiffany Liu

Set in the sun

Open-air concert series—Wednesday & Saturday

An open-air concert series will take root in the Confederation Centre’s outdoor amphitheatre in Charlottetown. Set in the Sun will showcase a different Island songwriter or instrumental duo in a live concert every Wednesday and Saturday at 5 pm.

Set in the Sun is part of a slate of programming this summer under the banner CIBC Confed Centre Presents.

The 12-part live series that will highlight a cross-section of local talent, ranging from fiddle music to classical, to folk, rock and hip-hop. Seating will be limited to 40 people per concert, with parties of up to four staggered safely throughout the venue.

PEISO and Tara MacLean

Joce Reyome

In August, patrons can enjoy concerts from Vince The Messenger, Rachel Beck, Nick Doneff, KINLEY and more.

Set in the Sun is programmed by Darcy Campbell, director of LIVE @ the Centre. Concerts are offered free-ofcharge; however, a ticket is required to reserve your space. Patrons can book a max of four tickets per show.

Performance dates and ticketing will be made available each Wednesday throughout the series, revealing the performers’ names for the following week’s two concerts and allowing patrons to book their seats.

confederationcentre.com

Brackley Drive-In—Sept 7

The PEI Symphony Orchestra (PEISO), in collaboration with the Confederation Centre of the Arts and Eastlink TV, will present Tara MacLean’s Atlantic Blue at the Brackley Drive-In in Brackley on Labour Day, September 7.

The concert will be projected on the screen after being filmed the week prior at the Confed Centre’s Homburg Theatre. The concert will feature singer-songwriter Tara MacLean performing the concert version of her show Atlantic Blue, backed by the PEISO.

The classical side of the concert will include the PEI Symphony Orchestra performing Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, with soloist Magdalena von Eccher performing the Andante movement of Bach’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in F minor (BWV 1056) and Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy’s Star Burning Blue.

Later this fall, the concert will also broadcast on Eastlink TV.

Tickets are available online or in person at the Confederation Centre of the Arts box office in Charlottetown. peisymphony.com

confederationcentre.com

EXHIBITS galleries and museums

Acadian Museum of PEI

Last chance to view the Acadian Children of the Island from 1900-1965 exhibit with many photos and a number of artefacts on display. Visit the updated permanent exhibit. Acadian genealogy resources available to researchers by appointment only. Call 432-2880 to reserve. The gift shop offers Acadian books, flags, souvenirs and PEI Museum and Heritage passports that give access to all seven sites. Open daily 10 am–5 pm. 23 Main Dr. East, Miscouche. museeacadien.org

Beaconsfield Historic House

Designed and built by W.C. Harris in 1877 for James and Edith Peake, Beaconsfield was one of Charlottetown’s most elegant homes. Featuring fine materials and craftsmanship, it was also equipped with all the latest conveniences of the day. Guided tours offered daily from 10 am–4 pm. Gift shop has Island books, magazines, pottery and prints. 2 Kent St, Charlottetown. 368-6603, beaconsfield@gov.pe.ca

Bedeque Area Historical Museum

Learn about the Loyalist settlement around Bedeque Bay in 1784, the Borden

ferry service from 1917 to 1997, and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s romance with Herman Leard of Lower Bedeque in 1898. View items from the late Howard Clark’s Red Barn Museum in Chelton and from Callbeck’s general store which operated from 1899 to 1993 in the building that now houses the museum. Open Tue–Sat 10 am–5 pm, and Sun 1–5 pm. bahsmuseum@outlook.com, 887-3009, bedequemuseum.ca

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

On view: Creative Obsessions: A Look at Contemporary Craft in Prince Edward Island Aug 8–Jan 3; Victor Cicansky: The Gardener’s Universe to Sep 6; Setting the Table: Still-Life and Its After Effects to Sep 6; Sandi Hartling: anything at all to Sep 13; The Debbie Show: Views from the Desk to Sep 27; Artists by Artists to Sep 27; Spheres, Skulls, and Other Icons of the Interior to Oct 4. Gallery open Tue–Sun 10 am–5 pm. Confederation Centre, 145 Richmond St, Charlottetown. 628-6142, confederationcentre.com

Culture Summerside

On the Hunt for Heritage, an architectural exhibit on Summerside’s historic Water

Street, is on view through Aug and Sep. Take the interactive challenge and find the locations of the features. 432-1332, culturesummerside.com

Details Fine Art Gallery

Old Home Week—a gallery exhibition opens Aug 5 from 3–7 pm. Gallery: Ron Arvidson, P. John Burden, Holly Caldwell, Canoe Cove Glass, Kevin Cook, Grace Curtis, Katharine Dagg, Wendell Dennis, David Garcia Jimenez, Jamie Germaine, Elaine Harrison, Jessica Hutchinson Pottery, Island Stoneware, Sandi Komst, Heather M. Larter, Wendy Manning, Monica Macdonald, Heather Millar, Connie O’Brien, PEI Smoke Fired Pottery, Pottery by the Sea, Dr. Paul A. Price, Arlene Rice, Susana Rutherford, Ben F. Stahl, Richard Vickerson. Other works by Maritime, national and international artists. Designer jewelry, art, glass, and pottery. Open Tue–Sat 10 am–5:30 pm, Sun and Mon by appointment only. 166 Richmond St, Charlottetown. 8922233, detailsfineart.com

Dunes Island Art Gallery

Works by Wayne Barrett, Maurice Bernard, Julea Boswell, Debbie Brady, Mary Carr-Chaisson, Susan Christensen, Ashley Anne Clark, Joan Creamer, Katharine Dagg, Tony Diodati, June Ellis, Nan Ferrier, Sheila Forsyth, Lise Genova, Jaime Germaine, Mel Giddings, Heather Hannon, Kim Jabbour, Betty Jenkins, Sandi Komst, Sandy Kowalik, Eric Labor, Helene LaRouche, Haley Lewis, Marie Lyon, Monica Macdonald, Pat MacDougall, Anne MacKay, Wendy Manning, Ellen Martin, Glen Milner, Kathleen Milner, Robert Milner, Louise Mould, Deb Murphy, Connie O’Brien, Linda Shaw Packard, Julia Purcell, Warren Christopher Reeson, Heather Reid, Cheryl Richards, Sylvia Ridgway, Dagny Rossignol, Helen Rowlands, Joan Savage, Jessica Sheppard, Terry Dunton Stevenson, Adam Sultan, Gail Sutherland, Lorraine Vatcher, Joy Van der Vliet, Richard Vickerson, Lyndsay Walker, Donna White and Damien Worth. Gallery open daily 9 am–8 pm. 3622 Brackley Point Road, Route #15. 672-2586, dunesgallery.com

Ellen’s Creek Gallery

Works by Damien Worth, Emily Howard, Ken Spearing, Louis Mould, Margaret Muzika, Marianne Janowicz, Ray Doiron, Henry Dunsmore, Debra Wellner, Henry Purdy C.M., RCA, Sylvia Ridgway, Maurice Bernard, Pam Ling, Marie McMahon-Young, P. John Burden, David Garcia Jimenez, Jim Steadman, Julia Purcell, Betty Jenkins, Linda Shaw Packard, Gloria Woolridge. Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm, Sat 9 am–4 pm. 525 North River Rd, Charlottetown. 368-3494, framingpei@gmail.com

Eptek Art & Culture Centre

On view: Retrospective exhibition of work, 85 Years of Painting and Drawing, by Nan Ferrier. Art demonstrations most Wed and Fri 10:30 am–12 pm with Nan Ferrier. Eptek’s on-site gift shop carries only Island art and craft, and books on local themes. Visit the permanent

exhibition on the history and architecture of Summerside. Eptek is a site of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. Open Tue–Fri 10 am–5 pm and Sun 12–5 pm. Admission is by donation. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside. 888-8373, peimuseum.com

Gallery @ The Guild

Until Aug 15, this town is small presents This Love is New but it’s Projections by Evan Furness and Jordan Beaulieu. An exhibition of video and installation works exploring the transference of emotions to objects, images, spaces and places. 111 Queen St, Charlottetown. 3684413, theguildpei.com

Haviland Club

Open house and art show from 2–6 pm most days in Aug. Take in Louise Carota’s paintings and tour the historic building. 2 Haviland St, Charlottetown. thehavilandclub@gmail.com

International Fox Museum

Learn how PEI experienced a gold rush and became the birthplace and headquarters of a worldwide industry filled with colourful characters, high stakes and high fashion. Reserve an interactive tour. Open by appointment with admission by donation. Temporary location at MacNaught History Centre and Archives, 75 Spring St, Summerside. 4321332, culturesummerside.com

Kings Playhouse Art Gallery

Works by Carolyn Hessinger, Sandi Komst, Mary MacLean, Connie O’Brien, Cheryl Richards, Kathy Stuart, Lorraine Vatcher and Margaret Sutton Wailes. 65 Grafton Street, Georgetown. 652-2053, kingsplayhouse.com.

MacNaught History Centre and Archives

Sixty Days of Fame series features a local artist for a two–month period. Discover family roots by accessing the extensive genealogy resources and expert research assistance. Open by appointment. 75 Spring St, Summerside. 432-1332

PEI Crafts Council Gallery

Gallery of the PEI Crafts Council. Juried art and craft from Island artists and artisans. Open daily 10 am–6 pm, Sun 12–6 pm. 98 Water St, Charlottetown. 892-5152

Receiver Coffee Co.

this town is small’s Small town Market Gallery at Receiver Coffee Co. Domestic Appetites by artist Melissa Morse on view to Aug 24. 128 Richmond St, Charlottetown. 367-3436

Wyatt Historic House Museum

Considered one of the most impressive historic house collections in Eastern Canada. The guided tour is an intimate story of people, place, spirits, and artifacts. Admission at door. Call to book. 85 Spring St, Summerside. 432-1332

The Brew by Bryan Carver

Hard Seltzers

Beer has always faced competition to occupy your glass. Wine and spirits have long been the main competitor and in recent years we have seen the growth of the cider industry take a large foothold as people look for gluten free alternatives while making more informed dietary choices.

In the last few years, a fierce new competitor has come into play, taking a large chunk out of beer’s market space. Hard Seltzer has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in the last few years and brewers have certainly been paying attention. Coast to coast brewers are adding these fizzy hard seltzers to their roster of beer.

For the most part, they are designed to be highly drinkable. Typically based with a neutral spirit like vodka that does not present too much flavour or aroma outside of a subtle ethanol note. Typically quite fizzy with a generous amount of carbon dioxide and flavoured with a fruit, Hard Seltzers are usually something citrusy and refreshing. Hard Seltzers lend themselves to drinking in the summer heat, as they are thirst quenching and refreshing.

The first local brewery to add a Hard Seltzer to their portfolio was PEI Brewing Company with the latest addition to the Colliding Tides family. Launched late in the winter 2020, the Colliding Tides Hard Seltzer pours crystal clear with ample amounts of

Confederation Brass returns

CIBC Confed Centre Presents the Confederation Brass Quintet. This long-standing Centre program offers live recitals on the outdoor plaza, found on the corner of Queen and Grafton Streets in Charlottetown. Running until August 29 from Tuesday to Saturday.

The Confederation Brass return with a mix of popular and classical tunes arranged for brass. The quintet is comprised of horn, trombone, tuba and two trumpets. The ensemble ranges from high school to university students who are on a career track to become teachers or professional musicians.

This year’s group includes musicians Henry Orford, Shaw Nicholson, Justin Amador, Connor Nabuurs and Olivia MacPhail.

The ensemble will perform twice daily at 11:15 am and 12:45 pm. confederationcentre.com

Half a Star

bubbles present in the glass. The vodka used in the blend is present yet not overpowering, and the citrus profile is bright and snappy. Much like the other members of the Colliding Tides family, the Hard Seltzer is a great summer beverage which tastes exponentially better near the shore.

The next Island brewery to roll out a Hard Seltzer was Upstreet. Not ones to be outdone, Upstreet launched the Rewind brand of hard Seltzers with three different flavours, Raspberry Lemon Zest, Key Lime Sea Salt and Blood Orange Grapefruit. All of the flavours have big aroma and flavour, and each looks their part in appearance with unique colours and a touch of haziness. Sharp branding and a variety pack offering four of each flavour has allowed Rewind Hard Seltzers to make their presence felt in a short time.

Off Island brands can also be found at your local PEI Liquor Store. White Claw, the brand that blew up the Seltzer category in the United States has made its way up North, variety packs and six packs of mango flavour are available on PEI. Nova Scotia’s Blue Lobster, which has been a market favourite, is still so for people looking for an alternative to beer or wine. If you are looking for an alternative to beer (I am not sure why you would want to do that, beer is great!) be sure to check out the fizzy offerings our local brewers are producing.

Half a Star keeps the laughs coming with three brand new episodes this August. The half hour comedy podcast is hosted by Justin Shaw and Benton Hartley who interview guests from all across Canada (and one in the UK) about the worst ideas they have ever had. Why? Because bad ideas make great stories.

Guests this month include locals Liam Corcoran and Dan Hendrickson, as well as Toronto’s Chris Sandiford. You can also listen to past episodes featuring guests “balcony sporano” Teiya Kasahara, writer Mel Carroll, Amazing Race Canada finalists Dylan and Kwame, and professional wrestler Bradford Montague.

New episodes air every Friday at anchor.fm/halfastarpodcast.

Colliding Tides Seltzer from PEI Brewing Company. and Rewind from Upstreet Craft Brewing

Page 14

The BUZZ August 2020

until Aug 28, Thu & Fri, 7:30 pm

The Island Summer Review with Patrick Ledwell and Mark Haines

Harmony House, Hunter River

until Oct 25, 1 pm & 7 pm

The Songs of Anne & Gilbert Select dates. The Guild, Ch’town

July 29, 5 pm

Vince The Messenger

Set in the Sun, Confederation Centre Amphitheatre, Ch’town

July 29, 8 pm

Catherine MacLellan

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

July 30, 12:10 pm

Frances McBurnie Recital

The Kirk of St. James, Ch’town

July 31, 7:30 pm

Shane Pendergast with Thomas Harrington

Penzie’s Bistro, Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley

July 30–31, 8 pm

Tara MacLean

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 1, 7 pm

Ben Chase with Trinity Bradshaw

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 1, 5 pm

Anna Blanco

Set in the Sun, Confederation Centre Amphitheatre, Ch’town

Aug 1–2, 8 pm

John Connolly

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 8 pm

Ebb & Flow: Tides of Settlement on PEI Beaconsfield Carriage House, Ch’town

Aug 3, 8 pm

Fraser McCallum & Collin

Buchanan with Rick Sparkes

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 3–24, 10:30 am & 7 pm

Aladdin/Alice in Wonderland

Select dates. The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 4, 8 pm

Jill Chandler & Maureen

Trainor

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

PERFORMANCE

Aug 4–27, 10:30 am & 7 pm

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs/Hansel & Gretel

Select dates. The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 5, 7:30 pm

Joce Reyome

Penzie’s Bistro, Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley

Aug 5, 8 pm

Jesse Periard & Rowen

Gallant

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 5, Aug 19, 7:30 pm

Beyond COVID: Mi’kmaq

Heritage Actors

The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 5, 5 pm

Nick Doneff

Set in the Sun, Confederation Centre Amphitheatre, Ch’town

Aug 6, 12:10 pm

Nathan Liang Recital

The Kirk of St. James, Ch’town

Aug 6–7, 7:30 pm

Dan Hendrickson & Travis

Lindsay Comedy Show

Penzie’s Bistro, Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley

Aug 6–7, 8 pm

Dylan Menzie

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 1, 5 pm

Joce Reyome

Set in the Sun, Confederation Centre Amphitheatre, Ch’town

Aug 8, 4 pm

Cavendish Beach Drive-In

Concert Series

The Ellis Family Band, Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys, Dylan Menzie, Trinity Bradshaw. CBMF Events Centre, Cavendish

Aug 8, 8 pm

Popalopalots Improv

The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 8, 7 pm

Karen & Mike Penton

The Red Dirt Girl Music Room, S’side

Aug 8, 3 pm & 7 pm

J.P. Cormier

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 8–11, 8 pm

Adam Baldwin

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 11–Sept 28, 8 pm

Amazing Tales of the Atlantic

Select dates. The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 12, 7:30 pm

Nick Doneff & Lawrence

Maxwell

Penzie’s Bistro, Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley

Aug 12, 8 pm

I and I

The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 13, 8 pm

Anna Ludlow

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 13–14, 7:30 pm

Logan Richard

Penzie’s Bistro, Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley

Aug 14–15, 8 pm

Tomato Tomato

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 15, 3 pm & 7 pm

Jimmy Flynn

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 16, 8 pm

Tanya Davis

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 16, 3 pm & 7 pm

Dave Gunning

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 17, 8 pm

Alicia Toner

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 18–19, 8 pm

Dave Gunning

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 20, 12:10 pm

Sean Kemp Recital

The Kirk of St. James, Ch’town

Aug 20–21, 8 pm

Nathan Wiley

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 22, 7 pm

Scott Parsons

The Red Dirt Girl Music Room, S’Side

Aug 22, 7 pm

Ivan Daigle

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 22, 8 pm

John MacPhee

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 23–25, 8 pm

Gordie Sampson

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 26, 7:30 pm

Song Rise

Patrick Ledwell (host), Tara MacLean and friends. The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 26, 8 pm

Josh Carter & Brandon Roy

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 27, 7:30 pm

Phase II & Friends

The Guild, Ch’town

Aug 27, 8 pm

Scott Parsons

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 28, 8 pm

Jim Collette & The Red Dirt Girl Band

The Red Dirt Girl Music Room, S’side

Aug 28–29, 8 pm

Andrew Waite

Trailside at The Holman Grand, Ch’town

Aug 29, 7 pm

Small Town Jokurs

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 29, 4 pm

Cavendish Beach Drive-In Concert Series

Lennie Gallant, Catherine MacLellan, Alicia Toner, Hailee Lefort Trio. Cavendish Beach Events Centre

Sep 5, 3 pm & 7 pm

Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sep 7

PEI Symphony Orchestra & Tara MacLean

Atlantic Blue. Brackley Drive-in, Brackley

Children’s theatre

The Guild in Charlottetown will present adaptations of four children’s theatre productions in August—Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and Hansel & Gretel

Aladdin and Alice in Wonderland run August 3–24 with Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and Hansel & Gretel playing August 4–27.

111 Queen St, Charlottetown. theguildpei.com

In progress

The Guild presents Unfinished Business, a night of plays in development by local playwright Benton Hartley, on August 15 in Charlottetown.

Unfinished Business is a showcase in the style of a staged reading. The two plays in progress are entitled I Know You and Space Cadets

Be the first to experience these new plays as part of their development.

111 Queen St, Charlottetown. theguildpei.com

Mi’kmaq Legends

Heritage revealed with music, poetry, dance—Aug 5 & 19

Beyond COVID: Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors will be on stage at The Guild in Charlottetown on August 5 and 19.

Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors is a play about Mi’kmaq legends that have been passed down through generations. The family-friendly production features

I and I

In partnership with the Black Cultural Society of PEI, The Guild in Charlottetown presents I and I on August 12 at 8 pm.

Inspired by the words of Rastafari scholar E. E. Cashmore, “I and I is an expression to totalize the concept of oneness,” the audience will experience an evening of togetherness celebrated through the multidisciplinary artistic talents of PEI’s Black community.

111 Queen St, Charlottetown. theguildpei.com

music, drumming, singing, poetry and interpretive dance. It includes a young group of emerging actors and seasoned actors alike.

Showtime is 7:30 pm.

111 Queen St, Charlottetown. theguildpei.com

Artwork by Niyi Adeogun

Pounding pavement

Fringe Festival organizers amplify fringe artists—Aug 12–14

Island Fringe Festival organizers shifted their focus to a new production, Pounding the Pavement: Celebrating and amplifying artists from the fringe, taking place August 12–14 in Charlottetown.

Pounding the Pavement will feature performances by Claire Byrne, Homemaker, Jay Gallant, Joce Reyome, Julie Bull, Reequal Smith, Sadie McCarney, Tanya Nicolle and more. Performances will be 10–20 minute vignettes that explore people’s journeys of discovery to having their voices heard—presented as dramatic readings of original poetry and plays, songs, dance and stand-up comedy.

Grace Kimpinski, director of the Island Fringe Festival says that Pounding the Pavement is happening to emphasize the value of diversity and work to eliminate barriers to those on the Island who are underrepresented, including Indigenous artists, artists of colour, LGBTQ artists and people with disabilities. “Devoting an entire production to amplifying diverse voices is something amazing. Island Fringe is just the producer, the power comes from the artists who are sharing their perspectives with us, and believe me, this will be a powerful show,” Kimpinski says.

spaces don’t exist as often as one would like. While society is becoming more tolerant of accepting mental illness as a health issue, the idea of it being an actual disability is often silently pushed aside. I appreciate any platform where I can share jokes about my experience of living with a mental health condition.”

Stompin’ Tom Festival

The Stompin’ Tom Centre will host the second annual Stompin’ Tom Festival Series this summer featuring some of the top entertainers in the region.

Organizers have created an outdoor entertainment space where the audience can bask in the sunshine or relax under the shade of a big tent.

The festival features performances by Ben Chase & Trinity Bradshaw, JP Cormier, Jimmy Flynn, Dave Gunning, Ivan Daigle, Small Town Jokurs, Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys, Heather Rankin, Cory Gallant and Michael Myers.

The Stompin’ Tom Centre is open daily 11 am–7 pm with gift shop, food service and afternoon entertainment.

Tickets are limited to 100 and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster or call direct 882-3214 to save the fees.

stompintomcentre.com

Song Rise

Song Rise, a circle of local songwriters hosted by Patrick Ledwell and featuring Tara MacLean and her closest friends, takes place at The Guild in Charlottetown on August 26 at 7:30 pm.

Song Rise, like other song circles, will feature stories and tunes, but this will also be an interactive experience with the show live streaming and accessible all over the world.

Julie Bull, an Inuk from NunatuKavut living on PEI, will perform spoken-word art. Bull explains that for her, “writing is medicine. Laughter is medicine. Sharing stories and space is medicine. Though writing can often be an individual pursuit, the collective impacts reverberate when the words go from the page to the stage. Nakummek (thank you) for holding this space for artists from the fringe to share our stories.”

Jay Gallant says, “I’ve written my first play and Pounding the Pavement is a great opportunity to try out some of the dialogue in front of an audience. The play focuses on Sam—an Islander struggling to come to terms with being trans as an adult—and mirrors my own experience as a trans person. Since the event focuses on marginalized voices, I felt like it was the perfect place to try it out and get some feedback.”

Tanya Nicolle explains, “It feels good to be a part of a safe space performance where a diverse group of artists can share their work. Comedy is a male-dominated industry, so safe

Rory Starkman, a long-time Fringer who is assisting behind-the-scenes has a lot to say about this show, “I am so grateful that Pounding the Pavement is happening. The Island Fringe Festival is usually one of the highlights of my summer, but now that the focus is on amplifying marginalized voices it has become even more powerful. Right now the energy is palpable. What with the global pandemic and more people waking up to the realities of violence and harm caused by systems like white supremacy, cisnormativity, heteronormativity and patriarchy, and their complicity in those systems. I think Pounding the Pavement is just the first step to genuinely beginning to interrogate and dismantle these systems, but most importantly I hope this show makes the audience think, and shift, and learn, and change.”

Pounding the Pavement takes place August 12–14 in the outdoor amphitheatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. Shows start at 8 pm. Tickets available at the Confederation Centre box office.

Four songwriters will entertain a live audience. It will be an intimate experience for those in attendance and for those watching from home. Each group has been carefully curated for optimal chemistry.

The performance starts at 7:30 pm at The Guild, 111 Queen St, Charlottetown. There will be very limited seating available.

theguildpei.com

Tanya Nicolle

Île Saint-Jean

Celebrating a tricentennial, 1720–2020

This year marks the tricentennial of the founding of the French colony of Île Saint-Jean—the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the first French and Acadian settlers on PEI.

Michel Haché dit Gallant and Anne Cormier were among the first Acadian families to settle on Île Saint-Jean. They are the ancestors of all the Hachés and Gallants in Canada. They settled at Sqmakn–Port-la-Joye where Michel was the harbour master. The surname Gallant is still one of the most common family names on the Island today.

Although not as numerous as the Gallants, the Acadian Martins are also the descendants of a family that settled on the Island in 1720. The heads of this family were Pierre Martin and Anne Godin who put down roots at the head of the Hillsborough River in what is now Cherry Hill.

These two pioneer families were eventually joined by numerous other Acadian families. The first members of the Arsenault family came to the Island in 1728 and settled on the western shores of Malpeque Bay. Today, their descendants are almost as numerous as the Gallants.

This tricentennial is an opportunity to learn more about the footprint that the French Regime (1720-1758) left on the Island. According to recent censuses, a quarter of the Island’s population claims to have Acadian or French ancestry. Many of these Islanders no longer have French family names because intercultural marriages have been common on the Island since the middle of the 1800s.

Travelling across the Island, place names such as Souris, Naufrage, Pinette, Morell and Crapaud are permanent reminders of the French heritage in this province. St. Peters, St.

Tales of the Atlantic

The Guild brings thrills and adventure to the stage in Charlottetown this summer with Amazing Tales of the Atlantic on August 11 and 25 and September 14 and 28 at 8 pm.

Amazing Tales of the Atlantic is a live radio play anthology series celebrating the unique residents of the Atlantic. The show takes the beloved characters in the community and puts them in wild scenarios.

Each evening will feature three unique stories and every month audiences will be treated to three new chapters of the evolving tales—The DDT Detectives, The B’ylight Zone, and Anne of the Green Planet.

Peters Harbour, St. Peters Road, and St. Peters Island, all come from the French name Saint-Pierre. Saint-Pierre was given to those localities in honour of the Count of Saint-Pierre, from Normandy, who lead the creation of the colony that was given the name Île Saint-Jean.

This is the ideal time of year to visit some of the sites that showcase the French and Acadian history and heritage on the Island.

There are five historic sites especially recommended: Sqmakn–Port-laJoye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site; the Greenwich Interpretation Centre at the PEI National Park; the Acadian Museum in Miscouche; the Roma at Three Rivers National Historic Site; and the Farmers’ Bank of Rustico Museum.

Explore, take an informative virtual visit, and share the bilingual website acadie300ipe.ca/en

—Submitted by Georges Arsenault

PEI Museums

PEI is a place steeped in a rich heritage and natural beauty. The Community Museums Association of Prince Edward Island invites you to explore the Island through its museums and heritage sites.

Some sites are open on appointments only. Opening schedules can also change. Explorers are advised to call before your visit.

For a list of all the museums or more info visit museumspei.ca or contact 892-8837, info@museumspei.ca

The DDT Detectives is set in the wrestling heydays of the 1980’s. Crusher Kevin Cormier and Dashing David Doiron are a hard hitting tag team by night and hard drinking super sleuths by slightly later at night. Kevin and David help the helpless and solve mysteries as they travel from town to town thrilling crowds. It’s the Littlest Hobo meets Murder She Wrote meets Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling.

The B’ylight Zone is a show in the style of the Twilight Zone or Black Mirror and puts colourful Maritime locations and characters at the centre of all of the freaky scenarios. Each episode is it’s own thrilling self contained story and set of characters.

Anne of the Green Planet is the tale of a precocious human orphan named Anne from the planet Nova Nova Scotia. She is taken in by a brother and sister scientist duo who live on the space station Avonlea which orbits a mysterious planetoid called P31. Between school and duties in the lab, Anne and her new friend GilBot find themselves on all sorts of scientific adventures.

Admission at the door. Reserve in advance at The Guild, 111 Queen St, Charlottetown. theguildpei.com

Ïle St-Jean, Bellin, 1744, détail

FESTS

Pride PEI Festival 2020

Celebrate 26 years of proudly promoting love, acceptance and inclusion across PEI from July 26–August 2. This year’s theme is Pride is Buffering.... Follow Pride PEI on social media or visit pridepei.ca for all the details.

Island Fringe: Pounding the Pavement

Pounding the Pavement: Celebrating and amplifying artists from the fringe, taking place August 12–14, features vignettes of dramatic readings of original poetry and plays, songs, dance and stand-up comedy. In the outdoor amphitheatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. Tickets: Confederation Centre box office.

The Island Drive-in Festival

Small Halls Inc. presents The Island Drive-in Festival weekly at the Brackley Drive-In in Brackley until mid-Septermber, with pop ups across the Island. Featuring over 30 Island artists in three different pre-recorded performances. Free. driveinpei.com

Cavendish Beach Drive-In Concert Series

Harmony House

Island Summer Review

Ledwell and Haines return with best-of show

summer nights, safely.

Ledwell and Haines have created a high-energy set that blends storytelling, stand-up jokes, tunes and Island good news.

The Cavendish Beach Music Festival (CBMF) presented by Bell Cavendish Beach Drive-In Concert Series August 8 and 29. Held at the CBMF and Events Centre in Cavendish. Watch live performances of local artists on stage from the car. Carload passes are available via cavendishbeachmusic.com.

Art in the Open 2020

Embrace public art in a spacious openair environment at Art in the Open August 29. The event will showcase many Island artists, as well as artists who are working remotely. Those artworks will be created by AITO’s production team on the Island. artintheopenpei.com

The show has always been a love letter to PEI, and this year more than ever, with a unique best-of edition, including requests and favourites coming back from the last seven summers of the hit series.

“The Island Summer Review is in my bones now,” says Haines, “My internal annual clock is set by it.”

Through these challenging times, many have turned to music and laughter to lift spirits. “We’re committed to putting on a show for those of our audience members who would appreciate the lift right now,” says Ledwell.

Join Ledwell and Haines for The Island Summer Review and light up the Island

The Island Summer Review runs two nights a week, each Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm until August 28. Tickets are only able to be booked together with family and friends (four or six seats). For tickets and bubble seating details, call the Harmony House box office at 964-2255 or visit harmonyhousetheatre.com.

Mower racing

The PEI Lawn Tractor Racing Club’s first mower race of the season will take place on August 16 on the 700 foot track at the Grassroots Raceway in St. Peters Bay.

This will be a drive-in style event. Spectators will be asked to park around the track to watch the races from their vehicles. The races are in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Future race dates are September 12–13, October 4 and October 18.

The Grassroots Raceway is at 2144 Cardigan Rd, St. Peters Bay.

The Island Summer Review with comedian Patrick Ledwell and musician Mark Haines is back at Harmony House in Hunter River this summer.

Jan Cox

Mind, body and soil

Summerside residents tend their community plots

Throughout the scorching summer heat, 21 faithful Summerside gardeners lovingly tended their plots at the corner of West and North Drives. The 180’ by 53’ plot of land is home to the Summerside Community Gardens. Garden co-coordinator and spokesperson, Ray Arsenault, sat down with me on a scalding afternoon to talk about this wonderful piece of land and the people who work it.

“It was more than 30 years ago, I think 1992, that the Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association got the idea for a community garden here in Summerside. They were the first organizers, but after awhile, we the gardeners more or less ran it ourselves,” Arsenault recalled. “It was for people, environmentally conscious, who wanted to be involved in organic, chemical free gardening, and it still is,” he went on to say. There are 34 garden plots, measuring 20’ by 13”. Ray said, “This year we are full, full. I think folks were scared, this COVID–19 thing, and that gave people the incentive to grow their own food. They had nothing to do. And if the food supply chain did break down, they would have their own produce. We don’t know the future.”

The City of Summerside owns the land and the gardeners source their water from the former St. Eleanor’s Fire Hall. Each person is responsible for their own plot. This year, the group did buy 300 bags of mixed manure and compost to share. “The garden soil is good. The city spreads lime for us, and we do have a person who tills the soil as well,” said Ray.

As a community project, there is a plot that has been planted for the Summerside Food Bank and Soup Kitchen. “We are a community, we

have to look after each other,” Ray added. Each gardener can enjoy a maximum of two plots. More than 70 percent of the keen gardeners are seniors—mostly retired—who love to be outside, stay active and are proud of what they and the gardens accomplish. Ray is really tickled, this year they welcomed a new kid. “He’s probably 10 or 12 years old. He’s been faithful to his garden. Oh boy, the next generation of gardeners!” beams Ray.

They like to try new things as well. This year they were set to bring in lady bugs (10,000 to 20,000) from Quebec or Ontario. Ray said, “COVID–19 again, everything fell apart. But we’re going to try next year. The lady bugs, if given the right kind of nest located in shade and released from their shipping containers at just the right time, will keep the gardens pest free. It’s natural!” As I walked the pathways winding through the various plots, I thought like Ray, “the garden is good.” Feel free to talk to Ray at 436-9520. The plots are just $10. Maybe there will be a spot for you next season.

MARKETS

Charlottetown Farmers Market

Open-air market weekly on Saturdays from 8 am–1 pm. The new open-air market features 30+ vendors set up around the perimeter of the parking lot. Online ordering is also available. Order through CFM2GO online marketplace at cfm2go.localfoodmarketplace.com. CFM2GO opens each Saturday at 5 pm and closes each Monday at 11:59 pm, with contactless pick-ups on Thursdays from 2 pm–6 pm. Delivery options for the Charlottetown and Stratford area. 100 Belvedere Ave, Charlottetown. charlottetownfarmersmarket.com

Downtown Farmers Market

The Downtown Farmers Market is held weekly on Sundays from 11 am–4 pm on lower Queen Street in Charlottetown. The street is closed between Grafton and Dorchester Streets during the market. downtowncharlottetownmarket.com

Murray Harbour Farmers Market

A weekly Farmers Market operates at the Murray Harbour Community Centre on Saturdays from 9 am–12 pm to October 10. Thirteen vendors provide a wide variety of treats and treasures such as local produce, handmade knitting, crocheting, sewing, baking, seaglass, jewellery, art, handmade soap and hand-painted bouys. All products are locally made and locally grown. A maximum of 25 people will be allowed to enter the auditorium at one time. Although it is not mandatory, please feel free to wear a mask. Main St, Murray Harbour

Summerside Farmers Market

Find local producers and artisans at the Summerside Farmers Market open weekly on Saturdays from 9 am–1 pm at 250 Water St, Summerside. summersidefarmersmarket.com

news ART

PEI Quilt Hang Out Day

Inspired by the Fogo Island Community Quilt Hang Out Day in Newfoundland, PEI will celebrate a love for quilts on August 1. Raindate is August 2. All are invited to hang their beloved quilts on a clothesline, deck railing or in a window. Participants are encouraged to share photos of their quilts hanging out on the PEI Quilt Hang Out Day social media pages or email peiquilthangoutday@gmail.com.

Alley Gallery

The first annual Alley Gallery hosted by Trudy Spooner will take place August 15 from 4–7 pm. This outdoor event will feature works from eight amateur PEI artists displayed along the fence at 1012 Brackley Point Rd, Route 15. View and purchase art from friends and neighbours that might not be found otherwise. It’s free to attend, but space is limited. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP on the 1st Annual Alley Gallery event page on FB. Rain date is August 22.

Arts Grants

Twenty five Island artists recently received a total of $75,000 through the provincial Arts Grants program. Dennis Ellsworth—Creation, Music; Andrew Waite—Creation, Music; Daniel Brown—Creation, Film, Media Arts; Gordie MacKeeman—Creation, Music; Harmony Wagner—Creation, Writing; Kathleen Wiens—Creation, Interdisciplinary; Nathan Wiley—Creation, Music; Patricia Bourque—Creation, Visual Arts; Rilla Marshall—Creation, Crafts; Scott Parsons—Creation, Music; Troy Little and Brenda Hickey—Creation, Writing; Paul Gallant—Dissemination, Writing; Brandon Howard Roy—Creation, Music; Kinley Dowling—Creation, Interdisciplinary; Max Knechtel— Dissemination, Visual Arts; Gerard Clarkes—Dissemination, Writing; Jasmine Michel—Dissemination, Music; Devon Ross—Pro Development, Dance; Tanya MacCallum—Pro Development, Writing; Janet Whytock—Dissemination, Writing; Logan Richard—Dissemination, Music; Jody Racicot—Dissemination, Theatre; Robin Gislain Shumbusho— Dissemination, Visual Arts; Donnalee Downe—Dissemination, Visual Arts; Michael Pendergast—Creation, Music.

Ebb & Flow

Multimedia stage show at Beaconsfield—Saturdays

All ages are invited to Ebb & Flow: Tides of Settlement on PEI, a heritage recognition show that presents stories about PEI and the ebb and flow of its people, on Saturdays at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown.

This is the second year of the multimedia stage show created and produced by Amanda Mark and Laurie Murphy.

Through photographs, video and text, the show presents stories about Indigenous Mi’kmaq and the Island’s settlers by musicians, singers, storytellers and writers Teresa Kuo, Tiffany Liu, Julie Pellissier-Lush, Amanda Mark, Laurie Murphy, Vince The Messenger and Haley Zavo. Dutch Thompson will be the guest artist for August 15.

Additional writing by Margie Carmichael, Yvette Doucette (a poem as recorded by Tamara Steele), Jason Kun and Emily Nasrallah. Performer

Teresa Kuo is also a professional video artist and has created original artwork that animates and helps tell the stories about settlement on PEI. New to the team in 2020 is Dylan Smith, a stage lighting and sound professional.

Contributors to the production include Jim Hornby, Dr. Ed MacDonald, Dr. Jim Sentence, Sally Cole, Mitsuki Mori and Brian McInnis. The show will also be recorded for online audiences by Pat Martell.

Ebb & Flow PEI runs Saturdays to August 22 from 8–10 pm at Charlottetown’s Beaconsfield Carriage House at 2 Kent Street. The venue is accessible and air-conditioned, with parking nearby. There are 40 tickets available per show. To book in advance, send an e-transfer to lauriemurphy@marram.ca with your preferred Saturday show and the number of people.

MITSUKI MORI

Cast of Ebb & Flow 2020. Haley Zavo, Teresa Kuo, Tiffany Liu, Laurie Murphy, Julie PellissierLush, Amanda-Marl. Missing from photo, Vince the Messenger

Art in the Open 2020

Open-air contemporary art reimagined—Aug 29

As one of many events that contributes to the active cultural ecosystem on the Island, Art in the Open (AITO) has always embraced public art in spacious open-air environments and this year is no exception.

On August 29, AITO will feature many artists, working remotely, whose artworks will be created by AITO’s production team on the Island. They’re also showcasing many Island artists and reinvesting in their partnerships with PEI-based arts collectives and organizations. Visitors can expect to see public artworks in green spaces and town squares around Charlottetown, but there will also be artworks that can be experienced on the radio, in cars and in storefronts.

This year AITO is embracing a flexible model that shifts to suit new public health regulations, and they have increased their capacity to offer community care. As a no-contact festival, there won’t by any scheduled performances that draw an audience and

the majority of public art installations will be viewable from a significant distance. Organizers have been challenged to reimagine what it means to gather in a state of emergency, as well as a time of collective action and public protesting. They are learning how to loan their leverage and offer their support to local community movements to make meaningful change in the cultural sphere on Epekwitk.

Drivers are encouraged to tune into their car radio and pedestrians are encouraged to bring portable radios. Details about AITO’s ad hoc radio station coming soon.

Several artists working remotely will call upon the community to create artworks on their behalf. Keep an eye out for upcoming calls for participants in performances and workshops.

Wear masks, bring hand sanitizer and stay home if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. To volunteer or for more info visit artintheopenpei.com.

Upstreet donates

To celebrate their fifth anniversary, Upstreet Craft Brewing ran a campaign called Cheers for Charity PEI in which they asked Islanders to tag charities and organizations that are good doers in their community.

The winner would receive a $5000 donation to the charity of their choice. When it came time to choose, they had so many nominations—over 50—that they decided to expand the prize to include two more donations of $2500.

The $5000 donation was awarded to PEI Family Violence Prevention Services (PEI FVPS), nominated by McGregor and Currie Jewelry. Danya O’Malley, Executive Director of PEI FVPS highlighted the importance of supporting organizations that rely heavily on fundraising efforts.

A donation of $2500 was also given to the Upper Room Food Bank nominated by Sara Nuesch, and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)—PEI Chapter nominated by Tessa Rogers. Executive Director of the CMHA—PEI Chapter Treena Smith says the donation will help the organization in its new shift to offering much needed virtual services.

Upstreet CEO Mitch Cobb says the last few months have been difficult, but being able to pay it forward have really helped.

AMANDA SHORE

Performance installation by Tsēmā Igharas in Memory Keepers II, curated by GLAM Collective with Darcie Bernhardt & Megan Kyak-Monteith, Art in the Open, 2019.

CITY CINEMA AUG 2020

The Ballad of Jack and Rose 15th Anniversary Screenings

Aug 1–2

14A, sexual content, coarse language Dir: Rebecca Miller, US/Canada, 2005, 112 min. Daniel Day-Lewis, Catherine Keener, Camilla Belle, Paul Dano Filmed on P.E.I.

“The Ballad of Jack and Rose stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Jack Slavin, an idealist who lives on the site of his abandoned island commune with his 16 year old daughter, Rose, whom he has sheltered from the influences of the outside world. However, when Jack discovers he has a fatal illness he takes steps to ensure a future for Rose and invites his girlfriend Kathleen and her teenage sons to live with them. Naturally, things don’t go according to plan and when Camilla rebels, things quickly spiral out of control. The performances are superb.... The film benefits hugely from its unusual and intriguing setting and the

intelligent script... Recommended.” —Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

Military Wives

July 31–Aug 3, Aug 7–8

PG, coarse language Dir: Peter Cattaneo, UK, 2020, 112 min. Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Horgan, Jason Flemyng

“Two great actresses go to war in this emotional and thoroughly British feelgood comedy drama from Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty). Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan play the combative mother hens scratching out battle lines as they struggle to put an all-women amateur choir through singing boot camp. They’re attempting to boost morale while their soldier spouses are on a six-month tour of Afghanistan. But squabbling, stage fright and a betrayal of a confidence threatens their prestigious appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in a Remembrance Day concert... Scott Thomas brings sharp edges and shifting emotional layers as a posh and pushy busybody who hides her inner grief by bullying the women into shape. And this brings her into conflict

We’ve missed you big time, and are thrilled to be onscreen again! Here are the highlights of our temporary procedures.

Advance Tickets

Our new website citycinema.ca is live. We now accept all major credit cards and debit online and at the cinema. Seating is limited—advance tickets are strongly recommend.

Limited Seating

We’ll be selling about 20 of our 70 seats per show, with checkerboard seat arrangement for distancing within rows.

One-way Traffic

To help with social distancing we created a one-way traffic system, just follow the arrows!

Masks

Please wear a mask when not eating your delicious popcorn. We have paper masks available free.

Subject to change

Film availability and provincial covid guidelines are subject to change, please check the website on the day of the show.

Rent City Cinema for a Private Show

Tired of streaming in your living room? City Cinema is available for rent for private film viewings—big screen, big sound! We provide the projectionist and will have the canteen and bar open for your group. Email chtownfilm@gmail.com for availability and rates.

with Horgan, who’s popular among the women for her more relaxed approach to the training. Inspired by a true story... there’s plenty of cross-generational appeal and a cast representative of every corner of the British Isles. Mercifully the script doesn’t shy away from the men risking their lives for their country, which gives depth to the drama and the songs, and is surprisingly affecting.” —Chris Hunneysett, The Daily Mirror

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show

Aug 8–9, 15–16, 21–23

G, Dir: Chris Hunt, Ireland, 2020, 115 min. Stage Director: John McColgan $20 regular, $14 seniors, members, and 14 & under. No passes.

The new 25th Anniversary show catapults Riverdance into the 21st century and will completely immerse you in the extraordinary and elemental power of its music and dance. This powerful and stirring reinvention of the beloved family favourite is celebrated the world over for its Grammy Award-winning music and the thrilling energy of its Irish and international dance. Filmed live at the 3Arena Dublin, the exact spot where it all began, the 25th Anniversary Gala Performance brings Riverdance to the big screen for the very first time! “The Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe are all world-class Irish dancers... While most are from Ireland, some come from Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia. The sheer passion, energy, and bold display of unfeasible athleticism are enough to keep an audience’s eyes glued to the stage and their feet tapping throughout the entire two-hour performance. Add in four extremely talented and well-regarded musicians performing a Grammy-award-winning score and stunning graphics projected as thematic transition pieces, and Riverdance continues to live up to and surpass its prestigious reputation... Solos performed by the award-winning musicians were interwoven between the dance numbers, which included a Harlem tap-dancing turned light-hearted duel, Spanish flamenco performed by the magnificent Rocio Montoya, and even Hopak - a Ukrainian folk dance.” —Katie Priest, Third Coast Review (Stage review)

*The show contains a sequence of flashing lights which might affect customers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.

The Trip To Greece

Aug 14–16, 22–23

PG, coarse language

Dir: Michael Winterbottom, UK, 2020, 112 min. Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan, Michael Towns

“At any other time, The Trip to Greece, the fourth and final installment of the Trip series of movies featuring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon might seem extraneous. Do we really need to see any more of Coogan and Brydon trading impersonations, wrestling with life crises and generally driving each other nuts? But at a time when international travel is close to impossible - and laughs are in short supply too - The Trip to Greece is just what Hippocrates ordered. Once again playing fictional versions of themselves, Coogan and Brydon pack their bags and head off for a six-day jaunt in which they follow in the footsteps of Odysseus, or at least some of them. They sing Gregorian chants as they drift through the Caves of Diros; they make mildly off-color wisecracks as they gaze out at the island of Lesbos; and they eat at numerous enticing-looking island restaurants, generally with the azure sea twinkling behind them... Yet Coogan and Brydon manage to keep their ongoing battle of the barbs from going stale. As they drive through winding, idyllic roads, Coogan melodramatically accuses his friend of being a philistine who has remained blissfully ignorant of classical Greek literature, even as Brydon taunts him with a spirited rendition of the Bee Gees’ theme from Grease. Over lunch the duo re-enact, with vigor, the dental-torture scene from Marathon Man. (Brydon does a mean dental-drill impersonation.) It’s all so silly. But it’s also kind of great, like a single glass of sparkling wine after a really bad day. And the light dancing off the brilliant blue sea isn’t so bad, either.” —Stephanie Zacharek, Time Magazine

Arab Blues

Aug

28–30

PG, coarse language, violence Dir: Manele Labidi, France/Tunisia, 2019, 88 min. Golshifteh Farahani, Majd Mastoura, Aïsha Ben Miled In French and Arabic with English and French subtitles

“A light comedy on a topic you don’t see every day, starring Golshifteh Farahani (Paterson) as radiant yet tough Selma, a Tunis-born psychoanalyst who, having lived in Paris since age 10, has returned to Tunisia to set up a practice in a country where people habitually talk like crazy but not to mental health professionals. Via a colourful array of characters still getting their bearings post-Arab Spring, first-time writer-director Manele Labidi packs a lot of affectionate observations into compact running time.” - Lisa Nesselson, ScreenDaily “Selma comes back to Northern Africa to start a practice in the rooftop apartment of a building belonging to her high-strung aunt and alcoholic uncle, parents to a rebellious teenage daughter. Her family isn’t entirely happy to see herher uncle says they have God in Tunis, so why do they need talk therapy, while her cousin is just pissed off because she wanted to escape to Paris to live with Selma. Selma is quietly confident, sure of her mission to help people, and not discouraged by either her family nor the bureaucratic nightmare she faces when she tries to open a medical practice in Tunis. She can see the need: a local salon-owner, an Imam, and a man who wants to crossdress are but a few of the patients streaming through her door, along with a dogged cop on her case about her licence. The film is charming and frequently hilarious.” —Carsten Knox, Flaw In

CITY CINEMA TIMETABLE

JULY

AUGUST

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Riverdance

Riverdance

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Trip to Greece

Trip to Greece Riverdance

Riverdance

Trip to Greece

Riverdance

Riverdance

Trip to Greece

Trip to Greece Riverdance

Arab Blues

Arab Blues

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Architectural sounds

Historic St. Mary’s reopens to the public

The 2020 Indian River Festival may have been cancelled but that doesn’t mean Islanders won’t be able to experience the architectural wonder of Historic St. Mary’s this summer.

Visitors are free to drop in anytime during opening hours to safely tour the venue and learn about its colourful history. Hear the story of the church that was made for music—how it was designed to resemble the interior of a violin, how it slowly fell into disrepair and how it was eventually saved by a dedicated group of music lovers.

St. Mary’s was constructed in 1900 by architect William Critchlow Harris and designated an official Canadian Heritage site in 2012 in recognition of its cultural and historical significance to PEI. An amateur musician, Harris was concerned with the acoustic capabilities of the new church he was designing. His idea that would combine his love of music and architecture, as well as revolutionize venue acoustics to this day: what if the inside of a church could operate like the inside of a musical instrument? In other words,

Harris hatched a plan to manipulate the materials and space in his church design in a way that would provide spectacular acoustic effects with a minimum amount of echo.

Those who have yet to hear a performance at Historic St. Mary’s are in luck this summer. They’ll be playing music on their custom, state-of-the-art sound system for visitors to experience the venue’s acoustics.

Historic St. Mary’s is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1–4 pm, to August 27. Hours are subject to change. Info: 8364933, music@indianriverfestival.com, indianriverfestival.com

WALKS

2020 Virtual Gutsy Walk

The 25th annual Gutsy Walk, in support of Crohn’s and Colitis, will be held August 23. This year the event will be virtual. For more info or to register visit gutsywalk.ca

Summerside walking tour

Take a walking tour and discover Summerside’s rich history, waterfront, and tree lined streetscapes. Pick up a copy of the self-guided Discover Summerside walking tour, with 36 points of interest, at Lefurgey Cultural Centre, 205 Prince St, Summerside, or at the Summerside Visitor Information Centre.

Haunted Georgetown

Kings Playhouse offers walks through historic Georgetown daily by reservation only. Kings Playhouse is open daily from 10 am–6 pm. kingsplayhouse.com, 1-888-346-5666

Special Olympians walk

Elisha Cuthbert and Dion Phaneuf launch a virtual 5K walk/run in support of Special Olympics PEI August 28–30. Visit specialolympics.ca/pei/events for more details.

Old Home Week tribute LOOKING FOR STUDIO

Gallery exhibition at Details—opening Aug 5

Details Fine Art Gallery will pay tribute to Old Home Week, the long standing popular event that has been a part of the Island’s heritage for over 130 years in Charlottetown.

Details asked number of their gallery artists to capture and commemorate Old Home Week in any of its many aspects, from harness racing, the Gold Cup Parade, the agricultural exhibition, to midway rides and food.

Participating artists are Connie O’Brien, Grace Curtis, P. John Burden, Pat Hobbs, Sandi Komst, Heather Millar, William (Bill) Rogers, Richard Vickerson, Ben F. Stahl, Gale Colpitts, Arlene Rice, Lisa Murphy, Clark and Maureen Fryday, and Gail Rhyno.

Show opens August 5 from 3–7 pm at Details Fine Art Gallery, 166 Richmond Street, Charlottetown.

Emotional transference

Video and installation at The Guild—until Aug 15

Evan Furness and Jordan Beaulieu present This Love is New but it’s Projections, an exhibition of recent video and installation works exploring the transference of emotions to objects,

images, spaces, and places. The exhibit is on view at Gallery @ The Guild in Charlottetown to August 15.

Evan Furness is an interdisciplinary artist who uses video, installation, painting and bookmaking to explore narratives through the lens of lived experience and the uncanny. His process is often site-specific, using materials and settings sourced from his immediate vicinity.

Visual artist Jordan Beaulieu uses drawing, art books, cameras and rug hooking. They focus on intersections between art and forms of popular ephemeral media including comics, zines and amateur video.

The Guild is located at 111 Queen St, Charlottetown. theguildpei.com

Painting by Richard Vickerson

The Cove Journal by JoDee Samuelson

Down East getaway

We’re having a different sort of summer. No socials at our old school, no Canada Day hotdogs, no sharing garden, flowers, beach and sand with friends from away. But the weather has been beautiful and the garden is ship-shape, so setting aside unhelpful negative feelings, my friends and I book a cottage near Murray Harbour which, on the Island, is as far away from home as we can get.

Here’s what we love about our Forest and Stream Cottage on the Fox River Road: screened-in porch, sharp kitchen knives, comfortable beds, a millpond complete with canoe on the South River, no noise other than birdsong and the gentle whisper of trembling aspens. In early morning we launch the canoe and paddle a kilometer upstream until we meet another world of cattails and marshland. We pause to admire the reflection of white birch trunks on calm black water, when—whoosh! An enormous owl swoops down and disappears into the treetops: then blue jays explode from forest squawking their hearts out. Owl (great horned owl?) briefly appears with breakfast in his beak (baby bluejay?) and is seen no more. Silence returns.

Mid-morning we hop on bikes, and a five-minute uphill ride brings us to the Rail Trail’s wonderland of Queen Anne’s lace (wild carrots), ox-eye daisies, vetch and chicory. On either side of the trail are thousands of fallen trees, souvenirs from the visit of Hurricane Dorian. Detouring down a sandy road we arrive at the lovingly tended Murray Harbour Pioneer Cemetery, where half the graves are of children and infants. What happened in the late 1800s? Were there no doctors? No midwives? How did people stand it? Our ancestors had challenges equal to any of those we face today.

Fish and chips at Harbourview Take-out (golden delicious), shore walk at Beach Point (rocky), toe-dip in Guernsey Cove (chilly)… enough fun! Duty beckons and we head home through the hills of Bellevue and Caledonia with spectacular vistas on every side.

We’re glad to get back to the Cove— two days away feels like weeks—but oh dear, the potato beetles are still “having relationships.” Potato beetles go from egg to adult in 21 days, and there can be three or four generations in one growing season… sigh. So it’s squish, hunt, squish until we can with clear consciences settle down with a gin and tonic.

Then it’s time for a swim. The tide is out and families have congregated at the shore. (Social distancing is no problem: there’s more than enough space for everyone.) Long-suffering parents laden with beach paraphernalia claim every sandbar; while sunbaked pirates and mermaids splash about in tidal pools collecting hermit crabs and moonsnails. There’ll be plenty of sand in the sheets tonight!

It’s a beautiful moment that I wish I could share with my loved ones; but really, my cup of happiness is overflowing already, so I think I’ll just sit here on the grassy slope and drink in the beauty of the moment.

Yard sale in Tracadie

A yard sale takes place August 8 and 9 from 9 am–2 pm in Tracadie. Find tools, vintage items, albums, kitchen supplies, furniture and also some free items. Masks welcome. 1257 Donaldston Rd next to St Bonaventure Church, Tracadie. 330-2248

Creative hub

CreativePEI is leading a process to establish a new Creative Hub for PEI in Charlottetown. Creative hubs exist across Canada to provide vibrant and collaborative spaces where individuals and organizations from a range of arts and creative disciplines can build their skills, create, collaborate and innovate.

Key elements of the proposed Creative Hub will include individual and shared studios, offices, co-working spaces, and flexible programming and presentation spaces. This mix of uses will seek to address the needs of the community for affordable rental space over the long term.

Programming and infrastructure will give artists and creative professionals the creative freedom to take risks, the opportunity to engage with others, and new ways to monetize the value that they create.

Creative PEI has launched a Request for Expressions of Interest process to determine who would be interested in participating in the new Creative Hub. They are looking to hear from artists, creative professionals and other potential community partners who might be interested in renting space, participating in programming or partnering in the Hub.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is August 7. creativepei.ca

Empower PEI, the online community for local business owners and professionals, was designated as an official non-profit in July.

Empower PEI is an alternative to conventional networking for entrepreneurs to seek advice, share info, and create partnerships, with the goal of an engaged community of effective, diverse and inspired business leaders on the Island.

For those uncomfortable with traditional networking, Empower PEI provides connections online that will transfer into real-life partnerships.

Past events like Day of Learning and The Anti-mixer for Entrepreneurs with Anxiety offer community members an opportunity to meet in person for casual and informative events while supporting local businesses.

Empower PEI’s board members are Ashley Green, Julie Ann Gauthier and Savannah Belsher-MacLean.

For more information and to join the community, visit empowerpei.ca.

Island Walk

New walking trail modeled after the Camino

Island Trails has developed a 700 km walking trail called the Island Walk which loops around the perimeter of PEI. The Island Walk is modelled after the famous long-distance walking trail, the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

In October 2019, some of the Island Trails members completed the 700 km journey in 32 days which saw them walk 20–25 kms per day. The Walk intertwines through PEI’s two major cities, Charlottetown and Summerside, and many small inland and coastal communities across PEI.

The Island Walk, which is best to be completed from May to October, was designed not to be technically challenging and is easy to moderate in comparison to other long-distance walking trails around the world. The

Still go!ing

In June 2010, Recreation PEI along with a number of partners launched the go!PEI initiative, a province-wide project to address the barriers which prevent many Islanders from living a healthier life. Core principals, which include offering programs that are no to low cost, require little equipment, and which can be completed individually or as part of a group, still guide the go!PEI initiative in its efforts today.

To celebrate their 10th anniversary milestone, go!PEI is challenging Islanders to spend more active time outside through the #goPEI10 campaign. Three separate challenges will take place over the months of July, August and September. In July, go!PEI challenged Islanders to explore PEI’s municipal, regional and provincial parks; in August, they are inviting participants to head to the beach as much

group has developed seven itineraries to allow walkers to complete the trail in shorter sections.

Island Trails recently launched a website and social media pages that include more information on how Islanders and visitors alike can complete and enjoy the Island Walk. The new website helps walkers personalize their experience with a comprehensive trail map and what to expect on each section of the trail and recommended packing lists. It also highlights where to stay and eat near the trail and around the Island.

Island Trails has also started a blog series to share the personal experiences of those that took part in the inaugural Island Walk, as well other walks they’ve done on PEI and beyond.

The signage plan for the Island Walk is currently under development. This means walkers will need to use the digital map to navigate the Island Walk for the foreseeable future.

Info: @IslandWalk on social media, theislandwalk.ca

as possible; and September is all about hitting the Island’s trails. Weekly prize draws and three grand prizes are up for grabs for those taking part.

go!PEI Project Manager Treena Gormley said the challenges have been designed to build on the current momentum surrounding outdoor activity, as well as the decision by the initiative’s seven community partners to hold the majority of their go!PEI’s in-person programs outdoors.

Over the decade, thousands of Islanders have participated in go!PEI programming, such as learn to runs, walking clubs, senior fit classes and go!play activities.

In addition to provincial challenges, the organization also hopes to identify people from across PEI who have a positive go!PEI memory that they would be willing to share.

Follow go!PEI on Facebook to celebrate their 10th anniversary, take part in the #goPEI10 challenges and to check out go!PEI’s summer programs.

ANITA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Postcards from the Island

New 12-part online series broadcasts every Thursday

CIBC Confed Centre Presents is set to deliver Postcards from the Island, a weekly online series featuring a rich depth of creative pioneers and local artists in unique locations.

The 12-part series from Director Adam Brazier will launch on Facebook Premiere August 6 at 8 pm. Each 8–10-minute episode profiles unique Island talent performing and sharing conversation with Brazier, all set in a different culturally significant venue.

The premiere episode on August 6 casts the spotlight on the Centre’s own mainstage, featuring a traditional set from Tim Chaisson and the Chaisson Family. There will be a Q&A immediately following the broadcast on Facebook Live with Tim and Adam.

The 2020 Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors will perform on location at Skmaqn— Port-la-Joye National Historic site on August 13.

Ashley Condon will share songs and conversation from Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague on August 20.

The August 27 episode will include a conversation with Tamara Steele, president of the Black Cultural Society of PEI, and performers DJ Jane Blaze, Selecta Chevron, Reequal Smith, and Joe Dames. The four will deliver a two-on-two DJ battle and breakdance

KIDS / YOUTH

Theatre for young children

Presented on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 am at Kings Playhouse Gardens. Seated in the grass, little ones are invited to enjoy two reimagined fairytales, The Princess & The Pea and The Princess & The Frog kingsplayhouse.com

Music Theatre School camp

Spots are still available at The Guild Music Theatre School Summer Camps. Register: theguildpei.com

Act! Dance! Create! camp

Summer camps take place August 3–7 and 17–21 at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown. Each week, children will have the opportunity to explore their creativity through theatre, dance, puppetry, outdoor exploration and visual art.

PEISO online learning

The PEI Symphony Orchestra’s online educational resource, Music and Culture: Home Learning Series, in partnership with music educator and symphony percussionist Ryan Drew, is available for free at peisymphony.com. New themed activities are available on Monday of

each week. No musical instrument is required. Start at any time.

UPEI Summer Studios

UPEI Summer Studios 2020 will be held online daily August 17–20 from 9 am–2 pm via Zoom. Motivated brass, woodwind, and piano students aged 14–18 will have an opportunity to hone their musicianship, improve their technique, and meet like-minded young musicians. Students will take part in individual lessons with UPEI music faculty, enjoy like-instrument group sessions, and participate in workshops—virtually. A virtual chamber collaboration will result in a multi-screen music video. An instrument, smart phone, and internet connection is required. Register: bit.do/ UPEISummerStudios2020. Info: nstrum@upei.ca

Panther Academy

Panther Academy at UPEI in Charlottetown offers three themed camps for children ages 4 to 12. Participants can choose to attend Momma J’s Jelly Bean Gym, Stroke of Genius, or Fun ‘N Fitness. Info/register: upei.ca/ar/panther-academy. For questions about availability, contact pantheracademy@upei.ca.

piece from Historic Rochford Square, a central site within The Bog, where Charlottetown’s Black community lived for many years.

Future episodes will include artists Patricia Bourque, Lennie Gallant, Gordie MacKeeman, Scott Parsons, Gadelle, Atlantic String Machine, and Tara MacLean. Featured venues and attractions will include Dalvay by the Sea, The Dunes Studio Gallery & Café, and Watermark Theatre.

Postcards from the Island will air every Thursday to October 29, with each of the 12 episodes also archived on the Centre’s YouTube and IGTV.

At Waterstone Law Group, we are highly effective advocates and problem-solvers, with a focus on the changing needs of Island families. Taylor joins Jacinta Gallant in helping people resolve legal disputes when relationships matter.

www.waterstonelawpei.ca

info@waterstonelawpei.ca

902-367-3901

Performers Reequal Smith and Joe Dames, featured in the DJ and breakdance battle episode

COVID has changed a lot, including how we socialize and celebrate as a community. It means this year we are not able to get together for those wonderful strawberry socials, community picnics, and other summertime celebrations.

While things may be different, one thing remains the same:

We are still at work for you.

We invite you to connect with us during the summer either by giving us a call at (902) 620-3977 or visiting us online at:

@peigreencaucus www.peigreencaucus.ca

Have a safe and happy summer!

Acadie 300

To mark the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the first French and Acadians on the Island, the Sister Antoinette DesRoches Historical Committee will host a rendezvous August 9 at the Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye Historic Site. Participants will be welcomed to the historic site by Michel Haché dit Gallant and his wife Anne Cormier who were among the very first inhabitants of Port-la-Joye. A video on the history of the Haché-Gallant family

Parks Canada

National Historic Sites in PEI have re-opened and are welcoming visitors. Find educational fun at Parks Canada places. Visit their websites for details on what to expect while exploring.

will be shown multiple times during the day in the Visitor Centre.

Historian Georges Arsenault will host a guided tour in French at 10:30 am and in English at 1:30 pm. Since the number of people per guided tour is limited, advance registration is required by calling 432-2880.

There will be games for children, a quiz for individuals and families, and the opportunity to walk the many trails of the national historic site. Bring your kite.

Organizers invite participants to bring their own picnic lunch to be enjoyed at noon to the sound of music performed by Acadian musicians.

The event is free but donations will be greatly appreciated.

Raindate is August 16. Follow for announcements on the Acadian Museum of PEI website or FB page. Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst Historic Site is located at 191 Hache Gallant Dr, Rocky Point. museeacadien.org acadie300ipe.ca/en

See the birch bark canoe and speak with knowledgeable staff at the Visitor Reception Centre. Mi’kmaq interpreters on-site. Open daily 9 am–5 pm. No entry fee. pc.gc.ca/skmaqn

Province House National Historic Site

Green Gables Heritage Place

Explore the house, trails, and grounds at Green Gables. See the exhibits in the new visitor centre, snap a selfie in front of the house or take a stroll down Lover’s Lane. Open daily 9 am– 5 pm. Entry fees apply. pc.gc.ca/greengables

Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst

National Historic Site

Uncover the history and take in the sunset over Charlottetown Harbour on south shore of PEI. Wander the historic paths, fly a kite among the grassy ruins of the British fort and check out the traditional birch bark wigwam.

While Province House remains closed for ongoing conservation work, head next door to the Confederation Centre of the Arts to discover The Story of Confederation exhibit. View the replica of the Confederation Chamber in the film A Building of Destiny. Open Monday to Saturday 9 am–5 pm and Sunday 12–5 pm. Admission is free. confederationcentre.com/heritage/ the-story-of-confederation-2

Ardgowan National Historic Site

Although the building remains closed to the public, visitors are welcome to wander the grounds, enjoy the gardens, and learn about William Henry Pope and his former residence.

A gift of Island Poetry

GRANDMOTHERS

they come from the other places the Jewish one, the Jamaican one her ancestor shipped from Africa to work cane

they find her, their kin, weary, wanting gripping her hours, pushing through her grandmothers hear her, and come

1.

some days she is  barely contained by bone and gravity

she lifts her feet, placing  one in front of the other in the way of women

in the kitchen  when she bakes bread late into the night

the three who are dead rise up in sympathy through her tears and uncertainties, keep her company

Yvette Doucette

(This is an excerpt from the poem. The full poem can read at buzzpei.com.)

Additional poems by Yvette Doucette are found in In a Burst of Yellow Blossoms Saturday Morning Chapbooks, Fourth Series, No. 2, 2014.

Former P.E.I. poet laureate Deirdre Kessler selects a poem a month by an Island poet for The Buzz

WELCOME TO THE GROUNDS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE

the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island

Guided Walking Tours, grounds only, starting at the Gatehouse.

Monday to Friday, 10 am to 3 pm July 2 to August 28, 2020

Due to COVID-19 precautions, there is no public access to the residence at this time.

BIENVENUE AU SITE DE LA MAISON DU GOUVERNEMENT

la résidence officielle du lieutenant-gouverneur de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard

Visites guidées à pied du terrain, à partir du poste de garde. lundi à vendredi, 10h à 15h du 2 juillet au 28 août 2020

En raison des précautions prises dans le cadre de la COVID-19, le public n’a pas accès à la résidence en ce moment.

BOOKS PEI

A House in Memory: Last Poems

David Helwig

A House in Memory: Last Poems, a collection of unpublished poems by the late poet and novelist David Helwig (1938–2018), was released in July. The book is part of the Hugh MacLennan Poetry Series published by McGill-Queen’s University Press.

When David Helwig passed away in 2018, he had a catalogue of unpublished work. His daughter Maggie Helwig chose a selection of her father’s last poems as well as selections from his earlier career for A House in Memory

The collection shows an author still at the height of his powers, creating work in complex formal structures, contemplating mortality, memory and the landscape of his adopted home of PEI, and paying tribute to his literary predecessors.

Ranging widely through time, space, and literary tradition, A House in Memory features some deeply personal poems. As Maggie Helwig says of her father,

“he could not cease to be a poet as long as he had breath in this world.”

Helwig was the author of almost 50 books. He was the recipient of the Matt Cohen Prize for lifetime achievement and a member of the Order of Canada.

A House in Memory is available at mqup.ca.

Logjams and Widow–Makers:

Prince Edward Islanders in the Maine Woods

J. Clinton

Morrison

A flood of immigrants had entered Canada between 1760–1860. By the mid-19th century the Island was settled and immigration had practically ceased. Before long the tide slowly turned as Islanders began to leave due to a variety of foreign and domestic conditions that existed. By 1900 more than 30,000 had left their Island homes for better opportunities. Their destination of choice was almost exclusively the US, especially to New England.

A small part of this outmigration was the seasonal migration of Islanders, mainly men, to Maine to work in the forest industry. It was an ideal chance, for those who did not want to leave the Island permanently, to augment family income by working in the Maine woods and mills for five or six months a year.

Thousands of Islanders between 1870–1930 made this annual migration.

Island writer and historian, J. Clinton Morrison, tells the story of this annual journey in his latest book, Logjams and Widow-makers: Prince Edward Islanders in the Maine Woods, a story of danger, hard work, tragedy, and absence from home experienced by those who worked in the woods or mills of Maine.

Living in crude camps deep in the woods was hardship enough without also having to face the dangers of their work cutting down trees, taking part in the great river log drives, sawing lumber and making paper in the mills. Working in isolation deep in the snow-filled woods, and enduring bitterly cold temperatures, the men created their own forms of entertainment. The old lumberwoods songs and stories were paramount in their enjoyment of leisure time away from work.

J. Clinton Morrison, was born in Conway, PE, in 1948. He retired from his teaching career in 2003, having taught continuously in Island schools since 1968. He has been researching, writing, editing and publishing Island history, poetry, and genealogy since 1975. This is Morrison’s 12th book as author or editor. He and his wife Pearl reside in Summerside.

Logjams and Widow–Makers is available at select Island retail bookstores or from the author at 436-8518 or crescentisle@eastlink.ca

New children’s books

John Flood’s Penumbra Press Charlottetown/ Newscastle recently published two children’s books. Do I Have to Go to Sleep? written by Carole Giangrande and illustrated by J.O. Pennanen, and How Suraj Became Famous: Adventures of a Young Elephant written by Jeremy Wailes and illustrated by Marga Patterson.

Both books are available at Bookmark in Charlottetown or online at penumbrapress.com.

Everyone has a story to tell

...so let KKP help you tell it.

Our knowledgeable staff at KKP can put your ideas onto paper and into a book. With our new recently purchased high-speed book binding equipment and printing capabilities, we can offer a competitive range of sizes and formats, color and/or black and white printing. Whether your interested in 1 or 1000, hardcover or paperback, we can help you. For more information contact us and don’t forget to ask about our free book launch kit to help you get started!

91 Euston Street, Charlottetown, PE 902-892-0156 | info@kkpei.ca | www.kkpei.ca

WRITERS

New ED at PEI Writers’ Guild

The PEI Writers’ Guild (PEIWG) recently announced the appointment of Executive Director, Mo Duffy Cobb. This is the first time in the Guild’s 30-year history that it has been able to employ an Executive Director. Duffy Cobb is a familiar face within the PEIWG, having just served a two-year term as President. She was the inspirational and organizational force behind the Wild Threads Writing Symposium held in 2019.

Stepping in as Interim President is Christine Gordon Manley, who has been a member of the PEIWG for many years, and was previously in the Vice President position. The role of President will be voted on during the PEIWG AGM this fall. peiwritersguild.com

Publication awards

Laurie Brinklow and Lori Mayne have been awarded SSHRC Exchange Publication Awards. Two $5000 awards are given out annually to support the publication of manuscripts written or edited by UPEI faculty in the social sciences and humanities. Brinklow’s manuscript is a collection of poetry titled My island’s the house I sleep in at night Drawn from interviews with writers, artists, and musicians from Newfoundland and Tasmania, the manuscript weaves their words with her own poetic imaginings and explores the theme of islandness. Mayne’s manuscript, The Chemistry of Innovation: Regis Duffy and the Story of DCL, co-authored with Mo Duffy Cobb, shares the story behind one of PEI’s most successful companies and entrepreneurs. Both books will be published by Island Studies Press in 2021.

Public libraries reopen

All 26 public libraries across the province have reopened with some services reduced and safety measures in place. Islanders can enter libraries to borrow books, DVDs, musical instruments and access computers by appointment. Some library services are not available including: public seating and room rentals; children’s toys, puzzles and games; and in-person library programming. Islanders are encouraged to continue using online services such as library card registrations, Tumblebooks for children, ebooks, audiobooks, online story times, crafts and book clubs.

Victoria Literary Festival contests

The Victoria Literary Festival has extended its deadline for two writing contests. The Short Story competition aims to encourage and promote new writers of short fiction in order to provide exposure and inspire creativity.

Ghost Writer Short Story

A short piece of fiction with a minimum of 1400 words, taking into consideration the theme: Ghost Writer.

Hat’s Off Short Story

A short piece of fiction with a minimum of 1400 words, taking into consideration the theme: Hats Off.

First prize for each contest will receive $350 with the four runners-up receiving $50. Winners will also be published in the Victoria Review.

Stories must be received by the extended deadline, October 30. Anyone who has previously entered is welcome to send another story. The short story must not have previously been published or won a prize.

All entries must be sent in print form to Victoria Literary Festival, PO BOX 82, Victoria, PE, C0A2G0 as well as a digital copy (PDF or word doc) to: info@victorialiteraryfestival.com.

Order of PEI recipients

The 2020 recipients of the Order of PEI are: Olive Bryanton of Hampshire; Henry Purdy of Parkdale; and B.E. (Bev) Simpson of York. These three individuals were selected from a total of 32 Islanders nominated to receive the award this year. The honour was first conferred in 1996 as a means of recognizing those Islanders who have shown individual excellence or outstanding leadership in their community and in their chosen occupation or profession. It is the highest honour that can be accorded to a citizen of the Province. It is awarded annually following a public nomination process with recipients being selected by an independent nine-person Advisory Council each year. Insignia of the Order will be presented by the Lieutenant Governor at a special investiture ceremony in September at Government House, Charlottetown. assembly.pe.ca/opei

Smoking cessation success

Eleven Islanders are now breathing a little easier thanks to a smoking cessation program offered by the PEI Lung Association. The Smoke-Free Now Challenge saw 24 percent of 45 participants stay smoke free for a month. The Smoke-Free Now Challenge provided participants with motivational emails, a challenge calendar and access to online support. Program participants completed a survey, self-reporting their success or inability to complete the challenge. The PEI Lung Association is a volunteer-driven charity organization whose mission is to improve quality of life by controlling and preventing lung disease through research, advocacy, patient services and education.

Survivors of sexual violence

Islanders can now access additional supports to navigate the justice system and community supports through a new partnership with Community Legal Information (CLI). RISE is a new program that provides educational, legal and emotional to support to Islanders dealing with sexual violence trauma. The program is offered through CLI, an organization that helps people navigate and better understand the legal system. The free program uses a trauma-informed approach and provides sexual assault survivors with access to legal information, up to four hours of free legal advice, personalized assistance to navigate the justice system and community supports, and emotional support to address the trauma of sexual violence. The Province provided $200,000 to support the program over two years to complement existing CLI services. Contact RISE at info@legalinfopei.ca or 218-6143.

Healthy School Lunch

Island students will have increased access to healthy, affordable, and local food this upcoming school year. A new province-wide Healthy School Lunch Program will use a pay-what-you-can model, to a maximum of $5 per meal, in partnership with local producers to provide healthy food options that meet

COMMUNITY #1

Canada’s Food Guide. Families will be able to order from local vendors which will be delivered to schools each day. A custom website is being developed to make ordering and paying online easy. Students will still be able to buy hot lunch options provided by existing food vendors in their schools. The new program will complement the six healthy school food pilots that began in January and will continue this fall at Kinkora Regional High, Amherst Cove Consolidated, Somerset Consolidated, Ecole Pierre-Chiasson, West Kent Elementary and Montague Regional High. The programs will guide the province’s plans for a universal healthy school food program to provide a healthy, hot meal option at each Island school for the 2021–2022 school year.

Hillsborough salmon

Thanks to Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation funding, the Hillsborough River Association will construct two salmon pools on Clark’s Creek and Pisquid River. Fish passage blockages will be removed from portions of the Head of Hillsborough, Clark’s Creek, Pisquid River and Vernon River, trees and shrubs will be planted in the riparian zone, silt will be removed from cobble areas and brush mats will be installed. Sediment will be removed later this summer from two in-stream sediment traps and electro-fishing will be conducted to assess the numbers of Atlantic salmon and trout present.

Rip current safety

Rip currents are a hazard on PEI beaches and form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. One of the ways this water returns to sea is to form a rip current, a narrow stream of water moving swiftly away from shore. The danger is when swimmers become trapped in the rapid current and are swept offshore. If caught in a rip current, stay calm, attract attention, conserve energy and tread water. Waves can assist getting back to shore. If that doesn’t work, swim parallel to shore out of the current, toward the breaking waves. Parks Canada’s video “Rip Currents— The Hidden Danger,” available on YouTube, advises beach visitors on how to identify the signs of a rip current. The video is also available for free download when used for educational purposes. More info: 672-6350

Mapping Island landscape

Flyovers to photograph every square metre of PEI continue to September 15. The photos will be used in the Corporate Land Use Inventory to develop a new map of the province. This work occurs every 10 years. The assembled and analyzed data will provide increased knowledge of all of PEI’s lands and forests.

TDB Consultants Inc. and Airborne Sensing Corp will take more than 4000 photos from the air to form a complete mosaic of the Island. All photographs will be analyzed to define land uses such as forestry, agricultural, wetland, industrial, recreational, residential and transportation. Forest ground measurements of more than 800 plots will be compared to the air photo to provide the types of ground vegetation and tree diameters. The 2020 Corporate Land Use inventory will also update LiDAR coverage to provide more detailed information on elevation of ground, vegetation and structure heights. The air photo mosaic, land use and LiDAR information is used extensively by all government depts, RCMP, emergency responders, UPEI, Holland College, municipalities, and watershed groups. The new map is expected in early 2021 with analysis occurring continuing until late 2022.

Community grants

The Community Foundation of PEI (CFPEI) provides annual grants and scholarships on behalf of their donors’ endowment funds. The Foundation recently awarded over $75,000 in scholarships and community grants. The community grants program helps to strengthen all parts of the charitable sector and/or engaging citizens in building their communities. Encouraging and supporting post-secondary students through scholarships is the reason some donors place their trust in CFPEI. The goals of the resulting student awards vary widely. Some support graduates of a specific high school, college, university, or program, while others focus on a loved one’s special interests. The scholarship recipients for this spring totalled more than $41,000. Now in its 27th year, the CFPEI currently manages over 100 funds with a combined value of more than $12.5 million and distributes funds in arts and culture, education, health, social services and the environment. CFPEI works with its donors to realize their philanthropic goals, matching their interests with the needs of the community. The recipients for 2020 can be found at cfpei.ca.

Dock at Victoria Park

The low profile modular composite floating dock system has been installed at Victoria Park in Charlottetown. New additions have been made to allow for physical distancing. For public safety, a control access gate has been installed at the gangway entrance to the floating dock. An accessible parking space is located in front of the entrance of the floating dock to make it more accessible to the public. The dock system is open for public use from dawn to dusk and is expected to remain in place until Oct 15. The public is reminded that the City has a Public Slip located at the Charlottetown Yacht Club, where small non-motorized watercraft can be launched.

More rural job opportunities

The Employment Development Agency will provide funding for an additional 200 employment positions to businesses in rural PEI, through the Rural Jobs Initiative. The Initiative helps rural business owners recruit, hire and train staff, and supports innovation in rural communities across the province. The Initiative assists workers in transition from certain industries, as well as industries being impacted by the loss of skilled workers. The Initiative supports private businesses and non-government organizations that focus on rural community economic development. This year, the program will help nearly 300 Islanders find jobs in rural PEI. For information or to apply for positions, visit princeedwardisland.ca.

New affordable housing

Islanders seeking affordable housing through the province’s social housing registry will benefit from 64 new housing units in five Island communities. Financial support, through the Affordable Housing Development Program, is supporting 12 new affordable housing units with private developers in Kensington and Tignish. Additionally, the Province is tendering the design and construction of 32 units of affordable housing in Summerside and 10 units for both Morell and Georgetown. There are also currently 295 affordable housing units—where the province sets rent to 25 per cent of income—under construction across the province. All of these units are expected to be completed over the next year. Since June 2019, 77 new affordable housing units have opened. The province is committed to adding 1200 new affordable housing units over the next four years.

Protected greenspace

Islanders will see more protected greenspace in the Hillsborough Park area as part of an agreement to offset construction impacting the Royalty Oaks protected area. Following the advice of the Natural Area Protection Act technical advisory committee, Government will: designate new protected areas next to the existing Royalty Oaks natural area to offset the loss of .76 acre to the 10.84-acre protected area; and ensure the Technical Advisory Committee works with the Dept of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy’s environmental coordinator to review and provide feedback on the environmental management plan for the project. Government will also pursue Natural Areas Protection Act designation for a 28-acre parcel along Wright’s Creek in Hillsborough Park. This will strengthen the watersheds and green spaces network in the neighbourhood. The Dept of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy is adding a bike lane and additional right turning lane from the arterial bypass highway onto St. Peter’s Rd. This improvement requires removing the protection designation from approximately .76 acres of Royalty Oaks land. Public consultations were held in May.

Venture Stables

Venture Stables has equine assisted learning programs available in Freetown, PE. Seeds of Self runs each Sat from 10 am–2 pm. Build confidence, self-awareness and self-esteem in young people with the help of horses. Programs are facilitated by a registered social worker and certified equine assisted learning facilitator. Mindful Mondays with Brave and Broken are 8 am–12 pm on Mondays. No appointment necessary and no horse experience is required. Military veterans and family members only. Adult Fun Nights are held weekly on Fridays at 6 pm. Suitable for beginners or those wanting to get back on the saddle. Participants gain confidence, get exercise and decide if they want to ride for enjoyment or learn a discipline and work toward a specific goal. Registration required. Contact Jasmine Bastatrache, 247-0195, venturestablespei@gmail.com. venturestables.com

Beautification program

Submissions are being accepted for the City of Charlottetown’s Make Our Hometown Beautiful program. The gardening program is designed to recognize those who maintain buildings and landscapes within City limits. Businesses and residents can self-nominate or nominate someone else. This year, the properties will be chosen based on curb appeal or what can be viewed from the road without entering private property The nomination deadline is Aug 7 at 4 pm. Judging will take place the week of Aug 10 and winners will be announced the week of Aug 17. Also being announced the week of Aug 17 are the winners of the Adopt a Corner program and the winner of the Councillor barrel program. Forms available at charlottetown.ca.

Rock barra workshops

Rock Barra Artist Retreat has a lineup of workshops this summer: The Yoga of Sound with Teresa Doyle, July 31–Aug 2; PEI Recovery Retreat with Kele Redmond, Aug 7–9; Interconnectedness Through Painting with Haley Lewis, Aug 16, 10 am–5 pm; Cracking Her Codes Cacao Workshop with Katlin Doyle, Aug 19, 12–4 pm; Intro to Pottery with Dylan Tierney, Aug 23, 2–4 pm; Identifying, harvesting and cooking sea plants with Irene Novaczek, Aug 30, 11 am–4 pm; Reflect and Uplift with Monica Lacey and Devon Ross, Sept 6, 9:30 am–6:30 pm; and Rock Barra Women’s Retreat—Reset and Rejoice! An Ode to Joy! with Abbi Totty and Yvette Doucette, Sept 11–13. Reserve at teresadoyle.com/rock-barra-retreat. 211 Big Pond Rd, Souris.

Government House grounds

Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry is has announced that the grounds at Government House will be open for guided walking tours for groups of up to ten people until August 28. Tours will begin on the hour starting at the gates, Mon–Fri, 10 am–3 pm. Signage will be posted. Public health protocols will be followed. Tours of the official residence will not be available this summer. Visit lgpei.ca to learn more.

COMMUNITY #2

Activist award

NDP Women’s Committee are preparing to launch their second annual Hilda Ramsay Bursary. $500 will be granted to a female identified student attending either UPEI, Holland College or Universite Sainte-Anne. Application details at ndppei.ca.

PEIHS pet photo contest

The first photo contest to raise funds for PEI Humane Society’s spay and neuter program is underway. Until August 8, the top four photos with the most votes will be included in the PEIHS 2021 calendar and the photo with the most votes overall will be on the cover. Enter today, vote for your favourites and share the contest link with friends and family. gogophotocontest.com/peihumanesociety

Acadian heritage award

The Association du Musée acadien invites the public to submit candidates for La Petite Nyctale award which recognizes an individual or a group that has contributed in preserving and promoting Acadian heritage over the years in any field, such as history, traditions, music, genealogy, restoration of historical houses or buildings, etc. Submit nominations with a brief description of the candidate’s contribution by Aug 28. Send by email to info@museeacadien.org or call 432-2880. The award will be presented during the annual meeting of the Association du Musée acadien this fall.

Online grief support

The online grief support group is held the third Thursday of each month at 7 pm. Drop-in sessions use the Zoom online app and are facilitated by Blanche Ward, Social Worker at the Provincial Palliative Care Centre and Liz Parsons, Hospice PEI Grief Support Coordinator. To register contact Liz at 438-4231 to receive a log in and password. First time Zoom users welcome. Technical support can be arranged a few days before the session. One on one grief support Hospice volunteers are also available for private phone conversations.

Risks of cannabis use

Island youth will soon have access to a new diversion and educational justice program to help them better understand the health, legal and social risks of cannabis use and possession. The Rethink program was developed by the Depts of Health and Wellness and Justice and Public Safety. Rethink uses an early intervention approach and brings together program participants, government, support networks and community members. The principles of this program focus on educational and prevention strategies to make positive life choices, ongoing information on cannabis use and possession, options to direct youth away

from the justice system, and support with provincial cannabis-related offences. Rethink is available to youth between the ages of 12 and 19 by referral.

Law Foundation grants

The Law Foundation of PEI is welcoming applications for project funding. To learn how to apply visit lawfoundationpei. ca. They also offer free, 10–15 minute information sessions to groups or individuals. The focus is to help applicants understand if their project is eligible and how to build a strong application. The sessions are available using online platforms. To schedule, email info@lawfoundationpei.ca or contact Sheila Lund Macdonald at 620-1763.

Get Centered workshops

Get Centered Workshops and Meditation Drop-ins are ongoing at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown. Those looking for ways to boost their resilience are encuraged to join. Participants get information and exercises to help quiet an overactive mind and find calm in adversity. Info: Louise Carota, louise@louisecarota.com, follow @artistlouisecarota on FB.

WCB’s Safety Video Contest

Connor Belaire of Three Oaks Senior High School is the winner of this year’s Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of PEI High School Video Contest, which challenged students to create a video about the importance of safety on the job. The grade 10 student created the short film Forklifts: Five Rules to Safety which outlines the basic steps to operating a forklift safely. As the winner of the contest, Connor will receive a $1000 cash prize and $1000 for his school. His video has also been submitted to the national Youth Video Contest where there are more cash prizes to be won. The video is available at wcb.pe.ca.

Sociable Singles

PEI Sociable Singles is a non-profit, non-denominational, social group. Members are 40+. The group provides the separated, divorced, widowed, and unmarried with an opportunity to participate in healthy group and social activities such as dances, potlucks, movies, walks/hikes, card games, dining, bbqs, games nights and more. Sociable Singles is not a dating club. Meet compatible people who are unattached and in similar circumstances. Meet & Greet Socials are held weekly on Mon at 7 pm. West Royalty Community Centre, 1 Kirkdale Rd, Rm 6, Ch’town. sociable_singles@ yahoo.com, sites.google.com/site/ peisociablesingles

Land Matters Project

The provincial government wants to hear from Islanders on how land

use, ownership and planning can be improved. Islanders can visit landmatterspei.ca to provide input about land issues in PEI. This engagement is part of the Province’s review of the Lands Protection Act and Planning Act and input will be used to provide recommendations on changes to regulations and legislation. The Land Matters Project is being initiated as a response to public request, findings of past land reports, and current mandates to review the Lands Protection Act and Planning Act. Info: princeedwardisland.ca, landmatterspei.ca

PEI Children & Youth Table

The recently founded PEI Children & Youth Table is the feedback mechanism of the Child and Youth Advocate Act, an organized and supported group of eight youth advocates who meet on a regular basis with community leaders, organizational directors, politicians, and roles from across PEI who as adults can provide information, drive action and facilitate change. The Table utilizes the United Nations Convention of the Rights of The Child as the lens for all conversations. With a formal job description authored by the youth, Table meeting topics are led by the youth to discuss everything from the impact of COVID-19 measures, mental health, education, environment, economic impact of government decisions, child care, early learning, issues of children in care and legal proceedings. In their first report to the Premier, the youth were adamant to dispel myths about who they are, and who they are not. They shared that they are indeed whole persons, unique and different, mature, recognizing their past is still a part of them, capable and ready, people who understand things like the economy and politics, acknowledge their struggles, are entirely capable of happiness, and are their own story. Two seats are still vacant. peichildrenandyouthtable.ca

Building Villages

Katie Murray, a 27-year old social activist and mental health advocate from Stratford, will host Building Villages, a two-part virtual event Aug 12 & 19 via Zoom. Murray was inspired to take action in her community to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health by helping people, and their loved ones, living with mental illness. Her goal is to inspire youth to realize that they are never too young to create meaningful change in their community. The virtual book club on Aug 12 will encourage conversations about mental health and discussions about how participants can support their loved ones. The virtual webinar on Aug 19, hosted by staff from the Canadian Mental Health Association—PEI Division, will offer self-care tips and info on how to support a loved one struggling with mental health.The project is funded by the #RisingYouth Grants Program, which is led by TakingITGlobal, and helps youth give back through community service. The sessions begin at 7 pm and are open to all. Reserve free tickets on the Virtual Mental Health Book Club FB page.

Funding women and girls

Six community organizations will receive funding support to help empower Island women and girls to live safer, better and healthier lives. Funding is provided through the 2020 Interministerial Women’s Secretariat Grants for the groups to develop a wide range of inclusive programs for women and girls that promote the legal, health, social and economic equality of women.

My Body, My Choice

The PEI Association for Community Living will receive $11,885 to develop a series of educational sessions focused on women with intellectual disabilities, to better understand personal relationships and their own sexual health.

Aboriginal Women’s Association

The Aboriginal Women’s Association will receive $20,380 to engage the Indigenous women’s community in PEI to enhance awareness and social action on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report’s Calls for Justice.

Youth group for young girls of colour

The Sierra Club will receive $9,850 to provide leadership development opportunities to young girls of colour.

Inspired by the Women’s Luncheon during Black History Month that saw a group of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) come together to support one another and be supported, the Black Cultural Society and Sierra Club want to create that same kind of space for young BIPOC in PEI.

The Girls Adventure in Leadership

The Adventure Group will receive $9,500 to provide girls age 9–14 the opportunity to engage with peers in a positive, inclusive environment, strengthening their ability to become leaders in the community.

Retaining Women in Trades in PEI

The Women’s Network PEI will receive $17,000 to work directly with women in trades to better understand why they stayed in or left their industries.

Translating Women’s Post-Secondary Student Leadership into Future Political Success

The Coalition for Women in Government will receive $17,000 to engage both present and past post-secondary student executives and current elected officials to enhance awareness, education and social action on women’s leadership in PEI.

Attention Residential Tenants and Landlords

The Office of the Director of Residential Rental Property invites written comments from tenants and landlords on what the maximum allowable rent increase should be for 2021.

Comments must be received by Friday, August 14, 2020 and can be delivered, mailed, or emailed to:

Director of Residential Rental Property 5th floor, National Bank Tower 134 Kent Street, PO Box 577 Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7L1

Email: jperry@irac.pe.ca

Comments received will help determine the maximum allowable rent increase for 2021. Information on current and previous allowable increases is available at www.irac.pe.ca/rental

SHARE THE ROAD

The Nature of PEI by

Gary Schneider

Beautiful dogwood

at least one meter (3 feet) of space between vehicles and bicycles

PEI is graced with four native dogwoods. The smallest is a common woodland wildflower called bunchberry. Like all dogwoods, the veins in the leaves run out towards the tip. The veins in most other leaves run off to the side. Bunchberry grows best in dappled light and produces edible orange fruits that have crunchy seeds inside. It is also called cackleberry or crackleberry due to the sound the seeds make when the fruit is chewed.

The red-osier dogwood is the red-twigged shrub typically found in Island ditches, as it is quite tolerant for full sun and wet soils. The round-leaf dogwood is one of our rarest native shrubs, with generally rounder leaves. Both of these shrubs have “opposite” leaves and branches, coming off the stem directly across from each other.

Our final native shrub in this family defies normal, in that its leaves are not opposite, but alternate (a single leaf on one side, then above that another leaf on the other side, etc.). The good thing about this plant is its name. As soon as you notice the leaves, you know it is a dogwood. Then when you see that the leaves are not opposite, you know it is an alternate-leaf dogwood.

This shrub grows to a height of about 20 feet (6.1 metres) and has a distinct habit of producing whorls of horizontal branches off the main stem. Because of this growing pattern, it is known as pagoda dogwood and looks more like a Japanese landscape plant than a PEI native shrub.

In spring, the plant is loaded with creamy white compound flowers, which are attractive to a mix of pollinators—everything from bees and wasps to moths and butterflies. By late August, the flower stems have turned bright red and the flowers have become beautiful purple berries. The shrub’s shape, the white flowers, and

the purple fruit against the red fruit stems make this an excellent choice for a specimen landscape plant. It does best in rich soil with dappled light, but is worthwhile to grow even if the conditions are not optimal.

Berries are a preferred food of ruffed grouse, northern flicker, vdowny woodpecker, American robin, wood thrush, hermit thrush, Swainson’s thrush, gray-cheeked thrush, cedar waxwing, red-eyed vireo, evening grosbeak, purple finch and pine grosbeak. Chipmunks and other small mammals make use of the fruit, while buds are eaten by ruffed grouse and ring-necked pheasant. Alternateleaf dogwood provides cover and nesting sites to many species of birds.

This dogwood is an excellent addition to forest restoration efforts where you have the proper light conditions –not really dark, but not full sun either. You’re looking for that sweet spot, an open forest with light shade. It helps diversify a forest, giving you another layer of growth. This is important as some wildlife species thrive in the middle-canopy of the understory. It also provides different food sources in the spring and late summer.

One problem facing alternate-leaf dogwood is anthracnose, a fungal disease attacking flowering dogwoods across Canada and the northeastern states. It shows up as a yellowing of the branches and if the infection is severe, the shrub will die. Normally, that would be enough to turn me off from growing it, but the beauty of alternate-leaf dogwood really is something special.

The highlight of my yard in Tea Hill is a large alternate-leaf dogwood and I honestly wouldn’t trade it for any other plant. It brings me joy throughout the year, which really is as much as you should ever ask of a plant.

Bunchberry (or cackleberry)

news NATURE

Nature-based activities

The City of Charlottetown’s Parks and Recreation and Sustainability departments invite residents and visitors to enjoy new, self-led nature education activities in Victoria Park. Each Monday throughout the summer, kid-friendly, nature-based activities will be available at the ball field clubhouse at Victoria Park. Instructions will be displayed in the window and the supplies required to complete the activity will be provided. A new activity will be available at the beginning of each week between 9 am–4 pm, Monday to Friday. Activities include woodland journaling, scavenger hunts, sketching and more. Info: www.charlottetown.ca/treesofvicpark

Arboretum self-guided tour

The City of Charlottetown unveiled a new self-guided tour of the arboretum at Victoria Park. The arboretum displays a diversity of woody plants representing PEI’s native flora. Located in a clearing at the edge of the park trails, the arboretum is a popular area of the park for picnics and quiet activities. An arboretum is a botanical garden made up of only of trees. At Victoria Park, the arboretum is comprised of both native trees and shrubs, some of which are rare. A digital arboretum map at charlottetown.ca/treesofvicpark includes 25 different species

of trees and shrubs which are each numbered for easy identification. The website also includes a detailed description for each tree or shrub. Paper copies of the Victoria Park Arboretum map are available at the ball field clubhouse veranda. Info: 566-5548, charlottetown.ca

MacLean Award nominations

Island Nature Trust is seeking nominations for the 2020 Hon. J. Angus MacLean Natural Areas Award. Individuals or groups that have made a significant and lasting difference in increasing or improving natural areas across PEI may be nominated. The MacLean Award will be presented at Island Nature Trust’s AGM in September. Submissions should include a brief biography of the nominee and clearly detail the work done to protect or manage natural area(s) in PEI. The submission deadline is August 28. Mail submissions to: Island Nature Trust P.O. Box 265, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7K4 or email admin@islandnaturetrust.ca. Information and guidelines at islandnaturetrust.ca or visit the office at Ravenwood House Bldg 15, Mount Edward Rd, Charlottetown. Megan Harris, 892-7513

BUZZ DEADLINE

Submissions and advertising booking deadline for the September issue: Friday, August 14th

Explore Glenaladale

Glenaladale House may be temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but visitors are invited to enjoy the grounds at the historic property, learn more about the estate and its people.

Enjoy the shore and bring along a picnic lunch. The paths in the woods are still a work in progress but can be used at-your-own-risk.

Guides are on site to answer questions and escort visitors upon request.

The grounds are open Monday–Friday 9 am–4 pm and Saturday 10:30 am–2:30 pm. Glenaladale House is located at 257 Blooming Point Rd, Tracadie Cross.

CBMF Drive-in Series

Live big screen performances in Cavendish—Aug 8 & 29

The Cavendish Beach Drive-In Concert Series kicked off in July at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and Events Centre in Cavendish. Attendees will see live performances from a lineup of local artists on stage from the comfort and safety of their cars. The final two concerts in the series will be August 8 and 29.

August 8 brings Gordie Mackeeman and his Rhythm Boys, Dylan Menzie and Trinity Bradshaw to the stage, with The Ellis Family Band headlining.

The final show on August 29 will feature Lennie Gallant, along with Catherine MacLellan, Alicia Toner and Hailee Lefort Trio.

ECMA winners

Paul Bernard receives Stompin’ Tom Award

The winners of the 2020 East Coast Music Awards were announced in July as part of a two-hour broadcast, hosted by Mary Walsh.

Paul Bernard was awarded one of the five honourary Stompin’ Tom Awards. Bernard was immediately taken with classical music from a young age. After some time at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, he became the first Canadian to graduate from London’s Royal College of Music. After moving back to PEI, Bernard opened a guitar academy and studio, which later became Paul’s Music Store. They had over 400 students a week, many of whom went on to graduate from UPEI’s Music Program. In 1988, Paul produced his first album, Paul Bernard Spanish Guitar, followed by Majorca in 1992.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase through the MHG Delivered App and delivered directly to vehicles.

Carload passes are available via cavendishbeachmusic.com.

The East Pointers took the ECMA awards for Songwriter of the Year and Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year for “Yours to Break.”

An ECMA Industry award for Producer of the Year went to Daniel Ledwell, originally from PEI. For a list of all the ECMA winners for 2020 visit ecma.com.

Dylan Menzie

Paul Bernard

TRAILSIDE at Holman Grand

Trailside Music Hall presents it’s live music shows at the Holman Grand Hotel in Charlottetown while awaiting construction of their new venue.

Catherine MacLellan July 29

Canadian folk musician Catherine MacLellan returns with her seventh album, COYOTE

Tara MacLean July 30 & 31

Tara MacLean’s style is reflective of her deep roots in gospel and the folk music of her East Coast upbringing.

John Connolly Aug 1 & 2

Singer-songwriter John Connolly has released his own works and produced albums for other artists. He is recording a new album this summer.

Fraser McCallum and Colin Buchanan with Rick Sparkes Aug 3

Fraser McCallum and Colin Buchanan make up half of the band Racoon Bandit. Rick Sparkes’ debut LP The Trouble with the Light earned him two 2019 Music PEI nominations and international airplay.

Jill Chandler and Maureen Trainor Aug 4

Jill Chandler tells her story through songs with catchy melodies and poetic lyrics. Maureen Trainor’s style most closely aligns with folk, drawing influence from her eclectic music collection.

Rowen Gallant and Jesse Period Aug 5

Members of Ten Strings And A Goat Skin, Jesse Periard and Rowen Gallant have reunited to push the boundaries of traditional music.

Dylan Menzie Aug 6 & 7

Dylan Menzie turns his knack for writing emotional love songs into dance-inducing funk songs and stripped-down intimate ballads.

Anna Ludlow Aug 13

From Antigonish, NS, Anna Ludlow has played her fiddle for audiences throughout North America and Europe for over 25 years. She recently finished a 15-month run with the hit show Come From Away Toronto production.

Tomato Tomato Aug 14 & 15

Tomato Tomato perform an eclectic mix of folk and country. Their live show includes multitasking, dynamic guitar arrangements and vocal harmonies stitched with heartfelt songwriting.

Tanya Davis Aug 16

Tanya Davis is an artist and performer who works across disciplines, creating poetry, music and stage shows.

Alicia Toner Aug 17

A child of the East Coast, Alicia Toner writes an Americana blend of folk, pop and country-rock with unique melody-driven sound.

Dave Gunning Aug 18 & 19

Dave Gunning, the Nova Scotian folk singer-songwriter has developed into a poetic storyteller and emotionally convincing singer.

Nathan Wiley Aug 20 & 21

Nathan Wiley’s blend of classic sounds with a modern, slightly world weary perspective strike a chord with listeners.

John McPhee Aug 22

John MacPhee sidesteps from lead singer of Paper Lions for a solo performance.

Gordie Sampson Aug 23–25

Gordie Sampson resides and writes in Nashville where his songs have been covered by Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, and Rascal Flatts.

Josh Carter and Brandon Roy Aug 26

Josh Carter is the primary singer-songwriter for Coyote and Calm Baretta. Brandon Roy has performed in musicals across Canada and recently started sharing his songwriting with the world.

Scott Parsons Aug 27

Scott Parsons is a versatile and multi-dimensional musician, a gifted songwriter, and an emotionally expressive vocalist.

Andrew Waite Aug 28 & 29

“Andrew Waite is a born frontman, but it’s his songwriting craft that sets him apart for me... He just gets it and it’s a pure joy to watch live.” —Irish Mythen

Venue doors open at 6:30 pm with music at 8 pm nightly. Food and beverage table service is available before and during the performance from Red Water Rustic Grille. Tickets at trailside.ca and Back Alley Music, 257 Queen St, Charlottetown. The Holman Grand Hotel third floor venue is accessible by elevator in the hotel lobby at 123 Grafton St, Charlottetown.

Kirk recitals

The summer recitals at the Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown continue this season with three recitals to be held July 30, August 6 and 20. Frances McBurnie will perform July 30 in a recital of the Goldberg Variations by J. S. Bach.

On August 6, Nathan Liang will perform Piano Concerto No. 2 by Shostakovich and the First Ballade of Frederic Chopin.

Sean Kemp will perform August 20 in a program that will include Mozart and Debussy. Kemp will be joined by Jesse Devries in a performance of Passacaglia. Frances McBurnie will assist both Liang and Kemp.

All recitals begin at 12:10 pm and are free with donations to the Kirk’s Choral Scholarships appreciated.

The Kirk of St. James is located at 35 Fitzroy St, Charlottetown.

Comhaltas

Comhaltas (pronounced cole-tis) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional Irish music and culture. The local CCÉ Red Island Branch is gearing up and getting ready for the fall term of music classes.

As a branch, they host music, dance and singing classes all in the traditional Irish style. Their music teachers offer classes on a range of instruments such as concertina, fiddle, tin whistle, flute, guitar, pipes, harp and piano accompaniment, as well as traditional singing, step-dancing, sean-nós (old style) dancing and Irish language classes.

In-person classes will be held at Holland College in Charlottetown, although members can also avail of classes online. All ages and all levels are welcome.

Fall term classes include membership (with perks) and are offered in private and group formats. Lessons are half an hour in length and start September 26. Space is limited. Email cceredisland@gmail.com to book. cceredisland.wixsite.com/atlantic

Sean Kemp

Scott Parsons

RELEASES

Aging Gratefully

Gordon Belsher

Aging Gratefully is Gordon Belsher’s latest release from the Guernsey Cove Parlour. It features several new cuts, a special tribute to his Dad, and select cuts from the various combos and collaborations of his musical career.

Each track was chosen to honour his fellow performers and the meaningful relationships that have been forged over the past 55 years.

Six pages of liner notes and photos will take the reader on a musical journey of a bass playing teenager during the 60’s “British Invasion” through the disco age, to Celtic and current Maritime folk songs.

All cuts except two were recorded in Gordon’s own studio in Guernsey Cove, PE, which evolved from four track double speed cassette to 16 track analog, to the current digital setup. The album was mastered digitally in Guernsey Cove as well.

Cover photography is by Gordon’s daughter Siobhán and the insert booklet was designed by his wife Charlene.

The CD is available online at guernseycove.ca or at The Old General Store in Murray River and Green Eye Designs in Charlottetown.

Common Senselessness

Dennis Ellsworth

Charlottetown’s Dennis Ellsworth recently released his new EP Common Senselessness, a five song companion project to his 2019 album Common Senseless. The album features the single “Made for You,” co-written with Donovan Woods.

“I remember a news crew watched us write this song, and then I actually saw it on the news,” said Woods. “I can’t remember what we were writing about but I’ve always loved the first line: ‘I dream about you so often, I don’t even mention it now.’ I think about that line all the time because I think it’s a really good first line. A true gem of Canadian songwriting, I’m honoured to officially be involved with one of his records.”

After Ellsworth’s song “I Have No Idea” appeared in Carly Stone’s The New Romantic (SXSW jury prize for Best First Feature), the songwriter marked the occasion by embarking on a monthly recording

session at Adam Gallant’s The Hill Sound studio in Charlottetown. That process continued for eighteen months and produced a catalog that became 2019 album Common Senseless

“Culling tracks from the sequence became a very difficult task for me,” said Ellsworth. “Ultimately, certain songs fell in line with a theme that the title projected, and anything that didn’t was left off the original album. I felt that we left some gems behind.”

Five of those songs are now available, both as part of a deluxe reissue of the album, as well as a separate EP available via Bandcamp.

Dennis Ellsworth is a songwriter, performer and producer. He began writing songs in high school, bridging a variety of styles from folk to rock n’ roll, to chill electro-pop. Over the years he has moved around, spending time in Edmonton and living in Toronto for over six years. He is now based in his hometown, with ten albums to his name since 2009. He has collaborated with Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize of Skydiggers, Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip, Joel Plaskett, and David Barbe of Sugar and foremost producer of Drive-by Truckers.

dennisellsworth.com

“People Get Ready—Live at the Mack”

Andrew Waite

In February 2020

Andrew Waite and his band performed a sold-out show at the Mackenzie Theatre in Charlottetown. The show was recorded live with a full camera and audio crew.

“People Get Ready,” written and recorded by Curtis Mayfield, is a song that has long inspired Waite as an artist and songwriter. In this live version track, Waite duets with singer Joce Reyome and features Nikki Waite (alto sax), Sean Ferris (organ), Evan McCosham (bass), Ian Toms (guitar), Mat MacEachern (drums), Mark Parsons (trumpet), Bob Nicholson (trombone), and Peter Wynne (tenor sax).

You can watch the video for “People Get Ready” on Youtube. andrewwaitemusic.com soundofpop.com

“Here

Now” Brandon Howard Roy

Fresh off the release of his debut single “Little Reasons,”

Brandon Howard Roy will release his latest song “Here Now”on July 31. Produced by Colin Buchanan at The Hill Sound Studio, it once again features his band Evan McCosham, Logan Richard, Josh Langille and Ben Aitken. Of the song, Roy says, “‘Here Now’ is equal parts love letter and apology to the friends you don’t get to see every day, but still love regardless of distance.”

The song will be featured on Roy’s debut EP Tough Stuff coming out later this year.

Catch Brandon live at Trailside Music Hall with Josh Carter on August 26 in Charlottetown.

“Lavender Town” emi claire

Sixteen year old singer-songwriter emi claire (Emily Smith) from Kensington, has released her debut single, “Lavender Town.”

The song features local musicians Todd MacLean, Shawn Doiron, and Chris Smith. It was produced, recorded and mixed by Chris Smith and mastered by Jon Matthews.

emi claire has performed across the Island with roles in local theatre and musical productions including 101 Dalmations, The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods, Sister Act, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol, and Anne and Gilbert in 2019.

“Lavender Town” is currently available on Spotify, and Apple Music.

“God” Shaye

Musical trio Shaye —Kim Stockwood, Damhnait Doyle, Tara MacLean—reunited recently to record the song “God,” written by Jeen O’Brien.

Long-time friend and musician Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane/Justin Nozuka/Jason Mraz) produced the song from a distance and contributed the guitar track from a demo he recorded with Shaye in 2003.

“When Kim called about recording ‘God,’ it felt like the perfect way to come together again,” says Tara. “The song is one of our favourites to sing.”

Listen at youtu.be/yFKYVjB1BCg

news MUSIC

Music PEI funding

Music PEI’s Microgrant Program was created to fund smaller projects which will help emerging artists and underserved communities (youth, LGBTQ+, Indigenous) and provide a jumping-off point as a way to get the artists’ foot in the door of the industry with a small scale project. The application form is simple and most projects will be considered with very few restrictions. Examples include merchandise, recording, production and advertising. The program will have a rolling deadline with projects submitted being judged on a case-by-case basis. Program applications can be found at musicpei.com/programs/microgrant. php. Artists will be contacted as their applications are received. musicpei.com

2021 CFMA Unsung Hero

The 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CMFAs) application for the Unsung Hero Award category is open to August 31. There is no fee to nominate someone for this award. The Unsung Hero Award is presented annually in recognition of the exceptional contribution of an individual, group, or organization active in any aspect of the Canadian folk music scene. Posthumous nominations for individuals are not accepted. The award will be announced at the 16th Canadian Folk Music Awards in Charlottetown, April 9-10, 2021. folkawards.ca

Diverse Voices

FilmPEI and Music PEI have partnered to create Diverse Voices, a new program designed to serve youth in the BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ and youth communities of music artists and filmmakers with the goal of creating three new music videos.

The program will award $2500 per song that includes recording the new song in a professional studio and producing a video to accompany the song.

FilmPEI will provide the film equipment and studio as well as mentorship. Music PEI will provide the recording studio, training and mentorship. Music PEI will also assist in designing a plan to launch the video and song.

A call for submissions will be held for both organizations and the final participants will be selected by a jury. Applicants must be a resident of PEI to qualify. Applicants who are 25 or under and a member of one of the communities listed above, can apply to FilmPEI if they are an aspiring filmmaker or to Music PEI if they are a music artist.

Online submissions open August 10 at filmpei.com and musicpei.com. The deadline to apply is August 28. The program is scheduled to be completed by December 2020.

Info: music@musicpei.com or director@filmpei.com

Talking Bands by Evan James Ceretti

Shane Pendergast

Music is more than art, expression, philosophy, or language. It’s a medium that also exists to remember history— times, people and places that are all but forgotten, in an attempt to bring them to life. Folk music is arguably the best and most common way of doing just that. On PEI, Shane Pendergast is keeping the Island folk music tradition alive, crafting sophisticated music and poetry that takes listeners back in time on an era-spanning journey.

Pendergast writes music that can transport you, not necessarily in the psychedelic or emotional way, but through words. It’s news in song, fact that has often been lost in time, and memories that don’t belong to you but feel like they could.

At 21 years old, Pendergast comes from a long line of folk musicians. “My family has always been into music, on both sides. One side’s Acadian and one side is Irish. There was always music involved when the family would get together—folk music, traditional, and fiddle tunes.” Pendergast would be invited on stage as a child so he got used to the spotlight. He started playing summer shows at the age of 13 and has been doing so ever since.

More recently Pendergast wanted to dip into crafting his own works, rather than performing cover tunes. “I would torture myself trying to come up with things and I didn’t’ have the life experience yet or the knowledge to come up with anything that was very good. I’ve always been very critical about my songwriting, due to probably going up around really good musicians.”

Upon the first listen of Pendergast’s debut single, “Gaspésie,” it’s fair to say

that he has filled the shoes of family members that have come before him, namely, his father Michael Pendergast, who is a household name on PEI. “He’s basically been able to make it work full time, which is pretty crazy.”

Pendergast released his debut album Place to the Name in February. It’s an epic 13–song work of art, featuring 12 original songs, and one spoken word written by his father. While he was able to do a launch show in Toronto, he had hoped to have his album launch here much sooner, but things didn’t go as planned due to COVID-19.

Pendergast defines his music simply as folk with Acadian and Irish influences. “I use folk as an amalgamation of a number of traditions that make up Maritime music.”

Folk musicians are sometimes branched into the singer-songwriter genre, but Pendergast doesn’t want to be defined by that. Singer-songwriters generally write more personal songs, while most of Pendergast’s are about history, legend and made up stories.

Two songs of Pendergast that transform history into song are “Three Mile Limit” and “The Song of 52.” “Those songs in particular are historical. I read up on the history from different sources and from what people have told me, compiled that information and basically started to write poetry from it. But it’s all fact. Other songs on the album are meant to sound like they are true, but they’re made up stories.”

Hear Pendergast’s debut album on any major streaming platform. Better yet, you can see him live every Sunday from 1–4 pm at Lone Oak Brewing.

EVAN

JAMES CERETTI

LIVE MUSIC ONGOING

Barnone Brewery

Live in the Loft music series featuring Jon Rehder, Reg Ballagh and friends on Fridays at 8 pm. Guests are Johnny Theodore, Chris Gauthier, and Remi Arsenault (performing music by The Band - Aug 7), Tamara Steele (14), Nick Gauthier with Chris Gauthier (21), Dennis Ellsworth with Chris Gauthier (28). 4248 Route 225, Rose Valley. 394-6897

Bonshaw Ceilidh

If circumstances permit, the monthly Ceilidh Concert at the Bonshaw Hall will be Aug 30 from 7-9 pm. Performers include local musicians Tony the Troubador, Phil Pineau and/or Herb MacDonald plus special guests TBA, and open mic. All ages welcome. The hall is accessible for small wheelchairs. Admission is by donation with proceeds to the G’ma Circle of PEI/Stephen Lewis Foundation. Check their FB page after Aug 20 for updates. 25 Green Rd, Bonshaw. 675-4093

Charlottetown Beer Garden

Live music daily at 6 pm: Mondays with Taylor Buote and Dennis Dunn; Tuesdays with Brad Milligan and Logan Richard; Wednesdays with Vintage 2.0; Thursdays with Richie Bulger; Fridays with Kim Albert Trio; Saturdays with MaCrisTo Trio; and Sundays with Sunday Drive. 185 Kent St, Charlottetown. 367-6070

Copper Bottom Brewing

Tunes on Tap! is a weekly dose of traditional music every Sunday from 3–5 pm. A gathering of world-class musicians, fresh PEI handpies and Island hospitality. Admission is free. Performers include: Joe MacMaster (Aug 2), Hailee LeFort, Ward Macdonald and Jesse Periard (9), Thomas Harrington and Jesse Periard (16), Rowen Gallant and Jesse Periard (23), Zakk Cormier and Ward MacDonald (30). 567 Main St, Montague. 361-2337, copperbottombrewing.com

Gahan House

Acoustic live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 pm. 126 Sydney St, Charlottetown. 626-BEER

Irish Culture Centre

The Benevoloent Irish Society host shows in August at the Irish Cultural Centre in Charlottetown. The hall is currently restricted to 50 guests. Performing are: Cian and Mary and Friends (July 31), Fiddler’s Sons, with Eddy Quinn, John B. Webster and Courtney HoganChandler (Aug 4), Tip Er Back with Allan Betts, Wade Murray and Clive Curry (7), Black is the Colour with Keith Mullen, Rob Drew, Ward MacDonald with special guests Mary Ellen Hurley and Hailey MacDonald (11), Chaisson

Trio with Louise Chaisson-MacKinnon, Rannie MacLellan, Kevin Chaisson (14), Chaisson Trio with Louise ChaissonMacKinnon, Rannie MacLellan, Kevin Chaisson (18), Shane Pendergast and the Pendergast Family (21), Cian O’Morain and Mary MacGillivray with a special friend (25), and Guinness with Jim, Laura and Paddy Farrell (28). 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown. 892-2367

Lone Oak Brewing

Maritime Folk Sundays with Shane Pendergast and guests on Sundays from 1–3 pm all summer at Lone Oak Brewery in Borden-Carleton. Guest singer-songwriters will join each week. Live music with Nolan Compton Saturdays in August at 2 pm. 103 Abegweit Blvd, Borden-Carleton. 729-2228, 218-9373, loneoakbrew.com

Mont-Carmel Summer Concert Series

The Summer Concert Series, organized by La Coopérative de développement culturel et patrimonial de Mont-Carmel (CDCPMC), has performances on Sundays at 7 pm live via facebook.com/ CDCPMC. Performers: Josiane & Jacques Comeau (Aug 2), Cynthia MacLeod (9), Peggy Clinton & Johnny Ross (16), Caroline Bernard & Rémi Arsenault (23), and Meaghan Blanchard (30). Info: cooperativeculturelledemontcarmel.com or follow CDCPMC on social media.

Music at the Manse

Music at the Manse shows begin at 7 pm. Performing are host Tim Archer and local musicians. Concerts are held in the restored theatre room originally built in 1830. This intimate space has comfortable seating and sound equipment. Doors open at 6 pm. Upcoming shows: Grant Edwin Classic Country and Rock (July 30); Jeanie and Charles (Aug 7); and Scott Parsons (15). Follow on FB for more upcoming dates. 14155 St Peter’s Rd, Marshfield. 213-2861

Next Door @ Merchantman

Live music on Fridays at 5 pm and 7 pm, and Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm. 23 Queen St, Charlottetown. 892-9150

Peakes Quay

Live music on Saturdays with Billy White at 8 pm. 11 Great George St, Charlottetown. 368-1330

Penzie’s Bistro at Shaw’s

Penzie’s Bistro at Shaw’s Hotel in Brackley are hosting live music. Doors, kitchen and bar open at 4:30 pm with shows at 7:30 pm. Rooms and cottages available. Call to reserve. Max six people per table. Performers: Shane Pendergast

with Thomas Harrington (July 31); Joce Reyome (Aug 5); Comedy with Dan Hendricken and Travis Lindsay (6, 7); Nick Doneff and Lawrence Maxwell (12); and Logan Richard (13, 14). Tickets available in person at Shaw’s Hotel or by phone. Follow Penzie’s Bistro on FB. 99 Apple Tree Rd, Brackley Beach. 672-2022, shawshotel.ca

Potter’s Parlour

Potter’s Parlour in New London has live music every Saturday in New London. Saturday Sessions at the Parlour start at 1 pm, weather depending. No cover charge. Performing are: Melissa McCarvill and Evan McCosham (Aug 1); Abi and Luka (8); Ryan Merry and Emily Coffin (15); and Olivia Rose Blacquiere (22). Outdoor yoga with Cynthia is Aug 15 (fees apply). Bring a mat. 10561 Route 6, New London. 886-2609

Sturgeon Ceilidh

Sturgeon Ceilidhs at St. Pauls Parish Hall begin at 6:30 pm. Since seating is limited to 47 people, reservations for 6 pm will be accepted. Those attending without a reservation will be on a first come first served basis. Performing on opening night, August 9 are: Mary Lou MacLure and Walter Ching, Marie MacIntyre, Jo-Anne Ford and Michael Buell, Allan and Doris MacDonald, MacDonald Sisters Doris and Marie, Michael O’Connor and George Johnson, Ralph Jenkins, Colton Matheson, Amanda and Jerry Franciosa, Kevin Jesso and Kenny MacKinnon, Glen MacDonald, and Irving Hayter. August 23 will have: Phase l l and Friends, Leith and Evy Lou McCarron, Marie MacIntyre, Glen MacDonald, Jo-Anne Ford and Michael Buell, MacDonald Sisters Doris and Marie, Ralph Jenkins, Mary Lou MacLure and Walter Ching, Colton Matheson, Allan and Doris MacDonald, Kevin Jesso and Kenny MacKinnon, and Irving Hayter. For reservations, email stmarysparish@pei.aibn.com or phone 838-2253. Route 17A, Sturgeon.

NUMBER 322 • AUGUST 2020

www.buzzpei.com @buzzpei

Editor/Sales: Yanik Richards

Editor: Michelle Ollerhead

Creative Media: Greg Webster

Partners: Maggie Lillo (Ruby Square Graphic Design), Carly Martin (Hawthorne House Media)

Contributers: Bryan Carver, Evan James Ceretti, Jan Cox, Deirdre Kessler, Jane Ledwell, Michelle MacCallum, Takako Morita, Norah Pendergast, JoDee Samuelson, Yvette Doucette, Gary Schneider

The Buzz is published monthly by Little Kit Bag Inc.

Mail: P.O. Box 1945, Charlottetown, PE C1A7N5

Office: 160 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1H9

Phone: 902-628-1958

E-mail: info@buzzpei.com

Social Media: @buzzpei

The opinions expressed in this publication are not neccessarily those of the publisher or staff. Compensation for errors in advertising copy which are the proven responsibility of the publisher is limited to a maximum of the cost of the placement of the advertisement.

COVER:

French River, 12”x12”, Acrylic on Canvas

Michelle MacCallum is a self-taught PEI painter who has been making art in various forms for 25 years. She works in various media including handmade paper, found items, acrylics and pastels. The beauty of the PEI landscape has been a constant source of inspiration.

BUZZIFIEDS

SILKWALKER ORIGINALS.

One-of-a-kind Silk Art, scarves, wraps, scenes and accessories. Individually hand painted by Charlotteto-wn silk artist, Heather Walker. Custom designs and personalized special occasion scarves for weddings, birthdays, retirement, etc. All are Hand-washable. Sold at many fine craft shops in PEI and by appointment, at her home studio in Charlottetown. www. silkwalker.com, heather@silkwalker.com, 902-330-8188

WINGIN’ IT. Island author Kathy Birt launched her 14th book, Wingin’ It in July and is working to get it out to people who love wings. 40 tasted and tested recipes. atfirstglance@eastlink.ca

CABIN FEVER CARVING. Sculpture and jewelry carved from bone, antler and wood. Open by appointment or chance. 129 Britain Shore Road, Brackley Beach. 902-888-9293

HANDYMAN FOR HIRE! No job is too small so contact me to help you tackle your “to do” list! FACEBOOK: Joe Mullen Handyman Services. EMAIL: joemullenhandymanservices@gmail.com

ORGANIC VEGGIE DELIVERY. Home delivery of fresh local organic veggies, foods, and other natural products. $25 / $40 / $50 Veggie Boxes or custom orders. Great for busy families. Aaron Koleszar aaron@organicveggiedelivery. com, www.organicveggiedelivery.com, 902-659-2575

4 pm, Friday, August 14th $18/month for 30 words (tax included). $72 for 6 months.

All events, shows and gatherings have been published The Buzz under the assumption that venues and organizers will be following protocols put in place by the Chief Public Health Office and adapting to new protocols as they come.

If you have any specific concerns, please contact the venue or organizer for details about how they plan to keep Islanders safe.