The Buzz - June 2021

June 2021

Cathy Murchison/Krolikowski

DiverseCity Festival

Island annual multicultural event is a go for 2021

5:00

CHEF

The annual DiverseCity Festival will take place this year in a different form thn usual. Circumstances have challenged organizers to be creative in how they go about celebrating diversity, multiculturalism, inclusion, and promoting anti-racism on PEI. This year the DiverseCity Festival will take a hybrid approach by creating limited live performances as well as a broadcast series.

There are now five Island communities who will take part in the DiverseCity Festival. The City of Charlottetown, the Municipality of Three Rivers, and the Town of Alberton are joined by the Région Évangéline and the City of Summerside.

A small live show will take place in each community—subject to operational plan approval by the Chief Public Health Officer—between late June and late July. Each of these five shows will be filmed and combined with other performances during the summer presented as a multi-part broadcast to be aired on Eastlink Community TV and streamed online this September.

The DiverseCity Festival also has a newly created Advisory Board to support its planning and ensure wide community connections and engagement. Representation at this Board includes: the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI; the Native Council of PEI; the Black Cultural Society of PEI; the Chinese-Canadian, Indo-Canadian, Kerala, Lebanese, and Vietnamese Associations; the Coopérative d’intégration francophone; Iranian and Filipino community representatives; and the PEI Community Navigators.

“Our approach will allow Islanders to see and hear DiverseCity in these communities, and the broadcasts and streaming will offer a taste of PEI diversity to a wider audience,” says festival manager Mark Carr-Rollitt. “We’ve assembled a dynamic team to put the Festival together with representation from Canada, Russia, Dominican Republic, Philippines, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe along with my Italian/ Argentinian heritage.”

The DiverseCity Festival is a project of the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada.

Chū-daiko drummers perform at DiverseCity 2019

Living in harmony

to learn those kinds of skills that arts admin would teach,” Nicole reminisces. Those skills and experiences are certainly coming in handy now that she is managing the day-to-day operations of the Harmony House.

Mike is a musician, composer, director, actor, and general wearer of many hats. Notably, he was the founding director of music at Soulpepper Theatre Company in Toronto. He was an international fellow at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and he composes for both the stage and the screen.

“I started in music and didn’t really consider myself an actor,” a humble Mike Ross notes.

Mike continued to discuss his ideas and passions about bringing people together and the ways in which music and story are instrumental in his life. “A lot of my work happens where music meets story,” he says.

Nicole and Mike bring so much talent, generosity, and kindness to the Island and to all they do. They aren’t just behind-the-scenes at the Harmony House, they are also performers who shine when they’re on the stage.

“We are passionate about building community and hiring local artists,” Mike says. Nicole agrees and adds, “it’s been a lot of fun to get re-introduced to the Island music scene and to experience the variety of talented musicians here.”

Together as one, Mike and Nicole describe themselves as “musically yin and yang.”

As soon as I walked in the back door of the Harmony House in Hunter River, I was struck by the powerful and magical energy that greeted me. Mike Ross graciously showed me around the intimate venue which boasts a beautiful stage to an audience of just under 150.

Mike and his wife, Nicole Bellamy, are the new owner/operators of the Harmony House and I was struck by their creative and humble spirits.

We chatted in the lounge downstairs and their energy and enthusiasm filled the entire space. Though it was just a few of us sitting there, you could almost see and hear the hustle and bustle of a pre-show crowd.

Both Mike and Nicole are UPEI alumni (music) and they each have impressive backgrounds. We all chuckled when we talked about connections to PEI and what makes someone an Islander.

“Mike was born here but then raised away, and I moved here in grade four,” Nicole says between laughter, “so there’s debate on who’s an Islander and who’s not.”

They lived in Toronto for almost 20 years and moved back to PEI last year. I was curious what provoked a cross-Canada move during a pandemic and purchasing a venue during a time when gatherings are limited.

“It just felt right,” says Nicole with a smile.

Nicole and Mike officially became the new owners of the Harmony House in November and in eager style hosted a show on the same day as signing all the paperwork.

Before coming back to PEI and during her time in Toronto, Nicole freelanced and worked with various companies including Opera Hamilton, National Ballet, Opera Atelier, Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus, and Canadian Stage co. She is an operatic vocal coach, répétiteur, and a pianist. She is a solo recitalist and recital partner with a variety of singers.

Nicole also took an Arts Administration program because of her interests in learning the administration side of things. “I was interested

“My style is more unrefined rock and roll and Nicole is much more structured,” Mike smiles lovingly at Nicole, and she agrees.

This pair really brings heart and soul to their work and it is palatable when you walk into the Harmony House in Hunter River and evident in conversations with them.

“This first year at the Harmony House is basically a year of discovery,” Mike excitedly says. “We are predominately a music venue but we are open to other stage performances from Island artists,” Mike mentions as he ponders what a year of discovery may look like.

There are many exciting things planned at the Harmony House this summer including thier new production Inside American Pie, the return of The Island Summer Review with Patrick Ledwell and Mark Haines, and for the entire family, Allegra’s Magic Flute and Luka’s Fiddle

“If you build it, they will come,” Mike notes as he gazes around the lounge.

BUZZ

Profile: Mike Ross and Nicole Bellamy by Julie Bull

Cloggeroo returns

Island folk festival is back in Georgetown—Aug 13 to 15

The crew at Cloggeroo—the Island Folk Festival are working to bring the magic of a big festival experience back to the community of Georgetown in Three Rivers, PEI. Cloggeroo is back for August 13–15.

“We are so excited to bring live music back to our big festival tent,” says festival organizer Danielle Rochon. “We are serious about creating a safe place for our audience, volunteers, and musicians. We’re actually having a lot of fun re-imagining our set-up for 2021!”

The annual music festival will bring its usual line up of roots, rock, folk and blues to the stage for Friday and Saturday nights and a Sunday afternoon show.

Since 2014, Cloggeroo has been holding steady as a top quality musical experience with great live music, local food vendors, Island craft beer, festival camping, and free shuttles. Add in some gorgeous sunsets over the Brudenell River, and it’s easy to

see why festival goers come back year after year.

“Some of our die-hards are really itching to come back,” adds festival organizer Allison Cooke, “and we’ve also been hearing from folks who have never been before but are planning to try something new this summer.”

Keep your eyes peeled over the next month for artist announcements, ticket details and more at cloggeroo.com, @ CloggerooFolkFestival on Facebook, or @cloggeroopei on Instagram.

PHIL MATUSIEWICZ

Rheo Rochon junior and senior at Cloggeroo 2015

THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS

June 3 Mexican

THU

June 4 Indian FRI

June 10 Vietnamese THU

June 11

June 17 Chef Special

THU SUSHIL SAPKOTA

June 18 Mexican

FRI DIEGO MONTERO

June 24 Mexican

THU DIEGO MONTERO

June 25 Caribbean

FRI CHEF CHEVRON

www.tenchef.com

Back to life

St. Peter’s Bay Courthouse Theatre gets new life

Jessica Gallant and Luc Trottier are taking on the task of bringing the St. Peter’s Bay Courthouse Theatre back to life for the 2021 summer season. The duo have put down roots in St. Peter’s Bay and plan to bring a multitude of artistic talent to the community.

Gallant has performed at theatres across the country—including six seasons at The Charlottetown Festival where she is one of only two Islanders to ever play Anne Shirley

She will showcase her acting and singing talent with Jessica Gallant as Dolly Parton!, bringing to life the stories of country music legend Dolly Parton with hits like “Coat of Many Colours,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” Performances will take place July 9, 10, 16 and 17, at 7:30 pm. Stay tuned at courthousetheatre.ca for updates as this show evolves—the audience could be in store for special guest performances featuring songs by Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers.

Gallant grew up in Tracadie and attended Morell Regional High School. She left PEI to study musical theatre at Sheridan College in Ontario, where she met the Luc Trottier.

Hailing from Newmarket, ON, Trottier studied theatre at Sheridan College and filmmaking at Humber College. His television acting credits include Suits, American Gods, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Imposters.

As a filmmaker (and proposal writer), Trottier was able to secure funding for a five episode television series called The St. Peter’s Bay Community Players. Episodes will air in September on Bell Fibe TV1.

“The artistic pool is very deep on the Island,” says Trottier, who is working with artistic contacts on PEI who he feels, “need this kind of venue to showcase their talents.”

Visit courthousetheatre.ca or call 961-3636 for updates.

The Charlottetown Festival

Between Breaths

Play inspired by the true story of Dr. Jon Lien

The Charlottetown Festival returns June 3 at Confederation Centre of the Arts with the Island premiere of Between Breaths, presented by Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland. The poignant play kicks off The 2021 Charlottetown Festival, which will present four musicals between June and September.

Inspired by the true story of Dr. Jon Lien, known as the Whale Between Breaths sails through Dr. Jon’s career and the death-defying work of saving whales trapped in fishing nets off Newfoundland.

“I have always been drawn to true stories in the theatre,”offers Artistic Director Adam Brazier. “Experiencing real life stories on stage connects me to our past while demanding creativity from both the storytellers and the audience. Between Breaths reminds us how small we are and the immense influence we can have.”

This poignant memory play begins late in Dr. Jon’s life and moves backwards, to his first whale intervention. With his head down in freezing waters and armed only with a snorkel and knife, Dr. Jon would go on to save the lives of over 500 animals and earn the hard-won respect of Newfoundland’s fishers. Featuring a live score from The Between Breaths weaves dynamically from the Whale Man’s origins in the American mid-west, throughout his incredible career, right up to the biggest fight of his life—facing dementia in his later years.

Directed by Jillian Keiley (Artistic

Director of the National Arts Centre) Between Breaths plays June 3 to 19 in the Mainstage Theatre.

The play features an ensemble of Newfoundland-based actors and musicians: Steve O’Connell as Dr. Jon Lien; Bernardine Stapleton as wife and caregiver, Judy Lien; and Darryl Hopkins as Wayne the Fisher, and other roles; Andrew Laite (vocals/guitar); Kelly McMichael (vocals); and Josh Sandu (mandolin/bodhran/vocals).

Festival tickets can be purchased online at confederationcentre.com, by phone at 1-800-565-0278, or in person at the Centre’s box office. This show contains occasional strong language.

Shows will be presented with no intermission and concessions are to be ordered online in advance.

Steve O’Connell plays the Whale Man

Flavours you won’t find anywhere else.

Watermark Theatre

Directors and leads

Roster announced for summer shows in North Rustico

Watermark Theatre has announced the directors and lead actors for their summer season in North Rustico. The Gin Game, winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, uses a card game as a metaphor for life. It will be directed by Robert Tsonos and star Richard Clarkin and Gracie Finley. Cottagers and Indians emcompasses issues of community, respect and ownership. It will be co-directed by Jay Northcott and Robert Tsonos, and star Billy Merasty and Jan Rudd.

Richard Clarkin’s acting career began in 1984 when he originated the role of Jacob Mercer in David French’s play Salt Water Moon for Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. He performed the role of Scar in the Disney/Mirvish production of The Lion King, and had leading roles for companies including The Stratford Festival, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and the National Arts Centre to name a few. Clarkin’s Island roots run deep—he owns an old farmhouse in Savage Harbour and his parents are from Kelly’s Cross and Watervale.

Raised in Charlottetown with summers spent in Alberton, PEI, Gracie Finley is well known to Island audiences, having played Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ from 1968-74 and 1984-85, as well as other roles with The Charlottetown Festival. She has also worked with Theatre New Brunswick and Neptune Theatre. At Watermark Theatre, Finley has performed in The Shore Field, An Ideal Husband, The Glass Menagerie, Barefoot in the Park, and more.

Jay Northcott is a multidisciplinary artist, director, playwright, burlesque

dancer, and producer. They make it their mission to uplift projects that put BIPOC queer artists in the spotlight. Some of their director and assistant director credits include White Muscle Daddy with Pencil Kit Productions, Blacktop Sky and Pass Over with Obsidian Theatre, Scarlet Letter with Theatre Calgary, and Iphigenia and the Furies with Saga Collectif.

Cree actor and playwright Billy Merasty is celebrating a 38 year career in the performing arts. He has worked in many productions, some of which include Dry Lips Oughta Move To Kapuskasing by Tomson Highway, King Lear by Shakespeare at NAC, and his own play, Fireweed. Merasty also has experience in radio, film and television, including lead roles in the films Justice Denied (CBC/NFB) and Elijah (CTV). He won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival for his role in the film The 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw

Jan Rudd has over 30 years of experience as a performer, director, writer, teacher and arts educator. She started her stage career as a stand up comic in Ottawa and later in NYC. Her one woman show, Safety in Numbers, played at NYC’s Midtown International Festival and was chosen as “best of” by kef productions to play at Theatre Row in NYC. Some of her favourite credits include The Vagina Monologues (Anita’s Way, NYC) and Dance Academy (short film), as well as performances at Funny Women’s Fest and Halifax Comedy Festival. She is presently a player with PEI’s Farmgate Theatre.

watermarktheatre.com

(top, l–r): Jay Northcott, Jan Rudd, Richard Clarkin, (bottom): Gracie Finley, Billy Merasty

The Charlottetown Festival

Dear Rita cast

World premiere will feature six actor-musicians

Developed closely with Rita’s family and featuring a cast of six performers, the story is told through the direction of Mary Francis Moore and a script by Lindsay Kyte. The cabaret musical features new, re-imagined arrangements of Rita’s music by PEI composer and musician, Mike Ross.

The complete cast of actor-musicians include Michelle Bouey, Sheldon Elter, Kristi Hansen, Melissa MacKenzie, Joce Reyome, and Brendan Wall.

“We picked songs from Rita’s catalogue, from her popular hits to ones that made her bandmates weep, and created narratives around these to offer new perspectives,” shares Kyte, the playwright. “I keep getting asked, ‘Who plays Rita?’ The answer is that it’s not one person. Everyone is Rita— everyone on the stage, and everyone whose heart she touched with her music. In Dear Rita, we invite Rita’s spirit into the room so her songs can live on through our own experiences.”

Additional musical accompaniment is from guitarist Chris Corrigan (who recorded and toured as Rita’s lead guitarist for many years), and drummer Trevor Grant.

Performers MacKenzie and Bouey share the distinction of both being Islanders making their Festival debuts through Dear Rita and are also both alums of the Confederation Centre Young Company.

Hansen and Reyome are also both marking their Mainstage debuts with

the Festival, although Reyome has performed in several recent LIVE @ the Centre concerts as a singer-songwriter.

Elter is a versatile actor, writer, and musician, known nationally for his one man show, Metis Mutt, which he performed at the Festival in 2018.

Wall has become a Centre mainstay the past few summers, including Festival turns in Spoon River, Kronborg, Spinning Yarns, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Dear Rita will play June 29 to August 6 at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

confederationcentre.com

Pleasureville

Ellen Denny’s modern comedy at The Guild

The Guild’s production of Pleasureville by Ellen Denny will be performed at The Guild in Charlottetown June 25, 26, 29 and 30.

Pleasureville is directed by Geordie Brown and stars local actors Steph Hood, Rebecca McCauley, and Charlotte Moore.

Featuring one of the first non-binary roles in professional Canadian theatre, this modern comedy is bursting with heart as its characters learn to claim their power and their pleasure.

The Guild partnered with Pride PEI for this production.

Showtime is 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at guildpei.com, 620-3333, and at The Guild box office, 111 Queen Street, Charlottetown.

This summer will mark the world premiere of Dear Rita at The Charlottetown Festival. The show celebrates the life, tenacity, and musical legacy of the late Rita MacNeil.

SUBMITTED

Michelle Bouey (left) and Sheldon Elter

KEVIN CLARK STUDIOS

A Life’s Work

A highly-anticipated new Robert Harris exhibition is opening in two stages this month at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery (CCAG) in Charlottetown. A Life’s Work surveys Harris’ impressive career as a portrait painter in a young country.

Opening June 5, the exhibition features commissioned portraits of local merchant William Weeks, 1880; Sir Hugh Allan, 1885, founder of the Allan Steamship Line; the artist’s niece, Ruth Harris, 1896; and Anna Leonowens, 1905, co-founder of what is now NSCAD University. Also included are portraits of Harris’ siblings and parents, self-portraits, scenes of everyday life—including The Local Stars, 1888 and A Studio Boy’s Private View, 1886— less known but remarkable landscape paintings from several countries, selected drawings, sketchbooks, and memorabilia such as family photographs and letters.

Ranging from youthful works made in Charlottetown, to those created during his international studies and travels, or in his Montreal studio, this selection of works is drawn primarily from the CCAG’s extensive Robert Harris Collection and Archive—the majority of which was transferred to the Centre in 1965 from the Robert Harris Trust.

A Life’s Work is augmented with a few key loans from the National Gallery of Canada and also features several recent acquisitions given by the Estate of Mary Beth Harris, a grand-niece of Robert Harris. The exhibition is supported by the Frederick and Shirley Hyndman Gallery Endowment Fund.

Harris was a keen observer and he created a fascinating record of Charlottetown as he practiced drawing and painting. His detailed map of the city (based on an 1863 map by D.J. Lake) related to his early surveying work and his watercolour views of Charlottetown from 1869–1871 are a charming glimpse into this era. However, Harris was intent on painting people and his early self-directed training was followed by periods of study in Boston, London, and Paris in the 1870s and early 1880s. His goal of being an artist was set by his later

teens and by 1880 he was regarded as one of Canada’s leading painters.

Harris had the distinction of being named among the 26 charter members of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts when it was founded in 1880. His growing reputation for portraiture was undoubtedly a contributing factor in the Canadian Government awarding him the 1883 commission to depict the delegates to the Quebec Conference of 1864. Harris’ large, group painting is an iconic image in Canadian history and the commission propelled the artist’s career and solidified his reputation as Canada’s best portrait artist of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Harris’ success has often been attributed to his talent, business acumen, and his ability to connect with people—be it the well-to-do sitters commissioning portraits or the local farmers, fishers, women working in the lobster packing plant, or as a teacher in a one-room school. The range of subjects from everyday life that Harris explored in his works bear this out.

A Life’s Work: Canadian Artist Robert Harris (1849-1919) is planned in two parts. The first will feature many of the early watercolours, drawings of nude models, illustrations, and preliminary sketches for a wide range of portraits and will open in the Sobey Gallery on June 5. The majority of the oil paintings in the exhibition—the portraits, genre, and landscapes—will open in the second-floor gallery on June 26.

Robert Harris, Self-Portrait 1890, watercolour on paper. Gift of the Robert Harris Trust, 1965, CAGH-205.

Works by Canadian artist Robert Harris (1849–1919)

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

ART GALLERIES

Confed Centre Art Gallery

A Life’s Work: Canadian Artist Robert Harris (1849-1919) opens in two parts. Early watercolours, drawings, illustrations and preliminary sketches will open June 5. The oil paintings—portraits, genre, and landscapes—will open June 26. Also on view: Give Me Shelter to June 6 and Gerard Clarkes: A Haunted Land to June 16. 145 Richmond St, Charlottetown. confederationcentre.com

Cornwall Library Art Gallery

Everything Under The Moon, a photograph exhibit by Lindy Nichols is on view to June 18. A series of landscapes and portraits by artist Peter Ross will be on view from June 22–July 30. Contact the library for information on displaying in the gallery. 15 Mercedes Dr, Town Hall, Cornwall. 629-8415, cornwall@gov.pe.ca, library.pe.ca

JULY DEADLINE

Submissions and advertising for the July issue of The Buzz:

TUESDAY, JUNE 15

Details Fine Art Gallery

On view: works by Rosamond Bechtel, P. John Burden, Gale Colpitts, Gabriella Collier, Kevin Cook, Grace Curtis, Christina del Sol, Katharine Dagg,Daniel Gautier, Jamie Germaine, Doretta Groenendyk, Beverley Hawksley, Paul Healey, Larry Horowitz, Mary Jane Lundy, Carole Malcolm,Tim Menees, Natasha Miller, Shelley Mitchell, Connie O’Brien, Jean Claude Roy, Bill Rogers, Gail Rhyno, Arlene Rice, Helen Rowlands,Dianna Shyne, Rene Tardif, Richard Vickerson, and Damien Worth. Along with blown glass, art pottery and designer jewellery, the gallery features Inuit Sculptures from Cape Dorset. Open Thu–Sat afternoons and by appointment. Extended hours beginning soon. 166 Richmond St, Charlottetown. 892-2233, detailsgallery@eastlink.ca, detailsfineart.com

Dunes Island Art Gallery

On view: 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, Lynda Kelly, Sandi Komst,

Eric Labor, Helene LaRouche, Haley Lewis, Eve Llyndorah, Marie Lyon, Monica Macdonald, Anne MacKay, Wendy Manning, Ellen Martin, 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, Glen Strickey, Adam Sultan, Gail Sutherland, Lorraine Vatcher, Richard Vickerson, Lindsay Walker, Donna White, and Damien Worth. Gallery open daily. 3622 Brackley Point Road, Rte #15. 672-2586, dunesgallery.com

Ellen’s Creek Gallery

On view: works by Ben Stahl, Louis Mould, Scott O’Neil, Rosemary Terris, Geraldine Ysselstein, Damien Worth, Emily Howard, Ken Spearing, Margaret Muzika, Marianne Janowicz, 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, and Linda Shaw Packard. Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm, Sat 10 am–3 pm year round. framingpei@gmail.com. 525 North River Rd, Charlottetown. 368-3494

Eptek Art & Culture Centre

Visit the permanent exhibition on the history and architecture of Summerside. Admission is by donation. Eptek is a

site of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. Admission by donation. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside. 8888373, peimuseum.com

Gallery @ The Guild

The PEI Photo Club Annual Print Show is on view to June 13. JOYRUS, Joy in PEI by Qinjuan (Susan) Gu will be on view June 15–July 4. 115 Richmond St, Charlottetown. theguildpei.com

Kings Playhouse Gallery

First Bloom, student artwork from Montague Regional High School, is on view to June 18. Rahma & Friends— Seeking Refuge by Rahma will be on view June 19–July 31. 65 Grafton Street, Georgetown. kingsplayhouse.com, 1-866-346-5666

Lefurgey Cultural Centre

Culture Summerside will host the Three Oaks Senior High Graduating Art Exhibit from June 3–28. Featuring works by Josie MacDonald, Olivia MacKinnon, Landon Teatro, Lauren Stordy, Mya Burnett, Emily Doucette, Jamison England and Lacey Arsenault. Open weekdays, 9 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. 205 Prince St, Summerside. culturesummerside.com

this town is small

this town is small presents two exhibits at Receiver Coffee Co. Accumulations: Sea Glass by Phil Mercier to June 4 and Becka Viau’s Obedient Compliance from June 7–July 16. 128 Richmond St, Charlottetown.

Beer for sport

Second craft beer brewery battle rages on at Hopyard

Charlottetown Farmers’ Market

The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market is open weekly on Saturdays from 9 am–2 pm. Local farmers, crafters, artisans and hot food vendors sell local, organic produce, fish, meats, baked goods, preserves, roasted coffee, specialty teas and more. Online ordering is available through the CFM2GO marketplace at cfm2go.localfoodmarketplace.com. 100 Belvedere Ave, Charlottetown. charlottetownfarmersmarket.com

Downtown Farmers Market

Beginning June 27, the Downtown Farmers Market on lower Queen Street in Charlottetown will be held weekly on Sundays from 8 am–5 pm. More than 70 local vendors selling products including fresh local produce, preserves, ethnic and Canadian food service, baked goods, handmade soap and body products, wood work, knitting, hooked rugs, jewelry, artwork, gift ideas, and pet treats. market@downtowncharlottetown.com

Summerside Farmers Market

A fierce competition is growing at Hopyard on Kent Street in Charlottetown. For the second year in a row, The Brewery Battle pits local brewers against each other, in a winner-takes-all series of events that ultimately leads to an annual champion in PEI Craft Beer.

Every Thursday a new round takes place at Hopyard. A few changes in this year’s program: larger National brewers have been invited to bring beers from their craft portfolio and Red Island Cider became the first local cider producer to enter the competition.

The tournament began in late April when PEI Brewing Company went head to head with Summerside’s Evermoore Brewing. The Charlottetown brewery managed to beat Evermoore early in the evening with a line up of long standing Island craft beers and a few new additions like Beacon Blonde Ale.

The next round saw Red Island Cider against Molson. In a show of cider fortitude, Red Island Cider managed to beat the national brewing giant with their innovative range of ciders made right here in Charlottetown. Crushed like an apple, Molson couldn’t clinch the win with an odd bag of beers from their craft book.

In early May, Cornwall’s Village Green beat Saint John’s brewing behemoth,

Moosehead. A mix of traditional English Session beers and modern Hazy IPAs allowed Village Green to win against Moosehead, who brought a few beers from their small batch brewery, including the resurrection of a beer your grandparents would recall drinking—Ten Penny.

Moth Lane Brewing went up against Labatt’s Alexander Keith’s craft brands. In this heated round, Keith’s managed to squeak out a win thanks to the hustle and leg work put in by Labatt’s Sales Representative David Mitchell.

May wrapped up with an epic showdown between Upstreet and PEI Brewing. Upstreet claimed the victory after bringing some special release beers to the taps at Hopyard. Lone Oak Brewing, last year’s champion, square off against Red Island Cider after their advancement from the first round.

Village Green will be up against Montague’s Copper Bottom Brewing on June 3, and Bogside Brewing will go head to head with Alexander Keith’s on June 10. Semifinals will be held June 17 and 24 as winners advance.

Make room in your schedule every Thursday to check out the battles. The finals will be held on Canada Day, July 1. Be sure to stop in at Hopyardto support your favourite local brewery and help declare the 2021 PEI Craft Beer Champion.

Find local produce, baked goods, meat, fish, prepared food, cheese, artisans and more at the Summerside Farmers Market. Open weekly on Saturdays from 9 am–1 pm at 250 Water St, Summerside. summersidefarmersmarket.com

June 5-12, 2021

The Brew by Bryan Carver

Cornwall’s Village Green taking on Saint John’s Moosehead

BRYAN CARVER

ARTISTS & ARTISANS

Art ‘n’ Words Studio & Gallery

Cindy Lapeña, contemporary visual art. Open by appointment. artnwords.ca. 892-1426, 628-5867

Artisans on Main

Forty Island artists and artisans, whose offerings include glassware, pottery, paintings, fibre art, wood and bone sculptures, jewellery, hand-made paper, soaps and edibles. Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sunday 12–5 pm. 1 Station St, Montague. artisansonmain.ca, 361-3081

Birdmouse

Quirkshop with eco-friendly, reclaimed wood furniture and artwork. Open by appointment only. birdmoude.ca. 63 Melrose Rd, St. Georges. info@birdmouse.ca, 583-2581

Comfort House Studio & Gallery

Ellen Martin; oil paintings, prints. 245 Lefurgey Ave, Summerside. 436-3187

Ebb and Flow PEI

B.B. Gunn, custom framed felt wool art and fine art. Opening July 5 by appointment. ebbandflowpei.ca. 84 MacEwan’s Creek Rd, Morell. 218-5278

Eel Creek Custom Creations

Original concrete, live edge wood with iron accents furniture, industrial style decor. 1315 Burlington Rd, Rte 234, Burlington. 888-9746

Emmyvale Ranch

Gordon Carmody’s wood work, end grain cutting boards, slab display boards, coasters and live edge benches. 1817 Kingston Rd, Rte 235, Emyvale. 675-4509

Fire & Water Creations

Teri Hall; sea glass jewellery. Open by appointment only. 690 Rte 310, Bay Fortune. 687-3367

Galerie La Palette

Collective works from local artists; paintings, prints, photography and sculptures. Located in the yellow building at the Village musical acadien. 1745 Rte 124, Abram-Village. jeannetteblaquiere@gmail.com, 854-3256

Greg Garand Studio

Greg Garand; oil paintings. Open by appointment or chance. 1855 Hamilton Rd, Indian River. 836-4011, 439-0048

Happy Glass

BJ Sandiford; artisan jewellery, beads using molten glass, silver. 21 Grafton St, Charlottetown.

Hutchinson Pottery

Pottery by Jessica Hutchinson. Open by chance or appointment. hutchinsonpottery.com. 33 Camp Road, Oyster Bed Bridge. 621-5456

Island Made Gift Shop

Cindy Cousineau; Scrap’N Wrap; scrap-booking PEI & Maritimes memoribilia, wire-wrapped seaglass jewellery. 545 Malpeque Rd, Rte 2. 367-4121

Island Winds

Musically tuned, Island-made windchimes. 3827 Millvale Rd, South Granville. islandwindcraft.com

June Ellis’s Studio

June Ellis; limited edition prints. Rte 12, East Bideford. 831-2962

Knit Pickers PEI Studio

New MacEachern tartan, knitwear and tartans made in studio. Photos, jewellery and more. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm and Tuesday evenings 7–9 pm. knitpickerspei.com. 566 Line Rd, Rte 13, Mayfield. 626-8284

Koleszar Pottery

Pottery by Hedwig Koleszar; bowls, mugs, vases, yarn bowls, salt cellars and more. Tuesday–Sunday 1–5 pm. 1929 Gairloch Rd, Eldon. 659-2570

Kuko Creations

Ashley and Shirley Perry; jewellery, accessories, handbags. kuko-creations. square.site

Malpeque Fine Iron Products

Eric Schurman; pot racks, chandeliers, fireplace accessories, weathervanes, garden creatures. Monday–Friday 8:30 am–4:30 pm, Saturday 8:30 am–1 pm. Rte 180, Barbara Waite Rd, Lower New Annan. 436-5006

The Master’s Pieces

Quilt shop and artisan studio; Nancy Hunt’s batik, quilting cottons, hats, precut yarn goods, kits, handcrafted product. By appointment only. mpieces@ gmail.com. 3664 Dixon Rd, Breadalbane. 621-0569

McAskill’s Studio

Furniture and crafts by Joseph McAskill. Pottery, fine art, metal work, glass, giftware, by PEI and Atlantic artisans. 26 Beasley Ave, Charlottetown. 566-3416/ 866-303-3416

Messy Crow

Lisa Freeman; seaglass, jewellery, felted wool art. Commissions welcome. messycrowpei@gmail.com. Souris. 523-6090

Michael Stanley Pottery

An artist run gallery, with pottery inspired by the vibrant colours and gentle landscape of PEI. Works by father and son Malcolm and Michael Stanley, and other maritime potters. Open daily June–September. michaelstanleypottery. com. 22 Howard St, Victoria-by-the-Sea. 393-2339

Nan Ferrier Home Studio

Nan Ferrier; original paintings. #5–1303 Port Hill Station Rd, Tyne Valley. 831-3048

Northern Watters Knitwear

Handcrafted sweaters, shawls, stoles, ponchos. PEI arts and crafts items. 150 Richmond St, Charlottetown. 566-5850

P. John Burden’s Studio

P. John Burden; acrylic paintings, watercolour paintings. Hunter River. 964-2853

PEI Crafts Council Gallery

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

PEI Fox Den

Showcasing work of over 40 local artists and artisans that includes fibre art, photography, visual art, apparel, soap, woodwork, knitted goods, embroidery, candles, teas, chocolate, pottery, music and more. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. 2852 1A, North Bedeque. 3038327, peifoxden.ca

PEI Seachange Studio

Julia Rita Theriault, acrylic paintings. 8863 Rte 19, Desable. juliarita.com, 675-4516

PettyQuilt Junction

Robin Petty quilt sales and machine quilting services. Open by appointment only. robinquilts@gmail.com, pettyquiltjunction.etsy.com. 1006 Long River Rd, Kensington. 598-8322

Portraits by Erin

Erin Arsenault; portraits. erinjarsenault@gmail.com, erinarsenault.carbonmade.com

The Purcell Parlour Gallery

Julia Purcell; original art, prints, cards. 48 Herlihy Dr, Clyde River. 368-7526

Ranchboy Leather

Handcrafted leather benches, stools, hall tables and more by Kevin Halloway. Open by appointment. Union Corner, 15 minutes from Summerside. 854-3482

Red Cliff Gallery

Lorraine Vatcher; acrylic, oil, watercolour. Open by appointment. 68 Little Sands Wharf Rd, Little Sands. lorrainevatcher.com, 962-2327

Robert McMillan Pottery

Robert McMillan’s handcrafted porcelain pottery, ready for everyday use. robertmcmillanpottery.com. 598-8217

Sandi Komst Studio-Gallery

Sandi Komst; oil, watercolour paintings. Open by appointment or by chance. outofourmindsgallery.com. 2060 Cape Bear Rd, Rte 18, Beach Point. 962-3612

Silkwalker Originals

Heather Walker hand-painted silk art, scarves, wraps, scenes, accessories, and custom designs. silkwalker.com, heather@silkwalker.com. Open by appointment in Charlottetown. 330-8188

Stanley Bridge Studios

Island rafts, jewellery, pottery, art, woodwork, ironwork, home and garden decor, clothing, accessories. Daily 10 am–5 pm. Stanley Bridge. 886-2800

Susan F Harrison Fine Arts

Susan F. Harrison; jewellery, sculpture, paintings. 25 Wild Rose Ln, St. Peters Harbour. 961-2195

Terry Dunton Stevenson

Photographs, paintings, sculpture, prints. 12 Woodlawn Dr, Charlottetown. 894-8257

Thompson’s Woodcraft

Wood-turning by Wilfred Thompson. 2979 Rte 1A, North Bedeque. 887-3459

The Toad Pond Studio

Linda Shaw Packard; watercolours, acrylics, ink. 3285 Brackley Pt. Rd, Brackley Beach. 672-1910

Twisted Knickers Studio

Arlene MacAusland; folk art, textiles and tin. 303 Penderosa Rd, Darnley. 836-5517

Vermillion Art Works

Susan Christensen, Debbie Misener, Outi Lloyd, others; paintings, prints, cards, knits, pottery. 87 Water St, Charlottetown. 370-3215

Village Pottery

Pottery, jewellery, and artwork. 10567 Rte 6, New London. villagepottery.ca, hello@ villagepottery.ca, 886-2473

Walker Studios

Custom jewellery and fine art of Jeanette and Lindsay Walker. By appointment. jeanettewalkerjewellery.com, 393-6376

Well Frog Art Studio Gallery

Lucie Bernadette Bellemare; silk painting, metal sculpture, acrylic and watercolours, prints, originals. luciebbellemare. com, 371 Elm St, Summerside. 303-1960

Art in the Open

Exhibit reflects on festival’s 10 year history

VISIT THE GALLERY

Art in the Open, Charlottetown’s outdoor public art festival, is 10 years old. With a decade of memories piling up and 2021 marking the final year of involvement for longtime organizers Becka Viau (Coordinator/Curator) and Pan Wendt (Curator), it seemed appropriate to reflect on the festival’s history and the 350+ projects that it has featured. The result is a new exhibition, Art in the Open at 10 Years: an Incomplete Archive, that will open to the public in June.

The first edition of Art in the Open in August 2011 brought the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, this town is small, and the City of Charlottetown together to collaborate and create a festival that celebrated visual art in the setting of the city’s parks and other public spaces.

Since then, partners such as Film PEI, the Black Cultural Society of PEI, the Federation Culturel de l’I.P.E., and CreativePEI, as well as many Canadian artists and community groups, have joined to sustain what has become a beloved event for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Charlottetown-based artist and archivist Donnalee Downe and Pan Wendt have been sourcing documentation, artifacts and artworks from artists who have been involved over the past 10 years, as well as the general public, for the new exhibit.

“It is amazing to go through the history of this festival—so many great projects, great memories,” reflects Wendt. “Just looking at the list of artists, I can’t believe all of the amazing creative people who have contributed. It has been the most successful way we have succeeded in connecting art and artists with the public over the years, and I’m really proud to have been involved. I think audiences would love to see all of the images and records we’re collecting in one place. Donnalee is a master organizer, categorizer, and collector, and she’s bringing an artistic vision to the exhibition as well.”

PART 1 OPENS JUNE 5 | PART 2 JUNE 26

This exhibition surveys Harris’ impressive career. It includes his portraits, genre subjects, landscapes, drawings, sketchbooks, photographs, letters, and memorabilia

ART IN THE OPEN AT 10 YEARS: AN INCOMPLETE ARCHIVE OPENS

JUNE 12

This exhibition celebrates the 10th anniversary of Charlottetown's outdoor public art festival. It gathers together photo and video documentation and objects relating to past festivals, sourced from artists and the community.

LAST CHANCE TO SEE: Give Me Shelter | Until June 6

Gerard Clarkes: A Haunted Land | Until June 20

ARTIST TRADING CARDS To register for our annual Artist Trading Cards event, contact Monique by July 9 at 902 628 6105 or mlafontaine@confederationcentre.com.

confederationcentre.com/artgallery

Art in the Open at 10 Years: an Incomplete Archive, will be on view from June 12 to September 19 at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. OPEN Wednesday-Saturday, 11 am-5 pm, Sunday, 1-5 pm

A LIFE’S WORK: CANADIAN ARTIST ROBERT HARRIS (1849-1919)

ROBERT HARRIS, Self-Portrait c. 1890, watercolour on paper, gift of the Robert Harris Trust, 1965, CAGH-205

SUPPORTED BY THE FREDERICK AND SHIRLEY HYNDMAN GALLERY ENDOWMENT FUND

Kent Senecal, Car of Democles, Art in the Open 2015

ABOUT PERSPECTIVE MEDIA

Christine Comeau, Wagon Blues, Art in the Open 2014

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

CONCERTS

May 28, 8 pm

Music for the Soul with Kierrah

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

May 28–29, 7:30 pm

Phase II & Friends

The Guild, Charlottetown

May 28–29, 7:30 pm

Brielle Ansems, John

Connolly, Jenna-Marie

Gallant and Mike Ross

Harmony House, Hunter River

May 29, 2 pm

Got Blues Matinee

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

May 29, 2:30 pm, 7:30 pm

Atlantic String Machine

St. Paul’s, Charlottetown

June 1, 8 pm

Al Tuck

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 3, 8 pm

Heather & Soul Filter

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 5, 2 pm

Got Blues Matinee

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 5, 2:30 pm

FORTE Men’s Choir

Park Royal United Church, Charlottetown

June 5, 8 pm

Craig Fair Presents: Mix Tape

Sundays

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 5, 7:30 pm

Logan Richard

Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague

June 6, 2:30 pm

PEISO Presents: A Mighty Wind

Music for Organ and Brass Ensemble. Park Royal United, Charlottetown

June 9–13, 8 pm

Lennie Gallant

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 11, 8 pm

Traditional Irish Music Concert

Featuring Karine Gallant & Ian Macinnes, Andrée Mackula Thériault & Erin Dempsey and Cian Ó Móráin & Mary MacGillivray. The Pourhouse, Charlottetown

June 11–12, 8 pm

Shane Pendergast

Harmony House, Hunter River

June 12, 2 pm

Fascinating Maritime Ladies

Milton Community Hall, North Milton

June 13, 2:30 pm

PEISO Presents: A Mighty Wind

Music for Organ and Brass Ensemble. St. Paul’s Parish, Summerside

June 17–18, 8 pm

Christine Campbell & Blake

Johnston

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 18, 7:30 pm

Ava & Lily

The Guild, Charlottetown

June 19, 7:30 pm

Rachel Beck & Kim Harris

Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague

June 19, 8 pm

Nathan Wiley

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 20, 10:30 am, 1 pm

Dolly Parton Father’s Day

Brunch

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 27, 3 pm

Youth Legacy Concert

Historic St. Mary’s, Indian River

June 20, 8 pm

Winterjazz Quartet with guest Amanda Jackson

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 21–22, 8 pm

Matt Minglewood

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 24–25, 8 pm

Andrew Waite

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

June 25, 7:30 pm

Rose Cousins

Historic St. Mary’s, Indian River

June 25, 8 pm

Nudie

Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley Beach

June 26, 2:30 pm

Sarah Hagen: Bach for a June Afternoon

St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown

June 26, 7:30 pm

Brielle Ansems album

release with Noah Malcolm

Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague

June 26, 8 pm

Inn Echo

Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley Beach

June 27, 3 pm

Sirens: In Her Image

Historic St. Mary’s, Indian River

June 27, 8 pm

Sirène & Matelot

Village musical acadien, Abram-Village

June 30, 8 pm

Cory Gallant & the Red Dirt

Posse

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

July 1–3, 8 pm

The Fabulously Rich: Tragically Hip Tribute

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

July 2, 8 pm

Nick Doneff

Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley Beach

July 3, 7:30 pm

Alicia Toner

The Guild, Charlottetown

July 6–Aug 27, Tue– Fri

Gadelle

Village musical acadien, Abram-Village

July 6–Aug 27, Tue– Fri

Ti-Manuel & Léah

Village musical acadien, Abram-Village

July 7–8, 8 pm

Gordie Sampson

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

July 7–Aug 31, Tue–Thu

The Dinner Show

Village musical acadien, Abram-Village

…more at buzzpei.com

The Guild Summer Festival

Mainstage Series

Pleasureville

June 26 - July 23

Singalong Jubilee - A Musical Tribute

July 10 - August 10

Tapestry - A Tribute To Carole King

July 30 - August 14

FORTE Men’s Choir

Park Royal United—June 5

FORTE Men’s Choir will present their spring concert Sing Your Way Home at Park Royal United in Charlottetown, June 5 at 2:30 pm.

Under the direction of Dr. Margot Rejskind, Sing Your Way Home will feature special guests Jacqueline Sorensen Young (piano) and Madeline Kapp MacDonals (violin). The concert will include men’s choir favourites with works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Randall Thompson and Joseph Martin, as well as favourite folk songs and hymns arranged for male choir.

Tickets must be purchased online by May 31 by visiting FORTE PEI Men’s Choir at eventbrite.ca.

Park Royal United is located at 11 Christie Drive in Charlottetown.

The Serenades

The Guild—June 17

The Serenades will be on stage at The Guild in Charlottetown June 17 at 7:30 pm. Duo Caron Prins and Lori Linkletter will serenade the audience with their versions of modern music with a steamy twist.

Tickets: 620-3333, theguildpei.com

A Mighty Wind

PEISO presents music for organ and brass ensemble

The PEI Symphony Orchestra (PEISO) will present A Mighty Wind, a special chamber music concert featuring music for organ and brass ensemble, this June in both Charlottetown and Summerside.

The program, which will be performed by Basilica organist Leo Marchildon and the Charlottetown Brass Ensemble, led by Gregory Irvine, will feature a chronological sampling of music arranged for brass and organ over the years. Ranging from the Italian 16th century composer Giovanni Gabrieli to the 20th century German composer Sigfrid Karg-Elert, a collection of choruses, marches, and processions will be presented. Highlights include Handel’s Organ Concerto, Op. 4, #2 in Bb major, and Josef Rheinberger’s Organ Concerto #1, Op.137 in F major. Also on the program are pieces by Purcell, Marcello, Gigout, and Richard Strauss.

“Naming the concert A Mighty Wind may seem a misnomer,” says Marchildon, “until one realizes that the pipe organ is actually a wind

Hagen’s Bach

Pianist to perform Goldberg Variations—June 26

instrument. Although the organ console may resemble a keyboard, both in appearance and in execution, the sound is the result of air flowing through pipes, much like a gargantuan pan flute.”

The Charlottetown performance will take place at Park Royal United on June 6 and the Summerside performance will be at St. Paul’s Catholic Parish on June 13. Both concerts begin at 2:30 pm. Admission is by donation. Tickets are available online at amightywindcharlottetown.eventbrite. ca and amightywindsummerside. eventbrite.ca.

Note, was recently recognized as Music PEI’s 2021 Instrumental Recording of the Year.

It is recommended to reserve early by emailing info@sarahhagen.com or by filling out the reservation form at sarahhagen.com.

Admission is “Pay What You Will” at the door. St. Paul’s Church is located at the corner of Prince and Grafton streets in Charlottetown. sarahhagen.com

Fascinating Ladies

The Guild: PEI Photo Club Annual Print Show On display until June 13

Gallery @ The Guild Joyus, Joy on PEI

Artwork by Susan Gu

Opening Reception June 16

Pianist Sarah Hagen will perform J.S. Bach’s formidable Goldberg Variations at St. Paul’s in Charlottetown on June 26 at 2:30 pm.

Cherished by many, the Goldberg Variations are emblematic of keyboard virtuosity, rich expression, and hardcore classical interpretation. Hagen will offer a short introduction to this intense work before playing the full 75 minutes without intermission.

Hagen tours across Canada and internationally as both pianist and humorist. Her latest album, Women of

Milton Community Hall—June 12

The Fascinating Maritime Ladies will perform June 12 at Milton Community Hall in North Milton at 2 pm.

The hour-long musical theatre show features Nadine Haddad, Kelley Mooney and Catherine O’Brien showcasing singers and songwriters from the Maritimes and Quebec—including Anne Murray, Catherine MacKinnon, Ginette Reno, Edith Butler, The Rankin Family and Rita MacNeil—along with choreography, harmonies and banter.

Tickets are available by phone at 566-3154, email at miltoncommunityhall@gmail.com, or at Milton Community Hall, 7 New Glasgow Road, Route 224, North Milton.

Organist Leo Marchildon

Be happy for a while

Harmony House announces shows for summer season

The summer season at Harmony House in Hunter River will showcase a new concert, Inside American Pie, running alongside The Island Summer Review, as well as daytime musical offerings for kids and families with Allegra’s Magic Flute and Luka’s Fiddle.

“So bye, bye Miss American Pie...” Sure, you know the chorus, but do you know the stories behind the song? A lot of people know that “American Pie”was written by Don McLean to commemorate the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper. What’s less known is that the song is jam-packed with references to other fascinating events in history.

Join Mike Ross and a group of homegrown talent—Alicia Toner, Brielle Ansems and Greg Gale—as they dive deep into the mysteries of this #1 hit. What happened that tragic night in 1959? How do The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Charles Manson all fit in? Why were the Rolling Stones blamed for a murder? And who was Miss American Pie?

Inside American Pie will be a night of investigation, revelation and roof-shaking music. Performances will be held Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, from July 15 to August 27.

Allegra’s Magic Flute revisits Mozart’s most famous opera and offers a whimsical introduction into the glory of this art form. The children’s show will be

sung by opera singers and accompanied by piano and cello. Performances will take place Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 am from July 7 to August 27.

Luka’s Fiddle, a spirited performance of stories and traditional folk music, will feature young Island fiddler Luka Hall and well-known children’s performer Michael Pendergast. Performances will take place Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 am from July 8 to August 28.

Island favourites Patrick Ledwell and Mark Haines will be bring back The Island Summer Review with performances Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm from July 6 to September 1.

Foodies will also be glad to hear that Hans Sell of Thirsty Chef Eatery has joined the Harmony House team and will be serving up local Island foods with a twist this summer.

“The food will be comfort, unpretentious, and accessible,” says Sell.

Owners Mike Ross and Nicole Bellamy, along with Chef Hans enthusiastically agree that their collaboration is an effort to help “find the music in the food and the food in the music.”

Plan to include a visit to the lounge before the show or during intermission for a full Harmony House experience.

Information and tickets at 964-2255 or harmonyhousepei.com.

(clockwise from top-left): Mike Ross, Alicia Toner, Greg Gale and Brielle Ansems.

STAGE

June 3–19, select dates

Between Breaths

Confederation Centre, Charlottetown

June 4

Midnight Baby

Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

June 11–12

Haines & Ledwell: Stories and Songs

Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague

June 17, Aug 26

The Serenades

The Guild, Charlottetown

June 19, July 24, Aug 21

Popalopalots

The Guild, Charlottetown

June 25

Midnight Baby

Harmony House, Hunter River

June 25–July 23, select dates

Pleasureville

The Guild, Charlottetown

June 29–Aug 6, select dates

Dear Rita

Confederation Centre, Charlottetown

JULY DEADLINE

Submissions and advertising for the July issue of The Buzz:

TUESDAY, JUNE 15

July 1–Sep 5, select dates

Off The Grid

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria-By-The-Sea

July 6–Sep 1, Tues–Wed

Haines & Ledwell: The Island Summer Review

Harmony House, Hunter River

July 7–Aug 27, Wed & Fri

Allegra’s Magic Flute & Harmony House, Hunter River

July 8–Aug 12, Thu

Highland Storm

Celtic Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

July 8–Aug 28, Thu & Sat

Luka’s Fiddle

Harmony House, Hunter River

July 8–Aug 28, Thu–Fri

Inside American Pie

Harmony House, Hunter River

July 9–Aug 28

Good Time Radio Variety Show

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria-By-The-Sea

July 9–10, 16–17

Jessica Gallant as Dolly

Parton

Courthoiuse Theatre, St. Peters Bay

July 9–Aug 21

THE RISING!

Confederation Centre, Charlottetown

July 12–Aug 23, select dates

Aladdin Jr.

The Guild, Charlottetown

July 12, 7:30 pm

Oshun Dance

The Guild, Charlottetown

July 13–31, select dates

The Gin Game

Watermark Theatre, North Rustico

July 14–Aug 28, Wed–Sat

Les Filles de la factrie

Mont-Carmel Parish Hall, Mont-Carmel

July 15–Aug 26, select dates

Beauty & the Beast Jr.

The Guild, Charlottetown

July 17–Aug 28

Le Paysan et le Roi

Mont-Carmel Parish Hall, Mont-Carmel

July 20–Aug 24

La Cuisine à Mémé Rebootée

Mont-Carmel Parish Hall, Mont-Carmel

July 23–25, July 30–Aug 1

The River Clyde Pageant

New Glasgow

July 28–Aug 1

Island Fringe Festival

Various locations, Charlottetown

July 29–Aug 14, select dates

Tapestry: A Tribue to Carole King

The Guild, Charlottetown

Country/pop singer-songwriter duo

Ava & Lily will perform at The Guild in Charlottetown, June 18 at 7:30 pm.

The 17-year-old multi-instrumentalist twins are from Charlottetown, PEI. Ava and Lily Rashed both feel at home on the guitar, piano or fiddle, and their unique voices complement one another, having spent years in classical voice lessons.

Ava & Lily are continuing a longtime family tradition by persuing a career in music. Their great grandfather Charlie Chamberlain was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and their father, David Rashed, was the keyboardist for the platinum-selling 80s pop-rock band Haywire.

In 2019, one of their Instagram videos caught the eye of a Los Angeles casting agent and the duo was asked to be one of 30 participants on Nickelodeon’s reality music competition television program, “America’s Most Musical Family.”

The pair released their first studio album in 2018 and they plan to release their sophomore album this summer. Tickets/info: theguildpei.com, linktr.ee/avaandlily

Island Fringe Festival

Alternative indie theatre planned for mid-summer

Celebrating independent and alternative theatre in downtown Charlottetown, the Island Fringe Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The unjuried, noncurated and open access Festival offers unconventional performances in unconventional locations. Participants are chosen through a fair lottery draw. What started as a three-day event with five companies performing has grown to a five-day event with ten companies performing. This year’s Island Fringe Festival will run from July 28 to August 1.

The 2021 Festival will have something for everyone with dance performances, one-acts, and a lot of shows in outdoor spaces.

“There will be some major changes this year,” explains Kimpinski. “In previous years, we’ve had a number of national and international performers along with local shows. This year we are focusing on Island-only performers—partially because we didn’t know what travel would be like come midJuly, but also because it is so fantastic to be able to highlight local talent in

our 10th anniversary year—much like the original Island Fringe Festival.”

A big change this year is the implementation of a ticketing system, to eliminate cash-handling and keep numbers in check. In previous years, admission was pay-what-you-can by donation at the door and everyone would be allowed in to see a show.

Tickets will be available leading up to the Festival at islandfringe.com. Follow @islandfringe on social media or visit islandfringe.com for updates.

SOCIALEYES PHOTOGRAPHY

Tanya Nicole, Fringe 2020

Manifest Jeunesse 2.0

Youth performing and visual arts exhibition returns—June 8

ManiFest Jeunesse, a youth performing arts production and visual arts exhibition, is back for its second edition. Premiering via Facebook on June 8 at 7 pm, ManiFest Jeunesse 2.0 will remain true to the mission of its first edition in 2014, celebrating the cultural diversity of the Acadian and Francophone communities in PEI while helping to develop and showcase the artistic talents of each new generation of young Island Francophones.

ManiFest Jeunesse was developed by the Fédération culturelle de l’Île-duPrince-Édouard in partnership with Jeunesse Acadienne et Francophone de l’Î.-P.-É. The production retained its original format by pairing young Island Francophones with professional local artistic mentors who assist them in cultivating their artistic practice— whether it be dance, music, songwriting, poetry, theatre or visual arts.

Mentors for 2021 are songwriters Lennie Gallant, Patricia Richard and Mario LeBlanc, actor Josée Boudreau, comedian Ryan Doucette, visual artist Norah Pendergast, and contemporary dancer Marissa Laderoute.

The production team, composed of Emmanuel LeBlanc, Pastelle LeBlanc and Pascal Miousse (all members of the ECMA award-winning Acadian

band Vishtèn), chose to replace the original live-performance format due to pandemic restrictions, and went with a professionally shot hour-long video filmed at Watermark Theatre in North Rustico. By choosing to film, the team introduced the young artists to performance within a television and recording context, providing them with useful experience in navigating the realities of artistic performance in the age of the pandemic and an increasingly internet-centered world.

“I think the fact that these young musicians and artists get to experience working with real videographers and recording engineers is so valuable right now,” says Rowen Gallant, who performed alongside songwriter Jenna Marie Gallant during the filming of ManiFest Jeunesse 2.0. “Learning how to work in different contexts is really powerful, and I think it helps young Island musicians, especially Francophone musicians, think about the possibilities of sharing their art not just locally, but with a much wider digital audience.”

The ManiFest Jeunesse 2.0 video will go live on June 8 at 7 pm via the ManiFest Jeunesse Facebook and Instagram pages. It will be available for viewing for one month.

Harmony House Island Summer Review

Patrick Ledwell and Mark Haines are back in Hunter River

ACT auditions for Noises Off

ACT (a community theatre) hopes to remount Noises Off, this fall. The community theatre group first presented the comedy in 1996 and they planned to remount it in 2020, but those plans were thwarted.

Noises Off, written by Michael Frayn, presents the madcap misadventures of a touring troupe of actors, their bitingly sarcastic director, and their overworked crew as they attempt to rehearse and perform the flop of a play Nothing On.

ACT’s production of this farce to end all farces will appear (fingers crossed) on stage this November.

What’s the inspiration behind The Island Summer Review? Show creators and performers Patrick Ledwell and Mark Haines hope that, once they enter the front doors, guests leave behind everyday cares for a while.

Those doors are opening once again in 2021, for the show’s ninth summer running at Harmony House. Comedian Patrick Ledwell and musician Mark Haines aim, more than ever, to create a show that raises laughter and spirits at this moment when we all need a break from heavier times.

Ledwell and Haines are hard at work crafting a brand-new storytelling set with up-to-the-minute comedy, fiddle and contemporary music—and everything PEI in between.

The Island Summer Review has been described as “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” meets “Don Messer’s Jubilee,” a comic take on the traditional

Maritime kitchen party. The pair have built a reputation for leaving packed houses stomping their feet, both in laughter and along with the beat.

For this upcoming season, the show will take a look at the special place that music holds in the lives of Islanders.

“Whether it’s anthems from classic Canadian rock, or classic fiddle tunes from beside the stove, music has an incredible ability to take us to a different place,” says Ledwell. “As a storyteller, I’ve always envied that power of a song to access the heart. I’m thrilled to be alongside Mark’s musical talents and to be able to highjack songs of all kinds, telling Island tales from recent times.”

The Island Summer Review will open July 6 and run two nights a week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, until September 1. Find info and tickets at harmonyhousepei.com, 964-2255.

Auditions will be held June 13. ACT is seeking three to four adult actors presenting as 18-45 years of age. For further information or to make a booking, contact Sharon at sheamacd@ gmail.com or visit actpei.com/to-audition for more details.

Those who are interested in helping with the production in other areas (publicity, backstage, etc.) can email actproductionspei@gmail.com.

actpei.com

Mark Haines (guitar) and Patrick Ledwell (bass)

PIXBYLORNE

Seeking three to four adult actors for fall remount

Midnight Baby

Invisible Hand

Justin Shaw’s comedy at Harmony House—June 25 Sierra Club Atlantic Canada Chapter host online screening

The one-person comedy, written and performed by Island storyteller Justin Shaw, tells the story of a man’s obsession with planning and its impact on his relationships. In exploring his anxieties, shame and embarrassment, Midnight Baby strives to answer the question “how can you be enough for another person?”

Shaw’s performance credits include Popalopalots improv comedy, Lorne Elliot’s Culture Shock, and Salt-Water Moon. His debut solo show The Wrestling Play earned the Patron’s Pick distinction at the 2017 Island Fringe Festival and was later presented at Edmonton’s Nextfest Arts & Culture Festival. As a comedian, Shaw has performed across Canada and opened for Scott Faulconbridge, Elvira Kurt, and the late Mike MacDonald. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada.

Midnight Baby is directed by Benton Hartley, Artistic Director at Desert Island Theatre Company.

This show is intended for an adult audience. Information and tickets at harmonyhousepei.com or 964-2255.

The Sierra Club Atlantic Canada Chapter is hosting an online film screening of Invisible Hand, a documentary on the Rights of Nature movement, followed by a Q&A with organizers from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) featured in the film. It will be available for viewing anytime from 7:30 pm June 14 until the live Q&A at 7:30 pm June 15.

Produced by Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo, Invisible Hand takes the viewer behind the curtain of the global economy where Rights of Nature becomes “capitalism’s one true opponent.”

In the fall of 2014, for the first time in United States history, an ecosystem filed to defend itself in a lawsuit claiming its right to exist in Grant Township, Pennsylvania. For attempting such a radical act, Grant’s rural community of 700 people were sued by a corporation, then by the state government, and are

now locked in a battle to defend the watershed they call home through civil disobedience. The water they drink and the Rights to Nature laws they’ve passed are all on the line in this exclusive story.

Half a continent away in Standing Rock, North Dakota, the same industry threatening Grant Township is using militarized force against Indigenous tribes and allies fighting to protect Mother Earth.

The two, Grant Township and Standing Rock, are joined in an international fight to protect more than just water. They fight for their community, democracy, and for Nature as a living entity unto itself.

In the end, “Who’ll speak for Nature?”

More details about the online viewing, including registration links, will be posted on the Sierra Club Atlantic Canada Chapter’s Facebook page.

degawëno:da’s (he who thunderz) of the Wolf Clan, Seneca Nation of Indians, featured in Invisible Hand rowing down the Ohi:yo’ river.

Justin Shaw’s Midnight Baby will be on stage June 25 at Harmony House in Hunter River.

Market-ready producers

Meet the inaugural participants

The National Screen Institute— Canada (NSI), in partnership with FilmPEI and Creative PEI, welcome five producers from PEI who recently began training through NSI’s online producing program, NSI MarketReady Producers—PEI Edition.

The new five-week, part-time, online training program is designed to help producers develop essential skills and prepare a pitch package for a project currently in development. It was created to foster the growth of producing professionals in the region and increase the reach of PEI production across Canada and globally.

The five producers and their projects are: Nathan Carter, The Secret of Ridgemoor Resort; Emma Fugate, Fire in Her Heart; Logan Fulford, Sea Salt; Shane Mountain, Incident; and Susan Rodgers, Like a Song.

Etienne Foulkes wins national video contest

Nathan Carter pursued filmmaking by launching Wrong Horse Productions, producing commercials, documentaries and providing post production services. He is the content producer for local artist Problematic and works with local directors producing music videos and developing marketing strategies. Carter’s first short film The Wraith of Rustico Vale was part of the 2019-2020 Film 4Ward program and is currently in post production.

Logan Fulford was born in England and moved to PEI in 2007. He has completed over 25 short films in that time and is currently in pre-production on an Atlantic Canada TV series. After studying film production at Concordia University in Montreal, Fulford now works as a writer, director, producer and art director.

The Workers Compensation Board of PEI announced that PEI student Etienne Foulkes from École François Buote won first place in the National Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest. The contest challenged youth across the country to use their creativity to produce an original video that could be used in social media to illustrate to younger workers the importance of working safely on the job.

When asked to create a video to outline what can be done at work to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, Foulkes created the short film, Stop the Spread The video is available at wcb.pe.ca/ workplace/programs.

As the winner of the PEI provincial contest, Foulkes received a $1000 cash prize and $1000 for his school. His video was then submitted to the national contest, sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

Shane Mountain recently wrote, directed and produced his first short film, The Seventh Man, having won the funding at the 2019 PEI Screenwriters’ Bootcamp’s Pitch For Your Life competition. He is now working on a marketing plan for The Seventh Man feature film. Mountain has had two scripts place in the Nicholl Fellowship, and four projects selected for workshops at four PEI Screenwriters’ Bootcamps. He works with the GiFTed Writers group and, as co-founder, has supplied materials for three published short story collections.

The video contest is part of a national initiative to promote safety and rights for young workers. The PEI contest is sponsored by CCOHS in partnership with WCB.

Emma Fugate initially became involved in the film industry in production accounting and subsequently as a producer, writer and director. She volunteers with FilmPEI, Charlottetown Film Society, and Women in Film and Television— Atlantic, and has an extensive network of industry mentors and contacts. Fugate’s credits include two music videos (writer/director/producer) and three dramatic short films (producer), one of which she wrote and directed. She has several projects in development.

When writer/filmmaker Susan Rodgers was named a finalist in the Atlantic Writing Awards in 2011 (for unpublished manuscripts), she started writing novels. Her Drifters series has grown to 15 books and has been opted for television. She is currently developing the second book from her Dallas White series into a feature film. Rodgers completed her first feature film Still The Water in 2020 and just finished a feature screenplay called Kristian’s Cross. She is about to start editing a short documentary for NFB.

Nomadland

June 2–6

PG, brief nudity, language, mature themes. Dir: Chloé Zhao, USA, 2020, 107 min. Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Charlene Swankie. Winner of three Academy Awards including; Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director.

Sun Children

June 18–20

PG, mature themes. Dir: Majid Majidi, Iran, 2020, 99 min. Ali Nassirian, Javad Ezati, Tannaz Tabatabaei, Roohollah Zamani. In Persian with English Subtitles. Winner of the 2020 Venice International Film Festival Marcello Mastroianni Award.

The Très Court International Film Festival shows films of less than four minutes from all over the world, taking place simultaneously in about twenty countries. For more than 20 years, the festival has been offering the best of cinema in its most demanding format. Fiction, documentaries, animations, computer-generated images, all genres are represented for a poetic, militant, funny, moving vision of the world. Spectators are invited to participate by voting for the Public Award. The results from each city are published on the website the week after the festival. At the same time, a jury made up of renowned names in cinema awards three prizes at a ceremony held in Paris, which is broadcast live on the Internet. The International Competition Part 1 (67 min) plays on June 6, Part 2 (66 min) on June 13 and the French selection plays on June 9 (60 min).

Antoinette dans les Cévennes

June 10–13 & 17

PG, mature themes. Dir: Caroline Vignal, France/Belgium, 2020, 97 min. Laure Calamy, Benjamin Lavernhe, Olivia Côte. In French with English Subtitles. César Award Winner, Best Actress.

“A transformative journey across the American west unfolds with utter majesty in Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Jessica Bruder’s non-fiction book. Reeling from the twin tragedies of losing her home and her husband, the free-spirited Fern (a never-better Frances McDormand) is plunged into a transient existence as she hits the road in a lovingly converted van. It’s an unforgiving lifestyle, dependent on seasonal gigs and ‘stealth parking’. But along the way, Fern meets many beautiful souls (including real-life nomads Linda May and Bob Wells), and finds a sense of community with other older Americans, who have been similarly cast adrift. Freed from the need to explain itself, or explicitly condemn the negligence that has brought Fern to this point, Nomadland transcends narrative conventions, allowing us to simply luxuriate in its protagonist’s exploits. With a stunning score and sublime cinematography the film boasts a remarkable ability to capture the cathartic power of connecting with nature, and is an almost spiritual experience. As she salutes the resilience of humankind, Zhao has given us something genuinely unforgettable.” - Emma

Simmonds, Radio Times (UK)

Très Court International Film Festival

June 6, 9 & 13

Tickets are $8 and $5 for member/ child/senior

In French with English Subtitles.

“Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s memoir Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, this delightful French comedy boasts sparkling work from Laure Calamy (Call My Agent!’).She is the film’s lovestruck and hapless protagonist, Antoinette, whose romantic folly becomes the talk of the Cévennes when she rashly pursues her lover Vladimir and his family on a trekking holiday... But when she arrives at the first inn of the journey, Vladimir and his family are nowhere to be seen. Instead, she explains to the assembled guests the reason for her trip, creating quite a stir. Antoinette is also the only one of them who has opted to travel with a donkey; when she’s assigned Patrick, a truly stubborn mule, she quickly realises why, and the pair lag pathetically behind on each leg of the journey, leaving Antoinette at first fuming at Patrick, though later he becomes her confidant. Writer-director Caroline Vignal does a lovely job of balancing the farce and the utter beguilingness of the surroundings, and humanising her emotionally vulnerable lead, who’s clearly in for quite the confrontation. It’s a sunny, non-judgemental, ultimately spirit-lifting tale, and Calamy’s animated turn is stupendously entertaining, as Antoinette wears her heart embarrassingly on her sleeve and falls hook, line and sinker for a donkey.” - Emma Simmonds, List Film

“Iranian director Majid Majidi has made some of the most visually stunning and emotionally stirring films in world cinema about the plight of under-privileged young people, and Sun Children is one of his very best. The story of street boys commissioned by a local boss to dig for a treasure unfolds around an urban schoolyard and the clever, freckled face of 12-year-old Ali, a stereotype-buster of nonstop courage... He directs his gang - Reza, Maman and the small Afghan boy Abolfazi - in petty crimes at the behest of a neighborhood don... Ali is instructed to take his boys and enroll in the Sun School, a charitable institution for working kids whose teachers aren’t cold-hearted bureaucrats but idealistic educators... Ali’s brief is to find an underground tunnel that leads under the cemetery next door, where he is to look for a lost but unspecified treasure.” - Deborah Young, The Hollywood Reporter “If one intention of Sun Children is to remind that all kids are created equal, deserving of education and encouragement, Majidi’s young ensemble makes the case loud and clear... His kids compel and entertain.” - Peter Debruge, Variety

12 Mighty Orphans

June 24–27

14A, violence, language and mature themes. Dir: Ty Roberts, USA, 2021, 118 min. Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Luke Wilson.

Recognizing that his scrawny players couldn’t beat the other teams with brawn, Rusty developed innovative strategies that would come to define modern football.

Camino Skies

July 2–4

PG, coarse language. Dir: Fergus Grady, Noel Smyth, Spain, 2019, 80 min. Manny Domingo Jr., Neill Le Roux, Sue Morris.

Adapted from the bestselling novel, 12 Mighty Orphans tells the true story of the Mighty Mites, the football team of a Fort Worth orphanage who, during the Great Depression, went from playing without shoes - or even a football - to playing for the The Texas state championships. Over the course of their winning season these underdogs and their resilient spirit became an inspiration to their city, state, and an entire nation in need of a rebound, even catching the attention of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The architect of their success was Rusty Russell, a legendary high school coach who shocked his colleagues by giving up a privileged position so he could teach and coach at an orphanage.

Camino Skies is a walking meditation on life, love and loss. Exploring themes of spirituality, well-being and religion, this feature film documentary follows the inspirational journey of six strangers from New Zealand and Australia walking the 800km Camino de Santiago in Spain to overcome the personal and physical trauma that life has dealt them.

Welcome to City Cinema from The Charlottetown Film Society

City Cinema is owned and operated by our non-profit Society. We will continue to present a diverse mix of films and welcome your suggestions and support. Become a member, bring friends, share feedback!

Advance Tickets

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

Limited Seating

We’re selling a reduced amount of our 70 seats per show, with checkerboard seat arrangement for distancing.

One-way Traffic System

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-19 guidelines are subject to change. Check our website on the day of the show.

Rent City Cinema

City Cinema is available for rent for private film viewings! We provide the projectionist and will have the the canteen and bar open for your group. Info/rates: chtownfilm@ gmail.com.

CITY CINEMA TIMETABLE

New fund supports PEI film industry

The Province is launching a new film fund to grow the film and television industry on PEI.

The goal of the PEI Film Production Fund (PEIFPF) is to: grow the skilled labour pool and support the development of local creative industry workers; build the capacity of the domestic PEI film and television production industry; provide PEI producers with an opportunity to be more competitive in attracting financing and co-production opportunities; and increase the visibility of PEI on screens.

The PEIFPF will replace the Prince Edward Island Film Media Fund, launched in 2018. The key changes in this new fund include: an increase in the PEI all-spend rebate rate from 25 per cent to 32-35 per cent; funding for both local and out of province film producers; training provisions to encourage the development of a local film crew; and a new PEI Storytelling Development Fund to support the creation of screen-based script projects by Island filmmakers and writers.

...Mighty Orphans

...Mighty Orphans

To support these initiatives, Innovation PEI will have a dedicated industry growth specialist who will create a plan to market PEI as a film destination, increase PEI industry visibility, and attract film productions to the Island.

“As the film industry association, FilmPEI spent a lot of time with Minister MacKay and Innovation PEI to collaborate on the best way forward for the film industry on PEI. We are very excited that the Government of Prince Edward Island has heard the voices of the local film community and is providing the sector with the necessary incentives to make the Island competitive in the national and global market.” Renee Laprise, Executive Director FilmPEI.

“The film industry is a real engine of employment for PEI’s arts and culture workforce,” says Mark Sandiford, Executive Director of CreativePEI.

Annual Memberships

Regular $25

“This isn’t just great news for people who work in film, it will create lots of well paying work for people from theatre, music, visual arts and more.”

In 2019, the provincial government established a film industry working group to explore ways to attract productions to film in PEI and help grow the local industry. The recommendations that were put forward to government by the working group helped create the PEIFPF.

Learn more about the PEI Film Media Fund at princeedwardisland.ca. filmpei.com

ART

PEI Crafts Council AGM

The PEI Crafts Council’s Annual General Meeting will be held June 2 at 98 Water Street in Charlottetown. Registration will begin at 6:30 pm and the meeting will start at 7 pm. Info: 892-5152, peicraftscouncil@gmail.com

PEI Modern Quilt Guild

The PEI Modern Quilt Guild meets every fourth Thursday of the month from 7–9 pm. If interested in attending as a guest or visitor, email peimqg@gmail.com for details. The group follows public health guidance to determine whether meetings will be held virtually via Zoom or in-person. Follow @peimqg on Instagram for updates. Info: peimqg@gmail.com

Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild

The Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild meets from 7–9 pm on the third Wednesday of each month (except July, Aug and Dec) at the Irish Cultural Centre, 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown. Masks are required. Social distancing and contact information will be recorded (bring a pen). There will be no food or refreshments served at this time but attendees can bring their own tea or coffee if they wish. New members and visitors are welcome. For more information, contact Roberta at 393-3222 or follow on FB for updates.

Glenaladale call for artists

Glenaladale Heritage Trust is requesting proposals from emerging and established PEI artists/artisans for permanent works to be displayed in the new Glenaladale Sculpture Forest in Tracadie Cross. As many as 10 permanent pieces will be installed. Details and submission application can be found at glenaladalepei. com. Deadline is July 1 at 8 pm. Info: 218-8533, vcglenaladalepei@gmail.com, glenaladalepei.com/glenaladalepei/ sculpture-forest

this town is small

Renew your membership or become a new member of this town is small, PEI’s artist run centre. For more information visit thistownissmall.com/membership or contact Lisa Theriault, Executive Director at thistownissmall@gmail.com.

Indigenous art

Artists selected for new art bank and arts grants programs

PEI Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous artists in PEI have been recognized as the successful applicants for the new Indigenous Art Bank and Indigenous Arts Grants programs.

The first five pieces of art purchased for the Indigenous Art Bank are: Woven Quiver by Nora Richard (reed basketry with beads, bone, feathers and rawhide; Me’eyimult’k by Melissa Peter-Paul (birch bark, porcupine quills, sweetgrass, spruce root and sinew); Fancy Mi’kmaq Basket by Francis Jadis (Black Ash); The Stick Persons Collection by Riley Bernard (graphic novel); and Climbing to the Creator by Levi Cannon (water-based paint).

artisans -waterfront

Six artists were also selected by a three-member jury of Indigenous arts community peers to receive funding through the Indigenous Arts Grants.

Julie Pellissier-Lush (Writing and publishing, $2300). To create a book featuring interviews with elders from Lennox Island First Nation and Abegweit First Nation.

Riley Bernard (Writing and publishing, $1000). To create a graphic novel inspired by traditional Mi’kmaq Legends.

Melissa Peter-Paul (Visual arts, $3000). Harvesting birch bark, porcupine quills, sweet grass and spruce root with respected knowledge keepers and their family of Mi’kmaki.

Rosalie Bourque (Crafts, $700). To create clothing using designs to help through the grieving process of losing their dad and grandfather.

Val Jadis (Crafts, $700). To continue beading and creating awareness for Orange Shirt Day for residential schools; Red Dress for murdered missing indigenous women; and increasing autism awareness by making pins, earrings and other items.

Shanna Sark (Interdisciplinary, $2300). Shanna Sark and her sisters will collect knowledge on their father, Gilbert “Tommy” Sark’s legacy with ash splint basket making. A video will document the process of finding people who have been mentored by Sark to recall his basket making techniques.

Melissa Peter-Paul, Me’eyimult’k, birch bark, porcupine quills, sweetgrass, spruce root and sinew

Provincial Art Bank

Eight pieces by Island artists selected for purchase

Trading cards

Seeking artists for annual event

have to make as many cards as the number of people who have registered. Cards can be produced in editions (a limited number of the same card), series (a set of cards with a unifying theme), or as singular originals.

Registration will be limited to 39 participants. However, this number does not include participants who will be mailing their cards. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to register is July 9.

The 15th annual trading event will be held August 12 at 7 pm at CCAG’s Memorial Hall and Studio 1.

Info/register: Monique Lafontaine, Wendy

Confederation Centre Art Gallery (CCAG) is looking for artists of all ages and disciplines, professional and non-professional, to register for the 15th annual Artist Trading Cards event to be held August 12 in Charlottetown.

Artist Oneil Kuku’s work was one of eight pieces selected for purchase by a peer-review jury out of 136 submissions for the Provincial Art Bank.

“It is a great honour and privilege to have my work selected for collection and display in the art bank,” said Kuku. “In a time where motivation is waning, this provides inspiration to continue chasing greatness through creativity and art. I am humbled to be among those selected and I am eager to continue capturing the beauty that is Prince Edward Island.”

The art bank acquires, loans out and displays works by professional Island

Three Oaks art

Culture Summerside will once again host the Three Oaks Senior High (TOSH) Graduating Art Exhibit. The group exhibit will be on display from June 3–28 at Lefurgey Cultural Centre in Summerside.

It has been a June activity for the Arts, Heritage & Culture division of the City for a number of years. The staff feel it is a privilege to display the work of community youth who are completing high school and moving on to the next step in their life.

The students represented are Josie MacDonald, Olivia MacKinnon, Landon Teatro, Lauren Stordy, Mya Burnett, Emily Doucette, Jamison England and Lacey Arsenault. These students have had a broad range of experiences in their studies in art at TOSH for the past three years, including a focus on drawing instruction, all painting mediums, sculpture,

artists for public spaces.

The recent art bank purchases include work by artists Donnalee Downe, Oneil Kuku, JoDee Samuelson, Kirstie MacCallum, Melissa Peter Paul, Niyi Adeogun, Norma Jean MacLean and Patricia Bourque.

The Provincial Art Bank was established in 1979 as a working collection to encourage the celebration of, and public interaction with, PEI’s artistic excellence. There are now 269 pieces in the collection, which are displayed in reception and high-traffic areas of public buildings and are also available for educational use.

Artist trading cards (ATCs) are miniature works of art. They can be created with any material imaginable. Cards can be made from paper, wool, wood, clay and more. The main requirement is the size: cards must be the same size as modern baseball cards or 2 ½ x 3 ½ inches (6 cm x 9 cm)—small enough to fit inside standard card-collector pockets, sleeves or sheets. ATCs must be self-produced. The artist’s name and contact information, as well as the card title and the edition or series number is to be written on the back.

People who sign up for the event

printmaking and art history.

Join this year’s graduating students in celebrating their accomplishments by viewing their annual work in the Lefurgey Room of the Lefurgey Cultural Centre, 205 Prince Street, Summerside. Open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Free admission.

Druet, Crow VI

Photo from “Fight for Change” series by photographer Oneil Kuku, purchased for the Provincial Art Bank.

Lacey Arsenault

Youth exhibits at Kings Playhouse

Obedient Compliance

Kings Playhouse Gallery in Georgetown will present two art exhibitions in June, First Bloom and Rahma & Friends–Seeking Refuge

The second installment of Montague Regional High School’s First Bloom exhibit will feature original works by Grade 12 students. This mixed media exhibition muses on a variety of themes, highlighting each artist’s individual experience in their art education. First Bloom is on view daily until June 18.

Opening June 19, in honour of World Refugee Day, The Playhouse Gallery will present Rahma & Friends— Seeking Refuge, an exhibit featuring portraits by 10 year old Rahma, whose family fled Syria to Jordan in 2013. Rahma spends her time drawing and the walls of her room are plastered with portraits of friends and family. Rahma’s art, as well as pieces by young artists living in refugee camps around the world, will be on display until July 31. The show’s opening reception will be held June 19.

kingsplayhouse.com

PEI’s artist-run centre, this town is small, presents Obedient Compliance by Becka Viau at Receiver Coffee in Charlottetown. The exhibition of drawings will be on view from June 7 to July 16.

Obedient Compliance explores the relationship between obedience and compliance from the perspective of a mother and a survivor of complex trauma.

Viau received her BFA, 2008 and MFA, 2013 from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and was

long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2011 and 2014. Much of her artistic practice engages with questions relating to the institutions, dissemination and social networks of power, art and culture.

this town is small’s Accumulations: Sea Glass, a solo exhibition of photographs by Phil Mercier, in on view until June 4.

Receiver Coffee is located on Victoria Row, 128 Richmond Street, Charlottetown. thistownissmall.com

JOYRUS, Joy in PEI

The Gallery @ The Guild in Charlottetown will present works by artist Qinjuan (Susan) Gu in June. The exhibit, JOYRUS, Joy in PEI, will open June 15 with a reception from 7–9 pm.

JOYRUS, Joy in PEI is a collection of landscapes, seascapes and portraiture which express the story of Gu’s life since she and her family moved to PEI in 2016.

“My inspiration comes from life; a corner in my home, a captivating scenery of nature, or a child’s joyful moment of play. Everything could be a creative element in my paintings. My hope is that the viewer will get a feeling of the

warm sunshine and joyfulness as they absorb and take in my paintings.”

JOYRUS, Joy in PEI will be on view until July 4. The Guild is located at 111 Queen Street in Charlottetown.

10 yr old Rahma, whose family fled Syria to Jordan in 2013, with some of her portraits.

Exhibit of artwork by Qinjuan Gu at Gallery @ The Guild

Qinjuan (Susan) Gu prepares for upcoming show

Becka Viau, It could be much worse, chalk pastel, gesso, 24K gold leaf on BFK rag paper, 3.75 x 2.75 ft, 2021

Solo exhibit by Becka Viau at Receiver Coffee

A healthier future

Parks Canada presents the Park Promise

SALES

Date with The Den

PEI Fox Den in North Bedeque is hosting a pop-up market event, Date with The Den, on June 5 from 11 am–5 pm. The indoor/outdoor event will take place on the grounds of the historic North Bedeque School will feature Danielle White (Tall Pines), Tania Pendergast (Bright Spot Papier), Melissa Peter-Paul (quill art), Barbara Borowy (Butter Bits), Patricia Bourque Photography, and more.

Holman’s Ice Cream cart will be on site.

PEI Fox Den sells the work of over 40 local artists and artisans. It is located at 2852 1A in North Bedeque.

Canoe Cove perennial sale

at Michelle Crescent in Charlottetown. Many local families will be participating in the sale. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Annual lobster sale

The Stratford and Area Lions Club

Annual Cooked Market Lobster Sale runs to June 19. Purchase fresh, cooked lobster weekly on Thursdays from 1–5:30 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am–5:30 pm, pending sell out. The sale is located at the corner of Mason Road and the Trans-Canada Highway in Stratford (near the roundabout). Funds raised will support QEH, IWK, and community needs. Info: 569-3389

On June 21, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Parks Canada will be launching the Park Promise.

As stewards of PEI National Park, Parks Canada is passionate about the preservation of Canada’s ecosystems and the species that call them home. They provide education about areas and their sensitivities, monitor conditions and species, track impacts of weather on flora and fauna, and cautiously intervene when necessary.

Parks Canada know that their visitors care too. It was in this caring devotion for PEI National Park, and the environment in general, that the roots of the Park Promise began. Parks Canada worked closely with PEI’s poet laureate, Julie Pellissier-Lush, an elder from Lennox Island First Nation, to pull together Indigenous teachings and their own hopes for a healthier, more sustainable future into the words, images, and sounds that have become their Park Promise.

The Park Promise is a poem grounded in First Nations teachings and symbolism and relates it to ways that everyone can make a positive difference by caring for themselves and the environment.

Throughout 2021 and beyond, Parks Canada PEI will be using the Promise to engage residents and visitors in creating more environmentally friendly habits when experiencing the park, with the hope that new behaviours will translate into even bigger steps toward more sustainable actions overall.

In a call to action, everyone is invited to take the Promise to acknowledge their commitment to environment.

Islanders are encouraged to visit parkscanada.gc.ca/pei-parkpromise to discover the Park Promise for themselves. Visitors will be able to make the

Promise online and will in turn receive a certificate via email as a symbol of their commitment. Participants are invited to share their Promise on social media using #parkpromise. This can be an image of the certificate or demonstration of concrete stewardship action.

The Canoe Cove Perennial Sale will be held June 5 from 9 am to noon at Inman Park, rain or shine. A selection of perennials, trees, bushes, seedlings, some houseplants and compost will be for sale. All proceeds will go to community projects and maintenance of the historic Canoe Cove School. The sale is sponsored by the Canoe Cove Community Association. Visitors must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

Community yard sale

A community yard sale will be held June 5 from 9 am–4 pm, rain or shine,

Artwork by Lauretta Gould

READERS / WRITERS

Wayne Wright poem “Oh Summerside” online

April was National Poetry Month in Canada and even though the calendar has turned to June, Culture Summerside’s offering to the national celebration can still be viewed online. Culture Summerside invited veteran Island poet Wayne Wright to write a poem to mark poetry month. The only stipulation in the request was that it include the word “resilience,” which was this year’s theme. Wright took up the challenge with enthusiasm and created the poem, “Oh Summerside.”

Sara Zilke of Culture Summerside then taped the poet reading his new work in the study of the Wyatt House Museum and posted it to Culture Summerside’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Since it received a positive response from the online community, Culture Summerside decided to leave the work online for those who have not yet seen the presentation.

Bertha Campbell book launch

Bertha Campbell will launch her new book, Historic St. Mary’s: A Brief Account of Three Indian River Churches 1814–2020, on June 12 from 1–3 pm at Historic St.

Annual Report on Global Islands

Mary’s, Indian River. The event is free and open to all. It is strongly recommended to register in advance by calling 836-4933 or by visiting indianriverfestival.com. The book will be available for purchase at Murphy’s Pharmacy in Kensington. A number of copies will also be donated to the Friends of St. Mary’s and the Indian River Festival. For a copy, contact Theresa at 836-4184 or tem1708@hotmail.com.

Gary MacDougall book launch

Gary MacDougall will launch his book Wally: Driven to Win on June 23 at Red Shores Charlottetown’s Top of the Park restaurant. Lee Drake, Red Shores manager of racing, brands and broadcast, and Nicole MacPherson, worldharnessracing. com marketing consultant, will co-host the event. The book launch will also be live streamed at redshores.ca from 7–9 pm and Walter “Wally” Hennessey will be the virtual guest of honour. Space is limited. Reservations can be made by calling 620-4264. Wally: Driven to Win can be purchased at the event, online at retromedia.ca and worldharnessracing.com, or at Bookmark and Indigo in Charlottetown, and Coles in Summerside.

A new report outlines challenges and creative solutions for islands to “build back better” as they recover from COVID-19. The Annual Report on Global Islands 2020 is published by Island Studies Press.

While the ongoing global pandemic may have spared many islands the negative health impacts of COVID-19 thus far, it has undoubtedly served as a wake-up call for islands like PEI, that rely heavily on tourism.

“It is crucial that islands and their communities recover, not by going back to a business-as-usual scenario, but by building back better,” writes Dr. Francesco Sindico, Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, University of Strathclyde, Scotland, in the report. He has identified tourism and food security as two of many areas that need to be included in such a process.

Based on analysis of a comprehensive data set contributed by islanders around the world, Dr. Sindico discusses the importance of shifting towards sustainable tourism and diversified island economies.

The Annual Report on Global Islands

Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment

A Guide for Employees

Community Legal Information’s RISE Program has launched a new legal publication, Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment—A Guide for Employees. The publication outlines the justice options available on PEI for employees who experience workplace sexual harassment.

The RISE Program supports people 16+ who experience workplace sexual harassment or sexual violence. RISE offers support, referrals to other community services, and referrals to trauma-informed lawyers for free legal advice. The RISE Program is funded by Justice Canada and the PEI Department of Justice and Public Safety and is a project of Community Legal Information (CLI). CLI is an Island charity that helps people understand the law and the justice system.

The publication is available in eight languages: English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Print copies are available by contacting the RISE Program at 218-6143 and by download at risepei.com.

series was edited by Dr. Jim Randall, UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability at UPEI. It is produced in partnership with the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, P.R. China, a sister province to PEI.

Released annually since 2017, the series features peer-reviewed chapters by international experts on major topics associated with the economic development of islands.

The book design was done by Ruby Square Graphic Design.

To read it visit projects.upei.ca/ unescochair/publications/ annual-report-on-global-islands

If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment, or sexual violence, contact RISE at rise@legalinfopei.ca or by text/phone at 218-6143.

Colours in Nature

A & J PEI Treasures has released The Big Kid’s Magical Path to Colours in Nature, the fourth book in The Big Kid’s Magical Path series by E Jean Simpson. It is available in a variety of formats through Draft2Digital/Books2Read at books2read.com or Amazon.

A gift of Island Poetry

JACK’S TRAIL

Let’s call this paint chip 4 p.m. green. Lichen, liverwort. Moss burgeoning into topo folds enters ankles, backs of knees, hip creaks. Call this forest bathing, a phytochemical car wash: chamoised by cedar boughs, scrubbed clean by bottlebrush. This sprung needle floor the closest to dance hall, to church, I’ve found. High in the canopy, kinglets ring their tinny bells.

NEW DATES | JULY 16-18, 2021

The island’s new yoga & wellness festival. A celebration that blends health, movement and a dash of whimsy in Charlottetown.

FIND YOUR CALM, SOAK UP SOME VITAMIN SEA.

YOGA CLASSES

WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

STARGAZING WALKS

GUIDED MEDITATIONS

UNIQUE VENUES

CULINARY EVENTS

RAINBOW RUN

HOTEL PACKAGES

TAKE A DEEP BREATH & WE’LL SEE YOU IN JULY!

#islandtidesfestival

www.islandtidesfestival.com

Each month Deirdre Kessler selects a poem by an Island poet for The Buzz

Bren Simmers. From If, When, Gaspereau Press, 2021.

BOOKS PEI

The Chemistry of Innovation: Regis Duffy and the Story of DCL

Mo Duffy Cobb and Lori Mayne

Threads Literary Festival. After a career in journalism, Lori Mayne now teaches writing at UPEI. Her freelance research and editing work has appeared in Owen Connolly: The Making of a Legacy 1820-1916 by Leonard Cusack.

Historic St. Mary’s:

A Brief Account of Three Indian River Churches 1814–2020

Bertha Campbell

Wally: Driven to Win Gary MacDougall

How did a farm boy from PEI become a successful businessman, mentor, and community philanthropist? A new book by Mo Duffy Cobb and Lori Mayne tells the behind-the-scenes story of how Regis Duffy became a household name. The Chemistry of Innovation: Regis Duffy and the Story of DCL depicts the growing pains and leaps of faith of a community-minded business.

In 1970, Regis Duffy—who was then dean of science at UPEI—started a small chemical reagent company in a makeshift basement lab at Saint Dunstan’s University to create summer jobs for his students. Diagnostic Chemicals (DCL) and its offspring, BioVectra, soon grew into global competitors in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical industry, employed hundreds of Islanders, and provided a model for entrepreneurship and economic development in Canada’s smallest province. The key to his success? As Regis once said, “Innovate or die; the alternative is not that appealing.”

The Chemistry of Innovation celebrates the vision, hard work, and people-centred approach that allowed DCL to grow from a start-up “stirring chemicals after church” into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Ever the farmer, Regis planted the seed for a thriving biotech industry on PEI.

Published by Island Studies Press at UPEI, The Chemistry of Innovation: Regis Duffy and the Story of DCL is now available for sale at Bookmark, the UPEI Bookstore, Indigo, Coles, and online through the distributor, Nimbus Publishing. This book was the recipient of a SSHRC Exchange Publication Award from the Vice-President Academic and Research Office at UPEI, and received support from the PEI BioAlliance, Sekisui, and the Office of the President at UPEI.

Mo Duffy Cobb is a freelance editor, writer, and the author of Unpacked: from PEI to Palawan (Pottersfield Press, 2017). She is executive director of the PEI Writers’ Guild and founder of the Wild

Historic St. Mary’s: A Brief Account of Three Indian River Churches 1814–2020 traces some of the rich history of Indian River, PEI, from its early settlers to its wellknown church. The book explores how Indian River Church evolved from a primitive thirty by forty-foot building on the shores of Malpeque Bay to a world renowned architectural destination that is home to the Indian River Festival.

Throughout the book, readers are introduced to many individuals who were instrumental in creating and preserving St. Mary’s Church—from a priest known for racing horses to those involved in the important “Save St. Mary’s” campaign. Ultimately, Historic St. Mary’s chronicles how the parish community withstood a terrible fire, changing times, and even the church’s decommissioning. Yet, people continue to congregate at this famous William Critchlow Harris landmark.

Author Bertha Campbell, who wrote the book as a pandemic project, will hold a book launch June 12 from 1–3 pm at Historic St. Mary’s, Indian River. The event is free and open to all. Due to public health protocols, it is strongly recommended to register in advance at indianriverfestival.com/2021-festival-events or by phone at 836-4933.

The book will be available for purchase after June 12 at Murphy’s Pharmacy in Kensington. A number of copies will be donated to the Friends of St. Mary’s and the Indian River Festival and these will be available at the Box Office or by contacting Theresa at 836-4184 or tem1708@hotmail.com.

Retromedia Publishing will release Wally: Driven to Win, a book by author Gary MacDougall, in June.

Wally: Driven to Win reveals the story of PEI harness racing ambassador Walter “Wally” Hennessey. The story is divided into several themes, starting with young Wally as a backstretch kid and moving on through PEI to the paddock, the starting gate, the quarter pole, the half mile, jockeying for position, the stretch run, the glory years, the Gold Cup glories, the winner’s circle, and finally, the finish line.

In his writing, MacDougall has expressed how passion, dedication and hard work paid off for Hennessey. The multiple Hall of Famer, who has well over 10,000 wins, is still driving today, with winters in Florida and summers in New York—close to five decades after he chalked up his first victory with Cambridge Frisco as an 18-year-old at the Charlottetown Driving Park. He’s driven many other standardbreds since, including Americas Pastime, Fannies Champ, Cambest, Gallo Blue Chip, Driven To Win and Moni Maker, one of the world’s greatest harness race horses of all time.

This 232-page book also contains a special foreword by Wally’s daughter, Kristy Hennessey; quotes from his siblings and friends in the industry; black and white photographs including some from award-winning photographers Ann MacNeill, Dave Landry and Sylvain Gagnon; and mini-chapters from sponsors who helped make publishing this book possible, including the Government of PEI, Woodmere Farms, Tara Hills Stud, Lindy Farms, Isle Casino Pompano Racing Park, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, NY Sire Stakes and Preferred Equine.

Lee Drake, Red Shores manager of racing, brands and broadcast, and Nicole MacPherson, worldharnessracing.com marketing consultant, will co-host the book launch for Wally Driven to Win on June 23 at Red Shores Charlottetown’s Top of the Park restaurant. Reservations can be made by calling 620-4264. Space is limited. The book launch will be live streamed at redshores.ca from 7–9 pm and Wally Hennessey will

be the virtual guest of honour.

Wally: Driven to Win can be purchased at the event, as well as online at retromedia.ca, worldharnessracing.com, at Bookmark and Indigo in Charlottetown, and at Coles in Summerside.

The Miramichi Fire: A History

Alan MacEachern

A History was shortlisted for the 2021 Atlantic Book Award for Scholarly Writing. The book was published by McGill-Queens University Press and released in July 2020. It can be purchased at mqup.ca.

Bits and Pieces: Memories Old and New Thane J. Birch

On an unusually hot day in October 1825, Islanders from West Point to North Cape watched in alarm and disbelief as huge plumes of smoke rose above the horizon across the Strait. Years later, they would proudly tell their grandchildren, “I saw that Miramichi Fire and you’ve never seen anything like it!” In the fire’s aftermath, charity pamphlets were printed, fundraisers held, mawkish poems written, and healthy amounts of blame were bandied about. Someone even wrote a fiddle tune about it. The Miramichi River watershed, and the lives of everyone on it, was forever transformed by the disaster.

In his book, The Miramichi Fire: A History, Islander Alan MacEachern details the story of the great fire that burned across one-fifth of New Brunswick, killing a couple hundred people and leaving thousands homeless. It is a tale of the timber trade and shipbuilding, and of immigrants learning the hard way how terrible a North American forest fire could be. Could a fire like this happen again? Of course, given our warming climate and uncertain rainfall. Even PEI has experienced its share of destructive wildfires and no doubt we will have more in our future.

One of the reassuring themes of The Miramichi Fire is how hard people work to rebuild after disasters. Sometimes we learn from the experience, but sometimes we go back to doing what led to the event in the first place. Fortunately, historians like MacEachern come along and dig up all that had been forgotten.

Author Alan MacEachern is from PEI but currently resides in Ontario. He is a professor of history at the University of Western Ontario. The Miramichi Fire:

In Bits and Pieces, a collection of short stories about growing up in the Lot 16 area of PEI, Thane J. Birch recalls an era when technology was moving at a much slower pace and folks were somewhat forced to entertain themselves. In short stories such as, “Rocks for turnips,” “The Greasy Donut,” and “The Wonders of Television,“ the author recounts his memories of sports, family, work and travel.

Birch grew up in Lot 16 and graduated from Miscouche Regional High in 1964. He and his wife raised their three children in Summerside. When Birch retired in 1995, he and his wife started spending their winters in Nanaimo, BC. They currently reside at their cottage in Lot 16.

Bits and Pieces was published by Thane J. Birch in association with Crescent Isle Publishers (J. Clinton Morrison). Copies can be purchased at Murphys Pharmacy in Kensington, Coles and Seaside Bookstore in Summerside, Saunders’ Variety in Alberton, and by contacting the author at 432-2339.

Basin Head Bad Boys

Anne Hotchkis

Basin Head Bad Boys by Anne Hotchkis will be released in June.

Ethan Laird, the boy with a prosthetic leg, was a popular kid at Colonel Gray High School when he was asked to join the Bad Boys gang for a little fun at Basin Head, PEI. The fun involved a dangerous knife game and resulted in the leader of the gang stabbing Ethan. The Camden Mystery Club (CMC) was at Basin Head to witness the killing, and once again,

they have not one, but two murders to solve.

Basin Head Bad Boys is the final book in the Camden Mystery Club series. It will be available in June at Bookmark and Indigo in Charlottetown.

Self-publishing webinars

The PEI Writers’ Guild (PEIWG) is offering a series of webinars on various aspects of self-publishing. These webinars continue through June and feature a variety of on and off Island facilitators.

On June 6, PEIWG will present Blogging: The Art of Content Creation, a virtual panel on the art of blogging. During this conversation-style event, Justin Shaw, Michelle MacDonald, and Pelumi Ajao will talk about their specific niche in the blogging sphere and offer suggestions and tips for what they think it takes to be a successful blogger.

Patti Larsen will present Introduction: Marketing Self-Published Works on June 23, where she will demystify the often overwhelming process of marketing, branding, and advertising for authors.

“Many of our members self-publish,” Guild president Christine Gordon Manley says, “and many more of our members are thinking about self-publishing. As part of our mandate to broaden our reach, we wanted to devote an entire series to this style of publishing, and, in doing so, also explore what constitutes this—for example, looking at the ever-important personal platform, the blog.”

PEIWG Executive Director Mo Duffy Cobb says the pandemic is compelling the organization to think creatively when it comes to offering its membership programming.

“While we are missing the face-to-face interaction, of course, we are thrilled to expand our virtual offerings,” says Duffy Cobb. “By bringing in facilitators from all over the world, people from across the country and beyond are also attending our workshops and webinars, increasing our visibility.”

All sessions place online. Webinar fees range in price and participants will receive the Zoom link once they register at peiwritersguild.com.

Online series hosted by PEI Writers’ Guild

CHCI applications open

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) is a $31 million investment from Infrastructure Canada to support communities as they adapt spaces and services to respond to ongoing needs arising from the pandemic. The initiative is funding projects that help create safe and vibrant public spaces, improve mobility options, and provide digital solutions to help their neighbourhoods or communities navigate the pandemic and look to build back better in the COVID19 recovery. A variety of community-led organizations are eligible to apply, including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities, and registered non-profit organizations. The second round of the CHCI is open and applications will be accepted until June 25. PEI applications will be considered as part of the larger Atlantic Region for this initiative. Info: Cathy McPhail, cmcphail@ cfpei.ca, 892-9001, 892-3440. communityfoundations.ca

French education bursary

Students wishing to pursue Frenchlanguage post-secondary studies will have more financial support options to pursue their education goals with the new French-language Post-Secondary Studies Scholarship. The multi-year bursary is for Island students who wish to pursue their post-secondary education in a French-language program not offered in PEI. The scholarship is funded by the Government of Canada and Province of PEI in collaboration with the Société acadienne et francophone de l’Ȋ-P-É. For full eligibility requirements and application details, visit ssta.org/actualite.

Home Builders’ AGM

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of PEI (CHBA-PEI) will host their AGM on June 17 at 5:30 pm. HGTV star Randy Spracklin of Rock Solid Builds will be the guest speaker. Rock Solid Builds is a HGTV’s newest series based out of Brigus, Newfoundland which follows the construction journey of third-generation builder Randy Spracklin, co-owner of Newfound Builders. Newfound Builders are CHBA members in NL and do everything from custom builds and historical restorations to major renovations. Spracklin will speak virtually during the event about his favourite projects to date, industry trends, and current challenges in residential construction in NL. The AGM will be held at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. The event is open to both members and non-members. Tickets include a four course meal and can be purchased at chba-pei.ca/wp/training-events or by email at alicia@chba-pei.ca.

Canadian Rivers Day

The second Sunday of June was proclaimed as a national day for all Canadians to celebrate the vital role rivers play in their lives. On June 13, the Hillsborough River Association (HRA) invites Islanders to celebrate the Hillsborough River. Canadian Rivers Day is an opportunity for watershed residents to enjoy the panorama and the history of the Hillsborough—the first river designated as a Canadian Heritage

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River on PEI and the 17th designated as a Canadian Heritage River. HRA suggests some activities Islanders could do to contribute to the conservation of the Hillsborough’s history and environment. They include: enhancing wildlife by planting native wildlife cover or food plants; sharing knowledge of family history or researching some of its history; or cleaning up and properly disposing waste materials along a section of the river. To see the progress that has been made on the Hillsborough, contact HRA at pisquidwatershed@gmail.com and ask for the latest issue of the Hillsborough Tidings newsletter, or follow HRA Watershed Management on Facebook.

Online grief support

A monthly grief support group is held online via Zoom every third Thursday of each month at 7 pm. The drop-in sessions are facilitated by Social Worker Blanche Ward and Hospice PEI Grief Support Coordinator, Lynn Butler. To register, contact Lynn at 330-3857. First time Zoom users are welcome to join. 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.

Therapeutic Touch®️

Pre-registration for A Global Intention for Therapeutic Touch®️ is open to June 1. Learn more at atlanticttn.com. Foundations of Therapeutic Touch®️ will be held in June via Zoom. Learn tips on self care and how to help others. Info/ register: Cherry Whitaker, 301-7791, sakura.healings@gmail.com

Gardening for Birds

Birds Canada launched Gardening for Birds, a major new conservation initiative that promotes the creation of naturefriendly gardens that benefit birds across Canada. The website birdgardens.ca has videos, factsheets and resources that provide practical information to help Canadians protect birds and other wildlife, and includes a searchable database of 500 native plants. Anyone interested in helping birds and wildlife can learn what species of plants are best suited to their specific area and to local conditions. An advanced search feature lets the user focus on specific interests, such as pollinator plants for hummingbirds and butterflies, or cone-bearing trees for finches and other wildlife. The project has been envisioned as a way to engage people in tangible conservation efforts.

War Amps

This year, The War Amps Key Tag Service is celebrating 75 years of returning lost keys to their owners. Donations to the Key Tag Service provide vital support to amputees across the country including Matthew Handrahan, 27, of Charlottetown. Matthew was born a left arm amputee and grew up with The

War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, which provides financial assistance for artificial limbs and adaptive devices, as well as peer support. The Key Tag Service was launched in 1946 so that returning war amputee veterans could not only work for competitive wages, but also provide a service to Canadians that would generate funds for the Association’s many programs, including CHAMP. The service continues to employ amputees and people with disabilities and has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys to their owners. Each key tag has a confidentially coded number. If keys are lost, the finder can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag or place them in any mailbox in Canada, and The War Amps will return them by courier, free of charge. The War Amps receives no government grants and its programs are possible through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service. To order key tags, visit waramps.ca or call toll-free 1-800-250-3030.

FHF award nominations

Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF) are now seeking nominations for the 2021 Farmers Helping Farmers Awards. Annually, FHF shines a light on volunteer excellence recognizing the contributions of their members, supporters and community who are committed to the work they do with farm women and their families in Kenya. The award categories are Youth, Honourary Member, Friend of FHF, and Member of the Year. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, June 5. The awards will be presented during the organization’s AGM, tentatively scheduled for July 28. A description of the awards and the nomination forms are available farmershelpingfarmers.ca. Info: Sandra MacKinnon, rareearthpotato@ eastlink.ca

PEI’s Third Option service

Islanders experiencing sexual violence can request the Third Option. PEI’s Third Option service is an extension of the current Enhanced Emergency Sexual Assault Services. Survivors of sexual violence who present at an Island hospital emergency room can agree to have evidence collected and stored anonymously. The addition of the Third Option provides survivors more time to consider making a complaint to police while they receive immediate medical attention and support. When a person requests and consents to the Third Option service, health care providers will use a trauma-informed, patient-centered approach to safely collect forensic evidence. Law enforcement partners will then transport the anonymous evidence to the RCMP “L” Division, where the kits will be stored anonymously for up to one year. The Depts of Justice and Public Safety and Health and Wellness; Health PEI; the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat; Charlottetown, Kensington and Summerside Police Services; the

RCMP; and PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre worked together to develop strong person-centered protocols for this service. A new Coordinated Response to Adult Sexual Violence Taskforce will also be working with community organizations on a long-term strategy to address sexual violence in PEI. Info: princeedwardisland.ca

Law Foundation grants

Projects are now underway thanks to funding provided through the Law Foundation of PEI’s grant program. Among the recipients for 2021, are PEERS Alliance, Hospice PEI, East Coast Environmental Law and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. In addition to these one-time grants, the Law Foundation allocated nearly $170,000 in 2021 to support PEI’s provincial law library services, legal information resources, the PEI bar admission course and various legal education scholarships. Since 2013, the Law Foundation has provided over $2 million in funding. The Law Foundation will be launching a newly branded grants program in 2021, which is part of a campaign to raise public awareness about future funding opportunities. lawfoundationpei.ca

Sustainable buoys

A new pilot project is replacing existing buoys in PEI waterways with more environmentally friendly and sustainable buoys. The Expanded Polystyrene Replacement Program will work with identified stakeholders in the aquaculture industry to remove close to 40,000 polystyrene buoys and replace them with buoys that are more durable. Delivered by the PEI Aquaculture Alliance, the program requires a minimum replacement of one polystyrene buoy for every new buoy, and covers 50 percent of the costs of the replacements as well as the fees associated with disposing the old buoys. The Dept of Fisheries and Communities will work with Island Waste Management Corporation to ensure the proper collection, storage and disposal of buoys for this project.

Eight new transit buses

The governments of Canada and PEI, the City of Charlottetown, and the Towns of Stratford and Cornwall are investing in public transit. Eight buses will be added to the T3 Transit fleet serving Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford. The acquisition includes two 40’ buses, four 35’ buses and two mini-buses, all of which offer improvements in fuel efficiency, accessibility and comfort. The fully accessible buses feature the SmartRider system, destination signs, new and improved fareboxes, as well as all the current amenities including free Wi-Fi, security cameras, Automatic Vehicle Location software, and bike racks. For public transit users, these new buses will accommodate current and future public transit ridership and improve the overall travel experience. For T3 Transit, it will reduce maintenance costs, improve fleet management and tracking, and allow T3 to decommission and perform maintenance on its older buses.

Rainbow Brunch

Kings Playhouse—June 26

Georgetown’s Kings Playhouse will host their first all-ages Rainbow Brunch on June 26.

Hosted by Drag Queen Lizzy Strange, the event will feature local talent and a brunch catered by Lucky Bean Café, who are sponsoring the event along with Pride PEI.

Brunch will begin at 11 am in the Dedication Hall at Kings Playhouse. Guests are encouraged to come in their most colourful outfits as the best dressed will take home a door prizes.

Seating is limited to 50 patrons. Attendees will be seated in groups of four assigned by staff in accordance with safety protocols. Guests are encouraged to buy their tickets together to ensure they are seated together. Tickets include the meal and the show.

Kings Playhouse is proud to create inclusive spaces, which is why all profits from the event will go towards

Pride in Three Rivers

As the 27th annual PEI Pride Festival nears, the Town of Three Rivers is encouraging its residents and business owners to celebrate diversity and ensure that everyone feels welcome. Local business owner Matt Clendinning recently made a presentation to Town Council about the importance of celebrating Pride.

The Town will fly the Pride flag at its municipal properties that have flag poles this year, including West Street Beach and Cardigan Village Green.

Clendinning also suggested the Town paint rainbow crosswalks at the Main Street intersections of Rink Street,

Family violence prevention for men

PEI Family Violence Prevention Services Inc (PEI FVPS) recently announced that Nick Frid has been hired for a two-year pilot offering services to male and male-identifying clients. The position will respond to referrals supporting men who have been abused as well as men who have caused harm. The organization has seen an increase in these referrals in recent years and feels it is important to respond with quality services.

“I’m looking forward to building this new program with PEI FVPS and have already received a number of referrals,” says outreach coordinator Nick Frid. “Having a dedicated person to work with male clients will provide a great service.”

funding their Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Diversity Action Plan.

This is an all-ages event. The venue is outfitted with gender-neutral washrooms and is accessible for standard size wheelchairs. For more information, call the box office at 652-2053 or 1-888-346-5666, or email info@kingsplayhouse.com. kingsplayhouse.com

These new additional supports will benefit Island communities and families dealing with violence. An evaluation of the program will be available after the pilot closes.

PEI FVPS supports over 400 families across the province annually by providing services such as: emergency shelter (Anderson House), a 24/7 crisis and support line, outreach services, group programming, transitional and permanent housing, public education and training, and youth programming.

Info: fvps.ca, 894-3354

Station Street, and Wood Island Road.

At its Council meeting in May, Three Rivers Mayor Ed MacAulay suggested Councillors encourage their constituents to look for opportunities to celebrate diversity and demonstrate inclusivity, such as flying the rainbow flag on their own properties.

“We want to ensure that Three Rivers is seen as the inclusive, caring and welcoming community that it is,” said Mayor MacAulay.

Pride PEI is a resource for the Island’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the organization behind the Island’s annual Pride Parade and Festival, which takes place July 18-25. threeriverspei.com, pridepei.ca

Lizzy Strange

CINDY HUARD-LAUZON

Salmon enhancement

Thanks to a $14,083 grant from the 2021 Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation funding, the Hillsborough River Association will be able to install four natural parallel flow deflectors to create salmon pools on Clark’s Creek and Head of Hillsborough. In addition, 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. Later this summer, sediment will be removed from Jay’s Pond in Fort Augustus. Electro-fishing will be conducted to assess the number of Atlantic salmon and trout present during the summer and Atlantic Salmon redd (nesting site) surveys will be conducted.

Food security and shelter

Boys and Girls Clubs in the province will receive more funding to support community programming that improves food security and shelter for people in need of this help. The provincial government is providing $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Summerside, in partnership with the LifeHouse Group, to help with purchasing a house for a Women’s Shelter in Summerside. The Boys and Girls Club in Charlottetown will receive $78,000 to support their food security program called Project Backpack. The funds allocated for LifeHouse comes from Reaching Home, a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. The John Howard Society of PEI is the community entity that oversees Reaching Home projects in PEI. The funds allocated for food insecurity will help support Project Backpack, which provides weekly grocery packages that support families and help reduce some of the pressures and stress that food insecurity can cause.

Walk to End ALS

Join the ALS Society of PEI on June 12 for the virtual Walk to End ALS, a volunteer-led fundraiser in support of ALS Societies across the country. Funds raised will help to provide community-based support and ensure a strong pipeline of funding for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. Put a team together, register online at walktoendals.ca/ participate-or-donate/pei, and start fundraising. On June 12, teams can walk together and take pictures to send to ALS Society of PEI via email (als_society_pei@ hotmail.com) to be posted on their website and Facebook page. Stay tuned for the live Facebook door prize draws on June 14. Anyone who has registered and fundraised will have their name entered in the draw. The walk is family-friendly. Info: Kathy MacNeil, kathymacneill.als@gmail.com, walktoendals.ca, #WalktoEndALS

Vaping study results

The 2020-21 Youth and Young Adult Vaping Project, conducted by The Lung Association of Nova Scotia and funded by Heart & Stroke and other partners, seeked to better understand vaping behaviour, experiences, and product preferences among regular e-cigarette

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users aged 16–24 across Canada. More than 3000 youth and young adult vapers participated. It was found that enticing flavours pull youth into vaping and the addictive nicotine content makes it very difficult for them to quit. The following findings are confined to the subset of 273 PEI vapers between April 2020 and January 2021: 90.1 percent of PEI youth and young adult vapers began vaping using a flavoured vape juice; 75 percent of PEI vapers used nicotine products with the highest permitted nicotine concentrations (50-60 mg/ml), which is almost three times the nicotine concentration limit in the European Union (20 mg/ml); 99 percent of PEI vapers have been offered someone else’s vape to use and 93 percent have offered to share their own; PEI vapers spend and average of $21.50 per week on vaping products; and 24.2 percent of young PEI vapers say they began smoking cigarettes after they started vaping. Info: pei.lung.ca

Abegweit Connects project

Funding was announced for active transportation and social infrastructure for the Abegweit First Nation community. Investments will support the implementation of the Abegweit Connects project which will build active transportation infrastructure to connect the First Nation community to the Hillsborough River and the Confederation Trail. This project includes the construction of several structures to create a safe and direct access to the waterfront and multi-use trail. This initiative will provide the community with new opportunities to remain active, and reconnect residents with the Hillsborough River, which was an essential transportation route and food source for past generations. This project will also encourage new economic development initiatives for Abegweit First Nation, as well as support the pandemic response and economic recovery efforts. Additional funding will also support the preparation of plans, specifications and cost estimates for the development of the Epekwitk Mena’taqug Centre set for construction this year in Scotchfort. The new Centre will improve access as well as the quality of community, cultural, and recreational infrastructure in the community. More details at infrastructure.gc.ca.

Micro-grant recipients

Eight new projects relating to community sustainability received funding from the City of Charlottetown’s Community Sustainability Micro-Grant Program. The community-led projects further the goals and actions of the City’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and engage the community in sustainability. The micro-grant awards range between $900 and $2500. Each of the 2021 microgrant projects relates to one or more of the four pillars of sustainability—environmental, economic, cultural and social. Approved projects for the program include: Big Brothers Big Sisters PEI ($900) to install raised vegetable planters; Desbrisay Community Garden ($2500) to create an in-vessel composting system

for garden waste; FilmPEI ($1500) to present a juried experimental short film screening of digital artists and animators from PEI; Stars for Life Foundation for Autism ($2000) to create an edible hedgerow; PEI Food Exchange ($1700) to run a series of gardening workshops; The Charlottetown Garden Sharing Initiative ($900) to support the creation of a community program that connects people who would like to garden but do not have space with people who would like to have a garden on their property but lack the time or physical ability; Coffee Pod Collective ($1200) to collect and properly recycle coffee pods; and Kirstie McCallum ($2300) to collaborate with PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada to facilitate a team of newcomer artists in the creation of a mural on the theme of “being at home in nature.”

Leadership excellence

Dr. Tim McRoberts, Director of Canada’s Smartest Kitchen, has been named the silver recipient of the CICan Leadership Excellence Award for Managerial Staff. Canada’s Smartest Kitchen is the research arm of Holland College’s Culinary Institute of Canada (CIC), which provides a suite of research and development services to the food and beverage industry. CICan is the national, voluntary membership organization representing publicly supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics in Canada and internationally.

Dr. McRoberts joined the CIC in 1996 and was appointed director of Canada’s Smartest Kitchen in 2019 to lead a multi-disciplined team of product developers, chefs, and food scientists to deliver innovative and validated solutions across the entire food and beverage sector. Since then, he has increased professional connections, within the campus and industry network, and established connections with leadership teams in PEI’s food cluster network, other industry associations and the government sector. Dr. McRoberts has also developed new revenue streams and has overseen two successful funding initiatives.

Best Community in Canada

Charlottetown tied for first place in the Maclean’s Best Communities in Canada ranking, which this year focused on the best communities in the country to live now that it is much easier for Canadians to work or study from home. The ranking, which is determined based on several criteria such as affordability, taxes, crime, weather, health, amenities, and other factors which are essential to a better quality of life, saw Charlottetown sharing the top spot with Halifax. Charlottetown’s top three features, according to the list, are internet access, amenities, and population growth. In the 2019 list, Charlottetown ranked 233, where the top features included amenities, demographics, and commuting time. Other factors which contributed to Charlottetown being tied for first include community engagement and significantly

lower infection rates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The full list, as well as accompanying articles and a description of the methodology, can be foundat macleans.ca.

HC Earn-a-Car winner

Jodi Rethy, a second-year student in Holland College’s Practical Nursing program, has earned more than just good marks this year. Her hard work and dedication have also earned her a brand new 2021 Chevrolet Spark. Four other students, Shawn Fraser in the Sport and Leisure Management program, Barbara Kalil in the International Hospitality Management program, Jill Kendall in the Photography and Videography program, and Laura Mills in the Human Services program are each $1000 richer, thanks to Lou MacEachern, a loyal donor to the Holland College Foundation. This unique initiative was created by MacEachern, a native Islander and Calgary businessman, who has donated the car and the cash awards for seven consecutive years. Earn a Car recipients are awarded based on a combination of merit, character, and academic achievement. The Holland College Foundation was recognized nationally for the Earn a Car initiative in 2020 with a Silver Medal in the Best Student or Young Alumni Initiative category presented by the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.

Citizen satisfaction survey

The first citizen satisfaction survey completed by MDB Insight for the City of Charlottetown between March 17–April 14, 2021, shows that nine in 10 Charlottetown residents are satisfied with the level of services provided by the City of Charlottetown. Additionally, nine in 10 citizens rated their quality of life in Charlottetown as good, very good, or excellent. Services such as transit safety, fire & rescue, police services, festivals and events, and recreation programming were met with high approval/ performance scores. 21 percent of citizens stated that increased/more affordable housing in the City would lead to improved quality of life. 17 percent of respondents identified more non-car transportation infrastructure as areas they would like to see more focus. A total of 500 interviews were completed. Residents can access the full report at charlottetown.ca

Promising Practices podcast

Promising Practices is a 13-episode podcast launched by Canada’s Premiers to share each jurisdiction’s work on mental health and addictions, highlighting a local program or initiative that supports their residents. PEI’s episode of the podcast features the FarmersTalk. ca initiative, a call to action to the Island farming community to talk about mental health and mental illness to reduce stigma and support resiliency. Members of the farming community are joined by Premier Dennis King, Agriculture and Land Minister Bloyce Thompson to discuss the challenges that many people in the agriculture industry deal with and a growing willingness to talk about the mental health toll that farmers face. canadaspremiers.ca/podcast

Rosebowl winners

Queens County Music Festival competition held in May

The Queens County Music Festival Rosebowl competition was held in May at Park Royal United in Charlottetown. There was a small audience in attendence for the livestreamed concert, which featured both the Junior and Senior Rosebowl competitions.

The Junior Rosebowl competition featured performances by Island musicians Tom Cheng (piano), Zoe Sullivan (violin), Jason Chen (organ), Hongru Yao (trumpet) and Kevin Song (clarinet). The Junior Rosebowl prize went to Jason Chen, who was awarded the Rosebowl trophy and The Audrey Gillis Award, which comes with a cash prize of $150 donated by the Charlottetown Rotary Club.

The Senior Rosebowl featured Island performers Nicholas Murphy (baritone), Nathan Liang (piano) and Olivia MacPhail (tuba). The Senior Rosebowl trophy and the $500 scholarship, donated by the Regis and Joan Duffy Foundation, was awarded to Olivia MacPhail.

Harmony, Inc

The women’s barbershop choruses in the four Atlantic provinces, which form the Area 1 division of the Harmony, Inc organization, will hold their annual convention virtually this year. It will take place via Zoom on June 4 (7–9 pm) and June 5 (10 am–2 pm).

Members are encouraged to invite a female friend or family member, at no cost, if they are interested in learning more about singing four-part a cappella harmonies in the barbershop style. A limited number of spots are also available to members of the public, who can register themselves as a Barbershop Buddy using the online form at: forms.gle/qfsx6rE7WZCpDGiMA. More info at harmonyinc.org.

Bound By Love

Dennis Ellsworth releases final album in three part series

Dennis Ellsworth closes the loop on his landmark Bound By Love Series, with Wolves Not Far, sharing ten portraits of fatherhood and life amid the struggle to find peace in this world.

“The future is grim on this one,” said Ellsworth. “Wolves Not Far has a few tributes on it, but largely deals with troubles and threats. The reality is that I strive to cast positive light onto the messy world, which all feels like a confusing dream right now. Darkness comes at the close of each day, but the light returns if we nurture our world and ourselves within it.”

“Let’s see how long it takes until it’s too late/let’s see how long it goes,” the songwriter muses on focus track, “Rainy Slope,” which mourns a lack of political leadership and accountability. “Thought you knew it all but I guess you don’t/and now you’re hanging on to a rainy slope.”

Inspired by graffiti Ellsworth would see on morning walks with his daughter Esme, Wolves Not Far balances a fear of the unknown and human selfishness with expressions of devotion and tributes to heroes near and far.

Wolves Not Far marks the final installment in Ellsworth’s Bound By Love Series, which reconsiders the status quo of how artists release music, while sharing 32 new songs across three albums and three EPs.

“Bandcamp has gone above and beyond for artists during this precarious time, and as such, the full length

albums will only be available there, in CD, LP, and digital formats,” said Ellsworth. “That said, streaming fans shouldn’t feel left out. As a companion to each full length album release on Bandcamp, we’ll be releasing a sampler EP to streaming services. If you want to hear and support the full project, you know where to find it. Everybody wins.”

Ellsworth is a songwriter, performer and producer from Charlottetown. He began writing songs in high school, bridging a variety of styles from folk, to rock n’ roll, to chill electro-pop. He has moved around over the years but is now based in his hometown.

His resume includes ten albums, song placements in “Heartland,” “Saving Hope,” and “Cavendish,” as well as collaborations with Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize of Skydiggers, Gord Downie, Joel Plaskett, and David Barbe (Drive-by Truckers).

dennisellsworth.com

Dr. Karem Simon and Dr. Dale Sorensen coordinated this year’s competition. The Adjudicators were Jennifer King and Maureen Batt. The Rosebowl trophies were donated by the UPEI Music Department.

Olivia MacPhail (above) and Jason Chen, winners of the QCMF Rosebowl competition

Finding new flora

The go-to place for information on native plants in Prince Edward Island is the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre website (accdc.com). They have excellent botanists who visit the province each year and regularly add new species of shrubs, wildflowers and especially lichens to the PEI checklist.

There are many other good sources for identifying what is native, including the Macphail Woods website (macphailwoods.org), and books such as The Plants of Prince Edward Island by D.S. Erskine, Roland’s The Flora of Nova Scotia, and many field guides.

The newest book in this area is Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines of Prince Edward Island: A Pictorial Library, by David D. Carmichael. I’ve not had a chance to see this one but I’m sure it will be an important addition to the literature. David has a long history of working with plants at the provincial nursery and over the years provided many people with helpful information on growing plants, identification, and controlling insects and diseases.

It is sometimes difficult to access what is actually native to the province and what has been introduced. After European settlers started clearing land for agriculture in the 1720s—which continues to this day—the landscape was drastically changed. We went from mostly forested to mostly agriculture. This is why it is not surprising when things that haven’t yet been found here pop up in isolated areas.

It is always of interest to me when a species is added to our provincial list. Last year someone confirmed that Trout Lily can indeed be found in PEI in isolated woodlands. I had been told for years that it was an introduced flower. But someone from Rollo Bay remembered finding it in the forest near where she grew up, and had pressed a sample as part of a science project.

I have written before about Red Trillium, also known as Wake Robin or Purple Trillium. There are notes of it being here, but no confirmed records. There is mention of this species in one of the Lone Pine books on wildflowers of Ontario. They say that it once was

LET'S ALL

June is Parks and Recreation Month!

From June 1-30, join us in celebrating "Nature Education for All!" Communities across PEI are hosting events and programs for you to enjoy:

Plants of PEI • What's all the Buzz about Bees • Tree

Identification Hike • Storytime in the Park • Youth Gardening

• Sunset Beach Walk • Tree

here but can no longer be found. In addition, Blythe Hurst Sr.’s slim 1933 publication on Flowering Plants and Ferns of Prince Edward Island lists it as the first of three native trilliums.

I was inspired to reach out to readers after a student from Acadia sent me a beautiful picture he had taken of a Red Trillium in flower. I’ve come across them in the Wolfville area, and they can be found in Pictou County as well. You’re most likely to find them in a mixed woodland, often along streams, and they are quite a sight to see in their natural habitat.

We just need to keep looking for plants in appropriate places, and who knows what might show up. We keep finding new populations of rare ferns, shrubs, and wildflowers, which become important in any efforts to restore populations and learn more about these species. Besides, it is never a bad thing to have an excuse to go out for a walk in the woods.

If you do come across a trillium in the woods with deep red flowers, please call me at 651-2575. And if there are things that catch your eye that you can’t identify, apps such as iNaturalist are great, or you could send a photo to me through macphailwoods.org.

There is always more to learn about our provincial flora, and it is great to see so many people helping to gather this knowledge.

Giveaway • Family Trail Hike & BBQ • Nature Walk • Learn Animal Tracking • And More!

For a full list of events and info, visit: www.recreationpei.ca

The Nature of PEI by Gary Schneider

EDWARD MORRIS

Red Trillium, aka Wake Robin or Purple Trillium

NEW RELEASES singles

& videos

“Prospects”

Layne Greene

Singer-songwriter Layne Greene will release his new single,“Prospects,” on June 10. The song marks the first of several singles the artist plans to release in 2021.

Greene recently moved from Ontario to Kelvin Grove, PEI, where he has spent most of the pandemic working on new music and getting his small home studio up and running. “Prospects” is the first song to come out of this endeavour.

“For an extra level of fun I decided to try doing everything myself,” shares Greene. “I’ve never played drums or bass before, so it was interesting figuring out both how to write parts [simple though the parts may be], and working on recording something other than guitars and vocals. I feel like working with Dale [Murray] on the last two records was super helpful in changing the way I always saw music production, and kind of got me started in a different direction than I would normally take when just picking away at demos.”

Listen to “Prospects” June 10 on Soundcloud or Spotify. Follow @layne_ greene on Instagram or email layne@ laynegreene.com for more information.

“Cry No More” Arsenal Mills

Charlottetown based rockers Arsenal Mills recently dropped “Cry No More,” a new single from their forthcoming EP, Lovesick & Broke

The band’s line up consists of Brad Milligan (vocals, guitar), Griffen Arsenault (lead guitar), Josh MacNeil (drums), and André Uyterlinde (bass, keyboard, synth).

Milligan says “Cry No More” first

came together very spontaneously and naturally. “Griff brought this big, sing-along chorus to me that he’d been working on,” he recalls. “From there, and in only a short time, we had all the music and lyrics written out.”

The song has a driving beat reminiscent of classic 80s New Wave. “I remember everyone in the studio at the time was dancing along to the song while we were recording,” Arsenault recalls. “We figured that was a good indication of how fun this song is!”

“As far as drums and percussion go, this was the first time we decided to mix live and sample drums in a song,” MacNeil explains. “I love how punchy and quick it is; it doesn’t mess around, just straight to the point.”

“This song has been in my head literally since the day I first heard it,” Uyterlinde adds.

“Cry No More” is available on digital platforms.

“Home”

Russell Louder

Montreal, near Leon’s family cottage. Viewers will find themselves entranced by the way the music and video complement each other. Once again, Louder takes people on journey through a visual and musical performance—this time sharing their idea of “Home.”

“When Bobby and I discussed the video in the early plotting stages, it became really apparent that we both wanted to create something in liminal space—sort of between day and night, depicting an ambiguous journey through the countryside. ‘Home’ is an enigmatic idea to me—it’s something I carry with me, yet something I spend my whole life trying to find.”

Performance artist, musician and producer, Russell Louder grew up in PEI and currently resides in Montreal. Since the age of 17, they have pursued a self-directed education, touring both nationally and internationally as an interdisciplinary artist.

Find and watch the official video for “Home” on YouTube.

“Pin me to the Wall”

Jenna-Marie Gallant

Electro-pop artist, Russell Louder, recently released the official video for the lead single “Home”off their debut album, Humor (February 2021). Directed by Bobby Leon, the video was filmed outdoors just outside of

Bilingual Acadian singer-songwriter

Jenna-Marie Gallant from Rustico has released her latest single, “Pin Me To The Wall.”

The song was co-produced by Greg Alsop and Jesse Periard, and recorded in Charlottetown by Alsop (Dont Wake Baby Studio). It was mastered by Ron Skinner at Heading North Mastering in Port Stanley, ON.

The song and lyrics were written by Jenna-Marie Gallant, who also performed the vocals and guitar. Other artists on the track are Jesse Periard (electric guitar), Rowen Gallant (fiddle), Sam Langille (bass), Emmanuelle and Pastelle LeBlanc (background vocals), and Greg Alsop (percussion).

Gallant began writing music at the young age of 11. She grew up in a very musical family and basks in the musical traditions of the East Coast. In addition to traditional East Coast music, she has excelled both individually and as part of a pipe and drum core with The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts in Summerside for six years.

Samuelson

This perfect day

news MUSIC

Answer the Siren(s) Call

Answer the Siren(s) call for Board Members. Do you have a passion for choral music? Do you think that music education is a necessity, not a luxury? Would you like to help shape the future of choral music on PEI? If so, Sirens Choral Association (SCA) is looking for people to join its Board of Directors. This advisory board meets up to three times a year and helps SCA with governance, strategic planning, fundraising and sponsorship, and financial oversight. If you have skills in these areas and would like to be involved, please email communications@sirenschoir.com by June 15. Info: sirenschoir.com

Training for musicians

If I don’t appreciate this perfect day, then I don’t deserve to live here. It’s a festival out there.

The ground is strewn with crimson maple flowers, golden forsythia blossoms swing gaily in the breeze, and— stand aside—elderflowers are about to explode. Tulips open one luscious petal at a time, sunny daffodils and narcissus nod appreciatively, nosy little lily of the valley shoots poke up everywhere, and forget-me-nots prepare to fill every nook and cranny with soft baby blue—after a month we’ll start taking them for granted—and then they’ll disappear. “Oh dear,” we’ll say, missing them already.

Our towhee has left town, but we are currently entertained by purple finches, fox sparrows, hummingbirds, and one extremely pecky woodpecker who absolutely adores eaves troughs and metal ladders.

Down at the shore amorous kingfishers call longingly to one another, shy blue herons tentatively dip their long toes into tidal pools, and swooping bank swallows busily burrow out nests along the cape’s edge.

Things are so close to perfect; but to make the Cove just one speck more beautiful we tuck yellow Women’s Institute bags in our pockets and head over to the highway for some final cleanup. (Gloves on, of course.) At the bridge I clamber down to survey the winter’s offerings: someone in the district likes those green cans of Moosehead beer but can’t wait to get home and throw them away properly— one more sip and over she goes! Half a dozen of those tossed over the guardrail. A fisherman has brought along a healthy jug of lemonade: too much to finish—why, down here by the stream is as good a place as any to leave it. Cigarette boxes (not too many though,

maybe those scary photos are paying off), a vaporizer, Tim Horton’s cups, two masks and some paper plates. A modest haul. Less than some years.

We go up our road around the corner, out of sight of any houses: here’s another mask. (Do masks blow out of cars? Possibly.) An electric motor too heavy to lift: we drag it to the roadside. An empty bag labeled “Pink Cush cannabis” and an empty bottle formerly containing 0.0% Grolsch beer. (Imagine! Expensive non-alcoholic beer in a fancy bottle! I didn’t know such things existed.) A large bottle with a little liquid in bottom that smells like lemonade and alcohol. Another large bottle with some yellow liquid that smells like—well, something else. (We always empty the bottles because they’re too heavy to carry: maybe we’ll stop doing this.) And some deflated balloons. Nice! Someone was having a party for their kids. But who needs old dead balloons? Let’s go up to the woods and toss ’em in the ditch.

The three of us take a photo of our efforts and give each other a high five. That’s done for another year… or at least until tomorrow. Oh well, we do what we can.

I do I do I do appreciate this perfect day! So do I get to stay here? I do? Oh thank you!

Lady Slipper Walk

Have you ever found Prince Edward Island’s floral emblem growing in our woods? The Tracadie Good Neighbourly Club invites you to a Lady Slipper Walk on June 6 at 2 pm. Meet at the Tracadie Community Centre. For more information call Marian at 330-2248.

IGNITE Your Music Career, an online subscription training program, has partnered with The Unison Fund. The partnership gives Unison members three months of unlimited access to IGNITE’s weekly video lessons, free sound packs to download and use in their own projects, and activities to help them build their music career and learn more about the business of music. Craig Dodge, founder and CEO of IGNITE and Taris Studios, said the partnership will help musicians who have been struggling for the past year due to the pandemic to learn how to expand and diversify their revenue streams. Dodge is a film, television and video game composer, and audio designer. His music is heard in 140+ films and television shows. He has composed music for 45+ video games and was the lead audio designer for the projects. As a music educator and guest speaker, he has helped thousands of musicians, bands, artists, songwriters, and managers all over the world create multiple revenue streams and earn more money with their music over the past 10 years. The Unison Fund, Canada’s music industry charity, provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community in times of hardship or difficulties. unisonfund.ca

Percussion instruction

Summerside’s Max Gallant has joined the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts faculty as a part time instructor in drum set and will be offering a six-week summer session starting in July. Gallant holds a Bachelor of Music from Acadia University with a major in percussion performance. He received several scholarships during his degree program and has received numerous awards for his performances at the PEI Kiwanis Provincial Music Festival, including the Indian River Festival award and the Robert Schurman award for most outstanding performer. Gallant has been part of the College of Piping house band for the last two summers and will perform in Highland Storm this summer. He is able to teach all levels of drummers and work on many different styles of contemporary music. Students will learn the fundamentals of technique and coordination on practice pad and drum set, as well as how to apply them to

many genres of music. The sessions will help to develop strong technique, theory and musicality that applies to both drum set and school concert band percussion. Info/register: collegeofpiping.com

2022 CFMA submissions

Submissions are now open for the 17th edition of the Canadian Folk Music Awards (CMFAs), happening April 1–3 in Charlottetown. Established by Canada’s burgeoning and internationally-recognized folk music community, the awards currently boast 19 categories plus the Unsung Hero Award. Nominees are chosen for each category. A two stage jury process by 100+ jurors located across Canada representing all official provinces, territories and languages determine the official recipients in each category. Submit for the 2022 CFMAs at folkawards.ca/eligibility/online-submission. The final deadline is June 30 at 5 pm EDT (6 pm ADT). Visit folkawards. ca/eligibility for more information and eligibility requirements.

PEISO board seeks directors

The PEI Symphony Orchestra is seeking new and diverse members to serve on its Board of Directors. Anyone with an interest in the organization or a passion for helping to grow the local arts community should consider applying for a two-year term. The Board meets quarterly (currently via Zoom). Previous board experience or other non-profit work would be considered an asset, but is not mandatory. Those interested should email Marlee at admin@peisymphony.com.

Voyageur by Dekz

Premiere of local DJ’s new music and video project

Local disc jockey Dexter “Dekz”

Shea is set to launch his new project Voyageur on May 29 via YouTube. The film features Dekz performing a live DJ set outside at North Cape, PEI. It was filmed by his friend James Manning who used a drone to obtain the footage.

Voyageur is a project that Shea had been planning before the pandemic but finally brought to life in March.

“Drones help the viewer experience a familiar place from a fresh perspective. The aerial shots of the ice and the whole place are just spectacular, I’m lucky to have grown up five minutes from there,” explains Shea.

“The erosion of the capes also illustrates the effects of time and the clips of the Elephant Rock are a shot of nostalgia every time I watch it,

Scatman CD

Groovin’ with... Scatman, an album by the late Benjamin Sherman “Scatman” Crothers (1910-1986), will be released June 18. The album was produced and co-written by PEI-based composer, lyricist, record producer and writer, Andrew A. Melzer.

Crothers was a star of the stage, film and television. From performing on Chicago’s speak-easy circuit and hosting his own radio show, to touring with his trio, Scat Man and His Cats, and being one of the first African Americans to land a recurring role on a network TV show (Paramount’s Dixie Showboat), to acting in 45 motion pictures, including The Shining, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Aristocrats, to name a few.

In 1975, after thirty years of recording for labels like RCA and Motown Records, Scatman Crothers met record producer Andrew A. Melzer. Together,

and I assume it’ll be for many people in Western PEI. It really adds to the essence of the place. With erosion being one of natures clearest ways of symbolizing the effect time has in shaping all things on this earth.”

Shea shares that, “The film also illustrates electronic music’s ability to be more cinematic, meaningful and emotional than many might think. Without clubs and festivals dictating what is popular in this style of music, I feel like more people are enjoying songs that make listeners want to do more than just party and get crazy. I hope this mix makes people want to get outdoors and explore and I hope the visuals allow them to feel grateful to be from such a fascinating place.”

Follow @dekzmusic on Facebook for the link to watch the premiere.

they recorded a collection of songs, and they are finally being released by Panda Digital.

Groovin’ with...Scatman captures Crothers in his element alongside studio veterans and jazz legends like Ray Brown and Victor Feldman. This colourful and entertaining album includes pop standards, comedic dance numbers, and a pair of tributes to characters he played.

Sirène & Matelot

Lennie Gallant and Patricia Richard in Abram-Village

Sirène & Matelot, featuring Lennie Gallant and Patricia Richard, will perform at Village musical acadien in Abram-Village on June 27 at 8 pm. Gallant and Richard share a passion for music. Successful in their respective artistic careers, both recently discovered that together they have a sound that is unique and fresh, yet carries the kind of weight and wisdom that only comes with time and experience. With Sirène & Matelot, they want to explore songwriting that reflects not only their roots and influences but also their concerns about the current state of the world.

Richard is originally from MontCarmel, PEI. She has performed on many stages, festivals, television shows and in musical acts such as the band Panou, Searching for Abegweit with Lennie Gallant, and the musical “Ode à l’Acadie.” Richard has also released two albums.

Gallant was born in Rustico, PEI, and is recognized as one of Canada’s leading songwriters and performers. He was named to the Order of Canada and his song “Peter’s Dream” was inducted into the Canadian

Shane Pendergast

Harmony House—June 11 &12

Songwriters Hall of Fame. Gallant has shared the stage with Jimmy Buffett, Lucinda Williams, Daniel Lanois, Chris Isaak, and several symphony orchestras. He has released 12 solo albums, including two in French. Gallant has performed internationally and even had one of his albums aboard the International Space Station for the crew to enjoy.

Sirène & Matelot released their

Reason to Believe

Zimbabwe’s Black Umfolosi collaborate with Bob Jensen

Zimbabwe’s Black Umfolosi

released Reason to Believe, Songs from the Poetry of Bob Jensen in May. The album consists entirely of songs that the group has written using the poetry of Stratford, PEI, singer-songwriter and poet, Bob Jensen.

The idea for the album came together three years ago, when Jensen, who has known and worked with the group for some 20 years, sent them a poem, asking if they would be interested in setting it to music. They did so with great enthusiasm, and Jensen was very impressed with the results. “I felt like Paul Simon when I got the MP3,” says Jensen. Over a period of months, more poems were set to music by the group, and a decision was made at last, to release a full album of Jensen’s poetry.

The album has nine songs, as well as several spoken word poems. Black Umfolosi has already been performing the material in Africa and abroad, and have remarked that the feedback to has been very strong. They will tour the

Poetry

Fresh off the release of his sophomore album Second Wind, Island folksinger Shane Pendergast and his band will be taking the stage at Harmony House in Hunter River for two shows, June 11 and 12, at 8 pm.

With a mix of classic folk sounds and lively kitchen party ditties, Pendergast’s show is the full package for folk music fans.

of Bob Jensen is available for pur chase at blackumfolosimusic.com and firsttimesinceaugust.com/shop.

Siamsa

A jolly Irish weekend at The Old Triangle—June 11 & 12

Siamsa, pronounced “sheem-sa,” means “jolly festivities and entertainment” in the Irish Gaelic language, and appropriately sets the mood for CCÉ Red Island’s upcoming Siamsa Traditional Irish Music Weekend on June 11 and 12 at The Old Triangle in Charlottetown.

To start the weekend, CCÉ Red Island tutors will host an evening of music and song for the Traditional Irish Music Concert at The Pourhouse on June 11 at 8 pm. The show will feature Karine Gallant, Ian Macinnes, Andrée Mackula Thériault, Erin Dempsey, Cian Ó Móráin and Mary MacGillivray.

Traditional Music Workshops will be held June 12, both in person and online. Join County Monaghan native Órla McCague online via Zoom

for a Tune & Technique workshop from 10 am–12 pm. This workshop is suitable for all instruments and abilities. It will be followed by a Fiddle & Accompaniment workshop with Karine Gallant and Ian Macinnes from 2–4 pm. This workshop will be held in person and online via Zoom.

Finally, join hosts Andrée Mackula Thériault and Erin Dempsey, for the Traditional Irish Music Session on June 12 from 8–10 pm at The Old Triangle. Participants are welcome.

Pre-register for workshops by emailing cceredisland@gmail.com. Visit cceredisland.wixsite.com/atlantic for more information.

The Old Triangle and Pourhouse are located at 189 Great George Street in Charlottetown. 892-5200

MacLean gets Stompin’ Tom award

The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) unveiled the recipients of the 2021 Honorary East Coast Music Awards and PEI singer-songwriter Tara MacLean is one of five artists to receive the Stompin’ Tom Award.

The Stompin’ Tom Award honours Stompin’ Tom Connors, one of the most well known Canadian musicians. It was created to honour those who have made a long-term contribution to the East Coast Music Industry and paved the road for many successful East Coast artists of today.

The award is presented to one individual or group from each of the ECMA’s five regions—PEI, New Brunswick, Mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, and Newfoudland and Labrador.

Originally scheduled to take place in Sydney, CB, the ECMA virtual edition of the 2021 East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference will be held entirely online, June 9–13.

The 2021 ECMA Awards Show will take place June 10. The Virtual Music & Industry Awards, which include the 2021 ECMA Honorary Awards recipients, will be presented June 13. Both award shows will be streamed online via the ECMA’s Facebook and Youtube. ecma.com

(l–r): Andrée Mackula Thériault, Karine Gallant, Erin Dempsey are three of the musicians featured in the Traditional Irish Weekend

Tara MacLean

LIVE MUSIC ONGOING

Baba’s Lounge

Island Jazz every Thursday at 8 pm. All Comedy Open Mic with Sam MacDonald every Saturday at 8:30 pm. 181 Great George St, Charlottetown. 892-7377

Bogside Brewing

Live music every Friday and Saturday at 6 pm. Mat Hannah (June 4), Adam MacGregor (5), Taylor Buote (11), Nathan Carragher (12), Stephen Szwarc (18), Chris Johnson (19), Rodney Perry (25), Billy White (26). Brook St, Montague. 940-7403

Brothers2

Live music every Thursday and Friday at 7 pm. Chris & Eric (June 4), Nick Hann (10), Mitch O’Blenis (11/24), Trevor Cameron (17), Karen & Mike (18), Dave Woodside (25). 618 Water St. East, Summerside. 436-9654

College of Piping

Pendy’s Pub with Michael Pendergast and The Keggers every Tuesday and Saturday evening. Richard Wood: Through the Years every Wednesday evening. 619 Water St. East, Summerside. 436-5377

Copper Bottom Brewing

Saturday Jams are every Saturday at 2 pm. Tunes on Tap is every Sunday at 3 pm. Admission is free. 567 Main St, Montague. 361-2337

Gahan House

Acoustic live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 pm. Ashley Gorman (June 2/17), Lawrence Maxwell (3/24), Stephen Szwarc (9/23), Adam MacGregor (10), Ryan Merry (16), Fraser MacCallum (30). 126 Sydney St, Charlottetown. 626-BEER

Glenaladale Estate

Live music various dates at 7:30 pm. Jessica Gallant Trottier (July 4), Michael Pendergast (18), Mark Haines (Aug 1), Kelly Mooney (15), Shane Pendergast

(29). 257 Blooming Point Rd, Rte 18, Mount Stewart. 394-6131

Hunter’s at the Fox

Live music Saturdays at 9 pm. Ritchie Bulger (June 5), Carter MacLellan (12), Nathan Carragher (19), Roland Beaulieu (26). 167 Kinlock Rd, Stratford. 370-5873

Irish Cultural Centre

Shane Pendergast, Michael Pendergast and Luka Hall (June 4), Fiddler’s Sons with Eddy Quinn, John B. Webster, Keelin Wedge and Courtney HoganChandler (11), Cynthia MacLeod & Gordon Belsher (18), Chaisson Trio with Kevin Chaisson, Rannie MacLellan and Louise Chaisson MacKinnon. Music starts at 8 pm. 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown. 892-2367

John Brown Grille

Live music every Saturday at 2 pm. 132 Richmond St, Charlottetown. 370-4040

Lone Oak Brewing

Shane Pendergast every Sunday in May, 1 pm. Taylor Buote every Thursday in May, 6 pm. Music Fridays and Saturdays at 6 pm. Karen & Mike Penton (June 4), Chris Ahern & Eric Rogerson (5), Trinity & Destiny Bradshaw (11), Lawrence Maxwell (12), Ivan Daigle (18), Brad Milligan & Griffen Arsenault (19), Keelin Wedge & Christine Cameron (25), Fraser McCallum & Colin Buchanan (26). 103 Abegweit Blvd, Borden-Carleton. 729-2228

Marc’s Lounge

Live music Fridays and Saturdays at 9 pm. Lawrence Maxwell (June 4/19), Dave Woodside (5), Brandon & Jenn Gillis (11), Mat Hannah (12/18), Daniel James McFadyen (25), Shane Pendergast (26). 125 Sydney St, Charlottetown. 566-4620

Music at the Manse

Host Tim Archer and local musicians.

Patsy Cline Songbook Live (June 1/2), Nolan Compton (3), Amber Bambrick (4), Jenna Marie Gallant (5/6), Jeannie and Charles (11/12). Doors open at 6 pm. Shows begin at 7 pm. 14155 St Peter’s Rd, Marshfield. 213-2861

Olde Dublin Pub

Live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 132 Sydney St, Charlottetown. 892-6992

The Old Triangle

Schooner Session with Ward MacDonald & Friends every Thursday at 7 pm. Sunday Sessions every Sunday at 2 pm. Lawrence Maxwell (June 5) at 7:30 pm. Irish Music Session with Andrèe Mackula Theriault and Erin Dempsey (12) at 8 pm. 189 Great George St, Charlottetown. 892-5200

PEI Brewing Company

Live music every Friday in the Taproom at 6 pm. Adam MacGregor (June 4), Dave Woodside (11), TBD (18), Matt Hannah (25). 96 Kensington Rd, Charlottetown. 629-2739

Piatto North River

Live music every Saturday at 5 pm. 15 Milky Way, Charlottetown. 626-0909

Stompin’ Tom Centre

Entertainment daily at 1 pm, and Fridays at 6 pm. 14024 Route 14, Skinners Pond. 882-3214

Summerside Legion

Kitchen Party every Saturday from 2–5 pm, featuring Rheal Arsenault, Andy Paynter and a special guest each week. COVID-19 restrictions apply. 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside. 436-2091

Stay tuned to our website calendar at buzzpei.com for new shows and updates throughout the month!

NUMBER 331 •

www.buzzpei.com

Editor/Sales: Yanik Richards

Editor: Michelle Ollerhead

Creative Media: Greg Webster

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

Contributers: Julie Bull, Bryan Carver, Deirdre Kessler, Takako Morita, Cathy Murchison/Krolikowski, JoDee Samuelson, Bren Simmers, 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 necessarily 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.

R & A MAINTENANCE. 20+ years of experience in carpentry, painting, and repairs. Call 902-314-7602 or 902-2186796 for an estimate.

HANDYMAN SERVICES! No Job Too Small! Contact me to help you tackle your “to do” list! FACEBOOK: Joe Mullen Handyman Services. EMAIL: joemullenhandymanservices@gmail.com

JUST A GLIMPSE. If you like Island history and stories about Covehead Road, The Roll-a-way, and Tweels Restaurant; pick up a copy of Just a Glimpse, a memoir by Kathy Birt. Exclusive at the Book Mark.

ORGANIC VEGGIE DELIVERY

Home delivery of fresh local organic veggies, foods, and other natural products. $25 / $40 / $50 Veggie Boxes or custom orders. Aaron Koleszar 902-629-2575, aaron@organicveggiedelivery.com

PEI Sociable Singles

PEI Sociable Singles is a non-profit, non-denominational, social group that began in Charlottetown in 2000. 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 with other singles. Sociable Singles is not a dating club. Meet compatible people who are unattached and in similar circumstances.

The group is not currently holding their regular weekly socials. To be added to their mailing list for updates, email sociable_singles@yahoo.com.

There'S more to explore on PEI!

More adventure, more food, more fun. The summer is just starting. Stay tuned for the latest contests, itineraries and summer packages!

You’ve been waiting for it, summer’s nally here!

www.ActivateOurIsland.ca

Cover: Mermaid Window, stained glass. Kiln-fused coloured glass and glass frit, hand-painted with paint made of finely crushed glass, gum Arabic and water, and then built into the frame.

Cathy Murchison/Krolikowski has been creating and selling artwork for over 30 years. She is a self-taught artist who started as a painter working in oils until she discovered watercolours, which she now favors. She was born in Toronto, ON and now calls Point Prim her PEI home.

COVID-19

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.

JULY DEADLINE

Submissions and advertising for the July issue of The Buzz: TUESDAY, JUNE 15

Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island to Caribou, Nova Scotia

Casual, East Coast-inspired neighbourhood restaurant located on historic Victoria Row.