The Buzz - March 2026

March 2026 Debra Wellner

Page 2 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com PRESENTED BY

BOOK, MUSIC, AND LYRICS BY

IRENE SANKOFF AND DAVID HEIN

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The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 3

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Page 4 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Profile: Andy Glydon by Julie Bull

came together in a beautiful way.”

In 2022, they became the Programs Manager, and now they will officially take on the position of Executive Director later in March. “There are too many highlights to count when it comes to the exciting things I’ve been part of during my time at Music PEI and I’m eager to see how we will continue growing into the future.”

Music is life

In their upcoming first year as Executive Director of Music PEI, Andy has a full plate with many exciting and impressive activities. Along with the showcases, awards events, and live shows, Andy has been accepted into the Keychange program, a global network committed to gender equality in the music industry by restructuring leadership. “It is such perfect timing to get this opportunity in my first year as Executive Director so that I can continue enhancing my leadership skills in ways that feels aligned with who I am.” Keychange is a highly competitive program that only accepts only a few folks from Canada. “I will have the opportunity to travel, learn from others, and continue breaking barriers for underrepresented voices in the music industry.”

Where food & art meet.

Along with the robust leadership program at Keychange, Andy will also be overseeing the programming related to Music PEI’s 25th anniversary this year.

“There are so many amazing events and Music PEI Week is always such a highlight because we get to showcase so many incredible local musicians at events and venues across the Island.”

BUZZ

82 Great George St 902-370-2474 thegallerypei.ca

Growing up in Cornwall, Andy Glydon has been a music fan for as long as they can remember. “I dabbled in playing guitar over the years, but my passion is really in listening to music and producing live shows.” As a youth, Andy often attended the DIY all-ages shows and their love of music has only grown since then. “It has been incredible to see the evolution of the live music scene in PEI and to see a continuation of the all-ages shows. It is so important to have spaces for young people to explore their musical interests, and we have so many gifted musicians of all ages on the Island.”

A curious and inquisitive person, Andy studied sociology and anthropology at Concordia University in Montreal. “I was interested in learning more about how people, cultures, and society operate.” Throughout their studies and in their post-university jobs at various not-for-profit organizations, Andy knew that they wanted to follow their heart into a job that they were passionate about. “Through those experiences, I learned how I wanted to move through the world.” Along with learning how they are positioned individually, Andy was and is fascinated by people and how we work together.

People often talk about the disproportionally high number of artists and musicians on our little Island, joking that there must be something in the water. “So many of us grow up with kitchen parties and all-ages shows, so it becomes engrained in us. Music is generationally in many of our families, embedded in the DNA of so many Islanders.”

Andy started their first role at Music PEI with a short contract through Skills PEI five years ago. “The landscape of music, particularly live shows, changed significantly during the pandemic, and those changes are still occurring now.”

It didn’t take long for them to find their footing and see a path forward at Music PEI. “My love for music and aptitude for systems-level thinking and planning

When Andy moved back to PEI after university, they didn’t necessarily think it was a permanent move. “Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I have built a life here with my partner and I have the job of my dreams.”

Along with their paid work, Andy has been an integral part of the development of several local queer and trans not-for-profit organizations. Over the years, they have been a board member for PEERS Alliance, PEI Transgender Network, and PRIDE PEI. “It has been important to me to give back to the organizations that support the communities of which I am a part.” Andy is currently a board member at Creative PEI as a music representative.

Andy shared stories of some of the folks they have worked with who have been paired with other musicians and/or mentors. “Some people just click and they continue working and creating together long after the official program is over.” Whether in their job, volunteer work, or in their personal life, Andy brings people together over shared interests and intentions. “One of the greatest feelings is getting to see the seeds of small connections blossom and bloom into long term relationships.”

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 5

C’Mon In!

Marrying Mike

Benevolent Irish Society stages its annual Irish play

Titanic: A Knife to Remember

This year’s annual play from the Benevolent Irish Society of PEI, Marrying Mike, is a comedy by playwright Jimmy Keary of County Westmeath, Ireland.

The production is presented as part of the BIS’s first annual PEI Irish Festival. Performances will be held at the Irish Cultural Centre in Charlottetown on March 20–21 and 27–28 at 7:30 pm, with matinees on March 22 and 29 at 2:30 pm.

The play is produced by Mary Ellen Callaghan and Some of the cast of Marrying Mike. (back, L–R): directed by PEI theatre veteran Barbara Rhodenhizer, Thane Clarke, Brian Matthie, Paul Whelan, with assistance and Director Paul Whelan. (front, L–R): Vernon from stage manager Barbara Campbell and Shelley TamTom Rhodenizer. It features a cast of local actors. marriage. Mike’s friend Kate O’Sullivan The entire action takes place in the (Laura Stapleton) discovers the scheme living room of middle-aged crofter and rushes to the rescue—but Mike is a and farmer Mike Fogarty (played by hard man to save from himself.

Vernon Campbell). Elderly bachelor The venue is wheelchair-accessible.

Mike, who has land and money despite Tickets (general seating only) are availappearances to the contrary, suddenly able via Locarius.io, an Island-based announces he is looking for a wife. His ticketing company. Tickets will not be scheming friend Barney O’Toole (Thane sold at the door.

Clarke) decides his sister Colette For more information about the (Shelley Tamtom) would be an ideal play and the full schedule of PEI Irish candidate. Both Barney and Colette Festival events Island-wide, visit are determined it will be a very short benevolentirishsocietyofpei.com.

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This summer, C’Mon In! An Island Kitchen Party brings the spirit of an Atlantic Canadian kitchen party to the stage at The Mack in Charlottetown, running from June 6–August 29.

The production places audiences inside a familiar Maritime setting where music, storytelling, and humour unfold over the course of the evening.

Blending concert performance with comedy and easy, join-in moments, C’Mon In! reflects a tradition where shared songs and (L–R): Robbie Doherty and Pierce Clarke stories shape the experience humour, and authenticity to the stage. as much as the music itself.

The show is led by Island artists This show feels like home. It’s about Robbie Doherty and Pierce Clarke, gathering, sharing stories, and rememwhose shared background in music bering how powerful it can be to sing and storytelling anchors the producin a room full of people.” tion. Clarke, a PEI-born multi-inTickets and information are availstrumentalist and Berklee College of able at confederationcentre.com/ Music graduate, brings performances cmonin. shaped by Island life and personal narrative. Doherty contributes a diverse career spanning tribute bands, ECMA-nominated children’s recordings, theatre, and broadcasting.

Together, they guide the evening with an informal, conversational approach that mirrors the atmosphere of a traditional kitchen party.

Drawing from the Atlantic Eddie May Murder Mystery Canadian songbook, C’Mon In! Dinner Theatre at Red Shores features music by artists including Stompin’ Tom Connors, Anne Murray, Eddie May Murder Mystery Dinner and Great Big Sea, alongside moments Theatre and Red Shores Racetrack of banter and audience interaction that & Casino in Charlottetown present evolve naturally from performance to Titanic: A Knife to Remember on April 11 performance. at 6:30 pm.

“C’Mon In! is a love letter to Diners can immerse themselves in Canadian music and the people who an evening of murder, mystery, and make it,” says Artistic Director Adam fun, paired with a meal.

Brazier about the show’s roots in both Visit redshores.ca or call 902-620celebration and belonging. “Robbie 4264 for tickets. and Pierce bring an incredible warmth,

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Anne & Gilbert

Molly and the Oak Island Treasure at Harbourfront Theatre

Island performer Holly Perry debuts in lead role

Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside will present Maritime Marionettes: Molly and the Oak Island Treasure on March 27 at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm.

This engaging live performance brings stories to life through the art of puppetry, combining colourful characters, expressive movement, and storytelling to spark imagination and wonder.

Using expertly crafted marionettes and engaging narratives, Maritime Marionettes invites young audiences on a charming adventure as Molly, her boat, and her fairy friend Pixie set off in search of buried treasure. Along the way, they meet new friends who help guide them on their wondrous journey, all set against a Maritime backdrop and featuring the music of the Barra MacNeils. This 45-minute production features 13 puppets and offers a lively and accessible introduction to theatre.

This presentation is part of Harbourfront Theatre’s Stages for Students initiative, established in memory of founding volunteer and educator Marcia Whelan. The program is dedicated to providing local school children with opportunities to experience live theatre and engage with the performing arts, helping to remove financial barriers and foster creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong appreciation

Anne & Gilbert, The Musical returns for its 22nd season this spring with a milestone debut: Island performer Holly Perry will take on the role of Anne Shirley for the first time, wearing the original Anne dress created for the musical’s first season in 2005.

The 26-year-old Acadian performer from Prince County has been part of the cast since 2022, but 2026 marks her first season in the title role. The historic costume she will wear was designed for the show’s premiere at the Victoria Playhouse in Victoria-bythe-Sea, PEI, more than two decades ago, and hasn’t been worn since.

“It feels surreal,” says Perry. “To step into this role wearing the very dress that helped launch Anne & Gilbert is incredibly meaningful.”

Holly Perry stars as Anne Shirley in Anne & Gilbert, The original costume The Musical reflects the character’s Island roots: simple, practical and rejection and bullying, but she doesn’t earth-toned, with shades of green remishrink herself. She confronts things niscent of PEI fields and rust-coloured head-on and stays true to what she trim echoing the province’s soil. While believes is right.” inspired by late-19th-century fashion, Raised in a francophone musical the dress was designed for movement family in the Evangeline area of East and performance rather than strict Prince, Perry grew up surrounded by historical rigidity. This is, of course, community theatre and local performuch like Anne herself, who refuses to mance traditions. Her Acadian heritage be constrained by convention. stretches back generations on PEI, Though Anne & Gilbert is often progrounding her portrayal of Anne in a moted as the love story between Anne deeply local connection to place. and her childhood rival, the heart of Featuring a 20-member cast and the musical is Anne’s own journey— orchestra, Anne & Gilbert, The Musical her determination, imagination and runs from May 5 to October 26 at the refusal to be diminished.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall in “Anne is often seen as a romanCharlottetown. tic figure, but she’s really about Tickets are available online via resilience,” praises Perry. “She faces anneandgilbert.com

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Maritime Marionettes

for the arts. By offering free access to performances and supporting opportunities for students to present their own productions on the Harbourfront stage, Stages for Students continues Marcia’s legacy of connecting young people with the arts and education in meaningful and inspiring ways.

Tickets at harbourfronttheatre.com.

Spring Dinner Theatre Presented by Tracadie Players Tracadie Players will present their Spring Dinner Theatre on April 25 and 26 at the Tracadie Community Centre.

The evening will feature three skits performed by the cast, along with a home-cooked chicken dinner, includding dessert.

Doors open at 5 pm, and dinner will be served at 6 pm. The venue is licensed and wheelchair accessible.

Seating availability can be viewed online at tracadiecc.com. To purchase tickets, email Barry at tracadieplayers@ gmail.com on or after March 1.

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Page 6 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 7

Antigone

DANCE

Vagabond Productions presents play at UPEI—Mar 18 to 21

Dance classes

Downstreet Dance is offering dance classes this month. Tuesday classes include Beginner Bellydance at 6:30 pm (starting March 10) and Social Dancing 101 at 7:30 pm. Thursday’s class is Classic Burlesque at 7:30 pm. Saturday classes include Latin Social at 8 pm (March 7), Introductory West Coast Swing at 5 pm, and West Coast Swing Taster at 7 pm (March 21). 101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown. downstreetdance.com

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Latin social dance

The cast of Antigone

Vagabond Productions presents Antigone at the UPEI Performing Arts Centre in Charlottetown, with performances running March 18–21 at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 7 pm.

Ever feel like those in power have let it go to their heads? It’s nothing new. Sophocles’ Antigone explores the abuse of power more than a thousand years ago.

Asked about the choice, says director Greg Doran, “The ideas in the play are, unfortunately, still relevant, so it

seemed a good time to revisit this classic.” Doran added, “We are presenting this play from a particular perspective, so it might not be for people with a narrow view of the world order.”

The play’s language is suitable for all audiences, but it does deal with the deaths of several characters—all offstage, in the Greek tradition.

Admission is pay-what-you-can.

For more information, email gdoran@ upei.ca or follow @theatreatupei_vagabond on Instagram.

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Downstreet social dance

This month’s Downstreet social dance takes place on March 21 from 7:30– 9:30 pm at 101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown. All dance levels and styles are welcome. Dancers may also catch a special performance or demo class. Admission is at the door, or arrive early and join the West Coast Swing Taster class at 7 pm and get into the social for free. downstreetdance.com

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Downstreet Dance is hosting a Latin social dance on March 7 from 8–10 pm.

Styles include salsa, bachata, samba, merengue, and more. No partner or experience needed. Admission is at the door.

101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown. downstreetdance.com

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Page 8 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Presented by the HA Club at Irish Cultural Centre—Mar 29

Music, comedy, and film light up March in Summerside

The HA Club presents Belly Laughs, a new show featuring short- and long-form improv, on March 29 at the Irish Cultural Centre in Charlottetown.

Established players Arleigh Delaney, Sue Flower, Jack Hunter, Patti Larsen, Adam MacDonald, Laurie Murphy, and Lucas Panizzi—all members of the HA Clubbers improv troupe—will present long-form games, such as Cocktail Party, Musical Hot Spot, Spoon River, and The Rant.

New-to-improv HA Club students Alonzo Blaisdell, Keith Burgoyne, Michelle Dyke, and Eva Snow will present short-form games, such as Multi-word Story, No Questions, and Freeze Tag. “A mix of established and emerging improv talent keeps things energetic and fun for the improv players and the audience,” says show director

March is set to be an entertaining month at Summerside’s Harbourfront Theatre with award-winning East Coast music, national comedy, a film screening, a tribute to one of rock’s greatest bands, and more.

The Filmworks Summerside at Harbourfront film series continues this month with a screening of Sentimental Value on March 10 at 7 pm.

On March 5 at 7:30 pm, Harbourfront Theatre welcomes JUNO Award-nominee Rum Ragged, co-presented with Under The Spire.

Hailing from Newfoundland and Labrador, Rum Ragged is known for their bold interpretations of traditional East Coast folk music, energetic stage presence, and deep respect for their musical roots.

Their performances blend accordion, bouzouki, fiddle, bodhrán, and rich vocal harmonies, creating a vibrant celebration of Atlantic Canadian storytelling and song.

The 25th Annual Music PEI Awards Gala, presented by the City of Summerside, returns to the Harbourfront stage, where it began in 2001, on March 7 at 7:30 pm. This special evening celebrates the talent and achievements of the Island’s music community, featuring live performances and the presentation of awards across a range of genres.

Comedy fans won’t want to miss Trent McClellan on The Be Nice

and improv player Laurie Murphy.

“Creating the made-up-on-the-spot scenes is magical mayhem. Belly laughs always happen!”

The show will be presented in the Irish Cultural Centre’s licensed and wheelchair-accessible theatre space.

Tickets are payable in advance via e-transfer to lauriemurphy@marram. ca or by cash at the door, if seating is available. For more information, call 902-960-1735 or visit marram.ca.

Rat Tales Comedy night at Baba’s Lounge celebrates three years

Rat Tales admission is pay-whatyou-can at the door.

Campbell adds, “It’s grungy and accepting! The audience is kind and generous. It is a great place to try out and witness new material.”

Baba’s Lounge is located at 181 Great George Street in Charlottetown.

Adult improv

Queer improv

Confederation Centre of the Arts

PEERS Alliance

Confederation Centre of the Arts is offering an Adult Improv workshop on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, from March 4–April 8. Adults can build confidence and creativity through playful improvisation games and storytelling.

To register, visit confederationcentre.com, call 1-800-565-0278, or drop by the Centre’s box office.

Queer community members and allies aged 19 and up can drop in for free improv games at the PEERS Alliance office, 250B Queen St, Charlottetown on March 23 from 7–8:30 pm.

Beginners are welcome to this low pressure event aimed toward joy and silliness. For more info email queerimprovpei@gmail.com

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Rat Tales, a local open mic comedy show produced and hosted by comedian Britt Campbell, is held on Mondays at 8 pm at Baba’s Lounge in Charlottetown.

Rat Tales Comedy Night just celebrated its third-year anniversary.

Campbell says, “I have a show called Rat Tales, with rat merch, rat artwork displayed on the walls at Baba’s; and a cult following!” When asked by fellow comedian Tanya Nicolle, “Did you believe it would get the following it has,” Campbell answers, “I didn’t believe people would be so persistent with their attendance, we have regulars who’ve been coming since the first week.”

Comedian Britt Campbell

Comedian Trent McClellan

Tour on March 21 at 7:30 pm. One of Canada’s most in-demand comedians, McClellan is known for his relatable storytelling, quick wit, and as a cast member for CBC’s This Hour has 22 Minutes. His engaging style and sharp observations on everyday life have made him a favourite with audiences across the country.

Closing out the month on March 26 at 7:30 pm is Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic, a live concert experience from Showtime Australia. Featuring authentic costumes and all the iconic hits including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Somebody to Love,” this high-energy production brings the magic of Queen to life on stage.

Visit harbourfronttheatre.com for tickets and more details.

Mind Bender Magic, mind-reading, and comedy—Mar 28 Mind Bender’s live show, The Experience, brings magic, mind-reading, comedy, and daring escapes to Kings Playhouse in Georgetown on March 28 at 7:30 pm.

This high-energy, interactive spectacle blurs the line between reality and illusion and offers entertainment for all ages. The Experience features two 45-minute sets with a 15-minute intermission. In the first half, Mind Bender showcases his magic, illusions, and one of his daring escapes. The second half is packed with jaw-dropping mentalism and comedy magic.

Mind Bender brings a bold, modern blend of comedy, magic, and mentalism to the stage. He is best known for his escape from Kingston

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HA Club players in action

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Harbourfront Theatre

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Belly Laughs

Penitentiary—where he broke Houdini’s historic jailbreak record—as well as surviving a daring 12-hour live burial.

Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets are available at magicinpei.eventbrite.com.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 9

Fix Your Plate by Tara Reeves

By the time March rolls around, most of us are exhausted by the simple act of deciding what to eat.

We’ve spent the last few months hunkered down with heavy stews, slow cooker casseroles, and endless batch meals that seemed like a good idea in January. Now, the mental energy required to flip through a cookbook feels like a burden we didn’t sign up for. We still have to eat every day, but the question of what to cook has become a source of genuine fatigue. Instead of hunting for a complex new recipe, it’s time to ask a much better question. We should be asking how to build a plate.

When we shift our focus from rigid instructions to a basic structure, the kitchen stops feeling like a chore and becomes a place of ease.

I like to rely on a framework I call the four part plate. It’s a repeatable model that takes the guesswork out of your evening. Most meals that actually leave you feeling satisfied and energized contain four specific elements: a reliable base, a protein, a vegetable, and a bold finish. This isn’t meant to be a rigid set of rules that you’ve got to follow to the letter. Think of it more as a flexible template. Having this kind of structure in your life reduces the daily stress of decision making. It helps you stay consistent with your goals and, perhaps most importantly, it prevents that inevitable late night default to buttered toast or expensive takeout.

The first piece of the puzzle is the base.

I usually reach for something sturdy like brown rice, quinoa, or even simple roasted potatoes. The secret here is to cook once and use the results twice. If you boil a large pot of rice or lentils on a Sunday afternoon, you’ve already done half the work for the rest of the week. Next, you need a protein to keep you full. I often go for chickpeas or firm tofu, but the key is to ensure they’re seasoned well. Nobody wants to eat bland food. You might toss your chickpeas with a bit of smoked paprika and avocado oil, then let the oven do the work until they’re slightly crisp.

For the third component, look to whatever vegetables are available at your local market. In late winter, this often means roasted carrots, shaved cabbage, or perhaps some hearty wilted greens.

I always find that a splash of acid, such as a squeeze of fresh lemon or a dash of apple cider vinegar, wakes up the flavour of the greens beautifully. Finally, you need a bold element. This is the part that transforms a boring pile of

@fter eight

Weekly comedy open mic at Hopyard

Comedy game show at The Arts Guild—Mar 13

Please Laugh Comedy open mic, hosted by Jesse, runs weekly on Tuesdays from 8–10 pm at Hopyard in Charlottetown.

Enjoy sets from both experienced and amateur comedians—first-timers are encouraged, and seasoned performers are welcome to experiment.

Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Follow @charlottetown_ comedy on Instagram for updates.

The @fter eight show returns to The Black Box at The Arts Guild on March 13 at 8:07 pm.

Hosted by Andrea Avery, watch three PEI funny people battle through hilarious challenges—stand-up vibes meet gameshow madness. Expect rules, drama, buzzer energy, perfectly timed puns, and just enough chaos.

Tickets are available at theguildpei. com. 111 Queen Street, Charlottetown.

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Simple plates

Please Laugh

food into a meal you actually want to eat. It could be a dollop of herb infused yogurt, a spoonful of spicy chilis, or some quick pickled onions you’ve kept in the fridge. That one strong flavour is what makes the whole plate sing.

When you put it all together, it looks like a masterpiece but feels like a shortcut. Imagine a bowl filled with nutty brown rice and those smoky roasted carrots. You add your crispy chickpeas on top and finish the whole thing with a generous drizzle of lemon and tahini sauce and a handful of fresh parsley.

If you’ve done even a little bit of prep work earlier in the week, this entire meal comes together in under twenty minutes. It feels entirely doable, even on a Tuesday night when your brain’s fried from work.

Eating well doesn’t require another deep dive into your cupboards or a massive seasonal overhaul. It simply requires a repeatable structure and a few well prepared ingredients that you actually enjoy. When the plate’s kept simple, the habit of healthy eating finally becomes sustainable. You don’t need a miracle to feel better in your kitchen. You just need a better plan for your plate.

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Page 10 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

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Hooked rugs by Carol Moffatt (cats) and Darlene Rhodenizer (sunflower)

The spring art rotation at The Gallery – Coffee House & Bistro in Charlottetown features Quartette: Four Voices in Fibre, an exhibition of rug hooking works by New Brunswick artist Katherine DeVere-Pettigrew and Prince Edward Island artists Carol Gabanna, Carol Moffatt, and Darlene Rhodenizer. The exhibition runs from March 2 to May 31 at 82 Great George Street, Charlottetown.

Quartette: Four Voices in Fibre presents the work of four contemporary fibre artists whose practices are rooted in rug hooking and expanded through experimentation. Working on PEI and in NB, the artists are connected by

a shared passion for self-expression and creativity, and a deep engagement with fibre, colour, and loops of yarn. Together, these four voices form a quartette—where individual approaches coexist in collective visual harmony. They share a love of shaping the quiet elegance of wool and hope visitors will be delighted, inspired, and curious.

The artists will celebrate the launch of their show with a free Opening Reception on March 5 from 6–8 pm.

Everyone is welcome. The exhibition can be viewed during regular café hours, 8 am–5 pm daily. All pieces are for sale.

Daughter in the Soil Reequal Smith artist residency at This Town is Small This Town Is Small is partnering with the Black Cultural Society on an artist residency that provides a Black Island-based artist dedicated time for rest, reflection, and creative process. From March 6–8, artist Reequal Smith will be in Cardigan, PEI, developing her new choreographic work, Daughter in the Soil.

Daughter in the Soil is an investigation into the relationship between women, land, and resistance in the Caribbean diaspora.

Drawing from Afro-Caribbean movement forms such as Bahamian Folklore, Calypso Fusion, and gestures inspired by Indigenous Taíno Areíto traditions, the work reflects on how Caribbean women have historically used ritual, farming, herbal knowledge, and dance as acts of survival and anti colonial resistance.

Smith is a multidisciplinary artist,

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Reequal Smith

choreographer, and cultural leader from the Bahamas, now based on Prince Edward Island. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Oshun Dance Studios, where she fuses Caribbean traditions with contemporary movement to create spaces of celebration and reclamation for Black and Caribbean communities.

Eptek exhibitions Shows by Steve Leard and Michael Moore Two new exhibitions—A Walk in the Wood by Steve Leard and Ekim Eroom: 48 Years in the Making by Michael Moore—open this month at Eptek Art & Culture Centre in Summerside. Both artists will be onsite on March 8 from 1–3 pm for a Meet the Artist event. Visitors can meet Leard and Moore and view their work. The event is free and open to all.

Local artist Steve Leard presents a collection of woodworking pieces, sketches, and hooked rugs in A Walk in the Wood, on view in the main gallery from March 3 to April 2.

A veteran who returned to PEI in 1992, Leard transitioned from a career in the military to a three-decade exploration of form, function, and design. This exhibition will showcase Leard’s intricately carved heirloom boxes, miniature houses, walking canes, wind catchers, black and white sketches, and rugs.

Leard’s imagery features mythical and surrealist creatures, inspired by biomechanical artists like H.R. Giger. A Walk in the Wood continues his tradition of merging imaginative storytelling with traditional craftsmanship.

Ekim Eroom: 48 Years in the Making, a collection of artworks

by Miscouche artist Michael Moore, will be on display in the lobby for the month of March. This exhibition marks the first public showing of a body of work spanning nearly five decades. A soft-spoken artist who long remained hesitant to display his work in a professional gallery, Moore has spent 48 years refining a style deeply influenced by the PEI landscape. His paintings take a modern, post-impressionist approach, drawing inspiration from

Woodworking pieces by Steve Leard

both the PEI landscape and black-andwhite newspaper articles. Ekim Eroom offers a quiet, sincere view of PEI’s landscape through the eyes of an artist who has painted for decades out of pure love for the craft.

Eptek is located at 130 Heather Moyse Drive in Summerside.

Admission is by donation. For more information, call 902-888-8373, visit peimuseum.ca, or follow @eptek.centre on socials.

Music PEI satellite exhibition 25 Years of Supporting Island Musicians at The Arts Guild Music PEI Week runs from February 28–March 7 with events across the Island, including the 2026 awards ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Music PEI Awards.

In honour of this milestone, a satellite art exhibition, Music PEI – 25 Years of Supporting Island Musicians, will be presented first at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown and then at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside.

The exhibition highlights this year’s Music PEI Visual Artist of the Year nominees alongside a retrospective of the past 25 years of events and graphic

design, offering visitors a chance to reflect on where Music PEI started and how far the organization has come.

The exhibition is a collaboration between Music PEI, Harbourfront Theatre, Eptek Art & Culture Centre, and The Arts Guild. It will be on display at the Hilda Woolnough Gallery at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown from February 28–March 4, before moving to the Harbourfront Theatre’s lounge in Summerside from March 5–11 and beyond.

Visit musicpei.com for the full schedule of events and tickets.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 11

Page 12 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Acadian Museum of PEI

D’où s’tu d’vonne? / Where’ve You Been?, on view until early April, showcases 66 works on CD cases by St. Mary’s Bay, NS, artists aged 10–91. Art supplies and exhibit space are available for those who want to try creating a similar piece based on the theme of travel. Also on view until early April, Migration pluri-elles : Questions de migrations acadiennes / Migration Herstories: A Look at Acadian Migrations by the Acadian Museum of Université de Moncton. 23 Main Dr E, Miscouche. museeacadien.org

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

Together With Time, with Island Focus updated with works by late Charlottetown artist Brian Burke, is on view until April 5. Out of Hand, a group exhibition featuring Canadian craft and paintings from Expo 67, runs until May 3. Pleasure Ground by Sarah Maloney, on view until May 17, showcases works created between 1993–2021 that explore sexuality, reproductivity, economics, and colonial systems of representation. The gallery is closed Mondays this winter.

Admission is by donation. 130 Queen St, Charlottetown. confederationcentre. com/artgallery

Cornwall Library Art Gallery

The South Shore Arts Council Artists and Friends exhibition, An Eclectic Mix of Art, is on view until March 27. The Spring Group Show opens March 31 with a celebration at 7 pm; each artist has contributed one piece to the exhibition, which runs until May 8. Contact the library (902-629-8415) for information on displaying in the gallery. 15 Mercedes Dr, Town Hall, Cornwall.

Eptek Art & Culture Centre

Steve Leard presents a collection of woodworking pieces, sketches, and hooked rugs in A Walk in the Wood, on view in the main gallery from March 3–April 2. Ekim Eroom: 48 Years

Artist talk with Jane Whitten and Lisa Theriault—Mar 19

The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro

The spring art rotation, on view from March 2–May 31, features Quartette: Four Voices in Fibre, an exhibition of rug hooking by contemporary fibre artists Katherine DeVere-Pettigrew, Carol Gabanna, Carol Moffatt, and Darlene Rhodenizer. All are welcome to the free opening reception on March 5 from 6–8 pm. Open daily, 8 am–5 pm. 82 Great George St, Charlottetown.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

galleries, museums...

Two Residencies in Norway

Jane Whitten (left) and Lisa Theriault

Harbourfront Theatre

Music PEI – 25 Years of Supporting Island Musicians, a satellite exhibition presented during Music PEI Week in honour of the 25th anniversary of the Music PEI Awards, is on view in the lounge March 5–11. 124 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside. harbourfronttheatre.com

Hilda Woolnough Gallery

This Town Is Small presents As Waves Break, a solo exhibition by JoAnna

Howlett, on view until March 26.

Howlett will give an artist talk March 4 from 5:30–7:30 pm. Music PEI – 25 Years of Supporting Island Musicians, a satellite exhibition presented during Music PEI Week in honour of the 25th anniversary of the Music PEI Awards, is on view February 28–March 4. Open Wednesday–Saturday, 12–5 pm. 115 Richmond St, Charlottetown. thistownissmall.com

“Two Residencies in Norway,”an artist talk presented by This Town Is Small, will take place at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown on March 19 from 6–7:30 pm. PEI-based visual and craft artists Jane Whitten and Lisa Theriault will share insights from their recent residency experiences in Norway.

Artist residencies offer time and space to develop ideas in new and stimulating contexts, outside of artists’ usual studios and communities. Two Island artists found themselves in very different residency settings in Norway.

Jane Whitten spent September 2025 at Kvitbrakka Berlevåg, an artist residency in Northern Norway. During her time there, she collaborated with Norwegian textile artist Ingrid Larssen to explore textile techniques using kelp. Together, they gained an understanding how climate change

is impacting kelp forests on the other side of the Atlantic. They collected and processed local kelp and experimented with weaving, basketry, netting, knitting, stitching, and dyeing, expanding the material possibilities of seaweed.

Lisa Theriault was an artist-in-residence in November and December 2025 at the Nordic Artists’ Centre Dale in Western Norway. The residency hosts five to six artists at a time, each working independently while sharing space and conversation. During her residency, Theriault developed a series of cut-out drawings that can be reconfigured into large-scale wall installations that merge imagination and lived experience. The work references artist studios and shared spaces, incorporating furnishings and objects observed during her time in residence and in community with fellow artists.

Summerside Rotary Library

Over 100 artworks by local artists, including original paintings, photography, handmade knits, mosaics, digital art, and more, adorn the library walls across three wheelchair-accessible levels, with an elevator for easy access. This ongoing exhibition continues year-round. 57 Central St, Summerside.

As Waves Break Exhibition and artist talk with JoAnna Howlett This Town Is Small presents an artist talk with JoAnna Howlett on March 4 from 5:30–7:30 pm. Howlett will speak about As Waves Break, their solo exhibition exploring superstition, fishing and sailing traditions, family legacy, and gendered labour.

The talk will take place at This Town Is Small, located in The Arts Guild, and will be followed by a Q&A. Howlett is an emerging interdisciplinary artist and lobster fisher whose work reflects on tradition and superstition in the Atlantic lobster fishery, using industry-specific materials such as recycled rope, concrete, and

SUBMITTED

EXHIBITS

in the Making, a collection of artworks

by Michael Moore, is on view in the lobby during March. Both artists will be onsite March 8 from 1–3 pm for a free Meet the Artist event, open to all.

A permanent exhibition on the history and architecture of Summerside is also on display. Admission is by donation.

130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside. peimuseum.ca

JoAnna Howlett

lobster trap lumber, alongside photo and video to create installations and sculptures.

As Waves Break is currently on view in the Hilda Woolnough Gallery at The Arts Guild until March 26.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 13

Creative Careers by Jane Ledwell

Lean Season March is lean season in PEI. The pantries are baring of last season’s vegetables, and hothouses are still waiting for longer days. The solid green heads of stored cabbages are getting smaller as more of the protective outer leaves wilt, tired and grey, and are stripped away. We are getting down to our core.

Many creative careers in PEI are similarly seasonal, and it is a lean season for many formal jobs and incomes in arts and culture. However, for many creative workers and organizations, the work continues when the money does not; seasons of income and seasons of productivity don’t always align.

This leaves artists and organizations in a state of precarity – and in these uncertain economic times and under the influence of climate change, the seasons are shifting.

There is no natural reason for a lean season in artists and creatives’ incomes, and there is no excuse for the precarity imposed on creative workers.

The arts and culture sector in Canada has grown substantially as an economic contributor, both in GDP and employment, while individual incomes for artists and creative workers have remained low relative to the broader labour force.

A recent Artworks report (2025) for the Canadian Chambers of Commerce shows the arts and culture sector directly contributed $65 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024 and supported jobs at a rate higher per dollar of output than key industries like oil and gas or manufacturing. (Cultural exports have also doubled since 2011, although export markets, norms, and expectations have been put through the shredder by the Trump White House.)

Nevertheless, multiple statistical profiles find that artists and cultural workers earn significantly less than the average Canadian worker, with total incomes well below the overall labour force. For example, artists’ average total individual income was

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documented as about 32 percent lower than the overall labour force and earnings from work lower still.

Thousands of residents of our island make professional income from work in arts and culture every year, but few make a livable income from that work.

Creative and artistic workers continue to experience volatile, unstable incomes, frequent self-employment, and dependence on mixed income sources rather than stable employment that is directly arts-related.

March is lean season in PEI: finding enough light in the dark times to write by, gathering to sing ourselves into warmth, seeking the image of better days, sewing into the quilt of social change. We are choosing which seeds to plant in the resting soil when the sun thaws the ground and the waters clear of ice.

Because March is lean season, but it is also planning season, and CreativePEI is continuing work to bring together leaders across arts and culture to plan: how can we build a creative sector where we can lean on each other?

We hope to use this monthly space in The Buzz to continue a conversation about creative careers, living well in arts and culture, and lifting up a sector that is as essential to our collective survival through all the season as the vegetables are in our pantries.

Formed twenty years ago as a cultural human resources sector council with representatives across a dozen arts disciplines and cultural fields, CreativePEI is a sector catalyst and connector that empowers PEI’s arts, culture, and creative professionals to achieve good incomes and good outcomes. Jane Ledwell has been the Executive Director since November 2025.

1st Annual Irish Festival March 2026 CHARLOTTETOWN 2nd ~ Lecture: Origins of Irish Family Surnames, by Tony Dolan, BIS 9th ~ Lecture: Belfast Riot of 1847, by Dr. Callum Beck, BIS 13th ~ St. Patrick’s Ceilidh with Guiness, Bridget Patterson & dancers, BIS 13th–17th ~ Film: Stella Days, starring Martin Sheen, City Cinema 16th ~ Lecture: Patterson: Rogue or Reformer, by Theresa Redmond, BIS 20th–22nd & 27th–29th ~ Marrying Mike, Irish comedy by Jimmy Keary, BIS FORT AUGUSTUS 15th ~ Irish Stew & Ceilidh, Fort Augustus Community Centre KINKORA 13th ~ Irish Pub Food Night, O’Shea’s Pub MORELL 14th ~ Irish Pub Night, Holy Cow 14th–17th ~ Irish Stew & Drinks, Holy Cow 15th ~ Traditional Irish Breakfast, Holy Cow 15th ~ Old-Time Irish Concert, Morell Regional High School SOURIS 15th ~ FILM: Darby O’Gill, Souris Show Hall TIGNISH 17th ~ Irish Trivia Pub Night, Royal Canadian Legion

Further Info & Detailed Schedule: BenevolentIrishSocietyofPEI.com

Page 14 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

GET CREATIVE

between 1–3 pm to join other knitters, crocheters, rug hookers, and fibre and textile makers.

and projects, start a beginner-friendly project, explore sewing tools and techniques, or try a machine with guidance.

Life drawing for adults

Creative PEI Artmobile

Drop in to the Makerspace at the Charlottetown Library on March 4 and 18 from 5–7 pm for creative art time with the Creative PEI Artmobile. Make something new from the art supplies provided, or bring your own materials or work-in-progress project.

Eptek Makers Session

Drop-in life drawing sessions with a nude model are held on Sundays from 2–4 pm at the Gertrude Cotton Art Centre (57 Bunbury Rd, Stratford). The next sessions are March 1, 15, and 29. All skill levels are welcome. Doors open at 1:30 pm, and participants are encouraged to arrive early for set-up. Participants must be 18+ or have written parent or guardian permission. Some easels are provided, but participants must bring their own drawing materials. Life Drawing PEI is a not-for-profit organization. There is a fee for sessions, with proceeds going toward an honorarium for the model.

Email lifedrawingpei2022@gmail.com if interested in being a model. Follow @ LifeDrawingPEI on FB for updates.

Creative fun for youth at the Charlottetown Library

Free hands-on activities for children and teens continue at the Charlottetown Library. Families can celebrate Canadian author Phoebe Gilman through stories, games, and crafts on March 1 at 2 pm. Creative Kids Club is held on Wednesdays at 3:30 pm. On Saturdays, kids can learn all about chemistry, biology, engineering, and more with Brilliant Labs at 1 pm. Pre-register for Crafternoon in the Makerspace on March 11 at 1 pm to make a no-sew sock bunny. Kids aged 6–12 can create with perler beads on

March 16 from 6–8 pm. On March 17, families can spend time reading a story, playing games, or doing a craft at 10:30 am. Astronaut crafts, games, and activities are available for kids aged 6–12 on March 19 at 10 am. Crochet and chat during a Hooked on Crochet session with Julie in the Makerspace on March 21 at 10 am (beginners welcome). Info: 902-368-4642

Pottery in the Park

Registration opens March 2 for the spring session of pottery classes at the PEI Potters Studio in Victoria Park, Charlottetown. Perfect for beginners as well as those with previous experience, classes are taught by professional Island potters and are designed to be fun and educational. Classes are small and relaxed in style. Classes cover the basics of clay preparation, wheel-throwing techniques, and glazing and decoration. Handbuilding techniques can also be explored depending on interest. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own pieces from start to finish. Adult beginner classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (choose one) from 6:30–9:30 pm beginning the week of April 6 for 10 weeks. Classes for children ages 9–14 will be held on Saturdays beginning April 10 for 8 weeks. A pilot class for youth ages 15–18 will also be held on Thursdays at 4–6 pm beginning March 26 for 8 weeks.

Registration is online and will be open on March 2 from 7–9 pm. Once the registration period is over, everyone who has signed up for adult classes will be entered into a software program that will choose names randomly. Those who have been randomly chosen will be contacted as soon as possible. Registration for kids classes will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Info/register: peipottersstudio.ca, registration@peipottersstudio.ca.

Paint Club for adults

Adults can drop in to the Charlottetown Library to paint, socialize, and hang out on March 2, 9, and 23 at 1 pm.

Fibre Arts Club

Fibre Arts Club runs weekly on Tuesdays at the Charlottetown Library. Bring supplies or a current project and drop in

Seniors Art Activities

Confederation Centre of the Arts offers Seniors Art Activities on the first Thursday of the month from 10 am–12 pm in the Michael S. Schurman Family Studio. The next sessions are March 5, April 2, and May 7. Each session features a guided tour of the current exhibitions, followed by refreshments and a relaxed art-making session. There is a fee, with coffee, tea, and cookies provided. Visit confederationcentre.com for more details.

Creative fun for youth at the Summerside Library

Free arts activities continue this month at the Summerside Library. Crafternoon for Kids takes place as a drop-in session on Saturdays and Sundays from 1–3 pm.

Teens can create their own bouncy balls on March 8 at 2 pm. On March 16, kids aged 6–12 can do a painting activity with Constable Uppal of the Summerside Police at 2 pm. The Creative Corner runs on March 16 at 6:30 pm and March 18 at 2 pm. Call 902-436-7323 to register.

Sit and Knit

A casual, drop-in knitting club will be held every second Sunday between 1–3 pm at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown (130 Queen St).

The next sessions are March 8 and 22.

Bring a work in progress and sit amongst the art. No supplies are provided and only water is allowed. Crocheters are also welcome. Info: confederationcentre. com/artgallery

Sewing Club

Join fellow sewing and mending enthusiasts (ages 12+) in the Charlottetown Library Makerspace on the second Thursday of the month from 5–8 pm. The next meeting is March 12. Bring a machine

Writers’ Guild fundraiser The Arts Guild—Mar 10 The PEI Writers’ Guild is hosting a one-of-a-kind fundraising event on March 10 at 7 pm at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown.

The evening will feature a pop-up cocktail bar sponsored by Red Island Cider, plus a first look at a silent auction designed especially for writers.

Prizes include a felting workshop and lunch for two at Evergreen Café,

The next drop-in makers session will be held on March 15 from 1–3 pm at the Eptek Art & Culture Centre in Summerside. Makers are invited to bring their latest project—or one they’ve been meaning to finish—and join the free session. Catch up with some friends, meet new ones, and see what other makers are creating. There is no admission, and all are welcome.

Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild

The Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild meets on the third Wednesday of the month at the Benevolent Irish Society, 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown, from September through June. The next meeting is March 18 from 7–9 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

New members and visitors are welcome.

This is a scent-free meeting. Info: 902676-1000; @Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild of PEI on FB.

PEI Modern Quilt Guild

The PEI Modern Quilt Guild will meet on March 26 from 7–9 pm at the PEI Farm Centre (420 University Ave, Charlottetown). Doors open at 6:30 pm.

New members and visitors are welcome. This is a scent-free meeting. Info: peimqg@gmail.com, peimqg.carrd.co

Choose Your Own Knitting Adventure

Choose your own knitting adventure with Jane Whitten at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, 130 Queen St, Charlottetown on March 28 from 1–4 pm.

Pre-registration is required. Info/register: confederationcentre.com/artgallery

Family Sundays

Confederation Centre of the Arts offers Family Sundays on the last Sunday of the month (March 29 and April 26) at 11 am. Families are welcome to join the free, drop-in art and craft activities for all ages, with materials provided.

Registration is requested. For more details and registration information, visit confederationcentre.com, call 1-800-5650278, or visit the Centre’s box office at 145 Richmond Street, Charlottetown.

pottery from local artists, private music lessons, and a range of professional services tailored specifically for writers, with bidding opening online after the event. There will also be a live art auction, with artists creating original works and attendees having the chance to bid on pieces made in real time.

This event will also mark the debut of Arts Review Vol. XV (2026), featuring the work of Island student writers. Special guest readings from local authors, PEIWG members, and student contributors will round out the evening.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Advance tickets can be purchased online at peiwritersguild.com.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 15

A Widow’s Charm Book launch with Caitlyn Paxson—Mar 31

From libraries to health centres to community hubs, architects create the spaces that shape our Island.

Thoughtful design supports connection, safety, and long-term sustainability.

MAGILL FOOTE

Bookmark is launching Island author Caitlyn Paxson’s debut novel A Widow’s Charm on March 31 at 7 pm at The Haviland Club, located at 2 Haviland Street, Charlottetown. Paxson will be joined by Island content creator and book lover Katharine MacDonald for a conversation about her new book. This event is free and all are welcome.

In Paxson’s witty fantasy romance A Widow’s Charm, a widow blackmails her rakish necromancer neighbour to bring her husband back to life and save her home—only to find herself falling for him instead.

Paxson has a degree in writing and cultural history and has been employed as the artistic director of storytelling performances, a harpist, a book reviewer, a 19th century jackof-all-trades, and a shepherdess.

She lives on PEI where she works as a historical interpreter for the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation.

Islanders might know her from programs like The Haunting of Yeo House, The Beaconsfield Seance, In the Time

Author Caitlyn Paxson

of Maud at Orwell Corner Historic Village, and other immersive historic programs. She keeps a witchy garden and lives in the country with her husband and three orange cats. A Widow’s Charm is her first book. bookmarkreads.ca

EXPLORE BOX OFFICE ENTRANCE

130 Queen Street Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Architects. Your partners in possibility.

Learn more at AAPEI.com

WINTER/SPRING EXHIBITIONS TOGETHER WITH TIME

UNTIL APRIL 5

Curated by Pan Wendt

Island Focus updated with works from late Charlottetown artist, Brian Burke.

OUT OF HAND

JANUARY 24 to MAY 3, 2026

Featuring Canadian craft and paintings from Expo 67.

SARAH MALONEY’S PLEASURE GROUND:

JANUARY 31 to MAY 17, 2026

Showcasing artworks created between 1993 and 2021, exploring sexuality, reproductivity, economics, and colonial systems of representation.

Curated by Jill McRae

A FEMINIST TAKE ON THE NATURAL WORLD

Co-curated by Jennifer Matotek and Laura Ritchie

Organized and circulated by Art Windsor Essex

UPCOMING GALLERY EVENTS CHOOSE YOUR OWN KNITTING ADVENTURE WITH JANE WHITTEN MARCH 28 | 1 - 4PM | $85/PERSON; PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED Visit Gallery event page for more information.

SIT AND KNIT | MARCH 8 AND MARCH 22 | 1PM | FREE ADMISSION

A casual, drop-in knitting club to be held every second Sunday between 1-3 PM in the Art Gallery. Bring your work in progress and sit amongst the art. No supplies provided and water only please. Crocheters are also welcome.

SENIORS ART ACTIVITIES | MARCH 5 AND APRIL 2 | 10AM | $10 PER SESSION Guided tour of current exhibtions, refreshments, and a relaxed art and craft session.

FAMILY SUNDAYS | MARCH 29 | 11AM | FREE ART AND CRAFT ACTIVITY Explore our current exhibitions at a leisurely pace and create fun and simple crafts to take home.

This event is FREE and all materials will be provided.

Brian Burke Sharon and Nadine, 2005, 101.6 x 101.6 cm. Commissioned with the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, Acquisition Assistance Program, 2005. CAG 2005.6.7

CONFEDERATIONCENTRE.COM/ARTGALLERY

Page 16 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Story Makers

Amnesty International Write for Rights

A weekly writing group for kids (ages 6–12) is held on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm at the Charlottetown Library. The group includes story prompts and challenges, and gives writers space to work on their own projects.

Drop in to the Charlottetown Library, 97 Queen St, and take part in Amnesty International’s annual Write for Rights campaign on March 14 from 1–5 pm.

With the power of their words, participants can send support to people who’ve experienced injustice, pressure governments and decision-makers, and advocate for activists and journalists. For over 20 years, Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign has helped transform lives. All supplies provided.

Storytime with Summerside K9 Lucy Families are invited to a story time with special guests from the Summerside Police at the Summerside Library, 57 Central St, on March 6 at 11 am. K9 officer Lucy and another officer will be joining for stories and an activity.

Book reading with GWBI Buddhist nuns

Book-lovers are invited to an hour-long reading at the Montague Library, 21 Sullivan Ln, on March 14 at 2 pm with Buddhist nuns from the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI), the translators of Kindling Hope: Daily Passages from Darkness into Light. All are welcome. Info: @gwbi.pei on FB

Art Night at the Guild: Free Book Fair

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Polar Pride Storytime

The next CreativePEI Art Night at The Guild will be a free book fair on March 6 from 5–7 pm. There will be tables full of free books to take home, refreshments, and creative activities facilitated by writer Todd MacLean. Participants are welcome to come anytime during the two hours. Each participant will receive four tickets upon entry to take away four books, and will be encouraged to participate in the creative activities during the event. At 6:40 pm, remaining guests can take anything from what is leftover. The selection of books was donated by Bookmark, Pownal Street Press, Island Studies Press, Acorn Press, and community donors. 111 Queen St, Charlottetown.

PEIWG Poetry Club

The Poetry Club meets at 10 am on the first Saturday of each month at the Voluntary Resource Centre (81 Prince St) in Charlottetown. The next meeting is March 7. Members share a favourite poem by another writer and, if they wish, one of their own. Open to PEI Writers’ Guild members. To become a member, visit peiwritersguild.com.

Queer Poetry Club

The Queer Poetry Club meets on the first Saturday of each month from 2–4 pm at the PEERS Alliance office, 250B Queen St, Charlottetown. The next meeting is March 7. The club offers members of the queer community an opportunity to write, read, and listen to poetry in a supportive environment. Snacks and materials are provided, and no poetry experience is needed. Info: queerpoetryclub@proton.me

Families can celebrate Polar Pride with Pride storytime at the Charlottetown Library on March 15 at 3 pm.

Writers’ Social

The PEI Writers’ Guild (PEIWG) invites writers of all genres to a free, drop-in social at bar1911 in Charlottetown. Meet other writers, share ideas, and build community over tea or coffee. The Writers’ Social happens on the second Saturday of each month at 1 pm. The next meeting is March 14. Info: peiwritersguild.com

Afternoon Book Club

The Afternoon Book Club will meet at the Summerside Library on March 16 at 1 pm. Pick up this month’s selection at the circulation desk.

Book Lovers Book Club

The next Book Lovers Book Club meeting at the Charlottetown Library is on March 17 at 6 pm. Join an informal, conversation-style chat about books with other bibliophiles. No assigned reading or registration required.

Write Outloud

Write Outloud, an evening of poetry, storytelling, and song at the Breadalbane Community Centre, will take place on March 18 at 6:30 pm. Hosted by Jon Rehder and Haley Lewis, March’s event will feature Faye Pound, Lobie Daughton, Kent and Lisa Maclennan, Vian Emery, Leon Berrouard, and others.

The Centre is located at 4023 Dixon Road.

Admission is cash only at the door, with a portion of proceeds supporting The Upper Room Food Bank. Tea, coffee, and snacks are included.

Creative Writing Group

A creative writing group meets at bar1911 in Charlottetown on the third Saturday of each month at 10 am. The

March 30 at 6 pm. The group of likeminded book lovers chooses a new title each month. New members welcome.

Writers’ Open Mic

The Acorn Press has extended submissions for an anthology of holiday writing by PEI writers, with a focus on holiday seasons such as Christmas, Yule, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Eid, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Kwanzaa. The new submission deadline is April 15.

This will be a successor to the 2015 anthology Snow Softly Falling: Holiday Stories from Prince Edward Island. There is no requirement for “Island” content; stories may be set anywhere. Writers may submit unpublished short stories, poems, and/or creative non-fiction (for example, personal essays). Contributors must have a significant PEI connection (for example: born or raised in PEI, lived in PEI for six months of the past two years, or another strong connection such as a summer residence). Submission guidelines for fiction and/or creative non-fiction: a maximum of two submissions (maximum 3500 words per story). For poetry: a maximum of five poems (10 pages total). All submissions must be typed and submitted by email as a Word document: prose double-spaced; poetry single-spaced.

Include a covering letter that states your Island connection, an email address, and a phone number. Send submissions by email to co-editors Lee Ellen Pottie and Richard Lemm at lpottie@upei.ca.

The PEI Writers’ Guild hosts an open mic on the fourth Thursday of every month at the Gallery Coffee House and Bistro in Charlottetown at 7 pm. The next open mic is March 26. Writers, readers, and keen ears come together for an evening of support for courageous writers.

PEIWG recently shifted to in-person sign-up for readers. Instead of emailing ahead, writers can now sign up the night of the event. A sign-up sheet will be available before the open mic begins; arrive early to get your name on the list.

A couple of spots will be saved for the spontaneous folks who decide to jump in once the evening is underway. Info: openmic@peiwritersguild.com

Summerside Book Club

The Summerside Book Club meets for lively discussions of today’s most thought-provoking books. Pick up the latest selection at the circulation desk. The next meeting is on March 28 at 2 pm at the Summerside Library (57 Central St).

Monday Night Book Club

Monday Night Book Club meets at the Charlottetown Library (97 Queen St) on

Call for submissions: Holiday Stories Anthology

The Surveyor Student-run publication on Substack Holland College’s Journalism and Communications program has relaunched its student-run publication, The Surveyor, providing a new avenue for student reporting, storytelling and multimedia projects.

The new Surveyor is a digital-first Jerikah Spates (left) and Noel Arnason record a publication hosted on Substack, a news segment in the College’s on-campus studio. popular online platform for journalThey were editors of The Surveyor and produced ists and digital creators. The move and anchored the accompanying newscast. reflects an industry shift towards multi-media content that is immedithe new opportunities on Substack, ately available and consumed online. which allows us to publish quickly, Second-year Journalism and experiment with formats, and reach Communications students will colreaders directly.” laborate on the publication, pitching In addition to the Substack, stuand producing stories and publishing dents will also host a new weekly original reporting, features, opinion broadcast-style newscast. The broadpieces, along with audio, video and cast will be produced by students in photo-driven stories. They plan to Holland College’s studio, and a link cover a range of topics from campus to the show will be included on The life to stories that reflect issues within Surveyor Substack webpage. the greater Island community.

The Surveyor and the news “This relaunch gives students a real broadcast will publish weekly from newsroom again—one that mirrors January to April each year and may how modern journalism works,” says publish special editions periodically.

Brad Works, Learning Manager with Subscribers will see stories delivered to the Journalism and Communications their inbox free of charge.

Program. “It’s been more than five Support student journalism by years since we’ve had a student-led subscribing to The Surveyor at thesurpublication, and we’re excited about veyor228.substack.com.

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next meet-up is March 21. Hosted by the PEI Writers’ Guild, the group offers a supportive space for writers to share work, read, workshop, receive constructive feedback, and develop their skills.

Info: peiwritersguild.com

RUNAWAYS Let’s go: it’s our cue. The sky’s splattered with stars—its dots make up archers, bears, soup ladles like celestial graffiti. We can follow them, or follow municipal lights on the causeway. We’ll go on foot, at first, then car or bus— to a place awash in the sweat of freaks like us. If we can’t make New York, then Halifax will do.

Come on—see the amber-orange causeway lights that bronze the noxious, radioactive river?

We’ve put on plenty of plays on our own, but I always hoped we’d just been rehearsing. Come!

Come hitchhike the causeway with me. It’s the first bitty step that’ll lead straight to Broadway.

—Sadie McCarney Sadie McCarney’s book Your Therapist Says It’s Magical Thinking won the 2024 PEI Book Award for Poetry. She lives in Cornwall.

Each month PEI Poet Laureate Bren Simmers selects a poem by an Island poet for The Buzz.

New Poet Laureate

Bren Simmers selected to promote poetry, literacy, and literary arts Prince Edward Island welcomes Bren Simmers as its new Poet Laureate, continuing a long-standing tradition of literary leadership in the province.

The Poet Laureate promotes poetry, literacy, and the literary arts across the province. In her new role, Simmers will bring her own voice and approach to the position, while engaging Island residents.

Meaghan Brander from Cultural Development, “The position of Poet The Honourable Wassim Salamoun, Lieutenant Laureate affirms the importance Governor of PEI, Poet Laureate Bren Simmers, of the literary arts within our and Her Honour Marie Salamoun-Dunne Island’s cultural landscape,” says the Honourable Wassim The Poet Laureate program is Salamoun, Lieutenant Governor of administered by the PEI Public Library Prince Edward Island. “Bren Simmers Service. Poets Laureate are selected will be a strong ambassador for poetry through a peer assessment process and and the literary arts in our province.” appointed by the Minister of Education Bren Simmers is an award-winand Early Years. Simmers succeeds ning poet and author of five books. outgoing Poet Laureate Tanya Davis, Her work is rooted in a sense of place who has just completed her term. and explores relationships between “I want to extend a sincere thanks people, land, and memory. She has to outgoing Poet Laureate Tanya Davis received numerous local, regional and for her contributions and dedication to national awards in recognition of her PEI’s literary community over the past writing and contributions to Canadian three years,” says Minister of Education literature. and Early Years Robin Croucher.

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PEI BOOKS

home—only to find herself falling for him instead. Lady Hildegarde Croft is accustomed to changes in position.

After all, she rose from maidservant to lady of the manor when she married Lord Thorgoode Croft. But when he drops dead quite unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde from her malevolent brother-in-law die along with him. What’s a widow to do?

Paxson lives on PEI with her husband and three orange cats. A Widow’s Charm is her first book.

RED:

The Island Storybook, Volume 40

Over the Fence –

Stories of Summerville, Kings County, Prince Edward Island Donna M. (Walsh) Gallant

Another Landscape Judy Gaudet

The RED team has good news, and more good news—no bad news to report. First of all, there are only 38 days until spring at the time of writing, and even fewer by the time this is being read. The second bit of good news is the launch of RED: The Island Storybook, Volume 40. Sixty-four pages of brand-new stories from readers’ favourite Island storytellers. This milestone edition is not to be missed, guaranteed to warm winter-weary hearts until the crocuses show up to the party.

RED Volume 40 will be in stores Island-wide the first week of March.

three years later, after she ceased her work as a community consultants with the police.

Then she says good bye.

A private book launch will be held later this spring. For an invitation, contact the author by email to lpsa.books@ eastlink.ca.

A Widow’s Charm Caitlyn Paxson

No More Deliveries:

A Stella Kirk Mystery #8 L. P. Suzanne Atkinson No More Deliveries: A Stella Kirk Mystery #8 by Summerside, PEI author L. P. Suzanne Atkinson, is the final installment in this mystery series. Books are available across all platforms.

In a personal letter to you, the reader, Stella tells the story of her last investigation with Aiden North.

Means, motive, and opportunity are the cornerstones of every murder case, but are all three necessary?

Stella recalls her struggles as she pieced together jealousies, love triangles, protective parents, silent admirers, and undiscovered circumstances, after a young man found a respected member of the community murdered.

She reveals the progress of the probe in her own words. She describes Shale Harbour and Shale Cliffs RV Park

Bookmark is launching Island PEI author Caitlyn Paxson’s debut novel A Widow’s Charm on March 31 at 7 pm at The Haviland Club in Charlottetown.

Paxson will be joined in conversation with Island content creator Katharine MacDonald. This event is free and all are welcome.

In this witty fantasy romance, a widow blackmails her rakish necromancer neighbour to bring her husband back to life and save her

In her third poetry collection, Judy Gaudet “brings us heart-deep and eye-level with Prince Edward Island’s fields, woods, and shores,” says Deirdre Kessler, former PEI Poet Laureate. Published by Island Studies Press, the book will be launched on March 24 at 7 pm in the UPEI Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201.

Another Landscape speaks to the ordinary wonders of a life shared with her partner and their dog, where “Nothing is needed. Everything is here between us.” Though the poems grow out of this one life on the Island, Gaudet takes the long view of time.

She sees at once the molecules of the red sandstone cliffs and her own, that have held together for greatly different timespans. The poems gather small but notable moments of Island life and insist we look closer, for “this is life, as long as we have it.”

Judy Gaudet is a PEI poet and painter whose books include Conversation with Crows (Oberon, 2014) and Her Teeth Are Stones (Acorn, 2005). She is the editor of 150+: Canada’s History in Poetry (Acorn, 2018).

The event is free, and all are welcome. Thanks to Bookmark, books will be available for purchase.

A book launch will be held on March 1 from 2–4 pm at St Joachim’s Church Hall in Vernon River for Over the FenceStories of Summerville, Kings County, Prince Edward Island, the latest community history written by Donna M. (Walsh) Gallant.

Picking potatoes, a one-room school, blinding blizzards, flue fires are some of the adventures Gallant portrays from her growing up days on the small family farm in the 1950s–1960s.

The book conjurs up days when all neighbours knew one another by name and were always there to lend a helping hand.

Gallant also delves into mid 1800s early settlers of Summerville, detailing their Irish and Scottish backgrounds.

Family names like Walsh, Cain, Cronin, Curran, Doyle, Dunn, Edmonds, Fraser, Hynes, Lannan, Kelley, Mahar, Murphy, McMillan, Power, and McEachern created a close-knit community of friends.

This book is both a tribute to those people and a reflection on a way of life that has changed dramatically over the past several decades. Through family memories and local history research, it captures the spirit of Summerville, and of many small farming communities across the Island.

Books will be available for purchase at the book launch and online at amazon.ca.

L’abject sublime dans la transcréation au Canada Dr. Marie Pascal Dr. Marie Pascal, assistant professor in the UPEI Department of Modern Languages, has published a new book titled L’abject sublime dans la transcréation au Canada.

Written in French, L’abject sublime

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Public reading and writing workshop at UPEI Since the 1980s, Lorna Crozier has been one of Canada’s most popular and influential poets. She will give a free public performance of her poetry on March 19 at 7 pm in Schurman Market Square, McDougall Hall, UPEI. She will also give two poetry writing workshops at UPEI on March 21. These events are presented by the UPEI Faculty of Arts and English Department.

Raised in her beloved Prairie landscape on a Saskatchewan farm and living on Vancouver Island since 1991, Crozier is renowned for her poems about nature, human interaction with the natural world, and devotion to one’s places and homes. She’s also known for her poem sequence “The Sex Life of Vegetables,” broadcast nationally on CBC Radio.

Book launch and panel discussion A new collection of essays published by Island Studies Press called Turning the Tide: Climate Change, Social Change and Islandness will be launched on March 2 at 7 pm in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, at UPEI in Charlottetown.

The launch will include a panel discussion with co-editors Jean Mitchell and Laurie Brinklow from UPEI, local contributors, and joining them virtually, co-editors Eric Mijts from the University of Aruba and islands researcher Anouk Mertens. The panel will engage in a unique (L–R from top-left): Jean Mitchell, Laurie Brinklow, Anouk conversation that spans Mertens, and Eric Mijts art, agriculture, labour, and energy. Authors will highlight researcher, educator, and manager at key findings from their chapters and the University of Aruba who focuses answer questions about how art can on sustainable development in small act as a bridge between climate change island states. Anouk Mertens is the forand social change, or how remote mer project manager of the EU-funded islands face unique challenges when SISSTEM Project; she has a great interit comes to meeting energy needs, or est in the intersection between sustainwhat local and Indigenous knowledge ability and islandness. can offer to resilient food systems.

This wide-ranging and deep conJean Mitchell is a professor in versation places islands and islanders Anthropology and the UNESCO Chair at the centre of climate change. The in Island Studies and Sustainability event is free, and all are welcome. at UPEI. Laurie Brinklow is a poet For more information, contact Bren and assistant professor of Island Simmers at Island Studies Press at 902Studies at UPEI. Eric Mijts is a 566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

Hideout residency Tanya Davis named for 2026 PEI writer, performer, and interdisciplinary artist Tanya Davis has been named the 2026 writer-in-residence at The Hideout. The Hideout writer-in-residence program invites a prominent Canadian writer to The Hideout each year to engage in new creative work. The 2025 Hideout writer-in-residence was Ontario novelist Christine Higdon.

Davis has been a force in the Canadian and East Coast art scenes as both an innovative poet and admired spoken word performer, musician, and playwright. Most recently, Davis served as the Poet Laureate of PEI and has previously served as Poet Laureate for the City of Halifax. She currently lives in rural Epekwitk, where she continues to create for the stage, the page, the stereo and the screen.

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Poet Lorna Crozier

An Officer of the Order of Canada, Lorna is equally cherished for her poems about women’s lives, human relationships, and the interplay among nature, human history and myth, and spiritual elements infusing existence and experience. Her book titles embody her poetic expanse: The Garden Going on Without Us, The House the Spirit Builds, Humans and Other Beasts, What the Living Won’t Let Go, and Everything Arrives at the Light. Crozier’s poetry is also celebrated for her subversive wit and deep commitment to social justice.

A professor of creative writing for 25 years at the University of Victoria, Crozier will lead two poetry workshops at UPEI on March 21: The Freeverse Line from 9:30 am–12 pm and The Prose Poem from 1–3:30 pm. The free-verse line workshop will briefly look at what came before free verse and explore the challenges and possibilities the free-verse line offers. The prose poem workshop will take a close look at how prose and poetry dance together to create a fairly new thing that can conflate essay, short fiction, dialogue, and lyric poem. For further information, email Dr. Richard Lemm at rlemm@upei.ca.

Turning the Tide

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dans la transcréation au Canada is the first of two volumes on the “abject sublime.” The abject sublime is an aesthetic experience where feelings of horror, disgust, and filth (the abject) blur with awe, majesty, and transcendence (the sublime). Transcreation, which is not the same as translation or adaptation, is the process of creatively adapting content from one medium to another— from writing to film—while maintaining its intent, tone, and content.

For this book, Pascal analyzed 15 Québecois, English Canadian, and Indigenous books, and the film adaptation of each book, to see how the language and the content in the original and the adapted forms complement each other. In selecting the

books and films for her study, she tried to represent as many genres as possible, including horror, realism, science fiction, autofiction, poetry, ecofiction, and more.

“While it goes without saying that films and novels transport us to unexpected worlds, featuring unsettling characters and sometimes unacceptable endings, it’s harder to understand why we willingly seek out fear, tears, or indignation within them,” says a translation of the publisher’s summary. “Could it be that the terror and disgust we feel are a way of proving that we are indeed alive? Through the spectacle of the abject sublime, these works provoke a powerful emotion, which our initial reflex is to suppress.

Yet, these representations, which lure us with their imagined stories, often do so with the aim of shaking us up, providing an aesthetic shock that compels us to emerge from apathy. And the resulting emotions linger within us, sometimes despite ourselves. It is this project of revitalization through art that the author unveils in this work by analyzing some thirty Canadian works, including the television series The Night Laurier Gaudreault Woke Up (Xavier Dolan), the film Crash! (David Cronenberg) and the story Kuessipan (Naomi Fontaine).”

Pascal joined UPEI’s Department of Modern Languages in 2024. In addition to her professorial role, she directs a journal titled Transcr(é)ation that she created in 2022. She published her first book, De l’exclusion à l’abjection, with Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal in 2023.

Tanya Davis

Davis will spend a week at The Hideout later this spring, continuing her work on a range of new creative projects.

Created by writer Trevor Corkum and psychotherapist Joshua Lewis, The Hideout, located a few minutes outside the village of Victoria-by-the-Sea offers retreat and space to writers, creative folks, and visitors.

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Tivoli Cinema

Tivoli Cinema screens a variety of new and old releases. Upcoming screenings include: Hamnet (Feb 27–Mar 5, 7:15 pm); The Red Spectacles 4K Remaster, (Mar 6–8, 7:15 pm); Women’s Network PEI Presents: Sorry, Baby (Mar 7, 5 pm); 2026 Oscar Shorts (Mar 9, 7:15 pm); Sinners (Mar 10–11, 7:15 pm); Weapons (Mar 12–13, 7:15 pm); Freddy vs Jason (Mar 13, 9:45 pm); One Battle After Another (Mar 14–15, 4 pm); The City of Charlottetown Presents: A Minecraft Movie (Mar 14, 7:15 pm); The 98 Annual Academy Awards (Mar 15, 8 pm); Pillion (Mar 16–22); Hollywood Suite Presents: Dazed & Confused (Mar 19, 9:30 pm); The Undertone (Mar 20–29); BIPOC USHR Presents: Riceboy Sleeps (Mar 21, 7:15 pm). For showtimes, updates, film details and tickets visit tivolicinema.com. 155 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Free screenings at the Charlottetown Library

The Charlottetown Library Learning Centre offers a full slate of screenings this month. The Afternoon Movie Club series continues with The Fall Guy (PG) on March 3 at 1 pm. On March 10, adults can join the Anime Club (18+) at 6 pm to watch and discuss two episodes, with titles chosen at the start of each meeting.

Family movie events include Dog Man

Island Lecture Series

Free screenings at the Summerside Library

“Finding Place: An Irish Story” with Frank Gillan—Mar 17

The Summerside Rotary Library is screening several movies in March. The Afternoon Movie Club meets monthly for a movie screening. This month’s screening is A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (G) on March 5 at 2 pm. Families can enjoy a daily movie at 1 pm during March Break (March 18–20); check with staff for the movie schedule.

Eptek Lunchtime Film Series

The Friends of Eptek Centre’s Lunchtime Film Series runs on Thursdays at 12 noon in the main gallery until the end of April. The lineup includes both new films and selections from the late Friend Blanche Hogg. There is no charge for admission. Upcoming selections include Growing Up Canadian: Family on March 5, Growing Up Canadian: Media on March 12, Craft in America: EAST on March 19, and The Nature of Things: Searching for Cleopatra on March 26. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.

Filmworks Summerside at Harbourfront

The Filmworks Summerside at Harbourfront series continues this month with a screening of the film Sentimental Value on March 10 at 7 pm.

Harbourfront Theatre is located at 124 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.

Roving Picture Shows and Island Jazz

This month, the ciné-concerts series Roving Picture Shows, held in partnership with Island Jazz, will present three screenings of silent films for which musicians (TBA) will improvise a live soundtrack. The screenings are: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) on March 14 at 4:15 pm at City Cinema in Charlottetown; I Was Born, But… on March 22 at 3 pm at Tivoli Cinema in Charlottetown; and a movie to be announced on March 28 at 7:30 pm at Bonshaw Hall in Bonshaw. Follow @rovingpictureshows on social media for updates and the musician lineup, and for tickets, visit linktr.ee/ rovingpictureshows.

The Island Lecture Series presents a talk by Frank Gillan, “Finding Place: An Irish Story,” on March 17 at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, UPEI. Join on St. Patrick’s Day as Frank Gillan shares a personal story about one Irish family’s search for security.

In 1953, Marion Gillan’s husband was killed piloting a private plane.

Their only family income disappeared on that May afternoon, and employers were not interested in hiring a widow with five young children. But challenge was something Marion had seen before. In 1919, her father died, leaving her 34-year-old mother, Jennie McCarthy, with a 70-acre mixed farming operation and four young children, Marion being the oldest at age seven.

In an era where women had few rights, both women were determined to find a way to keep the family together. Both had inherited resilience and resourcefulness from their Irish roots. For generations their ancestors had lived under oppressive British laws in Ireland. Their land was taken from them, and they were forced to be tenants in their own country, living under the constant threat of eviction.

In addition, Irish Catholic daily lives were regulated under the stifling Penal Laws, intended to obliterate their culture and religion—and to keep them

Irish lectures Presented by the Benevolent Irish Society The public is invited to celebrate Irish culture and heritage through the Benevolent Irish Society of PEI’s popular Lecture Series, now included in the first annual Irish Festival taking place in March.

The 2026 lectures are: “The history and origins of Irish family surnames,”

The PEI Business Podcast New 10-episode series looks at innovative leaders Stingray PEI recently launched “The PEI Business Podcast,” a new 10-episode series offering an inside look at the innovative leaders and ideas driving Prince Edward Island’s economy.

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on March 16 at 1 pm, Bad Guys 2 on March 18 at 1 pm, and Encanto on March 20 at 10 am.

Frank Gillan

poor. The Gillan ancestors’ emigration from Ireland to PEI was a search for better opportunities. PEI offered hope, but also considerable challenges.

Frank Gillan is a sixth-generation Irish Canadian. In 2022, he published

The Gillan Journey: County Antrim to Peakes Road, and in 2025, he published his mother’s family story with They Can’t Take the Kids: the Mooney/McCarthy/Gillan Legacy. Frank and his wife Cathy are

retired and live in Charlottetown, PEI. The lecture is free, and all are welcome to attend.

presented by Tony Dolan on March 2; “The Belfast Riot of 1847” presented

by Dr. Callum Beck on March 9; and “Governor Walter Patterson; Rogue or Reformer” presented by Theresa Redmond on March 16.

Admission is by donation. The lectures start at 7 pm at the Irish Cultural Centre, 582 North River Road, Charlottetown. Everyone is welcome and admission is by donation. Books by the authors will be available for purchase.

For the Festival event schedule, visit benevolentirishsocietyofpei.com.

Hosted by Jennifer Evans, the podcast features weekly conversations with some of the Island’s most dynamic business figures, showcasing leaders from all walks of life and a diverse range of industries.

The series explores a range of topics crucial to the modern business landscape, including AI integration, export development, and business resilience.

“The PEI Business Podcast” is available for streaming at Ocean100.com, HOT1055fm.com, and on all major podcast platforms.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 21

Bestselling authors

Atlantic Entertainment Expo A celebration of pop culture and fandom—Mar 28 & 29

Authors Kate Quinn (left) and Janie Chang

Bookmark and Cavendish Literary Festival will welcome bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Janie Chang on March 10 at 7 pm for the launch of their new books at St Paul’s in Charlottetown. Kate and Janie will discuss their novels, The Astral Library and The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai, with Halifax author Donna Jones Alward. The event is free and all are welcome.

From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to The Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.

Bestselling author Janie Chang’s new book The Fourth Princess is a haunting Gothic novel set in 1911 China. Two young women living in a crumbling, once-grand Shanghai mansion face danger as secrets of their pasts come to light, even as the mansion’s own secret threatens the present.

Quinn is a New York Times and

USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A lifelong history buff, she has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga and two books set in the Italian Renaissance before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club.

The Astral Library is her first foray into magic realism.

Chang is a Globe and Mail bestselling author of historical fiction. Her novels often draw from family history and ancestral stories. She is the author of Three Souls, Dragon Springs Road, The Library of Legends, and The Porcelain Moon, and co-author of the USA Today bestseller The Phoenix Crown, with Kate Quinn.

Donna Jones Alward is a New York Times bestseller who has enchanted readers with stories of happy endings and homecomings that have won several awards and been translated into over a dozen languages. Donna launched her latest book, Ship of Dreams at The Cavendish Literary Festival. bookmarkreads.ca

My Gaelic Grandmother New revised edition of book

by Bertha Campbell PEI author Bertha Campbell has produced a limited number of copies of My Gaelic Grandmother, Memories of Mary Stewart: Rural Life in Valleyfield and Brudenell, Prince Edward Island (1894-1987) Revised Edition.

The book, which highlights Campbell’s maternal grandmother, Mary (Nicholson) Stewart from Valleyfield, PEI, is part social history and part family history, painting a picture not only of Mary Stewart but of life in rural PEI decades ago.

Copies are available for purchase at Stewart and Beck Home Hardware in

Montague or by emailing the author at bertha.campbell@gmail.com.

The Atlantic Entertainment Expo (AEX) returns to the PEI Convention Centre in Charlottetown on March 28 from 10 am–6 pm and March 29 from 12 noon–6 pm.

The Expo is a celebration of pop culture and fandom, created to bring entertainment, creativity, and community together under one roof for Atlantic Canadians.

The event highlights everything from comics, anime, gaming, movies, tabletop games, and cosplay to artists, creators, and interactive experiences that fans of all ages can enjoy.

Attendees can expect a wide range of hands-on and family friendly activities throughout the weekend, including board games and large floor games, free face painting, and a Holland College photo booth. Gaming is a major focus at AEX, with video games available from all generations, ranging from classic retro titles to modern AAA releases.

The Expo also features special guests, panels, live demos, workshops, and a cozy Book Nook for readers looking to slow down and explore new SUBMITTED

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An Evening with Kate Quinn and Janie Chang—Mar 10

stories. Cosplay is celebrated throughout the event, with cosplayers of all skill levels bringing characters to life and adding to the energy and atmosphere of the show.

AEX places a strong emphasis on engagement and accessibility, creating a welcoming space where artists, vendors, performers, and fans can connect in meaningful ways. At its core, AEX is about building something lasting for the region, an inclusive, community driven event that reflects the creativity and passion of Atlantic Canada and offers something for everyone, no matter their age or interests.

For more information, visit atlanticexpo.ca/charlottetown-26.

Page 22 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

PERFORMANCE music, theatre, dance, comedy...

Mondays | 8 pm

Mar 1 | 8 pm

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Tara MacLean with KINLEY and Ben Aitken

Rat Tales Comedy Night Tuesdays | 8 pm

Please Laugh Comedy

Open mic with host Jesse. Hopyard, Charlottetown

Feb 27–28, Mar 5–6 | 7:30 pm Feb 28, Mar 1, 7–8 | 1:30 pm

Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Feb 28 | 5:30 pm

Music PEI Week: Battle of the Bands Ft. Space Bud, Kratom, Dear Blossom, Sundown, Her Travesty, The Driftways, and Lillian. The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Feb 28 | 6 pm

Island Pro Wrestling: Final Frost

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 3 | 6:30 pm

Music PEI Week Songwriter of the Year Concert Ft. Diana Delirio, Lennie Gallant, Logan Richard, Shane Pendergast, and the PEI Symphony Orchestra. St. Paul’s, Charlottetown

Mar 4 | 6:30 pm

Music PEI Week: The Mill River Shuffle Ft. Danny Drouin, Rick Sparkes, Shane Pendergast, and Richard Wood. Mill River Resort, Mill River

Mar 4 | 7 pm

Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

Mar 4, 5

Feb 28 | 7 pm

Mar 4, 7:30 pm: Souris Show Hall, Souris Mar 5, 7:30 pm: Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Boots And Bets: A Night of Country Fun and Casino Action in support of the PEI Symphony Orchestra Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Feb 28 | 8 pm

The Soosh

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Feb 28 | 9:30 pm

Music PEI Week: Kick-Off Concert The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Mar 1 | 2:30 pm

Dale Sorensen

Trombone recital. Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 1 | 4 pm

Music PEI Week: Gen XX All Ages Show Ft. Broadcast Failure, Firing Squad, Dazey, Oakdrive. Generation XX Youth Club, Summerside

Mar 1 | 7 pm

The Very Big Show: Magic + Comedy Ft. Simon King and Wes Barker.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Rum Ragged

Mar 5 | 6:30 pm

Music PEI Week Kitchen Party Ft. Brooke MacArthur, Emilea May, KINLEY, and Lawrence Maxwell. Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague

Mar 5 | 7:30 pm

Bad Reputation Tribute to Joan Jett. Winter Shine Series.

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Mar 5 | 8 pm

Jenn Grant: Cradled by the Waves

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

Mar 5 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Sean Ferris Group Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Mar 5 | 8 pm

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Mar 5 | 8 pm

Ben Caplan with Zebedee

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 6 | 6 pm

Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble Salvador Dali Café, Charlottetown

Mar 6 | 6:30 pm

Music PEI Week: Music Mosaic Rainbow Edition Concert Ft. Joce Reyome, Diana Delirio, Sam O, siddhu sneh, and Battle of the Bands winner.

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 6 | 7:30 pm

Archipelagic Voices: Contemporary Music by Southeast Asian Composers

Mar 9 | 8 pm

War on the Catwalk

With host Alyssa Edwards. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Mar 12 | 1 pm

Cris Derksen UPEI Department of Music Contemporary Music Festival (performance and talk). UPEI Performing Arts Centre, Charlottetown

Mar 12 | 7:30 pm

Proxima Centauri in Mouvements

UPEI Department of Music Contemporary Music Festival ft. Megaria Halim, piano.

Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown

UPEI Department of Music Contemporary Music Festival. Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 6 | 9:30 pm

Mar 12 | 8 pm

Ft. NODACOB, Rightflow, Melvis & APEE, and C. Ruth and Mango Street Trio. Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Music PEI Week’s Hip Hop LIVE

Mar 7 | 12 pm

Free Whiskey Band Tribute to the Pogues and the Music of Shane McGowan. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 7 | 7:30 pm

25th Annual Music PEI Awards Gala

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Mar 7 | 7:30 pm

UPEI Music Faculty in Bleakness and Beauty UPEI Department of Music Contemporary Music Festival ft. the music of Amy Brandon. Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 7 | 7:30 pm

Les Winter Blues Ft. Joce Reyome, Tcheul Misère, and Dustin Dale Gaspard. The Mack, Charlottetown

Mar 7 | 8 pm

More Soul

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 7 | 9 pm

Forgalhorn UPEI Department of Music Contemporary Music Festival. UPEI Performing Arts Centre, Charlottetown

Mar 8 | 6:30 pm

Stand-up Night in The Comedy Cave: Alistair Ogden The Factory, Charlottetown

Mar 8 | 7:30 pm

The Freewheelin’ Field Trip All ages show ft. Braden Lam and Schoolhouse. The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Island Jazz Jam ft. Diana Deliro Mar 13 | 12:40 pm

UPEI Students in Recital UPEI Department of Music Contemporary Music Festival ft. music composed after 1950. Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 13 | 7:30 pm

St. Patrick’s Ceilidh

Irish Cultural Centre, Charlottetown

Mar 13 | 8:07 pm

@fter eight

Ft. Andrea Avery and guests. The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Mar 13–14 | 8 pm

The Fabulously Rich

Tribute to The Tragically Hip. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 14 | 7:30 pm

The Burning Hell

Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague

Mar 15 | 2 pm

Island Jubilee Old Time Radio Music Show Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 15 | 2:30 pm

PEI Symphony Orchestra: Reclaimed

Ft. soloist Cris Derksen. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Mar 17 | 7 pm

We 3 Band and (formerly) Blue Crystals Fundraiser for Brain Injury Association of PEI. Jack Blanchard Hall, Charlottetown

…continued on page 26

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 23

PEI documentaries

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Free screening at City Cinema—Mar 15

À contre-mode (left); Femmes réparées, corps sur-mesure

The public is invited to join producer Louise Lalonde and director/producer Hélène Lebon at City Cinema in Charlottetown on March 15 at 2 pm for a free screening of À contre-mode and Femmes réparées, corps sur-mesure.

Both documentaries feature PEI residents with unique stories to tell, and both are in French with English subtitles. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with the producer and director to shed light on working in the film industry in PEI and the specific challenges of each of these films.

In À contre-mode, three students from École François-Buote are featured as they organize and plan a fashion show with only second-hand clothing in an

effort to encourage their peers to use their power to help protect the environment, save some money, be fashion forward, and have some fun doing it.

The three students who truly rise to the challenge are Joelle Blanchard, Milia Kebbi, and Lucas Calhoun.

Femmes réparées, corps sur-mesure brings together Maureen Hanley, Simonne Cormier, and Emmanuelle LeBlanc—three women touched by breast cancer who turn fragility into strength, stitching together resilience, memory, and a fierce desire to fully inhabit life.

Tickets are available, free of charge, at citycinema.ca and at the door starting at 1:30 pm.

This River

documentary offers an Indigenous perspective on the devastating experience of searching for a loved one who has disappeared, with themes of beauty, grace, resilience, and activism born out of the need to do something.

Volunteer activist Kyle Kenatch and Katherina Vernette have both survived this heartbreak and will share their histories with each other and the audience.

Refreshments will be provided and emotional support will be available.

The storm date is March 23.

For more information, email info@ peistatusofwomen.ca.

Indigenous film screening and panel discussion—Mar 17 The PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women invites the public to a free screening of the short film This River in the Rotary Auditorium at the Charlottetown Library on March 17 at 5 pm. A panel discussion will follow the screening.

Katherena Vernette’s 19-minute

Page 24 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Merrily We Roll Along until March 1 Musical. PG, coarse language. Dir: Maria Friedman, US, 2025, 145 min. Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez.

Bridger); KINLEY—“Marrying Me” (directed by Ashley Anne Clark); Lennie Gallant—“Counting on Angels” (directed by Matt Lodge); Logan Richard—“The Grass Is Blue (Everywhere I Go)” (directed by Bailey Dockendorff).

Portraits March 3–4 Documentary. PG. Dir: Brian Pollard/ William Harrington, Canada, 2026, 58 min.

Join a Q&A with the directors after the show.

his constant undermining of her religious faith. Things are not helped by memories that have begun to resurface of a troubled time in their native Ireland... Midwinter Break is the essential MacLaverty novel: accurate, compassionate observation; effortlessly elegant writing; and a tender, intimate, heartrending story. Yet it is also a profound examination of human love and how we live together, a chamber piece of real resonance and power.

Forty years after his first book, MacLaverty has written his masterpiece.” —Goodreads Le Conseil acadien de Rustico Presents:

L’Empremier Live at Beaubassin March 8, 2 pm, free admission.

Welcome to City Cinema from The Charlottetown Film Society City Cinema is owned and operated by our non-profit Society. We welcome donations, and can provide tax receipts.

We will continue to present a diverse mix of films and welcome your suggestions and support. Become a member, bring friends, and share feedback!

Advance Tickets Please visit our website at citycinema.ca, we accept all major credit cards online and both debit and credit at the cinema.

Seating may be limited, advance tickets are strongly recommended.

Subject to Change Film availability and showtimes are subject to change. Please check our website and book tickets in advance.

Rent City Cinema City Cinema is available for rent for private film viewings! We provide the projectionist and will have the canteen and bar open for your group. Please check the Venue Rental on our website and send us an email! We’ll respond with information and rates.

“Stephen Sondheim’s musical-that-goesbackwards was a smash on Broadway in 2023... In the summer of 2024, right after its triumph at the Tony Awards, where it won best musical revival, several performances were filmed live at New York City’s Hudson Theater, and edited into the smart, intimate film that you can now catch for the price of a movie ticket. The story takes three best friends - composer Franklin, playwright Charley and novelist Mary - from the dissolution of their friendship in 1976 (it goes backwards, remember) to the dewy-eyed kids they were on the roof of their apartment building on the night Sputnik passed overhead in 1957. Which is to say, this show about creative types learning about life and showbiz gets happier (and more bittersweet) as it progresses. That proved confusing for audiences in 1981… but the creative team fixed the problems in various revivals, and this one is as assured as any smash. The central performances, electrifying on stage, remain pretty stunning… Radcliffe, who grew up on film sets, capitalizes on the camera’s intimacy more than his co-stars, but they’re all terrific… the score is breathtaking, the lyrics scintillating, the emotions true, and as a Sondheim lyric has it, ‘that’s the sound of a hit.’” —Bob Mondello, NPR Music PEI Presents:

Spinal Tap Double Feature (14A, coarse language)

Music Video of the Year Nominees Screening: (Presented by Ocean 100 & Hot 105.5)

Dir: Rémi Belliveau/Evar Simon, Canada, 1970, 62 min. Rémi Belliveau, Katrine Noël, Mico Roy, Jason LeBlanc. In French (Chiac) with English subtitles.

Winner, Best Acadian Feature, FICFA 2023 Portraits is a documentary on Island artist Brian Burke. The 1960s marked a major cultural and political shift in the world. For Island artist Brian Burke and those he grew up with in the streets of Charlottetown, it was an exciting time with lots of laughs, good music, and great friendships. Brian became one of Canada’s foremost figurative painters with a stellar international reputation. His ties to the people he grew up with were never broken.

In tribute to his fond memories, Brian painted a series of portraits of his friends... Portraits focuses on these paintings, Brian, and his friends. The documentary includes parts of a lengthy interview done with Brian before he died, and intimate interviews with all the portrait subjects... The whole piece is held together with music composed and played by internationally celebrated guitarist Don Ross.

Portraits is a subtle, delicate, and even gentle piece. It shows how the ordinary souls of this world have a rightful and powerful place in the midst of high art.

Midwinter Break March 5–12 Drama. PG, mature theme. Dir: Polly Findlay, UK/Netherlands, 2026, 90 min. Lesley Manville, Ciarán Hinds, Julie Lamberton.

March 2, 7 pm

Admission $12 $9 $10 $8

We now accept credit cards online and both debit and credit at the cinema

Annual membership - $30.00 Come see PEI Music videos on the big screen!

Music PEI presents a screening of the 2025 nominees for Music Video of the Year, followed by the classic Rock & Roll mockumentaries This is Spinal Tap and This is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

The nominees for Music PEI’s Music Video of the Year Award presented by Anchor Fest are: Absolute Losers—“Star Sweeper,” (directed by Griffen O’Toole); Dazey—“We haven’t spoke in years” (directed by Hannah

Stella Days March 13–17 Comedy/Drama. PG, language, brief violence, adult situations. Dir: Thaddeus O’Sullivan, Ireland, 2011, 100 min. Martin Sheen, Stephen Rea, Trystan Gravelle.

Sponsored by The Benevolent Irish Society

Tickets: $10 for the 1st show; $15 for both

Regular Member 65 and over 14 and under

Styled as a concert film and behind-thescenes studio diary — an Acadian cousin to Live at Pompeii — L’Empremier Live at Beaubassin is an inventive mockumentary

by Rémi Belliveau. Set in June 1970, it follows fictional singer-songwriter Joan Dularge (they/ she) and their band, L’Empremier, as they shape an album and stage a performance at the historic Beaubassin/Fort Beauséjour site.

The music leans psychedelic and prog-rock, drawing on Acadian roots while the conversations spiral into identity, language, and the questions artists get asked over and over: What counts as ‘Acadian’ music? Who gets to define Acadianness? The result is funny, thoughtful, and unapologetically queer — less a straight parody than an alternate history where Acadian rock becomes legend.

Bernard MacLaverty’s multiple award-winning novel Midwinter Break (A Guardian/Sunday Times/Irish Times/Herald Scotland/Mail on Sunday Book of the Year and Winner of the Bord Gáis Novel of the Year!) comes to the screen with the dream cast of Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds. “MacLaverty reminds us why he is regarded as one of the greatest living Irish writers. A retired couple, Gerry and Stella Gilmore, fly from their home in Scotland to Amsterdam for a long weekend... Their relationship seems safe, easy, familiar. But over the course of the four days we discover the deep uncertainties that exist between them.

Gerry, once an architect, is forgetful and set in his ways. Stella is tired of his lifestyle, worried about their marriage, and angry at

“Playing a small-town Catholic priest in culturally isolated 1950s Ireland, Martin Sheen does his best work since The West Wing...

This splendidly acted drama explores its

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 25 themes with sensitivity, gentle humor and poignancy... Inspired by Michael Doorley’s memoir... Progressive cleric Daniel Barry (Sheen) sees his temporary assignment to the tiny Tipperary backwater of Borrisokane as a penance... A lover of movies and a believer in their power to communicate, Father Barry suggests opening a cinema... He promises that the movie house will be a civilizing influence, showing only films deemed morally suitable. While the Bishop proves malleable, xenophobic politician Brendan McSweeny does not, branding all movies as corrupting filth. The old-fashioned qualities of Stella Days are among its strengths, echoed in the handsome period production values... While the film has moments of Cinema Paradisostyle sentiment, these are achieved with delicacy. Chief asset is the cast, with fine work from the lovely Plunkett and from Rea in an amusingly dour role. But it’s Sheen who carries the film. He brings sorrowful dimensions to a conflicted character that both bristles against and uncomfortably reflects a culture steeped in uneasy contradictions.” —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter “Nothing shy of exceptional, Stella Days explores the culture of Ireland in the fifties with parallels to the present. This is a piece of cinema that is, in itself, a love letter to the form and well worth another look back if anyone missed it the first time around.”

—Film Ireland

À contre-mode follows three young people from Prince Edward Island who take on the challenge of creating a fashion show made entirely from second-hand clothing to inspire a new way of consuming. By questioning their shopping and style habits, they discover that sewing, repairing, and carefully choosing what surrounds us can become a powerful act of self-expression and collective change.

Femmes réparées, corps sur-mesure Documentary. Dir: Hélène Lebon, Canada, 2026, 33 min. In French with English subtitles.

as a Holocaust survivor. Set in locations as disparate as Terezín, Prague, and the Avenue of the Giants drive in California’s Humboldt Redwoods State Park, this is an inspiring story about the transformative power of friendship and healing. For more than 50 years, Auschwitz survivor Herbert Heller kept his memories of the Holocaust secret — even from his wife and children. But when he meets Abbey, a troubled teen dealing with her own unspoken pain, Herbert decides it’s time to talk and finally open his heart. Through sharing their personal traumas, Herbert and Abbey become the unlikeliest of friends, allies in healing whose bond brings them a previously undiscovered sense of purpose. With stunning reenactments of Herbert’s struggles to survive during WWII, this touching film demonstrates that hope and redemption can come from anywhere if we’re open to it.

city cinema schedule FEBRUARY 27

Fri

7:00 Merrily We Roll Along

28

Sat

2:00 Merrily We Roll Along 7:00 Merrily We Roll Along

MARCH 1

Sun

2

Mon 7:00 Music PEI Screening

3

Tue

4

Wed 7:00 Portraits

5

Thu

7:00 Midwinter Break

Holy Days

6

Fri

7:00 Midwinter Break

March 27–April 2

7

Sat

2:00 Midwinter Break

Comedy/Drama. PG. Dir: Nat Boltt, New Zealand/Canada, 2026, 101 min. Miriam Margolyes, Jacki Weaver, Judy Davis, Elijah Tamati.

7:00 Merrily We Roll Along 7:00 Portraits

7:00 Midwinter Break 8

Sun

2:00 L’Empremier 7:00 Midwinter Break

9

Mon 7:00 Midwinter Break

10

Tue

11

Wed 7:00 Midwinter Break

Roving Shows and Island Jazz present:

12

Thu

7:00 Midwinter Break

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

13

Fri

7:00 Stella Days

14

Sat

2:00 Stella Days

March 14, 4:15 pm Drama/Horror. Dir: Wallace Worsley, USA, 1923, 110 min. Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller. Silent with live improvised musical accompaniment by Island Jazz.

Tickets: $20 regular; $15 youth and students

Filmmaker Hélène Lebon confronts her own fear of breast cancer after discovering cysts and carrying a heavy family history of the disease; guided by her friendship with survivor and innovator Simonne Cormier — who designs a natural, Canadian-made breast prosthesis — she enters a circle of women whose lives have been reshaped by illness and loss, discovering a powerful community reclaiming their bodies, their stories, and their strength.

The Optimist March 18–26 Adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel, published 195 years ago this month, the film takes some liberties with the story but still follows the classic tale: Quasimodo, the hunchback, loves Esmeralda, the gypsy, played by Lon Chaney and Patsy Ruth Miller, while a revolution is brewing within the walls of Notre Dame. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame resonates most strongly today for its timeless tale of haves vs. have-nots, just as relevant now as it was when written in 1831. On the strength of a physical performance that has never really been equalled in any of the other Hunchback adaptations, it was a launching pad for both the fortunes of Lon Chaney and American horror films in general.” —Paste Magazine

Drama. 14A, violence, mature themes.

Dir: Finn Taylor, US, 2026, 102 min.

Stephen Lang, Elsie Fisher, Luke David Blumm.

Audience Award Winner, Spokane International Film Festival

Be sure to follow us on our social media pages for up-to-date reminders and updates to our schedule.

Two Documentaries by Hélène Lebon

Email info@citycinema.ca to sign up for our newsletter and stay in the know with all the goings on!

March 15, 2 pm, free admission There will be a Q&A with the director after each film.

Documentary. Dir: Hélène Lebon, Canada, 2026, 48 min. In French with English subtitles.

4:15 Hunchback of Notre Dame 7:00 Stella Days 15

Sun

2:00 Hélène Lebon Docs 7:00 Stella Days

16

Mon 7:00 Stella Days

17

Tue

18

Wed 7:00 The Optimist

19

Thu

7:00 The Optimist

20

Fri

7:00 The Optimist

21

Sat

2:00 The Optimist

7:00 Stella Days

7:00 The Optimist 7:00 The Optimist

22

Sun

23

Mon 7:00 The Optimist

24

Tue

25

Wed 7:00 The Optimist

26

Thu

7:00 The Optimist

27

Fri

7:00 Holy Days

28

Sat

2:00 Holy Days

7:00 The Optimist

7:00 Holy Days

Quenouille and Lebon trait-d’union Productions Present:

À contre-mode

“Holy Days is a wildly charming, big-hearted adventure that sends three defiantly spirited nuns on the road in search of a miracle—only to discover they’re far better at raising a little hell. When the sisters of St. Suzanne’s convent face forced retirement, they stage a lastditch escape to New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island, hoping an ex-nun-turned-lawyer can save their home. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when a young Māori boy joins them, carrying a secret mission of his own: reaching the summit of Mt. Cook to find his recently departed mother before she crosses into the spirit world. As a sudden snowstorm threatens their plans, this unlikely band of companions is pushed to the limits of faith, courage, and friendship. With echoes of Little Miss Sunshine, Wonder, and The Peanut Butter Falcon, the film blends humor, heartfelt emotion, and adventure into a story that celebrates love, loss, and the resilience that keeps us moving forward. Holy Days delivers stunning landscapes, unexpected connections, and an ensemble of unforgettable characters finding exactly what they need—just not in the way they expect. Uplifting, tender, and delightfully offbeat, it’s a crowd-pleasing odyssey destined to charm audiences of all ages.” —The Victoria Film Festival

7:00 Midwinter Break

Beautiful performances from Stephen Lang and Elsie Fisher anchor a tale of personal strength and sacrifice inspired by true events about a man harboring a haunting secret

29

Sun

7:00 Holy Days

30 Mon 7:00 Holy Days 31

Tue

7:00 Holy Days

APRIL 1

Wed 7:00 Holy Days

2

Thu

7:00 Holy Days

citycinema.ca

Page 26 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

PERFORMANCE music, theatre, dance, comedy... …continued from page B26

Mar 22 | 7 pm

Mar 19 | 8 pm

Tom Green: Stompin’ Comedy Tour

Island Jazz: Siobhan White Sextet

Mar 23 | 6:30 pm

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Mar 19 | 8 pm

Stolen Goods Tribute Band Tribute to Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 18–21 | 7:30 pm

Vagabond Productions: Antigone UPEI Performing Arts Centre, Charlottetown

Mar 19–22

The 2026 Winter Bluegrass Festival Ft. Tim O’Brien Band, Old Man Luedecke, Blue Meadow, The Janet McGarry Band, Shane Pendergast Trio, Bluegrass Tradition, The McMillan’s Camp Boys, The Stiff Family Band, Bad Hoss, The Holland College SOPA Student Band, The Sunny Mountain Gals, and more (peibluegrass.ca). Delta Prince Edward, Charlottetown

Mar 20 | 7:30 pm

Opera/Vocal Showcase

Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 20–21 | 8 pm

Dancing Queen

Tribute to ABBA. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 21–22, 27–28 | 7:30 pm Mar 22, 29 | 2:30 pm

Marrying Mike

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Mehdi Cayenne

Village musical acadien, Abram-Village

Mar 24 | 8 pm

Jack Pine Folk Club Ft. host Shane Pendergast, Dane Pedersen, Malcolm MacNeil, Richard Lemm, and Shannon Quinn. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 26 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Adam Hill

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Mar 21 | 8 pm

Still Standin’: A Night of Elton John & Billy Joel Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Snowed In Comedy Tour Ft. Dan Quinn, Paul Myrehaug, Pete Zedlacher, and Erica Sigurdson. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Apr 2 | 8 pm

Joanie Pickens

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 26, 27

Queen: It’s A Kinda Magic

Mar 26, 7:30 pm: Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside Mar 27, 8 pm: Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Mar 27 | 10:30 am, 12:30 pm

Maritime Marionettes: Molly and the Oak Island Treasure Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Mar 28 | 6 pm

All Ages Show Ft. Cascades, Street Gloves, Uncle, Firing Squad, and Kratom. Trinity United, Charlottetown

Dwayne Gretzky Mar 28 | 7:30 pm

Mind Bender: The Experience

Magic and mid reading show. Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

Mar 28 | 8 pm

Girls Night Out A Tribute to Canadian Female Rock Legends. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Mar 29 | 7:30 pm

Belly Laughs

Irish Cultural Centre, Charlottetown

Apr 11 | 7:30 pm

Singing Into Spring Benefit for Hospice PEI ft. Michael Pendergast, Catherine MacLellan, Roy Johnstone, and Margie Carmichael.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Apr 11, 12

Fascinating Ladies of Country Apr 11, 6:30 pm: Milton Community Hall, Milton Apr 12, 2 pm: Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Apr 12 | 2:30 pm

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

PEI Symphony Orchestra: Blue

Apr 2 | 8 pm

With guest soloist Magdalena von Eccher.

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Apr 14 | 7 pm

Island Jazz: Denis Surette Apr 3 | 6 pm

Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble

Gravity and Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours

Salvador Dali Café, Charlottetown

Circus company. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Apr 3 | 8 pm

Apr 17 | 7 pm

Apr 4 | 2:30 pm

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical

Apr 2 | 7:30 pm

Dave Gunning: Field Notes Album Release

Mar 21 | 7:30 pm

Mar 21–22 | 1:30 pm

Tribute to Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Brooks & Dunn ft. Larry Turner and Doug Brewin. Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Riley Taylor

Irish Cultural Centre, Charlottetown

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

The Megastars of Country Music

Mar 26 | 8 pm

Mar 28 | 7:30 pm

Trent McClellan: The Be Nice Tour Comedy Tour

Apr 1 | 7 pm

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Fascinating Ladies of Country Ft. Brielle Ansems, Catherine O’Brien, Haley Zavo, Olivia Blacquiere, and Stephanie Ross.

Benevolent Irish Society, Charlottetown

Apr 4 | 7:30 pm

Brooke & Brad: Country Classics

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Apr 4 | 8 pm

Whose Line Is It Anyway? PEI Edition

Ft. Jalen MacLeod and friends. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Apr 7 | 7:30 pm

The Youngsters Still Got Me Drove

Ft. Tina Randall and Nan Tilly. Souris Show Hall, Souris

Apr 8 | 7:30 pm

Royal Wood

Copper Bottom Brewing, Montague

Apr 11 | 6:30 pm

Titanik: A Knife to Remember Eddie May Murder Mystery. Red Shores Racetrack & Casino, Charlottetown

Apr 11 | 7:30 pm

Led Zeppelin’s The Song Remains The Same

Live full album performance. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

The Australian Bee Gees Show

A Tribute to the Bee Gees. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Apr 17, 18 | 7:30 pm

Alex Mackenzie: Never Been Better Tour Apr 18: Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown Apr 17: Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Apr 17, 18, 19, 22

Fascinating Ladies of Country Apr 17, 6:30 pm: Eastern Kings Community Centre, Souris Apr 18, 2 pm: Seniors Active Living Centre, Charlottetown Apr 19, 2 pm: Kings Playhouse, Georgetown Apr 22, 2 pm: Cornwall 50+ Club, Cornwall

Apr 18 | 8 pm

Epic Eagles Tribute

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

Apr 18 | 11:30 am

Confederation Youth Chorus: The Needs We Feed Spring concert. Confederation Centre Memorial Hall, Charlottetown

…more at buzzpei.com

Irish Festival First annual event features a rake-load of activities The first annual Irish Festival on PEI will take place in March.

“Last year the B.I.S. celebrated its 200th anniversary with festivities right across the Island from Tignish to Souris,” shares Kathy Roney, Chair of the Benevolent Irish Society’s Social and Ceilidh Committee. “We were so pleased with the support and enthusiasm we received from Islanders and tourists that we felt, why not continue the passion in 2026!”

From this excitement, the idea of creating an Island-wide Irish Festival in March, when St. Patrick is traditionally honoured, was created.

“We feel we have such a grand culture that we want to share it with everyone! There are dinners, an Irish stew, Irish trivia, an Irish breakfast, ceilidhs, concerts, plays, and lectures all scheduled throughout the festival,” Roney adds, on behalf of the event coordinators across PEI. Events in Charlottetown include the Benevolent Irish Society of PEI’s Lecture Series on March 2, 9, and 16

at the Irish Cultural Centre; the St. Patrick’s Ceilidh on March 13 at the Centre; Stella Days at City Cinema from March 13–17; and the three-act Irish comedy Marrying Mike at the Irish Cultural Centre March 20–22 and 27–29. Contact Kathy Roney at 902314-8840 for details.

In Fort Augustus, an Irish Stew and Ceilidh takes place March 15 at the Fort Augustus Community Centre. Email patduffy.2058@gmail.com for details.

In Kinkora, an Irish Pub and Food Night takes place March 13 at O’Shea’s Pub. Email osheas@live.com or call 902-882-2011 for details.

In Morell, Holy Cow hosts an Irish Pub Night on March 14, Irish Stew from March 14–17, and a traditional Irish Breakfast on March 15. An Old Time Irish Concert will be held at Morell Regional High School on March 15. Email Cletus Dunn at cjdunn12@ hotmail.com for details.

In Souris, Darby O’Gill screens March 15 at Souris Show Hall. Call 902-687-3376 for details.

In Tignish, an Irish Trivia and Pub Night takes place March 17 at the Royal Canadian Legion. Contact Shelley at the Legion, 902-882-2011, for details.

Everyone is invited to take part in these festive activities. benevolentirishsocietyofpei.com

PEI Beer Fest

Give to Get

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 27

International Women’s Day celebration—Mar 8 On March 8 from 1–4 pm, the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women and community volunteers invite everyone to join in celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) in the Rotary Auditorium of the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. The closest entrance is through the back doors on Pownal Street.

March 8 is a day to advocate for gender rights in community solidarity.

Together we celebrate women and girls, while also demanding equality, safety, and justice internationally.

Speakers will focus on issues of women’s health, and the theme of “give to get.” There will be a variety of performers sharing and leading in participatory dance. As usual, there will be food provided, and a staffed children’s corner. The afternoon will end with singing the IWD anthem, “Bread & Roses.”

People of all genders are welcome to this free event. Come for connection and friendship and offer your energy and allyship as part of a global movement towards gender equality.

For more information contact info@ peistatusofwomen.ca or 902-368-4510.

March 12-15 For more info, visit Pridepei.ca

SCAN ME!

SPONSORS AND FUNDERS

A weekend of sampling, discovery and celebration The PEI Beer Festival returns to Charlotteown on March 20 and 21 at the Eastlink Centre.

The PEI Beer Festival is one of the Island’s signature craft beverage events, bringing together breweries from Atlantic Canada and beyond for a weekend of sampling, discovery, and celebration.

Guests can explore 30 breweries that create craft beers, ciders, and specialty beverages while enjoying live

entertainment and a vibrant festival atmosphere.

With live music, food vendors, and a lineup of breweries, it’s become one of the most anticipated winter events on PEI’s social calendar.

Visit beerfestpei.com for details, tickets, and more.

SEEKING SUMMER RENTALS

Confederation Centre of the Arts is currently seeking housing rentals for artists and creatives involved in The 2026 Charlottetown Festival.

If you are able to help, visit

confederationcentre.com/housing

Nominations for the 2026 Order of Prince Edward Island are open!

Nominations for 2026 must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Send completed nominations to: Secretary to the Advisory Council PO Box 2000 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8 or orderpei@ assembly.pe.ca

The Order of Prince Edward Island is the highest provincial honour awarded to residents. It’s presented annually to three Islanders who have made remarkable contributions to the social, economic or cultural life of our province.

If you know someone who has shown excellence or outstanding leadership in their community or in their chosen profession, this is your opportunity to nominate them for this special recognition.

Nomination forms and information about the Order are available online at OrderPEI.ca.

The Council accepts nominations in English and French.

Page 28 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

COMMUNITY #1 Rainbow Youth Club

Members and allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are looking for new pals and fun times are welcome to join the PEI Rainbow Youth Club at the Summerside Library. The next meeting is March 3 at 6 pm. Each meeting offers an opportunity to participate in youth-led discussions and fun activities, complete with opportunities for creativity and self-discovery. These sessions are led by trained PEERS Alliance staff and volunteers, and include a healthy snack. The Club is open to youth aged 12–18. Youth will not be asked to identify, and all are welcome to attend.

Community Iftar in Charlottetown

A Community Iftar will take place this Ramadan at the UPEI Engineering Building on March 14, starting promptly at 5 pm. The evening is one of faith, community, and compassion as attendees come together to break their fast and uplift those in need. This event is held in support of Palestine through Islamic Relief Canada, helping provide care, protection, and hope to vulnerable children and families. Everyone is invited to come break their fast, give generously, and experience the spirit of Ramadan through unity, remembrance, and service. Entry will not be permitted after doors close at 6:30 pm. Visit events.islamicreliefcanada. org for tickets.

Speaking with youth about cyberbullying

Community Legal Information is hosting a free, online workshop in French: How to Have an Honest Conversation with Youth. The workshop will run on March 6 from 12–1:30 pm via Zoom. The aim is to help French-speaking adults have supportive talks with youth about cyberbullying. Participants will learn how to have helpful conversations about cyberbullying, support youth in staying safe online, and respond when cyberbullying happens. Topics include peer-to-peer cyber violence, online luring, and sextortion.

Attendees will hear about youth experiences, PEI trends, and local supports.

Visit legalinfopei.ca/events to register.

Service Canada info sessions Mark Greenan from Service Canada will provide answers to general questions related to Service Canada’s programs and services at the Summerside Library on March 9 at 2 pm. Join Service Canada for an overview of the Canada Disability Benefit and the Canada Dental Care Plan at the Charlottetown Library on March 17 at 1 pm.

Order of PEI nominations

Nominations are open for the 2026 Order of PEI, the province’s highest honour, awarded annually to up to three Islanders who have made remarkable

contributions to the social, economic, or cultural life of PEI. Nominees should demonstrate excellence or outstanding leadership in their community or chosen profession. Nominations are accepted in English or French. The submission deadline is 4 pm on March 18. Nomination forms are available at orderpei.ca.

Completed nominations may be emailed (orderpei@assembly.pe.ca) or mailed to Secretary to the Advisory Council, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8.

Commonwealth Day

The Royal Commonwealth Society of PEI invites the public to celebrate the 2026 Commonwealth Day at the Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown on March 9 at 7 pm. The event will include the Commonwealth Day message from His Majesty King Charles III, read by the Honourable Dr. Wassim Salamoun, Lieutenant Governor of PEI. The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries spread throughout the world. The names of the 56 Commonwealth Nations will be read as their flags are presented

by Sea, Army, Air, and Navy League Cadets. Music will be provided by the PEI Regiment Band and the Singing Strings. Admission is free, but a free will offering is appreciated. Light refreshments will follow.

Seniors Cafés

Charlottetown Seniors Cafés run on the third Thursday of each month at 1 pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. The March 19 session welcomes the Arthritis Society Canada, which will offer tips and tricks for living with arthritis. Snacks and refreshments are provided.

AI info session

Jordan Rose, co-founder of Tracktile, will lead an information session on AI (artificial intelligence) at the Charlottetown Library on March 19 at 1 pm. Learn the pros and cons of using AI and what it can be used for.

Confederation Centre seeking summer housing

The Confederation Centre of the Arts (CCOA) is seeking summer housing for artists involved in the 2026 Charlottetown Festival. The Centre assists seasonal artists with their housing search by assembling a list of options from the community. Artists will then connect with a host directly to book, arrange payment, and coordinate details.

Individual rooms with shared washroom spaces are acceptable. Artists coming to the Island this summer need accommodations between mid-May and late September. The dates and lengths of their stays vary. Hosts with any availability are encouraged to reach out. All types of accommodations are welcome.

Places in Charlottetown are preferred, but hosts in other communities may also submit. Providing accommodations for incoming artists is vital to the success of the Charlottetown Festival, and hosts will receive a few perks for making their rental space available. CCOA asks the community to share this call with friends, family, and co-workers to help spread the word. To submit an accommodation, visit confederationcentre.com/housing or email housing@confederationcentre.com.

Homeschooler Hour

Homeschool families with kids aged 6–12 can explore science, technology, and art while connecting with other homeschooling families at the Homeschooler Hour on March 10 at 2 pm at the Summerside Library. This month’s activity mimics water filtration.

Financial Empowerment Program

Family Service PEI is offering a Financial Empowerment program to Islanders, in addition to mental health and therapeutic services. This program offers free, confidential, and non-judgmental support to help individuals take control of their financial well-being. The program can help with debt strategies, reducing stress, and building financial confidence. It is for Islanders with low to moderate incomes, families, seniors, and anyone looking to improve their financial well-being. Call 902-892-2441 or email fe@familyservice.pe.ca to book an in-person or virtual appointment. Family Service PEI has offices in Charlottetown (155 Belvedere Ave) and Summerside (109 Water St).

GEBIS monastery tours

The Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) is offering weekly monastery tours from 2–4 pm on Sundays in March at 2741 Heatherdale Rd, Montague. The tours are designed to give Islanders who are curious about the monastery a chance to step inside and learn firsthand about the monastics, their lives, and their daily routines.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet with monastics and ask questions.

Registration is required at docs.google. com/forms. Info: outreach@gebis.org

Puzzle Swap

A puzzle swap will be held at the Summerside Library on March 1 at 2 pm.

Attendees can bring puzzles they are looking to part with and swap with other puzzle enthusiasts.

La Leche League PEI: Lunch and Learn

La Leche League PEI is holding a free drop-in Lunch and Learn program on March 10 at 12 noon at Gentle Beginnings Prenatal Centre, 17B Alley St, Charlottetown. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding support and information will be given by Chris Ortenburger with the help of Andrea and Nasim. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Visit gentlebeginnings.ca/events to register.

PEI Sociable Singles

PEI Sociable Singles is a social group for members aged 50 and over. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 7 pm at the Hillsborough Community Centre in Charlottetown. This is not a dating group—just friends getting together for meals, dances, outings, screenings, and games. If interested in attending a Tuesday meet-and-greet, drop in or email sociable_singles@yahoo.com.

PEI Autistic Adults

PEI Autistic Adults is an online and in-person peer-support group for autistic adults and seniors on PEI to talk about autism, share experiences of navigating PEI as autistic adults, and support each other. The website, peiautisticadults. com, has a public blog where members can share their views, a private discussion forum, private chat functionality, and links to their social media. PEI Autistic Adults was started by an autistic senior and currently has over 190 members ranging from students to seniors.

Those who wish to participate in meetings but do not wish to interact online can email peiautisticadults@gmail.com.

PEI Autistic Adults is not affiliated with any organization.

Lymphedema education and support

The Lymphedema Education and Support Group meets bi-monthly in Kensington at 25A Garden Dr. The next meeting is on April 11 at 2 pm.

Bi-monthly meetings also take place in Charlottetown at Beaconsfield Carriage House, 2 Kent St. The next Charlottetown meeting is on May 13 at 4:15 pm.

Facilitated by Rose Goulet, these meetings are open to anyone interested in preventing lymphedema or living with it.

Follow on FB for updates. Info: rlygoulet@yahoo.ca, 902-940-6780

Free playgroups at Chances

Chances is offering free playgroups on weekdays for children ages 0–6 in Charlottetown, Cornwall, and Stratford.

Caregivers and their children can join Chances staff for activities, sensory experiences, and play while building a sense of connectedness and community.

Registration is required. Info/register: chancesfamily.ca or follow on FB.

Teen leadership

Teens interested in developing leadership skills and helping their community can join the volunteer and leadership program at the Charlottetown Library on Thursdays from 3–6 pm. Participants can drop in to work on a volunteer project from start to finish while making a meaningful impact in the community.

Brain Injury Association of PEI support

The Brain Injury Association of PEI meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in Suite 101 at Canada House, 293 Allen St, Charlottetown. Contact Jo-Ann McInnis at jmmcinnis65@gmail.com for more info.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 29

Children’s Miracle Network

March activities

PEI’s Ellis Ferrish selected as 2026 Champion for IWK

Tiny home fundraiser In support of building a safe, recovery-oriented community Sparrow Landing Tiny Homes (SLTH), a volunteer-led nonprofit organization, is hosting a fundraiser on March 27 at the Murchison Centre, 17 St. Pius X Ave, Charlottetown. SLTH believes healing begins with home and is working to create a safe, recovery-oriented

tiny home community where individuals in transition can rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

Funds raised will support the development of this community for individuals in recovery from addiction and mental health challenges, providing not only shelter but a foundation for long-term transformation.

SLTH hopes to raise funds to support the project and help cover the cost of the fundraising event. Sponsorship opportunities are available and recognition can be tailored to suit each organization. Learn more or contribute at sparrowlandingtinyhomes.com.

in

playland

Visit www.owlshollow.com to see Playland events including our BLAST OFF! space-themed ultimate playdate with Owls Hollow & The Nest!

SUBMITTED

Ten-year-old Ellis Ferrish of PEI is the 2026 Children’s Miracle Network® Champion for the IWK. The Children’s Miracle Network® Champion program brings together patients representing children’s hospital foundations across Canada and the United States.

Throughout 2026, as Champion, Ellis will represent children and youth who receive specialized treatment and care at the IWK. She will share her story to support and inspire fundraising campaigns and events in the Maritimes.

Ellis was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy known Ellis Ferrish, 2026 Children’s Miracle Network as RYR-1 Myopathy, which can Champion for the IWK present a wide range of symptoms, such as muscle weakness, muscle take on her new role as Champion. cramping, and pain. Ellis has been Ellis and her family will attend receiving specialized care at the IWK Elevate (formerly Children’s Hospitals since she was a newborn, including Week) this spring with other chambody casts, surgeries, and complex pions and their families from across spinal procedures.

North America who know first-hand While there is no cure, RYR-1 the importance of having access to critMyopathy is not life-threatening. ical and specialized pediatric care.

Thanks to the world-class care To learn more about Ellis, watch provided by the IWK, Ellis is a positive the video at iwkfoundation.org/ and outgoing ten-year-old excited to meet-our-heroes/ellis.

toys - games puzzles - plush - books yarn - diy - baby gear & fun!

Locally-owned family toy store 95 Capital Drive, Charlottetown, PEI www.owlshollow.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 | 10AM to 1PM

HUGE ANNUAL INDOOR

YARD

SALE

PROCEEDS TO ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMMING

ACCEPTING DONATIONS of gently used items (in good condition): household goods, books, sports equipment, toys, plants, music, jewellery, tools, glassware, etc. (no clothing, TVs, or computers please)

DROP OFF DAYS

Sat. Sat. Wed.

AT 130 QUEEN STREET

March 1 to 31, 2026 More than 30 events across PEI !

FULL PROGRAM : FEDERATIONCULTURELLE.CA

Mar. 21 9AM to 2PM Mar. 28 10AM to 5PM Apr. 8 12PM to 7PM

scan for info

BOX OFFICE ENTRANCE

confederationcentre.com/pinchpenny

Page 30 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

COMMUNITY #2 PEI Friendly Visitor Program

The PEI Friendly Visitor Program is seeking senior volunteers to match with seniors in need of a friend for weekly one-hour social visits. Being a senior is not always easy, and having someone to talk to can make all the difference.

This program is administered by the PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation. Info: peifvp@ gmail.com, 902-368-9008

EAL conversation circles

The Immigrant & Refugee Services Association of PEI offers EAL conversation circles for adults at the Summerside Library on Tuesdays at 6 pm and Saturdays at 10:30 am, and at the Charlottetown Library on Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 10 am. Adults looking to improve their English skills are welcome to join for informal conversation. No registration required.

ADHD monthly meeting

A monthly discussion for those interested in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is held at the Charlottetown Library. The next meeting is March 18 at 7 pm. This supportive space allows peers to share experiences, seek advice, and connect with others who understand the challenges of living with ADHD.

Library for All

The PEI Association for Community Living invites adults and youth with intellectual disabilities (and their caregivers) to Library for All, a monthly program at the Charlottetown Library.

This month, participants will create arts and crafts using marshmallow peeps on March 28 at 11 am.

Brilliant Labs March Break

Brilliant Labs will host a four-day camp March 16–20 at 10:30 am at the Charlottetown Library. Kids aged 9–12 will learn all about AI and robotics.

Registration is required, as space is limited.

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program offers free tax clinics in March and April for individuals with a modest income and a simple tax situation. At the Charlottetown Library (97 Queen St.), a drop-off clinic runs Wednesdays from 6:30–8 pm, where individuals can complete the necessary forms and leave their tax information with volunteers.

An in-person clinic is also available Saturdays from 12:30–4 pm, with volunteers completing returns on site. At the Summerside Library (57 Central St.), drop-off service is available March 1– April 25 during open hours. Volunteers will prepare income tax returns for eligible individuals. For more information,

call the Summerside Library circulation desk at 902-436-7323. Volunteers are also needed to assist newcomers, seniors, Indigenous community members, and others in accessing the benefits and credits they qualify for. To volunteer, visit canada.ca/taxes-volunteer.

Teen March Break

Teens and their friends can drop in to the Charlottetown Library March 16–20 from 2–4 pm for activities including cooking, crafts, and tech.

Moo Let’s Talk Day

The Canadian Mental Health Association PEI Division (CMHA PEI) and COWS Inc. have announced the 9th annual Moo Let’s Talk Day, to be held on March 6 from 11 am–8 pm. The general public is invited to visit participating COWS locations at 150 Queen St. in Charlottetown and the COWS Creamery at 12 Milky Way Blvd. On March 6, 100 per cent of ice cream sales will be donated to CMHA PEI’s programs and services. Throughout the day, CMHA PEI staff will be at both locations to distribute information on their programs and services and mental health supports on PEI. To donate to the organization, visit pei.cmha.ca or call the CMHA PEI Division Office at 902-566-3034.

Seniors Navigator

The Seniors Navigator will be at the Charlottetown Library on March 11 and 25 from 9:30 am–3:30 pm for drop-in assistance. The program helps seniors access services and programs offered by community organizations and all levels of government more efficiently.

Confed Centre seeking volunteers

The Confederation Centre of the Arts is seeking volunteers to support upcoming youth workshops, creative camp sessions, and Art Gallery programming.

Volunteers will assist with camper participation during workshops by role-modeling positive behaviour through games, colouring, conversation, and exercises; ensuring campers listen to instructions; and encouraging respect for physical boundaries. They will also help maintain a supportive and welcoming environment by distributing supplies, assisting instructors with setup and studio clean-up, and supporting respectful tours of the Gallery. Support is also needed during transition times. Volunteers will help campers stay together while traveling within the building and may also accompany campers who need to step away from the group, including escorting them to the washroom or supporting breaks in quiet spaces.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to receive mentorship from experienced instructors and learn how to lesson plan,

structure workshops, and teach in order to lead games, crafts, and group activities. Volunteers must be 15 years of age or older. Those over 18 are required to provide a Vulnerable Sector Clearance.

Email amullen@confederationcentre.com for more information and to sign up.

Seniors grants available

Two provincial grant programs are now accepting applications from organizations and community groups that support Island seniors. The Seniors’ Secretariat Grant provides funding to community-based organizations for projects that are designed to improve the lives of Island seniors. These projects must align with the priorities of the PEI Seniors’ Secretariat. The Seniors Community Meal Grant supports community-based organizations to provide free communal meals for PEI seniors.

For both grant programs, organizations can apply for up to $5,000 per project.

Eligible applicants include clubs and organizations that serve seniors and/or Indigenous elders, non-profit organizations, community-based coalitions and networks, and municipal governments.

Applications for both grants will be accepted until March 9. For more information and to apply to the programs, visit the Seniors’ Secretariat Grant and Seniors Community Meal Grant pages at princeedwardisland.ca.

Free WCB certificate courses

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) continues to expand its free online learning options with the launch of three additional online certificate courses designed for PEI workers and employers.

The new courses are available anytime, anywhere through the WCB website.

The three new courses are Employer Incident Investigations, OHS Essentials, and Psychological Health and Safety.

All online certificate courses are selfpaced and tailored to PEI workplaces, with content aligned to PEI legislation.

Participants receive a WCB completion certificate once they finish a course.

Courses can be taken as standalone learning opportunities or incorporated into a worker’s onboarding, a joint health and safety committee plan, or a broader workplace safety program. In addition to online certificate courses, the WCB offers free in-person as well as pre-recorded webinars on a variety of topics.

Workers and employers can also request free workplace workshops, delivered by WCB team members. The WCB also hosts an annual Workplace Health and Safety Conference featuring a range of workshops and learning sessions. Visit wcb. pe.ca to access the online courses.

Pharmacy Plus PEI expands

Islanders now have access to testing and treatment for strep throat at participating community pharmacies across the province. The Pharmacy Plus PEI program was recently expanded to include strep throat testing and treatment as part of sore throat assessments. Since not all sore throats are strep, a pharmacist will assess symptoms to determine whether testing is required. The Pharmacy Plus PEI

program makes it easier for Islanders to get care by offering renewals for eligible prescriptions and treatment for 35 common ailments and conditions at participating community pharmacies across the province. Islanders are encouraged to connect with their local pharmacy to learn how to access the services available through the program. Visit pharmacypluspei.princeedwardisland.ca for more information and a complete listing of participating community pharmacies.

Stars for Life new program space

Stars for Life Foundation recently celebrated the official launch of its new and expanded program space and a new chapter in the organization’s growth.

Stars for Life is a PEI–based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adults on the autism spectrum. Stars for Life empowers individuals to build independence, confidence, and connection. Stars for Life’s new location was developed in response to increasing demand for services and the need for a more accessible, appropriately designed environment for programming. The expanded space will allow the organization to enhance and grow its offerings, including life skills and employment readiness programming; recreation and community engagement opportunities; sensory-friendly spaces and individualized support areas; and expanded capacity to welcome more participants. The new facility provides room for Stars for Life to better meet the needs of individuals transitioning out of the school system and into adulthood, a stage where supports are often limited yet critically needed. While the opening of the new space marks a major milestone, Stars for Life’s capital campaign continues as the organization works to fully complete and furnish the facility, expand programming areas, and ensure long-term sustainability. Those interested in supporting Stars for Life’s new home through donations, sponsorship, or community partnership are encouraged to donate online (canadahelps.org/en/charities/stars-for-lifeinc) or contact the organization directly.

Follow Stars for Life on Facebook for updates. Info: starsforlife.com.

PEI Group Meditation

PEI Group Meditation will take place March 16 from 7–8 pm in the Multipurpose Room at Simmons Sports Arena, 170 North River Rd, Charlottetown. The guided session is open to all experience levels and will be led by Susana Rutherford and Michael Gaudet, experienced mindfulness educators with backgrounds in mental health care. Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring cushions or blankets for floor seating; chairs will be available. The gathering aims to create an inclusive space where secular, spiritual, and religious meditators can practice together and build community. For more information, including confirmation of location or accessibility needs, contact Susana Rutherford at firehorsestudios66@gmail.com or Michael Gaudet at michaelgaudet53@gmail.com, and follow @PEI Group Meditation Event on FB.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 31

Polar Pride Fest PHOTOS: JAKE ARSENAULT

Returning to Charlottetown for second year—Mar 12 to 16

Polar Pride, presented by Pride PEI, returns for its second year March 12–16 with four days of community events in the Charlottetown area.

Polar Pride Fest ‘26 features more than 15 events filled with Pride fun.

Get cozy at PJ’s, Pints & Pizza at the Oak Downtown, roast marshmallows and fill a bingo card at the Pride Night Market at Founders Food Hall, or enjoy the outdoors with a Lunch

and Nature Walk at Confederation Landing Park.

This year’s festival includes a mix of new and returning favourites, from workshops and karaoke to a film screening, the Polar Pride After Dark dance, role-playing games, and more.

For the full schedule, registration links and updates, visit pridepei.ca/ polar-pride-fest-26-schedule and follow @pridepei.

St. Patrick’s Ceilidh

entertain with music, song, and dance.

Instrumental fiddle tunes by Flora MacLaine provide another aspect of Celtic music tradition.

Vocalist Bridget Patterson will perform her rendition of “The Shamrock and the Maple Leaf,” written by PEI’s William Edgar Enman.

Step dancers Grace Sulis-Chaisson and Liliana Bradley will present traditional Irish dance.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. The venue, located at 582 North River Road, Charlottetown, is wheelchair-accessible. Tickets (adult, BIS member, and child pricing available) may be purchased in advance online at Locarious. io or with cash at the door, subject to availability. There will be a 50/50 draw and light refreshments at intermission.

Everyone is welcome.

This ceilidh is included in the BIS-led first annual Island-wide Irish Festival. For the full schedule of PEI Irish Festival events, visit benevolentirishsocietyofpei.com.

Benevolent Irish Society annual event—Mar 13 The public is invited to the annual St. Patrick’s Ceilidh at the Benevolent Irish Society’s Irish Cultural Centre on March 13 at 7:30 pm.

This family-friendly, authentic Irish ceilidh features comedy, Celtic music, fiddle tunes, song, and dance.

Ceilidh emcee Laurie Murphy will pepper her artist introductions and Irish trivia with a Celtic perspective.

Murphy has been a BIS member for years and has participated in a variety of shows at the Centre.

Laura, Jim, and Paddy Farrell— members of Guinness, the traditional Celtic music band based in PEI—will

Page 32 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

A Night with Chris Nilan Fundraiser in support of The Equality Project “A Night with Chris ‘Knuckles’ Nilan,” a fundraising dinner in support of The Equality Project, will take place on June 26 at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. The event will begin with a reception at 6 pm followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, a silent auction, and a special guest appearance by former NHL enforcer and Montreal Canadiens ambassador Chris Nilan.

Nilan, known for his fearless style of play during a 13-year NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers, will share stories from his time in professional hockey, as well as insights on resilience, perseverance, and giving back. Today, Nilan serves

Executive functioning Free workshop by ADHD PEI, UPEI, and LDAPEI A free workshop, Empower & Enhance: Practical Strategies to Improve Task Initiation Skills, will be held at 6:30 pm on April 23 at UPEI’s Don and Marian MacDougal Hall, Room 242. Attendees should arrive by 6 pm.

Led by ADHD PEI, UPEI, and LDAPEI, the series is a free program designed to help participants develop executive functioning skills by understanding the science behind them and building practical strategies and tools.

The event includes a presentation, discussion, and workshop. Snacks, giveaways, and tools to take home will be provided.

as an ambassador for the Montreal Canadiens and the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation for Mental Health.

The Equality Project Inc. is a community-based nonprofit providing advocacy, shelter, programming, and direct support for Islanders facing hardship. Proceeds from the event will support ongoing efforts to develop and expand community outreach services.

Organizers expect approximately 350 attendees. Businesses and individuals can support the event through sponsorships and silent auction donations; email equalityprojectpei@gmail. com to inquire.

The Equality Project is dedicated to reducing barriers and strengthening communities through inclusive programming, housing initiatives, and support services, working collaboratively with schools, community partners, and volunteers to ensure opportunities are accessible to those who need them most.

To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/ Equalityproject.

The event is open to anyone 18+.

The primary audience includes individuals struggling with executive functioning, parents or guardians of children struggling with executive functioning, educators, guidance counsellors, support workers, students, and anyone interested in learning more. Attendance at previous sessions is not required.

There is reimbursement available for travel (30 km+ from UPEI) and babysitting costs to help reduce barriers. Attendees will be invited to participate in a research study; data will be collected only from those who volunteer. No PEI-specific research on executive functioning currently exists.

To register, visit eftaskinitation. eventbrite.ca, email ef@ldapei.ca, or call 902-894-5032.

Sessions are led by Terri Jackson (UPEI), Cindy LaPeña (LDAPEI), and Chantal LaVoie (ADHD PEI). The series began in September 2025 and continues until June 2027.

Visit ldapei.ca for more information.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 33

The Cove Journal by JoDee Samuelson

Sleigh ride

GAMES Scrabble Club

The Charlottetown Scrabble Club meets weekly on Tuesdays from 5–8 pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre.

Scoresheets, strategy tips, and cheat sheets are provided. All skill levels are welcome, and it is free to attend, with prizes and snacks.

Charlottetown Duplicate Bridge Club

I don’t know anyone in the Cove who travels in winter by horse and sleigh, but at one time this was the only way to get around. If a family needed supplies from town or perhaps had some product to sell (potatoes, carrots, hay, straw, oats), they harnessed one or two horses to a sleigh (homemade box on runners) and headed across the fields to the nearest frozen river and from thence to town following a trail of small bushes frozen into the ice to indicate safe passage.

In town the horses could relax and dine on hay and oats in a livery stable while the country folk went about their business, until the whole trip was repeated in reverse with the goal of getting home before dark.

Our recent community sleigh ride at Potts’s Sleigh Rides in Bonshaw was a taste of those days, except that we were being pulled through the woods—full moon rising, long blue shadows, two huge Percherons tossing their heads— just for the fun of it. We sat shoulder to shoulder on the box sleigh, warm rugs over our legs, quiet at first, almost whispering, until the little ones up front timidly started singing “Jingle Bells” and we all joined in. Then we fell silent again, lost in the beauty of forest and sky.

Afterwards we drank hot chocolate in the chalet and laughed and congratulated ourselves and agreed that we must do this again next year.

The Potts family has been giving Islanders this magical experience for over fifty years. Sometimes a lack of snow cuts the season short but this year is perfect. Thank you Noel, Elaine, Andrew, drivers and assistants.

We country folk try to make the most of winter. Snowmobile tracks across snow-covered potato fields turn into

cross-country ski trails, and frozen ponds at the bottom of rolling hills come alive with future Olympic hockey stars. Women’s Institutes hold their monthly meetings in living rooms, and “To God be the Glory” and other old hymns come pouring out of small rural churches almost every Sunday.

We’re busy, but we also take time to stop and regroup. Learn new things.

Take classes. Read. A friend loaned me The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan. Tan is more than a novelist, she’s an amazing artist, and this book is full of her detailed pencil drawings of birds, plus all sorts of things I didn’t know. For example: hummingbirds have extra-long tongues! They don’t suck nectar through their long beaks (like a straw which is what I somehow imagined), no, they dart their barbed tongues into flowers 15 to 20 times a second to extract the liquid. Why did I not know that birds have tongues?

The Charlottetown Duplicate Bridge Club promotes duplicate bridge for all ages, particularly encouraging seniors to engage in the social game. The club meets at the Irish Cultural Centre in Charlottetown on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons year-round. From September to June, instruction and coaching for novice players are offered in a non-competitive learning environment on Tuesday mornings. Everyone is welcome. Info: charlottetownbridge.ca

Speed puzzling tournament

A speed puzzling tournament sponsored

by Ravensburger will be held at the Charlottetown Library on March 7 from 10 am–12 noon. For individuals aged 16 and older who are puzzle pros or just love a good challenge, this is a chance to compete for glory, prizes, and the Golden Puzzle Piece Trophy. Call 902-368-4642 or visit the library to register a team of four.

All teams will receive the same puzzle, and race to see which team can finish it first. Space is limited.

Crokinole

Drop in to play crokinole on March 11 and 25 at 2 pm at the Summerside Rotary Library.

Running Roleplaying Games for Everyone

You really can learn something every day.

APRIL BUZZ DEADLINE

Monday, March 16

St. Patrick’s Day Bingo

Teens can test their luck for a chance to win a prize with St. Patrick’s Daythemed bingo at the Summerside Library on March 17 at 2 pm.

Escape the Museum

From March 14–22, kids can drop in to the Summerside Library to get a museum passport and “escape from the museum.” The museum has been hit by lightning, and the exhibits have come to life. Visit all six exhibits to fix the problems.

Board Game Café

Bring family and friends to the Summerside Library on March 23 at 6:30 pm for an evening of board games. Bring your own or play one from the library’s collection.

PEERS Alliance Tabletop Roleplaying Games

PEERS Alliance facilitates a weekly tabletop roleplaying game program for kids aged 12 and older at the Charlottetown Library on Thursdays at 6 pm until March 26. The games are beginner-friendly and queer- and trans-inclusive. Advance sign-up is required. To register, visit bit.ly/2026LibraryTTRPG. Info: kels@peersalliance.ca

Lucky Leprechaun

For the month of March, teens can try to find the elusive Summerside Library leprechaun, Lucky, who likes to hide upstairs at the library. Find him and bring him to the desk for a prize.

AFL Sundays at Village Green Brewery

What did I learn on the sleigh ride?

I learned that so-and-so had a hip replacement; that a neighbour boy has grown up and become a chiropractor; that cardinals like to eat raisins; and, well, lots of other things.

Go on a sleigh ride! Breathe in that rich steamy horsey smell. Snuggle up against a loved one. Exchange dreams.

You’ll learn stuff, and it will refresh your winter soul.

participants return on Sunday to put those skills into practice by running a short game. For the past nineteen years, Avery has been designing games that explore the intersections of queer identity, relationships, community, precarity, and the end of the world. Her work includes The Quiet Year, Monsterhearts, Dream Askew, Ribbon Drive, and Going For Broke. Pre-registration is required by filling out the form at forms.gle/ Q2GQkEKjwtjePD4K7. Attendees will be provided the location.

Drop in to Village Green Brewery on Sundays at 4 pm for Aussie Rules Football (AFL). Catch the Sydney Swans and learn about the Atlantic AFL League.

30 Church St, Cornwall.

Roleplaying Game designer Avery Alder Want to learn how to run your own tabletop roleplaying games? On March 14 from 10 am–4 pm and March 15 from 3–7 pm, join award-winning indie tabletop role-playing game designer Avery Alder and PEERS Alliance for a two-session weekend workshop that will build the skills needed: hosting small groups, teaching new mechanics, running interesting and dynamic games, introducing safety mechanics, catering to access needs, and getting the most out of prep time. After a Saturday of skill-building,

Eptek Scavenger Hunt

Visitors of all ages are invited to test their skills in Eptek Art & Culture Centre’s scavenger hunt. Try to find all 20 images.

130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.

Trivia

A variety of trivia events are hosted at various establishments across the Island each week. Gather a team and test out your trivia knowledge.

What is the name of the pinball game at Arnold’s Drive-In in the TV show Happy Days? (answer on page 36)

Page 34 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Tourism Job Fairs PEI’s tourism industry is hiring for 2026 season This March, the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI) is bringing Islanders and tourism businesses together through its annual Tourism Job Fairs and Islandwide Rural Hiring Day. With more than 700 positions available, these events are designed to connect people with opportunities and help employers build their teams for the summer season and beyond.

The hiring events begin in Charlottetown on March 1 at the Eastlink Centre, followed by a North Shore job fair on March 7.

Job seekers will have the chance to meet employers face-to-face, ask questions, and explore roles in accommodations, food and beverage, attractions, golf, outdoor experiences, and more.

Résumés are encouraged, but curiosity is just as important.

Home Show / Outdoor Show Returning to Eastlink Centre— Mar 6 to 8

Later in the month, Tourism Hiring Day on March 28 takes a different approach. Instead of gathering in one location, participating businesses stay open at their own workplaces while job seekers visit them directly. It’s a more personal way to connect, offering a true look at the job and the people behind it.

Tourism employment spans all stages of life. Students, career changers, newcomers, and retirees will all find opportunities, from short-term and part-time roles to full-time, year-round careers that grow with experience.

Job seekers interested in attending a job fair or taking part in Rural Hiring Day and tourism businesses interested in participating as employers are encouraged to visit tiapei.ca for full details and registration information.

home project—upgrading a kitchen, refreshing décor, planning a major renovation, or building a dream home.

In addition, the PEI Outdoor Show will showcase RVs, powersports, watersports, and more.

The show is open March 6 from 12 noon–8 pm, March 7 from 9 am–6 pm, and March 8 from 10 am–4 pm.

Admission is free for ages 17 and under. A discounted advance admission

The PEI Provincial Home Show and PEI Outdoor Show returns March 6–8 at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown.

The public can explore the latest trends, products, and advice for every

Visit peihomeshow.mpetickets.com for tickets. Visit peihomeshow.ca for more information.

Chef Nation

Pancake breakfast

Chef Nation is held in the community kitchen at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on Tuesdays from 3–5 pm. Teens aged 13–18 are welcome to try crafts and activities, learn to cook, or just hang out.

Trinity United in Charlottetown will host a pancake breakfast on March 21 from 8:30–10:30 am. Sausages, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice will also be available. Admission is at the door (220 Richmond St).

for adults is available through March 5.

SERVING PEI SINCE 1981 masonry fireplace and chimney builds

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wood stoves and fireplace inserts

sweeps and WETT Inspections

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The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 35

NATURE

The Nature of PEI by Gary Schneider

Our glorious newt MELANIE MCCARTHY

Ugandan Wildlife: A Nature PEI Presentation

Red-spotted newt

Amphibians have always puzzled me.

I learned to think of them as similar to those cars that could travel on both land and water, which seems like a handy skill to have. The word amphibian comes from the Greek amphibios, which means “living a double life.”This refers to the reliance on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

We have ten amphibians native to Prince Edward Island. The problem is, some of them closely follow the rules, while others do not.

Our five frogs—wood, tree, green, leopard, pickerel—all lay their eggs in water. The eggs turn into tadpoles and then morph into terrestrial creatures.

All pretty standard, except that the tadpoles of green frogs take a second year to develop. This is why you see quite large tadpoles early in the year swimming with much smaller ones.

The American toad also falls in line, laying a long string of eggs in a variety of waterways that turn into tadpoles.

After a while these climb out onto dry land, where they live until they are ready to lay eggs in water.

So far so good. Our two “mole” salamanders (common ones with quite flattened heads) are the spotted salamander and the blue-spotted salamander. I’ve ranted about names before, but in no logical universe should a salamander with bright yellow spots be called “spotted salamander” while one with blue spots has that distinction added to its name. But at least they both lay clusters of eggs in water, these hatch into aquatic babies, which in turn crawl up onto the land.

Our last two amphibians are the troublemakers. Red-backed salamanders never go into the water. They lay eggs under rocks or decomposing wood. The egg itself represents the aquatic stage.

I remember looking at a cluster of eggs

under a microscope and seeing eyes looking back at me as the young salamanders moved in the jelly-like eggs.

Last, but certainly not least, is the red-spotted newt. It is an especially interesting species, both for its beautiful red-orange colour and also its quite unique life-cycle. For anywhere from two to seven years after emerging from water, this amphibian not only changes its habitat, but also its name. During this stage, it is known as an eft and can grow to about eight centimetres in length. Once it enters its aquatic stage, this newt loses its lovely colouration, becoming more green and grey and living in shallow, slow-moving waters.

Newts can lay between 80 and 450 eggs in the spring and can live up to 15 years. I have found efts in compost piles and moist straw bales, while the aquatic newts are relatively common in many Island waterways.

Many visitors to Macphail Woods have told me that they have never seen a newt. And that is understandable as we often avoid those damp, dark places where newts and efts are usually found. In general, we see lots of spotted salamanders and a few blue-spotted salamanders. But if we know where to look, we can find large amounts of red-backed salamanders just by turning over rotting logs in the woods, and also many red-spotted newts in shallow pools or nearby forests.

Just because we don’t commonly see a certain species doesn’t mean it isn’t around. The barred owl is just one example. And conversely, we may think a population is healthy because something is flashy and can be found in urban areas.

With red-spotted newts, we need to look a bit harder for these beautiful creatures, but I can assure you it will be worth your while.

“Birds, Gorillas and Nature Travel in Uganda,” rescheduled from December, will be featured in an illustrated presentation by Dr. Kathy Martin and Diane Griffin at Nature PEI’s meeting on March 3 at Assumption Parish Hall, 151 Stratford Road, Stratford. The meeting begins at 7:30 pm and includes sharing nature sightings, a raffle, and the presentation at 8 pm. Kathy and Diane travelled to the equatorial African country to see interesting wildlife and spend time with the Mountain Gorillas. They observed the interaction between people and wildlife, as well as the growing importance of nature travel to the local economy.

While there was excitement in spotting species such as the Cardinal Woodpecker, the Gray Parrot, and five species of Kingfishers, nothing compared to the family of gorillas they spent an hour with after trampling through the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Nature PEI meetings are free and all are welcome. The March and April meetings will be held at Assumption Hall while Beaconsfield Carriage House undergoes renovations.

It may not be possible for the meeting to be livestreamed, but a recording may be available at a later date. Info: naturepei. ca; @NaturePEI on FB

Ocean Discovery

Kids aged 6–12 can learn all about our oceans, the creatures who live there, and what we can do to protect them at the Charlottetown Library, 97 Queen St, on March 6 at 10 am.

Kate MacQuarrie’s PEI Untamed

Biologist Kate MacQuarrie invites the public to check out what’s going on at PEI Untamed, a nature education program and platform. The website, pei-untamed. com, features weekly posts on plants, fungi, and wildlife. PEI Untamed also offers in-person walks and talks. The 2026 schedule is available with new events being added as they are confirmed.

Page 36 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

TRIVIA Bogside Brewing

Tuesdays (6:30 pm). 11 Brook St, Montague.

Borden-Carleton Legion

Mar 14 (7 pm) with Fallon. 240 Main St, Borden-Carleton.. 240 Main St, Borden-Carleton.

PEI RECORDINGS ALBUMS Schoonertown The East Pointers

Churchill Arms

Saturdays (2 pm) with Wade Babineau.

Reserve by calling 902-367-3450. 89 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Copper Bottom Brewing

Taproom Trivia on Fridays (7 pm) with Dana Jones. 567 Main St, Montague.

SINGLES

The Factory

Entertainment Trivia Thursdays (7 pm) with Darcy Campbell. Fridays (8 pm) with Mark Cameron. Music Bingo on Saturdays (7 pm) with Darcy Campbell.

189 Kent St, Charlottetown.

FiN Folk Food

Tuesdays (6 pm) with Adam Ramsay. 106 Beach Road, Grand Tracadie.

Founders’ Food Hall & Market

Mar 28 (5 pm) with Darcy Campbell.

6 Prince St, Charlottetown.

Hopyard

Wednesdays (8 pm) with Hank. 151 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Hunter’s Ale House

Entertainment Trivia on Thursdays (9 pm) with Darcy Campbell; Name That Tune Trivia on Sundays (9 pm) with Andrew Rollins. 185 Kent St, Charlottetown.

The Local Pub and Oyster Bar

Fridays (7:30 pm) with Kirk MacKinnon.

202 Buchanan Dr, Charlottetown.

Lone Oak Brewing Co

March 7 & 13 (7 pm). 103 Abegweit Blvd, Borden-Carleton.

Montague Legion

Thursdays (7 pm) with the Catch the King of Clubs draw. 15 Douses Rd, Montague.

Olde Dublin

Hurricanes Trivia on Mondays (7:30 pm); Trivia & Tunes on Thursdays (7 pm) with Wade Babineau. 132 Sydney St, Charlottetown.

Tignish Legion

Irish Trivia on March 17. 221 Phillip St, Tignish

Village Green

Saturdays (7 pm) with Bryan Carver. 30 Church St, Cornwall.

Answer from page 33: Nip-It

struggle of being human.

Schoonertown was recorded at SpaceCamp Studios, Charron’s basement setup, with a focus on capturing the freewheeling spirit of an East Coast kitchen party while blending in contemporary production. The album was produced by the band and mixed by producer Derek Hoffman.

The East Pointers are currently on a 25+ date tour with Alan Doyle. They’ll wrap up the run of dates with their biggest hometown show on April 25 at Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. Full details at theeastpointers.com.

“Babas” On January 23, JUNO Awardwinning group The East Pointers (Tim Chaisson and Jake Charron) officially released their fourth studio album, Schoonertown, on Nettwerk.

Already celebrated internationally as musical trailblazers, The East Pointers have come home on their newest offering. Equal parts origin story and statement of craft, Schoonertown captures the moments that shaped their youth. It’s the devastation and exhilaration of growing up, set to music.

Continuing their long tradition of East Coast myth-making, Schoonertown is a natural evolution for the band. It is a jubilant and honest reckoning with heartbreak and victory, loss and return.

Still channeling Koady as a writing partner, Tim (fiddle, vocals, guitar) and Jake (keys, guitar, vocals) alchemise years of love, grief, travel, and friendship into an album of 12 new songs that captures heroic joy, sharp pain, courageous expansion, and a triumphant homecoming, all while preserving their signature ability to pack dance floors and celebrate the beautiful

Diana Delirio

heard—and where a beloved bar called Babas serves as an iconic meeting point in Charlottetown. That coincidence became part of the song’s soul: love, place, language, and humour colliding.

“Babas” was recorded at Crabbe Road Productions, and produced and mixed by Collin Buchanan. It features Maya Márquez on bass, Nicolás Romero on guitar, Mark Carr-Rollitt on bongos, and Matt Bridges on drums.

“Babas” follows a series of releases that have received strong recognition within the Canadian music industry, including “Azul” (nominated for the 2026 Music PEI Pop Release of the Year Award), “Felina” (nominated for the 2026 Music PEI Global Achievement of the Year Award), and “Junto a Mí” (nominated for the 2026 East Coast Music Global and Fusion Release of the Year Award). Together, “Babas” and these releases form Delirio, Diana Delirio’s debut album—a project rooted in emotional honesty, cultural contrast, playful intimacy, and groove.

“Rita” Caitlin Robinson

Diana Delirio has released the single “Babas,” a love song about the strange and beautiful moment of falling for someone. The lyrics play with the idea of a kiss—“qué belleza coincidir y que bebas mi baba,” which loosely translates to “how beautiful it is to meet and let you taste my kiss.” It’s romantic and slightly absurd at the same time, gently poking fun at how intimate gestures are actually a little weird when you think about them. It’s tender, playful, and honest.

The song was written on Prince Edward Island, where Spanish is rarely

Caitlin Robinson hopes her new single “Rita” will help raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. Released in honour of her late grandmother, also named Rita, the song came out on February 20—her grandmother’s birthday.

The song reflects Robinson’s mother’s experience caring for her own mother while she was living with Alzheimer’s disease. Lyrics explore the difficulty of losing someone due to the illness, how this disease takes everything, and how difficult it was to watch her mother navigate that journey.

Robinson plans to donate a portion of the song’s royalties to Alzheimer’s research.

The song is dedicated to her “Nana,” Rita.

Robinson is an emerging artist and a second-year vocal major at Holland College’s School of Performing Arts.

Based in PEI, she released her debut single in September 2025. Her style blends folk, indie, and singer-songwriter genres. Inspired by Adrianne Lenker and Phoebe Bridgers, she writes heartfelt, story-driven songs rooted in personal experience.

Follow @caitlinrobinsonmusic on Instagram or @caitlinarobinson on TikTok.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 37

Fascinating Ladies of Country

Talking from Experiences by Ashleigh Tremere

Laughing it off

Young at Heart Theatre celebrates iconic women of music

My biggest concern growing up was that people were not taking climate issues seriously enough.

Friends of mine had this joke that if something was annoying, “you just zone it out, like when Ashleigh talks about the environment.”

Now the existential and immediate threat list is staggering. Thanks, global communications—staying ultra-informed has been amazing! So you’re dang skippy I’m out here looking for ways to contribute, but also looking for something to laugh about.

Where else would one seek out a giggle or a groan but open mic stand-up comedy? Good glory, the brave amongst us—and they look just like regular people. But no, they are going about their days, at jobs they wish they didn’t have to work or in the coffee line thinking, “I can use this for my set.” Then they take the stage in the back of HopYard in Charlottetown every Tuesday and think: “Please laugh.” They’re really hoping you will, so they also called it that.

I rallied some friends who were willing to trade an hour of sleep in hopes that they could laugh their blood pressure back down and we caught a few sets.

HopYard is still open for anyone who may coincidentally show up, however, all but one table had come intentionally, and the attendance was decent.

Mind you, that one table was large and loud, so I missed a few jokes here and there, but also a few jokes missed me.

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Oh my, was I out again on a school night looking for a laugh? Yes, I certainly was! I don’t know about you, but it seems like there is less and less to be laughing about in the world. And 100 per cent, this ever-growing realization has to do with proximity and privilege.

Young at Heart Theatre presents: Fascinating Ladies of Country at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on April 12 at 2 pm.

This engaging musical revue celebrates the iconic women of country music, honouring the artists whose songs and stories helped shape both the genre and the broader movement toward women’s empowerment in music and beyond.

This show is a celebration of the artists who put feminism and women’s lib(L–R): Olivia Blacquiere, Haley Zavo, Stephanie Ross eration at the forefront, and made significant contributions to gender equality through music (902-566-3154, miltoncommunityand activism. This new musical revue hall@gmail.com); the Eastern Kings will feature songs from familiar artists Community Centre in Souris on like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynne and April 17 at 6:30 pm (902-357-2046); Tammy Wynette, Emmylou Harris, The the Seniors Active Living Centre in Chicks, Brandi Carlile, KD Lang, Anne Charlottetown on April 18 at 2 pm Murray, Shania Twain and more.

(902 628-8388); Kings Playhouse in Fascinating Ladies of Country is Georgetown on April 19 at 2 pm written, compiled and directed by (1-888-346-5666, kingsplayhouse.com); Catherine O’Brien, with musical the Cornwall 50 +Club in Cornwall arrangements and musical direction on April 22 at 2 pm (902-393-2531);

by Brielle Ansems, and features Island Souris Show Hall in Souris on April artists Olivia Blacquere, Stephanie Ross 25 at 7 pm (sourisshowhallfoundaand Haley Zavo. tion@gmail.com); the St. Peters Circle The Harbourfront performance will Club in St. Peters on April 26 at 2 pm be offered as Pay What You Will, this (camcgrath21@gmail.com); and The model supports barrier-free entry to Arts Guild in Charlottetown on May 2 the arts as well as offering patrons to at 7:30 pm, with guest Bonnie LeClair take a chance on a performance they (theguildpei.com) may not be familiar with and may not Contact the venues directly for have gone to see otherwise. At the ticket information. For Harbourfront end of the show, patrons are invited to tickets, visit harbourfronttheatre.com decide how much they would like to or call 1-800 708-6505. For more inforcontribute. mation, visit yahtheatre.com.

Young at Heart Theatre will also present Fascinating Ladies of Country at venues Island-wide this spring, including: the Benevolent Irish Society in Charlottetown on April 4 at 2:30 pm (benevolentirishsocietyofpei. com); Milton Community Hall in North Milton on April 11 at 6:30 pm

Comedian Rachel Matheson

That’s the point of an open mic, right?

You perform to see what a crowd picks up on. One of the co-hosts, Jessie, learned real quick that the East Coast folks love their Newfoundlanders. I even got to heckle for that one.

I perform poetry in front of crowds, but I still can’t imagine trying to be funny on cue—that is brutal stuff! Just like I didn’t find younger Ashleigh’s friends’ environment joke funny, not every joke is made for you—probably particularly if it’s about you. That’s also the risk you take being an audience member in a comedy crowd, you just might become part of the act. A couple folks found themselves in that situation too. How fun for them!

I’m learning that our Island has quite the growing collection of comedians, and a surprisingly good range of representation amongst them. I dig it. At the end of the evening, one comedian does a longer set to see us out, and just like the food at HopYard, Rachel Matheson did not disappoint. Watching the crowd, I could tell a few of them may be considering sets for next Tuesday too. Maybe you want to test your timing as well?

APRIL BUZZ DEADLINE

Monday, March 16

Have a renting question?

We can help.

902-940-5368

renting@legalinfopei.ca Legal information for tenants & landlords.

Page 38 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble Contemporary Music Fest Live monthly big band music at Dalí Café

and Island spirit to the stage. A local favourite built on decades of rhythm, improvisation, and community.

Since its formation 30 years ago, the Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble has aimed to present a balance of classic and contemporary jazz. Directed by Doug Millington, one of four original members still with the group, the band performs classic big band music by legends like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller, as well as arrangements by big band masters like Bob Mintzer. Their repertoire also includes music from favourite TV shows, movies, and video games.

Admission is free, and donations are welcome.

Follow @charlottetownjazz on Facebook for updates.

READY TO QUIT?

The PEI Smoking Cessation Program covers 100% of the costs of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products or prescription cessation medications.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY! Contact your local pharmacy or primary care to schedule your appointment.

PrinceEdwardIsland.ca/QuitSmoking This ad is paid for by the government of Prince Edward Island

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The Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble is presenting a new monthly series of shows on the first Friday of every month from 6–7:30 pm at the Salvador Dali Café in Charlottetown. The next concerts are March 6 and April 3.

Formed in 1996, the Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble is celebrating its 30th anniversary this season. The big band features Island musicians with a range of backgrounds—from gifted students to seasoned professionals. For 30 years, the band has presented an eclectic mix of traditional standards and contemporary jazz.

With full horn sections—five trumpets, four trombones, and five saxes, plus the rhythm section—the ensemble brings timeless jazz, tight musicianship, solos by some of PEI’s best improvisers,

The UPEI Department of Music is hosting its first Contemporary Music Festival, which will take place on campus from March 6–13, on the SDU Stage at Steel Recital Hall and the Performing Arts Centre Theatre.

The festival will feature UPEI Music faculty in performance as well as several guest artists, including pianist Megaria Halim, Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen, experimental jazz trio Forgalhorn, and internationally renowned French contemporary music ensemble Proxima Centauri. Performances will introduce multiple world premieres, including a commissioned work for saxophones composed by JUNO Award-nominated composer Amy Brandon. Brandon, who grew up on PEI, will give a public talk on her work; masterclasses, workshops, and talks will also be offered by Cris Derksen and members of Proxima Centauri.

The festival schedule includes Megaria Halim performing on piano in Archipelagic Voices: Contemporary Music

by Southeast Asian Composers on March 6 at 7:30 pm.

On March 7, a workshop and talk with Amy Brandon will run from 2–4 pm. The UPEI Music Faculty in Bleakness and Beauty, featuring the music of Amy Brandon, will take place at 7:30 pm, followed by Forgalhorn, an experimental jazz trio, at the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) at 9 pm.

Composer Amy Brandon

On March 11, a masterclass with Proxima Centauri will run from 12:30–2:30 pm.

On March 12, there will be a performance and talk with Cris Derksen at PAC from 1–2:30 pm, and NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: Proxima Centauri in Mouvements will begin at 7:30 pm.

On March 13, UPEI students in recital, featuring music composed after 1950, will begin at 12:40 pm.

All-event passes, individual tickets and Saturday 2-concert passes are all available with adult, senior and student pricing. Admission is free for UPEI students. Workshops, masterclasses, talks, and the student recital are free to attend. For details and tickets, visit upei.ca/events/2026/03/ upei-contemporary-music-festival

The Burning Hell Live at Copper Bottom Brewing—Mar 14 Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague presents The Burning Hell on March 14 at 7:30 pm.

The Burning Hell is the ongoing musical project of songwriter Mathias Kom and multi-instrumentalist Ariel Sharratt, often including additional collaborators.

Their narrative-driven songs are packed with literary, historical, and pop-cultural subjects, incorporating a frequent fixation on apocalypse and ruin into work that celebrates participation in a mutually-created, ever surprising, and even

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Performances, workshops, and masterclasses

occasionally beautiful world.

Doors open at 5:30 pm. Tickets are available via copperbottombrewing. com. 567 Main Street, Montague.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 39

Reclaimed

Singing Into Spring

PEI Symphony Orchestra with Cris Derksen—Mar 15

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The PEI Symphony Orchestra (PEISO) presents Reclaimed, the third concert of its 2025–26 Island Series, on March 15 at 2:30 pm in the Sobey Family Theatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts. The concert features acclaimed Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen, whose genre-defying work bridges classical music, Indigenous traditions, and contemporary sound worlds.

Reclaimed explores themes of home, identity, and resilience—asking what happens when home is lost, and what it means to reclaim it. The program brings together works that confront displacement, cultural erasure, and renewal, framed within the broader context of place and community on Mi’kmaq territory.

“Reclaimed is a program about belonging,” says PEISO Music Director Jaelem Bhate. “Cris Derksen’s music speaks directly to the power of community and ceremony, and to the idea that music can hold grief, hope, and healing all at once. Presenting this work here, in Charlottetown, carries deep meaning.”

Cris Derksen is internationally recognized for their bold, interdisciplinary practice, which combines cello, electronics, and Indigenous musical forms. Their work has been presented across Canada and internationally, and they are widely respected for their advocacy, storytelling, and community-centred artistic approach.

The concert program includes several of Derksen’s own works, including “Round Dance,” “Parkdale,” and “Controlled Burn,” performed with the PEISO. The orchestra is honoured to collaborate with the Mi’kmaq community from Lennox Island during “Round Dance,” bringing the work’s communal roots to life on the Centre’s stage.

Also featured on the program is “Hope” by Australian composer Nat Bartsch, a meditative work

Hospice PEI fundraiser at Florence Simmons in April

Indigenous cellist/composer Cris Derksen

that creates space for reflection and collective listening. Margaret Bonds’ “Montgomery Variations” responds musically to the American civil rights movement, while Bedřich Smetana’s “Má Vlast (The Moldau)” reflects on national identity and the deep emotional ties to homeland.

As part of Derksen’s visit to the Island, the PEISO is also partnering with community organizations to support a short artist residency, including outreach activities with Mi’kmaq communities, solo performances in Charlottetown and Lennox Island, and a guest presentation during the Contemporary Music Festival, hosted by the UPEI Department of Music.

Reclaimed is part of the PEISO’s 2025–26 season, Nouveau, inspired by the Art Nouveau movement’s vision of beauty, purpose, and transformation through art. The season concludes on April 12 with Blue—a season finale infused with jazz, gospel, and 20th-century cosmopolitan flair, with PEI pianist Magdalena von Eccher as guest soloist.

Tickets are available through the Confederation Centre Box Office via confederationcentre.com or 902-5661267. For more information about the 2025-26 season visit peisymphony.com.

EXIT Realty PEI’s Michelle Holmes and James Ennis invite the community to Singing Into Spring, a benefit concert in support of Hospice PEI on April 11 at Florence Simmons Performance Hall in Charlottetown.

The evening will feature an uplifting lineup of Island talent, including Michael Pendergast, Catherine MacLellan, Roy Johnstone, and Margie Carmichael. The event runs from 7:30–9:30 pm and promises to be a true celebration of music and community.

Tickets can be purchased online at hospicepei.ca.

Singing in the Dark Times Casual community pub sings at Village Green Singing in the Dark Times is a casual community pub sing led by Megan Stewart and Lucy Farrell. Inspired by pub sings where people take turns leading songs that everyone joins in on, the group gathers monthly to sing folk songs, rounds, traditional and other well-loved tunes.

The sing happens from 6:30–9 pm on the first Tuesday of every month at Village Green Brewery in Cornwall.

The next date is March 3.

Drop in at any time during the evening—all are welcome, and no prior singing experience is required. Bring friends, bring a song to share, or just come and sing along.

“I believe in singing. I believe in singing together” —Brian Eno

Page 40 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

Live at Trailside

Tribute to The Pogues and the Music of Shane MacGowan Matinee

A selection from March’s music lineup

addressing important issues, especially raising awareness of Indigenous rights, set them apart. The Fabulously Rich are committed to playing The Hip’s music with the same energy and authenticity that made their performances unforgettable.

March 7 ›› 12 pm

Dancing Queen

Dave Gunning takes the stage at Trailside Music Hall on March 26

Tara MacLean

Ben Caplan

With KINLEY & Ben Aitkin

With Zebedee

March 1 ›› 8 pm

March 5 ›› 8 pm

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Tribute to ABBA

Celebrate the energizing music of The Pogues and Shane MacGowan with the “New” Free Whiskey Band, featuring Davy Weale, Peter Webb, Kat MacNeil, Thomas Kirkham, David Pendergast, Peter Cann, Tom Webb, and even Crazy Legs himself. The band will play their favourites and audience favourites—from “Streams of Whiskey” to “Dirty Old Town” and “Fairytale of New York.”

March 20 & 21 ›› 8 pm Dancing Queen: Tribute to ABBA Halifax’s Dancing Queen returns with their infectious stage show, getting audiences dancing and singing along to the ABBA hits they know and love: a selection of rarities and deep cuts, rounded out with some of the greatest disco songs ever written. Guests can dance, they can jive, and have the time of their lives.

Jack Pine Folk Club March 24 ›› 8 pm

The Fabulously Rich Tribute to The Tragically Hip

Tara MacLean is an internationally renowned, multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, best-selling author, and playwright from Epekwitk/PEI. Over a 30-year career, she has made seven solo albums and two with her JUNO Award-nominated band Shaye. She has toured with Dido, the Barenaked Ladies, and Nelly Furtado. A Senate of Canada Medal recipient and dual Canadian-Irish citizen, her 2023 memoir, Song of the Sparrow, was a national bestseller. She is currently recording her eighth album and writing her debut fiction novel.

Halifax’s Ben Caplan is a singer, songwriter, and live performer known for his unmistakable baritone voice and emotionally immersive concerts.

Blending folk, blues, gospel, and Eastern European influences, his music often feels less like a performance and more like a shared ritual—songs shaped by breath, silence, poetry, and raw emotion.

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EDUARDO DE LA CERDA

JEN SQUIRES

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March 13 & 14 ››8 pm

The Fabulously Rich began in 2016 with a fundraiser in Charlottetown after Gord Downie’s illness made headlines. Something special happened that night—people wanted more, and venues started calling. What started as a one-off event has grown into a shared purpose: keeping The Hip’s music and the experience of their shows alive. Many people have been shaped by their songs in different ways. From their vivid storytelling rooted in Canadian history to the guitar riffs, The Hip captured the country’s spirit. Their dedication to

Step into the nostalgic glow of a 1960s coffeehouse with host Shane Pendergast. This intimate evening of music, poetry, and revelry is a celebration of East Coast culture for folk music fans. Shane sets the tone with a handful of original songs, followed by rising Cape Breton folksinger Dane Pedersen, accompanied by Malcolm MacNeil. Next, Island poet Richard Lemm joins the experience with a reading. Shannon Quinn, an ECMA Award-winning fiddler and vocalist, brings the evening to a close with a spellbinding set.

Dave Gunning Field Notes Album Release March 26 ›› 8 pm With over two decades on the road and fifteen albums to his credit, Dave Gunning has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaging and respected folk singer-songwriters. A multiple ECMA and CFMA Award winner, Gunning is celebrated for his warm stage presence, razor-sharp wit, and songs that honour everyday heroes while tackling hard truths. His music has long reflected his deep roots in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, where stories of working people, small-town struggles, and local pride shape his songwriting. Whether he’s shining a light on unsung community champions or confronting social and environmental issues close to home, Gunning brings an honesty and empathy to his work that have become his trademark.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 41

Activate your Francophonie

Four day music celebration in Charlottetown—Mar 19 to 22

Celebrating French language and culture across Canada

The Tim O’Brien Band headlines the 2026 PEI Winter Bluegrass Festival

The 2026 PEI Winter Bluegrass Festival returns to the Delta Prince Edward by Marriott in Charlottetown from March 19–22. Presented by the PEI Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society, this fourday celebration marks more than 80 years of bluegrass heritage—promising non-stop pickin’, strummin’, and Island hospitality. Building on the success of its 2023 debut, the festival’s 2026 edition is set to draw musicians, fans, and jam enthusiasts from across the Maritimes and beyond, with the Tim O’Brien Band headlining.

Over a distinguished career spanning five decades, Tim O’Brien has achieved widespread recognition as an accomplished instrumentalist and vocalist with the acclaimed bluegrass group Hot Rize. His songwriting has garnered international recognition, with his compositions recorded by Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, New Grass Revival, Dirks Bentley, and many others. Grammy Award-winning O’Brien has maintained a prolific recording career both as a solo artist and in collaboration with notable musicians including Darrell Scott, Dirk Powell, Sturgill Simpson, and closer to home—Old Man Luedecke.

Members of his band include his wife, Jan Fabricius; Mike Bub, a legendary bassist with the Del McCoury Band; and Nashville’s Shad Cobb on fiddle, who has worked with Willie Nelson, Steve Earle, and Mike Snider.

Organizers say this year’s lineup will appeal to longtime bluegrass fans and first-time festival-goers alike.

The festival begins on March 19 at Water’s Edge in the hotel lobby with performances by Roger Stone and the Shantytown Trio, followed by an open mic session and evening jam.

March 20 and 21 include mainstage performances followed by late night all-star jams in the lobby, where music enthusiasts can rub shoulders and jam with industry luminaries. Both days will also feature the festival’s Merchant Row, showcasing the Island’s finest artisans and craft makers. Merchant Row runs Friday from 1–6 pm and

Saturday from 10 am–6 pm.

Mainstage events include the Tim O’Brien Band, along with other bluegrass and traditional Maritime favourites such as Old Man Luedecke, the McMillan’s Camp Boys, the Shane Pendergast Trio, Bluegrass Tradition, Blue Meadow, the Janet McGarry Band, The Sunny Mountain Gals, The Stiff Family Band, Bad Hoss, and Holland College School of Performing Arts.

On Saturday morning, musician Ivan Rosenberg will lead a “Slow Jam” workshop, guiding participants through the Nashville Number System and helping them gain confidence for group jams.

A special highlight on March 21 is the “Pioneering Women in Bluegrass” mainstage event, featuring Betty Hartford and Barbara Martin Stephens, hosted by the Sunny Mountain Gals.

Betty began singing old-time songs for her family in Missouri at age six.

By age 14, she was co-hosting a live gospel program on KTCB-Malden with her uncle Jimmy Payne. After moving to St. Louis, she met her future husband, John Hartford. Barbara’s journey led her to bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin at age 17. She became his booking agent—the first woman to hold that role on Music Row. Though their paths differed, both women built remarkable lives shaped by music and love, experiences they now bring to the festival stage. Stephens will also have copies of her book, The People and the Music—Country and Bluegrass That Is!, available for purchase and signing following the session.

The festival concludes with a Sunday morning gospel brunch featuring The Stiff Family Band.

A special festival brunch buffet will be offered at Water’s Edge on Saturday and Sunday. A secure instrument check area will be available, with Holland College School of Performing Arts students and volunteers on site to assist attendees.

Visit peibluegrass.ca/winter-festival for tickets and program updates, or follow the festival on Facebook.

The Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF) returns this March to celebrate and promote the French language and Francophone culture across Canada.

Taking place from March 1–31, the 28th annual edition brings together Canadians, Acadians, Francophones, and Francophiles to honour the richness, diversity, and vitality of French-speaking communities from coast to coast.

On PEI, the Francophone community has prepared a lineup of activities under the theme “Activate your Francophonie!” Throughout the month, Islanders are Mehdi Cayenne will perform at Village musical invited to explore and celeacadien on March 23 brate the deep-rooted traditions of Acadian and Francophone culture. pm, a Francophonie Family Dinner Among the featured events is Les will bring families and friends together Winter Blues, presented on March 7 at to enjoy maple-inspired cuisine accom7:30 pm at The Mack in Charlotteown. panied by live music.

The Fédération culturelle de l’Île-duOn March 23 at 6:30 pm, the Village Prince-Édouard, in collaboration with musical acadien in Abram-Village will the Carrefour de l’Isle Saint-Jean and host one of the two official spokesConfederation Centre of the Arts, people for RVF 2026, Mehdi Cayenne. will host an evening of Franco blues Known for his electrifying stage presmusic. The concert will feature local ence, Cayenne will present a vibrant blues sensation Joce Reyome, New electro-pop performance inspired by Brunswick band Tcheul Misère, and his new album Trompe-la-mort. His Louisiana singer-songwriter Dustin energetic, poetic, and dance-driven Dale Gaspard, showcasing talent from show reflects a bold and modern near and far.

Francophonie.

A highlight of the month will be Throughout the month, Islanders the celebration of the International are encouraged to activate their Day of La Francophonie on March 20, Francophonie by participating in this hosted in Summerside. From 1–4 pm, engaging and inclusive program of the Centre Belle-Alliance will welcome concerts, family activities, youth initiafamilies for a sugar shack–themed tives, culinary discoveries, and diverse afternoon filled with children’s activicultural experiences. To explore the ties, entertainment, and a warm, festive full schedule of Rendez-vous de la atmosphere celebrating Francophone Francophonie 2026 events on PEI, visit traditions. In the evening, from 5–7 rvf.ca.

ERIC CANTO

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Winter Bluegrass

MUSIC UPEI Multicultural Choir

The UPEI Multicultural Choir meets every Tuesday from 4:30–5:30 pm at UPEI’s Robertson Library (Room 235) in Charlottetown. At each session, participants take turns leading simple songs in their own language or songs with cultural significance from their home country or region. The choir is a fun, non-judgmental opportunity to learn different languages and share the joy of music. All sessions are free and open to the community. No singing experience is necessary. Light refreshments provided.

Info: bmcduffee@upei.ca

Informal jam session

The next jam session for adults at the Summerside Library (57 Central St) will be held on March 9 at 6:30 pm. Bring an instrument—or borrow one from the library—and join other musicians for an informal evening of music.

2SLGBTQ+ Music Potluck

The PEERS Alliance invites adult music lovers to the 2SLGBTQ+ Adult Drop-In on March 18 from 6–8 pm for a Music Potluck. Participants are asked to bring a song that they love. Everyone will listen together and have a chat about the song, generating their next queer playlist with the community. The event will be held at the PEERS Alliance Office (250 B Queen St, Charlottetown). Info: josie@peersalliance.ca; 902-566-2437

Page 42 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

ONGOING MUSIC

Music PEI Week

ceilidhs, dances, series, sessions...

Celebrations get underway for 25th anniversary

Blues Jam

Music PEI Week 2026, running from February 28–March 7, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Reflecting both its past and future, this year features new events, unexpected venues, collaborations, and nostalgia.

An art exhibition at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown will highlight this year’s Visual Artist of the Year nominees, along with a retrospective of the past 25 years of events and graphic design.

The first-ever Battle of the Bands will be held February 28 at 6 pm at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown. Emerging musicians will compete for a day of recording at The Hill Sound Studio, the brand-new Battle of the Bands Award, and a performance by Space Bud. The Kick-Off Concert follows at 10 pm, featuring Music PEI Award nominees Ava + Lily, Hit the Coast, The Trio from Mars, and Coyote.

The Gen XX All Ages Show takes place March 1 inside the indoor skate park at Generation XX Youth Club in Summerside. The event features an open skate and performances by Dazey, Oakdrive, Broadcast Failure, and Firing Squad. The open skate begins at 2 pm, with music at 4 pm.

This all-ages event invites everyone to experience the energy of PEI’s punk, metal, and emo scene.

March 2 features a screening of the Music Video of the Year nominees, followed by a double feature of This Is Spinal Tap and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues at 7 pm at City Cinema in Charlottetown. The Music Video of

Dunstaffnage Ceilidh

A ceilidh hosted by the Road Masters Band with guest entertainers is held at the Dunstaffnage School Centre on the first Sunday of each month. This month’s event will be held on March 1 at 7 pm. Guest entertainers include Winnie Murphy Cantello, Mildred Dover, Leonard Gaudet and Vince Sevoie (fiddle), and Lisa Birt. There will be a 50/50 draw, and coffee, tea, and juice will be served at intermission. Admission is at the door, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. 13529 St. Peters Rd, Dunstaffnage.

Got Blues Matinee

Got Blues, led by Chris Roumbanis with friends Mike Robicheau and Alan Dowling, hosts a weekly Saturday matinee from 2–4 pm at the Salvadore Dali Café. Each week, a special guest joins the first set, followed by an electric blues jam in the second. There is no cover charge; they pass the hat. The upcoming performances feature: Joseph MacMillan (guitar/vocals) on March 7; Carter MacLellan (guitar/vocals) & James Phillips (guitar/ vocals) on March 14; Logan Richard (guitars/vocals) & Connor Fox (guitars/ vocals) from NB on March 21; Kevin Fletcher (guitars/vocals) from NS & Jim O’Leary (drums) on March 28. 155 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Island Jazz

Jazz on Thursdays at Baba’s Lounge features top local musicians performing original music, standards, jazz and pop favourites. Each show features a different group and two sets starting at 8 pm. The upcoming lineup includes: Sean Ferris Group on March 5, Island Jazz Jam with Diana Delirio on March 12, Siobhan White Sextet on March 19, Adam Hill on March 26, and Denis Surette (NB) on April 2. Admission is by donation. 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Our Lady of Assumption Ceilidh

The Assumption Catholic Women’s League and Assumption Knights of Columbus host a ceilidh on the third Sunday of each month from 2–4 pm at Assumption Parish Centre in Stratford.

Admission is at the door. A 50/50 draw, tea, and light refreshments are included.

145 Stratford Rd, Stratford.

Celebrating live music, community, and winter fun, Saturday Sociables at The Olde Dublin in Charlottetown take place on Saturdays from 2–5 pm. House bands The Wannabeez or Vintage 4.0 anchor each show, joined by musical guests each week. The upcoming guest lineup includes: The Wannabeez with Alyssa Harper on February 28, Vintage 4.0 with guest TBA on March 7, The Wannabeez with Dennis Ellsworth on March 14, Vintage 4.0 with Rankin MacInnis on March 21. March 28 is to be announced.

Follow on social media for updates. 132 Sydney St, Charlottetown.

Schooner Sessions

Sessions with Mark Douglas and friends take place weekly on Thursdays at 7 pm at The Old Triangle, 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Summerside Kitchen Party

A matinee kitchen party featuring classic country and old rock ‘n’ roll with Back in Tyme (Blair Coughlin, Peter Burke, George MacPhee, Bob Gagnon) is held at the Summerside Legion every Saturday in March from 2–5 pm. Admission is at the door. 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside.

Sunday Hootenanny

Join The Blizzard Goat Band at Copper Bottom Brewing for the weekly Sunday Hootenanny from 3–5 pm. Free admission. 567 Main St, Montague.

Sunday Session

An afternoon Tune Session featuring traditional music and craic takes place weekly on Sundays from 2–4 pm at The Old Triangle. 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Trad Night at Village Green An Irish Trad Night is held every Thursday in the taproom at Village Green. Enjoy free, live music from 7–9 pm. Space is limited. Located at 30 Church St in the old post office/dental clinic in Cornwall.

Winsloe Winter Series Ceilidh

The Winter Series Ceilidh returns to Winsloe United, taking place on Sundays at 2 pm. On March 1, host Jacinta MacDonald and the Winsloe United House Band welcome special guest duo Ricky and Sandra Jones. On March 15, guest performers will be Tip ‘Er Back with Darlene Bradley. On March 29, the afternoon will feature Jordan LeClair and Jolee Patkai. The church is wheelchair accessible, and a light lunch will be served during intermission. Admission is at the door, which opens at 1:30 pm. 121 Winsloe Rd, Winsloe.

the Year Award will be presented live between films.

The SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert on March 3 at 7 pm at St. Paul’s in Charlottetown will feature select PEI Symphony Orchestra musicians joining Diana Delirio, Lennie Gallant, Logan Richard, and Shane Pendergast to perform newly arranged versions of their songs.

The Mill River Shuffle takes place March 4 at 7 pm at Mill River Resort in Woodstock, featuring Danny Drouin, Rick Sparkes & The Enablers, Shane Pendergast, and Richard Wood.

The Copper Bottom Kitchen Party on March 5 at 7 pm at Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague will feature Brooke MacArthur, Emilea May, KINLEY, and Lawrence Maxwell.

March 6 brings the Music Mosaic Rainbow Edition, presented by Pride PEI, at 7 pm at Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown. Performers include the Battle of the Bands winner, Joce Reyome, Diana Delirio, Sam O, and siddhu sneh. Hip Hop Live follows at 10 pm at Baba’s Lounge in Charlottetown, featuring NODACOB, Rightflow, Melvis & APEE, and C. Ruth + Mango Street Trio.

Finally, the 25th Annual Music PEI Awards Gala will be held March 7 at 7 pm at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside, featuring award presentations and performances by Logan Richard, siddhu sneh, Richard Wood, and Lennie Gallant.

Full event details and tickets are available at musicpei.com.

Rum Ragged Performances in Souris and Summerside Newfoundland’s JUNO Awardnominated folk and trad quartet Rum Ragged brings their Maritime Tour to PEI this month with performances at Souris Show Hall on March 4 and Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on March 5. Showtime is 7:30 pm.

Following their 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award, a European tour in fall 2025, a holiday album release, and a successful UK tour in January 2026, Rum Ragged is back in Canada and on the road, bringing their love of traditional music to the Maritimes once again. The band has always put a contemporary spin on its salt-covered folk music, but their award-winning album Gone Jiggin’ took a new approach, reaching back through time for a reverent celebration of heritage.

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The Blues Jam with the Plain Dirty Blues band runs on the last Saturday of each month from 5:30–8 pm at Baba’s Lounge.

The next jams take place February 28, March 28, April 25, and May 30.

Admission is by donation. Follow @Plain Dirty Blues Band on FB for updates. 189 Great George St, Charlotteown.

Saturday Sociables at The Olde Dublin

Leaning proud and hard into their Newfoundland roots, the quartet, led

by Mark Manning and Aaron Collis and featuring Colin Grant and Zack Nash, takes audiences on a journey across the island they call home through a mix of songs and stories.

The band is passionate about sharing culture, stories, and music with live audiences. With a new album set to be recorded later this year, Rum Ragged will give audiences a peek at what’s to come, in addition to much-loved favourites.

Visit sourishowhall.com and harbourfronttheatre.com for tickets.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 43

Queen of the Guardian Angel Platoon Strait

Music Arcade by Dennis Ellsworth

MEAGHAN WILKIE

Jenn Grant’s new album tour stops in Charlottetown—Mar 6

Dennis MacKenzie

I met Dennis MacKenzie at a fundraiser for our mutual friend Tim. Tim is a US Marine vet living in PEI who had just been diagnosed with cancer and I had been asked to perform at the event to support his upcoming battle. Months after the fundraiser, Dennis MacKenzie got in touch with me about the idea of helping him shape his own veteran story into an album of original songs.

I co-wrote and produced this record. It was recorded by Adam Gallant at The Hill Sound in Charlottetown.

MacKenzie served for nine years in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, during which he was deployed to Afghanistan for combat. Following his departure from the military, and a few years of soul searching, in an effort to bring his community together Dennis founded an organization called Brave and Broken. He founded Brave and Broken in response to what he felt was an absence in the structured support systems for servicemen and women, following discharge. The primary motivation was to deal with the issue of PTSD and suicide rates of soldiers.

His own story is riddled with lost friends, both on the battlefields of Afghanistan, and here at home. It is a dark story, showcasing the idea that wars do not end on the battlefield. The fight continues at home for most vets, and he was inspired to use the power of music to tell his story, while shining a light on the work Brave and Broken was trying to do.

When we began the work, Dennis had many ideas, but most were snippets or really great, half-formed songs that needed some finessing and direction.

From the beginning, we agreed that we needed to present this work in chronological order. We started with a song Dennis had written about leaving for training, called “I’ll Write When I Can.” Over the course of 13 songs,

the album is interspersed with three readings of Dennis’ letters home to his mother. The album really takes shape with “Easter Sunday,” a musical retelling of the 2007 explosion that killed six Canadian soldiers. These soldiers were Dennis’ friends, and three of them were his roommates.

“Lanterns” is a haunting ballad that really brings the struggles of PTSD at home into focus. It is the centrepiece of the album and starts a run of songs on this issue that really lets the theme sink in before everything concludes with the title track. “The Guardian Angel Platoon” is a song written about a vivid dream Dennis had about a field of soldiers, all dressed in white. This song attempts to finish this story with a peaceful conclusion and a presentation of hope.

The Guardian Angel Platoon self-titled album was released in October 2021. I want this article to serve as a reminder of its existence. If you haven’t heard it, please give it a listen. It is a very important and emotional work, and something everyone involved is very proud of.

On March 6, singer-songwriter Jenn Grant will release her most personal album to date—Queen of the Strait. To celebrate the album, Grant has created a live tour, Cradled by the Waves - The Live Experience, which will take place across Canada, beginning at the PEI Brewing Company in Charlottetown on March 5. This tour will transform the album into a multimedia performance blending music, film, theatre, and dance.

Co-produced with Joshua Van Tassel (Bahamas, Christine Bougie, Doug Paisley) and longtime collaborator Daniel Ledwell, Queen of the Strait is a modern-day classic of country and Americana, elevated by Jenn’s pop-infused charm.

Grant lived on Prince Edward Island until age 10, before moving to Nova Scotia. Queen of the Strait draws from Jenn Grant’s childhood on the Island and the timeless pull of the Atlantic. The live experience reimagines those songs in motion—a moving meditation on grief, transformation,

and the beauty of beginning again.

Each show is an immersive, cinematic experience featuring a live band, curated film sequences, and interpretive movement. Together, these elements create a dreamlike landscape where the songs flow seamlessly into one another.

Co-created with a celebrated team of collaborators, including producers Daniel Ledwell and Joshua Van Tassel, Irish director Julie Kelleher, projectionist Jose Garcia-Lozano, cinematographer Daniel Grant, lighting designer Rebecca Picherack, and recently added long time friend, PEI poet and songwriter Tanya Davis as movement artist.

Cradled by the Waves invites audiences to reflect on love, loss, and the fragility of life through a communal and deeply emotional lens.

Visit jenngrant.com for tickets.

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A Night of Elton John & Billy Joel at Sobey Family Theatre

40th Anniversary Tour coming to Harbourfront Theatre

Craig Fair Productions presents Still Standin’: A Night of Elton John & Billy Joel on March 21 at 8 pm in the Sobey Family Theatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

Craig Fair and Ben Aitken have wowed audiences across the province with their high-energy Dueling Pianos shows—but this time, they’re taking things to a whole new level. Two grand

pianos take centre-stage, supported by a 16-piece orchestra featuring rhythm, brass, strings, and vocal sections.

This production pays tribute to the artistry of Elton John and Billy Joel while delivering a fresh, theatrical concert experience.

Visit confederationcentre.com/ event/still-standin for tickets. craigfairproductions.com

All ages show Five bands at Trinity United— Mar 28

option. Use the entrance at 220 Richmond Street in Charlottetown.

St. Patrick’s evening

St Patrick’s at Haviland

Brain Injury Association of PEI fundraiser—Mar 17

Second annual celebration— Mar 15

The Brain Injury Association of PEI will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising event on March 17 at the Jack Blanchard Hall in Charlottetown.

Guests are invited to bring their dancing shoes and enjoy a night of rock and roll. Musical entertainment will be provided by We 3 Band and (formerly) Blue Crystals.

Doors open at 6:30 pm, with music from 7–9 pm.

Admission is at the door. To make a reservation, email Jo-Ann at jmmcinnis65@gmail.com.

The Haviland will host an evening of Irish cheer with its second annual St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 15 from 4–7 pm.

Party-goers can enjoy traditional Irish stew and potato bread, test their luck with St. Patrick’s–themed trivia, and hear live music. Gather and strike a pose at the green-themed photo booth for a keepsake.

The Haviland Club is located at 2 Haviland St, Charlottetown. For tickets, visit 3common.com/event/ st-patricks-party.

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An all ages show at Trinity United in Charlottetown takes place on March 28 at 6 pm and will feature Cascades and Street Gloves.

Cascades is a Montreal stenchcore band featuring members of Winter Graves, Verify, and Drip. Street Gloves is a Montreal e-beat hardcore band.

Local bands Uncle, Firing Squad, and Kratom round out the lineup.

Admission is by suggested price at the door, with a pay-what-you-can

(mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, percussion, step dancing). Hailing from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton Island, this family group are deeply rooted in Celtic music, culture, dance, language, and history. With 17 critically acclaimed albums to their credit, including three Christmas albums, The Barra MacNeils perform original songs as well as tried and true instrumental and vocal standards.

For four decades, The Barra MacNeils have been thrilling audiences of all ages with their repertoire, vocals, tight harmonies, and instrumental prowess of acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instrument, blended with dancing, storytelling, and showmanship.

Visit harbourfronttheatre.com for tickets.

Freewheelin’ Field Trip All ages show at The Arts Guild—Mar 8 The Freewheelin’ Field Trip featuring Braden Lam and School House will be on stage at The Black Box Theatre at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown on March 8 at 7:30 pm. This is an all ages show.

Blending authentic songwriting with modern indie flare, Braden Lam is forging the path to a new 21st century sound. The young artist from Halifax, NS meets the moment on The Cloudmaker’s Cry, his debut album that makes good on the promise of this folk wunderkind, with music reminiscent of a bygone era set to lyrics pulsing with the urgency and anxiety of today.

After moving in together in 2021, three best friends discovered their new home was a century-old schoolhouse—a place that not only inspired

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Ben Aitken (left) and Craig Fair

The Barra MacNeils bring their 40th Anniversary Tour to the Maritimes this spring, stopping at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on May 26.

More than a concert, this milestone show is a heartfelt reflection on their life in music, shared with fans old and new.

The Barra MacNeils will take audiences on an intimate journey, telling stories and performing the timeless music from their 40-year career.

“It’s incredible to think that we have been making music and maintaining a fan base for 40 years!” says Stewart MacNeil.

“So much has happened in our lives in that time. People come and people go.

Music fads come and go. How people consume music has changed. Yet as a family we have beat the odds with the help of supportive family at home and supportive fans when we tour.

And somehow we’ve managed to pick up new fans along the way. It really is something to celebrate.”

The Barra MacNeils are Kyle MacNeil (vocals, guitar, violin, mandolin), Lucy MacNeil (vocals, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, step dancing), Sheumas MacNeil (keyboards, piano, bodhran, fiddle, bouzouki, vocals), Stewart MacNeil (vocals, accordion, tin whistle, flute, bouzouki, guitar, step dancing), and Boyd MacNeil

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The Barra MacNeils

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Still Standin’

Braden Lam (above) and School House

their name but became the creative heart of their sound. Since then, School House has become one of Canada’s most talked-about emerging folk acts.

The Arts Guild is located at 111 Queen Street in Charlottetown. Visit theguildpei.com for tickets.

LIVE MUSIC bars, lounges, pubs, cafés...

Albert & Crown Pub

Blair Gaudet (Feb 27 @6 pm); Perry Batten & Jim Williams (Feb 28 @6 pm): Floyd Gaudet (Mar 13 @6 pm); Crown’s Got Talent Auditions (14/28 @7 pm); Louise & Jonny Ray Arsenault (20 @6 pm); Crystal Paynter & Perry Batten (21 @7 pm); Very Best of Up West (27 @7 pm). 480 Main St, Alberton.

Baba’s Lounge

Plain Dirty Blues (Feb 28 @5 pm); DJ Night W/ Riptyde (Feb 28 @10 pm); Vinyl Night W/ Rachel Macdonald (Mar 3 @9 pm). Music PEI: HipHop Live W/ NODACOB, Rightflow, Melvis & APEE, C. Ruth + Mango Street Trio (6 @10 pm); Cherry Plaza, Bilge, Trojan Whores, Uncle (7 @7 pm); DJ Night W/ Dex & Troy Power (7 @10 pm); Experimental Electronic Night W/kn0wble (10/24 @8 pm); Dennis Ellsworth (13/27 @7 pm); DJ Night W/ Javier and guests (13 @10 pm); Out From Under (14 @7 pm); Retro Night W/ DJ Hype (14 @10 pm); Vinyl Night with W/ Phil Homburg (17 @9 pm); Takeda Takeda, Dayblooms, guest band (20 @10 pm); DJ Night W/ Javier & Diego (21 @10 pm); Geezer, FauxFX, Mercy Me (27 @10 pm); Plain Dirty Blues (28 @5 pm); Mango Street Trio & guests (28 @10 pm); Vinyl Night W/ Spencer Swain (31 @9 pm). Open Mic with KINLEY on Wednesdays (9 pm). Island Jazz on Thursdays (8 pm). 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Bogside Brewing Montague Fridays & Saturdays (6:30–9:30 pm): Marvin Birt (Feb 27); Rodney Perry (Feb 28); Lisa Birt (Mar 6); Billy White (7); Adam MacGregor (13); Kev MacPhee (14); St. Patrick’s Day Party W/ The Northsiders (15 *Sun @2 pm); Stephen Szwarc (20); Chris & Molly (21); Barry O’Brien (27); Margarita Wayne (28). 11 Brook St, Montague.

Bogside Brewing Summerside

Fridays & Saturdays (6:30–9:30 pm): Taylor Buote (Mar 6); MadJoy Duo (7); Alyssa Harper (13); Mat Hannah (14); Margarita Wayne (20); Brian Dunn (21); Johnny Ray Arsenault (27); Brad Milligan (28). 110 Water St, Summerside.

Brothers 2

Thursdays (7–9 pm) & Fridays (7–10 pm): Danny Drouin (Feb 27); Nick Hann (Mar 5); Chris & Andy (6); Todd Gallant (12); Karen & Mike (13); Dan Doiron (19/26); D’Arcy & Moe (20); Crystal Paynter (27).

618 Water St, Summerside.

Charlottetown Legion

Saturdays (9:30 pm–12:30 am): Kim Albert and Faces (Feb 28); Haché (Mar 7); Dunk River Band (14); Wrecking Crew (21); Kim Albert and Faces (28). 99 Pownal St, Charlottetown.

Claddagh Oyster House

St. Patrick’s Day with Luka Hall & Ray Knorr (4–7 pm), and Carter MacLellan (7–10 pm).

Copper Bottom Brewing

Saturdays (6–9 pm *unless noted): TBA (Mar 7); The Burning Hell (14 @7:30 pm *ticketed); Lawrence Maxell (21); Dan Doiron (28). St. Patrick’s Kitchen Party W/ Gordon Belsher & Keelin Wedge on March 14 (4–7 pm); Sunday Hootenanny W/ The Blizzard Goat Band on Sundays (3–5 pm). 567 Main St, Montague.

Evermoore Brewing

Tuesdays (6–8 pm *unless noted): Nick Doneff (Mar 3); Adam MacGregor (10); Saint Patrick’s Music (17 @4 pm); Jason Burbine & Friends (17 @6 pm); Jordan LeClair & Tyler McDonnell (24); Geoffrey Charlton (31). Irish Trad Session with Geoff Charlton on Saturdays (1:30–4 pm).

192 Water St, Summerside.

The Factory

DJs on Fridays and Saturdays (11 pm) on the main floor: Derek (Feb 27); Method (Feb 28); Douce (Mar 6/20/28); Method (7/14/21); Derek (13/27).

DJs on Saturdays (11 pm) in the lower level: Douce (Mar 6/20/28); Method (7/14/21); Derek (13/27). 189 Kent St, Charlottetown.

FiN Folk Food

Fridays (5:30–7:30 pm): Mat Hannah (Feb 27); Nathan Carragher (Mar 6/20); Mat Hannah (13/27). 106 Beach Rd, Grand Tracadie.

Founders’ Food Hall & Market

Caitlin Robinson & Polina Cooper (Mar 7 @5 pm); Nathan Carragher (21 @5 pm). 6 Prince St, Charlottetown.

Hunter’s Ale House

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays (11 pm): Lieutenant Dan (Feb 28): Ryan Merry (Mar 5); Holy Hannah (6); The Soosh (7); Mat and Friends (12/26); Jon & Liam (13); Gin & Tonic (14/28); Carter MacLellan (17/19); Brad & Isaac (20); Heather, Sticky Honey, Out of Office (21); Adam & Liam (27). Open Mic with Travis on Mondays (10 pm). 185 Kent St, Charlottetown.

John Brown Grille

Saturdays (2–5 pm): Kim Albert (Feb 28); Adam & Liam (Mar 7/14); Acoustic Brothers (14); Kim Albert (28). Live DJs on Saturdays (11 pm): Jeremie (Feb 28); Mossboy (7); Jeremie (14); Mojo (21); Purdy 28). 132 Richmond St, Charlottetown.

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 45

Lone Oak Brewing Co

Fridays (bi-weekly, 7–9 pm): Jordan Cameron (Mar 6); Lawerence Maxwell (20); 103 Abegweit Blvd, Borden-Carleton.

Olde Dublin Pub

The Wannabeez W/ Alyssa Harper (Feb 28 @2 pm); Main Street Bullies (Feb 28 @10 pm); Jon Matthews & Liam Kearney (Mar 6 @7 pm); Vintage 4.0 W/ TBA (Mar 7 @2 pm); Ethan MacPhee (7 @6 pm); Holy Hanna (7 @10 pm); The Wannabeez W/ Dennis Ellsworth (14 @2 pm); Carter MacLellan (14 @6 pm); Crimson Clay (14 @10 pm); St. Patrick’s Day at ODP (17) with Children Wish Breakfast with Gordon Belsher and Courtney Hogan Chandler (@8 am), Saul Good Duo (@11 am), Ross Family Band (@2 pm), Tip ‘Er Back (@5 pm), Wannabeez (@8 pm), Gypsy Soul (@11 pm); Vintage 4.0 W/ Rankin MacInnis (21 @2 pm); Salty Dogs (21 @10 pm); Saul Good Duo (28 @6 pm); Gypsy Soul (28 @10 pm). 132 Sydney St, Charlottetown.

PEI Brewing Company

Acoustic Fridays (4–7 pm): Fraser McCallum (Feb 27); Brian Dunn (Mar 6); Ashley Groman (13); Curtis Reginald (20); Lawrence Maxwell (27). 96 Kensington Rd, Charlottetown.

PonyBoat

Live DJ on Fridays and Saturdays (11 pm). 157 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Razzy’s Roadhouse

Fridays (6–9 pm): Margarita Wayne (Feb 27); Kevin Arthur (Mar 6); Rodney & Blake (13); Brian Dunn (20); Dan Doiron (27). 161 St. Peters Rd, Charlottetown.

RCAF Wing Summerside

Fridays (7 pm), Saturdays (9 pm) & Sundays (2 pm): Neon Country (Feb 28); Still Kickin (Mar 1/8/15/22/29); Cathy & Perry (6); Nightshift (7); TBA 13/20/27); Roundabout (14); Neon Country (21); Dave Doyle & Friends (28).

329 North Market St, Summerside.

Red’s Gold Cup Lounge

Saturdays (8–11 pm): Brian Dunn (Feb 28); Roger Stone (Mar 7); Wayne Gallant (14); Karen & Mike Penton (21); Brian Dunn (28). Red Shores, 21 Exhibition Dr, Charlottetown.

Slaymaker & Nichols

Nick Gauthier on Fridays & Sundays (2–5 pm). 82 Fitzroy St, Charlottetown.

Summerside Legion

Johnny G and the Legionnaires on Fridays (7 pm). Open mic with Adam Bassett on Thursdays (7:30 pm). 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside.

Tekila

Fridays & Saturdays (6–9 pm): Jerry Laird (Mar 6/13/20/27); TBA (7/14/21/28). 165 Prince St, Charlottetown.

Page 46 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

MARKETS/ SALES and housewares to low-income families and those facing temporary hardship across PEI. giftsfromtheheartinc.com

Charlottetown Farmers’ Market

The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market is currently operating at its temporary location, 614 North River Rd (the former Sporting Intentions building), until the original building on Belvedere Ave is repaired. The market is open from 9 am–2 pm on Saturdays. Local farmers, crafters, artisans, and hot food vendors sell local, organic produce, fish, meats, baked goods, preserves, roasted coffee, specialty teas, and more. Parking is available; there will be signage to assist visitors. For updates, follow @Charlottetown Farmers Market on social media or visit charlottetownfarmersmarket.com.

Charlottetown Thrift Market The Charlottetown Thrift Market is held weekly on Sundays from 9 am–2 pm in the cruise ship building at the Charlottetown Seaport, 1 Weymouth St. Over 100 tables and booths offer household products, baked goods, collectibles, antiques, vintage clothing, crafts, jewellery, and more.

Pinch Penny Fair seeking donations

The Friends of Confederation Centre of the Arts are accepting donations of gently used items in good condition for the upcoming Pinch Penny Fair in April. Donations can include household goods, books, sports equipment, toys, plants, music, jewelry, tools, glassware, and more. Donation drop offs can be made at the box office entrance of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, 130 Queen St, Charlottetown, on March 21 from 9 am–2 pm, March 28 from 10 am–2 pm, and April 8 at 12–7 pm. Clothing, TVs, and computers will not be accepted.

The annual indoor yard sale takes place at the Centre on April 11 from 10 am–1 pm. Proceeds will go to the Centre’s arts education programming. Info: confederationcentre.com

Summerside Farmers’ Market

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.

Gifts from the Heart

Gifts from the Heart holds a public thrift sale from 10 am–3 pm on the last Saturday of each month at 10 Maple Hills Ave, Charlottetown. Proceeds support operating costs. Led by Betty BeggBrooks and volunteers, the organization provides free food, clothing, furniture,

ISSUE# 387 • MARCH 2026

buzzpei.com @buzzpei Editor: Yanik Richards Editor: Michelle Ollerhead Website: Nakeesa Aghdasy Partners: Maggie Lillo (Ruby Square Graphic Design), Carly Martin (Hawthorne House Media) Contributors: Julie Bull, Dennis Ellsworth, Sadie McCarney, Jane Ledwell, Takako Morita, Tara Reeves, JoDee Samuelson, Gary Schneider, Bren Simmers, Ashleigh Tremere, Debra Wellner

Office: 160 Richmond Street, Charlottetown Mail: P.O. Box 1945, Charlottetown, PE C1A7N5 Phone: 902-628-1958 E-mail: info@buzzpei.com Social Media: @buzzpei The Buzz is published monthly by Little Kit Bag Inc.

COVER:

STANHOPE ANNIE, oil on canvas, 20”x24” by Debra Wellner is a visual artists from Charlottetown, PEI. She enjoys painting nature and animal subjects, and the odd still life.

A retailer by profession—now retired, Wellner loves her Island home, from where her inspiration comes—the water, landscapes and the people.

Her artwork can be seen at Ellen’s Creek Gallery, Avonlea Art Gallery, and the Dunes Gallery.

Instagram @wellnerdebra debrawellnerartist.ca 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.

Green Caucus Your Voice in the

Little Kit Bag Inc., operating as The Buzz, acknowledges that we are located on and operate on Mi’kma’ki, the traditional unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people who have lived here for many thousands of years, and who continue to live here.

Legislature

902-620-3977 peigreencaucus.ca

Matt MacFarlane Karla Bernard Peter Bevan-Baker

MP CHARLOTTETOWN

HERE TO HELP  Employment Insurance  Canada Child Benefit / Disability Tax Credit

MP OFFICE SERVICES

 CPP / OAS / GIS  Student Financial Assistance  Immigration

www.seancasey.ca Office: 75 Fitzroy Street, Suite 201 Phone: 902-566-7770 • Email: sean.casey@parl.gc.ca

APRIL DEADLINE

Monday, March 16

The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com Page 47

Contraception: Know Your Options Making informed choices about your sexual and reproductive health is important!

Did you know? Most prescription contraceptives are FREE, thanks to National Pharmacare, for PEI residents with a valid health card.

No application is needed, and many options can be prescribed by a pharmacist.

Learn about your contraception options and how to access them at the Women and Gender Diverse People’s Health Hub. Ad paid for by the Government of Prince Edward Island

SCAN ME

Page 48 The BUZZ March 2026 | buzzpei.com

IT’S YOUR MOVE! Add movement into your day.

Limit your screen time and avoid long periods of sitting. Get good quality sleep on a regular basis.

LiveWellPEI.ca/MoveWell

Ad paid for by the Government of Prince Edward Island

TOURISM IS HIRING!

NEED A JOB? Over 700 jobs to be filled CHARLOTTETOWN JOB FAIR Eastlink Centre March 1 @ 11am-3pm

NORTH SHORE JOB FAIR Check website for location March 7 @ 11am-2pm

RURAL HIRING DAY Island-wide March 28

Learn more at www.tiapei.ca The 2026 Tourism Job Fairs & Rural Hiring Day are funded by the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Agreements.