The Buzz - August 2026

Home of the renowned FireWorks Feast, a nightly celebration of live-fire cooking, Culinary Farm ingredients, our own foraging, and the rich flavours of Prince Edward Island, all enjoyed from our five-star seaside sanctuary.

Art in the Open

Three days of free outdoor art in Victoria Park

Art in The Open (AITO), Prince Edward Island’s free contemporary art festival, returns to

sculptural installations.

Reflecting AITO’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, all festival programming is free and open to the public.

This year’s lineup includes a range and outdoor sound pieces to hands-on

Chef Michael Smith and Chastity Smith, Proprietors, invite you to explore our five-star country inn, Culinary Farm, herb gardens, mushroom patch, Art Forest & Woodland Trails, and thoughtfully designed luxury guest rooms.

For the full artist listings and a detailed schedule, follow AITO on Facebook (@aitoPEI) or Instagram (@ artintheopen).

How art works between us

of

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The relationship between the viewer and a piece of art will be explored in the next Annex show at the Breadalbane Gallery through photographs taken and interpreted by Leo (Liu, Xin). The photographs on display, which Leo has manipulated, were taken at the May exhibition opening. All are welcome to attend the opening reception on August 14 from 6–8 pm. New work from other gallery artists will be on display in

What does a viewer feel and think when looking at a piece of art? How does one document the relationship between the viewer and the work? What is the artist thinking when they watch someone engage with their work? For Leo, these questions form the perfect triangle.

Leo’s exhibit will have two layers. ”The first layer will focus on photographs that show how people respond to artworks, and how bodies, colours, conversations, light, and space become connected with the work,” explains Leo. “The second layer will be a smaller group of photo-based mixed-media works, where some photographs are developed further through painting, acrylic, reflective materials, box structures, or other surfaces. In this way, the photographs

do not stay only as photographs. They return to an art-making process.”

The photographs in the upcoming show and their evolution into paintings are a step in the process of understanding the viewer’s thoughts and emotions. During the show, viewers and painters will explore those thoughts and emotions, which could ultimately result in new works of art, perhaps on the spot.

Schedule

Courage to change

actions to impact for other people in my community.”

Growing up in Nigeria, Ujunwa AjaOnu (Ujay) has always found herself drawn to spirituality and self-help books, and to living her life in her own way, on her own terms. “I wanted to be part of the 5 am club,” she chuckled, referring to a book by the same name. Knowing the importance of setting up ritual and routine, Ujay has built practices for herself that begin early in the morning. She also chose to build a career in ways that went against the common path.

“I don’t know where it came from, but I had the courage to say no to going into banking in my early 20s.”

With a background in community development spanning sectors in education, climate action, and economic empowerment, Ujay’s work has always been in service of her community. “I am passionate about supporting people.” As the newly appointed Executive Director of the Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island, Ujay is eager to bring her skills and passions together in the role. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to be part of BCS and to build programs that support our community. It’s more than just a job for me; it’s about the humanness and the possibility of making change in my community.”

In 2022, Ujay moved to PEI. She came here to study in the Master of Arts in Island Studies program at UPEI. “The program sounded like a great fit for the work I was already doing and my goals for the future.” Like many people who come here to study, Ujay found herself enjoying island life and decided to stay here after graduation. “I fell in love with PEI and my family has decided to continue growing here.”

As someone who has lived here for less than five years, Ujay is intimately aware of the challenges, struggles, and opportunities that exist as a newcomer. “As a newcomer, suddenly everything is different and everything is changing.” These firsthand experiences are helping her in her work role because she has the personal knowledge of navigating the systems here. “I am eager to be part of bringing

An effortless storyteller, Ujay brings the personhood to the forefront in all she does. Whether in program development or policy advocacy, she is keen to build solid foundations for her community. “I am passionate about creating pathways for people to rise.”

Ujay shared stories of living in Lagos with approximately 20 million people: “There were high-rise buildings everywhere and it was easy to get lost in the hustle of city life.” With a sense of peace and calm in her voice, she reflected on the difference for her and her family now that they live here: “Now I can hear the wind in the trees and the sound of the waves in the ocean. It is so beautiful.”

With three kids (ages 3, 10, and 15) at home, Ujay’s non-work life is filled with all the things that parenthood brings. “Raising my children is an important aspect of my life. Building strong community starts at home.” Though her moments alone are few, Ujay enjoys quiet times of reflection, walking in the neighborhood, and visiting beautiful beaches. “I feel the strong sense that we are in the right place and doing the things that we are meant to do in this moment in time.”

Though cheerful and upbeat in her demeanor, Ujay shared that, like many people, she has endured difficult challenges in her life. “We learn, grow, and stretch through the challenges, ultimately becoming more of who we are as resilient and strong people.”

When Ujay moved to PEI, she didn’t know people here. “I have family in Alberta but no one in this part of Canada.” It didn’t take long for her to realize that building community was an essential component to her livelihood and wellbeing. “I realized pretty early that it was the support and strength of my community that helped me and that I needed to build that for myself here.”

She has become an active member of her community and church, sharing her own devotional writing in both long form (in books) and short form (on social media). “We can all use the help and support that comes from knowing other people have been through hard times and have found their way back into the light.” She has published two books on empowerment and speaks to community groups about some of the challenges she has lived through. Ujay’s writing practice is a companion to her prayer and meditation practice, all of which are part of her daily life. “Sharing my stories of pain and triumph is powerful for me and for the listener. It is relationship-building in action.”

Light Before Shadow

Exhibition of figurative paintings at Brian Burke House

Brian Burke House in Murray Harbour presents its third exhibition, Light Before Shadow, featuring 25 enigmatic paintings by the late Brian Burke. The show includes works that have never been exhibited before. The paintings are displayed throughout the house, built in the 1880s, which served as the artist’s final home and studio. It remains as he left it.

Burke repeatedly included visual symbols like polka dots, flags, light fixtures, flowers, frames, mirrors, pictures within pictures, halos, and shadows in his figurative compositions. In this new selection of paintings, the power of light and colour precedes the shadows. Within this thematic thread, one finds questions about our being. It was the driving force in an intense act of painting throughout the artist’s work.

“I’m concerned with directing the viewer’s attention to the results of a painting process itself,” said Burke in 2013. “The work [then] fails to provide the viewer with definitive answers—so

form takes precedent over content.”

Brian Burke, 1952–2017, was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. He drew inspiration from his many studios over the years with extended stays in New York and Europe. In his last six years he worked both in Lucerne, Switzerland, and Murray Harbour, PEI.

His work was extensively exhibited in galleries in North America and Europe, including a retrospective in 2019 at Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown. His paintings can be found in numerous collections, including Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown; The Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa; Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton and Kunstmuseum Lucerne, Switzerland.

Brian Burke House is located at 1345 Main Street, Murray Harbour. The exhibition is open from August 1 to September 19, Thursday to Saturday, from 1–4 pm. brianburke.ch

190 RT 258 NEW GLASGOW ROAD STOKED BAKEHOUSE & BOGSIDE GLASGOW

2026 Art Bank acquisitions

Collection nearing 400 works by Island visual artists

The Province of Prince Edward Island is recognizing the Island’s creative industries through new acquisitions to the PEI Art Bank. For nearly 50 years, the province has acquired close to 400 works by Island visual artists, displayed on a rotating basis in public buildings across PEI.

“As both a photographer and artist, so much of my work is inspired by the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island,” says owner of Rachel Peters Photography Rachel Peters. “Having this large canvas of the Prince Edward

demonstrate how their artistic expression can translate to a meaningful career and livelihood.

The 11 works of art purchased for the Indigenous Art Bank and PEI Art Bank are: Hand of God by Andrew Lewis MacInnis (photography); Sepawe’nmat by Annie Martin (wood-burned panel and acrylic); Homecoming/Escape by Diane Morrison-Robinson (oil on canvas); Home Amongst the Stars by Emily Howard (acrylic paint and PEI sand on canvas); Eclipse of a New Moon by

What Remains

Media art exhibition presented by This Town is Small

This Town Is Small presents the upcoming group exhibition What Remains from August 6 to September 19 in the Hilda Woolnoough Gallery at The Arts Guild, Charlottetown. All are welcome to attend the opening reception on August 5 from 5–7 pm.

The exhibition brings together works that reflect on endings and persistence, exploring grief, memory, biology, defence mechanisms, and the shifting boundaries between the personal and the planetary.

The artists will share recent media artworks (works that use some form of technology), including videos, sound art, projection mapping, kinetic sculpture, and more.

Inside the Journey…

A glimpse into the daily lives of PEI’s Buddhist nuns

Inside the Journey of a Buddhist Nun, an immersive exhibition that offers a glimpse into the daily lives of Buddhist nuns living on PEI, will be on display at the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI) from August 1–September 30.

Through engaging displays, stories, and interactive experiences, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of a way of life centred on inner peace, wisdom, and service to others. Discover how the nuns dedicate their lives to study and the preservation of the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism through the translation of scriptures and texts.

The exhibition is for visitors of all backgrounds who are curious about Buddhism or interested in different cultures. Exhibition and guided tour time slots are available

Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am–4 pm at 805 Brudenell Point Road in Montague.

For more details and to choose a time slot, search “Inside the Journey of a Buddhist Nun” at eventbrite.ca.

Women’s Work

exhibition curated by Samantha Kelly at Eptek

Women’s Work: Doing What Needs to be Done, presented by the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation at Eptek Art & Culture Centre in Summerside, continues until September 27.

Women’s Work is an interactive exhibition developed by Samantha Kelly, Curator of History for the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation (PEIMHF). The exhibition utilizes many items from the Foundation’s historic object collection.

This engaging exhibition invites visitors of all ages on a journey to discover how women living on this land have been contributing their labour and skills since the earliest days of human settlement.

But how is women’s work even defined? It can represent a broad range of essential contributions made over millennia. What activities do these words reflect?

The answer is that women’s work is everywhere. It is in the fields and on the docks and in the farmyards and shipyards. It is in the shops and businesses, and inside every home. Women’s labour can be both unpaid and paid; visible and invisible; skilled and unskilled; dismissed and celebrated.

Visitors are invited to participate in Weaving Our Story, a collabora tive weaving project on a giant loom that honours women they admire. Admission to the main gallery is required to view this exhibition. For more information, call 902-8888373, visit peimuseum.ca, or follow @ eptek.centre.

Art at Macphail Homestead

Exhibition and plein air event this month

The Macphail Homestead is hosting an art exhibition featuring the work of about twenty local artists from August 5–30. The exhibition theme is “Art Reflecting Macphail’s Prince Edward Island Home.”

A plein air event will take place August 8 beginning at 9 am. Painters are encouraged to paint on the Macphail property.

An opening reception will also be held on August 8 at 1 pm. Artists and the public are invited to attend, meet the artists, and browse their work. Refreshments will be provided.

fauna, landscape, heritage, fishing, and agriculture is reflected in the artwork.

All paintings are for sale.

Sir Andrew Macphail was a teacher, doctor, experimental farmer, published author, and editor who loved his PEI home. His interest in Island flora,

Arts Academy

Programming open for enrollment at Confederation Centre

Registration is open at Confederation Centre of the Arts for the 2026/27 Arts Academy season. Students of all ages and experience levels are welcome to explore dance, music, theatre, and visual arts in one of PEI’s most storied arts institutions.

Dance Umbrella, one of PEI’s longest-running dance programs, has a student-centred approach to dance education for dancers of all ages and experience levels, providing high-quality classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and musical theatre.

The Musical Theatre program training explores the technical and expressive elements of drama, voice, and dance used in musical theatre

The Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead is located at 271 Macphail Park Road in Orwell, near Vernon Bridge.

productions, with performance opportunities offered at the end of each term. Adult Improv and Adult Drama classes are also on the roster.

The Visual Arts program complements the Centre’s renowned Art Gallery with hands-on classes and workshops for all ages and abilities. Participants are encouraged to explore their creativity while engaging with the Centre’s rich artistic resources. The Exploring Visual Arts for Adults class returns this fall, as well as monthly Seniors’ Art Activities.

Choral music has been central to the Centre’s story since 1965. Today, the Arts Academy’s choirs continue that tradition through the Confederation Youth Chorus and the Confederation Singers, welcoming both young people and adults. Fall registration is open for both groups.

For more details and to register, visit confederationcentre.com/ arts-academy.

Sarah Saunders

Exhibition of works at the North Nook Gallery

An installation of works by Sarah Saunders is on view at the North Nook Gallery in the front window of The Arts Guild for the month of August.

The works focus on the unopened package as an object suspended in potential, holding what remains unseen, unknowable, and invisible. Inspired by personal artifacts, Saunders uses the materials, techniques, and memories associated with these objects to create sculpture, images, and installation. Her practice transforms these objects into meditations on fragility and beauty, concerns that operate simultaneously as aesthetic choices and conceptual inquiry.

Saunders is a multidisciplinary

Second Place: Below the Wire

visual artist based in Argyle Shore, PEI. Her work frequently explores themes of memory, domestic artifacts, and the passage of time, and has been featured in exhibitions across the region, including at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown.

Jessica Sheppard art at Fitzroy St. Tiny Art Gallery

The Fitzroy St. Tiny Art Gallery presents Second Place: Below the Wire, new work by Jessica Sheppard. The gallery is located at Fitzroy and Felling Streets in Charlottetown and exhibitions are on view 24 hours a day.

Along PEI’s country roads, especially since post-tropical storm Fiona, trees “topped” beneath power lines have become a familiar but overlooked sight. This work reverses that relationship: human figures are topped instead, missing their heads and shoulders, while the tree grows tall and unrestricted.

The piece reflects on how nature is so often asked to bend to human systems and imagines what it might feel

like if that sacrifice were reversed. The materials reinforce this idea: the figures are made using Tetra Pak printmaking, and the tree from reclaimed and upcycled materials, honouring what already exists rather than consuming more.

Ultimately, this piece is an invitation for the viewer to look anew at their landscape and examine the quiet compromises they have made that continue to shape both their environment and themselves.

& take-out marché

Fix Your Plate by Tara Reeves

Barbecue better

One of the things I learned in culinary school, and later on the line, is that professional cooks rely on practice as much as instinct, and the practice is the part anyone can learn. That applies just as much to a backyard grill as it does to a restaurant kitchen. You don’t need years of training for a perfect sear and an evenly cooked burger. You need a handful of habits, the same ones I use whether I’m cooking for forty people or four.

Most people treat the grill as one temperature. It isn’t. Push your coals to one side, or leave a burner off on gas, and you’ve got two zones instead of one. Sear the crust first, then move everything to the cooler side to finish. That single habit fixes almost every burnt-outside, raw-inside dinner I’ve ever seen.

with a sauce that tastes like the season actually happening. None of it takes special equipment or years behind a line. It just takes knowing which few things matter, and trusting yourself to do them the same way every time. That’s how a good cook is made, at a restaurant or in your own backyard.

While we’re breaking habits, let’s talk about flipping. Once, maybe twice, is enough. Food releases from the grate on its own when it’s ready. Flipping before that interrupts the crust. Once it’s off the heat, let it rest, five minutes for a burger, closer to ten for something thicker. I know the smell makes it hard to wait. Do it anyway. The rest keeps the juice in the food rather than on your cutting board.

You don’t have to commit to one protein for the whole month. Salmon or haddock takes beautifully to the grill, skin down first, and cooks in under ten minutes. A well-seasoned beef or chicken burger loves the same searthen-finish approach. And if someone at your table eats plant-based, a portobello mushroom cap marinated in balsamic, garlic, and avocado oil holds its own, no apology needed. Oil the grates well for that one, portobellos are delicate, so resist pressing down with the spatula.

None of it means much without a good sauce. Wild blueberries are just starting to come off the Island’s fields, short season, only a few weeks, so use them while you can. A blueberry barbecue sauce sounds unusual until you taste it. The sweetness and tartness stand up to smoke better than most fruit, and it works as well on fish as it does on a burger.

August won’t wait, and neither will the blueberries. Get the zones right, put the spatula down, let things rest, and finish

Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Makes approx. 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh or frozen PEI wild blueberries

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Combine blueberries and vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Cook 5 to 7 minutes, mashing gently, until the berries break down.

Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, paprika, and garlic powder.

Simmer uncovered 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy.

Blend and strain for a smooth sauce, or leave it rustic.

Season with salt and pepper.

Keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge up to two weeks. Spoon it over grilled fish or brush it onto your burger during the last five minutes of grilling.

ISLAND ARTIST susan christensen

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ART

PEI Quilt Hang Out Day 2026

Inspired by Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Community Quilt Hang Out Day, PEI will celebrate its love of quilts on August 1 (rain date August 2). Everyone is invited to display quilts on clotheslines, decks, porches, windows, businesses, lighthouses (with permission), etc. Quilts can be handmade, gifted, inherited, purchased, or treasured vintage finds. A public map of quilt displays is being created; anyone wishing to be included can submit a community or street name only (no names or other identifying information required). Inclusion on the map is optional. Participants are encouraged to photograph their displays and share them with @peiquilthangoutday or peiquilthangoutday@gmail.com.

Art In Your Face

Art In Your Face/Face À L’Art Art returns to PEI on August 1 from 10 am–3 pm at Confederation Landing Park in Charlottetown. This family-friendly outdoor art show brings together over 30 artists from the Island and New Brunswick, featuring local food, face painting, live music, and more. Attendees can explore vibrant creations, discover local talent, meet the artists, and take home a one-of-a-kind piece of art. follow @artinyourfacenb for updates

Call for Artists: Rooted in Art

The City of Charlottetown is inviting Island artists to apply by August 3 at 4 pm for Rooted in Art, a live outdoor art competition celebrating the City’s urban forest on September 12. Eight artists will be selected to create original works inspired by a City-selected view in Victoria Park using the medium of their choice. Artists will have three hours to complete an 18-by-24-inch work on site while the public observes the creative process. The competition is open to all skill levels and mediums. Prizes are $1500 (first), $1000 (second), and $750 (third), while all other participating artists receive a $500 honorarium. Email

submissions to sgillis@charlottetown. ca or deliver to City Hall, 199 Queen St., Charlottetown. Info: charlottetown.ca/ roots; sustainability@charlottetown.ca

Stories in Stitches VI

For the sixth time since 2013, St. Paul’s in Charlottetown, in partnership with the Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild, presents Stories in Stitches 2026, September 22–26. Needle and fibre artists are invited to exhibit quilts, hooked rugs, and other fibre art displayed throughout the church on pews and railings, with labels describing each work’s history, inspiration, and technique. The exhibition attracts more than 1200 visitors. While not a sale, exhibitors may choose to make their work available for purchase afterward. Registration closes August 31, and there is no exhibitor fee. For details, photos, and registration forms, visit stpaulschurch.ca and search Stories in Stitches VI. Info: Carol Macdonald, carolmcdnld70@gmail.com or 902-218-2213.

Seeking artist and curator profile submissions

This Town Is Small (TTIS) is seeking visual/interdisciplinary artists and curators interested in contributing to its 2027 programming. TTIS has introduced an alternative to its traditional submission process to foster connection and build relationships within PEI’s professional arts community. Its rolling call for profiles encourages artists and curators to share the work they are currently engaged with, helping TTIS’s programming better reflect current interests, approaches, and emerging themes. By submitting or updating profiles annually, artists and curators can keep TTIS informed about their practice, recent work, and curatorial projects. Submissions are welcome from emerging and established professional artists and curators working in all disciplines. At least once a year, a jury will review profiles submitted in the previous year for exhibitions, events, workshops, development opportunities, collaborations, and more. Selections will be based on artistic merit, alignment with TTIS’s mission and values, and project impact. For more information or to submit/update a profile, visit thistownissmall.com/ artist-curator-profiles-2026-27.

PEI Arts Awards call for nominations

Nominations for the 2026 PEI Arts Awards are open until October 5 at 4 pm. Recognizing outstanding contributions to PEI’s arts and culture sector, the annual awards program honours individuals, groups, and organizations across the province. The program is open to PEI residents who have maintained a primary residence on the Island for at least 12 consecutive months. To nominate, visit princeedwardisland.ca/artsawards.

Festive Wreath Contest and Exhibition

The annual Festive Wreath Contest and Exhibition returns to Confederation Centre of the Arts this holiday season. Adults, youth, groups, and businesses are all welcome to participate with traditional or non-traditional wreaths. Wreath drop-off will take place in mid-November; details to come. Prize winners will be announced, and all entries will be displayed throughout the Centre until mid-December. Presented by the Friends of Confederation Centre. Info: friends@ confederationcentre.com

Call for Submissions: The Voice of Marion

Eptek Art & Culture Centre is seeking submissions for the exhibit, The Voice of Marion, to be displayed from January to March 2027. The Island-wide call is for visual art inspired by the work of Marion Campbell Hinton. Submission packages include images of the artwork. This project is presented in memory of Marion with generous support from her niece and nephew, Catherine and Bill Callbeck. Submitted work will be part of a group exhibition and monetary awards will be presented in several categories. The jury consists of PEI artists Henry Purdy, Grace Curtis, and Maurice Bernard. Catherine and Bill hope that many Island artists will be inspired to participate in celebration of their Aunt Marion. Submissions are welcome from artists at any stage of their career. The deadline for expressions of interest is November 1 at midnight. To receive a submission package, email eptek@gov.pe.ca or call 902-888-8373.

Last chance to view

Exhibitions of five artists at Gallery Coffee House

Life in its many forms has inspired five Island artists with distinct backgrounds and creative approaches to create visual works through their unique perspectives. Their varied styles and media are featured in this summer’s art rotation at The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro in Charlottetown until August 31.

On display in the main room is Uncharted, the shared theme of the collections by Teresa Doyle and Haley Lewis. Teresa has transformed what she has learned over decades as a musician into a series of improvisational abstract art pieces, each inspired by her love of nature, travel, and music. The result is a free-flowing collection of colourful abstract imagery. Haley chose to highlight photographs from her travels, crafting artwork around them using paint, handmade paper, and natural elements to express the radiant yet impermanent nature of things.

The Gallery’s back rooms feature the work of three artists—Fariba Tabrizian Namini, Nancy L. Brown, and Vanessa Cross Bisceglia.

Fariba, a self-taught watercolour artist originally from Iran and now based in PEI, hopes to share with

Art for ecosystems

On view at Canadian Centre for Climate Change

Julea Hope Boswell’s Shifting Shores mural and William Montelpare’s exhibit Painting the Gentle Island, both artistic expressions of the shifting realities of Island ecosystems under threat, are on view this summer at the

(clockwise from top-left): artwork by Nancy L. Brown, Haley Lewis, Teresa Doyle, Vanessa

viewers the joy, inner peace, and connection she experienced while creating her collection, Aram-e-jan works in fluid art, reflected in her col lection

Bisceglia’s Island’s scenery, flowers, and creatures.

Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation (CCCCA).

case at Turning the Tide, an interna tional conference held at UPEI last year which focussed on island-specific effects of climate change, both are now available for the public to see in St. Peters Bay (5522 Route 2) on Fridays.

Fridays from 10:30 am–noon, followed by access to the gallery and climate-re silient demonstration garden from noon–3:30 pm.

their website at cccca.upei.ca

ARTISTS & ARTISANS

Art Buds Gallery

Locally handmade original works by Island makers and artisans. Daily drop-in activities and artist-led workshops are available. Open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10 am–5 pm, and Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 am–7 pm. 329 Water St, Summerside. artbuds.ca

Artisans on Main Souris

Artist-run gallery with handcrafted items such as felting, rug hooking, knitwear, weaving, quilting, rope mats, pottery, visual arts, jewellery, and more. Drop in and meet one of the artisans on duty. Open daily 10 am–5 pm until September. Follow @ Artisans On Main Souris on socials. Suite 114b, 106 Main St, Souris.

Artisans Waterfront Market

Eastern PEI’s largest gallery with works by 43 PEI artists and crafters in all mediums, including pottery, jewellery, glassware, photography, paintings, hooked rugs, quilts, soaps, sculptures, and treats. Open daily, Monday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday 12–5 pm, until September 30. 1 Station St, Montague. artisanswaterfront.ca

Bedford Station Gallery

Showcasing the works of 29 local artists including Barb Hanson, Beth Hoar, Carolyn Hayes Hessinger, Christina White, Gary Schoenfeldt, Helene LaRouche, Gloria Wooldridge, Hank Bos, Heather Reid, Katarina McCourt, Kim Jabbour, Leo Marchildon, LiliAnne Webster, Lucas Picard, Margaret Wailes, Ron Patterson, Sara Arya-Smith, Rob Shaw, Simonne Smith, Taylor Martin, Victor Hikthorvholk, Gweneth BranchRice, Wayne Crouse, Jennifer K Henry, Seth Sheehan, Lesley Dubey, Julea Boswell, and Devin Sheehan. The gardens showcase the creative vision of landscaper and photographer Wayne Crouse. 96 Rte 6, Bedford.

Birchtree Gallery

Mi’kmaq woven baskets, painting, pottery, Island potato soap, beaded jewellery, landscape paintings, and more. Basket weaving classes are available.

Open Monday–Saturday 10 am–6 pm, and Sunday 1–5 pm. 8 Main St, Victoria. birchtreegallery.com

Creative Rebel Studio

Original art and products by artist Patrick Guindon. Workshops, day camps, and special events are available for all ages. Open Monday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday 12–5 pm. 538 Main St, Montague. creativerebelstudio.com

Dara Jane Jewellery Studio

Featuring necklaces, bracelets, and rings in semi-precious stones, collectible crystal wands, spheres, eggs and rocks, African sea glass, and tribal beads by Dara Loomis. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, and Sunday 1–4 pm. 1179 Rte 2, Rollo Bay. 902-388-7804

Details Fine Art Gallery

Original art by Island artists, as well as fine art from national and international artists in a variety of media and subject matter, including paintings, sculptures, art glass, ceramics, and designer jewellery. 166 Richmond St, Charlottetown. detailsfineart.com

Dunes Island Art Gallery

Handcrafted paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewellery, woodwork, metalwork, and more. Open daily 9 am–8 pm. 3622 Brackley Point Rd, Brackley Beach. dunesgallery.ca

Ellen’s Creek Gallery

Artwork by PEI artists and high quality custom framing. Open weekdays 9 am–5 pm and by appointment on weekends. 525 North River Rd, Charlottetown.

Galerie La Palette

Offering works from local artists, including paintings, prints, photography and more. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 am–4:30 pm, until August 30. Located in the yellow building at Village musical acadien. 1745 Rte 124, Abram-Village.

Gaudreau Fine Crafts Gallery

Featuring a unique collection of pottery, wood, fibre, weaving, paintings, glass, and jewellery by Maritime artisans. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm. 11 Grand Pere Point Rd, Rte 242, South Rustico.

Island Girl Studio

Watercolours and art cards by artist Donna White. Open Tuesdays and Sundays, 12–5 pm, or by appointment (email dmwhite775@gmail.com). 65 Anderson Rd, St. Peters.

Island Winds

Musically-tuned

Island-made wind chimes. Open Monday–Tuesday 10 am–6 pm, Friday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, and Sunday 12–4 pm. 3827 Millvale Rd, South Granville. islandwindcraft.com

J. Bergman Art Studio

Edgy and contemporary original paintings by Summerside artist Janos Bergman. Works are regularly exhibited internationally and on PEI. Viewings are available by appointment (email janosbergman917@gmail.com or call 902786-3614). 123 Heron Ave, Summerside. bergmanartpei.ca

Jeanette Walker Jewellery

Jeanette Walker designs custom jewellery and repurposes and redesigns heirlooms and outdated jewellery. jeanettewalkerjewellery.com

June Ellis Studio

Original paintings, prints, notecards, and bookmarks of PEI seascapes, landscapes, and lighthouses by PEI artist June Ellis. Commissions and appointments are available (email juneellisartist@gmail. com or call 902-439-8774). Rte 12, East Bideford, Ellerslie. juneellis.com

Karen Gallant Gallery in Rustico

Paintings by local artist Karen Gallant, fine art reproductions, art cards, and unique finds. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm. 1993 Church Rd, Rustico, in the former St Augustine’s Credit Union building. karengallant.com

Kensington Art Co-op Gallery

An eclectic blend of artwork from over 30 local artists. Host artists often paint

on-site. Open daily from 10 am–4 pm. Located in the historic freight shed at 27 Commercial St, Kensington. 902-886-0331

Knit Pickers PEI Studio

Canadian goods, including wool, knitting needles, knitting and weaving accessories, and wool pellets for gardening. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm. 566 Line Rd, Rte 13, Mayfield. knitpickerspei.com

Kro In The Sky Art Studio

An assortment of dichroic and seaglass jewellery, stained glass, mosaics, and fine art. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. 1800 Point Prim Rd, Belfast. krointhesky.com

McAskill’s Fine Crafts Studio

Furniture and crafts, pottery, fine art, metal work, glass, and giftware by PEI and Atlantic artisans. 26 Beasley Ave, Charlottetown. mcaskillwoodworking.com

Messy Crow Studio

Wool artwork (felting on denim, in frames, and dimensional critters), sea glass, vintage jewellery, pottery, candles, soaps, and retro finds from Maritime artisans. Open Tuesday–Friday, 10 am–4 pm, and Saturday 10 am–1 pm. Rte 335, St Catherine’s Rd, Souris.

Michael Stanley Pottery

Pottery by Malcolm and Michael Stanley, as well as art by other artists. Open daily until September. 22 Howard St, Victoria. michaelstanleypottery.com

Northern Watters Knitwear

Handcrafted sweaters, shawls, stoles, ponchos, and PEI arts and crafts. 150 Richmond St, Charlottetown. nwknitwear.com

PEI Crafts Council

Two floors of work by local artisans, including pottery, jewellery, wood, textile, quilting, glass, and fine art. Open daily 10 am–4:30 pm and Sundays 12–5 pm. 98 Water St, Charlottetown. peicraftscouncil.com

PEI Fox Den

Works by over 60 local artists and artisans, including pottery, apparel, candles, soaps, visual art, knitted goods, embroidery, woodwork, chocolate, tea, coffee, honey, maple syrup, music, FloaTEA treats, and the original PEI Fox Mug™. Open Wednesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm. 2852 1A, North Bedeque. peifoxden.ca

PhoArts Studio

Photography, visual and digital art, and paintings by photographer and artist Leona Arsenault. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm until August 31, or by appointment (email leona@PhoArts.com or call 902-315-1747). 108 John Paul Rd, Abram-Village.

Rustico

Bay Wool Sweater Company

Handmade wool sweaters and accessories, one-of-a-kind knitwear, and giftware. Open daily Monday–Friday

10 am–5 pm, and Saturday–Sunday 11 am–6 pm. 7218 Rustico Rd, Rte 6, North Rustico. rusticosweaters.pe.ca

Rusty Shores Pottery

A wide selection of unique pottery items created by potter Janice Bednarz. Open by chance or appointment by calling 902393-1552. 6039 Route 19, Rice Point.

Stanley Bridge Studios

Island crafts, jewellery, pottery, art, woodwork, ironwork, home and garden decor, clothing, and accessories. Open daily 10 am–5 pm. 10090 Rte 6, Stanley Bridge.

The Studio Gallery

An artist-run gallery exhibiting Island artists, including original works in oil, watercolour, batik etching, and pigment prints. Featuring the printmaking studio of Doreen Foster. Open 10 am–5 pm. 4 Howard St, Victoria. studiogallery.ca

Trout River Pottery

Island-made pottery by Darren Matheson and woven baskets by Rose Matheson. Open daily from 10 am–5 pm or find them at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am–2 pm. 902-393-7392. 2088 Trout River Rd, Millvale.

Village Pottery

Handcrafted pottery, locally-made jewellery, crafts, artwork, clothing, and accessories. Open daily 10 am–5 pm. 10567 Rte 6, New London. villagepottery.ca

this

EXHIBITS

galleries, museums...

Acadian Museum of PEI

La Voix acadienne: Fifty Years of Legacy! is on display at the museum. Discover how a half-century of reporting on the Island’s Acadian and Francophone community has helped preserve its culture. Visitors can also choose a funny, personalized headline in the photo booth. Explore the permanent exhibition and video, The Island Acadians: The Story of a People Acadian genealogy resources are available, and a gift shop is on site. 23 Main Dr E, Miscouche. Info: 902-432-2880, museeacadien@gmail.com

Bedeque Area Historical Museum

New exhibits include a meticulously created model of the Coady Farm in North Wiltshire, PEI, and a display marking the 200th anniversary of Bedeque Baptist Church, founded in 1826. More than 30 exhibits are on view, covering the Mi’kmaq; the Acadians, Loyalists, and Irish who settled the area; the Borden Ferry service; Clocks of the Island, 1770–1960; and artifacts from the late Howard Clark’s Red Barn Museum in Chelton. The Lower Bedeque Schoolhouse features the story of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s time in Bedeque

and early schooling in the area. Open until September 6, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday, 1–5 pm. Admission applies (except August 9 and 30). 950 Callbeck St., Bedeque.

Breadalbane Gallery

Leo (Liu, Xin) is the featured artist this month in the Annex Gallery. An opening takes place August 14 at 6 pm. Other gallery artists include Joan Sutton, Becky Allain, Silver Frith, Marianne Janowicz, Denise Livingstone, Zoe Novaczek, Haley Lewis, Lyneth Sausa, Arjun Thappa, Patrick Macdonald, Chris Mollins, Rick MacDonald, Will Baker, Lisa Theriault, Laura Bain, Yuzhu Yang, Sabine Nuesch, Vian Emery, Lily-Ann Hein, Zora Wendt, and Erin Veitch. Artists interested in exhibiting can submit photos of their work to breadalbane.gallery@gmail.com. Open Tuesday, 11 am–4 pm, Wednesday, 9 am–4 pm, and Thursday, 4–8 pm. 4023 Dixon Rd, Breadalbane.

Brian Burke House

Light Before Shadow, an exhibition of figurative paintings by the late Brian Burke, is on view from August 1 to September 19, including works never before exhibited. Open Thursday–Saturday, 1–4 pm. 1345 Main St, Murray Harbour. brianburke.ch

Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation

On view are Julea Hope Boswell’s Shifting Shores and William Montelpare’s

Painting the Gentle Island. The gallery and climate-resilient demonstration garden are open to the public on Fridays through August. 5522 Rte 2, St. Peters Bay. cccca.upei.ca

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

Installations on view include Consumed: Jane Meredith Whitten until September 6; Among Others until September 20; The Art of Collecting: Selections from the Tom Banks Collection until September 20; Channelling until January 3; and Sandeep Johal: To Be Something More (and More) until January 10. 130 Queen St, Charlottetown. confederationcentre.com/artgallery

Cornwall Library Art Gallery

An opening reception for The Art of Everyday Joy by Yuzhu Yang will be held August 4 at 7 pm. Celebrating the ordinary moments that become meaningful, the exhibition runs until September 11. For information about exhibiting in the gallery, contact the library at 902-629-8415. 15 Mercedes Dr., Town Hall, Cornwall.

Eptek Art & Culture Centre

Women’s Work: Doing What Needs to be Done, an interactive exhibition developed by Samantha Kelly for the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation, is on view until September 27. An admission fee applies. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside. peimuseum.ca

The Fitzroy St. Tiny Art Gallery

Second Place: Below the Wire by Jessica Sheppard is on view 24/7 at the corner of Fitzroy and Felling Sts in Charlottetown.

The Gallery – Coffee House & Bistro

On view until August 31: Uncharted, featuring work by Teresa Doyle and Haley Lewis; Peace of the Soul/Aram-ejan by Fariba Tabrizian Namini; My Life in Flow by Nancy L. Brown; and Cheeky Waters by Vanessa Cross Bisceglia. All works are for sale. A permanent exhibition featuring work by Patrick Guindon, Sita MacMillan, and Ashleigh Tremere is on view in the nook space. Open daily, 8 am–5 pm. 82 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute

The immersive exhibition Inside the Journey of a Buddhist Nun is on display from August 1–September 30. Exhibition and guided tour time slots are available Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–4 pm. To choose a time slot, search “Inside the Journey of a Buddhist Nun” at eventbrite.ca. 805 Brudenell Pt Rd, Montague.

Keir Memorial Museum

Housed in the former Keir Memorial Presbyterian Church are artifacts reflecting local life and traditions, including homestead memorabilia, shipbuilding, fishing and blacksmithing tools, and a working mud digger. A new installation features a commemorative stainedglass window of The Annabella (1770), designed by Glass Studio artist Linda Whaley. The museum celebrates local heritage dating back to the early 1700s and has refreshed several exhibits over the past five years. The gift shop features work by 37 Island artisans. 2214 Rte 20, Malpeque. museumspei.ca

The North Nook Gallery

An installation of works by Sarah Saunders is on view 24/7 in the front window of The Arts Guild through August, 111 Queen St, Charlottetown.

Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead

A group exhibition on the theme Art Reflecting Macphail’s Prince Edward Island Home, featuring work by about 20 local artists, is on view August 5–30. All are welcome to the opening reception on August 8 at 1 pm. A plein air event begins at 9 am on August 8. 271 Macphail Pk Rd, Orwell.

This Town is Small at the Hilda Woolnough Gallery

This Town Is Small presents the group exhibition What Remains from August 6–September 19. Participating artists are Millefiore Clarkes, Nancy Cole, Andreas Fobes, Marti Hopson, Adam Gallant, Adam Hill, Sarah Noonan, Lee Rosevere, and Ezra Saad. All are welcome to the opening reception on August 5 from 5–7 pm. The gallery is open for public viewing Tuesday–Sunday, 12–5 pm. The Arts Guild, 111 Queen St, Charlottetown. thistownissmall.com

Creative Careers by Jane

Ledwell

How to audience

“What is your definition of an artist?” sculptor Gerald Beaulieu asked me during a conversation about the status of artists in PEI. After I stumbled through an answer, he offered his own: an artist is someone who creates and wants an audience.

Connecting with audiences is a particular challenge for visual artists. Except at openings, they may never share space with their work and its viewers. And even if they do, how to read the room? How does an artist understand audience engagement?

Even in performing arts spaces, PEI audiences are notoriously hard to interpret. We may be appreciative, but reactions tend to be quiet, guarded, inscrutable. Is that standing ovation polite or heartfelt? Too often, our critical judgments—positive or negative—are withheld or cloaked in the damning non-judgment, “Well, that was interesting.”

One bridge between art and audience is critical cultural reflection. After an art experience, we do talk among ourselves about what made being in the audience meaningful. Artist Alexis Bulman says, “I wonder what a review culture could look like if it grew out of the way we already gather, talk, and make art here, on a small island where the distance between artist, audience, and reviewer is so small?”

Of formal art writing on this island, we have very little. So, where do our conversations go, and where do they take us? This August issue of The Buzz, with its performing arts reviews, represents some of the only critical writing on PEI’s artistic creation. Thirty years after the Confederation Bridge, you could say we still haven’t built a critical Fixed Link for the arts.

Meet Us Halfway, a grassroots online journal with one excellent but solitary issue, describes the need for “somewhere to expand the life of creative work beyond the representations of social media.” Instigators Pan Wendt and Norah Pendergast ask, “aside from self-promotion, how do Island artists get seen and talked about? Avenues are scarce.” Their journal hoped to fill

a gap left unfilled for 25 years after Arts Atlantic Magazine, PEI-based and edited by Joe Sherman, moved to Halifax and soon ended production.

Nationally, cultural critic Sky Goodden of MoMus said this about the end of Canadian Art magazine: “There is this shadow that falls… Nothing to say ‘we were here’ beyond the press releases. That’s where the real bitterness lies.” When we don’t have critical forums, and we don’t communicate to artists what their work has meant to us, how it changed us, it risks falling into shadows. “There’s work to do,” Goodden says, “to fill the gaps.”

These gaps disrupt meaningful connection between artists and audiences. I’ve written reviews for these August pages—a tough gig. Even when I loved a show, I had questions. What do I say to help future shows happen? What language encourages a stand-out emerging artist to grow? What quotation can a small theatre use to draw audiences? What critique is serious yet positive enough for applications for work-sustaining arts grants? In a small cultural ecosystem with an even smaller circle of criticism, these ques tions are consequential.

My own decision was to share the cru cial information a potential audience member needed to decide whether this was a show for them—to help get the right audience into the seats, and hope they’d take the next step: to reflect, and share those reflections with the world and the artists.

Gerald asked, “What is an artist,” but in the spirit of his definition, I ask instead: how to audience. My best response is simple. Be audience. Show up, engage, reflect, critique, appreciate, discuss, share. Repeat.

Wearable Art Party

Nothing to Wear at The Arts Guild—Aug 22

This Town Is Small’s annual Wearable Art Party returns on August 22 at 8 pm in partnership with The Arts Guild in Charlottetown.

Taking over both floors, the event features DJs, food, dancing, and immersive installations in the Black Box Theatre and Hilda Woolnough Gallery. The theme, “Nothing to Wear,” invites guests to wear that thing in their closet that they can never find the right occasion to wear out.

Admission is pay what you can at the door. This is a 19+ event.

thistownissmall.com

GET CREATIVE

Creative fun for youth at the Charlottetown Library

Free hands-on activities for children and teens continue at the Charlottetown Library. Teens can enjoy creative crafts and chat about books on Sundays, August 2, 9, and 16 at 12:30 pm. Maker Mondays invite children to create something new on August 3, 10, and 17 from 6–8 pm. Crafternoon in the Makerspace features lavender flower painting on August 12 at 1 pm. Youth ages 9–12 can enjoy activities, snacks, and socializing in the community kitchen on Tuesdays, August 4, 11, and 18 from 2:30–4 pm. Brilliant Labs offers hands-on science experiments on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 1 pm until August 22. A nature education program with crafts and activities takes place on Wednesdays, August 5, 12, and 19 at 3:30 pm, while Makerspace science experiments are offered Thursdays, August 6, 13, and 20 at 1 pm. Story Explorers features stories, games, parachute activities, and crafts on August 7 and 10 at 10:30 am. Hooked on Crochet with Julie takes place August 15 at 10 am; beginners are welcome. Info: 902-368-4642

Paint Club for Adults

Adults can drop in to the Charlottetown Library to paint and socialize on August 3 and 17 at 1 pm.

Creative fun for youth at the Summerside Library

Free arts activities continue this month at the Summerside Library. Drop in for Crafternoon for Kids during library hours. An outdoor program featuring crafts, science, and games at Leger Park (weather permitting) takes place Tuesdays, August 4, 11, and 18 at 1 pm. Children can explore different bodies of

water and the plants and animals that live in them through crafts and activities on Wednesdays, August 5, 12, and 19 at 1:30 pm (ages 5–8) and Thursdays, August 6, 13, and 20 at 1 pm (ages 9–12). Teens can enjoy water-themed games, activities, movies, and more on Tuesdays at 2 pm. Brilliant Labs offers hands-on STEM activities for ages 6–12 on Thursdays, August 6, 13, and 20 at 11 am.

CreativePEI Artmobile

Drop in for creative time with the CreativePEI Artmobile at the Summerside and Charlottetown libraries this month. Charlottetown sessions take place August 5 and 19 at 10:30 am, and the Summerside session is August 6 at 1:30 pm. Create with the art supplies provided or bring your own materials or a work-in-progress project.

Eptek workshops

Eptek Art & Culture Centre is offering stained glass workshops with Lynn Provance this summer, including stained glass courses on Tuesday mornings in August and September; a two-day Sea Glass & Stained Glass workshop on August 6 and 13; and a Make It and Take It workshop on August 20 and September 10. For details, fees, and to register, call 902-888-8373. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.

ARC27 Photography Experiences

Sion Irwin-Childs presents two ARC27 Photography Experiences in downtown Charlottetown this month. Film Photography: The Basics and Beyond, takes place on August 7 from 10 am–5 pm. The Urban Landscape, takes place on August 14 from 10 am–5 pm and is for all cameras, including camera phones. For details, fees, and to register, visit sionirwinchilds.ca and click ARC27 Experiences.

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 August 13. Bring

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

PEI Modern Quilt Guild

The PEI Modern Quilt Guild will meet on August 20 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

Fibre Arts Club

Fibre Arts Club runs weekly on Tuesdays at the Charlottetown Library. Bring supplies or a current project and drop in between 1–3 pm to join knitters, crocheters, rug hookers, and other fibre and textile makers.

Pottery in the Park

The PEI Potters Studio in Victoria Park, Charlottetown, is offering its 10-week fall pottery session beginning in September. Classes are open to beginners and experienced participants and are taught by professional Island potters in a relaxed, small-group setting. Participants will learn clay preparation, wheel-throwing, glazing, and decorating techniques while creating finished pieces. Adult beginner classes are offered on Mondays or Tuesdays at 6:30 pm beginning September 8. Online registration opens August 24 from 7–9 pm. After registration closes, participants will be selected by random draw and contacted as soon as possible. Children’s classes for ages 9–14 begin September 12 on Saturdays, with sessions at 9 am (ages 9–11) and 11:30 am (ages 12–14). An experienced youth drop-in class for ages 15–18 is offered Tuesdays at 4 pm. Registration for children’s classes is on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit peipottersstudio. ca to register and for up-to-date class information. Email registration@peipottersstudio.ca for more info.

Eptek community mural

Visitors to Eptek Art & Culture Centre are invited to contribute to the community art project Not Just a Pretty Face by drawing the faces of women who have inspired them. The drawings will become part of a temporary living mural in the hall gallery this summer. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.

Life drawing for adults

Drop-in life drawing sessions with a nude model will now be held at The Arts Hotel on Kent Street in Charlottetown every Sunday at 2 pm. 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; 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 to inquire about modelling.. Follow @ LifeDrawingPEI on FB for updates.

Documenting Garolou

PEI filmmakers seeking photos, posters, and stories

Filmmaker Louise Lalonde has announced the production of a documentary celebrating the legendary band Garolou as it marks the 50th anniversary of its founding.

The National Film Board of Canada is producing the film, which will trace the remarkable journey of the group, a musical phenomenon in Quebec and throughout French-speaking Canada. The story, however, begins in Prince Edward Island, where the musicians who would eventually form Garolou, then known as Lougarou, first met.

The first musical collaborations that led to the band’s official formation in 1975 took place on the Island and involved founding members Michel and Marc Lalonde, Michel Deguire, Steven Naylor, Emile Lefebvre, and the

late George Antoniak.

As part of their research, the filmmaker and producer are hoping to connect with people who attended one of the group’s performances in the mid1970s. They are looking for individuals who would be willing to share memories, provide archival photographs or other materials, or put them in touch with others who were there.

“If you attended one of these performances, or know someone who did, we would be delighted to hear from you,” says Director Louise Lalonde.

Every story, no matter how brief, can help preserve an important chapter in the francophone musical heritage of PEI and Canada.

Contact Louise by email at louise@ louiselalondeproductions.com.

Happy Trails Photography

New PEI comedy series on Fibe TV1

The heartfelt PEI comedy series Happy Trails Photography is now streaming on Fibe TV1.

The limited series, commissioned by Bell Fibe TV1, reunites PEI actors Rebecca Parent and John MacCormack who star as Wendy and Jason Arsenault, a newly divorced couple who have problems keeping their photography business afloat due to financial difficulties. The photographers turn to the “nearly and dearly departed” to build out their client base.

of many Islanders but also shows their resilience and creativity,” says Engel.

Directed by Jessica Gallant, Happy Trails Photography is written by Charlotte Engel and produced by Engel and Amy Sobol under Rock Yenta PEI Productions Inc.

“PEI has a love of all things Victorian, so I thought it would be fun to bring back the art of Victorian death photography but set it in modern day. Jason and Wendy’s struggles reflect that

“Using only PEI local actors and crew made Happy Trails Photography a wonderful and meaningful experience. There is so much talent based on PEI, it would be a shame not to capitalize on it,” says Sobel.

Fibe TV1 is available commercial-free on demand to all Bell Fibe TV subscribers on Channel 1 and the Fibe TV app.

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.

Admission

Regular $13

Member $10

65 and over $11

Student $11 (with ID) 14 and under $9

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

Annual membership - $30.00

Classic of the Month:

The

Adventures

of

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

July 29–Aug 1

Comedy/Drama. 14A, coarse language. Dir: Stephan Elliott, Australia, 1994, 104 min. Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp.

Winner, Academy Award, Best Costumes Presented in Celebration of The PEI Pride Festival

“Brilliantly bitchy, fabulously photographed and wonderfully played... Two drag queens and a transgender woman travel across the outback in a dilapidated coach for a gig in that bastion of machismo, Alice Springs, en route finding themselves in all manner of hilarious fish-out-of-water situations. As they gaily bemuse Aborigines, bait vicious homophobes and find kindred spirits among Australia’s diverse immigrant communities, they come to terms not only with their own shortcomings, but also with Australia’s countless contradictions. Ingeniously cast against type, Terence Stamp is a revelation as the hard-drinking Bernadette, but he’s matched all the way by the versatile Hugo Weaving and the dashing Guy Pearce.” —David Parkinson, Radio Times (UK)

Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass

July 31–August 4 & August 7–8

14A, coarse language. Comedy. Dir: David Wain, US, 2026, 93 min. Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm, Ken Marino, John Slattery.

gone haywire… It’s not a question of whether you will laugh or not, but how often… Gail is engaged to an extreme dolt named Tom. The couple eventually concoct a ‘hall pass’ system, in which the two agree on celebrities that they could have affairs with, would the unlikely opportunity ever come to pass. Well, it isn’t long before Tom hooks up with his… which leads Zoey to travel to L.A. to fulfill her own sexual conquest: Mad Men star Jon Hamm… The story is peppered with dubious Hollywood power players, Italian gangsters, past-their-prime paparazzi photographers, and even Hamm’s old Mad Men co-star John Slattery, playing an extremely disheveled version of himself. It is all delightfully nonsensical stuff… Every other line of dialogue is at once ridiculous and brilliant, the sheer irrationality of the material looping back into the most perfect punchline. Critic’s Pick.” —Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail

Primavera (Vivaldi and Me)

August 5–9

14A, coarse language, sexual content. Drama, Music. Dir: Damiano Michieletto, Italy/France, 2025, 110 min. Tecla Insolia, Michele Riondino, Andrea Pennacchi, Fabrizia Sacchi. Winner of 9 Donatello Awards including Best Music and Best Costumes

“A picturesque backdrop of 18th-century Venice, a beautiful orphan, a baroque classical score featuring the music of Vivaldi – Primavera is a crowd-pleasing, prestige period drama of the kind that has fallen from favour of late. But the appeal of such handsome, romantic productions persists. Primavera tells the story of Cecilia, a spirited foundling raised from infancy at the Pio Ospedale della Pietà orphanage in Venice. The most talented girls are trained in music, and this young violinist is one of the brightest stars of the institution’s chamber orchestra. But it’s not until Antonio Vivaldi joins as the music master that Cecilia, with his encouragement, takes her own potential seriously. Unfortunately, she has been promised as a wife for a raffish nobleman, and for girls like Cecilia, marriage means the end of music. This is a gorgeously designed production, tallow candlelight bringing a velvety quality to the forbidding stone walls of the orphanage. Even the girls’ simple dresses – dove grey for everyday wear, deep crimson for performances – are ravishingly lovely... Escapism at its most elegant.” —Wendy Ide, The Observer

“One of the best films of the year.” —Tom McSorley, CBC Ottawa

Racewalkers

August 10–15

PG, coarse language. Comedy. Dir: Kevin Claydon/Phil Moniz, Canada, 2026, 80 min. Kevin Claydon, Phil Moniz, Robbie Amell, Greg Bryk, Jess Salgueiro.

Winner – Unstoppable Feature Grand Jury Prize, Slamdance, and Fest Fave Award, Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival

“A charming and refreshingly original sports comedy that elevates the overlooked world of racewalking to something both absurd and sweet…. stars Kevin Claydon and Phil Moniz possess impeccable chemistry, with their sharp banter and genuine sincerity grounding the film’s humor in warmth rather than just hilarity… The film is very successful at combining the classic beats of the sports genre (training montages, setbacks, and triumphant moments) with an emotional honesty that adds layers to its characters… Claydon’s Matt, a former baseball pitcher trying to find his footing, and Moniz’s Will, an eccentric coach trying to prove himself, have a complicated dynamic that keeps the film centered. The rivalries, particularly with Ched and his overbearing father Kurt, add plenty of humor, but it’s the film’s sincere exploration of personal growth and friendship that makes it truly special…. The balance of smart writing, strong performances, and well-timed humor makes this not just a sports film, but a feel-good escape, full of laughs and emotional payoff.”

—Kristy Strouse, Film Inquiry

Rules of Living

August 14–17

Comedy/Drama. PG. Dir: Greg Dale, Japan, 2024, 109 min. Kaho Minami, Greg Dale, Mayuko Kawakita, Jeffrey Rowe. In Japanese and English with subtitles in both languages.

Winner, Best Feature Film Comedy, Sedona International Film Festival

care. She’s stuck in a job she doesn’t love and a relationship with an elite businessman that gives her no real pleasure; and she can’t get her irresponsible daughter to listen to her. When Vincent, an American who has met said daughter overseas, shows up on her doorstep and asks to stay ‘just for 3 months,’ she’d like nothing to do with him. But he has money for rent, so Mikuko reluctantly agrees to let him stay in a spare room. After weeks of often hilarious miscommunications, the oddball roommates begin to start talking about themselves. As they navigate cultural differences and discuss societal expectations, each begins to make discoveries that eventually help them find a new sense of purpose.”

Tokyo Filmgoer

Disclosure Day

August 18–23

Thriller/Science Fiction. PG, not recommended for young children. Dir: Steven Spielberg, US, 2026, 145 min. Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Eve Hewson, Colin Firth.

“Armed with a spectacular cast Spielberg takes an imaginative look at what it would look like if humanity actually found out it wasn’t alone in the universe, and the efforts by some to keep that information hidden… The action-packed cold open, though, is right out of an Indiana Jones flick, where Daniel Kellner has to rescue his girlfriend Jane from a governmental goon squad… Daniel is among a group of whistleblowers from the shady agency WARDEX who nabbed evidence of a massive, nearly 80-year cover-up that, if revealed, would be a turning point for civilization… Meanwhile, in Kansas City, TV meteorologist Margaret… suddenly starts speaking in an alien language on the air... Daniel and Jane go on the run… And Margaret finds herself strangely driven toward this guy Daniel she’s never met… The wholly riveting climax is among the best in Spielberg’s legendary career – which is truly saying something. Past and present are utilized in such a fascinating way as the filmmaker takes his premise to a logical, honest and heartfelt conclusion.” — Brian Truitt, USA Today

Late Fame

August 24–29

Drama/Comedy. 14A. Dir: Kent Jones, US, 2026, 96 min. Willem Dafoe, Greta Lee, Jake Lacy.

an anthology of poetry called Way Past Go, which caused barely a ripple… Then one day he is accosted outside his apartment by an NYU student, who explains that he stumbled across Way Past Go at a secondhand bookstore and was transported, blown away and could scarcely believe what he’d found… Saxberger is portrayed with a loose, warmleather ease by Willem Dafoe… It’s a performance so natural it barely looks like acting at all… Meyers runs a salon of sorts, the Enthusiasm Society, and cajoles his idol into writing a piece to be performed at the group’s first public show. Saxberger hasn’t written in decades, doesn’t even see himself as a writer, but he is flattered by the attention and faintly dazzled by Gloria, who is a club singer by night and a resting actor by day… This one has stayed with me. It’s a lovely slice of life, a heartfelt New York story… Saxberger’s poetry is ecstatic and gritty in the style of Frank O’Hara, conjuring the sounds and flavours of the old New York, and the authentically voracious hunger of youth.” —Xan Brooks, The Guardian (UK)

Classic of the Month: The Rocketeer

August 28–31

Adventure/Science Fiction. PG, violence. Dir: Joe Johnston, US, 1991, 108 min. Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton. Presented in memory of our friend and longtime volunteer Veronica Hicks.

It’s the 35th anniversary year for this classic! “A most entertaining escapist adventure about a gee-whiz 1938 American pilot who finds a rocket backpack designed by Howard Hughes and uses it to foil undercover Nazis. Directed by Joe Johnston (Honey, I Shrunk the Kids), this picture rips along with cascading energy and ends up being more entertaining than the last Indiana Jones film... Timothy Dalton steals the show as a Hollywood actor who wants the rocket pack for his own reasons... Set designs are top-notch, and the smart dialogue had my preview audience hissing and cheering at appropriate moments.” —Gene Siskel, The Chicago Tribune

city cinema schedule

Wed Thu Fri 29 30 31 7:00 7:00 7:00 9:15

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

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

citycinema.ca

Adventures of Priscilla

Adventures of Priscilla

Gail Daughtry

Adventures of Priscilla JULY

AUGUST

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Adventures of Priscilla Gail Daughtry Gail Daughtry Gail Daughtry Gail Daughtry Primavera Primavera Gail Daughtry Primavera Primavera Gail Daughtry Primavera Racewalkers Racewalkers Racewalkers Racewalkers Racewalkers Rules of Living Rules of Living Racewalkers Rules of Living Rules of Living

Disclosure Day

Disclosure Day

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Disclosure Day Late Fame Late Fame Late Fame Late Fame

The Rocketeer Late Fame The Rocketeer Late Fame

The Rocketeer The Rocketeer

DiverseCity Festival

Three remaining events across PEI in August

The DiverseCity Festival continues its 20th anniversary celebrations with three remaining events across PEI in August, following a successful start to the season that has brought thousands of people together to celebrate culture, community, and inclusion.

The all-ages celebrations feature multicultural food vendors, artisan and craft booths, live entertainment, cultural performances, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with cultures from around the world. Strong community participation and support since the milestone season launched in June has once again demonstrated the importance of creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels they belong.

Founded in 2007, the DiverseCity Festival celebrates multiculturalism in Canada while strengthening connections between newcomers and long-time Islanders. Since expanding in 2014, the festival has grown into one of PEI’s most anticipated summer cultural events, promoting inclusion, anti-racism, and community belonging.

The festival continues this month with events in Three Rivers (Montague) on August 1 from 12 noon–4 pm at Waterfront Park; Kensington on August 16 from 11 am–3 pm at the Railway Station and Confederation Trail; and Souris on

August 30 from 1–4 pm at Centennial Park on Pond Street.

“Celebrating 20 years is a very meaningful milestone for us, and I am especially happy to see more cultural organizations joining DiverseCity this year. To me, it shows that DiverseCity has become a place where people feel welcomed, seen, and a true sense of belonging. It gives communities the confidence to proudly share their culture, traditions, and talents in a space without barriers,” says Hai Nguyen, DiverseCity Coordinator for the Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI.

For more information or to get involved, visit diversecityfest.com.

Raffia Festival

A celebration of culture, diversity and community—Aug 29

The Raffia Festival is a one-day celebration of culture, diversity, and community, taking place on August 29 from 12 noon–6 pm at the Charlottetown Event Grounds. This family-friendly festival brings together people from all backgrounds to celebrate heritage, foster inclusion, and strengthen community connections.

Attendees can enjoy a full day of live music, cultural dance performances, storytelling, spoken word, art exhibitions, interactive workshops, cultural demonstrations, and traditional foods from around the world. The festival will also showcase local artists, performers, community organizations, and businesses, creating opportunities for learning, engagement, and meaningful cultural exchange.

The Raffia Festival is dedicated to promoting cultural appreciation, education, and intercultural understanding while providing an inclusive space where diverse communities can share their traditions, experiences, and talents. Attendees can explore new cultures, support local creatives, or connect with their community.

For more information, follow @ raffiafest on Facebook and Instagram.

Montague Arts and Culture

Annual festival at Waterfront Park—July 31 to Aug 1

The Montague Arts and Culture Festival celebrates the creativity, talent, and spirit of Eastern PEI through music, visual arts, local culture, and family-friendly activities on July 31 and August 1 at Waterfront Park. Highlights include Lennie Gallant headlining the festival’s evening concert on August 1, followed by PEI’s first-ever drone light show.

One of Canada’s most celebrated folk artists, Lennie Gallant is a multi-awardwinning singer-songwriter whose career spans more than three decades. With 14 albums, countless sold-out performances, and songs that have been covered by artists around the world, Gallant has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s finest storytellers. His work has earned JUNO Award nominations, East Coast Music Awards, and international recognition for its heartfelt lyrics, captivating performances, and deep connection to Island life.

FOOD & DRINK

Canoe Cove Strawberry Social

The annual Canoe Cove Strawberry Social takes place on August 5 from 6–8 pm at the Canoe Cove School. Everyone is invited to gather with friends and neighbours to enjoy Island strawberries served with ice cream, biscuits, and a beverage. Homemade baked goods will also be for sale. Proceeds will go to the Raise the Roof Fund for replacing the roof of the historic Canoe Cove School building. 1066 Rte 19, Canoe Cove.

Following the concert, audiences will witness a spectacular new way to light up the night sky. Rather than a traditional fireworks display, the festival will present the Island’s first synchronized drone light show, featuring 100 illuminated drones creating animated images and vibrant displays overhead. The decision to replace fireworks reflects the festival’s commitment to creating an event that is both environmentally responsible and more accessible for everyone.

“While fireworks have long been a tradition at community celebrations, we wanted to explore an option that reduces noise while still delivering a truly memorable experience,” say festival organizers. “Drone shows minimize disruption to wildlife and pets

2026 Gold Cup Parade

Led by Parade Marshal Brett Gallant—Aug 21

Charlottetown’s streets will come alive with rhythm, creativity, and community spirit as the Gold Cup Parade returns on August 21 at 10 am.

This year’s theme, “Island Way of Life,” invites participants to showcase the sights, sounds, and spirit that make the Island so special—from strong, welcoming communities to rich culture

while also creating a more welcoming environment for veterans and others living with PTSD, individuals on the autism spectrum, and anyone who finds loud explosions overwhelming. We believe this is an exciting way to celebrate while being more inclusive of our entire community.”

The Saturday evening finale promises to be one of the festival’s biggest highlights yet, combining the music of one of PEI’s most beloved performers with cutting-edge aerial technology in a first for the province.

All are invited to enjoy the festivities, which begin July 31 with performances by the Restone Drum Group at 7 pm and DeeDee Austin at 8 pm. On August 1, visitors can enjoy the parade at 11 am, sand artist Abe Waterman at 12 pm, DiverseCity Festival performances from 12 noon–4 pm, an evening performance by the Broad Cove Boys at 7 pm, Lennie Gallant at 8:30 pm, the drone light show at 10 pm, and a dance at the Montague Curling Club beginning at 10:30 pm.

For the full festival schedule, event information, and updates, follow @ Three Rivers Festival Series on social media.

and unmistakable coastal charm.

Leading this year’s celebration is Olympic curler Brett Gallant, the 2026 Gold Cup Parade Marshal.

The Parade Marshal is an honorary title awarded to an individual who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the Island community and serves as a strong ambassador for PEI. Gallant has represented Canada on the world stage, including at the Olympic Games, and most recently added a gold medal to his impressive list of achievements at the Milan and Cortina Winter Games.

Applications to enter a float in the Gold Cup Parade close August 1. goldcupparade.ca

Strawberry Social & Fruit Cake Auction

St. Martin’s Catholic Women’s League is hosting a Strawberry Social and Fruit Cake Auction on August 7, with the social beginning at 6 pm followed by the cake auction at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome. Admission is charged, with a discount for children 10 and under. The church is located at 3961 Rte 19, Cumberland.

Oyster Day

The Keir Memorial Museum’s signature summer event, Oyster Day, takes place on August 8 from 11:30 am–3 pm, with live music, barbecue, Malpeque oysters, mussels, strawberries and ice cream, and vendors. 2214 Rte 20, Malpeque.

Blueberry Social

The Green Park Shipbuilding Museum & Yeo House will host its 45th annual Blueberry Social Fundraiser on August 15 from 1:30–4 pm. Attendees can enjoy homemade blueberry pies and ice cream, live music, demonstrations, door prizes, and family-friendly activities. Admission is free to both the event and the Museum and Yeo House during the social. Donations are gratefully accepted. 360 Green Park Rd, Tyne Valley. Info: peimuseum.ca

Cinema UNDER

Stars

READERS/WRITERS

Adult Summer Reading Challenge

The Charlottetown Library is challenging teens and adults to read all summer long for a chance to win a gift card to Bookmark. Pick up a reading challenge ballot card or sheet at the library.

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 August 1. 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 in Charlottetown. The next meeting is August 1. 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

Writers’ social

space for writers to share their work, participate in workshops, receive constructive feedback, and develop their skills. Info: peiwritersguild.com

Gerry Bradley book launch

PEI poet Gerry Bradley will launch Passing the Yoke and Other Poems: Kelly’s Cross, Charlottetown, and Away on August 16 at 5 pm at the Pourhouse. There will be live music, hilarity, and some poetry. This new collection follows his previous work, Playing with Dolls and Other Poems, (2021). The Pourhouse is located upstairs at the Old Triangle, 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Afternoon Book Club

The Afternoon Book Club will meet at the Summerside Library on August 17 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 August 18 at 6 pm. Join an informal, conversation-style chat about books with other bibliophiles. No assigned reading or registration required.

MAYOR’S BBQ

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 August 8. Info: peiwritersguild.com

Bring Your Own Book Club

Teens can join the Summerside Library and PEERS Alliance for Bring Your Own Book Club at the library on August 11 at 4 pm. The group will discuss their latest reads, enjoy snacks, and take part in the occasional book-themed activity.

Write Here, Write Now

Summer Reading Closing Party

Children can say farewell to another summer through games, activities, and more at the Summer Reading Closing Party at the Summerside Library on August 21 at 11 am.

Writers’ open mic

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 August 27. Writers, readers, and attentive listeners come together to support courageous writers. Those interested in reading can sign up on-site the night of the event.

Writers who want to dedicate time this summer to their creative writing practice can do so at the Charlottetown Library. Write Here, Write Now will run on August 13 and 27 at 10 am. Participants will share writing goals and inspiration at the beginning of each session, try one of the library’s prompts or work on their own project, and then share their work or listen to others. This is not a workshop or seminar. Writers are encouraged to bring their own laptops and writing

Creative Writing Group

A creative writing group meets at bar1911 in Charlottetown on the third Saturday of each month at 10 am. The next meeting is August 15. Hosted by the PEI Writers’ Guild, the group offers a supportive

Cavendish Literary Festival Workshops

Whether writing a first story or polishing a manuscript, the Cavendish Literary Festival (September 24–27) offers hands-on workshops designed to inspire and strengthen the craft. Participants can learn how to create unforgettable openings, master point of view, uncover a unique writing voice, receive personalized feedback through Blue Pencil Sessions, or guidance on how to prepare work for the submission process. From mindful writing experiences inspired by the Island’s landscapes to practical sessions led by accomplished authors and industry professionals, there’s something for every stage of the writing journey. Explore the writing workshops at

A gift of Island Poetry

soccer practice

each blade glistening, bristling with sun, blunt-edged from the mower

boys lined up corralled like cattle the hoarse voice of the coach tethers them to this field temporarily time for a throw-in green slides, free kicks passing, chipping, head butts sprints, sweat and slanting sun

only one goal a kingdom between two posts a well-aimed friend

toss-in, corner kick bounce, spin and come in

—Renée

Blanchette

Renée Blanchette is a poet and fiction writer who worked as an educator in her home province of Prince Edward Island. Reprinted with permission from Monday’s Child (Acorn Press).

Each month Bren Simmers selects a poem by an Island poet for The Buzz

AT THE LIBRARY

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 squishy sensory bags on August 29 at 11 am.

Seniors Café

At the Charlottetown Library, senior cafés are held on the third Thursday of each month at 1 pm, with the next session on August 20 featuring games, socializing, and ice cream sundaes in a welcoming environment. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Seniors Navigator

The Seniors Navigator will be at the Charlottetown Library on August 5 and 19 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.

EAL Conversation Circle

The Immigrant & Refugee Services Association of PEI offers EAL conversation circles for adults this month at the Charlottetown Library on Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 10 am. Adults who want to improve their English skills are welcome to join for informal conversation. Registration is not required.

Tech Help Sessions

Digital literacy sessions are offered at the Summerside and Charlottetown libraries this month. In Charlottetown, drop-in tech help is available on weekdays at 2 pm. Bring in electronic gadgets and questions. In Summerside, seniors aged 55 and older will receive a general overview of device use and be paired one-on-one with knowledgeable support personnel on August 25 at 10:30 am. This is a partnership with the Office of Seniors. Registration is required and can be done by calling 902-436-7323.

Emancipation Day 2026

Rochford Square—Aug 1

The public is invited to join the Black Cultural Society of PEI on August 1 to commemorate Emancipation Day.

Emancipation Day marks the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and provides an opportunity to reflect on the resilience, contributions, and diverse cultures of people of African descent, including historic Black Islanders and communities from across the global Black diaspora.

This year’s event will bring together community members, families, organizations, businesses, artists, and allies for an afternoon of culture, connection, and celebration.

The festivities will take place on August 1 from 3–6 pm at Rochford Square in Charlottetown. Activities include a ceremonial raising of flags representing nations and cultures across the Black diaspora, music and cultural performances, cultural displays and exhibits, food and refreshments, and opportunities for community connection, reflection, and celebration.

Follow the Black Cultural Society of PEI on social media or sign up for the e-newsletter at bcspei.ca.

info@teaandtalespei.com

www.teaandtalespei.com

PEI BOOKS

Lands of Fire and Ice Sheryl

Stacey Neilson

PEI author Sheryl Stacey Neilson released her debut fantasy romance novel Lands of Fire and Ice in June, inviting readers into a sweeping fantasy realm where danger, destiny, and romance collide.

Forty-two years ago, the misuse of Orra—an ancient and untamed magic—shattered the land, calling the guardians from the sky and splitting one world into two. Fire claimed one kingdom. Ice sealed the other. Between them rose the Veil, a sanctuary, a divide, a memory and a temptation.

For Maelora, heir to the kingdom of Celeste, the Veil has been a place shared among the Orraborn, where the weight of crowns could be set aside. But what once offered refuge is changing. Loss lingers. Fear follows. She needs answers. And with every crossing, the Veil’s truths close in.

Toren, prince of Scaldren Rill, has spent his life contained by duty, a

crown he never chose and expectations he has never challenged. As the Orra stirs, Toren is forced to choose between obedience and betrayal, between the expectations that shaped him and the man he’s becoming. Drawn to the edge of a forbidden love, he stands on the brink of a future he was never meant to claim.

As their paths converge, the lines between duty, desire, and destiny begin to blur, while something far older than kingdoms begins to rise in the shadows.

Poor Man’s Opera

Steven Mayoff

PEI-based author Steven Mayoff’s newest novel Poor Man’s Opera will be released on August 15 by Moncton, NB-based press, Galleon Books.

Poor Man’s Opera is a wildly radical reimagining of William Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure. Set in a remote future where Canada is known

as the Northlands and has been annexed by its authoritarian neighbour to the south, the Free Republic of America, where there used to be provinces and territories, there are now self-governing city-states spread out through a wilderness ravaged of its natural resources.

The story is set in the city-state of New Old York (at one time Toronto) and narrated by a gender-fluid Tarot reader who is an unofficial advisor to a high-ranking politician. Mayoff has written his novel in a faux Shakespearean language, mixed with modern colloquialisms, a smattering of French and hiphop and his own invented rhyming slang.

Upcoming is a related musical side-project that is set to give the novel a unique promotional boost.

The Mystical Mermaid of Victoria-by-the-Sea

Nancy Lee Amos

Local author Nancy Lee Amos has released The Mystical Mermaid of Victoria-by-the-Sea, a colourful tale about Lavender, a beautiful purple-haired mermaid who arrives in the village one day in May.

“Come lose yourself in the heart of Victoria, and you might just find yourself falling in love with the village, the villagers, the cast of characters, and, of course, one special Mystical Mermaid!” says Amos.

In this interactive book for all ages, readers follow the mermaid’s path on her quest to find her mother, who was lost at sea. From the exciting moment the mystical mermaid arrives on the shores of Victoria, readers can discover

where Lavender went, what she ate, what she saw, the treasures she bought, and the villagers she met who helped bring this magical tale to life.

Copies are available for purchase in Victoria at Wave Co., Bittersweet Rose, Victoria Studio & Market, Birchtree Gallery Shop, and Basket Case. To order a copy by mail anywhere in Canada, contact the author directly at nancya.mermaid@gmail.com.

Passing the Yoke and Other Poems:

Kelly’s Cross, Charlottetown and Away

Gerry Bradley

PEI poet Gerry Bradley will celebrate the release of his second book of poetry, Passing the Yoke and Other Poems: Kelly’s Cross, Charlottetown and Away, with a book launch on August 16 at 5 pm at the Pourhouse in Charlottetown. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The poems speak of a life beginning in Charlottetown. But this is not always the Charlottetown of Perrier luncheons on Victoria Row. It is a Charlottetown shaped by the limitations of class structure and the empty heroics of brawling in smoky bars. It is a selfish Charlottetown that refuses to acknowledge a hero’s homecoming. The poems also move into the larger world of the skid-row districts of major cities and those who struggle with poverty, mental health, and addictions. They then travel farther in geography and back in time to the shores of Ireland, where characters seek a new God through building with stone or ponder the spiritual nature of the sounds found in traditional music. There is even a poem written in the Irish language.

Although touched with humour, Passing the Yoke and Other Poems is not a book for the faint of heart. It reflects a native sensibility that travels through time and the wider world in search of decency and meaning.

Best Regional Fiction

Theresa Redmond’s The Governor’s Granddaughter awarded

PEI author Theresa Redmond’s The Governor’s Granddaughter has won the Gold Medal for Best Regional Fiction – Canada East at the prestigious Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY). Medalists were invited to a virtual awards ceremony held in New York City on July 16, 2026.

The Governor’s Granddaughter, published in August 2025 via FriesenPress, tells a story of perseverance, female empowerment, and conflicting moral values. This sweeping story details the social and political unrest that existed for generations following the colonization of Prince Edward Island, with a focus not only on the people who pushed for much-needed fairness and change but also revealing those who worked even harder to hold them back.

Copies are available at local bookstores and other retailers across PEI, online through major booksellers, and from the author’s website.

Redmond’s debut historical novel,

Book signing

JoDee Samuelson pops up at Comic Hunter—Aug 22

PEI artist, filmmaker, author, and illustrator JoDee Samuelson has partnered with Comic Hunter in Charlottetown for an author signing and pop-up event on August 22.

Birth of a Hippie is a heartfelt graphic memoir that begins on the Prairies, where JoDee Samuelson, the youngest daughter of a Baptist minister, begins to search for her place in the world. Through her enchanting illustrations and witty storytelling, JoDee chronicles life on the Canadian prairies. Ultimately, JoDee’s journey takes her from Alberta to Prince Edward Island.

In telling her story, JoDee blends humour, heart, and introspection. Birth of a Hippie recounts JoDee’s comingof-age story as she grows from Prairie girl to independent spirit, back-tothe-lander, and health-food pioneer on a small Island on the East Coast. This graphic novel explores themes of family, identity, and self-discovery— offering an intimate glimpse into the life of a woman finding her place in an ever-changing world.

Perfect for fans of LGBTQ2+ narratives and those interested in the history of the back-to-the-land movement,

Bound, won several awards, including the 2024 PEI Book Award for Fiction, the Silver Medal for Best Regional Fiction – Canada East from the IPPY Awards, and a Heritage Recognition Award from the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. Bound was also named one of Bookmark’s Top 100 Books of 2024.

Birth of a Hippie is both a personal story and a universal exploration of roots, resilience, and belonging.

Guests are invited to join JoDee on August 22 from 2–4 pm at a public signing at Comic Hunter. The shop, which has been open since 1989, considers itself to be a cultural hub for PEI, says Comic Hunter owner Jeff Smith. The store is hosting creators every Saturday throughout the summer so visitors get the chance to meet local authors and illustrators.

“We consider creators vital to our industry,” says Smith. “So we do everything we can to elevate them.”

All are welcome to attend. Comic Hunter is located at 183 Queen Street, Charlottetown.

SCREEN

Free screenings at the Charlottetown Library

Free screenings continue at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. On July 31, teens can enjoy a movie with pizza and popcorn after the library closes at 6 pm. Family movies will play on Sundays at 1 pm and include Alice in Wonderland on August 2, How to Train Your Dragon on August 9, and Aladdin on August 16. The Afternoon Movie Club series continues with Song Sung Blue (PG) on August 4 at 1 pm. On August 11, join Anime Club (18+) at 6 pm to watch and discuss two episodes, chosen at the start of each meeting. On August 28, teens can enjoy Back to the Future with pizza and popcorn after hours at 6 pm. Enter through the back doors, which will be open from 5:15–5:45 pm.

Roving Picture Shows and Island Jazz

This month, the ciné-concerts series Roving Picture Shows, held in partnership with Island Jazz, presents three silent film screenings. On August 9 at 7:15 pm, musician Chris Corrigan will improvise a live score to Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin at the Tivoli Cinema in Charlottetown. On August 21 at 7:30 pm, musicians Jordan

Taylor (guitar) and Patrick Nabuurs (bass) will improvise a score for a double bill featuring Charlie Chaplin’s The Floorwalker and F.W. Murnau’s Tartuffe at the Courthouse Theatre in St. Peters Bay. Tickets are available at the door or at linktr.ee/rovingpictureshows. Follow @ rovingpictureshows for updates.

Free screenings at the Summerside

Library

Free screenings continue at the Summerside Library. The monthly Monday Matinee series starts with Twisters (G) on August 10 at 2 pm. Families can enjoy snacks and a family film in an air-conditioned space on Fridays at 1 pm. Ask staff what movies are playing.

Cinema Under the Stars

The City of Charlottetown is hosting free outdoor movie nights at the Victoria Park Cultural Pavilion at 8:30 pm from September 3–5. Screenings include: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13) on September 3, Superman (PG-13) on September 4, and Hoppers (PG) on September 5. Concessions will be available for purchase, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs. Info: charlottetown.ca/cinema

Tivoli

Cinema

Tivoli Cinema screens a variety of new and old releases. For films, showtimes, and tickets ,visit tivolicinema.com. 155 Kent St, Charlottetown.

COMMUNITY #1

Trucks for Kids

The third annual Trucks for Kids, a high-energy, family-friendly event where kids (and kids at heart) can get up close with fire trucks, police cruisers, tractors, construction vehicles, and more, is slated for September 26 from 1–4 pm at the Charlottetown Events Grounds. After welcoming over 1500 attendees and over 30 vehicles last year, organizers are planning to make this year even bigger. Admission is by cash donation (no ATMs onsite). All proceeds support BGC Charlottetown, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through after-school programs, summer camps and recreation. Follow the Facebook event page for updates.

Kings Playhouse Workshops

Kings Playhouse is offering a series of youth workshops this month, including Youth Guitar and Musical Theatre workshops on August 7 from 2–4 pm, Improv on August 10 from 7–8 pm, and Dungeons and Dragons on August 26 from 7–9 pm. Register at the door, by phone at 902-652-2053, or kingsplayhouse.com.

La Leche League PEI Lunch and Learn

La Leche League PEI is offering a free, drop-in Lunch and Learn program for people who are pregnant or nursing. The next session takes place on August 11 at 12 noon at the Gentle Beginnings Prenatal Centre, 17B Alley St, Charlottetown. Breastfeeding and chestfeeding support and information will be provided by Chris Ortenburger, with the help of Andrea and Nasim. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Registration is required. Register/Info: gentlebeginnings.ca

Seniors College of PEI

The Seniors College of PEI is preparing for another season of lifelong learning, with registration for adults aged 50 and over opening on September 2 at 9 am. This year, the College is offering more than 140 non-credit courses, including 30 new offerings. Courses cover a wide range of topics, from arts and literature to science, drawing and painting, and learning a new language. Designed specifically for adults aged 50 and over, Seniors College of PEI provides a flexible learning experience with no exams, papers, or prerequisites. Courses range from one to eight weeks in length. Many members also value the social aspect of the programs. Programs are offered across Queens, Kings, and Prince counties, making quality learning accessible throughout PEI. A one-time membership fee provides unlimited access to courses over three terms. Course descriptions and schedules will be available online by early August, allowing prospective

members time to review the offerings and plan their selections. Those interested in popular courses are encouraged to register as soon as registration begins. Individuals aged 50 and over who wish to become members are encouraged to purchase their membership before August 26 to be entered into a membership refund draw. For course information, registration details, and the “How to Register” guide, visit seniorscollege. ca. Questions can be directed to 902-8942867 or seniorscollege@upei.ca.

Municipal Election Information Sessions

The provincial government is offering a series of voter and candidate awareness sessions for Islanders interested in participating in upcoming municipal elections. The sessions will cover the roles and responsibilities of municipal officials, the nomination process, and what voters and candidates can expect during an election period. The Resort Municipality election will take place on August 10, and province-wide municipal elections will be held on November 2. Upcoming public sessions will take place from 10 am–12 noon at: O’Leary Access PEI on September 14, Montague Access PEI on September 16, Summerside Access PEI on September 22, and the Charlottetown Library on September 24. An online webinar will be held on September 25 at 12 noon. No registration is required for in-person sessions. Details for the online webinar will be shared in advance. Info: peimunicipalelections.ca.

From Partner to Parents

Family Service PEI has launched its From Partner to Parents program, with the first cohort beginning on August 17 and 24 in Summerside. The transition to parenthood changes everything, including relationships. Based on the Gottman Institute’s Bringing Baby Home, this is a research-based workshop designed to help couples strengthen communication, maintain connection, and navigate the realities of early parenting as a team. Couples should expect to walk away with a practical toolkit for deepening friendship and intimacy, navigating conflict, healthy co-parenting, and building a positive parent-child relationship. This is not group therapy, and there is no group sharing required. Instead, couples participate in guided learning and have dedicated time to practice new skills together privately in a comfortable and confidential environment. The workshop is designed for any couple who are expecting or newly parenting a child under three years old, including through adoption or fostering. This is offered using a pay-what-you-can model. Info/ register: fspei.ca/from-partners-to-parents, connectedcouples@familyservice. pe.ca, or 902-892-2441 (ext. 4)

Karate Day with Aoife

Try Karate Day with Aoife will be held at Spring Park United in Charlottetown on August 8 from 12–2 pm. The free sessions are 20 minutes and include: an introduction to movement, balance, coordination, listening skills, and confidence through age-appropriate karate activities for children aged 4 at 12:15 pm; the fundamentals of karate through games, basic techniques, and confidence-building activities for children aged 5–8 at 12:45 pm; and an inclusive para karate session designed to introduce individuals of all abilities to karate at 1:15 pm. Info: karatewithaoife.com/ upcoming-events–workshops.html

Connected Couples

Connected Couples, a program designed to deepen friendship, and improve communication and conflict-resolution skills, is being offered to Island couples by Family Service PEI. Based on the Gottman Institute’s Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, this evidence-based workshop is backed by over forty years of extensive research. Programs are offered in-person across the island and online, using a pay-whatyou-can model. Couples participate in guided learning with dedicated time to practice new skills and tools together privately in a comfortable and confidential environment. The skills and insights gained can be immediately applied to strengthen the relationship, helping couples feel more connected and confident as they navigate daily life together. The next workshop is on August 20–21 from 10 am–5 pm in Montague. Info/register: fspei.ca/connected-couples-series/ connected-couple-workshop, connectedcouples@familyservice.pe.ca, or 902-8922441 (ext 4)

PEI Sociable Singles

PEI Sociable Singles is a social group for members aged 50 and over that 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. Become a trial member and attend any activities for four weeks before deciding to join. After that, the membership fee is paid annually and members can attend as many activities as they want. If interested in attending a Tuesday meet-and-greet, 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 has a public blog, 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 200 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. The group is not affiliated with any organization. Info: peiautisticadults.com

ADHD PEI

A monthly discussion for those interested in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is held at the Charlottetown Library. The next meeting is August 19 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.

Shed the Stigma

Lennon Recovery House has launched its newest fundraising campaign, Shed the Stigma, a province-wide initiative aimed at supporting recovery, raising awareness about addiction, and breaking down the stigma that continues to prevent many individuals from seeking help. The campaign’s grand prize is a fully wired 12x20 portable building, donated through community support, valued at approximately $15,000. Funds raised will directly support Lennon Recovery House programs and services, which help individuals build stable, healthy, and recovery-focused lives while supporting families impacted by addiction. Tickets can be purchased by e-transfer to shedthestigma@lennonhouse.ca (include name and phone number), in-person at Sobey’s on University Ave in Charlottetown, or online at go.eventgroovefundraising. com/shedthestigma. The shed will be displayed at Sobey’s all summer. Stop by, take a photo, and share it on social media using #ShedTheStigma to help spread the message that recovery is possible. The winning ticket will be drawn on August 31 at 12 noon.

Bedeque Baptist 200th Anniversary

Bedeque Baptist Church will celebrate its 200th anniversary on August 1 with a cemetery dedication, music, children’s activities, and a strawberry and ice cream social at 2 pm. On August 2, celebrations continue at 11 am with a special service, music, and a light lunch served afterward. Everyone is welcome. 54 Linkletter Ave, Central Bedeque. Info: bedequebaptist.com

The Parish Perk Neighbourhood Cafe

St. John’s Anglican Church has a new cafe initiative called The Parish Perk, running Wednesdays from 11 am–2 pm. Come and enjoy coffee, tea, socializing with neighbours and friends, and perhaps a game of cribbage. During the first three Wednesdays in August, Rev. Ned Henthorn will lead guided walks through the Historical Cemetery at 2 pm, sharing stories about the community and Island history following the café. 62 South Dr, St. Eleanor’s

Pride Fest ‘26

Events continue into early August

Pride Fest ’26 on Prince Edward Island continues its 10-day celebration until August 2.

Upcoming Pride Fest ’26 events on July 31 include the workshop Walk For Me: An Introduction to Ballroom Culture and Vogue, a drag show featuring Chiac Happens with Sami Landri, and a concert by Fefe Dobson.

Rainbow Road takes over Kent Street in Charlottetown on August 1 at 4 pm. This signature event transforms the downtown core with live performances, food and drink vendors, and

Natal Day celebrations

Four days of family-friendly events in Charlottetown

Charlottetown is celebrating its 171st birthday with four days of free, family-friendly events during Natal Day Weekend, from July 30–August 2.

Highlights include Music Under the Summer Sky with the PEI Symphony Orchestra on July 31 at 7 pm at Confederation Landing Park; the Mayor and City Council’s Natal Day Pancake Breakfast featuring entertainment by Adam MacGregor and The Foes on August 1 at 8:30 am at Rochford Square; the Simmons Pool Glow Party and BBQ on August 1 from 5–9 pm, featuring a live DJ, yard games, a barbecue, and hourly swimming sessions from 5–8 pm; Charlie Town’s Birthday Party on August 2 from 1–4 pm at the Founders’ Food Hall & Market Green Space, with family activities and free hot dogs, cupcakes, and ice cream sandwiches

opportunities to connect with community. Other events on August 1 include Run & Restore, the Witch Market, Community Collage, Roller Derby Open House, and an After Hours Street Crawl.

Closing out Pride Fest ’26 on August 2 is the Island Style Pride PEI 2026 Drag Brunch with Colleen Majestix. Visit pridepei.ca for registration details, tickets, and more.

while supplies last; and the Mayor & Council’s Older Adults Social on August 2 from 4–6 pm at Jack Blanchard Hall.

Additional Natal Day events include chalk art installations by local artists, yoga in the park, a group bike ride, and more.

All outdoor events are weather permitting. Updates will be posted on Facebook @CityofCharlottetown. For the full schedule, visit charlottetown. ca/natalday.

Teas & Tales

Tea & Tales runs through October on select Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at The Haviland, 2 Haviland St, Charlottetown.

Guests are invited to enjoy a Victorian-inspired tea and storytelling. Guests gather in the Great Room to hear stories inspired by Victorian Charlottetown, the house, and the people connected to it, including the story of Esther Lowden. This year marks the 190th anniversary of her birth.

To reserve, visit teaandtalespei.com. Follow @teaandtalespei for updates.

Multicultural celebration

The Arts Guild—Aug 9

Canada Day Drumming presents a multicultural celebration at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown on August 9 at 7:30 pm, featuring live performances, artisan displays, and cultural expressions from diverse communities.

Admission is by donation, with all proceeds going to the QEH Foundation.

This event is part of The Arts Guild’s CultureSHIFT initiative.

TOURS

The Bog Tour

The Bog Tour is an immersive guided walking experience exploring the history of Charlottetown’s Bog neighbourhood. This free program honours the legacy of PEI’s historical Black community and invites participants to engage with lesser-known stories from the Island’s past. Beginning at Beaconsfield Historic House, the tour leads visitors through the former site of The Bog, a 19th-century racially integrated neighbourhood. Through carefully researched storytelling, the tour brings to life a vibrant community that once stood in contrast to the grandeur of nearby estates. Visitors will explore locations that highlight the experiences, resilience, and contributions of Bog residents, such as Samuel Martin and Kesiah Sheppard, co-founders of The Bog, and educator Sarah Harvie, who taught for many years at the Bog school. Enhancements and updates to the 2026 tour route and programming offer new perspectives and experiences. The Bog Tour is offered twice daily at 11 am and 2 pm throughout the summer on days when Beaconsfield Historic House is open. Info: 902-368-6600; peimuseum.ca

Government House Tours

Government House in Charlottetown is open for free, bilingual guided tours on weekdays through August. Tours run every half hour from 10 am–3 pm. No appointment necessary.

Heritage Players walking tours

The Confederation Centre of the Arts Heritage Players walking tours run through downtown Charlottetown. Led by costumed heritage actors, these immersive experiences blend Canadian history, cultural landmarks, and local lore. The Historic Great George Tour explores one of Canada’s most storied streets and PEI’s pivotal role in Confederation. A French-language version, the Promenade historique de la Rue Great George, is also available. The Ghost Tour ventures into Charlottetown’s shadowy past with spooky tales and

eerie atmosphere. The tour runs through November 7, with a special Spooky Walk on Halloween. Inside Island History is an engaging cabaret-style session held in Studio 1 at the Centre. New this year, the Bootleggers and Barbacks Tour runs through September 25. For the full schedule and to book tickets, visit confederationcentre.com or call the box office at 1-800-565-0278.

Holmans Island Guided Walking Tour

The Bedeque Area Museum is offering the last two guided walking tours of Holmans Island in Summerside Harbour on August 25 and 26. This three-kilometre walk follows the island’s perimeter at low tide. Along the way, the guide shares the history of human activity on the island and in the surrounding harbour over the past three centuries. Prior booking is essential. For details on fees and to book a spot, call 902-887-3009 or email bahsmuseum@hotmail.com.

Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Tours

UPEI’s School of Climate Change and Adaptation in St. Peters Bay is offering guided tours every Friday at 10:30 am through August 28. The 90-minute tour gives visitors an opportunity to see the facility and learn about climate change research and adaptation strategies on PEI. Attendees can also visit the art gallery, drone port, and climate resilient demonstration garden. Tour tickets are available at eventbrite.ca.

Basin Head Marine Protected Area Tours

The PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation (PEIMHF) invites Island residents and visitors to explore the Basin Head Marine Protected Area through an expanded guided tour featuring hands-on conservation activities and immersive experiences that highlight the area’s natural and cultural heritage. Participants will experience one of Canada’s Marine Protected Areas while learning about the region’s natural and human history over the past thousand years. Guides explore the threats facing the giant Irish moss that grows in the lagoon and the current efforts to protect it. The tour includes a visit to Basin Head beach to discover why the famous “Singing Sands” happen, and hear the Mi’kmaq, Celtic, and French folklore connected to the shore. Visitors can also get a hands-on experience in conservation by pulling a Green Crab trap and learn about the impact of this and other invasive species on delicate ecosystems. The experience concludes with making ice cream in the cannery while learning about the historic mossing industry and the role of carrageenan in everyday life. Visitors can then explore a digital kiosk and take home a souvenir—a small bottle of Singing Sand. Tours depart from the Basin Head Fisheries Museum (336 Basin Head Rd, Souris) Monday–Friday at 11 am and 2 pm, with additional times added as needed. Info: 902-357-7233; peimuseum.ca

Haunted Georgetown Tours

Haunted Georgetown Walks offer a unique evening of local history, folklore, and storytelling, continuing this month on August 4, 11, and 25. Presented by Kings Playhouse, participants will be taken on a guided walking tour through one of PEI’s oldest communities, wandering through the town’s historic streets, hearing tales of mysterious happenings and ghostly encounters, and discovering the story of Captain George—the Playhouse’s known resident spirit. Advance reservations are recommended. Tickets are available at the door, by calling 902-652-2053, or by visiting kingsplayhouse.com.

Acadian and Francophone community-focused tour

Acadians, francophones and francophiles are invited to join a community-focused summer tour to share their feedback on priorities for PEI’s French-speaking population. Building on productive discussions with the Société acadienne et francophone de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard and a commitment to hear directly from members of the community, the Minister responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs is launching an annual summer series of community open-door events. The next community event will take place on September 17 at Access PEI in Souris.

Bootleggers and Barbacks Tour

The Bootleggers and Barbacks Tour runs through September 25. The walking tour examines PEI’s prohibition era, when the province was the first in Canada to enact prohibition and the last to repeal it. Guides lead guests through the history of speakeasies, pharmacy loopholes, and local bootlegging operations that continued in Charlottetown despite the law. The tour concludes at Reddins, a Charlottetown speakeasy. The approximately two-hour tour is 19+ and departs daily at 4:30 pm from Founders Food Hall & Market. Schedule and tickets are available at confederationcentre.com or through the Centre’s box office at 1-800-565-0278.

GEBIS Monastery Tours

The monks the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) offer monastery tours on Sunday afternoons from 2–4 pm. During the guided tour, visitors will learn what it’s like in a day in the life of a monk, hear personal stories, participate in activities that give firsthand experience of the things they learn and do. Visitors will also get the chance to step inside the heart of the monastery, where the monks gather for their morning and evening prayers. The tour is interactive, and visitors will have opportunities to chat with the monks and ask questions. The monastery is located at 2741 Heatherdale Road, Montague. Each tour has limited spots available, so prior registration is needed. Contact outreach@gebis.org or call 902-969-8838 for more information.

The Cove Journal by JoDee Samuelson

Hidden gems

The forecast promised thunderstorms so it was obviously not a beach day. DIL (texting daughter-in-law) Stephanie from New York suggested we visit some old houses. “How about the Biddeford Parsonage Museum—amazing website, it’s got to be good! And the Yeo House at Green Park?” Sounds good. Prince County, here we come!

An hour later under clear skies we were picnicking at the site of the old Biddeford School where nineteen-year old L.M. Montgomery had her first job teaching forty students grades one to ten (schoolhouse gone, mosquitoes remain), while boarding at the nearby Biddeford Parsonage, a lovingly restored house that has been turned into a museum and features LMM’s bedroom (unheated, brrr), her lesson plans, and Rules for Teachers (double petticoats, no hair-dying, no canoodling with men, no more than 2” of ankle showing). Fun times!

The parsonage’s air-conditioning was very welcome, and our tour guide, a local girl heading to UNB to study engineering, treated us to anecdotes galore and even a ginger cookie. Every room was chock-a-block full of portraits, short-legged chairs, ancient stoves, eggbeaters, chamber pots, ladies’ gloves, you name it. Why did we never visit before?

Meanwhile outside, the skies had grown overcast. No matter, we were just down the road from Green Park and its treasures.

First the Green Park Shipbuilding Museum. When Europeans arrived on PEI environmentalism had not been invented. The Island was basically mowed to the ground to build grand sailing vessels out of old growth forests, after which these ships were filled with local lumber and shipped to England to be sold, lock stock and

barrel. The variety of trees needed, number of ships built per year (amazing chart thanks to Boyd Beck), masts, ropes, knots, sails, anchors… mind-blowing.

Across the lawn was a blacksmith shop with an enthusiastic blacksmith who, among other things, makes iron hooks for the gift shop. As we chatted away about pulleys and anchors, the air suddenly changed from blistering hot to downright chilly. “You’d better move along,” said our burly craftsman, so we hurried into the Yeo House, home of the Island’s wealthiest shipbuilder, his wife, eight children, two maids and one man servant… an experience like stepping into a vortex as we moved through unlit halls and rooms that haven’t changed in over a century.

Highlights: climbing up to the cupola atop the three-story house (unique view of peaked roof); haunted objects (our son thought he saw a doll’s petticoat flutter); tiny monkey in a case; casket in living room; weird old safe; and oh yes, a “settle bed”: ask your tour guide to open it for you.

Hearts and minds overflowing we headed home to the Cove. A powerful bolt of lightning lit up the skies above Summerside and the lights went out. A fitting climax to an extraordinary day.

Thank goodness for summer visitors who introduce us to riches right under our noses! Let me suggest that when rain is in the forecast, you pack up a few sandwiches and head out to somewhere you’ve never been, some gem that’s been hiding in front of you all along.

Program

Provincial Horse Pulling Championship

Provincial Horse Pulling Championship

Rubber Boot Throwing Competitions

Rubber Boot Throwing Competitions

Lobster Eating Competition Lobster Eating Competition

Woodsmen and Fishermen

Woodsmen and Fishermen Competitions

Woodsmen and Fishermen Competitions

Parade at 12 p.m.

Parade at 12 p.m.

Potato Peeling and Knitting Competitions

Potato Peeling and Knitting Competitions

Judging of grains, roots & vegetables, fruits & flowers, Judging of grains, roots & vegetables, fruits & flowers, arts & handicrafts, and domestic sciences arts & handicrafts, and domestic sciences

Acadian Festival Road Race

Acadian Festival Road Race

Cattle Penning Cattle

Farmer Olympic Games Farmer Games

Carpentry Competition Competition

Acazing Talent Show Acazing Talent Show

PEI Provincial Holstein Show PEI Provincial Holstein Show 4-H Competitions 4-H Cow Bingo Cow Bingo

Bingo Bingo

Michael Pendergast – Kids Show! Michael Pendergast – Kids Show!

Acrobatic circus show with Vague de Cirque

Acrobatic and circus show with Vague de Cirque

Friday Night Dance with KEV and his musicians

Friday Night Dance KEV and his musicians

Cattle circus show

Saturday Afternoon Music show with Daniel Hébert (Danny and the Boys) (Danny and the Boys)

Saturday Afternoon Music show with Daniel Hébert

Saturday Night Dance with Beauxmont

Saturday Night Dance with Beauxmont

Sunday Afternoon Fiddling and Stepdancing Show

Sunday Afternoon Fiddling and Stepdancing Show

Sunday Night Closing Concert with various musicians

Sunday Night Closing Concert with various musicians

ACAD ACADIAN FEAS IAN FEAST WITH T WITH LOBSTER LOBSTER & ENTER & ENTERTAINMENT TAIN ENT ENTERTAINMENT

supper features traditional

Jonathan and Louise Arsenault!

September 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Village musical acadien.

expositionfestival@gmail.com www.expositionfestival.ca 1745 rte 124, Abram-Village, Î.-P.-É. C0B 2E0

L'Exposition agricole et le Festival acadien

COMMUNITY #2

Free TechNTalk sessions for older Islanders

Free information and technology sessions aimed at empowering older Islanders to learn more about their technological devices are now available. TechNTalk sessions will be offered across the province until October. At each session, adults aged 55 and over will receive a short presentation on technology, followed by one-on-one support from volunteers. Topics include everyday technology such as cellphones, tablets, and laptops, as well as social media and internet use. The program is also seeking high school and post-secondary student volunteers. To volunteer, register, or to register someone else, contact the program coordinator at 902-218-2051 or seniors@gov.pe.ca.

Community fridges

Betty Begg-Brooks of Gifts From The Heart manages three community fridges, located at 10 Maple Hills Ave, Charlottetown, the West Royalty Community Centre, and the Stratford No Frills parking lot. Food donations can be dropped off weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm at the nearest location. Training is provided for new volunteers, with shifts running from 9 am–1 pm or 1–5 pm. Monetary and food donations are also accepted during the week at 10 Maple Hills Ave. For after-hours drop-offs, to volunteer, or to register as a client, call Betty at 902-393-0171.

Wi-Fi devices available through public libraries

Islanders without access to wireless internet can now borrow portable Wi-Fi hotspots from the PEI Public Library Service. Available to library cardholders aged 16 and older, the devices can be borrowed for up to three weeks, with a limit of one per library card and one per household. Data costs are covered by the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre Foundation. Service may be limited in areas with poor wireless coverage. For more information, visit the Public Library Service at princeedwardisland.ca.

Group health visits aim to improve diabetes care

Adults on PEI living with Type 2 diabetes who do not have a primary care provider are invited to participate in a University of PEI (UPEI) research study evaluating a new approach to diabetes care. Conducted in partnership with Health PEI, the study will assess nurse practitioner-led group health visits as a way to improve access to team-based diabetes care. Participants will attend four 90-minute group visits over 12 months at UPEI. Each session will include a clinical assessment, education, and peer support. Participants should be comfortable in a group setting and have previously been seen by a member of the diabetes care team. At the end of the study, participants will be invited to share feedback in a focus group. To participate, call 902-288-1775, email diabeteshealthvisitpei@gmail.com, or visit the NP-Led PEI Diabetes Group Health Visit Study Facebook page.

Free Home Insulation Programs

PEI and the Government of Canada are investing nearly $15 million over five years to provide free home insulation for low- to moderate-income homeowners through the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program. Eligible homeowners receive insulation materials, installation, and expert guidance at no cost. To qualify, applicants must have an annual household income of $55,000 or less, own and live in their primary residence, and receive approval before any work begins. Applications can be submitted at any Access PEI location. The program helps reduce energy costs, improve home comfort, and lower emissions. Funding is available until 2030. For more information, visit the Home Insulation Programs page at princeedwardisland.ca.

Provincial Alcohol Strategy

The PEI Government has released its Provincial Alcohol Strategy, a long-term plan to reduce alcohol-related harms and support healthier, safer communities. The strategy includes 16 recommendations focused on prevention, public health, and informed decision-making, with implementation taking place over time in partnership with communities and stakeholders. Read the Provincial Alcohol Strategy at princeedwardisland.ca.

Seniors Action Plan

The province has launched its Seniors Action Plan 2026–2031, a five-year strategy to support older adults through coordinated actions that promote healthy aging, strengthen services, and foster positive perceptions of aging. Developed in consultation with seniors, Indigenous Elders, community organizations, and government partners, the plan aims to help older adults thrive in their communities. Read the Seniors Action Plan at princeedwardisland.ca.

The Nature of PEI

by Gary Schneider

Finding that place

I have roamed a lot of Island habitats, from dunes to bogs and everything in between. In my travels I keep coming across areas that feel just right. There is no logical explanation for the feelings these areas evoke. They all exude health but I struggle to define what that means.

It could be a krummholz system that is dry as a bone but still flourishing with plant life. Or a marsh that seems to house every mosquito that has ever lived but is full of interesting plants and wildlife.

Recently, I came across another of these areas. I was on a birding trip with two friends who took me on a trail that I had never been on before in the Belfast area. To say we bushwhacked would be an understatement. Fiona damage is still evident, as it is in most Island forests. And my best limbo-ing days are far, far behind me.

Fortunately, there were lots of birds to keep us company. We passed through many different habitats, everything from mixed forests to open fields. This diversity provided homes for a wide variety of birds. In an open area of young woods, we came across one of our most attractive songbirds, a Rosebreasted Grosbeak. This migrant has a gorgeous, long song that is like nothing else. Initially, it sounds like an American Robin but quickly you notice that it is much longer and more beautiful.

Males in breeding plumage are richly coloured—jet black back and head, white breast, with a scarlet triangle on their throat. Females look like a larger female Purple Finch. Males and females both have the distinctly large beaks that all grosbeaks have.

We heard a Belted Kingfisher and some Black Ducks along the river, which were not unexpected. But then we heard the very familiar (though seldom heard these days) “Quick, Free Beer!” call of the Olivesided Flycatcher. The numbers of this aerial insectivore are in decline and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada lists it as a Species of Special Concern.

These birds often perch right at the top of a dead tree, catching insects on

TALKS/LECTURES

Lunch & Lecture at Macphail Homestead

The Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead’s Lunch & Lecture Series continues on Sundays at 1 pm. Each event begins with a meal followed by a guest speaker. The August lecture schedule is as follows: Heather MacLeod will present “Rev. Samuel MacLeod, One of Uigg’s 1829 Settlers” on August 2; Sandra Martin will present “Has MAID Gone Down the Slippery Slope in Canada” on August 9; David Weale will present “Pioneer, Pastor, Extraordinaire—The Life and Work of Rev. Donald MacDonald (1783–1867)” on August 16; Dr. Tina Pranger will present “Beyond the Asylum: The Evolution of Mental Health Care in PEI, 1846–2017” on August 23; and Faye Pound will present “Evolution of Lighthouses” on August 30. Seating is limited. To register, email macphailhomestead@gmail.com or call 902-651-2789. The venue is wheelchair accessible. 271 MacPhail Park Rd, Orwell.

Bedeque Museum History Talks

Souris Genealogy Day Presentation

The 7th annual Souris Genealogy Day, hosted by the PEI Scottish Settlers Historical Society, will be held at the Silver Threads Seniors Club on August 15 at 2 pm. Myrna Babineau and Aggi-Rose Reddin will present an illustrated talk on the life of Dr. Roderick MacDonald (1858–1961) of St. Peter’s Bay, PEI. Born in Maple Hill, “Dr. Roddie” practiced medicine in rural PEI for 69 years, making him Canada’s longest-serving family doctor. Admission is free, refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome. 75 Main St, Souris.

Dan O’Hanley Memorial Lecture

the wing and then flying back to the same spot. They are dull grey, with a speckled grey breast cut by a white vertical stripe. It is slightly smaller than an American Robin but larger than any warbler.

As we walked into a more heavily wooded area, one of our sharp-eyed trekkers came across a Barred Owl roosting in a hemlock tree. We had great sightings of this lovely bird and it wasn’t bothered by us in the least.

But even more than the owl, it was the habitat that drew me to this area. Large, old hemlocks running down the slope. A perfect temperature, cool and shady. And I realized that once again I wasin a woodland that felt healthy. Lots of large trees that had been left alone to get old. The Barred Owl keeping watch on the play. A red-tailed hawk soaring overhead. And warblers flitting all over the place—Blackburnians, Yellow-rumps, Ovenbirds, and many more. It was breathtaking!

We have many pockets of older woodlands that prove that this climate can grow lovely trees. We can have diversity, valuable forest products, and quite incredible places where we can relax in the midst of nature. We simply need to ensure that seed sources are in place to help with the healing process and that we can be patient. It is the latter condition that is always the challenge.

History talks continue on Mondays at 7 pm at the Bedeque Area Historical Museum in the William Callbeck Centre. On August 3, historian Dr. Doug Sobey will lead a presentation on “Elaine Harrison, Teacher, Artist, Poet, Campaigner.” On August 10, genealogist Darren Hall of Ottawa will explore “The Life and Legacy of Loyalist James Waugh.” Bedeque native Don Reid will lead a history circle on the “Central Bedeque Rink of Yesteryear”on August 17. The talk on August 24 will feature Ken Montgomery of Medicine Hat, Alberta, speaking about “The Montgomery Family of Lower Bedeque.” There is no admission, but donations are welcome. Info: bedequemuseum.ca

Keir Memorial Museum Lecture Series

This summer, the Keir Memorial Museum is hosting a lecture series on local PEI history. Lectures take place every Wednesday at 10 am until August 12 at Princetown Church, 2205 Rte 20, Malpeque.

The Dan O’Hanley Memorial Lecture presents guest speaker Rosanna Esteneslao Germán at the Charlottetown Library Auditorium on August 30 at 2 pm. Rosanna will discuss her new book, Así Fueron Las Cosas, which recounts her experiences growing up as a woman in the rural Dominican Republic. Rosanna will also give a public talk followed by a question-and-answer session. Copies of her book will be available in English and in Spanish. This event is hosted by the Latin American Mission Program. Everyone is welcome.

NATURE

PEI Untamed with Kate MacQuarrie

Learn, explore, and reconnect with nature at PEI Untamed with Kate MacQuarrie. Upcoming sessions include Natural History Walks in North Rustico on August 5 and 19, and September 2, and Edible & Medicinal Plant Walks in Charlottetown on August 12 and Coleman on August 15. Visit pei-untamed.com for registration details and new original content about plants, fungi, and wildlife each week.

Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz

The City of Charlottetown and Nature PEI invite residents to take part in the Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz. Residents are encouraged to use the free iNaturalist app, a citizen science platform, to record and upload observations of local plants and wildlife, contributing to data that helps support local ecosystems and biodiversity monitoring

SEPTEMBER BUZZ DEADLINE

Friday, August 14th

in Charlottetown. As part of the initiative, the City and Nature PEI is hosting in-person events. Participants learn how to use iNaturalist and take part in guided nature walks to upload observations in real time. These free public walks are family-friendly, and children are welcome to participate with a parent or guardian. The August events include the Beach Grove Biodiversity Walk on August 5 from 6:30–7:30 pm at the Beach Grove Nature Trails (parking lot past 200 Beach Grove Rd); and the Victoria Park Biodiversity Walk on August 15 from 10 am–12 pm at the Victoria Park Ball Clubhouse. Info: charlottetown.ca, inaturalist.ca

Up West Forest Fest

Save the date for the second annual Up West Forest Fest in West Prince on September 19 from 10 am–3 pm. The event celebrates the unique watersheds and forest ecosystems in Western PEI. This free, family-friendly event will feature displays, activities, and several walks at various locations. Full details will be announced the September edition of The Buzz and at naturepei.ca.

Neil Bennett Autumn Birding Classic

The 32nd annual Neil Bennett Autumn Birding Classic returns September 26. For 32 years, Island Nature Trust and Nature PEI organized this PEI conservation tradition, which celebrates migratory birds and raises vital funds for natural areas conservation on the Island. Participants can rally a team or head out solo, collect pledges, and head outside on September 26 to spot as many bird species as they can within the full 24-hour period. Birding can take place anywhere, including participants’ own backyards. The rain date is September 27. This citizen science event captures a valuable snapshot of bird species moving through PEI during autumn migration. Results are published in the Island Naturalist, contributing to decades of important research. Since 1995, the Birding Classic has raised over $70,000 for natural areas conservation. To register, make a pledge, or donate, visit islandnaturetrust.ca/bennett_birding, email admin@islandnaturetrust.ca, or call 902-892-7513.

Co-management boards

The Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow (the Mi’kmaq Nation Government of Epekwitk) recently announced the establishment of two inaugural co-management boards on PEI. One will provide shared governance for Pituamkek (“Bee-DOO-umgek”) National Park Reserve (NPR) under the Pituamkek Establishment Agreement, while the other will oversee PEI National Park and Historic Sites under the Toquktmekl Co-Management Agreement.

Together, the boards bring Mi’kmaw leadership, knowledge, and perspective into the governance, planning, protection, and operation of nationally protected places across PEI, including the new Pituamkek NPR, Green Gables Heritage Place, and Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site.

The Pituamkek Co-management Board is instrumental in the shared governance of Pituamkek and provides strategic advice on management planning, the incorporation of Mi’kmaw culture, language, and traditional knowledge, ecological integrity, and economic and employment opportunities for Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq.

Pituamkek, meaning “At the Long Sand Dune,” is a chain of barrier islands in northwestern PEI with one of eastern Canada’s most ecologically significant coastal dune systems. It is home to ongoing Mi’kmaw land-use traditions, important cultural and archaeological sites, unique geological formations, sensitive ecosystems, oldgrowth forests, and PEI’s only igneous rock incursion.

L’nuey and Parks Canada are implementing the Pituamkek Establishment Agreement through management planning, incremental staffing, and ongoing land transfers.

There are currently no services or infrastructure to receive visitors and park operations planning will be implemented over time in a phased approach.

The PEI National Park and Historic Sites Co-management Board provides strategic advice on the shared governance of PEI National Park and Parks Canada-administered national historic sites. Its work focuses on management planning, ecological integrity, cultural heritage, visitor experience, and economic opportunities for Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq.

The Pituamkek Co-management Board is helping establish a new Mi’kmaw-led NPR, the PEI National Park and Historic Sites Co-management Board supports shared governance with the Mi’kmaq in long-established parks and historic sites, with an emphasis on stewardship, resource protection, and visitor experience.

Talking from Experiences by

Ashleigh Tremere

Make memories

Recently a few of my nieces were over for a visit. It felt like forever since I’d seen them. We used to have them here at least one day a week, usually more because I’m a fun Aunty like that. Now most of them have summer jobs, intense sports commitments, or their own same-age fun people they want to spend their free time with.

While catching up, I asked about some annual events we still try to make time for together and whether their schedules would allow them to be there— even if only for a day. I got a yes, a no, and an “I’ll try.” Such is the season of life. We all lamented a little for the free, easy time of their much younger years, and I asked, “Do you remember the summer of Adventure Thursdays?”

Each looked at me with a blank stare and my heart sank like a gutted fish. I began recounting the various “adventures.” To my relief, they recalled almost every one. My evisceration repaired, my heart buoyed—my efforts had been solidified as worth it; they just hadn’t known the name I gave to our series of outings. Why would they, really? Children aren’t into timekeeping, but the memories made their mark.

Adventure Thursdays was a blow-thestink-off-ya day. We left the house. We left the yard. We changed it up.

Having four kids and generally three to four extras around requires some deviations from the norm—for your own mental stability as well as theirs.

The adventures weren’t overly complicated endeavours, and they didn’t need to be. We went to a different park, walked a trail they weren’t familiar with, or had ice cream somewhere new. Sure, there were days we packed the car, drove for an hour to fish for twenty minutes, and got eaten alive by

mosquitoes, but I’ve got confirmation now that it was time well spent.

I suppose some of you are already acutely aware of how quickly the littles outgrow your adventures together. My oldest just graduated though, and and I see how close the next lot is to moving ever closer to the stage where friend time will be the priority. I’m taking stock of ways to instill their annual returns as something they actually desire to do. I’m also coming up with plans for adventures that keep those connections with the older bunch.

None of this may be ground breaking. We all know time passes and people change. I guess I’m saying if you’re reading this, use the reminder to call your nephew and go to that beach you never got to. If your children are still small, take an hour through the week and do something different. It’s the change of routine that sticks out in their memories—and yours. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s probably better if it’s not. The seasons of life are short, and so are our summers. Go take a minute and enjoy!

Love, love

Celebrating Catherine Hennessey

A celebration of life for Catherine Hennessey will be held on August 11 from 7–9 pm at Beaconsfield Historic House, 2 Kent Street, Charlottetown.

Catherine Hennessey was a beloved and respected presence in Charlottetown and across PEI. She was an advocate for heritage preservation, good design, and urban beautification, and she believed that knowing, loving, and protecting one’s community was a civic duty.

In the 1960s, Hennessey was part of a small group advocating for the preservation of PEI’s heritage and culture. Those efforts led to the creation of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, where she served as the first executive director. She was undaunted in her efforts to preserve Island furniture, buildings, streetscapes, and landscapes that told our stories. Her persistence, fuelled by her deep belief in honouring our history, led to many initiatives, including the restoration and installation of the bells of St. Dunstan’s Basilica in Charlottetown.

Hennessey received the Order of Canada, the Order of PEI, and an honorary degree from the University of Prince Edward Island. Both the provincial and municipal governments established heritage preservation awards in her name.

Catherine did not say goodbye at the end of a visit or conversation. She would simply leave or hang up, or, to friends, say, “Love, love,” and be gone.

HEELS & WHEELS

Cycling PEI events

Cycling PEI’s lineup of riding events continues with the Dusty Red Gravel Grinder, sponsored by Ted’s Bicycle Studio and Tailwinds Cycling Tours PEI, takes place August 22, starting and ending at Ted’s Bicycle Studio in Stratford. The PEI Gran Fondo returns August 28–29, beginning from the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. For more information, upcoming events and races, or to register, visit cyclingpei.org/calendar.

Great Cycle Challenge

Stratford resident Mona Reck is participating in her seventh Great Cycle Challenge Canada this August, riding

GAMES

Auction in Dunstaffnage

The card game Auction is played weekly on Fridays at 7:30 pm at the Dunstaffnage School Centre. All are welcome. Admission is at the door. 13529 St. Peters Rd, Dunstaffnage

Crokinole

Drop in to play crokinole on August 12 and 26 at 2 pm at the Summerside Rotary Library.

Board Game Café

Bring family and friends for an evening of board games at the Summerside Rotary Library on August 24 at 6:30 pm. Bring your own or play one from the library’s collection.

Hidden Duck Challenge

During August, teens can search for one of 110 mini ducks hidden across the

200 kilometres and aiming to raise $500 for SickKids Foundation to support childhood cancer research and care. Great Cycle Challenge Canada encourages cyclists across the country to set personal riding goals and fundraise throughout August. Since 2016, participants have raised more than $61 million for SickKids. SickKids Foundation is Canada’s largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care, raising funds for The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), one of the world’s leading pediatric health-care institutions. To support Mona’s ride or make a donation, visit greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/ MonaReck. To learn more, visit sickkidsfoundition.com or greatcyclechallenge.ca.

Cornwall Run Club

The Cornwall Run Club meets on Wednesdays at 6 pm for a social run (approximately 5 km) that starts and ends at Village Green Brewery, 30 Church St, Cornwall. Runners of all calibers are welcome. Join the Facebook group @ cornwallrunclub for updates.

three floors of the Summerside Library, or until they’re all found. Participants can bring their duck to the circulation desk and receive a prize. The limit is one duck a day.

Eptek Scavenger Hunt

Visitors of all ages are invited to test their skills by trying to find all 20 images at the Eptek Art & Culture Centre’s scavenger hunt. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.

Animal Riddle Challenge

Throughout August, teens can find all the animal group names to solve a riddle at the Summerside Library. Bring the answer to the circulation desk for a small prize.

AFL Sundays at Village Green Brewery

Drop in to Village Green Brewery on Sundays at 4 pm to watch Aussie Rules Football (AFL). Catch the Sydney Swans and learn about the Atlantic AFL League. 30 Church St, Cornwall.

ISSUE# 392 • AUGUST 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: Mike Bernard, Renée Blanchette, Julie Bull, Dennis Ellsworth, Samantha Joyce, Jane Ledwell, Sean McQuaid, Takako Morita, Tara Reeves, JoDee Samuelson, Gary Schneider, Bren Simmers, Ashleigh Tremere

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.

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.

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.

COVER:

Blue skies through the looking glass, acrylic on cradled wood panel, 8”x10” by Samantha Joyce.

Samantha Joyce is a visual artist from Prince Edward Island. Her artwork has a loose, whimsical style that embraces happy colours. She finds inspirations from her life on the Island, where breathtaking landscapes abound, and also from home life, where the sight of her sleeping cats inspire her to pick up the brushes.

Joyce strives to make happy art that captures the magic found in the ordinary things that surround us in our every day lives.

Her art can be seen at Ellen’s Creek Gallery, the PEICC Retail Gallery, and on Instagram @ curveddoorstudiopei, and at curveddoorstudio.com.

SEPTEMBER BUZZ DEADLINE

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

Advertising: sales@buzzpei.com

Editorial: info@buzzpei.com

MARKETS & SALES

Tyne Valley Friday Night Market

An open-air market takes place at Brittania Hall in Tyne Valley from 4–7 pm on Friday evenings until October. The market features local produce and crafts. All are welcome. Email tynevalleycoop@ gmail.com or follow on FB for more information. 816 Canada Rd, Tyne Valley.

Charlottetown Farmers Market

The Charlottetown Farmers Market is currently operating at 614 North River Rd (the former Sporting Intentions building). The market is open from 9 am–2 pm on Wednesdays and 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, and signage will assist visitors. For updates, follow @ CharlottetownFarmersMarket on social media or visit charlottetownfarmersmarket.com.

Church Mouse Thrift Shop

The Church Mouse Thrift Shop at St. John’s Anglican Church is open from 9 am–2 pm on Saturdays through October. The sale includes gently-used, quality items such as clothing, footwear, housewares, bedding, small furniture, collectibles, and more. New treasures arrive each week. 391 Nelson St, Crapaud.

PEI Witch Market: Pride Edition

A Pride Edition of the PEI Witch Market will take place outside on the lawn at the Beaconsfield Carriage House on August 1 from 12–3 pm. Shoppers can wander through a gathering of local witches, weirdlings, and wonder-makers celebrating magic, identity, and community. The market will feature Pride-inspired goods, queer vendors, tarot, astrology, and

palm readings, creepy crafts, whimsical wares, cottagecore curios, spells, potions, charms, and more. All are welcome. 2 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Summerside Farmers Market

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

Downtown Charlottetown Farmers Market

The Downtown Charlottetown Farmers Market is open from 10 am–3 pm every Sunday through October. Visitors will find more than 90 local vendors selling fresh produce, preserves, prepared foods, baked goods, handmade soap, woodwork, knitting, hooked rugs, jewelry, artwork, pottery, gift items, food service, and more. 2 Great George St, Confederation Landing, Charlottetown.

The Art of the Hook & The Beauty of the Stitch

Experience the colour, creativity, and craftsmanship of PEI’s rug hookers and quilters and celebrate Island fibre art at a three-day PEI Rug Hooking and Quilt Show & Sale. The event takes place at St. Joachim’s Parish Hall, 5374 Rte 3, Vernon River, August 6–8 from 10 am–3 pm daily. Attendees can browse more than 100 handcrafted hooked rugs and quilts, from traditional to contemporary. Meet the artists and discover the stories, textures, and techniques. Organized by Island Rug Hookers in partnership with the St. Joachim’s Craft Group in Vernon River, this event serves as a fundraiser in support of St. Joachim’s Parish. Admission is cash only at the door.

PEI Rare Book Fair

The PEI Rare Book Fair will be held at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown, August 7 from 5–8 pm and August 8 from 10 am–6 pm. The fair will feature thousands of books, prints, ephemera, and maps to fit every budget. Info: finefairs.com/pei

Bonshaw Farmers Market

The next monthly Bonshaw Farmers Market is open from 11 am–1 pm on August 8 at the Bonshaw Community Centre (25 Green Rd). Find a variety of

local vendors with baked goods, flowers, and other locally-produced treats. The Bonshaw Women’s Institute will be offering a free community meal during the market. Shoppers should bring their own bags and the market is cash only. Info: @ Bonshaw Farmers Market on Facebook.

Central Queens United Giant Yard Sale

Central Queens United’s giant yard sale takes place on August 15 from 8 am–12 noon. This annual church fundraiser features books, clothing, children’s items, jewelry, seasonal decor, housewares, hardware, preserves, and more. Shoppers are encouraged to arrive early. 19848 Rte 2, Hunter River.

3rd Annual South Shore Antiques & Vintage Sale

The third annual Canoe Cove Antique and Vintage Sale takes place at the historic Canoe Cove Schoolhouse on August 21–23 from 9 am–6 pm. The sale includes a variety of items that are vintage, pre-cherished, rescued, weathered, kitschy, nostalgic, barn-fresh, and bygone. Shoppers can rummage through the past and discover a treasure. 1066 Canoe Cove Road, (Rte 19A)

PEI Potters Studio Fundraising Pottery Sale

The annual fundraising sale for the PEI Potters Studio, a not-for-profit co-op, takes place on August 22 from 11 am–2 pm at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave, Charlottetown. Work by studio members, students, and professional potters will be available at reasonable prices. Funds raised from the sale will help the studio provide opportunities for children and adults to learn about and enjoy working with clay. Sales are cash only. Info: peipottersstudio.ca

Cornwall Library Book Sale

The Cornwall Library book sale takes place on August 27–29 from 9 am–5 pm daily. Proceeds will go to the Friends of the Library to support programs and events. 15 Mercedes Dr, Cornwall.

East Village Vintage Market

The East Village Vintage Market is a new community market in Murray Harbour.

It is open monthly from 10 am–2 pm on the last Saturday of each month. The next market is August 29. The market showcases the region’s carefully curated vintage sellers, supports businesses focused on sustainable living, and offers a thoughtful shopping experience. It is held at the historic 10 Mariners Lane heritage building in Murray Harbour. Shoppers can expect to find vintage clothing, home décor, collectibles, furniture, and one-of-a-kind treasures, while learning more about the value, care, and enjoyment of vintage pieces. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring a reusable shopping bag. Follow @eastvillagevintagemarket on IG for updates.

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. The next sale is August 29. Proceeds support operating costs. Led by Betty Begg-Brooks and volunteers, the organization provides free food, clothing, furniture, and housewares to low-income families and those facing temporary hardship across PEI. 10 Maple Hills Ave, Charlottetown. Info: giftsfromtheheartinc.com

The Better Art Market

The Better Art Market will be held at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown on August 30 from 11 am–4 pm. The market will feature at least 29 local artists and is geared toward an eclectic crowd. No AI-generated, wholesale, or resale art.

Three Rivers - August 1st from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Waterfront Park, Montague

Souris - August 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Centennial Park on Pond Street Funded by:

Kensington - August 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Railway Station & Confederation Trail

Sponsored by:

Bed and Breakfast

Mark Crawford play at Watermark Theatre

Bed and Breakfast by Mark Crawford runs on select dates September 3–12 at Watermark Theatre in North Rustico.

Brett and Drew want to move out of their tiny downtown condo and into a house, but they have just lost their seventh bidding war in Toronto. When Brett’s beloved Aunt Maggie dies, he unexpectedly inherits the historic family home in a quiet tourist town. The couple decides to make the move and open a B&B, but when they encounter friction in their new community, they discover the simple life is more complicated than they thought.

With dozens of characters all portrayed by two men, Bed and Breakfast is a theatrical tour de force. As riotously funny as it is deeply moving, this heartfelt comedy explores “being out” in small-town Canada, skeletons in the closet, and finding a place to call home.

This production of Bed and Breakfast, produced by Trevor Barrette, was first presented at Hudson Village Theatre in summer 2025. watermarktheatre.com

BY KRISTEN DA SILVA

JULY 3RD TO AUGUST 29TH

The Final Recordings

TED Talk and cottagecore collide at The Arts Guild

and

The Final Recordings of an Almost Extinct Bird is coming to The Arts Guild on September 10 and 11. Performances begin at 7:30 pm.

Fred has a lot on his mind. The origins of the universe, for starters. The fabric of spacetime, too. The formation of the Earth, plate tectonics, the fossil record, gravitational waves, dark matter, winding valley roads, campfires, pottery cafes—the list goes on and on. There’s also the matter of the giant salty egg, the man in the comfy blue chair, and the burning question: “Is this good? What I’m doing? With mine? My time?”

Recordings of an Almost Extinct Bird had its premiere run at Eastern Front Theatre’s 2025 Stages Festival.

Developed in association with The Fundy Geological Museum, The Final

Polka Dot Door

Performed, composed, and sound designed by Stewart Legere, with projections by Christian Ludwig Hansen, lighting by Jessica Lewis, costumes, set and props by Leesa Hamilton, and direction by Ben Stone, the production is where TED Talk, sob story, and cottagecore collide. It is a very personal story about the beginnings and endings of love, life, humanity, and the cosmos, and an invitation to consider one’s relationship with deep time, no matter what rocks you live on. Visit theguildpei.com for tickets.

Polka Dot Door, a free outdoor family musical, continues in the Outdoor Amphitheatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown (CCOA) until August 22.

The CCOA production is inspired by the classic Canadian children’s series of the same name and is staged in association with TVO Media Education Group. The musical follows Polkaroo and friends with a series of sing-along songs and storytelling segments aimed at young audiences. Performances run Monday through Saturday at 11 am.

The cast includes Eric Cerisano, Julia Cerisano, Cat Cummins, Kathleen Henthorn, Samel Sunil, Kaitlyn Thompkins, and Ryan Whitty. The production is directed by Adam Brazier, with musical direction by Morgan Saulnier, and choreography by Kristen Pottle. Set and costume design is by Holly Meyer-Dymny, and Olena Polyvach serves as stage manager.

The production is free to attend.

Polka Dot Door is part of CCOA’s

2026 Charlottetown Festival season, alongside C’Mon In! An Island Kitchen Party, playing at The Mack until August 29, and two productions in the Sobey Family Theatre—Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™, until September 5, and Come From Away, until September 26. For the full festival schedule, visit confederationcentre.com or contact the Centre’s box office at 1-800-565-0278.

How to Live with Dread

Jane Wells production at Victoria Playhouse—Aug 8 & 9

How to Live with Dread by Jane Wells will be presented at Victoria Playhouse this month, with performances on August 8 at 7:30 pm and August 9 at 2 pm.

Jane Wells grew up in Cascumpeque, PEI, but has spent the past 20 years in Toronto working as a writer, actor, and director. Since 2017, she has led drama workshops for children with The River Clyde Pageant in New Glasgow, PEI, where she is the Co-Director.

These workshops serve as a springboard for children to join the Pageant as performers and, over the past three years, have helped forge a youth ensemble with a powerful creative voice.

Wells wrote How to Live with Dread shortly after losing her brother, Ker. She grapples in this work with how to find the way forward in life and in her work without him—so close was their connection as siblings and collaborators. The piece shines a gentle light on grief and on one’s identity in

BecomeOutdoor experience

by Farmgate Theatre

Farmgate Theatre presents its latest outdoor theatrical adventure, Become, at Finally Farm in Bonshaw on August 30, with performances at 4 pm and 7:30 pm.

Jane Wells

and after loss.

Jane describes How to Live with Dread as “a show about family, about death, and about the work of creation… But in a fun way!”

For tickets and more information, visit victoriaplayhouse.com.

Performed in an open field under a limitless sky, this original concert for one actor and four musicians dares the audience to fully accept their messy selves and think boldly about what they wish to become.

Created and performed by

Cameron MacDuffee, the production features Karen Graves, Alicia Toner, Greg Gale, and Ben Kunder.

In case of rain, the concert will be held indoors.

For more information and tickets, visit farmgatetheatre.ca.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

2026 PEI Arts Awards

Celebrate the accomplishments of Prince Edward Island’s arts and culture sector!

Nominations open on Monday, July 20 at 12 p.m. and close Monday, October 5 at 4 p.m.

Recognizing outstanding contributions to PEI’s arts and culture, this annual awards program honours individuals, groups, and organizations across the province. This program is open to PEI residents who have had a primary residence on the Island for at least twelve consecutive months.

Join us in celebrating our Island's vibrant

Visit PrinceEdwardIsland.ca/ArtsAwards

This advertisment was paid for by the Government of Prince Edward Island

Review by Sean McQuaid

Take a Gander

Come from Away Charlottetown Festival

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown July 9, 2026

One of the quirks and perks of Atlantic Canada is the way everything is similar-but-different depending on which province or region or town you’re in, each one unique but all of them alike in one or more aspects of landscape, dialect or culture.

That may be part of why Tell Tale Harbour thrived at the Charlottetown Festival. Its feisty, folksy Atlantic Canadian town felt familiar to PEI audiences, and the Festival is tapping a similarly resonant cultural well this summer with its superb new mainstage production of the hit musical Come From Away, set in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland.

(Quick geographical aside: the main events of this play, set in 2001, happen just a few months before the province formally changed its name to Newfoundland and Labrador. The musical’s lyricists really dodged a bullet there.)

Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein from a concept proposed by producer Michael Rubinoff, Come From Away was researched and workshopped for years before its award-winning 2017 Broadway debut. The show is based on the true story of how the 9/11 terrorist attacks disrupted air travel in the U.S.A., forcing 38 planes with 7000 passengers to land at Gander International Airport, nearly doubling Gander’s population overnight.

Stranded in Gander for days, the largely American passengers cope with the stress of their situation and the horror of the 9/11 tragedy while the residents of Gander and surrounding communities unite to feed, house and comfort the many refugees as best they can. Some of the musical’s characters and stories are tweaked composites, but all are based on real people and events from the 2001 Gander incident and its aftermath.

Hence this musical feeling as genuine as it does—not just in terms of how vividly it sketches Gander (an Atlantic community reminiscent of PEI’s small towns), but also in the range of stories featured here, not all of them pleasant. This is a literally and figuratively uplifting show about kindness, generosity and rallying to overcome adversity, but there are also moments of ugliness, loss and tragedy that paint a true-to-life picture while making the characters’ assorted triumphs shine all the brighter.

The Sankoff/Hein duo’s songs are seldom lastingly memorable as

“a literally and figuratively uplifting show”

tunes, but their lyrics and the spirited actors and musicians make the musical numbers energetic and powerful in the moment. With apologies to the likes of Great Big Sea and Republic of Doyle, Newfoundland has never seemed cooler than it does in this musical’s fierce and funny “Welcome to the Rock” scene-setter, and there are moving personal moments during songs like “Me and the Sky” and “Something’s Missing.” This is a show that makes you feel stuff.

A lot of that feeling comes from the production’s ace ensemble, including Ma-Anne Dionisio, Barbara Fulton, Jessica Gallant, Kaleigh Gorka, Stephen Guy-McGrath, Kaylee Harwood, Ryan Abdullah Hooper, Nathanael Judah, Andrew McAllister, Laurie Murdoch, Catherine O’Brien, and Drew Plummer, most playing multiple characters in the story’s big, sprawling cast of Islanders (Newfoundland variety) and stranded travelers.

All 12 of the key players show strong comedic and dramatic chops, they all get moments to shine, and they all bring their own unique gifts to the table, like O’Brien’s sharp comic timing, Judah’s everyman charm or Harwood’s chameleonic versatility. Director Adam Brazier has assembled a singularly strong, diverse and eclectic cast, backed by a dynamic live band (led by Rachel O’Brien) who even wander on stage a time or two.

Much of the action is set against and within a supersize map diorama highlighting Newfoundland, a space that looks like it might be confining or limiting at first glance; but set designer Cory Sincennes’ surprisingly versatile backdrop converts into airplane exteriors and interiors as needed, and Jen Mote’s choreography slots smoothly into that finite space, full of small but vigorous movements that keep the show pulsing with energy.

My daughter Elsa recently returned from a month of studies in Europe, during which she binged on London theatre, enchanted by the Globe and wowed by the West End. After seeing Come From Away, she talked about how cool it was to be able to see great professional theatre right here in PEI, in a venue she has loved since she was a child. “I don’t know if people here realize how lucky they are,” she said. I couldn’t agree more.

The Princess Show

Multimedia extravaganza at The Arts Guild—Aug 6 to 8

The Princess Show, created by Aaron Collier, Richie Wilcox, and Deonie Hudson, will be on stage at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown, August 6, 7, and 8 at 8 pm.

In this award-winning multimedia extravaganza, the audience is immersed in a mashup of a musical, a drag show, and an anime cartoon. Two actors tell the story of Princess Edward and her beloved Abel in their quest to surmount depression and shame in a dystopian fantasy world.

Princess Edward’s battle with her inner demons is made literal in this fable in which a strange and soothing beast kidnaps her lover Abel and holds him in a disconnected trance. Will “Princess” give in to the beast and spiral downward into shame and self loathing or will she rise to the challenge of radical self love to save her beloved?

The 70-minute show is played in front of a five-meter wide scrim and is entirely lip synched. The show features drag costumes, pop performances, choreography, monster battles, and live bass guitar looping. The projected video backdrop contains colourful, almost psychedelic worlds and a few

hilarious side characters. It’s as campy as it is impressive.

Built-in to the show is a segment to host a local dj during preshow and a local drag performer as part of the play. This gives a unique performance opportunity to a hometown drag performer who can choose a song to perform, and it brings the local drag community into the experience directly.

The award-winning show debuted at Theatre Outre in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2016. It was awarded as a finalist for the 2021 Nova Scotia Masterworks Prize, the most prestigious arts award in the province.

Visit theguildpei.com for tickets.

Silly Goose Children’s Fest

Stories, music, and dancing at Beaconsfield Carriage House

The Silly Goose Children’s Festival, produced by Becca Griffin and Wanda Naylor, will be presented at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown over nine days in August. The festival will feature stories, music, dancing, and fun for children and their families.

The Catching Fish Puppet Show & Singalong, written and directed by Becca Griffin with Lucy Farrell leading the singalong, will be presented at 12 noon on August 11–12 and 18–19.

Tunes and Tall Tales will perform Teddy Bear’s Picnic on August 13 at 12 noon.

The Princess and the Pea will be performed on August 14 and 20 at 11 am and 12:30 pm, and on August 21 at 12 noon. The play was written by Rebecca L. Byars and Lane Riosley and directed by Becca Griffin.

The Madame Abbey & Friends Children’s Show on August 17 at 10 am will feature high-energy, bilingual, live family entertainment.

The Wonder of It All

Mark Weatherly and Monique Lund at Victoria Playhouse

The Wonder of It All will be on stage at Victoria Playhouse from August 21–30, with evening and matinee performances throughout the run.

Full of humour and heart, The Wonder of It All is a witty and touching comedy by Canadian playwright Mark Weatherley, who stars in the show alongside his real-life spouse, PEI native Monique Lund.

Kingsley considered convincing Charmaine to marry him the greatest achievement of his life. That is, until a

Mass for Shut-Outs

Tanya Davis at Victoria Playhouse—Aug 16

Mass for Shut-Outs will be presented at the Victoria Playhouse on August 16 at 2 pm. This multidisciplinary performance plays with the shape of a Catholic mass to ask new questions, challenge old stories, and dismantle the gatekeepers’ fortress.

The festival will also feature the Family Folk Dance for Fun workshop with Wanda Naylor. No experience is required.

Admission to most events will be available by cash only at the door, with free admission for children under age three. Admission to Catching Fish only will be pay-what-you-can at the door.

surprise from their past meddles with the certainty of their future. After 25 years, is it too late for them to rediscover the redemptive power of love? victoriaplayhouse.com

Written and performed by Tanya Davis, with musical support from Carlie Howell, Mass for Shut-Outs is a poetic and spirited take on Sunday service, blending orature, music, verse dressed as prayer, monologue as homily, singalong, and sombre reflection.

Designed for those on the spiritual fringes, the performanc is a shout out

Pops improv

The Arts Guild—Aug 15

Popalopalots perform their monthly live improv at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown on August 15 at 8 pm.

The Pops showcase make-it-upon-the-spot nonsense, quick-witted chaos, and pure comedic tomfoolery. The fearless performers take audience suggestions and spin them into hilarious, off-the-cuff scenes that have never been seen before. No scripts, no safety nets, just fast-thinking fun and plenty of surprises.

This is a 19+ event. Admission is cash only at the door. 111 Queen Street, Charlottetown.

to anyone grappling with the complexity of faith, the inconsistency of awe, and the politics of organized religion. It is for atheists seeking connection, agnostics asking questions, and believers kindly curious about other people’s gods.

This production features mature content. Visit victoriaplayhouse.com for tickets and more information.

Get geared up for summer!

Comedy and music

Patrick Ledwell and Vintage 2.0 at Trailside

The Patrick Ledwell & Vintage 2.0 series brings comedy and music together at Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown on Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18, and 25.

Each performance will feature Patrick Ledwell’s best and newest standup comedy, along with classic songs from Vintage 2.0, featuring Don Bowers and Tim MacPherson performing with two acoustic guitars and rich harmonies. These longtime friends will also weave together stories and songs in new ways, keeping the audience singing and sometimes even playing along.

Tickets can be purchased online at trailside.ca, or by calling Back Alley Music at 902-367-3311.

Dance Floor

Drag show and dance party at PEERS Alliance—Aug 7

Remedy from the House of Cures presents Dance Floor, a drag show and dance party celebrating Madonna’s new album Confessions II. The event takes place August 7 at PEERS Alliance in Charlottetown, with doors opening at 7 pm.

The celebration features an homage to the iconic Madonna, comedy, and dazzling performances by friendly neighbourhood drag queen Remedy and special guests.

This all-ages event welcomes everyone. Donations will be collected at the door in support of Gender Affirming Care Prince Edward Island (GAC PEI). Donations can also be made online at gacpei.ca/donate or by e-transfer to info@gacpei.ca.

DANCING

Silent Groove in the Park

Silent Groove in the Park takes place on Wednesdays from 6–7 pm until August 27 at Victoria Park in Charlottetown. This adaptable, low-impact exercise program welcomes dancers of all abilities. Simple istructions and headphones keep everyone moving to the same groovy playlist at their own pace. Participants must be 14 or older. Private events are available. To reserve headphones, register by 3 pm on Wednesdays by texting 902-327-1035.

Summer Square Dances

A square dance takes place every Wednesday at 7:30 pm in August at the Olde Lorne Valley School. Music is provided by Allan, Ward, and Hailee MacDonald, with a special guest each night, including Chad Mooney on August 5 and 19, Chrissy Crowley on August 12, and Richard Wood on August 26. There is a 50/50 draw and a light lunch. Admission is at the door, with a family rate available, and free admission for children under 16. 922 Lorne Valley Rd, Rte 355, Lorne Valley.

Free Cuban Salsa and Bachata Classes

Remedy is the drag persona of Derrick Carl Biso. Originally from PEI, Derrick lived in Windsor, Ontario, from 2016 until recently returning home. Derrick also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of GAC PEI and is leading its Summer of Support fundraising campaign.

Charlottetown. Beginner Cuban Salsa (Casino) starts at 6 pm, followed by Beginner Bachata at 7 pm. Drop-ins are welcome, but regular attendance offers the best learning experience. No dance experience or partner is required. Everyone is welcome, but online registration at forms.gle/6GHHnyLnSAuqyZZDA is recommended for important updates and more information. Follow @salsaconvictoria on social media for details on upcoming classes, Latin dance events, and performances on PEI.

Scottish & English Country Dancing

Scottish and English country dance sessions will run for 13 weeks at Beaconsfield Carriage House, 2 Kent St, Charlottetown, beginning September 9 from 7–9 pm. Dances include quadrilles, ceilidhs, and more. No dance partner or special clothing is required. Fees may be paid per session or for the season. The September 9 session is free. To register, email scottchrissie@gmail.com or karenbea@live.ca, or call 902-724-2499 or 902-394-5877.

Irish Social Dance Workshop and Ceilidh

Salsa Con Victoria is offering two free beginner dance classes on Thursdays until August 27 at Confederation Landing (near the stage) in

Irish dance master Pat Murphy is returning to PEI to lead a set dance workshop and ceilidh on September 15 at the Benevolent Irish Society (582 North River Rd, Charlottetown). The workshop begins at 6 pm, followed by the ceilidh at 8 pm. Participants are invited to dance to live Irish music presented by Karine, Vincent, and friends. For over 35 years, Pat has shared traditional social dances around the world, including several with the Laban Rua set dance group on PEI. He has published seven books describing Irish set dances collected from communities throughout Ireland and the Irish diaspora, including PEI’s Souris Set. Regular instruction and dancing resume at the BIS on September 23. Info: fredchorne@gmail.com

Two nights of comedy

Julie Kim and Matt Wright at Trailside Music Hall

Two Canadian comedians bring their stand-up comedy to Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown this month— Matt Wright on August 14 at 8 pm and Julie Kim on August 27 at 8 pm.

Matt Wright is a two-time JUNO Award-losing stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who has appeared on televised galas for Just For Laughs, CBC, and CTV. He played the Weatherman in Season 2 of Son of a Critch and has opened for John Mulaney, Jerry Seinfeld, Martin Short, and Theo Von. Wright has written for six seasons of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, earning a Canadian Screen

DINNER THEATRE

Stompin’ Tom: Live at the Horseshoe

The dinner theatre production Stompin’ Tom Connors Live at the Horseshoe continues at the Stompin’ Tom Centre in Skinners Pond in August. Performances run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm. Audiences will step inside Toronto’s legendary Horseshoe Tavern to celebrate Stompin’ Tom Connors. The production brings Tom’s spirit, songs, and storytelling tradition back to the very stage where he made history while highlighting some of Tom’s closest musical friends, longtime bandmates, and rising Canadian roots artists. The cast includes Chad Matthews, Kurk Bernard, Danalee LynchVeinotte, and Andy Doucette. The show blends live music, shared memories, vintage footage, and stories from the road. Visit stompintomcentre.com for tickets.

Award nomination.

Julie Kim is one of Canada’s top comedians and an international headliner. She is a Canadian Screen Award-winning producer and writer whose credits include the hit TV series Run the Burbs, Kim’s Convenience, and Still Standing. Kim also wrote for Simu Liu as host of the 2022 and 2023 JUNO Awards. She toured across Canada with Rick Mercer’s Stand Up for Canada, and the CBC comedy special from the tour is now available to stream.

Visit trailside.ca for tickets. 155 Kent Street, Charlottetown.

La Veillée au Village 2026

La Veillée au Village 2026 dinner theatre serves up a blend of music and comedy following a four-course meal at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village until September 1. The cast includes Anastasia DesRoches, Dawson Arsenault, Caroline Bernard, Rémi Arsenault, Yves Arsenault, and Jason Burbine. Following the first three courses, the show launches into sketches filled with colourful characters, competitive spirits, and offbeat situations. After the laughter comes Acadian music. The second set continues after dessert with more comedy and Acadian kitchen party music. A special performance on August 20 will feature additional guests. Tickets must be reserved or purchased in advance online at villagemusical.ca or in person at the Village musical acadien reception desk.

SEPTEMBER

BUZZ

Friday, August 14th

Advertising: sales@buzzpei.com Editorial: info@buzzpei.com

Review by Sean McQuaid

Parental Misguidance

Relatively Speaking Watermark Theatre, North Rustico July 10, 2026

As a preteen, I was fond of the 1977 TV series Three’s Company despite being largely oblivious to its racier sex comedy elements (I enjoyed John Rittter’s slapstick antics and Don Knotts’ infinitely hapless Mr. Furley). Many episodes were farces built around comedies of misunderstanding—somebody gets incomplete or incorrect information, jumps to the wrong conclusion and wackiness ensues.

In essence, British playwright Alan Ayckbourn’s 1965 stage hit Relatively Speaking (playing at the Watermark Theatre this summer) is a longer, smarter, wittier, classier, more cynical forerunner of those Three’s Company tales, built as it is around sex and a series of kooky misunderstandings, only with English accents and fancier wordplay.

Greg (played here by Dustin Freeland) is romancing Ginny (Kait Post) in 1960s London when he impulsively seeks her parents’ permission to marry her—unaware that the older couple he mistakenly approaches are Ginny’s married ex-lover Philip (Paul Van Dyck) and his cheerfully clueless wife Sheila (Leni Parker). The confused Philip and Sheila reach their own faulty conclusions about who Greg is and what he is doing there, and the situation spirals deeper into bafflement when Ginny shows up.

This script was one of the prolific Ayckbourn’s earliest and most lasting successes, with him joking in 2014 that the oft-revived play “turned out to be my pension.” Though the show is often called a farce, Ayckbourn rejects that label, describing it as “a fairly actorproof… little machine of a play” in which “character plays a fairly secondary role” to plot, all engineered largely to “make people laugh.”

Ayckbourn’s script—and Watermark’s production of it, deftly directed by Robert Tsonos—works on that level like gangbusters. It’s a relentlessly comical, tirelessly clever, meticulously crafted text, though it also rings a bit hollow at times given how glibly above-it-all the characters often seem, more plot engines and laugh generators than people. Greg is a partial exception to that as the most idealistic, most fanciful and most stubbornly deluded character, though even he has moments of breezily casual cynicism.

Regarding the cast, Tsonos’s fab four all have serviceable British accents and solid comic timing, the FreelandPost duo has good chemistry (also on display in Watermark’s Sugar Road this season), and Parker looks palpably, delightfully confused as the long-hoodwinked Sheila, but the best of the lot is Van Dyck’s Philip.

Playing the stuffiest yet sleaziest of the four characters, Van Dyck looks like he’s having the time of his life as he toggles between Philip’s default setting of pompous propriety, flashes of lascivious leering and fits of apoplectic consternation, oscillating from artful decorum to over-the-top fury and back again like some overcaffeinated latter-day John Cleese. It’s a hilarious, high-energy performance that leaves no scenery unchewed.

Said scenery comes courtesy of set/costume designer Sabrina Balliana, who evokes the period well, while sound and lighting design are handled capably by Pat Caron and Kahentanó:ron Brianna Montour, respectively. The production’s coherent blocking, brisk but organic pacing and smooth cast interplay reflect well on Tsonos and stage manager Susan Currie, but the chief selling points here are Ayckbourn’s script and the Freeland-Parker-Post-Van Dyck quartet, who wring even more comedy out of confusion than John Ritter and his TV castmates. Three’s Company, sure, but four’s a crowd-pleaser.

@fter eight

Comedy gameshow at The Arts Guild—Aug 20

Hosted by Andrea Avery, @fter eight is a loosely contained comedy gameshow where three comedians compete for the dumbest prize imaginable. The next show takes place at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown on August 20 at 8:07 pm.

This is a 19+ event. Visit theguildpei.com for tickets.

Queerly Canadian

Drag revue at The Arts Guild in September

Queerly Canadian: A Late Night Drag Revue returns to Charlottetown with performances September 4, 5, 18, and 19 at 8 pm at The Arts Guild.

PEI’s own Didi d’Edada (Jay Whitehead) and her only begotten son Castrati (Kathy Zaborsky) star in this campy, Canuck drag cabaret, a hilariously unapologetic celebration of all things Canadian, packed with kooky comedy, powerhouse vocals, and outrageous drag.

Mi’kmaq storytelling

Indigenous culture at Basin Head Fisheries Museum

Cultural programming at Basin Head Provincial Park continues through August with the free Mi’kmaq Storytelling Series on Saturdays at 1:30 pm until August 29 (except August 8), and Mini Mawio’mis on select Sundays at 2 pm until August 9. In case of inclement weather, performances will move indoors to the Basin Head Fisheries Museum.

The Mi’kmaq Storytelling Series celebrates Indigenous culture through traditional Mi’kmaq storytelling, singing, drumming, and dancing. Led by Julie Pellissier-Lush and the Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors, the performances honour the rich traditions, history, and spirit of the Mi’kmaq People.

Launched in 2024 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Basin Head Marine

From Mounties to maple syrup and pop culture to politics, this fast-paced cabaret affectionately pokes fun at the quirks, contradictions, and clichés that make Canada…well, Canada.

Visit theguildpei.com for tickets.

Protected Area—the only marine protected area on PEI—the series is coordinated by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI’s Integrated Resource Management Team. It reflects the Mi’kmaq people’s deep connection to the land and ocean while highlighting the shared responsibility to protect the marine environment.

Mawio’mi, meaning “gathering” in Mi’kmaq, is a cultural celebration where First Nations communities share traditions through drumming, dancing, storytelling, and more. mcpei.ca/events

Charlottetown Burlesque

The Arts Guild—Aug 28 & 29

Charlottetown Burlesque returns to The Arts Guild in Charlottetown with performances running August 28 and 29 at 9 pm.

PEI’s premier burlesque troupe champions self-expression, body empowerment, consent, and sex positivity through this dazzling celebration of dance, live music, comedy, storytelling, and striptease.

This is a 19+ production. Visit theguildpei.com for tickets. 111 Queen Street, Charlottetown.

THEATRE

Performing

Arts Camp at Kings Playhouse

Kings Playhouse invites children aged 6–12 to join its Performing Arts Theatre Camp on August 10–14. Campers will explore the magic of theatre through games, movement, storytelling, singing, and acting. No previous theatre experience is required. Camp runs from August 10–14 from 9 am–4 pm daily, and concludes with a Friday afternoon showcase for family and friends. Spaces are limited. To register, visit kingsplayhouse. com or call 902-652-2053.

Acazing Amateur Night

Acazing Amateur Night will be held on September 3 at 7 pm during the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival. Folks are encouraged to sign up to sing a song, step dance, do a monologue, or perform a skit. All participants will be rewarded. Registration is required as spots are limited. Register by August 8 to be included in a special draw. Call Marcia Arsenault at 902-432-0769 or email lpmarsenault@ gmail.com to register.

PERFORMANCE

music, theatre, dance, comedy...

›› until Aug1

Stan Rogers: A Matter of Heart

Ft. Beth Rogers, Rebekah Brown, James Medeiros, and Ryan Whitty.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

›› until Aug 11 | select dates

A Secret Chord: The Essential Canadian Songbook

Ft Lawrence Maxwell, Todd MacLean, Brooke MacArthur, Luka Hall, and Deryl Gallant. Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

›› until Aug 29 | select dates

C’Mon In! An Island Kitchen Party

Ft. Robbie Doherty and Pierce Clarke. The Mack, Charlottetown

›› until Aug 29 | select dates

Relatively Speaking

Watermark Theatre, North Rustico

›› until Sept 5 | select dates

Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

›› until Sept 24 | select dates

Live at the Horseshoe Tavern Dinner theatre. Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

›› until Sept 26 | select dates

Come From Away

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

›› until Oct 26 | select dates

Anne & Gilbert: The Musical

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

›› until Aug 13 | select dates

Highland Storm: The Elements

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

›› until Aug 22 | 11 am

Polka Dot Door

Confederation Centre Outdoor Amphitheatre, Charlottetown

July 30 | 8 pm

Island Jazz Greatest Hits

Vol. 11

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

July 30 | 8 pm

Tara MacLean and Tennyson King

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

July 31 | 1 pm

Tunes and Tales

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

July 31 | 7 pm

Restone Drum Group and DeeDee Austin

Montague Arts and Culture Festival. Waterfront Park, Montague

July 31 | 7:30 pm

Lloyd Spiegel & Suzie Vinnick: An International Roots ‘n’

Blues Kitchen Party!

Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

July 31 | 8 pm

Soul Filter: Cigarette Mom

Rock

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

July 31 | 8 pm

Joel Plaskett

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

July 31 | 8 pm

Fefe Dobson

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

July 31–Aug 2

Festival Route 11

festivalroute11.com

Union Corner Provincial Park, Wellington

Aug 1 | 2 pm

Melody G Album Release

Show

Holy Cow, Morell

Aug 1 | 7 pm

Broad Cove Boys and Lennie Gallant

Montague Arts and Culture Festival. Waterfront Park, Montague

Aug 1 | 7:30 pm

Wild World: A Tribute to Cat

Stevens/Yusuf

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Aug 1 | 8 pm

Kurk, Joey & Jamie Band

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 1 | 7:30 pm, Aug 2 | 2 pm

Legends of Country Music: Songs & Stories from the Golden Era

Ft. Nudie with Bobby McIsaac. Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | 7:30 pm

Richard Wood: An Evening of Celtic Music

Stanley Bridge Hall, Stanley Bridge

Aug 1, 15, 22, 29 | 1:30 pm

Mi’kmaq Storytelling Series

Ft. Julie Pellissier-Lush and the Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors. Basin Head Provincial Park, Souris

Aug 2 | 2 pm, 7:30 pm

The Grand Tour

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Aug 2 | 2 pm

Duane Andrews and the Hot Club of Conception Bay

Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

Aug 2 | 3 pm

Love Local Live: Olivia Blacquiere

PEI Fox Den, North Bedeque

Aug 2 | 7:30 pm

Shane Pendergast

Rock Barra Artist Retreat, Souris

Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 8 pm

The Summer Side of Lightfoot: A Celebration of The Man & His Music

Ft. Nudie & The Sundowners. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 3 | 7:30 pm

Catherine MacLellan

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 3, 12, 19, 26 | 7 pm

Nashville Nights at the Trailside

Ft. Roland Beaulieu, Kelley Mooney, Ryan P, and Mat Hannah. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 4, 11, 18, 25 | 8 pm

Patrick Ledwell and Vintage 2.0

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 5 | 1 pm

Basilica Concert Series

Ft. Gibson J. MacMillan, organ. St. Dunstan’s Basilica, Charlottetown

Aug 5 | 8 pm

Lefunk

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 5–Sept 26 | select dates

Behind The Veil

Ft. Brielle Ansems, Carlie Howell, Julain Molnar, Alicia Toner, Mike Ross, and Max Gallant. Harmony House, Hunter River

Aug 6 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Aiden Salvate with Pat Nabuurs

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Aug 6–7 | 8 pm

The Ennis Sisters

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

Aug 6–8 | 8 pm

The Thunder Rolls: A Night of Garth Brooks

Craig Fair Productions. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 6–8 | 8 pm

The Princess Show

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Aug 7 | 7 pm

Colin Cowan, Britt, and James Brown

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Aug 7 | 7 pm

Dance Floor: A Drag Show & Dance Party

PEERS Alliance, Charlottetown

Aug 7 | 7:30 pm

Richard Wood: Fire Dance — Through The Years

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Aug 8 | 2 pm

Kirk Summer Recital

Ft. Parker Clements, baritone, and Hannah O’Donnell, mezzo-soprano, with Morgan Saulnier, piano. Kirk of St. James, Charlottetown

Aug 8 | 7:30 pm, Aug 9 | 2 pm

How to Live with Dread

Starring Jane Wells. Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 8 | 8 pm

Jonny Ray & Louise Arsenault

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 9 | 2 pm

Gryphon Trio

Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

Acadian National Holiday

Mélina pi Gélina host annual musical party

An afternoon of PEI-style festivities, featuring concert headliners Sirène et Matelot (Patricia Richard and Lennie Gallant) and other Acadian performers, will help celebrate the Acadian National Holiday on August 15, from 2–5 pm at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village (behind the main building, on the bluegrass festival grounds).

Mélina pi Gélina (Samantha Arsenault and Debbie RousselleMontgomery) will cohost the free annual event, which will feature some distinctly Acadian humour—one never knows what the two will say or misunderstand about their hosting duties.

Also contributing to the festivities are local fiddler Gilbert Arsenault, the Miscouche fatherand-son duo Michael and Samuel Richard, and Evangeline singer Keera Gallant with backup musicians.

Barbecue and ice cream will be available on the grounds. For children, there will be bouncy inflatables and guided arts-and-crafts activities with artist Lynn Gaudet.

Legends of Country

Victoria Playhouse presents Songs & Stories from the Golden Era on August 1 at 7:30 pm and August 2 at 2 pm.

Hosted by honky-tonk raconteur Nudie, accompanied by Bobby McIsaac on guitar and vocals, the performance features visuals and humorous stories behind the songs and

Marcel Bernard, president of the Village musical acadien, invites Acadians and non-Acadians to participate: “For many people, August 15 is an opportunity for us to celebrate that we’ve survived here on PEI for several centuries and we’re still going strong.”

Review by Sean McQuaid

Country Comfort Food

Sugar Road

Watermark Theatre, North Rustico July 11, 2026

I’ve always been fascinated by midways, carnivals, sideshows, funhouses, amusement parks and such—so I’m often keen on stories in said settings, like Strangers on a Train (1951), Carnival of Souls (1962), 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964), Zombieland (2009)… heck, even Big Top Scooby-Doo! (2012) is a longtime, muchloved resident of the McQuaid household’s DVD rack. Suffice it to say I’m a sucker for the circus.

I’m also a fan of Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva, whose wittily melancholy romantic dramedy Beyond the Sea (2021) wowed me in its sublime 2022 run at the historic Victoria Playhouse. So, when I heard Da Silva’s play Sugar Road (2017) was coming to a similarly great PEI venue (the Watermark) and that its story is set in an amusement park, it felt a bit like the fates were tantalizing me in a very targeted way. “Go and see this,” whispers The Universe. “You’ll like it.”

And yep, I did like it. Good job, Universe.

Did I like it as much as Beyond the Sea? Well, no, not quite. That play hit me where I lived and then some, right in the brain and the heart and the gut all at the same time. Sugar Road puts more of its eggs in the heart basket, warm and funny and unabashedly romantic. It’s not as daring or deeply moving as its 2021 counterpart, but it doesn’t really need to be when it’s serving up heaping scoops of quirky smalltown charm, juicy laugh lines and long-brewing romance like a lost Canadian cousin of Gilmore Girls. It’s carnival comfort food with a side of country music.

Said music mostly comes from country icon Jesse Emberley (portrayed here with aw-shucks aplomb by Dustin Freeland), who played a gig at the Sugar Road amusement park in Elmvale, Ontario early in his career, a gig that included a romance with local gal Hannah Taylor (a charming Kait Post); 12 years later, superstar Jesse comes back to Sugar Road, but Hannah never left. Having inherited the park from her late mother, Hannah keeps the aging midway running with support from her friend, loquaciously lonely farmer Caroline Dawn (Leni Parker), Jesse Emberley’s biggest fan; and Sugar Road’s longtime handyman, salty softie Ray Bishop (Paul Van Dyck).

This is a play with music, not a musical. There is live singing, yes, featuring original music written by Ian Blackwood (with lyrics by him and Da Silva), but Sugar Road is largely spoken

“quirky smalltown charm, juicy laugh lines and long-brewing romance”

rather than sung. The music is a nice extra, but it doesn’t run the show.

Rebecca Parent smoothly directs this production—flashbacks aplenty, for instance, are handled with quick and clear transitions—featuring set/ costume designs by Sabrina Balliana, lighting design by Kahentanó:ron Brianna Montour and sound design by Pat Caron. Balliana’s detailed, lived-in set suggests the unglamorous business end of a carnival setting with its utilitarian shack and ticket booth, while the attractively lit-up “Sugar Road” marquee above the booth offers a hint of the park’s low-rent razzle-dazzle. Da Silva’s plays speak knowingly and affectionately about small Canadian towns; Sugar Road is no exception, also conjuring the modest marvels a fairground can bring to such communities (and transporting me back to my summers on the Dundas Plowing Match midway). Da Silva conveys the inherent romance attached to these places, a mystique above and beyond any romance of the smooching variety – though the play has plenty of that twitterpated version of romance, too.

Like fellow 2026 Watermark show Relatively Speaking (1965), Sugar Road is very funny; it’s less brisk and more predictable than the 1965 play, but much more endearingly humane—and the two productions share the same crackerjack cast. That gives multiplay audiences the fun of seeing these actors’ range—with Van Dyck, for instance, morphing from a pompous British cad in one show to a roughand-tumble carny with a heart of gold in the next; but where Van Dyck often steals the show in Relatively Speaking, Parker might be Sugar Road’s crowd-pleasing standout via deft line deliveries and potent physical comedy as Hannah’s oddball pal Caroline. Can Jesse and Hannah rekindle their old flame? You’ll have to buy a ticket to find out, but there’s a lot to love in this amiable romantic comedy’s dialogue, characters and setting regardless, though I might be an easy mark for this stuff. As Fred Jones says in a certain Scooby-Doo movie, “Did I mention I love the circus?”

Searching for Abegweit

Lennie

Gallant’s multimedia show—Aug 11 & 12

Searching for Abegweit – The Island Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant has returned to Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside for the summer, with two remaining performances on August 11 and 12.

Starring Order of Canada recipient and award-winning Island musician Lennie Gallant and his band, this ode to PEI features hundreds of paintings by his sister, Karen Gallant, projected on a giant screen alongside the music, as well as appearances by Mi’kmaq singer Hubert Francis.

The show explores Island legends, myths, history, and tall tales while weaving a tapestry of community

spirit that offers insight into why Abegweit holds a special place in so many hearts.

This musical love letter to the Island celebrates its colourful past, present, and future. Searching for Abegweit originally ran for six sold-out seasons and more than 200 performances. This marks its first return in four years.

“I can’t believe how much fun it is to be offering this show again,” shares Lennie. “The band, Patricia Richard, Keelin Wedge, and Julien Robichaud, is playing so well and the energy we have together on stage is crazy good!”

Visit lenniegallant.com for tickets and more information.

Press Play on New Horizons

Fundraising concert for Victoria Playhouse

Victoria Playhouse is hosting Press Play on New Horizons, a fundraising concert on September 25 at 7:30 pm. The evening features special guest Shane Pendergast and other well-loved Island and community performers, including music ensemble Woodsmoke, step dancer Emily Hughes accompanied by Morgan Wagner on violin, singer-songwriter Megan Ellands, and more.

The Playhouse is entering a new era. After 44 years of presenting a summer-only theatre and music festival, Victoria Playhouse Inc. is taking on year-round stewardship of the historic Victoria Community Hall, home of Victoria Playhouse in picturesque Victoria-by-the-Sea. Programming will gradually expand into the spring and fall, creating new opportunities for community members and artists from PEI and beyond to create, learn, connect, and share in the magic of the performing arts.

Funds raised will support the

season expansion and the development of new and diverse theatre programming on stage and behind the scenes through Theatre School classes and workshops for children and adults.

The evening will also include fun surprises and plenty of community spirit as the Playhouse honours its past and looks toward a bright future.

Visit victoriaplayhouse.com/shows to purchase tickets. Tickets include a charitable tax receipt, one complimentary drink ticket, and one complimentary art raffle ticket.

PERFORMANCE

music, theatre, dance, comedy...

…continued from page B10

Aug 9 | 3 pm

Love Local Live: Dakota Oliver PEI Fox Den, North Bedeque

Aug 9 | 7:30 pm

Canada Day Drumming

Multicultural Celebration

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Aug 9 | 7:30 pm

Songs From the Deep: Maritime Music and Sea Shanties

Watermark Theatre, North Rustico

Aug 9 | 7:30 pm

Emelia May and Justyn Thyme

Rock Barra Artist Retreat, Souris

Aug 11 | 7 pm

Benjamin Rota (viola) and Julien LeBlanc (piano)

Kirk of St. James, Charlottetown

Aug 11–12 | 7:30 pm

Searching for Abegweit: The Island Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Aug 11–12, 18–19 | 2 pm

Catching Fish Puppet Show & Singalong

Silly Goose Children’s Festival. Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown

Aug 12 | 1 pm

Basilica Concert Series

Ft. Gaige A. Waugh, vocals, with Leo Marchildon, organ. St. Dunstan’s Basilica, Charlottetown

Aug 12 | 8 pm

John McDermott: Raised On Songs & Stories

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 13 | 12 pm

Teddy Bear Picnic

Silly Goose Children’s Festival ft. Tunes and Tall Tales. Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown

Aug 13 | 7 pm

Music and the Mind —

Maritimes: Musical Waves

Steel Recital Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 13 | 7:30 pm

Richard Wood

Souris Show Hall, Souris

Aug 13 | 7:30 pm

John McDermott

Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

Aug 13 | 8 pm

Up On The Roof: An Evening with Micah Barnes of The Nylons

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 13 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Sean Ferris with Norm Zocher

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Aug 14 | 7 pm

Sheila Ann Smith & The Diamond Jazz Collective. Beaconsfield Historic House, Charlottetown

Aug 14 | 8 pm

Matt Wright: The Peekaboo Tour

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 14 | 8 pm

Hauler

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

Aug 14–16

Cloggeroo cloggeroo.com

Kings Playhouse/Bogside/Drifters, Three Rivers

Aug 14, 20 | 11 am, 12:30 pm

Aug 21 | 12 pm

The Princess and the Pea

Silly Goose Children’s Festival. Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown

Aug 15

Secret Trash Fest II

Ft. Piper Maru, Bastard Idol, Torpor, Despertá, Conductor, Wayward Corpse, Oakdrive, Poison Spear, Dear Blossom, Coy, Trojan Whores, Bilge, and C.A.B.L.E.. Trinity United, Charlottetown/Sportsman’s Club, Charlottetown

Aug 15 | 2 pm

Acadian National Holiday

Ft. Sirène et Matelot, Gilbert Arsenault, Michael and Samuel Richard, Keera Gallant, and cohosts Samantha Arsenault and Debbie Rousselle-Montgomery. Village musical acadien, Abram-Village

Aug 15 | 8 pm

Popalopalots

Improv comedy. The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Aug 15 | 8 pm

Spoons

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 15 | 8 pm

Jalen & Friends

The Factory, Charlottetown

Aug 15 | 8 pm

Ellis Family Band

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 16 | 2 pm

Ella Fitzgerald Tribute Show

Ft. Dee Hernandez. Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

Aug 16 | 2 pm

Mass for Shut-Outs by Tanya Davis

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 16 | 2 pm, 7 pm

MacMaster Leahy Family

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Aug 16 | 7 pm

Dino and the Harmonies:

Gather Styled Gospel Concert

Winsloe United Church, Winsloe

Aug 16 | 7:30 pm

Lucy Farrell

Rock Barra Artist Retreat, Souris

Aug 17 | 10 am

The Madame Abbey & Friends

Children’s Show

Silly Goose Children’s Festival. Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown

Aug 17 | 7:30 pm

Inn Echo

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 18 | 8 pm

Ellis Family Band & Fiddlers’ Sons

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Aug 19 | 1 pm

Basilica Concert Series

Ft. Jason Chen, organ. St. Dunstan’s Basilica, Charlottetown

Aug 19 | 7 pm

Melody G

Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown

Aug 20 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Chris Martell Group

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Aug 20 | 8:07 pm

@fter eight: A Comedy Gameshow

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Aug 20–22 | 7:30 pm

Simply The Best: A Night of Tina Turner

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Aug 21 | 7:30 pm

The Irish Scots Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

Aug 21 | 8 pm

Logan Richard

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

Aug 21 | 8 pm

After Hours Band

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 21–23, 27–30 | select times

The Wonder of it All Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 22 | 6 pm

Roger Stone

Bonshaw Hall, Bonshaw

Aug 22 | 8 pm

The BILF Show

Hannah Montana Drag Comedy Show. The Factory, Charlottetown

Aug 22 | 8 pm

Shawn Hogan Comedy Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 22 | 8 pm

Luka Hall

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 23 | 3 pm

Love Local Live: Max

Keenlyside

PEI Fox Den, North Bedeque

Aug 23 | 7:30 pm

The Songwriter’s Songbook: Classic Tracks that Inspired New Tunes

Ft. Dennis Ellsworth, Jenina MacGillivray, and Shawn MacGillivray. Watermark Theatre, North Rustico

Aug 23 | 7:30 pm

Small Planet Concert

Rock Barra Artist Retreat, Souris

Aug 23 | 8 pm

Maud Whitmore Variety Concert

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Under the Spire

2026 concert season continues at Historic St. Mary’s

For over 30 years, Under the Spire at Historic St. Mary’s in Kensington has been showcasing classical, folk, country, blues, jazz, Celtic, and contemporary East Coast music.

The series continues in August with Duane Andrews and the Hot Club of Conception Bay (August 2), Gryphon Trio (August 9), John McDermott (August 13), Ella Fitzgerald Tribute (August 16), Craig Fair Productions’ Troubadour: A Night of James Taylor and Carole King (August 28), and Like Father, Like Son: The Music of Dave & Jud Gunning and Shane & Mike

Pendergaston (August 30).

The season concludes with Les Barocudas on September 13 and The Once on September 20.

A fundraising lecture-recital, Canadian Pipers and Pipe Tunes on the Western Front, takes place on September 6 from 2–4 pm, combining historical storytelling with live Highland bagpipe performance. Proceeds benefit the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, the Canadian War Museum, and Historic St. Mary’s restoration efforts. underthespire.ca

Folk Songs of Appalachia

Janet McGarry and band at Victoria Playhouse

Appalachian songs, stories, and the music that shaped country music will be showcased in Folk Songs of Appalachia – Deep Roots & Common Threads, featuring Janet McGarry and band in a single-mic performance at Victoria Playhouse on September 5 at 7:30 pm and September 6 at 2 pm.

This concert is an intimate musical journey into the heart of a sound that shaped generations. From the pioneering recordings of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers in the late 1920s to the enduring influence heard in artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris, this show traces the powerful lineage of Appalachian song.

Led by Island bluegrass artist Janet McGarry, whose travels through the rural mountain communities of Appalachia bring authenticity to the stage, the performance blends music, storytelling, and personal reflection. Presented with a four-piece acoustic band gathered around a single condenser microphone, the show recreates the warmth and immediacy of those earliest recordings.

Along the way, Deep Roots & Common Threads reveals the shared

musical heritage linking Appalachia to Atlantic Canada—uncovering the Irish, Scottish, and Acadian influences that shape the songs still recognized in our kitchens, community halls, and dance floors today.

Marking nearly a century since Ralph Peer first carried a recording machine into the mountains, and following landmark moments such as the O Brother, Where Art Thou? revival and the legacy of Will the Circle Be Unbroken, this program offers a reflection on music that continues to connect us. For tickets, visit victoriaplayhouse. com/events/folk-songs-of-appalachia.

MUSIC FESTIVALS

July 31–Aug 2

Festival Route 11

Ft. Cajun Country Revival, Vishtèn, Julie Aubé, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys, Maukin, Jean-François Berthiaume & Louis-Simon Lemieux, Jourdan Thibodeaux Trio, Champagne Weather, Shane Pendergast’s Jack Pine Folk Club, and more. Union Corner Provincial Park, Wellington. festivalroute11.com

Aug 14–16

Cloggeroo

Ft. Adam Baldwin and The Jenny Wren, Garrett Mason and Keith Hallett Band, The Steve Marriner Band, Mama’s Broke, Joce Reyome, Charlie A’Court, Jon Hines and Frank Sultana, Steve Somers and The Redwing Blackbirds, Out From Under, Got Blues, Zakary Miller, Chuck Bucket, Hello Mischief, Diana Delirio, Max Dublenko, and Paulina Cooper. Three Rivers, Montague. cloggeroo.com

August 15

Secret Trash Fest II

Ft. Piper Maru, Bastard Idol, Torpor, Despertá, Conductor, Wayward Corpse, Oakdrive (farewell show), Poison Spear, Dear Blossom, Coy, Trojan Whores, Bilge, and C.A.B.L.E. Trinity United (all ages) and Sportsman’s Club (19+), Charlottetown. @secretbeachpei @hightrashmedia

Sept 11–12

Sommo Festival

Ft.Twenty One Pilots, Sombr, Kaleo, Natasha Bedingfield, Hazlett, Lawrence, Leith Ross, Wild Rivers, Baby Nova, Sofia Camara, Kellie Loder, Loviet, Down With Webster, Jade Lemac, Hans Williams, Crash Adams, Melt, Sonreal, Maris, Edgehill, DeeDee Austin, Flower Face, Shane Pendergast, and Altered By Mom. Cavendish Beach Events Centre, Cavendish. sommofest.com

Sept 25–27

Goolaholla! Festival

Ft. Alysha Brilla, Charlie Needs Braces, De Temps Antan, Great Lake Swimmers, Julie Pellissier-Lush, Kim Churchill, Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors, Paige Ballagh, Ria Mae, The East Pointers, The Pairs, Villages, Shawn Hogan, Patrick Ledwell, Mark Haines, Kiara Ra, Monica Lacey, Madame Abbey & Friends, Tunes and Tales, Lord of the Flies, Lucy Farrell’s Folk Choir, Daria and Mieke, and Fundance. Rollo Bay Fiddle Grounds, Souris. goolaholla.com

Montuno Cubano

The Heat of Latin Music at The Arts Guild

Montuno Cubano: Bringing the Heat of Latin Music takes the stage at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown on September 2 at 8 pm.

The PEI-based Latin outfit brings the heart and soul of Cuba to the stage with an electrifying blend of traditional Cuban music and original songs.

From salsa, guaracha, bolero, and guajira to son cubano, rumba flamenca, balada, and sucu sucu, their music is a vibrant celebration of passion, culture, and connection. theguildpei.com

Gypsy

Fleetwood Mac Tribute at Kings Playhouse

Gypsy, a premier Fleetwood Mac tribute band, takes the stage on September 5 at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown.

Known for delivering an authentic concert experience, Gypsy recreates the sound, style, and energy that made Fleetwood Mac one of the most celebrated bands in music history. Their performance showcases the group’s greatest hits, bringing beloved classics to life for audiences of all ages.

The show features fan favourites including “Dreams,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Rhiannon,” “Don’t Stop,” “The Chain,” and more, along with memorable Stevie Nicks duets originally performed with Don Henley and Tom Petty.

With Fleetwood Mac’s legendary Rumours album selling nearly 50 million copies worldwide and their music continuing to captivate generations, Gypsy offers both longtime fans and new listeners the chance to experience these iconic songs live.

Tickets are available at kingsplayhouse.com, by calling 902-652-2053, or at the door 45 minutes before showtime at 65 Grafton Street, Georgetown.

It’s Been Too Long

Hannah O’Donnell and Parker Clements at The Kirk—Aug 8

The Kirk Summer Recitals continue with three performances in August, with a change to the usual Thursday schedule.

On August 8 at 2 pm, Hannah O’Donnell, mezzo-soprano, and Parker Clements, baritone, present It’s Been Too Long, an opera and art song recital. The old friends reunite in recital for the first time in nine years, performing selections by Brahms, Fauré, Mahler, Vaughan Williams, Strauss, and more. They are accompanied by Morgan Saulnier, piano.

On August 11 at 7 pm, pianist Julien LeBlanc and violist Benjamin Rota present a program featuring some of the most remarkable and profound works in the chamber music repertoire. The concert opens with Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata, followed by Shostakovich’s Sonata for viola and piano, the composer’s final work. The program concludes with piano solos by Mel Bonis inspired by legendary heroines.

On August 29 at 12:10 pm, Amy LeBlanc, flute, Nathan Wright, saxophone, and Tony Liang, piano,

present a program of new works for this ensemble.

Admission is by donation in support of the Kirk’s Choral Scholarships, a program in which students become part of the Kirk choir during the academic year, benefiting both the students and the church.

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

Basilica concert series

Singers and organists at St. Dunstan’s

The Basilica concert series at St. Dunstan’s Basilica in Charlottetown continues on select Wednesdays. The series features an eclectic lineup of singers and organists, showcasing the Basilica’s 1923 Casavant organ.

On August 5, the Basilica welcomes organist Gibson J. MacMillan, associate director of music at St. Pauls on the Common (Saint John, NB) as he performs an eclectic program of music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Paul Halley, and the premiere of a new work by Maritime composer Richard Kidd.

Vocalist Gaige A. Waugh teams up with Leo Marchildon in a program on August 12 intended “to embolden the heart against the darkened sky of the horizon,” with music focusing on the themes of perseverance and hope.

The final concert on August 19 features emerging artist Jason Chen, fresh from the completion of his second year

Tuning into Nature

A

musical walk in the woods with PEISO in Morell

The PEI Symphony Orchestra is once again inviting nature and music lovers to join artists and musicians on the Meike Trail in Morell. From 1–3 pm on September 6, the forest will resound with the strains of instruments and voices as singer-songwriters, poets, and traditional and orchestral performers at stations along the trail. The 2026 lineup of 15 performers includes Nick vanOuwerkerk, pipes and whistle; Trevor Grant, percussion; Olasunkanmi Omotosho, violin; Evelyn Yang, violin; Marti Hopson, accordion; Katie Gaudet, horn; and Dann Downes, ambient electronics.

The Symphony’s Music Director Jaelem Bhate is committed to greater engagement with the Island community: “Tuning in to Nature is just one of our events taking place outside the concert hall,” he says. “In recent weeks we have shared a fun ‘Popera’ experience in St. Peters, participated in the Under the Spire Festival at St. Mary’s Church in Kensington, as well as Charlottetown’s Natal Day celebrations.”

Summer Fling

An evening of music and dancing at Beaconsfield—Aug 14

Sheila Ann Smith and the Diamond Jazz Collective returns to Beaconsfield Historic House in Charlottetown on August 14 for an evening of live music and dancing.

Diamond Jazz Collective is a group of musicians who come together to perform smooth, easy-listening jazz in the spirit of Sinatra, Michael Bublé, and Ella Fitzgerald, with familiar favourites, popular tunes, and a few Latin-tinged twists thrown in.

Series producer Sheila Ann Smith moved to the PEI eleven years ago. She is a singer-songwriter and musician with deep family roots on the Island.

“I fell in love with ballroom dancing while visiting Vienna, Austria, and have wanted to bring that same classy dance night feeling home to Charlottetown ever since,” says Smith, the series producer. “This series is my way of doing just that.”

The Meike Trail winds through the Kelly Green Natural Area and is one of the best places to spot shorebirds, raptors, woodland birds, and a great variety of flora and fauna.

“People really need a reprieve from current world events, and here you will experience calm and inspiration,” explains Tuning in to Nature creator and artistic director Ryan Drew. “This will make the sixth Labour Day weekend we have presented this wonderful mix of Western classical, Indigenous, Acadian, and eclectic world music in a natural setting.”

“There’s a lot of stylistic and cultural diversity in our lineup,” continues Drew. “The land has a rich history

of Mi’kmaq and Acadian presence. Looking at the way this land has been shaped over the last many years, we aim to present musical genres that reflect that history.”

Registration is required. Tickets are available at peisymphony.com/store, and admission is frete for children 10 and under. Twenty-minute time slots are selected when purchasing tickets. Check in five minutes before the scheduled time. This all-ages, self-guided musical nature walk takes about 40–45 minutes to complete, and attendees are encouraged to interact with artists between performances. The trail is flat and well maintained; however, discretion is advised for those with limited mobility.

The rain date is September 7. Updates will be shared by email and on social media before 9:30 am. Parking is available, and volunteers will direct traffic.

The lineup shifts depending on who's available, but the feeling stays the same. For this performance, the group features Ian Toms on guitar, Chris Martell on upright bass, Danika Poirier on drums, and Sheila Ann Smith on vocals and keys.

The evening begins with a free dance lesson and demonstration at 6:30 pm, with Buenos Island Studio and Downstreet Dance, before the music starts at 7 pm.

The event takes place on the grounds at Beaconsfield, weather permitting, with the historic Carriage House ready as a backup. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are available through Eventbrite or at sheilaannsmith.online.

PERFORMANCE

music, theatre, dance, comedy...

…continued from page B14

Aug 25 | 8 pm

Youth Scholarship Concert

Harmony House, Hunter River

Aug 25–26 | 7:30 pm

Catherine MacLellan: The Songs of Gene MacLellan Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Aug 27 | 8 pm

Julie Kim

Stand-up Comedy. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 27 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Jordan Taylor Trio Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Aug 27–29 | 8 pm

Nashville Songwriter’s Festival

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Aug 28 | 7:30 pm

Troubadour: A Night of James Taylor and Carole King

Craig Fair Productions. Under The Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensington

Aug 28 | 7:30 pm

Lil Red Schoolhouse Music

Series: Julia Bentley PEI Fox Den, North Bedeque

Aug 28 | 8 pm

Noah Malcolm

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 28 | 8 pm

Carleton Stone

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

Aug 28 | 8 pm

Whose Line Is It Anyway? PEI

Edition

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

Aug 28–29 | 9 pm

Charlottetown Burlesque

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Aug 29 | 12 pm

Play Music on the Porch Day

Hosted by Aaron Stevenson. Bonshaw Hall, Bonshaw

Aug 29 | 12:10 pm

Kirk Summer Recital

Ft. Amy Leblanc, flute, Nathan Wright, saxophone, & Tony Liang, piano. Kirk of St. James, Charlottetown

Aug 29 | 8 pm

Dave Gunning

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 30 | 2 pm

Like Father, Like Son

Ft. Dave & Jud Gunning and Shane & Mike Pendergast. Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

Aug 30 | 4 pm, 7:30 pm

Farmgate Theatre: Become Finally Farm, Bonshaw

Aug 31 | 7:30 pm

Scott Parsons

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Sept 2 | 8 pm

Montuno Cubano: Bringing the Heat of Latin Music

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Sept 2, 10, 17 | 7 pm

Nashville Nights at the Trailside

Ft. Roland Beaulieu, Kelley Mooney, Ryan P, and Mat Hannah. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 3 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Tribute to Kenny Wheeler ft Siobhan White

Ft. Sioghan White. Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Sept 3–4 | 8 pm

Heather Rankin

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

Sept 3–12

Bed and Breakfast Watermark Theatre, Rustico

Sept 4 | 8 pm

An Evening of Led Zeppelin

Ft. Carrie MacLellan, Aron Scott, Stephanie Bouchard, and Maxwell Gallant. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 4 | 9 pm

Soirée des retrouvailles

Ft. KEV. Evangeline Recreation Centre, Abram-Village

Sept 4–5, 18–19 | 8 pm

Queerly Canadian: A Drag Cabaret

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Sept 5, 19 | 4:30 pm

Richard Wood: An Evening of Celtic Music

Stanley Bridge Hall, Stanley Bridge

Sept 5 | 7:30 pm

Gypsy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

Sept 5 | 8 pm

Kurk, Joey & Jamie Band

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 5 | 9:30 pm

Évangéline and Gabriel Dance

Ft. Beauxmont. Evangeline Recreation Centre, Abram-Village

Sept 5 | 7:30 pm, Sept 6 | 2 pm

Folk Songs of Appalachia

– Deep Roots & Common Threads

Ft. Janet McGarry and band. Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Sept 6 | 2 pm

Canadian Pipers and Pipe Tunes on the Western Front Community fundraiser. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensington

Sept 6 | 1 pm

Tuning Into Nature

Ft. PEI Symphony Orchestra. Meike Trail, Morell

Sept 7 | 7:30 pm

Catherine MacLellan, Rachel Kilgour, & Lucy Farrell

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Sept 10 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Island Flamenco

Jazz ft. Iván Garnica

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Sept 10–11 | 7:30 pm

The Final Recordings of an Almost Extinct Bird

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Sept 11 | 8 pm

Wild World

Tribute to Cat Stevens/Yusuf. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 11 | 8 pm

JJ Chaisson

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

Sept 11–12

Sommo Festival

sommofest.com

Cavendish Beach Events Centre, Cavendish.

Sept 12 | 8 pm

Lady Soul

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 12 | 8 pm

140 Smooth Bore Reunion

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 13 | 1 pm

Meet Your Neighbours: The Many Cultures of PEI CultureSHIFT event. The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Sept 13 | 2 pm

Les Barocudas

Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

Sept 13 | 2 pm

Fascinating Ladies of Country

Ft. Olivia Blacquiere, Stephanie Ross, and Haley Zavo. Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Sept 15 | 6:30 pm

CultureSHIFT: Noche

Mexicana

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Sept 17 | 8 pm

The Sadies and Terra Lightfoot

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

Sept 17 | 8:07 pm

@fter eight: A Comedy Gameshow

The Arts Guild, Charlottetown

Sept 18 | 8 pm

Nathan Wiley Band

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 18–19 | 7:30 pm

Big Love: The Music of Fleetwood Mac

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Sept 19 | 8 pm

Mike McKenna Jr, Frank Sultana, & Jon Hines

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 19 | 8 pm

Jonny Ray & Louise Arsenault

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

…continued on page B22

Songs of Gene MacLellan

Concert and memoir at Harbourfront Theatre—Aug 25 & 26

Catherine MacLellan presents The Songs of Gene MacLellan at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on August 25 and 26 at 7:30 pm.

For decades, the songs of Gene MacLellan have echoed across the globe—sung by legends like Elvis Presley and Anne Murray—yet the quiet, working-class Islander behind the masterpieces remained an enigma to many.

This production is both concert and memoir.

Catherine takes the audience on a personal journey through songs like “Snowbird,” “Put Your Hand in the Hand,” and more. She weaves these melodies together with intimate stories of the man she knew, offering a glimpse into the heart of a shy songwriter who became a PEI icon.

Spanning genres from country and

pop to gospel, the show serves as a love letter to a musical treasure trove that has long been a source of Island pride. Catherine honours her own lineage in an atmosphere of reverence and celebration.

harbourfronttheatre.com

Love Local Live

Music series continues with local songwriters and artists

Love Local Live at the Historic North Bedeque School Hall features local songwriters and artists on Sundays from 3–4:30 pm.

The series continues with Olivia Blacquiere on August 2. Raised on PEI amid kitchen parties, fiddle tunes, and tall tales passed down through generations, Blacquiere draws inspiration from the Island’s rich cultural traditions and the step dancers, storytellers, and musicians who nurtured her love of music from an early age. Blending East Coast folk influences with vivid storytelling, she writes songs filled with mischief, memories, and the winding roads that shape us.

Performing on August 9 is Summerside singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dakota Oliver. She first gained recognition in the

Fest Route 11

Union Corner Provincial Park— July 31 to Aug 2

The sixth edition of Festival Route 11 returns July 31–August 2 at Union Corner Provincial Park.

The trad-folk festival celebrates music, culinary arts, and visual arts. The lineup includes Cajun Country Revival, Vishtèn, Julie Aubé, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys, Maukin, Jean-François Berthiaume & Louis-Simon Lemieux, Jourdan Thibodeaux Trio, and Champagne Weather.

Festival highlights include a roaming cinq à sept–style dinner, where patrons visit four stations, each offering a different culinary experience, and a free Family Day with allages programming, including Shane Pendergast’s ’60s coffeehouse-inspired Jack Pine Folk Club.

PEI music scene as a young prodigy, winning the 2010 PEI Youth Talent Competition at age 14. She is known for writing original songs and creating music alongside her family.

Charlottetown-based pianist and composer Max Keenlyside will perform on August 23. He began playing music at the age of 9 and has since amassed a formidable catalogue of more than 60 original compositions. Keenlyside performs with plenty of pep and energy, and his shows are laced with humour while remaining faithful to the spirit and intent of the original composers. He is known for his renditions of works by Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Eubie Blake, and other stride and early jazz composers.

Visit melodymanproductions. square.site/live-music for tickets.

The festival grounds have been transformed with large-scale art installations by Patrick Brunet and Kelly Caseley.

festivalroute11.com

Play Music on the Porch Day

Connecting communities around the world

Aaron Stevenson is hosting Play Music on the Porch Day at Bonshaw Hall on August 29 from 12 noon–3 pm. A group barbecue and refreshments will be available.

Play Music on the Porch Day is a global annual event held on the last Saturday of August, when musicians and music lovers gather to play and listen to music outdoors. The grassroots celebration aims to connect communities through music, with participants in more than 70 countries performing on porches, sidewalks, and in parks to create a shared musical experience.

The event will be held outdoors, weather permitting. In the event of rain, activities will move inside.

The Hall is located at 9 Green Road in Bonshaw.

Ross Family Ceilidh

20th Anniversary Tour heads to Kings Playhouse—Aug 18

The Ross Family Ceilidh’s 20th Anniversary Tour will be on stage at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown on August 18 at 7:30 pm.

For 20 years, the Ross Family Ceilidh has been bringing Islanders and visitors together through the music, stories, and traditions that make PEI so special. What began as a celebration of family and community has grown into a cherished musical experience—a place where old favourites, new memories, and a good laugh are always part of the evening.

evening of fiddle tunes, harmonies, storytelling, and the connection that comes from musicians who truly love sharing the stage.

Acadian Festival

Beauxmont and KEV to perform—Sept 4 & 5

The 20th Anniversary Tour celebrates two decades of keeping the spirit of the Island ceilidh alive. Audiences can look forward to an

The Irish Scots

An evening of Celtic music in Georgetown—Aug 21

The rich musical traditions of Ireland and Scotland come alive when The Irish Scots take the stage at Kings Playhouse on August 21.

Known for their spirited performances and deep connection to Celtic roots, The Irish Scots bring together lively instrumentals, powerful vocals, and the timeless stories that have travelled across generations and oceans. Their music celebrates the shared heritage of two cultures where song, storytelling, and community gatherings have always been at the heart of everyday life.

Fiddlers’ Sons & Ellis Family

Double bill at Harbourfront Theatre—Aug 18

The Ellis Family Band and Fiddlers’ Sons share the bill at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on August 18. The Ellis Family Band brings its signature family harmonies, while Fiddlers’ Sons is led by the storytelling of Eddy Quinn and the fiddle playing of Keelin Wedge.

Harbourfront is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and this double bill captures the spirit of the milestone: a gathering of old friends and the songs that define them. The evening will

Tickets are available online at kingsplayhouse.com, by phone at 902-6522053, or at the door 45 minutes before showtime.

From rousing pub favourites to ballads and traditional tunes, audiences can expect an evening filled with the Celtic spirit that continues to inspire music lovers around the world.

Tickets are available at kingsplayhouse.com, by calling 902-652-2053, or at the door 45 minutes before showtime at 65 Grafton Street, Georgetown.

have the feel of a grand-scale kitchen party. The show begins at 8 pm. Visit harbourfronttheatre.com to purchase tickets.

The 2026 Evangeline Region Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival will feature two evenings of Acadian music and dancing at the Evangeline Recreation Centre in Abram-Village in September.

Kevin Arsenault (KEV), singer-songwriter and former lead vocalist of Acadian band Réveil, will perform with his own band during the Soirée des retrouvailles on September 4 from 9 pm to midnight. On September 5, beginning at 9:30 pm, the Festival will welcome the return of the Acadian group Beauxmont for the Évangéline and Gabriel Dance.

KEV recently embarked on a new solo career. Known for his energy, charisma, and stage presence, KEV presents a repertoire that blends Acadian favourites, original songs, and country classics. Sing along and dance to “Olé Olé,” “Ah! qu’il fait beau,” “Hangover,” “Tonnerre,” “Folsom

An Evening of Celtic Music

Richard Wood concert series in Stanley Bridge

Internationally acclaimed fiddler Richard Wood is back for his 16th season at the historic Sterling Women’s Institute Hall in Stanley Bridge. The Richard Wood: An Evening of Celtic Music concert series runs at 7:30 pm on Saturdays in August, and at 4:30 pm on September 5 and 19.

Known for his electrifying performances and deep roots in Island music, Wood delivers an authentic Prince Edward Island Celtic music experience filled with high-energy, memorable tunes and world-class musicianship.

Joining him throughout the series are longtime bandmates Kimberley Holmes, Brent Chaisson, Skip Holmes, and Ward MacDonald, along with step dancer Isla Rousseaux-Bridle.

Prison Blues,” “Wagon Wheel,” and more. KEV has previously shared the stage with 1755, Salebarbes, Les Gars du Nord, Bois-Joli, and Cayouche.

Beauxmont breathes new life into traditional Acadian music while remaining true to its roots. The band blends traditional Acadian music with Louisiana influences. Featuring New Brunswick musicians Justin Doucet (fiddle), Jesse Mea (accordion), Chris Cormier (drums), Patrick Dugas (guitar), Johnathan Mpunge (bass), and Félix Belliveau (vocals), Beauxmont is establishing itself as one of the leading new voices in Acadian music, thanks in part to the success of its latest album, Volume 2.

Both dances are adult-only, with licensed bar service available. Tickets are available at the door or online with a weekend pass.

For more info, visit expositionfestival.ca/fr/programmation/forfaits.

Strawberries and ice cream are available for purchase, and there will be a 50/50 draw.

The air-conditioned hall is located at 4897 St. Mary’s Road, Stanley Bridge. Advance tickets are available online at rwood.ca, or tickets can be purchased at the door, which opens 30 minutes before showtime.

PERFORMANCE

music, theatre, dance, comedy...

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Sept 20 | 2 pm

The Once

Under the Spire. Historic St. Mary’s, Kensingtion

Sept 20 | 7:30 pm

SOS—The ABBA Experience: A Tribute Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Sept 24 | 8pm

Gord Bamford: As Long As There’s A Bar Tour

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

Sept 25 | 7 pm

Lil Red Schoolhouse Music

Series: Dennis Ellsworth

PEI Fox Den, North Bedeque

Sept 25 | 7:30 pm

Press Play on New Horizons Fundraising Concert

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Sept 25 | 8 pm

July Talk

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

Sept 25 | 8 pm

Dunk River Band

Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty tribute. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 25–27

Goolaholla! Festival (goolaholla.com) Rollo Bay Fiddle Grounds, Rollo Bay.

Sept 26 | 8 pm

Nudie & Liam Corcoran

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 26 | 8 pm

Jay Gavin Duo

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 27 | 7:30 pm

Anmol.Magic: Out of This World Canada Tour

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 29 | 8 pm

True Mountain Laurel

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 30–Oct 24 | select dates

Ladies of the Canyon

Ft. Brielle Ansems, Robin Anne Ettles, Emilea May, and Alicia Toner. Harmony House, Hunter River

Oct 1 | 7:30 pm

Grace, 2: Celebrating The Tragically Hip

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 2 | 7:30 pm

James Mullinger

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Oct 2 | 8 pm

Don Ross and Julie Malia

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 2 | 8 pm

David Francey

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Oct 3 | 7:30 pm

Supernaut: Ozzy—Black

Sabbath: Back to the Beginning

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Oct 3 | 8 pm

Vintage 4.0: Ballads & Bangers Volume 3

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Oct 4 | 7:30 pm

In Spite of Ourselves: An Evening of John Prine

Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

Oct 7 | 7:30 pm

Take It To The Limit: The Music & Legacy of The Eagles

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 7–11

The Island Fringe Festival

Various venues, Charlottetown

Oct 8 | 8 pm

Fucked Up

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Oct 9 | 7:30 pm

The Sixx Paxx Dreams Tour

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 10 | 3 pm

Tunes and Tall Tales

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Oct 10 | 7:30 pm

Montuno Cubano: Cuban Soul, Maritime Spirit

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Oct 10 | 8 pm

Country Boys Tribute Show

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 13 | 7 pm

Flashback

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 13 | 7:30 pm

Violinist James Ehnes

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 14 | 7:30 pm

John McDermott

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 15 | 7:30 pm

Loreena McKennitt: The Mask and The Mirror 30th Anniversary Tour

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 15–17 | 7:30 pm

Still Standin’: A Night of Elton

John & Billy Joel

Craig Fair Productions. Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 16 | 8 pm

Kurk, Joey & Jamie Band

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Oct 16–17 | 8 pm

After Hours Band

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Oct 18 | 2:30 pm

PEI Symphony Orchestra: Belonging

59th season opener. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 19 | 7:30 pm

Relive the Music 50s, 60s, 70s Show

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 21 | 8 pm

Classic Albums Live: Supertramp—Breakfast in America

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 22 | 8 pm

The Sheepdogs

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 23 | 7:30 pm

Jason Cyrus Live: Beyond Limits Hypnosis Show

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 23 | 7:30 pm

Brooke and Brad: Country Classics

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Oct 23 | 8 pm

Jimmy Rankin: Song Dog 25th Anniversary Tour

PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

Oct 24 | 7 pm

Elvis in Concert

Ft. Thane Dunn. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Oct 24 | 7:30 pm

Two Pianos, No Rodeo

Ft. Bob Wiseman and Mike Boguski. Souris Show Hall, Souris

Oct 24 | 7:30 pm

Gypsy

Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Oct 24 | 8 pm

Whose Line Is It Anyway? PEI Edition

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

Oct 24 | 8 pm

Michael Myers Band

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Oct 29–31 | 8 pm

Life in the Fast Lane: A Night of the Eagles

Craig Fair Productions. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Music Monday

Series continues at Victoria Playhouse

The Music Monday Series continues with three performances this month at Victoria Playhouse in Victoria-by-the-Sea.

The Playhouse welcomes Catherine MacLellan on August 3. Born and raised in PEI, MacLellan has captivated audiences around the world for more than two decades. Her songs reflect a deep connection to the land and the people who call it home. Rooted in folk and roots, her sound has evolved across seven albums. From heart-wrenching ballads to uplifting anthems, her music speaks to the struggles, triumphs, and joys of life. In addition to her musical career, she has dedicated herself to preserving her father Gene MacLellan’s legacy, producing a documentary and stage show exploring his life and struggles with mental health.

Inn Echo will perform on August 17. The allure of a vibrant traditional music scene brought Karson McKeown (ON), Tuli Porcher (BC), and Tom Gammons (MT) to PEI. Although they attended the same music school in Charlottetown, they met in a more typical folky way: at a session in a local pub. Tunes, stories, and laughs were shared, and they quickly realized their passions aligned. That’s how Inn Echo came together in 2019. Since then, the trio has earned Music PEI awards, JUNO, ECMA, and CFMA nominations, and toured three continents.

Scott Parsons will take the stage on August 31. A multi-disciplinary

Roger Stone

Live at Bonshaw Hall—Aug 22

Roger Stone will perform at Bonshaw Hall on August 22 from 6–8 pm.

Stone is an accomplished Cape Breton musician, born and raised in Richmond County, who now calls PEI home. A member of the Nova Scotian band McGinty, he also enjoys a busy solo career and performs with a variety of other notable musicians.

Known for his folk and traditional style, Stone has taught banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, percussion, and voice for nearly 30 years. He has inspired and influenced the musical careers of many students and well-known artists, and is also a respected songwriter, both

Fire Dance

Richard Wood retrospective performance—Aug 7

For more than three decades, PEI fiddler Richard Wood has performed Celtic music on stages across Canada and internationally. This August, the five-time ECMA winner returns to where so much of his journey began, presenting a limited, retrospective performance, Richard Wood: Fire Dance – Through The Years, at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside. The special event, taking place on August 7 at 7:30 pm, is a cornerstone of Harbourfront’s 30th-anniversary season.

Fire Dance – Through The Years is a multimedia memoir that combines live performance with archival footage spanning Wood’s career. The concert features many of the jigs, reels, and slow airs he has performed throughout his career, interwoven with personal, behind-the-scenes stories about his experiences as a musician.

Island musician whose career spans nearly five decades, Parsons has used his accomplishments to enrich both himself and his community. He has played countless benefits, bars, and small venues, toured Switzerland twice, and performed across Canada, the U.S., England, Wales, Scotland, and the Orkney Islands. He has opened for Blue Rodeo and Jesse Winchester, backed the legendary Daisy DeBolt, and played bass for Gene MacLellan. Parsons also performed at Metro Detroit’s Gilda’s Club, dedicated to comedian Gilda Radner.

All concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Visit victoriaplayhouse.com for tickets and more information.

as a solo writer and in collaboration with others.

Admission is pay-what-you-can at the door. The Hall is located at 9 Green Road in Bonshaw.

Wood began winning step-dancing and fiddling championships as a child and has since shared tour buses Shania Twain, The Chieftains, and The Rankin Family. He has performed

for British royalty, including Princess Diana and King Charles III, as well as for Canadian Armed Forces personnel in the North Pole, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. Wood was named by Maclean’s magazine as one of the “Top Canadians to Watch in the 21st Century.”

More information is available at harbourfronttheatre.com.

PEI RECORDINGS

ALBUMS

Welcome to the Jungle Rightflow

Nigerian-born, PEI-based recording artist Rightflow released the new album Welcome to the Jungle in June. It is available on all major streaming platforms.

Blending emo rap, trap, R&B, and Afro-fusion influences, Rightflow’s music explores personal experiences, emotional struggles, ambition, identity, and perseverance. Since relocating to PEI, he has continued developing his sound while contributing to the province’s diverse music scene. His work reflects both his African roots and his experiences building a life and career in Atlantic Canada.

Welcome to the Jungle is a 12-track album that explores what it feels like to navigate a world filled with uncertainty, pressure, temptation, competition, and personal growth. The title represents modern life as a “jungle” where survival requires resilience, adaptability, and self-belief. Through a combination of melodic songwriting, hard-hitting rap performances, emotional storytelling, and Afro-inspired rhythms, the album captures the highs

and lows of chasing success while remaining true to oneself. Key themes include ambition and perseverance; mental health and emotional growth; identity and belonging; immigration and cultural perspective; survival in the modern world; and independent artistry and entrepreneurship.

As an immigrant artist creating music in PEI, Rightflow represents a new generation of artists contributing fresh perspectives and global influences to the Island’s cultural landscape. The project demonstrates how local artists can create work with international appeal while remaining connected to their communities.

rightflowmusic.com

Island Dreams: Landscapes in Sound

Tiantian Liu and Vivian Qiao

PEI musicians Tiantian Liu and Vivian Qiao released their debut eight-track album, Island Dreams: Landscapes in Sound, on July 1.

Inspired by the Island’s landmarks, this album of original violin and piano music reflects the beauty and memorable moments of PEI. The original CD cover painting captures the Island landscape, with both instruments creatively incorporated into the artwork.

Tiantian Liu (violin) and Vivian

Qiao (piano) are two young musicians who grew up on PEI. They have developed strong musical foundations through more than 10 years of study. Over the past two years, they have performed violin and piano music across PEI at Victoria Row, Founders’ Food Hall, restaurants, and many weddings.

Island Dreams: Landscapes in Sound was recorded in the audio recording studio at the Charlottetown Library in June 2026. Physical copies are available by contacting the artists through Instagram @violin_piano_duet, with local pickup and shipping available, or by purchasing copies at live performances. The album is also available on all major streaming platforms.

Dear Blossom

Dear Blossom

The Charlottetown-based band Dear Blossom released its debut self-titled EP on July 13. The four-track release is available on streaming platforms and features a guest appearance from local band Oakdrive on the track “Thorn.”

The band’s sound on the EP was influenced by Title Fight’s Shed and Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream Dear Blossom was the winner of Music PEI’s inaugural Battle of the Bands during Music PEI Week 2026. The band consists of Authin Hercules (lead vocals and guitar), Brendan Cheverie (guitar), MacKenzie Curley (bass), and Logan Richards (drums).

The EP was recorded by Andrew

Cormier and mixed Liam Ferrell. Lyrics and cover art are by Authin Hercules.

Catch Dear Blossom at Secret Trash Fest II in Charlottetown on August 15. There will be tapes available for purchase. Dear Blossom is also available on streaming platforms.

Follow @dearblossompe on Instagram for updates.

SINGLE

BOGSIDE BREWING MORE THAN BEER

PEI-based Latin band Montuno Cubano recently released its new single “Baila Mi Guaracha.” Led by Santiago de Cuba-born songwriter, singer, and requinto player Jorge Luis Peña Acosta, the track draws on the vibrant guaracha tradition.

The song’s path mirrors Peña’s own journey across borders. Originally written while he was performing in Spain, “Baila Mi Guaracha” took on new resonance once he settled in Canada, prompting him to rerecord it for a wider, more connected world. “The world is changing, so I changed the song and recorded it again to engage people living in today’s world,” Peña says. The result reframes what began as a regional dance tune into something closer to a global musical invitation, built around the idea that once the music starts, people from every background find the same rhythm.

At its heart, “Baila Mi Guaracha” is about more than getting people on their feet. “If the song gets people dancing and smiling, and they know people in other countries are enjoying that same positive experience, then it has done exactly what I hoped it would do,” Peña says.

The song was recorded at PEI’s Crabbe Road Productions with producer Sergey Varlamov. Every instrument was played by Peña and Varlamov.

Montuno Cubano’s upcoming performance dates include September 2 at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown and October 10 at the Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre in Summerside.

Boggeroo Blues

Cloggeroo festival highlight returns to Bogside Brewing

Cloggeroo music festival returns August 14–16 with a stacked lineup at venues across Three Rivers.

Back by popular demand, the Boggeroo Blues Tent comes alive at Bogside Brewing on Sunday afternoon, August 16. Year after year, this well-loved Cloggeroo tradition fills the tent with passionate blues fans, creating an atmosphere that has become a festival favourite.

Following piano tunes from Max Dublenko, the afternoon opens with guitarist and songwriter Jon Hines, whose soulful blend of blues, roots, and Americana has earned him a reputation as one of Canada’s finest performers. Joining him is Australian blues powerhouse Frank Sultana, an acclaimed artist celebrated for his authentic vocals, masterful guitar work, and captivating stage presence.

PEI’s own Got Blues (Chris Roumbanis, Alan Dowling, Mike Robicheau) will join with guests Chazz Smith and Todd McLean to deliver the high-energy performance that has made their blues matinees a local favourite.

Headlining Sunday’s lineup is multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Steve Marriner, winner of multiple Maple Blues and JUNO Awards, including the 2026 JUNO Award for

Best Blues Album. Joining Steve on stage will be Mike Farrington Jr. and Damien Moynihan, both from The Mellotones.

The Boggeroo Blues Matinee is just one of many weekend highlights, alongside late afternoon shows at Drifters Tiki Bar (Friday and Saturday in Montague), evening performances (Friday at Kings Playhouse and Saturday at Bogside Brewing), and Saturday afternoon’s Family Day at Kings Playhouse.

For tickets and the full festival lineup, visit cloggeroo.com.

Ladies of Country

Musical revue celebrates trailblazing women

This September, Harbourfront Theatre’s 30th-anniversary season welcomes Young at Heart Theatre’s latest production, Fascinating Ladies of Country Taking the stage on September 13 at 2 pm, the musical revue celebrates the female pioneers who used their voices and guitars to demand equality, paying tribute to the songwriters and activists who challenged the status quo. The production showcases a multigenerational songbook. Audiences will hear the defiant stories and harmonies of trailblazers like Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton, alongside the genre-bending contributions of artists like Emmylou Harris, k.d. lang, and Anne Murray, extending through to the boundary-pushing music of The Chicks, Shania Twain, and Brandi Carlile. Written, compiled, and directed by Catherine O’Brien, with musical

(L–R): Olivia Blacquiere, Haley Zavo, and Stephanie Ross

arrangements and direction by Brielle Ansems, the show is brought to life by three of PEI artists: Olivia Blacquiere, Stephanie Ross, and Haley Zavo. Accessible tiered ticket pricing is available for this show at harbourfronttheatre.com.

Elvis returns

Thane Dunn is in the building this fall

Elvis in Concert comes to the Sobey Family Theatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown on October 24.

The concert stars Maritime performer Thane Dunn, a two-time World Champion Elvis tribute artist, performing music from throughout Elvis Presley’s career, with a strong focus on his 1970s Las Vegas concert years.

Backed by a live band and powerful vocals, Dunn delivers a performance that captures the talent, charisma, and stage style of the King. The show features show-stopping renditions

The Humanoid Movement

Video and album release

The Humanoid Movement, comprised of PEI hip hop artists Bill Dozer and Norm Strangely, have released a new music video for their song “Make Your Fate.” It is available on YouTube @humanoidmovement. The video features the duo as stick figures rapping about creating your own destiny. The beat was produced by Practical Academics member Rob Banks and features a Fats Weller sample.

The video release supports the duo’s upcoming album, The Brain Busters, set for release on August 6.

The Humanoid Movement will celebrate the occasion with an album

Melody G

Debut album sneak preview and performance

Up-and-coming PEI country artist Melody G will perform a sneak preview of her debut album Dreams Never Die on August 1 from 2–4 pm at Holy Cow in Morell. Admission is free. The album will be released on streaming services and Bandcamp on August 6.

Melody has always loved diverse styles of music, but it’s the memories of listening to LPs by vintage country stars Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline with her father that serve as the main influence for this first record.

Melody G is set to also perform on August 19 at 7 pm at Beaconsfield

of hits like “Suspicious Minds,” “Burning Love,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” recreating the style and sound of Presley’s legendary live performances.

Tickets are available through the Confederation Centre box office at confederationcentre.com or 1-800-565-0278.

release party on August 6 at Baba’s Lounge in Charlottetown. The night will be packed with hip hop entertainment, with Hamilton’s Dee Saint spinning for the event and performing a rap set. The lineup also features Nova Scotia artist T3killah and local rappers K-Flow, LizLeo, Adjust the Facts, A.S.O.G, 2020 Vision, Adam Robbins, L.I.E.S. Stanley, and Jay Diss.

Follow @melodygypsee on social media for updates.

Live at Trailside

A selection of music performances in August

Spoons take the stage at Trailside on August 15

Up On The Roof

An Evening with Micah Barnes of The Nylons

August 13 ›› 8 pm

During this intimate performance, Micah Barnes takes the audience on a musical journey through his life and career, performing original material and favourites from his time with The Nylons, solo at the piano. Up On The Roof celebrates the jazz, doo-wop, and R&B tunes that have shaped his career, from his early cabaret years in Toronto to the international stage with the pop a cappella group The Nylons.

August 15 ›› 8 pm

Formed in 1980, Spoons helped define the sound of pop and new wave in the 1980s with hits like “Nova Heart,”

Luka Hall is a PEI singer-songwriter, guitarist, and accomplished fiddler known for blending traditional fiddle music with folk and country influences. His 2024 EP, To Be Honest, earned nominations from Music PEI in 2025 for Traditional Roots Recording of the Year and from the Canadian Folk Music Awards for Young Performer of the Year. In late 2025, Luka released the original Christmas song “Maybe Next Christmas” with Brooke MacArthur. He is a promising young artist rapidly gaining traction in the Canadian music scene.

Noah Malcolm

August 28 ›› 8 pm

“Romantic Traffic,” “Old Emotions,” and “Tell No Lies.” Their album Arias & Symphonies was named one of The Chart magazine’s “20 Most Influential Albums of the ‘80s,” and “Nova Heart”was included in Bob Mersereau’s The Top 100 Canadian Singles of All Time. Gord Deppe and Sandy Horne, along with drummer Chris McNeill and keyboardist Scott Macdonald, continue to perform with no end in sight.

After Hours Band

August 21 ›› 8 pm

This six-member PEI cover band, featuring seasoned musicians from Haywire and Ninth Hour, brings together Kenny Vail, David Rashed, Dean MacKinnon, Ron Atkinson, Matt Anderson, and Will MacKinnon. With a guitar- and keyboard-driven sound, they perform 80s and 90s rock and pop hits by Van Halen, Journey, Def Leppard, Loverboy, ZZ Top, and The Cult.

Luka Hall

August 22 ›› 8 pm

PEI’s Noah Malcolm returns to headline with a full band and celebrate the release of the second single off his debut album.

Dave Gunning

August 29 ›› 8 pm

With over two decades on the road and fifteen albums to his credit, Nova Scotia’s Dave Gunning has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most respected folk singer-songwriters.

A multiple East Coast Music Award and Canadian Folk Music 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 reflects his deep roots in Pictou County, where stories of working people, small-town struggles, and local pride shape his songwriting.

155 Kent Street in Charlottetown. For tickets, information and full schedule visit trailside.ca or call 902-367-3311.

Simply the Best

3 nights of Tina Turner at Harbourfront Theatre

Craig Fair Productions presents Simply the Best: A Night of Tina Turner, returning with performances on August 20, 21, and 22 at 7:30 pm at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside.

Tina Turner’s music and influence continue to resonate across generations. Following a successful run last season that drew enthusiastic audiences, Simply the Best returns to celebrate her remarkable career and enduring legacy.

Featuring a cast of twenty local artists under the musical direction of Craig Fair, the production brings Turner’s biggest hits to the stage, along

with songs that reflect the story of her life and career, celebrating the Queen of Rock and Roll. harbourfronttheatre.com

Princess Proms Concert

Enchanted Voices coming to Eastlink Centre in December

The Princess Proms Concert is coming to Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown on December 18, featuring West End performers and songs from popular films and contemporary artists.

Created by Enchanted Voices, the live concert is designed for audiences of all ages.

Featuring performers with West End experience, The Princess Proms Concert combines live vocals, choreography, and acrobatics. The program includes songs from Frozen, Wicked, Moana, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, as well as

music by Taylor Swift, KPop Demon Hunters, and other well-known contemporary artists.

For tickets and more information, visit eastlinkcentrepei.com.

Secret Trash Fest II

Two shows, two locations in Charlottetown—Aug 15

Secret Trash Fest II takes place in Charlottetown on August 15, with an all-ages show at Trinity United and a 19+ show at the Sportsman’s Club.

Presented by Secret Beach and High Trash Media, the event features music by acts from Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces, including Piper Maru, Bastard Idol, Torpor, Despertá, Conductor, Wayward Corpse, Oakdrive, Poison Spear, Dear Blossom, Coy, Trojan Whores, Bilge, and C.A.B.L.E.

Tickets and festival passes (19+) are available by e-transfer to secretbeachpei@gmail.com or at Back Alley Music (cash only) in Charlottetown.

Follow @secretbeachpei or @ hightrashmedia on IG for updates.

Gather Styled Gospel Concert

Dino and the Harmonies at Winsloe United—Aug 16

Dino and the Harmonies will present the Gather Styled Gospel Concert at Winsloe United on August 16 at 7 pm.

Joining Dino will be Garth Proud, Anne Murray’s original bass player; Steven Perry, one of PEI’s finest fiddlers; vocalists Keila Glydon and Sheila Dunsford performing lead and harmony vocals; Brian Knox on percussion; and Judy Lowe on keyboard.

A light lunch will be served at intermission. The air-conditioned church is located at 121 Winsloe Road, Winsloe. Admission is at the door, which opens at 6:30 pm.

ONGOING MUSIC

ceilidhs, dances, series, sessions...

An Evening of Celtic Music

Now in its 16th season, Richard Wood’s concert series at the historic Sterling Women’s Institute Hall in Stanley Bridge runs August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 7:30 pm, and September 5 and 19 at 4:30 pm. Wood delivers an authentic Prince Edward Island Celtic music experience with fiery fiddle playing, memorable tunes, boundless stage energy, and world-class musicianship. Joining him are bandmates Kimberley Holmes, Brent Chaisson, Skip Holmes, and Ward MacDonald, along with step dancer Isla Rousseaux-Bridle. Strawberries and ice cream are available for purchase, and there will be a 50/50 draw. The hall is air-conditioned. For tickets, visit rwood. ca or purchase at the door, which opens 30 minutes before showtime. 4897 St. Mary’s Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Back Home Tonight Concert Series

Musician Gordon Belsher brings the Back Home Tonight concert series to the Stanley Bridge Hall on Monday evenings at 7:30 pm. Running through September 14, the show features special guests and a lively mix of sing-along songs, jigs, reels, and poignant ballads performed on fiddle, guitar, piano, saxophone, ukulele, bodhrán, spoons, voices, and feet. The lineup includes Todd MacLean and Courtney Hogan-Chandler on August 3, 17, and 31, and Todd MacLean and Cynthia MacLeod on August 10 and 24. Ice cream and berries are served at intermission. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased at gordonbelsher.ca. 4897 St. Mary’s Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Ceilidh

and Cones

Island musician Michael Pendergast will perform a variety of East Coast and family music in the gardens outside Holman’s Ice Cream Parlour in Summerside. Shows take place on Tuesdays from 7–9 pm until September 9. Enjoy wholesome family fun with ice cream and music. 286 Fitzroy St, Summerside.

Ceilidh in the City

Now in its 15th season, Ceilidh in the City runs every Wednesday at 7:30 pm at the Jack Blanchard Centre. The upcoming lineup features Todd MacLean and Gorden Belsher on August 5, Rock n Roll Show with The Blue Crystals on August 12, Billy MacInnis on August 19, We Three (Todd Gallant, Ian Hunter, and Chris Arsenault) on August 26, and Marcella Richard and Ricky & Sandra Jones on September 2. A weekly 50/50 draw supports local charities. Bar and canteen service are available, and the venue is air-conditioned. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Admission is at the door (cash only). 7 Pond St, Charlottetown.

Close to the Ground series

Hosted by Fiddlers’ Sons, featuring Eddy Quinn, John B. Webster, Keelin Wedge

and Fiona MacCorquodale, the Close to the Ground concert series continues at Hillcrest United on Thursdays at 8 pm until September 24. A different musical guest joins the band each week for a night of PEI roots music and storytelling. The upcoming lineup includes Brooke MacArthur with Isaac King on July 30, Liv Deagle, Aggy Deagle and Frankie Evans “Valkyrie” on August 6, Steven Somers and The Red Wing Black Birds on August 13, Billy MacInnis and Leon Gallant on August 20, and Tip Er Back on August 27. Admission is at the door; there are no advance ticket sales. 50 Wood Islands Rd, Montague.

Come to the Ceilidh

A family-style traditional Island ceilidh takes place on Mondays at 7:30 pm until September 28 at the Brackley Beach Community Centre. The show features singer-songwriter Shane Pendergast, chanteuse and step-dancer Olivia Blacquiere, and fiddler Flora MacLaine. Audience participation is encouraged. Admission is by cash or e-transfer at the door. 3330 Brackley Pt Rd, Rte 15, Brackley Beach.

Concert in the Garden Series

The City of Summerside and ADL present the Concerts in the Garden series, featuring local musicians and bands on the outdoor stage of the Wyatt Heritage Properties in Summerside. The series runs from 6:30–8:30 pm on Wednesdays until August 19. Wyatt homemade ice cream will be sold during intermission. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Admission is by donation. For the lineup and more info, visit culturesummerside.com or call 902-432-1298.

Dr. Zoo Solo Hour Music Series

The weekly music series features six-time ECMA nominee Dr. Zoo on Thursdays from 5–6 pm at Arsenault’s Potato House. Each concert features original music and audience favourites. Upcoming performances feature songs from Zoo & The Moose (2021), Dr. Zoo’s children’s album, on July 30; the threetime ECMA-nominated 20th Anniversary Album (2023) on August 6; songs from a new album in progress, along with audience requests, on August 13; audience requests on August 20; and favourites from across the Dr. Zoo catalogue, with special guests, at the season finale on August 27. The café and retail space overlook the Northumberland Strait and Victoria-by-the-Sea. Potato Silk tastings, beverages, and local products are available before and during the performance. Admission is at the door and free for children. 163 Sandy Point Rd, Crapaud. drzoomusic.com

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. 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.

Friday Night Ceilidhs at BIS

The Benevolent Irish Society’s Friday Night Ceilidhs run weekly on Fridays through September 25 at the Irish Cultural Centre. The authentic Irish ceilidhs feature top PEI musicians, storytellers, dancers, and special guests. The lineup includes: a Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem tribute by Fullerton’s Marsh’s Frank McQuaid, Randy Dibblee, Willie Arsenault, Dave McQuaid, Allison Giggey (fiddle), with step dancing by Havenwood Dancers on July 31; Tip ‘er Back’s Clive Currie, Allan Betts, Wade Murray with Darlene Bradley (vocals), Courtney Hogan-Chandler (fiddle), and step dancing by Havenwood Dancers on August 7; Chaisson Trio’s Louise Chaisson MacKinnon, and Kevin Chaisson with Shiela MacKenzie (fiddle), and step dancer Gerard Beaton on August 14; Macaroon’s Stephanie Rooney, Mark Rooney and Scott Kaye with Allison Giggey (fiddle) and step dancer Isla Rousseaux-Bridle on August 21; and Fiddler’s Sons’ Eddy Quinn, John B. Webster and Blu Gillis with Fiona MacCorquodale (fiddle) and step dancer Isla Rousseaux-Bridle on August 28. The family-friendly shows begin at 7:30 pm, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The air-conditioned venue is wheelchair-accessible. A 50/50 draw and light refreshments will be available at intermission. Tickets are available online via Locarious. io or at the door (cash only). 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown. Info: benevolentirishsocietyofpei.com

Gadelle in Abram-Village

Acadian music group Gadelle performs two 45-minute sets at 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm, Tuesdays through Fridays until August 27, in Ti-Manuel’s Barn at Village musical acadien. The supergroup is composed of four musicians from the Evangeline region: fiddler Louise Arsenault, organist and singer Hélène Bergeron, singer, guitarist, pianist, and accordionist Caroline Bernard, and multi-instrumentalist Rémi Arsenault. Together they deliver an energetic Acadian show featuring French songs, bilingual banter, and lively music and dance. Adult admission includes both performances; students and children are admitted free. 1745 Rte 124, Wellington.

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: Island Jazz Greatest Hits Vol. 11 on July 30; Aiden Salvati with Pat Nabuurs on August 6; Sean Ferris with Norm Zocher on August 13; Chris Martell Group on August 20; and Jordan Taylor Trio on August 27. Admission is by donation. 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Let’s Have a Ceilidh

Local fiddler Flora MacLaine and dancer Grace Chaisson host a traditional family ceilidh at the Brackley Beach Community

Centre every Friday at 7:30 pm until August 28. Local singer-songwriter Michael Pendergast performs a variety of Island and Maritime songs, and each evening features a guest performer. 3330 Brackley Pt Rd, Rte 15, Brackley Beach.

Lot 7 Ceilidhs

Now in its 26th season, the Lot 7 Ceilidhs take place every Thursday at 7 pm through October at St. Mark’s Hall. Featuring performers primarily from Prince County, including the Evangeline region, the August lineup includes Sandra and Ricky Jones and Family on August 6, Jordan LeClair and Family on August 13, Tip ‘Er Back on August 20, and Jamie Matthews and Wade Carragher on August 27. Lunch is provided at intermission. The hall is wheelchair-accessible and airconditioned. Rte 14, Burton.

Malpeque Ceilidh

Now in its 30th season, the Malpeque Ceilidh takes place every Wednesday at 7:30 pm until August 26 at the Malpeque Community Centre (2197 Rte 20). Hosted by Michael Pendergast, the ceilidh celebrates traditional Island stories and songs with local musicians, fiddling, and dancing. Admission is available at the door by cash or e-transfer.

Morrell Concert Series

The Morell Concert Series features free concerts showcasing both established and emerging local talent. Performances take place on Thursdays from 6:30–8:30 pm through September 3 at Peter Gordon Memorial United. The upcoming lineup includes Abi McCarthy on July 30, Brendon Bradley on August 6, Breanna Macadam on August 13, The MacDonald Sisters and their brother Allen on August 20, The Fraggle Rockers on August 27, and Jacinta MacDonald for the finale on September 3. All ages are welcome, and light refreshments are provided. 14 Church St, Morrell.

Orwell Corner Ceilidh

The Orwell Corner Historic Village Board is hosting a fundraising ceilidh at the Orwell Corner Village Hall on August 5 and 19 at 7 pm. There will be a 50/50 draw and a light lunch will be served. Admission is by donation. 7 Old Uigg Rd, Vernon Bridge.

Rollo Bay Ceilidh & Square Dance

An authentic PEI ceilidh and square dance for all ages takes place every Wednesday from 6–8 pm until August 26 at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival Grounds. The evening features traditional Celtic musicians and a lively square dance caller. Everyone is welcome. 961 Veteran’s Memorial Hwy, Souris.

Ross Family Ceilidh

The Ross Family Ceilidh celebrates its 20th anniversary with a show that highlights the group’s growing focus on songwriting and storytelling while continuing to explore the Island’s roots-trad songs and tunes. Alongside original music reflecting its Acadian

and Scots-Gaelic heritage, the sibling trio performs songs by influential PEI songwriters, as well as fiddle set staples, stepdancing, and piano-playing hijinks. The group consists of Stephanie Ross (vocals, guitar, bodhran, percussion, dance), Danielle Ross-Cairns (vocals, fiddle, percussion, dance), and Johnny Ross (piano, keyboards). Performances run at 7:30 pm on Tuesdays and select Wednesdays at Victoria Playhouse in Victoria through September 19. This month’s dates are August 4, 11, and 12. The group will also perform at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown on August 18 and the Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre in Summerside on August 25. Contact the venues for tickets or visit rossfamily.ca.

St. Margaret’s Kitchen Party & Square Dance

An evening of traditional PEI and Maritime fiddle tunes, songs, and square dancing with the Chaisson Trio runs every Sunday at 7:30 pm until August 30 at St. Margaret’s Parish Hall. The family-friendly event has canteen service, a 50/50 draw, and a homemade lunch served at intermission. Admission is at the door (cash only). 11394 Northside Rd, St. Margaret’s.

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.

Songs and Stories at Green Gables

A bilingual Maritime music presentation, Songs and Stories, continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2–3:30 pm at Green Gables Heritage Place. Enjoy lively Maritime tunes and tales at this Green Gables ceilidh and experience the storytelling traditions that have filled Island kitchens for generations. Tickets are available on-site only on the day of the presentation. For details, visit parks. canada.ca/gg-activities

Stanley Bridge Ceilidh with Michael Pendergast

A traditional PEI ceilidh takes place every Thursday at 7:30 pm until September 24 at Stanley Bridge Hall. Hosted by Michael Pendergast, the family-style show features fiddling, dancing, a variety of Island musicians sharing songs and stories. Audience participation is encouraged. Admission is by cash or e-transfer at the door. 4897 St. Mary’s Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Stanley Bridge Hall Ceilidhs

Ceilidhs take place on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm until September 23 at Stanley Bridge Hall. Featuring music, storytelling, and stepdancing, the evenings celebrate traditional PEI and Cape Breton music. Performers include Kevin Chaisson (piano), Louise ChaissonMacKinnon (vocals), Sheila MacKenzie (fiddle), step dancer Gerard Beaton, and host Marsha Weeks, along with a guest Cape Breton fiddler. The guest fiddlers are Wendy MacIsaac on August 5, Troy MacGillivray on August 19, 26, and

September 2, 16, and 23, and Andrea Beaton on September 9. 4897 St. Mary’s Rd, Stanley Bridge. peiceilidhs.com

Sturgeon Ceilidhs

Sturgeon Ceilidhs take place at St. Paul’s Parish Hall every second Sunday and feature local entertainment. The next ceilidhs are August 2, 16, and 30 at 6:30 pm. Doors open at 6 pm. There is a 50/50 draw and tea, coffee, biscuits, and jam at intermission. Admission is by donation. Rte 17A, Sturgeon.

Summer Cabaret in AbramVillage

The 2026 Summer Cabaret music series, held in the Acadian Festival Barn, next to the Village musical acadien in AbramVillage, showcases country, rock, and folk performers on select Fridays at 8 pm until August 28. Backed by the Cabaret Band (guitarist Danny MacNevin, drummer Rodney Arsenault, fiddler Keelin Wedge, and bassist Rémi Arsenault) the performers are: Eddy Quinn on July 31, Marcella Richard and Larry Campbell on August 7; Jonny Ray Arsenault on August 14; Joanie Pickens on August 21; and Dawson Arsenault on August 28. Admission is at the door. Snacks and bar service are available. All events are 19+.

Sunday Session

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

Trad Night at Village Green

Trad Night is held every Thursday in the taproom at Village Green, PEI’s smallest brewery. Enjoy free, traditional Irish music live from 7–9 pm. Space is limited. Located at 30 Church St, Cornwall.

Tunes on Tap

Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague offers a weekly dose of traditional music on Sundays from 3–5 pm. August performers are: Chrissy Crowley on August 2; Lovely Nelly on August 9; Nick van Ouwerkerk on August 16; Hailee MacDonald & Romy Munkres on August 23; and Tre Sutherland & Kevin Chaisson on August 30. Admission is free. 567 Main St, Montague.

Open mic night

Bonshaw Hall - Aug 21

Bonshaw Hall will host an open mic night with Aaron Stevenson on August 21, offering an opportunity for locals to share songs, stories, poems, or comedy. Running from 7–9 pm, this open mic welcomes both seasoned performers and those stepping onto the stage for the first time. Musicians, comedians, poets, and storytellers are all invited to perform, with sign-up at the door. Coffee and refreshments will be available. Admission is pay-what-youcan at the door.

Take It to the Limit

The music and legacy of the Eagles

Take It to the Limit – The Music & Legacy of the Eagles on October 7 at 7:30 pm in the Sobey Family Theatre at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

Performed by the tribute band Take It to the Limit, the concert celebrates the music and legacy of the Eagles with live performances of many of the band’s hits, including “Hotel

Legends of Country

Playhouse—Aug

Victoria Playhouse presents Songs & Stories from the Golden Era on August 1 at 7:30 pm and August 2 at 2 pm.

Hosted by honky-tonk raconteur Nudie, accompanied by Bobby McIsaac on guitar and vocals, the performance features visuals and humorous stories behind the songs and

California,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “Desperado.”

Known for recreating the harmonies and sound of the Eagles, the band brings together musicians from across Canada to perform the group’s classic songs for audiences across the country. For more information, visit eaglestributeshow.com. For tickets, visit confederationcentre.com

Watermark Music

Two unique concerts celebrating Atlantic Canadian Music

The Watermark Music Series at Watermark Theatre in North Rustico continues this August with two unique concerts celebrating the stories, traditions, and creative spirit of Atlantic Canadian music.

On August 9, Songs From the Deep: Maritime Music and Sea Shanties dives into the rich musical traditions of the sea. Blending time-honoured sea shanties with contemporary Maritimeinspired songs, the concert explores life on the water through powerful harmonies and evocative storytelling. Featuring Sarah Segal-Lazar and the Butcher Hearts alongside the Luka Hall & Tiffany Liu Trio, the evening promises a moving celebration of the music and history of Atlantic Canada’s coastal communities.

“Maritime music is filled with stories of resilience, adventure, loss,

Stompin’ Tom Festival

Live music, dinner theatre and more in Skinners Pond

The Stompin’ Tom Festival Series continues with live music, dinner theatre, a songwriters festival, and more at the Stompin’ Tom Centre in Skinners Pond.

The live concert series continues through October 24, with most shows taking place on Saturdays at 8 pm. The August lineup includes the Joey, Jamie, and Kurk band on August 1; Jonny Ray & Louise Arsenault on August 8; John McDermott on Wednesday, August 12; the Ellis Family Band on August 15; Comedian Shawn Hogan on August 22; and the Nashville Songwriters Festival from August 27–29.

The series continues in September with the Joey, Jamie, and Kurk band on September 5; 140 Smooth Bore Reunion on September 12; Jonny Ray & Louise Arsenault on September 19; and the

and homecoming,” says series curator and performer Sarah Segal-Lazar.

“This concert brings those stories to life through songs that have been passed down for generations alongside newer works that continue to reflect our deep connection to the sea. We hope audiences leave feeling inspired, moved, and ready to sing along.”

The series wraps up on August 23 with The Songwriters’ Songbook: Classic Tracks that Inspired New Tunes. This intimate performance features Island musicians Dennis Ellsworth, Jenina MacGillivray, and Shawn MacGillivray, who will share the songs that inspired their own songwriting alongside original compositions, offering audiences a glimpse into their creative process.

Tickets are available at tickets. watermarktheatre.com or by calling the box office at 902-963-3963.

John McDermott performs on August 12

Jay Gavin Duo on September 26. Visit stompintomcentre.com for the full schedule, tickets, and more information about this summer’s dinner theatre production and the Shucked-In Series, which features free live entertainment daily from 1–2 pm.

Music Arcade by Dennis

Ellsworth

KINLEY

Music has always been at the forefront of Kinley Dowling’s life. As a child, with musical parents, she was immersed in it. Her father, Alan, is an accomplished and extremely versatile drummer, and her mother, Estelle, was a teacher and pianist who spent years accompanying the singers in the UPEI classical music program.

In Grade 5, Kinley attended a Natalie MacMaster concert and was enthralled by the violin. In Grade 7, she joined Singing Strings. However, her turning point was at a Lennie Gallant concert. At the time, Lennie was playing with violinist Chris Church. Kinley noticed that Chris was changing the sound of his violin and manipulating its presence by using effects pedals. After the show, she had the chance to speak with Chris Church and she asked him point blank, “How do I do what you do?” His answer was simple: go to Dalhousie University, study with Philippe Djokic, and while you’re there, learn how to sing back up vocals. She took his advice, applied, and was accepted.

Kinley out on her own and established her as a force and prominent voice in the indus try. She has used this voice to draw international awareness to causes close to her heart, particularly those focused on women’s rights and prosperity.

Throughout university, Kinley played gigs as an accompanist for friends Rose Cousins and Jenn Grant. In 2008, the day after she graduated, she became a member of Hey Rosetta! In total, she spent a decade with them, and although she would stay a member for another two years, by 2016 she had shifted her focus to her own solo career.

Her cousin, Liam Corcoran of Two Hours Traffic had always encouraged her to write her own songs, and it was his confidence in her writing that pushed her over the line. In 2011, they collaborated on a project called The Express. They released one self-titled album.

Her first solo release, Letters Never Sent (2016), won the “Female Solo Recording of the Year,” “New Artist of the Year,” and “SOCAN Songwriter of the Year” awards at the 2017 Music PEI Week and garnered four 2018 East Coast Music Award nominations, of which she won two (Fan’s Choice Video & Rising Star). In 2017, she released a duo album with yours truly, called Everyone Needs to Chill Out. It was nominated for six Music PEI Awards, and won New Artist of the Year.

She followed up this early success with her second album in 2020, called

Through her career, she has accom panied many artists on stage and has contributed her talents to a long list of notable artists’ recordings. She toured with Kathleen Edwards, and she played on recordings by Rita MacNeil, Two Hours Traffic, Matt Mays, Classified, Buck 65, Jenn Grant, and Rose Cousins.

At the moment, she has formed a string group called Bayfield Quartet and she is a recurring cast member with Craig Fair Productions, but it has always been her own songs that call to her and she always listens.

She is releasing her third solo EP, Reflecting Light, on August 21. It was recorded in PEI with three different collaborators/producers. For the release, she worked with Jake Charron (The East Pointers) on three songs, and one song each with Adam Gallant and Colin Buchanan. The first single, “New Light,” was released in 2025 and “The Director” is coming on August 7.

She describes the theme of the album as “looking for the good in the world.” Having shared a lot of time with her over the years, I know she has always taken this view and she has always used her voice to make this world a better place. Listen to Kinley!

Julia Bentley

Lil Red Schoolhouse Music Series show—Aug 28

The Lil Red Schoolhouse Music Series at the historic North Bedeque School Hall continues with upcoming performance from Julia Bentley on August 28 at 7:30 pm. Presented at the PEI Fox Den, the intimate concert series showcases Canadian singer-songwriters, offering an intimate concert experience in one of PEI’s unique heritage venues. Julia Bentley will be on stage for her first performance in the series. Bentley is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and pianist whose music blends classical training with contemporary songwriting across indie pop, folk, jazz, and cabaret influences. A graduate of the University of Toronto’s music program, she brings technical skill and harmonic depth to her work, with lyrics that explore identity, vulnerability, and emotional nuance, often with a playful spin. She co-wrote and produced the viral anthem “Canadian, Please.” In addition to her original work, Bentley is known for her interpretations and

End of Summer Bash

Presented by Adjust the Facts at Baba’s—Aug 21

Adjust the Facts presents the End of Summer Bash on August 21, a night dedicated to celebrating the final weeks of summer with an eclectic mix of local live music.

The diverse lineup of talent includes Lxvndr, Uncle Fester, Humanoid Movement, Adjust the Facts, plus special guests.

MUSIC

Music PEI’s new online resources

Music PEI has launched an extensive new Resources page at musicpei.com. The page is a hub for finding gigs, opportunities, bookers and promoters, collaborators, funding, wellness supports, and other music industry resources from PEI and beyond. Categories include funding and royalties, opportunities and submissions, wellness and support, educational resources, Music PEI resources, and a new community directory of PEI music industry contacts assembled through a recent community callout. The directory includes session musicians, songwriters,

covers of well-known songs, playing with arrangements to offer new harmonic and emotional perspectives.

Next month, PEI singer-songwriter Dennis Ellsworth returns for his fourth appearance on September 25 at 7 pm.

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. The hall is located at 2848 Route 1A, North Bedeque.

For tickets or more details, call 902303-8327 or visit peifoxden.ca.

Adjust the Facts

The End of Summer Bash runs from 10 pm–2 am at Baba’s Lounge in Charlottetown.

producers, studios, sound engineers, photographers, local festivals, rental venues, bookers, promoters, and more, making it a useful tool for both musicians seeking work and those looking to hire them. The Resources page also links to other sources like helplines, grocery gift cards or emergency financial aid, local supports, equity reports, local music schools, industry awards, funding programs, artist royalties in Canada, and other resources for music professionals. Visit musicpei.com to learn more.

Informal jam session

An informal jam session for adults takes place at the Summerside Library on Mondays at 6 pm. Bring an instrument or borrow one from the library and join other musicians for an informal evening of playing music.

LIVE MUSIC

bars, lounges, cafés...

Albert & Crown Pub

Joey Doucette (July 30 @8 pm); Greenmount (31 @6 pm); Lost Cause (Aug 1 @8 pm); Alyssa Harper (2 @4 pm); Joey Doucette (6/13/20/27 @8 pm); Sandra & Ricky Jones & Kevin Kelly (7 @7 pm); GreenMount (14 @6 pm); Emma Chase (15 @4 pm); FisherKings (21 @7 pm); Rick Sparkes (22 @7 pm); Ricky Ramsay & Brian Doiron (23 @4 pm); Very Best of Up West (28 @7 pm); Nick Holden (29 @7 pm); Floyd Gaudet (30 @4 pm). 480 Main St, Alberton.

Baba’s Lounge

Zebedee (July 31 @7 pm); Voodoo Sometimes, Mango St. Trio, Ruby (July 31); Room 140 WITH Purdy (Aug 1 @10 pm); Ryan Kirkpatrick Vinyl Night (4); Island Jazz (6/13/20/27); The Humanoid Movement (6 @10:30 pm); Curl, Neon Ghosthouse, Dazy (7 @10 pm); Viraag (8 @10 pm); Secret Trash Fest Vinyl Night (11); Polluted, Monologue, Six Foot Bungalow (14 @10 pm); Jeanie & Charles (15 @7 pm); Youstuva, Glitter Pigs, Six Nations (15 @10 pm); Clark & Winter (21 @7 pm); Adjust the Facts (21 @10 pm); Gorman, Gallant, and Gorman (22 @7 pm); Magnolia (22 @10 pm); Pillow Fite, Noah Malcolm (28 @7 pm); DJ Mandobros (28 @10 pm); Steve Haley and the Star Family Singers (29 @7 pm); Eli The Prophet, Cavy, Wayward, 9D, Greasy Goods (29 @10 pm). Open Mic W/ Ivan Stewart on Wednesdays (9 pm). 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Be You Bar

DJ Jane Blaze (Aug 1 @10 pm). 119 Grafton St, Charlottetown.

Bogside Brewing Montague

Fridays & Saturdays (6–9 pm), and Sundays (2–5 pm): Kevin Ryan (Aug 1); The Northsiders (2); Mat Hannah (7); Michael Sigouin (8); Dan Doiron (9); Taylor Johnson (14); Cloggeroo Festival shows (15/16); Steve Zaat (21); Ethan MacPhee (12); Sarah Segal-Lazar (23); Adam MacGregor (28); Billy White (29); JAM Acoustic Duo with Jim Williams & Marc Coughlin (30). Steve Zaat (July 31). 11 Brook St, Montague.

Bogside Brewing Summerside

Fridays & Saturdays (6–9 pm *unless noted), and Sundays (2–5 pm): Lisa Birt (July 31); Alyssa Harper (Aug 1); Crystal Paynter (2); Nathan Carragher (7); Karen & Mike (8); Jon Matthews (9); Ethan MacPhee (14); Brothers MacPhee (15); Floyd Gaudet (16); Nick Haan (21); Parker & Jody (22 @6 pm); Retro Dance Party (22 @8:30 *ticketed); Gordon Butler (23); Mat Hannah (28); MadJoy (29); Lisa Birt (30). 110 Water St, Summerside.

Brothers 2

Thursdays (7–9 pm) & Fridays (7–10 pm): Dan Doiron (July 30); D’Arcy & Moe (31);

Danny Drouin (Aug 6); Crystal Paynter (7); Nick Hann (13): D’Arcy & Moe (14); Dan Doiron (20); Madjoy (21); Todd Gallant (27); Silvia Dee & The Boyfriend (28). 618 Water St, Summerside.

Charlottetown Beer Garden

Daily (6–10 pm): Richie & Brian (July 30); Kim Albert Trio (31); Adam MacGregor & The Foes (Aug 1/8/15/22); Jon & Liam (2/16/23/30); Chris Ahern Duo (3/10/17/24/31); Brad & Isaac (4/11/18/25); Carter MacLellan (5/12/19/26); Richie & Brian (6/13/20/27); Kim Albert Trio (7/14/21/28); Got Blues - Danny Gallant & Brian Pawley (29). Late Night DJs on Saturdays: DJ Duff (Aug 1); DJ Fernando & DJ Laey (8); DJ BradenV (15); DJ Jeremie (22); DJ Viraaj (29). 185 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Charlottetown Legion

Saturdays (9:30 pm–12:30 am): Crimson Clay Band (8); Rustlers (15); wrecking Crew (22); Kim Albert and Faces (29). 99 Pownal St, Charlottetown.

Copper Bottom Brewing

Fridays (5–8 pm), Saturdays (6–9 pm): Dan Doiron (July 31); TBA (Aug 1); Adam MacGregor (7); Gordon Belsher (8); TBA (14); Blizzard Goat Band (15); Katie McGarry (21); Nick Doneff (22); private event (28); Lawrence Maxwell (29). Tunes on Tap on Sundays (3–5 pm). 567 Main St, Montague.

The Deckhouse Pub & Eatery

Saturdays (6–9 pm): Rod & Blake (Aug 1); Acoustic Brothers (8); Dave Doyle Duo (15); Scuttered (22). Spinnakers’ Landing, 150 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside

Evermoore Brewing

Tuesdays (6–8 pm): Nick Doneff (Aug 4); Geoffrey Charlton (11); Sarah Segal-Lazar (18); Adam MacGregor (25). 192 Water St, Summerside.

The Factory

DJs on Fridays & Saturdays (11 pm): DJ Douce (July 31/Aug 1/7/15/22/29); DJ Derek (8/14/21/28). 189 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Fiddling Fisherman Lookout

Seaside Musical Revival on Tuesday (7 pm *ticketed): Kevin, Tim & Brent Chaisson (Aug 4); Shane Pendergast (18); Danny Drouin (25). 13 Lower Rollo Bay Rd, Souris

Founders’ Food Hall & Market

Daily (12–2 pm/5–7 pm): Skylar Fairhurst/ Unity (July 30); TBA (31); Sound Eats the

Boys/Celtic Feet Dance Group (Aug 1); TBA/Adia, Liam and Julia (Aug 2); Barry O’Brien/Brothers Macphee (Aug 3); John MacAllar/Tiantian & Vivian (Aug 4); Mat Hannah/Havenwood Dancers (Aug 5); Nick Denoff/Martin Watsom (Aug 6); Dave Woodside/Doug Hoyer (Aug 7); Caitlin Alexis/TBA (Aug 8); Nudie Music/Bassic Treble (Aug 9); Mark & Spencer Phillips/Carter Maclellan (Aug 10); Nathan Carragher/Dave Woodside (Aug 11); Nadine & Colby/Dino & Judy (Aug 12); Hache Duo/TBA (Aug 13); The PEI Roundabouts/Sophia Elaine & Nico Romero (Aug 14); Margartia Wayne/ Ivan Garnica (Aug 16); Steve Zaat/ Mike Stratton (Aug 17); Mat Hannah/ Emily Hughes (Aug 18); Steve Zaat/ Brothers Macphee (Aug 19); Luka Hall/ Gordon Bulter (Aug 20); Soul Filter/ Tom Gammons (Aug 21); Kendra Lyttle/ MadJoy (Aug 22); Barry O’Brein/Moh and Me (Aug 23); Retro Party PEI - Retro Chic Program/Emily Hughes (Aug 24); Skylar Fairhurst/Ryan Merry (Aug 25); Soul Filter/Tom Gammons (Aug 26); Luice Lui/Jon Matthews & Liam Kearney (Aug 27); Dave Woodside/ Roves (Aug 28); Mr. Jo/Caitlin Alexis (Aug 29); Nudie Music/Fraser MacCallum (Aug 30); Claude Bergeron/ Christopher Hawley (Aug 31). 6 Prince St, Charlottetown.

Hopyard

DJ Fernando on Saturdays (9–12 pm). 151 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Hunter’s Ale House

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays (11 pm): Mat & Adam (July 30); Mat & Ryan (31): Fiesta Latina (31 *upstairs); Gin N Tonic (Aug 1/15/29); Travis & Juline (6/28); Mat & Adam (7/27); Addi John (8); Mat & Ryan (13); Adam & Liam (14); Boney Oaks (21); Liam & jon (22). Open Mic W/ Travis on Mondays (10 pm). 185 Kent St, Charlottetown.

The Hub Lounge

Fridays (6–9 pm) & Saturdays (1–4 pm): Margarita Wayne (July 31); Brian Dunn (Aug 1); Dave Woodside (Aug 7/14); Steve Zaat (8); Margarita Wayne (15); Crystal Paynter (21); Chris Ahern (22); Kevin Arthur (28); Jonathan Kemp Duo (29). Andersons Creek Golf Club, 68 North Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Lone Oak Cavendish

Thursdays (6–9 pm) & Saturdays (7–9 pm): Taylor Buote & Dennis Dunn (July 30); Jeffrey Morris (Aug 1); Taylor Buote & Dennis Dunn (6/13/20/27); McPhee Brothers MacPhee (8); Dave Woodside (15); Chloe Needham (22); Nathan Carragher (29). Avonlea Village, 8779 Rte 6, Cavendish.

Lone Oak Brew Pub

Saturdays (6–8 pm) on the patio: Moh & Me (Aug 1/15); Brothers MacPhee (8/22); TBA (29). 15 Milky Way, Charlottetown.

Lone Oak Brewing Co

Saturdays (1–3 pm *unless noted): Jordan Cameron (Aug 1); TBA (8); Roland (9);

Gordon Butler (22); Jon Matthews (29); Dan Dorion (30 *Sun @1 pm). 103 Abegweit Blvd, Borden-Carleton.

Montague Legion

Taylor Johnston on August 29 (7–9 pm). 15 Douses Rd, Montague.

Next Door @ The Merchantman

Thursdays (2–5 pm) and Fridays & Saturdays (2–4 pm/6–8 pm): Brothers MacPhee (July 30); Adam MacGregor/ Mat Hannah (31); Margarita Wayne/ Mike Stratton (Aug 1); Mat Hannah (6); Brian Dunn/Brothers MacPhee (7); Mat Hannah/Mike Stratton (8); Brothers MacPhee (13); Adam MacGregor/Ashley Gorman (14); Mike Stratton/Margarita Wayne (15); Mike Stratton (20); Adam MacGregor/Moh and Me (21); Moh and Me/Brothers MacPhee (22); Fraser McCallum (27); Moh and Me/Rodney Perry (28); Margarita Wayne/Mike Stratton (29). 23 Queen St, Charlottetown.

Olde Dublin Pub

Vintage 2.0 (July 30 @8 pm); Dave Woodside (31 @7 pm); TBA (31 @10 pm); Reed MacGregor (Aug 1 @7 pm); Adam MacGregor & The Foes (1 @10:30 pm); Gordon Belsher & Todd MacLean W/ step dancer Grace Chaisson (2 @7 pm); Cole Brioux (3 @7 pm); Carter MacLellan W/ step dancer Mylah Campbell (4 @7 pm); Jacob Hemphill Duo (5 @8 pm); Vintage 2.0 (6 @8 pm); Juline & Travis (7 @8 pm); Ultimate Friday (7 @11 pm); Marvin Birt (8 @6 pm); Roundabout (8 @10 pm); Gordon Belsher & Courtney Hogan Chandler W/ step dancer Grace Chaisson (9 @7 pm); Dan Doiron (10 @7 pm); Carter MacLellan W/ step dancer Mylah Campbell (11 @7 pm); Richie Bulger Duo (12 @7 pm);

Vintage 2.0 (13 @8 pm); Dan Doiron (14 @8 pm); Ultimate Friday (14 @11 pm); Cole Brioux (15 @6 pm); Salty Dogs (15 @10 pm); Gordon Belsher & Allison Giggey (16 @7 pm); Cole Brioux (17 @7 pm); Carter MacLellan W/ step dancer Mylah Campbell (18 @7 pm); Jacob Hemphill Duo (19 @8 pm); Vintage 2.0 (20 @8 pm); David Woodside (21 @6 pm); Wrecking Crew (21 @10 pm); Fisher Kings Duo (22 @6 pm); Dahlia (22 @10 pm); Gordon Belsher & Courtney Hogan Chandler W/ step dancer Grace Chaisson (23 @7 pm); Dan Doiron (24 @7 pm); Carter MacLellan W/ step dancer Mylah Campbell (25 @7 pm); Richie Bulger Duo (26 @7 pm); Vintage 2.0 (27 @8 pm); Brothers MacPhee (28 @6 pm); Gypsy Soul (28 @10 pm); Gordon Butler (29 @6 pm); Wannabeez (29 @10 pm); Gordon Belsher & Todd MacLean W/ step dancer Grace Chaisson (30 @7 pm); Ethan MacPhee (31 @7 pm). 132 Sydney St, Charlottetown.

Peake’s Quay

Daily (7–10 pm): Brian Dunn (July 30); Mat Hannah (31); Brothers Macphee (Aug 1/14/29); We 3 (2/9/16/23/28/30); Mat Hannah (3/10/17/24/31); Billy White (4/11/18/25); Thatcher MacKay (5/12/19/26); Brian Dunn (6/13/20/27); Kim Albert (8); Acoustic Brothers (15); Dan Doiron (21); Mike & Karen Penton (22). 11 Great George St, Charlottetown.

PEI Brewing Company

Acoustic Fridays (4–7 pm): Gordon Butler (Aug 4); Brothers MacPhee (11); Margarita Wayne (18); Fraser McCallum (25). 96 Kensington Rd, Charlottetown.

RCAF Wing Summerside

Fridays (7 pm) & Saturdays (9 pm). 329 North Market St, Summerside.

Red’s Gold Cup Lounge

Fridays & Saturdays (10 pm–1 am *unless noted): Nathan Carragher (July 31); Emily Wilbur (Aug 1); Steve Zaat (7); Nathan Carragher (8); Steve Zaat (14); Nick LeClair (15); Travis LaPointe (21); Nathan Carragher (22 @11 am); Brad Milligan (22 @2 pm); Wayne Gallant (28); Mike & Karen Penton (29). Red Shores, 21 Exhibition Dr, Charlottetown.

Summerside Legion

Thursdays and Fridays (7–11 pm); Johnny G and the Legionnaires (July 31); Red Dirt Devils (Aug 6/20); Johnny G and the Legionnaires (Aug 7/14/21/28); JRT Country (13/27). Back in Time on August 1, 8, and 22 (2–5 pm). 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside.

Tekila

Saturdays (6–9 pm). 165 Prince St, Charlottetown.

Tides & Tales

Dawson Perry (Aug 7/21 @12 pm); Olivia Blacquiere (10/24 @1 pm). 32 Harbourview Dr, North Rustico.

The Whiskey Pub and Kitchen

Brian Dunn (Aug 14); Carter MacLellan (21). 25 Hopeton Rd, Stratford. …more at buzzpei.com

Lightfoot and Nashville

Music series continue at Trailside Music Hall

Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown has two music series on offer this summer. The Summer Side of Lightfoot - A Celebration of the Man & His Music on August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 8 pm and Nashville Nights on August 3, 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 7 pm.

Nudie & The Sundowners perform the iconic songs of Gordon Lightfoot that have defined generations. From “If You Could Read My Mind” to “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” the show is a heartfelt celebration of the man and his music. From the folk-inspired sound of Lightfoot’s early years to the sultry electric guitar riffs and grooving bass lines of Sundown, lead guitarist Bobby McIsaac, bassist Serge

TRIVIA

Bogside Brewing Montague

Tuesdays (6:30 pm). Music Bingo on Wednesdays (6 pm). 11 Brook St, Montague.

Bogside Brewing Summerside

Tuesdays (6:30 pm). Music Bingo on Wednesdays (6 pm). 110 Water St, Summerside.

Borden-Carleton Legion

Aug 1 (7 pm) with Fallon. 240 Main St, Borden-Carleton.

Churchill Arms

Tuesday (8:30 pm) with Hank. 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.

Bernard, and host Nudie on vocals and guitar capture the spirit of Lightfoot’s timeless songs.

Nashville Nights is a high-energy show that brings the spirit of Nashville’s Broadway Ave to the heart of Charlottetown. Featuring Roland Beaulieu, Kelly Mooney, Ryan P, and Mat Hannah, this quartet delivers powerhouse performances of country favourites. Expect renditions of songs by Eric Church, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Ella Langley, Tyler Childers, The Chicks, Shania Twain, and more. 155 Kent Street in Charlottetown. For tickets, information and full schedule visit trailside.ca or call 902-367-3311.

Evermoore Brewing

Thursdays (8 pm) with Wil MacDonald. 192 Water St, Summerside.

The Factory

Entertainment Trivia Thursdays (7 pm) with Darcy Campbell. Music Bingo on Saturdays (7 pm) with Darcy Campbell. 189 Kent St, Charlottetown.

The Hub Lounge

Thursday (7 pm) with Barry Parsons. Andersons Creek Golf Club, 68 North Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Holy Whale

Wednesdays (7 pm). 151 Allen 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.

Montague Legion

Thursdays (7:30 pm) with the Catch the King of Clubs draw. 15 Douses Rd, Montague.

North Rustico Lions Club

Aug 14 and 28 (7:30 pm) with Barry Parsons. 17 Timber Ln, North Rustico.

St. Louis Bar and Grill

Thursdays (7:30 pm) with Kirk MacKinnon. Reserve at 902-892-2222. 167 Minna Jane Drive, Charlottetown.

The Whiskey Pub and Kitchen

Wednesdays (7 pm) with Barry Parsons. 25 Hopeton Rd, Stratford

Music and the Mind

A free public day of talks and live music

On August 13, the sixth annual Music and the Mind - Maritimes conference brings researchers, educators, musicians, and health professionals to UPEI for a free day of talks and live music— and everyone is invited.

The conference offers a formal but relaxed setting, for seasoned professionals and student researchers in the Maritime provinces to present their work in music cognition and related fields. An eclectic evening concert celebrates music and the mind. Members of the public are welcome to attend and to share their thoughts and concerns about the role of music in the lives of individuals and society.

Hosted by UPEI’s Music Cognition and Auditory Perception Research and Training Laboratory, directed by Dr. Annabel Cohen, this year’s conference theme is “Implications for Music Education and for Wellbeing.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Betty Anne Younker, former Dean of Music Education at Western University, will be joined by speakers from UPEI’s Departments of Music and Psychology, Mount Allison University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and more. Talks are organized into four

sessions: psychology, music, education, and health, with opportunities for audience participation throughout the day.

The day opens with the Gathering Song, led by Lenox Evans in honour of Epekwitk, and closes with Musical Waves, a free eclectic concert coordinated by Liz Pan in the Steel Recital Hall at 7 pm.

“The conversations are my favourite part,” says Juno Chen, program coordinator for this year’s conference, working closely with Dr. Cohen. “A psychologist and a music teacher will hear the same 15-minute talk and ask completely different questions and members of the public will offer additional insights. That mix is the whole point; it’s inspirational and advances understanding.”

The conference runs from 9:30 am–5 pm in Room 142 at UPEI’s Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, with refreshments and lunch provided and an optional dinner at 5:30 pm. Conference and concert admission is free. Register at forms.gle/JL2bpNKitvyUpDQ29. For more information, visit musicog.discoveryspace.ca/events/ music-and-mind-maritimes-2026.

• You are age 12-18 years and were a patient at the Child and Youth Psychiatric Unit in PEI within the last 4 months

• You are a parent/guardian of a youth (age 12-18) who was a patient at the Child and Youth Psychiatric Unit in PEI within the last 4 months OR

PARTICIPATION INCLUDES

• Brief questionnaires

• Interview with a mental health researcher