A Note from the Bobcaygeon Music Council: Looking Back, Leaping Forward

On behalf of the Bobcaygeon Music Council, we want to take a moment to thank you—and to be honest with you.

Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of hosting some truly wonderful concerts in the fall and spring. We loved bringing live music to town and watching our audiences connect with the artists. However, after careful thought and heartfelt discussions, our Board made the difficult decision to step back from our fall and spring concert series. While we loved hosting them, our attendance—usually between 65 and 75 guests—just wasn’t enough to make these shows sustainable.

Still, we weren’t ready to give up. Far from it.

Instead, we shifted our focus to something new: one big concert event in the spring. And wow—did that decision pay off! We found the perfect venue at the Bobcaygeon Curling Club and were thrilled to secure none other than the Jim Cuddy Trio to headline the night.

Tickets sold out in record time—presale tickets disappeared in one minute, and the public sale was gone within two hours. With the help of a dream team of volunteers (including Board members, family, and the incredible crew from the Curling Club), we transformed the space into a full-blown concert hall. The sound was amazing. The crowd was electric. And Jim and his band delivered an unforgettable performance, feeding off the room’s energy.

As a nonprofit and registered charity, we kept ticket prices as accessible as possible—and while the profit margin was modest, the experience was priceless. Seeing so many people enjoying themselves, watching local businesses rally to support the event… it was exactly what we set out to do.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor: Kawartha Dairy, as well as Margaret Weikmann of Ball Real Estate and  Expedia Cruises-Peterborough.

Your support helped make this concert a reality.

So… What’s Next?

Would we do a big spring concert again? Absolutely. But for now, we’re turning our attention to summer.

Concerts in the Park are back—and bigger than ever!

This summer, we’re taking full advantage of the calendar. With nine Thursdays in July and August, we’re hosting nine free concerts in the most beautiful riverside setting along the Trent-Severn Waterway.

We kick things off on Thursday, July 3 with The Thermostats—a brand new band with some familiar faces: Brennen Wilson, Dar Kimble, and an incredible group of musicians we’re so excited to welcome.

From there, the summer lineup continues to shine:

• July 10 – Frank Cosentino, a proud member of the Blues Hall of Fame

• July 17 – Melissa Payne and her band, bringing a high-energy, genre-blending set. https://melissapaynemusic.com (If you saw her open for Blue Rodeo at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, you know how good she is.)

And that’s just the beginning. We’re bringing in top-tier talent from across southern Ontario, while also spotlighting some of the amazing local musicians who call this region home.

So grab a lawn chair, bring a picnic or enjoy takeout from one of our amazing local restaurants—some are even staying open a bit later on concert nights. And don’t forget to check out the Lions Club BBQ while you’re there!

For a complete concert listing: https://www.bobcaygeonmusic.com/concerts

Coming This Fall…

We’re also in early talks to host a local singer-songwriter showcase in September or October. It’s still in the works, but we’re hoping to give even more space for emerging voices to shine.

At the Bobcaygeon Music Council, we believe that everyone should have access to incredible live music—without having to leave town to find it. We’re proud to bring in professional, top-tier musicians and just as proud to lift up the hardworking local talent in our own backyard.

Thanks for being part of this journey with us. We can’t wait to see you in the park!

The Bobcaygeon Music Council

Small Town…Big Talent!

Moon Mist and Music

Bobcaygeon...What makes you so famous? First Lock built on the Trent-Severn? Houseboat capital of Ontario? Bolton Street, with some of the quaintest shops and eateries around?

Long before Gord Downie reminded the world that Bobcaygeon has some of the most beautiful constellations ever viewed from the end of a dock, Bobcaygeon was known as the home of Kawartha Dairy. No trip to the cottage or the trailer was complete without a trip to the Dairy.

Every Summer season we can't wait to see what “New Flavour” will be on the menu...can it possibly top 2010's Moose Tracks?

So, what did the Dairy bring is in 2023? “Moon Mist: An East Coast Favourite! Banana, Grape and Bubblegum flavoured ice cream swirled together for an out of this world delicious taste!”

Now, I like the flavour of banana, grape and bubblegum, but together? My first thought is, nope, not my thing. Our Great Niece, a Kawartha Dairy expert, as she’s been enjoying it her whole life, declared, “It’s excellent.”

Not wanting to rely on a 6 year old, I did give it a try. First impression…I can see the appeal. A really nice blending of flavours, definitely awakes the taste buds. Will it knock Salty Carmel Truffle off my Top 10? No, but the thing about a new flavour is...you have to give it a try. You know you can trust Kawartha Dairy to come up with something unique, interesting and flavourful. It may not be to your taste, but what the heck...it's ICE CREAM, from Kawartha Dairy! It will be smooth and rich and the best quality around.

Music is a lot like ice cream...stay with me for a minute. What you like may be different than what the next person likes. You may like a bit of light jazz but your significant other wants to toe-tap to something a little more country. You both appreciate talent and the skill it takes to perfect an instrument, to perform a song...to entertain.

Another Bobcaygeon tradition is Music in the Park, courtesy of yours truly, the Bobcaygeon Music Council. Thursday evenings in July and August you will find a crowd of people sitting on lawn chairs, enjoying music next to Lock 32. If you live or summer in Bobcaygeon, you know Thursday evening is Music in the Park, in one of the most beautiful settings in Kawartha Lakes.

One week you may hear a singer-songwriter, storyteller like Jeffrey Straker who made a stop in Bobcaygeon en route to Nashville, where he was recording an album. The next week it may be Juno nominated Sultans of String. And you may end the season, singing in the rain to songs you know by heart…thank you Vintages! Every concert was different, and after each concert I had at least one person approach me and say, “That was my favourite concert.”

What few people seem to know, or remember is, our concerts don’t end in August. For twenty years the Bobcaygeon Music Council presents Music Alive! bringing professional musicians to the best concert venue in town. Where might that be? 44 William Street, Trinity United, a venue with amazing acoustics, a baby grand piano, upgraded sound system and most importantly: comfortable seats! And, totally accessible!

When the Bobcaygeon Music Council was first formed, classical music was the focus. The founders, Andy Harris and a few friends wanted to enjoy ensembles without traveling to Peterborough. Over the years the musical stylings have changed but we have never lost focus on our core function: bring musical acts to town so people don’t need to travel to Toronto, Lindsay or Peterborough. Musical tastes have changed and we have adapted to keep pace with what the community wants to hear.

The 2023-2024 series features four very different acts, starting with JoyRide in October, followed by Boreal, Dara Schindelka and Matt Zaddy with River North, in November, February and April respectively. Learn more about each of these artists at https://www.bobcaygeonmusic.com/concerts. Think of that as our “Menu” and if you want a sample, there are links to videos and websites for each act.

I could try to describe each artist and their music, but like a six-year old describing ice cream, I can merely say, ”It’s excellent!” Words don’t do justice…listen for yourself and then come out to see them…they came all this way, just to entertain you!

Just like our friends at Kawartha Dairy, we bring you something different each season…smooth, rich and the best quality around…give us a try.

Tickets