Playing on some of the world’s largest stages with Alexisonfire and Gallows, MacNeil will bring his internationally known The Only Emo Night Ever DJ set to All Your Friends Fest on August 23 and 24 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds.

“Wade is an icon in the pop punk and emo scenes, making him the perfect fit for our festival lineup. His DJ sets capture the vibe of the era that defined so much of this community,” said Brooke Dunford, Director of Talent Buying & Business Development at Republic Live. “We’re excited to have him close out both nights and elevate the entire festival experience, taking it to the next level for our fans.”

The All Your Friends Fest lineup features some of the biggest names in pop-punk including Fall Out Boy, Billy Talent, The All-American Rejects, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional and more.

The official All Your Friends Fest playlist is available here.

For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.allyourfriendsfestival.com.

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Now in its 12th year, Boots and Hearts has become the largest country music festival in Canada. This year’s event ran from August 8 to 11 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte. Jason Aldean, Matchbox Twenty and Cody Johnson were among the headliners for the festival, which kicked off with an emerging artist showcase on Thursday evening. Goldie, a Kingston, Ont. native who moved to Nashville, was one of seven finalists in the showcase.

“Any chance to perform at Boots and Hearts on one of those stages was a dream for me,” Goldie said. “I had been to the festival [for the] six years prior, so this was my seventh year going and being able to be on the stage alongside so many talented artists is so cool.”

Goldie said it was wild to be able to open for Lonestar, Midland and Shantaia as part of the showcase. Before she went out on stage, the crowd started chanting her name. It felt surreal standing backstage, nerves building.  

The anxiety turned to excitement when she saw people wearing her merch and singing along to her songs, including her recent single “Bad Boy”. She even had fans say they’d been following her from festival to festival throughout the summer. She said she’d love to do it all again, but she hopes in the future to be part of the main lineup.

“Being a part of a competition is a little bit different than being called back as an artist, so that’s on my bucket list for the next few years,” she said. “I would love to do it.”

She enjoyed the rest of the festival weekend with her mom, a tradition they had made in the years before she took the stage. They went back and forth between the two stages, aiming to catch every artist. They took in as much of the festival as possible with the exception of the rides, as Goldie admits she’s scared of them.

Though she’s familiar with the festival, being a performer has changed the experience. Fans asked her for photos and autographs as she walked around, and an artist pass got her backstage at the shows.

The excitement from fans is what defined the festival for her, especially during her set. Energy from the audience is what drives her performance, and the crowd at Boots and Hearts was up to the task.

“I was probably the highest energy I’ve ever been just because of them,” Goldie said. “Looking out, everyone was jumping, their arms were up in the air, everyone was hooting and hollering. We have loudspeakers up there on stage, but you could hear straight through them with all the audience singing along.”

Goldie is heading to a few more festivals to round out the summer, opening for Jade Eagleson and Gord Bamford. She also has a new single, “Cheat Time”, coming out later this month and a music video to follow soon after.

Elyse Saunders, a singer-songwriter from Peterborough, also started out in the audience at Boots and Hearts.

“I was on the other side, in the audience, several years ago watching Thomas Rhett, and I imagined playing the stage one day,” Saunders said. “It was cool to be officially on the lineup these years later, and Thomas Rhett was the headliner.”

Saunders said it was a dream and a full-circle moment. Being an artist at the event is different, of course, since she got the chance to see behind the scenes, but the energy at Boots and Hearts is “awesome on both sides of the stage.”

She and her band had a blast and want to keep coming back every year. They pay a great deal of credit to the event staff who made the festival happen. Along with being a well-oiled machine that kept things running smoothly, the team went above and beyond to make the artists feel welcome.

“It seems really evident that they pick a staff of people that are really easy to work with, very friendly, very accommodating,” she said. “They really put a lot of effort into the small touches that really do go a long way to make us feel at home and comfortable, and when that happens, it makes us ready for the stage and puts us in the right mindset.”

After her set, she ran down to the gate to meet fans and give autographs. She ended up signing several pairs of boots, a fitting way to commemorate the festival. Her family tagged along for the performance, so she said it was special to see new and familiar fans in the crowd alongside her loved ones.

During the rest of the festival, she talked to members of the media, spent time with other artists and enjoyed the live music. She got to see another Thomas Rhett show, this time with an artist pass. She was running on adrenaline after some sleepless nights leading up to the festival, but she was determined to make the most of it.

Saunders said country music has some of the best fans out there, and the sweet people she’s encountered are no exception. She has a new song coming out in September and an exciting tour announcement to make in the near future. For now, she’s riding on the high of hearing the audience sing her song, “Never Have I Ever”, back to her.

“As a songwriter and as an artist, that’s how I know I’m doing my job is [if] my music is connecting to people and making them feel something,” Saunders said. “I love being an entertainer and giving people that experience, and then to have them give that back to me, that was definitely a gift and something I won’t forget.”

For more information on Boots and Hearts, visit the festival website.

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The show will take place at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia, from 8-11 p.m.

To truly pay tribute to The Tragically Hip and honour Gord Downie’s
legacy, Grace, 2 uses the power of the Hip’s music to raise money and awareness for great causes.

The Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation raises funds for life-saving medical equipment and technology, infrastructure upgrades and expansions, and education and training for the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.

Tickets for the October 5 show are $35 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

The post The Tragically Hip Tribute Band Performs In Support Of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation appeared first on Muskoka411.

This popular event held on the shores of the Muskoka River is free to the public and features music of all genres in one of the most picturesque settings in town. Just bring a lawn chair and a donation for the performing artist and enjoy the arts, culture, and ambiance of the family-friendly Concerts on the Dock event series.

“What better way is there to spend a summer night in Huntsville than listening to live music on the waterfront? Concerts on the Dock has become an annual highlight of summer in Huntsville, not only as an enjoyable evening of outdoor entertainment, but a great opportunity to support local musicians and local businesses,” says Matt Huddlestone, Manager of the Algonquin Theatre. “The Town Docks is such an amazing location for live music, and we are very excited to be announcing our outstanding artist lineup for this year, with both returning favourites and new additions.”

2024 Lineup:

• July 3 – Jessica Sole
• July 10 – Northern Lights Steel Drum Orchestra (held at Bandshell in River Mill Park)
• July 17 – Muskoka Concert Band
• July 24 – Adina
• July 31 – Emma Cook
• August 7 – Matt Allen
• August 14 – Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums
• August 21 – Briar Summers
• August 28 – Charles McKittrick

This year’s concert series is sponsored by Lake of Bays Brewing Company. Their Huntsville Brewhouse is just one of the many local businesses patrons can find on Main Street, just steps away from Town Dock Park.

“We are so thrilled to be partnering for the second year in a row for Huntsville’s “Concerts on the Dock!” says Eric Wolfe, Marketing Manager of Lake of Bays Brewing Company. “Making sure the local art community has a platform to perform is so important and what Matt and the team at Algonquin Theatre has put together for our community is just so incredible! I can’t wait to see everyone out this year supporting our local talent. Cheers to another great summer with incredible music!”

Enjoy the sights, shops, and restaurants that historic downtown Huntsville has to offer before settling in for an evening of live music. Dine in or grab takeout from a local restaurant, then stock up on some snacks or sweet treats to make your Concerts on the Dock experience a picnic date night or family outing!

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be cancelled and not rescheduled. Any cancellations will be announced on the Town of Huntsville and Algonquin Theatre social media channels ahead of the event.

For more information on the Concerts on the Dock series, visit algonquintheatre.ca.

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Jann Arden is a multi-platinum, award-winning singer, songwriter, actor and author. Arden has released 15 albums with 19 top-ten singles. Her most recent project Descendant was released in January 2022 and features a 15-song collection representing the last 18 months of Arden’s life and headspace. A bold, beautiful and empowering sound of Jann Arden, Descendant signifies a return to form for the multifaceted artist, reflecting on where she came from and where she is headed.

Arden’s accolades include eight JUNO Awards, including Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, 10 SOCAN Awards and four Western Canadian Music Awards, to name a few. In 2020, she was announced as an inductee into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of Canadian music icons including Alanis Morisette, Bryan Adams, Barenaked Ladies, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Joni Mitchell, Shania Twain and many more. Arden has also been inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, has a Star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and has been awarded the Order of Canada.

Arden has written five books, the most recent being her new memoir IF I KNEW THEN: Finding Wisdom in Failure and Power in Aging, released October 2020. IF I KNEW THEN follows Arden’s 2017 Canadian best-seller, FEEDING MY MOTHER: Comfort and Laughter in the Kitchen as My Mom Lives with Memory Loss, which spent a combined 44 weeks on The Globe and Mail bestseller lists.

Season 2 of Arden’s CTV hit original comedy series JANN premiered in September 2020. With Arden serving as co-creator and star of the show where she plays a fictionalized version of herself, Season 1 of JANN was the most-watched new Canadian comedy series of the 2018-19 broadcast season. The third season of JANN is set to go into production in early 2021.

Whether she is captivating audiences with her heartfelt music, entertaining them with her quick wit or sharing her written word in a boldly honest voice – Arden is a Canadian original – a brilliant multidimensional talent.

Tickets are available at stockeycentre.com, getoffthebusconcerts.com or by calling the box office at 877-746-4466.

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“I’m obviously honoured by Councillor Penny Varney’s motion to have a walkway in Gull Lake Rotary Park named ‘Fred Schulz Walkway,’” said Fred Schulz, who is best known in the community for coordinating ‘Music on The Barge’, which has been around for over 50 years.

Schulz was recognized earlier this summer by Mayor Paul Kelly at the July 10 Music on the Barge concert for 50 years of service organizing the concert series, a place he was first introduced to by then Mayor Wanda Miller who asked him to become a collection taker.

“Council is thrilled to get the wheels in motion to forever celebrate a man that has brought so much happiness and entertainment to our community. Fred is committed and enthusiastic in all he does. It is only fitting to have a walkway in Gull Lake Rotary Park named after him, and a wonderful way for Gravenhurst to show their forever appreciation, not only for Fred’s contributions to the Barge, but beyond in numerous community activities and initiatives he’s had a hand in,” said Mayor Paul Kelly.

“Fred is very passionate about Arts and Cultural opportunities in the community. His passion for producing such a must see/must do music series each summer in Gravenhurst is one of the many reasons Fred is so well loved in this community, not to mention he is always up for a good chat and smile,” said Shawna Patterson, Interim Director of Recreation, Arts and Culture. “The incredible turnouts to each show on the barge continue to prove what a well-loved and much needed experience the series creates. The town, community and surrounding visitors appreciate all the effort Fred puts into Music on the Barge each summer.”

In the motion approved by council on August 9, staff have been directed to review the feasibility and costing to purchase and install a sign at the entrance pathway to the Gull Lake Rotary Park Barge. Further details will be shared with the public once made available.

Coordinator Fred Schulz Reminisces On 50 Years With Music On The Barge

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The history of the barge goes back to 1949. Before that, the park was home to a traditional bandshell. Members of the Civic Music Association, which coordinated local concerts, wanted to showcase the beauty of the scenery by mooring barges near the shoreline of Gull Lake to make a stage, and it quickly became a hit. In 1958, Gravenhurst-born architect Stan White Jr. designed a permanent stage that would sit above the water. It was finished being built by the time Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip came for a visit on July 4, 1959 during their tour of Ontario.

“She sat right here and watched the band,” Schulz said, gesturing to a bench at the top of the slope leading down to Gull Lake. “After that, she headed back up and got into her entourage and headed towards Torrance.”

Behind the scenes at the barge

Wanda Miller, who was mayor of Gravenhurst during the 50s, spearheaded the Music on the Barge project for many years. She asked Schulz to oversee collections while he was working in audiovisual at the high school. When Miller died in 1985, he took on her role as chairman of the Civic Music Association. 

Years later, the association ceased to exist, but Schulz carried on coordinating Music on the Barge. It was common to have big bands with as many as 80 members back then and every square foot of the stage would be used. In the time since, Schulz has seen a major shift in musical styles.

“Back in the 70s, there were military bands that used to tour and stage bands from Toronto were very popular at the time, but over the years, they started to dissolve, and so I had to look at other types of music,” he said. “I started to bring in folk groups and then, of course, country bands, and tribute bands became quite popular too.”

The music isn’t the only thing that’s changed over the years. Schulz used to drive around in the 70s and 80s, handing out brochures to let people know what would be playing each Sunday evening. Concertgoers could also call his home phone and listen to the lineup, which was recorded on his answering machine. 

Being able to put the details of the shows on social media has made a world of difference, he said. He’s grateful to the communications team at the Town of Gravenhurst for their help producing the online content, which helps draw audience members from Orillia, Barrie, Parry Sound and beyond. 

“It’s come a long way from Sunday afternoon with my phone with an answering message on it. Even if a show had to be cancelled, that’s where they phoned,” Schulz said. “My phone would just ring constantly for information about the concerts and now, my phone very rarely rings on a Sunday.”

Onward and upward

As the audience grew so did the need for proper sound equipment. Concert goers are often spread out from the end of the beach up into the picnic shelter, so it takes a lot of planning to produce a high quality show, he said. There’s also no hiding if something goes wrong on the barge. 

New technology has improved the sound quality of the shows, though there are still challenges like wind and weather. Thankfully, technology has also allowed the Music on the Barge team to predict bad weather with a decent degree of accuracy, helping keep the bands and audience safe. With so much electricity running across the stage, Schulz said even the smallest bit of moisture can pose a great risk.

“I am the happiest guy in the park when the sky is blue on a Sunday,” he said. “People will have to understand that once it rains, we’re out of commission.”

Because the stage structure itself is subject to the effects of weather, parts of it deteriorated as the barge sat unused for two years during COVID, so the town replaced the ramp that leads out the stage. Since they can’t simply pull up a vehicle to quickly unload like most concert venues, the ramp plays an essential role in show set-up and take-down.

The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst has also done many repairs and improvements on the barge. They’re currently fundraising to create a terraced natural rock seating area for the hill next to shoreline. They’ve named the project Rotary Rocks the Barge and the cost is estimated at $350,000, with $50,000 already committed by the club.

“It’s quite a slope of land and I have been watching people slide down that for 50 years,” Schulz said. “It’s going to be really exciting to see this project unfold, and I’m extremely grateful to the Gravenhurst Rotary Club for what they are doing and what they have undertaken.”

The club is launching the initiative to celebrate their 85th anniversary. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more will be recognized on a commemorative wall. The club can accept online donations, cheques and even stocks, and all donors will receive a tax receipt.

Schulz said it will be a wonderful seating area for all events in the park but especially for the Music on the Barge program. He’s excited to see the project move forward and said the seating could be installed as early as next year.

Generations of tradition and gratitude

Through all the changes, one thing that has remained the same is the makeup of the audience. Whether they’re cottagers or year-round residents, many people have made Sunday evenings at Gull Lake a decades-long family affair.

“It’s really nice to see generations come to the barge,” Schulz said. “They’ll come and see me and tell me about how much they enjoyed it when they were kids and how much they’re enjoying bringing their kids, so it’s been something that families feel is a real tradition and they carry that on.”

Schulz has a lot of gratitude when it comes to his time as coordinator. In addition to the supporters in the crowd, the Rotary club, local service groups and sponsors have been a huge help with the program’s expenses. A group of dedicated volunteers also help keep costs low for the program. 

Each year there are about eight to 10 volunteers who act as collection takers and stagehands, and they’re key to the program’s success, Schulz said. The town also provides an annual budget, which allows concert admission to remain a suggested donation.

“The donations are really important, but people are quite generous,” he said. “I think that’s really important to have an affordable event and something that everybody can come to and I was very adamant that that not change if possible.”

Schulz is grateful to the town for being supportive of his efforts, and the gratitude goes both ways. The Town of Gravenhurst recognized Schulz’s years of service with a commemorative plaque at the first concert of the season. Next Tuesday, town council will also vote on a motion to name the pathway to the barge the “Fred Schulz Walkway”.

Schulz wasn’t sure what it would be like to return to programming after pandemic restrictions, but the first few concerts proved the love locals have for the tradition. Most shows bring in a crowd of about 750 to 1,500 depending on weather conditions, but some have had more than 2,000 audience members in attendance. 

“I really enjoy producing the shows and putting it on and coordinating the season because people attend it well,” he said. “I think that’s the best feedback you can have when you walk out on the stage and you see a park full of people.”

Standing the test of time

Schulz has never seen a crowd as large as the one at this year’s first concert, but the season isn’t over yet. There are still two shows before Muskoka Music Festival takes over the stage in late August. A Johnny Cash tribute band will perform on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 will see the return of the Good Brothers.

The Good Brothers are a country bluegrass band and this month’s performance will be their 30th appearance at Music on the Barge. It’s become a tradition for them to be the closing concert each year, so Schulz said it’s a sweet and sad time when they come around at the end of summer.

“The friendship that we have developed with The Good Brothers is very special,” he said. “When they were inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, in their acceptance speech they mentioned special places in Canada that they like to perform and Music on the Barge in Gravenhurst was the top of their list.”

Returning artists and first-time performers alike are often blown away by how distinctive and special the barge and its setting is, especially when it’s lit up in the evening. Schulz is glad that the barge has stood the test of time and he’s thrilled to see how the program has grown.

When he first joined as a collection taker in 1972, he never thought he’d be working on the program for so many years. He doesn’t know where the time has gone, but he’s proud to be part of such a unique tradition and plans to continue on as coordinator for the foreseeable future.

“I’m extremely excited with the Gravenhurst Rotary Club project here and at this point, I’m enjoying it very much,” he said with a smile. “We’ll see what the future brings.”

To learn more about Music on the Barge, click here. For more details on Rotary Rocks the Barge, visit the project website.

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“At The KEE, we know how short summer is, so we wanted to give a rallying cry to all to get out and make the most of it, starting with a concert at The Kee,” said KEE owner Mike Strong. “This epic lineup of bands ensures that when fans do, it will give them memorable shows to talk about for years to come.”

To celebrate getting back together again, The KEE to Bala is giving away tickets to leading concerts this season. Lucky music fans who spot the KEEtar floaty around Lake Muskoka, snap a photo and tag @TheKeeToBala on Instagram will have a chance to win four tickets to a show of their choice. Hints to the KEEtar’s whereabouts will be dropped weekly on The KEE’s Instagram feed.

“The past two years have been tough for live music and music venues,” Strong said. “This year more than ever, we wanted to make a big push with one of our best lineups to date, along with a draw to give a heartfelt thanks to the fans.”

With the countdown on to the final blowout concert of the summer on Labour Day weekend, The KEE to Bala encourages Muskokans and music fans everywhere to live summer to the max and get their tickets to a live show while they can. 

For more information on upcoming shows, or to buy tickets, visit The KEE to Bala website.

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At 56, Canada’s foremost well-healed troubadour has made a most unlikely discovery: domestic bliss. All it took, it turns out, was leaving the city he loved.

Following 30 years as an emblem of Toronto’s west end, Sexsmith reluctantly uprooted to the serene hamlet of Stratford, Ontario, and the melodic, playful, theatrically vivacious Hermitage came gushing out.

“Almost immediately after arriving here I just felt this kind of enormous stress cloud evaporate and all these songs started coming,” recalls Sexsmith. “I’d walk along the river every day into town and feel like Huckleberry Finn or something. It had a really great effect on my overall state of being.”

This new zen can be heard from the first moments of Kinks-esque album opener, “Spring of the Following Year,” as the serene sound of birds situate the listener into Sexsmith’s state of grace. For more information about Sexsmith, visit his website.

The concert on June 26, which is happening in support of West Parry Sound Health Centre, will also feature Paige Warner. With an evocative voice that captivates her audience, Warner creates music that sits between R&B and singer-songwriter with soul-inspired vocal licks layered on catchy hooks and rhythms.

With over 59,000 combined listens on Spotify alone, Paige’s recent singles have drawn love from media and listeners alike. She is skilled with more than just her voice, regularly accompanying herself with piano, guitar, or inviting her backup band to the stage. For more information about Warner, visit her website.

Tickets are available at stockeycentre.com, getoffthebusconcerts.com or by calling the box office at 877-746-4466.

The post Ron Sexsmith Comes To Parry Sound In Support Of WPSHC appeared first on Muskoka411.

Peter and Michelle Swanek have officially sold Peter’s Place theatre, their music venue in Gravenhurst known for its unique atmosphere and intimacy. But despite saying goodbye to the venue, they’re far from finished offering memorable musical experiences to the people of Muskoka.

Along with being a celebrated concert space, the Swanek’s Gravenhurst venue also included a four-bedroom inn and acted as Peter and Michelle’s home for a decade. The pandemic expedited their plans to sell, and though they hope the change will give them more time with their grandchildren, they will also continue hosting shows at alternate venues. The Swaneks are keeping details about the new owners quiet in hopes of giving them time to determine their plans for the building, but they said the buyers have expressed interest in continuing the operation of the inn. Michelle said the reality of the sale hadn’t fully sunk in during the interview on Sept. 2, just one day after they closed on the sale of the building.

“Today just feels like a day off, but it is going to be strange to not have your car automatically turn into that driveway when you’re driving down Muskoka Road South,” Michelle said. “It’s a bittersweet feeling really. It’s great that we can move on and do some new projects, but we put our heart and soul into that building so I feel like a little piece will be missing every day when I drive by there.”

From Moe’s Garage To Peter’s Player

Before becoming one of Muskoka’s most beloved concert venues, the building at 830 Muskoka Road South was home to Moe’s Garage. Moe Draper ran his auto shop and raised his family there before Peter bought the building and moved in during December 2006.

“I am so grateful for you and Michelle for buying my childhood home and my father’s shop after his death where your talents created a beautiful and historical musical structure, home, and inn that enhanced the Town of Gravenhurst for the better,” wrote Moe’s daughter Dee-Anne in response to the announcement of the sale.

Dee-Anne said Peter’s Players “allowed many to witness the magical rebirth of music in Muskoka” and described the experience at the theatre as “a highly sought after, classy, up-close, personal, & one-of-a-kind backstage pass.” 

She also said the venue played “a crucial role in defining the history of Gravenhurst” and the area’s music culture, but creating the local landmark wasn’t an easy task, Peter said. He lived in the building during the construction of the theatre, which first opened for its first show in April 2008. 

“We opened up with a show where the ticket price was $150,” Peter said. “I just didn’t know if anybody was going to buy the tickets, but that’s what we needed to [charge] for that size of a show, and thankfully it sold out because we could have exhausted on the start line.”

Grateful for the success of the first show, they moved forward cautiously and worked to build up their audience, in part through an email list that continues on to this day. They also put in many hours bringing musicians to Muskoka and dealing with agents that were more focused on the money than the music.

“One of the first questions out of their mouth is, ‘What is the capacity of the room?’ and as soon as I tell them that, they shut down on me and want to move on,” Peter said. “It took quite a while to instill in them that it is a quality venue with that kind of a capacity, and after we started getting some stellar artists in there, it just got easier and easier to get more.”

Making Music History With Peter’s Players

Peter’s Players tagline “Great show always” is a philosophy that extends back to the early days of the business. Their 88-seat offering eventually grew to 115, and the intimacy of the space has offered a special experience from the start.

“I remember saying to our volunteers there, ‘Let’s never get complacent because when people come to the venue, it’s all about joy and happiness,’ and we see that after every single show, including the artists,” Peter said. “We felt very fortunate to be in a business that just washed us with this music art culture.”

Since then, their venue in Gravenhurst has hosted many Canadian artists and icons, including the Cowboy Junkies, Garth Hudson and Jim Cuddy, as well as international artists like James Cotton, Johnny Winter and Carole Pope. Michelle said artists have complimented their hospitality, the sound quality in the venue and the intensity of having a smaller audience. One notable artist that came through Peter’s Players even helped inspire them to open the inn portion of the business.

“I remember when we had Kiefer Sutherland there, and we were still living in the front at the time,” Michelle said. “His comment was one of the reasons we thought, ‘Hey, we should turn this place into an inn at the front,’ because he came in, in this giant tour bus, and was so down to earth and brings his bags in and thought he was staying in the house part [of the building].”

Sutherland was disappointed to find out he was staying at a hotel rather than at the venue itself, she said. The Swaneks ultimately decided to buy a property in Bracebridge and convert their other half of Peter’s Place into a four-bedroom inn. While they were building their home and renovating the inn, they slept on a bed they pulled out in front of the bar every night. 

After a decade of living in the building, they moved to their new house and the inn became a home away from home for travelling musicians. They ran the Inn at Peter’s Players for about four and a half years and the Peter’s Place theatre for over a decade, so now they’re saying goodbye to their inn, venue and past home.

Planning For The Future While Appreciating The Past

Before opening Peter’s Place in Gravenhurst, Peter was bringing shows to nearly 30 different venues across Ontario, so he’s excited to return to his roots by finding alternate venues and continuing to host shows through Peter’s Players. The excitement comes with many other emotions as they say goodbye to their venue and see the response from those inside and outside the music industry. 

Along with kudos and well wishes from industry professionals, the Swaneks were taken aback by the community’s outpouring of love and support when they announced the sale of the building. Some comments even brought Michelle to tears.

“It really, really solidified for me the impact that we had on this community and the people in it,” Michelle said. “It was really enlightening… You know people enjoyed it, but you didn’t really realize how much of an impact you had on the local community.”

Peter and Michelle will continue on with their Music Cruises hosted on Muskoka Steamships and they’re investigating other locations across Muskoka for future shows. In the past, they’ve hosted all-inclusive music-filled vacations in Jamaica, and since they haven’t been able to do the trip for the past two years, they’re hoping to create a staycation version of the event.

No matter where they end up next, they’re excited to continue providing an amazing time for all in attendance.

“We’re still going to be active in the community, and wherever we present shows, it’s always been our tagline, ‘Great shows always,’” Michelle said. “We really feel we’ll be able to recreate that Peter’s Players feel no matter where we put the show on.”

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