This year’s Peterborough Artsweek schedule 2023
The Electric City Culture Council’s biennial Artsweek starts Friday night in Peterborough with a complete schedule for the first time since 2018 due to COVID-19 pandemic limitations.
The week begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies at the Commerce Building Courtyard at 383 Water St. and ends May 14 with 12 major programs and 30 to 40 events.
“2020’s Artsweek was kind of a hybrid, COVID-19 special festival,” said EC3 executive director Su Ditta. “But this is the first time we’ve been live across the city since 2018.”
On the centennial of Peterborough and East City’s amalgamation, Artsweek began in 2005.
Ditta said the mayor at the time, Sylvia Sutherland, wanted a legacy project that would last forever to commemorate the 100th anniversary. “Artsweek was one.”
Peterborough will host “art in unexpected places” exhibitions by artists of various genres.
Ditta said the goal was to bring art to the streets.
She stated City of Peterborough and EC3 fundraising make all Artsweek activities free and accessible to the public.
Skip ads
“That’s the legacy,” she remarked. It’s a gift to the city in honor of the founding of the City of Peterborough.
Ditta says the Heritage Pavilion performance on Armour Hill is a fan favorite and will return this year.
She stated 3C84 is the designation astronomers gave to a galactic black hole that generates a steady B-flat sound. “So, a local musician, Charlie Glasspool, developed a project on this a few years ago, with a cycle of songs about the mysteries of the universe. After a one-hour concert, we stargaze on the hill.”
Ditta highlighted the Poetry Cart at Peterborough Public Library, where customers may get takeout poetry.
“It’s literally a physical cart on wheels, where poets sit with manual typewriters,” she remarked. “It’s like a takeout food truck, except you can order a poem, haiku, sonnet, etc. instead of a hot dog.”
After the opening ceremonies, Friday night events include the Woodland and The Wilds Promenade at 7:30 p.m., the Take-Out Poetry Cart on sidewalks from 6 to 9 p.m., interactive musical animations at 8 and 8:45 p.m. behind 217 Hunter St. W., and the 3C84 concert at the Heritage Pavilion from 9 to 10 p.m.
Artsweek Peterborough’s schedule is at bit.ly/3ASXrrs.
“Artsweek is a party for everyone,” she remarked. “It’s a rare chance to see our best artists celebrating Peterborough.”
