It’s beginning to feel a lot like…autumn! And you know what that means. Our favourite fall festivities are returning to Kingston like Fort Fright and the Wolfe Island Corn Maze. Plus we have workshops and concerts happening all over the city, and to top it all off, a mini Octoberfest! Enjoy the harvest, Kingston!
Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our Kingston events calendar for consideration!
Kingston Live is a monthly podcast that offers up behind-the-scenes insight into the Kingston music scene. If you’re looking to learn more about the city’s emerging artists and where to see them play live, you’ll find it here! If you’re a resident music lover or visitor looking for the inside scoop on Kingston’s local music scene, it’s a perfect fit for you, too.
The competition offers Kingston musicians an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of established artists. They discuss how they chose the jury members, the finalists, and what the audience can expect at the Isabel on September 20th when they perform.
The jury members are Jonas Lewis Anthony, John Burge, Moira Demorest, Emily Fennell, Cyndy Gibson, Ange Stever, and Zane Whitfield. The finalists are Sadaf Amini, Julia Finnegan, Michelle Kasaboski, Alex Mundy, Savannah and Michael and Abby Stewart.
Want tickets? Go to queensu.ca/theisabel. Or go in person to the box office Monday–Friday, 12–4:30 pm or call 613-533-2424.
They start with Megan Hamilton, post-performance, chatting about the difference between attending the last few years and performing for the first time. She touches on her favourite performances to watch and why she loves the festival.
“It bends all of the rules in a very positive way,” says Megan.
After their performance, a few of the guys from The Wilderness discuss how they’ve seen the festival evolve since the last time they performed in 2017.
“It feels like a big party with all of the best people. I could see a sea of people, 99 percent of who I know and love,” shared Jonas. They let us in on the story behind the band’s matching Adidas tracksuits.
Listeners are treated to a live performance of I Found Out by the Chris Koster followed by an interview with Chris Koster, talking about his journey as an artist, and the Kingston music scene.
“For the size of the city, there’s an amazing arts community,” he says.
Chris shares his favourite places to play, life on the road with the Sons, and how it felt to play Back to the Farm for the first time. He also drops some bleak advice to aspiring musicians: “If there’s a possibility that you won’t do it, then just don’t do it.”
Following the release of the Glorious Sons’ upcoming record A War on Everything on September 13th, Chris and the band take to the stage at Richardson Stadium in Kingston on September 21st.
Look out for new podcasts every month to stay up to date on the Kingston music scene! The Kingston Live podcast is syndicated to all major podcast platforms. Find them wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to subscribe: Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIn and Stitcher. They also air on Wolfe Island Radio on Tuesday and Thursdays! You can also follow them on Instagram.
Didn’t nab a ticket to the now sold-out concert at Kingston Pen? Don’t worry, there’s a ton of solid shows happening all month, including The Glorious Sons at Richardson Stadium, Rufus Wainwright at The Grand, and Justin Rutledge at The Grad Club.
Local jazz singer Selina Chiarelli and flautist Caroline Kwok have been hosting these Sunday afternoon jazz shows all summer long. They’re a place for local female artists to showcase and explore their talents, and for audiences to hear a more proportional representation of the genre. Chiarelli and Kwok typically open, and then a local jazz musician takes over (Chantal Thompson, Savannah Shea, and Michelle Kasaboski have all played, for instance). The afternoon ends with an open jam session in a free-jazz format.
This hard-hitting rock fourpiece is led by Toronto indie music stalwart Ian Blurton, who started playing drums with Cowboy Junkies and A Neon Rome. He also sang and played guitar for Change Of Heart, Blurtonia, Bionic, C’mon, Public Animal, and others, as well as produce albums for artists like The Weakerthans and Rheostatics. This current solo project has influences ranging from 70s hard rock to new wave to garage rock to psychedelic. Supporting it all is Glen Milchem (Blue Rodeo) on drums, Anna Ruddick (Randy Bachman) on bass, and Aaron Goldstein (Daniel Romano) on guitar.
Get out the face paint and black hair dye — legendary KISS tribute act Destroyer is headlining the annual rock show at CFB Kingston this year. The band has been together for 25 years, and has played over 1,250 shows to date. They’re one of the most sought-after KISS tributes around, and they’ll definitely get you rock and rolling all night long with classics like Detroit Rock City, 100,000 Years, and Christine Sixteen. Helix and Prism will open the show.
This indie rock band is made up of three artists from Saskatoon with more than 30 years of combined performance time between them. It’s a new project for the trio, though, and it’s been gaining steam since last year’s release of the single “Off the Top of My Heart”. Produced and co-written by The Trews’ John-Angus MacDonald, the song would easily fit in a mix with AC/DC, Bryan Adams, and Foo Fighters. The band also plays the night before at The Merchant (Friday, September 6th).
Local legend Boag & The Braveyard Whips hosts this show every Saturday afternoon, where a rotating cast of other Kingston musicians typically play, too. Boag formed in the ashes of Kingston band The Unsung Heroes in 1991, and over the years has included various local artists playing county, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll covers and originals. The most recent reincarnation came in 2018, when a group of veteran greats that included Jack Troughton, Roger O’Handley, and Deb Schuurmans decided to get the band going again.
Since forming in 2003, Vancouver’s Five Alarm Funk says it’s had one simple goal: to make you sweat. They’ve been doing that across North America this summer with eight people playing guitars, bass, drums, congas, timbales, a sax, and a trumpet. Together, their sound is a combination of gypsy-rock, afro-punk, Latin, ska, and punk. As the band itself says, they’re a “horn-powered, percussion-fuelled sonic and visual assault.”
Richardson Stadium has hosted a few legendary Kingston concerts over the years, including The Tragically Hip’s famous 1993 show. This one should go down in history, too, as close to 16,000 people are expected to rock out with Kingston’s own The Glorious Sons. Since forming in Kingston in 2011 and honing their sound at The Merchant, the band has had eight consecutive top-10 rock radio hits in Canada. Last year they won the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. This year their song “S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)” was number one on Billboard’s Active and Modern Rock Charts for four consecutive weeks.
Since releasing his first album in 2005, alt-country singer-songwriter Justine Rutledge has earned two Juno nominations, a Galaxy Rising Start award, and the title of Toronto’s Best Local Songwriter (NOW Magazine), among other critical accolades. His serene, spacious sound and lush harmonies have been compared to those of Ryan Adams, so no doubt he’ll find a good home in the living-room-like Grad Club.
Though they’re named after Antonio Vivaldi, Red Priest isn’t your typical baroque band. Instead, they take music of the 17th and 18th centuries and re-invent it, infusing it with more creativity, energy, and humour than you’ve probably heard before. And they’ve been successful at it, playing sold-out shows in many of the world’s biggest festivals and most prestigious concert halls. The New York Times has called them “wildly virtuosic”, “entertainingly eccentric”, and “exquisite”.
The man Elton John called “the greatest songwriter on the planet” has established himself as one of the top male vocalists of his generation. Born in New York and raised in Montreal, Rufus went on to become best known as a pop singer, but he also straddles the worlds of rock, opera, theatre, dance, and film. To date, he has released seven studio albums, 3 DVDs, and three live albums, including the Grammy nominated “Rufus Does Judy” at Carnegie Hall.
This full afternoon and evening of music will celebrate the life and legacy of Gord Downie, and benefit the Downie-Wenjack Fund and Kingston Homebase Housing. Nine local bands will perform, including the Trevor Walsh Group, Luscious, and headliner the Greg Ball Band. Tickets include a 1/2-pound of wings, an art show, a silent auction, jewellery vendors, legacy learning, psychic readings, a magician, wrestling, and Kingston School of Dance flash performances.
The summer festival season may be ending, but it’s going out on a high note with gems that include Ribfest, the Multicultural Arts Festival, and WritersFest.
Back for the seventh year, Ribfest will have seven award-winning ribbers on hand this September and 14 craft breweries, including five locals. The format is simple: for beer, buy a $6 wristband and then purchase five-ounce samples at a time for $2 each. For food, just wonder and graze on barbecued pork, chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, pretzels, ice cream, and more. Prices will range from $7 for a pulled pork sandwich to $22 for a full rack of ribs. Three cideries will be there too, as will a Kids Fun Zone and live music all weekend long.
Free admission (donations to the Partners in Mission Food Bank accepted at the gate)
This annual fest celebrates the Kingston military community and their families, but it’s open to everyone. The good times kick off on Saturday night at 6 pm with a concert headlined by Destroyer, Canada’s premier KISS tribute band ($15 + HST). On Sunday, there will be free family activities inside and out from 10 am to 5 pm, including a midway, military displays, guided trolley tours of RMC, BMX demonstrations, laser tag, axe throwing, and stunt dog shows.
Concert: $15, Sunday: Free admission
Photo via Kingston Immigration Partnership, Facebook
The Multicultural Arts Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, and it’s sticking to what’s always worked: lots of live music and dance from all over the world, arts activities for kids, and delicious food from all four corners. The cultural pavilions are also returning, where adults and kids can do crafts, take language lessons, and more. The workshops are back, too, which have in the past included learning Arabic calligraphy and making Mayan worry dolls.
Thursday, September 26 – Sunday, September 29, 2019
City Park
This travelling poutine festival was so popular last year that a Thursday was added to this year’s event. The cornerstone for all four days will be the seven poutine vendors serving up their own creative combinations of potato, cheese, and gravy. But there will be a hot dog vendor as well, plus three dessert vendors, a DJ, and games for the whole family. On Sunday, stick around for the poutine contest to see whose gooey godsend gets voted best. By the way, if you’re gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan, you’ll have options, too.
Saturday, September 21 – Sunday, September 22, 2019
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour
A summer of world-class sailing in Kingston ends with the CORK Fall Regatta — two days of racing that will include World Sailing ranking events. CORK, which stands for Canadian Olympic Training Regatta Kingston, is an established event on the international regatta circuit that’s been happening here since 1969. To date, it’s hosted 43 world championships and more than double that number of North American and Canadian championships.
Wednesday, September 25 – Sunday, September 29, 2019
Downtown
Organizers say this will be the most diverse Kingston WritersFest yet, as the lineup includes 50 events and 60 writers — over half of them women. Some of the big names include David Bezmozgis, Emma Donoghue (pictured), Marina Endicott, M.G. Vassanji, and Kingston’s own Diane Schoemperlen. All of them will host readings, discussions, masterclasses, performances, or other special events like the lunch at Silver Wok hosted by Globe and Mail food reporter Ann Hui, whose book, “Chop Suey Nation”, chronicles the history of Chinese-Canadian food.
There are dozens of art galleries across Kingston, and this bi-annual event is a great chance to check out some of them downtown. Typically, about 20 galleries and art-loving businesses participate — some with special programming and light refreshments. As you browse, don’t forget to enter the contest to win $500 towards the purchase of original art at all participating businesses.
Culture Days is a national celebration where every year at the end of September communities across the country host participatory arts and culture events. In Kingston, the Tett Centre will be ground zero this year, as it will have dance classes, arts workshops, a drum circle, yoga, and more. The Pump House Steam Museum is also getting in on the action, letting you build a miniature Ontario Street out of Lego. Over at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, take a non-visual tour of a Rembrandt exhibit.
For the second time in two months, Princess Street will be closed to vehicle traffic downtown so that pedestrians can enjoy activities hosted by local businesses and community groups. In the past, that’s meant everything from bouncy castles to climbing walls, live music to pop-up food stalls, caricature artists to robot demonstrations. The main goal is to promote active living downtown.
Want to up that Insta game a little more? We don’t blame you. Over 300 years old, Kingston is home to stunning architecture, hidden alleyways and courtyards, and gorgeous waterfront views. Here are some of the best places to take a few “candids” in the Limestone City.
You don’t have to be a student to visit Queen’s University! Stroll the campus grounds and explore courtyards, public art and sculptures, and limestone architecture. This campus is over 175 years old and provides a great historic backdrop for photos. Bonus: drop by the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and the Union Gallery on campus to take in beautiful pieces of art!
2. Conservation Areas (Lemoine Point + Little Cataraqui Creek)
Soak up fresh air and reconnect with nature when you take a walk through a Kingston Conservation Area. Bring some birdseed to Lemoine Point and become a modern-day Snow White while chickadees eat from your palms. At Little Cataraqui Creek, you’ll find over 13 km of trails weaving in and out of marsh, fields and lush forests.
Take a right down the carriageway next to Black Dog Tavern and find yourself in a hidden courtyard. High balconies and vibrant red brickwork give off serious European vibes. In the summer, you may even stumble upon live music from surrounding shops. Notable stores and restaurants connected to this court include Modern Primitive, Chez Piggy, The Toucan, Berry & Peterson Booksellers, and Black Dog Tavern.
Nestled into a carriageway off of Wellington Street, you’ll find Martello Alley. Prints adorn their brick walls tempting you further in to stroll. You’ll end up in a charming courtyard surrounded by original works of art.
5. The Isabel, Tett Centre, and Juniper Café // 390 King Street West
The Isabel Bader Centre is a gorgeous mix of wood, glass, steel, and polished concrete. While you’re there, hop next door to the Tett Centre and visit Juniper Café! This is one of the cutest places you will ever have a latte with an epic view of Lake Ontario.
Right on top of this historic Kingston site are views for days. Go in the evening for a stunning sunset that casts a warm glow over the entire city. Bonus: stop by for a sunset ceremony every Wednesday in the summer months for military music, cannon firing, and a fireworks finale.
7. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises // 1 Brock Street
In the spring, summer, and early fall, head down to 1 Brock Street and hop on one of the tours from Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises. Snap a photo while you enjoy a meal with the sunset and lake behind you. Have other plans for lunch or dinner? Freshen up your feed with a sightseeing Discovery Cruise that passes by the Kingston Harbour, Fort Henry, shipwrecks, and even the Kingston Penitentiary. The Discovery Cruise is offered from April 16 to October, and the Sunset Dinner Tours from May to October.
There’s something picture perfect about waterfront views – and Kingston is lucky enough to have an 8km trail along the water for you. Follow it from Confederation Park, past City Park, all the way to Gord Downie Pier. Along the way, you’ll take in the views of boats teeming in harbours, Murney Tower, and the “Time” sculpture all set with a waterfront backdrop.
If you walk along Sydenham Street and the surrounding neighbourhood, you’ll find stunning historic houses and large trees that make the perfect backdrop for your “casual” fall adventure walk photo. Notable points of interest to add to your list include Hochelaga Inn, Rosemount Inn, Goreview House at the intersection of Gore Street and Bagot, and the McIntosh Castle.
10. #IinKingston Sign // 209 Ontario Street
Pose, snap, and share photos in our “I” in Kingston sign located next to the Visitor Information Centre in Confederation Park. This sign is a hit with tourists and residents alike – also the perfect way to remember your trip to Kingston.
Fall in Kingston is a near-perfect time of year. The city is far enough north that we’re graced with beautiful fall colours as the leaves turn, but not so far that those reds, yellows, and oranges are accompanied by immediate freezing cold weather like in other places (sorry, Ottawa and Montreal). Apart from enjoying the beautiful change of season or cozying up to some local fall fare from any of the city’s exciting restaurants, pubs, and cafés—Kingston’s arts and culture scene this fall has loads to offer!
From performances to paintings, here are 20 events this fall that are sure to feed your culture needs.
All season long, you can see works by the Dutch master Rembrandt and his network of colleagues and students as they found their artistic stride early in their careers in a special exhibition at the Bader Gallery at Agnes Etherington Art Centre. This exhibition is not-to-be-missed and will begin its national tour across Canada after December 1.
Don’t miss one of the UK’s most dynamic and influential bands—Breabach. Their new spin on traditional Scottish folk music combines twin bagpipes, fiddle, bass, and guitar with Gaelic vocals and step dance, and has given them a strong foothold on the world stage.
If you’re after some iconically Canadian nostalgia then you can catch horn-rock legends, Lighthouse, at the Grand Theatre. Original founders Paul Hoffert and Ralph Cole lead an all-star line-up that includes original members Russ Little and Steve Kennedy with Chris Howells, Simon Wallis, Doug Moore, Don Paulton, Jamie Prokop and dynamic lead vocalist Dan Clancy.
Part of the Children’s Series at the Isabel, QAGGIAVUUT’s Arctic Song combines Inuit drum dance, throat singing, and contemporary music followed by a workshop on storytelling and throat music—sure to be an enriching family outing!
Francesco Pellegrino and the Vesuvius Ensemble will transport you through song to the sunny countryside of Southern Italy with energetic Italian folk songs played on traditional instruments. The beautiful tones of the tammorra, chitarra battente, ciaramella, and colascione, along with the chitarrone, guitars, and lutes will warm your heart and soul.
In conjunction with The Art of African Ivory exhibition, ongoing at the Agnes until April 12, 2020, this free public lecture by international scholar, educator and humanitarian Dr. Johnnetta Cole will discuss historical African ivory art, wildlife conservation, and museum responsibility. A reception will follow the lecture.
Kicking off the Bader and Overton Virtuosi Festival, the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will be joined by Canadian virtuoso pianist Jan Lisiecki in a program including a 2016 commission by Jessie Montgomery, Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1, and Mendelssohn’s virtuosic and sunny Italian Symphony.
October 17–November 2 (Thursday–Saturday) at Domino Theatre
This award-winning 1978 Broadway favourite will keep you enthralled with its devilish cleverness, abundant twists and turns, and have you laughing from when it starts until its startling conclusion.
Enjoy a musical review from the DAN School Ensembles including the Choral Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Polyhymnia, and the Music Theatre Ensemble. A reception with light refreshments and a cash bar will follow the concert.
In an evening of exquisite modern dance, RUBBERBAND dance company explore the vastly creative choreography of Victor Quijada in a clash of urban pop and classical composition that will defy audience expectations.
The Kingston Symphony Orchestra featuring Violinist Robert Uchida conducted by Evan Mitchell explores the bond between two of music history’s greatest—Brahms and Beethoven—in an evening of classical symphonic music sure to dazzle.
On tour from NBC’s hit competitive dance series World of Dance, this cross-country spectacular will feature some of the world’s best and most celebrated dancers—including this season’s champions The Kings, all the way from India.
Ottawa legend Bruce Cockburn takes the stage at Kingston’s Grand Theatre for a concert that is sure to leave a mark! As one of Canada’s most decorated and critically acclaimed songwriters, this evening of eclectic rock music is one to look forward to!
Join Dave Barton and his band for an evening of jazz standards spanning the decades and music from the great guitarists who’ve influenced his musical journey including Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Ed Bickert, John Scofield, Lennie Breau, and more!
This British acapella 8-piece vocal ensemble will show you a wonderful time with their unique and hauntingly beautiful renditions spanning an eclectic mix of songs and musical expression throughout the ages.
This interactive, family-friendly performance by the Kingston Symphony Orchestra is sure to have audience members young and old entertained. Explore some of the rock stars of the classical world including Rossini, Beethoven, Estacio, and more!
An evening of Beethoven, Shostakovich, and Brahms that’s sure to impress—the Fine Arts Quartet and Stewart Goodyear together, are a phenomenon. These spectacular musicians bring the concert to a spectacular close with Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor.
If you’re after a charming serenade, award-winning and multi-platinum selling Canadian crooner Matt Dusk will have you swooning to Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits. You’ll be charmed as Dusk puts his charismatic signature on your Sinatra favourites including Come Fly With Me, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, The Way You Look Tonight and so many more.
From the soulful anthems of the powerful black women who have inspired Measha throughout her career to the stirring spirituals from her recent multi-award-nominated album—you will be stunned by the vocal talent of Measha Brueggergosman.
20. Arkells – Rally Cry Tour with special guest COIN
November 16 at Leon’s Centre
Returning to the Leon’s Centre for the first time in almost two years, the multiple Juno Award-winning rock band are sure to put on a killer concert. Limited VIP tickets include a pre-show acoustic set and meet-and-greet with the band that true superfans of Arkells won’t want to miss!
Rembrandt sits at the head of the table that is Agnes’ Historical European Collection, comprised of more than 2,500 objects ranging from the 14th through the 20th centuries. The Bader Collection makes up about 85% of the larger Historical European Collection of paintings and includes Dutch and Flemish art from the Baroque era—you’ll recognize this style in incredibly realistic portraits, luxurious-looking still life and picturesque landscapes displayed in heavily ornate frames.
Photo: Forbes Photographer
Does that clear things up? No? Luckily, the Agnes gallery is open year-round and parts of the Historical European Collection are always on view so that you can get the full picture and appreciate the achievement of the masterpieces right here in Kingston, for free.
Commemorating the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death, this exhibition looks back on the Dutch master’s life, zeroing in on his early days as an artist where his unique, distinctive style took hold.
We’re invited to meet Rembrandt before he became “Rembrandt” in a space designed to give context to the artist. He worked closely with his so-called network of colleagues and students in the city of Leiden in the Netherlands to establish himself and his style.
Head of an Old Man in a Cap, around 1630 Photo: Agnes Etherington Art Centre
Leiden circa 1630: Rembrandt Emerges, will feature Rembrandt’s Head of an Old Man in a Cap, a character study, also known as a tronie in art circles, according to Bader Curator and Researcher of European Art Jacquelyn Coutré.
“Rembrandt was about 24 when he made this painting,” says Dr. Coutré. “Other artists were making these character studies at the same time but it was Rembrandt who managed to capture the wrinkles and the softness of the old man with incredible sensitivity. This young artist was so attuned to the signs of old age and rendered them in such a life-like way. He really took it to another level.”
Leiden circa 1630: Rembrandt Emerges debuted at Agnes on August 24, 2019, and will be up until December 1, 2019, before beginning its national tour with stops at the Art Gallery of Alberta, MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, and the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
The official season, however, launches on Thursday, September 19 with a Members’ Preview from 5–6 pm followed up by the Public Reception from 6–7:30 pm. Agnes curators and the director will be on-site during the reception to discuss the exhibitions and answer questions. The Public Reception will feature the Melos Choir and Period Instruments performing pieces by 16th- and 17th-century northern European composers.
To further animate the exhibition, there are two multimedia components, an interactive map and a short film to offer more information on the city of Leiden and the lifestyle the artists in Rembrandt’s network would have enjoyed.
Photo: Forbes Photographer
Admission is always free at Agnes, so this is a wonderful opportunity to take in some true masterpieces right here in Kingston. Plus, Dr. Coutré let us in on a secret that some of the pieces in Leiden circa 1630 have been loaned exclusively to Agnes for this exhibition—you definitely can’t miss it.
Ahead of the season launch of the Agnes exhibition Leiden circa 1630: Rembrandt Emerges, we spoke with Dr. Jacquelyn Coutré, Bader Curator and Researcher of European Art at Agnes Etherington Art Centre to discuss the brand new exhibition and find out why Rembrandt?
In the heart of the Queen’s campus, in Kingston, Ontario, Agnes Etherington Art Centre has a robust collection of historical European paintings—over 200 pieces—and at its core are now four works from the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, but we know him today simply as Rembrandt.
“The Bader Collection of European painting is a wonderful collection and quite distinctive in its focus on Rembrandt and his school,” says Dr. Coutré.
Photo: Agnes Etherington Art Centre
Obtaining works of art by Rembrandt was part of the late Dr. Alfred Bader’s vision. Dr. Bader had developed a deep fondness for the Old Masters of art in particular—especially after taking his first art history classes when he did his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Harvard, studying under Jakob Rosenberg, a major Rembrandt scholar in the early and mid-20th century. He travelled the world for business as a chemist but always took the time to visit auction houses and meet with art historians, often in Europe.
“There were no art history classes at Queen’s when Alfred was a student, and there was no Agnes. So, I think during his time at Harvard, he became aware of the power of having a high-quality collection of paintings on a university campus for students to learn from and enjoy.”
An on-campus gallery definitely struck a chord with Dr. Bader, and so the collection at Agnes began to take form. Many works have been donated to Agnes from Dr. Bader and his family, with the first donation in 1967. He wanted to acquire and share as many works by Rembrandt and his colleagues as possible.
What we get from Rembrandt’s work are masterpieces that feel real. He depicted human beings and he rendered Old Testament scenes and figures that were complex and full of character flaws—Dr. Bader believed people could really identify with that. “He liked seeing images of people who had complex emotions,” says Dr. Coutré. “Rembrandt, I think, was the master of depicting the emotional intensity of people.”
It’s a skill Rembrandt seems to have always possessed. In the current exhibition at Agnes, Leiden circa 1630: Rembrandt Emerges, we journey back to the artist’s early days before he became a household name. As he worked closely in the Dutch city of Leiden with his network of artists, competing against and learning from, his distinct style was emerging.
Head of an Old Man in a Cap, around 1630 Photo: Agnes Etherington Art Centre
The focus of the show centres around Rembrandt’s piece Head of an Old Man in a Cap. The piece is not a classic commissioned portrait, but its more affordable cousin, a character study or tronie. When people wanted something to hang on their wall, but couldn’t afford a portrait, they could buy something like this and it suited them just fine. It was accessible and affordable art, which is ironic given how revered a Rembrandt piece is today.
“Rembrandt was about 24 when he made this painting,” says Dr. Coutré. “Other artists were making these character studies at the same time but it was Rembrandt who managed to capture the wrinkles and the softness of the old man with incredible sensitivity. This young artist was so attuned to the signs of old age and rendered them in such a life-like way.”
It’s a piece that should be seen in person to truly appreciate.
Photo: Forbes Photographer
“It’s really a powerful experience to be in front of a work of art,” says Dr. Coutré. “You have a better appreciation of its basic components from scale to colour to proportion.”
Leiden circa 1630: Rembrandt Emerges debuted at Agnes on August 24, 2019, and will be up until December 1, 2019, before beginning its national tour with stops at the Art Gallery of Alberta, MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, and the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
The season launches with a Public Reception from 6 pm–7:30 pm on September 19, with the director and curators in attendance, an interactive map and film, and the Melos Choir and Period Instruments performing pieces by 16th- and 17th-century northern European composers to further animate the exhibition.
Photo: Forbes Photographer
Want to see more Rembrandt at Agnes? The other paintings now in storage will be back in the gallery starting in January 2020.
“You can just drop into the Agnes any time, we’re free to everyone,” says Dr. Coutré. “Spend time with your favourite Rembrandt, where else can you do that? It’s really unique.”
Don’t miss a chance to experience the Leiden circa 1630 exhibition before it moves on. Book your stay in Kingston.
Coastal rowing is one of Canada’s fastest growing competitive and recreational water sports and the Limestone City has one of its biggest promoters and current Canadian champion in its midst.
Samuel Lavoie, 39, a personal trainer at Good Life Fitness in downtown Kingston and a member of the Kingston Rowing Club, has been using a coastal rowing boat since 2010.
Coastal boat shells are wider than a traditional racing shell. The wider shells allow the boats to be rowed in more windy and wavy conditions and are more user-friendly than the traditional flat water shells. With its durability it is also a boat that is easy to learn and control. Coastal boats come as a single, double or quad vessel.
Photo Credit: Ian MacAlpine
Although the Cataraqui River in Kingston is a great venue for traditional rowers, many of which have gone on to represent Kingston and Canada at the Olympics, Lavoie said the mostly calm water on the Cataraqui is a bit boring for a coastal rower like himself.
“Coastal rowing brings the fun because when its windy you can go in the water and it’s fun. When the water is flat rowing is hard,” Lavoie said in an interview recently at the Kingston Rowing Club next to the Woolen Mill.
Once Lavoie gets off of the Cataraqui River and into Lake Ontario past Kingston’s downtown that’s where the fun begins for him.
“Late in the afternoon you pass that bridge (LaSalle Causeway) there and it’s paradise for coastal rowing,” he said. “We have the best places for coastal rowing.”
Lavoie likes to row along Kingston’s shores west of the Causeway and to Wolfe Island and back in his coastal rowing shell.
“I love rowing just to enjoy the water.”
Canadian rower Samuel Lavoie demonstrates a coastal shell in an undated file photo. Submitted Photo/Kingston Whig-Standard/Postmedia Network
Lavoie, a native of northern Quebec, who has been living in Kingston with his wife for the last year, likes the fact that coastal rowing can be done in most weather conditions. It’s even more fun when it’s windy out and the water is wavy.
Traditional rowing, Lavoie said, is a demanding sport and not for everybody.
“You have to push hard and it’s very challenging. Coastal rowing is open for everybody, people that know how to row they can transfer to coastal rowing.”
Lavoie said if the water is rough traditional rowers go inside to work on the rowing machine but coastal rowers love those tough conditions.
“When you’re out on the water, there’s nature around you, you’re having fun,” he said. “I just want people to discover this sport that is amazing.”
Lavoie is the current Canadian champion in the single coastal rowing event having won the B-Final in the World Championships last fall on Vancouver Island. Being the highest-finishing Canadian competitor at the worlds gave him the national title. Canada doesn’t yet have a national championship in the sport.
Lavoie hopes to compete in the 2019 World Championships in Hong Kong in November.
Photo Credit: Ian MacAlpine
Races at the world championships are traditionally four or six kilometers in length and feature men’s and women’s singles, mixed doubles or quad competitions.
In mid-August Lavoie competed in another event, beach sprint, in St. Catharines. The event featured a 50 metre sprint on the beach followed by a 250 metre row in a in open water on a coastal rowing boat followed by a another 50 metre sprint on the beach to finish the race.
Lavoie finished fourth in the solo competition and second in the mixed-doubles sprint race.
Lavoie hopes people can contact him through the Kingston Rowing Club and try out one of their two coastal boats.
“I’ve always been into coastal rowing, I just love the sport of rowing in general,” he said. “I’m 39-years-old but I’ve never felt as young as I feel right now. I feel very lucky to be able to practice what I love.”
If you’ve read anything on this site, the name Tianna Edwards is sure to ring a bell. Besides contributing to the great content here, she also runs Keep Up With Kingston a blog she started up after returning home to Kingston after 10 years in Toronto.
Follow her adventures as she explores the latest tastes, sounds, and events popping up around the city—with a focus on locally owned establishments. Her writing has taken her all over Kingston and she shares with us a few of her favourite things about the limestone city.
Burger Night at west end restaurant, Bella Bistro, is one of my favourite things to enjoy mid-week with girlfriends. They support local farmers and curate as much as they can locally so everything tastes so fresh. They also make their own milk buns in house and words can’t express how delicious they are. Burger Night is on Wednesdays and it never disappoints.
Jess and Cade, owners of NORTHSIDE, know how to do brunch. Together with their chef Marty, they’ve created the most thoughtful menu inspired by the cafe culture of Melbourne, Australia. They use as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible. I am obsessed with the chai tea latte as well as their turmeric latte. Besides the incredible food and drink, the space is absolutely stunning and filled with lots of beautiful green plants. I just love it here.
Both the ferry to Prince Edward County and the ferry to Wolfe Island are my favourite in the summer. On a slow summer day is just feels right to glide along the water and take in the views. Bonus if you catch the ferry in the evening and get to enjoy the sunset on the water.
This hot yoga studio is the perfect place to find balance. It’s a beautiful, big space with great instructors that lead the classes in a way that makes yogis of all levels feel welcome.
The Sunday Memorial Market is the best! The sweet potato buns from the Goaty Girls are my favourite—especially with their chevre for spreading. I also love picking up the fresh produce and baked goods offered by all of the amazing local vendors. The Kingston Public Market in Springer Market Square is also a gem. Especially in the height of summer. Not just for the food on Saturday but also the antique goodies market on Sunday. Sunday’s antique market offers prints, furniture and vintage knick-knacks. Love it.
These tours capture Kingston’s food culture in the most wonderful way. Our restaurants’ awesome ability to use the freshest ingredients, harness the innovative ideas of our talented, young chefs and celebrate local ingredients provided by our amazing farmers. They give a thorough history of Kingston and its culinary scene. It’s a great way to get a glimpse of Kingston and fill your belly, too.
Kingston has the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the summer. City Park, Lake Ontario Park, Skeleton Park, Douglas Fluhrer. I love to grab a picnic and go to any of these parks, They are well taken care of and offer the most serene views.
The #11 (shrimp red curry) at Pat’s Restaurant with veg is my go-to comfort food. Pat’s is a Cambodian restaurant on Princess, west of Division that serves the most consistent, authentic dishes. Yum.
Getting a breakfast sandwich and ginger lemon tea (made in house) on the patio at Juniper Cafe is my absolute favourite summer activity. It is located at the back of the Tett Centre and has a beautiful, unobstructed view of Lake Ontario. It’s so quiet and wonderful. They make sure to source their ingredients locally and bake everything in-house. It’s just the best. Plus, if you visit right before the sun sets it’s a great experience.
Kingston has a rich history. It was Canada’s first capital, home to Canada’s first Prime Minister, and the location of Fort Henry, which to this day is the largest military fortification west of Quebec City. It’s also a serious foodie town—but how are Kingston’s food and history related?
Local entrepreneur Paul Fortier has owned and operated Jessup Food & Heritage since 1989, when he opened his first restaurant in Prescott, Ontario in a heritage building that was used as a barracks during the war of 1812. “A handful of the neighbours objected and then so did the municipality and the matter went to the Ontario Municipal Board.” Fortier recounts. “It was the story of David and Goliath.”
Photo via Paul Fortier: Cajun on King dining room
Since then, Fortier has accomplished a great deal in Kingston including being the sole food service provider at Kingston’s Fort Henry from 1994 to 2017. Jessup Food & Heritage now comprises 3 unique venues: The Public House, located in the one-time law office of Sir John A. MacDonald, Cajun on King directly upstairs, and Renaissance Event Venue in the oldest surviving church structure in Kingston (built in 1837).
Photo via Paul Fortier: The Public House Patio
Paul’s background in history and museum studies couldn’t quell his nurtured passion for food. “Both of my parents were excellent home cooks and one of my grandmothers operated a lunch restaurant […] between Kingston and Montreal during the 1930s and 40s.” He continues: “After having spent more than 20 years working for the federal government I was drawn to food service by the camaraderie and the instant gratification I observed in the hospitality industry.”
People in the foodservice industry talk about their work as a labour of love—but the labour is present and intense. On the notion of instant gratification in the industry Paul says: “When […] talking to guests it is always gratifying to hear how much they enjoyed the food, service, and ambiance.” Fortier continues, “You get that immediate feedback and it can be constant.”
Photo via Paul Fortier: Renaissance Event Venue upper salon from the balcony
Paul’s receptiveness to feedback has made The Public House a local favourite as well as a cornerstone of Kingston’s LGBTQ Community: “My partner and I have always made our venues available to support LGBTQ events as well as sponsor them in other ways when possible.” Jessup Food & Heritage hosts all kinds of events, says Fortier. ”We are open to anything and like to be as flexible as possible hosting dance parties, weddings, vegan food shows, fashion shows, drag shows, and an annual kink festival.”
Paul’s businesses offer varied elements of Canadian cuisine. His previous career as an historian comes through when he talks about the early influences on food in Canada; Indigenous hunting and fishing traditions combined with the culinary influence of the French, English, Irish, and Scottish immigrants. “More recently,” says Fortier, “Canada has become a haven of immigrants from around the world and their international food traditions have become very much of Canada.”
Photo via Paul Fortier: Grilled vegetable & chèvre tart – The Public House
“Examining the role of food and hospitality in our cultures,” he continues, “helps us understand who we are today.” To Paul Fortier, food and history are inextricably linked, and though it is more ubiquitous now, foodie culture and ideas about farm-to-table eating have been around for centuries. “We have recipe books from Roman times,” says Fortier. “While in the past the world of the gourmand may have been restricted to the rich and the ruling elite, it was something that crossed all periods of history.”
Fortier says, “Local and seasonal food is a reality of the past that we are just re-learning.” Kingston’s proximity to local farms gives him access to a great local food supply: “We use locally-sourced food including most of our meats from Quinn’s Meats in Yarker and local cheeses from the Wilton Cheese Factory.”
Photo via Paul Fortier: Cajun Crawfish Boil – Cajun on King
Paul hopes Kingston’s downtown food scene continues to grow and evolve. “Kingston is a small town with a big city feel,” says Fortier. “The downtown and local attractions like Fort Henry make it a delight for locals and visitors.”
Even though Kingston and the service industry have changed, Paul Fortier and Jessup Food & Heritage are helping to keep Kingston well-fed, and connected to its roots. If you’d like to learn more about Jessup Food & Heritage, visit The Public House or Cajun on King, or book your next event at the Renaissance Event Venue—you can visit their website.
14 years ago, I moved back to Kingston from Vancouver to be closer to family—and because I love this city. There are many things to love about Kingston, but some highlights for me are how many great musicians call Kingston home, I love to take in their shows. And you can’t beat the beautiful waterfront views.
Below are ten of my favourite things about Kingston.
There are so many opportunities to take in the beautiful views of Kingston’s waterfront and surrounding lakes. You can live in the city and take a 10-minute drive to some of the best lakes in Ontario.
At no charge, you can drive onto the Wolfe Island Ferry, have a great meal, and take a scenic drive on the island. Hopping over to Wolfe Island is a perfect way to spend a summer day.
5. Live music
Kingston’s live music scene and amazing local bands can’t be missed. I always enjoy live music at my own place (The Merchant) but I really enjoy seeing bands at the Toucan and the Mansion.
I’ve travelled around the world and we have one of the nicest city halls I’ve seen. The city also puts on so many great events in Springer Market Square and Confederation Park which are right next to City Hall.
We have great coaches and volunteers here in Kingston. The fields and arenas at the Invista Centre are amazing. And I love that the Leon’s Centre—home to the Frontenacs and a stop to many touring performers—is located downtown.
I am proud that The Tragically Hip and Glorious Sons are from Kingston. There are so many amazing bands and singers and many great acts touring that love Kingston and stop in to play at small venues. The Trews are always popping in to play at small venues.
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