Your Kingston May Festivals Guide

The Breakout Project

Kingston doesn’t really have a festivals season, per se, but the number and diversity of fests in the city definitely picks up every spring. This May, for instance, there’s National Youth Week, the HomeGrown Live Music Festival, a cask beer festival and an arts expo, to name just four. Here are the details on 10 happening throughout the month.   

The Juvenis Festival
Photo via The Juvenis Festival

April 29 – May 7
Citywide
This is the second year for this youth arts fest, and if the first year was any indication you’re in for a treat. The three main areas of focus are arts education, professional development and youth-curated and created arts presentations. Think musicals at The Baby Grand, a temporary art gallery in a downtown storefront, live music at Musiikki Café, films at The Screening Room, a battle of the bands at Ale House and way more. Varying prices. juvenisfestival.ca

National Youth Week
Kingston National Youth Week
Photo via FlickrCC: VisAustralia

May 1 – 7
The Juvenis Festival is just part of the festivities happening across Kingston for National Youth Week. The City has also organized a number of free events — many at Artillery Park —  including arts workshops, movie nights, open gym afternoons, leisure swims and even a kickboxing for beginners session. The United Way is getting in on the action too with its “Success by 6 Week” and free family-friendly activities like movies, swims, celebrity story time, moms and tots yoga, and more. Free. unitedwaykfla.ca

Kingston Potters’ Guild Spring Show and Sale
Kingston Potters’ Guild Spring Show and Sale
Photo via FlickrCC: ShenghungLin

May 4 – 7
The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning
The Kingston Potters’ Guild turns 50 this year, making it one of the oldest pottery guilds in Ontario. Check out what the current members have been creating recently at this annual show, where you can also purchase ceramics and support a thriving local industry at the same time. Times: Thursday 5pm – 9pm, Friday 10am – 9pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm. Free. kingstonpottersguild.com

HomeGrown Live Music Festival
HomeGrown Live Music Festival
Photo via TurpinsTrail

May 6
Citywide
For eight years now this one-day live music fest has been celebrating Kingston’s incredible music scene and supporting local charities and causes at the same time. Each of the 13 participating venues will feature performers in a similar genre. Sir John A’s Pub is all about folk music, for example, while at The Mansion expect psychedelic, Blu Martini rock and Musiikki electroacoustic. This year’s proceeds go to the Joe Chithalen Memorial Musical Instrument Lending Library. All-access bracelet: $10. homegrownlive.ca

Red House Downtown Cask Fest
Red House Downtown Cask Fest
Photo via FlickrCC: JenniferYin

May 7, 2pm – 5:30pm
Red House Downtown
Cask-conditioned beer, or “real ale” as it’s sometimes called, is unfiltered and unpasteurized beer that’s served from a cask. Because no additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide is added, it has a fresh, soft texture. Taste a few of the best made locally as well as a few bottle- and barrel-aged craft beers at this afternoon of beery good times. Featured brewers will include MacKinnon Brothers, Stone City Ales, Napanee Beer Company, Nickel Brook and more. $25 ticket includes five beer tickets and bar snacks. redhousedowntown.ca

The Breakout Project
The Breakout Project
Photo via The Breakout Project

May 10 – 12
Fort Henry
Part conference, part hackathon, this three-day festival will be Canada’s biggest social innovation event. Working around the clock, 10 teams will compete to raise the human and financial capital needed to kickstart social good projects designed to improve our communities, society and planet. Thousands of people are expected, including renowned speakers, experts, investors and maybe you. Sam Roberts Band will close things out with a free concert in Springer Market Square. $49 – $349. thebreakoutproject.com

Science Rendezvous
Science Rendezvous
Photo via FlickrCC: Queen’sUniversity

May 13, 10am – 3pm
Rogers K-Rock Centre
Though it’s known as a hockey arena, the Rogers K-Rock Centre will be transformed into a pop-up science centre for one day only. Enter the inflatable dome to experience the stars and constellations. Control a WWI Sopwith Ship Camel biplane with your body. Make a kaleidoscope. Meet scientists. Participate in an experiment or special presentation. Whatever your family’s interest in science, technology, engineering and math, there will be something to get each of you inspired by the wonders of the universe. Free. rogersk-rockcentre.com

Tett Arts Expo 2017
Tett Arts Expo 2017
Photo via The Tett Centre

May 13, 10am – 4 pm
The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning
This will be one of your best chances all year to truly get a taste of what this gorgeous waterfront arts hub is all about. Home to arts organizations, studios, rental spaces, community areas and a licensed café, The Tett will open all of its doors all day to get you inspired. Meet the artists. Experience hands-on arts workshops and demos. Find beautiful, locally made creations. Browse the art gallery. Just scratch that creative itch. Free or by donation. Some workshops require registration. tettcentre.org

Victoria Day Celebrations
Victoria Day Celebrations
Photo via FlickrCC: BlixtA

May 22, 1pm – 9:30pm
Lake Ontario Park
Celebrate the unofficial start of summer with a full day of family-friendly fun on the waterfront capped off with fireworks. The Fire Guy will be there eating, juggling and breathing fire. The Thousand Islands Playhouse will perform “Daisy Amazed.” A zip line and obstacle course will be set up, as will inflatable bouncers and a canine obstacle course. From 6pm to 8pm look forward to live entertainment from Taylor Angus, the Jordy Jackson Band and Absolute Journey Tribute. Stay fuelled with eats from local food trucks onsite throughout the day. cityofkingston.ca

Art After Dark Spring 2017

Art After Dark Spring 2017
May 26, 7pm – 10pm
Downtown
Downtown Kingston is home to dozens of art galleries, and at this bi-annual nighttime festival you’ll get into 18 of them for free. Some will have special events and light refreshments, but at each you’ll have the chance to enter to win a $500 art shopping spree. Chart your gallery course using this handy map. Free. downtownkingston.ca

Up Close and Personal with Chef Clark Day: Bayview Farm Restaurant

Chef Clark Day wants Canadians to watch fewer chef shows on television and get into their own kitchens. “It’s just cooking,” he says, “It’s not like changing the transmission on a BMW.”

Day, who was recently made a Fellow of the Ontario Hostelry Institute, needs little introduction around Kingston. The long-time restaurateur is something of a local legend and is perhaps the closest Kingston comes to having a celebrity chef. He is renowned for creating seriously good food and for being refreshingly unpretentious: a winning combination.

The man himself, Chef Clark Day.

Day opened his first restaurant, the River Mill in 1985, before going on to open Clark’s by the Bay, Clark’s on King, and Aquaterra by Clark in the Radisson/Delta hotel.

In 2015, Day opened Bayview Farm restaurant on the old family homestead – the same place where he once ran the bigger, more formal Clark’s by the Bay. The old stone house built in 1831, and picturesque property looking out across at Collins Bay, was once the home of Day’s grandparents, Harriet and Harold Clark. It’s also the house where Clark and Laurie Day live and where they raised their three children.

Table at Bayview Farm.
An exceptional culinary experience is waiting for you.

Lindy Mechefske: Where did you find your love of food?
Clark Day: I found my passion for food young. I grew up in Europe, where my father, an RCMP officer, was stationed at Canadian Embassies in Germany and Switzerland. We spent time as a family traveling through the area and often into France. I was a fussy eater but I discovered truly great food and those early years influenced my thinking about food. About how important good food is.

LM: How did you train to be a chef?
CD: I started in the restaurant industry in the early 80s learning everything I could. I tell young chefs to be a nomad for a decade and absorb all they can about food and cooking. You learn an awful lot by watching and even more by doing. When Laurie and I first opened a restaurant, we were each working in excess of sixty hours a week and raising our young family. That’s life in the restaurant industry. You need to be passionate about food to sustain that kind of workload and lifestyle.

LM: How would you describe your cooking style?
CD: I like honest, rustic, real, straightforward food made with the highest quality ingredients possible. It’s true, the adage, you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. I have a deep and abiding respect for farmers and growers and food producers.

LM: What misconceptions are there about Canadian food?
CD: I hear people complaining about fusion food but the truth is, Canada is a melting pot – a fusion society. Fusion makes sense. As for myself, I like the simplicity of European food and the complexity of Asian. I think it’s time we embraced cooking that incorporates all aspects of Canadian culture.

LM: What would you like to see change about Canadian food and cooking?
CD: I’d like Canadians to embrace local farmers, local food producers, growers, and Ontario wineries and breweries. Food doesn’t come from a store in plastic wrap.

LM: When are you happiest at work?
CD: When I have a newbie in the kitchen that I’ve opened up the door for. Or when we feel like we’ve made someone’s night important.

LM: What’s your favourite off duty, go-to-meal at home?
CD: A simple cheese fondue with great things to dip in it like broccoli, ham, pears, apples, and of course bread. Or a really great hamburger. Hamburgers are underrated. We like special occasions too. There are 23 family members who come for Christmas. We all pitch in and make tapas. It’s perfect and everyone is happy: adults, children, vegetarians, those with food restrictions. It’s a slow, leisurely day with lots of great food, gifts, music and very little pressure.

LM: If you could cook for anyone at all, who would you choose?
CD: Mother Theresa and anyone she wanted me to cook for.

LM: What do you value most in life?
CD: Living life right, family, food, music, decency, ethics, morals, and wine tasting. I’m not a big drinker but I love wine tasting.

LM: Who are some of your favourite local suppliers?
CD: These are just a few of my regular suppliers:
Burt’s Greenhouse
Crosswinds Goat Farm
Cave Springs
Enright Cattle Company
Featherstone Estate Winery
Fielding Estate Winery
Freedom Farm
Glengarry Cheese
Hagerman’s Farms
Karlo Estates
Milk House
Ontario Water Buffalo Company
Patchwork Gardens
Rosehall Run
Sun Harvest
Wendy’s Mobile Market
Wilton Cheese
Bayview Farm Restaurant, 4085 Bath Road, Kingston, is open for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Reservations are recommended. For more information including the full menu, please visit their website.
Lindy Mechefske is the award-winning author of Sir John’s Table and A Taste of Wintergreen. You can find her blogging about her adventures in the kitchen at lindymechefske.com

25 Things to do in Kingston in May 2017

For the most recent 25 things to do list in May, please visit this link. 

There are plenty of things to keep you busy in Kingston this May – including the hotly anticipated Breakout Project, The Juvenis Festival, Homegrown Live, a free outdoor concert with Sam Roberts, Science Rendezvous and much, much more!
Event: The Juvenis Festival Date: April 29 - May 7, 2017
Event: The Grand Theatre Presents Tanya Tagaq Date: May 3, 2017
Event: King’s Town Players - Of Mice and Men Date: May 3 - May 13, 2017
Event: A Tribute to Elvis in Concert Date: May 4, 2017
Event: Mark Herman Performs on Canada’s Largest Theatre Organ Date: May 5, 2017
Event: Homegrown Live Music Festival Date: May 6, 2017
Event: Kingston Grandmother Connection Spring Market Date: May 6, 2017
Event: Boots’n Bonnet Car Club Presents Autojumble Date: May 7, 2017
Event: Da Roma a Venezia – Baroque music of Italy Date: May 7, 2017
Event: The Breakout Project Date: May 10 - May 12, 2017
Event: Sam Roberts Band – Free Concert Date: May 12, 2017
Event: Science Rendezvous Kingston Date: May 13, 2017
Event: Kingston Derby Girls Date: May 13, 2017
Event: Street Ballerinas Performance Art Project Date: May 13, 2017
Event: Rockland Entertainment Inc. Presents: An Evening With Charley Pride Date: May 15, 2017
Event: The Good Food Box Cooking Workshop Date: May 18, 2017
Event: Napoleon Voyage Date: May 18, 2017
Event: New Exhibit at the Marine Museum of The Great Lakes Date: May 20, 2017
Event: Opening Day of the Murney Tower Museum Date: May 20, 2017
Event: Riverdance 20 Years: The Anniversary Tour Date: May 21, 2017
Event: Les Miserables and Miss Saigon Broadway Concert Series at the Grand Date: May 26, 2017
Event: Art After Dark Spring 2017 Date: May 26, 2017
Event: The Man In Black Date: May 27, 2017
Event: Mandarin MS Walk Date: May 28, 2017
Event: Le Rendez-Vous “Danses” Date: May 31, 2017
Would you like your event covered in our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration! Look for the ‘Add Event’ button on our Events Calendar!

Your Summer 2017 Kingston Festivals Guide

The sunniest season is almost here, and to help you get ready, here are 12 summer festivals happening in Kingston to put on your can’t-miss list. This is just a taste of what’s to come, though. For a full plate of Kingston summer fests, keep your eye out for my monthly lists.

June

Sarah Harmer plays the Skeleton Park Arts Festival on Saturday, June 24th
Sarah Harmer plays the Skeleton Park Arts Festival on Saturday, June 24th. (Photo: spaceamoeba/Flickr Creative Commons)
YGK Craft Beer Fest: June 10, 12 pm – 8 pm

Fort Henry
This third annual craft beer fest is upping its game this year with more breweries, bigger samples, a full day of live music, and cider and wine options. Fresh local eats from the likes of Dianne’s, Harper’s Burger Bar and others will be there too, as will those unbeatable downtown views, of course.
$15 + HST. Free for kids 5 and under and Cannonball Crush participants
forthenry.com


Doors Open Kingston: June 17

Many of the 25 doors on this festival’s list are open all year, but Doors Open is always a good way to find out more about what’s inside. Think guided tours of the Islamic Centre, a new exhibition at the Pump House Steam Museum focusing on bizarre objects from Kingston’s past, and a display of rare items at the W.D. Jordan Rare Books and Special Collections Library.
Free
doorsopenontario.on.ca


Skeleton Park Arts Festival: June 21 – 25

McBurney Park
Celebrate summer solstice with Sarah Harmer, Fred Penner, free morning yoga, a jazz parade and way more at this five-day multidisciplinary fest. Every year it welcomes artists from the city and around the world and takes place in and around Kingston’s historic McBurney Park (aka Skeleton Park). The wide-ranging lineup has something for every age.
Free
skeletonparkartsfest.ca


July

Jugglers, acrobats and flame swallowers will take over downtown Kingston between July 6th and 9th for the annual Buskers Rendezvous.
Jugglers, acrobats and flame swallowers will take over downtown Kingston between July 6th and 9th for the annual Buskers Rendezvous. (Photo: The Great Waterway)
Canada Day: July 1

The country turns 150 this year, so you can be sure Canada’s first capital will host one of the nation’s biggest parties. The Limestone Mile marathon, People Parade and, of course, fireworks on the waterfront will make their return, but new events should make their mark too, including the exhibition “Road Trip: Across Canada with Alan C. Collier” at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre.
Mostly free
City of Kingston


Kingston Buskers Rendezvous: July 6 – 9

Downtown
What began as a side note to Kingston’s July sidewalk sale has turned into one of the region’s most popular festivals of the year. The reasons for that rise include the calibre of street performers from around the world who perform and the beauty and accessibility of downtown Kingston itself. The result is a fest that’s attracted the young, old and everyone in between for 28 years.
Donation per performance
downtownkingston.ca


Taste of Kingston: July 30, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Confederation Park
A whopping 5,000-plus people are expected at the 19th annual Taste of Kingston this year. And no wonder. Some of this city’s best restos will be in the park serving up tasty bite-size eats in support of Diabetes Canada. Have your say on the day’s best bites at the public voting competition.
Tickets: $1/each (servings will cost $1 – $5)
diabetes.ca


August

The city’s all-day street party, aka the Princess Street Promenade, returns August 5th
The city’s all-day street party, aka the Princess Street Promenade, returns August 5th. (Photo: Robin Dawes/Flickr Creative Commons)
After a 2016 hiatus, the Wolfe Island Music Festival returns to rock August 11th and 12th.
After a 2016 hiatus, the Wolfe Island Music Festival returns to rock August 11th and 12th. (Photo: Matt Forsythe)
Princess Street Promenade: August 5, 10 am – 4 pm

Princess Street
To “promenade” means to take a leisurely stroll, and the best place to do so this August long weekend may well be Princess Street. Closed to traffic between Ontario and Division Streets all day, Princess will come alive with businesses, community groups and restaurants hosting special pop-up food events, sidewalk sales, games, a climbing wall and way more.
Free
downtownkingston.ca


Wolfe Island Music Festival: August 11 – 12

Wolfe Island
After a 2016 hiatus, the Wolfe Island Music Festival returns this year. And thank goodness. Where else in the country can you take a 20-minute ferry to an intimate island festival featuring some of the biggest names in Canadian indie music? The lineups for the indoor shows and outdoor Saturday event haven’t been released yet, but past artists have included Shad, Constantines and the Sam Roberts Band, so expect good ones.
Prices not yet available
wolfeislandmusicfestival.com


Limestone City Blues Fest: August 24 – 27

Downtown
This yearly big kahuna of a festival features one hundred hours of live blues music on outdoor stages and in downtown bars, restaurants and clubs — all for just a $15 bracelet. The 2017 lineup hasn’t been set yet, but with past appearances by legends like Edgar Winter and Joe Louis Walker, rest assured it’ll once again offer the greatest value of any Kingston festival this year.
$15
downtownkingston.ca


September
The second annual Limestone City Tattoo and Arts Festival will host 40 tattoo artists from Canada, the U.S. and beyond.
The second annual Limestone City Tattoo and Arts Festival will host 40 tattoo artists from Canada, the U.S. and beyond. (Photo: Limestone City Tattoo and Arts Festival)
Garrison Family Fun Fest: September 9 – 10

CFB Kingston
Garrison Kingston will mark Canada’s 150th with what should be its best annual fun fest. Legendary Canadian rockers Trooper, Honeymoon Suite and Sass Jordan will play on Saturday night, while the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will put on two special shows over the weekend. Also expect family-friendly activities, military exhibits, good food and a beer garden.
Prices not yet available
pspkingston.com


Limestone City Tattoo and Arts Festival: September 16 – 17

Four Points by Sheraton
This tattoo arts fest was a huge hit last year, so organizers aren’t changing much. About 40 carefully selected artists from Canada, the US and elsewhere will be there to tattoo, and vendors will be onsite selling artwork and tattoo culture-related products. Organized events, entertainment and after-show parties will round out the weekend.
Prices not yet available
limestonetattoofestival.com


Kingston Writersfest: September 27 – October 1

Multiple locations
Every year, it seems, this literary festival featuring readings, events and masterclasses gets better and better. In 2015, Patrick DeWitt, Jane Urquhart and Lawrence Hill showed. Last year, 75 writers that included David Mitchell, Lisa Moore and Emma Donaghue were there. The 2017 lineup hasn’t been released yet, but expect more literary heavyweights.
Prices not yet available
kingstonwritersfest.ca

Find What Moves You at Electric Circuits Electronic Music Festival

On April 7 and 8, two of Kingston’s premiere creative spaces will transform into a hypnotic swirl of sounds, sights, and experiences, thanks to the Electric Circuits electronic music festival. This brand new fest will combine the many genres of electronic music with enchanting visuals and performances, creating a vibe like nothing we’ve seen before in YGK. We spoke with Kristiana Clemens, head of programming for the fest, to find out what kind of digital delights you can look forward to at Electric Circuits.

Electric Circuits promises a wild weekend of eye-opening experiences. Photo via Electric Circuits

“It’s the first event of its kind in our city,” she says. “Electric Circuits will bring together amazing cutting edge music, incredible new visual art, and dance.” And this isn’t just a one-night gig – the festival runs for two magical nights, with each evening’s party taking over a different artistic space. If you’re coming from outside the city, you’ll definitely want to book a weekend stay at a hotel downtown to make sure you can soak up every moment of this one-of-a-kind weekend.

Get ready to dance to beautiful beats from artists like Hans Ohm. Photo via Electric Circuits

The Electric Circuits experience will kick off on Friday night at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. The night will begin at 9pm as a mellow, ambient chill-out space, ramping up the energy as the night progresses, and ending on a hyped-up, energetic dance party that goes until 1am. Saturday night’s electronic extravaganza will be at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning. This party will include three separate music-filled rooms, each filled with their own unique atmosphere and musical style. The second night’s festivities will run all night – from 10pm to 6am – allowing revelers to dance, explore, and just absorb the atmosphere to their hearts’ content.
At each of the weekend’s parties, visual artists will use video projections and experimental film to transform the space into something uniquely entrancing. The Tett’s all-night party will also feature movement-based performances, including an aerial and dance acts, as well as performance art.

Erin Ball will move to the music with an astounding aerial performance. Photo via Electric Circuits

The musical styles will feature a huge variety, ranging from relaxing, downbeat ambient tunes to the more pulse-thumping rhythms of techno, house, and drum & bass. But the artists at the fest will all have one thing in common: “we’re showcasing only artists who are based on Canada,” says Clemens. “That was a conscious choice of ours: to celebrate the emerging art scene that we have here, to allow artists to connect with one another, and to reach new audiences as well.”
For those new to electronic music, Electric Circuits is the perfect way to dip a toe into this fresh and ever-evolving musical style. “For people that are interested in new music and electronic sound, but maybe aren’t looking for a nightclub experience, this event might provide a new opportunity,” says Clemens. “We encourage attendees to just show up and explore the spaces that are being created, and to find what moves you.” The fest has also been designed to be as inclusive as possible to all audiences, with all-ages admittance and wheelchair-accessible venues.

Expect a welcoming vibe and a magical atmosphere.
Photo via Electric Circuits

Clemens expects the vibe of the whole weekend to be exciting, fun, and kind of magical. “I think that when you combine really moving and powerful sound with visual images and also add some amazing visual artists and performers into the mix, you get a really potent and transformative experience,” she says. “That’s really what we’re hoping to create for audiences: a mind-expanding couple of evenings of new music, and new art, that can really inspire people.”
Electric Circuits runs from April 7 to 8 at The Isabel and The Tett. Lineups and set times for musical acts will be released closer to the festival date. For more information, go to www.electriccircuits.org.

Celebrating Canada’s 150th in Kingston

For Kingston as our nation’s First Capital, the Sesquicentennial promises to be a pretty amazing year, chock full of events; some we have grown to love, and a few new ones to keep us entertained! Along with lighting up our City Hall, planting 150 maple trees, finishing our beloved K&P Trail, and an extra special July 1 celebration – be sure to mark you calendars with all that YGK will offer in the upcoming year!

For the History Buff


Step back in time at Fort Henry! Saturday May 20 marks their opening day for the season, a season full of Sunset Ceremonies, exploring the history of the Fort, visiting with staff in period costume and getting lost in the secret tunnels.
Have you ordered your FREE Parks Canada Discovery Pass? Use it to gain entry into the Bellevue House, once home to Canada’s First Prime Minister, Kingston’s own Sir John A. MacDonald.
Be sure to visit one of Kingston’s many museums for special Pop-Up exhibits throughout the year. Think you have something worthy of being in a museum? Check out one of the “Bring you Thing” events.

For the Music Lover

Kingston is home to many music festivals, I expect all will kick it up a notch for this sesqui year. Here are just a couple to mark on your calendar! April 7 and 8 will see the first ever Electric Circuits, an electronic music festival, the return (after a 1 year hiatus) of the Wolfe Island Music Festival August 11 & 12, Chill on the Hill at Fort Henry  on July 15 and Bluesfest returns August 24-27.

For the Foodie



YGK loves food-and we have plenty of great places to eat, and some great talent feeding us. We also love festivals, add them together, throw in a few pints, and you’ve got yourself a Craft Beer & Food festival. TWICE! June 10th will see the YGK Craft Beer Fest-Canada 150 Edition! We’re promised more beer, more food, more entertainment, and a special nod to Canada 150. From September 8–10, the Ribfest & Craft Beer Show returns for the 5th year at the Memorial Centre.

For the Family


Head down to City Park on June 15 for the annual First Capital Day where you can step back in time and experience life in the 1800’s.! Downtown Kingston will host the Buskers Rendezvous  July 6-9, an event that will delight everyone of every age with the music and amazing stunts performed by street artists from around the world. The Kingston Sheepdog trials will return to Grass Creek Park from August 7-13. The Skeleton Park Art Fest  has grown from their June festival to include many family friendly events throughout the year. Be sure to attend the community run festival that kicks off the summer, a day of music, theatre and crafts for kids!

For the Art Lover

On September 10th, be sure to join in the celebrations of the different cultures we have in Kingston at the 8th annual Mulicultural Art Fest. At City Park from July 1-3, we will see the return of ArtFest, showcasing 150 artists and artisians from across Ontario & Quebec. For the young aspiring artists, April 30-June 7th will see the return of Juvenis Festival;  a performance arts festival geared towards youth aged 13-30, who can partake in workshops and performances.
Kingston is looking forward to a full year ahead, hope you can join in on one, or many of the events listed above or others not yet listed! Happy 150th to all!

Kingston’s Cultural Gems: The Grand Theatre

If you’re in search of an evening of entertainment and exhilaration, look no further than The Grand Theatre. Kingston’s premiere venue for all things related to music, comedy, and performance, this intimate theatre plays host to some of the world’s most exciting acts. We spoke to performing arts manager Jayson Duggan to learn more about this year’s most buzz-worthy shows, and why top talents keep flocking to The Grand.

Visit Kingston: What is your role at the Kingston Grand?

Jayson Duggan: As performing arts manager for the City of Kingston, part of my job is to curate the Grand Theatre Presents season, which is a multi-discipline performing arts series that runs between September and April each year. It features over 40 national and international performances, and typically covers everything from comedy, to blues, to dance, jazz, and everything in between.

VK: What’s your favourite thing about your job?

JD: Ultimately, the most enjoyable part of my job is when the artist steps onstage, the audience reacts, and the reviews of everyone’s experience are positive. But as a presenter, my job changes every day. I’m working with different artists on a daily basis, learning constantly about new talent, and becoming better informed about the different art forms.

VK: What have been some of your favourite shows from recent years? Any standout memories from your time at the Grand?

JD: One standout show was Jon Batiste, performing with his band Stay Human. Batiste is now the bandleader for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. It was an unbelievable night of jazz music for those lucky enough to see it – it was just before his big break.
Certainly Burton Cummings this year was a big deal for me – only because Burton really hasn’t done smaller venues, like our 775 seat hall, in a very long time. So when I had the chance to book that performance, I knew it was going to be very successful, and popular for our community – and it was! It sold out incredibly fast.
Another one that stood out for me was when we were fortunate enough to present Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and their performance of Truth and Reconciliation. That particular work was their nationally-recognized collaboration addressing the impact of the residential school system. It acted as an important catalyst in our community leading to discussions around the issue. It was one of those special moments that combined fabulous art with a very relevant, poignant, and deeply impactful social issue.

VK: What exciting things do you have lined up for 2017?

JD: First we’re excited that it’s the 10th anniversary of the Presenting program. 2008 was the first time the City of Kingston decided that it was important that the diversity of the programming represents our community, and offered new and really interesting programs. So we’re going into our 10th season, and we’re really excited about all of the shows lined up for the upcoming year. (Tanya Tagaq, acclaimed Juno and Polaris prize winning throat singer, is just one of the exciting acts lined up for next season).
For the rest of this season, we have shows right through until May 4th. We’re very fortunate in Kingston, because of the geography of the city. With shows that typically wouldn’t come and play a smaller city on their own, we can take advantage of those off-nights between playing the major centres like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal. This is one of those shows – it’s an international touring spectacle playing major cities, but we were able to get a date on their way into Toronto. It’s a live show featuring Brazilian dancers, musicians, and singers, and I am definitely looking forward to it.

Photo via The Kingston Grand
Tanya Tagaq, photo via The Kingston Grand
VK: What makes the Grand one of Kingston’s “must-visit” venues?

JD: Something that’s always very important to us is the total patron experience. So coming to The Grand is more than just coming to see a performance: it’s the experience of being in a world-class, intimate facility with outstanding acoustics and friendly staff that’s located downtown in the heart of the city, it’s readily accessible, it’s surrounded by great restaurants, and you can make a whole night of it.
For me, I feel that is is fantastic to be able to buy a ticket to a Grand Theatre Presents performance and know that you are guaranteed to see something that is world-class, and yet so close to home.

David Bowie Weekend Falls to Earth

The spirit of the Starman himself will soon be alive and well in Kingston. March 24 and 25, 2017 has been designated David Bowie Weekend, to the delight of music lovers and misfits alike.
The City of Kingston’s cultural services has concocted a glittering weekend celebrating the iconic artist, who left us just over a year ago, and far too soon. More than just a late-night rock show, this weekend will have something for every Bowie enthusiast, from the young to the young-at-heart.

Ziggy will play guitar on March 24 at The Grand.
Photo via Sara Smith
Friday, March 24
Ziggy Played Guitar at The Grand

Ziggy Played Guitar, a full-album tribute to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, will kick off the weekend at The Grand. Audiences will be treated to a faithful, note-for-note performance of the glam-rock masterpiece. Want to get really into the spirit? Relive the golden years of glam by putting on your tallest platforms and sparkliest androgynous outfit, and get your lightning bolt makeup done before the show by the crew at Total Diva. (Reserve your makeup appointment with Jenny Pedler at jpedler@cityofkingston.ca).

Saturday, March 25
Oh! You Pretty Things at Tett Centre

Introduce your youngsters to some new and inventive stories, and help them create their own unique sense of style, at Oh! You Pretty Things at the Tett Centre. The day will feature a special glam-rock edition of KFPL’s Family Storytime, including stories that centre around rock music, as well as a Ziggy Stardust-themed tale. And just as Bowie championed creativity, colouring outside the lines, and being true to yourself, your kids will have the chance to explore their own weird and wonderful imaginations with crafts, fashion dress-up, and special Bowie-inspired face-painting. It would certainly be an oddity if space for this event didn’t fill up fast, so reserve your spot before March 16 by emailing Jenny Pedler at jpedler@cityofkingston.ca.

Kids can explore creative looks at Oh! You Pretty Things at Tett Centre.
Photo via flickr.com – rubengarciajrphotography
Saturday, March 25
You Remind Me of the Babe at The Screening Room

Ever wish your kids could experience the wonder that you did, when you first laid eyes upon the fabulousness that is Bowie’s King Jareth in the classic Jim Henson film Labyrinth? Now’s your chance to introduce those absolute beginners to this family favourite (and maybe do a little dance, magic, dance!) at You Remind Me of the Babe, a dress-up and sing-along showing of the movie at The Screening Room. Parents and kids alike are encouraged to get into the spirit by dressing up in their Hoggle-iest togs. Getting into this show will be much easier than navigating the labyrinth – admission is free – but show up early, as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, March 25
Let’s Dance at The Grad Club

Does a long work week have you feeling under pressure? Reelout Queer Film Festival encourages you to put on your red shoes and dance away the blues at the Let’s Dance dance party and fundraiser at The Grad Club. The Thin White Duke’s most boogie-friendly songs – spun to perfection by DJ Drop Shadow – will provide the soundtrack for a glamorous and fun-filled evening alongside some of Kingston’s most eclectic creatives. Admission is $10, with proceeds supporting Reelout Arts Inc., dedicated to diverse programming and representation in our city. Just think: while you’re dancing the night away, you could also be heroes… just for one day.

Dance away the blues at The Grad Club on March 25. Photo via flickr.com – Curran Kelleher

8 Ways to Satisfy Your Culture Cravings

If you’re craving an experience with substance, you’ve come to the right city. Kingston’s cultural gems offer a huge variety of shows and exhibits, with something on the calendar for everyone.
Whether you want to expand your horizons by learning to appreciate new forms of art, or seek out voices from places and perspectives far from your own, the choices offered by The Agnes, The Isabel, and The Grand have you covered.
Check out some of Kingston’s best upcoming cultural experiences, which promise a day (or night) out that will intrigue, enlighten, and entertain.

  1. A Snapshot of Indigenous Life: Picturing Arctic Modernity

    Take in a firsthand account of life on North Baffin in 1964 – drawn with striking honesty by the Inuit residents of the communities of Clyde River (Kanngiqtugaapik), Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) and Arctic Bay (Ikpiarjuk). (Jan 7 – April 9 at the Agnes)

    Photo via The Agnes Etherington Art Centre
  2. Important Voices of Humanity at The Isabel Human Rights Arts Festival

    Expression meets activism with this important series. Choose from several moving and enlightening shows, such as The Angel of Budapest (a film about Holocaust-era human rights activist Raoul Wallenberg), and Songs of Freedom, a soul-searching performance by superstar soprano Measha Brueggergosman. (Starting March 14 at the Isabel)

  3. Get Inspired at The Hold: studies in the contemporary collection

    Got a term paper due, about to participate in a roundtable, or just feeling a lack of creative spark lately? Prime your mind with some serious inspiration amid these thrilling and thought-provoking modern works. (Jan 7 – April 9 at the Agnes)

  4. The Very Best in Irish Dancing: Rhythm of the Dance

    Get pumped for an energetic, exhilarating show! Irish dancing is so stirring, your heart will beat in time to their feet. (March 15 at the Grand)

  5. Study a Master: Beneath the Surface of the Man with Arms Akimbo

    Delve deeper into a renowned work by one of the masters of the Baroque period. A fascinating x-radiograph of the work will be exhibited alongside the original painting, giving insight into Rembrandt’s centuries-old process. (Jan 7 – April 9 at the Agnes)

    Photo via Bernard Clark
  6. One of Canada’s Best: Basia Bulat

    Don’t miss your chance to see the Polaris Prize winner perform one of her electric and enthralling pop/folk concerts. (March 18 at the Grand)

  7. Great Works of Piano Performed by Marc-André Hamelin

    Considered one of the world’s elite pianists, Hamelin will bring to life works by some of history’s greatest composers, including Haydn, Beethoven, and Brahms. (March 19 at the Isabel)

    Photo via The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts
  8. Hear the Next Generation of Talent at the Isabel Overton Bader Canadian Violin Competition

    Phenomenal young violinists from across the country will converge at the Isabel to compete for the top honour. The winner will receive an engagement with the Kingston Symphony! Witness the semi-finals on April 26 and 27, and the finals on April 29. (April 26, 27, and 29 at the Isabel) 

Visiting Kingston Over March Break 2017

It’s that time again… snow is on the ground, school is out, and suddenly you have the kids asking the dreaded “what are we going to do this week” question. If you are looking for a great destination with lots of family-friendly events, then head to Kingston for a memorable March Break for the whole family. Check out some of the exciting happenings to check out between March 10th and 18th, 2018.

Lemoine Point Conservation Area, 1440 Coverdale Drive (open daily)

The kids will be bursting with excitement for the upcoming week off school, so throw on some warm boots and snowsuits and head to Lemoine Point Conservation Area. My kids adore this bit of wilderness in the city and we enjoy it year round. With 11 km of accessible hiking trails, it’s great for all ages. Make sure to bring some bird food for all the chickadees, chipmunks and squirrels you will see along the way. The kids will love it! Open 7:30am to dusk.

Kingston Frontenac Public Library, various locations (open daily)

We love the local libraries and in an effort not to read the same five books day in and day out, we are there a lot! Venture to the library for some fresh reading material for the whole family, and while you are there check out some amazing programs to enjoy with the kids. Programming has free registration and combines both fun and educational aspects. Puppet shows, workshops about galaxies, tallest towers and dragons are just some of the kid-friendly topics. Check out the programs and times throughout the week.

4Cats Kingston, 759 Gardiners Rd, unit 4 (Art Camp, March 12 + 15)

Time to get creative, and I am not talking about my weak attempts at drawing stick figures! 4Cats, in Kingston’s west end, offers engaging art camps that will help the kids find their inner artist. With upcoming camps including half and full day Spring Break camps, it’s a great opportunity for kids of all ages to get in touch with their creative side. Register early to avoid disappointment!

Skating, various locations (open daily)

Grab everyone’s skates and slide on over to one of the many outdoor rinks around the city, or enjoy the afternoon in downtown Kingston! Check out some great shops before booking into a hotel for (mom’s choice… an afternoon nap) or (kids choice… swimming in the pool)! So after a swim (I know… the kids win again) and dinner, head outside for a skate around Springer Market Square. Despite the fact that my small children are already better skaters than me, it’s something that we can do as a family, and with music playing and the city lights twinkling, it’s a magical feel for the whole family. After skating, head across the street to Cacao 70 for a hot drink and a chocolate fondue, sure to be a hit for kids young and old!

Maple Madness, Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, 1641 Perth Road (March 11-19)

We started the week on a healthy note, and now time for a treat at Maple Madness!  How Canadian is enjoying March break at the Sugar Bush? It’s a family favourite from back when I was a kid, and includes pancakes, tractor-drawn wagon and delicious local maple syrup. Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area is open 9am to 4pm daily during the break, so find a day and time that works best for you and your little ones. 


Planning to visit us over March Break? Check out these great deals on accommodations!

11 Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day in the YGK

Oh, Valentine’s Day. A day dedicated to showing the people you love most just how much you love them. It’s easy to grab a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine – but Kingston has some pretty unique experiences to offer. We’ve got them all listed right here for you no matter what kind of mood you’re in!

For the Creatives

Whether you like to paint, solve puzzles or just create cool projects together – there is something for you to do this Valentine’s Day!

Paint Night at the Kingston Collective: Lead by local artist, Danielle Folkert (aka The Travelling Artisan), you can enjoy an acrylic paint workshop with step-by-step instructions and treats from Kingston’s finest bakery Pan Chancho. Click here for more details!

Improbable Escape’s Love Letter Lockdown: What’s better than getting locked in a room with your favourite person? Test your puzzle-solving and communication skills with this fun, nostalgic Improbable Escape room. And when you book Tuesday-Thursday throughout the month of February you can save $5! Just use the promo code: Loveletter. Learn more and book here.

creative - Loveletterlockdown

Partner Painting: Another paint night option! If you really want to cheese it up, Paint Nite Kingston is offering the opportunity for you and your sweetheart to each paint half of a full painting. Sip a pint at the Merchant or Tir nan Og and test your artistic chemistry. Classes are available on February 12 at Tir nan Og and February 13 at the Merchant.

Make Your Own Paperweight: If you’re busy the week of Valentine’s Day and don’t mind celebrating the following weekend, try a glass blowing class at Kingston Glass Gallery! Things will really heat up in the studio while you select your own colours and designs and watch as their glass artists pour molten hot glass onto your creation to form a paperweight. More information

For the Active Pair

For the couple who enjoy going for a run together or hitting the gym, these dates will get you moving!

Skate Night: Tie up your skates and visit Springer Market Square for a romantic glide. Afterwards, consider a visit to the Tir nan Og (they offer 10 percent off for skaters!) or grab a chocolatey treat at Cocoa 70 just down the street. Nothing is more romantic than a nice skate beside Kingston’s beautiful City Hall!

active - springermarketsquare

Lemoine Point: Fill at thermos of hot chocolate and take your boo for a winter walk through Kingston’s Lemoine Point Conservation Area. If you time it just right you can watch the sunset on the water together. How romantic (and affordable) is that?

active-lemoinpointesunset

Semi-Formal Salsa Night: Even if you have two left feet, bring them out to dance the salsa, tango and merengue at the Kingston Yacht Club on February 11.

Boiler Room: Climb new heights as a couple at Kingston’s Boiler Room Climbing Gym! If you both love a good physical challenge and trying something new, this could be a unique and fun way to spend Valentine’s Day! 

For the Ballers

Fine wine and pricey meals, who says money can’t buy love? Just kidding. But if you’re not pinching pennies this Valentine’s day, one of these ideas might be for you.

Dinner and a Movie: The Screening Room and Olivea have teamed up to bring you classic romantic film “A Room with a View” paired with a four-course Tuscan dinner with wine pairings hosted by Rob Elvy of the Small Winemakers Collection. On February 13th catch the movie at 5 pm at the Screening room followed by a delicious meal at Olivea.

For the Showstoppers

A Singing Valentine: Does your partner love a big gesture? You can hire a Barbershop Quartet to serenade your loved one with two songs, a flower, sweets and a card at your location of choice in Kingston. I am not making this up. 

Hopefully this list will provide you with a little bit of inspiration – and enough lead time – to have a memorable Valentine’s Day in Kingston!

The Carr-Harris Cup: Hockey’s Oldest Rivalry

While Canadians can’t seem to agree on where and when hockey was invented, we can agree that Kingston is the undisputed home of the game’s oldest rivalry: the annual showdown between the Queen’s University Gaels and the Royal Military College Paladins.

The 31st Carr-Harris Cup game is set for February 2, 2017, at 7:30 pm at the Rogers K-Rock Centre. (Flickr/Queen’s University)
The 31st Carr-Harris Cup game is set for February 2, 2017, at 7:30 pm at the Rogers K-Rock Centre. (Flickr/Queen’s University)

Dating back to 1886, the rivalry was officially set in ice in 1986 by the International Hockey Hall of Fame and its naming of an annual game called the Carr-Harris Cup. This year, the game between the cross-town rivals will play out on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30 pm at the Rogers K-Rock Arena.
On the line will be the Carr-Harris Cup itself, two points in the Ontario University Athletics East Division standings, and bragging rights for the next year.

The First Game
During the 1886 game, sticks were only a metre long and the “puck” was a whittled-down lacrosse ball. (Flickr/Queen’s University)
During the 1886 game, sticks were only a metre long and the “puck” was a whittled-down lacrosse ball. (Flickr/Queen’s University)

In the 1880s, Royal Military College (RMC) cadets and garrison soldiers would often spend their free winter afternoons playing shinny on Kingston’s frozen harbour. Seeing them out there day after day, a group of Queen’s College (now Queen’s University) students challenged them to a formal game on March 10, 1886.
Played in the shadow of the Martello tower that’s now in what’s known as Confederation Park, the first game between Queen’s and RMC didn’t feature much scoring. Queen’s won 1 – 0, the lone goal scored by fourth-year student Lennox Irving after he deked out his opponents by skating around a band shell that was placed at the centre of the rink.
RMC exacted revenge the next year, however, winning 4 – 1.

The Trophy
The Carr-Harris Cup trophy, known as “Lennie,” is named after the first game’s lone scorer. (Flickr/Queen’s University)
The Carr-Harris Cup trophy, known as “Lennie,” is named after the first game’s lone scorer. (Flickr/Queen’s University)

The winner of the annual game is awarded the Carr-Harris Cup trophy, which features a bust of the 1886 game’s lone scorer, Lennox “Lennie” Irving. After leaving Queen’s, Irving went on to a distinguished military and legal career in the Ottawa Valley.
The trophy is named in honour of the Carr-Harris family, which has a long-standing connection with Queen’s and RMC. Each year, the Mary Carr-Harris Most Valuable Player Award is also given out. Awarded to the top player from each team, it’s named in memory of Carr-Harris family matriarch Mary Carr-Harris, who, until her death in 2006, presented “Lennie” to each year’s winning team.

By the Numbers
Since 1986, Queen’s has hoisted the Carr-Harris Cup 10 more times than RMC. (Flickr/Queen’s University)
Since 1986, Queen’s has hoisted the Carr-Harris Cup 10 more times than RMC. (Flickr/Queen’s University)

Queen’s holds the winning record since 1986, and has held “Lennie” high for the past two years in a row, but the Paladins are no slouches. If history is any indication, the Gaels better watch out if the game goes to a shootout.

  • Queen’s Record: 19-9-2
  • RMC Record: 9-19-2
  • One-goal Games: 9
  • Two-goal Games: 3
  • Ties: 2
  • Overtime games: 4
  • Shootouts: 2 (RMC 2-0)
  • Shutouts: 3 (Queen’s 3-0)
  • Queen’s goals for: 130
  • RMC goals for: 82
Series History
Queen’s may have hoisted the Carr-Harris Cup the past two years in a row, but they shouldn’t rest on their laurels — RMC is hungry for a win. (Flickr/Queen’s University)
Queen’s may have hoisted the Carr-Harris Cup the past two years in a row, but they shouldn’t rest on their laurels — RMC is hungry for a win. (Flickr/Queen’s University)

Here’s the full breakdown of the series since 1986, including when and where each game was played and the scores:

  • 10/22/1986* RMC 8 Queen’s 3 — Constantine Arena
  • 10/14/1987* Queen’s 7 RMC 7 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 10/12/1988 RMC 3 Queen’s 6 — Memorial Centre
  • 01/31/1990 Queen’s 11 RMC 4 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 01/16/1991 RMC 3 Queen’s 4 — Constantine Arena
  • 02/07/1992 Queen’s 7 RMC 2 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 02/03/1993 RMC 0 Queen’s 9 — Constantine Arena
  • 11/20/1993 Queen’s 2 RMC 5 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 10/28/1994 RMC 3 Queen’s 3 — Constantine Arena
  • 01/10/1996 Queen’s 1 RMC 2 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 01/15/1997 RMC 6 Queen’s 5 (Shootout) — Constantine Arena
  • 02/11/1998 Queen’s 4 RMC 0 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 01/13/1999 RMC 4 Queen’s 3 — Constantine Arena
  • 01/12/2000 Queen’s 5 RMC 2 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 02/14/2001 RMC 4 Queen’s 2 — Constantine Arena
  • 01/16/2002 Queen’s 6 RMC 3 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 01/25/2003 RMC 1 Queen’s 3 — Constantine Arena
  • 01/31/2004 Queen’s 4 RMC 3 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 01/22/2005 RMC 4 Queen’s 3 — Constantine Arena
  • 01/07/2006 Queen’s 4 RMC 3 — Jock Harty Arena
  • 01/10/2007 RMC 3 Queen’s 2 (Shootout) — Constantine Arena
  • 02/07/2008 RMC 2 Queen’s 4 — Constantine Arena
  • 02/07/2009 Queen’s 1 RMC 0 — Memorial Centre
  • 02/04/2010 Queen’s 3 RMC 0 — Memorial Centre
  • 02/05/2011 RMC 2 Queen’s 5 — Constantine Arena
  • 02/02/2012 Queen’s 4 RMC 1 — K-Rock Centre
  • 01/31/2013 RMC 2 Queen’s 7 — K-Rock Centre
  • 02/06/2014 RMC 2 Queen’s 1 — K-Rock Centre
  • 02/05/2015 Queen’s 5, RMC 1 — K-Rock Centre
  • 02/04/2016 RMC 2, Queen’s 6 — K-Rock Centre

* played as exhibition games

The 31st Carr-Harris Cup

Thursday, February 2, 2017, 7:30 pm
Rogers K-Rock Centre
$10
Tickets available at Rogers K-Rock Centre box office or the Queen’s Athletic and Recreation Centre