If you are looking to know more about one of the oldest parts of Kingston, join The PumpHouse Museum on a 60-minute walking tour along historic Ontario Street. Learn about Kingston’s late 18th, 19th, and 20th-century history of local brewers, property owners, boilermakers, and more.
This tour provides a unique experience that fuses contemporary Kingston business with historic architecture and stories. Starting at The PumpHouse, the tour begins with a brief walk along the Waterfront Pathway up to the Marine Museum and returns to Ontario Street until The Prince George Hotel, where the tour ends.
On this tour you will learn about the many challenges the people of Kingston faced to keep their businesses and services alive. The 1800s posed to be a particularly rough time with cholera epidemics and the Great Fire of Kingston in 1840 that affected the livelihoods of many. Some of the sites on the tour no longer exist and have been replaced by modern amenities. However, a substantial portion of the tour includes preserved buildings that are home to local establishments like SENS Café, PJ Murphy’s Gastro Pub, and Dianne’s Fish Shack. One of the reasons why these places still stand today is because of the city-wide mandate to use stone, mostly limestone, as building material to avoid further destruction from fires.
The informative tour guides are sure to point out details like additions to buildings, underwater rail tracks, and hitching posts, which enhance the stories being told. Questions are always welcome. Just as the name suggests, the tour covers a wide variety of topics like Kingston breweries, foundries, boat docks, gristmills, Victorian hotels, train stations, oyster bars, and more. Check out the PumpHouse walking tour to discover the authentic history of Ontario Street, the lives of Kingston locals, their stories, and the history of the city by walking in the footsteps of the past. The PumpHouse is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm with a variety of opportunities and events.
Details: Offering tours Thursday – Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm for $5+HST per person.
Looking for a way to jazz up date night, entertain the kids, or turn a solo summer day into an adventure? Experience the magic of the performing arts in Kingston! We compiled a list of performances to put on your summer bucket list.
Various performances at Thousand Islands Playhouse
Throughout July and August
Thousand Islands Playhouse (185 South St., Gananoque)
It’s Thousand Islands Playhouse’s 40th anniversary this season, and they’re putting on five stellar shows throughout the summer to celebrate. Enjoy musicals, comedies, and drama throughout July and August. We’re excited for “Every Brilliant Thing,” an upbeat story that is both funny and heartwarming. You can view the list of performances and purchase tickets on the Thousand Islands Playhouse website.
Blue Canoe Theatrical Productions Inc. is ready to cut loose with Footloose! this summer. This show is family-friendly, although parents should be aware there is an allusion to some mature themes. Blue Canoe is a non-profit, youth-led community theatre dedicated to offering opportunities for young people to get involved in the performing arts. The entire production team (cast, band, directors, designers, and technical crew) are Kingston youth. More information about the show will be posted to their website and tickets will be on sale soon through the Kingston Grand Theatre website.
There’s nothing like The Kick & Push Festival to introduce you to a variety of theatrical styles here in Kingston. This festival aims to transform audiences from passive observers to engaging participants – and we’re excited to see what their eighth season will bring. The festival runs for three weeks throughout eight venues downtown including the Kingston Grand Theatre, The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, and City Park.
Kick & Push aims to break the mould of traditional theatre, so prepare yourself for surprising venues, audience participation, and unconventional performances. You’ll be able to purchase tickets and view the upcoming lineup on the festival website. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Kingston Grand Theatre box office or on their website.
Cost: adults $25; arts worker, student, and family pricing available for select performances
Experience a variety of theatrical performances in one night for one night only. The One-Act Play Festival showcases three plays. Time-travel back to the 1960s with “Hairball” by Harry Jordan; witness a mother who leaves her marriage for an adventure with “A Mouse No More” by Adam Fulker; and gain insight on what it means to write for the stage with “The Auditions” by Greg Duncan. This juried festival will crown one winner who will then travel to the Academy Theatre in Lindsay for the Eastern Ontario Drama League’s One Act Festival in November. You can purchase tickets on the Kingston Grand Theatre website.
The Driftwood Theatre brings back its Bard’s Bus Tour to put on Shakespeare in the Park (after a three-year pause). The Driftwood team has adapted three Shakespeare plays (Henry IV parts I and II and Henry V) to create King Henry Five. The play uses a contemporary patio bar as its backdrop and combines music, puppetry, and Shakespearean poetry to weave a tale about power, corruption, and rebellion. While the cast will be travelling across Ontario to perform, they’ll be playing two previews in the Kingston area first before their official opening.
Bard’s Bus will park on Wolfe Island for a show at Hotel Wolfe Island on July 14. You can also see the show on July 15 at Lions Civic Gardens. This Kingston-specific performance is free, thanks to the support of the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board, Sherlock’s Escapes, and the Kingston Frontenac Public Library – simply reserve your seat online. The bus will return for another performance at Hotel Wolfe Island on August 12.
You can purchase tickets to the Wolfe Island performances and/or reserve your seat for the Kingston performance on their website.
Cost: Wolfe Island shows: Pay What You Can Afford’ admission. Kingston show: free.
Storefront Fringe Festival
August 4 – 14, various times
Various locations
The Storefront Fringe Festival returns this summer. A fringe festival focuses on offering opportunities to independent theatre artists to produce and perform their work. There are no limits on content, and anyone can submit a show.
Did you know that Fine Balance Brewery created a special beer to support theatre-based festivals this summer? “FestivALE” made its debut at the Kingston Grand Theatre during the Watershed Festival this past spring. You can find the ale in cans in the Fine Balance Brewery taproom or on tap downtown at The Iron Duke on Wellington, The Grad Club, and The Rustic Spud. FestivALE is an easy-drinking, smooth wheat beer with hints of clove and citrus. Grab one for a post-performance celebration!
Close to Kingston, the Festival Players of Prince Edward County have some fantastic new theatre offerings under the stars at the Outdoor Pavilion at the Eddie Hotel and Farm. The world premiere of The Shape of Home: Songs in Search of Al Purdy runs through to the end of July. In August, experience the Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance, which is filled with opportunities for the community to get involved through classes, workshops, and shows. The summer season wraps up with Beyond the Sea, a new romantic comedy. Learn more: festivalplayers.ca/2022-season
The performances you have to add to your summer 2022 bucket list
Summer is here and the limestone city is ready to charm you with a variety of musical performances. From up-and-coming bands to Juno winners, Kingston has concerts that will allow you to rock out and wind down. Read on for a list of summertime performances we’re adding to our calendar.
Live music at Musiikki Café
Daily, various times (check the Musiikki Instagram page)
Musiikki Café (73 Brock St.)
The music in Kingston never sleeps – Musiikki Café makes sure of it! Musiikki has live music for you every single day between 8 and 11 pm (and they’re open until 2 am). This is the best place to grab a cozy coffee, delicious cocktail, or their specialty: fine whiskey, and discover a new favourite artist at the same time. Musiikki offers an eclectic roster of local, national, and international performers. Their downstairs bar offers daytime music; their upstairs stage makes for intimate performances, and their gorgeous back courtyard completely immerses you in the musical experience. Weekly lineups are posted to their Instagram profile.
Cost: FREE
Indigenous music at the Katarokwi Indigenous Art & Food Market
Every Sunday this summer, you’ll have the chance to see Indigenous performers at the Katarokwi Indigenous Art & Food Market in Springer Market Square. Community members will provide live entertainment such as dancing, drumming, and singing. While enjoying the entertainment, browse the variety of vendors offering handmade jewelry, delicious snacks, and other handcrafted goods. View the schedule to discover the amazing performers from various nations across Turtle Island.
Cost: FREE
Music made in Kingston at the Visitor Information Centre
Until August 21, 2022, the back patio at the Visitor Information Centre in Confederation Park will be bustling with local performers, so bring a lawn chair and enjoy a lakeside concert. This series highlights artists from the community and celebrates a wide range of musical genres. For more information and a look at the lineup, visit the event page on Facebook. Come out and support the many sounds of Kingston!
Spend an elegant evening at the Bank Gastrobar, the Frontenac Club’s gorgeous lounge. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and a bite to eat while being serenaded by a local musician every Monday throughout the entire summer. The patio is open from 3 to 11 pm, with dinner served between 4:30 and 10 pm. Featured performers include Spencer Evans (a singer who plays piano, clarinet, and accordion), Moira Demorest (a balanced pop and minimalist pianist), Megan Hamilton (an elegant folk musician), and Tiny Horse (a musical duo that will captivate you with their intimate acoustics).
This concert series gives you a chance to unwind, catch up with friends, and connect with the local music scene. For more information and the lineup of performers, visit the event page on Facebook. Tables are limited so make sure to reserve your spot online or by phone.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Confederation Park
Experience free concerts all summer long in Confederation Park. Music in the Park runs throughout July and August at 12:30 pm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Grab a bite to eat and spend your lunch hour getting to know local musicians and enjoying a wide range of musical genres. More details and lineups are available on Downtown Kingston’s calendar.
Cost: FREE
Downtown Country Concerts
Thursdays 7 – 8 pm
Confederation Park
Make room in your schedule on Thursdays from 7 to 8 pm. Confederation Park will be showcasing local country artists all summer. From bluegrass to folk to country-pop, there will be different types of country music every week. More information can be found on Downtown Kingston’s calendar.
Cost: FREE
Music in the Gardens presented by CaraCo
Thursdays at 7pm
Lion’s Civic Gardens
Every Thursday throughout July and August, bring a lawn chair and take in a free concert at Lion’s Civic Gardens. A special weekend concert, featuring Andy Forgie, will be held on Saturday, July 23 at 2:30 pm. The full line-up can be seen on the City of Kingston website.
Start your weekend off right by heading down to Springer Market Square every Friday at 7 pm. Big Band Fridays provide the soundtrack you need to welcome the weekend. This event is all about romance, unadulterated joy, and an eclectic mix of jazz tunes. Get ready to swing and jive! More information can be found on Downtown Kingston’s calendar.
Silly Sounds on Sydenham
Saturdays 10:30 – 11:30 am
Sydenham Street between Princess and Queen
Transform your Saturday morning with this live concert series designed specifically for kids. Silly Sounds on Sydenham takes place every Saturday from June 25 to September 3, 2022. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your kids moving. More information can be found on Downtown Kingston’s calendar.
Looking to kick back with a cold one and some cool tunes? Spearhead’s monthly taproom events are a vibrant mix of live music experiences. Their monthly offerings include live music Wednesdays starting at 7 pm, Friday open mic nights at 7 pm, Sunday live music from 2 to 5 pm, and more. Who doesn’t love a night out to discover emerging talent?
Spearhead’s taproom is welcoming, and the airy patio is perfect for a sweltering summer day. You don’t have to be a beer-drinker to relax here either. Spearhead offers their own non-alcoholic sparkling water, Akwa, as well as a list of wines, spirits, and other beverages. Stay up-to-date with who’s taking to the stage next by consulting the Spearhead event webpage for July and August.
Cost: FREE (weekly events)
RCHA Club
Various dates and times
Home venue for the Kingston Blues Society, the RHCA Club offers a variety of live music, from rock to blues to jazz, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Check their website for the latest listings.
The Spire (Sydenham St. United Church, 82 Sydenham St.)
JP Saxe is a Grammy-nominated artist ready to play his heart wrenching and soul-soothing music to a Kingston crowd. His music combines R&B and pop for catchy, heartfelt tunes. JP Saxe has also partnered with PLUS1 so that a portion of proceeds from the show will go to organizations that provide humanitarian care in conflict zones.
This show is one stop on his The Feelings are Stupid ’22 Tour with Alexander Saint. Saint is a must-see, multi-instrumentalist who’s carving a space for himself in the Canadian music scene as an alternative acoustic soul musician.
These are two phenomenal lyricists you don’t want to miss, so make sure to purchase your tickets online before they sell out.
New on the scene, Relatively Minor is a seven-piece jazz-funk ensemble – inspired by Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder. This band has the energy, talent, and soul to give you an unforgettable night. You can find more information on The Toucan website.
The Toucan hosts many local and up-and-coming bands, offering you the chance to enjoy traditional pub food, Irish classics, and good tunes in a venue that’s been around for over 30 years. They host live music every Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can view their upcoming music events on their website.
Cost: FREE
Cost: General admission $31.06; VIP meet–and-greet $76
Discover the sounds of Canada’s premier training institute for orchestral musicians. This July, the Isabel hosts the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO). The NYO is made up of young musicians who competed for a place in the orchestra, participated in a six-week residential training institute, and are ready to impress Canadian audiences. More information and tickets can be found on the Isabel website.
Cost: General public $40; faculty/staff $36; students $10
Experience the amazing acoustics at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts and journey into the life of Francis Pegahmagabow, a member of the Ojibwe nation, a military sniper in the First World War, and a highly decorated member of the Canadian military. Sounding Thunder is a unique piece of art that combines Ojibwe oral history, historical record, and Pegahmagabow family stories. The performance is composed by Tim Corlis and written by Ojibwe poet, Armand Garnet Ruffo. You can purchase tickets on the Isabel website. The show is part of the Human Rights Arts Festival series which also features ECHO: Memories of the World on August 5, an international multi-media project that contemplates knowledge-sharing in Canada, Norway, Austria, and Mali.in Canada, Norway, Austria, and Mali.
Cost: General public $40; faculty/staff $36; students $10
Celebrate the best of Neil Diamond at this tribute tour starring Zac Coombs. Celebrate this Grammy-winning rock-and-roll legend who produced music you can’t help but sing along with. Diamond’s classics will be performed by a world-class international band.
Cost: Admit one $56.64; group of 6+ per ticket $52.51; children 13 or under $30.97 (+ HST and handling fee)
This popular music and beer festival returns with headliners The Strumbellas, supported by Born Ruffians, Miss Emily, Rocket Surgery, The Gertrudes, KaKaow, Julia Finnegan, Tiny Horse, and The Reds. As well as all-day live music, Back to the Farm features craft beer, food trucks, local wine and cider, games, and more.
Cost: $45; free for kids under 12
Limestone City Blues Festival
August 25 – 28, various times
Throughout downtown
Kingston’s legendary Limestone City Blues Festival returns this year to tug on your heartstrings and get you grooving. You can catch numerous performances throughout the downtown area at small bars, larger music venues, and outdoor locations. Did you know this year the main stage will be mobile? You can find the lineup and headliner information on the event webpage. We’re excited for Crystal Shawanda’s fiery vocals and HOROJO Trio’s rich melodies.
Want access to all three nights of main-stage performances, as well as participating club shows? Make sure to purchase a wristband! Wristbands are $20 when bought in advance and $25 when bought at showtime. Wristbands will be available for online purchase on July 1 at 10 am. They can also be purchased in person at participating clubs and the BIA office (353 King St. E. Suite 200) beginning July 18.
Cost: In advance $20, At the gate $25
Motel Ben’s Strike the Anvil While the Iron is Hot tour
Check out Motel Ben at The Mansion and experience funky, shoe-gaze folk music from this unique Ottawa band. The Mansion has live music nearly every weekend in their upstairs “Living Room,” and on their patio many afternoons. Keep checking their event list on Facebook for updates on acts.
Cost: $5
Kingston has a reputation for nurturing musical artists, and with so many supportive venues and excited audiences, it’s no wonder why. Enjoy a live music event this summer and perhaps you’ll glimpse a few rising stars.
Kingston’s abundance of eateries means you’ll never leave the city hungry, but if you’re looking for a fun, educational way to explore a variety of dining options, a Kingston Food Tour should be on your bucket list.
Kingston Food Tours is a locally owned and operated food tasting walking tour that operates all year long. The experience exposes you to a whirlwind of Kingston cuisine in an environment that’s fun, laidback, and incredibly delicious. Choose from two experiences: the Classic Kingston Tour or the Tapas Tour. Both options take you through historic downtown Kingston and are guided by a local host whose upbeat energy is contagious. Indulge in tastings at some of the finest local restaurants and learn about Kingston’s history and food culture – past, present, and future.
The signature Classic Kingston tour offers you exclusive food and beverage tastings at great local restaurants while learning about how the city has become an incredible dining destination by supporting local farmers and producers. The tour begins at 11 am and runs for two hours. With the Tapas Tour, you can transform an ordinary afternoon into an unforgettable experience as you enjoy four tastings, each paired with a beverage. Private tours are also available upon request.
Kingston Food Tours accommodates all food preferences, allergies, and restrictions. Whether you eat gluten-free, plant-based, or dairy-free, you’ll be served accordingly (and your guide will still give you some interesting insight into what you’re eating or drinking).
Begin your day in gorgeous Confederation Park alongside glittering Lake Ontario. You’ll meet your tour guide here at the Visitor Information Centre (209 Ontario Street). Before embarking on your adventure, you’ll receive some background on how the Kingston food scene has grown into a thriving foodie destination that attracts locals, visitors, and food tourists. Feel free to ask your guide any questions – each is a Kingston resident with a wealth of knowledge.
Dianne’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse Margarita
Savour the first sip and bite at each stop while your guide provides some information on how the restaurant came to be, and how the ingredients ended up on your table. This is one of the defining features of Kingston Food Tours: you gain an appreciation of the local food movement, which emphasizes sustainable production and eating in-season.
While food is the focus of the tour, you’ll also enjoy a leisurely stroll downtown as you make your way between tastings. Kingston Food Tours incorporates educational moments about Kingston’s unique history, its gorgeous architecture, and key figures in the food industry along the way. From Lake Ontario shipwrecks to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – you’ll be surprised to learn how it all connects to the food scene. The tour also offers a great opportunity to take in Kingston’s historic limestone buildings, charming alleyways, and contemporary street art.
Throughout the tour you’ll learn a variety of foodie terms you can add to your vocabulary. You’ll also learn about the food growing processes that contribute to flavours on a plate. And although you’ll be given just the right amount of time to browse at locations that offer food to go, you’ll probably want to return later to take home some newfound favourites.
Kingston Olive Oil products
Whichever tour you choose, you’ll experience an eclectic mix of sweet and savoury items, from a variety of Kingston’s eateries, both laidback and upscale. Perhaps the greatest part about Kingston Food Tours is how well-organized it is, allowing you to truly unwind as you dine. You’ll have no regrets after a seamless flow from tasting to tasting, and a sweet treat as a final palette cleanser. There’s always room for dessert, right?
Mio Gelato sweet treat
This curated experience is full of local gems that reflect Kingston’s thriving food scene, and you can experience it all from a local’s perspective.
Ah, patio season – the most wonderful time of the year! Sunshine, umbrellas, and cocktails! Let’s take a look at some of the patios in the Kingston area.
AquaTerra offers picturesque waterfront views of Lake Ontario and Confederation Harbour. Their menu focuses on the freshest, and whenever possible, locally sourced ingredients. They also have a large selection of refreshing beverages such as champagne, cocktails, and local wines and brews. The Patio is located at the bottom of Clarence Street.
Wharf & Feather Restaurant and Patio boasts Kingston’s largest outdoor waterfront patio. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tuck into some shareables like the loaded nacho stack or bigger plates like the pier fish and chips. They’re also Feast On® certified, so, you’ll be dining at a restaurant dedicated to sourcing their food and beverages from Ontario.
Dine along the Cataraqui River at the Woolen Mill, a building that’s 125 years old. You’ll enjoy plates that use only the freshest ingredients from local producers. From pear salad to mushroom ragu potato gnocchi, the River Mill serves amazing food for casual public dining and private formal events.
Enjoy Kingston’s waterfront at the Dockside Patio on Crawford Warf. This family-friendly patio offers cold beer, chilled wines, refreshing cocktails, and picnic-style items with great flavours. In addition, their affordable pricing, creative use of ingredients, and quick service will keep you wanting more!
Craving a cold one? Spearhead’s patio is a west-end favourite. You won’t regret enjoying some fresh air and cool brews here. Depending on the day, you might just pop by during a fun event like open mic or trivia night.
What’s better than saucy wings and tap beer? Serving typical pub food, Raxx Bar and Grill has an extensive menu with yummy starters, stone-baked pizza, and more. Dine on the patio and return inside to their pool hall for some fun with the whole family.
Smoke ‘N’ Barrel features delicious southern barbecue including wings, chicken thighs, biscuits, ribs and more. Their patio is open late every day, but you can head over any weekday from 2 to 5 pm for $6 pints of Bud and Bud Light.
Mesa Fresca is a fully accessible, full-service restaurant offering a modern, casual, and fun setting. Their approachable menu includes Latin and Mexican inspired fare, along with twists on some great restaurant classics. They also have a kids’ menu that’s perfect for picky eaters. Mesa Fresca strives to bring the freshest and finest quality ingredients to your table (along with house corn chips and salsa, of course).
The Backyard Patio Bar & Grill offers park-like dining in downtown Kingston. This shaded patio is a full-service restaurant and bar with more than 150 seats. They’ve created a new summer menu for you to enjoy with choices such as plant-based burgers, tacos, and individual pizzas. The patio is located behind the Renaissance Supper Club (formerly known as the Renaissance Event Venue) and can be accessed off Queen Street by following the walkway beside the building.
Enjoy one of the largest patios in downtown Kingston for brunch between 10 am and 3 pm, or tuck into some pub-style food for dinner. This restaurant has a full-service bar and is also a popular live music venue. You’ll find their patio bustling with performers throughout the summer. The best thing about The Mansion might be that their patio includes a tiki bar and a beach volleyball court!
Nothing beats a fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza. Luckily, Wooden Heads offers patio service so you can enjoy some of their delicious wood-fired pizza and signature cocktails in their cozy courtyard. They also have daily specials that highlight unique pizza sauces and toppings.
The patio – and the food – at NORTHSIDE espresso + kitchen are vibrant, sunny, and fresh. They highlight seasonal and local flavours with their breakfast, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and sweet treats. You’ll find some of the most creative, Aussie-inspired brekkie options here.
Whether you’re craving a beef, chicken, salmon, or veggie burger – Harper’s Burger Bar is the place to go! Harper’s Burger Bar serves delicious customizable burgers, crispy hand-cut fries, and creamy, refreshing milkshakes. Their sidewalk patio allows you to take in the sights of Princess Street and makes any downtown shopping trip better.
Bringing you locally sourced ingredients and flavours inspired by global cuisine, Chez Piggy also offers their fine dining experience outside. This local favourite serves brunch, lunch, and dinner on their courtyard patio in the heart of downtown. It’s a space surrounded by greenery and bustling flowers and is perfect for any dining occasion. Kids’ options are also available at every mealtime.
Head down to Kingston Coffee House for a cup of freshly roasted, organic, fair-trade coffee, and an unbeatable view. Kingston Coffee House is located directly across from Springer Market Square, making their patio a sunny spot for a sweet pick-me-up. The café is a family-owned business that serves creative caffeinated beverages like a maple white chocolate mocha or iced salted caramel latte, as well as sandwiches and treats made in-house with hyperlocal and organic ingredients.
Kingston Brewing Company is best known for its beer, its laid-back vibe, and the gorgeous, private patio in the old carriageway beside the pub. Established in 1986, the Kingston Brewing Company is Ontario’s oldest brewpub. The food is pub standard with unique twists – beer is used in many of the recipes. Explore their different brews and delicious food.
This brewery is the ultimate taproom for anyone who loves beer and socializing. Whether you’re a novice hoping to try your first sip of craft beer or a seasoned veteran who’s sampled a variety of brews, the wide range of flavours available will interest anyone interested in discovering beer’s true potential. The venue features a full taproom, vibrant murals, an open concept brewery, and a large patio.
Best Western Kingston has been on the Kingston scene for nearly 50 years, and you can grab a comforting lunch or light dinner here. Tom’s Place patio is open to the public and serves starters, salads, sandwiches, and yummy shareables like Swiss cheese fondue.
Sit back and relax at Amadeus Café’s hidden beer garden (biergarten in German). For nearly 30 years, Amadeus has been delighting guests with authentic European recipes straight from their family’s kitchen. They focus on German and Austrian dishes such as smoked pork chop, chicken schnitzel, and unforgettable sausages, along with tap beer.
This garden patio is located at the end of Martello Alley, an art-themed historic alley in downtown Kingston. The alley features numerous artists’ original and printed artwork in a friendly atmosphere. Delightfully Different Tea Room’s patio is situated within the alley’s charming courtyard and offers homemade soups, quiche, sandwiches, salads, and delicious desserts. They also have vegan and gluten-free options. You’re sure to find your perfect cup of tea here!
Immerse yourself in a globally-inspired tapas experience at Tango Nuevo. Tango Nuevo embraces the Spanish tradition of sharing small plates (tapas), which brings people together and encourages conversation. Embrace the tapas experience on their sidewalk patio trimmed with lights and greenery.
If you’re looking for a great patio in the east end of Kingston, check out The Duchess Pub. The Duchess Pub offers traditional pub fare on their breezy patio. We love their fried polenta, fish and chips, and sticky toffee pudding for dessert. They also have a kids’ menu.
This article was updated in August 2024 to reflect changes in menus and venues, using previous content by Rebecca Jansen.
At Skeleton Park Brewery, Trevor Lehoux and Becky Lu have revived traditional Kingston beers, with a twist.
Kingston has been home to breweries since the late 1700s. Skeleton Park Brewery has recreated old local recipes, using traditional ingredients and leveraging Kingston’s mineral-rich water to make great beer.
Their flagship beer, the Amber 6.6, “happened by mistake, in a way,” says Trevor. When they started brewing in Kingston, he wanted to try a 6.6% amber ale, and thought to explore Kingston’s beer history for inspiration.
Through archival research, he found an old local newspaper ad for a 7% amber ale. In the same newspaper, there was a classified ad from the same brewer, looking for certain ingredients. So, with that, Trevor had the beginnings of recreating an old Kingston beer recipe.
“For our other heritage beers, like the Proper English ale, we couldn’t find recipes. Brewers of the day were super secretive; they kept their recipes in their heads. But we have found traces of ingredients.” Recreating old recipes for their English ale and Bohemian pilsner involved a bit more detective work.
“For the hops we use for the English ale, there’s a farmer in the Ottawa Valley area, who found it growing at the back of his farm. It was a non-native species. As it turned out, it was really closely related to a hop called Fuggle, an English hop.” Trevor surmised that this type of hop had been introduced to the region by the Loyalists in the 1780s. Today, the “Loyalist hop” is a signature component in Skeleton Park’s Proper English Ale.
Skeleton Park’s third mainstay in the Heritage series is their Bohemian pilsner. “I really suspected that someone would have brewed a Bohemian-style beer in Kingston. So, we did a lot of research on the family names of local brewers and where they came from. And that led us to what they would have brewed because they came from a certain region. So, the last name “Bajus” – that lineage comes from the Czech Republic/Northern Germany area. The Bajus family [who ran the Bajus Brewery on Rideau Street] came from a specific region in Germany that was known for Bohemian-style beer.”
Skeleton Park’s Sol juice IPA is not a traditional type of beer. But, “the malt behind it, there’s a story,” says Trevor. “Back in the day, there was a transition point away from malted barley. Barley was the cash crop in Ontario. And that stopped as bakeries became more popular, and wheat became the cash crop to grow. Brewers couldn’t get their hands on barley, so they started substituting with wheat and oats.” The Sol Juice IPA incorporates those grains, and so, even if it’s not a traditional type of beer, does reflect the evolution of beermaking in the region.
Speaking of grain, it takes a lot of it – whether you use barley, wheat, oats, or rye – to make beer. The grain is malted – steeped in hot water, then dried – to allow the conversion of starch to sugar that will help fermentation. So, what happens to all that grain after the beer is made? Becky and Trevor have found a few great ways to put it to good use. For some time now, the spent grain from the brewery has been incorporated into dog treats made by Lakeside Dog Biscuits, a local business. (Skeleton Park Brewery is also a dog-friendly property.)
More recently, the brewery has connected with VOCEC, an employment club for people living with mental illness. One of VOCEC’s businesses, Great Lakes Kitchen, uses the brewery’s spent grain in their pretzels, also available for purchase at Skeleton Park. (Becky has also used the spent grain in her breadmaking at home.) And whatever is not used in those endeavours is donated to farmer friends in Harrowsmith for their cows.
In addition to cutting down on waste from the brewing process, it’s a nice way to make connections between the brewery and the local community.
And speaking of keeping things local, this summer, Skeleton Park Brewery launched the first beer in its 100 mile series, which uses ingredients found within 100 miles of the brewery.
While they usually use barley from out west, for the local series, they sourced Ontario barley, malted by Barn Owl Malt in Belleville. Trevor describes Ontario barley as having a distinctive aroma and taste, almost like pie dough, adding a unique flavour for the local brew. The hops come from the Wolfe Island Hopyard. “They supplied four different kinds of hops, and from those different types, we were able to select ones that worked really well for specific recipes.”
And putting it all together, Kingston water. “Kingston water is awesome for beermaking,” says Trevor. “With all its mineral content, we really don’t have to do anything to it, besides filter it. The mineral content is perfect for the styles of beer we make.”
A number of Skeleton Park beers are available at the LCBO, with a greater selection at local restaurants. “A lot of restaurants like to support local,” says Becky, “and they like knowing the story behind the product.” Limited-edition brews like the 100-mile series, as well as special cask ales, are available only in the Skeleton Park Brewery taproom, while supplies last. It’s worth a trip to their Arlington Park Place taproom to see what’s new on tap. And if you go on Fridays, they feature live music from 5 to 7 pm, with different local musicians every week.
Let’s kick off summer in Kingston and roll right into an incredible lineup of festivals ranging from music to buskers, food, and everything in between. It’s going to be a fun three months so start planning!
Do you have a Kingston event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration!
Kingston’s drag scene wouldn’t be what it is today without the fierce Rowena Whey. Rowena is a drag queen entertainer and event promoter who hosts and performs at various events in Kingston and beyond. You’ll spot her at B*tch Bingo at Daft Brewing, or at Queers & Wines Night in Prince Edward County. She’s a drag queen who’s fully deserving of her crown, so we chatted with her about how she continues to slay the limestone city.
“Rowena is very sassy, theatrical. She’s also very friendly, as much as she puts on the front of being a b*tch. She’s a very kind person.”
Ian Burns, the performer of Rowena Whey, also believes he has crafted his character in a way that mirrors himself.
“Rowena and I are very much the same person. I like to say that Rowena is a heightened, more performative, theatrical version of myself, but I am very much that person in my day-to-day life anyways. I like to describe my character as a cougar. She’s kind of that mysterious woman you find in a bar who’s always hitting on the younger men—and she wears a lot of leopard print!”
Rowena, also known as “Muscle Barbie” in Kingston, captivates audiences on stage. She’s a gym-loving woman who’s a mix of rock ‘n’ roll and pure glamour. Rowena came to life in 2016, when Ian began doing drag while completing a master’s degree in genetics in Edmonton. Being in a new city, he had lost a lot of his previous artistic pursuits.
“I found drag by getting involved with the gay scene in Edmonton. I thought it would be really fun to try and then I got one of my colleagues to dare me to do drag for Halloween, so I went out and I bought all the makeup. I spent like $500, and I practised and practised, and I went out on Halloween in drag. A few months later, I performed for the first time and after that, I was just hooked. But I kept doing drag because it’s so many of the different artistic pursuits that I previously did and more, all mashed up into one.”
Before doing drag, Ian was involved in theatre and music. Rowena allowed him to explore dancing, fashion, makeup, and hairstyling. It became an all-encompassing art form. While YouTube videos helped Ian pick up drag queen makeup tricks, his earliest inspiration was the concept that drag doesn’t have to be so serious.
“I like the ideal that you don’t have to take it too seriously. Drag isn’t serious. Drag is comedy, in itself. It is camp and it is performance of gender, so it shouldn’t be taken seriously. I’m a man who dresses up as a woman for other people’s entertainment.”
But Rowena is sure to share the spotlight. She collaborates with other local drag queens at in-person events and on the podcast What’s the Maple Tea?! with fellow local drag queen Tyffanie Morgan. Ian says connecting with other drag queens is vital for developing a vibrant community.
“We all need community, so even as a drag performer, you need to find other performers to support you and do shows with you. Finding other drag performers also means that you can build the drag community and that’s really what the collaborations in Kingston are, for me. When other people who don’t do drag see all of these drag performers having fun, getting along, being themselves, or being their characters on stage, it allows other people to feel like they can do it too.”
Rowena also just loves working with her drag sisters and drag brothers.
One of Rowena’s most memorable collaborations was with Spearhead Brewing Company in 2020. After a wildly successful anti-Valentine’s Day drag show at the brewery, the Spearhead team approached Rowena and asked if she would be interested in helping to create a wheat beer inspired by her, with proceeds going to a charity of her choosing. Rowena chose The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD). She had worked with the CCGSD in the past on a program called U = U (Undetectable = Untransmissible) which educated people across Canada on HIV through a series of drag shows. Supporting the educational vision behind the organization was important to her.
“It’s my belief that the one thing that’s going to improve the lives of queer individuals the most from every aspect of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is education, not just education to youth who might be queer, but also education to people outside the community who don’t understand what all those letters mean, who don’t understand the struggle that it takes to grow up being different than everybody else. The CCGSD is focused on providing educational programming in schools as well as in other facets of everyday life. They were my choice. They were the organization I wanted to support.”
Spearhead also worked with Mia St. Amand, a queer artist who lived in Kingston, to incorporate an image of Rowena on the beer can. The beer was named Queen of Wheat and proved to be true beer royalty by winning gold for Wheat Beer – Belgium Style (Wit) in Canada at the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards. Rowena became the first drag queen to be depicted on a beer can in the LCBO. She remains shocked at how the beer—and her profile—has blown up since.
“I’m so grateful to Spearhead for thinking of me and wanting to support the drag and queer community. I’ve been given so many opportunities to share the message that I wanted to share. My literal profile has been shared all across Ontario now. It’s just been such a rewarding experience.”
Ian appreciates the Kingston drag scene because of the freedom it gives him to celebrate the art of gender expression. He says the drag and non-binary performers here are nothing but welcoming.
“We all joke, we all throw shade, but everyone is just so kind to each other and we’re always asking each other: ‘Do you think we should put on this show? Who do you think I could put in that show?’ Every community has its drama and Kingston’s has had its drama, but I just find it so supporting and warm. That’s what I’m trying to bring to the community as well, whenever I book and host shows. I want people to feel welcomed.”
Kingston has helped Rowena tap into her fierce, shameless attitude…and her sweet side ensures that she’s always serving Kingston realness.
If you hear the phrase “the winter in Canada,” you’ll likely have an immediate reaction – a memory, an image, or a sensory perception. That’s what Mark Deen was going for when he named his band the winter in canada.
Mark, Eric, and Steven of the winter in canada
The name works in two ways. Mark explains:
“The short answer is that this started as a home recording project, and I wrote and recorded it during the winter in Canada. The long answer? It means a bit more than that. I liked the idea of a signifier that was elemental, that was universal. In times where truth and commonality are in short supply, I liked the idea of having a band name that conjured an image people were familiar with and how the music of the band could change that perception, playing with the idea of beliefs.”
For Mark, authenticity in music is vital. “We’re moving from an era of monoculture to one where we’re hearing cacophony of different voices,” he says, “and so to contribute positively to that, I wanted to write songs that were about my specific experience: about being a first- generation Canadian, someone who has lived in both larger cities and smaller towns, and someone who is a visible minority. There’s a lot of focus in our music that I’m writing that deals with the idea of agency and equality.”
I see the information That you lost all your friends And the trick to complication Is forgiveness of sins I got your frustrations I got your frustrations But you don’t see me giving in
In March 2020, the members of the winter in canada – Mark, Eric, and Steven – were jamming at Roswell Rehearsals in Kingston. Then they were going to go to a screening of “The Isabel Sessions” (in which the band performed) at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. And then, the festival was suddenly cancelled, due to rising levels of COVID. “And that was the last time we got together as a band,” says Mark. “It was March 12, 2020. The three of us, we had been going for about a year as a band, and really gaining momentum. And then the pandemic hit.”
One of the big losses from the pandemic is the sense of connectivity with other musicians that happens at live gigs. “If you’re playing with larger bands, and opening for them, it kind of raises your level, because you’re being exposed to people who have generated a level of success. And it also exposes you to new and different kinds of music.”
While Mark has missed the spark that comes from playing – and seeing – live music, that doesn’t mean his creativity has been stunted all this time. He continued song writing and experimenting musically. “This has kickstarted a lot of ideas for new songs for the band,” he says. And now that they have been able to start playing together again, they’ll be debuting some of those songs at their June 4 show at The Toucan, as part of the Spring Reverb.
“As we come out of the pandemic,” Mark says, “it’s really great to see the support that the community continues to provide for local musicians. We have promoters like KPP, who are putting on Spring Reverb with a number of local bands. We have contributors to the festival, like the City of Kingston, the Kingston Arts Council…We have the radio station CFRC as well as Amherst Island Radio, all positively contributing and sponsoring events to help promote and get local bands on the scene. It’s been a struggle, not only for the bands, but for the industry that supports those bands as well.”
a new way to find people… album cover
One of those local resources badly affected by the pandemic is Roswell Rehearsals, a purpose-built music rehearsal facility in Kingston started in 2015. A number of Kingston bands, including the winter in canada, contributed tracks for a fundraiser for the facility. The result is The Roswell Effect, featuring 25 local bands. Sales from the album and associated merch will support keeping Roswell Rehearsals open.
You can catch the winter in canada with two other Kingston bands – Funeral Lakes and Princess Towers – at the Toucan on Saturday June 4, on the final night of Spring Reverb. The free show starts at 9 pm.
Spearhead Brewing Company was simply meant to serve Kingston. They’ve been a powerful figure on the Kingston beer scene for years, offering monthly beer releases in their taproom and hosting a variety of events. Everything from their tanks, piping, and cleaning systems were built right here in Kingston, with Kingston engineering and labour. While Spearhead has become vital to Kingston as a beer destination, they’ve since expanded to supply LCBOs across the province. So, when we spoke with Josh Haytor—an early investor turned president of Spearhead Brewing Company—we had to ask about how the idea for the brewery was born in 2011 but raised in Kingston.
“It started out with a group of folks that wanted to do things a little bit differently, wanted to make traditional-style beers with unconventional types of ingredients. Our flagship beer, our first beer, was our Hawaiian Style Pale Ale. Back then, a beer with pineapple in it was just unheard of.”
At the beginning of Spearhead’s journey, the Hawaiian Style Pale Ale was made on a small scale. Everything changed in 2011 after the Spearhead team heard that a legendary brewer, Tomas Schmidt, had just retired from Labatt Brewing Company in London, Ontario. Tomas had become a local legend after spending nearly 30 years working all over the world for Labatt, helping to bring numerous iconic brands, including Cerveza Cristal and Kokanee, to the Ontario market. The Spearhead team decided to visit Tomas, a true brew master, and ask if he was really done with brewing, or just moving on from “big” beer.
Tomas decided that he wasn’t quite done with brewing. So, he joined the Spearhead team and has been involved with every recipe since. His son, Jacob, received his formal education in brewing in Sunderland, England; he is now Spearhead’s head brewer. While the team began as contract brewers (renting out other breweries in order to brew their own batches), Josh remembers that by the time he joined in 2014, their success was evident, and creating their own brick-and-mortar brewery was necessary to keep up with demand. Josh went into every vacant building available in the Greater Toronto Area before expanding the search for a building as far as Lake Huron. The buildings simply weren’t the right fit.
Spearhead Brewery
The Spearhead team reached out to Richard Ward, an early investor and now CEO of the brewery, who had a design and manufacturing business in Kingston called Pure Ingenuity. The team was interested in having brewery equipment designed by Richard’s company. During a meeting, Richard and the team also began brainstorming location ideas. Mid-conversation, one of Richard’s tenants phoned him to let him know he would be ending his lease. The soon-to-be-vacant building was right across the street, so he invited the team to view it.
“He says, ‘Let’s go for a walk. My tenant is out at the end of the lease, let’s have a look and see if it’s a good fit. It was a perfect fit. This was an old New York Air Brake building. We started construction right away. It was like it was meant to be.”
Spearhead has been brewing their strong staple of “core brands” ever since. This is beer that’s made consistently, so it’s always available.
“Our idea was to have a very solid spectrum, so we have our Decoy Lager, a light lager for those who like the lighter beers, we’ve got our Amber of the North, which is just a solid amber beer, a very British-style red. Jacob actually came up with the idea for that recipe while he was back in school in England. Of course, we have our Hawaiian Style, which is a hoppy IPA, and our Big Kahuna, an imperial IPA which is a big, heavy-hitting version of the Hawaiian. Then we’ve got our New England IPA.”
Amber of the North – British-style red ale
Along with their spectrum of staples, the brewery puts out a brand-new beer each month. Creating the recipes is a communal effort that involves the sales, marketing, and brew team in order to brainstorm flavours. Some past brews include the Cherry Blossom Green Tea Saison (a light Saison brewed with Bancha leaf and Sakura blossom, with herbaceous and floral aromatics, and notes of fruit and honey) and their Oatmeal Cream Ale (a twist on the classic North American beer style made with a blend of flaked oats and barley, with a crisp, soft malt flavour). Sometimes one-off brews (such as the New England IPA) are so popular that they become core brands.
Queen of Wheat, their latest core brand, began a little bit differently.
Queen of Wheat
Queen of Wheat is a Belgian-style wheat beer that pairs hops and wheat yeast with a touch of peach for a zesty, citrusy beverage. It was also the first beer with a drag queen on the can in the LCBO ever. In February 2020, Spearhead decided to throw an anti-Valentine’s Day party, inviting a host of performers including local drag queen, Rowena Whey, who organized and headlined the show. Entitled, “Love’s A Drag,” the event was unforgettable.
“It was the first all-ages drag show that had been done in Kingston and that’s where it really became important because at the front row there were some parents that had brought their teenagers and they’d been brought out very specifically for their parents to be able to show them that this was okay. You can be who you are. The interaction between Rowena, the other performers, and these young people was amazing. It was right then that I thought: we need to do something to help here, to help with education, to help with something.”
Spearhead already had plans to release a wheat beer, but they asked if Rowena would want to be part of the process. She was thrilled and suggested they collaborate with the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD), an organization that does significant education work. After consulting with Rowena about flavours, hiring an illustrator to put her image on the can, and deciding to donate some of the proceeds from the product to the CCGSD, the Spearhead team had its newest creation: Queen of Wheat.
“We tossed around a whole bunch of names for the beer but after looking at the image of Rowena on the can, we were like: ‘Alright, this is the Queen. The Queen of Wheat.’”
And Queen of Wheat has proven to be beer royalty. It won gold for Wheat Beer – Belgium Style (Wit) in Canada at the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards.
Every initiative at Spearhead has been rooted in their original vision to be curious and help find the right beverage for everyone—even if it’s not beer. Their taproom serves liquor, wine, cider, and Akwa, their non-alcoholic, zero sugar, hop-infused sparkling water. Josh loves the Kingston taproom because you can see people from every walk of life sitting together, enjoying a beverage.
A couple enjoying the patio at Spearhead Brewery
“Our mantra has always been beer without boundaries. Just make good beer and hopefully people enjoy it. One of the things that we have going for us is we honestly believe that the right beverage is out there for everybody, we just need to find it. And that’s why we’re constantly innovating and making new stuff.”
While Kingston boasts many breweries that could be viewed as competition, Spearhead embraces the thriving local beer scene.
“All the breweries kind of do their own thing—they have very different styles of brewing, which is great. Really, when you look at it, it’s all of us against the big guys, so the more breweries in Kingston, the more Kingston becomes a brewing-centric travel stop. I said when we moved into town, ‘Kingston was the first capital of Canada. I’ll be damned if it doesn’t become our first capital of beer.’”
The Wilderness is a band based in Kingston but has spent the last few months on the road, rocking audiences with performances that Nick Lennox (saxophones, percussion, and vocals) describes as “big, orchestrated, tight, driving, catchy, and powerful.”
This June, the band returns to Kingston to headline a show for Spring Reverb. The four-day exhibition will showcase the Kingston music scene; it’s jam-packed with concerts, panels, and special guest talks. Over the last two years, The Wilderness has had a lot of time to craft their unique sound, and they’re stoked to bring it all back home on June 4 with a performance at The Ale House. We chatted with band members Nick and Jonas Lewis-Anthony (vocals and guitar), ahead of the much-anticipated performance.
In addition to Jonas and Nick, the band includes Karl Tombak (bass), Henry Lawrence (drums and vocals), and Liam Neale (keys and percussion). While none of the members were born in Kingston, they all proudly claim it as their adopted hometown. The band formed in 2015 at an open mic night that Jonas was hosting at Musiikki Café. A snowstorm was raging; barely anyone showed up, but the storm blew in Karl, Henry, and Sacha Lansky (the band’s former lead guitarist). Jonas recounts the jam session they had that night:
“I was desperate to start a band with some people and I was like, ‘Well, that went pretty well, so let’s do it.’ The next day we found ourselves in a basement on Rideau Street, trying to work out some tunes. That iteration of the band was almost seven years ago. For the last five years now we’ve been playing as a six-piece. Nick and Liam joined the band around 2017 and we just knew them from around the local music scene…so, we just kind of absorbed people over the years.”
Since that start, the band has released an independent EP, Seminary Road, in 2018, along with numerous singles. The band was named Indie Week Best Emerging Artist in 2019. Their debut LP, Until Tomorrow, and live EP Live at the Bathouse were both released in 2020. And they are set to release a new EP later this year.
Listen to a Wilderness song and you might be surprised by the combination of folk-focused lyrics and rock melodies. Their full orchestration performances are ferocious, in part due to the eclectic mix of musical talent each band member brings. Nick says their variety of musical backgrounds is an asset:
“Jonas is a phenomenal lyricist. I am a trained music teacher, so if there’s any questions about what chord we should go to, I’ve got boatloads of answers. Liam is phenomenal with textures and knows how to get the coolest sounds. Henry is rhythmically intricate, and he comes up with parts that are just nuts. Karl is a well-rounded songwriter; the stuff that he writes has a good melody, it’s got good lyrics, and it’s responsive to the rest of the band. So, putting all of us together in a room becomes this dance, this dialogue: ‘How much can we gain from each other and how can we take this one idea – that might be Karl’s or Jonas’s or mine – and keep it what it is but also let it be what it could be?’ That’s the hard part, and when we do it well, it turns out beautifully.”
Often, Jonas brings what he calls a “meat and potatoes” draft of a song to the band and then the team works on shaping it together. They’re all equal shareholders in the songwriting, even if Jonas writes the lyrics. Royalties are split amongst them, and they’ve learned the value of being themselves—together.
The band has played nearly 500 shows across Canada and the U.S. But there’s something unique about performing in Kingston. Not only is the local music scene busy, it’s also supportive and welcoming. Nick calls attention to Kingston’s musical legacy:
“We’re kind of standing on the shoulder of giants, following in the footsteps of arguably Kingston’s biggest export: rock bands. There’s a legendary canon of musicians from here: The Tragically Hip, The Glorious Sons, Blue Rodeo, The Headstones. There are all these people who have blazed the trail that we’re trying to shoot for. The bar is high. We’re just out there trying to be the best we can anywhere, but when we’re in Kingston, it’s a real privilege because we get to feel at home.”
Needless to say, The Wilderness members are looking forward to being a part of Spring Reverb. A huge hometown show like this one gives them the opportunity to connect with old friends, meet new people, and experience one of the most loving and supporting crowds on their own turf.
To continue doing what they love, each member has a part- or full-time job beyond the band. They re-invest all the band’s revenue back into it. This allows them to offer great quality merch, make tour-van payments, and compensate their crew. But Jonas says their dedication has already paid off, although he has had occasion to remind himself of their good fortune. After a post-performance, sleepless night in a basement bar in Sudbury, and a sweltering day spent loading heavy equipment into their van, Jonas was feeling a bit grumpy:
“I said to myself, ‘Jonas, you are literally living your dream right now. Have you any idea how your former self would have killed to be in the position that you are in right now? You have a van, you have all of this equipment, you’re doing it with your best friends, you have people helping you, and you’re going to play a show tonight to a couple hundred people in Toronto—which isn’t even a city you’re from.’ Any time we do anything, I feel like we’ve made it. Even if we don’t end up selling out arenas, we don’t end up getting a record deal, and we don’t end up making a single dime off of this, I would have still had seven years of living my life the exact way I wanted to, with the exact people I wanted to, and living a childhood fantasy.”
The Wilderness is looking forward to future performances, writing sessions, and moments that Nick says are “just a little bit cooler than the last one.”
The Wilderness play The Ale House on June 4, supported by Long Range Hustle, Keaton, and Hinterwood.
Kingston indie music favourites showcase their new album at Spring Reverb
Anna, Jesse, and Dee of Forty Seven Teeth | Credit: Anna Robertson
A mosquito has 47 teeth. At least, that’s according to a piece of trivia Dee Prescott read on a bubble gum wrapper years ago. “That’s a great band name!” she thought.
The band Forty Seven Teeth started in 2015, when Dee, Jesse Aylsworth, Anna Robertson, and Joseph Harvey started jamming. “And it just all fell into place,” says Jesse. The band released their first single, “All the feels” in 2016, and an EP a year later. And for a couple of years, they were a mainstay of the Kingston music scene. They were a big draw at live music events across Ontario, including the 2017 Canadian Music Week in Toronto (where the lineup included fellow Kingston band Casper Skulls.)
In 2018, the band took a break to pursue other things, but it was more of a hiatus than a breakup. In 2019, Jesse, Dee, and Anna started playing again as a trio, using the name No Guff. Under that name, they played a show at the Mansion organized by KPP Concerts. They didn’t know it then, but that October 2019 show would be their last for almost three years.
When the pandemic hit, they got together when they could, just to jam. “It was nice,” says Anna, “because as No Guff, we didn’t really have an agenda, we just were writing and playing. We got together whenever there was a lull in isolation. And every time, it seemed a new song would come out.”
Dee says, “It just seemed like when we were having band practice, another song would emerge.” Song writing, she says, “is a team effort. It’s all three of us. If we didn’t have one part of the band, we wouldn’t be able to create the song.”
The songs on “Apologies” are full of emotion: introspection, exhilaration, and regret. “Part of the writing process – because there wasn’t a lot happening in our lives during the pandemic – was a look back at old memories,” says Anna. “Dee and I would riff on funny happenings, old events, a person from the past. That was where we started writing the lyrics. And then all the songs ended up being little snippets of the past. And then I realized a lot of them were apologies. They brought to light the crappy things that other people did to us, that we did to other people…the messiness of youth.”
They decided to record this wealth of new material for posterity. Jesse’s dad, Tim Aylsworth, a local musician and record engineer, recorded and mixed “Apologies” in his home studio. The album – all 16 tracks –was recorded in three days. “In the past, we’ve gotten our heads too much, trying to be perfectionists,” says Anna. So, this time, the trio gave themselves a three-take limit for each song.
“Once we recorded the album, it was clear that it was a Forty Seven Teeth record,” says Dee. Having made the transition into a three-piece outfit, it was time to become Forty Seven Teeth again. And then maybe take a step back into performing in front of a live audience, when the time was right.
Apologies album cover
Before Forty Seven Teeth, there were other bands. Dee was in I Hate Sally: Jesse was in Shushlang. But their musical ventures go back even farther. In elementary school, Jesse played drums for a group called Torn Existence. When Anna was in high school, she was in Lizticket, a band that found an audience – and future bandmates – at a Kingston club that booked all-ages shows, thanks to KPP Concerts.
“They started shows at the 477, a club at University and Princess,” Anna remembers. “I always appreciated my parents allowing me to play shows at this random bar when I was a teenager.”
“That’s how Anna and I met,” says Dee. “I had a band called Love-Sick Bruise, and she was in Lizticket. I don’t know if we played together, but I remember seeing Lizticket and saying, ‘Oh my god, there are other girls who play music! This is great!’ We were instant friends.”
Once “Apologies” was released, Forty Seven Teeth were asked by a few people to play live shows again. Nervous – but excited – to get back on stage, they leapt at the opportunity to play a KPP show as part of Spring Reverb this June.
“We have a bit of a timeline,” says Anna, “since I’m currently six months pregnant. So, it’s all a matter of how I can play with my bump,” she laughs, mimicking holding a guitar far out to her side. “We’re going to play this show, and if it works out, we may play a couple more.”
“We’re excited to play, to be in front of people again, and feel that energy. It’s nice to share this creation we’ve made.”
Forty Seven Teeth play at the Ale House on June 1 with PUP and Casper Skulls as part of Spring Reverb.
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