Page 28 – Visit Kingston

January 23, 2020March 31, 2023

Behind the Kingston Canadian Film Festival with Marc Garniss

Cancellation notice due to COVID-19: kingcanfilmfest.com

This year the Kingston Canadian Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary! This festival brings incredible Canadian films to the limestone city every year. This year’s event runs from March 11-15. The festival does more than screen films, it also features Q&As, workshops, networking events, and live music. Tickets go on sale February 4 but in the meantime, learn more from Festival Director Marc Garniss. In our chat below Marc shares his all-time favourite festival film, which celebrity speakers are expected this year, and other fun details movie-goers can look forward to.

Tell me about the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and your role in the annual event?

The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is the globe’s largest all-Canadian film festival, entering its 20th anniversary season, March 11-15. I am the Festival Director.

Why do you think Kingston is a great venue to host the festival?

Kingston is a great place to host a film festival. We have a beautiful downtown core with everything centrally located. We attract a number of visitors from places between the Toronto-Montreal corridor that may not have a film festival in their market – so, they embrace KCFF as their hometown/local fest. I think the fact that we’re an all-Canadian festival adds to the feeling of ownership. At KCFF, audiences hear the stories of filmmakers from all regions of Canada. They represent subjects that may be familiar and stories that are relevant and important to us as Canadians. Of course, a number of the stories also help shed light on subjects that are unknown to some Canadians. So, the tone of the programming is familiar, yet exploratory.

What do you love most about the film festival?

I love how the fest captures so many moving pieces that are ultimately framed into a final piece of programming. We work all year, liaising with filmmakers, visiting other festivals, and chatting with artists. Some films have release dates that line up with the festival and others do not. Some guests confirm a year in advance and others may not confirm until the week of the KCFF. So, while we pride ourselves on being organized (my staff is at least!) there’s an element of chaos involved in an event like this that keeps it exciting. Let’s call it an organized chaos!

All time favourite film that has participated in the film festival?

I have only been involved in the fest since 2012. But, my favourite film that we have played would be Simon Lavoie’s The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches

What are you looking forward to at this year’s festival?

I’m a big Kids in the Hall fan and Kevin McDonald will be doing his one-man show and I’ve already got my ticket for that one! Plus, we just confirmed our opening night title — but at this time — I can’t leak that info!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KCFF (@kingcanfilmfest) on Dec 9, 2019 at 9:28am PST

What’s your favourite film festival venue in Kingston?

My favourite venue is The Screening Room! Of course, The Grand and the Isabel are beautiful and we love working with their amazing teams. But, when it comes to hunkering down for four days of binge-watching Canadian films, it’s hard to beat the coziness and charm of The Screening Room. They just installed the “Overlook Hotel” (The Shining) carpet in one of their theatres – so, that alone seals the deal for me!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7l-9BWgpnY/

What do you want the general public to know about the festival?

That’s easy. Canadian film is the best in the world! While I may have a slight bias, it’s worth noting that Canadian film is winning awards in France (Cannes), Berlin (Berlinale), Edinburgh (EIFF) and other major festivals across the world. When I travelled to EIFF a couple years ago, there was a huge spotlight on Canadian film. Most films that dominate North American commercial theatres are just thinly developed eye-candy. KCFF is a rare opportunity to see many of the amazing Canadian films that are drastically underseen (especially on the big screen) but are among the best in the world according to critics and international audiences. And, the best part is, you don’t need to be a “film nerd” to enjoy these films! Most festival patrons would identify as an average movie-goer. Of course, the longer one attends KCFF, the more sophisticated your tastes may become, haha!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwIFvm_AcnH/

Guests/speakers that you are most excited about this year?

Sean Cullen, Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall), Don Shebib, Andrea Bang (Kim’s Convenience), and likely about 100 others! Most of our films are accompanied by a post-show Q&A with the director, cast and/or crew. This is one of the highlights of the festival – you can ask your questions and get to know the filmmaking team after each screening. Generally, our special guests are very accessible and love meeting and chatting with our audience, both formally during the Q&A period, and informally afterwards in the theatre lobby or at a festival party. The festival brings together so many interesting people into small venues during four action-packed days – it’s a great way to meet both locals and visitors, connecting over some films, and stories and their creators. It’s a recipe for an amazing experience.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6RGqKsAsNr/

Anything you’d like to add?

Our festival lineup is announced February 2 and tickets go on sale February 4. While you can often buy tickets at the festival, lots of screenings sell out (especially during our primetime screening slots). So, we recommend folks pick up tickets in advance if they can! They’re available on our website (kingcanfilmfest.com) and also in-person during certain days/times leading up to the fest. All the details are on our website!

This year’s festival promises to be another showcase of Canadian talent – plan your Kingston getaway to experience the festival with these getaway packages.

January 10, 2020March 27, 2023

Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar: Kingston’s First Zero Waste Restaurant!

At 286 Princess Street, just down from The Hub and headed towards Sydenham Street, a quiet little revolution is underway in the guise of a remarkable restaurant – Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar – the brainchild of a pair of Queen’s University graduates: an engineer (her); and mathematician (him).

She is Bellen Tong: a biomechanical engineer and chef trained at the prestigious George Brown Culinary School in Toronto. He is Zach Fang, a math whiz and banker. They come from the opposite sides of vast Northern China, but they met at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. Bellen and Zach are partners in life and business and co-founders of Miss Bāo. Bellen is the restaurant’s operation manager and Zach is the project coordinator.

A sneak peek to what’s coming to Kingston

Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar brings something brand new to Kingston. Not only is the restaurant a fusion of cultures and ideas; of countries and cuisines; of art and science; of ancient and modern; of locally sourced ingredients and imported revolutionary state-of-the-art composting technology, but perhaps most importantly of all, Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar will be a 100% zero waste operation. They are the first independent restaurant in Ontario to use a remarkable on-site-in-vessel composter to tackle food waste, making Miss Bāo a true leader in the sustainability revolution.

Miss Bāo takes its name from one of Bellen’s culinary specialities: bāo, a traditional Northern Chinese dish, now famous the world over, which is one of the mainstays of the restaurant’s menu.

Vegan-Szechuan-Bāo-filling-made-with-banana-peels

Bāo, also known as baozi or steamed buns, are tender, savoury, delicious dumplings encased in a soft, bread-like dough and steamed in bamboo baskets. The most traditional bāo are filled with fragrant steamed pork and just a hint of scallion. Miss Bāo Restaurant dishes up everything from traditional pork and beef steamed dumplings, to Peking Duck bāo, and vegetarian and vegan options including “ vegan Szechuan “pork” bāo.” The vegan ‘pork’, is made from banana peels: an ingredient most of us have entirely overlooked and tossed away our entire lives. How is this possible? According to Bellen, the banana skins are soaked immediately on peeling to avoid oxidation, then they are cooked over low heat for a very long time, and finally, they are seasoned to perfection. According to Bellen, “they are surprisingly delicious.”

The menu includes a variety of Asian fusion tapas with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as Asian inspired speciality cocktails including an entire cocktail series using Asian liquors as a base. The Sakura Martini, for example, features Nigori (a type of sake), dry vermouth, maraschino cherry syrup, and a salt pickled cherry blossom.

Spiked bubble tea with a shot of Earl Grey Infused Vodka

To meet their dream of creating a sustainable, zero-waste restaurant, Bellen and Zach implemented some simple things, such as using all the vegetable peelings to make homemade vegan stock. They also eliminated single-use plastic items, and eliminated or replaced ingredients that have non-compostable and non-recyclable packaging. In order to do this, they make such ingredients as ponzu, miso and pickles in-house, instead of purchasing commercially pre-made and pre-packaged versions.

Steamed pork scallop and prawn Shumai w red lumpfish caviar made in-house

More significantly though, Bellen and Zach implemented some impressive state-of-the-art green technology including a closed-loop vessel composter, imported from Korea and an Urban Cultivator® (essentially a fully contained, indoor gardening system), made in British Columbia.

The vessel composter grinds and breaks down all the restaurant’s food waste while controlling temperature and humidity, in order to create clean, nutrient-rich, odourless compost. Compost is used to grow vegetables onsite in the cultivator, thereby transforming what was food waste to a remarkable, nutrient rich food source. The first in Kingston, this large indoor gardening appliance allows the restaurant to produce all of its own microgreens onsite, and on full display to restaurant patrons.

Visit Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar at 286 Princess Street and come be part of the sustainability revolution!

Japanese inspired chilled tofu with soy-ginger sauce

286 Princess Street, Kingston, ON

Website | Instagram

Supplier List (more coming soon):
Pig and Olive Premium Meat
Local Growing Company
Findlay Foods (for sustainable fish and seafood)
Memorial Centre Farmers Market
Limestone Organic Creamery

January 8, 2020April 5, 2023

Meet the Maker: Vicki Westgate of Metalworks Kingston

If you’ve walked through the red doors of Metalworks over the past couple of decades, chances are you’ve met silversmith Vicki Westgate. She’s the gallery manager at the downtown studio and jewellery boutique, and she’s been here since Steve Luckwaldt bought Metalworks and hired her in 2003.

When I walk in, she’s helping a customer from behind one of the glass cases that line the snug space and are filled with custom necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings made by Canadian jewellers and goldsmiths, including Vicki herself.

It’s a world very familiar to Vicki. “I’ve done jewellery since I was very little, and I’ve always loved it because it incorporates so much and it’s hands-on,” she tells me later. “You’re building, using tools, hammers, fire, because everything is made from scratch, and I like that.”

Here, that building happens in the small studio in the back shared by Vicki, Steve, and goldsmith Emily Wojna. It consists of three benches a few feet apart with hundreds of tiny tools on top — hammers, pliers, files, burrs, etc. Imagine the back of a jewellery shop from two hundred years ago, if not longer, and you’re not far off. “Nothing has really changed for over 2,000 years in traditional goldsmithing,” says Vicki. “There are new tools that can make life a lot easier, but we’re not that type of studio. We tend toward the tried and true because it’s what we’re good at it and because it works.”

Vicki describes her own work as “very feminine” and “classic with a twist”. Much of it incorporates pearls, but this isn’t the typical sweater set. Rather, she combines the natural contours of the pearls with more modern, handmade elements using gemstones, silver, and gold.

Vicki has a degree in fine art from the University of Toronto and worked in the private gallery system in Toronto for several years. She moved to Kingston in the 90s to enroll in Queen’s Artist in Community Education program and later took jewellery classes at St. Lawrence College.

Now firmly established at Metalworks for almost 20 years, she says one of the biggest rewards of this career is trying to figure out exactly what a client wants. “I find that dialogue very interesting, trying to physically envision what they want. And then when you’ve done it and you present it and they’re like, ‘Yay! Whoa!’ It’s the best feeling.”

While Metalworks has customers from all over the world, many are within walking distance of the downtown shop, says Vicki, and that’s something she’s proud of. “Rather than finding something online and going click, here it’s a visceral, one-to-one, highly personalized experience.”

Plus, she adds, people who shop here like the idea that they’re supporting artists who are making their living at this. “This is someone’s career, they’ve gone to school for this, and I find that people like making that connection with the people behind the work.”

Metalworks Kingston

352 King Street East

metalworkskingston.ca

January 6, 2020March 29, 2023

Celebrating Diversity: The Reelout Queer Film Festival

Hollywood does its best, but sometimes you have to look outside of the mainstream for the most interesting and important movies. A great place to start is this month’s Reelout Queer Film Festival. Now in its 21st year, the fest brings together the talents of filmmakers from across the globe to tell honest, heartwarming, funny, and fearless stories.

Still from Take Me To Prom, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival

Opening on January 30th, Reelout promises to provide a rainbow of options for every type of movie-goer: from die-hard film aficionados, to folks looking for a lighthearted weekend activity, to those who are simply curious about lives and perspectives different than their own. “This is a queer film fest, but it’s not just a film festival for the queer community,” says Matt Salton, Reelout’s executive director. “Everyone is more than welcome. It’s about much more than just gender and sexuality – it’s about celebrating diversity through the powerful medium of film.”

Changing the Game, a documentary that has been raking in awards across the festival circuit since its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival is Reelout’s opening gala selection. The film follows three transgender high school athletes who must train with the added pressure of daily harassment and discrimination. The film will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Lee Airton, PhD an Assistant Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education at Queen’s University. Another highly-anticipated feature, Song Lang, is a gorgeous feature film from Vietnam set behind the scenes of a gorgeous opera stage production in the 1980s.

Still from Changing the Game, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival

The rest of the diverse 43-film lineup includes comedy, romance, drama, and horror, presented as shorts and feature-length films, in both narrative and documentary form. Reelout’s programming committee, made up of Kingstonians from all walks of life, helped to select this year’s films from over 200 submissions from countries all over the world.

In addition to 10 days of fascinating films, Reelout invites the community to celebrate with them at the festival events: the Reelout/Three Things Consulting opening gala screening of Changing the Game and reception on Thursday, January 30^th at Montel’s Lounge in the Tir Nan Og Irish Pub!) and the Closing Gala drag cabaret Drag Me to the Movies at The Screening Room at 9pm on Friday, February 7^th.

Still from Good Kisser, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival

The driving force behind the entire festival is its focus on diversity and representation. Salton believes that the stories and perspectives shared through the festival’s films and events can have an illuminating, even uniting effect on the community. “This festival bridges some of the gaps that exist within the diversity of our city,” he says. “It brings together the town and the university, and the heterosexual community and the queer community – but it also highlights the voices of Kingston’s people of colour, people from different countries, and people who are differently-abled. We always need to look at our struggles for equality through an intersectional lens, and our films demonstrate that queer lives and struggles can be vastly diverse.”

Still from Henry’s Heart, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival

Reelout has also done a lot to lift spirits – both of viewers, and those whose stories are being told. “I’m celebrating 20 years as a film festival programmer and still to this day my favourite moment was five years ago when our opening gala documentary was about a young transgender girl who lives in Timmins, Ontario,” says Salton. “This girl was horribly bullied – she was once thrown in a dumpster – and seemed to be destined for a really sad life. Her mother heard about an international roller derby league that accepted trans-identified people, and they also had a children’s league. Through the sport of roller derby, this little girl became empowered. It was a really moving documentary.”

Still from I Am Me, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival

“We brought this girl and her mother to Kingston for the opening gala at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, and the guy who does our carpet service even offered a red carpet. A lot of our volunteers wanted to help out, acting as paparazzi. So when our guests showed up in a limousine at the Isabel, they were treated like the stars we saw them as.”

Through the exciting experiences offered by the fest, and the different perspectives provided to Kingston’s moviegoers through the medium of film, Salton hopes that Reelout will continue to make a positive impact on the community. “Film has a powerful, mobilizing influence for change,” he says. “Festivals like Reelout give unseen members of the community a chance to be seen and heard.”

“I think the more different stories we see and hear as a community, the more respect and empathy we will have for one another.”

Reelout Queer Film Festival runs from January 30th to February 8th, 2020 at The Screening Room (120 Princess St). Screening times, tickets, event information, and more are available at reelout.com.

December 19, 2019March 20, 2023

25 things to do in February 2020

Some of our favourite winter festivals return this February, plus things are getting a little cultured at our art galleries. And at the end of the month, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the Tim Hortons Brier kicks off with its opening draw at the Leon’s Centre. Do you have your tickets yet?

Do you have a Kingston event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration!

Make sure you click each image for even more event details.

1. Reelout Queer Film and Video Festival, Various Locations – January 30 – February 8, 2020

2. Feb Fest, Downtown Kingston – February

3. QPLS Conference “Life of a Lawyer”, John Deutsch University Centre – February 1, 2020

4. Cabin Fever: Winter Antique Show, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour – February 1-2, 2020

5. Kingston Frontenacs Games, Leon’s Centre – February 1, 2, 8, 13, 15, 18, 22, 2020

6. We Will Rock You: The Musical on Tour, Leon’s Centre – February 3, 2020

7. Human Rights Art Festival – Film Night: Advocate, Isabel Bader Centre – February 3, 2020

8. Monday Evening Throwdown Pottery Class, Amaranth Stoneware – February 3, 10, 24, 2020

9. DIY Charcuterie Boards, Tett Centre – February 6 + 20, 2020

10. Thursday Gallery Tour, Agnes Etherington Art Centre – February 9, 2020

11. Crop Kingston Winter Crafting Retreat, Four Points by Sheraton – February 7-9, 2020

12. Cezanne’s Closet 2020 Art Auction, Union Gallery – February 8, 2020

13. Guided Fishing Tours, Lake Ontario – February 8-10, 22-24, 2020

14. Inside Agnes: Spencer Evans & Doug Stewart, Agnes Etherington Art Centre – February 9, 2020

15. Beethoven 6 & Stravinsky – MW5, The Grand Theatre – February 9, 2020

16. Nautical Nights: Winter Speaker Series, Kingston Yacht Club – February 12 + 26, 2020

17. Valentine’s Day with Miss Emily, The Isabel Bader Centre – February 14, 2020

18. Romeo & Juliet by National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, The Grand Theatre – February 13, 2020

19. Family Friendly Food Tour, Downtown Kingston – February 16 + 17, 2020

20. Family Day at Kingston Museums, Various Locations – February 17, 2020

21. Old Dominion Live, Leon’s Centre – February 20, 2020

22. RELM Sports YGK Showdown, Invista Centre – February 20-23, 2020

23. Dion Howlin Husky Snowshoe Race, Mountain Bike Club of Kingston – February 22, 2020

24. Afternoon Tea at AquaTerra – February 22 + 23, 2020

25. 2020 Tim Hortons Brier, Leon’s Centre – February 29 – March 8, 2020

December 18, 2019March 20, 2023

Giving the Gift of Kingston Experiences

This holiday, give that lucky someone the gift of an unforgettable experience in our beautiful city. Sure it’s an ideal destination year-round, but the winter festivities add a unique sparkle to Kingston that can’t be missed.

The gift of giving (and receiving)

This holiday season, the fine folks at AquaTerra restaurant are adding something special when you load up on gift certificates. Get a gift when you give a gift (certificate) — like $220 when you spend $200; $340 when you spend $300, and; $450 when you spend $400. Treat your friends and loved ones to AquaTerra’s ever-evolving menu full of locally sourced and seasonally inspired ingredients, perfect at any time of day and occasions big and small.

Meet our Makers

Experience an evening of fine food, famous Prince Edward County wines, and good conversation. Join AquaTerra’s Executive Chef and a guest winemaker at the waterfront restaurant, listen to stories from the vineyard and learn about the winemaking process. Tickets include a four-course dinner with wine pairings. Seating is limited so get your tickets online today.

Watch them play

Are there hockey fans in your life? Send them to the rink in style. The Kingston Frontenacs Coca-Cola Holiday Pack includes 6 silver ticket vouchers for any regular-season game between December 28, 2019 to March 22, 2020; one signed Kingston Frontenacs puck; one Coca-Cola vintage bottle six-pack; one official Kingston Frontenacs ballcap. Holiday Packs can be bought at the Fronts Shop at Leon’s Centre until December 23 at noon.

Let us entertain you

Forget trying to select the perfect book, movie, or album for the culture vulture on your list — you’re probably going to pick the wrong one anyway. Instead, let them choose their own play or performance with a gift certificate to the Grand Theatre or the Isabel. Bonus: these gift certificates never expire!

Good wine for a good cause

The Winemaker’s Benefit Dinner, hosted by AquaTerra, invites guests to enjoy a memorable evening of great food and wine in support of the University Hospital Kingston Foundation. The speakers of the evening are cardiologist Dr. Adrian Baranchuk, who has written about the relationship between wine and cardiovascular health, and Dan Sullivan of Prince Edward County’s Rosehall Run winery. Tickets are available online.

Solve some problems

Your pals, family members, or co-workers will love the chance to prove their problem-solving skills when you gift them a booking at Improbable Escapes or Sherlock’s Escapes! Three of Kingston’s most thrilling attractions, these escape rooms offer a variety of themed rooms to choose from for tons of brain-teasing fun.

Eat and be merry

For the culinary connoisseur, give them the best of both worlds: the Kingston experience and great food. Kingston Food Tours offers a guided walk through the downtown streets, discovering the city’s history and savouring the very best of Kingston cuisine. For fans of the craft brewery scene, join a microbrewery crawl with the Beer and Bites tour.

Looking for more experiences in Kingston? Check out more Kingston attractions.

December 6, 2019March 20, 2023

Kingston Live, Episode 12: A Roundup

Kingston Live is a monthly podcast that offers behind-the-scenes insights into the Kingston music scene. If you’re looking to learn more about the city’s emerging artists and where to see them play live, you’ll find it here! If you’re a resident music lover or visitor looking for the inside scoop on Kingston’s local music scene, it’s a perfect fit for you, too.

Johnny and Riley close the year with their 12th episode, chatting with local musicians Dan Taylor and Paul Stoss, of the Dan Taylor Band and end the episode discussing the past year of the podcast, their favourite episodes and shows.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5rDvPCgogc/

Dan Taylor of the Dan Taylor Band starts the episode discussing his latest single “Limestone City” and what inspired him to write it three years ago. Bandmate, Paul Stoss also shares his perspective on what he loves about Kingston. “The quality of musicians and artists that do exist here — it is an inspiring place,” says Paul. They chat about the concept of the “Kingston sound” something that Johnny and Riley have touched on with many guests on the show this year. Listeners learn more about the band and their performance in Kingston’s Santa Claus Parade. Dan’s advice to aspiring artists is, “Have thick skin.” Listeners get a chance to hear their single, “Limestone City!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5lWYN4AW_k/

Johnny and Riley follow the tradition of listing every show worth attending in the Kingston area from now through to the new year.

They close the show by chatting in a roundtable with Executive Producer Rob Howard and writer Pete Sanfilippo to reflect on their favourite episodes, shows and festivals of the year. They discuss the growth of Back to the Farm and the changes made to the format of Wolfe Island Music Festival (for the better!). Other local show highlights include The Glorious Sons’ show at Richardson Stadium and Rockin’ the House at the Kingston Penitentiary. Listeners also get the inside scoop on their favourite musical discoveries of 2019 and their thoughts on the local music scene and why it’s thriving. They also touch on one of my personal favourite moments from this year’s episodes: the interview with Brian from Brian’s Record Option and how the Kingston community lifted him up after his store flooded and made sure he didn’t close.

The Kingston Live podcast is syndicated to all major podcast platforms. Find them wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to subscribe: Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIn and Stitcher. They also air on Wolfe Island Radio on Tuesday and Thursdays! You can also follow them on Instagram.

Missed episode 11? Catch the recap here.

December 5, 2019March 29, 2023

Guide to NYE 2019 in Kingston

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and we’re here to help you figure out your plans! But forget Chinese takeout and Netflix — with so many things happening around the city, you’ll definitely want to take advantage and spend a night out on the town! Check out our list below for all types of ideas from dress-up to live music and everything in between.

If you want to dress up

Looking for a reason to dress to the nines and wear those shoes that hurt your feet but look super cute? This list is for you. Ring in the new year with a little extra sparkle with one of these events.

NYE The Roaring Twenties

Where: Holiday County Manor in Battersea (Just North of Kingston)
Vibe: As we head into the ’20s Holiday County Manor is ringing in the new year, Gatsby style. Go full glitz and glam with this themed event.
Cost: $60+tax or $240 with overnight accomodations.
Call: 613-353-2211 to book

New Year’s Eve Gala

Where: Italo-Canadian Club
Vibe: Dancing, a five-course Italian dinner and a late-night buffet.
Cost: $70

New Year’s at Union

Where: Union Kitchen & Cocktails
Vibe: Three-course dinner and Champagne
Cost: $65
Call: 613-547-5152

New Year’s Eve at AquaTerra

Where: AquaTerra
Vibe: 5-course First Seating or 6-course Second Seating that includes sparkling wine and a cheese course.
Cost: $86 – $100
Call: 613-549-6243

If you want to support a good cause

If you want to find the balance between treating yourself and giving to others, celebrate 2020 while honouring a charity at one of these fabulous Kingston events.

Kingston New Year’s Eve Gala: Countdown to 2020 for Loving Spoonful

Where: The Harbour Restaurant & Catering
Vibe: Live music, hors d’oeuvres, games, prizes and champagne.
Cost: $95-$105. All proceeds from the event will go directly to Loving Spoonful.

NYE 2019 Charity Gala: Countdown to 2020

Where: Four Points by Sheraton Kingston
Vibe: Dancing, appetizers and drinks (two drink tickets included with ticket). Make a night of it and book a room at the Sheraton!
Cost: $100/person – $150/for two. The event benefits Sistema Kingston.

What Happens at Spearhead…New Year’s Eve Casino Night!

Where: Spearhead Brewing Company
Vibe: Showgirl performances by Chez BonBon Productions, tapas-style menu, real casino games and tables to play with proceeds benefiting the Canada Africa Community Health Alliance’s (CACHA) Congo Project.
Cost: $125
Tickets: Can be purchased at Spearhead

If you want to rock out

Want to kick off 2020 singing at the top of your lungs and sweating out your last meal of 2019? There is something here for you.

New Year’s Eve with Ambush!

Where: Ambassador Hotel and Conference Centre
Vibe: Dress-up or casual, whatever floats your boat! Just be ready for dinner and a live concert featuring Ambush.
Cost: $52

New Year’s Eve Rock and Roll Royal Kingston Curling Club

Where: Royal Kingston Curling Club
Vibe: Rock and Roll with music by Aylesworth, Jones and Pike.
Cost: $25 in advance/ $30 at the door

If you want to party economically

Is your New Year’s resolution to be more fiscally responsible? From free to very reasonably priced meals, take your pick of the Kingston options below.

Merchant NYE

Where: The Merchant Tap House
Vibe: Kingston’s go-to bar wants you to get down with DJ T-MAK.
Cost: NO COVER

New Year’s Eve at the Brewery

Where: Stone City Ales
Vibe: Chill. So chill, in fact, you can go anytime on New Year’s Eve from 11 am on for a three-course prix-fixe menu.
Cost: $30/plate

If you want to celebrate with the family

Do you want to include your little ones in the 2020 celebration? They can appreciate the fanfare of closing a year and starting a new one with one of these kid-friendly events.

K-Town Countdown

Where: Invista Centre (New location!)
Vibe: Something for every member of the family – magicians, ice-shows, three thematic ice pads, photo booths, animal encounters with Zoo to You.
Cost: FREE

Noon Year’s Eve

Where: Playtrium
Vibe: Playful fun for the young ones! Face painting, a hot chocolate bar, prizes and giveaways and a balloon drop at noon.
Cost: General Admission: Non-crawling Infants: Free; 2 years and under: $8.99; 3-16 years: $16.99; Adults: $2.99; Grandparents: Free for a limited time!

December 3, 2019April 3, 2023

The Everly: A New Face at The Table

Tucked into the corner of Wellington and Brock Streets in downtown Kingston, a brand new restaurant is underway. The Everly Restaurant and Lounge, located at 171 Wellington, is a massive construction site when I visit, but even in this state, you can clearly see that The Everly will be a beautiful and stunningly elegant addition to Kingston. Light streams in through the huge plate-glass windows. The ceiling soars above. There’s a feeling of spaciousness and airiness. It’s a perfect location, central but out of the hurly-burly. It is a surprisingly glamorous construction site.

Big things are not new to this location. It was in this very block that a young John A. Macdonald opened his first law office in 1835, a year before he was admitted to the Bar of Upper Canada.

The Everly’s owners, Amber Thom, and her partner, Jamie Hodges (a New Zealander who has spent the last 14 years in Canada), know a thing or two about restaurants. Together they co-owned both the gorgeous, ultra-stylish Juniper Café at the Tett Centre and Epicurious Catering. They’ve spent their lives working in the food industry and, amongst other things, they once ran the Red Brick Supper Club, a small dinner-party style private restaurant out of their home where reservations were hotly sought after.

The Everly, though, is a brand-new venture built from scratch and will be a unique addition to Kingston’s culinary scene. In style, it will evoke a 1930s Manhattan cocktail bar and supper club. Think soft jazz. Black walnut tables. Comfortable sumptuous seating. A massive, opulent chandelier. Warm, flattering colours and soft lighting, soaring ceilings, secluded, private spaces, a stylish outdoor patio, and wine and cocktails served in gorgeous glassware. And above all, seriously good food.

“What we’re after here is creating something that is classic and timeless,” says Amber. “We want to focus on warm hospitality and serving thoughtful food and drink with quality, professional service. We just want everyone to have a really nice time.”

The menu, which will change regularly according to seasonal availability, will feature sharing plates that will feed two to four people, as well as small and large plates. Menu items will include fresh pasta made daily on-site, local organic produce, local, humanely raised meat, and sustainable fish and seafood. Don’t be surprised to see special items crop up in the daily offerings – dishes like confit deep-fried rabbit, wagyu beef carpaccio, and on the weekends, whole suckling pig.

“We’ll be making our own ingredients,” says Jamie. “We will use the whole animal – nothing will be wasted. Prime cuts go onto the share plates. Bones will be used for stocks. Tougher cuts will be braised and then made into sauces or pates, terrines, charcuterie, and ragù for pastas. Working this way, we will be able to offer outstanding food at a well-considered, reasonable price point.”

Once dinner service concludes at 10pm, the bar will be open until late at night for food and drinks.

“We want this to be a classy, comfortable place that people can visit later in the evening,” says Amber. During the summer months, cocktails and snacks will be available on the 30-seat patio.

“We have recruited a team of 20 experienced, incredibly talented professionals from all over the province including Toronto, Ottawa, and Prince Edward County,” says Jamie. On the new team are sommelier, chefs, cooks, and servers. All will go through an intensive training program before the restaurant opens.

“Our aim is to set a new gold standard in food, hospitality, and style,” says Jamie.

And even before the doors open at The Everly, it’s already apparent that the new gold standard is well underway.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QrvivAhbZ/

Watch for The Everly to open in early December 2019. Tuesday to Saturday nights inclusive, from 5 pm until late.

Find more information at theeverly.ca, on Facebook or Instagram

The Everly Supplier List

Third Heart Farm
Patchwork Gardens
Salt of the Earth
Wendy’s Mobile Market
Sonset Farms
Ironwood Organics
Burt’s Greenhouse
Wallace Beef
Glengarry Cheese
Forman Farms
Quinn’s Meats
Ottercreek Farms
Beking Eggs
Hogan’s Honey
Heffernan Family Farms

November 29, 2019April 3, 2023

25 Days of Giveaways with Sherlock’s Escapes

December is an exciting month to shop downtown. Businesses are bustling with rosy-cheeked shoppers, lights and decorations twinkle above you in the dusk, and holiday music is spilling out onto the snow!

This December, one business is making it even more enticing to shop and support local businesses. Sherlock’s Escapes, an escape room company that offers three rooms for aspiring detectives at their 298 Bagot Street location, has secured gifts from more than 40 downtown businesses so they can offer prizes each day in December on their Facebook and Instagram pages!

“We wanted to get prizes together for each day that would appeal to a different audience,” said Claire Grady-Smith, Marketing Manager for Sherlock’s Escapes. “We love the diversity of businesses and business owners downtown, so we wanted to do something that brought the whole community together and enticed new shoppers to the city as well.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sherlock’s Escapes (@sherlocksescapes) on Nov 27, 2019 at 6:07am PST

This year, Sherlock’s Escapes owner Matthew Rothwell, had the idea of bringing in St. Lawrence College students to assist with the branding of the calendar. “Seven groups of students pitched their ideas to us,” explained Claire. “It was impressive to see what the students came up with, and it was not an easy choice!”

The winning group includes Erin Smith, John Charlton, and Laura Lewis. They created a beautiful Victorian Christmas concept, right on brand with the refined graphics of Sherlock’s Escapes. Look for their videos on Facebook and Instagram, and posters in businesses’ windows all throughout December.

Below is a sneak peek of the prizes that will be up for grabs.

Day 1: Salon 296

Day one of their annual advent calendar is a gift pack from Salon 296 that includes a $50 gift certificate for services and a Pureology Hair Care package worth $50. Both would make great gifts. All you have to do is like and comment on that day’s post to be entered to win!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SALON 296 (@salon296) on Apr 2, 2019 at 11:44am PDT

Day 5: The Rocking Horse

Day five of the calendar is a whopper from The Rocking Horse. Two sets of How To Train Your Dragon Lego sets, valued at $50 each, will go to a couple of lucky kids this year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Rocking Horse (@therockinghorsekingston) on Sep 27, 2019 at 9:33am PDT

Day 13: Pig & Olive + Kingston Olive Oil Company

Day thirteen is $50 at the Pig & Olive – a great prize to help with a holiday dinner. This prize is paired with a Olivent Calendar from the Kingston Olive Oil Company, which has 25 different infused premium olive oils to try!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kingston Olive Oil Company (@kingstonoliveoilcompany) on Nov 25, 2019 at 11:38am PST

Above all, make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram @sherlocksescapes for a chance to win a daily prize package!

Check sherlocksescapes.com for details about the rules and instructions for the Advent Calendar.

November 22, 2019July 4, 2024

Athletes of Kingston: The MacDougall Sisters

Over the last few years, Kingston sisters have ran their way to cross country provincial and national championship honours and have represented Canada on the international stage.

The MacDougall sisters, Branna, 21 and Brogan, 19, have accomplished some of those championships on home soil, the popular cross country course adjacent to Fort Henry, and doing it for Queen’s, their home town university.

At the USports cross country national championships on Nov. 9 at Fort Henry Branna finished third in the race with Brogan coming in a close fifth. Their performance, along with high finishes by teammates Marley Beckett, Tori Bouck and Kara Blair earned the Queen’s Gaels only 53 points (adding up the top five finishers results) in the women’s race which in cross country running lower is better and good for first place over the Guelph Gryphons and Laval Rouge.

In 2018, also at Fort Henry, Brogan, a USports rookie, won the women’s race wire to wire and jogged across the finish line with a big smile on her face as hundreds of local cross country fans cheered. Branna finished ninth in that race while nursing an injury contributing to a Queen’s second place finish behind Laval.

Branna, a third year engineering student at Queen’s, has an extensive running resume including other high finishes and titles.

In 2017, Branna won the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) title and was third at the USports championship. In 2018, Branna also finished second at the OUA championship behind her sister. Brogan, a second-year applied science student, also has an lengthy championship record before attending Queen’s including a pair of national junior championships while with the local Physi-Kult running club where Branna is also a member.

In separate interviews, Branna and Brogan talk about their love for cross country running and what it’s like to run the Fort Henry course in front of a home crowd.

How did you get into cross country?

Branna: “I was just this weirdly competitive kid and I always wanted to win and be the best. I like how running is dependent on you and I really like the competitiveness of it and that really drew me in. Every time I ran I really liked being alone and I liked the solitude about it. The more and more I did it the more I liked it.”

Brogan: “I really enjoy the purity of cross country. On the track, everything is time-oriented which can be very draining since you’re worrying about your splits every 400 metres. Cross country it’s just you battling your competitors and the elements. Time becomes irrelevant because the weather is poor and the conditions on every course are different.”

The Queen’s Gaels womens cross country team celebrates their USports victory at Fort Henry on Saturday Nov. 9, 2019.

Although cross country is an individual sport but at the USports level there’s a lot made of the team aspect of it. Do you like that?

Branna: “For me the individual part is the more important part but the team is a close second to that. You foster these really special relationships because you all love running. With my running friends I connect really well with them so you have this special relationship and you want to do well because they’re your best friends.”

Brogan: “In the past, I’ve always thought of cross country being an individual sport. This year, however, I got a new appreciation for team-orientated goals. I was injured going into the championship race and if I had been running for myself I wouldn’t have attempted to run USports. Since our team goal this year was so important to us all, I put aside my personal goals and ran so our team accomplish what we wanted to do.”

Queen’s Gaels, from left Marley Beckett, Brogan and Branna McDougall and Tori Bouck at the finish line when they realized Queen’s would win the women’s team championship at the USports Cross-Country championship at Fort Henry on Saturday November 9, 2019 / Ian MacAlpine

What do you like about running the Fort Henry course?

Branna: “It’s really fun, there’s a certain level of comfort to it. It’s my home course that I’ve run on so many times is a kind of feeling like you’re at home, that place is kind of a second home for me. It’s a comforting feeling knowing every turn, every blade of grass and to know what parts of the course really hurt and parts I can get going on.”

Brogan: “I love everything about Fort Henry. Its weather is always brutal, the course is always muddy and the course itself grinds you up, but that adds so much more fun to the race. Clive Morgan and the Physi-Kult team have done an incredible job hosting championships there for the past six years, I know a lot of runners, including myself, are going to miss running there.”

What kind of support from the Kingston community have you had?

Branna: “The main support I have is through my club Physi-Kult. The club is headed by Steve Boyd and Clive Morgan, all the masters athletes and all the other high school athletes who have gone through it that was my saving grace growing up and that’s where I feel I’ve been most supported.”

Brogan: I know a lot of people were out there cheering us on Saturday Nov. 9 which is always amazing to see. I had an experience a few days later, where I was seeing the doctor and was explaining to a nurse how our team had just won USports and a man waiting to see the doctor began cheering. It was interesting to see that the support in the Kingston community runs a lot deeper than we realize a lot of the time.”

November 17, 2019July 4, 2024

Meet the Makers: Jeff and Pam of Pam’s Flower Garden

If you were to list a family-run business in Kingston, Pam’s Flower Garden may come to mind. Established in 1962 by their parents John and Mary, the family slowly transformed what was once a Beer Store into the refreshing and welcoming space it is today. We sat down with current owners, Jeff and Pam, to chat about the shop that has now been open for a half-century.

Pam and Jeff always had strong ties to Kingston – in fact, they were only two and five years old when their parents established the business.

When asked about her roots, Pam explains, “After I went to University, I was a teacher for a number of years. I was always involved in the business one way or another so I decided to come back full time.”

In the past few years, Pam’s Flower Garden embraced the trend of sourcing local – and working with product grown in their garden always inspires their designers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_7uLPg8q9/

“When we get a load of flowers in for processing, everybody will draw inspiration from them and start to create. It’s not necessarily that we have a plan in mind, but when you see the raw product in front of you, you’ll start to combine different elements that work together until you have the final arrangement,” Pam explains.

The shop also embraces each designer’s individuality and style.

“Every single designer has a style and we encourage them to explore. In bigger cities, some shops expect cookie-cutter arrangements. Whereas here, everybody has a slightly different take on a piece and a special forte. It’s one of our strongpoints – we have a good mix of designers with tons of experience.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pam’s Flower Garden (@pamsflowergarden) on Nov 6, 2018 at 6:37am PST

Jeff, who handles the purchasing side of plants, shares his process, “Throughout the year, I’ll go to different shows around the USA and Canada looking for product. I’ll look for designs that are on trend, things nobody has, or plants that you can’t find anywhere else. Plants are very on-trend right now. People want to connect with nature – so this is a way to bring the outdoors in.”

With a fine attention to detail Pam’s Flower Garden caters to a range of events. From weddings, dinners, convocation and everything in between – they even decorated Elton John’s dressing room twice!

When asked about their favourite functions Pam shares, “I love weddings – hands down. Any events at the Tett Centre, Renaissance Event Venue, or waterfront hotels are beautiful. We love collaborating with event organizers and tying in their colour palettes into arrangements.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpe6YDmFYKr/

The shop also creates arrangements for special events at Queen’s University – decorating unique and historic venues like the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts or buildings on campus. High vaulted ceilings, exposed limestone walls, and the lively energy from students always provides inspiration to them.

“I love student-driven events at Queen’s University. Special occasions like Convocation, class reunions, and homecomings are fantastic. Being around the students is so refreshing and lively,” Jeff says.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByYB-DgluLo/

When asked to describe the store in a phrase Pam explains, “It’s refreshing! I think plants and flowers make people happy. We’re located by office buildings and we’ll always get regulars coming in during their lunch breaks. It’s a great way to relax and refresh yourself.”

The most important aspect of running a successful business are the team members – and Pam’s Flower Garden is no exception.

“One thing people should know is that our staff are genuinely happy to be here. We have people who have been dedicated to the shop for more than 30 years (even if they just come back part time for the holidays). We try really hard with our customer service and welcome each person who comes through our doors. We want to make sure everybody is happy with what they purchase.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pam’s Flower Garden (@pamsflowergarden) on Jul 17, 2018 at 8:41am PDT

You can visit Pam’s Flower Garden at 793 Princess Street and keep up to date by visiting their website, Facebook, or Instagram.