WEEKEND WONDERS – July 28 to 30, 2017
Want to find fun creative ways to spend your weekend? Below you'll find events suitable for all ages and artsy types.
CANADIAN GUITAR FESTIVAL
July 28 to 30
Loughborough Lake Holiday Park
Friday 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Canadian Guitar Festival is welcoming its 13th year with numerous talented guitar players and groups all showing off their skills. Workshops, performances and a fingerstyle guitar competition are all in store at the event. See the full schedule here: http://www.canadianguitarfestival.com/Kingston
SWEAT BY THE BICYLE OPERA PROJECT
July 28
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts
7:30 p.m.
Sweat is an ‘a capella’ opera for 10 singers about women in the global garment industry. Sweat takes us inside the world of the sweatshop, where the individual ambitions of workers and management are set against the movement toward unionization. Scored for chorus and five soloists performing in English as well as Cantonese, Tamil and Hungarian, Sweat seeks to bring the audience into the heart of a contemporary sweatshop. What do these workers dream of, sewing sleeves all day? Was life better in the village left behind? Plunging headfirst into the ethical conundrums of the garment trade, the work offers a window into the lives of the workers who clothe us. Sweat is a response to our globalized world, in which we never meet the women who sew our clothing and we rarely think about their working conditions.
FAMILY STORYTIME
July 28
Sydenham Branch, Community Room (4412 Wheatley Street)
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
The whole family is encouraged to participate in stories, songs and movement activities to maximize your child’s experience in learning socialization and pre-reading skills for life. For children of all ages, recommended for ages six and under. This is a DROP IN program. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis. Caregivers of children under the age of seven must remain in the program space; caregivers of children ages seven to 11 must remain in the library during the program.
LIVE AT THE LIBRARY: MARY LAMBERT
July 28
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Isabel Turner Branch, Community Room (Rooms A & B)
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Calvin Park Branch, CP Community Room
Tickets Required for this Program
Join Juno Award Nominee Mary Lambert for "Singin' Along, Eh?" to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday! This performance is interactive, exciting, unpredictable and adventurous. All ages. Free tickets are required. Tickets will be available at the branch one hour before show time. Limit of six tickets per person. Caregivers of children under the age of seven must remain in the program space; caregivers of children ages seven to 11 must remain in the library during the program.
HAPPY HOUR LIVE MUSIC AT FORT HENRY BATTERY BISTRO
July 28
Fort Henry Battery Bistro (1 Fort Henry Dr.)
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Guests are invited to sit on Fort Henry’s breathtaking waterfront Battery Bistro patio, to enjoy a FREE concert. The perfect way to start your weekend! The event is free. This week features Jeff J. Gaulton.
FREE SUMMER TOURS AT THE TETT AND ISABEL
July 28
Tett Centre (370 King St. W.)
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Our FREE Wednesday and Friday summer tours will introduce you to the Tett Arts Hub, its fascinating history and many of the wonderful organizations that call this heritage building home. Tours start at our neighbours, the Isabel at 11 a.m. and move to the Tett lobby at 11:30 a.m.
LIVE AT OVERTIME
July 28
1677 Bath Rd.
8 p.m.
Cost: $25
Featuring the Darby Mills Project.
LITTLE BETTY 30 ANNIVERSARY PARTY
July 28
BLU Martini Bar & Grill (178 Ontario St.)
9:45 p.m.
This awesome crew is celebrating having been together for 30 years! Special guests Still Standin and Dark Horse will be making an appearance!
LIVE AT THE TOUCAN
July 28
76 Princess St.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Featuring The Tony Silvestri Band.
LIVE AT THE WOLFE ISLAND GRILL
July 28
8 p.m.
1222 Main St
Lounge Act Will Be Performing
LIVE AT MUSIIKKI
July 28
73 Brock St.
8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Featuring Chris Giguere
MUSIC IN THE PARK: BIG BAND FRIDAY
July 28
Springer Market Square
7 p.m.
Featuring the Swingtime Dance Band.
LIVE MUSIC: RCHA CLUB
July 28
193 Ontario St.
9 p.m.
$10
Featuring Beats Workin’, Smith & Brady and Sepe
LIVE MUSIC AT RAXX
July 28
665 Development Dr.
Featuring DJ
LIVE AT THE MERCHANT
July 28
6 Princess St.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Featuring Stone City Kings.
ABSOLUTE COMEDY
July 28 and 29
1187 Princess St.
Friday 8:30 p.m., Saturday 8 p.m.
Tickets $15
Headliner and master healer Tommy Lama (Tommy Savitt) was born into harsh circumstances that would have doomed a lesser man. He grew up in Brooklyn, where people help people beat up other people. Tommy worked as a pest control technician while putting himself through law school until a fateful evening when he accidentally inhaled pesticide while trapped in a collapsing basement of a mini-mart, an event which changed his perspective and brain chemistry. As Tommy snapped into consciousness, he interpreted this event as a message from the universe to cleanse his Karma in order to make it into the next life. Fueled by his desire to make a difference, Tommy enlisted in the U.S.M.C summer program, where he was denied a purple heart despite nearly dying of exhaustion while still in boot camp. Undeterred by his failure, he began a lifelong vision quest and found himself by traveling to the four corners of Google Earth. It was on this journey that he began using his powers for good. He took on the name given to him by his teacher, the great Maharaji Yamaha Suzuki Toyota, the Tommy Lama. After disseminating his message in comedy clubs, he became the back-to-back winner of the Boston and Seattle comedy competitions, appeared on the Bob and Tom Show, National Lampoon's Man Up Stand Up, and in commercials for Adidas, Monster.com and Lowe's.
MC Jason first hit the comedy stage at the urges of his friends in 1994 in Ottawa. Within just a couple of months he had already earned an honorable mention in the Ottawa portion of the Search for Canada’s funniest comedian. Jason later went pro in 1997 performing at various venues across Canada. In 1999 Jason had won the Ottawa portion of the Just for Laughs “Craven A’s One Step Closer to Hollywood” competition, awarding him a spot at the prestigious annual Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. The following year Jason won the preliminary Ottawa portion of the Search for Canada’s Funniest Comedian competition. In addition to touring and performing his own eye on pop culture, Jason also dabbles in theatre and films.
KICK & PUSH FESTIVAL
July 28 and 29
295 Princess St., Apt. 2
7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Featuring the play How We Are, Part 1: Morning After. This play is about two young women, best friends, who wake up naked in bed together after a night out - and have to confront themselves and each other as they unpack the fine lines between romance and friendship among women, as well as the ethics of drunken consent.
PORTSMOUTH ART MARKET
July 29th
Aberdeen Park, 621 King St W
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This past Portsmouth Art Market on Saturday was very exciting. It is only our second week and people are loving it! The quality of the artists & artisans, the beautiful little park setting, the great Kingston food truck Glocca Morra Grill and the great vibe from the neighbourhood. This week we have more new artists joining us: Joan Sharpe’s Purlin’ J’s Roving Yarn Co.; Natalie Ponte Art; Happy Knots Designs; and Ela’s Jewellery Box. Plus Perry Ross of Ross Copper Creations will be returning….along with of course Cocoa Bistro’s Artisan Chocolate, the Glass Addict Shiva’s Delight and more. Open rain or shine.
LIVE AT THE MANSION
July 29
506 Princess St.
9 p.m.
Featuring Dan Taylor Band.
LIVE AT MUSIIKKI
July 29
73 Brock St.
5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Featuring Craig Cardiff.
LIVE MUSIC: RCHA CLUB
July 29
193 Ontario St.
9 p.m.
$15
FeaturingThe Big Phat Horn band
LIVE MUSIC AT RAXX
July 29
665 Development Dr.
Featuring Little California
LIVE AT THE MERCHANT
July 29
6 Princess St.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Featuring the Rain Kings.
LIVE AT THE BLU MARTINI
July 29
9:45 p.m.
178 Ontario St.
Featuring The Furleys.
MUSIC IN THE PARK: SOUNDS ON SYDENHAM
July 29
Sydenham Street at the church
1:30 p.m.
Featuring Nick Babcock.
FAMILY STORYTIME
July 29
Calvin Park Branch, Community Room (88 Wright Crescent)
10:30 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.
The whole family is encouraged to participate actively in stories, songs and movement activities to maximize your child’s experience in learning socialization and pre-reading skills for life. For children of all ages, recommended for ages six and under. This is a DROP IN program. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis. Caregivers of children under the age of seven must remain in the program space; caregivers of children ages seven to 11 must remain in the library during the program.
DEAD ON APPAREL – LIVE STREET ART & DONUTS
July 29
12 Cataraqui St.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We’re back for round two with another pop-up shop and live mural painting event.
Come check out DEAD ON APPAREL’s curated selection of clothing from Canadian designers and producers and art from our artists, including live painting of new murals. Also, there will be DONUTS. That’s important.
CHALK PAINTING WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS
July 29
The Kingston Collective (303 Bagot St.)
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
$50
This workshop is geared towards beginners who have never, maybe a little, or would like more practice in chalk painting. We’ll start with the basics and walk you through each step. This workshop is b.y.o. piece of furniture or whatever it is you would like re-painted. Please send me an email (rhicreationdesigns@gmail.com) of the item you would like to bring so I can ensure you’ll have enough time and space. Not sure? No problem – let’s brainstorm together! All other supplies and materials will be provided. There may also be a couple surprises waiting for you!
LIVE AT THE TOUCAN
July 29
76 Princess St.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Featuring Owl Farm. This is an event for ages 19 and up.
VICTORIA PARK RE-OPENING
July 30
Victoria Park
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The grand re-opening of Victoria Park is taking place this weekend presenting a new splash pad as well as a water conservation garden added to the park. The ribbon cutton is at 11 a.m. The Utilities Kingston Water Buggy will be there and there’ll be inflatables, games, balloon twisting, food trucks and music. There’s also a free small ice cream available to the first 200 people.
KINGSTON PIPE BAND FREE LESSONS
July 30
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560 (734 Montreal St.)
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The purpose of the Kingston Pipe Band is to provide an opportunity for people aged eight years old to adult to learn piping and drumming. No experience is required and fully welcome those with experience to participate in music lessons as well as engaging in community activities through a positive and supportive learning environment.
This organization is dedicated to the advancement of Scottish Music and Arts by providing free bagpipe and drum (snare and tenor) lessons to the members of its beginner, performance, and competitive pipe bands. The lessons are held every Sunday (except holidays or completion/parade day).
LIVE AT THE MANSION
July 30
506 Princess St.
9 p.m.
Featuring Logan Brown.
LIVE AT MUSIIKKI
July 30
73 Brock St.
8: 30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Featuring Jonas & Friends