It’s That Time of Year Again
It’s that time of year again - that time when approximately 16,000 students at Queen’s leave for the summer and go back from whence they came. Student meccas like the hub and the corner of Union Street and University Avenue (above) have gone from packed to almost deserted, at least for another four months. So what does it mean for Kingston? Read more
Tasseomancy
Romi and Sara Lightnman—twin sisters who make up the freak folk duo Ghost Bees—are performing tonight at the Queen St. United Church basement as part of the Apple Crisp concert series. Their debut album, Tasseomancy, was released on Youth Club records earlier this month and has been getting a lot of play on CFRC and other campus radio stations.
Tasseomancy refers to the practice of tea leaf reading, and the Lightman sisters’ great-great-grandmother, Clara (whose picture is featured on the album’s cover), was somewhat of an expert. The title track describes their distant ancestor’s difficult life in a small Russian village— losing her parents at a young age during anti-Semitic riots, marrying a man twice her age who cheated on her, and escaping to Canada with her children: “18-year-old orphaned bride,” “he’s getting friendly with the landlady” lament Romi and Sara over waltzing string arrangments. In researching their family history, Ghost Bees discovered that their great-great-grandmother used Tasseomancy to support her family instead of her true passion, singing. The album, then, gives a voice to a long-forgotten woman who might have written similar songs had she been given the chance.
Ghost Bees sound a lot like another sister duo, CocoRosie, who also sing about family struggles and fairy tales. They will be playing with Fall Horsie, Culture Rejects and Timber Timbre tonight at 7pm. Tickets are 5 dollars and apple crisp will be sold during the show.
Stuff’d Urban Eats
It all started back in the 18th century when English Aristocrat, John Montagu, crafted a meal by placing bits of cold meat between some crusty slices of bread. This culinary creation was perfect for the 4th Earl of Sandwich, as it allowed him to play cribbage while eating, without getting his cards greasy from handling meat with his bare hands. The popularity of the sandwich began to spread amongst Europe’s upper class, and during the industrial revolution grey collar workers adopted it as an affordable, and portable meal delivery system. Read more
What Isn’t There To Do?
If you can tear yourself away from the NHL playoffs for a few hours, there’s tons of great stuff to check out this weekend!
Saturday, April 26
It’s Moving Day Weekend! The Kingston Road Runners’ Association has organized several runs this weekend including the Trauma 10k at City Park and the first annual Kid’s Fest 3K Fun Run. For more info, check out their site.
Night in Blue 2
This fundraiser is held by the Frontenac Children’s Aid Society and will take place from 6pm-11:30 at Davies Hall at St. Lawrence College. Your $100 ticket goes towards cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent auction. Dance the night away to Kingston’s own Emily Fennell and Toronto’s The Johnny Max Band.
CFB Kingston Motorcycle Show
Taking place at Thompson Drill Hall, money raised will go towards H’art School of Smiles, the Military Fund for Blind Children, ICROSS and The Fisher House.
Apple Crisp Friends of Skeleton Park CD Release Party
Taking place at Central Public School (237 Sydenham) from 2-4pm, there will be baked goods and performances by The Gertrudes and The Slaves of Spanky. Admission is $5, children are free and all proceeds go towards The Skeleton Park Music Festival.
Come see the KSA’s final concert of the season. The symphony will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with world famous Canadian violinist Lara St. John followed by Holst’s The Planets. Terence Dickinson will also join the symphony and display his outstanding slides of the universe as the symphony plays this great masterpiece. There will be two shows, Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2:30, both at The Kingston Gospel Temple.
Sunday, April 27
The Mayor’s Walk for Volunteerism will take place, beginning at 1:30pm outside City Hall. Over 500 walkers are expected to participate in this walk with Mayor Harvey Rosen. All proceeds will go to support local charities.
Attack of the Dandelions
Back in December 2007, City Council passed Bylaw No. 2008-28, which effectively banned the cosmetic application of chemical pesticides on public and private property after October 15th, 2008. That means that this Spring and Summer will be your last chance to eradicate dandelions and thistles with your favorite carcinogenic lawn spray. After the Bylaw officially comes into effect, pesticide addicts could face fines of as much as $100,000 just to keep their grass green. This is the major concern we hear voiced throughout the city, as many wonder how they’re supposed to keep the grass green, and the weeds at bay without Monsanto’s help? Read more
Looking Forward to the Mass Exodus
By times they are brilliant, but also show signs of severe stupidity. They are our future, and we have all been one during our lifetime. In case you haven’t guessed, I am referring to the noble creature commonly referred to as the student. With the ousting of Queen’s Principal Hitchcock, completion of final examinations, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and unbelievably high seasonal conditions, a perfect storm is brewing in the demilitarized student housing area. Will the raucous scene at past Homecoming events be eclipsed by an entirely new beast that’s bigger and more debauched than the Aberdeen street party and Kingston Penitentiary Riots of ‘71 combined? Read more
Earth Day Challenge
In case you haven’t heard, tomorrow is Earth Day, and Kingstonist is issuing a challenge to everyone in the Limestone City. Essentially, we want to courage you to adopt at least one of the top ten most most widely implemented measures to help the environment. Although we’re hoping that a vast majority of our readership has already adopted some of these standards, perhaps there are a few you hadn’t considered. In no particular order:
- Park It: Leave your car at home; car pool, bike, walk, take the bus.
- Shut Down: Turn off lights, screens, TV, etc. when not in use.
- Where’s the Meat: Try eating meat-free at least one day a week.
- Eat it: Choo-Choo-Choose food produced locally, organic and in season. Check out the Farmers Market behind City Hall.
- Let it Rot: Put a composter in your backyard, at least until we get Green Bins next Fall.
- Don’t be Idle: Turn off your engine if stopped for more than 10 seconds. A draft bylaw in Kingston.
- Ideal Temp: Adjust your thermostat to reduce energy use. Put on extra layers in the winter, and have a cool drink in the summer.
- Bright Ideas: Replace incandescent light bulbs with the money/energy saving compact florescent variety.
- Don’t Dump it: Recycling has more positive effect on the environment that you may think. Use your Blue and Gray boxes, and send used clothing/household items to the Good Will, Salvation Army etc.
- Tell Someone: Pass the word on about Earth Day, and tell them what you’re doing to take part.
Be sure to brag about you’re accomplishments on Earth Day by leaving a fun-filled comment. Remember, Comments = monthly prizes.
Graffiti Trick or Treat
As Spring has sprung, I’ve been spending more and more time outdoors, taking in all the sights and sounds of Kingston. One thing that recently caught my eye was the modest amount of graffiti, tags and urban art located in and around the downtown area. Although some would rightfully argue that this art form is illegal, incoherent and sometimes just plain ugly, it also has a few redeeming qualities. Specifically, graffiti can serve as a political vehicle for those looking to express their opinion, such as: Free Tibet, or Parks Not Parking Lots. What is more, extremely skilled artists have even been hired to spruce up buildings with their work, as is the case in the temporary garden space across the street from Atomica on Brock Street. Check out a selection of some of this (un)wanted valdalism in our new Flickr set. What do you think? Do you consider tags, graffiti etc… to be an essential part of Kingston’s urban landscape or not? Remember, each comment you make this month enters you into our draw for a great prize! Time is running out fast, so comment already.
Artists for Bob Lovelace
Tickets are now on sale for a concert featuring some of Canada’s best musicians and writers. The concert is a benefit for Bob Lovelace who has been imprisoned for his peaceful protest of the North Frontenac Uranium mine. All proceeds will go towards a trust fund established for Bob Lovelace by OPIRG Kingston.
The concert will take place at 7:00pm at Sydenham United Church on Saturday, June 14. Tickets will sell fast. The show will feature Bruce Cockburn , Susan Aglukark , David Francey, Jenny Whiteley, Joey Wright, Terry Tufts, Unity and The Algonquin Drummers.
Unreserved seating is $30. For $100 you can also purchase a limited “Free Bob Lovelace Supporter” ticket which includes preferred seating, a compilation CD and a pass to the artist after show party. Tickets are available at Brian’s Record Option, Tara Foods, Novel Idea and the Grand Theatre Box Office.
Winter of Our Discotheque
Rueben deGroot recently moved to Kingston from Vancouver with his wife, Asia, who is doing a Masters degree in Mathematics at Queen’s. He is a singer/songwriter who has had success on the west coast and that success has followed him to Kingston. Read more
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