Guide to The 2016 Skeleton Park Arts Festival
The 2016 Skeleton Park Arts Festival marks the festival’s 10th anniversary, and we couldn’t be more excited about its return to a more grass roots model! The 5-day solstice celebration’s line up is as impressive as ever, which is why it’s one of our top five things to see and do in Kingston this month. In addition to the wildly popular, rain-or-shine, free outdoor concert at Skeleton Park (aka McBurney Park) next Saturday, there’s everything from theatre to stilt walking, film screenings to meandering porch jazz parades. All activities are free, reinforcing the festival’s hearty community-centric roots. Advance registration is encouraged for some activities (e.g. Aquafit), and you’ll be happy to see an expanded musical program on Sunday. Read on, make your plan to attend and see you at #SkeletonParkFest!
Wednesday, June 22nd – Sunday, June 26th
Art Exhibit with Heidi Mack and Skot Caldwell: Throughout the festival there will be an art exhibit at the new The Elm Café, featuring neighbourhood artists Heidi Mack and Skot Caldwell. The Opening Reception will coincide with the first stop of the Porch Jazz on Sunday, June 26th at 12pm. Location: Elm Café Art (303 Montreal Street).
Wednesday, June 22nd
6:30am-8:30am: Morning Dance Party: This early morning dance party works to create an inclusive and inspired community dance space where our individual rhythms will collide like fireworks on the sky of the dance floor. Come dressed to express, and ready to groove. Location: Central Public School (237 Sydenham St.).
5:30pm-7:30pm: Concert & Free BBQ with Lost Cousins: after uprooting from their Kingston student house to their new home of Toronto, Lost Cousins found themselves in the Top 10 of CBC Music’s Searchlight competition and touring the continent. This concert is co-presented by the City of Kingston Planning Department. Location: Douglas Fluhrer Park.
Thursday, June 23rd
10am: Live Music Aqua Fitness with Sheesham & Lotus & Son: Listen to a live acoustic concert by Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son while while doing Aqua Fit aerobics in a swimming pool! Location: .
6pm: A second Live Music Aqua Fitness with Sheesham & Lotus & Son has been added. Reserve your spot now!
Friday, June 24th
7:30am: Morning Yoga Classes with Live Jazz Accompaniment: presented by Studio 330’s Jeb Thorley and accompanied by jazz guitarist Dave Barton. Location: Skeleton Park.
7pm-10pm: Film Screening of My Prairie Home + Concert in the Park with Rae Spoon, including an opening performance by Kris and Dee. Location: Skeleton Park.
Saturday, June 25th
7:30am: Morning Yoga Classes with Live Jazz Accompaniment: presented by Studio 330’s Jeb Thorley and accompanied by jazz guitarist Dave Barton. Location: Skeleton Park.
10am-5pm: Boxtopia Cardboard Kingdom for Kids. Location: Skeleton Park.
10am-5pm: Artisans Fair, Community Booths, Food and Lemonade Stand
10am: Brazilian music from Sambatukana
11am: Children’s Performance by Washboard Hank
12pm: Two Birds Theatre Company presents EGG (Side Stage #1)
12pm: Saratoga
12:20pm: Barefoot Players Theatre (Side Stage #1)
1pm: Gamelan
1:30pm: Drag Queen Story Time (Side Stage #1)
2pm: Kingston Stilters (around the park)
2pm: Solstice Games (Side Stage #3)
2pm: Wild Rivers
3pm: David Francey
4pm: Hootenanny Revue with Jenny Whiteley
5:30pm: Square Dance with The Wolfe Island Revelers
6:30pm: Entire Cities
7:30pm: What Cheer? Brigade
8pm: Sloan
10pm: After Party with Warmer. Location: The Toucan.
11pm: After Party with Forty Seven Teeth. Location: The Toucan.
12am: After Party with P.S. I LOVE YOU. Location: The Toucan.
Sunday, June 26th
7:30am: Morning Yoga Classes with Live Jazz Accompaniment: presented by Studio 330’s Jeb Thorley and accompanied by jazz guitarist Dave Barton. Location: Skeleton Park.
10am: Music Together Workshop (Side Stage #1)
10am: Kingston Native Language Nest (Side Stage #3)
12pm: Kingston Drum Circle
12pm-3pm: Porch Jazz Parade with What Cheer? Brigade, Paul Morrison, Binky Swings, Spencer Evans, Talk of the Street and Inside Out. Location: Various within the Swamp Ward.
1pm: Brainseed and Mouth Set Out To Slay The Pipeline Dragon presented by Birdbone Theatre (Side Stage #1)
2pm: Lotus Wight
3pm: Neighbourhood Heritage Tour presented by Swamp Ward and Inner Harbour History Project (Side Stage #3)
4pm: The Silver Hearts
5pm: Colleen Brown with Elijah Abrams
6pm: Rueben deGroot
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