Top Five Things to See and Do in March 2016

March is here! Apparently it’s going to make a heck of an entrance this afternoon, but it’s here and there are some great events happening in ygk to keep us warm as we await the glorious arrival of spring. We pored over our community events calendar looking for what we consider to be some of the most anticipated events of the month. As always, it was difficult to narrow down, but we think we’ve picked some very special things for you and your family and friends to check out this month. Read on to explore the best events in Kingston in March 2016!

Lotus Wight CD Release, 1 March 2016: This is tonight, folks! Even though it’s short notice, we couldn’t leave the album release of the great Lotus Wight off of this month’s list.  Best known as half of Sheesham and Lotus, Kingston’s favourite old-time duo, Wight is celebrating his recent solo recording, Ode to the Banjo tonight at Kingston’s newest music venue, Musical Chairs (furniture liquidators by day, music supporters by night), located at 330 Division at 8pm. Have a listen to some of the new album here.

King Con 2016, 10-13 March 2016: King Con is a convention celebrating sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and comic books and is being held over three days at various downtown locations. Participants will be given the opportunity to participate in workshops, tournaments, a trade show, parties, contests and more. Most events are free and open to all ages. Be sure to check out the King Con website for the full schedule of events.

Maple Madness, 12-20, 26-27 March and 2-3 April 2016: March means maple syrup at Little Cataraqui Conservation Area! Over the course of a week plus two weekends, Little Cat will be offering fun syrup related events to kids of all ages. Learn how maple syrup was made in the olden days and how it is made now, take a wagon ride, eat some delicious pancakes and take in a puppet show. Most events take place outdoors so come dressed for the weather. Admission is $6 for adults and children over 12 and $3.50 for children under 12, with a maximum fee of $16 per car. Check out their website for the full schedule of events.

Gruesome Playground Injuries, 17-19 March 2016: commonplacetheatre presents Rajiv Joseph’s play Gruesome Playground Injuries, a tale that follows the lives of two childhood friends whose connection is kept alive by the physical ailments they continuously suffer. Told through poignant, funny and dark sketches that jump in time, Gruesome Playground Injuries is a story of beginnings and endings, missed opportunities, self-destruction and fear of intimacy. The show will take place at The H’Art Centre at 8pm. Tickets go on sale today and are available online.

An Evening with Buffy Sainte-Marie, 26 March 2016: Live Wire Music Series presents Cree Nation singer-songwriter, activist, educator, visual artist and 2015 Polaris Prize winner Buffy Sainte-Marie at The Grand Theatre. Whether you know Sainte-Marie for her powerful protest songs of the 60s, her provocative powwow rock tunes, her massive pop hit, “Up Where We Belong” (which she co-wrote with Joe Cocker), her time on Sesame Street in the 70s or her many Juno, Oscar or Golden Globe awards, this is bound to be an exciting and varied performance. Tickets range in price from $40.05-58.05 and are available at The Grand Theatre box office and online.

Thanks to Sheesham and Lotus & Sun, Aaron Warren, Lori, Marc Horowitz and Levi Manchak for today’s photo.