Top Five Things to See and Do in Winter 2014
While some may argue that hibernating is the only thing to do in Kingston during winter months, our latest installment of the top five things to see and do proves otherwise. As someone who truly hates turning into a human-popsicle when I step outside, I can certainly sympathize with folks who prefer to stay indoors during the long, unforgiving days of January and February. I suppose that’s why our favourite events in Kingston from this quarter include an overwhelming number of options that keep us indoors. Prepare for fun, as our list blends the city’s signature social events, exciting cultural gems, and two extraordinary birthdays! Read on, and make plans to attend all that catches your fancy.
Tone Deaf Presents Arts Birthday, 17 January 2014: an evening of experimental music and sound performance featuring the talents of local and regional artists including: Mike Cebo & David Lee, Image Repertoire, Mike Lukaszuk, Andrea Iris and Treebot. Arts Birthday takes place at The Artel, and for the uninitiated, that means that seating is extremely limited. Admission is on a sliding scale of $5-$10, while organizers promise that absolutely no one will be turned away.
15th Annual ReelOut Queer Film and Video Festival, 30 January to 8 February 2014: lovers of independent film and movie magic rejoice! Reelout15 continues the tradition of honouring the work of those who have championed queer film and video by showcasing the best and brightest queer cinematic offerings from around the world. With over 80 short and full length films as well as amazingly fun festival parties to attend, ReelOut offers something for everyone! Stay tuned as we’ve got interviews and a festival guide coming your way later this month.
FebFest, 6 to 9 February 2014: consistently voted by our readers as one the most anticipated winter events in Kingston, this annual spectacle features skating on the rink at Market Square, the Limestone Classic Hockey series, snow sculptures, massive snow maze, Beaver Tails and of course, appearances by NHL alumni. While inclement weather can make or break FebFest, this is honestly one weekend of the year I truly hope for ample snow, and temperatures that are just cold enough to sustain perfect skating conditions.
Kingston Canadian Film Festival, 27 February to 2 March 2014: KCFF is the largest stand-alone showcase of feature films from across Canada, and it was voted by our readers as the most anticipated event in Kingston this winter. While the official schedule for this year’s festival has yet to be unveiled, it’s safe to assume that it will be jam packed with charming indies, engaging workshops, and a whole host of personalities behind these films. Forget IMAX and the glittery trappings of big box cinemas, and return to the roots of Canadian cinema for a weekend.
Kingstonist’s 6th Birthday, 2 March 2014: last year we celebrated our birthday in considerably different fashion than we had intended. This year, we’re planning on doing things right, which means pulling out all the stops to grow Kingstonist in right direction. We’ve honestly come a long way over the past 6 years, and collectively we’ve steered the conversation towards some truly amazing topics that weren’t getting their due elsewhere. To commemorate our 6th birthday, we’re working hard to deliver a completely different look and feel to the site, as well as a some fun contests and giveaways. Join us for a slice of cake.
Credit for the images included in the composition above to: ReelOut, Tone Deaf, Kingstonist’s Flickr, KCFF and EDubya. Of course there are numerous other events in Kingston this winter. What are your favourites? Drop off a comment below and share the love for events that you are looking forward to.