Friday Foto

I am flying high this morning after an incredible evening celebrating the arts with other members of the community.  Last night was the Kingston Arts Council‘s Cultural Kaleidoscope.  Artists and arts related organizations set up displays and performed for art lovers of all kinds at The Renaissance Event Venue from 7-10.  Booths were set up by groups such as The Artel, Modern Fuel, St. Lawrence College and The Arts Council itself of course.  Films were shown on the lower level celebrating Reel Out and The Kingston Canadian Film Festival (10 years old this year!) and clothing and pottery from local artisans were on display as well.  Upstairs, there were performances by dancers from the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, a poetry reading by local author Steven Heighton, a monologue by Theatre Kingston‘s Artistic Director Kim Renders (I really regret not recording that one, it was incredible) and music performed by symphony members Triola and The Limestone Trio as well as Unconscious Encore,  Jenny Whiteley and The Swamp Ward Orchestra.  And I would be remiss not to mention the giant puppet that flew around the room throughout the event thanks to Puppet Annie of the Upper Canada Academy of Performing Arts.

As an artist myself, I found this event reassuring and empowering.  It was incredible to see all of the people who came out to explore and support the arts in Kingston.  We really do have a rich and vibrant arts life and we are so lucky for that.  Thank you to the Arts Council for putting on such a great event.

To continue on this trend, I plan on attending STOP IGNITE CONNECT tomorrow evening in the playing field at City Park (just across from the courthouse).  This will be a public, large scale, human work of art in support of those who have died of and are living with HIV/AIDS.  The artists and organizers, Kate Yuksel and Julia Fiala need 250 bodies to complete their vision.  They ask that participants arrive at 7:30 for the 8pm display.  The event itself will only last for 5 minutes.  I don’t know what to expect but it sounds very cool and I’ll be there for sure.  Afterward, Forest City Lovers will be at The Grad Club with Queen’s Alum and Bruce Peninsula time keeper, Steven MacKay.

On Sunday we have the great opportunity to explore our local farms all around Kingston as they open their doors to the public for tours and of course, to sample and purchase their wares.  Open Farms is a great event to help people of all ages understand exactly where our food comes from and to realize that we can eat locally.

Photography is another important branch of the arts and one that is represented in spades in Kingston.  This is because we have so many beautiful things to photograph such as the gazebo pictured above that has itself, seen concerts, dancers, photographers and other artists who have used it for inspiration or just for shelter as they create.  See if you can find a way to celebrate the richness that Kingston arts provide this weekend.  TGIF!

Special thanks to Skevbo for today’s photo.