Culture Days is a collaborative coast-to-coast-to-coast volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. Thousands of activity organizers and artists volunteer their time and talent to present and coordinate free public activities that take place throughout the country over the last weekend of September each year.

The third annual Culture Days weekend will take place September 28, 29 and 30, 2012, and will feature thousands of free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind-the-scenes,” to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, designers and other creative people in their communities.

Kingston’s list of activities has grown each year and will likely continue to grow over the next few days.  Have a look at our Guide to Culture Days and start planning which activities you would like to take part in.  Most of these events are free and require no registration, however some do, so be sure to click on the links to get full details on each event.

Friday, September 28th 2012

Around The World Crafts (2pm-4pm, KFPL Central Branch): Sizzling hot samba and cool Asian tunes will get you in the groove to create gorgeous works of art inspired by traditions from around the world.  PA Day program, children ages 6-12.

Story Me (2pm-4:30pm, KFPL Central Branch): We are all part of Kingston Frontenac’s history, our individual stories weaving together to tell a bigger tale.  Working toward Canada’s 150th birthday, the StoryMe project will collect local memories to share with other Canadians and with the world.

Litdoc Screening: The Tiger (4:30pm-6pm, The Holiday Inn): Free screening of the documentary by Sasha Snow that inspired the book The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant.

Family Activity Packs at the Museum of Health Care (10am-4pm, The Museum of Health Care): Learn through hands-on activities with your family.  Family Activity Packs are free to borrow during your museum visit and provide a fun way for children to explore each of the Museum of Health Care galleries.

A Star is Born (1pm-4:30pm, Isabel Turner Branch): This half day PA Day program will focus on drama and basic set and costume design. Older children will get a chance to experience the limelight with a show of their own.  Parents can come half an hour before the end of the program to see their little starlet in action.

Saturday, September 29th 2012

Kingston Symphony Open Rehearsal (2pm-3:15pm, The Grand Theatre): The dress rehearsal for the Kingston Symphony’s first concert of the 2012-2013 season will be open to the public. The orchestra and soloist Sheng Cai, piano will be rehearsing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

Kingston Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo (12:30pm-1:45pm, The Grand Theatre lobby): The Kingston Symphony hosts an instrument petting zoo. Children and adults can try out an instrument and meet members of the orchestra.

Catalyst: Kingston’s 48-Hour Film Challenge Screening (1:30pm-3:30pm, The Screening Room): On September 14th, participants will be contacted by phone and given a line from a Canadian film and a unique prop which they must incorporate in a short film/video work under 7 minutes in length based around the theme of ‘catalyst’. Participants have 48 hours to complete and submit their project.  The films will be screened on the 29th and a winner will be announced.

Recite a Poem & Win $5000! (12pm-1:30pm, The Holiday Inn): Join poet Damian Rogers, creative director of Poetry In Voice, for a free Teen Writers Studio class on exploring, memorizing, interpreting, and performing classic and contemporary poems. Learn tips that may help you take home a $5,000 prize at the Poetry In Voice National Finals!

CFRC Radio Contact Microphone-Building Workshop (2pm-4pm, CFRC): Make radio wherever you go! This workshop will allow participants to gain basic skills in soldering and electronics, by building and testing their own contact microphones for recording and transmitting sound.

The Skin You’re In (10am-11am; 1pm-2pm; 3pm-4pm, The Museum of Health Care): Explore properties of the body’s largest organ – skin! Through an examination of other integumentary systems on animals (scales, fur, feathers), foster an appreciation for the unique properties and function of human skin. Learn about skin care through the ages. The program includes multiple interactive games and concludes with making your own Braille name card!

Collage Connections (1:30pm-3pm; 3pm-4:30pm, Agnes Etherington Art Centre): Kingston artist Nancy Douglas leads a collage workshop that shows the power of using found images, scissors and glue. Nancy will show you examples of collage art and demonstrate some quick techniques that will inspire you to create a small collage that expresses an aspect of your culture. Family-friendly. Materials provided.

The Happy Post Project (10am-5pm, Lions Civic Gardens): This activity is one of collective creation. When you come, you will see colourful post-its containing things that make others happy. Feel free to wander throughout the display, read the messages, interpret the pictures, and ponder your own similar experiences. When you’re ready, make sure to grab a post-it, and draw, write, or depict in some way what it is that makes you happy. Now you can add your own two cents to the display, and see where it goes!

Kingston Scarecrow Festival (11:30am-3:30pm, Wally Elmer Neighbourhood Centre): Enjoy a free BBQ, demonstrations from a variety of organizations, artisans and local performers.  There will be activities, games, scarecrow building and live entertainment for the whole family!  Bring an old set of child size clothes (3-6x) and hat to build your own little scarecrow and enter in a Scarecrow Competition for some great prizes!

Sunday, September 30th 2012

Censorship and the Public Display of Art (1pm-3pm, KFPL Central Branch): The Kingston Arts Council invites you to engage with a panel of experts on art and censorship. Panelists and moderators TBA.

Uncle Wally’s Old Brown Shoe (10am-10:45am, The Holiday Inn): Wallace Edwards has won every Canadian award available for children’s picture books.  Alphabeasts, Monkey Business, Mixed Beasts, The Painted Circus: his books are legendary among kids and parents alike. Join him as he reads from his latest and reveals the secrets of picture-book making, drawing for and with the children.  Ages 4 to 8.

Kingston Reads: Battle of the Books (12pm-1:30pm, The Holiday Inn): Local luminaries vie for votes for this year’s Ontario Library Association’s prestigious Evergreen Award book nominees.  Join the ringside fun in this no-word-play-barred, spine-tingling battle in which defenders joust to win over the audience to their chosen book. Audience members get first crack at casting their ballots; the contest continues throughout the month at all KFPL branches, local bookstores and online.

Kids on Sunday Book Fun (9am-12pm, The Holiday Inn): A morning of Writersfest fun for kids.  Bring a gently used kids picture book or chapter book and trade it for another; make your own book: paper, markers, kiddie scissors, and glue provided and play word games.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Neil Flambé Capers (11am-12pm, The Holiday Inn): Neil Flambé, a 14-year-old world-class chef who solves mysteries on the side, is the zany creation of author/illustrator Kevin Sylvester.  Join Kevin as he reads from the third and latest installment, Neil Flambé and the Crusader’s Curse, and shows us how to draw Neil Flambé. Sharpies and paper provided! Ages 8 to 12.

Be in a Dance Video (12pm-3pm, Breakwater Park, meet at the Time sculpture): Calling all ages and abilities to join Kyra and Tully and 5678 Dance Studio to dance and play for the Memory Device Euro-Dance Remix of We Sway from their Wildlife Record. Feel free to bring frisbees, juggling balls, bikes, balloons etc.  Have a listen to the song here.

Movie Post Production (9:30am-5:30pm, 129 Fireside Crt.): Help in the post-production process for a film shot on Friday and Saturday.

Friday and Saturday

Create A Short Film (9:15am-3:30pm Fri; 9am-8:30pm Sat, 129 Fireside Crt.): Adults interested in film will work together to create a short film about World War II.

Saturday and Sunday

Breakdancing Workshop (2pm-3pm, Upper Canada Academy of Performing Arts): Bboying and bgirling, commonly known as breakdancing, is an athletic and at times acrobatic dance style. Charles Gao of KinetiQ Crew will be hosting this workshop as an introduction to this dance style, teaching the foundations of the dance with the belief that everyone is a dancer at heart.

Rhythm and Hues (8pm-10pm Sat; 2pm-4pm Sun, Studio 22): Studio22 is offering an ambient music song lab that takes its cues from the art on the wall and mixes it with a colour atelier that seeks inspiration from the music in the room. A mixing of music and visuals guided by Cameron Schaefer (keyboards), Jak Thrasher (drums), Robert Blenderman (oils) and Wallace Edwards (watercolours).

East-West Experience in Art and Architecture (2pm-6pm, 3837 Princess St.): Join a celebration of middle east culture, art and architecture and some good food. Learn about philosophy of art and architecture east verses west. Paint traditional hand painted mosaics. Make architectural models with recycled materials. Draw graphical design from east or west, on computer or on paper.

All Weekend

Kingston School of Dance Open House (3:30pm-9pm Fri; 9am-3pm Sat; 11am-3pm Sun, 110 Princess St.): Participate in a dance class, enjoy live spoken word and musical performances and watch live sculptures and life drawings.  This is a great opportunity for artists to sketch dancers in motion.

Kiwanis Music Festival Garage Sale (10am-5pm Fri and Sat; 12-5pm Sun, 51 Bagpt St., City Park): Second hand printed music, books about music, music and performing arts education, instrumental and vocal, all levels, all kinds.  All proceeds go to the Kiwanis Music Festival.