Winter may be cold, but Dianne’s, Chien Noir, and Atomica are keeping your bellies warm all season long with Snowdelicious! Throughout the winter until the end of March on Mondays – Wednesdays, all three restaurants will be offering special lunch items for $14 ($20 with a glass of wine), and three-course dinner menus at $35 ($41 with a glass of wine)!
Read on to see menu highlights from these 3 tasty Kingston eateries.
If you’re dreaming of summer days, stop by Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse for a taste of Canada’s east coast and a hint of Baja Mexico. For lunch, chow down on a delicious Fish Sammie: beer-battered haddock, ‘mama’s’ pickled green tomatoes and house tartar on a fluffy white or multigrain bun and; Fish Chowder with a side of mixed green salad (Trust us, you’ll love it).
For a delectable 3-course dinner at Dianne’s start off with tasty Fish Cakes (smoked haddock, potato, chives, old bay remoulade) as an appetizer. A fan-favourite main course is Dianne’s Seafood Poutine – fries, coconut green curry, shrimp, haddock, calamari, mussels, and queso fresco. Finish the night off with Mint Chocolate Mousse – the perfect sweet treat.
Located steps from historic Market Square, Chien Noir features French bistro classics and modern farm-to-table dishes. For the $14 lunch feature, try out Le Club – provencale marinated grilled chicken breast, brie cheese, heritage greens, tomato, and roasted garlic aioli on a toasted multigrain. Truly the ideal sandwich on a gloomy winter day.
Date nights at Chien Noir are always a treat; a $35 3-course dinner makes it even better! Start off the evening with a mouth-watering French Onion Soup with sourdough crouton and gruyere. For the main course, you can’t go wrong with the Roasted Chicken Supreme featuring roasted baby potatoes, seasonal vegetables, shallot confit, apple-brandy cream and black currants; the perfect winter-warm up! Our favourite dessert on the menu is their Vanilla Crème Brulee – so delish.
You can never go wrong with pizza, and Atomica sure knows how to pack the punch. The amazing smell of fresh herbs and garlic waft through the space making mouths water. For lunch, try out their Italian Job Pizza (la bomba tomato, mozzarella, house Italian sausage, fennel, Vidalia onion, and roasted red pepper). Their Snowdelicious lunch menu also features delicious pastas, salads, and wraps!
For Atomica’s 3-course dinner menu, our favourite appetizer is their Arancini. Chow down on crispy risotto balls filled with mozzarella, parmesan, fontina, pomodoro and basil. A mouth-watering main course includes their Fettucine (white wine crema, braised chicken, pancetta, cremini mushrooms, arugula, and parmesan). Finally, for dessert, their Nutella Tiramisu is sure to steal your heart (promise you won’t be disappointed)!
The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary March 11-15 and they’ve planned a festival that can’t be missed. It’s most important to note that the KCFF is the largest all-Canadian film festival in the world. “KCFF is a rare opportunity to see many of the amazing Canadian films that are drastically underseen (especially on the big screen) but are among the best in the world according to critics and international audiences,” says Festival Director Marc Garniss.
KCFF has something for everyone, not just incredible movies but a variety of events live music and guest speakers for festival-goers to enjoy as well. “Most of our films are accompanied by a post-show Q&A with the director, cast and/or crew. This is one of the highlights of the festival – you can ask your questions and get to know the filmmaking team after each screening. Generally, our special guests are very accessible and love meeting and chatting with our audience, both formally during the Q&A period, and informally afterwards in the theatre lobby or at a festival party,” says Garniss. Adding, “The festival brings together so many interesting people into small venues during four action-packed days – it’s a great way to meet both locals and visitors, connecting over some films and stories and their creators.”
If you’re wondering who to expect this year, the festival has announced they will be welcoming Sean Cullen, Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall), Don Shebib, and Andrea Bang (Kim’s Convenience) among many speakers. If you’re into live music, there is something for you too! Bedouin Soundclash will perform downtown at Ale House on March 12 as part of the festival. Wing Night: The Band will be lighting up The Toucan with classic hip hop and R&B on Friday March 13. You can also catch the Minotaurs March 14 at The Toucan.
Are you a fan of workshops? KCFF hasn’t missed a beat with a variety of workshops depending on your interests and age. Aspiring creators can go to Breaking In: Starting a Career in Film and Media for free on Friday March 13 at Tir Nan Nog from 2:30 pm -4:30 pm. Kids can check out Comic Art Storytelling at Davies Lounge in the Grand Theatre on Saturday March 14, 9:30 am-11:30 am (for ages 8-12) or the Animation workshop at the same location from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm (for ages 10-13).
With 41 films and more than 80 different events throughout its five-day run, KCFF has something for everyone. Passes and tickets are on sale now. Many screenings sell out. Our recommendation: get your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
It’s been over 50 years since Kingston last hosted the world’s most famous national curling championship, but now the Brier is back and it should be one of the biggest parties in the city in recent memory. Over 100,000 people are expected at the weeklong bonspiel, which takes place from February 29th to March 8th. Here’s everything you need to know to get ready.
The basics
All of the action happens downtown at the Leon’s Centre, where sixteen men’s teams representing every province and territory — and Canada itself — will compete for the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier Tankard trophy. The winner will represent Canada at the world’s men’s championship.
Things kick off on Friday, February 28th at 7 pm with the wild card game. This is a free event (first come, first served) that will feature the two highest ranked Canadian teams that didn’t win their province or territory. The winner will be the last team to qualify for the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier.
Photo Credit: Micheal Burns
Then, each day until Thursday will have three draws — at 9 am, 2 pm, and 7 pm — where eight teams will compete on four sheets of ice. Saturday, February 29th is the exception, with draws at 2 pm and 7 pm. The playoffs begin on Thursday and a national champion will be crowned after the final on Sunday, March 8th at 7 pm.
Single draw tickets start at $20.20, day packs start at $59, and a full event pack is $550. Click here for tickets.
The Patch
Ground zero for all of the off-ice good times will happen in the parking lot across the street from Leon’s Centre in the heated fan zone, called The Patch. Open from 11 am to 2 am every day, it will be free for anyone to enter.
Leon’s Centre is the caterer, and they’ll have a buffet meal between draws and a concession stand throughout the day featuring sandwiches, hotdogs, pizza, nachos, and more. The area is also licensed, so beer, wine, and liquor will be available. Everything is cashless, though, so bring your cards.
Photo Credit: Francesca Ludikar
The Patch’s entertainment lineup will include local bands Ambush, 80s Enuff, and Turpin’s Trail, along with non-local acts The Carpet Frogs, Leah Daniels (pictured), Long Range Hustle, Good Bones, and the Toronto Raptors’ bucket drummers The 6ix Stix. There will be games there, too, like inflatable darts, basketball, and football, as well as AGI Cool Shots, which is a tabletop curling game where you’ll be able to win cash money.
Plus, some of the curlers will be at The Patch between draws for autographs and up-close-and-personal sessions where you’ll get to ask them how they hurry so hard (or whatever you want).
What else to do
Downtown Kingston’s winter celebration, Feb Fest, takes place throughout February and the first week of March. Market Square and its outdoor skating rink will be the hub for the festival, and there you’ll find themed skate nights, hockey games, a figure skating showcase, curling demos, ice sculptures, and more.
Skating at Market Square in Kingston
Elsewhere downtown during Feb Fest, expect special movie screenings, art gallery tours, food tours, restaurant specials, horse-drawn wagon rides, and outdoor games. For the full Feb Fest lineup, visit downtownkingston.ca. For skate rentals, head to City Hall or Trailhead Kingston.
Toast to Tapas is also returning during Feb Fest this year, with a special “Curling Chews” addition during the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier. Each week, downtown restaurants will feature a themed appetizer using local ingredients offered with or without a local beverage. Pricing will be $8.95 per appetizer or $12.95 with a drink pairing.
You might be able to put your Curling Cash to use at one of these restaurants. Offered to every 2020 Tim Hortons Brier ticketholder, Curling Cash is a coupon for $10 off of purchases of $50 or more at a selection of downtown businesses (valid from February 21 – March 15). Check the coupon with your ticket for a full list of participating businesses.
Ramada by Wyndham Kingston Hotel & Conference Centre 33 Benson Street, Kingston 613-546-3661 Website (Enter block code: 022720202)
Getting around
Leon’s Centre is located downtown, so you’ll be within walking distance of Feb Fest activities, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other attractions.
Kingston Transit provides frequent and reliable service to downtown Kingston – with the Leon’s Centre and the Brier Patch just a short walk from the downtown transfer point. From Feb. 28 to March 8, all ticket holders and volunteers can ride public transit for free – simply show your ticket or volunteer accreditation when boarding. Kingston Transit will offer extended service on Feb. 29, March 5, 6 and 7 – with the last bus leaving the downtown transfer point at 2:15 a.m.
Driving to Kingston? Free parking is available at designated Park & Ride locations, with the Montreal St. and Kingston Gospel Temple lots conveniently located just off of Highway 401.
Staying in Kingston? Hotels located outside of the downtown will have maps and schedules to help you plan your trip (or use your preferred trip planning app, like Moovit, TransitPlanner or Google Maps).
For parking options, including surface lots, park-and-ride lots, and accessible parking, click here.
It’s the event that the kids have been counting down to since the first Monday in January – March Break! If jet setting south to soak up the rays is not on the to-do list, load up the kids and head to Kingston for a mini-get away that is guaranteed to have something for everyone.
New to Kingston this year is Xtreme Trampoline, a giant space filled with everything fun and bouncy! Wall to wall trampoline, basketball slam, dodgeball, gladiator, kiddie kourt, and more! With lots of packages to choose from, even adults can get in on the fun and bounce away those winter blues. Open 4 pm to 9 pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10 am to 8 pm Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday. Book your family’s bounce time now!
Back to Nature
The snow is still hanging on but spring is just around the corner. Take in the last taste of winter with a trip to Maple Madness at Little Cataraqui Creek. Between March 14 and 22 you can take in the sweetness of this classic Canadian outing. Each day, enjoy self-guided sugar bush tours between 9 am and 4 pm. Between face painting, tree tapping demonstrations and puppet shows, there something for everyone. Visit the website for more information.
Cheering on the Home Town Team
Do the kids have a lot of pent up energy? Use it to cheer on the Kingston Frontenacs at the Leon’s Centre. Watch them take on the Ottawa 67’s on March 14 or the matchup against the Oshawa Generals on March 20th. Puck drops at 7 pm!
Kids Getting Creative
The Kingston School of Art is home to some of the most beautiful art around – and now the kids can get their creative juices flowing! From March 16 to 20, kids five to 10 years of age can explore all kinds of art mediums, from pastels to water colours to face painting and more! Sign up for a day or two, or the whole week! Visit them at 647a Princess Street. Art camp runs from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Stay and Dine
Top Kingston hotels are offering some amazing March Break packages in 2020. Want to stay downtown? Need to be on the west end? Kids need a pool? Visit Kingston has you covered. And parents, this getaway is for you, too, so take a break from cooking and enjoy some much deserved meals out at many of Kingston’s favourite family-friendly restaurants.
No matter where in Kingston you choose to enjoy this March Break, family activities, comfortable accommodations, and a fabulous family restaurant are just steps away.
The annual Ian Walsh Photography Contest is back for its sixth year, and once again professional photogs and amateurs alike are being called upon to show off the best of Kingston through their lenses. This year’s theme is Colourful Kingston and the winners will take home hefty prizes: $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, $1,000 for third place.
Golden Hour Never Waits by Brody McMaster (2016 People’s Choice Winner)
To enter, head to visitkingston.ca/makers/ian-walsh-photography-contest and upload your digital files. A panel of judges consisting of professional photographers and affiliates will judge all entries based on originality, creativity, technical proficiency, uniqueness, appropriateness, and relevance to the theme. The sponsors are Visit Kingston and Alphabet Creative.
Photo by Adam Correia
Started by Kingston Accommodation Partners (KAP), the contest was always meant to be a way to encourage and honour the artistic community in Kingston, says Heather Ford, who owns Green Acres Inn and helped come up with the idea for the contest. “And when Ian passed away in 2014, we really wanted to do something that honoured him and had an artistic bent, and this just made perfect sense.”
It made sense because Ian was such a champion of the arts in Kingston, says Heather, who had been a friend of Ian’s since the 1980s. Not only was he a charter board member of Kingston WritersFest, but when he helped launch KAP in 2004, he was adamant that the promotional group encourage artists here. The reason, says Heather, was that he saw artists as a big part of what makes Kingston so great.
Photo by Troy Johnson
Ian, along with his partner Donna Mallory, was also the proprietor of the Hotel Belvedere, and in the 1990s he played a big role in advocating for a hospitality industry program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston. Later, he was part of the inaugural board of RTO 9, a regional tourism organization that promotes tourism in South Eastern Ontario.
“His leadership style was really compelling,” says Heather. “He was always rational, and had a quiet persistence and impeccable manners that made him a great leader and someone people were happy to line up with. He always believed in the best for the community and celebrating it.”
Photo by Cade Imogen
And celebrating the community is what this contest is all about, adds Heather, whether it’s Kingstonians or tourists doing the photo-taking. Previous years’ contest themes have included Enjoying Kingston (2015), Fresh Made Daily (2016), Creative Kingston (2017), and #YumGK (2018).
The 2019 theme was Made in Kingston, and featured pics capturing the city’s vibrant maker community—everything from plated entrees, to Martello Alley, to musicians on stage, to a painting of Welling Street in December.
As with previous years, entrants can enter a maximum of five photos. All judging criteria will be weighed equally, but in the event of a tie, the photo with the highest score in creativity will be selected as the winner.
Moment in Time by Lars Hagberg (2016 Second Place Winner [Open])Whether entrants are successful in nabbing any of the $5,000 in prize money, though, what’s most important about this contest is celebrating Kingston and honouring one of its finest, says Heather. “Ian was just a remarkable person and had the qualities one would want in a friend and a business leader. This is a great way to remember him.
This year the Kingston Canadian Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary! This festival brings incredible Canadian films to the limestone city every year. This year’s event runs from March 11-15. The festival does more than screen films, it also features Q&As, workshops, networking events, and live music. Tickets go on sale February 4 but in the meantime, learn more from Festival Director Marc Garniss. In our chat below Marc shares his all-time favourite festival film, which celebrity speakers are expected this year, and other fun details movie-goers can look forward to.
Tell me about the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and your role in the annual event?
The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is the globe’s largest all-Canadian film festival, entering its 20th anniversary season, March 11-15. I am the Festival Director.
Why do you think Kingston is a great venue to host the festival?
Kingston is a great place to host a film festival. We have a beautiful downtown core with everything centrally located. We attract a number of visitors from places between the Toronto-Montreal corridor that may not have a film festival in their market – so, they embrace KCFF as their hometown/local fest. I think the fact that we’re an all-Canadian festival adds to the feeling of ownership. At KCFF, audiences hear the stories of filmmakers from all regions of Canada. They represent subjects that may be familiar and stories that are relevant and important to us as Canadians. Of course, a number of the stories also help shed light on subjects that are unknown to some Canadians. So, the tone of the programming is familiar, yet exploratory.
What do you love most about the film festival?
I love how the fest captures so many moving pieces that are ultimately framed into a final piece of programming. We work all year, liaising with filmmakers, visiting other festivals, and chatting with artists. Some films have release dates that line up with the festival and others do not. Some guests confirm a year in advance and others may not confirm until the week of the KCFF. So, while we pride ourselves on being organized (my staff is at least!) there’s an element of chaos involved in an event like this that keeps it exciting. Let’s call it an organized chaos!
All time favourite film that has participated in the film festival?
I have only been involved in the fest since 2012. But, my favourite film that we have played would be Simon Lavoie’s The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches
What are you looking forward to at this year’s festival?
I’m a big Kids in the Hall fan and Kevin McDonald will be doing his one-man show and I’ve already got my ticket for that one! Plus, we just confirmed our opening night title — but at this time — I can’t leak that info!
What’s your favourite film festival venue in Kingston?
My favourite venue is The Screening Room! Of course, The Grand and the Isabel are beautiful and we love working with their amazing teams. But, when it comes to hunkering down for four days of binge-watching Canadian films, it’s hard to beat the coziness and charm of The Screening Room. They just installed the “Overlook Hotel” (The Shining) carpet in one of their theatres – so, that alone seals the deal for me!
What do you want the general public to know about the festival?
That’s easy. Canadian film is the best in the world! While I may have a slight bias, it’s worth noting that Canadian film is winning awards in France (Cannes), Berlin (Berlinale), Edinburgh (EIFF) and other major festivals across the world. When I travelled to EIFF a couple years ago, there was a huge spotlight on Canadian film. Most films that dominate North American commercial theatres are just thinly developed eye-candy. KCFF is a rare opportunity to see many of the amazing Canadian films that are drastically underseen (especially on the big screen) but are among the best in the world according to critics and international audiences. And, the best part is, you don’t need to be a “film nerd” to enjoy these films! Most festival patrons would identify as an average movie-goer. Of course, the longer one attends KCFF, the more sophisticated your tastes may become, haha!
Guests/speakers that you are most excited about this year?
Sean Cullen, Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall), Don Shebib, Andrea Bang (Kim’s Convenience), and likely about 100 others! Most of our films are accompanied by a post-show Q&A with the director, cast and/or crew. This is one of the highlights of the festival – you can ask your questions and get to know the filmmaking team after each screening. Generally, our special guests are very accessible and love meeting and chatting with our audience, both formally during the Q&A period, and informally afterwards in the theatre lobby or at a festival party. The festival brings together so many interesting people into small venues during four action-packed days – it’s a great way to meet both locals and visitors, connecting over some films, and stories and their creators. It’s a recipe for an amazing experience.
Our festival lineup is announced February 2 and tickets go on sale February 4. While you can often buy tickets at the festival, lots of screenings sell out (especially during our primetime screening slots). So, we recommend folks pick up tickets in advance if they can! They’re available on our website (kingcanfilmfest.com) and also in-person during certain days/times leading up to the fest. All the details are on our website!
This year’s festival promises to be another showcase of Canadian talent – plan your Kingston getaway to experience the festival with these getaway packages.
At 286 Princess Street, just down from The Hub and headed towards Sydenham Street, a quiet little revolution is underway in the guise of a remarkable restaurant – Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar – the brainchild of a pair of Queen’s University graduates: an engineer (her); and mathematician (him).
She is Bellen Tong: a biomechanical engineer and chef trained at the prestigious George Brown Culinary School in Toronto. He is Zach Fang, a math whiz and banker. They come from the opposite sides of vast Northern China, but they met at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. Bellen and Zach are partners in life and business and co-founders of Miss Bāo. Bellen is the restaurant’s operation manager and Zach is the project coordinator.
A sneak peek to what’s coming to Kingston
Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar brings something brand new to Kingston. Not only is the restaurant a fusion of cultures and ideas; of countries and cuisines; of art and science; of ancient and modern; of locally sourced ingredients and imported revolutionary state-of-the-art composting technology, but perhaps most importantly of all, Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar will be a 100% zero waste operation. They are the first independent restaurant in Ontario to use a remarkable on-site-in-vessel composter to tackle food waste, making Miss Bāo a true leader in the sustainability revolution.
Miss Bāo takes its name from one of Bellen’s culinary specialities: bāo, a traditional Northern Chinese dish, now famous the world over, which is one of the mainstays of the restaurant’s menu.
Bāo, also known as baozi or steamed buns, are tender, savoury, delicious dumplings encased in a soft, bread-like dough and steamed in bamboo baskets. The most traditional bāo are filled with fragrant steamed pork and just a hint of scallion. Miss Bāo Restaurant dishes up everything from traditional pork and beef steamed dumplings, to Peking Duck bāo, and vegetarian and vegan options including “ vegan Szechuan “pork” bāo.” The vegan ‘pork’, is made from banana peels: an ingredient most of us have entirely overlooked and tossed away our entire lives. How is this possible? According to Bellen, the banana skins are soaked immediately on peeling to avoid oxidation, then they are cooked over low heat for a very long time, and finally, they are seasoned to perfection. According to Bellen, “they are surprisingly delicious.”
Sakura Martini
The menu includes a variety of Asian fusion tapas with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as Asian inspired speciality cocktails including an entire cocktail series using Asian liquors as a base. The Sakura Martini, for example, features Nigori (a type of sake), dry vermouth, maraschino cherry syrup, and a salt pickled cherry blossom.
Spiked bubble tea with a shot of Earl Grey Infused Vodka
To meet their dream of creating a sustainable, zero-waste restaurant, Bellen and Zach implemented some simple things, such as using all the vegetable peelings to make homemade vegan stock. They also eliminated single-use plastic items, and eliminated or replaced ingredients that have non-compostable and non-recyclable packaging. In order to do this, they make such ingredients as ponzu, miso and pickles in-house, instead of purchasing commercially pre-made and pre-packaged versions.
Steamed pork scallop and prawn Shumai w red lumpfish caviar made in-house
More significantly though, Bellen and Zach implemented some impressive state-of-the-art green technology including a closed-loop vessel composter, imported from Korea and an Urban Cultivator® (essentially a fully contained, indoor gardening system), made in British Columbia.
The vessel composter grinds and breaks down all the restaurant’s food waste while controlling temperature and humidity, in order to create clean, nutrient-rich, odourless compost. Compost is used to grow vegetables onsite in the cultivator, thereby transforming what was food waste to a remarkable, nutrient rich food source. The first in Kingston, this large indoor gardening appliance allows the restaurant to produce all of its own microgreens onsite, and on full display to restaurant patrons.
Visit Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar at 286 Princess Street and come be part of the sustainability revolution!
Japanese inspired chilled tofu with soy-ginger sauce
If you’ve walked through the red doors of Metalworks over the past couple of decades, chances are you’ve met silversmith Vicki Westgate. She’s the gallery manager at the downtown studio and jewellery boutique, and she’s been here since Steve Luckwaldt bought Metalworks and hired her in 2003.
When I walk in, she’s helping a customer from behind one of the glass cases that line the snug space and are filled with custom necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings made by Canadian jewellers and goldsmiths, including Vicki herself.
It’s a world very familiar to Vicki. “I’ve done jewellery since I was very little, and I’ve always loved it because it incorporates so much and it’s hands-on,” she tells me later. “You’re building, using tools, hammers, fire, because everything is made from scratch, and I like that.”
Here, that building happens in the small studio in the back shared by Vicki, Steve, and goldsmith Emily Wojna. It consists of three benches a few feet apart with hundreds of tiny tools on top — hammers, pliers, files, burrs, etc. Imagine the back of a jewellery shop from two hundred years ago, if not longer, and you’re not far off. “Nothing has really changed for over 2,000 years in traditional goldsmithing,” says Vicki. “There are new tools that can make life a lot easier, but we’re not that type of studio. We tend toward the tried and true because it’s what we’re good at it and because it works.”
Vicki describes her own work as “very feminine” and “classic with a twist”. Much of it incorporates pearls, but this isn’t the typical sweater set. Rather, she combines the natural contours of the pearls with more modern, handmade elements using gemstones, silver, and gold.
Vicki has a degree in fine art from the University of Toronto and worked in the private gallery system in Toronto for several years. She moved to Kingston in the 90s to enroll in Queen’s Artist in Community Education program and later took jewellery classes at St. Lawrence College.
Now firmly established at Metalworks for almost 20 years, she says one of the biggest rewards of this career is trying to figure out exactly what a client wants. “I find that dialogue very interesting, trying to physically envision what they want. And then when you’ve done it and you present it and they’re like, ‘Yay! Whoa!’ It’s the best feeling.”
While Metalworks has customers from all over the world, many are within walking distance of the downtown shop, says Vicki, and that’s something she’s proud of. “Rather than finding something online and going click, here it’s a visceral, one-to-one, highly personalized experience.”
Plus, she adds, people who shop here like the idea that they’re supporting artists who are making their living at this. “This is someone’s career, they’ve gone to school for this, and I find that people like making that connection with the people behind the work.”
Hollywood does its best, but sometimes you have to look outside of the mainstream for the most interesting and important movies. A great place to start is this month’s Reelout Queer Film Festival. Now in its 21st year, the fest brings together the talents of filmmakers from across the globe to tell honest, heartwarming, funny, and fearless stories.
Still from Take Me To Prom, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival
Opening on January 30th, Reelout promises to provide a rainbow of options for every type of movie-goer: from die-hard film aficionados, to folks looking for a lighthearted weekend activity, to those who are simply curious about lives and perspectives different than their own. “This is a queer film fest, but it’s not just a film festival for the queer community,” says Matt Salton, Reelout’s executive director. “Everyone is more than welcome. It’s about much more than just gender and sexuality – it’s about celebrating diversity through the powerful medium of film.”
Changing the Game, a documentary that has been raking in awards across the festival circuit since its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival is Reelout’s opening gala selection. The film follows three transgender high school athletes who must train with the added pressure of daily harassment and discrimination. The film will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Lee Airton, PhD an Assistant Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education at Queen’s University. Another highly-anticipated feature, Song Lang, is a gorgeous feature film from Vietnam set behind the scenes of a gorgeous opera stage production in the 1980s.
Still from Changing the Game, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival
The rest of the diverse 43-film lineup includes comedy, romance, drama, and horror, presented as shorts and feature-length films, in both narrative and documentary form. Reelout’s programming committee, made up of Kingstonians from all walks of life, helped to select this year’s films from over 200 submissions from countries all over the world.
In addition to 10 days of fascinating films, Reelout invites the community to celebrate with them at the festival events: the Reelout/Three Things Consulting opening gala screening of Changing the Game and reception on Thursday, January 30th at Montel’s Lounge in the Tir Nan Og Irish Pub!) and the Closing Gala drag cabaret Drag Me to the Movies at The Screening Room at 9pm on Friday, February 7th.
Still from Good Kisser, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival
The driving force behind the entire festival is its focus on diversity and representation. Salton believes that the stories and perspectives shared through the festival’s films and events can have an illuminating, even uniting effect on the community. “This festival bridges some of the gaps that exist within the diversity of our city,” he says. “It brings together the town and the university, and the heterosexual community and the queer community – but it also highlights the voices of Kingston’s people of colour, people from different countries, and people who are differently-abled. We always need to look at our struggles for equality through an intersectional lens, and our films demonstrate that queer lives and struggles can be vastly diverse.”
Still from Henry’s Heart, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival
Reelout has also done a lot to lift spirits – both of viewers, and those whose stories are being told. “I’m celebrating 20 years as a film festival programmer and still to this day my favourite moment was five years ago when our opening gala documentary was about a young transgender girl who lives in Timmins, Ontario,” says Salton. “This girl was horribly bullied – she was once thrown in a dumpster – and seemed to be destined for a really sad life. Her mother heard about an international roller derby league that accepted trans-identified people, and they also had a children’s league. Through the sport of roller derby, this little girl became empowered. It was a really moving documentary.”
Still from I Am Me, Photo via Reelout Queer Film Festival
“We brought this girl and her mother to Kingston for the opening gala at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, and the guy who does our carpet service even offered a red carpet. A lot of our volunteers wanted to help out, acting as paparazzi. So when our guests showed up in a limousine at the Isabel, they were treated like the stars we saw them as.”
Through the exciting experiences offered by the fest, and the different perspectives provided to Kingston’s moviegoers through the medium of film, Salton hopes that Reelout will continue to make a positive impact on the community. “Film has a powerful, mobilizing influence for change,” he says. “Festivals like Reelout give unseen members of the community a chance to be seen and heard.”
“I think the more different stories we see and hear as a community, the more respect and empathy we will have for one another.”
Reelout Queer Film Festival runs from January 30th to February 8th, 2020 at The Screening Room (120 Princess St). Screening times, tickets, event information, and more are available at reelout.com.
Some of our favourite winter festivals return this February, plus things are getting a little cultured at our art galleries. And at the end of the month, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the Tim Hortons Brier kicks off with its opening draw at the Leon’s Centre. Do you have your tickets yet?
Do you have a Kingston event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration!
Make sure you click each image for even more event details. 1. Reelout Queer Film and Video Festival, Various Locations – January 30 – February 8, 2020
2. Feb Fest, Downtown Kingston – February
3. QPLS Conference “Life of a Lawyer”, John Deutsch University Centre – February 1, 2020
This holiday, give that lucky someone the gift of an unforgettable experience in our beautiful city. Sure it’s an ideal destination year-round, but the winter festivities add a unique sparkle to Kingston that can’t be missed.
The gift of giving (and receiving)
This holiday season, the fine folks at AquaTerra restaurant are adding something special when you load up on gift certificates. Get a gift when you give a gift (certificate) — like $220 when you spend $200; $340 when you spend $300, and; $450 when you spend $400. Treat your friends and loved ones to AquaTerra’s ever-evolving menu full of locally sourced and seasonally inspired ingredients, perfect at any time of day and occasions big and small.
Meet our Makers
Experience an evening of fine food, famous Prince Edward County wines, and good conversation. Join AquaTerra’s Executive Chef and a guest winemaker at the waterfront restaurant, listen to stories from the vineyard and learn about the winemaking process. Tickets include a four-course dinner with wine pairings. Seating is limited so get your tickets online today.
Watch them play
Are there hockey fans in your life? Send them to the rink in style. The Kingston Frontenacs Coca-Cola Holiday Pack includes 6 silver ticket vouchers for any regular-season game between December 28, 2019 to March 22, 2020; one signed Kingston Frontenacs puck; one Coca-Cola vintage bottle six-pack; one official Kingston Frontenacs ballcap. Holiday Packs can be bought at the Fronts Shop at Leon’s Centre until December 23 at noon.
Let us entertain you
Forget trying to select the perfect book, movie, or album for the culture vulture on your list — you’re probably going to pick the wrong one anyway. Instead, let them choose their own play or performance with a gift certificate to the Grand Theatre or the Isabel. Bonus: these gift certificates never expire!
Good wine for a good cause
The Winemaker’s Benefit Dinner, hosted by AquaTerra, invites guests to enjoy a memorable evening of great food and wine in support of the University Hospital Kingston Foundation. The speakers of the evening are cardiologist Dr. Adrian Baranchuk, who has written about the relationship between wine and cardiovascular health, and Dan Sullivan of Prince Edward County’s Rosehall Run winery. Tickets are available online.
Solve some problems
Your pals, family members, or co-workers will love the chance to prove their problem-solving skills when you gift them a booking at Improbable Escapes or Sherlock’s Escapes! Three of Kingston’s most thrilling attractions, these escape rooms offer a variety of themed rooms to choose from for tons of brain-teasing fun.
Eat and be merry
For the culinary connoisseur, give them the best of both worlds: the Kingston experience and great food. Kingston Food Tours offers a guided walk through the downtown streets, discovering the city’s history and savouring the very best of Kingston cuisine. For fans of the craft brewery scene, join a microbrewery crawl with the Beer and Bites tour.
Kingston Live is a monthly podcast that offers behind-the-scenes insights into the Kingston music scene. If you’re looking to learn more about the city’s emerging artists and where to see them play live, you’ll find it here! If you’re a resident music lover or visitor looking for the inside scoop on Kingston’s local music scene, it’s a perfect fit for you, too.
Johnny and Riley close the year with their 12th episode, chatting with local musicians Dan Taylor and Paul Stoss, of the Dan Taylor Band and end the episode discussing the past year of the podcast, their favourite episodes and shows.
Dan Taylor of the Dan Taylor Band starts the episode discussing his latest single “Limestone City” and what inspired him to write it three years ago. Bandmate, Paul Stoss also shares his perspective on what he loves about Kingston. “The quality of musicians and artists that do exist here — it is an inspiring place,” says Paul. They chat about the concept of the “Kingston sound” something that Johnny and Riley have touched on with many guests on the show this year. Listeners learn more about the band and their performance in Kingston’s Santa Claus Parade. Dan’s advice to aspiring artists is, “Have thick skin.” Listeners get a chance to hear their single, “Limestone City!”
Johnny and Riley follow the tradition of listing every show worth attending in the Kingston area from now through to the new year.
They close the show by chatting in a roundtable with Executive Producer Rob Howard and writer Pete Sanfilippo to reflect on their favourite episodes, shows and festivals of the year. They discuss the growth of Back to the Farm and the changes made to the format of Wolfe Island Music Festival (for the better!). Other local show highlights include The Glorious Sons’ show at Richardson Stadium and Rockin’ the House at the Kingston Penitentiary. Listeners also get the inside scoop on their favourite musical discoveries of 2019 and their thoughts on the local music scene and why it’s thriving. They also touch on one of my personal favourite moments from this year’s episodes: the interview with Brian from Brian’s Record Option and how the Kingston community lifted him up after his store flooded and made sure he didn’t close.
The Kingston Live podcast is syndicated to all major podcast platforms. Find them wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to subscribe: Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIn and Stitcher. They also air on Wolfe Island Radio on Tuesday and Thursdays! You can also follow them on Instagram.
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