Learn from the Wilderness Pros at Maclachlan Woodworking Museum

May 18, 2018May 22, 2018 ~ keepupwithkingston ~ Leave a comment

Perhaps it’s just me, but if I were stuck in the middle of the woods with no resources, I would have a pretty rough time surviving. I am not proud of this fact! Luckily, Maclachlan Woodworking Museum is looking out for people like me as well as people with a stronger knowledge of wilderness survival that are interested in learning more. They are hosting an event called The Lumberjack, a Saturday (June 2) tailored to teaching outdoorsmen, outdoorswomen and those who want to be more familiar with the outdoors, how to hone their skills. I chatted with organizer Keely Maddock about the upcoming event. Continue reading →

Q&A: Kay Kenney on Movement Market’s Juvenis Festival Show

May 1, 2018May 3, 2018 ~ keepupwithkingston ~ Leave a comment

The Juvenis Festival has kicked off in Kingston showcasing the work of some of our city’s most talented young artists! Kay Kenney of Movement Market/SERIES took a minute to answer questions via email about her company’s participation in the festival. This Thursday until Saturday, Movement Market/SERIES will be showing in the old American Apparel storefront on Princess. Read about the new dance platform and upcoming performance in the Q&A below.

Keep up with Kingston: Tell me a little about yourself and your dance background?

Kay Kenney: I grew up in Kingston ontario. I’ve danced since the age of 4 and studied at the Kingston School of Dance in the old tett centre building. I grew up training in the classical Cecchetti ballet method where I received up to my Intermediate certificate. Over the years I was interested in branching out and began studying all types of methods, such as; jazz, hip-hop, latin, ballroom, musical theatre & contemporary dance, to prepare me for post-secondary training.

I am a 2012 graduate from the Professional Contemporary Dance 3 year diploma Programme at The School of Dance in Ottawa. Since graduation, I have been working as a company dancer for Social Growl Dance, under Artistic Direction of Riley Sims (Toronto) & a company dancer as part of Ottawa Dance Directive, under artistic direction of Yvonne Coutts. I have trained and worked with professionals all over Ontario and Quebec and will be headed to Berlin in June to create a new work for Social Growl Dance to premier in March 2019.

Continue reading →

Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal is coming to The Grand!

April 5, 2018April 5, 2018 ~ keepupwithkingston ~ Leave a comment

balletsjazzdemontrealphoto5 Kingston is in for a treat on April 12th! Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal will be performing at the Grand Theatre and you don’t want to miss this performance. The Grand’s Performing Arts Manager in Cultural Services Jayson Duggan shares why Kingston is so lucky to have BJM.

Can you tell me why you’re personally so excited to see their performance this year?
The appearance of BJM on April 12th will be without a doubt a highlight of the 10th Anniversary Grand OnStage season. We have been fortunate to present many Canadian icons over the last eight months as part of our anniversary celebrations, and BJM is another outstanding example of the creative brilliance and extraordinary talent flourishing across Canada. I have had the opportunity to see this program performed by BJM and I am looking forward to the reaction and response from the Grand OnStage audience. It is definitely a show that should not to be missed! Continue reading →

Queer Songbook Orchestra Stops in Kingston, Includes Local Artists

March 13, 2018March 14, 2018 ~ keepupwithkingston ~ Leave a comment

The Queer Songbook Orchestra is a special compilation of songs by Queer-identifying musicians with an ensemble arrangement. As part of the Human Rights Arts Festival in collaboration with The Skeleton Park Arts Festival, this show will be at The Isabel next Tuesday, March 20 featuring Leah Fay (July Talk) and local artists LJ Weisberg and Alyssa Cooper.

The performance will include works by Billy Strayhorn, kd Lang, Stephen Sondheim and more and will explore narratives from the performers and how the music has shaped their identities.

I had a chat with local poet Alyssa Cooper, who will be reading the narratives. See below to learn more about the show and Alyssa’s participation. Continue reading →

International Women’s Day: Kingston’s Inspiring Girl Power

March 8, 2018March 8, 2018 ~ keepupwithkingston ~ Leave a comment

This post was originally written March 2017

When I started my series featuring Kingston’s female entrepreneurs, “The Boss Ladies of the Limestone City,” I knew Kingston had incredibly talented women helping to make it the awesome city that it is. In fact, according to a recent poll, Kingston is the second best city in Canada to be a woman with high numbers of women in senior management roles. Continue reading →

Pay What You Want at The Grand Theatre

February 8, 2018February 8, 2018 ~ keepupwithkingston ~ Leave a comment

Yvonne Ng, Robert Glumbeck “Stone Velvet”

Robert Desrorosiers “At the Bottom of the Pool”

I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the exciting events happening at The Grand Theatre this season, specifically within the dance program. Kingston is so lucky to have incredible dance companies travel here and share their talent. In order to make sure that Kingstonians take advantage — without the financial strain — The City of Kingston is introducing Pay What You Want for next week’s 3,2,1 Dance! on February 15, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Continue reading →

a thirty-something's mini adventures – mostly culinary – in this waterfront town.

Author: keepupwithkingston