music

Q&A: Don Maynard on his upcoming Art Installation at the Skeleton Park Arts Festival

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Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of I love this city because I make at least one new friend every day and each is more inspiring and fantastic to be around than the last (3)
Have you heard? The Skeleton Park Arts Festival   is kicking off on June 20-24! This festival does a beautiful job at sharing and displaying the work of Kingston’s most talented artists and brings the community together for great food and music. A very exciting installation being featured is by Don Maynard called the Skeye Project. It will feature the work of local filmmakers on a floating movie screen held up by helium balloons. Oh the whimsy! Something you should be sure to check out. Don has answered a few questions via email about his work and upcoming show (June 22 – 9 pm in Friendship Park) below. Read on to learn more.

Keep up with Kingston: Please share a bit of your background in creative projects like the Skeye Project?
Don Maynard: It was ten years ago in 2007 in Kingston that I did a similar project, Tidal Mass at the NGB studios, which involved a large public installation in collaboration with about 13 musicians. NGB Studios, Kingston. There were 1,850 used fluorescent light bulbs, steel, 250 compact fluorescent light bulbs, steel rods and it was 29″ x 32′ x 54′.

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Queer Songbook Orchestra Stops in Kingston, Includes Local Artists

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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 →

Get Your Butt to Bath for the MacKinnon Brothers’ Beer and Music Festival

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Do you like beer? Do you like music? What about food trucks? Last question, do you have plans this Sunday? I’ve got an idea for you! The MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company (sponsored by 98.9 The Drive) is hosting “Back to the Farm” this Sunday. “Back to the Farm” is the ultimate summer event filled with great beer, great bands and delicious food located at the MacKinnon Brothers’ farm in Bath on County Road 22. That’s too far, you say? Red House realizes it’s a bit of a drive so they’ve sponsored shuttles running from their downtown and west end locations with pick-up times at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm and drop offs at 9 pm and 10:30 pm. Problem solved! Continue reading →