August is for Festivals

Sunflowers in a field.

August is for festivals, sunbathing, and farmers鈥 markets. Don鈥檛 you agree? This blog is about the arts broadly defined.

On August 3, I saw at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque. Scott Pietrangelo was hilarious as a small-town police officer desperately trying to prove his sleuthing skills. Jackson Seib鈥檚 performance was terrific! Seib (ALL the suspects!) was determined to mislead the aspiring detective in this side-splitting musical whodunit. An applause to the creative team. Thanks also to my friend who got our tickets and drove us there.

Last Sunday, I was lucky to get a ride to Prescott. I walked on the bank of the St. Lawrence and had a picnic lunch at Prescott鈥檚 beautiful waterfront amphitheater. If you are considering going on a day trip with family and friends, add Prescott to your 鈥榯o do鈥 list this month. Even better, if you can drive up this Saturday. You鈥檒l catch a Shakespeare inspired mixtape. This witty cabaret of pop music and Shakespearean text includes rhythms by the Beatles, Taylor Swift, Elton John, Prince, and more.

Have you immersed yourselves in any of the alternative shows Kingston is offering these days? is taking place from July 25 to August 18. This year鈥檚 programming includes unconventional performances by award-winning Canadian artists. I am looking forward to on August 15. Leslie Ting鈥檚 experimental performance uses integrated creative audio description. Based on I am hoping to dive deep into my own mind in Ting鈥檚 electro-acoustic session. Join me at Kingston Grand Theatre.

Spending daytime doing your research in Kingston? Why not groove to Latin songs in the evening? 鈥溾 sessions are every Tuesday. Connect with fellow enthusiasts at the vibrant Springer Market Square between 06:30 and 10:00 p.m. Are you into jazzy tunes? Then, 鈥 鈥 is for you on Wednesdays, from 7:00 p.m. onwards. I am looking forward to an evening with LaSalle Causeway Swing Band on August 21.

Let me repeat for international and out-of-town Canadian students preparing to join us in Kingston. August is for soaking at sandy beaches around Kingston, going for refreshing swims at Lake Ontario or in one of the smaller lakes, and conversing with friends around crackling campfires. It鈥檚 the season for ice cream, cold drinks, barbeques and picnics, hiking, and outdoor fun in general. Live music, arts festivals, and visits to the farmers鈥 market are my favourite activities.