We are lucky, lucky inhabitants of this land and this lake, surrounded by so much to do, to see and to hear. Ah, the spectacles just outside our door! Arts, culture, drama and song, they are all here, in our nature.
Close your eyes. Whether you are in a boat, at camp or walking one of our fine trails, you will have a symphony on command. At day’s end, perch on the dock and listen to the mosquitoes hum while loons interject their throaty refrain into the frogs’ evening serenade. Hear the songbirds’ morning reveille, or the mystical sound of a hummingbird whir by your ear as you doze on your deck chair.
Lake of the Woods offers spectacular summer light shows, too. Look up on any clear night and see shooting stars blaze through the dancing Northern Lights. Our summer storms flash across the sky, twisting massive trees and wringing out the lake. A hike on the Canadian Shield puts you front row at one of the best art exhibits you will ever see. Each vista is a gorgeous canvas waiting to be painted or recorded on camera. Don’t forget theatre. It is definitely in our nature! Watch drama-queen squirrels launch pinecones and trill like opera divas, bossy beavers staking out territory with tail-slaps, or eagles performing their aerial acrobatics.
These natural concerts and exhibits run all summer, and they are free. But if you want a real night out on the town this summer, Kenora’s arts community offers you some prime acts. Here is just a small taste of the offerings.
Music + Lake = Magic
June 30, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra plays under the direction of Alexander Micklethwaite in the Harbourfront tent. Len Mark, concert organizer, says VIP seating is available at reserved tables ($50/person or $800 table plus dessert). He also says this event is open to everyone who can make a donation. “We will sell special seating in the few rows of regular seats at $25 each. The rest of the seating in the tent will be free. However, we will pass the buckets expecting to receive donations.”
Saturday, July 2, it’s time to “Celebrate Summer”. This day highlights aboriginal musical talent and culture all day on the Harbourfront. Come explore the arts and crafts market and enjoy free family activities. Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Award winners Digging Roots and Northwestern Ontario’s Shy-Anne Hovorka will be performing in the evening under the tent, along with local aboriginal performers. Admission is free. Celebrate Summer events will conclude with a fireworks display in Keewatin.
These Boots Aren’t Made for Walking
One would think Imelda Marcos has taken up digs with Fragile Glass owner, Kris Goold, or that perhaps Grimm’s famed Shoemaker never did wake up, and the elves kept making shoes– really, really unique ones: rug-hooked boots, glass slippers, clay shoes, shoe mobiles. There are shoes everywhere!
Lake of the Woods Arts Collective visual artists and guest artists from away have created many amazing three-dimensional pieces of art for Shoephoria: the art and sole of footwear, Fragile Glass at the Belfry’s summer exhibit and sale. The show runs until August 31, and is open Monday to Saturday 10-5.
There’s a lovely philanthropic twist to the show, called “Let Someone Else Walk a Mile in Your Shoes”. Folks visiting Shoephoria can get into the exhibit by donating a new or gently-used pair of shoes or a toonie. Ms. Goold has connected with a nongovernmental organization in Africa who will distribute them to those in need.
A nice addition to this exhibit (especially because it is in a converted century old church) is the Lake of the Woods Museum’s special collection of local historical footwear, which will be displayed with the art in the gallery. Fragile Glass is located 2 blocks south of the Kenora Recreation Centre, at 529 Third Ave. South.
A Good Case of History Repeating Itself
TryLight Theatre Company is bringing drama to the streets this summer. Gord Day-Janz, director of the troupe, says they are excited to partner with the Lake of the Woods Museum and the Common Ground Research Forum to write and re-enact history for their new summer creation called “The Living History Project”. Trylight Theatre will offer a variety of vignettes, including one from the First Nations perspective. The troupe will perform at the museum and at other locations around Kenora. They are working with local writer, Phil Burke, to create historical walks through the downtown core of Kenora during July and August. The Living History Project takes place from June 27 to August 27.
No Maybe, Baby
The musical folks out on Coney have struck a chord so true, that common opinion says it’s time to lose the “Maybe” in their name, “The Coney Island Third Maybe Annual Festival”. Past years have seen all donations to this charity event go to Lake of the Woods Arts Collective (LOWAC), to help fund their Music and Mentorship Programme for Youth, and to support Visual Arts.
Festival co-creator, Ferg Devins, says headliners this July 24 will be Bill and Deb Wallace, Dean Wysocki and Darcy Ura performing the “Best of the Guess Who”, Winnipegger, Glen McCabe, local folk up-and- comer, Ryan Van Bellegham, and Kenora’s Big Boogaloo. Also rocking the new sound stage is the local Celtic band, Mac, and country swing band, Cold Hard Facts of Life.
A LOWAC outdoor exhibit called “2×2 for U” is also in its third year, and will be showing its last day at the Coney Island Music Fest (and around city parks from June 25 till July 23). Last year, more than 50 pieces of outdoor, weather-proof art sized two feet square were sold to support local arts and artists. Check out lowac.ca to see this energetic group’s Open Studio Tour map (July 17 weekend) and other summer offerings.
For those who cannot just listen and tap toes…
A group called “The Dinner Jackets” will be hosting an outdoor musical jam session at the BBQ shelter at Anicinabe Park each Wednesday from 7 until 9–rain or shine. Band member, Jerry Ossachuk, says the 9 pm end will give them just enough time to head over to the Cornerstone Pub, Main St., to get in on the Wednesday jams happening there. Everyone is welcome.
Kenora arts and culture. We serve it up fresh and natural, any way you want it. Enjoy!
