Pack the skates and head to Market Square — Kingston’s Feb Fest is back from February 4 – 7. (photo: The Great Waterway)
It’s winter festivals season, and there’s no shortage of them on this month’s top 10 list: Feb Fest in Kingston (Feb 4 – 7), Frostfest in Batawa (Feb 13) and Winterfest at Sandbanks Provincial Park (Feb 15). More of an indoors type? You’re covered here, too, with the likes of stand-up legend and deadpanner Steven Wright at The Grand Theatre (Feb 20) and the Tony Award-winning musical “Into the Woods” in Cornwall (Feb 19 – 27). Read on for all of the details.
1. Feb Fest
February 4 – 7
Kingston
Photo: The Great Waterway
For four days every February K-town’s downtown area around Market Square fills with the sound of skates on ice, pucks on sticks and 30,000 people enjoying the outdoors. Feb Fest highlights include the Carr-Harris Cup, an annual hockey match between Queen’s and RMC; a winter park with ice slides and a snow maze; a figure skating showcase (this year features Canadian Men’s Champion Nam Nguyen); NHL legend Ron Ellis on hand to sign autographs; public skating; and, of course, those distinctive doughy wafts of Beaver Tails in the air. Free. downtownkingston.ca
2. Snowshoe Workshop and Walk
February 6
Frontenac Provincial Park
Photo: Richard Allaway/Flickr Creative Commons
“If you can hike, you can snowshoe” is the common refrain, and though it’s true, remember that you’ll essentially be wearing paddles on your feet — a few pointers might be welcome. You’ll get them at this workshop in one of the best places to strap them on: Frontenac Provincial Park. Hosted by The Friends of Frontenac, you’ll also learn about the different types of snowshoes and harnesses before heading out for a guided snowshoe hike in the afternoon. Bring a lunch, warm clothes, a warm drink and snowshoes. Rentals are available, but request them ahead of time. Register by calling the Park Office: 613-376-3489. $7.25/car – $14.50/car.
3. Frostfest
February 13
Batawa Community Centre
Photo: Bay of Quinte Tourism
Although it was set up as a planned community by the Bata Shoe Company (closed in 2000), Batawa is now more synonymous with outdoor winter fun than shoes. There’s Batawa Ski Hill, of course, but there are events like Frost Fest, too, an annual all-day event for the whole family. It’s free, and organizers are bringing the goods again this year: outdoor skating with the Trenton Golden Hawks, marshmallow roasting, arts and crafts, face painting, an outdoor petting zoo, horse and carriage rides, food, and more. Pair a visit with a few runs down Batawa Ski Hill, and you’ve got the makings for a solid winter Saturday. quintewest.ca
4. Winterfest at Sandbanks
February 15, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Maple Rest Heritage House, Sandbanks Provincial Park
Photo: Martin Cathrae/Flickr Creative Commons
Winterfest may not draw as many as Kingston’s Feb Fest, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially because Winterfest is happening at one of the most stunning parks in the region. Plus, it ticks off all the winter festival boxes anyway: cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, a bonfire, children’s activities, and live music (Mark Despault, of The Frere Brothers). There’ll also be hot chocolate, tea and coffee to keep you warm, and chili to keep you going. By the way, Maple Rest Heritage House is the red-brick building just north of the entrance to the Sandbanks day use area on the west side of County Road 12. Free. friendsofsandbanks.org
5. Tuesday Night at the Museum: “Encounters with Famous People”
February 16, 7 pm
Lennox & Addington County Museum, Napanee
Photo: Lennox & Addington County Museum Facebook
The 1960s was the decade that shook Britain, transforming it from a seat of conservatism to a swinging locale full of freedom, hope and promise. Music and the emergence of the “British Invasion” was a driving force for that change, and musician Barry Lovegrove was right in the middle of it, travelling in the circles of some very famous musicians. Barry will bring this decade and his experience of it to life with his collection of memorabilia, including concert tickets, photos and notes. Tuesday Night at the Museum is a monthly series on an array of themed programming presented by experts. $3. lennox-addington.on.ca
6. “Into the Woods”
February 19, 20, 26, 27 – 7:30 pm
February 21 – 1:30 pm
Aultsville Theatre, Cornwall
Photo: Amanda Bowman/Flickr Creative Commons
This Tony Award-winning-production-turned-feature-film has been called one of the most imaginative musicals of the past 30 years. Intertwining the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, its main characters are taken from “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Cinderella” and others. Everything is tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their quest to begin a family, their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them, and their dealings with other storybook characters along their journey. $18 – $22. svtc.ca
7. Steven Wright
February 20
The Grand Theatre, Kingston
Photo: Post Memes/Flickr Creative Commons
The often imitated but never duplicated comedian, actor and writer Steven Wright is bringing his classic deadpan delivery to Kingston for one night only. If you’ve never heard of him, here’s his website bio: “I was born. When I was 23 I started telling jokes. Then I started going on television and doing films. That still I am doing. The end.” I’d add that he was ranked as the twenty-third greatest comedian by Comedy Central, was given an Academy Award for his short film “The Appointments of Dennis Jennings” and, more importantly, will have almost any stand-up fan rolling in the aisles. $49.50 – $54.50. kingstongrand.ca
8. Kingston Canadian Film Festival
February 25 – 28
Kingston
Photo: Kingston Canadian Film Festival
Launched just 15 years ago by a Queen’s student, this film festival has become the largest stand-alone showcase of Canadian film in the world. New films are being announced every week, but so far a couple of notables include “Born to be Blue,” a biopic of Chet Baker starring Ethan Hawke, and “After the Last River,” a doc all about Attawapiskat. There will also be workshops, Q&As, receptions and parties, networking events, live music, comedy, interactive gaming, and special guest appearances, including one from Kids in the Hall legend Scott Thompson. kingcanfilmfest.com
9. Chopin’s Last Works
February 26
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Prescott
Photo: Charles Richard-Hamelin
Canadian pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin says Chopin’s “last works are some of the most magnificent and moving ever writing for the piano,” and at this performance you’ll get to hear them from Richard-Hamelin himself, second-prize winner of the 2014 Montreal International Music Competition. Expect to hear Chopin’s waltzes, nocturnes, mazurkas and monumental third sonata, along with accounts of his final days from his closest friends and personal letters. This should be a stunning overview of the last chapter in Chopin’s life. $25. ftca.ca
10. Encaustic Painting Workshop
February 27 – 28
Andrew Csafordi Studio Gallery, Bloomfield
Photo: Dana/Flickr Creative Commons
Encaustic painting is a fun and easy technique using melted beeswax and oil paint. After the warm wax is applied to a wooden surface with brushes, each layer is fused using heat, resulting, as Prince Edward County artist Andrew Csafordi says, “a luminescent painting.” Learn the style from Csafordi himself at this two-day workshop in a studio on a beautiful farm in the County. No experience necessary. Staying over? Ask about the “Bee Creative Package” at The Inn at Huff States Winery (just around the corner from the gallery) for a reduced rate. $395. andrewcsafordi.com
Head over to The Great Waterway’s events page for more things to do this month!
