I HEART HAMILTON TOUR Presents: The Playlist 1.0 (A Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hamilton)
The I Heart Hamilton Tour began in May 2011 with the concept of being a tourist in your own city. We’re all about getting to know our hometown better, challenging ourselves with new experiences, and encouraging others to do the same, wherever you are.
To mark our first anniversary, we made it our goal to set up a fundraiser concert to benefit a local organization. We have had the chance to really experience the sense of community in Hamilton throughout our Tour and we have a philosophy of making a difference in our community and giving back.
Music is integral to our Tour and through it, we have had the opportunity to meet local musicians who we feel really embody the sense of community in the City. We have teamed up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton, having been inspired by the work they do for both the children and their families, and by the sense of community in the organization’s mission. We believe the organization aligns with our values and is something that we would love to support.
Please join us for our first-ever live Playlist!
I Heart Hamilton Tour Presents: The Playlist 1.0 (A Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hamilton)
Saturday, July 28th, 2012
LIVE PERFORMANCES BY: Canadian Winter New Hands The Ascot Royals The Dinner Belles with guest DJ sets by John Smith of Young Rival
Follow along with our official Twitter hashtag: #IHHTplaylist Mark your attendance on our official Facebook event page (coming soon) Watch our trailer on YouTube (coming soon)
In our search for the best breakfast foods in the City, we would be terribly remiss if we left out Harbour Diner. The James Street North staple has been on our list since the very beginning of the Tour, but we hadn’t yet managed to get to it as a group. Avishka had been before and really enjoyed it and knew that the rest of us would too, telling me about the homey feel of it, from the wallpaper to the nautical décor. The nautical theme has been following us throughout the Tour, and with summer coming up, I know it will work its way into our tour stops again.
Joining me for my inaugural Harbour Diner experience was the producer of CBC Hamilton, Conrad Collaco, making him an official Honourary Tour Member! We Tourists were excited to learn of Hamilton getting its own CBC station and that the digital station is the first of its kind. The week before, I got to sit down for a chat with executive producer Roger Gillespie and find out more about it. I was so happy to get to share with the CBC team all about our Tour and what we’ve been working so hard on and have been so excited about for the past year. We’ve spoken before about how we can feel something so special happening right now in Hamilton, and that we are really on the verge of a shift that is happening in the City. We’re thrilled to be part of that, and the addition of CBC Hamilton seems to be hitting at just the right time.
The Harbour
Belgian Waffles
Arriving early, not long after Harbour Diner’s 8 am open (hands down the earliest tour stop to date!) I was greeted by a friendly server and was offered a favourite spot of Harbour Diner patrons, on a raised platform by the front window. It was the perfect seat to look outside at the sunny morning on James North and also to turn around and overlook the cozy diner. I sipped on some coffee while perusing the menu, even though I was already pretty set on what I would order. (We tend to come prepared by looking at menus online before heading out to eat, even though that usually doesn’t curb our indecisiveness at all.) I decided to continue my current waffle kick and get the Belgian Waffles. I did not expect them to arrive so artfully presented, and for them to be waffles fingers, as I referred to them, rather than the traditional circle or square waffles. They were topped off with some powdered sugar and slices of kiwi, pineapple, and orange were on the side, for a little tropical panache. Of course, lots of syrup was added!
Conrad chose the combo The Harbour, which came with two eggs, bacon (or your choice of sausage or ham), home fries, and toast and jam, along with the same sprinkling of those tropical fruits on the side. The whole breakfast menu sounds delicious; it will take many trips to try everything. The Eggs Benedict in particular comes highly recommended by people we’ve spoken to. And that’s just breakfast – their lunch and dinner options also sound amazing. Poutine? Nachos? Crab & Lobster mac & cheese? Oh, yes, we will be back.
Thanks to Conrad Collaco for the photo
Back to the CBC! It was great to chat with Conrad about Hamilton and share with him many of the things we’ve discovered over the course of our Tour. We noted that overwhelmingly, the music scene is a favourite aspect of the City, which Conrad got to see firsthand by a survey he took for CBC Hamilton’s blog. We couldn’t agree more, as music becomes a bigger part of our blog all the time. I would love for Hamilton’s artists to be showcased on an even bigger stage. The music here is world-class, and CBC’s exposure of this music would be an incredible thing.
We talked about the James North area, specifically, but I also noted how we have made an effort to explore all areas of the City. From Locke Street to Westdale, Ancaster, Dundas, and Stoney Creek, there is so much to see and do. Although CBC Hamilton is located in the downtown core, it would be amazing to see all of Hamilton invested and wanting to share their stories.
We Tourists look forward to sharing more of what we’ve discovered about our hometown with CBC Hamilton – that’s an aspect of the digital station that I’m encouraged by, is that citizens will get to contribute and help direct the content of the station, and CBC Hamilton is open and ready to listen.
We’ve said before how incredible and supportive Hamilton’s online community is, and this event is another example of that. Founder of the non-for-profit organization High Fives 2 Help Lives, Steve Gillon, reached out to us over Twitter to let us know about a fundraiser party he was hosting to benefit Skate4Cancer and Wellspring. I had never met Steve before but had heard of his t-shirt business with Noel Villenueve, Try This on for Size and had seen High Fives on Twitter. The event was held in the hip Augusta neighbourhood, at Pheasant Plucker, and I was happy to check it out and support the cause.
I had never been to the upper level of Scottish pub Pheasant Plucker; the space is available to be rented for gatherings and events. I really liked the cozy feel to it; the colours were subdued - grey and green tones, with stone and brick walls, and, of course, plenty of plaid.
With Steve Gillon, founder of High Fives 2 Help Lives
Steve, a self-proclaimed Pro High-Fiver and Ph.D (Pretty Helpful Dude) began to host benefit events a few years ago, with this event being his 7th fundraiser to date. High Fives 2 Help Lives hosts fundraisers to benefit a variety of causes, including Movember Canada, Hamilton Health Sciences, and for this event, Skake4 Cancer’s Dream.Love.Cure initiative. Inspired by family members that he lost to illnesses, Steve wanted to make a difference and do his part to make a change. Since February 2011, High Fives has raised over five thousand dollars, and Steve is just getting started!
For this event, Steve and Noel used their TTOFS t-shirt business to design a limited run of t-shirts, using Skake4Cancer’s Dream.Love.Cure slogan, adding, of course, “High Five” to the list of positive declarations. Something as simple as a high five is a symbol of positivity, enthusiasm, and support, and fits well with Skate4Cancer’s project. At High Fives events, t-shirts are available for purchase, with $5 from each shirt sold going toward that specific charity.
The Howlers
Entertainment for the night was local musical duo The Howlers. They played a set of eclectic cover songs, and I thought of Avishka and how we always try to guess songs as they begin, whether it’s a cover band or a DJ. Songs that jumped out to me were The Beatles’ “Falling,” some Oasis (and who doesn’t still think of someone in particular when you hear the classic “Wonderwall”?), some Queens of the Stone Age, a thoughtful Levon Helm tribute, and Steve himself even got in on the action, joining the band on “My Hero” by Foo Fighters. The guys were a fun score to the party, which had a fantastic turnout, raising $720 for the cause and selling out the limited run of t-shirts.
We’re always inspired by people who are making positive changes in the City and beyond, and Steve is definitely one of those people. Keep a lookout for more High Fives events!
We’re on a roll lately with the fantastic shows happening in Hamilton! This lineup was amazing – Allosaurus, New Hands, Hands & Teeth, and Wildlife. I rolled into Casbah a little early, just in time for one of their craft beer tastings in the Lounge. Casbah’s owner, William “Brodie” Schwendiman has done a terrific job at stocking Casbah full of local, independent, craft beers, and while I’m not yet a beer connoisseur, I can certainly appreciate all of the varieties and what must go into crafting just the right brew. Be sure to check out Casbah’s first “Brews N Bands” Craft Beer Festival on June 2nd. I chatted with Aron D’Alesio, singer of Young Rival, who was bartending, and joked about my inability to distinguish between beers, much less critique one’s flavour, while swishing the brew around in my cup, trying to look like I fit in at a tasting. Avishka met up with me shortly after I sampled my beer, and then it was time to head upstairs for the show.
Allosaurus
Allosaurus kicked off the night, and right away, Avishka and I looked at each other, and knew we were fans of the Hamilton band. Seeing the familiar set up of an electronic-pop music duo, which we’ve seen before (we’re realizing how awesome Hamilton’s dance/electro music scene is!), we were curious what their live show would be like. As soon as their matching blazers and pants lit up, (yes, lit up!) we were on board. We loved Brad Melle and Evan MacAlpine’s playful onstage presentation; they danced about with no inhibitions, making their set so much fun to watch. A highlight for me was their song “Emma-Lee,” which was recently featured on an episode of Degrassi. Ah, young love. Their closing track, “Hello St. Louis” was also a banger, and they pulled out all the stops for that one, dancing up a storm! Again, I always regret not having glow sticks with me. We really must remember that when checking out these electro acts!
New Hands
Avishka and I were particularly excited to meet New Hands and see them play, after hearing so much about the Hamilton band. We have heard great things about them from major music figures in the City – their producer Michael Keire (and we recently visited his studio where the band has been working away), Lou Molinario of This Ain’t Hollywood, and Mark of Dr. Disc. And now they have the official I Heart Hamilton Tour endorsement (if I may be so bold as to put ourselves in that category), as we are quite smitten with the group!
They have a unique sound that boasts a variety of influences. There are some 80s synth sounds in there (as I noted in my April Playlist, which features “This I’ve Heard”), and they have a more danceable sound than we were expecting, but they also have a darker sound to their music, too. I still can’t get over Spence Newell’s vocals; it’s like he’s channelling it from somewhere else. He even gave us a personal shout out from the stage, which meant a lot! The guys have such a fun chemistry onstage and off; you can tell how much fun they’re having and that energy is infectious. “Whichever Way You’ll Have It” was promptly stuck in my head after the show – love the breakdown in that song. Drummer Gord Bond is also a talented visual artist, having his art featured at McMaster’s Wise Up (the annual School of the Arts exhibition) and winning an award. They are currently working on their debut full length album and I can’t wait to see and hear more from these guys.
With New Hands (Thanks to Evan Bond for the photo)
From one “hands” band to another, Toronto’s Hands & Teeth also put on a great show. Avi and I had only heard of them through Carly, who sent her recommendation. Being a fantastic music-recommender, I always take a listen to everything Carly sends me. With her being away on a Detour in Kingston, music has been a way to keep in touch, with our constant messaging over our newest finds. Avi and I liked Hands & Teeth’s set up and particularly liked how much the band switched up their roles, taking on different instruments by trading them off amongst each other and by divvying up the vocal duties. It made for an interesting set to watch and offered something different from other bands. I couldn’t help but notice they have a song titled “Sound of Hamilton,” off their latest album, Hunting Season. How apropos!
Hands & Teeth
Another Toronto band, Wildlife, headlined the show. I had heard of them, but hadn’t given them a proper listen. I listened to some tracks before attending the show and really liked what I heard. Seeing a band live is always a different experience, for better or for worse, and Wildlife’s rip-roaring set was completely for the better! It made me like them even more; they played an amazing set. To continue with our love of theatrics, they had a fog machine, and, although that was not the most fun to breathe in, as we were pressed right up to the front of the stage, it worked; it added a certain mystique. I absolutely couldn’t get over drummer Dwayne Christie, who hammered it out back there like I’ve never seen. I laughed, later on, when I read New Hands’ Tweet: “Spence watching @wildlifeband’s drummer ‘He’s moving so fast I feel like I’m watching a claymation video!’ #swag”.
It was such a wicked lineup - we were very impressed!
While I didn’t actually get out and about during this year’s Record Store Day, I fittingly stopped by Dr. Disc the week of, as they were prepping for the big day. A classic Hamilton landmark in our rich music scene, it’s about time the record store became an official tour stop! Dr. Disc celebrated its 20th anniversary last July (check out The Spectator’s piece, chronicling the store’s history). At the time, this was only a couple of months into our Tour, and I remember Avishka, Jenny, and myself exploring James Street North on the hot summer night of July’s Art Crawl, and catching part of a rooftop concert at Dr. Disc, which was part of their anniversary celebrations. We stood in the warm evening sun, listening to the music, and then, sporting our summer Tour t-shirts, of course, we took a few shots posing by Dr. Disc’s graffiti-filled outside wall. Now here I am, almost a year later, visiting the store and getting to sit down for a chat with the Doc, himself, Mark Furukawa. I also later realized that The Spec’s piece on Dr. Disc hit stands just five days before our own front-page feature. How’s that for full circle?
Mark let me take a peak at Dr. Disc’s roof, which offers a fantastic panoramic view of James Street North below (and a clear shot of one of our favourites – Mex-I-Can!) We sat down to lunch (Mark being so handy in the kitchen, it made me realize my fellow Tourists and I need to have more cooking adventures!) and chatted about all things Hamilton. It’s an incredibly exciting time here – so many people I’ve been speaking with can feel it – and we were quick to share what we love about the City and compare notes, running through our favourite spots in Hamilton and memories of the City. Among those included our favourite restaurants. Mark considers himself a foodie, which made me think of Avishka, who is probably the biggest foodie out of the four of us Tourists, and I recounted how indecisive we are when it comes to menus. Luckily, no decisions had to be made on this day, as Mark whipped up quite the spread along with his famous paninis.
With 20+ years of experience at Dr. Disc, I had to ask Mark about his impressions of Hamilton’s music scene, and he expressed the same thought as we’ve found, which is that overwhelming sense of community that you encounter everywhere you go, in speaking with musicians and going to shows. Although we don’t have the music scenes of other cities to compare it to, you can just feel something so special here. The music community is so supportive of each other, and we’ve definitely witnessed that throughout our Tour, as music becomes more and more vital to the core of it.
Keeping with the theme of Hamilton’s sense of community, Mark and I also talked about the City’s passionate and enthusiastic online community. When we started our Tour, we Tourists had no idea that Hamilton has such an exciting and tight-knit online world, which we’ve found on Twitter, in particular. We have connected with so many people through the social media tool, many whom we’ve ended up meeting in person and now consider friends. The social media side of things (with emphasis on the social aspect) is something Mark has really delved into recently, through Dr. Disc’s Twitter page. Along with communicating with people in the City, answering their questions, retweeting up a storm, and chatting back and forth, Mark has set up useful hashtags to make it easy for people to find what they’re looking for. Search #DrDiscTICKETS to find out when concert tickets are being sold and #DrDiscLOCAL for the Doc’s daily local music feature.
Dr. Disc is making a move toward a stronger focus on vinyl – I could see there was a lot more out on display, in relation to CDs, than the last time I had dropped in, to buy some tickets to a show at Casbah. Although I’m not a vinyl collector, I’m thrilled that vinyl sales have gone up in recent years and to see that music lovers’ passion for compiling solid vinyl collections is alive and well. I didn’t leave the store empty-handed, however; I bought a copy of Dinner Belles’ CD West Simcoe County, a local band we’ll be checking out soon.
Another major aspect to the store is DJ equipment. Mark has a long history as a DJ, and along with the help from staff who are up-to-speed on all the latest technology in DJing, the back of the store is stocked with all kinds of equipment you need to get spinning. This made me think of our Check List – Avishka and I noted that learning how to DJ must be an item on our list!
It was a fun day - really inspiring to meet another local personality who is so passionate about what they do and about this city. Making these connections has been a very rewarding part of our Tour.
It was a lucky Friday the 13th – April offered one of our favourite James Street North Art Crawls to date. The weather was just warm enough to walk about comfortably in a spring jacket, or in the case of Avishka and I, a pin-striped velvet blazer and a leather jacket, respectively. We’re hip like that.
Our first stop was over to the funky shop Bodega at 220 King West to attend the launch of our friend Samille Janelle’s new artists’ zine, PAGED. Samille had let us know of her idea to start a print zine earlier this year, and wanted to feature work from all local talent, from painters, illustrators, graphic designers, photographers, poets, writers, and more. As she puts it, the zine is, “An interactive portrait of the minds thriving in the Hamilton artists’ community.” I was really excited to see it all come together and get my hands on a copy! Bursting with colour, the art jumps off the pages, and is just gorgeous to look through. Artists who contributed to the first edition include Ashley Ince, Melissa Mostacci, Petra Matar, Abena Asomaning, and Samille, herself. Samille’s work was also on display at Bodega for the launch, which Avishka and I really enjoyed getting to see. I love the bold, rich colours she uses, along with the motif of sparkly stars that seem to twinkle right before your eyes. Copies of PAGED are available for purchase at Bodega, Mixed Media, and Grey Room Studio. With a limited run each time, be sure to get yours fast! Avishka and I were pleased to pick up our copies of the debut edition. Keep it locked to PAGED – May’s edition is up next, and be sure to contact them if you would like to have your work featured in the zine.
Samille Janelle’s work inside Bodega
Inside Bodega with Samille Janelle and our copies of PAGED
From there, we met up with our dear friend and original Honourary Tour Member, Emily, to explore the Art Crawl. We immediately headed to the newly restored and historic Lister Block for its grand opening. The place was abuzz with people constantly coming in and out, not only to get a glimpse of the beautifully renovated Hamilton landmark, but to be there for the launch of Tourism Hamilton’s new headquarters. The grand opening had begun during the day and the festivities were still going strong, bringing in even more people during Art Crawl. Cake & Loaf had recreated the Lister Block in an absolutely stunning cake, a work of art, in itself. Although I didn’t get to see it in person, I couldn’t get over the photos of it that people were Tweeting.
When we first entered the Lister Block, we didn’t know where to look! Avishka took note of the activities and classic Hamilton spots listed on Tourism Hamilton’s sign, picking out which ones we’ve done already and have yet to do. Walking about inside, I didn’t make it very far because I was too busy staring at the floor! I’m sure I stopped the flow of traffic, attempting to get a photo of it. Just amazing! One of the photos I took was also a first foray into Instagram (that’s right – I’m on Instagram now! Follow me @ kristihaswings for pictures from the Tour.) We also wandered out into the hallways to take in more of the building. I can’t wait to have a proper look throughout the whole building – it really is something to see and is such a special part of Hamilton’s history.
Avishka and I even did a little impromptu interview! Friend to the Tour, Michael Canton of Valleytown Media, handed us a mic and asked us a few questions, on behalf of NewsClipTV, about our impression of the Lister Block, Tourism Hamilton’s move into the new space, and of the James North Art Crawl in general. We noted that it has almost been a year now since our very first Art Crawl (when we started the Tour in May), so to be here now at this time, and see how things have expanded even more, and the increased energy, is even more exciting. We also spoke of our hope that the restoration of the Lister Block sparks more initiative to preserve and restore other historic buildings and architecture in the City.
At the Lister Block’s grand opening and Tourism Hamilton’s launch
Avishka, Emily, and I continued on down the street on our crawl, making a stop at Hotel Hamilton to say hello to our friend Melissa Mostacci at Grey Room Studio. We love the bright orange studio and always like to see Melissa’s work, some of which was featured in the debut edition of PAGED, as noted. Just down the hall, Spark Society were having another jam session, and remembering how much fun that was to watch, Avishka and I told Emily about it and made sure to peek in the doorway to see them play.
After that, we made a quick pit stop to Makers’ Market, outside Christ’s Church Cathedral, to fuel up with some delicious snacks from Cake & Loaf (so good!). We also made stops in Hamilton Artists Inc., definitely a must on Art Crawl, or any time you’re in the James North area. There is always something exciting going on there. We popped in and out of as many galleries and shops that we could as we turned back around and headed back toward the direction of King William Street, on our way to a party at Baltimore House – the Sweet Ice Art Crawl After Party!
Sweet Ice Cones at Baltimore House
The girls of Sweet Ice Cones, Meg and Linds, were hosting a party to raise money to fix up their brand new trailer, so they can hit the streets this summer to deliver their delicious ice cones to all! Dubbing the event Operation Shasta, and being prepared to celebrate whether they reached their goal or not (but they did achieve it, and then some, thanks to all who supported the cause!) we knew we couldn’t miss it. We were happy to meet Meg and Linds and say hello, and finally try those snow cones. They offered their classic cones as well as a spiked snow cones, for that little extra kick. It was a party at the hot spot that is Baltimore House, after all! Avi and I hadn’t tried their snow cones back at kitestring’s Christmas Spectacular, with Carly, so we were ready to try them now. We had three choices: The Apple Jack (whiskey), The Daiquiri (rum), and The Margarita (tequila). There was no question, here; Avishka and I didn’t miss a beat and chose The Apple Jack. How could we not, it was called JACK! It was meant to be. They were very tasty, we must say. Cones in hand, we sat down on a nearby sofa to get our picture taken by the Sweet Ice team for their blog. We love a good photo opportunity! We’re thrilled that the party was such a success for the girls, and we’ll definitely be seeing them on the road this summer for a refreshing treat during our tour stops.
It was a fantastic Art Crawl - we can’t wait for what’s in store this summer!
I’m a festive person – this has been well established. Every year, April 1st kicks off Birthday Week and I get prepped for the big day, which is on the 8th. This year, true to the Tour, I kicked off Birthday Week with waffles at Cannon Coffee Co. A couple days later, Avishka and I did brunch at Sunset Grill and couldn’t resist ordering waffles, turning Birthday Week into Waffle Week!
As the day grew nearer, I knew we had to celebrate it, Tour-style, and I had been brainstorming what we could do. I really wanted to go to a show, but hadn’t spotted anything of interest. Then, the week of my birthday, an event was posted – a Songwriters’ Circle at Casbah featuring Kirby, Max Wray, Trevor Howard, and Gavin Slate. BAM! I excitedly texted the news to Avishka, who replied saying it was like the dream team of singer-songwriters. We couldn’t believe our luck! So after quick messages to my friends who were already committed to attend the night of my birthday festivities, plans were rerouted to Casbah. I can’t say it enough – you really couldn’t have made a better show for me. Not only are these guys friends of ours, but they really are some of my favourite singer-songwriters, and to see them play at one of my favourite venues, to boot! It was also so perfect for the Tour, since music has become such an integral part of it, and lately Avi and I have been completely on the same wavelength with our musical tastes and our love for acoustic tunes. To be serenaded by four of my favourites, what could be better!
Trevor Howard, Kirby, Gavin Slate, Max Wray
I called the night my Silver Jubilee and set a dress code of black and white (and silver, if you cared to get sparkly, and who wouldn’t?!) Shout outs to my friends and Honourary Tour Members who came out to celebrate throughout the night, along with Avi and I – Stacey, Krystal, Jamie, Lauren, Sarah, and Vanessa. My only regret from the night is not getting a group photo because everyone dressed to the nines and took part in the dress code, looking fabulous! My mental picture of you all will have to suffice. Special shout out to Trevor – I noticed that silver nail polish!
The show would have been amazing enough just to have the singer-songwriters play individual sets, but what made it even more special was that the show was a Songwriters’ Circle. All four musicians were onstage together in the Lounge and took turns playing songs, along with some playful banter in between. They would throw out a theme for each round of songs (also very apropos for the Tour – we love themes, as you know) and the songs they chose to play had to be of that theme. With themes thrown out like “lies,” “gingers,” and “country,” (ok, maybe the themes could use a little work) it was extremely entertaining. The guys also joined in on each other’s songs where they saw fit, backing each other up on guitar and vocals. Max in particular had done his homework, learning the others’ songs. Having the perfect seats in the house, all lined up in a row in front of the stage, we got in on the action, chiming in every now and then as the guys joked around.
I was excited to see Gavin play, having only seen him play a few songs before, back in December. Avi became a fan as well and was excited to see him play for the first time. He played a few songs off his debut EP, (including “Falling,” which was recently featured on Avi’s Playlist) along with some new songs that he is currently recording for his full length effort, such as “On the Incline” and “Hollywood Hills”. Earlier in the week I had Tweeted him a request for “Life as a Salesman,” off his EP of the same name, and he played it for me as a birthday dedication! I had included the song on my first Tour Playlist; it’s one of my favourites by Gavin.
Avi and I were also happy to see Trevor play some of his tunes, after having visited him in the studio at Boxcar Sound as he was working on the new Ghosts of Memphis album. Having seen some of the recording process of songs like “Rails,” “Save Me,” and “What Do You Do” (which he debuted live at this show!), I was excited to see Trevor play them live. Also tying in our Boxcar connection, producer Matt Montour was in the audience too, which made it a real Tour affair!
Kirby posing for my photo as Gavin croons away
Speaking of Boxcar, Max is also in the middle of working on a new album there, with Matt, and he played a lot of new tunes at the show. Avi and I have been pestering Max to hear some of his new songs at the studio, and having listened to his EP Max Wray Live so much over the course of our Tour, can you blame us? Max has definitely become part of the soundtrack to our Tour and we always love getting to see him play. As quick-witted as ever, Max never holds back when introducing his songs, being open about past stories and the inspiration behind them, which is just what you need in a Songwriters’ Circle.
At the end of the first set, Kirby corralled the other three musicians into a four-part harmony “Happy Birthday” serenade to me, taking the lead in true Kirby fashion. (Video below – thanks, Krystal, for taking that!) Earlier, Max had dubbed the night “swoon-a-palooza” (don’t flatter yourself, Wray! Well, ok, it was all incredibly swoon-worthy.) Thank you, boys!
Continuing with my Playlist motif, Kirby played his tune “High Horse,” a favourite of mine off his newest EP, Into the Dark, but my favourite Kirby song has to be “When the Princess Won’t Sing.” It remains a classic Kirby song, and was the first song I heard of his, a few years back. The storytelling nature of the song just grabbed me right away, and I’m not alone in that; it’s a favourite among fans. Kirby tends to dub in a girl’s name in the lyric, “What the princess wants, the princess gets,” depending on who is in the audience, and, of course, it was fitting for me, the Birthday Girl! And so the lyric became, “What Kristin wants, Kristin gets,” along with some other improvised lyrics on the part of Kirby to personalize the song even more. Stacey and I looked at each other like, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” as the song neared the “Row, row, row your boat” part of the song. We darted up to Max’s microphone at that part of the song to sing it. That got some laughs, but hey, we tried. We’ll leave it to the professionals! (With the exception of the odd karaoke venture.) Gavin, Trevor, and Max joined in on the final, “What Kristin wants…” line, and, yep, swoon!
Stacey and I joining in on Kirby’s “Princess”
What was fun about the show was seeing, along with the good-natured digs here and there, the camaraderie between the four musicians and the genuine love for each other’s music. They didn’t hesitate to compliment each other’s songs and say which ones were favourites. Again, I can’t say enough how ideal it was to have a show with all four of these guys for my birthday! It was very serendipitous and as Avi and I would say, “FULL CIRCLE!”
After the show, we headed over to one of my favourite spots, The Baltimore House, to finish off the night with some classy cocktails in the Parlour. It was our first time getting drinks at Baltimore (Avi and I had previously eyed their giant chalkboard menu, liking the sound of their classic drink menu.) It was a low-key night at Baltimore, which was what I wanted, and it complemented the show. The music that tinkled in the background was of another era, reminding me a little of Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris (a favourite of mine), and worked well with the décor. Again, here would have been the opportune time to take some photos! No matter, it was fun to just hang out and take it all in.
It was a super fun, laid-back birthday, perfect for my Silver Jubilee, and perfect for our Tour!
I kicked off my Birthday Week with waffles at Cannon Coffee Co, and it ended up turning into Waffle Week! Avishka and I were out bright and early for a meeting, and decided to check out another breakfast spot for some brunch. We chose the cozy and sunny Sunset Grill, having spotted that they have an all-day breakfast. Founded in Toronto, the franchise has many locations across Ontario.
Avi and I have been totally on the same wavelength lately and appropriately ordered the same thing - the Sunset Fruit Waffle. With so much to choose from, however, we noted that we must go back. I was completely torn between waffles, pancakes, and French toast, but had to continue with my waffle kick! Have we mentioned how much we love breakfast food?!
My waffles, pre-maple syrup. Please note that a copious amount was used.
I ended up having waffles again on my birthday, the 8th. Waffle Week, complete!
In keeping with our pub month theme, there was no question that we had to pay a visit to one of the city’s most popular and well-established pubs (and Hamilton’s only gastropub), Slainte. Kristin and I felt like getting our Irish on before St. Patrick’s Day and knew Slainte was the perfect spot to do so. Seeing as it had been on our list for quite a while, it was only fitting to check it out on the eve before grand St. Patty’s, especially since the word slainte means cheers. And there was certainly good cheer all around that evening!
Originally a stable dating back to the mid-1800s, Slainte maintains that historic feel evidenced when you first walk in. Most of the furniture is made of wood, which has a rich, warm feel to it and we took a venture upstairs to check out the second floor, an area where private parties are held. From the beer barrels lining the walls to the old fashioned, candle holding chandeliers (with a lei of clovers drapped around them, a nice modern touch), Slainte effortlessly incorporates historic pieces, adding that element of ”back in the day” and making it feel like you’re back in the 1800s, going out for a pint on the town. Once thing I’ve really grown to appreciate is the decor in each place we’ve visited and the amount of detail gone into the decor really enhances the overall experience. Even the sign outside reminds me of one you’d see at a pub back in the day.
Living up to its reputation, the place was PACKED when Kristin and I arrived. As we waited for a table, we headed over to the bar area. The bartender, upon noticing there weren’t any empty stools, kindly found some for us and we sat, perusing the menu. So began the indecisiveness, with so many drinks to choose from! We learned that there was a special on martinis that night and the feature martini was the Cake martini. Kristin had told me about a new Cake vodka that’d come out recently and we were both curious to try it. The decision was made! And in record time, no less. Another feat for A&K, go us! While not a typical pub drink, it fit well with the festiveness surrounding St. Patty’s.
We didn’t have to wait too long for a table and after perusing the food menu some more, we decided on some delicious Blarney chips (Kristin and I giggled over the name) - waffle chips topped with cheese, green onions, tomatoes and jalapenos, with sour cream and salsa. A dish I would recommend and a perfect mix of Irish fanfare and fiesta. Kristin and I nodded in approval as we munched away and had a much needed chinwag (Irish slang for chat) about all things Tour related.
Slainte has live entertainment throughout the week featuring local music, ranging from acoustic to blues as well as dance music on Friday and Saturday. With a wide selection of drinks and food, Slainte is the perfect spot for a night out on the town with friends to enjoy some Irish pub food, music and a wee bit of chinwag :)
Throughout the Tour, the four of us have had the opportunity to connect with like-minded movements and local businesses in the city. The Tour started out as a way for us to get to know Hamilton better by being tourists in our own city and in turn, sharing our adventures along the way. Little did we know that we would become part of a movement already set in motion, striving to change notions and assumptions about the city and highlight both well-known spots and hidden gems in the city. It is safe to say that we’ve managed to accomplish this over the past year and the Tour has grown into something bigger than we’d ever imagined.
The sense of community in Hamilton is something to be admired and a quality about the city which the four of us have experienced and developed a greater appreciation for. Just look at events around the city, like Art Crawl, where people have come together to support one another and #HamOnt’s presence on Facebook and Twitter (where you’ll find the latest news, as well as often hilarious yet insightful conversations), as well as blogs such as ours.
Here at the Tour, the four of us have always had an interest in making a difference and giving back to the community and this is certainly reflected in our personal and academic endeavours. I personally have been able to experience this through various volunteer experiences, from volunteering as an ESL tutor at the Hamilton Public Library to helping out with SISO’s (Settlement and Integration Services Orgazation) Host Program. This has also led me to pursue international internships in South Africa and Tanzania in order to define my academic and career path, as well as gain new knowledge and skills to bring back to the local community. Along the way, I have discovered that in order to make a change, you need to, as Mahatma Gandhi once expressed, BE the change.
As we mark the Tour’s first anniversary, we are excited to be branching out by delving into the non-for-profit sector to learn more about people in our community who are raising awareness and giving back and in turn, encouraging others to lend a helping hand. Kristin and I had the opportunity to visit the Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club (one of three locations in Hamilton) where we met with Lisa Valvasori who is in charge of Community Relations. It was March Break and it was the perfect time to drop by because things were in full swing! Lisa was excited to show us around and took us around the building where we got to see the kids in action and learn more about the Club and their work in the community.
The mission of the Boys and Girls Club is to “provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.” This is certainly evident in the number of programs offered for all age levels. We had a chance to pop into the games room, computer room and creative room where kids can drop in after school. The computer room was buzzing when we popped by and it was great to see the kids having fun, whether it be surfing the net, working away on schoolwork, or editing resumes and applications. The games room has a wide variety of games, such as billiards, ping pong and foozeball, a little something for everyone! The crafts room is a great place for kids to get artsy. With all three rooms located in the same hallway, it must be hard to choose which room to hang out in!
The club also focuses on supporting kids academically and has an academic support program where kids and teens can drop by for homework help. The Boys and Girls Clubs believe that children can have fun while learning and offer fantastic resources to ensure this. There are also Youth Development Opportunities for older children and teens such as the Youth Leadership and Empowerment Program, as well as resources for job searching and resume building. There is definitely a sense of growth in the programs where kids can realize their true potential.
From there, we made our way to the gym. Lisa explained how the divider in the centre of the gym was so helpful with different programs going on in the same place. Kristin and I found ourselves feeling a bit nostalgic as we walked along, thinking back to gym class in primary school. The club prides itself on promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and has a number of programs to employ this. Their “Let’s Get Moving” is a free program aimed at promoting active living and takes place at community centres and schools. The Boys and Girls Clubs also have recreational activities, such as karate, dodgeball, hockey, soccer and swimming geared towards keeping kids fit and making sure they have fun. We also got to see the swimming pool and Lisa pointed out how great the open window is, not only for safety, but for parents to watch their kids swimming. There are also programs for adults and seniors to keep fit, showing how far-reaching the Club is, extending support to the wider community. The Club also provides healthy, nutritious snacks in keeping with their healthy lifestyle theme.
One of the highlights was our visit to the Early Learning and Child Care Centre. Walking around these rooms reminded me so much of kindergarten, from the bright colours to the kids’ artwork to the toys scattered on the floor and a railway track set up. Watching these kids brought a huge smile to my face. It’s amazing watching how much joy kids get out of the smallest things and the Club certainly fosters a safe, warm, welcoming environment for children to grow, learn and have fun.
Photo courtesy of the Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. From left to right: Kristin Archer, Kayla Williams, Randy Coburn (Leader in Training), Nicholas Roque and Avishka Juta.
After the tour, the three of us sat down and chatted more about the Boys and Girls Club and the community in Hamilton. It’s amazing how much outreach and support the Club provides not only for the children, but for their families. Oftentimes, the parents feel as though they cannot provide for their children and the Club is so supportive in helping them out and extending assistance to the parents.
As well as offering camps and activities at their own centres, the Boys and Girls Club also provides opportunities for kids to venture out, whether it be on day trips during March Break to the Toronto Zoo to attending Hamilton Ti-Cat and Hamilton Bulldogs sports games, as well as attending overnight camps such as the Tim Horton’s Children’s Camp - all fun ways for kids to get out there and explore. Kristin and I were also struck by the sense of community and family within the Club itself. It is not just a club, it also becomes a home. A number of children who attend at a young age continue to be a part of the Club as they grow up and pursue university, whether it be as a volunteer or camp counsellor. This sense of continuity shows how much the Club is a part of their lives. It’s neat to think about generations of families that attend the Club - parents bringing their children to the Club, to a place they grew up in.
You may recognize a few names amongst the Club’s Alumni, including Former Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps and Canadian Idol winner and singer-songwriter Brian Melo. A former member of the Club, Brian Melo has used his newfound fame and voice to bring awareness to the wonderful work done by the Boys and Girls Club. Kristin and I were excited and pleased to learn about the Brian Melo Scholarship which “covers guitar lessons, vocal lessons, and music lessons for Boys and Girls Club members who otherwise would not be able to afford lessons on their own.” Music is a central part of the Tour, so to learn that a fellow Hamiltonian wanted to share his own passion for music and ensure children could in turn explore theirs, was inspiring.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the Capital One Race For Kids, taking place on June 2nd, which the staff at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton are busy gearing up for! The Race for Kids is an fun, Amazing Race-esque challenge around the city where teams of fives must travel to checkpoints and complete tasks to move on in the race. Teams must fundraise a minimum of $350 to participate. To learn more about Race for Kids, check out www.raceforkids.ca.
A huge thanks to Lisa for showing us around and sharing with us the work that the Boys and Girls Clubs are doing! The Club is most definitely a good place to be.
Kirby posing for my photo as Gavin croons away
