Kingston, ON, Nov 30, 2012 — Locally produced professional theater returns to the historic Grand Theatre in Kingston, Ontario next week. The Winter Wonderettes opens on Wednesday. It's a Christmas-themed sequel to the 50's and 60's 'jukebox' musical The Marvelous Wonderettes.

Todd Moe spoke with Brett Christopher, artistic producer at Theatre Kingston.  Go to full article

Kingston, ON, Nov 14, 2012 — Melissa Stylianou. a New York-based jazz singer with Ontario roots has been garnering lots of international praise since her latest CD, "Silent Movie" was released in April, and she's celebrating with a short tour of her native country. Joel Hurd tells us more.  Go to full article

Kingston, ON, Sep 26, 2012 — Writers and readers are gathering in Kingston this week for the annual celebration of books and writing. NCPR's book reviewer Betsy Kepes spoke with artistic director Merilyn Simonds, who says the event includes with both emerging and world class authors.  Go to full article

Kingston, ON, Aug 24, 2012 — A small library in the basement of a community center in Kingston, Ontario is home to hundreds of musical instruments from around the world. The library has over 500 instruments to lend: Strings, keyboards, amps, woodwinds, even a tuba. For the last 10 years, it's been a resource for young students and local bands needing anything from a guitar to a didgeridoo.

Made 4 You, a Kingston Artisan Collective, is holding a craft show this weekend in the historic City Hall as a fundraiser for the Joe Chithalen Memorial Musical Instrument Lending Library, also known as Joe's MILL.

Curious about how a musical lending library works, Todd Moe visited Kingston's "instrumentarium" for a tour.  Go to full article

Kingston, ON, Dec 16, 2011 — Though Canadian writers Merilyn Simonds and Wayne Grady live near the border in Kingston, Ontario neither of them had traveled in the United States. A long road trip seemed an excellent way to explore the landscape and attitudes of their southern neighbor. Betsy Kepes has this review of their new book, Breakfast at the Exit Cafe.  Go to full article

Kingston, ON, Nov 23, 2011 — Theatre Kingston has welcomed its new Artistic Producer on board this season. Brett Christopher has been an active member of the Canadian theater community for more than a decade. Most recently he was Artistic Associate at the Thousand Islands Playhouse. Christopher is perhaps best known for his performance in I Am My Own Wife in 2009. Founded in 1990, Theatre Kingston is Kingston, Ontario's professional theater company. Todd Moe spoke with Christopher about his goals, which include collaboration and community connections to keep local theater vibrant.  Go to full article

Merrickville, ON, Nov 22, 2011 — Farmers, chefs and retailers gathered in Kingston, Ontario yesterday to share ideas about locally produced food. Todd Moe talks with entrepreneur Janet Campbell, who was the featured speaker at the first Great Waterway Regional Culinary Tourism Summit.

For nearly 20 years, Campbell has owned and managed Mrs. McGarrigle's Fine Mustard in historic Merrickville, Ontario. She uses locally grown ingredients, including Canadian mustard seeds, in her products. Displays in her store feature many foods - cookies, chutneys and cheeses - created by regional growers and chefs. Todd Moe toured her shop and spoke with Janet Campbell about how the localvore culture can promote tourism and local economies.  Go to full article

Sep 20, 2011 — More than 60 nationally and internationally known writers will be in Kingston for four days of events this week that will help them connect with readers. The Third Annual Kingston WritersFest begins Thursday and will include book launches, readings and workshops for all ages and genres. Todd Moe talks with Merilyn Simonds, Artistic Director for the festival.  Go to full article

Jun 23, 2011 — The Kingston Jazz Festival takes place today through Saturday with five headlining performances and other jazz activities around the city. Recently Joel Hurd spoke with Brian McCurdy, the cultural director for the City of Kingston, Ontario, to find out more.  Go to full article

Mar 28, 2011 — Canada's three opposition parties defeated the minority government headed by Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning Harper called upon Governor General David Johnston to formally dissolve Parliament in advance of a federal election now set for May 2nd.

No-confidence votes are nothing new. But that one was completely unprecedented: the government was found in contempt of Parliament for failing to provide accurate costs on several measures up for consideration.

A key player all along has been a Liberal MP from Kingston, Ontario.

Peter Milliken is stepping down as his native city's longest serving MP and Canada's longest serving Speaker of the House - a history-maker who earned near-universal respect.

Lucy Martin has more.  Go to full article