THE BRUCE TRAIL IS A NATURAL TREASURE RUNNING RIGHT THROUGH HAMILTON – FITTING BECAUSE THE DREAM WAS BORN HERE
BREAKOUT BANDS
55 YEARS OF OUR CITY’S POWERHOUSE ROCK, PUNK, BLUES, COUNTRY AND ALTERNATIVE ARTISTS
MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR JAMES KAHANE LEADS OFF 23 PAGES OF UPTEMPO, HARMONIOUS AND DYNAMIC MUSIC STORIES INSIDE!
Helen McNicoll: An Impressionist Journey is the most comprehensive solo exhibition of the Canadian artist’s work since 1925. Featuring over 60 works, the exhibition offers an exceptional opportunity for audiences to explore McNicoll’s groundbreaking Impressionist style and themes of female independence, risk-taking, and global perspectives captured through her travels.
Witness the rediscovery of a lost masterpiece, The Bean Harvest, now on display for the first time in 110 years.
123 King Street West, Hamilton 905.527.6610
artgalleryofhamilton.com/mcnicoll
EXHIBITION TOURS
Thursday 6:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday 1:00 pm
GALLERY HOURS
Free Thursdays: 11 am - 9 pm
Fridays: 11 am - 6 pm
Saturdays & Sundays: 11 am - 5 pm
An exhibition created and organized by the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and adapted by the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
Image credit: Installation view of Helen McNicoll: An Impressionist Journey, 2025. Photo: Joseph Hartman
MEREDITH M acLEOD
EDITOR
CO-FOUNDER / CO-PUBLISHER
WILL VIPOND TAIT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CO-FOUNDER / CO-PUBLISHER
SALES DIRECTOR
JESSICA POTTER
SALES JASON ALLEN
FINANCE
BOB FERGUSON
SUBSCRIPTIONS
JILL CUMMINGS
JAMIE VIPOND TAIT
CIRCULATION
JEREMY FREIBURGER
PROOFREADERS
SHERRI TELENKO, JESSICA ROSE
MARIA DICENZO, CHRISTINE MacLEOD
PRINTING
DOLLCO PRINT SOLUTIONS GROUP
WJOIN US!
elcome to our third music issue!
Hamilton is a true music town and if you have any doubt about that, read this magazine and know that this represents a fraction of what is happening in the music scene in this city. In fact, we could publish 300 pages and still not cover it all.
Check out Jamie Tennant’s interview with HPO music director James Kahane and his story about music’s tiny temple at The Mule Spinner, along with a fascinating look at 55 years of Steel Town’s breakout bands by Dylan Hudecki, and our Q&A with Nick DeLuco, the general manager of the $300-million transformation of Hamilton Arena.
We’ve also got a deep dive into the 900-kilometre, made-in-Hamilton dream that is the Bruce Trail, a look at local independent bookstores, and a tasty plunge into the food scene of James Street North, along with a roundup of great Southern food offerings.
We are constantly stunned and thrilled by the depth and breadth of arts and culture, food and drink and city life happenings in Hamilton. We are so lucky to live in such a vibrant city and in trying and uncertain times, we know that art and culture is an even more powerful force.
Our mission at HAMILTON CITY Magazine
HCM is a member of Magazines Canada. HCM basic price: $35 (HST includedfive issues). Single copies: $7.95 (plus HST).
HCM (ISSN 2816-7449) is indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Printed in Canada by Dollco Print Solutions Group. Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement #44039515.
Contact Us:
270 Sherman Ave. N, Studio 301 Hamilton, ON L8L 6N4
info@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca
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is to shine a spotlight on the artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, non-profits, civic leaders and movers and shakers who make the city a fabulous place to live. Please help us to keep doing that.
We need you to subscribe, share our content on social media, reach out to us with story ideas and feedback, and to support our advertisers. If you are a local business owner and want to see Hamilton explored and celebrated in a high-quality magazine of its own, please consider supporting our mission by advertising with us.
We are local and independent in a time of the consolidation and corporatization of our media voices.
We have said it before and we’ll say it again: it takes a village to build a thriving local urban magazine.
– The HCM team
P.S. Hounds of Hamilton is our celebration of local pets. Send us your best canine (or feline!) candids to hounds@ hamiltoncitymagazine.ca, along with your pet’s name, breed, age, neighbourhood, favourite hiking spots, some information about his/her personality traits, what they love, and any other fun facts we should know. Make your pet a star!
ON THE COVER: JAMES KAHANE
Marta Hewson
INSIDE
THE HEADLINERS
8/ RETHINKING CHEDOKE CREEK
The future of a critical Hamilton waterway that is partially buried is being imagined through a community design lab.
12/ TIMELESS TRAIL
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is ramping up its efforts to acquire a corridor of wildnerness 900 kilometres long through southern Ontario.
26/ TURNING THE PAGE
Independent bookstores in Hamilton have shown a once-unexpected resilience to the challenges they face, offering slowed-down experiences for shoppers, and serving as anchors of their neighbourhoods.
40/ DECADES OF STEEL CITY SOUND
Hamilton has long punched above its weight as a musical powerhouse. Here, we trace 55 years of the city’s breakout bands.
56/ SOUTHERN COMFORT
Summer is the time for bibs, BBQ and lip-smacking chicken and ribs. So get out to visit these great spots while the sun is warm and patios and picnic tables beckon.
62/ FROM BOX OFFICE TO BOSS
Meet Nick DeLuco, the general manager of Hamilton Arena. Oak View Group (OVG) is making a historic investment in the city’s downtown arena.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JAMES KAHANE BRINGS A YOUTHFUL OUTLOOK AND EUROPEAN FLAIR TO THE HPO. PLUS, THE PARIS-BORN CONDUCTOR SERIOUSLY LOVES HAMILTON. pg36
THE MUSIC ISSUE
CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR MUSIC RELATED CONTENT BELOW!
10/ FO R THE LOVE OF HAMILTON: TOMMY GRASLEY
31/ LIFTING WOMEN’S VOICES IN MUSIC
32/ FRUITFUL FUSION: ARIANA FIG
34/ MUSIC’S TINY TEMPLE: THE MULE SPINNER
40/ 55 YEARS OF STEEL CITY SOUND
46/ THE FLIP SIDE: WAYNE PETTI
50/ THE PLAYLIST: DYLAN HUDECKI MUSIC REVIEWS
62/ FROM BOX OFFICE TO BOSS: NICK DELUCO
Photographed by
for HAMILTON CITY Magazine
Hair/make-up: Lauren McKenzie, Lips N Lashes | Studio assistant: Emily Pigott
HOUNDS OF HAMILTON
I S THERE ANY BETTER ESCAPE FROM THE RELENTLESS NE w S CYCLE , DOOM SCROLLING AND POLARI z ING POLITICS , AND ANY SIMPLER wAY TO FIND j OY AND LAUGHTER THAN DOGS ? wE DIDN ’ T THINK SO
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
7/ CITY LIFE
23/ MADE IN HAMILTON
31/ ARTS + CULTURE
55/ FOOD + DRINK
REGULAR STOPS
10/ FOR THE LOVE OF HAMILTON
20/ LIFE IN THE CITY
22/ HOUNDS OF HAMILTON
50/ THE PLAYLIST
52/ HAMILTON READS
62/ CITY VIEW
pg22
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers. Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on Sept. 30 and recognize that at least 150,000 Indigenous children from across the country were forcibly separated from their families and their communities.
Don’t miss out on unforgettable evenings of live outdoor music, surrounded by the natural beauty of RBG. These highly anticipated performances typically sell out!
July 9
July 24
Aug 14
Aug 20 AHI & Logan Staats
The Bros. Landreth & Whitehorse
Jeremie Albino with Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Begonia with STORRY
Presented by FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
CITY LIFE IS SPONSORED BY CHCH – A CHANNEL ZERO COMPANY
Hitting the beach
HAMILTON PAINTER JULIA VEENSTRA WILL HOST THE FIFTH EDITION OF HER GARDEN PARTY & STUDIO TOUR ON SEPT. 6.
Now a five-year tradition on Beach Boulevard, local painter and café owner Julia Veenstra will host her Garden Party & Studio Tour on Sept. 6.
The day combines her two great passions – painting and gardening – in her home along the Waterfront Trail on the Hamilton Beach Strip.
Veenstra, an acrylic painter with a signature broadstroke, rich-colour style, is known for her whimsical animals, landscapes, florals, and architecture.
She was a regular vendor at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto. Though her work sold well, it was exhausting and when it was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, Veenstra was relieved. But she needed to find another way to showcase her work, and settled on hosting a garden tour.
More than 1,000 people showed up in September 2021. They lined up down the street to check out Veenstra’s garden and artwork. Every year has brought strong crowds, even when it poured.
This year’s show will include her brother-in-law Rick Veenstra, who is a woodworker, and Gilded Cage, which sells boutique fashions out of the Crown & Press café and gallery that Veenstra co-owns on Ottawa Street North.
Veenstra, who grew up all over Hamilton, came to an amusement park on the Beach Strip when she was a child.
She remembers there was a ferris wheel under the Skyway. When she met and married Doug, she would make him drive down the Beach Strip instead of using the Skyway because she was fascinated with the neighbourhood. She loves the historic homes that often sit alongside multi-million-dollar waterfront estates with panoramic lake views.
Her house at 363 Beach Blvd. was a fabulous find seven years ago, Veenstra says. She and husband Doug live in the rear house that overlooks Lake Ontario. A hallway connects to a dwelling dating to 1890 that faces the street where daughter Abby and her husband Justin live. They are about to have twins, Veenstra’s ninth and tenth grandchildren.
Veenstra won Trillium Awards for her garden at their former home on St. Clair Boulevard but was enthralled with the possibility of the larger garden spaces on the Beach Strip.
“Over the seven years, we just keep tweaking it. And a garden’s never done, right?”
When Veenstra gave up her James Street North gallery space during COVID, she and Doug converted a former cinder block garage on their property into a studio.
“It’s small but I love it. It’s got tons of natural light and when I open the doors, it sounds like the ocean is right outside.” n
WTHE FUTURE OF A CRITICAL HAMILTON WATERWAY THAT IS PARTIALLY BURIED IS BEING IMAGINED THROUGH A COMMUNITY DESIGN LAB. By
PAUL SHAKER
RETHINKING CHEDOKE CREEK
ater is foundational to Hamilton. We are a city on a harbour that has been the focus of inhabitants for generations. Whether it was for trading or industry, or for recreation at places like Bayfront Park and Pier 4, the story of Hamilton is fundamentally about water. But this doesn’t stop at the harbour. In fact, Hamilton is built upon a series of creeks — and they all contribute to the ecological architecture of the city.
Whether you live in Waterdown, on the Mountain, in Stoney Creek or downtown, creeks flow from the edges of the community, down the escarpment to the harbour below, and these are a common thread that links all of us together. Nowhere is this more true than with Chedoke Creek. While this creek has been in the news over the past few years for all the wrong reasons, it remains a very important waterway that travels through six neighbourhoods above and below the Niagara Escarpment.
The creek’s full route was documented
in the book Daylighting Chedoke: Exploring Hamilton’s Hidden Creek by John Terpstra, which follows the waterway from its source. The creek’s origins are south of the Upper James and Mohawk Road intersection. From there, it weaves its way along the west Mountain until it becomes Chedoke Falls at Scenic Drive and pours over the Niagara Escarpment. It then makes its way through Chedoke Golf Course, past the Innovation Park and crosses Highway 403. Finally, it runs adjacent to the highway until it empties into Cootes Paradise.
Along its path, Chedoke Creek occasionally pops above ground and sees the light of day. The most recognizable spot where the Creek is visible is the final part of its journey where a watercourse carries the creek’s water alongside Highway 403 and into Cootes Paradise Marsh. Cootes Paradise Marsh is a special place, recognized as a provincially significant wetland, a National Historic Site, as well as a nationally important area for birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Chedoke Creek is an example of a
partially buried stream, where water has been redirected underground into pipes or culverts, buried beneath urban construction, or filled in with dirt or other materials. While out of sight and out of mind for many, Chedoke Creek continues its flow from the top of the Niagara Escarpment and down to Hamilton Harbour, connecting the lower and upper halves of the city.
However, should Chedoke Creek remain as it is today? Could it be something else? To answer these questions, the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) launched an innovative engagement project: Rethinking Chedoke Creek.
BARC partnered with Civicplan and Toms + McNally Design, to reimagine three public spaces along the route of Chedoke Creek to illustrate how the community could become better connected to water by interpreting and daylighting the Creek, allowing people to engage with the watershed directly.
Keep in mind, this is a conceptual exercise. The images created are not site plans, but meant to inspire creative thinking.
While out of sight and out of mind for many, Chedoke Creek C ontinues its flow from the top of the n iagara e s C arpment and down to h amilton h arbour, connecting the lo W er and upper halves of the city.
ZONE 1: WATERCOURSE ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY 403
This zone is a watercourse, an artificial channel, that runs parallel to Highway 403. It directs Chedoke Creek into Cootes Paradise.
Theme: Reconnection
The Zone 1 concept for the 403 watercourse is to reconnect people to Chedoke Creek, making it more accessible. Specifically, the concept proposes to improve water access for recreational use within the watercourse, providing boaters with opportunities to explore this part of the watershed beyond Cootes Paradise. Additionally, the concept expands a creekside trail network and introduces new amenities to the area, such as interpretive signage, lighting, and seating. Finally, the concept proposes a green barrier between the watercourse and Highway 403 to buffer the sound and visual impact of the highway.
ZONE 2: CHEDOKE GOLF COURSE
This zone runs through Chedoke Civic Golf Club’s Martin Course. The creek continues from a waterfall coming down the escarpment. The area of focus is the buried portion of the creek under the Martin Course.
Theme: Daylighting
The Zone 2 concept proposes to daylight part of Chedoke Creek that currently runs through culverts underground. Additional features of the concept design include introducing new amenities, such as seating, lighting, and interpretive signage along the daylighted water feature. In addition, naturalized plantings will be placed at points along the water feature. Finally, the plan proposes the introduction of a pedestrian pathway, including bridges, along and over the stream.
ZONE 3: COLQUHOUN PARK
This zone focuses on Colquhoun Park, where Chedoke Creek is buried under the park. The City of Hamilton established the park in 1960. Before then, the creek ran through the park area and flowed to a waterfall down the escarpment, leading to Chedoke Golf Course.
Theme: Discovery
The Zone 3 concept for Colquhoun Park proposes to introduce elements that will allow people to discover the historic route of Chedoke Creek in this area, without daylighting the stream itself. This is achieved by introducing a trail through the park that follows the historic creek path, which can be supplemented by naturalized plantings in areas along the route. In addition, park amenities can support opportunities to learn and reflect on the Chedoke watershed in this area through interpretive signage, seating and lighting. Finally, the concept maintains existing park activities, such as the baseball diamonds.
PARTICIPATORY COMMUNITY DESIGN LAB
Through an interactive community design lab, the project brings these images to residents and is intended to engage and encourage people to participate in reimagining the role of water through public land and public space. The design lab is a “before and after” exercise where “after” doesn’t exist. Yet. But what could? What would it take? And what would it mean? The
images encountered in the community design lab have been created to elicit emotions, to provoke conversations, and to reimagine possibilities. Residents explore these conceptual images, rethink each space, and provide thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
More broadly, Hamilton isn’t alone in reconsidering how waterways can be reclaimed as part of the urban landscape. Cities around the world have undertaken innovative projects to reshape their
relationship with water. In doing so, they have become more sustainable, boosting quality of life for residents.
It is time for Hamilton to start a similar conversation and Rethinking Chedoke Creek is only a first step. Residents are invited to view the community design lab at: barc. planlocal.ca n
Paul Shaker is a Hamilton-based urban planner and Principal with Civicplan.
FOR THE LOVE OF HAMILTON
THIS REGULAR FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WHO HAVE EMBRACED HAMILTON AS THEIR NEW HOME.
TOMMY GRASLEY (AKA TOMMYGUNN)
who he is:
Songwriter, singer, producer
interviewed by: Meredith MacLeod
photographed by: Steve Sztricsko
scan the qr code: to r ead much more from tomm Y
Songwriter, recording artist, and producer TOMMY GRASLEY AKA
TOMMYGUNN grew up in Hamilton. His father Sonny Del Rio played saxophone in the band Crowbar. His home was loving, creative and musical. But when his family broke up, Grasley spent the next 15 years fighting his way through life with anger, fists, vengeance, drugs, and alcohol. At 33, Tommy turned his life around. He dealt with his demons and raised a family of his own. In 2007, he wrote his first album, Unleash the Hounds, about his experiences growing up in Hamilton. He’s released two albums since.
RETURNING HOME
What took you away from Hamilton and why did you return?
It’s the old cliché. I left Hamilton for a woman, who turned out to be the love of my life. She was living in Toronto at the time, so off I went, and moved there. You know, there’s something to be said about moving away to get closer to your roots. After the pandemic, we noticed how much Toronto had started to change – it had a different vibe, one that didn’t suit us anymore. As we were talking about where to move next, because we both were born here in Hamilton, it felt like a natural thing to do. It turns out it was a great decision.
Where did you grow up in Hamilton and what was your childhood like?
I grew up in “little Chicago” on Indian Crescent – that’s what the name of the neighbourhood on the Mountain was called at the time. From there, I bounced with my parents and sister to various locations on the Mountain. Halfway through Grade 9, I moved to the east end of Hamilton where we planted our roots – at least for a while. My dad was a rock and roll musician in a band, and my mom looked after me and my sister. We had a lot of fun; it was filled with love and creativity. Sure, we had some tough times, and yet we’re Hamilton grit, we got through it. We rolled with the punches. I was a super active kid. I lived and breathed hockey and music. Those were my two passions.
What neighbourhood do you live in and why did you choose it?
We’re in the Kirkendall neighbourhood. We’re big walkers and needed to be close to the trails, small shops, and especially a place that has a creative vibe. It’s nice to look out and see lots of trees. And the people are lovely as well.
How has the city changed since you left?
Hamilton has grown. New developments are popping up everywhere. There’s a better energy. Happily, I’ve found that Hamiltonians are still Hamiltonians – they’re, for the most part, friendly and neighbourly.
Do you see Hamilton through different eyes after returning? Absolutely. I love the independent store owners. The creativity of new restaurants and the restoration of older ones. It’s not
a big deal going out, whereas in Toronto you needed to make reservations wherever you went. And the driving! Here in Hamilton, you’re anywhere in 15 minutes. That’s a huge plus. I love the greenery surrounding us.
Who are your musical heroes?
My musical hero is my dad, Sonny Del Rio. He played in a band called The Terra NYE Experiment, and then, with Ray Materick, followed by King Biscuit Boy and Crowbar. These gents all had a huge influence on me and my music. And then it’s my grandfather, Thomas Stewart. He was the first to open at the Hillcrest Restaurant with his band (the name escapes me). He had a piano in his living room and would bust out with tunes by Frank Sinatra, or other big band era music. Ok, and yes, sure, I was hugely influenced by Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen, amongst a ton of others.
How would you describe this city for musicians?
Harrison Kennedy once told me, “You have to leave Hamilton and then come back before they take you seriously.” That always stuck with me. I’m lucky as my bandmates all live relatively close by. Hamilton has some great places to rehearse and a creative and robust community of musicians and songwriters.
How do you reflect on the loss of music venues?
It hurts. Especially when you know the sweat that went into creating a great venue. We need more people to come out and support live music venues and the artists that play there.
How do you spend your spare time?
My wife and are I are very active – we run, workout, play pickleball, hike, bike, you name it. We love the outdoors. We GO GO GO (another song from my first album). Ha.
What does Hamilton need more of?
We need more understanding. Understanding that we’re all humans trying to get through every day. The effects of the pandemic have made a lot of people homeless. It’s crushing. We need to pause and take the time to show kindness and love. Hamilton needs to show more love. n
IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN FOR THE LOVE OF HAMILTON, PLEASE CONTACT meredith@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca
The dream for T he Bruce Trail along T he n iagara e scarpmen T was born in h amil T on and almos T 60 years af T er i T was officially formed, T he d undas-based b ruce Trail c onservancy is ramping up i T s ambi T ion T o own T he en T ire 900 -kilome T re rou T e and a corridor of na T ure around i T
A WALK IN THE WILDERNESS
By MEREDITH MACLEOD
“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home,” said American poet and essayist Gary Snyder. That defines the Bruce Trail and its relationship to Hamilton.
The Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada, and the dream for a footpath following the Niagara Escarpment was born with a Stelco metallurgist named Ray Lowes.
The trail stretches about 900 kilometres from Queenston at the Niagara River to Tobermory on Georgian Bay. The Iroquoia section of the trail weaves its way from Grimsby to Milton, passing through Hamilton, where highlights include abundant waterfalls, Iroquoia Heights, the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Cootes Paradise, the Radial Trail, and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
With about 16,000 acres (roughly 6,500 hectares) of land in public ownership, the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC), the stewards of the trail and a natural corridor around it, is one of Canada’s largest land trusts. It is headquartered in Dundas.
The BTC has a simple mission: Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.
Simple does not mean easy. The Bruce Trail is more than 1,350 kilometres, when you include more than 450 kilometres of side trails, and about 28 per cent of that is in private hands. Through a series of handshake agreements, about 623 private landowners allow the trail to run through their properties.
The BTC’s mandate to bring the entire route into public hands is gaining momentum.
“We’re incredibly unique in that we’re one of the only land trusts that also facilitates free public access to nature,” says CEO Michael McDonald. “A lot of land trusts, when they protect land, it’s with the intention of keeping people away. But we believe that when people are connected to places, we can get better conservation outcomes. And so our model really is unique in the land trust world.”
But securing land for the Bruce Trail is becoming more difficult due to the everaccelerating pace of development of the Niagara Escarpment and the resulting upward pressure on land prices.
“And the truth is that we’re one of the only conservation organizations in Canada that’s protecting near urban nature,” says McDonald. “That’s a fascinating piece of this story. We’re trying to protect land in one of the most populous places in the entire country. And the Bruce Trail itself is within an hour’s driving distance of over 8 million people. But this is also where all of the biodiversity is, which is why we settled here in the first place. So it’s at the most risk of development but it’s also the most biodiverse. That’s why we’re working hard to protect it.”
Hamilton is the most urban place that the trail cuts through. In fact, part of the trail comes across the Jolley Cut, the heavily travelled Mountain access.
“It’s this great juxtaposition of how important the nature that we have around Hamilton really is, but also how precious it is because there’s so little of it. And so when you emerge from a forest onto the Jolley Cut and then descend and walk back into the forest, I think those moments are really
special for people, and sort of help translate the importance of protecting nature.”
The Bruce Trail
changed my life –
i T leng T hened my
s T ride and brough T
joy T o my hear T .”
p hilip g osling,
b ruce Trail founder
McDonald has been in his role for six years but the Bruce Trail has been a part of his life since he was a kid growing up in Hamilton. His family would hike the local trail, especially to take in the scenic spots and waterfalls, and to look for wildlife.
“And I always remember my dad telling me, you know this trail goes all the way from Queenston to Tobermory. And I had no reference for how long that was or where those places even were, but the trail sparked an appreciation for nature and a love for wildlife and a great joy in being outside, and so that was sort of my early introduction to the Bruce Trail.”
As an adult, he was working as a manager
/continued on next page
THE BRUCE TRAIL’S MAIN TRAIL RUNS 900 KILOMETRES FROM QUEENSTON TO TOBERMORY.
for a marketing company and volunteering with the Bruce Trail as a hike leader and serving as president of the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club, a volunteer position leading the Grimsby to Milton section, one of nine clubs managing the trail.
Then the CEO post opened – his dream job.
“I really, truthfully love this work. I feel like it’s my right place in the universe. And if I’m not working or talking about the Bruce Trail, I’m out there hiking on it, and it just brings so much joy in so many ways,” says McDonald.
“It was just fascinating for me to watch people fall in love with nature. And I don’t think people realize how much wildlife, how much biodiversity and how much beauty is all around us in Hamilton, but right along the length of the whole Bruce Trail.”
QUEENSTON TO TOBERMORY
Though a colonial artifact, the name of the trail comes from the beautiful Bruce (now Saugeen) Peninsula, named after a British earl. A famous book published in 1952 called the Bruce Beckons is built around the thought that the peninsula is so beautiful it calls to you. And so the Bruce Trail leads to the Bruce Peninsula.
Of course, the trail leads in two directions, with Queenston being a scenic and historic destination in its own right.
In 2024, the Bruce Trail hosted 2.8 million visits and 1 million unique visitors, says McDonald.
There are as many reasons and ways to be out on the trail as the kilometres it covers.
“The beauty of the Bruce Trail is that it can be what you want it to be. For some people, it’s adventure,” says McDonald. “For some people, it’s spiritual. For some people, it’s access to nature. But you can go for a short hike after work and walk your dog, or walk to and from work. Or you can hike the entire Bruce Trail end-to-end as a really epic journey. And so it’s beautiful in all those ways.”
‘MAGICAL AND TRANSFORMATIVE’
Some people are out on the trail to reconnect to a childhood memory. Others are processing grief or healing from sickness or injury. Others find comfort, inspiration or spirituality in nature. Some are challenging themselves physically. Others do it for mental health.
Some travel it alone and others share the
Preserving a ri BB on of wilderness, for everyone, forever.”
b ruce Trail c onservancy mission s
TaT emen T
experience with loved ones.
For some, it’s been a lifetime goal. Others start walking and just don’t stop. Some have completed the end-to-end dozens of times and others make it a one-and-done accomplishment.
A mother and daughter, looking for bonding time, took 20 years to travel the whole trail, breaking the span into 60 separate hikes. Two friends started hiking in their teens and finished the whole trail in their 50s.
It can also be a race against the clock. Cornwall native Cody Taylor set the record for the fastest known time of running the 900-kilometre Bruce Trail unsupported, in just 14 days and 30 minutes in August 2024.
In 2021, Karen Holland of Kimberley, Ont.,
completed the trek with a support team in eight days, 22 hours and 51 minutes. For context, that’s the equivalent of completing two and a half marathons every day for almost nine days straight.
Through the course of the trek, hikers see caves, marshes, karsts, moraines, and waterfalls, walk through old-growth forests, and tall-grass meadows, and cross pebble beaches. They travel flat tracks, undulating hills and, of course, steep limestone cliffs.
“There is a timelessness to it,” says Antoin Diamond, the BTC’s vice-president of land securement. “When you’re on a trail in the middle of the woods, it could be 50 years ago or it could be 100 years ago. It would have looked very much as it does now.”
Keen-eyed hikers will find rusted farm equipment, kilns, broken-down cars, dilapidated outhouses, and old stone walls that point to the history contained among the trees.
Almost 5,000 people have certified their completion of the entire trail with the BTC. That requires submitting logs of their journey. Once verified, they receive a special badge and an official end-to-end number, and their logs are professionally archived by the Hamilton Public Library.
“So you could go and find out about your mom’s or your dad’s or your grandmother’s hike along the Bruce Trail,” says McDonald.
HAMILTON NATIVE MICHAEL M c DONALD, CEO OF THE BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, SAYS HE HAS FOUND HIS DREAM JOB. PHOTO: BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY
“And it’s a really beautiful part of the story. When you think about Canada’s population and the fact that this trail has been around for almost 60 years, it’s a select group of people.”
The logs are fascinating, says McDonald. For some hikers, it’s a simple spreadsheet of dates, kilometres hiked, start and stop points. Others produce beautiful journals that include prose, poetry, sketches or even music.
“But the truth is, you know, tackling a Bruce Trail end-to-end is a major life adventure, and it’s something that people will never forget or regret,” says McDonald, who has about 300 kilometres left in his own end-to-end. He hopes to be finished by the end of 2025.
“We’re not talking about an easy walk. It’s daunting. But again, like all adventures, you’re better off at the end. It’s magical and transformative for people.”
THE BTC: REALIZING A MISSION
The BTC, headquartered in an airy office in an industrial area of Dundas, is one of Canada’s top 100 charities, according to Charity Intelligence. The office space inspires and is inspired by the work of the BTC, featuring beautiful art, maps and photography of the trail, historical signage and artifacts, and a large boardroom with a gorgeous and massive table.
The BTC employs 26 staff and oversees the work of 1,500 volunteers who are charged with creating, protecting and maintaining this conservation corridor of roughly 16,000 acres. The trail itself represents only one per cent of that.
The expanse of the trail is approaching 72 per cent permanently protected, meaning it is owned by the BTC or a conservation authority or provincial or national park. But there are puzzle pieces missing all along the route. Over the years, private owners have donated or willed trail lands to the BTC. In other cases, the organization purchases properties as they become available.
The roughly 28 per cent of the trail that remains in private hands amounts to about 623 properties. In some areas of the Iroquoia section, where Escarpment plots are long and narrow, a landowner might own only a few metres along the trail. In rural portions, a property owner might own a few kilometres. /continued on next page
HISTORY: BLAZING A TRAIL
The story of the Bruce Trail really begins with a metallurgist at Stelco named Ray Lowes in 1959.
Lowes was the visionary who imagined that the Niagara Escarpment – a vital ecosystem and one of 19 UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada – could be preserved and protected from unchecked development only if people could experience its beauty and wonder first-hand through a hiking trail. He shared his idea at a meeting of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists in Hamilton and members rallied around the idea. An early ally was famed painter Robert Bateman.
On Sept. 23, 1960, the first meeting of the Bruce Trail Committee took place, which in addition to Lowes, included Philip Gosling, Norman Pearson, and Dr. Robert McLaren.
Gosling, who is now the sole surviving member of that founding group, was made trail director and charged with making the trail a reality.
Gosling, a former real estate and land developer in Guelph who is now in his mid90s, took a year away from work and racked up 37,000 kilometres on his car, convincing landowners to allow access to their land and rallying volunteers to map and build the trail.
“We always say that Ray was the dreamer and Philip was the doer and Philip really helped to ignite the imagination of the public and get the Bruce Trail built,” says Bruce Trail Conservancy CEO Michael McDonald.
The effort got a big boost in 1962 when the Toronto Telegram newspaper sent a reporter on a pioneering hike with trail supporters from Waterdown to Craigleith.
“So in 1962 we see that’s really when the Bruce Trail sort of set the imagination of the public on fire, because it was being reported on every single day about the location, what they saw, what they found along the way.”
In one year, 250 kilometres of trail were marked or built. In July 1962, the first blaze was painted near Kelso, and in 1963, the Bruce Trail Association was incorporated. The Bruce Trail Conservancy was formed in 1967 and the trail was officially opened on June 10, 1967, Canada’s centennial year.
The Niagara Planning and Development Act, which established the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Commission
to manage development and protect the area’s unique ecological and scenic features, was enacted in 1973.
The Bruce Trail’s optimum route was identified in the 1980s.
In 2006, contractor Patrick McNally’s donation of 27 acres of land and his home marked the largest gift in the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s history. The McNally Nature Reserve near Waterdown is credited with kickstarting a new era of land acquisition for the BTC.
In 2016, the BTC moved from its 32-year home at the Royal Botanical Garden’s historic Rasberry House in Dundas to a modern office building in the Head Street industrial park.
Gosling, who went on to found Wellington Brewery and the Gosling Foundation, was named to the Order of Canada in 2013.
“The Bruce Trail was a dream that came true and is a miracle of volunteerism. I never imagined the huge response and support from the public would translate into one of the biggest conservation success stories in Canada,” Gosling wrote in his book Bruce Trail Stories: 1962-1967 Memoirs
He told HCM: “I was amazed how soon Hamilton residents, excited by the prospect of building a public trail, came together to help weave a trail through parks, subdivisions and public spaces … It was a momentous time and a revelation to see how different groups came together as one community to celebrate the building of the Bruce Trail, destined to be open and free to the public for future generations to enjoy forever.”
BRUCE TRAIL CO-FOUNDERS RAY LOWES AND NORMAN PEARSON AT WEBSTER’S FALLS IN 1961. PHOTO: BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY
The BTC has calculated that if all that land came up for sale today, it would cost about $109 million to buy, says McDonald.
Last December, the BTC announced that an anonymous couple has pledged to donate $15 million if the organization raises $15 million each year for the next three years for land securement. If the challenge is successful, it will raise $60 million by June 2027.
‘BOLD AND AMBITIOUS’
Land acquisitions have come in waves and have definitely ramped up again over the last decade, says Diamond. “There is a huge focus for us on trying to get this done, recognizing we’ve got a climate change crisis and we’ve got habitat destruction. It’s so front and centre in people’s minds. So a lot of people have jumped on board and are now carrying this vision forward.”
A realistic timeline for public control of 100 per cent of the trail corridor is 20 years, she says.
BTC board chair Leah Myers, who took on the role in January 2020, says the pandemic created a new momentum around the mission of the BTC, as people flocked to the Bruce Trail to safely exercise and get outdoors, gaining a new appreciation for the province’s green spaces. But the ability to capitalize on that was rooted in work completed several years earlier, she says.
In 2017, the board approved a new strategic plan that was about “being more bold and ambitious around realizing that vision of a fully secured trail within this conservation corridor,” says Myers. That meant boosting its land securement and fundraising activities and being more visible and vocal about its work.
“I think when I first joined the board in 2016, realization of that vision, that 100 per cent secured, felt really far off,” says Myers, whose term on the 19-member board is coming to an end.
“And we’ve got a ton of work still to do, but it feels within reach in a way that it didn’t six or seven or eight years ago. And that’s, I’m getting shivers a little bit as I say this, that’s what’s really so exciting about the time that we’re in … It feels within reach, and you feel it around the board table, and you feel it wherever you go.”
Marsha Russell, vice president of fund development, has worked for the BTC for
BY THE NUMBERS
1,350 total kilometres of main and side trails
168 kilometres of main and side trails in Iroquoia Club
16,000 acres controlled by the BTC in a corridor along the trail
1,500 volunteers supporting the trail through nine clubs
2.8M total visits and 1 million unique visitors in 2024
4,749 trees planted by staff and volunteers in 2024
91 species of concern documented on BTC lands in 2024
PHOTO: BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY
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a walk in T he woods and came ou T T aller T han T rees.”
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20 years and has also seen the scope of its ambition grow, along with the development and environmental pressures that make the work necessary.
“The people who understand that this is important and want to give their volunteer hours, their dollars, their brain power, that’s also grown exponentially.”
Russell and her team of four manage the fundraising, grant proposals, land donations and bequests that allow the BTC to protect the trail corridor.
“Forever is a really interesting, ambitious framework,” she says. “Governments are incredibly powerful, but they are the standard of the day, and they can think in cycles, whereas we, as good stewards, need to think generationally.”
Fundraising is critical, not only for land
acquisitions, but for trail maintenance and conservation activities, and equipment and training for volunteers.
“One of the things that is most exceptional about our work is that public accessibility component. So there are other organizations that have a sanctuary model, where they preserve a piece of land, but either by design or geography, no one will visit. And that’s not our model. We run through the most densely populated part of our province and our country, and it’s also free and accessible 365 days a year. So there’s this huge communal good.”
THE OPTIMUM ROUTE
The Bruce Trail’s optimum route is a line that follows as closely as possible to the edge of the Escarpment and guides all trail routing, says Adam Brylowski, manager of conservation and trail. “So every property that we acquire, the idea is that the optimum route goes through it, and so there’s a good chunk of land that we want to acquire to put the trail on that doesn’t have a trail on it, but it has this line.”
Each time properties are acquired, Brylowski’s team does a full ecological inventory in spring, summer and fall in order to create a land stewardship plan. That ensures a trail avoids any sensitive ecological areas and guides tree plantings, invasive
species removal and wetland revitalization. From there, the plan is handed off to the volunteer land steward for that property.
Trail maintenance standards are in place that call for corridors that are five feet wide and eight feet tall. But those standards have to account for the protection of endangered or rare species, such as butternut trees and American ginseng. As well, there are sections of the trail that require scrambling over rocks and roots and ascending and descending steep embankments. For that reason, the Bruce Trail is categorized as a wilderness hiking trail.
“Being as close as possible to the escarpment face edge as we can (means) there are some very challenging portions of the trail, and I think that’s sort of intentional, because we’re just trying to follow this natural feature.”
The optimum route is revised when new development gets in the way.
“As we go forward, there are more and more problems with urban expansion and development that encroach into the natural world and impact species, whether they be animals or plants,” says Brylowski, an ecologist who has worked at the BTC for 15 years. “So the work we’re doing to protect habitats and whole communities is incredibly important. In southern Ontario, the Escarpment is one of the only naturally
humbling things we have to ground us and give us some perspective about the majesty of nature and where we sit in it.”
In 2024, the BTC acquired 17 properties, protected more than 942 acres, and secured over 10 kilometres of the optimum route. That included three properties in the Iroquoia section (Kilbride Pass, Birdie’s Path, and Elderberry Ridge) and preserving the last remaining vulnerable section of the Bruce Trail along Georgian Bay with the creation of the 560-acre Sunrise Shores Nature Reserve on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula. Since 2021, the BTC has protected close to 2,500 acres of its wilderness corridor, removed 13.6 kilometres of trail from roads, and created or rerouted 93.5 kilometres of trail.
THE VOLUNTEERS
The Bruce Trail has long loomed large in Peter Rumble’s life. He used to walk it to get to his classes at Mohawk College from his Durand neighbourhood apartment in the 1970s. Then he established a career in environment management, first for conservation authorities and then for the Ministry of Natural Resources.
He can see the Bruce Trail from the veranda of his home just east of Gage Park. Since retiring about 15 years ago, Rumble, who completed an end-to-end in 2015, has volunteered in numerous ways with the
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you have memories or stories of time spent on the Bruce Trail as a kid or adult? Have you taken photos or produced art, maybe written a poem or a song? We are here to archive our community’s love for the Bruce Trail! Please send your contributions to meredith@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca.
BTC. He is a trail captain, responsible for a 3.5 kilometre section of the trail through Hamilton. He’s out walking it regularly, picking up garbage, painting blazes, and clearing branches and debris. Rumble is also a zone coordinator, overseeing five sections of the trail. He produces budgets, schedules major work, and coordinates volunteers for work parties to tackle projects such as bridge or broadwalk repairs.
He also serves as a trail development and maintenance director, overseeing risk management, tracking volunteer hours for 140 volunteers, and helping with grants and fundraising.
With all the hats he wears, Rumble puts in about 2.5 hours a day volunteering.
“I used to get paid for this kind of work but now I do it for free,” he says. “There is great personal satisfaction in this for me. I love to be on the trail and surrounded by trees. I think about the Indigenous folk who walked these trails before me.”
There are many volunteer roles with the BTC. They pull invasive species, help improve habitat for wildlife, and plant native species that are grown in BTC seed orchards.
About 140 trail maintenance volunteers in Iroquoia dig ditches for drainage, rebuild trail rails, staircases and bridges, stabilize slopes, paint blazes, and are trained to cut down hazardous trees.
Then there are hike leaders who plan general hikes, hiking 101 sessions, or specialized journeys for families or people looking for wildflowers or birds.
Each club has its own board of directors that all report to the BTC and every couple of years, the boards gather for a conference to talk about best practices, new ideas and common issues.
/continued on next page
THE DUNDAS PEAK ON THE BRUCE TRAIL OFFERS A SPECTACULAR VIEW, ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL. PHOTO: MIKE WORDEN
One of the first things Iroquoia volunteer Kathrin Konig learned about her new home of Burlington when she moved from Whistler, B.C. almost 21 years ago was the beauty of the Bruce Trail.
Konig now volunteers with the BTC, handling outreach for events and information booths. She loves talking to people about the Bruce Trail, introducing it to those who are unfamiliar with it, and sharing stories with dedicated hikers and conservationists.
“It’s been my playground for 21 years. The first picture of me on the Bruce Trail, I was eight-and-a-half months pregnant. My daughter has grown up on it.”
Konig, a marketing analyst, has completed the Niagara to Hamilton portion and has set a goal to hike the whole thing by December 2028 when she turns 50.
“The Bruce Trail is really a community of its own, of hikers, people who like to be outside, people who are passionate about conservation. It’s a community I’m proud to be a part of. It really fills my cup and gives me hope.”
The BTC is particularly interested in seeing newcomers, young families, and marginalized groups feel welcome to the trail, says Konig.
“We are focused on conveying the message that everyone is welcome. The trail is there for everybody to enjoy.”
THE HIKERS
Since she was a kid, Hamilton resident Amanda Rankin dreamed of one day hiking the Bruce Trail. She grew up off Locke Street and spent a lot of time at Reservoir Park alongside the trail, imagining where it led.
The first summer of the pandemic seemed like a perfect time to start the trek. So she set out from Niagara on July 6, 2020 with friend Tamara Cummings, who says she didn’t realize then that she was in for all 900 kilometres.
But she carried on, the pair sharing deep conversations and occasional periods of silent reflection as they moved towards Hamilton. There, friend and fellow elementary teacher Shannon Kotecki, joined them.
(To catch up, Kotecki hiked the Niagara to Hamilton portion with her daughter Cate when Cummings and Rankin took a break from hiking that first winter.)
The three reflect on their journey, which concluded on Aug. 22, 2024 after 58 days of
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hiking, as a cherished and special time.
“There were many times when the trail led us and showed us where we needed to learn or grow or work through something or celebrate,” says Cummings.
“You don’t get the chance to just walk and think very often. You aren’t on your phone, bells aren’t ringing all around, kids aren’t asking questions. You are 20 kilometres from the car and you just have to walk and be in the moment.”
Though Rankin carefully planned each day’s hike, the three allowed themselves to explore side trails where they led to scenic lookouts, waterfalls, caves and the highest point on the trail. The trio relied on the BTC’s trail book and the phone app that launched in late 2021.
There were bumps, bruises and blisters. They mistakenly got off the main trail one hot day, hiking about 10 kilometres further than they needed to and running out of water. The only winter day the three hiked
together saw them trudging through flooded farmers fields in high winds in McGregor Park near Owen Sound. Rankin’s feet were immediately soaked, Kotecki fell in a puddle, and Cummings was narrowly missed when a huge tree branch crashed to the ground just feet from her.
They didn’t hike in the winter again.
As they got to the Bruce Peninsula, the scenery was spectacular but the hiking was hard and slow, up and down rocky ledges on a narrow path. But there was a celebration with family and friends when they reached the Tobermory end-point cairn.
They spent five summers on the Bruce Trail.
“I miss it so much,” says Kotecki. “I feel like it’s a loss in a way. I miss the time we had together.”
Cummings says while she tagged along on Rankin’s dream, she now has the Bruce Trail in her blood. She will run two trail races this summer.
The three friends have started dreaming about the next trail, maybe the Cabot or the Camino.
Rankin says finishing the trail gave her more than she could have imagined.
“I got to do this with two amazing people and I am a better person because of the stuff we shared, the laughs we shared and what we learned.” n
FROM LEFT, AMANDA RANKIN, SHANNON KOTECKI AND TAMARA CUMMINGS TREKKED THE LENGTH OF THE BRUCE TRAIL, FINISHING IN AUGUST 2024. PHOTO: SHANNON KOTECKI
NOT TO BE MISSED
From charity rides and night cycling to repair cafés and vintage finds, there are so many ways to enjoy city life in Hamilton and Burlington. Here are a few of our favourite local happenings.
NIGHT RIDERS
Join the city’s brightest bike gang and take a night ride with the Hamilton Glowriders to help promote safe cycling while spreading some feel-good vibes. Departing from Corktown Park, the monthly group rides feature a colourful crew of cyclists riding blinking, twinkling bicycles, proving that string lights aren’t just for holidays. Music is also heavily encouraged for the full sensory effect, so if you’ve got a Bluetooth speaker kicking around, crank that up, too. Check out the website for dates and full details. glowriders.ca
FIX FEST
If your toaster is toast, or your garden shears aren’t cutting it anymore, skip the re-buy and go for a re-do at the Dundas Repair Café, organized by Action 13. Part of an international Amsterdam-based repair movement, the cafés were established to champion sustainability and reuse. Roll up your sleeves for some DIY fixing and feel good about saving some space in the landfill (knowledgeable volunteers are even there to offer a hand, if needed). Browse the website for a list of recommended items. Dundas Town Hall, 60 Main St., Dundas, Sept. 20, Nov. 15. action13.ca/events
A GOOD VINTAGE
Hamilton and its environs are a hot bed of vintage treasures, offering up a wealth of sustainable and unique gems to those up for the hunt. Fortunately for the thrifters among us who prefer to shop (and stay) local, Hamilton Vintage Community brings all the good goods to one place at its Summer Market Series popups at Collective Arts Brewery. Featuring a curated collection from local sellers, the market features quality accessories, home goods and clothing – all created before “fast fashion” was a twinkle in the shopping mall’s eye. 207 Burlington St. E., July 12, Aug. 16. Instagram: hamiltonvintagecommunity
ROLLING FOR ROTARY
Put your pedal to the metal for a good cause at the Rotary Club’s Tour de Dundas, where proceeds support local initiatives. Cyclists of all levels are invited to get rolling on one of the five routes that include everything from a 10 km familyfriendly ride to an impressive 160 km course, where elevation challenges and sore quads come into play. The scenic rides will take participants through Dundas Valley’s most beautiful backdrops, while post-ride perks like live music, cold refreshments and local eats at the Taste of Dundas festival will provide ample incentive to finish. Cruise over to the website for info and to register. Sept. 21. tourdedundas.ca
FAIR PLAY
You may not want to hear about autumn right now, but it’s never too early to think about heading out to pasture to take in a fall fair or two (or three). The Binbrook Fall Fair, established in 1854, is one of Canada’s longest-running agricultural fairs, and offers a quintessential fair-going experience to visitors – fitting considering the practice it has under its belt. Stroll the fairgrounds while snacking on something fried and enjoy events like livestock shows, kids’ rodeo, demolition derby, and even a baby show where families can show off their own pick of the crop. Sept. 11-14. binbrookfair.org
LIFE IN THE CITY
From festivals and films to galas, galleries and gigs, Hamiltonians love to have a good time and these photos are definitely worth a thousand words. HAMILTON CITY Magazine was there – were you?
photos By B rent perniac and d onna Waxman
1. Asad Mecci, Cathy Wellwood and Colin Mochrie at HYPROV, a live show that combines hypnosis and improv, a fundraiser for Emmanuel House Hospice, April 10.
2. Melissa Marchese at Mills Hardware, May 25.
3.
7.
Steve Paikin (TVO host); 4. Sarah Harmer, Cadence Weapon and Tom Wilson at True North Strong: Why Music Matters for TVO Today Live, The Music Hall, May 10.
5. Author Emma Donoghue at a gritLIT Festival event, Playhouse Theatre, April 9.
6. Chantal Kreviazuk headlines the Charity of Hope Gala, Carmen’s Banquet Centre, April 25.
Max Kerman (Arkells) Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress book signing at Indigo Ancaster, May 29.
8. Anthony Primerano, Victoria Mancinelli, Enza Mancinelli, Shelley Falconer, Joe Mancinelli, Connor Rogerson, Michael Mancinelli; 9. Dr. Maureen MacDonald, Dr. Gianni Parise, Heather Colwell, Dr. Susan Tighe, Ashley Downey, Susan Wright; 10. Steven Joyce and Emily Van Dijk at the Above and Beyond Art Gallery of Hamilton gala, May 24.
11. Celebrity chef, author, Food Network star Anna Olson at the Hamilton Home & Garden Show, Dave Andreychuk Arena, May 3.
12. Amanda Fulsom, Trish Potter, Jeff Potter, Chase Potter, Autumn Nie; 13. Ticats legend Simoni Lawrence at the 28th annual Golf4Life Tournament in support of the Mark Preece Family House, Flamborough Hills Golf Club, May 29.
HOUNDS OF HAMILTON
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SHOWCASE THE ADORABLE, JOYFUL AND LOVABLE DOGS OF OUR GREAT CITY!
Photos By FETCHING STUDIOS
Is there any better escape from the relentless news cycle, doom scrolling and polarizing politics, and any simpler way to find joy and laughter than dogs? We didn’t think so. So that’s why we’ve launched Hounds of Hamilton, our celebration of local dogs in print and online. Mutts to purebreds, toys to giants, puppies to seniors, Hounds of Hamilton will be the place to find the doggoes in our fair city just waiting for their brush with fame. We are pairing up with Fetching Studios, the husband and wife team of Geoff Fitzgerald and Vanessa Marion-Merritt, who will help us showcase local canine clients. Here, we are showcasing beautiful dogs who were rescued and adopted to loving families by southern Ontario rescue organization Save Our Scruff, which saves dogs from around the world. saveourscruff.org
BOBBY
Terrier mix
7 years old
THURSDAY
Shepherd/collie mix
Approx 8 years old
We know your phone is jammed with pet photos, so, if you live in Hamilton or Burlington, send your best canine (or feline!) candids to hounds@ hamiltoncitymagazine.ca, along with your pet’s name, breed, age, neighbourhood, favourite hiking spots, some information about his/her personality traits, what they love, and any other fun facts we should know. We will feature all submissions online, but to make it into print, please send JPEGS, that are at least 1 MB in size.
BAKER & PEACHES
CODY
NORMAN
MOOSE
KATIE AND GAUPO
LUNA
A Ringside (Hamilton) seat
A LARGE EVENT SPACE AT THE BACK OF ARCHITECT HAIR DESIGN ON JAMES STREET NORTH IS PROVING POPULAR FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES AND DANCES.
If you’ve ventured down the colourful alley beside Architect Hair Design on James Street North, you won’t forget what you found.
It opens to a courtyard that’s been dubbed Acapulco, which is just outside a 2,500-square-foot event space that’s now branded Ringside Hamilton.
The name honours 1960s Hamilton boxing icon Patsy Brandino, who opened Ringside Restaurant and Bar where Architect’s bar and barbershop is now, and ran a pool hall in the back.
Try as he might, Elliott Gwynne, who is operations manager for Architect, Ringside and Hendry’s Barbershop on Barton, can’t find much information about the history of Ringside. “But we love the story we know and we wanted to pay homage to what it was.”
The theme and name for the courtyard comes from Architect’s next-door neighbours Angelo and Maria. Angelo, who hails from Acapulco, painted the side of his home in seaside colours a decade ago. The folks at Architect took it one step further with a mural of the city’s skyline painted by Hamilton musician and artist Tim Nijenhuis of Ninehouse Productions.
Architect and Ringside are the unofficial after-party spots for Art Crawl and Supercrawl crowds, offering live music, DJs, and a hotdog cart called Hotdog Summers.
The Ringside space, complete with a bar, pool table and two garage doors to the outdoors, is available for rent. But
be forewarned, it’s booked every weekend this year for weddings, parties, Hamilton Fringe Festival performances, markets, dances, food events and even a boudoir shoot.
And during the week, it has hosted groups from McMaster University, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Rotary clubs.
“Just email us and let us know what you want to do and we can see if we can make it work,” says Gwynne, who plays in Hamilton band Ellevator and hosts karaoke at Architect each Tuesday.
Work has begun to build out Ringside as a live music venue, but it requires more sound baffling and a curtain system to soften the sound from the concrete walls.
The front of the room features a stage and a large wooden sign rescued from the Ann Foster music shop that was a beloved destination for sheet music, records and instruments in the Lister Block from 1942 to 1989.
Architect, which offers haircuts, beard trims and hottowel shaves, has always broken the mold. It was Hamilton’s first licensed barber when Peter Mokrycke opened it almost 10 years ago.
Plans are in the works to bring more uses to a large alley and parking lot on the north side of Ringside, in conjunction with other businesses.
“We don’t have a BIA here but all the businesses in this area have a great relationship and work together,” says Gwynne. “We call ourselves the North of Bartons or NOBs.” n
THE UNDERDOG HERO
ROB HITCHCOCK WAS TOLD HE WAS TOO SMALL TO PLAY FOOTBALL
BUT HE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THAT. HE TIRELESSLY WORKED HIS WAY, NOT ONLY TO A PRO CAREER, BUT TO A GREY CUP TITLE AND HIS HOMETOWN TEAM’S WALL OF HONOUR. By STEPHEN METELSKY
In 1999, Rob Hitchcock, the Ticats all-star linebacker, hoisted the Grey Cup over his head. This was the last time the black and gold brought the coveted CFL hardware home to Hamilton and a career highlight for Hamilton’s hometown gridiron hero.
Hitchcock had a legendary career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1995 to 2006 as a linebacker and safety, playing 200 games over 12 seasons and earning a reputation for his hard-hitting style of play.
“During his playing days, Rob Hitchcock was the heart of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats – a team leader who was talented, reliable and a community champion off the field,” said Rick Zamperin, new co-host of CH Morning Live, who also spent six years as a sideline reporter for the now-defunct CHML and later the play-by-play announcer for the TigerCats from 2007 to 2014.
“Hitch was a glue guy, and championship teams need them. When things go wrong, he was the player to rally the troops. Hitch had all these qualities and it showed on the field throughout his playing years.”
If memories have waned since that big 1999 cup win, all any fan has to do is look up while at Hamilton Stadium (formerly known as Tim Hortons Field.) In 2019, 20 years after the Ticats brought home their last Grey Cup, Hitchcock’s name and number were forever etched on the Wall of Honour.
2019 was the same year Simoni Lawrence broke Hitchcock’s franchise record of 484 defensive tackles. Two years later, the nowretired Lawrence also broke Hitchcock’s total tackle franchise record of 606.
Hitchcock retired in 2008, and now works as a business consultant and lives in St. Catharines with his wife and two children. It has been 30 years since his football career began, but Hitchcock still gets
ROB HITCHCOCK FULFILLED HIS DREAM OF PLAYING FOR HIS HOMETOWN TEAM.
PHOTO: JON EVANS FOR HCM
emotional about it.
“The love you get from the Hamilton fans. Words cannot describe the support I got,” says Hitchcock, who wore No. 42 for the Tiger-Cats. “They are the best fans in the CFL.”
But the journey was a bumpy one. His prospects to be a pro were riddled with doubters during his early days on the field. But his ability to convert negative feedback into positive energy, paired with his goaldriven tenacity, drove him to achieve what many thought would be unattainable.
Hitchcock was born in the east end. He started playing football at the age of 10 and his lack of size put him at an instant disadvantage. High school at Glendale Secondary didn’t start well, either.
“I was told in Grade 9 that I was too small, and I shouldn’t play,” he remembers. “And that was directly from the coach. It wasn’t fun hearing that.” Hitchcock was motivated to prove everyone wrong.
His early role models were his late father Phil Hitchcock, a former broadcaster with CHML, and his two older brothers Paul and John, also football players, who kept their younger brother on track, even in the face of adversity.
While many were telling Hitchcock he was wasting his time playing football, he spent more time away from the field lifting weights and working to improve his cardiovascular endurance. The thought of giving up never crossed his mind.
“The word quit was never part of my vocabulary,” says Hitchcock. “It was instilled in me at a young age. If I didn’t have my brothers to look up to, I probably wouldn’t have played.”
To stay focused, Hitchcock wrote his goals on his mirror. They became ingrained into his daily mantra: Be a good person and teammate.
Work hard.
Be positive and win.
With his feisty determination, paired with a growth spurt that eventually took him to six-foot-two, and more than 200 pounds, Hitchcock’s game excelled. By the end of his tenure at Glendale, he received a full scholarship to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah – where he thrived.
Hitchcock’s aggressiveness and hunger on the field garnered attention from scouts in the CFL – and the NFL.
While at Weber State in 1995, Hitchcock got a call from his dad.
“My dad was crying. He says, ‘You just got picked up by the Ticats.’ It was amazing hearing my dad,” says Hitchcock. He had been selected in the second round – 17th overall.
“I was going to Hamilton, my home city. It brought back memories of watching my heroes play at Ivor Wynne Stadium when I’d go to games with my dad.”
On Friday, June 30, 1995, Hitchcock wore the black and gold for the first time and the Tiger-Cats beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 37-16 in Regina.
“It was surreal. To put that Ticat helmet on for the first time, it was a dream come true.”
One of Hitchcock’s most memorable
My dad was crying. He says, ‘You just got picked up b Y the t icats.’ i t was a M azing H earing M y dad.”
moments as a Tiger-Cat was winning the Grey Cup on Nov. 28, 1999 in Vancouver, B.C. after beating the Calgary Stampeders 32-21.
He recalls taking a sip from the Grey Cup post-game and remembering everyone who had told him he couldn’t do it.
“Drinking out of the cup was the coolest thing ever. Hearing stories of all these players who had the opportunity to do so before you,” says Hitchcock.
After years viewed as a team leader on and off the field, Hitchcock received news in 2007 he never anticipated. He had been released by Hamilton. He decided to retire but with just three games left that season, Edmonton inquired if he would come out of retirement to boost their playoff run.
“As a player, you rarely leave the game the way you want to,” says Hitchcock, but this was an opportunity to perhaps close out his career on his terms.
He knew his number, worn by star linebacker Dan Kepley, had already been retired by Edmonton. Yet, when Hitchcock
walked into the dressing room, his name and his cherished No. 42 was on a jersey hanging at his new locker.
“Dan Kepley had pulled it off the retirement shelf and told me that I have worn this number for 12 years and that I was going to continue to wear it, too,” Hitchcock recalls. “I had tears in my eyes and do now just thinking about it.”
It was fitting that Edmonton’s final game that season would be played in Hamilton.
When the visitors were announced to the field, Hitchcock led the team out. What he didn’t realize was that his teammates had hatched a plan to stop in the end zone.
As the beloved former Ticat stood alone at the 50-yard line – Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 – loyal Hamilton fans gave him a heartfelt standing ovation. It would be his last game in the CFL, a picture-perfect ending to a stellar career.
Fast forward to Wall of Honour night at Tim Hortons Field – Oct. 4, 2019 – the culmination of his tenacity and hard work. Hitchcock is only the second Hamilton-born player on the wall, joining linebacker Bob Krouse, who played 13 seasons with the Ticats in the 1960s and 1970s, earning four Grey Cup titles.
Hitchcock celebrated the recognition –the team’s highest accolade – with former teammates, fans and his family, always remembering his late father, who passed away May 27, 2013.
“My dad would have been ecstatic. He would have been up there crying with me. He was my biggest fan,” Hitchcock fondly recalls.
‘Hitch’ also credits his former teammates.
“There is no ‘I’ in team. Every teammate played a big part with me going on the wall. I love them all. It’s a true brotherhood,” says Hitchcock. “It’s truly an honour to be up there with those names. Words can’t describe it. It was a great night.”
Hitchcock has a message for youths seeking to realize their dreams in any area of interest they are pursuing.
“Set goals for yourself and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Have enough in your heart to say, ‘Yes, I can do this.’” But he also has words for those leading young people.
“Today with mental health, people need to hear positive things. So, say something positive to someone, it’s going to affect their lives in a better way.” n
Turning the Page
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES IN HAMILTON HAVE SHOWN A ONCE-UNEXPECTED RESILIENCE TO THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE, OFFERING SLOWED-DOWN EXPERIENCES FOR SHOPPERS, AND SERVING AS ANCHORS OF THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS. By STEPHEN NEAR
Stepping into Epic Books on Locke Street, one of Hamilton’s more noteworthy independent booksellers, it’s easy to get swept away. The dizzying array of titles and authors, neatly shelved according to category and genre, are a subtle invitation to other worlds. Soft jazz or the afternoon news of CBC Radio is an unobtrusive yet consistent companion as you navigate the selection. Maybe you’re looking for something specific. Or, if you’re like me, you just come in to browse. It’s a story that’s told countless times at this and other indie bookstores across the Hamilton region. Not so long ago, however, it seemed a different tale was unfolding. With the boom of the Chapters-Indigo chain and the endless dropdown menus of Amazon,
the news was that indie booksellers faced a grim future. But in recent years, the plot has turned. Customer buying habits have shifted and local bookstores have been flourishing, even in the face of economic turmoil and the digital age. Over the last four years, for instance, independent booksellers have seen stronger sales than even before the pandemic, reflecting a growing number of shoppers putting one-on-one buying and community support above online and big-box stores.
As the home of an ardent grassroots arts scene and some notable Canadian authors, it seems that Hamilton is the perfect place to show how indie and used bookstores haven’t just survived — they’ve thrived — thanks to passionate grassroots support. But, as the importance of buying Canadian comes to the
EPIC BOOKS ON LOCKE STREET OPENED IN 2009.
PHOTO: MIKE SCHYMKIW FOR HCM
JAIME KRAKOWSKI IS OWNER OF EPIC BOOKS ON LOCKE STREET AND SHERMAN AVENUE NORTH. PHOTO: JON EVANS FOR HCM
forefront of shoppers’ minds thanks to tariffs and alarming annexation rhetoric coming out of the White House, the resilience of indie bookstores has perhaps become a watershed moment. This resilience is all the more timely when you consider there are now over 300 successful indie bookstores across Canada, according to the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA). For Hamilton — and cities all across the country — indie bookstores, and the communities they’ve built around them, may just be writing the next great story for Canadian retailers.
Among those local fans of the indie bookselling scene is performer and educator Stephanie Hope Lawlor. “Indie bookstores like Epic have an edge over larger chains” thanks to “the curation and recommendations by staff,” alongside the community that forms around them, she says. It’s a sentiment shared by Jay Watson, a high school student, and avid reader of young adult fiction. “Indie bookstores actually cater to and have a really good selection of teen books, which I find are usually neglected.”
According to CIBA executive director Laura Walker, “Bookstores are opening to service every different type of community, which is a good thing for the health of the book sector at large, for publishers, for authors and for readers.”
To meet the consumer demand for indie bookstores, CIBA launched indiebookstores. ca in 2024, an online directory to help readers locate local bookstores and their inventory. “We quickly saw the value in
Hamilton is t H e perfect place to s H ow H ow indie and used bookstores H aven’t just survived — t H ey’ve t H rived — thanks to passionate grassroots support.
creating a collective website that would serve this function and more – crucially (including) the directory and map of indie bookstores in Canada,” says Walker.
Locally, consumer loyalty is reflected in the continuing growth of landmarks like Epic Books and Different Drummer Books in Burlington, alongside the rise of newer retailers. One such store is The City & The City Books on Ottawa Street. Owner Janet Hoy emphasizes the importance of the personal touch in bookselling.
“I think people like to come in and deal with another human,” says Hoy. “Sometimes it is to ask for a recommendation, or to tell us what they are reading and are curious about what we are reading, or just to chat about what is happening in the world. Many people are sick and tired of giving their money to billionaires, and they are now starting to say no to them.”
The personal touch, says Hoy, is also reflected in the welcoming atmosphere of her store, which opened in May 2019. “We have kids who love to come in and rush for the chairs to open and grab a book and sit and read. That gives the parents a few minutes to browse in peace. You can’t do that while shopping on Amazon or picking out books at Indigo or Costco.”
This sort of intimate retail experience driving the rise of indie bookstores is echoed by Dave Kuruc, owner of King W. Books in Westdale. “The social aspect of small, community-focused shops is a big factor. We often hear from customers who like that we have a focus or ‘curated’ selection. The books you find on our shelves reflect the people who are coming through the door and our community.”
Kuruc knows something of the power of buying local. Before King W., Kuruc owned the iconic Mixed Media on James Street North. He shifted his business west in 2018.
“We opened after the much loved and long-standing Bryan Prince Bookseller closed their doors. We decided to move our art shop to Westdale and combine the two stores into one. Living in the neighbourhood, we couldn’t imagine this place without a bookshop.”
The importance of community is also something Epic Books owner Jaime Krakowski says has been key to staying power in bookstores. “Bookstores have long been known to be community
/continued on next page
LAST SUPPER BOOKS OPENED LAST YEAR ON JAMES STREET NORTH. PHOTO: LAST SUPPER BOOKS
CITY AND THE CITY BOOKS ON OTTAWA STREET EMPHASIZES THE PERSONAL TOUCH.
hubs and supporters of healthy vibrant neighbourhoods, (and) there’s a renewed interest in community and connection.”
Krakowski comes to bookselling with a love and devotion for reading. “I suspect that’s the case for many booksellers. I consider myself lucky to be able to spend my days doing something that I genuinely enjoy. We just celebrated our 15th anniversary last fall and while there have obviously been challenging times, it’s been such a joy to be a part of Hamilton’s literary community.”
Thanks to her success on Locke Street, Krakowski was eventually able to expand Epic Books and set up a sister shop, The Sequel, at the Playhouse Cinema on Sherman Avenue North. Though smaller in size, The Sequel largely specializes in books oriented around cinema and culture.
Like Krakowski, Matt Carson has a love of the written word. It’s part of what inspired him to open Last Supper Books on James Street North. Coupled with that, though, was a desire to create what he calls “a point of gravity” where the community could come together. Says Carson, “books seemed like a great vessel.” Opened in November of last year, Carson sees Last Supper as a practical response to the big chains and online book retailers.
“Convenience and speed isn’t our primary goal,” says Carson, “and those who are regulars seem to enjoy the magic of the hunt, and taking their time to look through what’s new.”
Thanks to the support and enthusiasm from the community, Carson says Last Supper is able to continually bring in new stock. A boon for a used bookstore, it “allows for a fresh experience every time you walk through the doors.”
Indeed, Carson feels this is key to the indie revolution right now. “People are tired of having everything at their beck and call 24-7. They’re looking for slower experiences and restful environments. People want to connect with the real world again. This looks like talking to a real person when you check out, picking up a physical book or connecting during one of our events.”
Lyn Barlow, from West Side Stories in Westdale, says the appeal of second-hand booksellers goes beyond the obvious price discounts. “We have hard-to-find and outof-print books, and the biggest selection of science fiction and fantasy in the area. We also have a good overstock so we can
J.H. GORDON BOOKS IS LOCATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE. PHOTO: MIKE SCHYMKIW FOR HCM
KING W. BOOKS IN WESTDALE OPENED IN 2018. PHOTO: KING W. BOOKS
keep the shelves filled up.” Barlow says that a critical aspect of keeping her store’s stock fresh comes back to the personal touch of customer service. “We listen to our customers. We know what they want. We know what they’re looking for. We have a big list of requests for what people want. So when we go out, we know what we’re going to pick up if we can find it. And if we do, then we’ve made a customer happy.”
For Julie Gordon of J.H. Gordon Books, located in the heart of Hamilton’s International Village, customer happiness is a priority from the moment they open the door. “One of my regular customers called my shop an oasis of tranquility and I really like that. I have worked to create an attractive, calming space that is easy to browse. I like to think of our shop as a little escape from the stresses of the world.”
Gordon says indie stores, especially used bookstores like hers, are attractive to customers as “repositories of the odd, obscure, out-of-print, as well as enduring favourites.” The individual characteristics of each shop is what keeps customers coming back but also exploring new places as they open. “Every used bookshop has their own business model, some are very specialized, others are generalists, and we’re all curating our collections in our own way, so every shop offers a unique experience.”
But the success of indie bookstores goes beyond shelves and storefronts. Their visibility extends to partnerships with special events such as the gritLIT Readers and Writers Festival and the Hamilton Literary Awards, along with local publishers and authors.
Noelle Allen knows this better than most. Her publishing house Wolsak and Wynn has hosted several local literary events involving independent bookstores. “One of the benefits for the city,” says Allen, “is how different the stores are and how they come together to represent the city as a whole.” Allen thinks the indies capture the rich personality of Hamilton stories better than any chain bookstore ever could. “They are strongly supportive of local authors, so you know when you go into each store you’ll see Hamilton books, but each store will approach it differently.”
One such local author is Gary Barwin. Winner of multiple awards, Barwin says the sense of community that the indies help foster is unique to Hamilton. “There’s a sense here that we’re all in this together. There’s
such a strong community feeling around our independent bookstores. (They) don’t feel like competitors with each other but rather participants in the larger literary community, supporting writers and readers and the growth and health of the literary community in the city.”
For Barwin, in particular, the boost by local stores has been instrumental in his success as a writer. “For the launch of my last novel –online because of COVID – I had most of the indie bookstores participate and their owners ask questions. It felt really natural to include them all.”
Local outreach, partnerships and the events calendar are certainly a major component of Epic Books, says Krakowski. “We do launches, participate in author tours, work with both the Hamilton Public Library and the Grimsby Library, partner with gritLIT and various other community organizations. Over at The Sequel we often work with The Playhouse for book and movie events and larger-scale author visits. I’m usually out in the community once or twice a week.” During its 15 years, Epic’s partnerships have also included events at Theatre Aquarius, The Art Gallery of Hamilton, Supercrawl, Telling Tales and many more.
The importance of community events is also part of the model of many used bookstores, including J.H. Gordon Books and Last Supper Books. “People are seeking real life connections,” says Carson, “so we host weekly and one-time events like poetry readings, book clubs, movie nights and drawing clubs. We also have a growing membership with perks including a member’s reading lounge where members can come and enjoy a dedicated quiet space outside of their house to read a book, print an article or make a coffee for free.”
Since the pandemic, the prevailing story has been one of retailers losing money, laying off staff, or shuttering their doors. Not so long ago, this was the story being told of small bookstores across Canada. But in Hamilton, as in many cities, the reality now paints a different picture. Amidst our digital world of scrolling and smartphones, of podcasts and streaming, people continue to show their love for good books and the hunt to find them. Just ask any local bookstore owner and they’ll tell you the same thing: the next chapter of indie bookstores is now being written, and it’s an inspiring read. n
Lifting women’s voices in music
HAMILTON/HALTON IS THE 11TH CHAPTER OF WOMEN IN MUSIC CANADA, AND WILL HOST LOCAL NETWORKING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, PANELS, ARTIST SHOWCASES AND MEET-UPS.
Male-dominated industries can be isolating, intimidating, and at times hostile to women and gender-diverse people navigating careers within them. The arts, often lauded as industries of progress, are not immune to this power imbalance. The non-profit Women in Music Canada (WIMC), now with a Hamilton/Halton chapter, is attempting to reinforce the shattering of the music scene’s glass ceiling.
Lisa La Rocca, co-chair of the Hamilton/Halton chapter and the director of operations at Hamilton music label Sonic Unyon, describes the development of this chapter as an opportunity to showcase and highlight the talent in our local arts communities, while forging connections and making space for all. She co-chairs with Hamilton Arts Council board member Sherry Sinclaire of Sinclaire Creative Studios.
“It was Sherry’s idea to create a Hamilton/Halton branch, and I was on board right away,” La Rocca told HAMILTON CITY Magazine. “There is so much talent and musical history in the Hamilton/Halton area, and we wanted to find a way to connect everyone together and really represent our community, while also creating important networks with the greater Canadian industry.”
She says Women in Music Canada’s executive director Robyn Stewart and operations coordinator Rebecca Szymkow were “extremely supportive and helped us get started. We’re so excited to be involved with Women in Music and meeting all of the other Canadian chapters as well.”
Established in 2014, and now with 11 chapters, Women in Music Canada is one of the largest music industry associations in Canada. Through programming, community building, and building online resources, it attempts to strengthen the gender and socio-economic balance of the music industry.
La Rocca and Sinclaire plan to organize a number of local networking events, educational workshops, panels, artist showcases and event meet-ups.
“Our goal is to empower, support and advocate for established and developing artists, musicians and industry professionals in the Hamilton/Halton area,” said Sinclaire.
“Connecting talented Hamilton/Halton WIMC members to ensure they have an established network and the correct tools to succeed when working directly with top Canadian and international music industry figures will guarantee they are able to grow and meet their career goals.”
La Rocca hopes that Women in Music Canada can provide opportunities for members, eliminate gatekeeping and break down walls.
“That we can all work together for a stronger, more inclusive industry where everyone has the chance to flourish in their careers,” said La Rocca. “I hope we can create longstanding community relationships and networks for local artists and music industry members alike.” n womeninmusic.ca/en/chapters/hamilton-halton –Sarah Jessica Rintjema
THE HAMILTON/HALTON CHAPTER OF WOMEN IN MUSIC OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN APRIL. PHOTO: EDIE BRUINS
HAMILTON’S ARIANA FIG HAS TAKEN HER CLASSICAL VIOLIN TRAINING AND APPLIED IT TO CREATING ECLECTIC ORIGINAL SONGS THAT BLEND POP, FOLK, ALTERNATIVE AND JAZZ.
FRUITFUL FUSION
PHOTO: STEPH MONTANI
By STEPHEN METELSKY and JENNA YEOMANS
“The world is so big, you’re just one person telling your story. Everybody has a story,” says Ariana Fig, a singer-songwriter from Hamilton, who has transformed her classical violin training into eclectic and original songs, blending pop, folk, alternative and jazz.
At just three years old, Fig picked up a violin, hardly imagining that 20 years later, she’d be carving out a career as a Canadian musician.
It all began with a hint of jealousy toward her older brother, and an unlikely inspiration from a children’s TV show.
“My brother had a guitar he got when he was five and had gone to a few lessons,” she says. “And on the show Timothy Goes to School there is a cat, Yoko, and she plays violin. The whole basis of why I became a musician was because of her,” she laughingly recalls the origin story of yearning to play the violin.
Over the years, Fig took the violin seriously, taking private lessons, joining quartets, and eventually becoming a member of the Hamilton Youth Philharmonic (HYP) when she entered high school.
That experience with the HYP left a lasting impression. She described it as “the best musical experience” she’s ever had and says it’s what solidified her desire to pursue music in post-secondary education.
However, Fig ultimately knew that classical music wasn’t her future. Keen to share her own stories through songwriting, she began exploring other instruments. With her background in violin as a foundation, she also attempted to teach herself piano and guitar.
“I picked up my dad’s guitar from the 1980s that was so broken it hurt my hands to play, and taught myself chords so I’d have something to put words to,” she says. “My dad is my biggest fan.”
She credits her parents for being a musical influence on her, recalling her childhood memories of hearing ABBA, Kiss, Triumph and Billy Joel songs playing in the house on her parents’ turntable. Fig remembers the first album her parents gave her as a gift – Shania Twain’s greatest hits. She listened to it incessantly.
Her full birth name is Ariana Figueiredo.
Her mother’s side is from Italy and her dad’s family is from Portugal.
“My grandparents on both sides are immigrants. They came to Canada with nothing. I am so grateful to them, and I hope I’m making them proud,” Fig says, with a hint of emotion in her voice. “I’m so thankful they came here. Now, as an artist, I get to perform and tell my inspired stories.”
Fig’s next chapter began at Western University, where she pursued a degree in popular music and English language and literature. It was there she performed live, landed her first paid gig, and opened for several bands. Venues like The Spoke café on campus and Rum Runners music hall in downtown London became key parts of her musical coming-of-age.
“Going to Western and being in London gave me some great opportunities early on and introduced me to some of my earliest
is Hamilton through and through. Born and raised in the city, she draws inspiration from local artists and the supportive nature of its music scene.
She credits Hamilton band The Arkells as an influence and motivation to continue to make original music. The Redhill Valleys drummer Matt Soliveri has also helped her believe success is possible in a city that isn’t traditionally known as a music industry hotspot.
“He (Soliveri) has shown me it is possible to come from a place that isn’t so focused on the arts like Los Angeles or Toronto and that you can make a living for yourself,” she says. “He had the same respect for me as I did for him, and I thought I must be doing something right if the people I look up to are saying ‘good job.’ Sometimes validation is important,” says Fig. Soliveri says it’s amazing to see Fig grow into a talented artist.
It all began w I th a h I nt of jealousy toward her older brother, and an unlikely inspiration from a children’s t V show.
fans,” she says. “You’re always worried people aren’t going to come.”
But they did and in droves.
In 2020, Fig released her debut single, “I’ll Call You Later,” a leap of faith driven by the anonymity of lockdown-era uncertainty. “Nobody can see me anyway, so what’s the worst that could happen?” she recalls thinking about recording the music alone in her bedroom.
During her fourth year, she released her second EP and hosted a release party at TAP Centre for Creativity, an art gallery in London. The event sold out, and the emotional impact was immediate.
“So many people on campus cared and showed up for me and I cried about it on the way home, because you get it in your head about who is going to show up,” Fig says. “London is where it all started for me.”
While London may have been the starting line for her career as a singer-songwriter, Fig
“Her music has always resonated with me. She’s easily one of my favourite, current Hamilton singer-songwriters.”
Fig has an incredibly optimistic outlook about the competitive music industry and the barriers she faces as a one-woman independent musician.
“You’re going to hear a million nos before you hear a yes. Sometimes the nos feel like a yes,” said Fig. “Rejection is redirection. If it wasn’t meant to be now, maybe it’s due to something better that will come along.”
Fig’s resilience and drive to promote her music and get it out there has resulted in her music being played on CBC, Sirius XM and 102.1 The Edge. She even started her own record label – Fig Tree Records.
Now, five years into her journey as an independent musician, the Hamilton-born singer-songwriter is carving out a space entirely her own, one shaped by creativity,
/continued on page 54
MUSIC’S TINY TEMPLE
THE MULE SPINNER, A MULTI-PURPOSE CREATIVE SPACE FOUNDED BY HAMILTON MUSIC VETERANS GLEN MARSHALL AND THE LATE BOB LANOIS, HOSTS INTIMATE LIVE PERFORMANCES AND RECORDING SESSIONS IN A FORMER STABLE AT THE COTTON FACTORY.
By JAMIE TENNANT
It looks like a film set. A set for something set in the early 1900s, perhaps. Industrial turn-of-the-century brick, a tower and a smokestack rising above it all. You’re waiting for someone to yell “action” and then men in suspenders will roll barrels across the courtyard.
Of course, it is a film set, sometimes. This is the space behind the Cotton Factory, the former Imperial Cotton Company, refurbished into a multi-purpose creative space about a decade ago. It’s also where HAMILTON CITY Magazine finds Glen Marshall, Hamilton musician, entrepreneur, producer, and owner of the Mule Spinner. The Mule Spinner is a music and entertainment venue, a creative co-working
space, recording studio, occasional film and television location, and artistic hub, founded by Marshall and the late producer/musician Bob Lanois in 2017.
Marshall sits in a recently overhauled storage room, now a studio and mixing space nicknamed “the Bunker” located across the courtyard from the Mule Spinner’s main room. When he talks about the Mule Spinner, he possesses the same easy-going enthusiasm he has brought to all of his projects. Over the years, Marshall booked musicians for the Regal Hotel, ran a vintage clothing shop, fronted a rock band, and produced countless records for musicians from around the world. Somehow, at 60, his enthusiasm has not waned.
“Originally, this was a storage room,” Marshall gestures around the Bunker. “We
realized that we had really nice, beautiful, high, wood ceilings and the shape of the room is kind of perfect. The room sounds great.”
The Mule Spinner is a 100-person capacity room. In the dim afternoon light, it retains a warmth and character uncommon to many such spaces. Though the room is often used as a live venue, for Marshall, the space is about recording. “We do a lot of shows, but shows are really predicated on us capturing live music. It’s a workshop, a laboratory.”
The name comes from a large machine used to spin cotton and other textiles, says Marshall. “The young Irish children that kept the machine threaded and working were referred to as mule spinners. We thought, out of respect to those young people working adult jobs, that we would name our space to honour them.”
RISING HEDONS, FROM LEFT, TIM TURVEY, BRAD TINDALL AND MATT WELBANKS, PLAY THE MULE SPINNER IN MARCH 2024. PHOTO: RAMUCY
Once upon a time, Marshall was the leader of Hamilton alternative pop legends Altogether Morris. He was also the selfdescribed “coffee boy” at Grant Avenue Studios, owned by Bob and brother Dan Lanois (who would become world-renowned for his work with Peter Gabriel, U2, Bob Dylan and many others).
“I watched all kinds of amazing recording sessions,” Marshall recalls. “I saw Brian Eno and Dan making Apollo (Atmospheres and Soundtracks). How could you not get hooked? You’ve got, like, one of the most brilliant artists of the 20th century, Brian Eno, working with Lanois, a fantastic musician and arranger.”
As Bob Lanois was scaling back and planning to sell Grant Avenue, Marshall offered a sum of money to use all of the studio’s downtime for his own purposes, recording his band and projects for friends. Bob accepted, and Marshall went to work. The experience eventually led to him opening his own space, Catherine North Studios, in his home (for keen-eyed Hamiltonians, yes, it’s spelled differently than the street).
Years later, the studios moved to Murray Street, and later, Marshall himself moved to New York, where he worked with friend and musician/producer Rufus Cappadocia.
The partnership with Bob Lanois,
however, was still ongoing. The pair had a studio in Brantford for a time, but Marshall, concerned about Lanois’ late-night drives back to Hamilton, suggested they try to find something in the city.
The Mule Spinner was originally the stables for the textile factory, and after that, the space was fashioned into a mechanic shop. There was no simple clean-up, but rather a total remediation.
“It was a nightmare,” Marshall recalls. “Nothing but grease and 50 layers of latex paint. Just a gross, hideous thing that I don’t think anyone thought could be even rehabilitated. The floors were steeped with oil.”
A month of washing and re-washing (and sealing away the remaining dirt with heavyduty floor paint) brought the Mule Spinner into existence. “There’s some cute furniture in there, tapestries that double the sound baffling and the whole nine yards,” Marshall says of the space, which has a comfortable, cozy vibe. What matters to Marshall, however, is not what it looks like, but what it sounds like, and how it feels.
“If you’ve got a good band and a good room, you get something really special from that,” he says. “When you’re in a little box, everything’s kind of closed in. It’s not necessarily inspiring.”
Inspiration, of course, is crucial. While
quality audio equipment and recording gear is important, it’s never simply about how it sounds in the microphones. It’s in the performance, too, and that is affected by the environment.
“People really like that room,” says Marshall. “People making movies really like it. Well, it’s got a good vibe.”
Marshall and Lanois set about to create a multi-use space that would encourage people and projects to come together physically.
“Think of an art gallery,” he explains. “You walk by it a hundred times a day and see there’s art on the walls, but at ten o’clock at night, it’s closed. At ten o’clock in the morning, it’s closed. It seems so crazy when space is so expensive and rare now.”
In essence, they wanted a room that could be turned over to others. Marshall would use it to conduct his own activities, but also support others who could use it as a base of operations for their projects. As such, the Mule Spinner would feature people who worked separately but who might come together to assist one another as well.
“I just have all these tools, and they’re set up to be practical and be useful. We share them with people. Consequently, we’ve got lots of people working in this little ecosystem. I always build the process around the need or build the space around the need. But I don’t really think about it too much. It’s very intuitive.”
All this talk of workspace seems to suggest the Mule Spinner isn’t a venue. It is – just not primarily so. “It looks like a venue, because the work that we do is predicated on capturing live music with human beings,” says Marshall. “If there’s an audience in front of you, that changes what you’re doing on stage, or what you’re recording, entirely. One of the nice things about it is if there’s an audience there, it makes them forget about the recording.”
The first show was kept “in the family” quite literally when Marshall hosted a performance by Daniel Lanois. Since then, the space has hosted major acts like the Trews, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and many other local and international bands.
“For me, it’s a little temple for music,” Marshall says, “for people that really care about music, who are really dedicated and want to reach to a higher bar than wherever they are.” n
DANIEL LANOIS WAS THE FIRST TO PERFORM AT THE MULE SPINNER IN 2017. PHOTO: ALEK BROMKE
VIVE LA HAMILTON
AT 29, PARIS-BORN JAMES KAHANE IS THE 10 TH MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. HE WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT HE FINDS HAMILTON ARTISTICALLY INSPIRING AND CLASSICAL MUSICIANS PARTY MORE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK.
By JAMIE TENNANT | Photos By MARTA HEWSON FOR HCM
James Kahane grew up in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, France. As a child he walked these streets, surrounded by cafés and restaurants, concert halls and cultural institutions. The 11th is home to Bastille Opera and The Bataclan, the celebrated theatre.
Yet Kahane, 29, has begun to sink his teeth into North American life. Specifically, life in Hamilton, where he will spend the next several years serving as the conductor and artistic director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.
Kahane joined the HPO last year, conducting some of the final shows programmed by his predecessor Gemma New. Kahane has been in and out of town since he took the position, but recently secured an apartment in the North End and is, for all intents and purposes, a Hamiltonian. His first impressions are much more complimentary than you might expect from someone who grew up in a city as beautiful and celebrated as Paris.
“I think it’s much better than people here think it is,” he says of Hamilton. “The food is really good, which, as a French person who has grown up in Paris, that means a lot.”
“In a weird way, it’s kind of an inferiority complex,” he says. “Like, oh, we don’t have as much to offer, artistically speaking, as big cities. So then actually, they try harder; they are more active and a bit more eager to get things moving just to compensate. That’s actually really inspiring. It makes me feel like people are really eager to do stuff.”
The congenial atmosphere and friendly, supportive people he has met in our community also make him feel like Hamilton is a good place to call home. “I like, of course, the Canadian vibe, right? That people are just much more friendly than in France or in Finland.”
Born in Paris, Kahane grew up in an artsfriendly family (though not specifically a musical one) in an arts-forward community, and many arts initiatives in the 11th were aimed at youth. Cinema and concerts were affordable, and the quality of music was always worldclass. Growing up in Paris meant that there was never any shortage of good art to experience.
His introduction to classical music was almost a fluke, in a family without much interest in the genre. “I would go as far as to say some of them actively dislike classical music.” Still, there were a handful of classical hits CDs in the house, and these spoke to him.
As was common practice, Kahane took piano
lessons. “If you are a child from a good family, you have to learn piano,” he explains. “Not just any instrument; you have to learn piano. So there is always a piano at home.”
He didn’t really enjoy the piano, though. At the time, and for many years, Kahane was more interested in becoming a visual artist than a musician. Eventually, however, he found himself moving back towards music. Little by little, his knowledge expanded outward; an interest in one piece would lead him to the composer’s other works, and eventually, he was a full convert. Once he finished high school, he had an entirely new career goal.
Kahane began his formal education in conducting in Israel at the Buchmann-Mehta
There is a percep T ion T ha T classical music people mus T be a li TT le boring, you know, or mus T be older. You hear the craziest stories. t he Y part Y a lot, the Y drink a lot. When i W as on tour in France ... W e W ere going to sleep ever Y night at like 4 or 5 a.m. and then being in rehearsal at 9 a.m.”
School of Music at Tel Aviv University, a school affiliated with Zubin Mehta, the legendary Indian conductor. Craving more practical experience than the school provided, he then moved to the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland.
“I was pretty much blown away by the quality of what I was seeing there,” he says of the school that rooted him semi-permanently in the Nordic region. He became Susanna Mälkki’s assistant at the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, then chief conductor of the studentbased Polytech Orchestra. He also became the principal conductor of the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, which had been dormant for decades. He and some compatriots revived the organization together.
When Kahane talks about Finland, he remembers the sheer enjoyment of being a /continued on next page
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2025-2026 HPO SEASON
The 2025-2026 season of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the first programmed by music director James Kahane, features nine full orchestra concerts in the mainstage series at FirstOntario Concert Hall, along with musical events across the region. The season includes iconic orchestral works, celebrates Canadian talent, highlights new music by living composers and welcomes acclaimed guest artists. scan the qr code for a complete list of the season.
part of the music, being with musicians, and, for lack of a better word, the partying. Kahane recalls that when Polytech would take long bus trips on tour, one bus was reserved for the all-nighter crowd.
“I was always on the bus of people that wanted to party,” he says. Not just party, but host the party and help everyone enjoy themselves. He would host games like trivia and name that tune in something they called, appropriately enough, Games with James.
“There is a perception that classical music people must be a little boring, you know, or must be older,” he says, dismissing the idea.
“You hear the craziest stories. They party a lot, they drink a lot. When I was on tour in France, we had some kind of tour with the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, and we were going to sleep every night at like 4 or 5 a.m. and then being in rehearsal at 9 a.m.”
Despite his profound passion for classical, he isn’t always in the mood for it. Kahane’s musical interests run to a variety of genres.
“I don’t always enjoy going to a concert, frankly,” he says. “But I know that one thing that will convince me to go is if I know that the whole evening is going to be fun and that going to the concert is part of a broader night out.”
With that in mind, he hopes – on his own, not necessarily through the HPO organization – to bring a bit of European flavour.
“In Finland, I wouldn’t say they necessarily have huge parties after each concert,” says Kahane, “but at least most orchestra musicians go for a beer. That’s harder with the HPO, because a lot of our musicians live in Toronto and have to drive home. Still, I’m hoping to bring the tradition here and use my own time to plan and organize, at least after each of my concerts, a big after-party where audience and musicians alike would be invited. I hope that this makes it also more enticing for younger audiences, maybe.”
One has to note that at 29, Kahane is part of that young audience, and in Canadian minds, he is young for a conductor. When he met former HPO conductor Gemma New and learned about the HPO in 2017, he couldn’t help but note that she was only in her early 30s. “I thought that it speaks a lot to her talent, of course, but also of the personality of the orchestra. That they entrust a young person with musical leadership probably says that the orchestra might be a bit more open-minded.”
He also noted, following along on socials, that the HPO had both conventional and unconventional ways of serving the community. He continued to pay attention to this former steeltown across the Atlantic, until the day when the call went out for a new conductor and artistic director at the HPO. When New announced she was stepping down after nine years at the helm, Kahane chose to throw his hat into the ring. After an 18-month search, 115 applicants were narrowed down to seven candidates who auditioned. In May 2024, Kahane was named the 10th musical director since the HPO was founded in 1949.
New and Kahane were virtually the same age when they joined the HPO, but that’s just a coincidence, says executive director Kim Varian. Music directors are chosen by a committee of musicians, board members and community members who are guided by the HPO’s strategic plan, mission, vision and values. They saw in Kahane artistic leadership, an innovative approach to programming, and a commitment to community engagement and music education.
“James shares many of the remarkable qualities of the HPO music directors before him, while bringing new perspectives and insights to the orchestra,” says Varian. The HPO’s last season was programmed by New, and Kahane has enjoyed conducting the pieces selected by her and the artistic team. Now, however, he is eager to conduct his own programs. Though he will program music in which he believes, he says he will
take no sharp, radical turns, lest he alienate the audience. Moving slowly and wisely is the way to establish the trust he hopes to have with Hamilton audiences.
“I want to be sure that when the audience goes to a concert, they know that they might enjoy some things more, they might enjoy some things less,” he says. “But I want them to know that I have designed the program with the idea that they should be able to enjoy everything.” This way, if there are programs down the line that seem a little bit more daunting, audiences will know that if they’ve enjoyed the programs in the past, they’re in good hands and will likely be satisfied.
The program for 2025/2026 reflects his tastes – some Sibelius, some French composers, too. The composers are familiar, but the pieces might be lesser known. It’s the way he learned about the music himself as a youth; find the entry points, then delve deeper.
Concert themes are a good way to tie composers to a program. “That can be a nice way to bring up music that the audience is not familiar with or less familiar with,” he says, laying out some of the programs and themes coming in the 2025/2026 season, such as The Journey Begins, which will feature important breakthrough works by various composers.
One of those works is Sibelius’ “En Saga,” the composer’s lesser-performed first symphonic work. Kahane is excited to present works such as this, or Hindemith’s “Amor and Psyche.” Of the latter he says, “I’m sure almost no one in the concert hall will have heard it ever, but I do think it’s as enjoyable as a Brahms symphony. Sincerely.”
Canadian content will still feature in the program, of course, including the work of HPO composer-in-residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte. Kahane gave himself a crash course in Canadian classical, an education he hopes to continue, especially when he has settled into Hamilton.
Some classical fans might believe that Europe is the ultimate place for the music and, in many ways, they may be right. Indeed, Kahane looks forward to bringing some of that European approach, while recognizing the limits and, indeed, the advantages that being in Canada can bring.
“I wouldn’t want to make Canada an exact replica of Europe because that would also mean taking the things that are not always
so great,” he says. “I do think one thing that I have noticed in North America is that classical music is approached much more in the scope of entertainment rather than art – and sometimes entertainment at the expense of art. I think music directors always try to make sure that we remember that music is art, maybe more than it is entertainment, but at least as much as it is entertainment. I hope to make people feel that good art is entertaining.”
Kahane’s artistic vision, energy and commitment to grow the HPO in size and stature is evident in new concert experiences designed to engage people with music on another level, says Varian.
“This is especially evident in our new program launching this season, Inside the Orchestra, where audiences sit onstage around our musicians as they rehearse a specific piece featured on the HPO mainstage at the following night’s concert. Hosted by James, audiences gain fascinating insights into the music and the rehearsal process for a richer musical experience. Audiences can enjoy Inside the Orchestra as a more casual and approachable standalone concert experience, or come back the following day for the full performance.”
As the HPO passes the literal and figurative baton to a young professional, there is acknowledgement that the future of the organization lies with the next generations of subscribers and ticket buyers. From his vantage point, Kahane sees young people finding orchestral music on a regular basis, through a variety of avenues: video games; musical theatre; movie scores and streaming.
What he also sees, especially since the pandemic lockdowns, is that young people care about community.
“I think we’re seeing this young generation really want to build community, want to invest in that,” Kahane suggests. “What I find interesting, in the case of classical music specifically, is that we are always mindful that classical music can be a bit elitist and a bit too fancy, and people might be a little bit put off by that. What I have found talking to younger people than me is that actually they kind of like that. If the price is not prohibitive, they sometimes like going to a place where it’s going to be a bit fancy. Yeah, they might have to dress up a little bit, but it’s a nice place to bring their boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s kind of romantic.” n
DECADES OF STEEL CITY SOUND
HAMILTON HAS LONG PUNCHED ABOVE ITS WEIGHT AS A MUSICAL POWERHOUSE. HERE, WE TRACE 55 YEARS OF THE CITY’S BREAKOUT BANDS.
By DYLAN HUDECKI
It is no secret that Hamilton is one of Canada’s biggest and best music cities. With its gritty steel-town roots, workingclass ethos, and underdog spirit, Hamilton has produced more than its fair share of musical talent over the last five decades.
The Hammer, as it’s affectionately known, is not just a place where musicians get their start – it’s where many artists build lifelong careers, drawing from the city’s deep cultural well, strong community, and unwavering support for the arts. To catch you up at a glance, here’s what went down, and what’s still rockin’.
THE 1970s A TRADITION OF MUSIC EMERGES
The foundation of Hamilton’s rich music legacy was laid in the 1970s with acts like Crowbar, whose classic anthem “Oh What a Feeling” remains a Canadian rock staple. Around the same time, Ian Thomas emerged with polished songwriting chops, scoring hits and eventually penning songs recorded by Santana and America, and most importantly to this writer, he wrote the theme song for his brother Dave Thomas’ cult classic and one of my favourite movies of all time Strange Brew. The psychedelic pioneers Simply Saucer blended protopunk and experimental rock in ways that were decades ahead of their time, their influence only fully appreciated years later. Folk icon Stan Rogers, though more closely associated with the Maritimes, was born in Hamilton and brought national attention to the region’s songwriting prowess. Then there’s Jackie Washington, the jazz-blues singer and guitarist who became a mentor to generations of musicians and remains one of Hamilton’s most cherished musical sons.
THE 1980s PUNK, ROCK, AND THE UNDERGROUND’S RISE
In the 1980s, Hamilton’s rough edges gave birth to a thriving punk scene. The most notable band to rise from the era was Teenage Head, who captured national attention and remain iconic in Canada’s punk history. Their raw, wild, high-energy shows embodied Hamilton’s restless, gritty, nasty spirit. The Forgotten Rebels, The Florida Razors, The Dik Van Dykes, and The Shakers all followed with similar ferocity, establishing the city as a rock and roll and punk-rock stronghold.
/continued on next page
Jackie Washington ( 1919-2009 ): the J azz-blues singer and guitarist became a mentor to generations of musicians and remains one of Hamilton’s most c H eris H ed musical sons.
TEENAGE HEAD PLAYED A CONCERT ON THE ROOF OF JACKSON SQUARE IN 1979.
THE 1990s
GRUNGE SONIC
This decade clearly brought the noise! Fuzz pedals and tube amps set to 10. Alternative rock acts Junkhouse, led by the gravel-voiced, perpetually illustrious Tom Wilson – who would go on to form Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Lee Harvey Osmond, and several other projects. Bands like Killjoys, Shallow North Dakota, Sianspheric, and Tristan Psionic – the latter co-founding legendary (and exhaustingly perseverant) local indie label Sonic Unyon Records – expanded the city’s sound, pushing into shoegaze, grunge, post-rock, and noise. It’s noteworthy to point out that Sonic Unyon, (founded in 1993 by three university friends), became a cornerstone of the Hamilton and Canadian music scene and still thrives today.
THE 2000s
A CITY ON THE VERGE
The 2000s saw a diversification of sound and style. Junior Boys brought Hamilton into the electronicindie pop conversation, while Caribou (Dan Snaith), though originally from nearby Dundas, became an international star in the experimental indie scene as well. Diana Panton, known for her elegant jazz vocals, earned multiple JUNO Awards and global recognition. The Marble Index, The Reason, and Young Rival gave indie alternative rock a Hamilton edge, while acts like Orphx, Inflation Kills and Counterparts kept the experimental, math rock and hardcore scenes vibrant. The folk-rock and singer-songwriter community blossomed with Jeremy Fisher, Jacob Moon, and Tomi Swick. One of the great stories of this era is Harrison Kennedy, who toured with Chairmen of the Board in the ’70s and reinvented himself decades later as a blues powerhouse, earning multiple JUNO nominations and international blues awards.
h arrison k ennedy, w H o toured wit H cH airmen of t H e b oard in t H e ’ 70 s, reinvented H imself decades later as a blues power H ouse, earning multiple J uno nominations and international blues awards.
ALTERNATIVE ROCK BAND JUNKHOUSE.
JAZZ VOCALIST DIANA PANTON. PHOTO: MELANIE GILLIS
THE 2010s
HAMILTON GOES NATIONAL
The 2010s were a turning point, when Hamilton’s music scene wasn’t just respected locally, it started dominating the national conversation. Leading the charge was Arkells, whose stadium-ready sound and political edge made them one of Canada’s top bands. They also became ambassadors for the city, proudly championing the city on every stage, even naming their debut album Jackson Square. Monster Truck, with their hard rock revivalism, gained international exposure, while duo Whitehorse (Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet) took their sultry, cinematic altcountry rock across the Americana circuit. Terra Lightfoot emerged as a powerhouse vocalist and guitarist, and Steve Strongman continued to blaze blues trails across the country. Electronic pop artist Jessy Lanza broke international ground with her futuristic R&B, while underground punk heroes TV Freaks, prankster BA Johnston, social justice warriors Mother Tareka, and anarchist rapper Lee Reed certainly kept the DIY scenes alive and vibrant. Dinner Belles, Harlan Pepper, and The Dirty Nil kept alt and Canrock grounded in Hamilton grit. Supercrawl, launched in 2009 and championed by Sonic Unyon’s Tim Potocic, became the cultural epicentre of Hamilton’s festival music scene. It evolved into a massive street festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees every year. It’s where locals and newcomers share stages, and where the city’s diversity is on full display.
THE 2020s AND BEYOND THE NEXT WAVES
Hamilton continues to evolve. The 2020s have introduced a wave of genre-bending artists, such as: Zoon, whose “moccasin-gaze” sound bridges shoegaze and Indigenous music; Ellis, who crafts dreamy, emotional alt-pop; and LT the Monk, a U.K.-born, Hamilton-based rapper infusing hip-hop with jazz and funk. Acts like Chastity, Dan Edmonds, Capitol, and Logan Staats (winner of CTV’s The Launch) are shaping the decade’s sound. Emerging in the mid-2020s are names to watch: cute, an enigmatic, intriguing and artsy act gaining buzz; CQ (Coszmos Quartette) with their blend of folk, chamber pop and R&B; Duckai, Onglish, and Josh Ross, each staking new sonic territory and drawing fresh audiences to the Hamilton scene. So many more to talk about, but this article is finite after all.
HAMILTON ROCKERS ARKELLS. PHOTO: NATHAN NASH
TERRA LIGHTFOOT. PHOTO: DUSTIN RABIN
ONE TO WATCH: ONGLISH. PHOTO: ROSE SENAT
NOTEWORTHY BANDS BY DECADE
1970s: Crowbar, Ian Thomas, Simply Saucer, Stan Rogers, The Shakers, King Biscuit Boy, Jerry Doucette, Bob & Dan Lanois, Jackie Washington
1980s: Teenage Head, The Florida Razors, Forgotten Rebels, The Dik Van Dykes, Rita Chiarelli, Jude Johnson, The Shakers
1990s: Junkhouse, Killjoys, Shallow North Dakota, Tristan Psionic, Sven Gali, SIANspheric, Smoother, Mayor McCa, Varga, Flux AD, Chore
2000s: Rufus Cappadocia, Warsawpack, Counterparts, Junior Boys, Young Rival, Diana Panton, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Jacob Moon, The Reason, Wax Mannequin, Harrison Kennedy, The Marble Index, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Orphx, Sons of Butcher, Jeremy Fisher, Caribou, Tomi Swick, Brian Melo, A Northern Chorus, Inflation Kills
2010s: Monster Truck, Arkells, Terra Lightfoot, The Dirty Nil, Whitehorse, B.A. Johnston, Lee Reed, Jessy Lanza, Steve Strongman, Elliott Brood, Lee Harvey Osmond, Dinner Belles, Walk off the Earth, Canadian Winter, Cowlick, TV Freaks, Harlan Pepper, Twin Within, The Rest, Mother Tareka, Kojo Easy Damptey
2020s: Zoon, Golden Feather, LT the Monk, Ellis, Chastity, Logan Staats, Dan Edmonds, Basement Revolver, Ellevator, Capitol, Iskwe, Ginger St. James, Matt Paxton & the Pintos, The Redhill Valleys, The Crowleys, Scott Orr, Jamie Shea, The Trews, Heather Valley
2025: Duckai, Onglish, Josh Ross, cute, CQ (Coszmos Quartette), Man Made Hill, Capitol, Lost Faculty, Superstar Crush, Sunnsetter, Slow Reader, The Rumble Wagon, Atomic Birds, Zuto, Public Health, Blosum, Cadence Weapon
RITA CHIARELLI
IN CLOSING
THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF SOUND
One of Hamilton’s secrets to success is its infrastructure. With almost 100 music venues – ranging from intimate dive bar clubs like Vertagogo, showcase spaces like Mills Hardware, to grander spaces like Bridgeworks and The Music Hall and large-scale concert spaces at FirstOntario Concert Hall and the Hamilton Arena, now under redevelopment — the city supports all genres and crowd sizes. It’s a city where an artist can grow, experiment, fail, succeed, and thrive. What makes Hamilton so special isn’t just its talent – it’s the way that talent is supported, nurtured, and celebrated. Whether you’re an indie rocker, a bluesman, a jazz pianist, or a bedroom beatmaker, Hamilton offers space to grow. The sense of community, the history of defiance and experimentation, and the blue-collar honesty baked into the city’s bones all combine to make Hamilton a true music city.
Rounding out Hamilton’s bustling and ever-evolving music scene, we would be remiss not to acknowledge the vital pillars that support and sustain it behind the scenes. Independent record stores like Into the Abyss, Revolution Records, and the iconic Dr. Disc help keep music culture alive and accessible. Recording studios such as Threshold, Boxcar, Catherine North, Fort Rose, Halo, and Main Stage Rehearsal & Recording Studios offer essential creative spaces where local sounds take shape. And of course, Hamilton’s thriving network of live music venues – including The Brightroom, Mills Hardware, Vertagogo, Bridgeworks, and the new Henry’s on James – serve as the beating heart of the scene, bringing artists and audiences together night after night. These are the cornerstones
of a music community that’s not only surviving—but thriving.
But it’s not all sunshine and guitar solos. In today’s Hamilton arts and culture climate –where hundreds of thousands of local music lovers rely on social media as their primary source of information and entertainment – it’s clear that what is foundational to building a stronger connection between talented musicians, bands, festivals, venues, events, and actual attendees is that we need people to get off their phones and out to shows! Whether it’s a bar, venue, or community space, putting bodies in seats and feet on floors is essential for a thriving music scene.
Almost as importantly, the City needs to step up and show real respect for its artists. That means funding, professional treatment, and policies that recognize the cultural value musicians bring to Hamilton. When artists feel supported, they’re more willing to take creative risks, and that’s what leads to groundbreaking work and sustainable careers.
In this increasingly digital and distracted
NOTABLE VENUE ROUNDUP
Absinthe, 32 Hess St. S.
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster
The Black Bull, 2475 Mountainside Dr., Burlington
Bridgeworks, 200 Caroline St. N.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St, Burlington
The Capitol Bar, 973 King St. E.
Cat & Fiddle, 174 John St. S.
Clifford Brewing Co., 398 Nash Rd. N.
Coach & Lantern,
384 Wilson St. E., Ancaster
Collective Arts Brewery, 207 Burlington St. E.
The Corktown, 175 Young St.
The Cotton Factory, 270 Sherman Ave. N.
Doors Taco Joint & Metal Bar, 56 Hess St. S.
Farside, 288 James St. N.
FirstOntario Concert Hall & Studio, 1 Summers Ln.
The Gasworks, 141 Park St. N.
Henry’s on James, 303 James St. N.
Into the Abyss, 267 King St E.
Iron Horse Restobar, 78 Melvin Ave.
McIntyre Performing Arts Centre, Mohawk College, 135 Fennell Ave. W.
McMaster LiveLAB, 1280 Main St. W.
Mills Hardware, 95 King St. E.
The Mule Spinner, 11 Lansdowne Ave.
The Music Hall, 24 Main St. W.
Ooey Gooeys, 107 George St.
The Powerhouse, 21 Jones Rd., Stoney Creek
Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N.
Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd., W., Ancaster
MARK FURUKAWA, OWNER OF DOWNTOWN LANDMARK
RECORD STORE
DR. DISC.
PHOTO: JON EVANS FOR HCM
Shawn & Ed Brewing Co., 65 Hatt St., Dundas
The Staircase & the Bright Room, 27 Dundurn St. N.
Stonewalls, 339 York Blvd.
The Westdale, 1014 King St. W.
Vertagogo, 1385 Main St. E.
LONG-TIME MUSICIAN WAYNE PETTI HAS TAKEN A ROLE WITH SONIC UNYON THAT SEES HIM MANAGING ARTISTS THROUGH THE NEW SUM ARTIST MANAGEMENT, WHILE GROWING THE LABEL, AND PITCHING IN WITH THE EVOLUTION OF A MUSICAL EMPIRE.
The flip side
By KERRY DOOLE
The juggernaut that is the multi-faceted, Hamilton-based, independent music company Sonic Unyon keeps expanding, more than 30 years after its humble beginnings as the indie record label Sonic Unyon Records.
Perhaps best known to the public in the Hamilton area as the force behind the popular annual summer street festival Supercrawl, Sonic Unyon now works as a venue operator, live events producer, record label and artist management company, presided over by co-founder and CEO Tim Potocic.
Its newest initiative, launched in April, is SUM Artist Management. It’s a new arm of the company dedicated to representing and developing artists and identifying and opening opportunities to them. In the past, Sonic Unyon Records had taken on a management role with some of the artists on their label, with local roots-rocker Terra Lightfoot and shoegaze band Basement Revolver being two notable examples.
The creation of SUM Artist Management entrenches and expands Sonic Unyon’s work in this sector, with the management roster having grown significantly.
“We’re about constant evolution. As a label, we’ve signed newcomers and longtime favourites as well as bigger bands like Danko Jones and Big Wreck. All of that is super exciting and some of the best music we’ve ever released,” Potocic asserted in a press release.
“At the same time, this is not an industry that rewards sitting still. It’s a challenging time and a tough landscape, but opportunities still abound. We’ve always
believed in the value of our artists, and artists more generally, so artist management is the natural outgrowth of that.”
Recruited by Potocic to take the helm as both director of artist management at SUM Artist Management and label operations for Sonic Unyon Records is Wayne Petti. That name may be familiar to music fans. Since the early 2000s, Petti has served as frontman and songwriter for highly-regarded Oshawabased roots-rock combo Cuff The Duke.
Over the past decade, as that band took an extended hiatus, Petti detoured into artist management, first on his own, with artists including Jenny Berkel and Hamiltonian Dan Edmonds, and then with Straight & Narrow, the Hamilton-based management company whose roster includes one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, The National.
Petti now finds himself at Sonic Unyon, a music company and record label he has long admired. In the SUM launch press release, Petti recalled that, “As a young musician, Sonic Unyon offered not just great music but also an inspiring example of the impact of DIY creativity. They’ve always been consistent with artist-forward commitment, so extending that to artist management certainly isn’t a pivot. It just makes sense.
“And all the relationships they’ve forged over the last three decades – and of course those I’ve developed as a musician and artist manager – all come together to really make this project sing.”
To get the lowdown on his career change and new roles at SUM and Sonic Unyon, HCM sat down with Petti for a beer and a chat at MERIT Brewery, a short distance from Sonic Unyon’s headquarters at Bridgeworks, one of the live music venues it operates (Mills Hardware and Sonic Hall in Guelph are two
others).
Petti tells HCM that he actually started at Sonic Unyon just over a year ago. “The plan was to see if we could get another artist or two on the management side, and then it felt right to make the announcement about SUM. Sonic Unyon is a company that has been around 30 years. Like anything in art or life or business, there are always ups and downs. It is fun to be part of a resurgence now.”
SUM launched with a highly diverse grouping of artists as its clients. That list includes the aforementioned Lightfoot and Basement Revolver, plus Polaris Prizewinning musician and composer Owen Pallett, American feminist performance artist and electro-rocker JD Samson (Le Tigre), Hamilton retro cover band Born in the Eighties, multi-instrumentalist and composer Michael Peter Olsen, and three bands at the forefront of an Indigenous wave in Canadian rock, Zoon, OMBIIGIZI and Status/Non-Status.
“I’ve been involved in artist management for close to 10 years now,” says Petti. “I have a unique perspective on the music business having both experienced what it’s like to be a recording artist and everything that goes along with that, plus experiencing working with artists and helping to guide them through their own careers. I’m very much an ‘artist first’ type of manager. I don’t chase things just for the money. I want the artists I work for to feel supported. I’m just there to help facilitate their vision and goals artistically.”
Petti began managing internationally renowned auteur Pallett eight years ago, while working at Straight & Narrow, and he retained Pallett as his client after his time at that company wound down.
“Working with an artist of Owen’s calibre has opened many doors,” Petti says. “He
has worked with so many amazing artists, whether it be from touring or their string arrangement and film scoring work. It was Owen who introduced me to JD Samson of Le Tigre. Like Owen, she has been venturing into film scoring and was looking for some help behind the scenes.”
The inclusion of those two acclaimed artists on the SUM Artist Management roster certainly boosts the new initiative’s profile and broadens its musical range. Petti reflects that “when I came in with Owen, I wanted to be able to assert that you didn’t just have to be on the Sonic Unyon label for us to manage you. We were looking to manage artists who are on other labels as well. Owen has been on (prestigious U.K. label) Domino for a long time. OMBIIGIZI are on Arts & Crafts and Zoon is on Paper Bag Records.”
To Petti, having a varied group of artists is a real asset. “If you have too much that is the same, you are always pitching the same thing. To me, eclectic rosters make things a little easier, as opposed to ‘oh gee I have three singer-songwriters who all do a similar folk thing. One gets a tour that another one thinks they should have got. Things like that.”
Petti takes an art and artist-first approach and is not afraid to criticize peers who don’t.
“I think where the industry gets a bad rap is where they try to over-control and egos get involved. I don’t like things like sunset clauses (whereby a music manager gets a share of the artist’s revenue after the management contract expires, for 18 to 24 months on average). To encumber an artist like that just feels morally wrong.”
Petti is working with Potocic on potentially growing the stable working with Sonic Unyon.
He tells HCM that the label is seeking to shortly sign one major Canadian band that he can’t publicly name, and that “there are some newer bands we are keeping an eye on, too. These days, it is harder to pull the trigger on a new group, as the margins are so narrow on the label side in this age of streaming. But Sonic Unyon has always been about new bands and taking risks too, so that is something we’re doing.”
Citing platinum-selling rockers Big Wreck as an example, Petti says well-established bands and artists are also a target. “The major labels here are doing less, so that opens up a lot of opportunities. These are /continued on page 64
WAYNE PETTI OF SONIC UNYON RECORDS AND SUM ARTIST MANAGEMENT.
PHOTO: MIKE HIGHFIELD
LABOUR FORCE
The Workers Art & Heritage Centre was founded by working people for working people – a rare entity in the world of museums.
By STEPHANIE VEGH
In the 30 years since its founding by a dynamic group of labour historians, artists, and union activists, the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre (WAHC) has transcended its first intentions of being a historical museum.
Today, it stands as a vibrant cultural centre activated by people-driven programs. “We’re kind of a hydra-headed beast now,” says executive director Tara Bursey. Beyond its exhibitions, this is a space built by communal gatherings and actions: workshops, performances, songwriting circles, and live wrestling have all found a home within the heritage halls of Hamilton’s former Custom House.
Parallel Histories: An Anniversary Exhibition, curated by previous executive director Florencia Berinstein, is a small yet powerful exhibition in the second-floor Community Gallery that celebrates the anniversaries of both WAHC and Toronto’s Mayworks Festival, a like-minded labour arts organization marking its 40th year. Posters and programs drawn from both institutional archives emphasize a shared legacy of community engaged art-making and an early commitment to centring equity-deserving groups of workers in labour arts. Many pamphlets are dangling on strings in an open invitation to browse their pages: a deliberately unprecious gesture of trust in the community that helped build and sustain this space.
The Workers Arts & Heritage Centre launched on May 7, 1995 as part of a day honouring the anniversary of the NineHour March in 1872 when Hamilton workers marched through the downtown core in a general strike that marked Canada’s first organized demonstration for labour rights. In the poster marking this event and the other
THE FOUNDERS OF THE WORKERS ARTS & HERITAGE CENTRE, ARE BACK ROW, FROM LEFT: CEES VAN GERMERDEN, KARL BEVERIDGE, JIM MILLER, DON BOUZEK. FRONT ROW: CLIVE ROBERTSON, CAROLE CONDÉ, SCOTT MARSDEN. PHOTO: WORKERS ARTS & HERITAGE CENTRE ARCHIVES
materials on view in Parallel Histories, the artist’s hand and voice are ever-present in the work of organizing these movements. Their posters, banners and buttons have built a visual language of protest and solidarity that resonates today.
WAHC’s 30th anniversary follows soon after the passing of Carole Condé, a widely respected and influential labour artist who worked most frequently alongside her partner in art and life, WAHC co-founder Karl Beveridge. Her presence is deeply felt throughout WAHC’s history, and is on display in Parallel Histories through a banner she created in the museum’s honour – a lovingly executed creation that combines painting and textiles to depict a diverse group of workers bearing the traditional instruments and tools of the arts.
Bursey was humbled when Beveridge gifted more than 500 objects to WAHC’s collection in Condé’s name. Accessioning this archive of labour arts history was an act of mourning and healing that also foregrounded the intergenerational dialogue that has shaped WAHC’s anniversary program. The collaboration that grew between senior artist Beveridge, Bursey’s mid-career perspective, and the 20-something museum worker hired through Young Canada Works to support the accessioning process was an opportunity to understand the refreshed relevances of these objects, and how the struggles of our elders in the history of work can convey insight and tactics into the hands of a new generation. WAHC opened its anniversary year with
What We Inherit, a two-person exhibition that invited Hamilton artist Natalie Hunter, alongside Heidi McKenzie, to produce new work on her family’s steelworking legacy in Hamilton. This exhibition opened in the early days of trade and tariff disputes with the United States, which continue to cast a dark shadow over our city’s steel industry. In this context, Hunter’s project reveals a circular history of labour threatened by boom-bust cycles that visit their impacts most severely
on working people. This resulting artwork also gives a localized, humanizing voice to global strife and its anxieties.
What We Inherit: Steelworker Legacies was a community-sourced complement to this exhibition that invited Hamilton steelworkers to share mementos of their working lives, which were documented following museum standards by members of WAHC’s youth council. Among the expected hard hats and coveralls were objects of great personal value and sentiment, many gifted in recognition for decades of service. To Bursey, these awards convey a tradition of camaraderie once embedded in labour’s rituals – acts of heartfelt respect now largely unknown to the contemporary worker. By engaging youth in the project of documenting these objects, WAHC created space to ask how these traditions have been lost, and whether their return might be possible.
The role of WAHC’s youth council as an incubator for cultural growth cannot be underestimated. The current exhibition, In the Wake of Work: Asian Diasporas, Labour, and Living Memory, was curated by Jojo Chooi-Harley, a former youth council member who has since trained as a social worker and psychotherapist, and now draws upon that professional lens to share the entanglements of family and work within Canada’s Asian communities. By bringing together Holly Chang’s quilted archival photographs, VALU CO-OP’s (Vancouver Artists Labour Union Cooperative) oral histories and an evocative installation and performance by mihyun maria kim, Chooi-Harley reveals the heartbreaking labour of building new lives in an unfamiliar place while honouring ancestral memory.
The Workers Arts & Heritage Centre is a rare entity in the world of museums. Founded by working people for working people, its aesthetics are shaped by the austerity under which it has often operated. This place brings exceptional visibility to the physical and emotional work of preserving the past, in no small part by engaging community as co-authors in the creation of its exhibitions. Now more than ever, we know that history tends to repeat itself. By sharing the stories of workers’ efforts in the past to create better conditions for the present, this chorus of echoes can provide much needed lessons for creating a just and equitable future. n
A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FROM THE OPENING OF THE STUART STREET CENTRE. PHOTO: WORKERS ARTS & HERITAGE CENTRE
FESTIVAL. PHOTO: TARA BURSEY
Dylan Hudecki is a Canadian indie-rock vet who has played in many different bands, including By Divine Right, Cowlick, Slow Beach and The Dill. He’s a proud Hamiltonian who covers local album releases for HAMILTON CITY Magazine.
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scan the qr code to read revisit me, a retroactive review of simply saucer’s cyborgs revisited.
DREW SMITH Leaf by Leaf
After more than a decade out of the spotlight, Hamilton singer-songwriter Drew Smith returns with Leaf by Leaf, a gorgeously composed and emotionally layered album that marks a graceful evolution in his songwriting. Thirteen years after his last full-length album, The Secret Languages, Smith sounds not only rejuvenated, but more focused and intentional than ever, delivering something quietly powerful.
DRONES OVER DUFFERIN
Aural Obscura Vol. I, II, III
Drones Over Dufferin – a Hamilton-based ambient instrumental project led by brothers Duncan and David MacKinnon – has quietly delivered one of the most immersive ambient trilogies in recent memory with Aural Obscura Vol. I, II, III. Recorded live off the floor in four intimate sessions in Hamilton’s North End,
From the very first notes of opener “One Step Back,” it’s clear that Leaf by Leaf is no typical comeback. A sparse, Dr. Dre-esque piano line sets the tone before giving way to a hypnotic swirl of laid back funk-folk textures that pulse with quiet intensity. This bold balancing act defines the album: combining ambient electronics with folk sincerity, pop melodies with classic songwriting structure, modern production with vintage soul.
Smith has always had a knack for melody, and for proof, his songs have appeared in films like The Stepfather and The Roommate, and TV dramas like Shark. However, Leaf by Leaf brings a new kind of depth to his work. The songs here are products of the past decade, produced in Cambridge, Ont. with longtime collaborator Andy Magoffin (Great Lake Swimmers, By Divine Right, The Constantines). Together, they’ve crafted a sound that is sweet, sincere, reflective, but ultimately forward-moving.
The album shines brightest when it leans
these volumes aren’t simply ambient – they’re supra-ambient. If “ethereal” feels too tethered to earth, “supathereal” is more apt. This is music that exists outside of gravity.
At the heart of Aural Obscura are just two instruments: electric guitar and electric pedal steel. But in the MacKinnons’ hands, these tools become vessels of vast emotional and sonic possibility. Real-time pedal looping –both digital and reel-to-reel – adds depth and temporal fluidity, turning every phrase into a ripple that echoes across imagined landscapes.
Tracks like “Rosy Fingered Dawn” and “Crown Shyness” unfold like slow dreams, with the pedal steel offering endless glissandi and aching vibrato – tones that mimic the human voice but sound beamed in from another realm. “Sunrise Port Sydney” feels like morning arriving in slow motion, notes blooming open like light through the fog of Mary Lake.
Duncan MacKinnon’s pedal steel is a textural
into emotional vulnerability. “Keep Holding On” and “Open Up Your Love” wrap Smith’s falsetto in warm analog tones, while “There You Go” strips things back to something more raw and orchestral. The title track, “Leaf by Leaf,” is a delicate meditation that builds gradually, like watching spring unfold in slow motion. Smith’s acoustic fingerpicking and soft vocals recall the gentle precision of Nick Drake or Fleetwood Mac at their most introspective and enchanting.
A standout is “Don’t Know What It’s Like,” inspired by the songwriting of Motown legends Holland-Dozier-Holland. Another highlight, “Don’t Lose Yourself,” explores the line between self-preservation and surrender, buoyed by subtle Andy Magoffin horn arrangements and a perfectly restrained rhythm section.
This record is a welcome, resonant return from a songwriter who still has plenty to say.
RIYL: Andrew Bird, Patrick Watson, Bon Iver, Lief Vollebekk, Daniel Caesar, Fleet Foxes, Chet Faker
compass, a voice of weightless melancholy. Drones Over Dufferin aligns with a small but vital lineage of ambient pedal steel visionaries that includes Daniel Lanois – another North End Hamilton son whose soul seems to hover just beneath the surface here.
Engineered and mixed with clarity and subtlety by brother David MacKinnon, and mastered by Andy Magoffin at the House of Miracles, Aural Obscura Vol. I, II, III is an offering of patience, space, and sonic reverence. There’s no rush here, no climax or chorus – only an invitation to float. This trilogy is not background music. It’s background space. Or maybe foreground mood. Either way, the Aural Obscura trilogy is one of the most captivating and human-sounding ambient journeys to come out of Canada in years – and proof that even with just two instruments, you can build an entire cosmos.
RIYL: Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, SUSS, Chuck Johnson, Fembots
GINGER ST. JAMES Told Ya
There’s something about sweaty rockabilly out of Hamilton that just feels right – and nobody presently captures that gritty, gutsy spirit quite like Ginger St. James. On her fourth full-length release Told Ya, the flamboyant firecracker of Canada’s roots scene delivers a raucous, fullbodied record steeped in country soul, bar-room blues, and revved-up rockabilly swagger.
Right from the jump, St. James proves she isn’t here to play nice or play small. This is a record that comes out swinging and doesn’t let up. Whether she’s hollering over a twang-
soaked riff or laying down heartache like a shot of bottom-shelf bourbon, she does it all with confidence, wit, and a voice that could rattle the rafters of any honky tonk.
Opener “Not Round Here” kicks things off with a sly wink and a punchy, up-tempo groove that sets the tone for what’s to come – hookladen songs built for late-night dancing and storytelling under neon lights. “Lowdown Lonesome Blues” leans into the country side of her personality with a tear-in-your-beer lament that shows off her ability to channel vulnerability without losing any edge.
“Honky Tonk Hangover” is a stomping bar-room banger you can practically smell the whiskey on, while “Night Terrors” takes a darker turn – slow-burning and eerie, it proves St. James can deliver depth as well as heat. But it’s “Soul Shack” that might be the record’s heart. Written on the back of a bill during pandemic despair, the song radiates warmth and hope, an ode to finding your tribe in the chaos. A soul and R&B track that even includes a group of ’50s Doo-wop backup singers to round out the Tina Turner tone.
Her band, featuring local heavy-hitters Chris Altmann, Greg Brisco, Max Wray, and longtime partner-in-crime Snowheel Slim, plays like they’ve been raised on Sun Records and seasoned on stages across every dive bar and dance hall in Ontario. Together, they bring a tight but loose energy that captures the wild spirit of St. James’ legendary live shows.
Told Ya isn’t just a collection of songs, it’s a full-throttle experience. It’s the sound of someone who knows exactly who they are and isn’t afraid to shout it. St. James doesn’t chase trends or soften her edges. She writes what she lives, sings like she means it, and throws down like it’s the last night on earth. By the time the final track “Railway Rider” rolls around – dusty, defiant, and laced with wanderlust – you get the sense that Ginger St. James isn’t just singing from the heart. She’s shouting from the back of a flatbed, daring you to keep up.
Told Ya is raw, real, and unrepentantly alive. The real deal.
RIYL: Detroit Cobras, Holly Golightly, The Greenhornes, Whitehorse, The Dead Weather, Wanda Jackson n
Your world of enjoyment, achievment, memories, and togetherness
FROM HUMOROUS HORROR AND FAIRYTALE TO A WALKING EXPLORATION OF WESTDALE, A HISTORICAL BASEBALL TALE, AND SHORT STORIES FROM CARIBBEAN PERSPECTIVES, HERE ARE FIVE BOOKS FROM LOCAL WRITERS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR SUMMER READING LIST.
By Jessica Rose
This summer, put your feet up and relax with a good book — of the local variety! Here are just a few books to look for next time you visit your favourite independent bookstore.
ALL YOU CAN KILL
BY PASHA MALLA
THE NORTHERN
BY JACOB MCARTHUR MOONEY
Each year, the Hamilton Public Library chooses the one book it thinks Hamilton should read. This year, it’s chosen All You Can Kill by Pasha Malla – an imaginative novel that combines horror and humour – to be the Hamilton Reads pick. White Lotus meets Shaun of the Dead, All You Can Kill is an absurdist take on a wellness retreat that finds the book’s narrator and his accidental companion impersonating the Dhaliwals, a couple that’s likely been killed in a helicopter crash. Along with participating in Hamilton Reads book clubs and other events, local writers are also encouraged to take part in the first Hamilton Reads Short Story Contest. Judged by local author David Neil Lee, participants who live in the Hamilton Public Library service area are challenged to write a fictional short story of 2,000 words or less that contains a theme found in All You Can Kill
WILD LIFE
BY AMANDA LEDUC
who transform the humans they encounter, inhabiting a world that is both devastating and beautiful. Readers of Leduc’s previous books will recognize her superb prose and her remarkable ability to weave elements of fairytale into storytelling that’s firmly rooted in the complexities of being human.
WESTDALE IN TEN THOUSAND STEPS: THE STORY OF HAMILTON’S WESTERN PLATEAU
BY ROY J. ADAMS
Wild Life, the dazzling new book by Hamilton’s Amanda Leduc, transports readers to 19th-century Scotland, where they’re greeted by the most unlikely of characters: two walking, talking hyenas who blur the line between human and animal. Named Barbara and Kendrith, they’re strange messengers
Two summers ago, after seeing a media report about the health benefits of walking 10,000 steps a day, Roy J. Adams set out to do just that. He explored every street in Westdale, as well as many others in Ainslie Wood and its surrounding communities. While he didn’t plan to write a book about the experience, he found himself noticing many details and asking himself questions he’d overlooked in 50 years of living in Westdale. “The walking led to research to answer the questions, which led to more research and more questions,” he writes in Westdale in Ten Thousand Steps, an ambitious book that traces vibrant Westdale from pioneer days when most, but not all, of the early settlers were United Empire Loyalists to the business and culture hub we know today. Filled with photographs and maps, it’s an essential read for anyone with roots in Hamilton’s west end.
Set in the summer of 1952, Jacob McArthur Mooney’s The Northern follows one man and two boys dispatched from Minnesota to Ontario by an upstart baseball card company – the fictional Four Corners Baseball Card Company. With their eyes set on players from the Northern League, the bottom-most rung of professional baseball, they embark on a journey that takes them through Windsor, Hamilton, London, and Niagara Falls, inhaling gas fumes in a Hudson Hornet that’s well past its prime. With memories of World War II not far behind, The Northern is a coming-of-age story that’s perfect for summer, complete with the magic of baseball games on a warm July night.
A QUIET DISAPPEARANCE
BY RABINDRANATH MAHARAJ
Another perfect pairing for summer is a collection of short stories, allowing readers to immerse themselves briefly in a new world while at a park, on a road trip, or between the summer plans that pile up quickly. A Quiet Disappearance is the most recent offering of short stories by Rabindranath Maharaj, who immigrated to Canada from Trinidad, and now lives in Hamilton, having previously published with Hamilton’s Wolsak and Wynn. A collection of beautifully crafted stories, A Quiet Disappearance centres on the stories of older men and women from the Caribbean, each confronting their pasts as they approach the end of their lives. n
ART AND ABOUT
There are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the best of summer in Hamilton and Burlington. Here are a few of our favourite local happenings.
HAMILTON HAUNTS
Don your walking shoes, pack your bravery, and hit the streets under the cover of darkness with Hamilton’s Ghost Walks. Led by knowledgeable and fearless storytellers, three separate tours –Hamilton’s Dark History, Dundurn Castle and a city bus tour (on Halloween only), and the eerie secrets of Dundas – are part historical walk, part macabre meander. Participants come away with a passionate reverence for our shady history, and a new wariness of shadowy corners. Have a boo at the website for details and get ready to see the city in a whole new (albeit dim) light. ghostwalks.com
FRINGE BENEFITS
The stage will be set once again for the city to become a stage this summer, thanks to the Hamilton Fringe Festival. Over the course of the fest, now in its 21st year, audiences can catch performances in comedy, theatre, music, film, and more at traditional and nontraditional spaces across the city. With main series shows chosen by lottery, audiences better hold on tight for a wild and eclectic ride featuring over 350 non-juried performances from 50 theatre companies. July 16-27. hftco.ca
BLOOMS AND TUNES
The Royal Botanical Gardens invites you to stop and smell the roses – and stay for the music. This July and August, Mitchell’s Field in Hendrie Valley will host a number of outdoor concerts by notable Canadian acts, including The Strumbellas with Serena Ryder (July 31), and Sloan and Kathleen Edwards (Aug. 28). Pack a lawn chair or a blanket, claim your piece of grass, and see how grown-up field trips hit differently – no school bus required. Check out the website for tickets, dates and more info. rbg.ca
JUST PEACHY
Since 1967, the Winona Peach Festival has welcomed visitors to celebrate community spirit by way of the sweet little stone fruit. Run by a crop of 19 dedicated community organizations, this volunteer-powered fest serves up a basket-full of traditional fair fare fit for the whole family, and includes vendors, a midway, live entertainment and more. Keep an eye open for mascots Peter and Paula Peach, who will be making their rounds wearing their peachy grins, ensuring a summer weekend spent celebrating fuzzy fruit is as sweet as can be. Winona Park, Aug. 22-24. winonapeach.com
HAVE A BALL AT THE CRAWL
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Make our t hings to d o section your go-to destination for city life and arts and culture events listings!
The ultimate block party returns to the James Street stretch this fall, where street eats, vendors, performance art and music collide in the best possible way to create something truly super. Supercrawl, the annual celebration of Hamilton’s vibrant urban arts scene, routinely draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the free event where all of the city comes out to play. Food trucks, vendors and stages dot the multi-block route, offering a non-stop soundtrack that adds to the vibe. Big-name musical acts add to the fervour—past performers include The Dears, Elliott BROOD, and Explosions in the Sky. Check the website for this year’s guests – and block off your weekend. You’re busy. Sept. 11-14. supercrawl.ca
resilience, and a deep connection to her roots. Fig has never recorded in a traditional studio. Instead, her music comes together across a patchwork of intimate, makeshift spaces –from spare bedrooms to basement studios.
Her humble beginnings have evolved into a thoughtful, highly visual approach to music-making that goes beyond the sound itself. From shooting her first professional music video for “I Said My Thanks to Jesus” to planning her releases like multimedia art projects, Fig leans into the aesthetic of each song.
“I’ve always been into the visuals of music,” she says. “They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I do. I take the visuals as seriously as the sound.”
Hamilton – both as a place and a community – has had a profound influence on her process. Though the city may not be as loud as Toronto or Montreal about its arts scene, Fig sees that as a strength. “Hamilton artists are the humblest people you’ll meet,” she says. “If I ever need advice on a song or release, people offer help without ego or attitude.”
She’s outspoken about the importance of protecting the city’s small venues, noting the recent closure of The Casbah as a blow to the local music ecosystem. “We’re a big city, but we’re still a tight-knit community.”
Her love for Hamilton surfaces again and again in her lyrics, her venue choices, and her desire to stay true to where the music comes from. “That’s why I’ve done shows in art galleries and recording studios,” she says. “It tells the audience something about how the music is meant to be experienced. It didn’t come from a bar where people are talking
over it. It started in my bedroom.”
A finalist in the 2024 American Songwriter competition – chosen from over 25,000 submissions – Fig is gaining momentum beyond her hometown. “Just being selected meant so much. It was a song I wrote years ago, ‘Guilty Pleasure’ and it still resonates,” she says.
Fig recently participated in Departure Festival, the artist showcase formerly known as Canadian Music Week, an event attended by music executives and supervisors and where there are TV and film licensing opportunities. “I’m trying to get my songs into other mediums. That’s a goal of mine.”
Despite the accolades, Fig remains refreshingly honest about the realities of being an independent artist – especially the emotional toll. Imposter syndrome, financial stress, and the anxiety leading up to shows are all part of the process.
“Three days before a show I feel like I’m going to die,” she admits. “But once I’m on stage, it all goes away.” Her ability to be vulnerable, both on stage and in interviews, is part of what draws listeners in. “Music and food are the two art forms that unlock memories,” she says. “A sound or a lyric can bring you right back to a moment in your life.”
Her academic background has also shaped her artistry. Fig wrote songs as part of her undergraduate coursework at Western.
During the pandemic, she studied under celebrated author and storyteller Ivan Coyote, whose encouragement led her to connect with Sarah MacDougall, a veteran musician and engineer with a gear-packed basement studio.
“It’s a small but mighty studio,” says Fig. “I’ve recorded most of my recent music there with Sarah, an incredible collaborator and
my mentor. We need to shine a light on all women in the music industry.”
Fig has now completed a master’s degree in new media and communications at McMaster, producing a musical thesis project about environmental anxiety and the female experience in the climate crisis. One of the songs from that EP was featured in a local art gallery. “That project made me think more deeply about what I want to say in my music.”
A career highlight for Fig was appearing last month at Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival within an all-Canadian musical lineup. It was a surreal full-circle experience for the musician who has been attending the annual festival since she was a child.
“The Burlington pier is where I used to busk and play violin during the pandemic in 2020. I’d play there for hours, so to go from busking there five years ago to playing the Sound of Music Festival stage feet away from that pier is surreal,” says Fig. “Canada has so much to offer when it comes to our music scene.”
Looking ahead, Fig is preparing to release her first full-length album in early 2026. Two more singles and music videos are on the way, and she’s planning a unique live show experience to support the album, though she admits the touring dream comes with financial challenges. “I just want to connect with people in a new way,” she says. “Not sure what it will look like yet, but I’m working on it.”
And her sights are already set on something even bigger: the 2026 Juno Awards, which will take place in Hamilton.
“They always showcase local artists. Last time the Junos were here in Hamilton I was a kid, but next year, I’m hoping I get to be part of it. I want to be on that stage, in my hometown, doing what I love.” n
Nostalgia rules at Nanny & Bull’s
BARTON STREET EAST BAR PAYS HOMAGE TO THE HOMEY FEELING OF VISITING BELOVED GRANDPARENTS.
Just three weeks after opening their bar Nanny & Bull’s on Barton Street East in early March, married couple Jeff Richards and Lexi McKenna learned how Hamiltonians rally to help.
After they closed on a Sunday night, thieves broke in and cleared out all the booze. When Richards and McKenna shared the tale on social media, they hoped that a few more people might stop by when they reopened on Wednesday.
Instead, liquor distributors and breweries stepped up to sell them stock at discounts. And the place was hopping with customers all week long.
“If we had any concerns about whether people wanted us here, that ended there,” says McKenna.
Richards, who grew up in Georgetown, and McKenna, from Oakville, met in Toronto. They moved to Hamilton in 2021.
“People in Hamilton want to give the little guy a shot. We’ve had so much support from our neighbours and across Hamilton,” says Richards, who has worked as a chef for 17 years. The couple, along with Richards’ brother Brad, a silent partner in the venture, initially planned to open a diner with “really good pie, coffee and breakfast,” says Richards.
grandparents. Bull died a few years ago, but Nanny still has a gin and tonic every day at 3 p.m. Richards loved spending time in their basement, which felt frozen in time.
So here, on Barton Street, there are plenty of vintage touches, including a 1970s freestanding orange fireplace in the Rumpus Room, a huge fish on the wall, and a mirrored portrait of Elvis.
McKenna sought a fun vibe and a cozy, warm feel at night. Everything was thrifted or found, including light fixtures fashioned out of bushel baskets on the patio, which they’ve dubbed The Backyard.
But another Barton location fell through. The landlord there suggested they look at a vacant upholstery shop beside the popular Maipai.
It needed a ton of work, not to mention an imagination to see what it could become. What they thought would take four months, took a year.
Richards wanted to pay homage to his beloved
They’ve made the most of the space they have, even fitting four small tables into what were display windows on either side of the setback door.
There isn’t enough room for a kitchen, so they serve warm pretzels and other snacks, along with sandwiches, baked potatoes and such, on a smoker/grill out back. Customers are welcome to bring in takeout from elsewhere or order delivery to the bar.
All the wine is from Ontario and the beer is local. That was the plan long before tariffs, trade wars and Elbows Up.
“There are lots of people in this neighbourhood but not a lot of places to walk to,” says McKenna. She and Richards live just 800 metres away.
When they hired their staff, they put less emphasis on experience than they did on bringing in friendly people who would make everyone feel welcome. Just like Nanny & Bull were known to do, says Richards.
“This isn’t pretentious and no one will feel intimidated or that they aren’t cool enough to be here.” n
NANNY & BULL’S IS IN A TRANSFORMED FORMER UPHOLSTERY SHOP ON BARTON STREET. PHOTO: NANNY & BULL’S
SOUTHERN COMFORT
SUMMER IS THE TIME FOR BIBS, BBQ AND LIP-SMACKING CHICKEN AND RIBS. SO GET OUT TO VISIT THESE GREAT SPOTS WHILE THE SUN IS WARM AND PATIOS AND PICNIC TABLES BECKON. By HEATHER PETER
The smell of smokers wafts throughout the air and summer is in full-swing! Is there anything that says summertime more than finger-licking chicken and ribs? From Louisianastyle specialties to classic Texas BBQ and oh-so-crispy, juicy fried chicken – there is just something about a messy meal (that you need a bib and many wet naps for) that brings back that warm weather nostalgia. Find some of the city’s top barbecue spots below.
COZY BIRD
A spin-off from the ever-popular The Pigeon in Mount Hope, the return of Cozy Bird’s fried chicken sandwiches was an exciting time for many Hamiltonians. Currently operating as a pop-up restaurant inside of Odds Bar on James Street South, Cozy Bird specializes in its famous, juicy fried chicken sandwiches – available in a variety of flavours: The Mack, Korean fried chicken, all dressed and more. Sandwiches aren’t your thing? Try the popcorn chicken in a variety of flavours, too. 164 James St. S., Hamilton cozybird.ca
MEMPHIS FIRE BARBEQUE COMPANY
With over 15 years of serving Hamiltonians great BBQ under its belt, you can expect Memphis Fire does barbecue well! Best known for signature barbeque meats like smoked chicken, baby back pork ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket, for Memphis Fire Barbeque, it all starts with the dry rub. Starting out as a popular BBQ spice company, Memphis continues to use those tried and true spices today. The team is so popular, they were even featured on the TV show You Gotta Eat Here
If sharing is your thing, Saltlick Smokehouse is your stop. This James Street North restaurant headed by Kyle and Jennifer, prides itself on a dining experience that you can enjoy with friends and family – platters topped with a plethora of smoked meats and sides. All of the meats are smoked in-house daily, and you can choose from a variety of shared options like pork ribs, smoked pork, and tender brisket. Be sure to try the Southern fried chicken and pork belly nuggets!
282 James St. N., Hamilton saltlick.ca
TEXAS WILD BBQ
Operating on Saturdays out of Nebo Ultrawash on the east Mountain, Texas Wild BBQ is one of the few BBQ spots in the city (if not the only) that is 100 per cent Halal. Everyone can enjoy
all-beef options such as beef back ribs, short ribs, brisket, and the deli-inspired smoked pastrami – all smoked over oak wood. Looking for something a little bit different? Try one of the weekly specials and expect options like smoked brisket quesadillas!
1200 Rymal Rd. E., Unit 4, Hamilton texaswildbbq.com
B-SIDE SOCIAL
This little spot on Augusta street serves up big BBQ flavour, including a whole variety of entrées, sides and smoked meat options. For a little taste of everything, bring a friend or two and try the Pitmaster BBQ Board. B-Side also offers low-country Southern-style seafood boils, if you are a surf fan!
17 Augusta St. Unit B, Hamilton bsidesocial.ca
UNCLE SAM’S BBQ SMOKE HOUSE
With two locations to serve you, one in Stoney Creek and one out to the west of the city in Brantford, Uncle Sam’s is an award-winning BBQ spot that takes part in many Ribfest events locally and beyond. Best known for BBQ smoked pork ribs, which they describe as “juicier than a ripe watermelon,” they also have chicken, pulled pork, brisket and more. Large portions and authentic Southern BBQ are found here!
490 Arvin Ave., Stoney Creek unclesamsbbq.ca
MUSTANG’S BIG OL’ GRILL
Did you know there is an entire Facebook group called Wings in the Hammer? The group has over 10,000 members, and Mustang’s Big Ol’ Grill consistently gets great mentions and reviews in this group. Now that’s saying something! Not only does it offer excellent wings, this Stoney Creek favourite serves up options including Southern fried riblets, hot-honey fried-chicken sliders, BBQ chicken dinners, steak and rib combos, and more. Head on over there on a Thursday for all-you-can-eat Texas-style ribs.
301 Fruitland Rd., Stoney Creek mustangsbigolgrill.com
GOLDEN TENDERS
For those who love fried chicken in all of its glory, Golden Tenders specializes in just that.
Creating what it calls “Hamilton’s favourite chicken tenders,” the menu is small but mighty, with farm-to-table, ethically farmed ingredients made into crispy and juicy chicken tenders. Choose from either tenders on their own, tenders with sides, as fried chicken sandwiches, or as wraps. There are also battered mushrooms, wedges, and biscuits! 1150 King St. E., Hamilton goldentenders.com
COOP WICKED CHICKEN & BAR
With three locations nearby to choose from (Hamilton, Burlington, and Cambridge), the Coop Wicked Chicken has a cool ’90s retro vibe that is quite popular right now. People love nostalgia! The menu has a focus on fried chicken – as you can assume from the name – with a whole menu of Southern fried chicken sandwich options (Korean, Nashville, Buffalo and more). Try the chicken ‘n’ waffles for a true Southern experience!
What started as an ever-popular Southernthemed food truck, The Dirty South has made a name for itself within the city and has expanded to a shared brick and mortar location (inside Townhall) on Concession Street. Enjoy fried chicken poutine, beef brisket mac and cheese, and full BBQ trays with Louisiana fried chicken, pulled pork, brisket and all the sides. Contact them for private food truck events! 581 Concession St., Hamilton townhallsocial.com/the-dirty-south
RED ROCKETS
A Hamilton staple, Red Rockets has been in the community since 2000. Now with four locations across the city, east Hamilton, east and west Mountain and downtown, you can expect there is a Red Rockets location nearby no matter where you live. Best known for sauce-tossed chicken wings, they also serve up BBQ or honey garlic fall-of-the-bone ribs and sides to go with them. For the best of both worlds, get a chicken and ribs combo! Various locations across Hamilton. redrockets.ca
KING JAMES: Vol. 1
JAMES STREET NORTH IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN HAMILTON. ITS DINING SCENE IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING BUT ROOTED IN THE SUCCESS OF SOME MAINSTAYS AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD’S ETHNIC DIVERSITY. By DIANE GALAMBOS
James North runs from King Street East to the bay, bringing you to lovely (and ongoing) upgrades at Pier 7. Originally Lake Road, it was renamed after a son of Hamilton founder Nathaniel Hughson. Much could be said about its history, filled with ups and downs. Reportedly a booming district for decades before World War II, the post-war ushered in periods of empty storefronts. Slowly but surely this neighbourhood of heritage buildings has recaptured its historical vitality. Businesses have come and gone, but these days empty spaces are soon occupied by a diverse group of new tenants passionate about community-building.
If you have a half hour to stroll the entire length of James North, your start/end points can be Gore Park or Pier 7. Speaking of strolling, on the second Friday of the month from May to October, James North (York Boulevard to Murray Street) becomes a temporary pedestrian mall for Art Crawl. This opportunity to experience the city’s visual and media arts, galleries, studios, crafts, music and, of course, food scenes is popular, capturing the street’s energy.
The James North dining district is so rich in its offerings that we had to divide the street into two sections. First up is King Street to Robert Street. King James: Vol. 2 in our next issue will then travel north to the waterfront.
BURNT TONGUE MAKES SMALL-BATCH SOUPS THAT ARE DAIRY FREE, VEGETARIAN, VEGAN AND CELIAC FRIENDLY. PHOTO: JASON MATSOS
THE STANDARD
10 James St. N.
thestandardhamilton.com
IG: thestandardhamilton
Since February 2024, the Cipollo team behind Hambrgr have added to the street scene with this eatery driven by seasonal, local inspiration and what they refer to as a forward-thinking approach to dining. Lunch offers salads, sandwiches and mains. Dinner offers even more choices. A seven-course chef’s tasting menu entices. Brunch on weekends is popular, with special brunches for celebrations such as Mother’s Day. Their website shares news about events like the Belgian Beer Dinner pairing Trappist brewing with a tasting menu. They offer a private room for intimate events and meetings and also full restaurant buyouts. What about the restaurant name? They explain “… every service is a new opportunity to create something unforgettable. That’s the standard we set, and the reason we carry the name.”
ELECTRIC DINER
Lister Block: 28 James St. N.
electricdinerhamilton.com
IG: electricdinerhamont
Electric Diner has a James North address and entrance, but given it is on the corner of James and King William, it was included in our King William Dining District article in spring 2024. One update is that the Hess Village location is now closed, so head to James North to enjoy the playful menu and décor created by owners Erika Puckering and Jamie Ewing who celebrate the 1980s. Be it breakfast, brunch, dinner or dessert, my list of favourites would be long – and I haven’t even mentioned the excellent beverage program. Often quirky, everything tastes great. The family-friendly eatery has a kid’s menu.
MERIT BREWING
107 James St. N.
meritbrewing.ca | IG: meritbrewing
Brewmaster and GM Eric Wolfe cofounded Merit in 2017 and loves to chat about his craft. The beers rotate, currently featuring fresh patio sippers. There’s something for everyone, including wine hybrids, lagers, IPAs, fruited sours and wheat beers, along with non-alcohol offerings and homemade carbonated beverages.
In a brewery the food may come second, but at Merit it’s not second-class. Local ingredients are featured as well as collaborations such as Niagara sensation Fat Rabbit’s contributions to the sharing board. Signature food includes homemade sausages, fries and pickles, which share the menu with snacks, share boards, plates and bowls. The new Steel Town Brisket Sando is a bestseller. Watch for weekly promotions, events and live music. Enjoy your visit in the inviting indoor space or comfy patio out back and you’ll see why Merit’s brand is “creativity, quality and consistency.”
GONG CHA BUBBLE TEA
109 James St. N. gong-cha.ca | IG: hamontbubbletea
Since 2021, three sisters – Kim Phan, Thi Phan-Tran and Phuong Phan-Tran – born, raised and still living in Hamilton have run this shop, which has indoor seating. It’s a favourite with bubble tea fans and or novices with more on offer than the iconic beverage with tapioca pearls. Bubble waffles with or without ice cream are delicious. Their offerings include milk teas, smoothies, coffees, croffles (croissant waffles), bubble waffles and soft serve ice cream (flavours change weekly.) Try the fun toppings such as brûlée foams and popping boba. Dairy-free and vegan modifications are available.
You can now buy bubble tea merch, such as keychains, tumblers, reusable straw kits, and plushies. Watch for collaborations, most recently with Line Friends toys and plushies (very popular in Asia). Gong Cha does catering for weddings and private events.
OKO BAGELS
118 James St .N. okobagels.com | IG: okobagels
If in the great bagel debate you fall on the side of Montreal-style wood-fired bagels, then OKO Bagels is the place for you. If you miss bagels with that chewy, dense texture, you won’t be disappointed. It offers more than a dozen flavours, all the favourite fillings, classy sandwiches and tubs of take-home cream cheese. The catering menu offers several platters – hard cheese, cream cheese, and smoked fish and meat.
COWABUNGA+
30 Vine St. (and James N)
cowabungapizzeria.ca | IG: cowabungaplus
Open every day, Cowabunga offers classic and creative pizzas. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Cowabunga, loaded with mozzarella, pineapple, popcorn chicken, Cowabunga sauce, peanuts, sesame and scallions. The original takeout location on Upper Wellington continues to thrive, but Cowabunga Plus on James North offers indoor and patio seating. Mondays and Tuesdays bring specials such as Margarita Monday. The restaurant is an active participant in Art Crawl, featuring a booth where employees can showcase their maker talents. /continued on next page
GONG CHA IS A POPULAR PLACE FOR A BUBBLE TEA ADVENTURE. PHOTO: GONG CHA
The Cowabunga team are celebrities in the pizza world, winning countless pizza competitions locally and at global events in Las Vegas. They recently were guests on Pie 2 Pie, a pizza-maker’s podcast and YouTube channel. Cowabunga is an informal term for delight, satisfaction, or enthusiasm – the sentiments of their patrons.
CHOCOLAT ON JAMES
123 James St. N.
chocolatonjames.com | IG: chocolatonjames
Chocolat has become a favourite of many. In addition to offering lovely truffles, it also focuses on chocolate snacks and candies, including fudge, bars and dipped Oreos to mention only a few. Special treats appear with every celebratory event and gift baskets and boxes are available. Drop by for coffee and soft serve!
BURNT TONGUE
10 Cannon St. E. (and James N.)
theburnttongue.com | IG: theburnttongue
Approaching its 12th anniversary this fall, Burnt Tongue now serves neighbourhoods in four locations, specializing in small-batch soups – with a new menu every day drawn from a huge soup repertoire. If soup brings to mind sandwiches, don’t worry because Burnt Tongue offers an impressive variety along with salads, burgers and fries. The team focuses on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and meets a range of dietary preferences – dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and celiac-friendly. Burnt Tongue recently expanded its catering menu and capacity to cater events of all sizes. Feeling soup inspired? Try the cooking classes at its Commissary Kitchen in Westdale.
RAPSCALLION’S SIGNATURE DISH IS CHICKEN LIVER BRULÉE. PHOTO: RAPSCALLION
COWABUNGA’S AWARD-WINNING PIZZA CAN BE ENJOYED IN-HOUSE OR ON ITS PATIO.
PHOTO: COWABUNGA
james street south
SAINT JAMES ESPRESSO
BAR & EATERY
170 James St. N.
saint-james.ca | IG: stjameseatery
David Ricottone (aka Rocky), chef and founding partner of Saint James, points out that its 10-year anniversary will be this fall. Even after a decade, there is no end to the creativity. Open early for breakfast, the “brunchy” menu continues until 3 p.m. Ricottone describes the menu as curated, settling on dishes that he and patrons love, and admits it can be challenging to make changes. The Drive Thru and The Malibu are favourites. Enjoy your visit indoors or on the patio. Watch for news about a possible once per month supper club embracing an evening vibe.
Says Ricottone: “We love the people who come and give them the best hospitality we’ve got … (It’s heartwarming) just being a part of the story of the city,” and notes that it’s no longer necessary to leave the city to have a good time out.
RAPSCALLION & CO.
178 James St. N. rapandco.ca | IG: rapscallionrest
Erin Dunham and chef Matt Kershaw, the principals of the award-winning hospitality group The Other Bird seem to have the
dining equivalent of the Midas touch. They create quirky but welcoming spaces (credited to Dunham) where you can enjoy marvelous food from the talented chef. Kershaw says he “wants the menu to add exciting, fun, even weird touches to classic dishes.” Their signature dish, for example, is chicken liver brulée – a superb liver pâté with the unexpected touch of being topped with hardened caramelized sugar. It works beyond expectations.
Note that their sun-kissed patio behind the restaurant is a blissful escape, where relaxation and indulgence go hand-in-hand. Summer cocktails and delicious shareable bites await. Check out the daily “Rappy Appy Hour” and menu for lunch, dinner, late night and themed brunches.
CLAUDIO’S
191 James St. N. claudios.ca | IG: claudiosristorante_
James North became the new location for Claudio’s – previously on Jackson – in 2022. The menu offers traditional Italian cuisine that has been recognized internationally for its quality. Appetizers, pizza and pasta share the menu with enticing entrées. Desserts are especially impressive.
MULBERRY COFFEEHOUSE
193 James St. N. mulberrycoffeehouse.com | IG: mulberrycoffee
Fifteen years ago, Mulberry Coffeehouse opened in a beautiful heritage building. The space remains welcoming with coffee and made-in-house food that is organic, seasonal and local – with some ingredients sourced from the nearby Hamilton Farmers’ Market. Mulberry works with sustainable coffee, and has options for vegan and gluten-free daily pastries. “We love delighting our customers with exceptional food experiences that taste amazing and look beautiful.” The large patio on Mulberry is inviting for individuals and small groups. Note that it caters and hosts events.
BORN & RAISED
224 James St. N. bornandraisedrestaurant.com IG: bornraisedyhm
Chef/owner Vittorio Colacitti has Hamilton connections dating back to the 1800s. He was part of the first wave of chefs migrating
from Toronto to Hamilton, bringing his expertise in Italian, Thai and French cuisine. There are hints of all these cuisines on the menu with burrata di Puglia appearing as an appetizer next to shaolin bao. He conveys “his love for old-world cooking techniques … alongside his fond and evolving passion for global flavours. With over a decade of experience and a philosophy of respecting food and community, his menus honour family, culture, and creativity.” Colacitti has a passion for cooking delicious food and creating memories for people. P.S. Be sure to have affogato for dessert.
FIBS CAFÉ
224 James St. N.
IG: fibscafe
Tali and Richie Yeates (both chefs) are the team behind Fibs, channeling their hospitality experience into this passion project. Having worked for years in the eateries of Vittorio Colacitti, they are using Born & Raised space to create a weekend café from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With a rotating menu, they focus on products not seen in the average coffee shop. Examples? French onion soup bun, Guyanese beef patty (perfectly seasoned), bone broth hot chocolate, caramelized banana crème brûlée tart and tiramisu choux pastry, which is light, with the perfect hint of coffee. Everything is made in house. This familyfriendly café believes food is their way of communicating love. n
STILL TO COME…
James North has long-established eateries and regularly welcomes new enterprises. Diners are awaiting the opening of Niku Niku – the Japanese BBQ opening in the space that was Afrolicious. Rumours abound about what might open in the spaces left by Bardo and Wild Orchid. Rumours aside, it’s a fact that James North offers a diversity of cuisines and dining experiences. David Ricottone of Saint James feels that “for the first time, maybe in a generation, you don’t need to leave the city to have a great time out.” Look forward to more James North stories in the next issue.
A FIBS CAFÉ SPECIALTY IS TIRAMISU CHOUX PASTRY – LIGHT, WITH THE PERFECT HINT OF COFFEE. PHOTO: DIANE GALAMBOS
FROM BOX OFFICE TO BOSS
By MEREDITH M ac LEOD
NICK DELUCO grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and studied sports management at Brock University, graduating in 2007. His school internship as a marketing assistant took him back to his hometown where a new arena was opening and he fell in love with the industry there. His first paying job was in a box office in Mississauga on a six-month contract. From there, he moved to Kingston to become a ticketing manager at a new arena. He worked his way up to assistant general manager of the venue. Pursuing his goal to manage a facility, DeLuco moved to Moncton, New Brunswick to open a junior hockey arena. He was offered a job as director of live entertainment and events at Rogers Place in Edmonton in 2021, and in 2023 became vice-president of live entertainment and events. In 2024, he became general manager of Hamilton Arena for Oak View Group (OVG). The downtown venue is undergoing a $300-million renovation and scheduled to open in late 2025.
NICK DELUCO WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AT FIRSTONTARIO CONCERT HALL.
PHOTO: GEOFF FITZGERALD FOR HCM
How do you describe the opportunity that the renovated venue will present for the city?
I think a lot of people might be skeptical on what’s going on, because there have been so many promises with the arena and the renovations and things not happening. But transformative and transformational are words I use all the time. When you go in there for the first time, it’s not going to be the same building you’ve seen for the last 40 years. It’s unrecognizable in so many ways.
People were skeptical in Kingston and Moncton about what a venue could do. But to me, they’re catalysts for growth and development. Hamilton is a great city. I can’t imagine the next 10 years of growth that’s going to go on here. And I feel like the $300 million investment in this building is a huge piece to changing the face of downtown and revitalizing it, bringing more shops and hotels and people to Hamilton’s downtown. We’re going to do 100 to 120 events a year, bring hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in, and getting to experience everything that Hamilton is, and be able to see and be a part of that change is what I really think the venue is going to do.
And you know, the OVG track record means that our owned and operated venues are some of the most successful venues in the world. So between OVG and the partnership with Live Nation, the sky’s the limit in terms of what we can do.
HUPEG is a partner in the project and they’ve done a great job on the community level. Because a lot of times when you come in as a corporation, you’re this big outside firm coming from the U.S., or you’re coming from wherever but you don’t know the community. Having partners like PJ (Mercanti) and Lou Frapporti, and the people on the street that know who to talk to and how to get things done that’s invaluable, too. They’re a huge part of this.
How will this facility serve demand?
There are roughly 10 million people in the catchment area between Toronto and surrounding cities and to have only one arena of this size that occupies 82 home dates a year for NBA and NHL really limits what can be done. So the second building is huge. It’s a game-changer in a lot of ways for the market. To not have a second building is crazy for those numbers and the amount of money people spend on entertainment in this region.
Everyone always asks me, are we going to be competitive with Toronto? Every now and again we may have to be, but I think we’re also going to be complementary. You might be able to do two shows in Toronto and then you can’t get that third date, so you can do the next show in Hamilton. So you can do three shows in the market now where you couldn’t before and you’d have to go to Buffalo or Detroit or onto your next stop in Montreal. So I think for us, it’s being involved in every conversation.
What are a couple of amenities or features in the new arena that you are most excited about?
We are building out an entire concourse that was hidden for 40 years and never used. It’s going to be a game-changer. Everything that was painful before, the lineups to get your food and beverage or getting to the washroom, is going to change. Everything’s going to be way more accessible than it ever has been before. And the floor-level suites are going to offer an experience you can’t get in any other arena anywhere. People are going to be amazed. To be four feet from the glass for hockey or to be 12 feet off the stage for a concert is an amazing experience in a suite.
And to have someone like Matty (Matheson) and his stature and his experience in the restaurant side, and to put a restaurant like Iron Cow in the venue that’s going to be open for more than just events, it’s going to be a destination for people. And you’ll see more of that as we go along. People want to be involved in this because they know what it’s going to become.
Then I’m excited about the events that we’re going to bring here. Hamilton actually punched above its weight in a lot of ways before, but you’re going to see even more of the bigger shows. And with the acoustics and artist lounges and dedicated spaces and the load-in and load-out facilities we will have, we will be a memorable stop for artists. Then they talk to their promoters and managers and this place gets to be known as a great place to play.
The venue will be music first but will there be sports, too?
We’re working on it. Obviously, the Rock were there before, and we’re talking with them, and expect that they’re going to be back for sure. It will not be the NHL but hockey in some form. The city has a passion for it, and we’re saying live entertainment first, but I definitely think that having a sports team and a tenant in there, a partner, goes a long way, too. If they’re putting on 30 to 40 games a year, that will be a big piece of what we do. Maybe there will be opportunities with the WNBA or Raptors preseason. We have the ability to be flexible, and, you know, we’re open to anything.
What have you discovered about Hamilton since arriving here?
How passionate Hamiltonians are about their city. I mean, they love the city and they love what Hamilton is. Its grit is there. If you’re from Hamilton, you’re passionate about it, and we want to bring a venue that you know, incorporates Hamilton into it as much as we can.
Is there one concert or musical experience of your life that stands out for you?
I was fortunate enough that one of my last shows in Kingston was The (Tragically) Hip show, the final show. Nothing’s going to top that. Opening this building’s going to be amazing. Opening Moncton was fantastic. But being involved in that last show is something I’ll have for the rest of my life.
What is Hamilton’s best-kept secret?
The second concourse of the venue, honestly. People are going to be like, I never knew this existed. People are going to be so surprised and shocked, and just, where has this been all the years I’ve been coming to the arena? It was always there, but it was hidden.
What does Hamilton need more of?
I would say GO trains and transit that get people to and from our events more effectively and more efficiently. Because the easier it is for people to get here, the more they’re going to come and the happier they’re going to be. So if we can get more of that infrastructure, more of those trains and buses and automobiles and ways of getting people around, I think that’s going to help everybody in the event side, whether that’s the Ticats or whether that’s us. n
bands that already have a fan base, so you can project roughly what they can sell.”
On average, he commutes from his home in St. Catharines to the Bridgeworks office three times a week. For family reasons, he moved with his wife and two young sons (now 11 and 9) to St. Catharines from Hamilton at the end of 2020, after having moved from Toronto to Hamilton in 2014.
He recalls his time living in Hamilton’s Gage Park area with great fondness.
Scan the QR code to view our media kit, or email: sales@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca /continued from page
“Our neighbourhood was amazing. We became really close friends with (fellow musicians) Mark Sasso (Elliott Brood), Dylan Hudecki (a contributor to HCM) and others. I grew up in Oshawa, a blue-collar factory town too, so I felt right at home here. To me, Hamilton has a unique spirit to it. It is big enough to have a symphony, a football team, an art gallery, yet it is still communityoriented and it feels like a small big city. I completely loved that and still do.”
Petti’s hiring by Sonic Unyon has reportedly allowed head honcho Potocic to focus on big-picture issues. “Along with my colleagues, I have taken a lot of the label side off his plate,” says Petti. “Tim is very much in the loop and we constantly keep him updated. As you know Sonic Unyon has a massive live music side as well, and that’s a big part of Tim’s focus. That is much more time consuming in that he needs to be at those events and shows more frequently.”
Petti hints at more official announcements from Sonic Unyon soon, involving new events (on top of Supercrawl, Because Beer and others) and other out-of-town venues, so the company is certainly not resting on its hardwon laurels.
Sonic Unyon’s recruitment of Petti continues the company’s tradition of having respected musicians in major roles. That is fitting, given that Sonic Unyon co-founders Potocic, Mark Milne, and Sandy McIntosh were bandmates in Hamilton rock band Tristan Psionic.
As director, production & booking, Matt Paxton handles Sonic Unyon’s work on the live music side, booking Bridgeworks, Mills Hardware, Sonic Hall, Supercrawl, Because Beer and more. He is also a singer/ songwriter and leader of fine local roots-rock outfit Matt Paxton and The Pintos.
It could well be argued that having
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professional musicians rather than career industry executives/bean counters in such key positions has been a factor in Sonic Unyon’s longevity and success.
In the midst of his busy schedule, Petti found time to get Cuff The Duke back together to write, record and release their seventh full-length album, Breaking Dawn, last fall. That was their first full album since 2012’s Union. “It was long overdue to scratch that itch. It was a huge time gap that just snowballed, and what I thought might be a four years max hiatus, turned into a decade.”
He’s already thinking about another Cuff the Duke record, which he’d like to be more a group endeavour. “Breaking Dawn was 100 per cent my songs and I rather steamrollered it. I’d like us all to write songs for the next one. I think it’ll be more of the cosmic country
vibes as the songs that are there will lend themselves nicely to that.”
Given other work priorities, Petti has no great expectations for Cuff The Duke. “It just feels nice to hang out with my friends and play music,” he says. “We are way more selective with shows, not just grinding it out. The shows make sense and it’s a great hang, plus now my kids are old enough to come to some of the shows and that’s nice.”
Having paid his dues in the business is a benefit now. “I think all the artists I work with have respect for that journey. They appreciate that I know how it feels to be on the road for weeks on end, to play live shows in an arena or a shitty club with no one there. I think part of my happiness in my role now is that I’m proud of what we did. It is a nice balance.” n
THIS CONTENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE INCITE FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
scan the qr code to read more about incite and the legacy of carl and kate turkstra.
SWEET SINFONIA
THE INCITE FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS SUPPORTS THE WORK OF SINFONIA ANCASTER.
The incite Foundation for the Arts has contributed more than $9 million to 50 Hamilton-area organizations, through grants from $2,500 to $300,000, since it was founded in 2011. It is the legacy of the late Carl and Kate Turkstra who believed the arts are key to quality of life and critical to the future of Hamilton. And they believed anyone, regardless of circumstance, should be able to enjoy and pursue music, theatre and visual art. HAMILTON CITY Magazine is showcasing the incredible, creative and talented recipients of incite grants. Here we share the work of Sinfonia Ancaster.
Sinfonia Ancaster is a vibrant and valuable cultural institution within the Ancaster and greater Hamilton community, offering both artistic excellence and meaningful community engagement. Since its inception, Sinfonia Ancaster has been a grateful recipient of funding from the incite Foundation for the Arts.
EXCELLENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY
Sinfonia Ancaster is a polished and ambitious community orchestra that delivers high-quality performances at accessible prices. As the proud resident orchestra of the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre (AMAC), Sinfonia performs four concerts per season in beautiful Peller Hall thanks to the vision and support of incite. Composed largely of amateur musicians, the ensemble’s concerts have been lauded for their professionalism
and enthusiasm. Under the direction of music director Jeffrey Pollock, Sinfonia Ancaster has expanded its repertoire and increased its concert offerings. Pollock’s engaging conducting style and informative commentary enhance the concert experience, making classical music more approachable for diverse audiences.
The orchestra, celebrating 10 years next season, regularly showcases its ability to captivate audiences with classical and Romantic works, as well as contemporary orchestral works, including works by Indigenous composers. With incite’s help, it has featured distinguished Canadian soloists, such as renowned concert pianist Valerie Tryon (who appears again on Nov. 2) and baritone Christopher Dunham, as well as featuring its own professional section principals. Next season, in addition to Tryon,
Sinfonia will feature Toronto Symphony Orchestra concertmaster, Jonathan Crow (March 27), as well as Sinfonia cellist Amber Ghent and guest organist Ian Sadler (May 8).
“Our city is incredibly fortunate to have Sinfonia Ancaster,” says Ward 12 Councillor Craig Cassar. “Under the charismatic leadership of Jeffrey Pollock, they constantly deliver stellar and entertaining concerts built around unique themes! I love every performance!”
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION
Aligned with incite’s vision for excellence and creativity, Sinfonia Ancaster plays a crucial role in fostering musical growth within the community. The orchestra is composed of 50 members, including eight professional musicians who serve as section leaders and coaches. This structure provides amateur musicians of all ages with valuable mentorship and the opportunity to develop their orchestral skills in a supportive environment. Pollock offers “pre-concert chats” for patrons in the lobby, providing context for the music in a way that deeply engages the audience.
The organization’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its efforts to engage with audiences through themed concerts and collaborations with other arts groups.
INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE LOCAL ARTS ECOSYSTEM
Sinfonia Ancaster contributes significantly to the region’s cultural vitality, says AMAC’s executive director Colin Lapsley. “We are very fortunate and proud to have an in-house orchestra of this calibre. Their concerts are professional and entertaining, but just as importantly, Sinfonia Ancaster inspires young musicians to stick with it and older musicians to get involved!” n sinfoniaancaster.com
SINFONIA ANCASTER AT THE ANCASTER MEMORIAL ARTS CENTRE. PHOTO: SCOTT ANNANDALE
