September 2019 | Urbanicity Hamilton

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates 135 outstanding years There’s nothing like it: woodwind, brass, strings, and percussion swelling as the lights slowly fade, drawing you in as the music takes you away.

You’d better prepare your ears because the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is tuning their instruments for another exciting, enriching season of live music.

It’s going to be a big one, too. During its forthcoming 19-20 season, our city’s renowned professional orchestra reflects on an impressive 135 years as a local cultural mainstay with HPO: A Shared History. This project celebrates the orchestra’s rich history, starting from its origins in 1884 with 27 musicians as the Hamilton Orchestral Society through the over 80 performances on the mainstage and in the community today.

The HPO is best known today for its annual lineup of live orchestral concerts, routinely packing the house in FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place) with everything from classical suites to classic film scores, performed by as many as 100 continues on page 15

HIGH FIVE TATTOO BRINGS APPROACHABLE BODY ART TO THE INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE

CONCRETE CANVAS FEST, AND WHY THE GRAFFITI MOVEMENT IS HERE TO STAY

A WELCOME ADDITION TO DOWNTOWN HAMILTON

THE CITY HAS BECOME A BLANK CANVAS FOR ARTISTS

TRESPASS: A JOURNEY OF THE FORGOTTEN

THE TOP 10 MUSIC VENUES IN HAMILTON

A QUICK GUIDE TO URBAN EXPLORATION

LOCAL PRODUCTS THAT MAKE IT SUPER EASY TO SHOP ECO-FRIENDLY FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO PACK THESE FOR THE SEMESTER

THE CITY'S BEST STAGES FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES

FOR LOCAL ARTISTS, SUPERCRAWL IS A CHANCE TO SHINE THE IMPACT OF HAMILTON'S LARGEST ANNUAL FESTIVAL

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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P U B L I S H E R + E D I TO R Robert Cekan robert@urbanicity.com L AYOU T & D ES I G N Ta fa ri A n t h o ny DISTRIBUTION Urbanicity Canada

Urbanicity magazine is wholly owned and published by Urbanicity Canada Inc. All content copyright © 2019 and all rights to distribution are reserved by Urbanicity Canada As a forum for ideas, issues, and experiences, the views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Editor, other contributors, advertisers, or distributors unless otherwise stated.

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Distributed throughout Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Aldershot, and Burlington.

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whipped up for our annual arts-themed issue.

The beginning of September also aligns with the fall school semester where thousands of young people will become first-time Hamiltonians as they enter McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University College.

If this is the first copy of Urbanicity you’ve picked up — hello!

Some of our artistic deep dives include a feature on Hamilton’s newest tattoo shop, a discussion on the recent Concrete Canvas Festival, a short guide to urban exploration, an interview with Hamilton Artists Inc., an overview of the chocolate making process, a feature on Restoration Project, and of course a mention of Supercrawl and its importance to local artists. For the uninitiated, Supercrawl is Hamilton’s biggest recurring annual event which takes over the James Street North district with live music, performance acts, fashion, and local artisans. It’s an absolute must-attend and is what inspired us to do an annual arts-focused issue in the first place.

For both new readers and long-time supporters (thank you), I believe you’ll be quite happy with what we’ve

I’m happy to announce that we have brought on board a team of new writers who will be contributing to our website

September is upon us and with it escapes our short, warm summer (seriously, did it even cross 30°C this season?)

with more frequent, daily content.

While the magazine will continue to remain a platform for longer-form content and editorials, our website will rapidly transform to a more traditional news source with 2-4 pieces of content a day. That means you’ll definitely want to be checking urbanicity.com regularly to keep up with the latest Hamilton headlines. To ensure you don’t miss any of our stories and also participate in the conversation, be sure to follow us on social media, too — our handles for those are down below.

If you would like to contribute an article to our magazine or have any concerns with this issue, don’t hesitate to contact me by email through robert@urbanicity.com.

Otherwise, have yourself an excellent semester, Supercrawl, and autumn!

ROBERT CEKAN

FOLLOW US

TRIVIA 1. The Witton Lofts is a unique condominium where three storeys of new construction were added onto the former three-storey McIlwraith Public School. To whom is this condo named after?

2. Hamilton is home to six breweries; what are their names?

3. How many metres tall is Hamilton’s tallest building Landmark Place? (Hint: the building has 43 storeys) 4. The John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport didn’t begin as a passenger airport. What was its original use?

Answers on page 17

SHARE YOUR STORY AND PLACE YOUR AD HERE robert@urbanicity.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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High Five Tattoo brings approachable body art to the International Village

a sort of traditional meets 1980s feeling in the shop. Even the traditional tattoo colour palette was considered, usually made up of reds, greens, yellows, and blacks.

STEFANI SOLIMAN

Stefani is a social media marketer & freelance editor. She's an avid supporter of local businesses, Canadian-made goods, & fashion. Along with her love of dogs, punctuation, & the ‘90s, Stefani is a keen recycler and instrument collector. Tell her a corny joke and you’ll be friends for life.

On the corner of King Street East and Ferguson Avenue North sits the newest addition to Hamilton’s International Village — High Five Tattoo.

Inside, owners Stef Neale and Mark MacEwen have created a welcoming space that specializes in modern twists on traditional-style tattooing. “Not a passing trend” is the shop’s manifesto, and it makes a lot of sense when you understand what they’re about. Along with Stef tattooing, there are three other artists calling High Five home, including fellow traditionalist Morgan MacDonald.

The space is decorated in the same style they tattoo and based on things Stef and Mark have seen while travelling. From California to Ohio tattoo shops around North America display elements of classic cars, punk rock, bikes, and skateboarding culture. Stef and Mark took this and made it their own, using aspects they loved to create

This idea extends to the shop’s name, High Five. “The name is classic, casual, but with strong imagery,” says Mark. “It feels like something that has been there for a while.” Their goal was to design a space that is approachable, timeless, and where tattoos are never the same — not trendy, not a fad, but taking a cue from a style rooted in history.

Stef began tattooing in 2010 without any previous instruction or experience.

As someone who always goes for what she wants, having developed an interest in tattooing, she decided to try. Stef eventually got a formal apprenticeship in Etobicoke, and after travelling and working in various cities, she settled in Hamilton three years ago.

After spending time with the team at Grey Harbour, it was time for Stef to open a shop in the city she fell in love with. Once she saw the space they’re currently in, she knew she had found the right spot to open a shop.

“It wasn’t cookie cutter, but it was clean and full of character,” Stef says.

An artist since she was little, opening her own studio was just the motivation she needed to grow her craft.

While most of the work is custom, you

can find inspiration from the flash covering the walls at High Five. “We put up what we want to do, and to show examples and guide clients,” explains Stef. There’s a combination of flash from other artists as well as the shop’s residents, providing ideas of “tattoos we're interested in and what would make good pieces.” This way, even if a customer comes in without an idea, after settling on a piece of flash, the tattoo is slightly altered for the person and becomes a custom design in itself.

As for the style, the shop focuses on tattoos with longevity. “We want our product to last a lifetime,” says Mark.

“The concept of tattooing has been around for so long, and we recognize and respect that.”

They draw from American traditional, as well as Japanese traditional.

Iconic tattooers Sailor Jerry and Ed Hardy provide influence, and as Mark explains, “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. We’re paying tribute to those who have done it right in the industry.”

While each artist in the shop brings a different take, they all have a similar vision for the art they want to produce.

And, of course, they always ensure that their shop is inviting and inclusive.

“This is a safe space, no matter your background, sexuality, or race,” Stef says. “We don’t tolerate discrimination.

Not for our business and not as people.”

"WE’RE NOT TRYING TO REINVENT THE WHEEL. WE’RE PAYING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT RIGHT IN THE INDUSTRY." In the past, tattoos carried a stigma and were only for criminals, sailors, and what people considered the rebels of society. Stef and Mark wanted to create a place that welcomes and appeals to everyone, spanning all generations and cultures. This means that tattoos aren’t limited to certain people that are “accepted” in shops — anyone can come into High Five and use their art to express themselves.

One thing that’s common among both tattoo artists and collectors? Learning and discovering styles that vary from artist to artist. Stef chooses to travel to different tattooers to get work done on herself. “When I’m tattooed by someone I look up to, I not only get inspiration, but I learn. You see their hand movements, their techniques, the ink they use. It’s all part of growing as an artist.” She also learns by admiring work she sees on others. “When I see a good tattoo on someone, I get excited. I want to look at it, study it, and appreciate it.”

So whether you’re stopping by for a small panther or looking for an entire Japanese-inspired back-piece, you’re sure to fit in at High Five.

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The Burnt Tongue opens their third location in Westdale

number of partners to five. Co-founders Leo Tsangarakis and Danny Robinson will be joined by long-standing staff Mike Leon, Natasha Sokolowski, and John McManus going forward.

ROBERT CEKAN

Robert is the owner and editor-in-chief of Urbanicity. Born and raised in Hamilton, his aim is to connect residents with the city beat and familiarize readers with what makes Hamilton unique.

One of Hamilton’s most beloved local restaurants is expanding in a big way!

On Monday August 19th, The Burnt Tongue publicly opened their third location in Hamilton.

The eatery – best known for their homemade style soups and sandwiches – has not only increased their number of locations, but also expanded their

“We’ve [taken this on] as far as we could just the two of us but we’ve formed new partnerships to grow this business even further,” says Tsangarakis.

Coupled with grand prize winnings from the FirstOntario 1Awards last year, the decision to grow into the Westdale neighourhood was an easy one to make.

So what can you expect at this new spot?

Well for starters, this Westdale location will serve as the restaurant’s commissary kitchen, or head kitchen. Soup cooking for all locations will be conducted under this one roof while burgers, sandwiches, and fries will continue being made on-site at each location.

“All of our soups and recipes batches will be done here,” says Tsangarakis.

Elaborating further, “Our head chef Dan wanted to have the utmost creative control with his menus. He was having a tough time doing it between two locations so this is basically a consistency play, while still maintaining freshness.”

Limiting seating to only 6 stools, the new location will be a ‘grab and go’ style focused primarily on soups, salads, and sandwiches. You’ll have to visit either Cannon St or Locke St for their delicious burgers.

this location exclusively. By being able to offer six fixed soups on the menu and four rotating soups, it makes online ordering in Westdale much easier than at the other spots where the soups change daily.

The team behind The Burnt Tongue has a lot to be proud of and their proximity to McMaster University will undoubtedly bring their flavours to thousands of new Hamiltonians.

“I want people to think of the new location like a micro-soupery where small batch soups are made. The front that’s open to the public is essentially our soup shop,” Tsangarakis illustrates.

“The Burnt Tongue has always been about the people so the menu always changes based on what people buy and don’t buy — we’re not taste makers in the sense where you must like this because it’s on trend right now,” Tsangarakis says. “We’re an everyday choice for everyday people.”

Food delivery lovers will be happy to know that Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, and DoorDash will now be available for

The new Burnt Tongue location opens at 11:30 am every day and can be found at 1019 King St W, Hamilton.

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SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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"AN ARTIST IS AT THEIR BEST WHEN GIVEN FULL CREATIVE FREEDOM, AND WE WANT ARTISTS TO INSPIRE PEOPLE WITHIN NEIGHBORHOODS."

Concrete Canvas Fest, and why the graffiti movement in Hamilton is here to stay

KARA SAVAS

Kara Savas is a born and raised Hamiltonian; an English and Social Sciences teacher, freelance writer, and sun chaser. Kara is a passionate supporter of local businesses, fresh perspectives, and lifelong learning.

If you live, work, or play in downtown Hamilton, you may have noticed some visual treats that have popped up along some busy, yet unassuming buildinglined streets. Where an empty brick wall once stood on the corner of Barton Street and Emerald Street North, there is a cheeky image of a child dressed in a unicorn suit. Where your eyes may have once glazed over as you drove down Hunter Street, they may now have met the intense glare of CFL Hall of Famer Angelo Mosca. If you’ve slowed down to marvel at these walls, snapped a pic, perhaps told a friend or investigated what other areas have been painted, then you’ve proven that Concrete Canvas Fest is filling an artistic space (figuratively and literally) in Hamilton.

Thanks to the collective efforts and creativity of its organizers and artists, building exteriors that were once obsolete are being given new life in the form of street art and murals. All of the sudden, local Instagram accounts formerly filled with images of the neon bar slogans and beer garden backdrops of the Downtown Core now display images of an ethereal butterfly on the side of 35 Hess St, or a Daft Punk-looking welder against a Steel Cityscape behind RSK Automotive. Areas that were once less explored, but with no less potential, are being discovered and rediscovered.

What began as a project between founder Leon Robinson and lead curator Scott McDonald over 20 years ago as a way to celebrate street art in Hamilton, has become a multi-day visual arts festival taking place every July that has changed the face of many

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with art for people passing through to enjoy. People are already beginning to migrate back to the Village to see some of the artistic wall additions, and in the process, are rediscovering an area eager to prove it’s not what it once was.

As the owner of Che, Scott has witnessed the ups, downs, and evolution of a once-burgeoning neighbourhood. It’s a familiar shift experienced by Barton, and once upon a time by James North, where what started out as an artists’ haven has morphed to something else (but that’s a long-winded topic for another day), but certainly proves the impact that art can have on reviving an entire area in terms of culture, curb appeal, and foot traffic.

street corners. Initially, Concrete Canvas Fest was meant to be a temporary wall at the top of Jackson Square, but Leon and Scott decided to think bigger and instead make it a city-wide fixture, encouraging people to go on an adventure and explore neighborhoods they wouldn’t normally. In the process, it’s helped spruce up and build up local communities, while also celebrating and inspiring local artists.

When asked why this shift seems to be occurring in Hamilton, Scott attributes it to the effect that street art has had on people in the city – many of whom hadn’t previously stopped to appreciate this form of art. “We get tagged on Instagram daily by people who are now exploring new routes and streets in the city while seeking out these walls,” says Scott. “We want to see people getting outside again, going on adventures, seeing the artists’ work, and in the process, visiting new spots and businesses that they otherwise might not have.”

set of walls put aside for next year.

So, what’s the process like on a project of this size, and in a city where red tape and lack of support can leave initiatives like this dead in the water? It It wasn’t that long ago that Graffiti began by knocking on doors, looking is a Crime signage was being posted for businesses with blank building or in areas around Hamilton. In fact, wall space with landowners that would be willing to place these signs popped their trust in an artup along the Con"WE GET TAGGED ists’ hands. “We got a crete Canvas Fest ON INSTAGRAM set of walls and partroute recently, even nered up artists that though it’s obvious DAILY BY PEOPLE we felt would be a that this calibre of art WHO ARE NOW good fit for the wall is far from the slopEXPLORING and the area, and got pily spray-painted NEW ROUTES a good idea of what controversial images AND STREETS IN landowners were and slogans that comfortable with,” many have formerly THE CITY WHILE Scott explained. In associated as street SEEKING OUT terms of theme and art.

Cosmopolitan THESE WALLS" content, unlike other cities like Barcecity initiatives where lona, New York, and Stockholm all have neighbourhoods the finished product is predetermined, filled with vibrant street art that can be Concrete Canvas contributing artists thought-provoking, symbolic, inspir- are given as much creative freedom as ing, or celebratory. Some cities even possible. “An artist is at their best when have entire districts dedicated to graf- given full creative freedom, and we fiti and murals, like Miami with the want artists to inspire people within Wynwood Walls outdoor museum. At neighborhoods. It’s about knowing one point in these cities, it was most what an artist is capable of and their likely a crime to “tag” or paint publically, but somewhere along the way, it has become accepted and celebrated.

Now, street art has become a part of the fabric of these cities, with many even offering organized group tours dedicated to exploring the areas of the city dedicated to graffiti art.

Having travelled the world as an artist himself to paint in places like Havana, Moncton, Warsaw, to name a few, Scott has seen the tangible and intangible influences that street art has had on districts, businesses, the community, and even the artists themselves.

While abroad, he has accumulated a number of artist friends and contacts who are eager to come and contribute to the movement here in Hamilton; he’s aiming to recruit some of them to paint for next year’s event, adding to an already impressive roster of local talent and an equally impressive

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body of work, having that trust, and obviously ensuring that there be nothing hateful or overly political or sexualized.” They’ve also had the support of organizations such as the Hamilton BIA, and people like Ken Coit, Manager of Placemaking, Public Art & Projects for the City of Hamilton.

However, a project this size is never without its bumps in the road. They lost a title sponsor at the last minute during the crucial planning and recruitment stages, which threatened to affect the way things would be laid out. Leon and Scott instead took this hurdle as an opportunity to keep things authentically local, combining talented Hamilton artists whose work needed to be showcased, with recognizable industry names like Burnt Toast Creative (whose clients include Google, Redbull, Facebook). Authenticity and homegrown talent — what’s not to love?

Up next for Concrete Canvas is a legal art wall at Woodland Park, launching on September 21 in co-operation with the City of Hamilton. They’re also working with Hess Village business owners on putting together a Hess Village Gallery behind Che that will be lit up and filled

There is still much that can be done to further make these artists efforts possible. Having legal walls where artist can learn to paint is one suggestion Scott has, “so that artists don’t resort to abandoned warehouses and train tracks and have to worry about getting charged.” As with all things, these efforts are not cheap on money, time, or resources. Projects like these take hundreds of man hours by artists and organizers alike. Corporate sponsorships and large or smaller business support make this possible — there is even a GoFundMe page set up that is linked to their Instagram and Facebook. Scott is also quick to differentiate Concrete Canvas Fest from other local festivals; while other festivals make vendors money and capitalize on an area over a day, or a weekend, Concrete Canvas Fest leaves an enduring grassroots footprint that allows the art, the area, the local businesses, and the artist to be appreciated day after day, year after year. “It’s long term,” says Scott, “and this celebrates the entire city of Hamilton from the outside in, all year round.”

Follow @concretecanvasfest, @eklipz1, and @scottanddestroy on Instagram or Concrete Canvas Festival on Facebook for updates. Support their efforts by donating to the GoFundMe page linked in both accounts.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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Trespass: A journey of the forgotten

ANONYMOUS

Lifelong passion for urban exploration.

Started in 2006 and was hooked immediately.

The year is 2019 and you’re walking past a house you go by every day.

This particular house is clearly vacant so this time you decide to dive a bit deeper. After a bit of wandering, you find yourself in the living room. The newest thing in the room is dated 1956.

The bed is made but covered in dust; pillows once fluffed now lay flat and stiff. The 1953 Hamilton-made Westinghouse stereo system is still plugged into the wall. “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” sits on the phonograph. Memories and questions, thrill and excitement, all mount up within you. You think to yourself: “This. Is. Incredible.”

This is why I explore! Taking nothing but photographs, it’s my mission to document the life, history, and current state of a location before it’s wiped off the map. This is what’s known as urban exploration.

The possibilities were endless. During that time I learned a very simple set of rules—rules I still strongly follow to this day. If urban exploring is something that may be of interest to you, then please take note.

While some may refer to it as urbex, urban spelunking, or infiltration, the idea remains the same—it’s the physical exploration of an urban setting. Mind you, as this is not limited to abandoned buildings, as it may seem. Your local mall, hospital, office building—they all have “off limits” areas. It’s about getting out (or in), and exploring what’s around you to capture and recollect a time gone by. Or, just discovering how a building functions. There’s nothing quite like exploring our past than physically standing in the midst of history.

Rule #1) No breaking or damaging of said building to gain access. If it’s previously been broken, then it’s fair game.

Other than that, consider what you’re doing as break and enter.

When I started exploring, the year was 2006. Hamilton still had a ton of beautiful vacancies, such as The Royal Connaught Hotel, The Lister Block, Lyric Theater, Tivoli Theater, and so on.

THE TI VO L I T H EAT RE

A good example of this first rule being broken is evident everywhere while exploring. Kicked-in doors, smashed windows, breaking cinder block walls— do not do this! Martin’s Bowling Alley is a good example of the latter problem as at some point, vandals broke into the bowling alley by smashing away a cinderblock wall.

Yes – the actual wall of the building was smashed to gain access. Don’t make somebody have to pay to repair a building due to your curiosity.

Rule #2) Do not destroy, break, damage, steal, or vandalize any part of said building.

A great example of this second rule being broken is Scott Park Secondary School. Although it’s gone now, replaced by Bernie Custis Secondary, at one time while this mammoth sat vacant, vandals broke into the school and proceeded to turn on all fire hoses, faucets, and pipes. This ultimately led to approximately $1 million in damage.

This is NOT what urban exploration is about!

Far too often people dub themselves as “urban explorers” when really their goal is to break into places for the sole purpose of vandalizing, partying, or even sleeping in abandoned buildings.

These bad actors make it more difficult for true explorers to just explore and take photos. All in all, when dealing with a true urban explorer, we mean no harm. We pack our bags with camera gear and set out to document the life cycle of buildings.

The locations for great urban exploring in Hamilton is a long list but here are some of my highlights.

A masterpiece of a theater; a relic of Hamilton’s own theater scene. Built in 1924, it served as a vaudeville theater until the 1950s when it changed to motion picture. It did return to vaudeville in 1995 and remained that way until the facade threw in the towel and collapsed onto a busy James Street North. Many revival attempts have been made since, all falling through except for one. The current plan for an integrated condo tower seems at a standstill, however.

CON SU MER S GL ASS CO.

T HE DA R N L EY G RIS T M IL L This site is not abandoned; it's a ruin to which you can explore. The ruin is off an old grist mill, built in 1813 to feed the soldiers of the war in the area. It suffered a few grain explosions over the years of use, which led to its abandonment in 1943. After another fire, the site was eventually turned over to the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Once upon a time stood a jarring sight on Gage Avenue; quite an iconic eyesore formally known as Consumers Glass Co. The massive glass factory closed in 1997, and although the site was demolished in 2015 for a parking lot, that parking lot didn't happen and the site was not fully redeveloped.

Today, behind a long and tall chainlinked fence lays a very large, empty concrete pad. And under that pad is the entire basement of the former glass factory. For whatever reason, this was not caved in when the building came down in 2015 and to this day is structurally unsound in some areas. Very little remnants were left behind, but all in, it’s really cool to explore.

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For local artists, Supercrawl is a chance to shine rest assured; Hamilton-based creators are being showcased on every stage and corner. Born and raised Hamilton artists like Maria Anastasiou have been working all year to make their participation at Supercrawl great.

BEYOND JAMES

Launched in 2019, Beyond James is an independent blog focusing on news and reviews of the Hamilton arts community.

Passionate about the power of the arts and culture to unite communities, Beyond James recognizes that great art isn’t confined to one space or one street in Hamilton: it’s everywhere.

The stage is almost set for the eleventh annual Supercrawl. Started in 2009 as a way to showcase the musicians, artists, and creators that were leading the evolution of Hamilton as a creative-centric city, the event has changed dramatically over ten years. Headliners and big draws of the Festival are increasingly from outside of Hamilton (as are some of the audiences), and the Festival’s mandate has evolved to position local and emerging artists alongside their significant provincial, national, and international peers.

For those looking to celebrate some of the best emerging local artists at this September’s edition of Supercrawl,

Anastasiou’s journey to Supercrawl started even before she was born. Her grandmother was a renowned seamstress in Greece, sought out by villages for her craft. After moving to Hamilton, her father was a tailor with his own leather shop on James Street before opening a restaurant. Originally, she wasn’t interested in the industry but destiny intervened.

"I wasn't artistic growing up. I would've happily played volleyball all day," Anastasiou recalled. "But I was working in the family restaurant, looking for things to do, and a friend taught me to crochet." With that small gesture, she was hooked. Initially making hats and trinkets, the talented creator quickly moved onto larger and more intricate items after being given a sewing machine by her mother.

The past four years has been a period of steady growth for the emerging artist who specializes in fabric embroidery

and crocheting. As her skills developed, Anastasiou grew a market through Instagram and Etsy (both places she sells her wares) under the name PepperSherman. In addition to attracting customers through word-of-mouth, Anastasiou has become a familiar face at artisan markets throughout the city.

Anastasiou recognizes the opportunity that being a street vendor at Supercrawl provides her and her business.

Although it is tough to calculate the number of attendees at a free festival, it is estimated by numerous sources that Supercrawl has regularly attracted between 100,000 and 200,000 attendees annually since 2012.

For an emerging artist and growing business like Anastasiou’s PepperSherman label, the chance to share original creations and fashions with this large audience in such a short period of time could change her business dramatically.

“I’ve done so many markets this year, and the feedback has been great,” she says of the decision to apply as a Supercrawl vendor. “But ultimately, it’s about the right people seeing the right stuff at the right time. And Supercrawl is a

fantastic opportunity to put my designs in front of people. This festival is an investment in my future.”

Since receiving notification that her application to be a vendor at Supercrawl was successful, Anastasiou has been busy preparing. She has been collecting materials to redesign and recycle clothing and working to finish designs in progress. Custom orders have taken a backseat to ensure she has ample stock for potential customers at Supercrawl, and for those wanting custom work done on her designs at the Festival, Anastasiou will have her sewing machine onsite to complete work on demand.

As the Festival heads into its second decade, artists like Maria Anastasiou remain at the heart of Supercrawl, according to Festival Director Tim Potocic. “Supercrawl has always had a mandate of cultural discovery, always been committed to celebrating local creators,” he said in a press release.

The free festival, running from September 13-15 along James Street North will also feature visual art installations, an artisan market, fashion component, and family zone.

SEE WHAT’S HATCHING AT NEST! Unique Canadian handmade gifts and home decor items for animal lovers.

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SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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Local products that make it super easy to shop eco-friendly for Back-To-School EAR THOL OGY F OOD WR A PS These beeswax food wraps are an eco-friendly alternative to single use plastic. They’re made with GOTS organic cotton, sustainably harvested local beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and coniferous tree resin. Also available in a vegan version!

RAINE HEWLETT

Raine is a local business owner and trainer.

Born and raised in Hamilton, she has a passion for the city and supporting local small businesses. She is a vinyl record collector, Beat Generation literature lover, and pop-culture aficionado.

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It doesn’t matter what year of college or university you’re entering, you’ll definitely want to pick up these Canadian-made products as you start the fall semester. All of these products are committed to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices—best of all, you can find them in local shops throughout Hamilton!

STA I N L ESS STEEL STR AWS These reusable extendible straws won’t corrode, rust, stain, or break and come with their own cleansing brush and carrying case!

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CR E DO B AG S REU SA B L E P RO D U C E B AG These eco-friendly washable cotton bags replace single use plastic produce bags at the grocery store.

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COLIB RI SNAC K B AG S These zippered, washable, eco-friendly snack bags come in many different fun designs and are FDA approved.

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CASTI L E SOA P This concentrated, biodegradable, soap cleans gently yet effectively. This multiuse product works great on faces, hair, food, dishes, laundry, floors, pets, and more.

AVAILABLE AT: The Pale Blue Dot 240 James Street North

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The Inc. leaves a stamp on Hamilton's arts scene exhibit or do different programming in our space. We pay them to use our space in that way.”

SHAWN SMITH

Shawn is a writer from Hamilton. He enjoys sports, music, and reading. His work has appeared in The Globe and Mail and on Bleacher Report, Vice Sports, and Sportsnet.ca

For 45 years, Hamilton Artists Inc. (affectionately known as The Inc.) has made Hamilton artists a priority, providing them with a space to display their work and helping them find a wider audience.

The artist-run centre that began in 1975 is showing no signs of slowing down as they look to make Hamilton a better place for artists in 2019 and beyond.

“We started as a grassroots organization about 45 years ago; since then we've become a not for profit charity and registered charity,” said Julie Dring, executive director of Hamilton Artists Inc. “Essentially what we do as an artist-run centre is we pay artists to

In 2018, they helped over 150 paid artists display their work in The Inc.’s two galleries. In 2019, The Inc. has put on multiple programs and exhibitions that reflect the needs and desires of the Hamilton arts community.

Included amongst them was “Incoming”, a pilot program that introduced refugee, immigrant, and newcomer artists to the local art scene. There was also “Pressure Points”, which was a gentrification symposium where everyone was welcome to share their thoughts and ideas on the changing landscape of downtown Hamilton.

these issues that everyone in downtown Hamilton is facing, no matter if you're new to Hamilton or if you've been in Hamilton for a while.”

Anyone living or working downtown is aware of the gentrification that has taken place over the past few years and continues today. Artists are one of the many groups that are seeing the impact of gentrification.

"WE'RE REALLY LOOKING TO WORK AND MOULD OURSELVES BASED ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR."

“Pressure Points was us creating a space in the gallery to invite people from the community to come and talk about issues surrounding gentrification and the artist's role in the gentrification process,” Dring said. “That was an opening and welcoming space for everyone to have a conversation about

“I think there are issues of gentrification that are impacting the artists for sure, you can see the galleries are closing and artists being pushed out,” Dring said. “But it's also important to see that there were people living in downtown Hamilton before the artists were using the space and that all of us are being affected by increasing rent and different developers coming in and spaces changing.”

It's hard to say what the future of The Inc. will look like, but Dring says that it’s important that the direction

Hamilton Artists Inc. takes will reflect Hamilton’s unique artistic community.

“We're working hard to develop ways in which our organization can reflect the diverse community of Hamilton by programming and bringing in artwork and different kinds of things into the gallery that interest equity-seeking communities specifically, but also reflecting the diverse makeup of Hamilton,” Dring said.

She added that “We're really looking to work and mould ourselves based on what the community is asking for.

That's part of our current strategic plan.”

Dring said that the call for submissions for both galleries usually goes out in December. From there, the upcoming year’s projects are decided upon by the artists and art administrators who make up the selections committee.

They vote based on the strategic plan and mandate.

Hamilton Artists Inc. has two new exhibitions opening in September. For more information, visit theinc.ca or any of their social media pages.

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URBANICITY.COM

13

The art of making chocolate – from scratch

JULIA KOLLEK

Julia found herself playing the voice of a robot in Hell or Tide Water. The rest of the time she has just as much fun running her Hamilton communications business.

Just the word chocolate is enough to make people crave a truffle. And if you’ve ever wondered where this delicious food comes from, and how it’s made, now you can learn for yourself.

Chocolate lovers (and those who simply enjoy making things) are flocking to Chocolate Tales, where local chocolatier David Levy offers a complete hands-on experience: a Bean2Bar workshop.

People have been asking to make chocolate from scratch since David began his business eight years ago, and now he’s created a class that’s unique to Hamilton — and possibly across Canada. It’s part of a growing trend to learn what goes into our food and a curiosity about specialty products in particular.

The Aztec and Mayan cultures began the ancient art of chocolate-making and even today, creating what they regarded as the food of the gods, is a complex process that involves thousands of decisions that start with the farmer.

While there’s different varieties, all cacao trees are very particular. They’ll only grow in the hot and humid tropical climates around the Equator. And just like wine or coffee, the terroir, or soil conditions – together with when the cocoa pods are harvested – are crucial to the flavour of the final fruit. How the beans are fermented to remove the outer pulp and seed coat is key, and although the almond-shaped beans look tough, if the subsequent drying process is incomplete, the crop can be ruined.

Raw criollo beans, considered a delicacy and used to make high-end chocolate, are hard to come by, especially as David wanted to source them from a farm that both treated its workers well and was also environmentally responsible.

"EVEN IF THE HANDMADE BAR DOESN’T MAKE IT OUT THE DOOR, NO-ONE LEAVES EMPTY-HANDED."

It took a lot of research for him to finally track down a Venezuelan plantation that shared his values, and the company in Calgary that imported their beans.

Back at Chocolate Tales, the Bean2Bar participants are taken through a series of steps, beginning with delicately roasting the beans for just the right amount of time. Once cooled, the shells are winnowed, or picked away by hand to expose the nibs inside.

These are ground into a paste and processed through the heavy granite rollers of a machine called a conche. The heat and friction created allows a chemical change that aerates the chocolate and makes it velvety smooth by evenly spreading a thin film of the cocoa butter it contains over each tiny particle.

As with everything home-crafted, patience is required. The process takes

12 hours, so participants work with preprepared chocolate to save time (but if they want to get the full experience, they can buy a kitchen conche from David and try it out for themselves).

The conched paste is now ready to be tempered to give it the snap and shine of professional chocolate. It’s heated to a certain temperature and then blended by hand on granite slabs.

Once it’s ready, the mixture is poured into a mould, decorated, and the labour of love is cooled in a fridge.

The final reward is breaking a piece and letting it melt in your mouth.

Even if the handmade bar doesn’t make it out the door, no-one leaves emptyhanded. The class goes home with ingredients and instructions to make more tempting delicacies.

Bean2Bar workshops run Sunday September 8th and 15th and on certain weekends at the York Blvd Studio. Participants must be aged 12+. Check out the special 45% discount on tickets at chocolatetales.ca

SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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Getting to know Restoration Project THE F R U I T

ELISE ARSENAULT

Elise is a writer and musician based in Hamilton. Find her reading at a bus stop, trespassing to sniff flower gardens, or SoBiking around the lake she's still enamoured by.

Tucked between storefronts near King and Wentworth you’ll find two floors stacked with plywood, off-cuts, hand tools, and woodwork machinery. You’ll also find Alicia Wilson, executive director and founder of Restoration Project, leading staff and volunteers in a mission to empower others through creativity.

And if you’d have peered inside midAugust, you’d have admired 30 handmade cedar planters in neat piles, sleek and ready to be delivered to McMaster’s new Children’s Centre. This is only one example of the project’s artistic undertakings — and of the talent held by its artisans, who each live with a developmental disability.

Having grown significantly since conception three summers ago, Restoration Project is celebrating another milestone in their move to a new workshop at Parkdale and Barton this month. Here are pieces of their story so far, so you can join in the hoopla.

THE S EED “On a basic level, we teach woodworking to adults with developmental disabilities,” explains Alicia, seated at her sawdusted desk. “We use reclaimed materials to show the process of restoration in visible form, as an example of what takes part in people’s lives as well.”

Having worked with people with disabilities for fifteen years, Alicia has noticed an unfortunate disconnect between this demographic and meaningful programming.

“In group homes I noticed so many barriers,” she says. “A lot of individuals I supported didn’t fit in the regular employment model, so I was trying to figure out how we could actually create a new model for them that’s sustainable.”

These questions, combined with a craving for creativity, prompted Alicia to explore the possibility of starting her own nonprofit three years ago. She initially pictured a youth mentorship program, until research revealed the advantages of an alternate model.

“We want to challenge people’s thinking,” says Alicia on behalf of the initiative. “That they’d realize, ‘Oh, not only was this cutting board made out of something that was going to be thrown away, but it was made by someone who I wouldn’t have thought had the skills to do it, or that I may have easily overlooked because of their disability.’”

“We’re all created with equal value,” she affirms.

“That’s our starting point — we all have dignity and are created in the image Alicia Wilson, founder of Restoration Project, and artisan Malcolm Hazelton load handmade cedar planters of the Creator. So take a “The more I sat with the idea,” says “For me it’s about figuring out the reg- second look at things: both the prodAlicia, “the more a focus on generat- ular waste of a company and how we ucts we make, and the people who ing income made sense: an artisan pro- can make use of it.” make them. There are huge amounts of gram with the youth mentorship proability, skill, and passion; some people gram tacked on.” Her connections with just need a bit of a different framework TH E G ROWTH multiple group homes meant she could to empower them.” personally invite participants. Zoning After the Hamilton Tool Library sadly in on the craft of woodworking came folded, Restoration took on the space in Group homes and families have caught soon after, as she considered what late 2017. on to the project’s artful, thoughtful products would be profitable and what programming. “We get emails from materials would be inexpensive.

“I knew from the beginning it was not people saying they’ve heard about us. the ideal spot,” she says. Having most It’s a pretty close-knit community in of the equipment in the basement lim- terms of supports because there’s a TH E WATE R its accessibility to some participants. limit of them, so there’s a fair amount of interest in places like this.”

Things began rolling when Alicia “just There’ve also been multiple break-ins. started a lot of conversations,” one of which was with Sue Carr, execu- This past June, they signed a lease to Handmade products are for sale on tive director of nonprofit 541 Eatery & a new space on Parkdale Avenue. And their website (restorationproject.ca) this month, they’re opening it up for and, of course, will be available at the Exchange on Barton. showroom in their new digs. Keep an the public. eye out for a line of coasters sold at 541 “Sue was at the top of the list,” she reveals, grinning. Sue directed Alicia to “I prayed for a very clear moment,” Ali- Eatery & Exchange, Paisley Coffeea grant for young entrepreneurs, help- cia recalls, “so when we got to the place house & Eatery, Democracy, Vintage ing give shape to her plans. “It was a we’d know it was the right one.” She Coffee Roasters, and Studio 205. good push to write everything down on found a property online with the right parameters and price point so, out of “I don’t think we could have launched, paper and see what happens.” started, and come to where we are curiosity, zoomed into street-view. in the same time frame in any other Around the same time, she found the Hamilton Tool Library, who immedi- “I noticed a nearby building looked like city,” Alicia says, her sincerity evident. ately took to the project’s vision and the Indwell-style design,” she explains, “There has been so much community offered use of their space and tools. referring to a local organization that support both for me leading and for Starting in August 2016, Alicia began provides affordable housing. “When what we’re doing. we pulled up we noticed it was acturenting the studio and hosting a class. ally an Indwell building!” This brought Restoration Project is always look“Really,” she laughs, “I learned wood- a sense of affirmation, since Indwell’s ing for volunteers; a one-to-one ratio clientele are likely to benefit from Res- is ideal because of the nature of their working from YouTube.” toration Project’s programs — and programming. And you don’t need any woodworking expertise to be consid“I’d watch videos for weeks prior [to a they’re right in the neighbourhood. ered! Reach out through their webclass], and then be like ‘Alright, we’re site or Instagram page (@Restoragood to go!’ Once you learn the tech- “That felt like a clear sign.” tionProject34) to learn more. You can niques, you start to understand how The project makes its move this month, also support the initiative by donating things can go together.” throwing a re-opening bash for the funds, materials, tools, and buying their As for acquiring materials — she quickly public on September 28th from 10 am products. discovered the wonders of Kijiji, keep- to 4 pm. There’ll be handmade items ing an eye out for fences being torn for sale, opportunities to meet the arti- “Supporting the artisans that way is down, or cabinet-making companies sans, and charcuterie board- and sign- huge,” Alicia concludes. “We’re thankgetting rid of plywood or maple off- making workshops. Check out the ful for such a great community base to cuts. This approach reduces both cost Facebook page for event details (@Res- retail to.” toration Project). and waste.

URBANICITY.COM

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CO NTI NUE D F RO M FRO N T PAG E

professional musicians on stage. What many Hamilton residents may not know is that the HPO’s long and varied history goes well beyond the orchestra’s time on that landmark local stage.

From past performances on the Dofasco factory floor under the direction of former Music Director Boris Brott to the orchestra’s appointment of Olive Short (mother of homegrown comedian and actor Martin Short) as Canada’s first female concertmaster in 1955, the HPO promises an overflowing treasure trove of fascinating historical milestones well worth discovering this season.

By gathering stories and artifacts shared by long-time patrons, musicians and community members, as well as taking a deep dive into the orchestra’s own archives, the HPO’s efforts will culminate with the launch of the HPO Archive at the Hamilton Public Library in May 2020, which will remain open to the public.

“But what concerts are coming up in the season? The 135th anniversary lineup must be pretty stacked, right?”

Oh yes, Hamilton. Oh yes.

This season features major concert events, including the highly-anticipated season closer Beethoven Nine, which promises to be Hamilton’s musical event of the year. Bringing together the HPO and a stage full of our region’s passionate voices to recreate Beethoven’s landmark Symphony No. 9 in a rapturous evening of music, this concert is a must-see. Get ready for goosebumps.

If traditional classical music doesn’t really get you going, the equally epic Sci-Fi Spectacular might be just for you. Featuring orchestral themes from your favourite sci-fi films, including sweeping music from Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and Star Trek. Movie fans, unite!

The rest of the season also features an exciting program of works. Music Director Gemma New returns to kick things off this Fall with Radiant Ravel, a concert of music inspired from the sounds of the natural world around us.

On top of ravishing classic works by Debussy and Sibelius, the concert will also feature the world premiere of The Mermaid and the Fisherman, a piece commissioned by the HPO and written by Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte.

In Mozart & Mendelssohn, rising star violinist Timothy Chooi lends his virtuosic talents to Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, and a second HPO-commissioned piece, Silk Road Fantasy by

Photos provided by BANKO MEDIA

Canadian composer Alice Ho, sees its world premiere. Then, just in time for Remembrance Day, homegrown brass group Canadian Brass makes a welcomed return to Hamilton for A Canadian Brass Salute.

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday activity, The Snowman will certainly be a can’t-miss family concert to ward off the chilly winter season. The HPO is joined by the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and the Hamilton Children’s Choir to perform a lush orchestral score accompanying the heartwarming animated film of the same title.

In the new year, the fifth edition of the HPO’s Composer Festival culminates in Triumphant Tchaikovsky, exploring the legendary composer’s body of work in a concert guest-conducted by Dina Gilbert and featuring Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker.

Craft beer nerds, take notice: as part of this Tchaikovsky Festival, the HPO will also present Happy Hour at Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. in Dundas, pairing

a guided craft beer tasting with works

by Tchaikovsky played by an intimate HPO ensemble. Music, beer, and learning! What could be better?

Later in the season, Scheherazade promises a colourful musical journey into the classic story One Thousand and One Nights, and Haydn’s London spotlights the work of influential English composers, featuring a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto by guest oboist Sarah Jeffrey of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

But that’s not all! A series of smaller HPO events are planned to pop up in laidback and unexpected venues all over town, from art galleries to breweries and the library. This season also includes the return of Intimate & Immersive: innovative concerts at The Cotton Factory that let the audience literally surround the HPO ensemble, mere feet away from the music in a multi-sensory experience perfect for concert-goers looking for something a little different.

With such a wide array of upcoming

musical events to enjoy, one thing is clear: whether you love the traditional classics, or want to go a little further off the beaten path, there’s something for everyone in the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s eclectic and monumental 19-20 Season. Here’s to another 135 fulfilling years of music!

The HPO’s 19-20 Season begins this September. For more information on the season schedule, or to purchase single tickets and ticket packages, visit the HPO’s website at hpo.org

MICHAEL KRAS

Michael is an award-winning writer, theatre artist, actor, producer, and craft beer lover addicted to all things Hamilton.

Most recently, his acclaimed Voaden Prize-winning play The Team premiered to sold-out houses with Essential Collective Theatre and Theatre Aquarius.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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Shop for groceries online to feed hungry children in Hamilton and dry goods, and the prices for each option are affordable. Once you add your items to the cart and check out, volunteers will put together your order and deliver the food to a family in need.

ALICIA GALLANT

Alicia is a Journalism graduate from Mohawk College and writes for various blogs while freelancing for a number of mediums. She lives in Hamilton and enjoys learning about new restaurants and local business.

If you could pay it forward from the comfort of your own home, would you do it?

Shop4Kids Virtual Grocery store is a new charitable initiative by Food 4 Kids Hamilton, an organization that helps feed our most vulnerable with no judgement. For those who may not be able to travel from the grocery store to the food bank, there’s now a way you can help feed your peers with just a few clicks.

A shopper can access this virtual grocery store at home and choose from fruits and veggies to canned staples

Each grocery shop is delivered in a backpack, and the goal is to try to feed kids over the weekend where they don’t have access to the food programs they might partake in at school. This service will also be beneficial for parents who may not have the means to travel to a food bank on the weekends and will relieve that burden of transportation.

Food 4 Kids is a huge proponent of food programs at Hamilton schools, servicing around 60 schools in the Hamilton area, so children can have access to healthy foods at no cost to them. The program aims to be as discreet as possible, as the main goal is to just nourish families with the community’s help, relying mainly on donations.

You can find more information and shop away on the Food 4 Kids Hamilton website by typing in food4kidshamilton.ca/shop4kids

Three new cannabis shops to open in the Hamilton area The winning locations are at Upper James Street and Stone Church Road, in Ancaster between Wilson Street and Garner Road, and in Stoney Creek south of the QEW and Fifty Road.

CRAIG CLARK

Craig is a writer and editor from Burlington, Ontario. His diverse range of work has been featured in various publications such as the Toronto Star, Blank Spaces Literary Magazine, and TERN Magazine.

Results of the latest cannabis retail lottery were announced on August 21st, where three Hamilton applicants have been given the go-ahead to proceed with cannabis shop licenses.

Applicants had to file through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) with a few strict guidelines to follow in order to be considered eligible to open a brick and mortar store.

Those requirements included a confirmation from a financial institution that they had $250,000 in cash, a Standby Letter of Credit of $50,000, and a suitable retail space that is available no later than October 2019.

There were 4,864 eligible entrants all over Ontario with only 42 being selected during the latest draw. Applicants were only given a week to apply for a retail operator licence and a retail store authorization after winning the draw.

At time of print, it appears that all three locations were successful in completing these steps. Had any of the locations been determined to be ineligible or disqualified, the province would simply move to the next candidate on the waitlist for that region.

The three new cannabis retail locations will join the two existing licensed shops Hello Cannabis Store and Canna Cabana Hamilton.

Interestingly enough, there will still be no legal cannabis dispensary presence for the Downtown Hamilton area.

URBANICITY.COM

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Parks Planning meets virtual reality in children and youth exhibit at Supercrawl

engaged over 500 area children and youth in 20 neighbourhoods with weekly programming and lesson delivery to empower civic engagement among our youngest citizens.

CULTURE FOR KIDS IN THE ARTS (CKA)

Culture for Kids in the Arts (CKA), the charitable organization of the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, brings the arts community-wide, creating accessibility so all children and youth have an opportunity to participate.

Local children and youth are showcasing their collective imaginations through an environmentally-themed virtual reality art exhibition this fall.

Centered in Supercrawl’s Family Zone, the installation celebrates the 2019 edition of Artasia, an annual arts initiative for children created by Culture for Kids in the Arts [CKA].

Throughout the summer, CKA staff

By integrating creativity and community, the construction of the aptly titled #ArtPark has gathered contributions from many neighbourhoods. Launching during the 11th edition of Supercrawl (September 14-15), the installation welcomes visitors via an Oculus Quest VR headset into a world of landscapes, insects and creatures – real and fantastical – carrying the voices of children with underlying themes of parks planning.

Development of the #ArtPark has blossomed in partnership with a research team at McMaster University led by Dr. David Harris Smith. “Collaboration with CKA allows us to bring our new media research in the field of virtual cities to arts practice for youth in the

Hamilton region,'' said Smith, whose Virtual Hamilton project focuses on participatory urban planning and virtual cities.

Further valuable input from Environment Hamilton around local plant species and pollinators has similarly aligned with CKA’s community arts approach.

Generously funded by Canada Summer Jobs and HWDSB Focus on Youth, a dynamic Artasia staff of 16 emerging artists and cultural workers mentored by practising artists and experienced arts educators are collaborating with children and youth to launch the VR #ArtPark.

During a visit with the Artasia team, Liberal MP Filomena Tassi said, “When you let people be the best they can be and have experiences that they are passionate about, everybody benefits,” adding, “this opportunity is so

"THIS OPPORTUNITY IS SO GOOD, BECAUSE IT’S EXACTLY WHAT COMMUNITIES IN THIS COUNTRY NEED." good, because it’s exactly what communities in this country need.”

This installation underscores an already festive year, adding enthusiasm to a “20 years young” anniversary campaign, marking two decades of CKA’s work in Hamilton. CKA is proud to serve communities in Canada with accessible arts programming, and looks forward to your ongoing support (virtual or otherwise) in the coming years.

1. The Witton Lofts are named after William Palmer Witton who was the local architect responsible for designing the original building.

2. The six breweries are Fairweather Brewing, Grain & Grit Beer Co, Shawn & Ed Brewing Company, MERIT Brewing, Collective Arts Brewing, and Clifford Brewing Co. Bonus point if you listed Valentino’s Restaurant for their nano-brewery!

3. Landmark Place is 130 metres tall, or 427 feet.

4. The airport we know today was a Royal Canadian Air Force base called the Mount Hope Airport. After World War II, the Department of National Defence declared the base as surplus to its needs with the Department of Transportation assuming ownership.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE ARTS ISSUE

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The

Best

music venues in Hamilton

TI M H O RTO N S FIEL D 64 Melrose Ave N, Hamilton (905) 546-2489

Originally home to Ivor Wynne Stadium, which saw bands such as Pink Floyd, Rush, and The Tragically Hip descend into the Hammer, Tim Hortons Field is the perfect outdoor venue for any large scale music production. The stadium reached peak music fame thanks to the Arkells' Rally Cry tour last year.

F I RS TO N TA RIO CO N C ERT HA L L 1 Summers Ln, Hamilton (905) 546-3100

It wouldn’t be a concert hall if it wasn’t known to play host to well-known and internationally acclaimed artists and bands. The FirstOntario Concert Hall is known for its gorgeous interior and spectacular acoustics, and has set the stage for bands such as The Headstones, Carly Rae Jepsen, Leonard Cohen, Tony Bennett, and of course The Tragically Hip.

W E STDALE TH E ATRE 1014 King St W, Hamilton (905) 577-0074

Since 1935, the Westdale Theatre has been delighting fans in Hamilton. Originally opening as a motion picture theater, the cultural space recently underwent a stunning $4.6 million-dollar renovation that included the introduction of a performance stage, welcoming artists and events for decades to come.

TH E STUDIO

1 Summers Ln, Hamilton (905) 546-3100

This award-wining and intimate venue is the perfect space for bands who are rising quickly in the Canadian music scene, and those with loyal fans. Located in the heart of downtown in an area just off of FirstOntario Concert Hall, this celebrated venue has hosted bands like Yukon Blonde, The Zolas, and more.

F I R STON TAR I O CEN TR E 101 York Blvd, Hamilton (905) 546-3100

One of North America’s premier entertainment venues, this is THE place to check out internationally touring acts, such as Ozzy Osbourne, Shania Twain, Chicago, BTS and others. Helping Hamilton thrust itself into the Canadian and international music scene include events such as the 2015 Juno awards and the 2018 Canadian Country Music Awards.

MI L L S HA R DWAR E 95 King St E, Hamilton (289) 389-5311

Since the 50’s and 60’s headlining bands like Ronnie Hawkins, The Platters, The Tragically Hip, OMD, Joan Jett, and The Ramones have rolled through the doors of 95 King Street East. It’s also been nominated for the Canadian Live Music Industry Awards for Best Teamwork in a Small Club. The club is a nod to downtown history, and serves up a variety of music genres, theatre, comedy, spoken word, visual art, and film.

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H AM I L TON H AS AL WAY S BEEN K N OWN AS “T H E ST EEL TOWN”, “THE HAMME R” OR “T H E AM B I T I OUS CI T Y ”, B UT L AT ELY, WE’ VE ALSO BECO ME KNOWN AS A MU S IC AN D E N T E R TAI N M E N T MECCA. SI N CE GI VI N G BI RT H TO BANDS L IKE THE KIL L JOYS , M ON S T E R T R UC K, T EEN AGE H EAD, WH I T EH O RSE, AN D OF COU RS E , THE ARKE L L S , M OR E AN D M ORE PEO PLE H AVE B EEN PERK I N G UP A ND TU NING IN TO THE SO UN DS CO MI N G O UT O F O UR CITY. THE CAS B A H

306 King St W, Hamilton (905) 741-7625

Since 2001, this flagship club venue is a fan favourite on the Canadian touring circuit and has played host to bands like The Catholics, The Pixies, Bob Mould, and Wanda Jackson. But this hot spot is more than just music, it also hosts events such as Karaoke Cabaret, Dungeons & Dragon nights, and more.

ABSINTH E

THE COR K TOWN PU B

38 King William St, Hamilton (905) 529-0349

Anyone who lives in Hamilton has been to – or perhaps even preformed at – Absinthe at least once in their life. This eclectic alternative venue hosts everything from hardcore punk rock, to hip hop, to themed dance parties (including 90’s nights, Motown Wednesdays, and even a Stranger Things themed night).

THIS A IN ’T H O L L Y WOOD

175 Young St, Hamilton (905) 572-9242

Sitting comfortably in the number two spot is arguably Hamilton’s best pub. Since 1931, this watering hole has served up entertainment and drinks to its loyal fans. Each week, The Corktown welcomes bands such as The Castor Troys, Black Collar Union, One In The Chamber, and also hosts a weekly Open Mic jam for all you aspiring Bonos.

Collective Form and Playhouse Cinema

present

345 James St N, Hamilton (289) 396-3911

Sitting at the number one spot on this list is the well-known hub of James Street North. This building has been hosting bands since the 1930s, including the likes of Johnny Winter and Teenage Head, and have served as the set for music videos and album release parties.

The future of the bar remains up in the air since being listed for sale last year. One thing is for sure: you cannot check out Hamilton without catching at least one show in this infamous venue.

A five part documentary series starting Monday Sept 23rd 177 Sherman Ave. North playhousecinema.ca

IN PARIS, WE MIX CORPORATE WITH CHARACTER. Gather in a classic atmosphere, that’s not so far, far away.

Only 40 minutes from Hamilton, we add character to every event. With our unique spaces, themed guest rooms, special menus, and group packages, The Arlington Hotel offers a true departure from the daily grind.

106 Grand River St N, Paris, ON N3L 2M5

ARLINGTONHOTEL.CA