10s All Around: A Decade of Kick & Push Festivals
The tenth day of the tenth month. What better time to read about the Kick & Push Festival’s tenth season?
Although summer may be long over by now, the KTA has just finished wrapping up the necessary paperwork that must come with the annual Kick & Push Festival. As my colleague and Artistic Producer of the Kick & Push Liam Karry recently closed the books on this year’s busy run, we were finally able to chat about the celebratory 10th season. I was also lucky enough to hear from marketing coordinator Charlie Hensel about her experience working on the festival. Diving into email chains of Q&As with Karry and Hensel, I was able to get the scoop on the Kick & Push’s decade-long feat.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
When did you begin working with the Kick & Push (K&P) Festival?
LK: I was one of those who volunteered to organize the very first Kick & Push Festival in 2015. I’ve been with the festival ever since.
CH: I began working with The Kick & Push Festival this summer, in July of 2024!
How has the festival developed over the years you’ve worked on it?
LK: In many, many wonderful ways. Overall, I believe the Kick & Push continues to become a “better version” of itself with each passing year. Not just offering more to our audiences, our artists, and the community, but also learning to do so more effectively. For example, this past year, due to the work of festival leadership, every staff member was paid a living Kingston wage and all engaged artists were paid professional rates. Our 2024 programming reached more audiences while activating more exciting Kingston locations than ever before, and did so by collaborating with an ever greater number of like-minded organizations within our community.
Kingston possesses an unbelievable amount of remarkable humans producing wonderous artistic experiences, and it is evident to me that the K&P contributes more to that ecosystem with each passing season.
What did an average day look like for you working with K&P?
LK: At the risk of cliché, I don’t believe an “average” day exists for those who choose to make festivals happen, particularly if said festival is multi-venue, multi-disciplinary in focus, and has a small team. During the Kick & Push, my work day starts no later than 8 am, and typically runs until midnight. It often includes many meetings… financial, contractual, and project management tasks; giving the odd interview, as well as assisting others on our team as a second eye, editor, driver, or additional set of hands.
CH: Every day of Kick & Push can vary greatly; with such a variety of programming there was always something new going on. A typical day would start with a morning meeting, our daily team check-in, and then we would head to site. I had a nice balance of attending many shows and interacting with patrons, while also spending many days in coffee shops or at home working on graphics and marketing behind the scenes.
How did you celebrate the 10th season of K&P?
LK: Most moments I spent working with our incredible team to manifest our tenth season felt celebratory, particularly the challenging ones. I consider myself fortunate to be able to produce an event which celebrates my city while creating opportunity, community, and fun.
CH: I celebrated the 10th season of the Kick & Push Festival at the Kick & Push Kick Off having a blast with the team and listening to Tiny Horse!
Did you ever feel inspired by the K&P season this year? Can you describe that moment?
LK: There were so many moments this past season, the majority of which occurred when I witnessed human connection. Of course, I recall several collective gasps and thunderous applause of our audiences, but I also remember the easy, eager excitement of different TK Fringe productions as they introduced themselves to each other in the lobby of the Kingston Grand. I recall a little girl, no more than three, who smiled as she reached out to grasp the hand of the Goddess [in Divine Interventions] blessing her family on the corner of King and Brock. I remember the dynamic conversation and laughter heard throughout the Tett Centre whenever I visited the artists we had in residency there.
CH: I was inspired by Other(worldly), a show comprised of wearable sculptural creations designed by Leisa Rich, which we brought to the streets of Kingston. I thought it was very inspiring the concept of increasing the accessibility of visual art and bringing it to the people rather than locking it in a museum. One of the Other(worldly) costumes in particular that was featured at Stories in the Square was a bright colourful dress covered in paper flowers and tied with balloons which we cut off and handed to children after the story was finished; the reactions to this piece were very endearing.
What is something you’ve learned from working with the K&P that will stick with you?
LK: Things get better when effort is made to build communities based on positivity, inclusivity, and opportunity.
CH: While working with the Kick & Push Festival I got the opportunity to speak with many of the artists about the origins of their projects. With works covering a vast range of disciplines, overwhelmingly they had the same advice for emerging arts workers. I think a lot of people (including myself) feel underqualified to go after their goals, but unless you try you will never succeed.
The Kick & Push Festival is an annual innovative performance festival. More information can be here.
