A Walk in the Park: SPAF 2025
The best part about summertime in Kingston is there’s always something to do, and the worst part is there’s never enough time to do it all. Whether you were busy with the Princess Street Promenade or simply seeking shelter from the heatwave, you might have missed this year’s Skeleton Park Arts Festival (SPAF). If you weren’t able to make it out to McBurney Park this past weekend, we don’t want you to feel left out; our summer theatre critics are here to share with you their perspectives on the music and merriment of SPAF.
‘Walks of Life’ Open Mic Welcomes You With Open Arms
By Mariam Tirani
Beneath the warm, inviting glow of string lights and a chandelier of colourful abstract paper cut-outs strung from the ceiling, the Walks of Life open mic radiates community. Hosted by Abbie Louise and Josh Lyon, the venue is filled with a steady stream of local artists, poets, and musicians of all ages ready to share their art with the community. Whether it’s your first time stepping on a stage or your hundredth, every performance is welcomed with enthusiasm and awe.
From lively Celtic music to vulnerable poetry, with covers of popular artists and original compositions, Walks of Life truly has unforgettable performances bound to impress anyone. With such a wide range of disciplines welcomed, every art form feels like a one-of-a-kind experience shaped by the uniqueness of each performer. Even a four-person ensemble playing loud and lively music followed by a single person’s soft-spoken and intimate poetry does not feel awkward; the stark difference adds to the profoundness of the message being delivered to the audience. The beauty of this variety is that it brings fresh and diverse experiences to each show, ensuring both the performers and audience members have something new to encounter the next time they attend.
Open to people of all ages, skill levels, and artistic backgrounds, Walks of Life creates a warm and non-judgmental environment where everyone, including the most experienced performers, can practice and hone their skills. Whether it’s an unrehearsed duet or a first-time poet sharing a piece about the birds they see out the school bus window, each person stepping on stage is met with incredible enthusiasm. The sign-up sheet at the front door is even open for late-comers or those feeling inspired mid-show to step on stage and give performing a go. The relaxed atmosphere is the perfect place for a nervous newcomer to gain confidence and find their footing in front of a crowd.
Arguably, one of the most valuable aspects of the Walks of Life open mic is the sense of connection it fosters among everyone present. Under the warm glow of the string lights, audience members seated casually around the venue chat pleasantly with friends and strangers. Performers sprinkled around the venue can be heard tuning their instruments, rehearsing softly with each other, and exchanging words of encouragement before their time on stage. On many occasions, the audience is encouraged to sing, clap, or snap along to the tune of the performers, blurring the line between stage and sidelines. A particularly heartwarming moment came when a father shared the story of how his daughter, who had performed just before him, encouraged him to return to the stage after a years-long hiatus. Others explain the inspiration behind their poetry or crack jokes at their on-stage mistakes, adding to the friendly and sociable atmosphere.
Thanks to the warmth and hospitality of Louise and Lyon, the transitions into and out of the show are seamless and set the tone for what to expect perfectly. The intermissions between performers are filled with heartfelt compliments, entertaining tidbits, and encouraging words, not missing a chance to ensure everyone feels seen and supported. When I say everyone feels seen and supported, I truly mean it; it’s not every day that the host of your open mic holds up a baby chick to the microphone for its own solo performance. Louise’s end performance wrapped up the show very thoughtfully. Her inspiring words about open mics being about an inclusive and non-judgmental environment to try out new things struck a chord with the audience.
If you’re looking for entertainment, connection, or even the chance to express yourself, Walks of Life is the place to be. Bring a friend, a poem, or just bring yourself, even if the stage isn’t your thing, the connection and the people will definitely draw you back.
You can attend ‘Walks of Life’ open mic at Next Church on the second Friday of every month.
SPAF Has Community in Spades
By Aiden Robert Bruce
Kingston’s community was in full force this past weekend with arts institutions, community vendors, and artists from across the country coming together at the 2025 Skeleton Park Arts Festival. The amalgamation of different mediums and the variety of people perusing is difficult to describe, but alas, it is my job to do so. This endeavour is eased by referencing the already incredibly accurate representation created in the Central Public School’s art installation, ‘What is Community?’ The mural, The Great Meeting Place, which was located at the southeast corner of Skeleton Park, contained 26 pieces of artwork with artist statements done by the students of Mrs. Sheriff’s Grade 4/5 class. Among the pieces, every part of the festival was represented. I’ve elected to piggyback off of their apt interpretations of community by discussing a few of the pieces in reference to different aspects of SPAF.
Friendship by Cassidy
Beginning with a more conceptual than literal piece, Friendship depicts two hands coming together. In the artist statement Cassidy notes: “To me my art piece symbolizes differences and similarities and those are two of the things we need to make our community special.” The sentiment Cassidy carries is evident in the mix of mediums found in the festival’s booths; crochet, embroidery, paintings, comics, and the Kingston Arts Council were all present. I would find myself passing one artist’s booth only to see them across the park admiring someone else’s a few moments later. The collection of creators from vastly different backgrounds was an inspiring presence, as each artist was there not only to show their craft, but also to admire the work of others.
Guitar by Evie
Most (if not all) of the Main Stage performances were music, and from anywhere in the park at almost any time you could hear it over the bustle of attendees. Evie’s Guitar does not simply represent the singular instrument: Evie explains in an artist statement that “we are so lucky to have so many local musicians in our community. I think music makes people have fun, and you can’t have community without fun!” The Main Stage performances exhibited just how many talented musicians Kingston has to offer, as well as some visitors from other communities in Canada. The guests in the park would shift in volumes throughout the day, but there was always a guaranteed crowd on the grass by the stage, appreciating the multitude of artists.
Supercycle Bicycle by Jaid
Perhaps my favourite title in the mural, Supercycle Bicycle is explained in its artist statement as: “I did this drawing because Canadian Tire sells them, and because me and mommy have a Supercycle bicycle. I like riding on bike trails.” It also is perhaps the most surprisingly accurate representation of this art festival’s values. A theme of the weekend aside from local artists and vendors was an environmentalist agenda, which was represented by the large bicycle valet available at the festival to encourage patrons and guests to avoid using their cars. The area was closed off with friendly staff keeping the vehicles safe while their owners perused the park’s offerings.
I’ve only mentioned three of 26 pieces here, but across the board Mrs. Sheriff’s class has a strong understanding of what community is in Kingston, and SPAF’s offerings represented it in spades. In my time in Kingston, what I’ve come to love is the small town feel of a city that never runs out of things to do, and this weekend’s festival was a wonderful embodiment of that unique Kingston spirit.
A Celebration of All Things Art
By Malobi Elueme
The Skeleton Park Arts Festival took over McBurney Park this past weekend, and for two days, the whole park felt like one big block party. The festival was full of local music, art, food, and energy. And the best part? It was free, outdoors, and family-friendly.
I showed up on my bike and was happy to find a bicycle valet service run by Cycle Kingston. From there, I headed over to the Theatre Kingston booth, where I sat for a bit and chatted with people about the upcoming Fringe festival. There were a good number of booths spread throughout the park. Some were local artists and craftspeople selling their work, music groups sharing upcoming projects, and arts organizations talking about their year-round programming.
I loved SPAF’s intentional collaborations with grassroots arts groups like Fiercely OK!, who host monthly singing circles, or Walks of Life, a cozy open mic series. The festival didn’t just bring art into the neighbourhood, it made sure to amplify what was already growing there. I also enjoyed the variety in SPAF’s programming. All day, there were lots of different kinds of events to choose from.
The music was non-stop. I caught the band Brass Over Tea Kettle on Sunday. Describing themselves as “Kingston’s Loudest Secret,” they brought all the energy you’d hope for in a live brass band. The lovely melodies of the saxophones, tuba, and trombone over the energetic beats from the drums made the set feel alive. Their cover of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ Can’t Take My Eyes Off You had my whole table singing along and we were all the way in the back. They brought a lovely live energy that made it hard to sit still.
There were also quieter joys. Scheduled activities included morning Yoga in the Park led by Jeb Morley and a photography exhibit at the Elm Cafe. Sunday afternoon, I watched an artist create a blue portrait of someone by the music area. There was also a live CFRC broadcast happening right from the SPAF booth, a craft market run by the Fat Goose Collective, and local food vendors offering different food items from coffee to bao buns. I left with a pepper plant and a cool t-shirt, both of which feel like perfect souvenirs from a sunny weekend well spent.
Despite the heat, the park was full of kids running around, families lounging under shady trees, and the sounds of many conversations and connections happening at once. The vibe was playful and relaxed. It felt like a festival that truly wanted everyone to be part of it—whether you were there to dance, explore, create, or just chill in the sun.
In its 20th iteration, SPAF didn’t try to be flashy. Instead, it leaned on what already makes its community great: music, art, movement, people, and playfulness. There was something deeply comforting about all of it. I left with the reminder that sometimes the best art isn’t always in the galleries. It lives right here, in the parks with laughter, in the rooms with music, and in the people who come together.
Find more details about the 2025 Skeleton Park Arts Festival here.
