One of the great things about the annual Bon Echo Art Exhibition & Sale is that there is always something for everyone. The show, which is now in its 20th year and took place at Bon Echo Provincial Park from July 24 to 26 last weekend, offered something for all the senses: great food, great live music and of course, great art. This year's show included several artists new to the show, which for its loyal following of art lovers and buyers is always a treat.

Larry Thompson of Greyweathers Press in Merrickville was one such artist who debuted his lino-cut and wood engraved prints under the towering pines at the three-day show, which celebrates the beauty of art and nature in an ideal setting.

Thompson, a self-taught artist, calls himself “an artist with a press” and is a former free-lance writer and editor with a degree in English literature. He has always been interested in printing and at 16 years of age, as a young student, he pulled his first proof from a letter press in a graphic arts class. Twenty-five years later, in 2005, he purchased a 2400-pound vintage printing press and installed it along with a considerable amount of lead type in his Merrickville studio.

He originally planned to print letter press books exclusively, but his need for illustrations quickly led him to explore relief print making in linoleum and wood. His display at the Bon Echo show included a number of framed and unframed prints in a range of sizes, with prices from $30-$90. His illustrations cover a wide range of subject matter and come from many places, including photographs, drawings, and doodles, with others inspired from the visions and minds of “dead poets and poets with a pulse”.

The works, because they are white and black, are highly graphic in nature and Thompson said the beauty he strives for comes from creating art within that limitation. His illustrations range from a series of graceful nudes to illustrations from the many books he has printed at Greyweathers Press, including excerpts from Coleridge's “Kubla Khan, A Vision in a Dream”, as well as prints from one of his own original stories that he printed and illustrated in a book titled “The Vampire and the Seventh Daughter”.

Thompson's work is precise, intricate and graceful and is well thought out. He says his art is “very labour intensive and requires an extreme amount of planning, attention and care”. His most recent book work is called “The Truth About Rabbits”, by a poet named Winona Linn, and it is a collaboration Thompson undertook with a printer named Hugh Barclay of The Hellbox Press in Kingston. Another recent book work also by Thompson is called “Tenebrismo: Ten Poems” by Merrickville poet Kera Willis, which is one of the more high concept book works Thompson has printed to date. An example of the dense detail that his art allows for can be seen in one illustration showing Thompson's cat Tennyson lying in an interior room stretched out on a computer keyboard.

For the Bon Echo show, Thompson felt the need to explore the theme of nature and wildlife and some of his most recent prints include landscapes – wind-swept pines in water-infused scenes typical of Bon Echo landscapes, as well as birds. Thompson is an exceptional artist breathing new life into the art of letter press printing and illustration and his display at the 20th installment of the Bon Echo art show is an example of what keeps art lovers and buyers visiting the show year after year. For more information and to see examples of Larry Thompson's work, visit greyweatherspress.com

The lively cast of the Company of Fools’ production of William Shakespeare's “The Comedy of Errors” pose for a photo shoot after their stellar performance on July 22 at the MERA school house in McDonalds Corners. The cast delighted an all ages crowd that gathered for the outdoor performance, which tells the rollicking tale of two sets of twins who were accidentally separated at birth - two twin brothers and their twin servants, and their love interests. The misunderstandings, dilemmas and mounting confusion make for one entertaining piece of theatre. A wonder of words, sight gags and slapstick comedy, the play was brought to life thanks to the talented and energetic cast and crew along with eye-catching with colourful costumes, fabulous spongy wigs and topnotch sets. The cast each played their highly demanding roles with verve and passion and to great comic effect, making the evening one to remember and likely creating a whole new younger generation of Shakespeare fans.

The 42nd Blue Skies Music Festival is all set for another magical weekend. The volunteer-run festival is set up on a piece of land rich with history near Clarendon, off Road 509.

Although camping passes have all been sold out, day passes for Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2 are still readily available. Day pass tickets sell for $35 at Tara Foods and Brian's Record Option in Kingston, Shadowfax in Perth, and Moondance Music in Peterborough. Sadly for Ottawa residents, the Folklore Centre is closed and will therefore no longer be selling tickets.

However, day passes will also be sold at the front gates all day Saturday and Sunday. The gate opens at 8am as the incredibly varied workshops begin early in the day.

Saturday the music begins at 3pm with opening act Shari Ulrich followed by the infamous Blue Skies square dance. Next, Washboard Hank & the Wringers with Sweet Muriel will hit the stage at 7pm followed by Catherine MacLellan at 8pm, Tim Chaisson at 9pm, David Celia at 10pm and Samantha Martin and the Delta Sugar finishing off the night off at 11pm.

The Sunday schedule starts in the morning again. At 10:00 the annual Blue Skies parade will kick off the day, followed by musical and holistic workshops. From unblocking your dreams to plant identification, and from ukelele orchestras to Tim Chaisson sharing the east coast music scene, there is bound to be something for everyone.

There will be a showcase featuring the Blue Skies Community Fiddle Orchestra at 3:00 followed by a square dance at begins at 4:00. The evening's music starts with the Blue Skies Community Choir led by Suba Sankaran and Dylan Bell, followed by The Young Novelists at 7:45, Karen Savoka at 8:45, The Bombadils at 9:45, Jaffa Road at 10:45. Finishing off the festival will be SWING at 11:45pm.

The 42nd Blue Skies Music Festival promises non-stop entertainment, friendly faces and new experiences. Bring an instrument if you so desire, but most importantly, bring your open ears. For further information, go to blueskiesmusicfestival.ca

The 17th annual non-profit Wolfe Island Music Festival will be running August 7-8. The line-up is a diverse mix of Folk Country, Alternative, Pop and Rock. The music will be presented on four separate stages Friday night and the main stage in full swing on Saturday. The festival will be held on Wolfe Island, a free 20-minute ferry ride away from Kingston. There will also be a free ride on the party boat taking festival goers from Kingston to Wolfe Island every day, offering local DJ's and live music during the ride.

The festival line-up this year is nearly all Canadian bands with the Friday night line-up Elliot Brood, Limblifter, Mo Kenney, Daniel Romano, Spencer Burton, Wax Mannequin, Megan Hamilton, Brendan Philip, Elsa, The Kodeines and the Attic Kids. Saturday promises to be an enjoyable night as well with Constantines, Operators, Hayden, the Elwins, Moonface, Lowell, Tops, Taylor Knox, Highs and Lost Cousins.

The Constantines have been having continued success since the release of their first album in 2001. Their sound is reminiscent of The Clash and Bruce Springsteen but with their own signature zing of roar and insightful commentaries on life added on top. If the name and description doesn't ring a bell, their performance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics might! On that same night, seasoned performer Hayden will perform his eclectic mix of grunge and alternative country.

Music will begin at 6pm on Friday and 12:30pm on Saturday. Cost for a camping package is $125, and cost for just a weekend concert access ticket is $100. Day passes are $50 for Friday night; $65 for Saturday. Children 12 and under get in free to Saturday's main stage. Food and drinks are available from various vendors throughout the festival.

Music enthusiasts will enjoy the calm and not overly populated venue to hear great music with a killer view of Lake Ontario. It is a family friendly atmosphere with more to offer than just the music - as if that wasn't enough!

For more information visit www.wolfeislandmusicfestival.com.

The Flinton Community Jamboree, originally The Flinton Country Bluegrass Jamboree, is all set for another successful weekend with three days of non-stop entertainment from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2 at the Township Rec Centre.

This year will mark the 11th consecutive festival, which was originally started by Donna, Duane and Willard Thibault in order to raise the money to build a roof over the skating rink at the Flinton Township Hall. The Jamboree has fully established itself since then, growing more and more popular each year, with last year having over 225 trailers in attendance.

The festival has changed hands from the Thibaults to new chairman, Andy Anderson. This change has allowed the Thibaults to sit back and enjoy the jamboree after years of working overtime for their community.

Anderson, along with many of the same volunteers from previous years, will be taking on the organizing in order to keep the tradition alive. Carolyn Hasler has offered to continue with the canteen and food organization. Profits will be returned to the community, dispersed among several organizations. Charlie Patton will be emceeing this year, and MT System/Limestone Music will be engineering the audio for the duration of the weekend.

The Land O’ Lakes Cruisers will be the “house band” this year. The original trio of Cathy Whalen, Doug Mumford and Ralph DeFoe had a good idea when they wanted to start a dance band. The band expanded and evolved into the Land O’ Lakes Cruisers.

Today, Cathy Whalen remains the only original member of the band and performs with four gentlemen, forming a group that’s primarily a dance band featuring classic country music. The Land O’ Lakes Cruisers will be playing at the Flinton Community Jamboree Friday night at 8:45 pm and again on Saturday at 4 pm.

Also featured this year will be the popular Eddy and the Stingrays and their 50s and 60s music. They'll take you on a nostalgic trip with doo-wop, tear-jerkers and rock and roll standards on Saturday, August 1 at 8:30pm.

Cost is $35 for a weekend pass (with rough camping $55); 13-16yrs half price; 12 years and under free. Friday and Sunday the cost is $10, and Saturday cost is $25. Please note that after 6pm, admission for the Saturday evening shows, which feature three great groups - Sweet Grass, the White Family and Eddy & The Stingrays, lowers to $15.

The Flinton Community Jamboree will be jam-packed with other country and bluegrass acts as well, including the Pickled Chicken band, Lionel Grimard and Eleven Roses, and many more.

The full schedule will be published in next week’s edition of the Frontenac News (Thursday, July 23). The weekend will be enjoyable for all ages; dancing and music appreciators will especially welcome this year’s festival.

For tickets and reservations call Karen, 613-743-4829; vendors please call Cathy 613-243-3112. For more information visit flintonjamboree.ca 

A total of 18 vendors set up their stalls at the Clar-Mill hall in Plevna for the annual Plevna Summer Craft show. The event, now in its fourth year, was organized by northern area artisans Betty Hunter and Debbie Emery, who together with the 16 other sellers offered up a wide variety of locally made items including quilts, original artwork, unique wooden frames, stained glass, jewelry, felt work, hand made soaps and candles and more.

Local painter, Cathy Owen of Red Dragon Studio in Ardoch, is one of the show's regular vendors and she had an interesting display of some of her latest creations. Owen, who has been painting for 26 years, spends seven months of the year in Ardoch and in 2013 she achieved her lifelong dream of designing, building and opening up her very own gallery and studio space.

Red Dragon Studio is located beside her cottage on Malcolm Lake and it is where she works and sells a wide variety of paintings, cards, lanterns and glass mosaics. Owen is one artist who continues to explore new horizons. Some of her latest work was inspired by local neighbours, Bud and Mary, who told her about a fundraising event for their community association in Virginia, in which local artisans were commissioned to create painted floor mats to be auctioned off for sale.

Owen was intrigued by these decorative and functional objects, which were first popular in the late 18 and early 19th century, when woven rugs were priced beyond many homeowners' means. As an alternative to woven rugs, floor cloths became a decorative way to not only cover bare floors and add colour to the home, but were also helpful in cutting down drafts. Like Owen's, early floor cloths were painted on canvas with both simple and complex imagery and it was not until the Industrial Revolution, when mass-produced woven rugs became increasingly affordable, that floor cloths eventually went out of style.

In the 20th century they became popular again when folk art came back into style. Owen's floor mats are unique and are made to be walked on. Painted in acrylics with three top coats of varathane, they can be easily cleaned and are durable. Their subject matter includes what Owen is best known for: nature scenes like stands of birch trees; local wildlife, like loons and herons, and wild local flora.

Owen loves nothing more than sharing her know how with others and she has been teaching for over two decades now. She offers courses at her studio in Plein air and watercolour painting and stained glass mosaics. For more information contact Cathy at 613-479-2137; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit reddragonartstudio.com.

For art lovers who missed the Plevna show, mark your calendars for the North Frontenac Back Roads Studio Tour, which will take place on September 26 and 27 and will include a number of northern area artisans.

Art has always played a significant part of the heritage of Bon Echo. Hundreds of years ago the aboriginal artists left their unique drawings at water level on Mazinaw Rock. In the 1920-30s, Merrill Denison invited several members of the Group of Seven to discover and paint the beautiful Mazinaw countryside. In the ongoing years hundreds of artists have come to capture the scenery on canvas and film.

The annual Art Exhibition and Sale was the brainchild of the late Gary Sharman, Assistant Park Superintendent in 1995. It was orchestrated by then Friends of Bon Echo President Joan Lindey and Director Carla Miedema. Both have continued to be involved throughout the 20 years. Attendance, the quality of the artwork and total sales continue to increase. Many campers, cottagers and local residents plan their vacation dates to coincide with the Art Show.

An exciting variety of activities will mark the Friends Art Exhibition and Sale this year. On July 24, 25, 26 original art depicting Canadian nature, wildlife and countryside will be presented with over 40 new and returning artists participating. Highlights for all ages include mouth-watering barbecues and baked goods, Sciensational Sssnakes!! presentations, live musical groups and stone and paddle carving.

The entire summer season at the Park offers campers and day visitors a number of activities which arise from the Friends’ commitment to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Bon Echo Provincial Park. Through the effort of over one hundred volunteers they are able to give major funding assistance to numerous educational activities, many of which are orchestrated by the trained Natural Heritage Education staff. The Greystones Gift and Book Shop, the tour boats, barbecues and enhanced trails give visitors the opportunity of an exceptional park experience. www.bonechofriends.ca

Youngsters and adults of all ages had an opportunity to explore the latest in creative computing and other related technology thanks to a special interactive event put on by the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake on July 3.

The event, titled the Mini Maker Faire, aims to engage youngsters in the latest cutting edge technology and was headed up by members of the KFPL staff. It included a number of interactive opportunities for kids and adults alike.

On site was a 3D printer where visitors had a chance to create their own 3D designs or choose an existing design to have printed out. A number of finished items were on display such as key chains and various toys, including one detailed dinosaur head.

Liz Coates, a teen and new adult librarian with the KFPL, explained the process. A design is first created and loaded into a computer attached to the printer, which then uses a raw plastic filament to create the object. The filament is fed into an extruder, which heats the plastic to 225 degrees Celsius. The plastic then immediately hardens, which allows layer upon layer to build up, creating a finished three-dimensional object.

Coates informed me that all card-carrying members of the KFPL can put in orders to have their own 3D designs printed out at the library's main branch, which can then be delivered to any member branch. At another station of the Mini-Maker Faire, Derek Fenlon, a tech tutor with the KFPL, showed guests something called arduino, a creative computer/electronics kit complete with a detailed instruction guide that shows youngsters the basics of computer technology by showing them how to create their own computer-based electronic objects. The kit shows the users how to program tiny computers called micro-controllers, which causes objects to be interactive. The kit aims to get youngsters engaged in creating their own designs, which can eventually evolve into more complicated objects like robots.

Another attraction at the fair was a special button-making machine, at which a crowd of youngsters and their parents were busy making their own buttons.

Huda Shaltry, programming and outreach staff with the KFPL, was pleased with the turnout for the first time Sharbot Lake event and said that a lot of parents brought along friends with kids. Although the primary aim is to get young ones involved in the various programs the library offers, these can be a relaxing and equally engaging experience for adults as well. One parent said that she spent hours with her kids, who were thoroughly engaged for the entire duration of the event.

For those who missed the first fair, a second KFPL Mini Maker Faire will take place at the Barrie Hall in Cloyne on Friday, August 14 from 1 to 3pm.

Shaltry also made note of a number of summer reading clubs for youngsters and teens as well as the library's “Books Clubs with a Difference” events, which offer adults a chance to meet for relaxed conversations about the books they have been reading. For avid readers in this area, the book clubs will take place at the Cloyne branch on Friday, July 17 and Friday, August 21 at 11am, and at the Sharbot Lake branch on Tuesday, July 28 and Tuesday, August 25 at noon.

A number of programs geared to children and the whole family are scheduled for this summer at a variety of KFPL library branches and include LEGO making workshops, puppet shows, story telling, concerts and more. For a full listing visit www.kfpl.ca

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library is delighted to offer a StoryWalk® in Sharbot Lake on Saturday, July 25, from 10am to 12 noon. StoryWalk® is a fun activity that places a children’s story along a walking trail or route in the community. It was conceived as a way to inspire parents, teachers, and caregivers to take young children outdoors to combine physical activity with learning.

StoryWalks® will take place at Oso Beach in Sharbot Lake and will feature the charming and heart-warming picture book Your Hand in My Hand by Mark Sperring and Britta Teckentrup. The story follows a mouse and her mum as they take a trip through the four seasons. Find the pages along the beach.

Following the StoryWalk, enjoy a themed craft together. Throughout the event, share your photos with us online using the hashtag #KFPLStoryWalk.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. This project is sponsored by the Friends of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library.

For more information about our StoryWalk® and other events, pick up the summer edition of What’s Happening, call your local branch, or visit the Programs and Events section of the library’s website at www.kfpl.ca.

Lovers of world music were treated to two special concerts that brought the sounds of far-off places to this neck of the woods.

The first concert took place on June 28 at the MERA schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners, where flamenco guitarist Jorge Miguel surprised guests and appeared with stellar flamenco singer, Fernando Gallego, in tow. The two performed two generous sets of top-notch, straight from the heart music and those unfamiliar with the power of authentic flamenco were hit hard with the intensity of emotion that it is.

Miguel, who has studied with the best flamenco guitarists in Spain, de-mystified the genre for guests. He explained that the music goes back to the Druids of 3000 years ago, and is a style similar to American blues in that it is the music of the people, and relies on the interaction between singer, players and dancer.

Though the dancer who normally appears with the duo was unable to make the trip out to MERA, these two left nothing wanting in their incredible performance. Miguel's fast-flying fingers built a solid and magically full sound that followed Gallego's lead and when the seemingly shy singer first opened his mouth it was like experiencing a powerful wallop of emotion that reaches right to the heart and soul of what is meant by real flamenco. The two performed a number of original tunes composed by Miguel, from his two album releases to date, one of which took him no less than eight years to complete.

With Gallego’s vocals accentuating Miguel's extraordinarily complicated rhythms and with the latter alternately hand clapping and beating on the “cajon”, a Spanish percussion box, the two managed to bring the heart and soul of Cadiz, Spain, which is the Spanish hub of flamenco music, to the crowd. The two have been performing together for a number of years, bringing authentic flamenco in all its power, beauty, sorrow, love and humour to appreciative audiences, many of whom, like myself, have never experienced the real McCoy.