Sydenham HS Coffee House

May 28, 2025

By Jemma Dooreleyers

It’s the evening of May 22, 2025 and Sydenham Highschool’s drama room is humming with nervous energy and hushed excitement as the lights over the audience dim and the masters of ceremony for Syd’s Cafe (SHS’s coffeehouse-like talent show) take the stage to introduce the first act of the evening, an act, which according to the MCs is proof that “good vocals run in the family.”

The Goods are up, a father and daughter duo, singing the Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel, a perfect opener to introduce this year’s theme, “Family Ties.”

According to Karl Hammer, an art teacher at SHS and the mastermind behind this year’s theme, he wanted to use the theme “Family Ties” to not only highlight the talent of the student body at SHS but to highlight the talent of the people who love and support and inspire the student body at SHS - their families.

Hammer, who was inspired to pick up guitar after seeing his uncle play guitar when he was a child, came up with the theme while reflecting. After COVID, Syd’s Cafe has been having a little bit of a hard time attracting acts and audience, so he wanted to find a theme that would speak to the heart of the community and what better way to do that than to invite a crucial part of SHS’s community (family members) to perform.

“I was reflecting on the resurgence of Syd’s Cafe and as I have gotten to know some students who are musicians, I’ve gotten to know their parents as well and I know some of those parents have been some of the influences behind their own children picking up an instrument,”  My own introduction to music was through my uncle, who played with us tonight, and I just wanted to give students and their families the opportunity to play together.”

And play together they did.

While there were some solo acts throughout the night, many of the acts were a family effort with fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, and grandmothers performing with their students, highlighting the beauty of familial harmonies, the pride families have in their children and the fact that we are nothing if not mosaics of every person who has loved us.

The performances, which were often old songs, invited the audience into the living rooms and road trips of each family and kept this reporter’s jaw on the floor and a constant stream of tears welling up in her eyes, for the duration of the show.

Janice Keene, the organizer of the show and an English teacher at SHS, says that putting on events like Syd’s Cafe is one of her favourite parts about teaching because she loves seeing the students’ creativity, a side that does not always get shown in the day-to-day life of a high school student.

“You get to see a totally different side to the students,” she said. “You get to see a bit of their soul, and you really get to see their sensitive side and their emotional side come out. I think the arts are such a unique way for students to shine in a way they can’t in other traditional academic spaces, and for kids who maybe struggle to find a place in school if they’re not into sports per se or they’re not super academic. This might be a place where they can be at home and really find similar minded kids and feel a sense of belonging.”

Keene believes that allowing the students to perform in a “low-stakes” environment like Syd’s Cafe is an important step to instilling confidence in the students.

“’I’ve observed that it’s really helped students to come out of their shell and just the confidence for performing has blossomed,” she said. “This is a chance for them to try it out to see if it’s something that they’re interested in.”

“It’s a nice little appetizer and a nice way to get their feet wet and see how they find it.”

Keene, who recently moved to Kingston after teaching in Toronto, believes that SHS’s rural location creates a conducive environment for talent and creativity.

“I think there’s something about being in the country. I think there’s something about being in nature to be honest,” she said. “I do live in Kingston but I actually love my drive which I never thought I’d say. “I moved from Toronto and I wanted to be somewhere quieter and calmer and I love my 20-minute drive here. As soon as I get out here, I feel at peace so there’s something about that so I think that fosters creativity.”

Hammer, who set up a display of student’s art projects from the year in the hallways outside of the drama room, in honour of the show, also believes SHS’s location is a contributing factor to students’ talent.

“I don’t think you can go a weekend in Frontenac without seeing music somewhere at a local hall or church or somewhere outside, right through the year so I think there’s great exposure to music for our young kids.”

Keene and Hammer both are honoured to have been a part of something that will create lasting memories for guardians and students alike.

“It was really great to see some parents up there with their child doing something special that I know creates a memory for them that will live forever,” said Hammer.

“I’m just so glad we decided to do this,” said Keane. “It’s turned out really well and I find it especially heartwarming to see moms and dads and grandparents and uncles and siblings come out just to sing together; there’s something magical about that.”