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BikeFest in Kitchener–maximizing community

Posted on June 2, 2014 by dw

There’s an interesting, delightful, and maybe somewhat obvious thing that happens when people get out of their cars and onto their bikes: they talk more with each other.

There was a whole lot of talking going on at Kitchener’s BikeFest in front of City Hall last Saturday. I rode all the way down there from northwest Waterloo to support the cause and snap a few photos. It is my optimistic hope that by showing up on two wheels, I contribute to the movement of cyclists who are advocating for better bike lanes, better-connected trails, and safe parking for bikes. By showing up, I’m hoping politicians will recognize cycling as a priority and the benefits it brings to the community. For that to happen requires a critical mass of citizens regularly pushing pedals. I don’t know what the numbers were this year; let’s say 300 people showed up. Imagine next year if 3000 people show up.

Thanks to the volunteers and vendors for getting this together. It doesn’t happen by magic, people! Be sure to check out bikekitchener.ca and sign up for the Kitchener Bike Challenge.

More pics follow…

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Posted in event | Tagged bicycle, King Street, Kitchener | 2 Comments

CAFKA14-Dagmara Genda

Posted on May 31, 2014 by dw

Guelph artist Dagmara Genda’s piece “a really, really big doodle!” is gorgeously plastered across the parking garage at Charles and Benton Streets. So great.

Now I’ve only covered 6 of the 15 pieces in the Biennial, so I leave it to you, faithful reader, to get out on the street and find the others. The whole show runs through to June 29 with various performances and opportunities to engage the artists. I’m particularly looking forward to Mary Mattingly rolling her giant bound ball of possessions down King Street.

Pick up a map for the show around town. I got mine at Kitchener City Hall. See you in the street.

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Posted in art, CAFKA | Tagged Kitchener, public art | Comments Off

CAFKA14-Don Miller

Posted on May 31, 2014 by dw

I totally love how riled up some people are getting about Shelburne artist Don Miller’s piece “Saturn and Cronus” on David Street, just north of Courtland. The only enemy is apathy.

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Posted in art, CAFKA | Tagged Kitchener, public art | 2 Comments

CAFKA14-Darren Copeland and Andreas Kahre

Posted on May 31, 2014 by dw

Here is Toronto artist Darren Copeland sitting on his piece “SITCOM” in Victoria Park. I had an opportunity earlier in the week to help Darren and his co-creator Vancouver artist Andreas Kahre solder together some bits of this sound installation. Sitting on the bench triggers sounds that were recorded along the Grand River watershed. You’ll find this pavilion on Jubilee Drive at the bottom of Heins Ave.

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Posted in art, CAFKA | Tagged Kitchener, public art | Comments Off

CAFKA14-Sara Graham

Posted on May 31, 2014 by dw

CAFKA Biennial, on now. Saw Vancouver artist Sara Graham’s piece “Pype Supersystem” at The Tannery on Friday. Get out in the street. DW

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Posted in art, CAFKA | Tagged Kitchener, public art | Comments Off

CAFKA14-Mary Mattingly

Posted on May 31, 2014 by dw

That’s right peeps, the CAFKA Biennial of public art starts today. I poked around town a bit and visited a half dozen installations to get you out on the street and checking out this awesome art. Details at cafka.org or follow @_CAFKA on twitter and tag your tweets with #CAFKA.14 Opening reception is tonight at 7pm at Kitchener City Hall. Get there.

Above, is a fragment of NYC artist Mary Mattingly’s piece “House and Universe: Sphere and Cube”. I found this in the Kitchener City Hall lobby earlier in the week on my way to a meeting. So cool.

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Posted in CAFKA | Tagged Kitchener, public art | Comments Off

1shot #175-Tannery Tesla

Posted on May 30, 2014 by dw

All the torque, right off the blocks.

Nice work by Communitech’s Director of Marketing Services, Saj Jamal, for hooking up the Tesla test drive connection at The Tannery. At Charles and Victoria, this is Kitchener.

Posted in photography | Tagged 1shot, cars, Communitech, Kitchener, The Tannery | Comments Off

Dead tech in limestone – CAFKA14

Posted on May 26, 2014 by dw

These awesome limestone CRT’s and tower appeared in front of The Tannery last week. This is part of artist Laura Moore’s piece One Man’s Junk, which is itself part of the CAFKA 14 Biennial of public art. When I think of my old 20” ViewSonic CRT monitor, I can’t imagine the real thing was much lighter than solid limestone. This made me do a double-take on my way back from lunch. I reckon that’s the idea.

I see art everywhere.

Posted in CAFKA | Tagged installation, Kitchener, The Tannery | 3 Comments

Grand Porch Party band–The Short Films

Posted on May 15, 2014 by dw

Only 3 weeks away, on Sunday June 8, is the ever-awesome Grand Porch Party, and y’all know that (and you’ve told two friends, right?) but some of may not know some of the bands playing at GPP. Last weekend I got out on Saturday night to catch a set by my friends, The Short Films, who you’re going to see at GPP again this year. Here’s Tessa (guitar/voc), Ryan (drums), and Russell (bass) doing what they do best, this time around at Hack’s.

There’s really nothing like live music. The more you support it, the more you get.

Click through for more pics of The Short Films, and stay tuned for pics of other bands playing GPP. Now get this event in your calendar: Sun, June 8, 2-5pm

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Posted in event, music | Tagged Grand Porch Party, waterloo | Comments Off

1shot #174-everything is fine

Posted on May 14, 2014 by dw

Growth.

Dupont Street. This is Waterloo.

Posted in photography | Tagged 1shot, waterloo | Comments Off