If you are in the mood for a little guitar strumming, mandolin plucking, banjo picking, piano playing, fiddling fun, then Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party is the place that you want to be.
The sixth annual camp is more than just a music camp. The Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, which takes place at the Kenosee Lake Boys and Girls Camp, offers its participants a five-day week full of instruction, laughter, friendship and memories that last a lifetime.
This year, 127 students attended week one of the camp, with a similar number expected to participate in the week two session. In addition to the students, 40 to 50 of their loved ones including parents, siblings, spouses or friends will take over the camp. This year kicked off with the kid's camp which was held from July 30 to Aug 2.
Michele Amy, creator of the camp and local music instructor, said "the kid's camp was brilliant. This is only the second year that we ran it. The first year that we ran it, we sat down as a group and brainstormed, and we changed all the things that needed tweaking. So basically, it was a new camp this year. We have fine tuned it. And it was amazing this year."
"It has not been done anywhere else so we truly invented it. It is a kid's camp, but what we are really doing is training a generation of music teachers. We are teaching them how to be teachers, and teaching is an art form and a highly developed skill set. And there is nowhere for musicians to go to learn how to train others. We are really planning for the continuity of our craft and creating that next generation of instructors."
While the kid's camp may be a relatively new concept that is working well, the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party week one and week two sessions continue to the success they have always been. "Every year, we listen to feedback, listen to our students and listen to our instructors. We take everything in and try to work on the little things that will make us better so we are continuously improving."
"And what we've got now is really amazing. We have hit our stride organizational-wise. Our students have been fantastic and our instructors are absolutely amazing. We are the largest music camp across Canada with not only the most students, but the most instructors. And on top of that, we run for two full weeks so we are unique that way as well."
As for marketing, at this point the camp speaks for itself. Amy said "the camp essentially markets itself. We no longer have to market and honestly if we did market, we would have to turn people away. And we don't want to do that. And we don't want to get too big because we would lose the spirit of what we've got. We are more than just a music camp, we are building real community spirit."
Twenty instructors provide coaching to students throughout the camp sessions. Not only are the instructors there for the students, they are there to entertain as well.
During week one, which ran Aug 5 to 9, concert-goers were privileged to the musical styling of Troy MacGillivray, Karrnnel, Matthew Contois, Joel Olson, Lindsay Bart, Jim McLean, Cathy Sproule, Sabin Jacques and Rachel Acouin.
In addition, Ken Hamm, Shamma Sabir, Gordon Stobbe, Daniel Koulack, Stephanie Labbe, Fred Keller, Kim deLaforest, Patti Lamoureaux, J.J. Guy, Anthony Bzdell and Donna Turk performed during week one and will also offer their talent during the second week.
Week two, scheduled for Aug 16 to 20 will see Tim Chaisson, Mairi Rankin, Ken Jeffersen, Adam Hurt, Anthony Kelly, Rob Skeet, Gillian Maher, Bob Evans, and John Arcand take to the stage.
Last year, the concerts held throughout week one and week two attracted a whopping 2,631 people in just 10 concerts. Over the last five years, the camp has seen more than 9,600 people come through the doors.
This year has been no different. Amy said that "concert-wise, the performances have been unbelievable. We have had mind-blowing performances. That's the only way to explain it. We've had really good attendance. We have a packed house every night so being that it's an outdoor venue, that means about 300 every night."
With the price of admission only $8 or $25 for a family, this year's concerts are sure to attract people from far and wide. Week passes are available for $25, which allows spectators to take in all five concerts.
Remember, the upcoming week of concerts is your last chance to take in the Kitchen Party. For those that wish to attend, the final concerts of the summer will take place from Aug 16 to 20. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. sharp with gates opening at 6:15 p.m. And don't forget your lawn chair and a blanket because part of the appeal is the outdoor nature of the concert. And for those in the mood for a little dancing, you are welcome to stay for the square dancing that follows the concert!
