Live music in the Quinte region isn’t all that hard to find if you look in the right places.
Sure, there are the usual suspects such as bars, pubs or various coffee
houses around. But, if you’re looking for something a little more unique than a
standard open-mic experience, Night Kitchen Too may offer just what you’ve been searching for.
The ever-popular monthly performance series kicked off its seventh season on September 14th at the Pinnacle Playhouse.
Here, you can find a diverse collection of performers, ranging from live music, poetry and spoken word. Seasoned professionals and novices come together under one roof to entertain audiences and foster our musical community alike.
The idea of the event itself comes from the East coast – Wolfville, NS to be exact. The “Too” was added to the series’ namesake once the event was granted permission to bring it to Belleville. On any given NKT evening, 12 – 14 performers take the stage with five minutes of time each to showcase their budding gifts. To tie it all together and bring it home, a well-known, local artist is highlighted with a fifteen minute slot.
Resident Quinte musician and music promoter Joe Callahan carefully curates the list of talent every month. He keeps things diversely moving on the stage that keeps audiences of about 100 people keep coming back month after month. You never know what you might get to witness on a performance night. NKT producer Gary Magwood recounts some of his favourite moments of the past:
“Many performers have stepped up to the mic and really wowed the audience over the last six years. I recall four saxophone players from Albert College who rocked the stage, and memorable, soulful love songs sung in Russian by Antonina Durham and Nadezda Nelson.”
Gary also states: “Recently, several of the novice performers, after a few appearances on the NKT stage, have started to appear at local venues. This has been most gratifying and an unexpected bonus for all the hard work put in by the NKT producers.”
If experiencing all those performers wasn’t enough, once the scheduled acts have commenced, an open jam is usually encouraged that may very well involve various performers and audience-goers alike. You may find yourself singing along or dancing in your seat or simply closing your eyes and connecting with the vibrations of the evening. Come on, you’ve happily enjoyed the whole evening—you deserve to get in on the action too!
Specific talent and genre diversity is definitely key to keep this event engaging audiences, and many people and volunteers are involved to keep it running
smoothly.
It is also important to note that Night Kitchen Too is a not-for-profit project, with all proceeds going to the performers once venue and minimal organizing costs are met. It truly is a community-driven experience one has to see to believe.
For a change of scenery, the final NKT evening of last year was held at Henry’s Place in Corbyville, neighbouring Signal Brewery. It was so well received, it will be held there again this year. Make sure to check out the 2019-2020 schedule and additional information posted on the Night Kitchen Too Facebook page. Admission is only $10, and the shows start at 8:00 pm.
Night Kitchen Too Dates
September 14th Pinnacle Playhouse
October 26th Pinnacle Playhouse
November 16th Pinnacle Playhouse
December 21st Pinnacle Playhouse
January 18th Pinnacle Playhouse
February 22nd Pinnacle Playhouse
March 21st Pinnacle Playhouse
May 2nd Pinnacle Playhouse
June 27th Henry’s at Signal Brewery
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