Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival - Indigenous Cultural Corridor
The Spire Entrance
82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3H4
From Wednesday, August 5, 2026
To Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Free admission | No ticket required
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival
Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.
Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.
This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
Festival Schedule
Aug. 5 Opening Night: McKenzie Warriner and Ying Zhang
Aug. 6 Concert II: Song Hee Lee, Terry Lim and Ying Zhang
Aug.10 Concert III: Jake Dongyoung Shim and Ying Zhang
Aug.11 Concert IV: Luri Lee and David Baik
Aug.11 Indigenous Workshop with Robert Spade [Free admission]
Aug.14 Concert V: Ariane Cossette and Ying Zhang
Corridor Details
Robert Spade is an Assistant Professor at McGill University's Schulich School of Music and serves as Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor at McGill University.
Discover Indigenous artworks by Robert Spade and explore the stories, traditions, and history behind each piece at the 2026 Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival's Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
In addition to designing our Indigenous Cultural Corridor, he will lead a FREE public Indigenous Cultural Workshop on August 11 at 7:00 PM at the spire in Kingston, featuring Indigenous drumming, singing, dancing, and storytelling.
Artist
ROBERT SPADE, Indigenous Artist
Boozhoo! Keeshigoonininii ndishnikaz. Name nindodem. Namaygoosiszaagigan nindoonjii.
I have introduced myself to you in Anishinabemowin. My Ojibwe/spirit name is 'Heaven Man'. I am from the sturgeon clan and I am from northern Anishinabe territory.
I grew up out on the land. My earliest years were spent in a prospector tent with my parents, Beatrice and Richard. I remember moving around a lot...our home was everywhere.
Despite the challenges that a person goes through having faced the most violent forms of colonialism, including residential school, my father was a kind and generous man. He had many gifts that he shared with me, including art and Anishinabe teachings.
As an Anishinabeininii, I follow a traditional way of life with my partner, Celeste, an Anishinabekwe from Treaty 3. I am a pipe carrier, sun dancer, traditional dancer, and drum keeper. These roles and responsibilities are very important to my family and I.
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival - Indigenous Cultural Corridor
Festival Schedule
Aug. 5 Opening Night: McKenzie Warriner and Ying Zhang
Aug. 6 Concert II: Song Hee Lee, Terry Lim and Ying Zhang
Aug.10 Concert III: Jake Dongyoung Shim and Ying Zhang
Aug.11 Concert IV: Luri Lee and David Baik
Aug.11 Indigenous Workshop with Robert Spade [Free admission]
Aug.14 Concert V: Ariane Cossette and Ying Zhang
The Spire Entrance
82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3H4
From Wednesday, August 5, 2026
To Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Free admission | No ticket required
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival
Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.
Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.
This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
Corridor Details
Robert Spade is an Assistant Professor at McGill University's Schulich School of Music and serves as Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor at McGill University.
Discover Indigenous artworks by Robert Spade and explore the stories, traditions, and history behind each piece at the 2026 Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival's Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
In addition to designing our Indigenous Cultural Corridor, he will lead a FREE public Indigenous Cultural Workshop on August 11 at 7:00 PM at the spire in Kingston, featuring Indigenous drumming, singing, dancing, and storytelling.
Artist
ROBERT SPADE, Indigenous Artist
Boozhoo! Keeshigoonininii ndishnikaz. Name nindodem. Namaygoosiszaagigan nindoonjii.
I have introduced myself to you in Anishinabemowin. My Ojibwe/spirit name is 'Heaven Man'. I am from the sturgeon clan and I am from northern Anishinabe territory.
I grew up out on the land. My earliest years were spent in a prospector tent with my parents, Beatrice and Richard. I remember moving around a lot...our home was everywhere.
Despite the challenges that a person goes through having faced the most violent forms of colonialism, including residential school, my father was a kind and generous man. He had many gifts that he shared with me, including art and Anishinabe teachings.
As an Anishinabeininii, I follow a traditional way of life with my partner, Celeste, an Anishinabekwe from Treaty 3. I am a pipe carrier, sun dancer, traditional dancer, and drum keeper. These roles and responsibilities are very important to my family and I.
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival - Indigenous Cultural Corridor
The Spire Entrance
82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3H4
From Wednesday, August 5, 2026
To Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Free admission | No ticket required
Festival Concert Schedule
Aug. 5 Opening Night: McKenzie Warriner and Ying Zhang
Aug. 6 Concert II: Song Hee Lee, Terry Lim and Ying Zhang
Aug.10 Concert III: Jake Dongyoung Shim and Ying Zhang
Aug.11 Concert IV: Luri Lee and David Baik
Aug.11 Indigenous Workshop with Robert Spade [Free admission]
Aug.14 Concert V: Ariane Cossette and Ying Zhang
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival
Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.
Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.
This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
Corridor Details
Robert Spade is an Assistant Professor at McGill University's Schulich School of Music and serves as Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor at McGill University.
Discover Indigenous artworks by Robert Spade and explore the stories, traditions, and history behind each piece at the 2026 Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival's Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
In addition to designing our Indigenous Cultural Corridor, he will lead a FREE public Indigenous Cultural Workshop on August 11 at 7:00 PM at the spire in Kingston, featuring Indigenous drumming, singing, dancing, and storytelling.
Artist
ROBERT SPADE, Indigenous Artist
Boozhoo! Keeshigoonininii ndishnikaz. Name nindodem. Namaygoosiszaagigan nindoonjii.
I have introduced myself to you in Anishinabemowin. My Ojibwe/spirit name is 'Heaven Man'. I am from the sturgeon clan and I am from northern Anishinabe territory.
I grew up out on the land. My earliest years were spent in a prospector tent with my parents, Beatrice and Richard. I remember moving around a lot...our home was everywhere.
Despite the challenges that a person goes through having faced the most violent forms of colonialism, including residential school, my father was a kind and generous man. He had many gifts that he shared with me, including art and Anishinabe teachings.
As an Anishinabeininii, I follow a traditional way of life with my partner, Celeste, an Anishinabekwe from Treaty 3. I am a pipe carrier, sun dancer, traditional dancer, and drum keeper. These roles and responsibilities are very important to my family and I.