Calling all music, art and lovers of beauty. The Carmel Fine Art and Music Festival is back for year two and this year it’s filled with even more beauty (if that’s possible).

The three days of cultural experiences are happening over Labour Day Weekend.

Starting on August 30th, it’s an Artist Evening Soiree, where you can meet and greet with over 100 of the most talented Ontario artists, followed by a presentation of the Juried Show Awards, wine and cheese, musical entertainment and a silent auction. All this culture for only $10.

On August 31st and September 1st, there is free admission to view the masterpieces from these talented artists, listen to 28 musicians share their vocal masterpieces over 2 stages, a Poet and Painter’s series (where 10 artists and writers will exchange their work then create an interpretation of it), Plein Air Painters, a Wine and Culinary Patio, Community Art Project and so much more. This event is where natural talent meets natural beauty. It all takes place at the Mount Carmel Monastery, a 138 year old building full of spiritual history. Last year this event generated over 3000 art enthusiasts from across the world.

The Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls hotel, an official partner of the event is also offering special rates for this weekend.

Read more about this event here.

 

The Niagara Peninsula is one of Ontario’s most acclaimed grape growing and winemaking districts, but not many people know that Niagara now has added two micro-breweries to the map: Oast House Brewers and Silversmith Brewing Company.

Oast is known to many locals as the “the neighbour in the big red barn with great beer.”

They are also popping up at many local events, such as the Wednesday Supper Market at Garrison Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake and will be at Stratus Vineyards on August 18th for their Sips, Swirls and Hops event.

This summer they are featuring a seasonal beer with Lavender and Cardamom, which is available in a Growler (in layman’s terms - a great big jug)….Sounds delicious.

Silversmith Brewing Company is another Niagara Brewery, with a unique location in a former church built around 1894, which was covered in vines. Yes that’s right vines.

Silversmith is also available at the Wednesday Supper Market in Garrison Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake, plus a variety of places across Ontario. Both breweries are located on Niagara Stone Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara is definitely hopping with new breweries including Taps on Queen in Niagara Falls. Plus Niagara College has a Teaching Brewery and is known as the “centre of beer education” in the Niagara Peninsula and the only fully licensed teaching brewery in Canada.

So the next time you are in Niagara, make sure you add our breweries to your itinerary because they are hopping with flavour!