These numbers are from the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and they highlight the surge in demand for food and the growing issue of food insecurity within our community.
However, amidst these challenges, there are stories of hope and compassion emerging through community-led initiatives that are making a difference in the lives of those in need.
These initiatives include the Tiny Home Takeout and Food Not Bombs, which are both operating on shoestring budgets with a crew of volunteers and demonstrate the power of grassroots movements in addressing basic human needs.
Happy April and start of spring! To kick off the season, here is a selection for all the April Fools, the indieheads, the classic hiphop enjoyers, and for those who just want to chill while the rain falls outside. Remember, the April showers bring May flowers!
Since the fall of 2020, LSPIRG and Martin Luther University College have run a project out of the college, called “The Free Weekly Distro“, offering free food and basic home items to anyone who needs them. While the project’s webpage states The Distro started in response to “the serious level of food insecurity that was compounded due to COVID-19 unemployment and existing services being closed”, the mutual aid effort continues weekly as food costs have continued to rise.
This show features an Interview with Tavia Weber, the Distro Program Development and Partnerships Coordinator at Luther. Weber talks about the program’s origin, the effects of the high cost of living on students, and the massive growth in the program’s use.
What’s up, y’all? First up, here is what I have added to Libretime since last time:
Christian Keyes
Closer (album name listed as “Get Involved)
R&B
Indeterminable
Street Legal
Modern Ruins – Single
Rock
CanCon/KWCon
Moving Into Tucson
She Likes Me – Single
Rock
No
Andrew Sue Wing
Muscle Shoals – Single
R&B
No
Marc Prochnow & Ronald Christoph
Talk of the Town – Single and OVUM – Single
Dance
No
Shay Wolf
Stay – EP (and Stay (Instrumentals) – EP)
Pop
CanCon
Joe Rez
Feel Good
Pop
Indeterminable
The Brenan Brothers
Valley of Silence
Jazz
CanCon
Todd Barrow
Rockin in the city – Single
Rock
No
Jonny Blue
In his own world – Single
Rock
No
Sandy Louise
Good to be Free – Single
Country
No
Alexander Gallant
Waiting Tables Blues
Folk
CanCon
Sons of Shanley
Dirty Feet
Rock
CanCon
Pulse Park
First Second
Indie Rock
CanCon
Clay Orange
Deeply
Folk
CanCon
Sam Nabi
Help Yourself
Hip Hop
NSFR/Radio Edits of Tracks 1 and 6 are currently available
CanCon/KWCon
Jon Epworth
Show Me the Fu**ing Evidence
Rock
Track 1 NSFR
CanCon
Nova Pon & Turning Point Ensemble
Symphonies of Mother and Child
Modern Composition
CanCon
Pranatricks
Elements Of
Indie Rock
CanCon
Big Fancy & the Shiddy Cowboys
The Legendary Loser Wins Again
Country
CanCon
Christopher Perry
Submitted Singles
Folk
CanCon
Common & Pete Rock
Tryin – Single
Hip Hop/Rap
NSFR (partial, radio edits available)
No
Flavia Abadia
MALA – Single/ YNQF – Single
Pop/Electronic
CanCon
Here is Sunday’s Horizon Broadening Hour:
Tracklist:
Street Legal – Modern Roots
Sons of Shanley – Snack Bar
Pulse Park – Dark Empath
Pranatricks – Worlds
Jon Epworth – Manufactured Grace
Moving Into Tucson – She Likes Me
Shay Wolf – Fighting
Alexander Gallant – Waiting Table Blues
Clay Orange – Through the Motions
Big Fancy & the Shiddy Cowboys – The Man Who Faked His Own Life
Gentle Sparrow – River
Sunglaciers – Rotten Teeth
Sandy Louise – Good to be Free
Jonny Blue – In His Own World
Sam Nabi – High Tide
Es. – The Good Fight
Animal Nation – a Great Impression of a Charming Young Man
Daily – Dee’s Eyes
CrossWord – Fly’n High
Shua James – The Driver and the Passenger
Notions – Follow My Lead (feat. Cee)
Cash Cobain & Bay Swag – Fisherrrr
Nova Pon & Turning Point Ensemble – Entrancement
Kristen Miller & Alise Ashby – Notes From the Heart
Nadah El-Shazly – Adi
Finally, as I discuss at the beginning of the show, I will be putting the show in the hands of CKMS 102.7’s own Bob Jonkman for the month of April, as work commitments that month will make doing two shows a bit too difficult! I will return in May, but if you are an artist hoping to get your music added to the station, please continue to submit your music even if it might take a while to get on THBH! Until next time, then,
The Male Allies program in Kitchener Ontario played an important role in understanding the sexual assault charges levied at Hockey Canada, but now the program is struggling amidst funding cuts and unmet promises.
Run in conjunction with the Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region, the Male allies group and its sports-focused program remains an important component in preventing gender-based violence. The program is supported by community foundations, including Rangers Reach, the community foundation of the Kitchener Rangers hockey team, but without stable operational funding, the positive impact of the training sessions on young athletes is in jeopardy.
CKMS talks to Jacob Pries, the project facilitator of the Male Allies program, and Craig Campbell, the executive director of Rangers Reach.
Hoping today between the eloquently frustrated, to the virtually viral, to the downright loud, we’ve got it all on Through the Static! And THANK YOU ALL for 30 episodes, I appreciate you all listening! Check out the recording below, along with a little behind the scenes pic from my sister who was in studio with me today 🙂
Episode III of Readers Delight – features authors: Heather Newsome, Katie Mack and Wanda Janaway.
Heather Newsome read from her book “The Dreamscape Murders”. This book is available in bookstores & on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. The Genre is: Mystery, Crime – Thriller. Katie Mack read from her book “The End of Everything”. This book is available in bookstores & on Amazon as a paperback, hardcover, kindle and audiobook. The Genre is: Astrophysics, Cosmology & Space Science. Wanda Janaway read from her book “Mirror Image”. This book is available in bookstores & on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. The Genre is: Literature & Fiction for Young Adults.
What’s up, y’all? I’m finally tackling email submissions! Here is what I have added to Libretime this week (and please note two of the submissions will be added once embargos are up, I have everything ready for that):
Cash Cobain & Bay Swag
Fisherrr – Single
Hip Hop/Rap
NSFR
No
Chantel Acda & The Atlantic Drifters
Silently Held
Jazz
No
Jared Esko
Edge of the World/Let the Demons Out – Single
Rock
Indeterminable
Guy Plecash
You Are Good – Single
Blues
CanCon
Mr. Henry
Preludes to Nowhere
Singer-Songwriter
Indeterminable
Sunglaciers
Mothland
Punk
Will not be added until March 29th
CanCon
Various Artists
Reaction Music Showcase 2024
Rock
No
Nadah El-Shazy
Les Damnes Le Pleurent Pas
Soundtrack
CanCon
Bryana Helena
No Good No More – Single
R&B
NSFR (partial)
Indeterminable
Common Goldfish
Siren Songs – Single
Pop
No
Katie Foote
SPRING – Single
Pop
No
Parkway Cinema
THE MOVIE SONG (DEMO) – Single
Pop-Punk
CanCon
Jonathan Noel
Life or Death – Single
Rock
CanCon
E A P
Hyacinth Blue
Rock
CanCon/KWCon
Colin Lillie
Honkytonk Southern Sky/The Ballad of Evey – Single
Rock
No
Spirit’n’Jazz
Freedom
Jazz
No
Various Artists
Dissident Selections 3
Electronic/Progressive
No
Allen Dobb
Alone Together
Folk
CanCon
Andre Ward
Planet Earth – Single
Jazz
Indeterminable
Romeo Johnson
Til Tomorrow – Single
R&B
Indeterminable
One Ugly Tomorrow
Canadian Bacon – Single
Rock
CanCon
Sam Kruger
Burial Grounds – Single
Folk
CanCon
Gentle Sparrow
Whole
Folk
Will not be added until March 27th
CanCon
Norwegian Soft Kitten
Aggression Level: Medium
Alternative
No
Norwegian Soft Kitten
Sunshine on Lava
Alternative
No
Norwegian Soft Kitten
On Loan From the Universe
Alternative
No
Lone Jabroni
Align
Alternative
No
The Adral Project
Let Me Go
Rock
CanCon
Enyonam
Self Conscious – Single
R&B
CanCon
Kristen Miller & Alise Ashby
The Gift
New Age
No
Adjustable Mustard
Adjustable Mustard Single
Rock
No
Just a Leo
Change Your Life – Single
Electronic
No
Here is tomorrow’s Horizon Broadening Hour:
Tracklist:
E A P – 1984 (in search of being)
The Adral Project – Lay Down
Sam Kruger – Burial Grounds
Allen Dobb – Daylight’s Burnin
One Ugly Truth – Canadian Bacon
Guy Plecash – You are Good
Parkway Cinema – The Movie Song (Demo)
Jonathan Noel – Life or Death
Jared Esko – Let the Demons Out
Human Renegade – I Wrote This Song Because the Thought of Seeing You Kiss Him Makes Me Sick
Common Goldfish – Siren Songs
Norwegian Soft Kitten – Aggression Level: Medium
Lone Jabroni – Align
Adjustable Mustard – Willie
Colin Lillie – Honkytonk Southern Sky
Mr. Henry – Lone Star
Katie Foote – Spring
Kalle Mattson – New Romantics
Marin Harley & Daniel Kimbro – Chocolate Jesus
Thunderclap! – Hospital Wedding
Mississippi Live & The Dirty Dirty – The Girl Who Never Was
Colter Wall – Ballad of a Law Abiding Sophisticate
Husky – Ruckers Hill
Foreign Diplomats – Lily’s Nice Shoes!
Sego – Psychobabble
Yukon Blonde – Make U Mine
Lyric Dubee – Cheap Wine and Roses
Dave Gunning – a Tractor
Philip Bosely – Fire Never Goes Out
Like Pacific – 105 McCaul St.
Them County Bastardz – Metal for Mark
Kanada Day – Crime Minister
Kitchener – As “record high rents” has been a recurring headline across the country over the past years, demand for social services such as food banks and housing have continued to rise.
Responding to the high costs of housing, Kitchener-Centre Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy introduced the “Keeping People Housed Act” on March 6th, which will reintroduce rent and vacancy control on all rental units, create better regulations for renovictions, implement rules for replacing any losses of affordable housing units, and establish a task force to report on Above Guideline Rent Increases.
This show features interviews with Jennifer Breaton, the CEO of YWKW, and MPP Clancy. They discuss the effects of high rental prices on women and gender diverse folks across the region and province, and share ideas to address structural and systemic problems related to housing. Breaton also highlights the work the YWKW does, and MPP Clancy discusses her legislation.
Bob Jonkman talks to script developer Sepehr Reybod and actor June Sung about the upcoming performance of Immolation, how the play was developed, the theme of the play, how it relates to current events, and how the play is structured to achieve the message it is trying to convey.
Bob introduces Sepehr Reybod and June Sung. June explains what the Department of Theatre and Performance is, and how students are involved. Sepehr describes what he does as “text developer” — Immolation is a devised piece, there was no script, only a spark of an idea. The actors wanted to look at resistance, revolution, and rebellion. The text was created by the actors, and Sepehr fleshed it out, created a narrative structure, and assembled it into the script. He’s also the assistant director, working with director Pam Patel of MT Space. Similar to a piece of music, the play follows four movements and interludes. The story emerged in rehearsal and improvs. Even the title took time to come out. Script writing isn’t generally part of the course, but it’s the nature of a divised piece. There is lots of dependence on the other actors and supporting staff, and even the audience is invited to fill in for themselves. Sepehr describes the stage setup.
June tells us of the background and research on freedom fighters that went into Immolation. June researched the South Korean trans-gender activist Jungle.
24m04s
Talking about immolation in the news, and Aaron Bushnell. Sepehr thinks it’s important to differentiate immolation itself from self-immolation: Immolation is the act to destroy by fire, whereas self-immolation is a performative act of protest. But Immolation was created before the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell. The act is done with the hope of a response to bring something new. This is a big part of the show, taking a look at the different ways we can spark this hope, burn something down, create something new by the act of metaphorically burning down the system. Sepehr repeats the message of hope in Immolation. But mainstream media doesn’t often show the hope and restoration, only the protest and destruction. The language of protest is violence, because that is how these protests can be heard. June thinks that Immolation does end with the hope that something better will come along; each movement shows the destruction and regrowth in different ways. Telling a story that shows regrowth and joy is one of the best forms of protest.
31m02s
June recites an excerpt from Immolation.
32m29s
June provides some analysis of the meaning behind those words. Sepehr gives different examples of what resistance looks like; sometimes it is 100,000 people marching in the street, but also someone walking into a space where they don’t belong and changing it from within. Sepehr goes over the structure of the play. Each movement is a standalone piece, that together tells the whole story.
37m23s
What happens next? After a well-deserved rest, June might like to see one movement or the whole play fleshed out into a larger piece; revolution doesn’t stop when the lights go down. While Waterloo Region has seen its share of protest, reception for Immolation will depend a lot on the venue. At UofW a wide variety of perspectives is appreciated, but that’s not true everywhere; all the more reason to continue to present it. But Sepehr says people are hungry for change, they can use Immolation as the spark to make that change. Theatre is ephemeral, but June says the experience she’s had will stay with her forever. Working on Immolation has got her more energized to work for freedom for all people.
June reminds us of the dates and time for performances of Immolation, as well as the web site and ticket prices. Sepehr tells us about the theatre and the arrangement of the thrust stage. June tells us there will be a new production in the fall, but she is graduating so she won’t be a part of it. Students don’t have to be a theatre major to register for course “Theatre Performance 417”. June tells us about the audition process, slightly different because of the improv.
53m27s
Bob gives the end credits.
CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
As the House of Commons prepares to debate the Israel-Palestine hostilities this week, several families within Kitchener say they are left powerless while their loved ones are trapped in Gaza.
Shatha Mahmoud, an organizer of the Palestinian Youth Movement in Kitchener, says that families are facing pain and terror amid the convoluted and detail-laden application process for emergency visas.
MP for Kitchener Centre, Mike Morrice, details discrepancies in the refugee visa process, the government’s response, and the March 18 parliamentary debate on the emergency visa system.
Waterloo – Over 250 delegates are expected in Waterloo at the 15th annual Ontario Bike Summit from April 3rd to 5th. The event is organised by the province-wide cycling advocacy group Share the Road coalition.
The city’s press release stated “municipal staff and leaders from across Canada and internationally, [will] share ideas, best practices and opportunities for progress in cycling.” The statement continues “This year’s Bike Summit theme explores Sustainability and Innovation through Cycling.”
This show features interviews with Patrick Bergsma of Cycle WR and Christopher Hodgson, manager for Active transportation for the City of Waterloo. They each discuss the upcoming bike summit, thoughts on the city’s progress on their active transportation and cycling networks, and ideas and actions to make streets safer for all users. Bergsma also highlights the locally developed Cycling Guide app which according to its website “create routes that prioritize cycling infrastructure or roads with less car traffic”.
Waterloo – The donation of the Schneider family lands in Wilmot township to the rare Charitable Research Reserve, is set to proceed after council unanimously approved changes to zoning rules and the official plan, to allow the properties to be severed and then donated.
While the Schneiders allowed public access to the lands for decades, the township’s insurance company decided that the proposed changes would require safety upgrades to infrastructure, or else risk the cancellation of their policy.
At the March 4th meeting, insurance company vetted road safety upgrades were presented, including speed limit reductions, parking limitations, and a new 3-way stop, and staff recommended moving the project forward.
This show features interviews with the Mayor of Wilmot Township, Natasha Salonen, and the Planning Ecologist for rare, Tom Woodcock. While they focus on some different aspects of the process, both were pleased that the land donation is one step closer to completion.
Waterloo- On March 22nd and 23rd, youth-led teams from South Western Ontario will descend on the University of Waterloo to compete in the Waterloo district FIRST Robotics Competition (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a qualifying event for the provincial competition in April.
This year, 8 regional teams will join 32 other school and community teams entering their robots in competition with and against each other through a round-robin style tournament.
This show features an interview with Professor Maud Gorbet, director of the Biomedical Engineering Program at the University of Waterloo, a long-term volunteer and member of the steering committee with Waterloo-Wellington FIRST, and a mentor on the KW based robotics team: the 2702 Rebels. She discusses the competition, the importance of applied STEM education, and efforts to address the underrepresentation of women and non-binary folks, as well as Indigenous, Black and other racialized populations in STEM disciplines.
Tune in to the hottest beats in town at 10AM-Noon!
Mixtape Monopoly is here to shake your speakers
In this edition, I got classics From DMX, Heavy D, Ice Cube. Then I have new tracks from Salt N Pepa, Mary J. Blige, Keith Sweat, And Canada’s own Quake Matthews!
What’s up, y’all? First up, here is what I have added to Libretime since last week:
MED
Classic
Rap
NSFR
No
Machine Gun Dolly
Until the Grim Reaper…
Rock
CanCon
The Working Class
Restless
R&B
CanCon
James Struthers
James Struthers
Other
CanCon
Brews Willis
Nerped by a Zircon
Punk
NSFR
CanCon
Knotted Cord
Polyphonic Beasts Expand in Parallel
Rock
No
Charlie Mars
Blackberry Light
Rock
Indeterminable
Laugh At the Fakes
One Night Only
Pop
CanCon
Bonn Smith
Secret Lives
Pop
CanCon
Fruit Bats
Tripper
Indie Rock
No
The Hook Up
Tomorrow and Today
Pop
CanCon
Ten Second Epic
Better Off
Punk
CanCon
The Boogieman Jordan Daniel
Blues Pops & Jazz Smokes
Rock
Indeterminable
The Consumer Goods
… but we don’t shoot pistols?
Indie Rock (probably)
CanCon
Handsom Dan and His Gallimaufry
The Best There Was
Folk
CanCon
The Glow
Try
Rock
CanCon
Various Artists
Camobear Green
Rap
NSFR
CanCon
Charlie Winston
Running Still
Alternative
Indeterminable
The Agnostic Phibes Rhythm & Blood Conspiracy
Campfire Tales
Alternative
CanCon
Canteen Knockout
Broken Down Town
Country
CanCon
Dog Tooth Violet
Dog Tooth Violet
Rock
CanCon
Johnny Favourite
Troubadour
Jazz
CanCon
Mary Gauthier
The Foundling
Folk
CanCon
Essentials
Nothing But Blue
Dance
CanCon
David Franck Kellar
A long way from Minneapolis
Pop
No
Niktex
The Power of Yang
FOlk
CanCon
Birds of Wales
Belgravia Hotel
Rock
CanCon
Kae Shelby
Unbroken
Folk
CanCon
With that, the CD shelf is finally processed! Here’s tomorrow’s Horizon Broadening Hour:
Tracklist:
Kae Shelby – Hurt Too Hard
Slow Down Molasses – No Riots
Kyp Harness – Old Hippie
Aidan Knight – Funeral Singers
Jake & The Fundamentals – 4am Love Affair
Eugene Ripper – Punks and Pushers
Eugene Ripper – Queen Street 1987
Eugene Ripper – It Never Really Happened
Doug Cox & Sam Hurrie – John the Revelator
Natalie Merchant – Lulu
Legere and Legere – Cajun Moon
Peter Willie Young – Standing On the Road, Kicking Gravel
Ben Rogers – Don’t Buy Me Roses
Jeff Buckley – Poor Boy Long Way From Home
No Museums – I Walk With a Fox
Rag Maple – Farewell My Wildwood Flower
Spectre Hearts – How to Look Important in Public
The Karpinka Brothers – Tetherball
Sunrise & Good People – Closer to the Flame
Harlan Wells – Canadiana
Autumn Kings – Runnin From the Police
Foonyap – Neon God
Whitney K – Ode to the Old Ways
Michael Bridge – Tokkata
Tanya Evanson – Riding the Bull Home
Le Vent Du Nore – Entre Ciel et Terre
10,000 Horses – Lets Cry
Ed Henderson – Koa Wood
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