Sparkles, snowflakes, so spectacular!

There’s this scene in Muppets Take Manhattan (my favourite of the Muppet movies) where Miss Piggy tricks Kermit into marrying him during an on-stage musical number. I love this scene. Ever since I was a kid this one scene has always made my heart swell. See, every Muppet has attended Kermit and Piggy’s wedding. And when I say every Muppet, I mean EVERY Muppet. Everyone from Gonzo to Bunson to Big Bird. Yes, even the Sesame Street Muppets have attended. I love this scene because it shows a community brought together over an amazing event.

This scene came to life for me on Friday night. Our community came out to support Culture for Kids in the Arts and it made my heart swell!

On Friday, December 16th, our night of pageantry, goodies, talent, music and fun filled Hamilton’s air with the holiday spirit!

Together, everyone who attended the third annual kitestring Christmas Spectacular at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts sponsored close to 355 deserving kids for one month of after school arts programming with Culture for Kids in the Arts (CKA)!

The event opened with an enormous Candiwerx candy buffet and the chance to enjoy a hot beverage from Red Hill Coffee Trade and delightful chocolate chip cookies courtesy of Cake & Loaf.

The holiday pageant seated 200 guests and featured talented children who study music and dance from the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts and a range of professional performers. kitestring would like to thank the conservatory’s artistic director Vitek Wincza and his team, who brought together some of the city’s finest entertainment for a great cause.

The pageant ended on a high note, with Gorilla Cheese sandwiches delivered to all seated guests on Hammer City Roller Girl wheels as a plethora of prizes were distributed to end the family friendly portion of the festivities.

kitestring is also happy to report that the Fezziwig after party was the perfect mix of friends, food, spiked Sweet Ice Snow Cones and festive rockabilly. The Greasemarks rocked the loft, as guests twisted with Millstreet beers or Chateau des Charmes wine in hand, surrounded by the sparkle of 400 feet of Innovation Factory twinkle lights. Cupcake Diner and Lunch Bags tastefully catered the party. Big Bee Convenience graciously provided enough ice that could have built an igloo on the patio.

We planned the type of party we wanted to attend, and thanks to the over 130 people who joined us at the Fezziwig, it was a huge success.

On behalf of our favourite local non-profit, Culture for Kids in the Arts, kitestring would like thank our event sponsors including the Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre, Today’s Family Early Learning and Child Care and Doug Folsetter RE/Max Sales Representative. We’d also like to thank Hamilton’s coolest food services businesses that volunteered their time and tasty treats and the local businesses that offered fun prizes to our guests.

Thank you also to the CKA board and the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.

Happy holidays from kitestring!

Meet Professor Jamz and the Spin Machine, a new brand that kitestring has created for another great client! Professor Jamz and the Spin Machine provides dance-a-thons that take FUNraising to a new, healthy and groovy level by combining the super scientific study of moveology, funistry and dancematics.

Who is Professor Jamz? Professor Jamz has a PhD in Keeping It Real. The Professor leads the dance-a-thon with lively enthusiasm while demonstrating to kids that they can have fun while learning new dance moves. Professor Jamz is pretty whimsical and comical, kind of like a scientific clown who gets really excited about rhythm and beats! Professor Jamz knows that moving to the music and having fun is what powers the Spin Machine, and that this is the goal of the dance-a-thon! Professor Jamz is renowned throughout the super-scientific world for the intelligent invention of The Spin Machine, which is powered by the ultimate discovery of the FUNraising equation.

What is the Spin Machine? The Spin Machine is powered by FUN! Professor Jamz brings the Spin Machine to every dance-a-thon where the student’s dancing and overall fun “raise the roof” to power the Spin Machine. The Spin Machine’s antennas, buttons, springs, lights, gears, and dials measures the achievement of movements Professor Jamz demonstrates, participation levels and amounts of super-fun had by all! The science behind the Spin Machine combines the study of moveology, funistry and danceamatics. The logic behind the way the Spin Machine turns a school’s gravitational dance-a-thon into far out fuel can be explained with this easy-peasy equation:

Visual identity Architecture: The style of the Professor Jamz and the Spin Machine visual identity was created to appear zany, whimsical, comical, scientific and action-packed. The visual identity was created with the underlying idea that the logo could almost “be” the Spin Machine, as if it were something like a transformer. You can see that the visual identity houses all the levers, gears, buttons and gauges that the Spin Machine has, just in a different arrangement.

The name of the brand, Professor Jamz and the Spin Machine, came from hours of character generation but began with a creative meeting where the word “Spin” was front and centre on the team’s radar because it referenced dancing and the act of DJ-ing.

However, we wanted the brand’s name to be an introduction into a universe of personality and activity that the target audiences (Children, Teachers, Parents) could tour while getting lost in the fun and come out surprised at how much they learned. Then after a few days of more trend research amongst the first target audience, concentrating especially on the elusive aged 7 to 12 age group, we knew that the brand needed to have a tailored, appealing story.

The brand name is a balancing act between education and ultimate dance floor fun. “Professor Jamz” was our idea of a hilarious DJ name that brought academics (Professor) and fun through dance (Jamz) together. “Spin Machine” is also constructed in the same way, using “Spin” as the fun word referencing dancing or wacky movement and “Machine” connoting mechanical sciences.

At first glance, the name is an introduction to those two concepts in a marriage: Education and Dancing. But once within the brand, the other components (health, community, professionalism, learning) come out and really impress the adult target audience. For kids, they are originally attracted to the wacky words that make the brand name a jumble of fun to say, but are then rewarded within the brand experience with more communications that offer a spoonful of sugar to help the FUNraising go down.

I only get to see my immediate family three to four times a year. They live in Kingsville, a small town outside of Windsor. Basically, every Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and once in the summer. I wish I could see them more, but I work a lot and they’re far away. You do the math.

The last time I was home I was chatting with my brother and he seemed a little upset. I asked what was getting his panties in a twist and he blurted, “You haven’t even asked me how I’m doing in school!”

My brother started school in September,  at Fanshawe in London. And he was right. I hadn’t asked him how he was doing. Actually I didn’t ask him anything about his life. Nothing about his girlfriend, his new job or the cat he just adopted. I felt horrible. I apologized. He forgave. But I still felt kind of crappy. What kind of brother was I? I’m a caring person. Sometimes a little self centred (maybe more than a little) but I still care!

It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I actually had time to think about what had happened. I figured out the culprit to my jerkiness. His name: Facebook.

I knew exactly how my brother was doing. I knew he loved school. That he and his girlfriend were enjoying their new apartment in London. And I knew very well that my brother didn’t care for the behavior of his cat. I knew all this from his status updates. I knew what he was up to, but how was he to know I knew all this. I use my feed as a daily personal paper. I don’t “like” everything. And I don’t “comment” on everything. But, for the important people in my life, I check all updates.

I love facebook (not as much as twitter) and I use it for my business. It’s a great tool that works well to stay connect to my friends and clients.  I’m also happy I can use it to keep track of the family I love but only get to see 3 times a year. I can’t imagine my life without it. But it doesn’t replace the phone call. Doesn’t replace the hand written letter or card. And it sure doesn’t replace a conversation with my little brother, especially when he’s sitting right in front of me.

I’m gonna call my brother today to see how he is doing. Right after I check my farmville crop.

JUST KIDDING!!!!

Chris

It’s been a busy fall here at the studio. Many new branding projects!. So much so, we haven’t had time to update our portfolio. Sad face alert. : ( But it’s in the works. We thought we would give you a sneak preview on some of the brands we have been crafting. Take a look at some of the logo identities below. More updates to come! Happy face alert. : D

Plan to attend Hive X 2011, Hamilton’s inaugural Young Professional Conference brought to you by Hamilton HIVE. Inspiring speakers, engaging panelists and interesting workshops will focus on the most pressing issues pertaining to the growth and development of our city. With special guests that include Canadian Social Media and Tech expert Amber Macarthur, the Honourable Glen Murray, Bob Young, and many others. All registrants get a FREE ticket to the final Hamilton Tiger-Cat home game on October 22nd the night before Hive X. Oskee-Wee-Wee! You won’t want to miss this opportunity.

REGISTER HERE:
http://www.hamiltonhive.ca/?p=1264

Local fashion enthusiast, Andrea Malick, approached the kitestring team to create her brand when she decided to open up a women’s jean store in the James St. S district. Everything from Rivet & Tailor’s brand name, visual identity and brand elements are inspired by the Victorian heroines of novels past – from Emily Bronte to Jane Eyre and Josephine March of Little Women. Old books and libraries alike were brought together when thinking of her brand’s story. Rivet & Tailor will celebrate its grand opening on September 17th! Check out the store and its beautiful storefront sign at 136 James St. South!

I’m going. What about you?

Grab your flip flops, beach balls and sunscreen and join CLiC for our annual Summer BBQ. This outdoor and indoor party will be a celebration of everything we love about the beach, sun and surf. Don’t worry about the sand in your shoes though; we’ll be bringing the beach sans sand to the AGH’s Irving Zucker Sculpture Garden. Beach games will keep this party going all night long and we will crown the CLiC arm wrestling champion. Dance under the stars to the sounds of DJ JUKEBOX with our signature Blue Hawaiian cocktail in hand. The CLiC Beach BBQ will be an event not to miss!

CLiC Members: free | Guests: $18 in advance or $20 at the door
Gnarly people Hang Ten with board shorts and summer dresses

RSVP to Jocelyn at jocelyn@artgalleryofhamilton.com call 905-527-6610 ext. 250
or purchase Guest tickets in advance online

AGH | 123 King Street West | downtown Hamilton map

Grand Guests ~ As a proud Hamilton young professional group focused on art, culture and community, CLiC is proud to be working alongside many other active groups and organizations that are helping refresh and revitalize our city. In celebration of the continuing contributions of emerging leadership in Hamilton, the CLiC Beach BBQ is co-presented in conjunction with the following great supporters:

It’s camp season and Mabel’s Labels is ready for it! Take a look at their new facebook page design and visit their site for all the labels your little camper needs.

If you would like to learn more about custom facebook pages, shoot us an email! We would love to chat with you.

info@kitestring.ca

Tune in to kitestring’s Facebook and twitter pages, Tuesday at 9pm, right after Glee to find out what that secret is.