Kevin Makins is the founding pastor of Eucharist Church in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. His curiosity and spirit of adventure leads him to write, podcast, make videos, tour one-man shows, and act as a catalyst for local projects; ranging from art installations to bike lanes. With humour and depth, Kevin bridges the gap between the secular and sacred; the profound and profane. He lives, works, plays, and prays in downtown Hamilton with his wife, baby, and housemates. www.kevinmakins.com
Introducing Gavin… A Close Encounter with Comedy
Gavin Stephens has filmed multiple one-man specials for CTV and the Comedy Network, and recently performed with Reggie Watts at #JFL42. He’s toured as a sought out headliner, all over North America, the U.K and South Africa. Gavin was also named Best Stand-Up Comedian in NOW Magazine’s Readers Choice Poll, 2010.
For five seasons he was a lead actor and writer on the Gemini-nominated sketch show Comedy Inc. on CTV. A multi-media sensation, Gavin has appeared at international festivals like Montreal’s Just For Laughs and Austin’s SXSW alongside indie comedy legends Margaret Cho, Janeane Garofalo and Marc Maron. He’s also has appeared on CBC’s The Debaters as well as being a finalist in the SiriusXM Top comic competition.
Introducing Kyle…a Hamiltonian with blue blood
Born and raised in Hamilton, and a 3rd generation Hamiltonian, Kyle grew up on tall-tales about this amazing city. With two degrees from McMaster University, he plies his trade with the city’s largest employer, Hamilton Health Sciences. Needless to say, Kyle bleeds “Hamilton blue”. Other passions include cycling, photography, and spending time with his wife Meg and his dog George.
Introducing Colleen! Her Close Encounter will have you double-checking your locks…maybe.
Colleen loves stories in all their forms – flash fiction, novels, films, plays, song lyrics. And of course evenings of story telling! Between stories, she cooks and hangs with family and friends, gardens in her little urban jungle, and has a real job working with health care data.
Introducing Martinus! He had a “Close Encounter” with a “Novemburger”…
Martinus Geleynse is a proud Hamiltonian with a long history of telling stories. From years on stages as an actor and musician to founding and running the Hamilton 24-Hour Film Festival, Martinus is at home sharing ideas and experiences with anyone that will listen… and even with many that don’t. He is the former owner and publisher of urbanicity Magazine, he hosted a show on Cable 14 for three years, and he’s the founder of Hamilton’s annual burger festival: Novemburger (coming up again soon!). Professionally, Martinus helps to tell the stories of small and medium businesses through his advertising agency, Make Media Ltd. In his spare time, Martinus operates urban bus tours to rustbelt cities like Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo. In fact, his next tour is later this month – ask him if he has any seats still available!
The proud father of two wonderful little children, Martinus now enjoys telling them stories too!
Introducing… Casey!
Casey’s best storytelling usually happens at gym time with his fellow stay at home dads. He enjoys roasting his own coffee and playing the drums. He lives near Gage Park, where he is involved in the L’Arche Hamilton community and is a proud owner of a fantasy football team.
Introducing…Pierrick!
Pierrick is a communicator to the core. Whether through stand-up comedy, graphic design, photography or filmmaking he’ll find a way to tell a story. It pours out of him. Seriously, he’s like a fountain of art.
He grew up in the East Mountain, where he attended French schools where his love for art was fostered. His goal is to keep the fire alive within the marketing world.
Check out his Creative Portfolio here:
www.pierrickg.wixsite.com/pierrick
Introducing… Marnie!
Marnie Woodrow has been embellishing the truth for the entertainment of others since she lied about having a baby brother in first grade. In her spare time, she writes novels and blogs for car dealerships.
Introducing…Catherine!
Cat Skinner is an author, blogger (www.catskinner.club) and performer born and raised in Hamilton. Recent stage credits include the 2017 Gillian’s Place production of The Vagina Monologues at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines. Prior to that, she appeared as Mistress of Ceremonies and Artistic Director to the now-retired cirque burlesque troupe Les Coquettes Cabaret (Toronto). Other passion projects include her professional beta reading service, teaching creative writing to kids ages 10-18 (Junior Creative Writers), working as a licensed wedding officiant with All Seasons Weddings, and raising three amazing children with two incredible partners.
Introducing… Kat!
I am a genderqueer tattoo artist, and an OCAD University alumni. Ensuring there are comfortable, inclusive spaces for queer and marginalized folk to be tattooed is a priority for me. When not working, you can likely find me riding bikes or petting kittens.
Steel City Stories 