Pressing Play! Rebuild Roswell Rehearsals

Crowdfunding update:

Following some concerns voiced by community members, we have made the decision to look for an alternative platform for Crowdfunding our improvement project. Despite well meaning direction from many of our Roswell family, we have confirmed with GoFundMe that they do not support the use of the platform by for-profit entities, (despite misleading information to the contrary on Google).

We apologies if using GoFundMe caused any confusion or offense and was totally a misjudgement on our part. Crowdfunding is a wonderful concept of modern society, though unfortunately open to abuse. We clearly made a mistake in our choice of platform, and are sorry if our choice in any way contributed to the distrust of an otherwise wonderful platform, critical to many in need.

We are not removing the GoFundMe pages, so people can clearly see donations made to date and understand why we have stopped our GoFundMe version of the campaign. We believe this will better achieve transparency and accountability. We will no longer be directing donations through the platform and have placed this statement on both the most recent page and the original page started in 2021. The funds raised since October will remain set aside and allocated for this project, as we go back to the drawing board to rethink our strategy for raising the remaining funds. The funds raised in the original campaign were, combined with our own funds and, used to open and make available the current space.

We still believe wholeheartedly in what we are doing and are blown away on a frequent basis by how many people voice their appreciation for the space. We are not going anywhere, and this does not directly impact current operations in any way. We are open for rehearsals as usual.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, our door is always open (metaphorically that is).

Peace. The Roswells

Let’s Re-Write The Music — Together!

Back in 2022, our friend and Amherst Island Radio President, Eric Tremblay, launched a GoFundMe campaign called “Let’s Keep Roswell Rehearsals Alive” — a rallying cry to save the only dedicated music rehearsal facility in Kingston, Ontario. Local musicians, bands, and music lovers spoke up loud and clear: this space mattered. It wasn’t just a practice room — it was a creative lifeline, a launchpad for dreams, and a home for our community.

Unfortunately, that fall, we had to hit pause. We lost our location and spent the next two years on the hunt for a new one. Fast forward to October 2024 – Roswell Rehearsals is back, with a new space and plans to be better than ever.

Welcome to Roswell Rehearsals – Site 7.

We’ve soft opened with two rooms to start — cozy, functional, and full of potential. These are spaces where musicians can practice, experiment, connect, build bands, and build community. But we’re not stopping there. This is just the beginning.

We now have the space and the vision to grow — fill the gaps in Kingston’s music ecosystem, and offer a safe, inclusive, professional, yet down-to-earth hub for everyone who wants to make or connect with music. With your help, we’ll expand to four rooms in 2025, unlocking more access for more artists and securing our long-term future. Critically, we also need to improve the soundproofing so we don’t upset our neighbours!

Here’s what we’re asking: Help us reach our original goal of $80,000. We’ve already invested the $7.5K raised in the first campaign to get this new space open — now, we’re “Pushing Play” on the campaign and inviting you to help us keep the momentum going.

Every dollar counts. Every share matters. Every voice helps.

Want to support in other ways?

Check out The Roswell Effect, a 24-track compilation album created by amazing Roswell alumni — it’s still available on Bandcamp!

Join our Roswell Supporter Membership Program! Members will get 5% off rehearsals and select merch, and all subscriptions will count toward the GoFundMe goal.

Reach out directly if you would like to help in non financial (or more practical) ways. We need help with fundraising, construction and more.

This space isn’t just ours — it’s yours too. Let’s keep building a stronger, louder, more connected music community.

Let’s turn it up and make some noise, Kingston!

Yours faithfully,

Anita & Trevor Johnson aka The Roswells