Amalgamating these events.
What to do.
Tuesday, May 30
Angela Onuora's award-winning documentary film "Operation Lights Out: The Story of CANAIRELIEF" has its official premiere at the CIGI Auditorium on May 30. "Operation Lights Out" chronicles a forgotten story in Canadian history and the role played by unacknowledged Canadians in saving over one million lives during the Nigerian Civil War often referred to as the “Biafran War”.
This event will feature the official premiere followed by an interactive discussion between Angela and Ann Fitz-Gerald (the Director of the School), as well as a subsequent Q&A segment with the audience.
BeccaHosts has a "Ted Lasso" Trivia Night at the Duke of Wellington starting at 7 p.m.
Kitchener Public Library invites you to explore the craft of Visible Mending. They’ll share some completed visible mending projects, discuss what materials are needed, and what free library resources are available. You'll walk away with confidence and all the information you need to get started on your own project at home. Tuesday, May 30 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 31
Here’s a spicy collab — The Culinary Studio x Ginger Goat Hot Sauces have a virtual cooking class with recipes featuring award winning hot sauces from Ginger Goat. Chef's Kirstie and Jody have put together a fantastic 3-course menu where you will learn how to balance the heat, enhance flavors, and bring that extra zing to some amazing new recipes.
TWB Brewing Co-Op has Animal Planet Trivia with Seen on Screen Podcast. Tickets are $10 and include a 12 oz beer and unlimited(ish) popcorn from Apollo Cinema.
Mapping the Dark Universe with the Euclid Satellite is the first in a series of talks that KPL will be holding in partnership with the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics. Hear from Dr. Will Percival from the University of Waterloo who will speak about the Euclid satellite, due to launch in July 2023. Euclid will attempt to map out and explore our Universe, and help us to understand dark matter and dark energy like never before. Wednesday, May 31 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 1
Making Cent$ of Abilities Coalition presents Who's on First? How to Win the Labour Challenge. Speaker Jamie Burton will discuss the urgency and best way to interact with talent in the workforce followed by facilitated conversations. Thursday, June 1 at 8 a.m.
Open Ears brings you unique concert experiences that disrupt your conceptions of what ‘music’ is, or what it can be. Their 2023 festival runs from June 1 to June 4 with performances at THEMUSEUM, 44 Gaukel, AOK Arcade and Bar, and more.
Waterloo Region Town Halls hosts The Drug Poisoning Crisis in Waterloo Region. Hear expert guest speakers outline key aspects of the drug poisoning crisis we face in Waterloo Region, opportunities to improve our local prevention and response measures, and their visions for a safer and healthier community. Thursday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Maxwell’s has Aunt Zelda’s Dirty Bingo at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a fun interactive night of comedy, bingo, and special prizes.
Counterpoint Brewing Co.’s Tiny Taproom Series returns with the amazing Clarissa Diokno at 7:30 p.m.
Show your skills at Canadiana Music Bingo at the Rabbid Fox with BeccaHosts at 8 p.m.
Over in Ayr, Living Room for Small is live at the Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery Summer Music Series from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Join Good Co. Productions on Thursday, June 1 at 8 p.m. for the release of Moonbean's latest single. The event goes down at Catana Studios in Downtown Kitchener (283 Duke St. W.)
Street art in the alleys and side streets of Downtown Kitchener illustrate the diverse creativity of this downtown core. Join Stroll Walking Tours for a guided tour to explore these amazing works of art in DTK. Thursday, June 1 at 6 p.m.
Kick-off Pride month and support Spectrum's programming for local 2SLGBTQIA+ people with Over the Rainbow: A Judy Garland Tribute with Ori Dagan. Thursday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Po'Boy Jeffreys & Calamity Jane play Emmanuel United Church at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 2
Summer kicks off in Hespeler with the return of the Hespeler Village Market and Walk Queen. Live music, kids activities, games, and more!
Rural Roots brewing has Country Music Bingo with BeccaHosts at 7:30 p.m.
TWB Brewing Co-Operative’s Summer Music Series features Joe Salema & Chad Barnes from 7 to 9 p.m.
Join Sasha Tease for at the Apollo Cinema’s Clapback Queens series screening of Bring It On! Sasha will provide some fabulous drag performances, offer hilarious commentary on the film, and bring her shade expertise to rate the clapbacks of your favourite female protagonists.
It’s Rusty Nail Comedy’s birthday weekend! Check out awesome shows all weekend long, staring with headline Kate Davis at the Crazy Canuck DTK at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 3
June is International Trails Day! Join Red Wing Shoes Kitchener at Huron Natural Area from 10 to 1 p.m. for a hike to celebrate the many ways that trails contribute to our community and wellbeing. Receive a free VASQUE water bottle PLUS a 25% coupon for one in-stock pair of VASQUE shoes or hiking boots purchased at Red Wing Shoes Kitchener by June 18, 2023.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Africa? Look no further than the Afrovibes On Gaukel Festival, a celebration of African culture taking place Gaukel St. in DTK on June 3, 2023. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience that showcases the vibrant traditions and rich diversity of Africa.
The Apollo Cinema has its Kids’ Video Dance Party at 1 p.m.
Kitchener Public Library welcomes authors Anthony Horowitz and Linwood Barclay for 85 Queen: Coffee and Crime, a discussion on crime fiction at 10 a.m.
Stroll Walking Tour’s Mount Hope Cemetery walking tour reveals a community of neighbours, business owners, politicians, rebels and ordinary people whose stories left their mark on Kitchener. Saturday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m.
ForeQuarter Butcher Shop and Counterpoint Brewing Co. are bringing you their first annual Hot Dog Eating Competition on Saturday, June 3. The fastest person to eat four hot dogs in three minutes wins a $100 gift card from Counterpoint Brewing & ForeQuarter Butcher Shop. All proceeds are being donated to YW Thrift Boutique.
Check out El Fuego at Fat Sparrow Block Patio for tacos, margaritas, and more. Every Saturday this summer from 11:30am-7pm, they’ll be setup on the patio outside The Charcuterie Bar for the best patio party this side of Elmira.
Do a kickflip and enjoy some live art, music, and skateboarding at the Hespeler Street Jam on Saturday, June 3 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Melody McKiver, an electro-violist and composer based in Treaty #1, Winnipeg Manitoba, plays The Registry Theatre at 8 p.m. — part of Open Ears 2023.
Get Pride started with TWB Brewing Co-Operative’s Pride Patio Party & Beer Launch. They’ll be launching their 2023 Pride beer — EQUAL Lime & Pepper Saison. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer will be donated to Spectrum Waterloo Region. DJ Jayson Spank will be spinning tunes all evening and Chef Eduardo Perez aka The Lord Of The Tacos will be serving his delicious, authentic Mexican food until 9 pm.
Sunday, June 4
Hear Here Productions presents This Tree Listens, a one-hour, family friendly presentation created by Erin Donovan, Yvonne Ng, and Lori Gemmell with improvising movers and musicians. Audiences and performers will move through a series of performances and meditations throughout Victoria Park, deeply listening to what is around you in new and unusual ways. Sunday, June 4 at 4 p.m.
Green Light Arts presents Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts. Through songs, stories, a few re-enactments, and playful audience interaction, Izad takes you on a journey through his world: born in a refugee camp in Germany, moving to Victoria, having his first boy crush, venturing off to Musical Theatre School looking for a gay fantasia, eventually coming out to his parents, and making it in show biz.
Monday, June 5
Discover Prinker, the “World’s First Temporary Tattoo Printer” at Kitchener Public Library’s Country Hills Library branch. Choose from over 100 designs and have a temporary tattoo magically printed on your hand, wrist or forearm. Tattoos are completely safe and 100% washable. Monday, June 5 at 11:30 a.m.
Ways to get involved.
Grab your clubs for the Forever 90’s Charity Golf Party at @badlandsgolfkw on June 17 in support of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Mamas Kitchen 90’s Band will be performing live and DJ @analog_soundsystem will be spinning 90’s hits. A special shout out to for donating their golf course for this event!
What to read.
‘It means a new start’: The Working Centre unveils 21 new affordable apartments in downtown Kitchener (The Record)
Taste of Local: Cooking Classes in Waterloo Region (Explore Waterloo Region)
He sings, he builds homes, and he donates to health care. Developer Ian Cook puts his money behind Grand River Hospital. (The Record)