What to do.
Monday, July 11
Four All Ice Cream’s first ever Open Mic Night is happening tonight at their Uptown Scoop Shop. Sign-up starts at 6:30 and the event runs from 7 - 9 p.m. Join them for a night on their patio full of music, poetry, and the talents of KW. They’ll be collecting donations for @communityfridgekw too.
Tuesday, July 12
The KW Tech People Managers P2P is meeting in person at Balzac’s Coffee an agenda free coffee meetup from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Eid-al-Adha Mubarak! Come celebrate and learn about Eid-al-Adha at Kitchener Public Library. There will be a storytime and crafts in the Children's department. Check out a calligraphy demonstration in the lounge, with local calligraphy artist Ati Zar. 6 – 8 p.m. at the Central Branch.
Learn how to craft a personalized postcard, draft a note and send it to a friend at Waterloo Public Library’s main branch from 2 – 3:30 p.m. It’s the analog version of posting on Instagram.
If postcards aren’t your thing, what about bees? Waterloo Public Library’s Eastside Branch has Discovering Bees from 3 – 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13
Back at the WPL Eastside Branch, bring your wheels in for Bike Repair with Red Raccoon Bike Rescue from 6 – 8 p.m.
TWB Brewing presents Together We're Boisterous hosted by Pinch Cabaret feauting standup, musical comedy, improv, burlesque, and so much tasty, tasty beer - all on one warm, summer patio. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Head over to to AOK Craft Beer + Arcade on Wednesday for their happy hour from 5 – 8 p.m. All 16oz pours are only $6.
Do you hear the bass from the truck when Dre’s on the block? Come to the Heffner Studio at KPL and learn how to remake Still Dre by Dr. Dre using MIDI from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Local artist Tanya Rivero will be performing at Campfire in Waterloo Public Square Wednesday, July 13 from 7 p.m – 9 p.m. Come sit around the warm fire or grab a bite from a nearby patio and listen to some amazing live music. There will also be life-size games out for you to play and enjoy during the performance.
Thursday, July 14
Explore nature, art, water, loose parts, and risky play at WPL Eastside Branch’s Welcome to the Naturespace family-friendly drop-in from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
The Madness Tour featuring Cassie Noble, Hunter Sheridan and Gamekeeper comes to Emmanuel United this Thursday, July 14 at 8 p.m. Tix $10 in advance or at the door.
Check out live music and food vendors at the Kitchener Market from 5 – 8 p.m.
BeccaHosts has 90s music bingo at Descendants Beer & Beverage!
Explore Uptown Waterloo during the Uptown Waterloo Night Market every Thursday evening between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Waterloo Public Library. Taste local treats, enjoy entertainment from local musicians and variety performers, discover programming from Waterloo Public Library and more.
KPL presents 85 Queen: An Evening with Kathy Reichs at 7 p.m. #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author Kathy Reichs appears on stage and in-person at Kitchener Public Library, to discuss her latest novel, Cold Cold Bones. In conversation with local writer and amazing human being Kayleigh Platz.
Friday, July 15
Back at TWB Brewing, check out their Summer Music Series concert featuring KW’s own Rachel Hickey starting at 7 p.m. Rachel released her first EP, Getting By, in 2021. It’s a collection of intimate, heartbreak-inspired folk-rock songs she wrote after graduating into a pandemic, spending the time at home to teach herself guitar and develop her sound as a solo artist.
Head to Waterloo Town Square for the KW VegFest starting at 6 p.m. They will be giving away a ton of food samples, including vegan cheeses, sausages, and milks! This event is focused on bringing in folks of all lifestyles to learn more about the plant-based diet and its positive impact on the environment, during this time of climate crisis.
In an ironic event listing order, this Friday is the kick-off for the Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show. Craft beer and cider, live music, kids play zone, ribs, and corn bread. Bring a food or cash donation for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region too. Enjoy ribest from Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17.
The UW A Cappella Club’s 2022 Concert is this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at UW’s Modern Languages Theatre of the Arts. Featuring ACE, The AcaBellas, The Musical InterDudes, The Unaccompanied Minors and The Water Boys, this is their first in-person concert in over 2 years.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute Band, Red Hot Canadian Peppers, are playing at Descendants. Show starts at 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 16
This Saturday is rare’s Annual Butterfly Count. During this official butterfly census, they will identify and count all of the butterfly species throughout all habitats on the reserve. Nets and identification resources/guides will be provided. Learn more and register here.
Inconceivable! Join KPL for a screening of the hilarious fantasy film The Princess Bride, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Originally released in 1987, this movie remains as charming and quotable as ever before! 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Cinched Events and TWB Brewing present the Kitchener Patio Party with performances from MissConduct, UltraViolet, Chimaera, AnnetiqueDoll and London's "little bit of sweet" Laissez Affair.
The Apollo Cinema has a screening of Big Trouble in Little China at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 17
odd duck Wine and Provisions and Counterpoint Brewing Co. are teaming up again for a popup menu fully paired to the tap pours of the day. Each small dish is designed around one of the beers. Pick and choose or eat the whole menu! A pair of vegan options, food is all gluten free (though obviously beers are not) and flavour is guaranteed! 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. or until they’re sold out.
The Princess Cinema has a screening of Basic Instinct at 9:10 p.m.
Monday, July 18
Real life, we thought this said "Fight Club”. Discover the science and technology of flight with WPL’s FLIGHT CLUB. You'll build different flying, launching, and hovering machines and with each program you'll learn about something new! This is a drop-in program for kids ages 8 to 12 years old.
Ways to support local.
Explore the patios of Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener with these maps (h/t Bar Rescue KW)
Registration is open for the 2022 Walk & Run for rare, presented by MacPherson Builders. Participants can sign up to walk or run three different routes tailored to all abilities. Bring your friends, family, neighbours and coworkers to cheer you on, and treat them to live music and family fun activities including a Kids Play Zone and an Ice Cream Station. Encourage them out onto the courses where they can discover and learn from interpretive education stations.
What to read.
Two organizations unite to form Waterloo Region Community Foundation (The Record)
Performing songwriter series pushes envelope, embraces diversity (The Record)
WISA and NAVBLUE: Aboard the flight to aviation sustainability (RT Park)
Park your car and explore Waterloo by foot this summer (Explore Waterloo Region)
Kelly Kipfer to Begin Term as New CEO of the WPL In August (Community Edition)