What to do.
Tuesday, May 7
BeccaHosts has Music Bingo: Killer Covers at the Duke of Wellington Pub.
Wednesday, May 8
Waterloo Public Library’s McCormick Branch has the good folks from Red Raccoon Bike Rescue on site for a free Bike Repair session from 6 to 8 p.m.
The 16th Grand River Film Festival kicks off with a free screening of seven locally-made short films at the Kitchener Public Library Central Branch Theater at 6:30 p.m.
CreateWaterloo’s Campfire is back on May 8 at 6 p.m. with Sammy Duke and Gerima Harvey in Waterloo Public Square.
The City of Kitchener hosts Sandra Dunn: How I Made Spinal Column at 7 p.m. It’s a free artist talk by blacksmith Sandra Dunn inside 44 Gaukel about the creation of her amazing public art contribution to an ION train stop.
Thursday, May 9
The Community Players of New Hamburg are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical from May 9 to may 12. This family-friendly classic features the story of Anne, a precocious redhead who comes to live with a family on a farm in Prince Edward Island. Tap your toes and laugh along with this energetic performance!
TWB Brewing hosts Lavender Fizz Comedy. It’s an open mic evening for2SLGBTQIA+, women and non-binary comedians. No tickets, PWYC. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Down at the Rabbid Fox, check out BeccaHosts’ "Flying Solo" (artists that went solo) music bingo.
Learn about untold Black Canadian history through the music and storytelling of Tracy Cain, a descendant of Underground Railway travelers. Drawing on more than 200 years of family history, Tracy will educate you about the journey, secret codes and songs used, Black Canadian pioneers’ resilience and tenacity to seek out freedom plus the sacrifices and contributions they made to help develop communities throughout Ontario. Kitchener Public Library at 7 p.m.
Join other bookworms for the Midnight Run Cafe for a cozy gathering at the Silent Book Club Meeting on May 9 at 8 p.m.
Centre in the Square has Classic Albums Live: Back in Black (AC/DC) at 8 p.m.
The Hub has Single Mothers with The Anti-Queens live at 7 p.m.
Lindy Vopnfjord plays Emmanuel United Church at 7 p.m. Lindy has performed seven albums’ worth of originals that have mesmerized, delighted and moved audiences at house parties and bars to embassies, theatre halls with Canada’s Whitehorse, and large festivals, such as Montreal’s Osheaga, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Reykjavik Folk Festival, and Hillside Festival.
Friday, May 10
Top Toques Friday lunch is on at 12:30. Get a delicious four-course meal from up and coming chefs for only $30.
Stroll Walking Tours wants to tantalize your taste buds in Uptown Waterloo with a Waterloo Food Tour. This three-hour food tour dives into the heart of the city’s vibrant culinary scene, including independently-owned restaurants, hidden gem eateries, and sweet shops. Vegetarian dietary needs can also be accommodated.
Rural Roots Brewery has Greatest Hits Music Bingo at 7:30 p.m. with BeccaHosts.
Catch a screening of Pier-Philippe Chevigny’s Richelieu at the Princess Twin as part of the Grand River Film Festival.
Alone At The Microphone Presents COLOUR FILM at The Yeti Cafe at 9 p.m. It’s an intimate night of raw emotion and vibrant storytelling as COLOUR FILM performs the new album Half An Hour with very special guest Ryan Valentine.
Saturday, May 11
The Grand River Film Festival (GRFF) is Waterloo Region’s longest-running independent film festival. Join them for Movie Day in Cambridge at the Gaslight District for a one-day cinematic extravaganza featuring seven hours of short and feature-length films.
Get rejuvenated while you explore downtown Kitchener’s art scene on the Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery’s Art Walk. This walking tour highlights murals, sculptures, and installations around downtown Kitchener, and tours run rain or shine.
rare’s Spring Plant Sale & EcoMarket is your destination for local seedlings, eco-friendly gifts from artisans, and delicious food. Support the Food Bank Gardens and find unique Mother’s Day gifts along with live music and raffles.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Gem and Mineral Club’s annual show is on May 11 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. There will be lots to do, including rock, mineral, fossil, and meteorite displays, jewellery, and children’s activities.
Rusty Nail Comedy Saturday headliner is Kevin Christopher at the Crazy Canuck DTK at 7:30 p.m.
The Odd Whale Ball is happening at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts. It’s got music, vendors, and more (including Bearface Johnson).
If you’re a fan of improv and musicals, then this is the event for you. Improv group After This presents “After This: An Improvised Musical” at the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre. It’s improv, but instead of scenes, the After This comedians will turn your stories into musical theatre productions!
Sunday, May 12
The Schneider Haus National Historic Site invites you to celebrate Mother’s Day with mindfulness and mental relaxation. Join them for a three-part Metta (love and kindness) Meditation led by award-winning mental health advocate and wellness expert Iman Grewal.
The Grand River Festival presents 20,000 Species of Bees at 1:30 p.m. and Boy in the Woods at 4:30 p.m. at the Princess Twin.
Kitchener Public Library has a free screening of Wish at 1:30 p.m.
The Hub has Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals with Sam Russo and Pigeon Pit live at 7 p.m.
Monday, May 13
Rusty Nail Comedy heads to the Malt & Barley in Williamsburg with headliner Michael Moses at 7:30 p.m.
Ways to get involved.
Host or join a community-led conversation!
On the Table is an event organized by Waterloo Region Community Foundation to encourage community connection. Bring together your friends, colleagues, neighbours, and people in the community over some food to talk about what matters most to you. Learn more and get involved at wrcf.ca/onthetable.
Women’s Crisis Services Waterloo Region has launched a new Engaging Men program. The majority of violence against women is committed by men, so it’s critical to include men in the conversation around domestic violence.
Their Engaging Men program pushes the envelope by encouraging healthy relationships and directly addressing men’s violence against women. The program works with men in Waterloo Region who use violence towards their partners and families through one-on-one and group counselling. Since October 2023, they have received 24 self-referrals from men who want healthier, happier relationships and families.
For more of an in-depth look at their Engaging Men program, check out Holding Men Accountable with Jude Oudshoorn on the She Is Your Neighbour podcast.
What to read.
60+ festivals to attend this spring and summer near Waterloo (CuratedKW)
Future of the Kitchener Aud back in the spotlight (Josh Brown, The Record)
Cycling, conspiracies and connectivity: the global push for 15-minute cities (Robert Williams, The Record)
Rich Uncle Tavern closes its doors indefinitely (Harleen Kaur Dhillon, Community Edition)
Things to Do in Waterloo Region in May (me, Explore Waterloo)