What to do.
Tuesday, February 20
BeccaHosts has trivia at the Duke of Wellington Pub at 7 p.m.
Exploring international destinations is great—except for the whole packing bags and going to the airport thing. Downtown Kitchener has you covered with the DTK Travellers Tour, a dining series showcasing amazing culinary creations with a travelling theme. From February 19 through February 25, explore Europe with savoury meals at 271 West, Odd Duck Wine & Provisions, La Cucina, La Lola, TWH Social, Wineology, and Bobby O’Brien’s.
Wednesday, February 21
TWB Brewing has DreamWorks Trivia at 7 p.m. with Seen on Screen Podcast. $10/person includes a 12 oz beer and unlimited(ish) popcorn courtesy of Apollo Cinema.
Thursday, February 22
Buy a house? In this economy? Check out Defy the odds and buy your first home. Achieving home ownership in 10 steps from friend of the newsletter Rebecca McIntosh on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
Back at TWB Brewing, Dart Night - Come out for a fun and friendly evening of darts. Partners rotate after each game of '501'. All levels are welcome. Winner receives a $20 TWB Gift Card. $10/person includes a 12 oz beer.
MT Space presents Chelsea's Story. Based on a true story, the play centres on a group of three students who discover the diary of a 15-year-old girl named Chelsea, who is targeted and groomed by a man posing as her boyfriend to be trafficked. Chelsea’s Story was written by Sean McGrath (Narrative Alchemy) in the UK for people as young as 12 to understand what trafficking is about and the ways in which those who are vulnerable, particularly girls and young women tend to be targeted and groomed.
WR Community Town Halls presents No Fixed Address: A Talk About Homelessness and Encampments at 6:30 p.m. Join a community discussion to learn more about the approaches, to have your questions considered, and to share your thoughts about making our community a safer and better place for those living with “no fixed address”.
The Sadies play Farm League Brewing. Doors at 7, music at 8.
Jeans ‘n Classics Orchestra brings you their take on symphonic rock classics from the Moody Blues, ELO, and more! An evening focusing on what is certainly the most daring and artistically creative rock genre – symphonic rock. It was the era of the mega tour, the classic album, and iconic bands and songs. This is the perfect vehicle for the fusion of rock band with symphony orchestra.
Friday, February 23
Short Finger Brewing presents NovaKate Unplugged with Kate, the lead guitarist and keyboard from Pkewx3, playing live in their dive. PWYC.
TWB Brewing with the event hat trick this week. Cooking Class with Chef Rob at 7 p.m. — learn how to prepare and cook freshly butchered pork with their resident Chef in the Brew'ry. $50/person.
Whip It. Baby Got Back. Funktown. If these songs ring a bell, you should go to Rural Roots Brewing for One Hit Wonder music bingo with BeccaHosts at 7:30 p.m.
Will the Rangers take the sting out of Sarnia? Take in exciting OHL hockey action as the Kitchener Rangers welcome Sarnia to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on February 23.
Wave Maker Craft Brewing has a Sushi Making Class at 6 p.m.
Maxwell’s has Indie Night with Kroka, Chasing Heroes, Snailspace, and Waterfoul at 7:30 p.m.
DJ Stevedave spins at The Yeti at night.
Saturday, February 24
Seedy Saturday returns to the Kitchener Public Library starting at 9 a.m. Come out and have your questions answered by master gardeners, learn about seed diversity and heritage seeds at the Seed Exchange, attend a variety of lectures with guest speakers, or shop for your spring gardening needs at the many vendors. Whether you are a first-time or master gardener, seed enthusiast or expert seed saver, there really is something for everyone.
The Pinch Cabaret is KW’s monthly variety show, performance laboratory, and community arts party. An unexpected mix of burlesque, storytelling, classical music, performance art, theatre, poetry and who knows what else! Button Factory Arts at 8 p.m.
Experience the spirit of Ramadan at SWAY’s 3rd Annual Ramadan Market at Bingemans on February 24. It’s a day-long celebration with more than 80 vendors, culture performances, a delicious food court, and more.
Lost Lola (189 King Street East) has its grand opening social on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 7 to 11:30 p.m.
Beat the Winter Blues while supporting pets in need! Register your team for a Trivia Night Fundraiser for Hobo Haven Rescue hosted by Becca Hosts Entertainment. It’s virtual and runs 7:30-9 p.m.
Grace 2 play Farm League Brewing, doors at 7, music at 8.
Counterpoint Brewing is celebrating its 5th anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 24! They’ll haveJP Magic doing up some fancy balloon animals and witty magic, The Phonocators performing your favourites, Lucky's Cambridge, DJ Good DR, and more. Cost is $2 donation to the ACB Network.
Doll Haus Events presents Taylor Swift Night at The Hub, hosted by Anne Tique and Violet with Vanity Affair.
Sunday, February 25
Ever want to run a race, but 5K seems a little more than you’d like to run? Grab your shoes because the Grand River Hospital Foundation has the race for you—the inaugural GRHF 0.25K for Cancer! race inside Catalyst137 in Kitchener. Participants will receive a technical running shirt, pizza lunch, and an edible finisher medal.
Spiritus Ensemble presents a Bach Vespers for Lent on Sunday, Feb 25 at 4 p.m. at Church of St. John the Evangelist in Kitchener.
Good Co. Productions have a secret show at a secret location with a secret artist. All we know is the time—7 p.m.
Monday, February 26
The Rabbid Fox has its karaoke night starting at 7:30 p.m.
Arabella Park has a Beer Education Night featuring stouts with Third Moon Brewing at 7 p.m.
Ways to get involved.
John Maksym just released his new music video "Be The Change." It tells the story of a homeless man's journey to reconcile his relationship with his daughter. Inspired by a real man that John crossed paths with ten years ago in Kitchener. The message is to have empathy for others, give without casting judgement, and live each day with gratitude in our hearts.
The video was filmed in-and-around downtown Kitchener, with local cast and crew, and features his band performing at a "food drive concert" as part of the storyline. While the concert was staged for the video, the food drive was real and they collected 69 lbs of donations for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
The entire production was made possible thanks to a grant from the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund.
What to read.
Mel Brown Statue Finds Home in Downtown Kitchener (Catalina Olavarria in The Community Edition)
Waterloo Region housing starts tumbled in January as housing crisis persists (Jeff Outhit in The Record)
LRT riders get Valentine's Day surprise during commute (CBC KW)