Hot Newsletter Summer.
TL;WR for May 21 through May 27 2024
What to do.
Tuesday, May 21
Get ready for a high-energy concert experience with KW Glee at Centre in the Square! Canada’s award-winning youth pop choir, KW Glee, is live on stage, featuring over 150 young performers with incredible voices and exciting choreography. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance! There’s a show on Wednesday, May 22, too.
The irony isn’t what Soylent Green is made of. The irony is that it’s not gluten free. ANYWAY, the Apollo has an End of the World Day screening of 1973’s Soylent Green at 9:30 PM.
BeccaHosts has Road Trip Music Bingo at the Duke of Wellington starting at 7 PM.
Wednesday, May 22
TWB has its Euchre Night. Partners and tables rotate after each round. Each ticket includes a 12 oz beer and costs $12/person.
Escape to Belgium for a night with the team at Solé and enjoy a shareable five-course meal complete with Belgian beer pairings and a meet & greet with members of the Confederation of Belgian Brewers. $100/person.
PFLAG x Spectrum have an author event with Sydney Brouillard-Coyle. Join them to meet Sydney Brouillard-Coyle (ney/nem/nirs) and hear nem read from nir book, A Pocket Guide to Pronouns.
The Dart Trees and Customer Service: Live in Kitchener at The Yeti starting at 8 PM.
CreateWaterloo’s Campfire is back in Uptown Waterloo with live music by Clarissa Diokno with Caleb Khuu on guitar. 6 to 8 PM.
Thursday, May 23
Green Light Arts is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a production of Late Company at the Conrad Centre May 23–26. Written by Jordan Tannahill and directed by Kwaku Okyere, Late Company explores the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of finding peace balanced with the need for retribution.
Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre has a launch event for its upcoming season from 7 to 9 PM at the Waterloo Public Library Main Branch Auditorium. You can meet with KWLT's directors, learn more about the upcoming season, and check out volunteering opportunities for production crews.
KWAG x Molior (Montreal) are hosting a presentation by global curator and cultural strategist, Carmen Salas. She will use her latest project, Think Systems, as an example to illustrate the creative and curatorial direction that emerged from it. Thursday, May 23 from 7 to 8 PM.
Rusty Nail Comedy has an open mic night at The Crazy Canuck DTK from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.
Down (or over?) at The Rabbid Fox, BeccaHosts has 90s Alternative Music Bingo at 8 PM.
Friday, May 24
The Good Lovelies is the Juno Award-winning ensemble of Kerri Ough, Sue Passmore, and Caroline Marie Brooks. Hear them in person at Waterloo Emmanuel Church as they tour to promote their new album, “We Will Never Be the Same.”
The Patio Music Series begins at TWB from 7-9 PM! No tickets, pay what you can. This week, Badunkafunk takes the patio stage so get ready for an evening of nostalgic 70s inspired funk.
The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale is back at the New Hamburg Fairgrounds on May 24 and 25. Indulge in mouthwatering treats and check out their famous quilt, treasure trove, and other auctions for incredible finds. The sale supports relief, development, and peace in Ontario and around the world through the work of the Mennonite Central Committee.
Start the summer festival in Kitchener with WelcomeFest! This free, two-day event is brought to you by KW Oktoberfest and the City of Kitchener. WelcomeFest features live music, local arts and culture, and delicious food at Carl Zehr Square.
Join Minds Minds Eye Studio Art Gallery and Culture Fancier to celebrate the fabulous work of Danielle Petti at an artist reception on Friday, May 24 at 7:30. Bodies is an art exhibition of small and large scale paintings by Danielle Petti on repurposed canvas that blend the sublime nature of celestial bodies with the earthen beauty of geological formations.
There’s a world premiere for the documentary A Hole in the Ground at the KPL Theatre at 7 PM. Over the course of a year, local filmmaker Ben Gorodetsky documented Inter Arts Matrix’s experimental outdoor residency, where they dug a six-by-four-foot hole in Sandhills Park and invited ten artists to respond to it. The resulting film is a meditative journey through art, time, community and death.
SVP Teens are hosting their final fundraiser for their current cohort this month—Coffee House 2024! You can find local talent, delicious baked goods and a memorable and vibrant night. All proceeds will go to a local charity supporting youth in the Waterloo Region. May 24, 6:00-9:00 PM at the Accelerator Centre. $8/adult or $4/Teen if pre-purchased, $10/adult or $5/Teen in person.
THEMUSEUM has Dance Mix 90s at 8 PM. Join them for a slammin’ night of nostalgia, featuring an old school Music Video Dance, 90’s trivia, throwback activities, themed drinks and more!
Rusty Nail Comedy has Steve Dylan at Morty’s Pub and Bobby Knauff at the Crazy Canuck DTK. Both shows at 7:30 PM.
Saturday, May 25
There’s yard sales and then there’s the Mary Allen Neighbourhood Yard Sale. Join them for over 15 sales throughout the Mary Allen neighbourhood on May 25 from 9 to 1 PM. They also have a “mega sale” fundraiser at the Mary Allen park this year.
Ayr is turning 200 this year! Join them at the first Ayr Farmer’s Market on May 25 at 7 Church St. Now in its third year, the Ayr Farmer’s Market is your one-stop shopping destination for fresh produce and unique gifts.
Grand River Writers & KW Writers Alliance present Bookfest 2024 at Waterloo Public Square from 2 to 8 PM. They have a family story hour, author signings, vendors, and more.
Kick off the summer with Palette x Palate in downtown Kitchener! It’s a celebration of art, food, and community featuring interactive art installations, live performances, new culinary creations, and pop-up markets. Palette x Palate is also the launch event for the new edition of the DTK Art Walk Field Guide, your map to discovering public art across the downtown core.
Full Circle Foods in DTK is staying open late and making space for a dance floor featuring music from MAGNATECH and spooloops from 5 to 10 PM.
Porch party season begins on Hohner Avenue! It’s a free community music festival featuring musicians of all ages and styles. It’s a vibrant atmosphere not to be missed with music, food, and celebrations of the Central Frederick neighbourhood’s creative spirit.
Forget corgis and hounds—it’s a cat’s world at the Cambridge Cat Show on May 25. See the world of cat showing firsthand. There will also be vendors on hand with new products for the feline in your life.
Tiny Taproom Concerts are back at Counterpoint Brewing with Emily Gilbart on Sat., May 25. Emily is a an indie folk artist from Orangeville Ontario. Her music centers around her unique voice and acoustic guitar, which come together to create a sense of warmth and intimacy.
The Jazz Room has the Alex Dean Blue Note Group at 8 PM.
Rusty Nail Comedy has Juno-award winner Kyle Brownrigg at Morty’s Pub at 7:30 PM.
Sunday, May 26
TWB x Waterloo Region Nature have bird bingo, even though birds aren’t real. $12/person includes a 12 oz beer.
The Princess Twin has a tribute screening of The Woman Who Loved Giraffes at 2 PM in honour of Anne Innis Dagg (1933-2024). 50% of ticket proceeds go to the Anne Innis Dagg (AID) Foundation.
Monday, May 27
Midtown Radio is hosting its first ever Local Musicians' Workshop! Join other local musicians to share songs, stories, advice, and discuss life as a musical artist. Hosted by Midtown Radio, the premier grassroots organization for supporting and advancing the KW music scene, this event will be a chance to collaborate professionally with other artists, build friendships, and strengthen our local music community.
Rusty Nail Comedy heads to Cambridge’s Tapestry Hall with headliner Kyle Brownrigg at 7:30 PM.
The Princess Original has a screening of Pulp Fiction at 7 PM.
Ways to get involved.
Friends of the newsletter are conducting a research study exploring how hip, knee and ankle joints work together while bicycling in people with and without knee pain from osteoarthritis. They’re looking for people who:
Are 45 to 75 years of age
Have or do not have knee pain from osteoarthritis
Cycle 0-8 hours per week
This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board. If you have questions or are interested in participating, please contact mobilize@uwaterloo.ca.
Being socially active is important for people living with dementia as it can help boost brain health and improve overall well-being. Unfortunately, many people living with dementia often feel isolated due to the stigma associated with their diagnosis.
Now is the time to think about how we can build communities and programs where people living with dementia can actively participate and connect.
Community organizations, front-line staff, and decision makers are invited to attend Knowledge to Practice: The Importance of Social Connectedness for People Living with Dementia on Wed, June 19, 2024 from 9 to 4:15.
What to read.
The Power of Sport Shines as Waterloo Region Hosts the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games (Explore Waterloo)
Gripping family drama marks 10 years for Green Light Arts (Joel Rubinoff, The Record)