Karma is the events in this newsletter.
What to do.
Tuesday, May 23
The Princess has a screening of Princess Mononoke at 8:50 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24
D2L Night School is back with a session on their Brightspace Community. Learn what makes an online Community different from a neighborhood Community and tips for launching a new online Community. Wednesday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Kitchener Public Library has an Asian Heritage Month Film screening of Shang-Chi at 6:30 p.m.
Rusty Nail Comedy is back at Foundry Tavern with headliner Andrew Barr at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 25
On September 1, 1916, the city of Berlin, Ontario changed its name to Kitchener in a controversial referendum and vote, in the middle of World War One. Join Stroll Walking Tours to learn about the people and places that shaped this decision. Thursday, May 25 at 6 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. Runs May 25 – June 4.
Join the Kitchener Panthers at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Couch Park as they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
April Wine plays Centre in the Square at 8 p.m.
Friends Not Foes x The Walper Hotel have another night of Music Matters featuring Dino Busato from 6 to 11 p.m.
TWB Brewing Co-Op has a Barks & Brews Patio Meet-Up with Dog Friendly KW from 5 to 7 p.m.
Friday, May 26
Pinch is delighted to be teaming up with Inter Arts Matrix to present Big Mouth Beauty: A Night of Poetry, Spoken Word, and Music. This is a special, one-off event bringing together some very heavy hitting international artists with local poetic talent opening things up. Friday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Button Factory Arts
Join Fightback KW and friends for day a two-day meetup to learn more about being unhoused in Waterloo Region. Meet at the picnic shelter at Victoria park at 6:00 p.m. to hear from speakers with lived/living experience of homelessness in the region.
Culture Fancier and Minds Eye Studio Art Gallery and Yoga Studio are hosting an artist reception for Conan Stark’s Vanishing Points exhibition. Friday, May 26 from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Join Create Waterloo on Friday, May 26 for the Uptown Waterloo Art Market. Shop from a wide variety of locally handmade items by artists, crafters and makers at Waterloo Public Square. There will also be live music from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for you to listen to and enjoy while browsing all of the amazing local products.
The Feed the Fire Fundraiser invites everyone to come together in community to enjoy music, a silent auction, and amazing food in support of the work of Crow Shield Lodge. Tickets are PWYC (pay-what-you-can) and with a suggested amount of $20. Friday, May 26 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. in the Victoria Park Pavilion.
BeccaHosts hosts 90s Music Bingo at Rural Roots Brewing starting at 7:30 p.m.
Dance Mix 90’s takes over THEMUSEUM at 8. It’s a slammin’ night of nostalgia, featuring a Music Video Dance, 90’s trivia, throwback activities, games, and prizes.
Apollo Cinema and Drunken Cinema invite you to join them in the 90s vision of the not-too-distant future where all restaurants are Taco Bell—Demolition Man. Friday, May 26 at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 27
I AM Kitchener’s Indigenous Art Market is happening on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 at 44 Gaukel in Downtown Kitchener. They’ll have over 40 Indigenous vendors from all across Ontario. Bring your good vibes and join them for a weekend celebrating Indigenous creatives!
Kitchener Public Library’s Pioneer Park branch invites you to join David Gascoigne, two-time past president of Waterloo Region Nature, as they explore the trails in the Pioneer Park neighbourhood. Saturday, May 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Button Factory Arts invites you to Elevate the Arts and celebrate the grand opening of their new elevator. They’ll have a ribbon cutting, arts activities, raffles, and more. Saturday, May 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The annual Hohner Avenue Porch Party is back with music from Onion Honey, Gin Lane, Tausha, The Drags, and more. Saturday, May 27 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Onion Honey has an album release party for Foul Weather Friends at the Registry Theatre at 7 p.m.
Rusty Nail Comedy has headliner Michael Moss at 9 p.m. at the Crazy Canuck DTK.
Georgette Packaging’s Rummage Sale is back on Saturday, May 27. The Georgette Packaging, a local carbon neutral packaging company will be donating any proceeds to the Tree Trust. Tree Trust preserves our biggest and best urban trees. There is also free Tang (while supplies last). 9 till noon at 168 Duke Street East.
The Lab Street Eats x Stockyard Brewing are teaming up to celebrate their collab with The Bella Cosa release party on Saturday, May 27 from 7-11 p.m. Hosted by two of KW’s veteran DJ’s, @lordcheddamc and @theewoodyrose, the evening features drinks, fun, music, and some @graffiti_market snacks.
The Yeti has Spacebar with Ian Newton starting at 7.
The Grand River Hospital Foundation Rally For Health is going down in the parking lot next to the hospital from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. The Rally for Health is a celebration of our community and their dedication to the future of local health care. Join them for an unforgettable evening, including a free concert with performances by The Strumbellas, DJ Shub and Ian Richards Project, a stunning drone show, food trucks, event activations, and more.
Sunday, May 28
Changing the Flow is celebrating Menstrual Health Day with We Are Committed at the Apollo Cinema. Sunday, May 28 at 11 a.m.
GroundUpWR has a community bike ride starting at 2 p.m. in Waterloo Town Square.
Throw out your wire hangers for a screening of Mommie Dearest at the Apollo at 6:45 p.m.
BeccaHosts has a Disney Trivia Night at Lobster Burger Bar at 7:30 p.m.
Grab your band mates, practice your perfect riffs, and Ziggy Star DUST off your flashy duds for a Queen of Craft X AOK Craft Beer Arcade Rock Band Challenge. The event brings together music, beer, and charity in the most rockin' way possible! Sunday, May 28 at 5 p.m.
Monday, May 29
National AccessAbility Week runs May 29 to June 4. It’s an opportunity to promote accessibility and inclusion for all, and to raise awareness about the barriers that people with disabilities face. On May 29, learn how you can make life more accessible for employees (and future employees) with the webinar Working Without Barriers: Hiring People with Disabilities.
Kitchener Public Library has a free screening of "The Monster Inside Me”, a documentary film seen through the point of view of a couple living and coping with Lyme disease. It highlights the isolation, abandonment, anxiety, grief, rage, and depression patients experience with this disease. It explores how Lyme affects their families, friends and spouses. Monday, May 29 at 6 p.m.
Ways to get involved.
Join Spectrum for an intimate concert featuring Ori Dagan's jazz quartet on June 1. Space in this performance is very limited and it will take place in the unique basement space at 165 King St W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A7 (the former Budd's department store). Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
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. This event promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing the vibrant traditions and rich diversity of Africa.
What to read.
Revitalization in uptown Waterloo: Streets to close for pop-up events, expanded patios, Thursday night markets return and more (Waterloo Chronicle)
Farm to Fork in Waterloo Region (Explore Waterloo)
Sassy and Brassy: Inclusive Dance in WR (Community Edition)
Vegas-born chef brings the mein event to Cambridge brewing company (Waterloo Chronicle)
From concerts to classic cars, Kitchener unveils summer events lineup (The Record)