Parks filled with events.
TL;WR for May 28 through June 3 2024
What to do.
Tuesday, May 28
It’s National AccessAbility Week and the City of Kitchener is hosting a vitual webinar called Dismantling Ableism in Community: Making Fun Accessible for All at 12:30 pm. Discover how we can all play a part in dismantling ableism within our communities. The guest speakers will share their insights and initiatives in breaking down barriers and championing inclusivity within sports, travel and the recreation community.
The Apollo has a screening of Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil at 9:30 pm. The film is a Malayalam comedy directed by Vipin Das. The film features Prithviraj Sukumaran, Basil Joseph, Nikhila Vimal and Anaswara Rajan in the lead roles.
Wednesday, May 29
The Creek Collective is hosting a series of Schneider Creek-related art events from Wednesday to Sunday. FLOW, an exhibition opening at Inter Arts Matrix (Wed, 5-7 pm), an artist panel discussion and video projection at Schneider Haus (Thurs, 7 pm), a 1.2km/45min audiowalk south from Willow River Park (Fri, 7 pm), two creek structured improvisation performances by WLU's ICE orchestra at the Schneider Haus amphitheatre (Sat and Sun 11am), and a Schneider Creek Mural Workshop at Reep House (Sat 1-4 pm).
The City of Kitchener’s National AccessAbility Week continues with Dismantling Ableism in Health Care at 12:30 pm. Hear strategies for promoting equality, accessibility, and dignity within health care settings.
rare is hosting Conversations for Conservation – From Birder to Birder Murder: The Mystery Deepens with Steve Burrows at 7 pm. Environmental issues and conservation themes are central to all the Birder Murder Mysteries, and they are often featured elements in the plots. Steve’s research for the books has led him to explore conservation initiatives both on a local and an international scale, taking him to remote and protected conservation areas around the world.
KPL x WCA Astronomy Series present Unveiling the Nature of Dark Energy with DESI at 7 pm. Dr. Enrique Paillas will speak about the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), and what its newest results tell us about the dark Universe.
Thursday, May 30
WR Community Town Halls’ next event is Searching for a Drug Strategy: Seeking a response to substance-related harms and the overdose crisis on Thurs, May 30 at 6:30 pm. Expert speakers, hosted by Region of Waterloo Councillor Rob Deutschmann, will share their invaluable insights, helping us navigate towards a comprehensive plan to combat substance-related harm.
Rusty Nail Thursday nights heads to the Lancaster Smokehouse with headliner Jordan Foisy at 7:30 pm.
BeccaHosts and The Rabbid Fox have Golden Oldies Music Bingo starting at 8 pm.
Celebrate two years of All My Friends Beer Co. at Arabella Park Beer Bar from 4-11.
Words Worth Books has an author event with Jennie Egerdie, author of Frog and Toad are Doing Their Best. She’s in town to celebrate the release of her brand new book, Oh, Bother: Winnie-the-Pooh is Befuddled, Too! 7 pm.
Join chef, restaurateur, local food advocate, and undefeated amateur boxer Nick Benninger for the season 2 Farm to Fork viewing party at The Apollo. Farm to Fork provides an insider’s glimpse of Waterloo Region as a true food lovers culinary destination and offers firsthand, honest-to-goodness farm-to-fork experiences. The evening also includes an opportunity to meet with the farmers featured in the series and a pre-screening panel discussion led by Chef Nick.
Friday, May 31
The City of Waterloo invites you to kick off summer at Waterloo Public Square, now with new features and amenities. Come experience the Square come to life during this celebration event, which will also be the first Art Market of the season, hosted by the city’s arts and creative industries team. There will be handmade goods by local artists, crafters and makers, live music and special treats. May 31 starting at 5 pm.
The Princess Twin has two screenings of Rock This Town. The documentary brings to life the exciting history of rock music concerts in KW from the 1960s & ‘70s. An insider’s look into the gritty reality of building the local live music scene. A 70-minute documentary featuring interviews with music business pros plus performances by today’s musicians. Rock stars come and go but live music is here to stay!
Rusty Nail Comedy heads to Indulge in Cambridge with headliner Keesha Brownie at 7:30 pm.
Short Finger Brewing has Your Pal Bill, acoustic punk jams brought to you by Pink Lemonade from 5 to 8 pm.
TWB Brewing’s Patio Music Series features Amanda and the Paper Cranes with opener Kiki Heard from 7 to 9 pm. They’re also launching their Pride Beer, EQUAL Saison with Lime and Pepper - a portion of the proceeds from each can sold will be donated to Spectrum.
The Apollo has a Drunken Cinema screening of The Mummy at 9:30 pm.
Saturday, June 1
Belmont Village hosts Happy Trails & Sidewalk Sale from noon to 5 pm. Explore the downtown of Midtown, shop for gifts at Gifted, get a doughnut at Lady Glaze, an ice cream sammie from Winnie’s Gluten Free, a beer at Arabella, and much more!
Discover the quirky personality and character of Historic Galt, Downtown Cambridge, on a small group walking tour of the city’s vintage and thrift stores with Stroll Walking Tours. You’ll have time to browse or shop at each store, get styling tips from your fellow STROLL-ers and get a personalized way to explore Downtown Cambridge.
Rose-Erin Stokes is playing at Emmanuel United Church at 7 pm. Highlighted by an artistic acumen and an amazing ability to evoke emotion, Stokes' music is demonstrative of a songwriting craftsperson at work, with music, words, and vocal performances that connect to the hearts and spirits of all who hear them.
Rusty Nail Comedy has two shows tonight. Keesha Brownie takes the stage at the Crazy Canuck DTK and Ernie Vicente is on at Morty’s Pub. Both shows start at 7:30 pm.
Pink Lemonade Records presents Death Party Playground, The Essential Letdowns, and No Sunshine Collective live at the Yeti at 8 pm.
Wave Maker Craft Brewery has live music with Robbie McMaster starting at 7 pm.
Sunday, June 2
The Canadian Clay & Glass Museum has an opening reception for Emergence 2024 at 2 pm. Emergence celebrates the winners and finalists of the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery’s awards for emerging ceramic and glass artists. Demonstrating the talent, passion, and vision of these artists, this exhibition showcases the best of the next generation of ceramics and glass artists in Canada.
On the first Sunday of each month, the Historic St. Jacobs Walking Tour is designated Dog friendly! St. Jacobs might look like a town frozen in time, but this small village blends the modern and traditional and always stays connected to its roots and you can explore it with your pup.
Monday, June 3
Disco Duck is the best way to taste hard to find wine gems all with the grooviest of bops. Disco Duck 3.0 is happening at odd duck wine + provisions on Mon., June 3.
Ways to get involved.
Host or join a community-led conversation with the Waterloo Community Foundation
On the Table is an event designed 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.
What to read.
Farm to Fork Means Eating in Season (Nick Benninger, Explore Waterloo)
Refugee youth benefit from Goodie Goodie bakery pop-up in Kitchener (Mark Bryson, The Record)
Women first responders tell a Kitchener audience about the challenges and satisfactions of their work (Catherine Thompson, The Record)