What to do.
Monday, September 19
The Laurier Wellness in Film Forum presents a screening of Paris Is Burning, Jennie Livingston's 1990 doc about drag and ballroom culture in 1980s New York City. Following the movie, Professor Ketan Shankardass will engage the audience in a discussion about the health and wellbeing themes in the film. It's a free event, open to the public, and it's in an accessible location. Monday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, September 20
Join the City of Kitchener and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre for thoughtful and interactive conversations on how businesses and individuals are making a difference locally and globally by impacting social, environmental and economic change. The first event is Business As A Force For Good on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m.
This newsletter is powered by coffee. Did you know humanity’s first contact with coffee was in Ethiopia? Come and invigorate your senses with the original cup of joe, the Ethiopian Association of K-W & Surrounding Areas will host a traditional Coffee Ceremony in the Kitchener Public Library courtyard. Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
rare Charitable Research Reserve has a Seed Saving Workshop with Bob Wildfong at 5 p.m.
What makes Waterloo Region unique? What defines a sense of place? Is it Ethel’s? Join Waterloo Public Library for a conversation with Phil Elsworthy. His new photo book Through a Changing Landscape - Photographing place and Community in Waterloo Region showcases seventy-five carefully chosen photographs that depict the elements that collectively make Waterloo Region's urban landscape different from any other Ontario city. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 21
Over at TWB Brewing Co-Op, Pinch Presents: Together We're Boisterous Comedy Show featuring stand-up comedy, improve, and burlesque. Pay-what-you-can starting at 7 p.m.
The Crazy Canuck has trivia with awesome prizes. Contest starts at 6 p.m.
BeccaHosts and Descendants Beer & Beverage invite you and your super friends (and arch enemies) to form a team of 2-6 people and prepare to test your knowledge of everything in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
AOK Craft Beer + Arcade has Champa live from 8–10 p.m.
Thursday, September 22
The Apollo Cinema’s Movie + Market returns with a screening of Knives Out. Check out 12 local vendors and artists, including Leigh in Stitches, Hushpuppy Designs, and Anna Winge. Market starts at 6:30, movie starts at 8 p.m.
Quantum security. Quantum mechanics. Quantum Leap? Get the low-down on what quantum really is at KPL’s Quantum: Separating Science Fiction and Science Fact with John Donohue from the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
Arabella Park Beer Bar has another tap takeover event featuring Slake Brewing, Matron Fine Beer, and All My Friends Beer from Prince Edward County.
Friday, September 23
Back at TWB Brewing Co-Op, Luke Michielsen is taking the stage for the final concert in their Summer Music Series with Midtown Radio. This is a non-ticketed, pay-what-you-can event. Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
The Phonocaters play Descendants Beer & Beverage at 8 p.m.
Carizon invites the community to a free screening of Encanto under the stars on September 23! Bring your family and friends to enjoy the wonderful story of Encanto while raising money for a good cause. Film starts at 6:30 p.m.
Block Three Brewing Co.’s Blocktoberfest is back and better than ever! Check out two nights of live music, food and great beer. Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24.
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market’s Harvest Hoedown is going down from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Come celebrate the harvest with country dancing, live music, an artisan market, and more. $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
Saturday, September 24
For the first time ever, the Market will be hosting an Oktoberfest Market Festival from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. with food experiences, a beer garden, live entertainment, kids’ activities, games, and more.
Lumen returns to Uptown Waterloo! Lumen is a free event happening across Uptown Waterloo with 30 installations and 50 performances. The installations are super cool and immersive, featuring the interplay between light, art and technology. Learn more at www.lumenfestival.ca.
KPL’s Heffner Studio presents Commons Studio Filmmaking Workshop: Three-Point Lighting. Get a hands-on grip and lighting workshop with industry professional Tony Smith. Saturday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
Apollo’s Cine-Fail series features a screening of Hackers at 7 p.m. Cinefail is a series where you’ll be accompanied by two queer comedians (Kez & Abbie Longmire) live-roasting the best-worst movies that straight-white-male Hollywood has to offer.
Sunday, September 25
Ludicrous speed. The Princess Cinema has a screening of Spaceballs at 9 p.m.
Monday, September 26
The Princess Cinema has a screening of Spin Me Round at 9:10 p.m.
Later in September
It’s the David Johnston R+T Park x KWFamous collab you never knew you needed. On Sept. 28, they’re putting the disc in disco and celebrating the R+T Park’s very first disc golf tournament. Come out and play, or just hang out at the Beer Garden with Fo Cheezy and Block Three! The 70s vibes feel right and so will the music as DJ King Kadeem will be at the Beer Garden where dance moves are also welcome.
Ways to support local.
Grand River Hospital has a digital patient experience program called GrandServe to offer patients free, high-speed WiFi, more entertainment options and help them stay connected with friends and family during their health care journey. They’re looking for your spare/extra/gently-used Chromebooks to help out more patients. To donate your used Chromebooks to the device lending program, please fill this form and a member of their team will be in touch with next steps.
The Waterloo Region Community Foundation is accepting applications to their Arts Grants Fund, which will provide support to emerging, small or medium sized arts organizations or collectives located in Waterloo Region. Learn more and apply before the Sept. 22 deadline. Learn more here www.wrcf.ca/artsgrants.
Treat yourself to a Tims Smile Cookie in Kitchener and Waterloo and bring a smile
to local kids and families! Tim Hortons Smile Cookies are back from September 19-25. When you purchase the iconic freshly baked chocolate chunk Smile Cookie for $1 plus tax from stores in Kitchener and Waterloo, your entire $1 will be donated to support KidsAbility and Nutrition for Learning equally.
Support Food4Kids by getting your ride washed at the Breslau Community Car Wash on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 11 – 3 p.m. Detail Garage Kitchener - 1215 Victoria Street North.
What to read.
Tom Galloway: the Clark Kent of municipal politics in Waterloo Region (The Record)
Crushed Almond Brings Baked Delights To KW (Community Edition)