This newsletter is also running in the byelection.
TL;WR for May 13 through May 19 2023
What to do.
Tuesday, May 9
Investing in Menstrual Health Makes Good Business Sense. Period is a free virtual event from Share The Platform about creating a period positive workplace. Menstrual health experts will provide insights from the latest research and data, sharing best practices that can promote supportive menstrual health environments in the workplace. Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
The Grand River Film Festival returns for its first fully in-person festival this May 9 – 13. The festival features nine films and 39 short films screening across Waterloo Region at the Princess Twin in Uptown Waterloo, the Kitchener Public Library Theatre in Downtown Kitchener, and the Cambridge Community Players Theatre in Cambridge.
BeccaHosts hosts the "Duke It Out" Trivia League at the Duke of Wellington starting at 7 p.m.
Grab a pizza, a cocktail, and your future at Tarot Tuesdays at The Civil in DTK. Tuesday, May 9 (and every Tuesday until June 27) from 6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10
The Princess Cinema has a screening of the 4K restoration of Total Recall at 9 p.m.
Get your midweek rebook at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade with $6 beers every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
TWB Brewing Co-Op is hosting Together We're Glitter ✨ Drag Karaoke at 7 p.m. Eric Moon - Man of Leisure - and Cinched events are combining forces to bring you an epic night of Drag Karaoke! Hosted by Melody Bijou and featuring their library of over 50,000 songs you can sing your heart out while enjoying a delicious TWB pint and top notch drag performances.
Thursday, May 11
The Young@rt Youth Art Exhibit is being offered in-person and virtual again this year! Young@rt is premiering at 7pm on May 11 at 44 Gaukel St. and will also be released virtually on Artshine’s YouTube Channel the next day. Young@rt is a celebration of talented young artists in Kitchener that showcases their work in visual arts.
Arabella Park Beer Bar has a tap takeover with their friends from Sonnen Hills Brewing and Dominion City Brewing Co. from 4 to 10 p.m.
Kitchener Public Library has an Asian Heritage Month film screening of Minari at 6:30 p.m. It’s a tender and sweeping story about what roots people that follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream.
The University of Waterloo Art Gallery is hosting an opening reception for Fine Arts MFA Thesis artists Clara Laratta and Stephanie Florence from 5 to 8 p.m. in the gallery at East Campus Hall, Room 1239.
Rusty Nail Comedy has headliner Ron Josol on stage at the Crazy Canuck at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 12
Block Three Brewing has Fire in the Valley live starting at 6 p.m.
Maxwell’s has Wing Night (the band) live on stage. Doors at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 13
From organic seeds to one-of-a-kind creations, from honey to mouth-watering Brazilian fare, there's lots to see, do and taste at the rare Charitable Reserve EcoMarket taking place beneath the celebration tent at the Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Want to record a song or a podcast but don’t know where to start? Kitchener Public Library’s Learn How to Use GarageBand has you covered. Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m.
Enjoy artistic workshops, live music, and delicious refreshments at the Homer Watson House & Gallery Mother’s Day Garden Party. Stroll through their grounds and gardens and shop from a collection of artisanal vendors at their special pop-up market.
The Grand River Film Festival shorts screenings are happening at Kitchener Public Library. Each program is an hour long. Indigenous Shorts at 1 p.m., Canadian Shorts at 2 p.m., and International Shorts at 3 p.m.
The Hub has The Forgotten Rebels with Back Breaker & The Essential Letdowns at 8:30 p.m. Doors at 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 14
Kitchener Public Library has a free screening of Shrek at 1:30 p.m.
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market and Marché Fresh are hosting a Mother’s Day Floral Workshop where you’ll learn how to create your Mother’s Day floral arrangement. The workshop costs $36 and includes all the necessary flowers and items.
The Apollo’s High Tea Cinema presents Sense and Sensibility at 1 p.m. Each ticket includes a cup of tea and a scone!
Over at the Princess Twin, catch a screening of Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie at 6:30 p.m.
Ways to get involved.
Hey Waterloo Region! What’s your superpower?
Break out the cape, grab your gear and run, walk, wheel for the KidsAbility Superhero Challenge June 11-17.
Get registered (it’s free!) , set your distance and your fundraising goal, and soar as a superhero for kids having fun and supporting KidsAbility.
At the end of week, join other participants to celebrate your fundraising superpowers at Superhero Day – a fun fair of food, games and families on Saturday June 17 at KidsAbility Waterloo location.
Donations support the most immediate therapy needs of kids, youth, and their
families throughout Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington.
Every hero has a superpower, and YOU can be a hero for kids!
What to read.
Freewheeling ‘BlackBerry’ movie charts company’s rise and fall with spotlight on Waterloo Region (Joel Rubinoff, The Record)
Two Kitchener councillors could face off in provincial byelection (The Record)
Spoiled for choice at Kitchener’s Indo Hakka Corner (Anjana Kipfer, The Record)