What to do.
Monday, April 28
It’s election day, don’t forget to VOTE!
Tuesday, April 29
KPL’s Breaking the Sound Barriers welcomes special guest Dani Saldo, a disabled Filipino-Canadian artist and songwriter known for her vulnerable, conversational music and dreamy, coming-of-age productions. Her work has been featured in Anna Kendrick’s movie Alice, Darling (TIFF 2022), Love Is Blind, Teen Mom OG, and hit singles popularized in Korea. Join us at the Southwest Library to hear Dani's story, ask her questions and try out some accessible musical tech! 6 pm.
Wednesday, April 30
Once the votes are counted, count on Laurier experts to break down the federal election results and what they mean for your everyday life. Join in an Inspiring Conversations webinar about voting trends, upsets and surprises, and how the new government plans to tackle issues like cost of living and Canada-U.S. relations. 11:30 am.
Retail Therapy Thrift has a Fill-a-Bag Fundraiser from 4 to 7 pm.
Join TWB Brewing for Elbows Up: CanCon Trivia, a night of all-Canadian trivia featuring music, TV, film, and celebs who made it big while keeping it maple. From Joni to Downie, Breaker High to Degrassi, it's time to put your CanCon knowledge to the test. Flannel encouraged. 7 pm
WCA Astronomy Series presents Galaxies, Clusters, and the Biggest Things in the Universe. Dr. Roan Haggar will speak about galaxy clusters, the largest objects in our Universe that are held together by gravity, discussing what clusters are made from and what we can learn by studying them. 7 pm at KPL central.
James Sommerville leads the KW Symphony on a musical journey, from Brahms' Double Concerto through to Dvorak's New World Symphony. St. Matthews Lutheran Church at 7:30 pm.
The Rabbid Fox has Trivia Night with Randy and Friends at 7:30 pm.
Thursday, May 1
The City of Kitchener wants to know how you think our city should grow. Imagine a week in your life in Kitchener in the year 2051 – and then re-live that week as someone else. What kind of home will you have? What will your neighbourhood look like? How will you get around? Join staff at the upcoming Approaches to Growth workshop to find out. 4:30 – 7:30 pm at Kitchener City Hall.
Murray And Peter present Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue at Centre in the Square. The Golden Girls are back in an all-new show! 2025 finds Sophia out on bail, after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring at Shady Pines. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors. And Dorothy is trying to hold it all together, with help from her much younger, sex-crazed love interest. Relive the heartfelt hilarity of four ladies who never stopped being your friends!
What’s your PIN? There’s a RIM/BlackBerry reunion at Edelweiss from 4:30 to 10 pm.
Wave Maker Craft Brewery has musical bingo at 7:30 pm.
Good Co. Productions presents Moonbean and Pick a Piper live at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade in Downtown Kitchener. 7 pm.
Friday, May 2
Jane’s Walk Waterloo Region is back! Check out their website for a full list of walks. Our Friday choice is Queen’s Square: Galt’s Gathering Place with Kevin Swayze at 7 pm.
Emmanuel Concerts presents Kim Albert, live at 7:30 pm. Kim Albert grew up in a household full of the traditional fiddle tunes of her self-taught dad. Marked by the untimely loss of her mother at the age of eight, her haunting, pared-down folk songs are steeped in love and loss.
Don’t stop me now. Centre in the Square has Queen: It’s A Kinda Magic at 8 pm.
Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre presents Just Friends, a new play by local playwright Faith Andrew. At times hilarious, others heart-wrenching, this coming-of-age dramedy explores friendships, first loves, and growing up. Shows May 2 to May 18.
Sultans of String presents Walking Through the Fire - Visual Album at Parkminster United Church from 7 to 9 pm. This special film brings the magic of collaboration to the screen, with award-winning First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists.
Efthimios Nasiopoulos headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday!
Saturday, May 3
Discover one-of-a-kind gifts and meet the makers who bring them to life, just in time for Mother's Day! Come out to Catalyst 137 for the Wonderfully Made Market and shop from a curated selection of nearly 50+ makers and talented artisans in Waterloo Region. 10 to 3 pm.
Run Waterloo x Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford Perth have Tails on Trails at 10 am at Bechtel Park. Grab your runners for your choice of a 5K race with or without your dog companion, or take part in the 2.5K fun run/walk at your own pace!
Our Saturday Jane’s Walk recommendation is Barriers in the built environment Accessibility Tour with Amy Ross at 11 am. This Accessibility Tour will offer participants the unique opportunity to join residents with disabilities on a tour of local spaces to gain an understanding of real-time barriers in Waterloo.
The University of Waterloo has Quantum Doors Open at Catalyst Commons from 1 to 4 pm. It’s a free, open-house style hands-on event for all ages. There will be interactive experiments, activities and demonstrations showcasing quantum ideas and experts looking to make the topic of quantum science more accessible and easy to understand.
TWB Brewing hosts Hops & High Notes with Grand River Opera from 7 to 9 pm. Enjoy a captivating evening of opera and musical theatre favourites performed by incredible local talent in a laid-back setting. Entry is pay-what-you-can, with proceeds supporting GRO’s next production. Sponsored by The City of Kitchener. Pay what you can.
Maurice van Hoek brings his small songs with melancholy to west coast piano ballads to dragging bluesy songs to Emmanuel United Church at 7:30 pm.
The Jazz Room has Waleed Abdul-Hamid’s Afro-Kush live at 8 pm.
Sunday, May 4
THEMUSEUM is hosting an out-of-this-galaxy event to celebrate Star Wars Day and all things pop culture! Whether you’re a Jedi Master, a Sith Lord, or just a fan of epic fandoms, there’s something for everyone at this galactic gathering. 10 to 4 pm.
Walking through downtown Kitchener, one comes across many curious sites and pieces of public art. Check out Art and Architecture of Downtown Kitchener Jane’s Walk with Divya Dhingra at 11 am.
The Waterloo Concert Band takes you to another dimension with Galactic Rhythms. Explore the vastness of space, planets, stars and beyond, featuring music from Star Wars, E.T. (The Extra Terrestrial), Star Trek, Doctor Who and more! Free entry, donations appreciated. 2 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church.
Arabella Park Beer Bar x Friends Not Foes presents Salvation Sundays 4 pm to late. Sounds for your mind, body, and soul.
Avro Arrows play The Union KW at 8 pm with special guests Alert The Audience.
Monday, May 5
Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region x Princess Cinemas present a screening of All About My Mother at 7 pm. Following the tragic death of her teenage son, Manuela travels from Madrid to Barcelona in an attempt to contact the long-estranged father the boy never knew. She reunites with an old friend, an outspoken transgender sex worker, and befriends a troubled actress and a pregnant, HIV-positive nun.
The Margins Club has a Quiet Reading Night + Book Swap at Midnight Run Cafe from 6 to 8 pm.
Ways to get involved.
Taste of the Region is a one day premier event featuring tours of some of Waterloo Region’s finest restaurants and establishments. With city buses lined up and three stops per tour, this is a great opportunity to enjoy exquisite cuisine and drinks supporting The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
What to read.
”My Teen's Instagram Account was Hacked.” What happened, how it happened, and how to protect your kid from the same fate. (Dinah Davis, Being Fearless, Being Me)
Conestoga chef and hospitality students put to the test at provincial competition (Jasmine Mangalaseril, CBC KW)