May 21st, 2026

Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region!

Not sure if anyone loves the 'random facts of the day' each newsletter as much as I do! 😅

One of my favourite sections to put together... I love the three today, so make sure to check them out!

And if you have some random fun facts? Let me know so I can share them in upcoming posts.

In today's email:

• Watermelon
• lots of fun events for this weekend
• a sports update
• comedy show highlight
• & more

Let's dive in 👇

-Ross at Grand River Buzz

WHAT'S HAPPENING

General

​High Seas Teas | Castle Kilbride, Baden | Fri, Sat & Sun at 1:30pm | "Enjoy a delightful, guided tour of Castle Kilbride and the Vogue Voyages exhibit by costumed staff. Afterwards sip on lemon chiffon tea while you indulge in a taste of tea menu items from around the world (British scones and baklava). Teas will be held on the front lawn except for in the event of inclement weather (rain or heat) teas will be held indoors."

​​​Bloom Fest​​ | Shuh Orchards, West Montrose | Sat & Sun from 9am-7pm | "Join us for our first annual Bloom Fest. Enjoy a wagon ride through the apple blossoms, sip hard cider, listen to local live music and let the kids explore our petting zoo, corn box, playground and many other activities."

Friday, May 22nd

​Dungeons & Dragons Night | WG Johnson Centre, Cambridge | 5-9:30pm | "No prior experience is required. Games can be adapted for beginners and experienced players alike, and staff or volunteers are on hand to guide participants through gameplay and rules."

​Glue & Brew: Cambridge Junk Journalling Club | JTM Cake Studio, Cambridge | 6pm | "Whether you fill your journal with photos, stickers, thoughts or junk, there are no rules here. Just scissors, paper, fun... and some really good coffee!"

​Sgraffito on Glass | Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo | 6:30pm | "Get creative with contrast! Layer and scratch off glass paint to reveal a unique composition on a glass base of your choice."

​Patio Music Series: Zoltar | TWB Brewing, Kitchener | 7pm | "Good vibes, great beer, and live music. Pay What You Can to help us better support and compensate our amazing local musicians."

​Trivia: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 7pm | "Attention all witches, wizards, and Muggles! The magic rolls on with the next spellbinding night in our all-new Harry Potter trivia series!"

​Music Bingo: Greatest Hits | Rural Roots, Elmira | 7:30pm | "We’re playing the biggest songs of all time across every era, so expect nonstop sing-alongs, throwback anthems, and crowd favourites all night long. Grab your crew, test your music knowledge, and play for some great prizes."

​Brother Elsey | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "A rising indie rock band of brothers from Michigan, Brother Elsey blends heartfelt Americana, indie rock energy, and powerful storytelling into a live show that’s both emotional and electrifying."

​Poetry & Music | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 7:30pm | "A magical evening where poetry and music swirl together in the harmony of call and response, moving through the air like dancers in love."

​Yves Léveillé Quartet | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "A celebrated pianist and composer renowned for bridging the gap between cerebral complexity and lyrical beauty. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has released nine original albums - earning critical acclaim and prestigious honours"

Saturday, May 23rd

​​​Heartfulness Chair Yoga​​​ | Waterloo Memorial Recreation Center, Waterloo | 8:30am | "The session starts at 8:55 AM with Relaxation & mind centring exercise for 5 mins followed by Meditation for about 30-45 minutes. Followed by learning Heartfulness techniques & interactive session, Q&A on topic of the day. Light refreshment after the session."

​Camp 5K Family Fun Day | Laurel Creek, Waterloo | 11am-3pm | "Your ticket gives you access to a full day of fun including a balloon artist, face painting, tons of games and activities, a campfire, and so much more."

​Waterloo Region Women’s Expo | Bingemans, Kitchener | 11am-4pm | "A vibrant celebration of connection, creativity, and community. Bringing together inspiring speakers, local women-led businesses, and interactive experiences, it’s a space to learn, shop, and grow."

​Everyday Makeup Masterclass | Nailed It, Wellesley | 1pm | "Ready to refresh your makeup routine and learn techniques that truly work for you? Join Kalie for a hands-on workshop and learn how to create a modern makeup look that you can wear every day."

​All That Big Band Jazz | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 2pm | "Music director Simon Wheeldon and the Hamilton based big band pack a punch with traditional and contemporary big band arrangements."

​Bloom into Summer: Wreath Making Workshop | The Grove Cafe, Kitchener | 3pm | "Join me for a cozy, creative afternoon where you’ll design your own 10” summer wreath using beautiful seasonal faux florals. Each wreath is unique, and blooms may vary slightly, making your creation truly one of a kind."

​Mom’s Gone Mild | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 6pm | "Ladies, this one’s for you. Back by popular demand, Waterloo’s favourite early-night video dance party returns for another unforgettable evening."

​Ink Nite | Ink Den, Waterloo | 6:30pm | "Just like a paint night except you get to try the art of tattooing!"

​Murder Mystery - The Time Lock Murders | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 6:30pm | "Step into an evening of food, fun, and whodunit!"

​Something's Always Flying: Live | Rural Roots, Elmira | 7:30pm | "Join them on a ride through the history of rock music and experience the nostalgia and excitement of hearing your favourite hits performed live with energy and passion. Get ready to unleash your inner rock star and sing along to their unforgettable performances."

​Slamdemonium II | The Aud, Kitchener | 7pm | "Slamdemonium II returns for an unforgettable night of professional wrestling featuring wrestlers who have competed on some of the biggest stages in the world (ex. WWE). More than just a wrestling event, the show's a fundraiser for KidsAbility Centre for Child Development - with all net proceeds donated in support of their important work in our community."

​Birth Of The Cool | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 8pm | "Robin and his specially assembled all-star big band deliver the seminal Miles Davis album Birth of the Cool."

​Luis Deniz Quartet | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "Cuban born/Toronto based saxophonist Luis Deniz, teams up with long time collaborators Adrean Farrugia, Roberto Occhipinti and Mark Kelso, to perform music from his Juno nominated album “El Tinajon”, plus other selections."

Sunday, May 24th

​Meet Lightning McQueen | The District Square, Kitchener | 1pm | "Lightning McQueen Ontario is coming back to The Gaslight District! He'll be in our District Square to help us celebrate the Canadian Grande Prix, which will be playing on The Big Screen! There's also a screening of the movie 'Cars 2' beforehand."

​Coaster Sewing & Quilting Workshop | Metro Restaurant, Kitchener | 1pm | "Join us for a cozy afternoon of creativity as we explore the art of hand sewing and quilting - perfect for anyone who loves crafts and a little self-expression!"

​​​​Glasstime​​​ | Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo | 2pm | "Our instructor will give a brief lesson on fused glass, and the rest of the time is yours to create a one-of-a-kind artwork! Get creative with colour and texture to create a unique, functional piece of art."

​Big Band Theory | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 2pm | "Jontue’s soulful vocals will delight the audience with renditions of songs of the greatest jazz singers, and backed by the region’s premier big band."

​The Losing End Album Preview | Farm League Brewing, Cambridge | 2pm | "Jesse Parent and The Pines preview their upcoming album, "The Losing End" and some of Jesse's fan favourites."

​The Tap Room Gang | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 4pm | "A collaborative quartet that brings a fresh and interactive take on classics and hidden gems from the 1920s and 30s hot jazz repertoire."

​Rock This Town: A New Wave | Princess Cinemas, Waterloo | 4pm | The long awaited sequel to the 2022 documentary hit Rock This Town! From the film critic John Rubinoff: "It was shockingly brilliant...surprisingly entertaining music doc about Waterloo Region's thriving music scene in the '80s."

​Grand River Buzz Upcoming Events Page​

Farmers Markets

​St. Jacobs | Saturday, May 23rd (7am—3:30pm)

​Kitchener | Saturday, May 23rd (7am—2pm)

​Cambridge | Saturday, May 23rd (7am—1pm)

​Elmira | Saturday, May 23rd (8am-1:30pm)​

* none of these events are sponsored. that will always be made obvious if so.

WEATHER

🌤️ Fri, May 22nd | HIGH 15° | NIGHT 10° | 20% POP

🌧️ Sat, May 23rd | HIGH 11° | NIGHT 10° | 100% POP | 15-20mm 💧

⛅️ Sun, May 24th | HIGH 18° | NIGHT 11° | 40% POP

SPORTS

🥅 Kitchener Rangers (Memorial Cup

• Fri, May 22nd: Round Robin Game #1: Kitchener vs Kelowna | 9pm (game available to watch on TSN)

⚾️ Kitchener Panthers

• Ongoing: Kitchener Panthers vs. London Majors | Jack Couch Park, Kitchener | Thu, May 21st at 7:05pm
• Next Game: Kitchener Panthers vs. Welland Jackfish | Jack Couch Park, Kitchener | Sun, May 24th at 2:05pm | Tickets​

COMEDY

Friday, May 22nd

​Comedy Show | Midnight Run Cafe, Waterloo | 7pm | "Headliner: Paul Marroquin"

​Rusty Nail Comedy | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Zabrina Douglas"

Saturday, May 23rd

​Tony Lee Gen-X Comedy Hypnosis | Dallas Nightclub, Kitchener | 8pm | "Brace yourself for a journey back to the golden era of comedy, where laughter was raw, unfiltered, and left audiences in stitches until their stomachs ached. A portion of ticket sales help personally support costs for continued relief efforts in Jamaica."

​Comedy Show | Wave Maker Brewery, Cambridge | 8pm | "Expect a stacked lineup of professional comedians delivering sharp, relatable, and absolutely hilarious sets - all in one of Cambridge’s best craft beer spots."

​Rusty Nail Comedy | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Zabrina Douglas"

​Yuk Yuk's Comedy​ | Bingemans Bowlounge, Kitchener | Sat, May 23rd at 9pm | "Featuring comedians Adrienne Fish, Ronald Hae & Greg Palone"

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Meet Watermelon! 🍉

Watermelon's an 8 year old female cat who first came to the shelter in April.

"This gorgeous grey girl may look cool as a cucumber, but shelter life has left her feeling a little wilted. Watermelon is a shy cat who takes time to feel safe in new environments, and she's looking for a calm, cat-savvy adult home that understands that sometimes a girl just needs her space. She's very good at communicating when she's had enough attention, so her future family should be comfortable reading cat body language and letting her set the pace.
​
But once Watermelon starts to settle in? That's when the magic happens. Beneath that cautious exterior is a loving cat with the cutest little purr, just waiting to bloom like a backyard garden in July. Earn her trust with patience and you'll discover a sweet and gentle kitty who will make your summer days feel a little brighter all year round."

Tap here to find out more.

And there are tons of dogs, cats and other animals that are looking for their forever homes. You can find the adopt page here.

* if you adopt a dog or any pet from these emails, reply and let me know! I'd love to send you a special gift to help get things started

RANDOM FACTS OF THE DAY

Sea otters have a built-in pocket to store their favourite rock. They have a loose pouch of skin under their forearms that acts like a pocket. They use it to store food they’ve gathered from the ocean floor, as well as a specific, preferred rock that they use to hammer open hard-shelled clams and crabs.

Slime mold can solve complex mazes without having a brain. Physarum polycephalum, a single-celled organism without a central nervous system, can find the shortest path through a labyrinth to reach a food source. It does this by leaving a trail of chemical markers behind itself, allowing it to "remember" where it has already been and map out its environment efficiently.

Tears have a completely different structure depending on why you cry. Under a microscope, tears look totally different based on the emotion behind them. Basal tears (which lubricate the eye), reflex tears (triggered by chopping onions), and emotional tears all have distinct physical profiles. Emotional tears contain significantly higher concentrations of protein-based hormones and neurotransmitters, which is why crying can feel like a physical release.

THANK YOU!

Hope you're having a great day & I'll see you Monday 🐝

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