The best news and events from around the Waterloo Region. Delivered Monday and Thursday mornings. For free.
🐝 Screaming Plants, Robin Eggs & Pepper
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April 23rd, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! Spring has officially arrived, what a gorgeous day. Might even have to cut the grass soon. Plus... we've got a robin outside our house who just laid some eggs. Here for it! In today's email:
Let's dive in 👇 -Ross at Grand River Buzz WHAT'S HAPPENING General Waterloo Potter's Workshop Spring Sale | Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex | Fri from 1-9pm, Sat from 10am-6pm & Sun from 12pm-4pm | "The Spring Sale hosts over 45 Potters and Ceramic Artists of different backgrounds and artistic styles. It is a wonderful event to come out and look for spring themed garden decor, gifts or, walk around and generally meet the potters" - this also doubles as the Waterloo Potter's Workshop Spring Sale! So there's a ton to check out over the three days. Discovery Days: Awesome Axoltols | The Museum, Kitchener | Fri, Sat & Sun from 10am-4pm | "Celebrate Boba our Axolotl, this weekend with three days full of Axolotl-fun! The celebration kicks off on Friday with the regional PD Day and an appearance from Hands On Exotics. Visit on the weekend for a special Science Stage and Maker activities!" A Delicate Art: Play | Elmira Theatre Company | Thu, Fri & Sat at 7:30pm and Sun at 2:30pm | "A heart-warming comedy about moving on. Dolly and Florence are alone in Dolly’s Diner when a strange gentleman enters. He proceeds to sweep them off their feet. But is he who he says he is?" - additional shows on Fri, Sat & Sun Thursday, April 23rd Salsa & Bachata Latin Night | Rare Nightclub, Waterloo | 6pm | "We’ll start the evening with a 30-minute beginner dance lesson, designed especially for first-timers. After the lesson, enjoy social dancing with great salsa and bachata music until 10:00 PM." Juliet & Romeo | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | 7pm | "A wildly funny, sharply observed duet that blends dance, theatre, and comedy to reveal the real story after Shakespeare’s ending. Spoiler: they didn’t die. They grew up and stayed together. Happily ever after… well, they stayed alive, at least." Musical Bingo: Best of 2010's | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 7pm That 70's Rock Show | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 7:30pm | "This is your chance to relive the classic vibes of the 70s with a live show full of iconic hits and good times. Bring your friends, dress the part, and let's make it a night to remember!" Soul Series: 'Because of Her' | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "An intimate evening of music honouring the women who shaped the sound of generations. Through three distinct voices, the show weaves original songs inspired by iconic female artists alongside reimagined covers of their work spanning eras and genres." Friday, April 24th Champions for Charity: The Brawl | Tapestry Hall, Cambridge | 5pm | "Step into a world of glamour, grit, and giving at our Black Tie Vegas-Style Fight Night – where local business professionals step into the ring, putting it all on the line to become Champions for Charity." - you can also watch on the big screen there outside, and there's a live stream too if you can't make it in person but want to check out the action Trivia: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 7pm | "Attention all witches, wizards, and Muggles! Our magical journey continues with the next chapter in our all-new Harry Potter trivia series!" Kinusaiga Art Night | Fireside Haven, Cambridge | 7pm | "Create art with fabric scraps!" Hearing Hacks | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 7pm | "A welcoming, hands-on space for musicians who are hard of hearing, as well as collaborators, teachers, and curious community members." Danny Michel: Live | The Conrad Centre, Kitchener | 7:30pm | "Danny will be performing an intimate set of hometown favourites." Indie Music Night | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "A stacked local bill is taking over Maxwell’s for a night of rising indie sounds, featuring City Ground, Softcase, and Roemers." Music Bingo: Country Hits | Rural Roots, Elmira | 7:30pm | "From throwback anthems to guilty pleasures, mark your card, sing along, and get ready to win." Ally Fiola & Next Quest | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "Known for blending quirky melodies with infectious grooves inspired by funk, soul, and New Orleans brass bands, Ally’s emotionally charged jazz compositions have won multiple award nominations in Canada." Saturday, April 25th Etsy Spring Market | RIM Park, Waterloo | 10am-4pm | "Featuring 80+ local artisans! You’ll find home decor, pottery, jewellery, clothing, food, art, things for your four‑legged friends, bath and body products, and more." Hearts And Petals | Neruda Arts, St. Jacobs | 1pm | "In this hands-on, 2-hour workshop, you’ll experiment with Gelli-plate printing to make colourful, textured collage papers. You will then use your handmade papers to build a layered mixed‑media artwork." The Sound Within | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 3pm | "This dynamic concert blends solo and ensemble performances, storytelling, and innovative sound experiments, revealing the resilience, creativity, and joy that come from embracing your unique self." Back of the Brewhouse Concert: Bry Webb & Cots | TWB Brewing, Kitchener | 7pm Spring Ceili: Irish Social Dance | Victoria Park Pavilion, Kitchener | 7:30pm | "Get ready to tap your toes and dance the night away as the Grand River Ceili Band brings the house down with live music! Our skilled caller will guide you through the steps, so all you need is a pair of comfy shoes and a big smile." Ghost Town Citizen: Live | Rural Roots, Elmira | 7:30pm | "Get ready for a high-energy night of live music with Patrick Bonnamie (former lead singer of Montreal alt-rock band Wolfgang) and his all-star band." Born in the Eighties | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "Born In The Eighties melds the best of 80s dance party hits with memorable 90s pop, rap and RnB classics and the occasional 00s club banger for good measure" Lee Brice: Sunriser Tour | The Aud, Kitchener | 7:30pm | "Known for his chart-topping hits and heartfelt performances, Lee Brice brings his signature country sound to the stage for one unforgettable night. Openers: Grace Tyler and Brett Kissel." Carl Mayotte Quartet from Montreal | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "Carl's new concert will showcase the music from his upcoming album Claude. Staying true to the energy and virtuosity that define his group, the performance will also embrace a more emotional and introspective dimension." Into The Void: Dark Alternative Night | The Boathouse, Kitchener | 11pm | "We’re summoning a soundtrack of goth, post-punk, dark wave, industrial, EBM, and metal—deep cuts, heavy rhythms, and shadow-soaked energy designed to keep you moving." Sunday, April 26th 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." Womb to Walking Baby & Toddler Show | Bingemans Kitchener | 10am-4pm | "Being a new parent can be so rewarding but it can also be hard to navigate!That’s why the Womb to Walking Baby Show was created. To provide you with all the local resources you need to ease your parenting journey." Lover's Eyes - Tiny Oil Portraits | Neruda Arts, St. Jacobs | 1pm | "In this beginner‑friendly, 2.5‑hour workshop for adults, you’ll work on miniature panels, learning simple steps for drawing and painting an eye in tone and colour. All materials are provided." Cambridge Jazz Festival | Tapestry Hall, Cambridge | 1pm-7pm | "Enjoy an award-winning lineup in a world-class venue in the Gaslight District." Jesse Webber & Friends: About Time | The Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 5pm | "Join Jesse & his best musical friends on stage for an evening of songs of new & old. Featuring The Divines, Ryan Brohman, Craig McNair, Jack Pender, Dan Beacock, Nick Barkley, Jonny Sader, Scott Fitzpatrick, Greg Dozois, Danielle Beck & Ryan Cassidy " (Jesse's my cousin and he's awesome! check it out if you're into good music - great stuff always) Upcoming Events Gem & Mineral Show | The Aud, Kitchener | Sat, May 9th from 10am-4pm | "Hands on activities for children, rocks/minerals/fossils/meteorites, gemstones/jewelry/beads, fluorescent specimens & local vendors" Grand River Buzz Upcoming Events Page Farmers Markets St. Jacobs | Saturday, April 25th (7am—3:30pm) - outdoor stalls are now open! Kitchener | Saturday, April 25th (7am—2pm) Cambridge | Saturday, April 25th (7am—1pm) * none of these events are sponsored. that will always be made obvious if so. WEATHER 🌤️ Fri, Apr. 24th | HIGH 12° | NIGHT 4° | 40% POP 🌧️ Sat, Apr. 25th | HIGH 8° | NIGHT 3° | 90% POP | 5mm 💧 🌤️ Sun, Apr. 26th | HIGH 15° | NIGHT 3° | 20% POP 🌤️ Mon, Apr. 27th | HIGH 16° | NIGHT 8° | 20% POP SPORTS 🥅 Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Western Conference Final series tied 0-0 against the Windsor Spitfires (best of 7)
🏀 KW Titans (BSL) KW are up 2-1 in the championship series against the Sudbury Five (best of 5)
⚽️ Waterloo United Women's Ontario Premier League 1
Men's Ontario Premier League 2
* what other sports would you like to see included here? reply to let me know what you'd find useful! COMEDY Thursday, April 23rd Rusty Nail Comedy: Monthly Thursday Special | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Frank Spadone" Friday, April 24th Rusty Nail Comedy | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Patrick Hakeem" Saturday, April 25th Rusty Nail Comedy | Morty's Pub, Waterloo | 8pm | "Headliner: Daniel Shaw" Yuk Yuk's Comedy | Kingpin Bowlounge (Bingemans) | 8pm | "Feature act Freddy Proia, middle act Marc Hallworth & MC Oliver Ashton" Rusty Nail Comedy | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Patrick Hakeem" COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Earth Day 2026 While Earth Day was officially on Wednesday this week, there's lots going on in celebration of the day around the region this weekend. Listing a few of them below, but there's lots of other smaller events and cleanups too. Kitchener Event | Centreville Chicopee Community Centre | 9am-11:30am | "Join the City of Kitchener’s Forestry and Natural Areas team for a morning of Earth Day fun! Enjoy free nature-themed kids’ crafts, meet the City’s Forestry team and learn about the benefits of trees and Kitchener’s urban canopy." Waterloo Event | Waterloo Park | 10am-Noon | "Help clean up litter in the park, take part in a hands-on activity where you can plant a sunflower seed to bring home, and learn more ways to care for the environment in Waterloo" Cambridge Event | Preston Library | 10am-Noon | "Go green for Earth Day with family-friendly activities and crafts available throughout the day. Explore the Little Seed Library and select some seeds for your garden that support our native pollinators. There's also a community cleanup." LoveMyHood | Ongoing this Spring & Summer | "Bring your neighbours, colleagues or classmates together for a common cause -cleaning up our community. Neighbourhood clean-ups provide an opportunity for people to get involved in making their streets, parks and open spaces litter-free. One small act can make a big difference! This organization helps by providing gloves and garbage bags." No registration needed for most of these - just show up, spend a couple of hours outside, and leave your neighbourhood a little better than you found it. It's also a great way to keep the kids entertained! Let's hope the rain holds off a bit 🤞 ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK Meet Pepper! Pepper is a 7 year old female cat who first came to the shelter in March of this year. "Pepper is a gentle soul with a loving heart just waiting for the right person to see it. This sweet and affectionate girl is sure to blossom in a calm, quiet environment where she can feel safe and understood. In her previous home, Pepper found the energy of children a bit overwhelming, so she's looking for an adult-only home with cat-savvy guardians who can respect her space and allow her to settle in at her own pace. She may take a little time to come out of her shell, but with patience and kindness, Pepper will show you just how loving she can be! Come by the shelter and meet her today, you might just be the one she's been waiting for!" 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 QUESTION OF THE WEEK "What's something you wish Waterloo Region had more of?" 🤔 Hit reply to this message to let me know and I'll share some of the best responses in an upcoming newsletter! RANDOM FACTS OF THE DAY Mosquito-Free Zone: Iceland is one of the only inhabited places in the world with zero mosquitoes. Scientists believe the island’s unique freeze-thaw cycles prevent the insects from ever completing their life cycle. The Benefit of Leftover Pasta: Cooling down cooked pasta or rice before eating it changes its chemical structure into "resistant starch." This makes it behave more like fiber, leading to a smaller blood sugar spike and improved gut health. The "Silent" Scream: When plants are stressed by drought or physical damage, they emit ultrasonic "clicks" or screams. While too high-pitched for humans to hear, researchers have found that insects and some mammals can likely sense them. THANK YOU! Hope you have a fantastic day & a great weekend. I'll see you Monday 🐝 ps. If you're new to the newsletter in the past few days... how did you find out about us? Quite a lot of people joined lately and not sure where it was from 🧐 (a nice surprise indeed, welcome!) INFO STATION:❌ Had enough of these emails? No hard feelings, just tap this link to unsubscribe. 😩 Did someone forward you this email? And now you're wondering how to get in on the action? Say less friend, tap here to sign up for yourself: grandriverbuzz.ca/signup 📖 Do you have an event, funny story or meme about the region you want to share? Hit reply to this email and let me know what you've got to be featured in an upcoming email! 👋 Have a thought, comment or feedback about the newsletter? Or maybe you just want to tell me a random joke.. whatever it is, I love getting replies and try to respond as often as possible. Reach out whenever you'd like by hitting reply. 📢 Think someone you know would love this email? Forward this to them to spread the love. ❤️ Feeling extra generous and loving? Shout us out on your favourite social media platform using this link: grandriverbuzz.ca/signup - it really helps spread the word! |
Grand River Buzz
The best news and events from around the Waterloo Region. Delivered Monday and Thursday mornings. For free.
May 14th, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! I was today years old when I found out the Grand River is home to over 90 species of fish. Which represents more than half of all the fish you can find in Canada. Crazy... 🤯 In today's email: some fun, unique events shipwrecks Dale our local champions & more Let's dive in 👇 -Ross at Grand River Buzz WHAT'S HAPPENING General The Good Card @Square Peg | Kitchener City Hall | Thu, Fri & Sat from 10am-4pm | "Take a moment at our letter-writing...
May 7th, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! Did you get the long or the short census? We got the long one unfortunately... Luckily I had some help completing it, but it was interesting to hear only 25% of people get that version, while the other 3/4 get a much smaller one. Luck of the draw I suppose! In today's email: some great comedy shows an interesting community event Moss another crazy Blue Jay fact & more Let's dive in 👇 -Ross at Grand River Buzz WHAT'S HAPPENING General Bloom Fest |...
May 4th, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! Big day for Star Wars fans... Might have to catch up on some Mandalorian episodes to celebrate. May the 4th be with you. In today's email: sneaky Blue Jays (the actual bird) a great spot off the beaten path for some great food & baked goods giveaway winners! local youth survey kickoff & more Let's dive in 👇 -Ross at Grand River Buzz ps. sorry, bit of a smaller newsletter today because of well... life getting super busy sometimes - but we'll be...