March 19th, 2026

Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region!

On this day in 1915, Pluto (it's a planet I don't care what anyone says!) was first pictured.

Interestingly enough though... it wasn't actually until 15 years later in 1930 where it was 'officially confirmed' after people went back and reviewed Percival Lowell's (the original photographer) snaps.

I wonder what else we haven't fully 'discovered' yet 🧐

In today's email:

• what to do with your old green/garbage bin
• a boatload of fun events this weekend
• Pepper
• something on earth that's hotter than the sun
• & more

Let's dive in 👇

-Ross at Grand River Buzz

WHAT'S HAPPENING

General

​Symposium 2026 | Centre in the Square (Sat, Mar. 21st at 6pm) & The Tannery Building, Kitchener (Sun, Mar. 22nd at 12pm) | "Once a year, creatives from all over the world gather to celebrate building things for the love of making. The underdogs, the tinkerers, the late-night experimenters, the ones who acted without waiting for permission. Day 1, at Centre In The Square, highlights the process of how these projects were made. Day 2, at the Tannery, gives you an up close and personal view of 65+ demos!"

​Cambridge Community Players Presents: ROPE by Patrick Hamilton | Cambridge Arts Theatre | Fri, Mar. 20th (7:30pm), Sat, Mar. 21st (7:30pm) & Sun, Mar. 22nd (2pm)

​The Neighbours | The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, Kitchener | Multiple days & times throughout the end of March | "From Governor General’s Award winner, Nicolas Billon (Butcher, Iceland), The Neighbours examines how good people can be complicit in acts of cruelty. “An astonishing play that ensnares you in its grasp and doesn’t let go.” (Toronto Star)"

​March Break Express | Waterloo Northfield Station or Farmers Market Station | Friday & Saturday at 11am and 1pm | "We invite you to embark on a scenic winter heritage train ride with the whole family! Passengers of all ages will be captivated by the wide-open views of the countryside and nearby Mennonite farms as we travel through Woolwich County. A colouring contest to win 2 free train tickets & fun stickers and temporary tattoos for all young passengers."

​Magical Morphos | Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory | Saturday & Sunday starting at 9am | "Magical Morphos self-guided scavenger hunt, interactive learning stations & prizes for young explorers" - Note: this event starts on Saturday with multiple dates throughout next week for March Break

Thursday, March 19th

​Show & Tell: Open Mic | Visitor Information Centre, Waterloo | 7pm | "Open Mic. Open Stage. Open Invitation! 5 min spots, come share your ideas. Anything goes in this diverse & delightful open mic. Comedy, music, performance art, burlesque, poetry, drag, lectures, rants, etc!"

​​Darts Night​ | TWB Brewing, Kitchener | 7pm | "Come out for a fun and friendly evening of darts. Partners rotate after each game of '501'. All levels are welcome."

​Gary Cain Band | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 7pm | "Gary is back from Jolly Old England for a live show and birthday celebration in his hometown of K-W. Hope to see you there for drinks, merriment, and face-meltery!"

​William Prince: Further From The Country Tour | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | 8pm | "With Further From the Country, Prince sharpens his focus and expands his sound, offering music that shares personal truths with universal reach. Expect an intimate, resonant night from one of Canada’s most compelling voices."

Friday, March 20th

​Live Bubble Show | Mini Playtown, Kitchener | 10am | "Explore, imagine, and enjoy Mini Playtown’s amazing play spaces! Bubble show starts at 11am."

​Friday Flicks Travel Show | Community Pavilion, Waterloo | 1:30pm | "Join us as presenters share their travel stories from various parts of the world. This show features London, England by Tim Taylor."

​Nico Valeriote: Live | Block Three Brewing, St. Jacob's | 6pm | "A singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Guelph, Ontario. He began writing music as a teenager and soon after formed the band You Might Be Sleeping with his childhood friends. Since then, Nico has performed at venues and festivals across Ontario, including The Horseshoe Tavern (Toronto), Sonic Hall (Guelph), Corktown Pub (Hamilton), and the Hillside Festival."

​Spring Equinox Forest Bathing | Huron Natural Area, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "Celebrate the changing of the seasons on a forest bathing walk led by a certified Nature Therapy Guide. This will be a gentle and mindful stroll along the trails as we get to explore Huron Natural Area, observe the seasonal change, and absorb the benefits of being in nature."

​New Friends Game Night | TWB Brewing, Kitchener | 7pm | "Ages 23-36 - come enjoy nostalgic games, delicious brews and meet new people. Examples games: Trouble, Crazy8s, President, Yatzee, Blockus, Hungry Hippos, Apples 2 Apples, Cards Against Humanities, Scattagories, Pictionary, Heads Up"

​Excuse Me: Live | The Boathouse, Kitchener | 7pm | "With a combination of emotional depth and an intention to push boundaries, Excuse Me. has a way of taking complicated song writing and presenting it in a way that both pulls your heart strings and makes you want to move your feet. Praised for their high-energy live performances, Excuse Me. shows are an experience that keeps people coming back again and again."

​Mary-Catherine Pazzano: Live | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "Her debut album 'You’re Gonna Hear From Me' was released to critical acclaim and received airplay on CBC and JazzFM, among others."

​Marc-André Hamelin & Charles Richard-Hamelin: Duo Piano | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | 8pm | "Two of Canada’s greatest pianists perform exquisite repertoire for two pianos by Mozart, Chopin, and Gershwin. “A performer of near-superhuman technical prowess” (The New York Times)"

Saturday, March 21st

​4th Birthday Open House | Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, Waterloo | 10am | "Try out free classes, tour our creative studios, meet our incredible instructors, and see where the magic happens inside our professional production facility. Whether you're brand new to theatre or already love the spotlight, this is the perfect chance to experience what we’re all about."

​International Day of Colour Market | The Museum, Kitchener | 10am | "The event will showcase businesses and artists from the community who will be offering all things colourful and bright! Regular admission rates apply to browse the market."

​Make Your Own Knotted Earrings | Yoni Mudra Art Gallery | 10am | "Using fine cord, learn 5 knots that form the how to create knotted earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other forms of jewelry and clothing with Neetika Kapoor."

​Country Sugar Bush Tours | St. Jacob's Farmers Market | 10:30am & 1:15pm (two options) | "At the sugar bush, meet Norman and Bernadine Horst and their family, who have been farming here for generations. Norman will explain their unique maple syrup process and answer your questions"

​Author Alison McGauley & Relative Minors | Cambridge Public Library, Hespeler | 2pm | "Kenzie's Little Tree book reading by Alison McGauley, a performance by the Relative Minors & make a craft to take home afterwards."

​Jazz Jam | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 2pm | "All performers are welcome. Listeners are encouraged (no charge)."

​Diane Roblin & Life Force | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "A composer, pianist, electric keyboardist, improviser, and bandleader. Diane is known for her powerful compositions and expressive keyboard style blending technical agility with a deep commitment to the connective power of music."

​Drag Me Downtown | EVO Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge | 8pm | "Miss Moço will keep you laughing all night long. Plus extra special guest performers Star Doll and Baby Bel Bel"

​Salsa Bachata | The Museum, Kitchener | 8pm | "Dance lesson followed by a room social."

​Blood Roses & The Queen Is Dead (Tributes to 70s/80s CFNY, The Smiths | Dallas Nightclub, Kitchener | 8pm | "New wave, post punk, punk rock hits from the 70s and 80s meets the sounds of one of Manchester's finest, The Smiths."

Sunday, March 22nd

​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."

​Spy It & Try It | Castle Kilbridge, Baden | 10am & 1pm | "Participate in our Lego Eye Spy tour throughout the Castle, play with unique old-fashioned toys and make your own wonder spinner toy to take home."

​Ukrainian Petrykivka Easter Egg Painting | 44 Gaukel Street, Kitchener | 1pm | "Let's get together and paint Easter eggs in the traditional Petrykivka style - it's going to be a fun and creative time for adults 14+!"

​Kyle Pogline | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 4pm | "At the age of 21, coming out of the traditional playing style of Clifford Brown as well as the fierce and modern sounds of Woody Shaw, he has developed his own unique sound and vocabulary that has heavily lent to his ability to find a musical voice in most of all types of jazz music."

​Meet The Maker Wine Pairing Dinner | Little Mushroom Dining Lounge, Cambridge | 5pm | "A collaboration with local wineries, breweries, farmers, or brands to highlight local products and the creators behind them. Taylor Emerson, vintner, from the Black Bank Hill will take us through four-courses of wine pairings, with appetizer, salad, main, and dessert courses."

Upcoming Events

​KW Home & Garden Show | The Aud, Kitchener | Fri, Mar. 27th - Sun, Mar. 29th | "Offering the most comprehensive information about home and garden solutions to the Waterloo region, the KW Home & Garden Show, enjoys more than 150 exhibitors and an estimated 15,000 visitors. Visitors can expect to find the answers to their home décor, renovation and landscaping questions - all in one place."

Farmers Markets

​St. Jacobs | Saturday, March 21st (7am—3:30pm)

​Kitchener | Saturday, March 21st (7am—2pm)

​Cambridge | Saturday, March 21st (7am—1pm)​

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

WEATHER

🌧️ Fri, Mar. 20th | HIGH 8° | NIGHT -3° | 80% POP | 10mm 💧

⛅️ Sat, Mar. 21st | HIGH 11° | NIGHT 2° | 30% POP

🌧️ Sun, Mar. 22nd | HIGH 8° | NIGHT -4° | 70% POP | 5mm 💧

SPORTS

🥅 Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

2nd Overall | 1st in Western Conference

• 3/17: Kitchener beat Flint 6-2 at the Aud | #23 Sam O'Reilly led the way with a goal and four assists | Watch Highlights​​
• Next Home Game: Fri, Mar. 20th | Sarnia at Kitchener | 7pm | Tickets​​
• Upcoming: Just one more game away to Owen Sound on Saturday, and that's the regular season over. Kitchener has put themselves into an excellent spot heading into the playoffs - wishing them the best of luck & success! And we'll bring you the scores throughout

🏀 KW Titans (BSL)

2nd Overall (15 wins, 7 losses)

• Next Home Game: Thu, Mar. 19th | Sudbury Five at KW Titans | 7pm | Tickets | "Beach night: Hawaiian Shirts & beach vibes"

COMEDY

Thursday, March 19th

​Rusty Nail Comedy: Once a Month Thursdays | TWH Social, Kitchener | 7:30pm | "Headliner: Shawn Hogan"

Friday, March 20th

​Rusty Nail Comedy | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Dave Merheje"

Saturday, March 21st

​Respect! Standup Comedy Tour | The Yeti Cafe, Kitchener | 7pm & 9pm (two shows) | "Kill Tony Golden Ticket winner Kansei Yasuda delivers slow-burn chaos, absurd jokes and kamikaze punchlines in a 40–45 min stand-up blast."

​Rusty Nail Comedy | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Dave Merheje"

Upcoming Events

​Yuk Yuk's Comedy | Kingpin Bowl Lounge, Kitchener (Bingemans) | Sat, Mar. 28th at 8pm | "Featuring: Chuck Byrn, Alex Brovedani & Adrienne Fish"

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT

Wondering what to do with your old green or waste bins?

Same here...

Luckily - the Region put out this post a bit ago suggesting different, helpful options.

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Meet Pepper!

Pepper's a 7 year old female cat who recently came into the shelter.

"A gentle soul with a loving heart just waiting for the right person to see it. This sweet and affectionate girl truly blossoms 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 need for space and let her 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. She has a little meow, a soft purr and loves chin scratches!"

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

Competitive art was once an Olympic sport. Between 1912 and 1948, the Olympic Games held competitions in architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture, with medals awarded for works inspired by sport.

Every time you shuffle a deck of cards, you likely create a sequence that has never existed in history. There are 52! (52 factorial) possible arrangements, which is a number so large it has 68 digits.

Lightning is Five Times Hotter Than the Sun: A single bolt of lightning can reach temperatures of roughly 30,000 Kelvin (53,540°F). The surface of the sun, by comparison, is only about 5,778 Kelvin (9,940°F).

THANK YOU!

Hope you have a great weekend & see you Monday 💪

ps. Let me know what you think of today's newsletter! What would you like to see more or less of? Thanks for everyone that's replied lately - your feedback has been valuable!

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