The best news and events from around the Waterloo Region. Delivered Monday and Thursday mornings. For free.
🐝 Waffles, Kilts & Cups
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April 20th, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! A first for me this weekend - I didn't know Centre in the Square had a smaller theatre over on the other side, where we enjoyed a comedy show from Jeff Leeson. (amazing!!) You can still get pepsi in those cups with the cool lids & a pack of mentos - plus the staff were as friendly as ever. So I was quite happy. In today's email:
Let's dive in 👇 -Ross at Grand River Buzz WHAT'S HAPPENING General Juliet & Romeo | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | Tue, Wed & Thur at 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." Monday, April 20th Raptors on The Big Screen | Gaslight District, Cambridge | 7pm | "Game #2 vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers" Trivia Night | Foundry Tavern, Cambridge | 7pm Tuesday, April 21st An Evening with Red Dirt Skinners | Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge | 6:30pm | "If you are open to hearing new songs that are influenced by Pink Floyd Simon and Garfunkel Supertramp Queen and David Bowie coupled with some epic storytelling humour and heartfelt emotions you’ll love a Red Dirt Skinners concert." Donovan Woods: Live | Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, Kitchener | 7pm | "Known for his candid, emotionally resonant songwriting, Woods blends folk, country, and pop." Wednesday, April 22nd The Next Course Food Show | The Aud, Kitchener | 9am-4pm | "See the future of food, taste innovation and explore industry insights" - while this seems geared towards restaurant/food service owners... might be worth checking out if you're a real foodie! Trivia Night | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 7pm Rusty Nail Comedy: PRO AM Night | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Only $5 for a great night of laughs!" Thursday, April 23rd St. Jacobs Market Food Tour | 9:30am | "Join us for a guided journey through Mennonite food, culture and history, tasting the best local vendors at the famous St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market." 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." Musical Bingo: Best of 2010's | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 7pm A Delicate Art: Play | Elmira Theatre Company | 7:30pm | "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 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!" Rusty Nail Comedy: Monthly Thursday Special | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Headliner: Frank Spadone" 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." Upcoming Events Etsy Spring Market | RIM Park, Waterloo | Sat, Apr. 25th from 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." Lee Brice: Sunriser Tour | The Aud, Kitchener | Sat, Apr. 25th at 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." Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | Tue, Apr. 28th, Wed, Apr. 29th & Thu, Apr. 30th at 7pm and Sat, May 2nd & Sun, May 3rd at 1pm | "This critically acclaimed, immersive 2-hour theatre production combines side-splitting comedy with a delicious 3-course dinner. Step into the mayhem as Basil, Sybil, and Manuel bring the iconic British sitcom to life with their hilarious antics - all while you enjoy your meal." Grand River Buzz Upcoming Events Page Library Events Fun, family-friendly and free. Click below to see what's happening at your local branch this week!
Community Centres The region's community centres are excellent ways to access fun & affordable/free programs and activities. They have a ton of things to do for kids & teens, and they've got some great adult & senior programs as well! * none of these events are sponsored. that will always be made obvious if so. LOCAL NEWS Apples, mushrooms and corn. Made-in-Kitchener robots are working farmers' fields - CBC News 80 years of music: Twin City Harmonizers mark milestone anniversary - CBC News 'A welcome change': 2nd GO train from Toronto to Kitchener added on weekday mornings - Metrolinx Want to try homesteading? Consider the 'brutal reality' of self-sufficiency, says expert - CBC News Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union celebrates milestone anniversary with transformational gift - WLU 'Avoid the honk': Interactive map helps Waterloo students stay away from Canada geese - CBC News WEATHER 🌤️ Mon, Apr. 20th | HIGH 2° | NIGHT -5° | 30% POP 🌤️ Tue, Apr. 21st | HIGH 11° | NIGHT 3° | 30% POP 🌤️ Wed, Apr. 22nd | HIGH 17° | NIGHT 3° | 20% POP 🌤️ Thu, Apr. 23rd | HIGH 20° | NIGHT 7° | 10% POP SPORTS 🥅 Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Kitchener win the second round series 4-1 against the Soo Greyhounds (best of 7)
🏀 KW Titans (BSL) KW are up 2-0 in the championship series against the Sudbury Five (best of 5)
⚽️ Waterloo United First games of the season for both of the local soccer teams! Will update on standings as the games get going.
Looks like available tickets get put up on this site as each game gets closer - you can also get season tickets at a very reasonable cost * what other sports would you like to see included here? reply to let me know what you'd find useful! COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT If you've ever thought about giving back but weren't sure where to start - Volunteer WR makes it easy. They match locals with opportunities across the region, whether you're a student, newcomer, or just someone with a few spare hours to give. And with 2026 being the UN's International Year of the Volunteer, there's no better time to jump in. Browse what's available at volunteerwr.ca. * know someone doing great things in the region? hit reply! FOOD & DRINK IN THE REGION The Grand Trunk Saloon | 87 King St W, Kitchener | 4.6 stars across 1,520 Google reviews If you haven't made it to The Grand Trunk Saloon before, consider this your sign. This Kitchener favourite is the kind of place that's hard to put in a box - part craft cocktail bar, part comfort food kitchen, with a vibe that somehow feels both laid-back and special occasion at the same time. The fried chicken and waffles have developed a bit of a cult following in the region, and the pizzas are equally worth the trip. And don't sleep on the drinks - the cocktail list is creative and carefully put together. Here's a recent 5 star google review from Lorraine: "This restaurant is fabulous. The service was top notch from beginning to end! I had the Rick Miranis pizza and it was absolutely amazing! Drink selection is fantastic and the bartenders are THE best! Enjoyed watching them make the drinks! The ambiance is very relaxed. I will be back for sure in the future! Thank you for contributing to my Saturday night adventure! ❤️ If you are going to Kitchener for concert at Centre in the Square I recommend this restaurant 1000%!!" Love the recommendation for when you might be downtown Kitchener for another event, and need some good food. You can check out their menus below - let me know what you think if you check it out or have been before!
* this is not a sponsored placement, just came highly recommended. ads will always be made obvious if so. LOCAL CLASS SPOTLIGHT 🏴 Scottish Country Dance Music Workshop - No kilt required. No experience either. Come try Scottish Country Dance in Uptown Waterloo! Join us for a fun class designed for beginners. The class is high-energy but the footwork isn’t too complicated (this isn’t Highland dance or tap dancing!). It all kicks off on Fri, Apr. 24th, which is an open house, 'pay what you can' event. You then have the option to sign up for a full session (8 classes) or a half session (4 classes), both which start on May 1st. In each session you'll practice some footwork, learn and practice dance formations & learn new dances (there's a ton to choose from, so it's fresh every time). It's also just a genuinely fun way to meet people! Find out more about the workshop and register here. Bonus - the day after the open house is International Dance Day (Sat, Apr. 25th), with a full celebration including a dance workshop, music workshop, dinner, an evening dance & more. Find out more here. * this is not a sponsored placement, but comes from a GRB reader. ads will always be made obvious if so. QUESTION OF THE WEEK Last week featured a couple of questions! Sharing some of the best responses below & thanks for everyone who gave some helpful tips on where to go for a spring walk and what patios to try out. Love the idea of visiting multiple eateries while checking out some great local trails. What's your go-to spot for a spring walk in the region? 🚶 "For a spring walk, you've got to do the Iron Horse trail. Make a whole event of it: grab a coffee at City Cafe at the east end, walk an hour (or slower to admire all the greenery coming in) to Arabella for lunch or a fabulous pint!" - Christine "Either the Walter Bean trail along the Grand River or Huron Natural Area trails 🙂" - Zenin "Monarch Woods 🦋 🌳: It's snack sized but the little winding creek and bridges are so pretty." - Aneta Now that patios are opening up - which one(s) are you hitting first? ☀️ "My actual favourite patio is my own little outdoor space, with an iced coffee and a happy dog in my lap. Maximize your rent, folks! But if I'm going out, Ethel's in Waterloo or Boathouse in DTK!" - Christine "Short Finger Brewing Co., Boathouse, Graffiti Market, Arabella Park! And all of them can be part of an awesome "bike and brew" tour." - Aneta RANDOM FACTS OF THE DAY The Stanley Cup was originally a small bowl: When Lord Stanley of Preston purchased the trophy in 1892, it was only 7 inches tall and 11 inches wide. Over the decades, rings were added to the bottom to accommodate more names, resulting in the massive 3-foot-tall trophy used today. Golden Retrievers have "soft mouths": Bred as hunting dogs to retrieve waterfowl, they are capable of carrying things very gently. They can actually hold a raw egg in their mouths without breaking it—a trait known as a "soft mouth." The word "checkmate" has ancient roots: The term comes from the Persian phrase "Shāh Māt," which literally translates to "the King is helpless" or "the King is dead." THANK YOU! Wishing you a great week, and we'll be back Thursday. 🐝 ps. Is there something missing from the newsletter that you'd like to be updated on each week? Hit reply to let me know! 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: https://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...