The best news and events from around the Waterloo Region. Delivered Monday and Thursday mornings. For free.
🐝 Spring Art, Community Grants & a Moth in a Computer
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March 30th, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! What a beautiful, well-deserved day we're having. If you love paint nights, then you're going to absolutely love this newsletter. And if you don't... well, that's fine too - because there's lots of great stuff going on this week! Plus our local sports teams are getting right into 'playoff season' which is always exciting. In today's email:
Let's dive in 👇 -Ross at Grand River Buzz WHAT'S HAPPENING General Mini Easter Egg Hunt | The Gaslight District, Cambridge | Each day this week through Sat, Apr. 4th | "Visiting the District today? The Easter Bunny has hidden a handful of Easter eggs throughout the District! If you find one, it's yours!" Monday, March 30th Paint Night: Blush of Spring | Malt & Barley, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "This isn’t an art class - it’s a night out. You’ll laugh, relax, and surprise yourself with what you can create. Our artists guide you the whole way, so you never feel lost." Social Art: Spring Has Sprung | The Boathouse, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "Enjoy painting in a beautiful heated dome and create your own “16X20” masterpiece. No painting experience necessary. This painting is done with acrylic paint and modelling paste. We will take you through step by step." Trivia Night | Foundry Tavern, Cambridge | 7pm Plaster Painting: Moody, Spring Flowers | Ernie's Roadhouse, Cambridge | 7pm | "Join us for an evening of creative exploration as we dive into the art of textured plaster painting! In this guided workshop, you’ll learn how to tint plaster into spring pastels like pink, green, yellow, and apply it with palette knives and spreaders to create bold, layered flowers." Tuesday, March 31st KWAG Stroller Tours | KW Art Gallery, Kitchener | 10am | "Enjoy a special stroller-friendly guided visit to the KW Art Gallery for babies, toddlers, young children, and their caregivers! Running on the last Tuesday of every month we welcome our youngest gallery visitors and their grown-ups to experience our current exhibitions with an interactive tour and informal conversation." Paint Nite: Flowers For My Deer | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 6:30pm | "Don't miss your chance to join in on the fun and create a one-of-a-kind painting with Elle. Get ready to relax, unwind, and let your inner artist shine. All art supplies will be provided, just bring yourself and get ready for a fun and colourful night out!" Acrylic Pour Workshop | Block Three Brewing, St. Jacob's | 6:30pm | "Acrylic Pour Painting involves pouring and manipulating specially formulated acrylic paints to create a unique and abstract design.With Ellie's guidance, you'll be able to experiment with different colours, techniques, and tools to create a beautiful and one-of-a-kind piece of art!" Grand Harmony Chorus Open House | Christ Lutheran Church, Waterloo | 7pm | "Do you love the thrill of harmony and connection through music?Join us for an inspiring evening of four-part a cappella harmony, friendship, and fun! No experience necessary." Trivia Night: General | Scran & Dram Scottish Public House, New Hamburg | 7pm Wednesday, April 1st Trivia Night: Seen On The (Small) Screen | TWB Brewing, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "From must-see sitcoms and late-night cartoons to binge-worthy dramas, 'Seen on (the small) Screen' is your ultimate TV trivia night. Rally your team and put your TV knowledge to the test, from iconic characters to unforgettable moments across the decades." Wednesday Trivia | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 7pm | "We’ve got multiple prizes every week, and the team with the highest cumulative score each month will be crowned the champions of the most useless knowledge!" Rusty Nail Comedy: PROAM Night | TWH Social, Kitchener | 8pm | "Only $5!" Thursday, April 2nd St. Jacob's 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." Tales of the Barrel Warehouse: The Story of the Seagram Empire | Waterloo Public Library (John M. Harper Branch) | 3pm | "The Seagram empire is truly a homegrown success story. Join the City of Waterloo Museum to explore how an average flour mill turned into a world-renowned whisky distillery. Explore stories of the men who made this brand a household name and helped put Waterloo on the global map." Intro To Printmaking Workshop | KW Art Gallery, Kitchener | 5:30pm | "Guided by an experienced art instructor, young artists will explore one of the world’s oldest and most exciting art forms: printmaking! From linocut to Gelli-prints, explore the versatility of the medium through hands-on projects and playful experimentation." Dana K & The Remedy | Block Three Brewing, St. Jacob's | 6pm | "A 5-piece indie rock, blues, funk, soul, country, pop infusion project based out of Kitchener-Waterloo consisting of professional musicians with diverse musical styles and influences with a goal of getting people up, keeping them up, and truly engaging the crowd." 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. Our instructors break things down in a clear, supportive way so you can feel comfortable and confident stepping onto the dance floor right away. After the lesson, enjoy social dancing with great salsa and bachata music until 10:00 PM." 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." Musical Bingo: Back to the 80's Volume 1 | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 7pm Too Mutch Clutch Party | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "A high-energy night packed with music, vibes, and nonstop party energy. Back for its annual celebration at Maxwell’s. Expect a lively crowd, big energy, and a full-throttle Thursday night party atmosphere." Romeo Sex Fighter | Dallas Nightclub, Kitchener | 8pm | "Kitchener's favourite whimsical scamps are back for more musical hijinx!" Throwback Thursday | Edelweiss Tavern, Kitchener | 9pm | "Live music by 'Always on Friday. Get ready to dance all night and relive the best party KW has on long weekends! Photo booth, awesome decor & costumes optional. Bring your best retro look!" Upcoming Events 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 The Former Charles Street Terminal in Downtown Kitchener Is Moving Closer to Redevelopment. The Region of Waterloo has approved a multi-phase approach for the long-vacant site, with plans for community spaces, affordable and market-rate housing, and better connections to transit and Victoria Park - with staff recommending that not-for-profit and community organizations be brought in early to activate the site before full development gets underway. [More Info] Waterloo Region Awarded $265,000 to 36 Local Arts Projects in 2025 - and Applications for 2026 Are Now Open. Chosen from over 170 applications requesting more than $2 million in funding, this year's recipients span theatre, music, dance, film, visual arts and more - with artists and organizations now able to apply for 2026 funding until April 30. [More Info] Waterloo's KA Imaging Helped Secure a $200 Million Federal Investment in Global Health Innovation. The federal government announced a renewed $200 million commitment to Grand Challenges Canada right here in Waterloo, choosing KA Imaging - a local company whose portable X-ray technology is improving medical diagnostics in underserved communities worldwide - as the showcase for why homegrown Canadian innovation deserves continued support. [More Info] Kitchener Woman Receives Medal of Bravery for Pulling Father and Daughter From Lake Erie Rip Current. Katelynn Saengdala was presented the honour at Rideau Hall by Governor General Mary Simon - recognizing her 2020 rescue of a man and his 12-year-old daughter despite recovering from a spinal fracture herself, adding to the Carnegie Medal she received in 2022 for the same act of heroism. [More Info] Regional Council's March 25 Meeting Covered a Lot of Ground. From approving a new zero-carbon building standard and a refreshed Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, to advancing the Charles Street Terminal redevelopment, requesting a pause on new water-taking permits in the Mannheim area, and setting election campaign conduct rules ahead of 2026 — there's plenty to dig into from this meeting. Check out the full summary for details and links to the reports. [More Info] WEATHER 🌤️ Mon, Mar. 30th | HIGH 17° | NIGHT 11° | 30% POP ⛈️ Tue, Mar. 31st | HIGH 19° | NIGHT 3° | 100% POP | 15-20mm 💧 🌧️ Wed, Apr. 1st | HIGH 6° | NIGHT -1° | 40% POP | 1mm 💧 🌧️ Thu, Apr. 2nd | HIGH 3° | NIGHT 1° | 80% POP | 15-20mm 💧 SPORTS 🥅 Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Kitchener lead the first round series 2-0 against Saginaw (best of 7)
🏀 KW Titans (BSL) 1st Overall (19 wins, 7 losses)
* what other sports would you like to see included here? reply to let me know what you'd find useful! COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Below are two interesting, community-driven grants that you can apply for from the region: Neighbourhood Operating Grant | "The operating grant supports City of Waterloo neighbourhood groups and neighbourhood events that have operated for two years or more. Neighbourhood applicants can apply for up to $500 per year in operating funding to support eligible activities. You can apply to the operating grant all year round, but plan ahead and email at least six weeks before you hope to have the funds available." | More Info Mini Grants for Neighbours | "Mini grants support City of Waterloo neighbours working on projects that promote belonging in neighbourhoods. The maximum funding per project is $300 for eligible expenses. Projects need to be neighbourhood-led and involve inclusive participation of neighbours. Applications are open all year round." | More Info We're also getting into Earth Month in April, so will share some different ways to get involved over the next few newsletters. Earth Day Community Cleanup | April 25th at 10am in Waterloo Park | "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. There's also details and support on how to organize your very own community cleanup!" | More Info * do you know of any great causes or organizations doing impactful things throughout our community? Make sure to reply & share so I can feature them in an upcoming newsletter! FOOD & DRINK IN THE REGION Seven Shores | 10 Regina St. N, Waterloo "Seven Shores is a simple, ethical and relational business at the heart of the local food scene in Uptown Waterloo. We aim to provide quality business, relationships, food and space for farmers, customers and everyone in between. Seven Shores continually strives to source as much local food as possible, ensure that staff receive a fair income, and support the local community by offering space, events and services. Our hope is to enrich lives through each daily interaction." They also provide catering, and have a community room available to host a birthday party, shower, meeting, workshop or holiday party. Community-owned & operated - I've heard some awesome recommendations for them. Here's a positive & loving 5 star google review from Rebecca last month: "I think this place can truly be called iconic without any exaggeration. It often gets very busy, and for good reason: the food is always healthy and delicious. A special thank you from me for always having soups available, which makes it possible to have soup for breakfast every morning. They prepare fresh gluten-free baked goods in-house every day. There are seasonal updates to both hot and cold drinks, and on weekends they offer additional new food options. And most importantly, the atmosphere: incredibly cozy, consistently warm, and genuinely friendly. Many people become regulars here. My absolute favorite place for breakfast." So many great options to choose from for breakfast, lunch and snacks. You can check out their menu here - just scroll down a little bit or hit the 'menu' button in the top banner! * this is not a sponsored placement, just came highly recommended. ads will always be made obvious if so. RANDOM FACTS OF THE DAY Smiling Really Does Work: Scientific evidence suggests that the physical act of smiling - even if it's forced - can trigger the brain to release dopamine and serotonin, actually making you feel slightly happier. Give it a go! The First "Computer Bug" Was a Real Bug: In 1947, computer pioneer Grace Hopper found a moth stuck in a relay of the Harvard Mark II computer, which was causing the machine to malfunction. She taped it into the logbook and labeled it the "first actual case of bug being found." Coconuts are Not Nuts: Despite the name, a coconut is botanically a drupe - a fruit with a hard stony covering enclosing the seed (like a peach or a cherry). THANK YOU! Hope you have an awesome day and we'll see you Thursday. 🐝 ps. I'd love your feedback. Whether it's something you like, or hate, or want to see more/less of - please let me know! My goal is to make sure you're getting value from these emails, and the important info you need. Just hit 'reply'. 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? 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Grand River Buzz
The best news and events from around the Waterloo Region. Delivered Monday and Thursday mornings. For free.
April 2nd, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! Did anyone see the rocket launch going to the moon yesterday?! Exciting that we're going back there. This mission takes 4 astronauts on a 10 day journey where they'll fly around the moon and back. In the next year or two, the plan is to run two more missions - one where they'll connect with a lander in outer space, and the second where they'll actually land on the moon. And in a local twist, Jeremy Hansen from London, Ontario is one of the four...
March 26th, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! So for those that clicked through onto the 'upcoming events' site on Monday, thanks so much & appreciate the feedback. Since I can't reliably get the full list into the email each week, it's now going to live under 'Upcoming Events' in the 'What's Happening' section - this'll actually be a good thing, giving you easy access each time the newsletter's sent. I'll also put a 'new' badge on anything that was recently added. For example, there's a...
March 23rd, 2026 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! Some of you recently had feedback about wanting to know what's coming up event-wise, past just the upcoming week. So I've put together a section of major upcoming events this spring & summer.. and will feature it from time to time (every 3-4 newsletters or so). It's called 'What's Going On This Spring & Summer?' and you can find it below. Thanks again for the helpful ideas to all those that replied with feedback and encouragement. We'll keep...