The best news and events from around the Waterloo Region. Delivered Monday and Thursday mornings. For free.
🐝 A Gorgeous Mess, Playoff Pucks & Breakfast Downtown
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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 adding to this list as more events come up. Let's have a great week! In today's email:
Let's dive in 👇 -Ross at Grand River Buzz WHAT'S HAPPENING General Shen Yun | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | Tue, Mar. 24th and Wed, Mar. 25th at 7:30pm | "The gong resounds, the curtain opens, and a heavenly scene unfolds before your eyes. Fairies emerge from a sea of billowing clouds. Mongolians ride on horseback across grasslands as vast as the sky. The Monkey King leaps into the sky to fight demons. Classic stories of love and loss, of humour and heroic deeds, come to life." Monday, March 23rd Press-On Nail Set Workshop | Ernie's Roadhouse, Cambridge | 7pm | "Spend the evening designing and creating your very own custom press-on nail set in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re brand new to nail art or already obsessed with tiny details and trends, this workshop is designed for all skill levels." Tuesday, March 24th Psychic Night: Dining with the Dead | E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge | 6pm | "Kerrilynn’s strong sense of humour and deep spiritual insight make for an engaging and uplifting experience. She’ll share messages from the other side and offer wisdom gained from years as a medium." Waterloo Region Athlete of the Year Banquet | Bingemans, Kitchener | 5pm | "An event to recognize Kitchener athletes who have won a Provincial or National Championship or placed first, second or third at an International championship." Grand Harmony Chorus Rehearsals | Christ Church, Waterloo | 7pm | "Whether you’re an experienced singer or just love to harmonize, you’ll be welcomed into a supportive community that loves to learn, perform, and compete." Presentation: Phyllis Webstad | Conrad Grebel University College's Dining Room, Waterloo | 7pm | "Join us for an inspiring event of Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and reconciliation, with speaker Phyllis Webstad - founder and CEO of the Orange Shirt Society." Rusty Nail Comedy | Arabella Part, Kitchener | 8pm | Headliner: Patrick Hakeem Wednesday, March 25th Candle Painting Workshop | Midnight Run Cafe, Waterloo | 6pm | "What’s Included: two candles per person, all painting supplies and guidance & inspiration for designs." Conversations for Conservations | Royal Canadian Legion Branch #126, Cambridge | 7pm | "Jacob Rodenburg is an award-winning environmental educator with more than 35 years of experience inspiring children, youth, and communities to connect with the natural world. He leads a talk on raising the earth stewards of tomorrow in this session." The Nether: Play | UofW Theatre of the Arts | 7pm | "When a young detective uncovers a disturbing brand of entertainment, she triggers an interrogation into the darkest corners of the imagination. The Nether is both a serpentine crime drama and haunting sci-fi thriller that explores the consequences of living out our private dreams." - note: there's also some other dates to attend throughout the weekend! Bags & Brews: An Upcycled Bag Workshop | Counterpoint Brewing Company, Kitchener | 7pm | "Join Beach Relief for a night of craft beer and creative reuse. You’ll turn reclaimed net - once used to clean the ocean - into your own one-of-a-kind upcycled bag." Willow River Trad Session | The Boathouse, Kitchener | 7:30pm | "Enthusiastically supported by the IRL Festival and Boathouse team, we've invited great local musicians to a monthly gathering to foster the feel of an Irish/UK pub with music, connection, and tradition. Intermediate and advanced traditional Celtic musicians who already have a strong repertoire of Celtic and folk tunes are welcome to bring their instruments and join in!" Thursday, March 26th St. Jacob's Market Outdoor Stalls Opening | 7am | "Say hello to our farmers and outdoor vendors starting their season." Always love wandering around the outdoor stalls at the market! Glad to see they're back again for the spring/summer. 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." Soccer: Italy vs. Northern Ireland on the Big Screen | Gaslight District, Cambridge | 3:45pm | "Free outdoor screening! Bundle up and bring your lawn chairs and blankets to catch all of the action! For an authentic Italian experience, grab a pizza from Pizzeria Motola during the game!" Open Mic | Cambridge Public Library, Old Post Office | 6pm | "Enjoy performances from local musicians while taking the opportunity to showcase your talent on stage. Participation is optional but highly encouraged - all ages and skill levels are welcome." Delicious Words Poetry Night | Little Mushroom Dining Lounge, Kitchener | 6pm | "A night of great locally sourced food, drink and poetry readings to fill your stomach and soul." 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." The Watchmen with Stuck On Planet Earth | Elements, Kitchener | 7pm | "Two great brands in one night - presented by MODO-LIVE & 107.5 Dave Rocks." Spring Painting Workshop | Café Clementina, Kitchener | 7pm | "Guests will learn simple, beginner‑friendly watercolour techniques while painting their own custom postcards in a warm, café setting. This relaxing, connection‑focused workshop is perfect for anyone craving a mindful break, a creative reset, or a fun outing with friends." The Music of Billy Preston & Booker T. Jones | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "Lance Anderson and Matt Weidinger return to the Jazz Room to premiere a new show celebrating the music of two iconic keyboardists (organ/piano) known for defining soul, funk and R&B." Magic After Dark | The Boathouse, Kitchener | 9pm | "Jump into a world of wonder, mystery, and impossible moments. Prepare to be amazed by jaw-dropping illusions, mind-bending mentalism, and a touch of real-life wizardry from a trio of masters." 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." Souper G.O.A.T's | City Hall Atrium, Cambridge | 12pm | "Enjoy a delicious selection of handcrafted soups from local restaurants, along with non‑alcoholic beverages and live jazz music from Patti Payne, in a welcoming community atmosphere. Proceeds supporting the Meals on Wheels program. Be sure to stop by the Community Support Connections table to cast your People’s Choice vote for the best soup and take part in the 50/50 draw." Candle Making Workshop | St. Jacob's Candle Company | Multiple dates upcoming in April | While this isn't a 'major' event, I wanted to share it here because whenever I go to feature it in an email... it's sold out. A popular event - get in while you can if this interests you! 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 Kitchener Is Inviting Students Aged 10–12 to Imagine Their Ideal City - and Debate It in Council Chambers. The City's annual My Ideal City program asks young residents to submit a 250-word essay on their vision for the community, with selected students stepping into the role of elected officials for a live, televised mock council debate on May 25 - essays are due March 27. [More Info] Waterloo's Airport Had Its Third-Best Year Ever in 2025, Despite Fewer US Flights. YKF welcomed over 426,500 passengers last year and ranked among Canada's top 10 busiest airports for runway activity, while recent terminal upgrades now allow it to handle up to one million passengers annually - contributing more than $220 million to the local economy and connecting the region to over 140 destinations worldwide. [More Info] Quantum Leap: $900 Million Investment in Waterloo’s Tech Sector. On March 19, the federal government announced a monumental investment of over $900 million aimed at boosting defence innovation and quantum technology, centred at the University of Waterloo. This funding, delivered through the National Research Council of Canada, is expected to create high-paying jobs and cement the region’s role in developing next-generation technologies like quantum computing and secure communications. [More Info] Bridging the Gap: Free Transit Pilot for Seniors Announced. Starting this summer, the Region of Waterloo is moving forward with a pilot program that will offer free transit on the GRT and ION for residents aged 65 and older one day per week. Reported on March 16, this initiative aims to improve mobility and social connection for seniors, making it easier for them to access local services and community events. [More Info] 2026 Entrepreneurial Initiatives Grant Applications Now Open. "The Region's Economic Development - Entrepreneurial Initiatives Grant program supports local non-profit and charitable organizations that support, maintain, and grow a thriving talent ecosystem. In 2026, the Region has allocated $68,400 to the Entrepreneurial Initiatives Grant. Applications will be accepted March 16 to April 7, 2026. For more information and to apply, please click here." WEATHER 🌨️ Mon, Mar. 23rd | HIGH 1° | NIGHT -7° | 40% POP | ~1cm ❄️ ⛅️ Tue, Mar. 24th | HIGH 4° | NIGHT -2° | 30% POP ⛅️ Wed, Mar. 25th | HIGH 8° | NIGHT 1° | 30% POP 🌧️ Thu, Mar. 26th | HIGH 5° | NIGHT -4° | 40% POP | ~1mm 💧 SPORTS 🥅 Kitchener Rangers (OHL) 2nd Overall | 1st in Western Conference
🏀 KW Titans (BSL) 1st Overall (17 wins, 7 losses)
* what other sports would you like to see included here? reply to let me know what you'd find useful! COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT Lead Local: Municipal Election Candidate Information Night "Are you thinking about running in the October 26 municipal election? Join us at the 'Lead Local: Municipal Election Candidate Engagement' event to learn about the election process and prepare for candidacy. Get the details and register here." * 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 Slices Family Restaurant | 300 King St. W, Kitchener Slices has been serving up amazing breakfasts and lunches from the corner of King and Water since 1985. They're a family-run business who really care and take great pride in their food. Above all, they're excellent people and you always feel welcomed and well taken care of. Best known for their breakfast options, they've got a wide variety of lunch items as well. Here's a very complimentary, 5 star google review from Joel last year: "Slices is really a slice of nostalgia. It’s been around forever and really hasn’t changed, which is a good thing. Very reasonable pricing and delicious old-school diner food and ambience. If you’re looking for a yummy brunch spot that won’t break the bank, look no further." I used to love going there for a delicious, yet affordable breakfast when working downtown. Highly recommend giving it a go... great food & even better people. You can check out their menus below - you won't be disappointed! * this is not a sponsored placement, just a favourite of mine. ads will always be made obvious if so. WHAT'S GOING ON THIS SPRING & SUMMER? So I had this section all designed out in a new way and was so excited to share. It was beautiful, gorgeous even. But I ran into a problem... When testing out the email right before sending, it was clipping because of all the code required. Essentially meaning that if I kept it in... a decent amount of you would have had the email cutoff 3/4 of the way through. Which isn't good, especially with how awesome the random facts of the day are this time. So for now until I get it figured out, you can see the "new" upcoming events section at this link. A ton of great stuff to look forward to. Let me know what you think, what you're looking forward to the most or if there's something major you think is missing. This is just the initial start and I'll keep adding to it as we move forward. RANDOM FACTS OF THE DAY Technicolor Dreams: Before the invention of colour TV, most people reported dreaming in black and white. Today, only about 12% of people still dream without colour. Laughter is Universal: It's not just humans - rats laugh when they are tickled. They emit a high-frequency chirping sound that is far above the range of human hearing. Bees Can Recognize Faces: Honeybees have been trained to distinguish between different human faces in controlled experiments. They see the world as a series of dots, but they can still remember specific arrangements of features. * 🤯 on today's facts... the first one especially, had to research it a bit THANK YOU! Hope you have the best week and we'll be back Thursday with more good stuff. 🐝 ps. Did you click through to the upcoming events site? If so, what did you think? Let me know if there's any major events you think should be added in! 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.
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 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: some great community-drive grants available lots of paint nights to choose from local news from the past...
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...