The best news and events from around the Waterloo Region. Delivered Monday and Thursday mornings. For free.
π Cabin Fever Cures, Jazz Nights & Daily Spine Compression
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January 15th, 2025 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! I'm not going to complain about the weather. Not at all. Nothing about how there's a ton of snow that fell. Or the crazy, slippery ice underneath. Or how cold it is.. or how getting around anywhere is impossible. None of that, I refuse. But all jokes aside (it is Canada after all)... hope you're keeping safe out there and there's a ton of awesome events happening over the next few days once the snow's cleared up π€ In today's email:
Let's dive in π WHAT'S HAPPENING Thursday, January 15th βCards & Coffee | Cafe Clementina, Kitchener | 6pm | "Every 3rd Thursday of the month we play Magic: The Gathering - raffle prizes, tasty treats, yummy drinks & good times." βKW Social Club: DIY Goal Punch Cards | Gaukel Creative Workspace, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "Join us for an evening of crafting, goal setting, and good conversation as you design your own custom goal punch cards." βMusical Bingo: Classic Rock | EVO Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge | 7pm βTrivia Night | Wave Maker Craft Brewery, Cambridge | 7pm βIndie Music Night | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "Performances by: Next Winter, Maria Gabrielle & Corduroy Blue and Eric Folino" βTraitors Watch Party | Whoopsie Daisy Drinks, Kitchener | 9pm | "By popular demand, we bring you KWβs very first Traitors Watch Party" Friday, January 16th βMario Kart Madness | The Hangouts at Grant's Cafe, Kitchener | 6pm | "Weβre kicking things off with a five round race fest, and only the four fiercest drivers will blast their way into our grand prix showdown. Between heats, fuel up with Marioβs favourite Italian food, pizza and cheer the others on." βScott & Samantha: Live Music | Block Three Brewing, St. Jacob's | 6pm | "Amazing acoustic covers of all your favourite songs." βCandlelight Concerts: Coldplay | The St. Matthews Centre, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before" βTrivia: Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone | EVO Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge | 7pm | "Attention all witches, wizards, and Muggles! The magic begins anew as we launch an entirely fresh Harry Potter trivia series!" βTrivia Night | Rural Roots Brewery, Elmira | 7:30pm | "A fast-paced, fun night of brain-teasing questions, great drinks, and prizes to be won. Grab your team, reserve your spot, and put your knowledge to the test!" βThe Brian Byrne Era of I Mother Earth | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "Brian Byrne - beloved former frontman of I Mother Earth - steps back into the spotlight with his electrifying new band, No Coma, to celebrate the era that helped define his legacy." βPhoenix Jazz Group | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "A Canadian quintet of musicians with impressive credentials whose program of all original music swings with ease. Special Guest: Andy Macpherson" βFriday Live Music | The Galt Club, Cambridge | 8pm | "Featuring: Michael D'arcy" Saturday, January 17th βPottery Workshop | Camellia Bake Shop, Waterloo | 10:30am | "Craft a custom rustic mug and matching spoon rest over free coffee in this cozy New Year pottery workshop at Camellia Bake Shop!" βWaterLAN: Super Smash Brother's Ultimate Tournament | University of Waterloo | 11am | "We are excited to announce a one day tournament as part of WaterLAN 2026! Catering from Jimmy's feed co. so every attendee will get a sandwich, snack, and drink!" βMovies with Bunnies | Conestogo River Horseback Adventures, Waterloo | 2pm | "Nothing beats movies and popcorn in front of the big screen, when you've got bunnies coming to share in some snuggles and snacks too! Showings of Toy Story, Kung Fu Panda & The Wild Robot." βBuffalo vs. Denver on The Big Screen | The Gaslight District, Cambridge | 4:30pm | "Grab your crew, throw on your Bills (or Broncos?) gear, and come out and cheer them on with us in The Gaslight District!" βMom's Gone Wild | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 6pm | "Expect wall-to-wall favourites on the best sound system in town, four synchronized video screens, themed cocktails, and nothing but good vibes from first track to last." βLandlocked Luau | The Union, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "Weβre turning The Union into a tropical getaway for one night only of surf, garage rock, dancing, vintage vinyl, and warm-weather vibes." βVision Board Workshop | Den 1880, Kitchener | 7pm | "Whether you are navigating your career, thinking about your next chapter, or envisioning your future home and lifestyle, this evening is designed to help you slow down and gain clarity on what you truly want." βDrum Tao: The Best | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | 7pm | "Vibrant costumes, dramatic synchronized drumming and movement with a variety of traditional Japanese instruments, including flutes and harps, alongside the massive taiko drums." βDavid Occhipinti's Camera Ensemble | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "A composer and guitarist whose music crosses borders from jazz and improvised music, into contemporary classical music and beyond." βFolk Night | Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 8pm | "Featured: Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley - both award winning artists." βSticky: Live Music | Edelweiss Tavern, Kitchener | 8:30pm | "We have added some new tunes to our set list of rock songs from the last few decades. Bring your friends and your dancing shoes!" Sunday, January 18th βSunday Grind | Balzacs Coffee, Kitchener | 11am | "A fresh new music series designed to bring people together over great coffee, local talent, and vibrant community vibes. This Sunday features DJ Owen of Eardrum Productions." βDisney's Dare to Dream Jr. | Hamilton Family Theatre, Cambridge | 1pm & 4pm | "A 60-minute, high-energy production that follows a group of eager new recruits on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio." βStained Glass Painting Workshop | Arabella Park, Kitchener | 1pm | "Join us for a cozy winter-inspired evening of creativity where youβll design your own stained-glass style artwork, framed and ready to display!" βCookies & Kids: The Great Canadian Invention Circus | Cambridge Centre for the Arts | 1:30pm | "An informative, inspiring and engaging show about Canadian inventors." βAnthony D'Alessandro ft. Benny Bennack III | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 4pm Upcoming Events βCarry On: The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | March 1st at 3pm | "Come see these timeless songs performed live - up close, interactively and intimately." Note: This show is almost sold out... but they'll be adding an additional evening show if needed. Have ticket's to this one, looking forward to it! PD Day Camps (Fri, 1/16) βScience Below Zero | Ken Seiling Museum, Kitchener βArt Camp | Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo βSpace Groove | Remix Swing, Waterloo Farmers Markets βSt. Jacobs | Saturday, January 17th (7amβ3:30pm) βKitchener | Saturday, January 17th (7amβ2pm) βCambridge | Saturday, January 17th (7amβ1pm) * none of these events are sponsored. that will always be made obvious if so. LOCAL NEWS "Cabin Fever": Cambridge Launches Initiative to Support Local Shops The City of Cambridge announced a new initiative titled "Cabin Fever: The Cure is in Cambridge," set to begin next week. The program aims to encourage residents to explore the city and support small businesses through curated lists of local vendor sales, classes, and activities designed to brighten the winter months. | More Infoβ Waterloo Tech Company Lands $1.7M Investment to Scale Production Voltera Inc., a Waterloo-based manufacturer of electronics printing equipment, received a major $1.7 million federal investment this week. The funding will allow the company to commercialize new technology and hire 20 additional employees at their headquarters, strengthening the regionβs position as a global leader in additive electronics. 2026 "Waterloo Areaβs Top Employers" List Released The annual list recognizing the region's best workplaces was unveiled this week, highlighting companies like Equitable Life and others for their exceptional employee programs. The 2026 winners were specifically praised for their focus on "upskilling" and individualized professional development, helping local talent grow within the competitive tech and insurance sectors. | More Infoββ Kitchener Launches New AI-Powered City Website In an effort to make municipal services easier to navigate, the City of Kitchener debuted its redesigned website this week. The new platform features an AI-powered search tool and a more intuitive interface, allowing residents to find information on everything from garbage collection to building permits with much greater efficiency. | More Infoβ COMEDY Thursday, January 15th βDry Humour Comedy Event | The Boathouse, Kitchener | 7pm | "A sober comedy show featuring headlining internet sensation Andrew Barr and opener Gavin Coscarella - where laughter is the buzz." βThe Brutal Comedy Tour | KW Little Theatre, Waterloo | 8pm | "High-energy, brutally honest, and zero boundaries - headlined by Greg Palone (YukYuks, CBS) & Ben Albert (40M+ Views on Tiktok, Kill Tony)." Friday, January 16th βRusty Nail Comedy Friday | TWH Social, Kitchener | 7:30pm | Headliner: Dustin Searcy Saturday, January 17th βRusty Nail Comedy Saturday | TWH Social, Kitchener | 7:30pm | Headliner: Dustin Searcy Upcoming Events βYuk Yuk's Comedy | Kingpin Bowlounge, Kitchener (Bingemans) | Sat, Jan. 24th at 8pm | Headliners: Ryan Williams, Etay Kuperman & Jesse Singhβ WEATHER π¨οΈ Fri, Jan. 16th | HIGH -4Β° | NIGHT -4Β° | 70% POP | 2-4cm βοΈ π¨οΈ Sat, Jan. 17th | HIGH -1Β° | NIGHT -9Β° | 70% POP | 1cm βοΈ β οΈ Sun, Jan. 18th | HIGH -8Β° | NIGHT -11Β° | 30% POP SPORTS π₯ Kitchener Rangers | 6th overall | 2nd in Western Conference
π KW Titans | 1st overall
* what other sports would you like to see included here? reply to let me know what you'd find useful! GEM OF THE WEEK βThe Artstore of Waterloo | 91 Caroline Street "We are a locally owned and operated art and drafting supply store, which has been in the same location since 1974. Lynn and Andrew Barlow have owned the store since 1987. We carry the very best in fine art and drafting supplies. Our inventory expands and changes constantly, as we work to provide our customers with the tools and knowledge that they need. Our staff is friendly and approachable, and eager to help you find just what you need for your special project. Our customer base is varied β including professional artists, hobbyists, architects, teachers, students and the fellow around the corner. We offer student and senior discounts, and our Bonus Club is amazing. Ask us about it!" I've been a few times over the last month and they're always so helpful with any questions... and have so much in stock so you can find exactly what you need! They've also got a great 'mini-studio' where you can see some awesome pieces from local artists. Paintings, drawings, statues & more... really interesting stuff. You can checkout their location, store hours & contact information here. ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK Meet Nutmeg! A beautiful, black & white domestic shorthair/mix female with an amazing set of eyes! She's been at the shelter since the beginning of December and is 5 years old. "Nutmeg is sweet and affectionate. She loves scratches and brushes from anyone, and will happily tolerate being picked up and held for a while. Her foster family reports that she's not so much of a lap cat or cuddler, but she's social and loves being near the action, often following people around just to be part of the fun. Nutmeg also has a cozy side - in her foster home she enjoys napping in sheltered spots like under beds and loves watching the world go by from a window. Her foster family has found her to be easygoing, super easy to care for, and full of charm." Tap here to find out more. And there are tons of dogs, cats and other animals (there's a lizard called Linguini!!) 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 There is a species of tree that grows almost entirely underground. Discovered recently, Pininga subterranea produces its flowers and fruit beneath the soil rather than in the open air. You are taller in the morning than you are at night. Throughout the day, gravity compresses the cartilage in your spine. While you sleep, your spine "decompresses," and you wake up about 1 cm taller than when you went to bed. Mars is home to a volcano three times the height of Mount Everest. Named Olympus Mons, it is the largest volcano in the solar system and is roughly the size of the state of Arizona. THANK YOU! Hope you have a great rest of your day & we'll be back Monday πͺ β 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. Hit 'reply' to let me know! INFO STATION:β Had enough of these emails? No hard feelings, just tap this link to unsubscribe. π© 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/signupβ π 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! π 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. π’ Think someone you know would love this email? Forward this to them to spread the love. β€οΈ 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.
January 26th, 2025 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! Hope you're having a great day so far & keeping warm. Nice to see some blue skies today. In today's email: a ton of great, local events the largest living organism a sports update & more Let's dive in π -Ross at Grand River Buzz WHAT'S HAPPENING Monday, January 26th Resin Coaster Set Workshop | Ernie's Roadhouse, Cambridge | 7pm | "Join us for an evening of creativity and calm as we dive into the art of resin coastersβperfect for anyone...
January 22nd, 2025 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! Today is apparently 'National Polka Dot' day. I'm not sure who makes these random days up - maybe polka dot sweater or polka dot wallpaper companies?! I'll investigate and get back to you... In today's email: a ton of fun, local events Carlos a special winter festival why bees have 'bouncers' & more Let's dive in π WHAT'S HAPPENING Thursday, January 22nd Candle Making Workshop | Ernie's Roadhouse, Cambridge | 6:30pm | "Each participant will...
January 19th, 2025 Good Afternoon, Waterloo Region! I'm on a mission to make sure this newsletter provides you with as much value as possible. Once you're done reading today... I'd love to hear your feedback if you have a spare moment. What more would you like to see covered in these emails? What do you enjoy? What do you not particularly like? And always feel free to share your favourite place to eat (who has the best pizza?!), or a charitable cause you've seen doing great things around the...