Eating and drinking and working.

Happy New Year and welcome to 2017!

This year is already shaping up to be full of great music, art, and food here in Waterloo. There will also be events all year long celebrating Canada's 150th birthday. As a new-ish Canadian myself, I'm painfully aware that I don't know as much as I should about Canadian history. BuzzFeed product manager (and fellow Canadian) Chris Tindal has started a project sharing stories of Canadian history - Acres of Snow. I'm signed up for updates and excited to learn something new.

Andrew Coppolino was nice enough to have me on his podcast in December. We talked restaurants in Waterloo and navigating menus when gluten is all around you.

What to do.

Onion Honey play the first Wednesday of every month at the Grand Trunk Saloon. Head down for a drink and something to eat and check out their folksy tunes from 7:30pm to 10pm.

Ease your way in to 2017 with live music at The Boathouse (57 Jubilee Dr, Kitchener) this Saturday, January 7 at 8pm. The seven rocking pieces of HANK will be playing - opening act is Market Starling.

My friends at BridesMade are celebrating the launch of their new 2017 collection - available for rent! Join them for a fun evening of drinks, snacks, and good conversation with fellow brides, bridesmaids, and wedding professionals. The event takes place this Saturday, January 7 from 4pm to 7pm at The Walper Hotel.

Celebrate the New Year with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, your council members and your neighbours at the City of Kitchener New Year's Levee. There's activities for all ages. It all goes down at City Hall this Sunday, January 8 from 1:30pm to 4pm.

In Waterloo? Join Mayor Dave Jaworsky and the City of Waterloo council for the City of Waterloo's New Year's Levee. It's also on Sunday from 1pm to 3pm at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (101 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo).

Looking further into the calendar - here's two events to keep on your radar:

THEMUSEUM's Beer + series continues with Beer + Beyonce. Your ticket gets you access to THEMUSEUM, a pint from KW Craft Cider and a dance lesson to help you get in formation. The January event has sold out, but there are tickets for the February 1 event still available.

Join the Kitchener Public Library's Guest Librarian, Robin Mazumder, for a discussion on how cities contribute to our health. You'll hear from experts in the field and have a discussion on ways we can make Kitchener a vibrant, healthy and happy city. Panelists include Dr. Colin Ellard (Psychology) and Dr. Leia Minaker (Planning) from the University of Waterloo and Rod Regier, Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services for the Region of Waterloo. The event is January 18 from 7pm to 9pm.

Where to be for...

...Music

Women In Music Showcase w/ Sarah Smith
Thus, Jan 5 | 8pm
Rhapsody Barrel Bar
179 King St W, Kitchener

...Food

Uptown Jerk
220 King St N, Waterloo
...read about them here.

...Movie

March of The Penguins
Sun, Jan 8 | 2pm
Kitchener Public Library
85 King St, Kitchener
Free