12 Jan 2026

Double checking what photos we use for March.

Your TL;WR for January 13 to January 19

Blue Rodeo performed at two sold-out shows at Centre in the Square over the weekend as they tour in celebration of their 40th anniversary.

What to do.

Tuesday, January 13

Cambridge Public Library hosts Shake, Rattle, and Read from 10 to 10:30 am at the Queen's Square branch.

Twas Now play Arabella Park Beer Bar on a Tuesday. Yes, a Tuesday.

Midnight Run Cafe has a Poetry Open Mic night starting at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday, January 14

The UW Music Noon Hour Concert is Songs & Dances from Spain & the Americas. at the Conrad Grebel Chapel. Violinist Jung Tsai and guitarist Daniel Ramjatten will perform a mix of classical pieces including Vivaldi’s “Winter” and tango pieces by Piazolla. Free admission.

Free Admission.Check out a screening of David Lynch: The Art Life at Cambridge Public Library's Old Post Office branch from 6 to 8 pm.

The Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada speaker series launches with Jane Thomas speaking about Wilful Neglect: The Federal Response to Tuberculosis, 1867 - 1945. This is a hybrid event. It is in person at 232 King St. N., Waterloo or on zoom.

Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery's Create & Connect workshop is a three-part workshop focusing on watercolor painting. This FREE Workshop for Adults 55+ welcomes all levels of creativity whether you're an experienced painter or totally new to the medium. Spaces are limited, sign up now!

Good Co. Productions is bringing Everything Yes back to Kitchener-Waterloo for a special live concert performance at Den 1880 in Uptown Waterloo. Everything Yes is an American jazz fusion band spearheaded by the drummer Zack Graybeal, known famously as ZackGrooves on his platforms, Sean Reeser, prolific composer, producer and tenor sax master & Cole Sipe, composer, sound engineer and magistral bassist.

In For Questioning has Modern Family trivia at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade at 8 pm.

Uptown Waterloo x Create Waterloo have Skate Night, Date Night at Waterloo Town Square (weather dependant). This week's theme is Hip Hop!!

Thursday, January 15

Wave Maker Craft Brewing has a trivia night starting at 7 pm.

Jam out with up and coming country artist Charlie Weston at Four Fathers Brewing in Hespeler from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

There's a lot of AI snake oil being peddled right now. Want to do it right? Check out Implementing AI with Purpose at the Accelerator Centre from 5 to 7 pm. Whether you're a founder, innovator, researcher, or tech enthusiast, you’ll walk away with fresh insights and actionable perspectives on harnessing AI with purpose.

From minerals to exploring machine learning impact on renewable energy technologies Waterloo researchers are focused on finding solutions. Join UWaterloo for Science in the City to explore some of the great things happening right in your backyard at the University of Waterloo. 6:30 pm at Catalyst Commons in Midtown.

¡Mi gente! Underdog Dance Corp has its first Latin Social of 2026 at RARE Night Club. Intro dances lessons start at 6:15, dancing starts at 6:45. $10 on the first night, $15 starting with the next one.

Learning the basics of music production at Cambridge Public Library's Introduction to Audio and Audio Recording. 6 pm at the Cambridge Public Library's Old Post Office branch.

Maxwell's has an Indie Night with Next Winter, Maria Gabriella & Corduroy Blue, and Eric Folino at 7:30 pm.

Looking for a night of no-holds-barred laughter? The Brutal Comedy Tour hits the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre on Thursday, January 15th, at 8:00 pm. Headlined by stand-up veterans like Greg Palone (YukYuks) and Ben Albert (TikTok), this 18+ show promises Canada’s most unfiltered, high-energy, and brutally honest stand-up.

Friday, January 16

Experience a day of creativity and artistic exploration at KWAG's PD Day Camp. Tailored for ages 6-13, this engaging camp provides a dynamic platform for young minds to delve into the world of art. Throughout the day, campers will immerse themselves in various hands-on art projects, drawing from our current exhibitions.

John McKinley plays the Lancaster Smokehouse from 6 to 9 pm.

Scott & Samantha play Block 3 Brewing from 6 to 9 pm.

Fever Dream Comedy has Girl Night Live Comedy at Whoopsie Daisy Drinks in DTK at 8 pm. The night features Tia Percy, Dina Hejazi, Lindsay Endersby, and Rene Groux.

BeccaHosts is back with a trivia night at Rural Roots Brewery starting at 7:30 pm. Categories include pop culture, sports, history, science, geography and music, so bring your best pals to form a team of 2-6. Prize for the top scoring group.

Paper Souls play the Rabbid Fox ay 7:30 pm.

Join Scottish Dance Waterloo for a fun class designed for beginners. The class is high-energy but the footwork isn’t too complicated. Learn new dances every time. With over 22,000 dances in the Scottish Country Dance repertoire, there's always something new to learn. No experience needed, and no kilt or ghillies required. Just bring a water bottle, comfortable clothes, and soft-soled shoes.

Saturday, January 17

Grab your blue shoes for Pete the Cat Storytime at Waterloo Public Library's McCormick Branch from 10:30 to 11:15 am.

The annual WaterLAN esports event hosted by the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College features a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament that is open for anyone to attend this year! The $15 registration fee includes gaming from 11 am to 8 pm as well as a lunch. For the full event details like location, schedule, ruleset, and registration, visit http://start.gg/waterlan. 🚨 Registration deadline is Thursday, January 15 at 11:59 pm.

Farm League Brewing and The Vinyl Experience are hosting a Vinyl Market from 12 to 4 pm. $2 admission goes right to the Cambridge Food Bank.

Head back to the McCormick Branch as Jeff Davis hosts Hot Sauce Essentials from 3 to 4 pm.

Need a break after the holidays? This one’s for the ladies. Check out Mom’s Gone Mild at Maxwell's Concerts & Events. They're hitting the dance floor early from 6 to 10 pm so you can celebrate yourself and still get a good night's sleep.

Crush is bringing the party to The Dallas Nightclub with a debut gig that refuses to stay in one lane. From rock anthems to pop bangers, country favorites to dance-floor killers, Crush covers it all with massive energy, big personality, and a live show that will keep you moving. 9 pm.

Don't Tell Comedy has a Secret Comedy Show at some brewery, we don't know—it's a secret. Doors at 6:30, again, somewhere we don't know. Comedy at 7pm. 18+ show.

Crystal Quartz hosts Drag Bingo at Block 3 Brewing (so that comedy show isn't there, that narrows it down) from 7 to 10 pm. Glitz and glam, adult prizes, big laughs, and a great time await!

The KW Titans are 5-1 and headed back to the Aud to take on the Sudbury 5 at 4 pm!

Sunday, January 18

Need a fresh start to your week? The Sunday Grind is a brand new, eight-week music series designed to transform Downtown Kitchener into a pop-up music lounge. Every Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, a different café will host a live set from local DJs, creating a rotating circuit of sound, community, and culinary delights. This week, it's Balzac’s with DJ Owen of Eardrum Productions.

Cool Aunt Creatives has a Stained Glass Style Painting Workshop at Arabella Park Beer Bar from 1 to 3 pm.

Monday, January 19

Alisa McRonald, 2026 Belonging Artist in Residence at Cambridge Public Library, has Open Studio Hours at the Preston library from 10:30 to 3 pm.

The Margins Club has a Journalling/Goal Setting Night at Midnight Run Cafe at 6 pm.

Forget what DJ Khaled said, make some new friends at 20s and 30s Speed Friending at the Waterloo Public Library's John M. Harper Branch from 7 to 8 pm.

Forget the winter blues and get ready to rock at Battle of the Bands – Tech Edition at Maxwell’s Concerts and Events! Watch local tech bands light up the stage, each bringing their own sound, talent, and heart to support CMHA Waterloo Wellington and make a real impact for mental health in our community.

Want to know more? Check out this episode of Tech About Town with Ruth Casselman (Accelerator Center) and Rick Andrade (Magnet Forensics) to hear them talk about the 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands: Tech Edition.

Ways to get involved.

The Meaning of Home writing contest is back! We’re inviting students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 from across Waterloo Region to answer the question: “What does home mean to you?” Open until February 20, 2026, every poem or essay a child submits not only celebrates the power of words, it also directly supports Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region in building safe and affordable homes. This year, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region is aiming for 1000 local entries, contributing to a national goal of 19,000 student submissions from coast to coast!

Every local student who enters the Meaning of Home contest helps Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region build safe and affordable homes, with a $10 donation made in their name for each submission. Nationally, three grand prize winners will receive a $30,000 grant to support their local Habitat’s efforts to build homes for families in need of affordable housing. In addition, nine runners-up will each earn a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity, making every entry a meaningful contribution toward building stronger communities. In years past, Waterloo Region saw 3 runners up and over $40,000 raised locally. Teachers or parents who are interested in having their Grade 4, 5 or 6 students participate can access an educational module at meaningofhome.ca that includes writing tips and information on affordable housing issues in Canada. Entries can be submitted via mail or online. Winners will be announced by June 2026.

The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of title sponsor BMO, founding sponsor Sagen, and award sponsors Metrie and Stantec.