What to do.

Tuesday, March 14

Visit the tropical oasis of the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory during March Break! Experience the wonder of Magical Morphos while walking amongst thousands of Blue Morpho Butterflies. The conservatory is open from 9–6 p.m. all week.

Oh man, someone let the dinosaurs escape again and they’re head to Bingemans for the Dino Drive-Thru. This time, the dinos have gotten bigger and better including a longer journey through an authentic park setting. Re-discover the era lost to time with even more roaring dinos of Jurassic size, some as big as 30 feet high!

Come and enjoy a unique combination of new and old sounds with Joyful Joyful with Catherine Crowe. Crowe, a traditional Irish Sean Nos Singer, brings her particular Old Style singing and sound to the Registry Theatre stage. Joyful, Joyful will bring you into a contemporary soundscape built on and embellished by these traditions. Tuesday, Mar. 14 at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 15

Join the Irish Real Life Festival for a kid's ceili (dance) and a screening of Song of the Sea, a beautifully animated adventure about Irish myths and legends. Wednesday, Mar. 15 at the Registry Theatre from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

KPL Pioneer Park has a March Break: Family Movie Morning screening of Encanto at 10 a.m.

Want to start your own seeds, but not sure how to? Join KPL at the Central Library for 85 Green: Seed Starting Basics, an informative and interactive session on seed starting for the home gardener.

The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism office (EDI-RO) at the University of Waterloo and The Congress of Black Women, Waterloo Region invite you to Black at Waterloo: Black Film Festival, a celebration of Black cinematography celebrating the diversity and creativity of Black filmmakers. Screenings are at the Princess Cinema and start on Wednesday, March 15 with opening remarks at 4 p.m. followed by two short films, Reel Black: our film Stories (2022) and Eyes of the rainbow documentary (1997) at 4:20 p.m. See the full schedule and get your tickets on the Princess Cinema website.

Thursday, March 16

​Is Amalgamation the future of governance in Waterloo Region? The next WR Community Town Hall features Doug Craig, Zachary Spicer, Deb Chapman, Jim Erb, and ​Phil Marfisi in conversation with moderator Rob Deutschmann for a lively conversation on what the future of governance in Waterloo Region might look like.

The Tasting House has a Wine Tasting Event at the Three Sisters Cultural Centre in St. Jacobs at 7 p.m.

BeccaHosts has a MCU Trivia Night at Play-a-Latte Cafe starting at 7 p.m.

Eric Moon, man of leisure, has Rock Band Live at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade.

Friday, March 17 ☘️

Take part in building challenges with your family or enjoy the free-play imagination station to make awesome structures with LEGO at the Waterloo Public Library’s Let's Lego! Designed for kids ages 5 to 8 with a caregiver. Drop in between 10:30 and 12.

It’s not very Irish, but Kitchener Public Library has a free screening of Marcel the Shell with Shoes On! at 2 p.m.

The Hub has the Pot of Gold Music Festival featuring Ryan Shepard starting at 9 p.m.

The KW Jazz Room has Tim Moher & the Clefs of Moher on at 8 p.m.

The Apollo Cinema has a screening of the Hibernian horror masterpiece Leprechaun staring Jennifer Aniston at 9:30 p.m.

Join the Mighty Kin and Intensely Irish Performance troupe for a wee celebration of the day at Bobby O'Briens from 2–5 p.m.

Headliner Paul Haywood (who we assume must have some Irish ancestry) is on the Rusty Nail Comedy stage at the Crazy Canuck DTK starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Rangers take on the Saginaw Spirit at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 18

Join Kelly Welch, a Crane Clan musician from Treaty Nine territory for a Drumming and Sharing circle in the lounge to resonate Truth at the Kitchener Public Library at 1 p.m.. This program is open to all, while centering Indigenous voices.

Get a hands-on experience in the Commons Studio Filmmaking Workshop: Grip and Lighting for Beginners workshop with film industry professional, Tony Smith. You’ll learn the basics of various grip and lighting gear used in film and television production. I’m ready for my close-up. Saturday, Mar. 18 at 1:30 p.m.

For the second year in a row, TWB Brewing is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by creating a special brew with their valued team member, Anthony Tamming! Anthony helped design and brew the delicious beer, a lemongrass pale ale that he named "AJ & Zeus" to celebrate his friendship with his pup, Zeus. A portion of the proceeds from this special edition beer will be donated to @wwdss_wwdss to continue great programs, events and support for members and their families.

Also at KPL, drop in and drop the beat at their Drum Machine Drop In from 2-4 p.m.

Maxwell’s Music has The Flatliners 20th anniversary with very special guests The OBGM’s and Taking Meds at 7:30 p.m.

Come out for a night of odd, playful, and fun stand-up comedy with Mark Forward live at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts. Forward has been on John Oliver’s New York Stand Up Show, Mr. D., and Letterkenny.

All ages and experience are welcome to join in the Irish Real Life Festival’s St. Patrick's Day Ceili (dance) on Saturday, Mar. 18 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Willow River/Victoria Park Pavillion. The Grand River Ceili Band will be playing live as their caller walks you through the dances. Wear comfy shoes, green if you got it and get ready for some good craic!

Sunday, March 19

Direct from NYC, the KW Jazz Room has Sanah Kadoura and special guest Willerm Delisfort live at 4 p.m.

The Rangers are back at The Aud to take on the Kingston Frontenacs at 2 p.m.

Goldie’s Convenience has a Musicals-themed karaoke night from 7 to midnight.

Ways to get involved.

The City of Waterloo is inviting artists to submit a proposal to be part of Lumen 2023, taking place on September 23 from 6 - 11 p.m. in spaces throughout uptown Waterloo. All work will feature the interplay between light, art, and technology and should include an interactive, collaborative, or participatory component. Up to ten (10) artists will be selected as part of this open call and will receive a fee of $2,000 (inclusive of artist fees, supplies, etc) for their participation in the festival. Application Deadline: April 5, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. EST.

What to read.

Peer And Grief Support For Outreach Workers (Fitsum Areguy for The Community Edition)

Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region tackles femicide with its latest podcast series (me for Communitech Tech News)

Downtown Kitchener treats: Loyal clienteles embrace specialized offerings from Eby Street Bodega and Lucero Canteen (Alex Bielak for The Record)

Babies, brothels, and babushkas...and birthday tiramisu (Probably Worth Sharing)