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Your TL;WR for June 9 to 15
What to do.
Tuesday, June 9
The Princess has a screening of John Water's Female Trouble at 7 pm.
The Creek Collective invites all poetry lovers to a double book launch called Poems of Ice and Witness. Five poets—Laurie D. Graham, Penn Kamp, Tanis MacDonald, Geoff Martin, and Susan Wismer—will read their contributions to Yvonne Blomer's third water anthology, Sublime: Poems for Vanishing Ice. In the second half, Laurie Graham will read and respond to questions about her latest, jaw-droppingly good collection, Calling It Back to Me. Words Worth Books will be selling copies, and snacks will be on offer. Waterloo Public Library, Eastside Branch, 7-8pm).
Host Wanted Productions has Trivia with Brock at McCabes at 7 pm.
Wednesday, June 10
KPL Forest Heights is hosting QueerKPL Zine Making Workshop with KW Zinetopia at 6:30 pm. Participants will leave with their very own Zine, a small booklet that was designed using every day art materials and your imagination! No art skills are required!
Think you know your music? Put your ears to the test with Name That Tune Trivia Night with TWB Brewing's trivia host, Sean from the Seen on Screen podcast! 7 to 9:30 pm.
The Union KW has the Youth Blues Jam at 6:30 pm. Whether you're a musician, music lover or just looking for a fun night out, everyone is welcome! Play solo, with friends or with the Grand River Blues Camp house band.
Joey Castillo has Disney Trivia (even Star wars and Marvel!) from 7 to 9 pm at Kingpin/Boston Pizza at Bingemans. $50 Gift Card to be won plus two free apps for the following week's trivia (which will be a general trivia night).
In For Questioning Trivia has Pixar Trivia at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade at 8 pm.
Thursday, June 11
You can catch all the World Cup games on the big screen at the Kitchener Market outdoor piazza. From June 11 to July 19, grab your friends to shout “ole, ole, ole” with over 100 matches being shown. This is Waterloo Region’s ONLY free, full-tournament big screen experience! First game is Mexico vs. South Africa at 3 pm.
Movies in the Park is back at Waterloo Park. Bring a blanket and your favourite snacks to enjoy these family-friendly films under the stars on the big outdoor screen. Movie title wasn't available when we put this together. Don't forgert to bring a donation for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Over at KPL Central, Don Pyle, artist, author, and Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet co-founder, visits the library to discuss his memoir, Rough Description at 7 pm.
The Rabbid Fox has 90s Dance Mix music bingo at 8 pm.
Head over to the Boathouse for Beats, Bites, and Pints, a laid back evening of great music, good eats, craft beer, cocktails, and waterfront vibes featuring Mike Gatto w/ Uncle Doobie, Maddie G, and Lord Cheddar from A Crate Night Out spinning Reggae, Hip-Hop and R&B!
Jordo Arnott is playing live at Lala Social House at 7 pm.
Friday, June 12
Dirty Work Studio is hosting the Goopy Girls x Weird Girls Pride Party featuring music and dancing, books, zines and stickers for sale, and readings from local writers. 7:30 to 10:30 pm.
Good grief, it’s Charlie Brown! Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre brings the beloved Peanuts gang to life in this warm and whimsical musical revue. Catch the bus, write a book report, and play a baseball game alongside Charlie, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the crew. Performances run Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday matinees, with a relaxed performance on June 14 for neurodivergent audiences and anyone who’d benefit from a more comfortable theatrical experience.
Head down to Homer Watson House & Gallery from 5-8pm for the combined Clothesline Art Sale and Books and Blankets Chapter 1. Artwork from local artists will be hung from clotheslines between the trees, and local author Vanessa Ricci-Thode will give a reading and Q & A for one of her books at 6pm. Drop in for free Zine Making between 6-8pm, or bring a book and picnic blanket to join other readers to simply hang out on our beautiful grounds.
Janis & Steve play Stockyards Brewing from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.
TWB Brewing's Patio Music Series features Monday Morning Whiskey at 7 pm.
Runners In Motion and Runner's Choice are taking over Mel’s Diner for a one-night community experience bringing together movement, food, and music. First, there's a group run through the neighbourhood followed by food, drinks, and a live DJ at Mel's. $10+host, all ages.
Saturday, June 13
Uptown Waterloo goes car-free with Open Streets, a day of music, movement, and community. Catch breakdance battles and live performances from the KW Breakers, Shark the SOB, and Shua James in Waterloo Public Square, groove to DJs, and wander Willis Way for an art market featuring local makers, caricature drawings, glitter tattoos, giant games, and a community chalk mandala.
TWB Brewing is celebrating 10 epic years of partnership between TWB & the Hydrocut Trails. Join them at the Hydrocut (Glasgow Lot) on Saturday, June 13, from 2–8 PM for this year's Hydrocut Session IPA launch party.
Celebrate Woolwich Pride at Gibson Park in Elmira from 1 to 4 P.M. They’ll have the Fo’ Cheezy Food Truck, games, music, and more! Woolwich Pride entertainment features a Drag Queen Story Time, Rainbow Choir, and they’ve teamed up with Elmira Pet Value for the first ever Rainbow Runway pet fashion and talent show!
The Cambridge Pride Street Party is a celebration of Queer art, stories, and more! Join them on June 13 to explore over 50 vendors and food trucks and music and drag performances featuring Shania Twink and Juno Nominee Shawnee Kish!
Catch DJs DIVAA, Danasonic, and Raevn at the One Big Gay Disco: The Grand River Special spinning Pride anthems, disco, and house music, with drag performances from Kara Melle, Oliver D. Spectrum, Sasha Tease, and Yu Reinas.
Gee Gethiga (The Danforth Comedy Festival, NXNE, "DirtBalls") headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 8 pm.
Check out The Union for a night of electrifying performances by Ryan Tram, McVittie, and the Seagram Synth Ensemble. Get ready to be blown away by their unique sounds and mesmerizing melodies.
Pinch Presents TOGETHER WE'RE BOISTEROUS - Comedy & Variety Show at 7 pm inside TWB Brewing. The show features stand up, musical comedy, improv, and a PowerPoint presentation from Mel Mah, Nick Rintche, Becca Bins, Matthew Jenkins & Ben Gorodetsky. Plus KW's best local beer!. Sliding scale tickets $11-$33.
The Rabbid Fox has Sarcastic Onions playing live at 7:30 pm.
The Practical Magic Society (formerly Practical Magic KW) is an inclusive, women-led hobby and social group and they're officially introducing themselves to Waterloo with the Witch Crawl, celebrating the local businesses that have supported them along the way. Details and RSVP at the link.
Sunday, June 14
The Boathouse has the Miss Moco Drag Brunch with two fabulous seatings: 11am or 2pm.
Runners In Motion, AJF, and Oxygen Yoga & Fitness are hosting the Summer Sweat with special guest F45 KW in Waterloo Town Square at 8 and 10 am.
Spend a Sunday afternoon hunting for hidden gems at Market Road Antiques’ monthly Open Air Antique Fair. Curated collections of antiques, vintage finds, and retro collectibles are spread out under the overhang, with chill music setting the mood over the lunch hour. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just love a good browse, it’s a relaxed, unhurried way to spend a summer day in St. Jacobs.
Mind Club is a mental exercise club in KW. A small group. A set of exercises. No phones. No AI. Just pen, paper, and your mind. They're meeting up on Sunday Touch Grass, a walk in Waterloo Park at 10 am.
Retro Rollers has a special extended 5-hour session for the same price as a normal session on Sundays in June from 2 to 7 pm. Their party rooms are available to be booked from 2 to 5 pm, too.
The Kitchener Panthers have their Women in Sports game as they welcome the Guelph Royals to Jack Couch Park at 2:05 pm.
Join the Midtown Radio crew for Midtown Radio 8th Anniversary Social, an awesome in-person celebration as they mark their 8th anniversary! It’s the perfect chance to hang out, meet fellow supporters, and toast to a great eight years! 5 to 8 pm at Builder's Club. Registration required.
The Grand Porch Party is back for its 15th year with 15 great local musicians entertaining you from the porches of the Uptown West neighbourhood from 1 to 5 pm. They'll have Children’s Book Author Readings, a Slow Bike Race, Pink Crow Cafe and Fo’ Cheezy food vendors, and more.
Monday, June 15
The Princess has a screening of Carolina Caroline at 7 pm. "A young woman joins a charming con man on the run, leaving a trail of crime and passion as they hustle through the Southeast in search of her estranged mother."
Learn how to make mini fruit magnets with Cool Aunt Creatives at their Polymer Clay Workshop. Ernie's Roadhouse at 7 pm.
Retro Rollers is turning Carl Zehr Square into the region’s best outdoor roller rink every Monday night in June from 7 to 10 pm. Skate and dance to tunes spun by DJ PDK and other guest DJs! No skates? No problem! Retro Rollers has kids’ and adults’ skates available for rent. Don’t forget to check out Retro Rollers new home at 563 Highland Road in Kitchener. It’s a year-round, indoor roller rink with live DJs and special theme nights!
Ways to get involved.
Our friends over at the Guelph Black Heritage Society have a contest for their upcoming Juneteenth Festival running June 19 - 21. They're giving away a special celebration package that includes a two‑night stay at Staybridge Suites, a GBHS swag bag, tickets to the Black Heritage Reclaimed Bus Tour, and dinner at Di Patty Shop.
What to read.
Summertime in the Loo: Local artist 'really honoured' as song gains traction on TikTok, Instagram (Aastha Shetty, CBC KW)
Kitchener Rangers Bring Home Memorial Cup From B.C. (Safina Jennah, The Community Edition)
As local schools incorporate AI, safeguards for mental health key to student well-being (Olivia Barrett, The Record)