Happy Wednesday friends!
What a week. Sunday is International Women's Day, and women are leading, creating, performing, and making us laugh all over this region right now. It's a good week to be paying attention.
The Paralympic Winter Games open March 6 in Milan-Cortina, and 23 of Canada's 50 athletes call Ontario home. Cheering loudly from here. 💪
Wiarton Willie called an early spring back in February and now I'm kind of starting to believe him.
New garbage collection days begin this week across the region. In case you need a refresher, check here.
Oh, and don't forget: clocks spring forward this Sunday, March 8 at 2am. You lose an hour of sleep but gain an hour of evening light and the unofficial feeling that winter might actually be ending. Fun fact: BC is doing the same spring forward this Sunday, and then never again. It'll be their last time change ever!
The region's humming this week. Tune in and ride the region's rhythm.
with love,
your neighbourly goose
THE LONG TABLE
The first Waterloo Region Rhythm Dinner Club is in the books, and wow. Over 100 people showed up, sat down with strangers, and left with new friends. Numbers were exchanged, WhatsApp groups were born. That right there is everything.
Thank you to the 11 restaurants that welcomed us and made the night what it was. You showed up for this community and it showed.
And thank you for all the love afterward. I'm not going to lie, it was hard to fall asleep that night.
So many of you asked for this to be monthly, and your wish is my command. The next one is March 26. Take the quiz, get matched, and come out to meet some new friends.
DIRT CALLS
While the rest of Waterloo Region is still scraping windshields and cursing the cold, a quiet rebellion is underway on windowsills across the region.
Tomato seeds are cracking open in little plastic trays. Pepper seedlings are stretching toward sunny windows in spare bedrooms. Broccoli is happening in someone's living room right now.
March is the moment Waterloo Region gardeners live for: the ground is still frozen solid, but the season has already begun indoors. Get your seeds in now and by the time Victoria Day weekend rolls around and everyone else is panic-buying transplants at the nursery, you'll be the one with a head start and a story to tell.
DEEPLY GREEN
Long before the tech campuses, Irish immigrants were putting down roots in what is now Waterloo Region. Coming in waves through the 19th century, many fleeing the devastation of the Great Famine, others drawn by the promise of land and work, our Irish neighbours built farms in Wilmot and Wellesley, worked the mills, raised families, and wove themselves into the fabric of this place we all call home.
That deep history is what the Irish Real Life Festival honours every March. Now in its second decade, the IRL Festival is a genuine celebration of Irish culture in all its richness: the music, the storytelling, the craft, the film, and the craic. It's a chance for all of us to discover, appreciate, and share in something beautiful that has been part of this region for nearly two centuries.
The festival officially runs March 7 to 17, with a handful of pre-festival events already kicking things off this week. Expect Celtic music workshops at the Walper Hotel, an opening ceremony at Kitchener City Hall, traditional weaving and textile classes at KWAG, singalongs, live concerts, and a Ken Loach film screening.
Céad míle fáilte - a hundred thousand welcomes to see what's on.
RAD & RAW
SIGHTING: Red-bellied Woodpecker
SKY: On Saturday, Mar 7 after sunset, look low on the western horizon for two bright dots close together. The really bright one is Venus, the dimmer one beside it is Saturn. They are close enough to see both in binoculars at the same time. A lovely sight while it lasts so don't miss it!
Captured the red moon or anything exciting around town? SUBMIT HERE to share with everyone.
ROOTED IN THE REGION
House of the week: 1957 build brand new interiors
New Work: Horticulturist, City of Kitchener
Volunteer: Cambridge Celebration of the Arts
Adopt a Pet: Miller is all about long walks & lovable talks
TRIVIA
What was Kitchener, Ontario originally called before it was renamed in 1916?
Last week’s trivia: It was Anna Mae’s in Millbank
ROAM & RAZZLE
got an event to share? SUBMIT EVENT
FEATURED EVENTS
The KW Kool Big Band brings classic and contemporary jazz to THEMUSEUM this Thursday, and Hepcat Swing Dance Studio will have you moving with a beginner-friendly lesson.
Last chance to grab your ticket or
Enter the giveaway
The Irish Real Life Festival officially launches this Saturday with an opening ceremony at Kitchener City Hall and the fun runs all the way to March 17. Music, storytelling, craft, film, and plenty of craic.
THU, MAR 5
The Tragedy of Hamlet: A virtuosic dance reimagining of Shakespeare's Hamlet (all ages) 8pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
FRI, MAR 6
I, the Mountain with Sing Me a River: Joyous indie-folk harmonies in an intimate setting (all ages) 7pm, Queen Street, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Counterpoint Brewing Open Mic: share a tune, a joke, a tale, preregister at email (all ages) 7pm, Counterpoint Brewing Co, Kitchener ♿️
Kitchener Rangers vs. Soo Greyhounds: OHL hockey at the Aud (all ages) 7pm, the Auditorium, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Rusty Nail Comedy, Craig Fay: Stand-up every Friday at TWH Social, showtime 8pm (19+) 7:30pm, TWH Social, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Classic Albums Live: Prince's Purple Rain: performance of iconic classics (all ages) 8pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Holi DJ Party: Bollywood beats, colour, cocktails, an authentic Indian menu (all ages) 8pm, Mastis RestoBar, Waterloo tix
SAT, MAR 7
The Pinch FamJamboree: Improv comedy, kids songs, live participation (all ages) 2pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Mike Super Magic & Illusion: NBC's Phenomenon winner and America's Got Talent finalist (all ages) 7pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Laurier Musical Theatre Cabaret: An evening of singing at TWB Brewing (all ages) 7pm, TWB Brewing, Kitchener ♿️ info
Just a Joke: comedians take the stage in a fast, fierce one-night-only opening (all ages) 7pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Joel Haynes Quartet: Two-time National Jazz Award nominee, globe-trotting drummer (all ages) 8pm, The Jazz Room, Waterloo ♿️ tix
Nargis' Son Comedy Show: Toronto comedian Zul Gulamhusein's special (18+) 7:30pm, The Registry Theatre, Kitchener ♿️ tix
March Madness 2026 Studio Shows: KWLT's 13th theatrical competition (all ages) 8pm, KWLT, Kitchener ♿️ tix
SUN, MAR 8
Fused Glass Workshop for Beginners (all ages) 2pm, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo ♿️ tix
Drag Bingo Brunch: Saddle up for a drag show hosted by Crystal Quartz (all ages) 12pm, The Galt Club (Local 13), Cambridge ♿️ tix
KW Titans vs. Lake Erie Jackals: Pro basketball in Kitchener (all ages) 3pm, the Auditorium, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Conor Gains Band: Cambridge-born soul artist catching serious buzz across Canada (all ages) 7pm, Queen Street, Kitchener ♿️ tix
MON, MAR 9
Chris de Burgh 50LO: An intimate solo evening of 50 years of greatest hits "Lady in Red,"(all ages) 7:30pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Spring Coaster Quilting Workshop: Hand sew and quilt your own set of coasters (18+) 7pm, Ernie's Roadhouse, Cambridge ♿️ tix
TUE, MAR 10
The Green Bench (Documentary): stories of resilience, belonging, wisdom of time (all ages) 2:30pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ reserve
Paint Night: Paint on a round 12×12 canvas (12+) 6:30pm, The Rabbid Fox, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Leafs vs. Canadiens: outdoor NHL screening, bring blankets and lawn chairs (all ages) 7pm, The District Square, Cambridge
WED, MAR 11
Alan Doyle with The East Pointers: The Already Dancing Tour East Coast charm, singalongs, and Newfoundland spirit from a true Canadian icon (all ages) 8pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Workshop participants from the Silver Stand-Up comedy program take the stage (all ages) 7pm, THEMUSEUM, Kitchener ♿️ tix
BRIDGE Night Market: Student-made crafts, prints, and jewelry in the Gaslight District Tap Room (all ages) 7pm, Tapestry Hall, Cambridge
