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Good evening, Waterloo Region,
Today happens to be International Dance Day, so consider this your nudge to put something on while you cook. Don’t blame me, blame the calendar 😃 Watching KW-Titans vs Sudbury 5 fight for the championship title will help with the dancing!
Friday is May Day, the start of Asian Heritage Month in Canada and the unofficial moment we all start pretending the furnace is optional. May the Fourth be with you this week when you’re wearing THAT t-shirt, quoting the movie, on a patio riding the rhythm of our region!
written with love by,
your neighbourly goose 🦆
PS: Missing your sunglasses since the after-party? Email me 😎
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MOVE OVER 6-7, MEET THE 7/8/85
Around here, we don't really brag. We build what needs building and trust that good work speaks for itself. The Conestoga Parkway is exactly that: steady, dependable, and way more impressive than we give it credit for.
Most folks just call it "the 7/8." It's the road you take without thinking, to work, across town before supper, out to Stratford, up to St. Jacobs, down to Cambridge. But for those who remember, it's still the Conestoga Parkway.
Here's the part worth knowing: Waterloo Region is one of the very few places in Ontario with a major freeway running right through its urban core that isn't part of the 400-series highway system. Everywhere else, that's the job of the 401 or the 427. Here, we pulled it off with Highways 7, 8, and 85.
Sounds like trivia, but it's actually a big deal. Back in the 1960s, when this was still a quietly growing community, planners could have laid down a couple of ordinary four-lane roads like everyone else. Instead, they chose a controlled-access expressway with room to grow. Rare thinking for a place that size. They were right, obviously.
As the region grew, so did the 7/8. Through the late '90s and early 2000s, the central stretch was widened to six and even eight lanes in the busiest spots. They didn't just build for their time. They built for ours.
The name fits, too. "Conestoga Parkway" was picked by the community in 1967, a nod to the wagons that carried early settlers through here. Past and present, same road.
So next time you're merging on, take a second. You're on a piece of local vision, built by a community that believed in its future long before anyone else was paying attention.
Contributed by Piyush Nanda, a Waterloo Region Rhythm reader
Plan of proposed expressway (courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation)
1960 view of Hwy 85 (photo courtesy of Kitchener News Company Ltd.)
RAD & RAW
SIGHTING
Turtles are stirring back to life across the region after their long winter snooze, so watch for them lumbering near wetland edges. They could even be on our roads, nope those are not rocks! Turtle season runs from April right through to November, and all eight of Ontario's native species are considered species at risk.
If you spot one making its slow, determined way across the road, here's what to do:
Your safety first. Only stop if you can safely pull over. Turn on your hazards to alert other drivers.
Move it in the direction it's going. Always. The turtle knows where it's headed, and if you put it back on the side it came from, it'll just try to cross again.
Pick it up properly: Hands on either side of the middle of the shell, like a hamburger. Never pick a turtle up by the tail. Snapping turtle? Different approach. Place your hands near the hind legs and tail, toward the back half of the shell, and keep well clear of the head.
Injured turtle? Call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000. They'll walk you through next steps.
Did you see one around?
SKY
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks this week, with the best show in the dark hours before dawn on Tuesday, May 5. The meteors are bits of dust left behind by Halley's Comet, lighting up as they hit our atmosphere. Mornings of May 4 and May 6 are great too, since the peak stretches across several days.
ROLL OUT ROOTS
House of the Week: An 1880 build with rustic wood panels in the attic and a kitchen full of character.
New Work: Multiple roles at WFCU Credit Union
Volunteer: So many volunteer roles open for the 2026 Ontario Summer Games
Adopt a pet: Bet you don’t doubt Kingsley’s cuteness, but will you allow him to brighten your home?
RIDDLE ME
In April I appear with a high, piping song,
No bigger than a thumbnail, but my chorus is strong.
I wake up the wetlands from Laurel to Grand,
My name sounds like exactly what I do in the marshland.
What am I?
Just 22% got last week's answer right! Who will be the fastest five to get this one right?
ROAM & RAZZLE
Got an event coming up? Submit it and it could show up right here.
FEATURED EVENTS
Spring is brighter with the launch of Cambridge’s Mood Yellow Gallery! Refreshments, line up of artists, interesting art, vibrant colours equals a great experience. Come to the launch party, ponder through the art, stay for the people and ask about the building history. Expect a generous splash of sunshine not just in the skies but in your minds, to launch the gallery's first season. All ages, doors at 5pm. Stay tuned for a sneak peak here.
Jane's Walk Waterloo Region is here! Friday through Sunday with dozens of walking tours across Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. Walks cover Preston's railway hub, historic Galt, lost railways in downtown Kitchener, Waterloo Park, sidewalks, photography, playgrounds and so much more. Check the full schedule and plan to go.
THU, APR 30
Family: Tadpole to Frog, land-based program for FNMI families with kids and youth (all ages) 4pm, Tekanonhkwa, Kitchener tix
Theatre: Drayton Entertainment's Finding Neverland (all ages) 7:30pm, Hamilton Family Theatre, Cambridge ♿ tix
Live Music: Step Afrika!'s Evolution Tour brings explosive percussive step choreography rooted in Black fraternal traditions (all ages) 8pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Film: Earth Month short films from the NFB followed by community discussion (19+) 6pm, Region of Waterloo Library Ayr Branch, Ayr ♿ tix
Comedy: Sobreviviendo Canadá, Spanish-language stand-up that has packed rooms across Canada (19+) 6:30pm, TWH Social, Kitchener ♿ tix
Art: Tiny Art After Dark, micro art reveals, surprises and a launch party for the Tiny Ass Art Gallery (19+) 7pm, Block 3 Brewing, St. Jacobs ♿ tix
FRI, MAY 1
Family: Mini Museum Explorers drop-in play and discovery for little ones at Schneider Haus (all ages) 9am, Kitchener ♿ tix
Professional: Builder's Club Pancake Social community breakfast and a behind-the-scenes look at the makerspace (all ages) 9am, Kitchener info
Live Music: Silvia Dee & The Boyfriends play the Lancaster Smoke House dining room (all ages) 6pm, Kitchener ♿ info
Reading: Quiet Reading Night with The Margins bring a book and a hot drink (all ages) 6pm, Midnight Run Cafe, Waterloo ♿ info
Theatre: Drayton's Junior Rising Stars musical theatre revue (all ages) 7pm, Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre, St. Jacobs ♿ tix
Live Music: Tamar Ilana & Ventanas, Toronto's globe-touring world-folk band (all ages) 7:30pm, Emmanuel United Church, Waterloo ♿️ tix
Live Music: Men of the Deeps Cape Breton's choir of working and retired coal miners (all ages) 8pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Comedy: Rusty Nail Comedy headliner Ian Sirota at TWH Social (19+) 8pm, Kitchener ♿ tix
Dance: KW's Official Cinco de Mayo Party reggaeton, perreo and Latin club anthems (19+) 10pm, RARE Nightclub, Waterloo tix
SAT, MAY 2
ConFair: TriCon KW 2026 pop culture, sci-fi, comics, anime, panels and the KALEIDOSCOPE Exhibition at THEMUSEUM (all ages) 10am, Kitchener ♿ tix
Market: Wonderfully Made Spring Market 65+ local makers, totes for the first 50 guests (all ages) 10am, Catalyst 137, Kitchener ♿ info
Star Wars: May 2-D2: An Intergalactic Celebration pick a side, suit up, learn to wield a lightsaber (all ages) 11am, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Kitchener ♿ info
Workshop: Day 1 of non-partisan half-day for women considering local politics (all ages), 12pm Waterloo info
Workshop: Beach Bug paint nite at Score Pizza (all ages) 6pm, Waterloo ♿ tix
Experience: Cherry Blossom Dinner Train heritage rail journey with cherry-inspired plates (all ages), 6pm St. Jacobs Market Station, Waterloo ♿ tix
Theatre: Drayton Entertainment's Finding Neverland (all ages) 7pm, Hamilton Family Theatre, Cambridge ♿ tix
Live Music: The Caleb Khuu Guitar Trio at Boathouse DTK (all ages) 7pm, Kitchener ♿ info
Live Music: Royal Tusk at Maxwell's (all ages) 7:30pm, Waterloo ♿ tix
Comedy: Comedy Night at Counterpoint 7pm Brewing Company (19+), Kitchener ♿ tix
SUN, MAY 3
Festival: Willibald Spring Market on the farm (all ages) 11am, Willibald Farm Distillery, Ayr ♿ info
Concert: Tourette Canada Fundraiser Concert with D-1, Detour, Milhowse and The Rottweilers (all ages) 12pm, The Union KW, Kitchener tix
Workshop: Tiny Felted Art Workshop with Carolyn Parks make 2-3 small felted pieces mounted on cedar blocks (all ages) 1pm, St. Jacobs ♿️ tix
Celebration: Bealtaine 'Bright Fire' Celebration Celtic shift from winter to summer with music, fire-lighting and ritual (all ages) 2pm, Brubacher House, Waterloo tix
Market: Night Market x Luster & Oak Vintage Market with 30+ vendors at Arabella Park Beer Bar (19+) 2pm, Kitchener info
Comedy: Simon King brings rapid-fire stand-up to The Jazz Room (19+) 7:30pm, Waterloo ♿ tix
MON, MAY 4
Film: Rainbow Film Club presents Sisi & I (all ages) 6:45pm, The Princess Cinemas, Waterloo ♿ tix
Improv: Improv Fundamentals week two of Ben Gorodetsky's four-session intro workshop (all ages) 7pm, 165 King St W, Kitchener ♿ tix
Workshop: Embroidery & Patchwork visible mending with Cool Aunt Creatives bring a garment that needs love (19+) 7pm, Ernie's Cookhouse, Cambridge ♿ tix
TUE, MAY 5
Talk: Gender-Responsive Guidance from the Grassroots civil society experts (all ages), Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo ♿ tix
Comedy: Open Mic Tuesdays at Revive (all ages) 7pm, Waterloo tix
Workshop: Trees Amigas Fiesta paint and sip social painting with host Elle C, supplies included (19+) 6:30pm, E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge tix
Food: 5 de Mayo Taco Pop Up Celebration 4-8pm TWB Kitchener ♿ info
WED, MAY 6
Community: Work Bee Wednesdays restoration work on the land with Knowledge Keepers and rotating themes (all ages) 6:30pm, Tekanonhkwa, Kitchener tix
Festival: Poyo Fest Meta Night Kirby and Nintendo trivia, compete for Poyo Passes (19+) 7pm, AOK Arcade Bar, Kitchener info
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