Kate's 5 fun things to do this weekend Jan. 29 to 31
It's Winterloo's final weekend, take a cooking class or enjoy an online concert for mental health
It's going to be a cold weekend so be sure to bundle up if going for a walk around the neighbourhood for some fresh air and exercise.
Family Literacy Week continues until Saturday. Friday evening there's a bedtime storytime. On Saturday, there's French storytime and spelling bees for students in Grade 1 to 6. Full details are provided on the Waterloo Public Library website.
If you're planning to get married in the near future, The Ring's winter wedding show is online starting this weekend. It will feature various vendors, from DJs to photographers to venues in Waterloo region and Guelph.
You may also want to spend some time planning for Valentine's Day. It's going to be different this year, and a number of local businesses are offering online events such as couples cooking classes or special takeout dinners. But you have to book early so taking a bit of time this weekend to plan ahead may help make it easier to celebrate in a couple of weeks. Note also that Valentine's Day is on the Family Day long weekend this year.
Winterloo (final weekend)
All weekend
Hosted by: City of Waterloo
It's the last weekend for Winterloo in Waterloo. Snow sculptor Matt Morris has been making sculptures around the city, and ice carver Philippe Saraiva has a new sculpture planned for this weekend in the uptown square, so check them out while going for a walk to get some exercise. There are also lots of related events to do at home or online.
There's also the uptown Waterloo comfort food crawl. While people can't move from restaurant-to-restaurant right now, ordering takeout is possible. Enjoy pizza, smoked bacon mac and cheese, butter chicken, tacos — so many tasty treats. The food crawl started this week during Winterloo but continues until Feb. 23.
Day two of Winterloo snow carving. Same sculpture. Two sides. All non-packing snow. Can you guess where? <a href="https://twitter.com/CreateWaterloo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CreateWaterloo</a> <a href="https://t.co/twDdL9czG5">pic.twitter.com/twDdL9czG5</a>
—@Matthew_MorrisLet's Sing: Music for Mental Health
7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29
Various artists
Join local musicians including Sammy Duke, Craig McNair and Madison Galloway for this online concert to benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Thursday was Bell Let's Talk Day, but the musicians want to keep the conversation going and using music is one way to help. Enjoy music and live chats with musicians as they broadcast from their homes.
If you can't make it this weekend, a second concert is in the works for Feb. 12.
Black History Month launch
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 31
Hosted by: Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region
This year's theme for Black History Month is: Celebrate. Educate. Advocate. A full month of events gets underway this weekend with the launch being hosted by Ayo Owodunni and Colleen Sargeant James.
Local politicians and a number of performers and speakers will participate over the weekend including Indigenous allies, the Waterloo Region Mass Choir and R&B singer Rufus John. There's dancing, music and more, all catalogued on their extensive list online.
The Guelph Black Heritage Society is also launching its Black History Month by being part of an online event Sunday at 1 p.m.
This year, the Guelph Black Heritage Society says the focus will be on how Black History Month isn't just about the past — they will mark the month as Black Heritage Month.
The month's theme is a #ChangeStartsNow initiative, which will include virtual educational programming on Black heritage and culture. The society will offer up relevant resources on diversity, discrimination and anti-racism.
Local events kick off on Monday with an art show called Aftershock.
'Dog's Best Friend' screening
4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 31
Local filmmaker Dwight Storring (who made the doc Finding John Lingwood) has a new series of documentary shorts called Dog's Best Friend.
In 50 minutes, it tells the story of five families and the role dogs play in their lives. The screening on Sunday will benefit ElderDog Canada, a non-profit dedicated to helping older dogs. The showing on Sunday afternoon will also include a live conversation with Storring and ElderDog Pawd leaders.
Virtual Kids in the Kitchen
10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 30
Hosted by: Kitchener Market
After a cold week, the items being whipped up in this week's workshop sound wonderfully comforting. Chef Nicole is teaching people to bake apple cinnamon shortcake with whipped cream, and the classic comfort food: homemade mac-and-cheese.
The event will be streamed on Facebook.