The Community Edition

On June 13, 2026, local artist Basm launched his exhibition, Painted Rhythms, at Holly’s Neighbourhood Cafe and Bar. Basm is a multidisciplinary artist, musician and filmmaker based in the Waterloo Region. Known for creating interactive, multi-sensory experiences, he produces mixed media works that blend painting, video and live music. His projects span multiple disciplines, incorporating vivid physical paintings, interactive elements alongside music and live performances.

On June 5, 2026, the Registry Theatre presented Madame Caeneus’s Canteen, a chamber opera highlighting queer history and the beauty of transformation. Co-produced by Luke Hathaway and lead actor Daniel Cabena, the performance was inspired by two poems written by Hathaway in his book, The Affirmations, that were brought to life by the musical talent of James Rolfe, composer of the score.

There is a question most people do not think about until they are sitting in front of an account-opening screen: where exactly should this money go? The same investment can produce very different results depending on the tax wrapper around it. Fortunately, Canada has some excellent options and the government is essentially offering free tax breaks to encourage use. Accounts fall into two buckets: registered (government-linked, with tax benefits) and non-registered (no perks, no limits).

From the first demonstrations taking place in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971 to Toronto Pride in 2026, the celebration of Pride has changed in many ways. This has sparked much conversation in the 2SLGBTQ+ community both online and in person. “I want to see our whole community there, I want to see people with disabilities there. I want to see people of all the colors that we have, and all the places that we have, and so on,” Cait Glasson, local 2SLGBTQ+ activist, said.

May 30, 2026 marked the 12th annual Drone Day: a celebration of drone music, community and experimental sound art. Waterloo’s concert was one of 109 gatherings that occurred across 28 countries. In Waterloo, Drone Day took place at the top of the uptown parkade, where over 200 people gathered throughout the evening with folding chairs and picnic blankets to listen and watch the sunset. There were synthesizers, bagpipes, looped guitars, a clown and absolutely no flying machines allowed.

Waterloo Region is facing a water-capacity crisis that has put new housing approvals, rural wells and long-standing protections for Wilmot’s aquifers into direct conflict. A strategic water-capacity review found the Mannheim service area, which draws from the Wilmot aquifer, could not support planned growth toward the Region’s target population of one million by 2051.

From June 18 to June 20, 2026, the Underdog Dance Corp. hosted their first Waterloo Salsa Bachata Festival. The event included workshops on different styles of dance—including salsa, bachata, dancehall and Afro-Cuban—led by instructors from Underdog; as well as from different studios from Halifax, Toronto, Oakville, Montreal and Spain; performances; and three socials. It was attended by approximately 300 dancers. Raquel DiazGranados Monroy is the studio manager at the Underdog Dance Corp.

On June 18, 2026, Nutrition for Learning hosted a Day of Belonging event at Steckle Heritage Farm where Jess Dixon, MPP of Kitchener South-Hespeler, announced their Food for All model for the 2026-2027 school year. This model will provide a free weekly lunch to all students regardless of their financial situation. Nutrition for Learning is a local non-profit organization that works to provide food for students that may lack access.

The heat of the day was waning when I met CAFKA Director and multimedia artist Julie Hall for an evening walk. They picked the trails in the Stanley Park Optimist Natural Area as our destination, a chance to walk by the Grand River as we talked about Kitchener in the summer. “I love people here,” Hall said. “All walks of life.

June was Bike Month in Ontario, but who’s to say that the fun can’t continue for the rest of the summer? There are several bicycle shops in the region to help you get set up, with everything from second hand bikes to specialized steeds. Many of them also offer repairs and servicing. Waterloo Region has one bike rental company which also provides local tours.