Find something to do this weekend in the Hamilton area
The days are lengthening with the coming of spring, and so too is the list of weekend events.
Venues are back to full capacity, and that means you can enjoy more of what Hamilton has to offer. There's theatre, more Winterfest celebrations, lacrosse and the return of maple syrup festivals.
Weather this weekend is expected to swing from a slightly chilly 4 C on Saturday to a balmy 16 C on Sunday. But take an umbrella, because showers are likely.
Here are some things to do in the Hamilton area:
Live theatre
Hamilton's Theatre Aquarius has welcomed back audiences at 190 King William St.
Made in Italy runs until March 12 on the main stage with shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Created and performed by Farren Timoteo, and directed by Daryl Cloran, this is a coming-of-age story in 1970s Alberta. Meet Francesco Mantini, a second-generation Italian teen struggling to find his place in Jasper. Inspired by pop culture icons Rocky Balboa and John Travolta, he reinvents himself as Frank Martin: crooner and ladies' man. As buoyant and bubbly as a glass of Prosecco, Made in Italy is a celebration of music, food, and family that's so delightful you won't soon fuhgeddaboudit.
Pat and Skee runs until March 12 in the studio theatre with shows Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Written, directed by and featuring child of divorce" Sky Gilbert, Pat and Skee goes beyond meta-theatre, searching for the wistful, often comic essence of the struggle that lies at the very heart of any broken family.
Visit theatreaquarius.org for the full list of upcoming shows.
Live music
Sinfonia Ancaster presents an evening of musical works Saturday at 7 p.m. at Meadowlands Fellowship Christian Reformed Church (211 Stonehenge Dr.). The in-person event includes works by Sibelius and Britten, among others, as well as Sergei Prokofiev's masterpiece Peter and the Wolf. Adult tickets are $20 plus fees and available on eventbrite.ca.
Winterfest's last blast
Hamilton's Winterfest activities continue daily until Sunday.
The final signature concert, featuring Le Ren, is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the event hub at Hamilton's historic Auchmar Estate at 88 Fennell Ave. W. Visit the signature concerts page for tickets. In addition to live music, the hub is home to events, tours, installations and food trucks. Visit or follow Winterfest for full details on more winter-inspired events across the city.
The AGH is offering free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for all of its recently opened winter-spring exhibitions, along with free drop-in guided tours and workshops, including morning yoga, costumed life drawing and more. Drop by at 123 King St. W. or visit artgalleryofhamilton.com for more information.
Sweet springtime
The sap is running, which means a few places are doing the maple syrup thing starting this weekend. Be sure to register early.
At Westfield Heritage Village, at 1049 Kirkwall Rd. in Rockton, Maple Syrup Season programming runs Sundays March 6, 13, 20 and 27, as well as Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 17. Two demonstration sites are open, including the modern sugar shack. Maple syrup panels are on display, follow the maple trivia trail or purchase pancakes the St. George Lions' pop-up. Visitors can buy maple treats from the general store and gift shop. Historical buildings will not be open for this program and all activities take place outside, including takeout pancakes. Dress for the weather so you can stay warm for your two-hour visit. Reserve your spot at westfieldheritage.ca.
Mountsberg Conservation Area will tap around 300 sugar maples this spring, before transforming the clear, sweet sap into maple syrup. Sugarbush events start this weekend and continue through April 10. That includes daytime activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays (a two-hour reservation is $12 for adults) and evening activities from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday to Sunday and holidays ($24 for adults). Make your reservation at conservationhalton.ca. Pre-registration is required.
The Friends of Bronte Creek Provincial Park in-person maple syrup festival is cancelled in 2022.
Climate change
The Hamilton Public Library is hosting an online sustainability and climate change event Saturday, presented by the McMaster Centre for Climate Change. Join the conversation between 2 and 3 p.m. at hpl.ca
Bulldogs hockey
The Ottawa 67s visit Hamilton at FirstOntario Centre at 7 p.m. on Friday. Tickets range from $22 to $26.
Rock lacrosse
Toronto hosts New York Riptide at FirstOntario Centre on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $26, or watch the game live on tsn.ca.
Coming events
The Harlem Globetrotters are at FirstOntario Centre on Monday at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $32 and are available at ticketmaster.ca.
The 2022 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres takes place in one week on March 13.
And, finally, there are just three weeks until the 127th Around the Bay Road Race on March 27.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com