10 things to do around Hamilton this weekend

Hamilton doesn't wait for summer to fill the calendar. It's early spring and events are sprawling throughout the city already.

Look for the mercury to drop to below 20 C this weekend and April showers could make an appearance Sunday.

Here are 10 things to do around Hamilton this weekend.

Irma Gerd

Irma Gerd from Canada's Drag Race" Season 3 performing in The Lounge at FirstOntario Centre, 101 York Blvd., Friday at 8:30 p.m. The show is hosted by Diversity Ed and Hamilton's own Karma Kameleon. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $31.83.

OPP memorial bike ride

The Ontario Provincial Police, in concert with the Pierzchala family, are hosting a bike ride to honour Greg Pierzchala's life and service on Saturday. The OPP officer died in the line of duty in Hagersville. The Getting After It" Greg Pierzchala Memorial Ride will start and finish in Dunnville. Cyclists will travel alongside the beautiful Lake Erie. There will be three ride lengths for participants to choose from: 20, 40 and 80 kilometres. Registration is open from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Dunnville Farmers' Market, 218 Main St. E. While registration online is not required, it is encouraged to help organizers better plan the refreshments following the bike ride. Registration links can be found online at canadahelps.org.

Crank Film Festival

Billed as the ultimate action movie experience, The Crank Film Festival is in Hamilton Saturday and Sunday. Film screening on Saturday at The Westdale and open discussion panel of stunt performers at Staircase Sunday evening. Tickets for the weekend festival are $25 for the opening event Saturday, $25 for the action short film awards on Sunday and $30 for the action workshops pass on Sunday. A festival pass is $65. Visit crankiaff.com for more details and tickets.

Bonsai show

It's all in the details. Check out the Bonsai Society Show on at the Royal Botanical Gardens Centre, 680 Plains Rd., Burlington on Saturday and Sunday. The show is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. General admission required. rbg.ca

Soccer's back

Forge FC's season open is Saturday kicking off 4 p.m. in Tim Hortons Field, 64 Melrose Ave. N. Cheer on Hamilton's Canadian Premier League team, Forge FC, as they battle against Cavalry FC. canpl.ca

Lacrosse lays it on

It's fan appreciation night Saturday for the Rock's final home game of the season. The Philadelphia Flyers are at FirstOntario Centre for the 7 p.m. draw. Playoffs start May 5. torontorock.com

Ukrainian photo exhibit

Year of Resilience. Kyiv - The Unbreakable Heart of Europe" continues at the Hamilton Public Library. The exhibition is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Central Branch, 55 York Blvd.

Cloth diaper sale

The perfect way to celebrate Earth Month: The Pre-Loved Cloth Diaper Sale is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Barefoot Babies, 164 Ottawa St. N. Buying used cloth diapers is an excellent way to save money. A huge selection available. The preloved sale is cash only and bring your own reusable bags. barefootbabies.ca

Music/concerts/stage

So many venues, so many events. Here's an eclectic mix of Hamilton's music, concert and stage scene.

• Hamilton's Voices holds its 40th anniversary fundraiser Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. This licensed event includes a silent auction, raffles, white elephant table, face painting, interactive visual artist, and a host of performers over eight hours including, among others, the choir and several choristers, Musicata conductor Roger Bergs, and John Laing Singers founding conductor John Laing. Church of the Ascension, 64 Forest Ave. Tickets at door or call 905-529-0845: $20, $130 for a table of eight, 14 and under free.

• The Casbah, 306 King St. W. Music makers open stage hosted by Melissa Marie Walker is Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. The stage is open for budding singers, songwriters, bands and musician of all kinds.

• The Traveling Milburys, tribute To The Traveling Wilburys, performs Saturday at The Studio, 1 Summer's Lane, at 7:30 p.m. coreentertainment.ca

• Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts, 108 Park St. W., Dundas, the husband-and-wife team of conductor-flutist Mate Szigeti and violin coach Anita Hiripi lead their Cricket Chamber Orchestra Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Selections by Bach, Wagner, Shostakovich, Morricone and others. Tickets at door or call 289-938-2457: $25, senior $20, student $15, 12 and under free.

• Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and an Evening with Schubert is Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. Sarah Ioannides is the conductor. Schubert's melodies create an uplifting tone for this concert featuring guest soprano Alexandra Smither performing the composer's beloved Ave Maria." coreentertainment.ca

• Mills Hardward, 95 King St. E. Birds of Bellwoods + The Royal Foundry with Gavin McLeod on Saturday, 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. General admission is $18.50.

• Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St. World premiere of Maggie" begins this Wednesday. The performance runs April 19 to May 6. theatreaquarius.org

Drag racing

Dragstrip Memories showcases drag racing vehicles from the beginning of the sport to the present. Along with the cars, there is plenty of memorabilia and personalities attending to sign autographs and remember the golden years. The show is at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd., Mount Hope, on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $12 for ages six to 17 and free for museum members and children under five. warplane.com

Looking ahead

The Allan Cup, Canada's oldest national hockey championship, is in Dundas April 17 to 22 at J.L. Grightmire Arena. For tickets, visit allancup.pointstreaksites.com.

Monster Jam is at FirstOntario Centre April 22 to 23. coreentertainment.ca

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com