Seven things to keep you busy this weekend in Hamilton
You're itching to get out, but deep inside winter of 2021 we can all use a little virtual reality.
Walk, talk, taste and listen. Here are seven things to keep you busy on this very wintery weekend in Hamilton.
COLDEST NIGHT WALK
Saturday's Coldest Night of the Year Walk has gone virtual but this fundraiser is going strong, raising funds and awareness for charities serving people experiencing homelessness, hurt and hunger. Registrants are asked to walk on Saturday (or any day), either on your own or in a safe team bubble at a time convenient for you. There is no registration fee and participants who raise a modest minimum will receive their own CNOY toque as a thank you ($150 for adults 18 and over, $75 for youth 17 and under). Register at cnoy.org/home
RBG OPENS
The Royal Botanical Gardens is opening outdoor garden areas to the public, beginning Saturday. These areas include Hendrie Park and David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden. RBG trails and Arboretum remain open but the Laking Garden is closed for winter. The RBG Centre and the Rock Garden Visitor Centre will be open only to provide access to garden areas. Building amenities and areas such as the Mediterranean Garden and Greenhouse Cafe remain closed. Regular admission rates apply. Enhanced COVID restrictions are in place. Visit rbg.ca for more details.
* Winteractive," an outdoor experience in Hendrie Park begins Saturday and features interactive components and activities that celebrate the magic of winter.
* Spring courses, programs and workshops are also available for online registration with the Royal Botanical Gardens. Programming offers an array of courses and workshops for adults and families in the areas of gardening, nature, botanical arts and wellness.
VIRTUAL TALK
Dare to join the virtual TEDxMcMasterU event this Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. TEDx is an independent program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. The speaker line-up includes: Segun Makinde, Peter YangInternational, Dr. Chika Oriuwa, Dr. Michael Schutz, Dr. Jeff Sutherland, Jacqueline Rintjema, Ms. Jayne Huhtanen, and Tom Sterling. Last minute tickets are $25. Visit tedxmcmaster.ca/
VIVALDI FESTIVAL
Explore the world of Vivaldi with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. The HPO 2021 Vivaldi Festival finishes up this weekend with the Lance Ouellette performs Vivaldi event presented on YouTube, Saturday at 2 p.m. To culminate our Composer Festival, associate concertmaster Lance Ouellette shares an excerpt from Summer" of Vivaldi's Four Seasons," accompanied by his wife Justyna Szajna on piano. Watch on YouTube or visit hpo.org for details.
TASTE OF BURLINGTON
Dine at 55 of Burlington's best restaurants, offering delicious take-out specials. Sign up for a passport to check in and enter to win gift cards. Taste of Burlington's Winter 2021 Take Out Program continues until March 21. tasteofburlington.ca.
SEEDY SATURDAY
Despite the blanket of snow on the ground, gardeners are getting a jump start with Hamilton's virtual Seedy Saturday events. You can swap seed online and enjoy a series of free online workshops held every Saturday in February. Visit greenventure.ca/seedy-saturday-2021/ to set up for seed swapping, and register for workshop events and more.
Workshops this Saturday are: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The Colourful History of Hamilton's Seed Catalogue with Erin Aults from the Royal Botanical Gardens; and 1 to 2 p.m., Seed Starting and Crop Planning with Kevin Hamilton, Lead Farmer, Farm Operations Manager at McQuesten Urban Farm & Co-Host Amy Bonin.
TELLING TALES
We all know about Telling Tales feature festivals but it is also dedicated to supporting literacy, Canadian authors, illustrators and storytellers all year round. Visit tellingtales.org to share the reading list, creativity club and contests for children of all ages. Join the Imagination Station Series of 2021 broadcast on YouTube Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com