Hamilton Winterfest, concerts and more things to do this weekend

A lack of snow won't stop the fun in Gourley Park or at the Winterfest Hub this weekend.

Log sawing, horse and wagon rides and winter games play out on Sunday on the west Mountain, while art exhibits, food vendors, free concerts and more are on at the top of Jackson Square as part of Hamilton Winterfest.

Environment Canada is calling for sunny skies with daytime highs of 1 C on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. Overnight it will dip down to around -5 C.

Here are more than half a dozen things to keep you busy around Hamilton this weekend.

More Winterfest

Step into Winterfest Hamilton. With more than 60 events across the city until Feb. 20, it doesn't look like anyone will be left out. The rooftop of Jackson Square is transformed into the Winterfest Hub, with light installations, murals, and exhibits starting Friday. The Winterfest Hub features art installations and murals, ice skating, food vendors, free concerts and more. hamiltonwinterfest.ca. Here's what you can expect this weekend:

The Hub opening night concert is Friday featuring Luis Franco's Worldwide Salsa with sets at 7 and 8 p.m.

Free official after party held at Friday at Studio G, 126 James St. N., second floor, with DJ YESII. Doors open at 9 p.m. Suggested donation $10.

Winter Exhibitions at Centre(3), 173 James St. N., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Noon Hour Concert, Friday from 12 to 1 p.m. The Kaleidoscope Singers at Central Public Library.

Art Gallery of Hamilton Winter Exhibitions opening celebration is Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the AGH, 123 King St. E.

Winterfest Dance on Saturday from 7 to 11:55 p.m. at Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Hall, 200 James St. N. Tickets are $15 each, call Gerry at 905-529-4073.

Gourley Park Winterfest fun runs Sunday from 12 to 2 p.m. on the west Mountain, 142 Duncairn Cres. Events include log sawing, nail driving competition, horse and wagon rides, face painting, winter games, sledding (hope for snow), crafts and more. It's free.

Visit hamiltonwinterfest.ca/full-calendar for the full calendar of events.

Art Crawl

Friday is Hamilton Art Crawl on James Street North starting around 4 p.m. to midnight.

Essence of Cohen

The poetic and lyrical legacy of Leonard Cohen is celebrated by Montreal-born Robert Shea in this musical concert dedicated to the unique and iconic Canadian on Friday at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Tickets are $60.

Then Saturday, the BPAC presents The Rowdymen: Music from the Rock at 8 p.m. in the main theatre. Tickets are $39.50.

Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., Burlington. burlingtonpac.ca

More concerts

In his column this week, The Spectator's music writer Leonard Turnevicius wrote about three concerts happening Sunday.

The first is Valerie Tryon's annual Valentine's solo piano recital at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, 126 James St. S., at 2 p.m.

Then, Denis Mastromonaco and his Burlington Symphony Orchestra present A Musical Valentine's Day Treat" in the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., at 3 p.m.

And third, Laura Thomas and her Dundas Valley Orchestra present Travelling Again" in St. Paul's United Church, 29 Park St. W., Dundas, at 3 p.m.

Mills Hardware

Steven Ryan with special guest Brian Melo play Mills Hardware, 95 King St. E., Friday at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7.

Then Sunday, Luca Fogale with Rachel Bobbitt take the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at millshardware.ca.

Game day

Hamilton Bulldogs take on the Peterborough Petes Saturday at FirstOntario Centre. Puck drop is 4 p.m.

And, all eyes are on Arizona Sunday for Super Bowl LVII. The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles at 6:30 p.m. The Spectator's Jeremy Kemeny takes a look at where to watch the big game around Hamilton.

Looking ahead

Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m., the Burlington Performing Arts Centre presents a Valentine's encore event, The Legendary Brant Inn" with the Sophisticated Swing Big Band, trumpeter-vocalist Franklin Penny, vocalist Sheila Brand, keyboardist George Brasovan, Art in Motion Dancers, and emcee Roy Wilson. Tickets at burlingtonpac.ca or call 905-681-6000: $44, senior $40, student $35 (all-in).

Tickets are available for the Feb. 18 Reverend John C. Holland Awards at LIUNA Station. The awards recognize academic achievements of the city's Black youth, offering scholarships for post-secondary education. Tickets are $85 for adults and $70 for youth. There's a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and awards, and features guest speaker Michel Chikwanine, author of Child Soldier."

Hamilton Conservation Authority has announced reservations for Westfield Heritage Village Maple Syrup Season opens to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Programs start March 5.

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