One-Tank Trip for
July 7/12
(c) By Jim Fox
Meet your Waterloo
this summer and discover a new world of cultural activities.
Waterloo Region –
the area including Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge – rocks this summer from music
and theatre to new gallery exhibits including dinosaurs and one by Yoko Ono.
 |
| Visitors can get up close to life-like dinosaurs that have invaded THEMUSEUM in Kitchener for the summer. (Photo by Jim Fox) |
Geeks, aggies and artsies
Even though
the geeks shall inherit the earth, Waterloo Region – famous for technology and
agriculture – is quickly becoming known for its more artistic side.
The region has
“a tremendous amount of talented artists of all types” and during the summer
there are events to “show off” everything it has to offer and its cultural
landmarks, said Tracey Desjardins of the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing
Corp.
Kitchener marked
its 100th anniversary in June and one of the events is billed as the “World's
Longest Picnic Attempt” on July 15.
In its 20th year,
the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival welcomes musicians from around the world to
this free three-day fest.
Appearing from July
20 to 22 will be Holly Cole, Alexis Baro, Manteca and many others jazz artists.
 |
| Crowds fill the
streets for the free four-day Kitchener Blues Festival in August. (Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing
Corp.
photo) |
The Kitchener Blues
Festival keeps the party rocking from Aug. 9 to 12, “transforming the city into
a musical landscape with more than 60 concerts at the free event.
The
Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery has the Light Motives exhibition from July 18
that’s “an exploration of Kitchener's past future and future past.”
Clay and glass
Another must-see on
any cultural exploration is a visit to the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery.
Located in
Waterloo, it hosts critically acclaimed exhibitions that challenge ideas and
perceptions of the definitions of art, craft and design.
THEMUSEUM in downtown
Kitchener has Dinosaurs! visiting until Sept. 23 and is a big attraction for
children who can walk amongst these towering animatronic prehistoric beasts.
There is also the Add
Colour exhibition showcasing 10 works personally selected by Ono, widow of the
late Beatle John Lennon.
“In addition to art
on display, there are also living monuments to art like the Doon Heritage
Village and Castle Kilbride,” Desjardins said.
Doon at the Waterloo
Regional Museum is a “living village” set in 1914 with historic buildings,
interpreters, farm animals and fun activities for all.
 |
| Castle Kilbride in Baden, near Kitchener, is a Victorian-era monument built in 1877. (Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corp. photo) |
Castle Kilbride in
Baden, a Victorian-era monument built in 1877, is considered a local landmark
because of its ornate style.
Its original owner
was James Livingston, a Mason known as the “Linseed Oil King of Canada.”
The house has a “vast
array of secret Masonic imagery” and is a focus of the current exhibit, the
Mysterious Masons and Maccabees.
North of K-W is the
Drayton Theatre and St. Jacobs County Playhouse with numerous plays and
productions from the Sound of Music to Annie.
To plan a getaway,
go to www.ExploreWaterlooRegion.com;
1-877-585-7517
All a flutter
Here’s a chance to discover
five of Canada’s aquatic ecosystems – oceans, lakes, rivers, wetlands and
estuaries.
 |
| Thousands of free-flying butterflies inhabit the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. (Photo by Lisa Fox) |
The Cambridge
Butterfly Conservatory is hosting the Canada’s Waterscapes exhibit from the
Museum of Nature through Sept. 4.
There are audio and
video features along with life-size models where visitors can “conduct their
own symphony of frog calls, discover the nesting grounds of the endangered
whooping crane and marvel at the intricacy of the baleen from a minke whale,”
said executive director Adrienne Brewster.
 |
| Enjoying Canada’s Waterscapes exhibit. ( Photo by Andalyne Tofflemire) |
Hours are 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. at the conservatory at 2500 Kossuth Rd., Cambridge, with admission $10.95;
$9.75, senior/youth; $5.75, children; free, two and younger. www.cambridgebutterfly.com; (519) 653-1234
Calling all teddy bears
Teddies are
gathering on Sunday (July 8) for a picnic at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in
London.
Visitors are
invited to bring their stuffed friends to the Victorian Teddy Bear Picnic for “an
afternoon of games, storytelling, a parade and afternoon tea,” said Sheila
Johnson, executive director. www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca; (519)
457-1296
Take off, eh
Check out and even
take a ride in an historic Harvard Second World War aircraft at the Tillsonburg
Airport.
The Canadian
Harvard Aircraft Association is holding its next “Fly Days” on July 21 and Aug.
18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Come see the fleet
of historic Harvard trainers as they take to the skies – and you can even book
a crew ride,” said director Bob Trowell.
“Tour the hangars,
talk to the volunteers, see the displays and enjoy a barbecue lunch,” he added.
www.harvards.com; (519) 842-9922
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
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