What's going on in and around Newmarket

Thursday, Aug. 18

TD Music Series: Newmarket's free summer concert series headliner ABBA Revisited gives tribute to ABBA, with Blush opening, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr.

Music in the Alley, Thursdays in August: Downtown Aurora BIA presents free live music Thursday in Machell's Alley at 15217 Yonge St., Aurora from 7 to 9 p.m., weather permitting. Aug. 18 Joe DeLima and JD Brass.

Movies in Aurora Town Park: Watch Dennis the Menace on a giant inflatable screen at 49 Wells St., Aurora. Movies are free to attend; pre-registration is not required; bring your own lawn chairs. Arrive early to make a comic strip of your own starting at 8 p.m. Movie starts at 9 p.m.

East Gwillimbury Farmers Market: Every Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. until Oct. 6, the market is held at the East Gwillimbury Civic Centre, 19000 Leslie St., Sharon.

Friday, Aug. 19

Sean Kelly at Market Brewing: Newmarket's Sean Kelly plays live from 7 to 10 p.m. at Market Brewing at 17775 Leslie St., unit 4. The acoustic singer-songwriter plays a unique blend of covers spanning over five decades. He plays an eclectic mix of classic rock, modern pop, and a bunch of one hit wonders you forgot you loved.

TD Markham Jazz Festival, Aug. 19 to 21: The award-winning jazz and jazz-related music event featuring more than 30 free performances returns in person, with the main event taking place Aug. 19 to 21 on Main Street Unionville.

Saturday, Aug. 20

Bicycle Lending Library: Borrow a bicycle and other bike accessories for free using your Newmarket Public Library card at Newmarket Cycles Community Bike Hub at 621 Timothy St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop-in hours are once a week. Check the website for dates. All drop-in hours follow with a one-hour group ride around Newmarket. For more details on group rides, click here. Bicycles can be borrowed for two weeks and returned to the Newmarket Cycles Community Bike Hub during drop-in hours. Items are not holdable and are on a first-come first-serve basis.

The Twangsters at Ground Burger Bar: Enjoy Pure Rock ‘n’ Country from 7 to 11 p.m at 352 Doug Duncan Drive, Riverwalk Commons.

Glenn Marais and Craig Riley at Old Flame: From 6 to 9 p.m. at the brewery at 140 Main St. South, Newmarket in the Main Street Music Hall.

York Region Poker League Rebuy Charity Tournament: Buy-in $50 for 2,000 starting chips (80 big blinds) includes a $10 bounty chip. Open to age 19 and over at 7 p.m. sharp, registration at 6:30 p.m. at Newmarket Inn, 18667 Old Yonge St., Holland Landing. For more information, click here.

Aurorapalooza: Returning for the third year to Aurora's Town Park is an evening of local music, art and food. Artists include Yellow Magnolia, Long Black Cadillacs, Floral Park, Peter Serrado, Emily Schultz, Julia Fedec, and Vi. Pre-show artists are Bianca Rollo, Ruby Anderson and Billy Stirling from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tipsy Goose. For tickets, $20, visit aurorapalooza.com. This is an age 19+ event.

Charity Concert at the Lake: Charity Concert benefiting The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation from noon to 7 p.m. at Miami Beach Hall, 546 Lake Dr. South, #538, Keswick. Bring a blanket and enjoy live music, dance, and laugh with stand-up comedians. Tickets are $10.

TD Markham Jazz Festival: The award-winning jazz and jazz-related music event featuring more than 30 free performances returns on Main Street Unionville. The only ticketed event is an opening night concert at the Markham Museum featuring exhilarating musicianship by Juno-winners Manteca with vocalist Lyne Tremblay.

Newmarket Farmers Market: Farmers, vendors and volunteers create a hive of activity reminiscent of the town’s early years as a new market. A place to buy farm fresh produce, homemade baking, handmade crafts and a great place to meet up with friends over breakfast or lunch. At Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aurora Farmers Market: Saturdays at Town Park, 64 Wells St from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 21

TD Markham Jazz Festival: The award-winning jazz and jazz-related music event featuring more than 30 free performances returns in person, with the main event taking place Aug. 19 to 21 on Main Street Unionville.

Georgina Farmers Market: Weekly market features about 30 vendors from local farmers and crafters, with live music, yoga in the park and other events at The Link, 20849 Dalton Rd. on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Coming Up:

Newmarket's TD Music Series offers free concerts every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the bandshell at 200 Doug Duncan Dr. at Riverwalk Commons.

Aug. 25, Blushing Brides (a tribute to the Rolling Stones); opening Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train;
Sept. 1, Sounds of Motown (greatest songs of the Motown era); opening David Toms.

Newmarket's Moonlight Movies, presented by TD: Throughout the month of August, free family films are taking place at various parks throughout Newmarket. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch a movie under the stars on a large inflatable screen.

Tuesday, Aug. 23, Jungle Cruise, at Dr. Margaret Arkinstall Park, Sawmill Valley Drive
Wednesday, Aug. 24, Encanto, at Environmental Park, Woodspring Avenue,
Tuesday, August 30, LUCA, at College Manor Park, College Manor Drive
Wednesday, Aug. 31, Monsters Inc., at Dennis Park, Cane Parkway

Aurora's Concerts in the Park offers free concerts Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Town Park (food bank donations welcome).

Aug. 24, the Mudmen (Celtic rock)
Aug. 31 with Epic Elton: A Tribute to Elton John.

Richmond Hill Live! In the Plaza – Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. Join the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts this month for a revamped summer music series featuring local artists performing in the theatre’s outdoor plaza on Yonge Street. Tuesday nights feature artists from a range of musical genres and Wednesdays are Open Mic nights.

Brew HAHA at Old Flame, Thursday, Aug. 25: RyGuy Comedy presents Brew HAHA, a beautiful marriage of delicious craft beer and hilarious comedy. Each ticket includes a 12oz beer (19+) or soft drink, courtesy of Old Flame Brewing Co. at 140 Main St. South, Newmarket. Doors open upstairs in the event space at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. $20 in advance / $25 at the door (if available).

Main Street Pub Experience, Sunday, Aug. 28: Join an afternoon celebrating a few of the food and drink establishments of Main Street Newmarket, including Cachet, Hungry Brew Hops, and Old Flame Brewery, with a bonus stop from 4 to 10 p.m. You will spend an hour at each establishment getting food and drinks at each before you move on to the next one! Tickets, $112, include: a food item and drink; swag bag; lanyard pass; live music at some of the spots.

Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays, Sept. 8 to 11: The annual festival features a variety of plays and performances, including world and Canadian premiers, from Thursday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. to Sunday, Sept. 11 at 3:30 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St. For tickets and more information, visit here.

191st Annual Illumination at Sharon Temple, Friday, Sept. 9: Since 1831, the Children of Peace have held a celebration on the first Friday in September, lighting all of the candles in the temple, and holding a concert and an alms-giving service. During the Illumination, the main floor of the temple is lit with beeswax candles and filled with music. Refreshments will be served on the lawn afterward. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. with the Marion Singers at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35. For more information, visit sharontemple.ca/

Board Gaming: Join local board game enthusiasts every other Friday at Cardinal Press Espresso Bar at 200 Main St. Newmarket at 6 p.m. The games are provided and teachers are available, or you bring your games to teach others. Note from organizers: We don't tend to play a lot of 'traditional' board games such as Monopoly, Clue, Sorry! Let them know what you would like to play when you RSVP and they will bring those games.

English Country Dance, Saturdays: Join the dance at Trinity United Church, 461 Park Ave. at Main Street, Newmarket from 2 to 4 p.m. Beginners welcome; all dances taught; you don't need to bring a partner. Admission by donation; your first class is free. Join the group on the first, third and (when there is one) fifth Saturday of the month.

To have your event included in this regular feature, send an email with full details to [email protected]