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What's going on in and around Newmarket

Festival of One Act Plays opens tonight and continues throughout the weekend; weekend events include New'bark'et, comedy night, record show, American Graffiti car show at the drive-in
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All dogs, all the time at New'bark'et Saturday and Sunday at Lions Park. File photo/ Greg King for NewmarketToday

Thursday, Sept. 8  

Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays: 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.

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, Sept. 9

Splash of Culture: Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons water feature will once again be transformed into a beautifully lit stage complete with a baby grand piano on for Splash of Culture. This free concert from 7 to 9 p.m. feature three Canadian performers: Charissa, a singer-songwriter whose sound is grounded in Americana and laidback soul; The Glenn Marais Trio featuring an acoustic blues set full of expressive melodies and harmonies; and Logan Staats, a Mohawk sing-songwriter and winner of the musical competition show The Launch whose powerful performance is rooted in honest storytelling and reflection.  

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

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. 

191st Annual Illumination at Sharon Temple: 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/

Saturday, Sept. 10

New'bark'et, Saturday and Sunday: Dog owners and dog lovers will enjoy New'bark'et, Newmarket's one-of-a-kind, family-friendly dog festival presented by Global Pet Foods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lions Park, 424 D'Arcy St. with dog-related vendors, a Pooch Plunge at the Peter Gorman Outdoor Pool ($5 per dog), Aqua Dogs show (to have your dog enter a dock diving competition, click here to register), a Dog Lovers Days Lure Course, a fenced off-leash dog area, as well as food trucks, DJ, face painting, photo booth and inflatables.  

Newmarket Cycles Bicycle Lending Libary: Borrow a bicycle and other bike accessories for free using your Newmarket Public Library card at the Community Bike Hub from 1 to 3 p.m., DIY bike repair from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a group ride from 3 to 4 p.m., at 621 Timothy St. Bicycles can be borrowed for 2 weeks at a time on a first-come-first-serve basis. Read about the bicycle lending library here.

Premium Comedy Night: Enjoy a night of pro comedy at 8:30 p.m. the Sociable Pub, 17380 Yonge St., Newmarket, at the inaugural event is headlined by Premium Comedy founder Kris Bonaparte. Tickets $15. 

American Graffiti Car Show & a Movie presented by Highway 11 Cruisers C.C. & Stardust Drive-in: Bring out your ride, and enjoy a classic cruising movie at 893 Mount Albert Rd., Sharon. Gates open at 5 p.m. Donations welcome for Locks of Love.

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

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. 

Summer Saturdays: ClearWater Farm is open to the public for free family fun activities, including self-guided tours, art and nature activities, workshops, outdoor yoga classes, live music and a local artisan market. Visit the ClearWater Farm stand.  At 1614 Metro Rd. N., Georgina from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 11

New'bark'et: Dog owners and dog lovers will enjoy New'bark'et, Newmarket's one-of-a-kind, family-friendly dog festival presented by Global Pet Foods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lions Park, 424 D'Arcy St. with dog-related vendors, a Pooch Plunge at the Peter Gorman Outdoor Pool ($5 per dog), Aqua Dogs show (to have your dog enter a dock diving competition, click here to register), a Dog Lovers Days Lure Course, a fenced off-leash dog area, as well as food trucks, DJ, face painting, photo booth and inflatables.  

Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays: The annual festival features a matinee at 3:30 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Newmarket Vinyl Record & Collectibles Show: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion hall, 707 Srigley St. Admission $4.

Newmarket Juried Art Show, Sept. 11 to 25: The fourth annual Newmarket Juried Art Show will be held in Newmarket’s Old Town Hall. The gala reception is Sept. 15, from 7 to 9 pm. 

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 Public Library Online Cookbook Club, Sept. 15: Make different dishes each month based on a theme, with suggested recipe books available at NPL (or use a recipe source of your own). At the monthly Zoom meetings, show each other the dish you have created (this can be a photo if it’s already been consumed), and chat about food, recipes and more. September theme is Local Ingredients and Seasonal Eating. Afternoon club from 3 to 4 p.m. register now; evening club from 7 to 8 p.m. register now

Film Fridays at Newmarket Public Library: No registration required, just drop in and enjoy a free movie from 1:30 to 4 p.m.. Children must be accompanied by an adult. On Sept. 16, In The Heights, the film version of the Broadway musical in which Usnavi, a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life. Watch the trailer. On Sept. 23, from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m., The Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Sponge on the Run, in which SpongeBob goes on a trip to Kamp Koral and meets some new friends. Watch the trailer. On Sept. 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., The Personal History of David Copperfield is a fresh take on Charles Dickens semi-autobiographical masterpiece chronicles the life of its iconic title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it. Watch the trailer. 

Newmarket Terry Fox Run, Sunday, Sept. 18: Join the 42nd Marathon of Hope, a five-kilometre route, starting at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex on Eagle Street at 9 a.m. in support of cancer research. Register or donate online

Beautifully Human, Walking the Healing Journey Together, Saturday, Sept. 18: An hour of connection, drumming and wellness led by Glenn Marais, a certified meditation/mindfulness practitioner from McMaster University with Reiki Level II certification. This will also feature live music with Jesse Karwat and Manny De Grandis in the Main Street Music Hall above Old Flame, 140 Main St., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets are limited and are $30 in advance and $35 at the door, if available.

Canadian Concert Classics, Sept. 24, Oct. 13, Nov. 12:  At Newmarket's Old Town Hall, enjoy three concerts featuring Juno award-winning talent, sponsored by Mercedes Benz Newmarket. The series kicks off Saturday, Sept. 24 with Gemini-nominated Lily Frost and her four-piece ensemble. On Thursday, Oct. 13 is one of the best new bands of the decade, the Bywater Call seven-piece band. And on Saturday, Nov. 12 is two-time Juno award winner Donne Roberts and his six-piece band. Doors open at 6 p.m. with concerts performed from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. There are only 168 seats available per concert. Tickets can be purchased at newtix.ca. Single tickets are $60 per show or save $45 when you purchase tickets to all three concerts ($135).

Repair Café, Sat., Sept. 24: The Repair Café returns in collaboration with NewMakeIt and York Region at the Newmarket Public Library. Volunteers repair appliances, toys, clothing, bicycles, electronics, and more. Bring in an item with any replacement parts it may need. One item allowed per guest. Register early, space is limited, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 at the door (proceeds go to NPL’s free community seed library). Register for this event

I Love it Here, Women's Networking Breakfast , Thursday, Sept. 29: Fair Chance Learning, in partnership with the Town of Newmarket and the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, invites you to explore the tools that elevate your team - from skills and certifications to identifying strengths and talents that are uniquely yours. If you don't have a team, find ways to tap into your own leadership and effectiveness to reach new heights in your career and engage in empowering conversations. Register for free, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Old Town Hall: I Love it Here, Women's Networking Breakfast

English Country Dance: 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]


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Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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