What's going on in and around Newmarket this weekend

Friday, Jan. 20 

P.A. Day Movie: Newmarket Public Library is showing free family movies in the story room every P.A. Day this year. On Jan. 20, watch DC League of Super-Pets (2022), 1:30 to 3:15 p.m. When Superman and the other members of the Justice League are kidnapped, it’s up to Superman’s pet dog, Krypto, to rescue them. To help him on his rescue mission, Krypto recruits a group of animals that gained their own super powers after being accidentally exposed to orange Kryptonite. This fun animated film features a stellar voice cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Kate McKinnon, Kevin Hart and Keanu Reeves. Rated PG. Watch the trailer. Snacks are provided, bring your own beverage. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.

Wintersong Music Festival, Jan. 20 & 21: Residents from across York Region are invited to this free community music festival with music, shopping and dining Friday and Saturday for families and music lovers of all ages in Whitchurch-Stouffville. More than 100 live music performances will take place in restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, with headliners Stars, Dan Mangan and Men Without Hats. A free Wintersong shuttle 'party bus' is provided. Check out the youth stage Saturday featuring local performers under 18 years old. Visit here for free tickets to the headliner shows.

Board Gaming: Join local board game enthusiasts every other Friday at Cardinal Press Espresso Bar at 200 Main St. Newmarket from 6 to 10 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. 

Saturday, Jan. 21

Newmarket Cemeteries, a Treasure Trove of History Walk: History Hound Richard MacLeod hosts a walk from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to introduce participants to the importance of local cemeteries to our history. Whether you are a history hound or a genealogy detective, you will find this walk fascinating. You will also learn a little bit about the secret language of the tombstone. The price is $15 per person and the proceeds go to a local charity. Contact [email protected].

Queens of the Castle: Haus of Devereaux presents its first family show of the year, Queens of the Castle, at Castle John's restaurant, 18025 Yonge St., Newmarket from 9 p.m. to midnight. Music by David Florida. 

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.

John Sheard Presents A Tribute to The Beatles | Part 2, Signature Series: John Sheard Presents A Tribute to The Beatles at 7:30 p.m. at Wirth Theatre, St. Andrew's College, Aurora. Come along on a Magical Mystery Tour to one of the most popular concerts we offer. A new selection of familiar hits from John and his 5-piece band. Tickets, $44.25, and more details here.

Wintersong Music Festival, Jan. 20 & 21: Residents from across York Region are invited to this free community music festival with music, shopping and dining for families and music lovers of all ages in Whitchurch-Stouffville. More than 100 live music performances will take place in Stouffville's restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, with headliners Stars, Dan Mangan and Men Without Hats. A free Wintersong shuttle 'party bus' is provided. Check out the youth stage featuring local performers under 18 years old. Visit here for free tickets to the headliner shows.

Sunday, Jan. 22

Explore Islam, Sunday, Jan. 22: Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association presents Explore Islam, an opportunity to learn more about Islam, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Newmarket Public Library. The exhibition is taking place across Canada.

Beautifully Human, Walking the Healing Journey Together: Join an hour of connection, drumming and wellness. This inspirational and connective event is led by Glenn Marais, a certified meditation/mindfulness practitioner, with live music with Jesse Karwat and Manny De Grandis 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Main Street Music Hall, Old Flame Brewing Co. - Newmarket, 140 Main St. S. Tickets are limited and are $30 in advance and $35 at the door (if available.)

Newmarket Cycles Group Ride: Group rides are a chance to explore Newmarket on two wheels, ride in the community with others and build confidence getting around Newmarket on your bike. Group rides move at a leisurely, family-friendly pace and are open to all ages and abilities. Rides are typically 10 to 15 km long and explore trails, quiet residential streets, and local cycling infrastructure. All group rides are free and begin and end at the Community Bike Hub at NewMakeIt 621 Timothy St., from 2 to 3 p.m. No registration is required. Dress warmly, please protect your extremities like ears, fingers and toes.

Community Drum Circle: At this social drum circle, you will find new friends, enjoy old ones, relax, get creative, have fun, and give good energy to yourself, our Earth and greater community of people, fellow creatures, trees, waters. We begin with grounding and breathwork and simple toning with a prayer of thanks for the land together as we gather and focus our energies in a wholesome loving group. Then a mini class of drumming basics. Participants are free to dance expressively, just listen, write poetry, do yoga. Extra drums and percussion are available, bring a chair or mat though some will be available, water, wear comfy clothes. Cost is $10 or pay what you can. From 3 to 5 p.m. at Body Evolution, 37 Main St., Newmarket. Register here by Thursday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m.

Coming up: 

Theatre Aurora's Fun Home, Jan. 26 to Feb.4:  Theatre Aurora’s first production of the year is the Tony award-winning musical Fun Home, which was written as a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel and adapted as a musical on Broadway in 2015. The story is based on the author's real-life experiences. In the story, Alison is a 43-year-old lesbian cartoonist, who struggles to untangle her complex relationship with her deceased father. Moving between past and present, Alison relives an unusual childhood in the family-owned funeral home, her sexual awakening, and unanswerable questions about her father’s secret life. Performances start at 8 p.m. Actors are from Aurora, Holland Landing, Newmarket, Barrie, and Toronto. Purchase tickets ($25, $23 for senior 65+, $19 student) at theatreaurora.com. 

Payadora Tango Ensemble, Great Artist Music Series, Friday, Jan. 27: One of Toronto's most vibrant and respected chamber ensembles presents a night of Argentinian and Uruguayan tango. Classics and original compositions. Join us if you'd like for a lively pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church, Aurora. Tickets $30.97. Also available livestreamed at no charge.

After Hours Big Band, Friday, Jan. 27: After Hours Big Band performs at the Aurora Legion, 105 Industrial Pkwy N., at 8 p.m. with its repertoire of contemporary jazz, popular artists and swing music from the 1930s and 1940s. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15, or in advance for $10. Visit http://auroralegion.ca or call 905-727-9932 for more information.

Rick Fines with Roly Platt and Alec Fraser, Saturday, Jan. 28: The Newmarket Folk Society presents Rick Fines with Roly Platt and Alec Fraser at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 426, 707 Srigley St., at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets $39 online or Patty McLaughlin 705-431-7182 to pay by credit card.

Storytelling with Bricks, Saturday, Jan. 28: Family Literacy Day is a celebration of how reading and literacy can play an important role in a child’s life. Newmarket Public Library celebrates by sharing the importance of reading while engaging in a fun activity with Lego from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants will be organized into teams of four to create a scene from a well-known story, or a story of their own based on a specific theme. You can form your own team of four family members or friends beforehand, but register as individuals. Join us for a fun afternoon of Lego-inspired storytelling. Register with your Xplor account. 

Revolution Now! Annual Party, Saturday, Feb. 4: Revolution Now! is celebrating Black Excellence with its annual party that raises money for a scholarship for Black students in York Region. The party from 7 to 11 p.m. at Market Brewing Company will feature live music from Newmarket musician Glenn Marais and a silent auction featuring Black artists and business people. Tickets, $25.

Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket Three for the Show concert series: VPAN's 2022-23 concert series at 2 p.m. at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre in Newmarket features: Sunday, Feb. 26 (Old Town Hall) Young Artists Showcase; Sunday, March 26, The Quatuor Despax; Sunday, May 7, the Drew Jurecka jazz trio. To subscribe by cheque, VPAN subscription form 2022-2023.docx. To subscribe online, visit the website.  

The Newmarket Voice Festival: The Newmarket Voice Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary Feb. 21 to 25 with Concert of the Stars Friday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. at The Old Town Hall. Categories are musical theatre, pop, classical and speech arts for performers of all ages. Professional adjudicators provide written and verbal feedback to each participant. Deadline for entries is Jan. 31. Find more details at www.newmarketvoicefestival.com. Many scholarships are available and the adjudicators will also recommend singers and actors for OMFA provincial finals in June in Niagara Region.

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: 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]