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What's going on in and around Newmarket this weekend

Weekend events include BrewHAHA comedy night, disco skate night, Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walks, epic euchre tournament for Abuse Hurts
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On Saturday, you can walk in the Coldest Night of the Year in support of Inn From the Cold and Blue Door. File photo/ Greg King for NewmarketToday

Thursday, Feb. 23

Telling Black Canadian Stories: The Transformative Beauty of Black Storytelling: York Region Arts Council hosts an intimate discussion that will explore the importance of Black storytelling, the power of stories as vehicles for conversations about Black identity and representation, and the different ways each of these authors celebrates and explores their culture through their writing. Attendance is free. Register to secure your spot and access Zoom link, 5 to 6:30 p.m. For more details, click here.

Brew HAHA Comedy Night starring headliner John Mostyn: RyGuy Comedy presents Brew HAHA, a monthly must-see event on the fourth Thursday of every month bringing a new lineup of Canada’s top comedians to Newmarket. Tickets are $25 in advance online, or $30 at the door (if still available), and include your first beer (19+) or pop the RyGuy. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. at Old Flame Brewing Co., 140 Main St. S. 

The Newmarket Voice Festival: The Newmarket Voice Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary 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. Find more details at newmarketvoicefestival.com

Board Gaming: Join local board game enthusiasts 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. 

Thirsty Thursday Open Mic: Guest host Dave Holman welcome you to the weekly open mic night from 7 to 10:45 p.m. at Lions and Sun Bar and Lounge,
18947 Woodbine Ave, Sharon. Come help keep local music alive and enjoy a fun, semi-acoustic night of local entertainment. Everyone is welcome, all skill levels. Come sing, speak, tell jokes, mime, model your new swimsuit, or just enjoy the fun. Bring your instrument and your mic.

Friday, Feb. 24

Disco Skating hosted by Newmarket Youth Leadership Group: Local youth are invited to skate like its the 1970s at a free disco skating event hosted by the Newmarket Youth Leadership Group starting at 7 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons outdoor rink. There will be music, a performance by the Newmarket Skating Club, free snacks, and more live entertainment, prizes for the best disco costumes. 

The Newmarket Voice Festival: The Newmarket Voice Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary 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. Find more details at newmarketvoicefestival.com

Saturday, Feb. 25

Coldest Night of the Year hosted by Inn From the Cold: You can take to the streets in support of Newmarket's Inn From the Cold homeless shelter on the Coldest Night of the Year. Registration opens at 4 p.m., with 2 and 5-km walk options starting and ending at Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr., at 5 p.m., with rest stops along the way to warm up with hot beverages, light meal served at 6 p.m. You can register online for free for the family-friendly event, or donate to a participant. Anyone who raises over $150 ($75 for youth) will receive a signature Coldest Night of the Year toque. 

Coldest Night of the Year hosted by Blue Door: You can take to the streets in support of York Region's Blue Door homeless shelters and services on the Coldest Night of the Year. Registration opens at 4 p.m., with 2 and 5-km walk options starting and ending at 8569 Bayview Ave., Richmond Hill at 5 p.m., light meal served at 6 p.m. You can register online for free for the family-friendly event, or donate to a participant. Anyone who raises over $150 ($75 for youth) will receive a signature Coldest Night of the Year toque. 

Abuse Hurts Charity Euchre Fundraiser: Market Brewing Co., The Mortgage Group and Main Street Realty are co-hosting an epic euchre tournament in support of Abuse Hurts beginning at 6:30 p.m., at 17775 Leslie St., #4, Newmarket. Tickets, $30, include a full night of euchre, snacks, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction.There will also be prizes for highest score, most lone hands and a surprise. No team sign-ups. Abuse Hurts is a national, charitable organization that works with children's services, shelters and other agencies to help victims and survivors of abuse.

Open House Wedding Show, Holland Marsh Wineries: Planning a wedding? Enjoy an afternoon of all things weddings from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. by Holland Marsh Wineries, 18270 Keele St. The free drop-in event features vendors, including wedding planners, floral design, decor, officiants, photography/videography, audio & visual, stationary, as well as wine tastings and wine by the glass, and delicious bites served by O'Malley's Catering and Toben Food by Design. First 50 guests will receive a complimentary swag bag, door prize, interactive guest-vendor contest, multiple raffle prizes.

Kingfishers at Knight's Arms: Local musicians Ron Fleming, Laurence Walters and Rick Pickard are at the Knight's Arms Pub and Grill on Yonge Street in Newmarket from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Broadway North's Guys & Dolls: Broadway North present Guys & Dolls at NewRoads Centre for Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Tickets at www.newtix.ca.

The Newmarket Voice Festival: The Newmarket Voice Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary 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. Find more details at newmarketvoicefestival.com

Sunday, Feb. 26

Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket Young Artists Showcase: VPAN presents the Young Artists Showcase at the Old Town Hall at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit newtix.ca or the Old Town Hall box office at 905-953-5122. Adults/seniors: $20, students: $10, family: $40 (tickets for 4).

Coming up: 

Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket concert series: VPAN's 2022-23 concert series at 2 p.m. at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre in Newmarket: 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.  

Tapestry Chamber Choir, Sunday, March 5: Tapestry presents 'Winter is Past' for spring at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Newmarket at 3 p.m. Tickets available online only at www.ticketscene.ca.

NewRoads 12th Annual Girls Night Out, March 8: To Celebrate 2023 International Women's Day, NewRoads Automotive Group is hosting the 12th annual Girls Night Out Event at NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, Newmarket, at 6:30 p.m. The fun evening celebrates local women-owned businesses with an indoor market featuring local vendors, as well as raises money for Girls Inc. Tickets are: $30 + tax donation to Girls Inc.+ 1 drink ticket; $60 + tax donation to Girls Inc. + 2 drink tickets; $100 + tax donation to Girls Inc. + 3 drink tickets + a Pink Girls Night Out crewneck sweater. 

Newmarket Folk Society presents Allison Lupton, Saturday, March 18: Allison Lupton with all-star band Shane Cook, Andrew Collins, James McEleney and Adam Shier at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:15 p.m.) at Newmarket Canadian Legion Branch 426, 707 Srigley St. For tickets, $30: at Ticketscene, or e-transfer to [email protected] (with "Allison Lupton" and your email address in the comment box - no password/security answer required), or call Patty McLaughlin at 705-431-7182 to pay by credit card. Acclaimed singer/songwriter, flutist and multiple CFMA nominee Lupton delights listeners with story songs and tunes that take you away to another time and dance you home again. She has released four solo albums, touring here at home and across the U.K.

CHATS' Whisky Tasting, Tuesday, March 21: CHATS hosts Better with Age with Keith Scott and the Aurora Whisky Society for an interactive experience in the world of whisky at The Shed Stonehaven Banquet Hall, Aurora. You will start your tour with a full-service cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a full three-course buffet meal at 7 p.m., followed by the whisky experience at 8 p.m. featuring five whiskies from around the world. Tickets, $135, or $1,080 for a table of eight.

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