What's going on in and around Newmarket this weekend

Friday, March 24

One Tour to Rule Them All: The Jam Spot Rehearsal Studio, 1166 Gorham St. #3, Newmarket hosts Beyond Deviation, Beguiler, Lost Creation, Obscure Mantra, and Cruel Intent beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets, $15, at the door.

Dominique Fils-Aimé, Three Little Words, RBC The Next Stage Series: The Aurora Cultural Centre presents Dominique Fils-Aimé at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's College, Aurora. Making a remarkable entrance on the music scene in 2018 with her debut Nameless, Dominique Fils-Aimé’s sophomore album Stay Tuned! won several awards, including the JUNO for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, the Félix for Jazz Album of the Year, was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and featured among the 19 best Canadian albums of 2019 from CBC. Add a Bring a Friend ticket for $10. Tickets, $35.

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival: Enjoy demonstrations, activities and real Canadian maple syrup with the outdoors festival on until Saturday, April 1 at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr. in Woodbridge from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online at maplesyrupfest.com for advanced purchase of specific timed entry; adults $9.55 + HST; seniors $7.90 + HST; children (ages 4-13) $6.20 + HST; children 3 years and under free with adult purchase. Parking $4.70 + HST.

Saturday, March 25

Yuk Yuks Comedy Night: Yuk Yuk's Comedy Night in support of the Newmarket Rotary Club features comedians Marc Hallworth, Dom Paré and Jeff McEnery from 8 to 10 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion Newmarket, 707 Srigley St. Tickets are selling fast, online only,  $37 each or a table of eight for $260.

Bernadette Connors: Bernadette Connors performs with her four-piece band, along with special guests, at the Newmarket Veterans' Association, 406 Millard Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Opening the show will be local artist Derek Reilly. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available in advance at Newmarket Veterans Association and Connors Music. $5 of every ticket sold will go to the Connors Music Lesson Scholarship Fund. Ticket includes one ballot for draw for prizes by Bernadette, including private acoustic concert in your home, an online vocal lesson, and co-writing a song, and one month of lessons at Connors Music. 

York Chamber Ensemble: York Chamber Ensemble presents In Search of Love at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Newmarket at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 at www.yorkchamberensemble.ca.

John Sheard, Legends of Motown: The Aurora Cultural Centre brings John Sheard, the Legends of Motown to St. Andrew’s College at 7:30 p.m. The '60s and '70s were the glory days of Motown featuring some of the best songs written, sung by some of the greatest voices. Sheard and his seven-piece band celebrate the reign of superstars, including Marvin Gaye, Supremes, Four Tops, Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder. Tickets, $50.

Bachman and Bachman: Out of a global pandemic comes a new story from father-son duo Randy and Tal Bachman at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, at 8 p.m. Tickets $85. Following the success of their respected musical careers (The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Tal Bachman’s solo success), the pair now tell stories through song and visuals as Bachman & Bachman. The show includes a mix of old hits and brand new songs they’ve written together from their forthcoming album, Shadows of Yesterday. 

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival: Enjoy demonstrations, activities and real Canadian maple syrup with the outdoors festival on until Saturday, April 1 at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr. in Woodbridge, and Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, 3291 Stouffville Rd. in Stouffville. Kortright Centre: weekends and March Break from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bruce’s Mill: weekends to April 1 and March Break (March 13 – 17) 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tickets must be purchased online at maplesyrupfest.com for advanced purchase of specific timed entry; adults $9.55 + HST; seniors $7.90 + HST; children (ages 4-13) $6.20 + HST; children 3 years and under free with adult purchase. Parking $4.70 + HST.

Sunday, March 26

Quatuor Despax: VPAN, Visual & Performing Arts Newmarket hosts the popular Quatuor Despax, performing inspiring chamber music at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre at 2 p.m. This talented quartet is made up of two brothers and two sisters who have distinguished themselves with many performances at festivals and tours across the country, including international appearances in Italy and France, having won competitions for several residencies. The program will include works by Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Puccini. Tickets, adult $30, senior $25, students $10, call 905-953-5122 or online.

Psychic & Wellness Fair, Sunday, March 26: The fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Newmarket Veterans' Association, 406 Millard Ave., features small business, metaphysical and wellness vendors, along with ethical, gifted energy workers and readers who will provide services like astrology, tarot readings, mediumship, reiki, sound healing and more. Admission $5 at the door, with a chance to win free readings and a metaphysical gift basket. More details at www.redfern.events or email [email protected]

Newmarket Vinyl Record & Collectibles Show, Sunday, March 26: The Record Vault hosts the Newmarket Vinyl Record & Collectibles Show from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Newmarket Legion, 707 Srigley St., Newmarket, with 35 tables of vinyl LPs and 45s, books, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, t-shirts and memorabilia. Admission $4.

Newmarket Cycles Group Ride: Explore Newmarket by bike at Newmarket Cycles’ free family-friendly group ride from 2 to 3 p.m., starting and ending at 621 Timothy St. Riders are reminded to dress for the weather. No registration required. 

Beautifully Human with Glenn Marais: One-hour meditation and Djembe drumming experience with Glenn Marais from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. upstairs at the Old Flame Brewing Co., 140 Main St. S, Newmarket. 30 spots available. $25 each, which includes use of the drum and meditation guide from Beautifully Human.

Market Brewing Fireball Whisky Takeover: Event includes Fireball flash tattoos with Main Street Tattoo, beard trims and fades with Trendsetters Hair Salon, live music with Sean Kelly, Fireball cask, prizes, Gangster Cheese Food Truck at Market Brewing from 1 to 7 p.m. Free admission, no dogs permitted for this event.

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival: Enjoy demonstrations, activities and real Canadian maple syrup with the outdoors festival on until Saturday, April 1 at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr. in Woodbridge, and Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, 3291 Stouffville Rd. in Stouffville. Kortright Centre: weekends and March Break from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bruce’s Mill: weekends to April 1 and March Break (March 13 – 17) 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tickets must be purchased online at maplesyrupfest.com for advanced purchase of specific timed entry; adults $9.55 + HST; seniors $7.90 + HST; children (ages 4-13) $6.20 + HST; children 3 years and under free with adult purchase. Parking $4.70 + HST.

Coming up: 

Toronto Watercolour Society 38th Annual Spring Juried Show, March 28 to April 6: The free show features the best of watermedia, including watercolour and acrylic work, at the Serpa Gallery, Old Town Hall, Newmarket, 460 Botsford St., March 28, 29, 31, April 1, 4, 5, 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and March 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This show will honour some lifetime members who have reached the age of 90 and are still actively painting, including Mary Cromarty of Newmarket.

The Cross of Christ, Friday, March 31: St. John Chrysostom presents The Cross of Christ, an original oratorio based on the seven last words of Christ on the cross. This sacred musical work, written for four operatic voices and orchestra, was entirely composed by Romulo Delgado, one of Canada’s top tenors, region finalist at the Hans Gabor Belvedere International Opera competition in Vienna, Austria. The symphony for the performance will be conducted by Denis Mastromonaco, featuring: Romulo Delgado, tenor and composer; Andrew Tees, bass-baritone; Lillian Brooks, mezzo-soprano; and Sara Papini, soprano. Here is a teaser sample from last year's Canadian Debut at St. Clare, in Toronto: https://youtu.be/ReE7jSXcgJQ Tickets are $100 and a portion will be eligible for a tax receipt. To buy tickets online, click here.

Red Thread Brewing's 4th annual Curling Bonspiel, Saturday, April 1: Red Thread Brewing hosts its annual bonspiel at 5 p.m. at the York Curling Club in Newmarket. The fun starts with a catered dinner by A Million Mouthfuls and includes one free Red Thread beer. The winning team receives a Red Thread prize-pack and the best dressed team does, as well. Also included in your ticket is a donation to the York Region chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Tickets are $69 available online (don't delay as tickets are already more than 50 per cent sold) at this link.

The Art of Storytelling at Royal Rose Gallery, Saturday, April 1: Come meet celebrated Indigenous artist Steve Snake from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy an afternoon of good conversation and explore the amazing artwork on display by Steve and other renowned Indigenous artists in the exhibition The Art of Storytelling, running from March 4 to April 15, at the gallery at 15210 Yonge St., Aurora. Admission free.

Newmarket Juried Art Show (NJAS), April 18 to 30: The Newmarket Juried Art Show returns to the Serpa Gallery, Old Town Hall, with an opening reception April 20 from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring beautiful pieces from local artists. Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Gallery closed April 21, 23, 25, 29.

Newmarket Spring Craft & Direct Sales Show, Saturday, April 22: Show at the Newmarket Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. features 60 vendors. Free admission. See Facebook or Instagram for vendor list facebook.com/barecanvasevents/ or instagram.com/barecanvasevents/

Shop 2 End Stigma for the Canadian Mental Health Association - York and South Simcoe, Saturday, April 29:  The sixth annual event in support of youth mental health offers shopping at more than 40 vendors, silent auction, pampering area (additional cost of $30 per service prior to event) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stronach Recreation Complex, 1400 Wellington St. East, Aurora. Entrance fee for anyone over 16 years is a donation of your choice for Kevin's Place youth shelter, such as shampoo, conditioner, underwear, toothpaste, mouthwash, body wash, socks, hair brushes, razors, shaving cream, deodorant. For more information about this show and organizer, visit www.judybrunton.ca For more information about CMHA York and South Simcoe, see https://cmha-yr.on.ca/ #Shop2EndStigma

Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket presents Drew Jurecka Jazz Trio, May 7: Drew Jurecka Jazz Trio is back by popular demand, at 2 p.m. at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, 505 Pickering Cres., Newmarket. Tickets, adult $30, senior $25, students $10, call 905-953-5122 or online.

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