Historic sites like Auchmar Manor House are open for tours this weekend During Doors Open Hamilton.
Mark Newman Metroland file photo
From left, Valerie Planche, who plays Janie in “Beautiful Scars,” Sheldon Elter who plays Tom, Tom Wilson’s mother Mary Jane Lazare and Tom Wilson were on hand for a recent performance at Theatre Aquarius.
More than 20 event ideas this weekend, May 4-5 in Hamilton
Doors Open is sponsored by the Ontario Heritage Trust and organized locally by the City of Hamilton and the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Hamilton Branch.
You can celebrate our rich history by visiting one of more than 50 historic sites holding open house events Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Doors Open is sponsored by the Ontario Heritage Trust and organized locally by the City of Hamilton and the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Hamilton Branch.
If you’re not a history buff, there are plenty of vendor markets, trade shows, musical performances and fundraisers to keep you busy on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s an overview.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Doors Open
Auchmar Manor House (88 Fennell Ave. W.) is one of many sites open this weekend for Doors Open. Tours of the historic mansion and grounds are available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. You can also visit Hamilton Civic Museums and more. For a complete list of Doors Open venues in Hamilton, see doorsopenontario.on.ca.
Downtown walking tour
Join Bill King for a 90-minute downtown Hamilton walking tour on Saturday. The theme is: “Hamilton: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Meet at the corner of King and John streets at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There’s no charge and everyone is welcome to attend.
Learn more about your community through Jane’s Walk, a free, community-led festival inspired by urban thinker and activist Jane Jacobs. Walks are citizen-led and grassroots-oriented. Anyone can lead a walk, and anyone can join a walk. No registration is required. Just show up about five minutes before the walk. Walk details are available at janeswalkhamilton.mystrikingly.com.
Vendor markets and trade shows
The Hamilton Spring Home and Garden Show continues Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena (25 Hester St.) Discover the latest home renovation and gardening trends and enjoy family-friendly entertainment. See more details at jenkinsshow.com.
The Dundas Legion branch 36 (280 King St. W.) ladies auxiliary hosts a spring craft market and tea room event Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find unique Mother’s Day gifts and enjoy tea, treats and sandwiches.
Fifty United Church Winona (1455 Hwy. 8) hosts a spring sale on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Browse a selection of gently used clothing, books, household items and collectibles. There’s also a bake table.
The Side Hustle Events Spring Fling continues Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. at Westinghouse HQ (286 Sanford Ave.) The event features over 40 local businesses. Enjoy food and drink from Merk Snack Bar, live music from local artists and free Mother’s Day photos. Admission is free.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
The Hamilton Potters’ Guild annual spring sale is May 3 to 5 at the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre (10 Market St. S.) The sale runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The guild promotes the work of its members and provides the public with an opportunity to support local artists by purchasing their handmade ceramics. See hamiltonpotters.ca for a full vendor list.
The Witches Gathering Conference and Market continues Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Ancaster Fairgrounds (630 Trinity Rd. S.). The Witches Night Market is free and open to the public.
There’s a seedling sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Playhouse Cinemas parking lot (177 Sherman Ave. N.) Enjoy story time in the parkette, live music, games and activities. You can also enjoy Willard’s ice cream, tour the Playhouse during Doors Open and check out some free workshops at Hamilton Craft Studios.
Crafters won’t want to miss the Ancaster Crafters’ Stash Swap and Sale this Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ancaster Fairgrounds (630 Trinity Rd. S.) Admission is $5.
The Ancaster Toy and Collectibles show is back at the Ancaster Fairgrounds this Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event includes more than 160 vendor tables, with everything from comics to action figures, LEGO, sports and non-sports cards and movie and music memorabilia. Early admission is $10.
From left, Valerie Planche, who plays Janie in “Beautiful Scars,” Sheldon Elter who plays Tom, Tom Wilson’s mother Mary Jane Lazare and Tom Wilson were on hand for a recent performance at Theatre Aquarius.
Dahlia Katz photo
Theatre
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
“Beautiful Scars” a new musical by Tom Wilson and Shaun Smyth, continues this weekend at Theatre Aquarius (190 King William St.). Showtimes are Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The show is inspired by Wilson’s bestselling 2017 novel, “Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers and the Road Home.” It’s a story of loss, love and forgiveness that promises to leave audiences spellbound until the final note. See theatreaquarius.org for tickets and more showtimes.
Music
The Hamilton Sings! Community Choir presents an annual spring concert and bake sale on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Laidlaw Memorial United Church, (155 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton). Grab some sweet treats and enjoy a beautiful selection of music celebrating the season of transformation: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 or pay what you can.
Enjoy a violin and piano recital by Corey Gemmell and Benjamin Smith on Sunday at 3 p.m. at West Plains United Church, (549 Plains Rd. W., Burlington). “Triumph and Tragedy” features the violin sonatas of Mozart, Ysaye and Poulenc. Ticket prices are flexible, from donation to $35. Visit westplains.ca/events, call 905-320-4989, or pay at the door.
Open house
The All Abilities Allstars, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the disability community, is hosting an open house on Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at the Hamilton Italian Centre (420 Crerar Dr.). The organization offers a range of accessible and inclusive activities, educational opportunities, sports, recreation, arts, resources, and wellness programs to promote healthy, fulfilling lives for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Art exhibit
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
The Carnegie Gallery (10 King St. W., Dundas) features two artists in its May exhibition, Janice Kovar and Karla Rivera. Kovar’s display, titled “Between the Lines,” includes features wall sculptures and paintings on canvas that bring together abstraction, distortion, and fragmentation and explore the human relationship to the complexities and beauty of nature. Rivera’s showing, titled “An Experimental Journey,” includes non-functional porcelain slip-cast sculptures. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Sports
The Toronto Rock are facing off against the Buffalo Bandits in a National Lacrosse League semifinal playoff series this week. Following Game 1 Friday at FirstOntario Centre, Game 2 goes Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in Buffalo. If you’re up for a cross-border trek to KeyBank Center, you can purchase tickets for Sunday’s game at nll.com/tickets.
Spectators are welcome to watch the Ontario Masters Volleyball open championships Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre at McMaster University (1280 Main St. W.). See high level masters volleyball teams from southern Ontario and the U.S. competing for the title. You can watch the action free of charge.
St. Michael’s Anglican Church (1188 Fennell Ave. E.) is holding a garage sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, with clothing and shoes, jewelry, tools, household items, sports equipment, toys, books, electronics, and more.
Fundraisers
The Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise hosts a Spring Shredding Day event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop off paper documents at Eccles Auto Service in Dundas (121 King St. W.) and watch them be destroyed. There’s a fee of $12 per banker’s box. Funds raised support Rotary community and international service projects.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Attend the Mama’s Day Market on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Burlington Centre, (777 Guelph Line), in support of Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter. Shop from more than 40 local vendors and find Mother’s Day gifts. The event also includes raffle prizes, kids crafts and Mommy and Me photos.
St. Christopher’s Anglican Church (662 Guelph Line, Burlington) hosts a marketplace and estate sale event of antiques and collectibles to benefit Joseph Brant Hospital Hospital Auxiliary. The event continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find treasured antiques, rare vintage items, unique collectibles, contemporary decor and household items.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation