Spoke Online
March 3, 2026
Top Stories

Category: Entertainment

Hustl Hot Girl Walks – a Conestoga College student’s solution to helping women make friends

Aisley Ellis, a first-year a massage therapy student at Conestoga College, wanted a “low-barrier” way for women to make connections over the summer. So, she started what she calls “Hustl Hot Girl Walks.” An extrovert for as long as she can remember, Ellis said she started the walking group so women could make connections without the pressure of spending a lot of money. She ran the no membership, weekend walking group … Continued

Pumpkins, plaid, and plenty of fun at St. Jacobs Harvest Hoedown!

Fall has officially arrived at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market as they kicked off the season with their fourth annual Harvest Hoedown on September 19th. The festival offered something for everyone – from live music and trivia to line dancing, unique vendors, and even the chance to ride a mechanical bull. Attendees were encouraged to dust off their cowboy boots and show up dressed in country attire. Many were wearing … Continued

Woven through life: Alisa McRonald’s unique perspective on art

“It’s in my DNA to work with textiles. The medium just always resonated with me, and it feels right,” said Alisa McRonald, an award-winning artist who focuses on yarn, woven, and punch needle pieces. McRonald has been recognised both nationally and internationally for her approach to art. Her work is currently on exhibit at Kitchener City Hall’s Rotunda Gallery. After learning the basics from her mother and her grandmother, McRonald … Continued

Feel the pulse: the beat of live music never dies

The stadium is filled with tens of thousands of strangers. They are shoulder to shoulder, excitement building, and hearts pounding. People of all different ages, genders, races, sexualities, and religions. They are all here for one thing: the art of live music. Suddenly, the lights go out. Screams erupt louder than ever imaginable. Normally, screams of such volume would be cause for chaos. Tonight, they are in joy. The stage … Continued

VIDEO: Not just a game: The benefits of esports

Conestoga Esports Hub midway through the Provincial Valorant Tournament held on Sat. March 1, 2025. Photo by Emily McGirr Coaches from Ontario’s secondary schools competing in the provincial Valorant tournament last weekend are passionate about their students’ success. Since they arrived in students’ everyday lives, video games have been seen as a distraction from schoolwork, but these coaches and the esports industry itself are challenging those ideas. According to Statista, … Continued

How skating brings Waterloo students and families together during winter isolation

As winter sets in, a season known for its isolation, Waterloo’s families and students find warmth in an unexpected place: on the rink. “I probably hadn’t skated for like 20 years,” said John,  a father skating with his son at Kitchener City Hall rink. John spent his early adult years building his career, which kept him away from skating and some family activities. However, last year, his son, who is … Continued

How Aidan Ruston, aka AJ, built a music empire in Waterloo with ‘The Kitchen KW’

Aiden John Rustin, known to many as AJ, lost himself in the rhythm of his own making. Stretching his arms toward the amplifier, a gentle smile tugged at his lips, a quiet acknowledgment of the music’s power to speak what words could not. It was around 10 p.m at The Kitchen KW studio as the scene unfolded. “The location that we’re at, they don’t let us make noise until 5:30 … Continued

VIDEO: Kitchener’s historic Boathouse officially reopens

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online Following a five-year hiatus, The Boathouse, a restaurant and live music venue in Kitchener’s Victoria Park, has reopened its doors to locals. Under new leadership, the venue has been transformed through a number of renovations to modernize and maximize the space while maintaining its historic significance to Kitchener. As Spoke Online reporter Rowen Fisler finds out, city officials and The Boathouse’s new owners are hopeful … Continued

VIDEO: Ninth Kitchener Comic Con gives local niche communities a place to call home

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online Following a four year hiatus, Kitchener Comic Con has returned, hoping to give the community the same enjoyment and camaraderie it did before the pandemic. The event, which was held at Kitchener City Hall, gave locals in the community a chance to connect with like-minded people, allowing them to have a place where they could feel safe, welcomed, and appreciated for who they are. The … Continued

Crossing generations through the canvas with ‘The Proclamation’ exhibition at Kitchener City Hall

Featuring eye-catching artworks based on South Sudanese Shilluk peoples, the exhibit brings abstract designs and striking portraits to life. “I’ve gotten comments on the fact that this is sometimes a scary painting because of how real the eyes look as if there really is a soul behind them,” said artist Chudear Oyual. “It’s comforting knowing that in the creation of my art, my ancestors are with me.”

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