If you’re hoping May Day weekend will bring sunshine and flowers, you’re in luck, but take a rain coat Sunday.
Environment Canada is calling for weekend daily highs around 14 degrees, but rain is expected to move into the Hamilton area Sunday.
Here are a handful of ways to keep busy this spring weekend in Hamilton.
Ghost walk
Ghost walks are back in downtown Hamilton. Friday night, meet at the Royal Connaught courtyard (King and John streets) for 80 minutes of mystery, history and ghost stories. Buy tickets online, $14.16 for adults, $12.39 for kids. ghostwalks.com/downtown-hamilton/
Art sale
Art Gallery of Hamilton is kicking off its art sale with an opening reception Thursday night, which runs through to Sunday afternoon. Admission is free with virtual access available for those attending remotely. New artwork by regional artists will be presented. Sale hours are: Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. aghartsales.com
Spring pottery sale
Back to tradition with the 2022 Pottery Guild spring sale on Friday to Sunday at the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre, 10 Market St. S., Dundas. Sale hours are Friday, 1 to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feature artist is Monique Mulder-Wallace. hamiltonpotters.ca
Live theatre
If you’re hankering for an emotional stage journey check out “Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers,” which runs until May 7. Makambe K. Simamba’s one-person play tells the story of Trayvon Martin, which Spectator columnist Gary Smith called “a powerful experience. It is without doubt theatre designed to disturb.”
“The Hours That Remain,” written by Métis playwright Keith Barker, is on until May 7. Haunting visions, a five-year missing person cold case and unfaltering hope.
Proof of vaccination is required for Theatre Aquarius shows, as well as mask-wearing throughout the performance.
Live music
Bridgeworks
Featured this weekend at Bridgeworks, 200 Caroline St. N., is Plants and Animals on Friday at 7 p.m., and Shad on Saturday, 7 p.m. Tickets are available at bridgeworks.ca.
Kevin Lau piano trio
“Under a Veil of Stars” premiere is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn St. S., under the aegis of Mercer’s 5 at the First Chamber Music Series with cellist Rachel Mercer, pianist Angela Park and violinist Scott St. John in an all-Kevin Lau program appropriately titled, “Music of Kevin Lau.” Tickets start at $21.59. universe.com/musicofkevinlau
Postcards from Buenos Aires
The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s long-delayed “Postcards from Buenos Aires” concert is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in FirstOntario Concert Hall. Guest conductor Daniel Black, resident conductor of The Florida Orchestra, returns to lead the HPO. Tickets start at $20. Call 905-526-7756 or visit hpo.org. Masking is required.
RBG seeds
Borrow, grow, and return seeds with the Royal Botanical Gardens’ seed library. This program offers a unique connection of people to plants. Seeds are generally available only in the spring. Selection will dwindle as the seeds are lent out. Get your requests in by visiting rbg.ca/plants-conservation/science/library-archives/seed-library.
Freeman train station
“Freeman Station” in Burlington reopens on Saturday. The station at 1285 Fairview St., Burlington, is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Donations accepted. freemanstation.ca
Celebrate Dos De Mayo
Ancaster’s Pub Fiction is hosting a tequila tasting event to celebrate Dos De Mayo on Monday. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will feature five food pairings with a variety of cocktails. Doors open at 6 p.m., $75 per person at 1242 Garner Rd. W.
Game day
Hamilton Kilty B’s press on with playoff Game 7 with Fort Erie on Friday at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
Hamilton Bulldogs Game 5 with Peterborough is Saturday, 7 p.m., at FirstOntario Centre.
Rock lacrosse is in Buffalo Saturday to wrap up the regular season. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the KeyBank Centre in Buffalo. You can watch on TSN. torontorock.com
Hamilton Bengals Jr. B lacrosse is back at The Dave (Mountain Arena) on Thursday, May 3, 8 p.m.
Looking ahead
Hamilton cemetery tours start again next weekend but you have to be preregistered to join the 90-minute walk. Registration deadline is noon the Friday of the tour so send your registration email now to cemeteries@hamilton.ca and include the tour date and names of people attending. Tours are limited to 25 people. Your host Robin McKee starts the season May 7 and 8, 11 a.m., with Stories in the Stones: The Hamilton Women’s Tour. Women have played an important part in the history of Hamilton.
Doors Open Hamilton starts May 7. doorsopenontario.on.ca/hamilton
Food collection bags will be distributed to Kirkendall residences from April 29 to May 4 for the annual Fill a Bus, Feed a Family food drive. Collection day is May 7.
