WEEKEND PLANNER
It may be Winterfest in Hamilton but that doesn’t mean you need to bundle up.
The city and community have planned 50 virtual events over 18 days, Jan. 29 to Feb. 15. Here’s a few things to keep you occupied this weekend in the Hammer.
HAMILTON WINTERFEST
Winterfest online programming ranges from the Art Gallery of Hamilton and Hamilton Fringe Festival, to the Hamilton Public Library, Soupfest and Factory Media Arts Centre — Winterfest gives Hamiltonians a reason to stay home.
On tap for this weekend are: The 360 Hub Experience with links set to open on Friday so you can explore the site filled with art, music and performance. 360 Hub is an anchor for the festival featuring a series of drone tours. The hub will include features such as Drift, an animated installation of icebergs created by a team of local artists in a 25-minute video experience; Moonshaker, a video experience exploring movement through dance, Pilates and yoga; Flock, a Hamilton Aerial Group performance projected onto the icebergs in the Drift display; and Arctic Experiences, four inflatable sculptures Inspired by Icebergs. Signature concert featuring Illitry on Saturday at 8 p.m. Hamilton musician Troy Witherow explores the grey, melancholic wreckage of electronic pop. Can be streamed on YouTube on the Hamilton Winterfest Channel or Collective Arts Brewing Channel; Facebook on Hamilton Winterfest Page or Collective Arts Brewing Page; and Instagram @HamiltonWinterfest or @CollectiveBrew.
Art Gallery of Hamilton offers a series of online content ranging from art classes to movie screenings. Activities include Fridays at Four on Friday at 4 p.m.; Family Time! on Sunday at 2 p.m.; and the Winterfest Free Film Bundle! which runs through the entire festival.
And the Hamilton Public Library offers a daily lineup of virtual programming that gets you reading, dancing, artmaking, and more.
BROTT SERIES OPENS
5 at the First Chamber Music Series opens its 11th season Saturday with two virtual tributes to the late violinist Yehonatan Berick. The first, “Remembering Yehonatan Berick,” goes live and interactive over Zoom on Jan. 30 from 2 to 3 p.m. It will be followed by a “String Extravaganza X” YouTube livestream on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. Both events are free. Register at 5atthefirst.com.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The Hamilton Black History Council launch of Hamilton Black History Month is available via Zoom on Sunday at 3 p.m. .
Juno Award winner Harrison Kennedy will perform a virtual concert inside Griffin House to be presented in honour of Black History Month on Feb. 4 at noon. hamiltonwinterfest.ca/featured-events/tiny-escritoire-concerts/