WEEKEND PLANNER

Hoping to find perfect weekend plans? A pandemic lockdown in early spring can hinder your weekend but we’ve got some ideas that respect the stay-athome order and limits on outdoor gatherings.

RAMADAN

The holy month of Ramadan began this week and while local Muslims are celebrating and reflecting they are also following pandemic guidelines for social gatherings. Here are a couple of ways to participate virtually without leaving home: á Canadians can join the conversation on social media using #VirtualRamadan and sign up on VirtualRamadan.ca to connect with others and take part in live prayers; á Local Hamilton times are posted at hamariweb.com/islam/hamilton_ramadan-timing170987.aspx. gritLIT

Hamilton’s four-day literary festival continues online until Sunday and features readings, panel discussions, interviews, writing workshops and interactive events. New Canadian books and authors are highlighted during the annual event. See what all the fuss is about gritlit.ca.

MAC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Check out the final two instalments of McMaster University’s Honours Performance Series 2021. Presented by the School of the Arts, the events will be streamed starting at 7 p.m. The fourpart series continues with “A Lucky Man” on Saturday. Streaming is free but you must register on Eventbrite so you can receive links to the performances via email. The series is the product of THTRFLM 4A06: Theatre, Performance, and Society and features the work of the graduating class of the Theatre and Film Studies program. Register at hps2021.eventbrite.ca.

COMMUNITY CLEAN UP

For those interested in cleaning up litter, registration for the city’s year-round Team Up to Clean Up initiative is open. Participants must register at least one week before their cleanup. These can be done by individuals or by up to five people from the same household. Masks are required and physicaldistancing must be followed. Supplies such as bags and gloves are provided. For more information, visit hamilton.ca/ parks-recreation/community-environmental-initiatives/team-clean.

THINK GARDEN

The 32nd annual Bach Elgar Choir Spring Flower Fundraiser is underway. Order plants such as begonias, petunias, geraniums, impatiens and hanging baskets on the excel spreadsheet, email the saved form and send it and an e-transfer to bachelgarflowers@gmail.com. Detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the form itself. Pickup time will be around midMay. Order deadline is April 27. Visit bachelgar.ca for the spreadsheet and more information.

MOVIES

Starlite Drive-In and other movie theatres are closed.

The Westdale theatre is offering a Zoom film talk on Monday . Watch the film “20th Century” (1934), charges may apply, and then join the free discussion Monday at 7 p.m. at thewestdale.ca. Playhouse Cinema can link you to this year’s virtual Oscar-nominated short films. It costs about $30 for a month of short films to watch.

Visit playhousecinema.ca.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Indoor and outdoor dining is banned. Delivery, takeout and drive-thru are allowed.

MUSEUMS

Hamilton Civic Museums are closed until further notice.

LIBRARIES

Are open for curbside, delivery and pickup.

GREENHOUSE

Hamilton’s Gage Park greenhouse is closed.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com