VOL. 13, ISSUE 9
JUNE 2025
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THE LOCALIST: MAY 2025
BODY MINUS HEAD-AN EXERCISE IN SELF-SUFFICIENCY (LP) Release Date: May 31, 2025 City: Kitchener Genre: Hardcore Punk Featuring members from other Ontario bands such as Basque, Exalt, Mockingbird Wish Me… Read more ›
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IDENTITY
A mosaic of years of my life strung together I’ve loved and lost I’ve cried and pleaded Learned and processed Left and been left Maybe it’s just hard… Read more ›
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RECLAIMING AND REFRAMING PRIDE
June marks Pride Month, when queer folx celebrate our continued existence. Across the world, street parades and festivals occur, people come out both figuratively and literally, and we have a… Read more ›
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RAT TAIL SUMMER
This story is dedicated to my friend and döppelganger, Max. We were conceived as you all sat under the porchlight in fateful April. Someone said: “Guys. This year, it’s gonna… Read more ›
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WEND YOUR WAY TO THE WISE OLD OAK
All trees are special; however, there is one local tree that captures the imagination more than most. The majestic Wise Old Oak is a Waterloo Region treasure. Thanks to the… Read more ›
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WELCOME TO OUR QRIB
Willow River Centre and Spectrum’s Black, Racialized and Indigenous Queers (BRIQ) House are co-organizing a series of events called QRIB (Queer, Racialized, Indigenous and Black) community hangouts to help foster… Read more ›
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NOWHERE TO GO: THE PUBLIC WASHROOM SHORTAGE IN KITCHENER WATERLOO
In a region known for innovation and growth, one necessity remains elusive: a place to go when nature calls. For residents, tourists and the city’s most vulnerable, the search for… Read more ›
EVENTS
SHOP
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COLUMNS
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JESSI WOOD GRAPHICTHE LOCALIST: MAY 2025
BODY MINUS HEAD-AN EXERCISE IN SELF-SUFFICIENCY (LP) Release Date: May 31, 2025 City: Kitchener Genre: Hardcore Punk Featuring members from other Ontario bands such as Basque, Exalt, Mockingbird Wish Me… Read more ›
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TARA MCANDREW PHOTOWEND YOUR WAY TO THE WISE OLD OAK
All trees are special; however, there is one local tree that captures the imagination more than most. The majestic Wise Old Oak is a Waterloo Region treasure. Thanks to the… Read more ›
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CRAIG BECKER PHOTOA WALK IN THE PARK WITH SHARL SMITH
I met artist Sharl Smith for a walk on Sandrock Trail near her home in Kitchener. We strolled through her neighbourhood before connecting up with the trail through paths which… Read more ›
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CRAIG BECKER PHOTOSA WALK IN THE PARK WITH WILLA COWARD
The ground at Huron Natural Area was slippery with a coating of late-March snow when I met musician and concert photographer Willa Coward for a walk. Despite wearing footwear better… Read more ›
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JESSI WOOD GRAPHICTHE LOCALIST: APRIL 2025 WRAP UP
BODY MINUS HEAD–LESS THAN WHAT YOU ONCE HELD (SINGLE) Release Date: Mar. 31, 2025 City: Kitchener Genre: Hardcore/Punk Body Minus Head has come out swinging with the first single from… Read more ›
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JESSI WOOD GRAPHICTHE LOCALIST: MARCH 2025 WRAP UP
ALYSSA DVM KARMA KNOWS (EP) Release Date: Mar. 14, 2025 City: Kitchener Genre: Singer/Songwriter Alyssa DVM is a singer/songwriter who covers a wide range of musical influences. Her music features… Read more ›
FEATURES
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ADRIAN QUIJANO GRAPHICWELCOME TO OUR QRIB
Willow River Centre and Spectrum’s Black, Racialized and Indigenous Queers (BRIQ) House are co-organizing a series of events called QRIB (Queer, Racialized, Indigenous and Black) community hangouts to help foster… Read more ›
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ERICK TRAPLIN CONTRIBUTED PHOTOKitchener Celebrate Erick Traplin Day
The City of Kitchener is recognizing 35 years of music and memories the first Erick Traplin Day on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The free event at Carl Zehr Square in… Read more ›
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GROWING MUSIC THROUGH COMMUNITY
Despite an almost universal love for music, the question of who can or cannot be a musician has historically been at the behest of Eurocentric music education. Enter community music—an… Read more ›
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KW YOSHINKAN AIKIDO CONTRIBUTED PHOTOKW YOSHINKAN AIKIDO CREATES MARTIAL ARTS COMMUNITY IN WR
Shelly Keilikhis, Jake Hutter and Michael Wright met at a Yoshinkan Aikido workshop. There they discovered they were all from the Waterloo Region and decided to form their own club.… Read more ›
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KAT WEX PHOTOCOMEUNITY CONNECTS GARDENERS IN KW
ComeUnity Roots Garden is one of over 80 community gardens that are part of the Waterloo Region Community Garden Network. Located in Kitchener near the Iron Horse Trail behind Willow… Read more ›
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THE HENRY FORD OF BATHROOM FANS
When the Fan Whisperer stepped out of the minivan baring his distinct insignia his stoicism was sort of striking. He’s an older man with thick glasses and a tough demeanor.… Read more ›
OPINION
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AI in Healthcare: A Powerful Tool, But Not the Cure for Ontario’s Healthcare Worker Shortage Crisis
Ontario’s healthcare system is failing to meet the needs of Ontarians. There are burnt-out healthcare professionals, hallway medicine—all due to a healthcare worker shortage, worsening patient outcomes. A report predicts… Read more ›
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RECLAIMING AND REFRAMING PRIDE
June marks Pride Month, when queer folx celebrate our continued existence. Across the world, street parades and festivals occur, people come out both figuratively and literally, and we have a… Read more ›
-
NOWHERE TO GO: THE PUBLIC WASHROOM SHORTAGE IN KITCHENER WATERLOO
In a region known for innovation and growth, one necessity remains elusive: a place to go when nature calls. For residents, tourists and the city’s most vulnerable, the search for… Read more ›
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: THE BEST FRIEND
On May 1, 2025, our community lost one of the most amazing people I have had the pleasure to know: Zach Hovinga. Always in demand, never lacking a smile. If… Read more ›
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