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When I was growing up, the holidays didn’t really start until we went to the theatre. Every year we’d get dressed up, find our seats (or at least the edge of them) and wait in excited anticipation for the lights to go down. Before the presents and the turkey, that was the moment we knew the season had arrived.
That tradition has old roots. Mumming is an ancient Medieval custom that was an excuse for people to have a party at Christmas! It means 'making a diversion in disguise'. The tradition was that men and women would swap clothes, put on masks and go visit their neighbours, singing, dancing or putting on a play with a silly plot led by a narrator.
This holiday season Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to Theatre Aquarius from November 18 to January 3 and our very own locally born actor Kaleigh Gorka is the modern day ‘mummer’ or Narrator. Theatre Aquarius regulars will remember Kaleigh from her amazing role as Elsa in last season’s Frozen. Kaden Brett Forsberg wears the dreamcoat and Robin Calvert directs and choreographs what promises to be another high-energy Theatre Aquarius musical production of a score that jumps from country to calypso to rock and roll. It’s a show for all ages and an easy choice for a family tradition, whether yours is old or brand new. There are currently group discounts.
If you’re planning your own holiday calendar, the Vibe can help. This week we’re launching The Vibe Holiday Guide. Every week between now and Christmas, we’ll round up the markets, light displays, concerts, shows and festive pop-ups happening across Hamilton long with our usual weekly events and live music gigs list is here too.
If you liked this week’s issue please share it with the dreamer in your life who could use a little technicolour this holiday season.
~ Paul - ❤️
P.S. Can Hamilton’s downtown act as the antidote to our growing disconnection and collective loneliness? Can it be a place of “super-connection” with wide-ranging benefits? What would this look like?
On November 24, Urban Strategies and Whalen and Wilson are bringing together people working across Hamilton’s businesses, community organizations, institutions, arts and public spaces to explore that question. Consider attending if you are invested in the future of Hamilton’s downtown and want to explore the topic of renewal through both a social and physical lens. The event is free with registration here.
🗓 Want to see your Hamilton, Ontario event included here? Please complete our Event Form here.
Note: Events may be full, cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to check or reach out to the venue before going.
The Curtain Rises on Hamilton’s
Most Colourful Holiday Musical
The countdown is on! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat celebrates opening night at Theatre Aquarius on Wednesday, November 18, kicking off a dazzling holiday run through January 3.
Kaleigh Gorka, Elsa from Disney’s Frozen, stars as The Narrator alongside Kaden Brett Forsberg as Joseph.
Expect joyful choreography, vibrant costumes, a talented local children’s chorus and beloved hits like Any Dream Will Do and Go, Go, Go Joseph.
There is still time to round up your family, friends, coworkers or community group and save:
Groups of 10 to 25: 15% off
Groups of 26 to 49: 20% off
Groups of 50+: 25% off
Choose a 1:30 PM matinee or 7:00 PM evening performance. Book your group today before the best seats are gone.
Make memories together. Reserve your group seats today.
Box Office: 905.522.7529
Group discounts exclude Copper seats.
📆 DAY BY DAY VIBE
The Portuguese Kids are bringing their No Recipe Needed! comedy tour to the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre on Friday night.
Rooneys are celebrating the one year anniversary of the Four Poses Photobooth on Saturday.
The jolly fellow will be at Upper Sherman on Saturday afternoon for the Hamilton Santa Claus Parade.
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has a Tchaikovsky Talk & Tea on Friday at 11 am and then the Schubert & Tchaikovsky concert on Saturday night.
Enjoy a classic play from a different perspective on Monday at Bridgeworks with a production of Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Macbeth
Wednesday is opening night for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which runs until January 3rd.
Silent movies with live musical score return to The Playhouse on Wednesday night with Faust: 100th Anniversary.
Each week we are highlighting three local businesses in three categories: a gift idea, a holiday deal and holiday themed activities - here are this week’s. Do you own a business or have a fave that you would like to see featured in one of these categories? Please complete our form to be considered or suggest your fave https://tinyurl.com/vibe-shoplocal
If you enjoy this newsletter and know someone who loves keeping up with what's happening around town please consider forwarding this to them. If it's been forwarded to you, sign up for future weekly issues here.
Last Chance to Join Us at the Table - Book Now
We had a lot of fun last month, one diner said; "I had a great time with my group! It was a great way to meet new people, and try a new restaurant. I have recommended the Vibe Dinner Club to all my friends "
This month, The Vibe Dinner Club is heading to Hess Village on Tuesday, November 17, for the last dinner club before the holidays.
Start your season celebrations with great food and great company. It’s easy, take the quick quiz, get matched with five other locals, and find out the morning of the 17th which Hess Village restaurant you’re headed to. After dinner, everyone meets up at a secret spot nearby to keep the night going.
You can bring a friend if you don’t want to come by yourself but you have to book by Sunday 15th - book your seats now.
🍽 VIBE EATS
Registration for the last Vibe Dinner Club of 2026 is closing soon. You can bring a friend if you don’t want to come by yourself! Bookings must be made by Sunday November 15th.
The team behind the Hamilton Fringe play First Bite to Last Laugh has a monthly dinner and show, the next one is Wednesday at Ancaster Old Mill.
🚸 KIDS VIBE
The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology has a Quiet Morning Tour on Saturday.
You have to run first but the reward is there at Leander Boat Club for the Kids Doughnut Dash 1km on Sunday. Adults have to work a bit harder and can do the 5 km dash right after!
🎭 VIBE ON STAGE
Local theatre groups continue to bring high quality productions that are in demand, Theatre Ancaster’s Come From Away has already sold out but you can catch the last weekends for Hamilton Theatre’s Evil Dead The Musical, Brothers Karmazov at The Staircase, Clue from Big Hearts Little Theatre and Waterdown Village Theatre’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.
Comedian Jeff Leeson is at the Zoetic Theatre on Saturday night.
🌺 CULTURAL VIBE
Three opening art receptions happening on Friday night with Reading the Water at You Me Gallery, Supernaturalia at Centre 4 Arts and The Finish Line at Assembly Gallery.
Sandy and Nora Talk Politics are doing a live taping of their show at the First Unitarian Church on Friday evening.
The Pages & Pleasure Romance Book Fair is at Ancaster Fairgrounds on Saturday.
🎸 LIVE MUSIC VIBE & DANCING 🕺
High energy and sounds from the Lemon Bucket Orkestra at The Corktown on Friday night and former New York subway busking stars, Too Many Zooz are playing at the Bridgeworks on Sunday night.
And the, The Vaudevillian are back in town at The Mule Spinner on Saturday night.
📡 UPCOMING VIBE
Fry Truck's Annual Fundraiser in Memory of Ella is at Oxigin on December 5th.
Hamilton Professional Women’s Hockey club now has a name, the Hamilton Havoc, and their Home Opener vs Ottawa Charge is on December 13th.
Note: Events may be full, cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to check or reach out to the venue before going.
If you enjoy this newsletter and know someone who loves keeping up with what's happening around town please consider forwarding this to them. If it's been forwarded to you, sign up for future weekly issues here.
🗓 Want to see your Hamilton, Ontario event included here? Please complete our Event Form here.
Any other questions? Get in touch [email protected]

Everything included in this newsletter is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Sometimes, the links we include pay us a referral or sponsor fee, which helps us continue to publish The Vibe at no cost to you *indicates sponsored advertising content.
©️ 2024-5 The Vibe Hamilton | All content and information set forth above was created by Paul Copcutt for The Vibe Hamilton and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under copyright law, including but not limited to The Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.




