🏀 Hamilton Just Got an NBA Champion in Its Corner

Hey Hamilton  

The JUNOs are eleven days away. Murder on the Orient Express closes this Sunday. Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. just signed on. And TD Coliseum dropped a big ownership announcement this week. There's a lot to get into. 

Let's go.

--- Michael Horvath

Running now through Sun, Mar 22 (Closing Weekend) --- Theatre Aquarius (190 King William St)

Agatha Christie's beloved whodunit closes this Sunday, and if you haven't seen it yet, this is your absolute last chance. Adapted by Ken Ludwig and directed by Morris Panych, this Theatre Aquarius production has been one of the strongest shows of the 2025-26 season. Hercule Poirot. A luxury snowbound train. A murder. Every passenger a suspect. A twist that lands every single time. Tickets for the final weekend are moving fast.

👉 Theatre Aquarius

Thu, Mar 19 @ 7:00 PM --- Ringside Hamilton

Hamilton's own Eric Johnston comes home for one night on his 2026 "Son of a Bull" tour, marking 15 years in comedy. Award winning comedian, number one bestselling author, and Top 40 Under 40 honouree, Johnston tackles fatherhood, marriage, and the pressure to grow up without losing who you are. High energy delivery, fearless honesty, and a room full of people who will recognize every single story. A genuinely special homecoming show.

👉 Get Tickets

Fri, Mar 20 @ 7:30 PM --- TD Coliseum (101 York Blvd)

The Rock are back home for Marvel Super Hero Night vs the Saskatchewan Rush. If you've never caught professional box lacrosse live, this is one of the easier "yes" decisions on the calendar. Fast, physical, incredibly loud, and genuinely fun from the opening faceoff. The Rock carry a 6-4 record into this one, coming off a strong recent stretch. Doors open at 6:00 PM.

👉 Get Tickets

Sun, Mar 22 @ 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM --- Levity Comedy Club (120 King St W)

German-born comedian and content creator Mario Adrion brings his sharp, self-aware stand-up to Levity for two shows on Sunday night. Known for his fashion world roots, fearless honesty, and crowd work that pulls everyone into the joke, Adrion's live show has been earning strong reviews across North America. Two shows mean more options to grab a seat before they go.

👉 Get Tickets

Sat, Mar 28 @ 7:30 PM --- The Westdale (1014 King St W)

Canada's premier Eagles tribute act returns to The Westdale with a fully faithful live show covering Desperado, Hotel California, Take It Easy, and the full classic catalogue. If you're an Eagles fan looking ahead, this is the one to book now.

👉 The Westdale

Sun, Mar 22 --- The Westdale (1014 King St W)

The Westdale has a Sunday screening scheduled this week. Check their full showtimes for the current lineup, including any special or repertory screenings added to the calendar.

👉 The Westdale Showtimes

•   JUNO Kickoff Concert --- Thu, Mar 26, 2026 (The Music Hall) City of Hamilton

•   JUNO Awards 2026 --- Sun, Mar 29, 2026 (TD Coliseum) TD Coliseum

•   Goo Goo Dolls --- Thu, Apr 2, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Monster Jam --- Apr 17-19, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Old Dominion --- Thu, Apr 23, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Stars on Ice --- Sat, May 2, 2026 TD Coliseum

👉 Full calendar: TD Coliseum Events

This week, Oak View Group announced that reigning NBA Champion and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is joining the TD Coliseum ownership group. Growing up in Hamilton, the Oklahoma City Thunder star said the investment is "really personal," with a vision to bring world-class shows to his hometown and invest back into the local economy. An atrium along York Boulevard will be named the Ares Atrium after his two-year-old son. Along with the announcement came a wave of new event confirmations for the venue (see the full calendar at tdcoliseum.com).

👉 Hamilton Independent

After Murder on the Orient Express closes on March 22, Theatre Aquarius moves directly into its most anticipated production of the season: It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken, a world premiere musical built around the music of The Tragically Hip. Written by Brian Hill and Ahmed Moneka, produced by David and Hannah Mirvish and Michael Rubinoff (the producer of Come From Away), this Hamilton premiere runs April 22 to May 16. One for the calendar.

👉 Theatre Aquarius Season

Wed, Mar 18 @ 8:00 PM --- Levity Comedy Club (120 King St W)

Every Wednesday at Levity is Amateur Night, where you might catch the next big name in Canadian comedy before anyone else knows who they are. Low-key, affordable, and the kind of night that surprises you in the best way.

👉 Levity Comedy Club

Sat, Mar 28 @ 7:30 PM --- The Westdale (1014 King St W)

Canada's premier Eagles tribute show plays The Westdale with over 85,000 followers and a reputation for a faithful live experience. Hotel California. Desperado. Take It Easy. Book early if you're an Eagles fan.

👉 The Westdale

The Tiger-Cats' offseason has been one of the most active in the CFL. The latest addition: the signing of National wide receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. to a two-year deal. The Wilfrid Laurier product and former Grey Cup champion (109th Cup with Toronto) is coming off three seasons in Edmonton and joins a receiving corps that already includes Keric Wheatfall, Tyson Middlemost, Mario Alford, and Shemar Bridges alongside Bo Levi Mitchell. The Tiger-Cats also recently signed defensive back Stephen Douglas, a versatile, athletic American safety out of Northwood University who ran a 4.45-second forty at his pro day. With the CFL Draft set for April 28 and all training camps opening May 10, the window is coming into sharp focus.

⏳ 71 days until the Tiger-Cats' first preseason game (Sat, May 23, 2026 vs Toronto @ 7:00 PM, Hamilton Stadium)

👉 Ticats

Forge FC is in full preseason preparation mode with the 2026 CPL season opening April 4. The club is channelling the experience from the CONCACAF Champions Cup run against Tigres UANL into preparation for a strong league campaign.

👉 Forge FC

The Rock host the Saskatchewan Rush this Friday night at TD Coliseum for Marvel Super Hero Night. The Rock sit at 6-4 on the season, coming off a strong stretch that has included some impressive performances from rookie CJ Kirst. Box lacrosse at its best.

👉 Get Tickets

Two strong recognitions came in this week for the Marauders. On the women's volleyball side, Abby Delamere was named the U SPORTS Community Service Award recipient, recognizing her work coaching at Mountain Volleyball Club, running youth clinics at the Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton, and three seasons as a team co-captain. Her teammate Olivia Julien, who led the Marauders with 16 kills in the OUA Final, was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian after ranking fifth in the OUA in kills this season. On the men's side, rookie Mekhi Fitzgerald earned U SPORTS All-Rookie Team honours after a standout debut season, recording 188 kills and 19 service aces in 19 matches.

👉 McMaster Marauders

The Theatre Aquarius production of Agatha Christie's classic closes this Sunday, March 22. If you haven't seen it and are thinking about it, stop thinking.

👉 Theatre Aquarius

The 2026 JUNO Awards come to TD Coliseum on Sunday, March 29, hosted by Mae Martin with performances by Arkells, The Beaches, Daniel Caesar, and William Prince, plus special appearances by Joni Mitchell and Nelly Furtado. The JUNO Kickoff Concert is Thursday, March 26 at The Music Hall. Hamilton's biggest cultural week of the year is less than two weeks away.

👉 JUNO Awards

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is always worth a midweek visit in the downtown core. A coffee and culture add-on that pairs well with anything else you have planned near James St N or King William.

👉 Art Gallery of Hamilton

Reminder that It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken, the world premiere musical built around the music of The Tragically Hip, opens April 22 at Theatre Aquarius. Produced by Mirvish Productions and Michael Rubinoff, this is a genuinely major cultural moment for Hamilton. Tickets are available now.

👉 Theatre Aquarius

If you want a simple, stacked week: 

•   Wed: Amateur Night at Levity Levity Comedy Club

•   Thu: Eric Johnston "Son of a Bull" at Ringside Hamilton Get Tickets

•   Fri: Toronto Rock vs Saskatchewan Rush, Marvel Super Hero Night at TD Coliseum Get Tickets

•   Sun: Mario Adrion at Levity (7:00 PM or 9:00 PM) Get Tickets

•   Any night this week: Murder on the Orient Express at Theatre Aquarius (closing Sun, Mar 22) Theatre Aquarius

Got a show, event, or pop-up we should include next week? Reply to this email with the link and details, and we'll check it out.

See you out there, Hamilton 👋

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Thanks for reading!

Michael Horvath