There’s something fishy about an upcoming fundraiser for an emergency shelter in New Westminster.
New Fish and the Skipper Dickie Experience is a fundraiser taking place at the Fireside Pub in Sapperton on Saturday, Dec. 10. The show is raising funds for Fraserside Community Service’s Society’s emergency shelter.
“It’s a burger and beer for $20. All the money, plus our band fee, will go to the shelter,” said Alan Walsh, a fiddler in New Fish. “They are going to buy toys for people in the shelter, presents for Christmas.”
The fundraiser includes a 50/50 draw and the Skipper Dickie experience, in which people will be able to “kiss the cod and get screeched in.”
“It’s going to be very fun,” Walsh said. “There’s going to lots of banjos and fiddles and stuff like that.”
New Fish, a band based in the Tri Cities, plays Irish/East Coast music, so people can expect to hear lots of bangos and fiddles. Devon Wells, considered one of North America’s top banjo players, is the special guest at the event.
Tickets are available at the Fireside Pub at 421 East Columbia St.
New Fish is following up its New West gig with Celtic Christmas with New Fish, a fundraiser featuring Christmas songs and Irish/East Coast music. It takes place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Port Moody Museum, 2734 Murray St.
“People can bring brand new toys or men’s clothes. They get women’s’ clothes but not men’s clothes,” Walsh said. “Everything we collect is going into the van and will get dropped off at the shelter, except the money – the money will go to the shelter manager.”
Women’s shoes wanted
Women’s and girls’ shoes are being collected as part of an annual shoe memorial at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Women, Information and Advocacy and the UFCW are presenting the annual shoe memorial on Dec. 6 as part of the National Day of Remembrance and Action for Women Killed by Violence, and to remember the many other women and girls killed by violence. Organizers are on the hunt for 900 pairs of shoes that will be part of the memorial commemorating the women in B.C. who have been murdered.
Following the memorial, the new or gently-used shoes will be donated to women in need. For more information or to volunteer, contact John at 604-807-8940 or [email protected].
Shop for Christmas
Santa Claus isn’t the only Christmas event coming to town on Dec.3.
In addition to the annual Santa Claus Parade on Columbia Street (11 a.m.)., the New West Craft Christmas Night Market returns to River Market that evening from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Presented by the Arts Council of New Westminster, the event gives people a chance to shop from more than 40 vendors who will be selling handmade goods.
You’ll also be able to enjoy live music and indulge in food and drinks from River Market shops and restaurants. If you’re in need of refreshments, Steel and Oak Brewery will be on site serving up cold beers.
“This is more than a shopping event – it’s a community experience,” said a notice about the event.
Royal City Gogos prepare for Round 2
If you missed out on the Royal City Gogos’ recent craft sale, you’re in luck.
Hot on the heels of its most successful Artisan Crafts for Africa sale on Nov. 4 and 5 in New West, the group is heading to St. Thomas More Collegiate’s Christmas craft fair on Nov. 19 and 20 with the remainder of its merchandise. Founded in 2009, the Royal City Gogos mission is to raise awareness about the plight of African grandmothers raising children orphaned by AIDS, to raise funds so that Africans can secure a healthier and more sustainable future and to stand in solidarity with African grandmothers.
The STM Christmas craft fair takes place on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7450 12th Ave., just across the border in Burnaby.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Send ideas to Theresa McManus by email, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @TheresaMcManus.
