PechaKucha is making a move to Anvil Centre for Volume 9.
Ten presenters with an eclectic range of interests will share their passions in presentations featuring 20 images for 20 seconds. Since its beginnings in 2013, PechaKucha has sought to bring together people who are hungry for local culture.
“Our presenters consist of individuals who typically have a tie to our city, through work or play, or are culturally relevant,” said organizers Neal and Melina Michael in an email to the Record. “This has allowed us to have a great mix of people from different domains.”
The latest installment of PechaKucha New West takes place on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Anvil Centre. Guests will be gathering for drinks at 6 p.m., with theatre doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and presentations getting underway around 7 p.m.
For Volume 9, PechaKucha is pairing up with the Momentum Youth Festival and showcasing today’s engaged citizens and tomorrow’s leaders. Presenters at the upcoming event include: Jonina Campbell, chair of the New Westminster School Board; Sean Carter, director of Carter Hales Design Lab in Vancouver; Daniel Chai, cofounder of The Fictionals Comedy Co. in Vancouver; Caroline Doerksen, president of gender, sexuality and women’s studies at Simon Fraser University; and Jen Rustemeyer, filmmaker and producer of Just Eat It and The Clean Bin project.
To reserve free tickets, go to www.eventbrite.ca and search for PechaKucha New West Volume 9.
Enjoy some Day of the Dead fun
Anvil Centre is taking on a deadly vibe on Nov. 5.
The centre will host its first family-friendly, all-ages community dance on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. Residents are invited to come out in their best Day of the Dead outfit for this free event.
The dance is just one of three events taking place on the evening of Nov. 5.
Masquerade Dance Party is being presented by the same folks who brought Midsummer Night’s Dance to Tipperary Park two summers in a row. The dance will feature original mixes of Karma’s DJ Emersonic.
“As always, we’ve set up Eventbrite registration so we’ll have an idea of numbers,” event producer Diane Haynes said in a press release. “And the generosity of New West business means we’ll be giving away treat bags to the first 100 registrants.”
In addition to the Masquerade Dance Party, the New Media Gallery is opening its latest exhibition, The Scary on Nov. 5. The Scary takes a look at the mechanisms of how fear and horror are produced.
“This exhibit will have you rolling on the floor or running for the door!” states a press release.
Anvil Centre serves up a variety of offerings at The Vibe events, which are regularly held to showcase some of the offerings at the city’s newest cultural facility.
Vibe 6: Day of the Dead honours the Mexican tradition of gathering family, friends and community to remember those who have passed away and help support them on their spiritual journey. This event includes displays, traditional Mexican dances by Nahualli Folklore, live Latin music by Sangre Morena, live painting by artist Miralda Reye Retana, professional “Catrinas” makeup and “Calaveras” poetry and photo booth.
Free hot chocolate and Pan De Meurto (Day of the Dead bread) will be served.
City wants your input
The City of New Westminster is doing a citywide public survey to get feedback on public engagement.
The public engagement survey is available on the city’s website or hard copies are available at local community centre. The survey, which will run throughout October, is being conducted on behalf of the mayor’s task force on public engagement, which was established to review how the city engagement with residents and businesses and to develop recommendations for enhancing community public engagement and civic participation.
“Effective public engagement is a priority for the City of New Westminster, and we recognize that it is integral to good governance,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote in a press release. “Council believes that having active and engaged citizens involved in deliberation and discussion on issues that matter to them will help us as decision-makers better understand the needs and concerns of the community.”
According to the city, the survey results will be used to identify areas for improvement and for the development of new approaches for enhancing the city’s public engagement practices going forward.
“It is important that we receive feedback from a broad section of the community through this survey,” Cote said. “I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey. By doing so, they can have a direct hand in the development of a public engagement strategy that best serves the needs of our city.”
Save the date
The Royal City Gogos are presenting the works of more than 20 local crafters at the fourth annual Artisan Crafts for Africa. It’s taking place on Friday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Unifor hall, 326 12th St.
