1. Explore the variety of volunteer opportunities available in New West at the New Westminster Festival of Volunteers on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Royal City Centre. More than 30 local non-profits will be on site looking for volunteers at the festival, which also features live entertainment.
2. Check out an evening of free live electronic music, art and community at Social Medium Volume 5. Taking place at River Market on Saturday, Jan 27 from 6:30 to 11 p.m., Social Medium features music by Hargow, Stephen Carl O’Shea and Social Medium DJs Mutes Ito, Machinale and Rob Hay.
3. Celebrate Family Literacy Week by making a yummy snack, playing games, and learning about literacy resources in New West. You’ll also get to take home a free book from this event that’s on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 280 at Royal City Centre, 610 Sixth St.
4. Enjoy an evening of storytelling through song when VanDeca choir presents Myths & Tales an intimate choir show, on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 403 East Columbia St. Tickets are $20 at the door for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Info and tickets at the VanDeca Voices page on Facebook.
5. Learn about New Westminster’s history when local historian Archie Miller speaks at Faces of the Fraser on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Dr. Faces of the Fraser includes a one-hour presentation, a Q&A session and light refreshments. Free with admission to the centre ($6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $3 for children). Info and pre-registration at www.fraserriverdiscovery.org.
