1. Celebrate the opening of the new Moody Park playground with a day of fun including music, face painting and a barbecue. The festivities, taking place on Saturday, June 25 at 1 p.m., get underway with a short formal program with the mayor and council and are followed by an afternoon of fun.
2. Welcome newcomers to New Westminster at a family event for new Canadians. The event, in celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day, is on Saturday, June 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at Friendship Gardens (Fourth Street and Royal Avenue). The New Westminster District and Labour Council and the City of New Westminster are cohosting the event that includes music, a barbecue and games.
3. Drop by the Plaskett Gallery and view works by New Westminster artist Karen P. Nguyen, whose exhibit A Journey: Drawing through Grief runs until June 30. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave.
4. Take in three plays in 97 minutes – featuring 1,222 characters and only three actors. Curious? The Alchemy Theatre is presenting The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridge) on Friday (8 p.m.), Saturday (1 and 8 p.m.) and Sunday (7 p.m.) at the Columbia Theatre. Tickets are $20 (plus a service charge) in advance or $25 (plus a service charge at the door). For tickets or more info, go to www.alchemytheatre.ca.
5. Explore the social and cultural significance of West African instruments and music at a free ArtStarts workshop for kids with Fana Soro. Soro believes young people build their understanding and appreciation for art and culture through interactions with individuals of diverse cultures. Drop by River Market (810 Quayside Dr.) on Sunday, June 26, when sessions take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
6. Support Royal City Musical Theatre’s efforts to put on first-class productions like next year’s Anything Goes by attending a fundraiser on Sunday, June 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. at El Santo restaurant at 680 Columbia St. Tickets are $100. You’ll get a delicious dinner and enjoy an evening of great music courtesy of some of the cast of this year’s Fiddler on the Roof. Tickets and info are available at 604-521-5050 or royalcitymusicaltheatre.com.
