The arts will be alive and well this weekend as the 13th annual New West Cultural Crawl takes over the city.
The two-day event, which kicks off Friday night with an opening celebration at Anvil Centre, features more than 60 artists spread across six neighbourhoods.
One stop on the crawl includes the Plaskett Gallery inside the Massey Theatre. On Sunday, Aug. 14 from 1 to 5 p.m., the venue will host a variety of events. In the lobby, New West artist Debra McKenzie’s eight sculptures will capture the attention of visitors as soon as they walk in. Meanwhile, nearly 50 quilts from the Little Group will be hung from the ceiling.
Artists will also be on hand to provide live demos, including Burnaby’s Eileen Fong, who specializes in Chinese painting, and Annaliese Meyer, a youth mixed-media artist.
The VanDeca choir and a jazz trio led by piano player Jonathan Tobin will also be performing.
If you stop into Plaskett Gallery, don’t forget to check out Carol-Ann Gupta’s acrylic exhibit, éveil.
Art and tea
The Port Royal Community Garden is co-hosting an Art in Bloom and English Tea Party on Sunday, Aug. 14 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (also part of the New West Cultural Crawl).
Work by Artists in the Boro will be on display, with refreshments and live music from noon to 3 p.m. You’re encouraged to wear a garden party hat, or better yet, make one on site.
The garden is at 83 Star Cres. For more stops along the crawl, visit newwestcul
turalcrawl.com.
Perseids and poetry
Join renowned astrophysicist and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medalist Jaymie Matthews and critically acclaimed New West poet Geoffrey Nilson for a night under the stars.
On Friday, Aug. 12, starting at 7 p.m., each will offer a unique response to the space_ exhibition at Anvil Centre, while sharing their observations, imaginings and impressions of the celestial sphere.
After the indoor event, around 8:30 p.m., the pair will walk with participants to Pier Park and search the night sky for the Perseid meteor shower.
“We’ll imagine the grand expanse of space and ponder our position here on Earth,” reads a release.
Bring blankets or sleeping bags and wear warm clothes. All ages welcome. Depending on light levels, the event may move to Queen’s Park later, in which case a sign will be posted.
Admission is free. Anvil Centre is at 777 Columbia St.
Moody Park fun
Moody Park will play host to a free kid’s event on Thursday, Aug. 18.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., families are invited to come out and enjoy a host of activities. The New Westminster Fire Department will be on hand with one of their trucks, as well as the city’s parks and recreation department and the police department.
The event was originally started by a 12-year-old Royal City boy five years ago. He wanted to do something because he thought there were not enough low-cost programs for kids in his neighbourhood. He has since moved away to Ottawa and the city has taken over the reins to ensure his initiative continues.
Correction
For anyone looking for the dog and cat fence, painted by local artist Margaret Halsey, it’s located south of East Eighth Avenue, just west of Devoy Street where East Sixth Avenue ends. In our previous story on Aug. 4, directions said Sixth Street. Rather, it is East Sixth Avenue.
